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- Diaspora, institutional strategies and poverty reduction in homelands (A case study of Ghanaians in London)Publication . Asafo Agyei, Stephen; Malheiros, Jorge Da Silva MacaistaThe literature on the migration and development nexus has been enriching over the years, attracting several schools of thought with disparate perspectives. Despite this significant attention given by the academic community, not much has been done concerning the sociological elements of the discussion, especially withinGhana’s case. Indeed, the attempt to bring these two elements (migration and development) together without understanding that one (migration) is a social construct often results in conceptual myopia that weakens the main arguments usually presented. While a one-sided argument centred on the impact of remittances on the macroeconomy is imperative, this approach only tells a part of the narrative. In order to present a holistic perspective, this dissertation employs a mixed-methods approach to analyse the so-called migration and development nexus within the framework of the Ghanaian Diaspora. The dissertation is primarily centred on three worldviews within the academic migration discourse, aiming to add three key novel elements to the literature. First, the dissertation challenges the conventional knowledge, which more or less overlooks the sociological aspect of migration when it is positioned in the development framework. Essentially there is a widespread assumption that one of themigration’s consequences, remittances, directly relates to poverty reduction. However, given that most of the poorest poor hardly embark on legal migration, with a few of them only resorting to clandestine movements, it is unreasonable to assume they will be the primary beneficiaries of the most capital generated by migration. This is because remittances are subjective, corresponding to the private resources of the migrants and their families. Notably, this dissertation shows that remittances inflow to Ghana is unevenly distributed as most of them reach, socially, the well-off people who are left behind in Ghana and, geographically, the two most developed regions, where most of these migrants come from – Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. The second part of thethesis’ core argument introduces an innovative approach to address the challenges emanating from the uneven distribution of remittances. To do that, it was vital to listen to the relevant stakeholders, in this case, the migrants in the Diaspora, as remittances do not happen over a vacuum. The third part departs from the financial capital framework to discuss human capital. Specifically, it focuses on the skilled and highly skilled migrants, namely health professionals, higher education professors and real estate entrepreneurs, assuming two main lines of reasoning: i) to virtually transfer their knowledge in order to contribute to the social inequality and poverty reduction agenda and ii) help to identify, stimulate and eventually support the transition process of migrants who are willing to go back home. Primarily, this dissertation comprises nine chapters with four independent and interrelated empirical chapters (chapters 5 to 8), addressing the main research questions onmigration’s consequences-remittances, poverty and social inequality. Specifically, chapter 5, using multiple linear regression, shows that while an increase in remittance correlates positively with Ghana’s GDP per capita, this evidence signals an issue of social inequality at the micro-level. The chapter confirms the latter argument by placing the discussion within the socio-political context, supported by a diachronic analysis ofGhana’s emigration patterns and poverty. The evidence suggested that though remittances have sociological effects benefitting particularly, the more affluent social groups at the detriment of the poor, its overall impacts on the macroeconomy remain crucial; hence, there should be sound interventions to address the setbacks, ensuring better distribution of the benefits. Chapter 6 employed a mixed-method approach to collect information from the Ghanaian migrants worldwide and identified the engagement levels of those sending the remittances. Their suggestions led to testing a proposal on whether a State-led online application for sending remittances seemed feasible in chapter 7. Further in the proposal included, the returns from the app would go into investment in less-remittances recipient regions, which happens to be the poorest regions in Ghana. This was to ensure an effective redistribution of the impacts of remittances across the country. The findings indicated that most Ghanaians would use the app if only the charges were relatively cheap compared to other means of money transfer. Concerning the sustainability of the app, the study proposes the establishment of an independent check and balance office to regulate it. It also suggests creating a consultative body within the Diaspora to provide quarterly feedback to the public authorities. The last empirical chapter addresses the issue of brain drain and proposes the concept of virtual return for skilled and highly skilled workers. The chapter used a grounded theory approach to design a model (Engaging the skilled Ghanaians for development - ESGMD model) aiming to contribute towards poverty reduction and the socio-spatial inequality gap in Ghana.
