Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2009-05"
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- Dinâmicas de empreendedorismo e microcrédito nos AçoresPublication . Couto, Gualter; Ponte, João Crispim Borges daEste estudo versará a análise de estatísticas nacionais e regionais que nos permitirão tecer algumas considerações relativamente ao perfil do empreendedor utilizador do microcrédito, designado microempreendedor, na Região Autónoma dos Açores, procurando também perceber quais os sectores de maior procura. Os resultados sugerem que os projectos de microcrédito nesta região são principalmente vocacionados para o comércio a retalho e são liderados por indivíduos do sexo masculino residentes na ilha de São Miguel, com uma idade compreendida entre os 25 e os 34 anos de idade, numa situação de desemprego, que terminaram ou frequentaram o ensino secundário.
- Relationship of the APOE polymorphism and lipid profile: A population-based study in the Azores Islands (Portugal)Publication . Raposo, Mafalda; Dahmani, Yahya; Silva, Francisca; Tavares, M.; Cymbron, Teresa; Santos, Cristina; Bettencourt, Conceição; Ferin, Rita; Correia, Cristina; Pavão, Maria Leonor; Lima, ManuelaThe factors leading to a two-fold mortality rate from coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Azores, as compared to Mainland Portugal, have not been elucidated. Previous studies reported a population tendency for hypercholesterolemia, one of the main factors contributing to the development of atherosclerosis (AT), considered the primary cause of CAD. Apolipoprotein E has a key role in plasma lipid metabolism, given its function as a ligand for cell-surface receptor mediated uptake of lipoproteins. Polymorphism in the apolipoprotein gene (APOE) results in three major isoforms encoded by three codominant alleles (E2, E3 and E4). With the purpose of establishing the pattern of variation at the APOE locus and determining its association with lipid profile, we studied a random sample of 298 unrelated, apparently healthy individuals of Azorean origin. In nearly 50% of the sample total cholesterol (TC) was above 200mg/dl; in 25% of the individuals LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was higher than 130 mg/dl. Allele frequencies were 0.0833, 0.8317 and 0.0850 for E2, E3 and E4, respectively. Genotype frequencies were higher for E3*E3 genotype (66.1%); genotype distribution displayed conformity with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. No differences in allelic frequencies were found in comparison with other Caucasian populations, namely with mainland Portugal. E3*E4 individuals presented the highest cholesterol levels. Analysis of variance performed with the most represented genotypes (E2*E3, E3*E3 and E3*E4) revealed a clear association between the genotypic composition and TC, as well as LDL-C, thus confirming in this population, the role of APOE as one of the genetic determinants of AT.
- Os determinantes da estrutura de capital de empresas do PSI-20Publication . Couto, Gualter; Ferreira, Sofia C.In this paper, the intention is to analyse the capital structure features of the companies operating in the Portuguese Capital Market (PSI-20). A panel analysis allows the studying of relationships between debt level and those factors which financial literature considers as determining for capital structure: size, tangibility, growth opportunities, operational risk, non-debt tax shields, profit, dividend payout, and stock price performance. This empirical study purports to describe the effects of these variables on the companies' debt level.
- Tauromaquia y ecología : antagonismo o complementariedadPublication . Barreiros, João P.
- Students perspectives on itself and on school workPublication . Serpa, Margarida Damião; Caldeira, Suzana Nunes; Gomes, Carlos; Sousa, Áurea; Silva, OsvaldoA construção e validação de escalas de avaliação no âmbito académico constituem uma mais valia para os professores compreenderem os seus alunos. Assim, são apresentadas duas escalas: uma escala na área académica e uma segunda escala na área pro-académica. As escalas revelaram propriedades psicométricas adequadas.