- The composition of the lipid, protein and mineral fractions of quail breast meat obtained from wild and farmed specimens of Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and farmed Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica domestica)Publication . Quaresma, MAG; Antunes, I. C.; Ferreira, B. Gil; Parada, A.; Elias, A.; Banos, M.; Santos, C.; Partidário, A.; Mourato, M.; Roseiro, L. C.The present study was intended to answer 2 scientific hypotheses: 1) the quail species has a significant influence in quail breast meat composition; 2) the wild quail's meat presents healthier composition than their farmed counterparts. An analysis of the pectoral muscles of wild and captive common quails (Coturnix coturnix) and domestic quails (Coturnix japonica domestica) was performed. The content of fatty acids (FA), amino acids, total cholesterol, and vitamin E, some basic macro- and microminerals in the pectoral muscles of the 2 species of the genus Coturnix were analyzed. Regarding the quail species influence on meat composition, Japanese Quail (JQ) revealed better lipid composition, characterized by lower saturated FA (SFA; less 3.17 g/100 g of total fatty acids), higher polyunsaturated FA contents (PUFA; more 5.5 g/100 g of total fatty acids) and healthier polyunsaturated FA/saturated FA (P/S) and n-6/n-3 ratios and TI value (1.08, 9.54 and 0.60 vs. 0.76, 12.58, and 0.75, correspondingly). The absence of differences observed on amino acids partial sums and ratios reveals equality between species on protein nutritional quality. On the other hand, Common Quail (CQ) proved to be a better source of copper (0.181 mg/100 g of meat), iron (2.757 mg/100 g of meat), manganese (0.020 mg/100 g of meat), and zinc (0.093 mg/100 g of meat) than JQ. The comparison of farmed and wild specimens within CQ, showed that wild birds presented lower total cholesterol (less 8.32 mg/g of fresh meat) and total PUFA (less 4.26 g/100 g of total fatty acids), and higher n-3 PUFA contents (more 1.53 g/100 g of total fatty acids), which contributed to healthier P/S and n-6/n-3 ratios, but worst PI (1.60, 8.08, and 113.1 vs. 0.76, 12.58, and 100.8, respectively). The wild species revealed higher alpha-tocopherol content (2.40 vs. 1.49 mu g/g of fresh meat. Differences observed on their mineral composition counterbalance each other. Under intensive production system and similar feeding and management conditions, the CQ develops better nutritional qualities than JQ. The comparison of wild and farmed species within CQ reveals more similarities than differences. Quails meat presents good nutritional quality and introduces variability to human's diet, which is much valued by consumers.
- The impact of genetic groups (Alentejano and F1 Landrace x Large White pigs) and body weight (90, 120 and 160kg) on blood metabolitesPublication . Amaral, Andreia; Cordeiro, Daniela; Bettencourt, Carlos; Moreira, Olga; Bressan, Maria Cristina; Belo, Ana Teresa; Boari, Cleube Andrade; van Harten, Sofia; Gama, Luis; Almeida, Joao MarquesThis research work was carried out with the goal of studying the impact of genetic groups-GG (Alentejano-AL, n = 30, and F1 Landrace*Large White-F1 pigs, n = 30) and body weight-BW (90, 120 and 160 kg) on plasma metabolites. Blood parameters were correlated with animal production traits, carcass measurements and meat quality. Individual records for feed conversion index (CI) and daily feed intake were recorded on a weekly basis, for a period of 15 weeks. Compared to the F1, AL pigs displayed (P <0.05) higher average levels of glucose, total cholesterol-TC, triglycerides-TG, HDL-cholesterol (HDL), LDL-cholesterol (LDL) and total protein (TP), by about 14.0, 21.0, 42.2, 18.2, 21.2 and 5.0%, respectively. AL pigs (120–160 kg) showed higher TG levels, when compared to the values at 90 kg (2.6 and 1.6 times higher). High TG levels occurred when animals exhibited high daily feed intake (0.450 and 1.810 kg, for AL and F1 pigs). In the AL high TG levels were correlated with high fat deposition, at 120 kg (r = 0.51). At 90 kg, however, high fat deposition was related to HDL (r = 0.59), a lipoprotein associated to cholesterol transport. A progressive increase in ALB was found in the F1, as expected, but AL pigs showed higher and similar ALB means at 90, 120 and 160 kg. As for meat color, AL pigs with high cholesterol were negatively associated to L*, while high TG levels were associated to low b*. Animals with high ALB produced more tender meats (low shear force). Pigs with higher levels of lipid metabolism showed Longissimus thoracis muscles with decreased luminosity and yellowness (meats of a less attractive appearance). However, these meats were tenderer.
- Spatio-temporal variability and persistence of PM2.5 concentrations in China using trend analysis methods and Hurst exponentPublication . Wang, Xiugui; Li, Tianxin; Ikhumhen, Harrison Odion; M. Sá, RuiStudying the persistence and spatial-temporal trends of air pollution is beneficial for determining the pollutant risk area and enables the development of associated prediction tools and models. Relying on the PM2.5 concentrations data retrieved via remote sensing from 2000 to 2018, the spatial and temporal pattern, variation tends, and persistence is determined through the Theil-Sen median trend analysis, Mann-Kendall, and Hurst exponent. We combine the Theil-Sen Median + Mann-Kendall and Hurst to quantitatively and qualitatively predict the future trends of China's PM2.5 concentrations as a new perspective. Results reveal that PM2.5 concentrations increased at first and then decreased significantly, with 2009–2011 as the turning point for PM2.5 pollution changes, particularly in Central China and the Southeast Coastal Area. The area where PM2.5 concentrations were below 10 μg/m3 account for 29.75% of China's total territory, reaching the annual average criterion value determined by the World Health Organization. The areas presenting a continuous increase (15.69%) and decline (17.46%) of PM2.5 concentrations were almost equal. As a result, the constant monitoring of the variance in PM2.5 concentrations in the sustainably increased and underdetermined regions, such as Tibet and Northeast China, is needed. This study used simulated PM2.5 concentrations data as a valuable complement to China's ground monitoring stations, thus compensating for a shortage of long-term series data. Grid data analysis can more finely show the interior disputes in PM2.5 concentrations. The algorithm codes can be freely downloaded and become a helpful tool for analyzing the spatio-temporal variation characteristics of primary air pollutants.
- An empirical and theoretical approach to a country's economic activity based on a Social Accounting Matrix. An application to PortugalPublication . Santos, SusanaThe economic flows measured by the national accounts, which are associated with transactions of goods, services, and assets, as well as transfers, all represent interactions between institutional units, to whom legal responsibility for their actions and the fulfilment of specific economic functions is recognized. These flows are defined by the underlying system – the System of National Accounts (SNA) as being transactions. When represented in the matrix form, depending on the classification and organization of the institutional units, at the origin and the destination of the corresponding flows, the “from-whom-to-whom” transactions can be measured and modelled, benefiting from the underlying network of linkages. By adopting the nomenclatures and rules of the current version of the above-mentioned system (SNA 2008), this study uses a top-down methodology to design a matrix representation of the above-mentioned transactions - the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). Empirical and theoretical descriptions of the economic activity of a country (Portugal is used as the illustrative case), made possible by the use of the numerical and algebraic versions of a SAM, are adopted to approach the multiplier effects of policy measures and the corresponding economic adjustments.
- Risk reallocation under Central Banks' LSAPsPublication . Martin, Alberto López; Adão, BernardinoCrises have some common features: increases in risk premia, decrease of interest rates, and flight-to-quality, among others. We propose a continuous-time model with heterogeneous agents to study the effects of large-scale asset purchases on the market price of risk and the risk-free rate. We observe how, when the central bank buys risky assets using risk-less debt, there is a reduction of risk-taking in the economy, as the risk is transferred to non-market participants. Quantitative easing reduces the exposure of intermediaries’ balance sheets to capital shocks, leading to a reduction in the risk premium and an increase in the risk-free rate.