- Knowledge and commitment: challenging children's environmental perspectivesPublication . Arroz, Ana Margarida Moura; Gabriel, Rosalina; Neilson, Alison
- Differences in spatial distribution of two small delphinids (Delphinus delphis and Stenella frontalis) in two islands of the Azores ArchipelagoPublication . Fernandez, Marc; Oviedo, L.; Hartman, Karin L.; Sousa, B.; Azevedo, José M. N.The archipelago of the Azores represents a special area of cetacean ocurrence, mostly due to its oceanic nature. In this area two small delphinids, the common dolphin and the Atlantic spotted dolphin, the former seeming to be present all year around, while the latter seems to be seasonal (summer). In this study we analyse their respective distribution in two different islands, Pico and São Miguel. Sighting records from 2005 to 2008 in Pico, and from 2008 in São Miguel, were pooled together, analyzed and incorporated into a Geographic Information System (ArcGis 9.3). In order to understand the relations between these species and the ecogeographical variables, a statistical treatment (Kruskal-Wallis) and an Ecological Niche Analisis (using Biomapper 4) were perfomed. While common dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins are statistically related with depth and slope in Pico, they are just statiscally related with depth in São Miguel. Moreover there are statiscal differences between their distribution in the two islands, suggesting differences on the ecological niche of the species depending on the island, probably related with differences on bathymetry features. There are also differences in distribution between common dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins in São Miguel, while in Pico they seem to cohabit in the same area, possibly indicating a niche overlap. In São Miguel, statiscal differences in the distribution between the two species (in depth and in slope) are present, atlantic spotted dolphins showing more tolerance to deep waters. These results suggest the existence of differences on these two delphind populations’ distributions depending on the island, probably due to different bathymetric features. Further work is being conducted in order to better understand their distribution and interactions.
- How to solve environmental problems: propositions from children of the 6th gradePublication . Gabriel, Rosalina; Arroz, Ana Margarida Moura; Ávila, SóniaThis study considers a standardized Portuguese literacy test (PASE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA) that all children in the Azorean Archipelago (Portugal) complete once they finish sixth grade. The 2007 test included a composition focused on their perspectives on the environment, global warming and other major problems and potential solutions.
- The red algal genus Scinaia (Nemaliales; Rhodophyta) on the Gulf of California, Mexico: a taxonomic account.Publication . León-Cisneros, Karla; Riosmena-Rodriguez, Rafael; Neto, Ana I.; Hernández-Carmona, GustavoHistorically, the genus Scinaia has revealed taxonomic discrepancies, and until now, there is no consensus on the morphological characters that distinguish species within this genus. Furthermore, most of the species are not completely described. In this paper, a re-evaluation of Scinaia genus from the Gulf of California was undertaken, on the basis of historical and recent collections. A critical review of morphological, anatomical and reproductive features is provided, and a combination of features is suggested for species diagnosis. The occurrence of Scinaia confusa, Scinaia johnstoniae and Scinaia latifrons is confirmed; the presence of Scinaia interrupta is reported for the first time in the Pacific Ocean. Material previously identified as Scinaia complanata was reidentified as S. johnstoniae. A new pattern on the fusion cell development is described for S. latifrons.
- A Grande Guerra nos Açores : memória histórica e património militarPublication . Rezendes, Sérgio Alberto Fontes; Cordeiro, Carlos Alberto da Costa"[…]. A análise das relações entre as duas esferas de poder local, a civil (materializada em última instância nos Governadores Civis) e a militar (assente no Comando Militar dos Açores e respectivos comandos de ilha), posteriormente retidas numa única entidade, o Alto Comissário da República nos Açores, em 1918, e o seu desenvolvimento ao longo do período em analise, ou seja de meados do 1914 a finais de 1919, permitirá entender o esforço realizado para conter a conjugação crítica de factores negativos. De facto, na fase final do conflito mundial a gripe pneumónica vitimaria, no espaço de poucos meses entre 20 a 40 milhões de pessoas por todo o mundo, sendo "disseminada essencialmente através das comunicações marítimas", assumindo o "transporte de soldados um papel fundamental na propagação", juntando-se assim à fome, à guerra e à instabilidade política reinante na capital portuguesa, mas com inevitáveis reflexos locais. Esta análise demarca o período em estudo entre o assassinato do Arquiduque Francisco Fernando na Bósnia a 28 de Junho de 1914 e o repatriamento dos alemães concentrados no Depósito de Angra do Heroísmo a 7 de Novembro de 1919, situação como a última, em termos objectivos, ocorrida em território açoriano e ainda relacionada com a Grande Guerra. […]". (da Introdução, págs. 15-16)