- Recommender system to support comprehensive exploration of large scale scientific datasetsPublication . Barros, Márcia; Couto, Francisco José Moreira; Almeida, André Moitinho deBases de dados de entidades científicas, como compostos químicos, doenças e objetos astronómicos, têm crescido em tamanho e complexidade, chegando a milhares de milhões de itens por base de dados. Os investigadores precisam de ferramentas novas e inovadoras para auxiliar na escolha desses itens. Este trabalho propõe o uso de Sistemas de Recomendação para auxiliar os investigadores a encontrar itens de interesse. Identificamos como um dos maiores desafios para a aplicação de sistemas de recomendação em áreas científicas a falta de conjuntos de dados padronizados e de acesso aberto com informações sobre as preferências dos utilizadores. Para superar esse desafio, desenvolvemos uma metodologia denominada LIBRETTI - Recomendação Baseada em Literatura de Itens Científicos, cujo objetivo é a criação de conjuntos de dados , relacionados com campos científicos. Estes conjuntos de dados são criados com base no principal recurso de conhecimento que a Ciência possui: a literatura científica. A metodologia LIBRETTI permitiu o desenvolvimento de novos algoritmos de recomendação específicos para vários campos científicos. Além do LIBRETTI, as principais contribuições desta tese são conjuntos de dados de recomendação padronizados nas áreas de Astronomia, Química e Saúde (relacionado com a doença COVID-19), um sistema de recomendação semântica híbrido para compostos químicos em conjuntos de dados de grande escala, uma abordagem híbrida baseada no enriquecimento sequencial (SeEn) para recomendações sequenciais, um pipeline baseado em semântica de vários campos para recomendar entidades biomédicas relacionadas com a doença COVID-19.
- Factors influencing the success of capturing European brown bears with foot snaresPublication . Pereira, Joana; Rosalino, L. M.; Reljić, Slaven; Babic, Natarsha; Huber, DjuroManagement of free-ranging wildlife may include the capture of animals, with the implication that the capture process is optimized, both logistically and economically and in a way that avoids animal suffering, injury or accidental mortality. Studies targeting the optimization of trapping techniques are scarce, especially when focusing on large European mammals. Therefore, to fill this knowledge gap, we aimed to evaluate key factors that help determine brown bear capture success. This was done by analysing a complete data set from 23 years of capturing free-living Eurasian brown bears in Croatia by using Aldrich-type foot snares. Results showed significantly higher capture efficiency when traps were located at permanent feeding sites when compared to temporary feeding sites. Also, the use of a trail trap design was significantly more efficient in capturing bears than using a cubby set. Finally, results showed that trapping was more efficient when we bait the traps more frequently and when we implemented longer trap-sessions, with at least 14 days.
- Romantic Love and Intimacy Experiences: Discourses of Immigrant Women In PortugalPublication . Silva, Estefânia; Neves, SofiaBased on a critical feminist framework, this paper describes qualitative research that aims to understand how immigration influences women’s experiences of love and intimacy. Eight immigrant women with an average age of 32.25 years old were interviewed, and the subsequent data were analysed using a critical discourse analysis methodology. The results reveal how women’s experiences of love and intimacy are marked by cultural standards informed by gender norms, and these lead to power imbalances in several aspects of their lives. Intimate relationships are particularly affected by social representations from the country of origin, with more conservative political systems predicting more conservative experiences of love and intimacy.
- Cellulose acetate fibres loaded with daptomycin for metal implant coatingsPublication . Faria, Jaime; Dionísio, Bruno; Soares, Íris; Baptista, Ana Catarina; Marques, Ana; Gonçalves, Lídia; Bettencourt, Ana; Baleizão, Carlos; Ferreira, IsabelMultifunctional polymeric coatings containing drug delivery vehicles can play a key role in preventing/reducing biofilm formation on implant surfaces. Their requirements are biocompatibility, good adhesion, and controllable drug release. Although cellulose acetate (CA) films and membranes are widely studied for scaffolding, their applications as a protective coating and drug delivery vehicle for metal implants are scarce. The reason is that adhesion to stainless steel (SS) substrates is non-trivial. Grinding SS substrates enhances the adhesion of dip-coated CA films while the adhesion of electrospun CA membranes is improved by an electrosprayed chitosan intermediate layer. PMMA microcapsules containing daptomycin have been successfully incorporated into CA films and fibres. The released drug concentration of 3 × 10−3 mg/mL after 120 min was confirmed from the peak luminescence intensity under UV radiation of simulated body fluid (SBF) after immersion of the fibres.