Manuel Au-Yong Oliveira

Accessibility levels of Portuguese enterprise websites: equal opportunities for all?

Web accessibility is growing in importance. We may also find an increasing need for access to web resources by those with some sort of disability. The Web is very important for spreading information and for promoting interaction between the various elements in society. Given this, it is essential that the Web presents itself as a totally accessible resource, so that it can help citizens with disabilities and their integration in society. This obligation should be even greater for enterprises as primarily the Web is used as a marketing and business platform. With this document, we present indicators regarding the [lack of] accessibility levels of Portuguese enterprise websites. This article contains theoretical and background considerations as well as the results of two different studies that the research team undertook. First of all, the research team made a comparison between the 1000 largest Portuguese enterprises (annual sales volume) and the 1000 best Portuguese small and medium enterprises (sales growth and profit) using a specialised software tool and according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0; the research team then also considered WCAG 2.0 and its impact on enterprise Web accessibility. In the second study (qualitative in nature), focus group interactions led to a set of recommendations towards greater accessibility.

Adenoma–carcinoma sequence in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

INTRODUCTIONnCholangiocarcinoma is a rare tumor but recent data report a worldwide increase in incidence and mortality. There are several risk factors associated with cholangiocarcinoma, and chronic inflammation of billiary tree seems to be implied in the cholangiocarcinogenesis, but little is known about this process.nnnPRESENTATION OF CASEnWe present a 56-year-old female with a bile duct adenoma incidentally discovered in the follow up of breast cancer that 18 months later progress to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.nnnDISCUSSIONnThis is a rare presentation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that suggests the classic adenoma-carcinoma sequence in cholangiocarcinogenesis. Furthermore this case gives rise to some questions about the possible common ground on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and breast cancer.nnnCONCLUSIONnCholangiocarcinogenesis is a complex multi-step mechanism and further investigations are needed to fully understand this process.

Business Narrative Modelling Language (BNML) representations: A storyline view and a plot view of how interoperability is an antecedent of innovation at IP BRICK

The relationship between interoperability and innovation is very hard to prove and more empirical studies seem to be needed to this end. We performed an in-depth case study at an innovative Portuguese software firm which has achieved steady growth, international brand recognition and consistent annual profits, despite the much publicized economic crisis in Portugal. IP BRICK is interesting as it differs from the survivalist entrepreneurial endeavours which tend to be the norm in Portugal. We indeed conclude that having an interoperability capability is central and an antecedent to innovation. Furthermore, a dynamic organizational innovation culture is instrumental and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is seen to be an enabler in the process. Using digital knowledge management tools as a basis for innovation and having a company-wide profit-sharing scheme based on seniority, but also on merit, encourage a knowledge-sharing corporate culture. This is seen to be especially important in Portugal where there is no religious diversity, a characteristic of a dogmatic culture with a low creative orientation and an absence of a performance orientation. Our research has also used the Business Narrative Modelling Language (BNML) – a research tool which made the research effort more agile and dynamic when compared to more traditional research methods.

An Initial Proposal for a Web 2.0 Information System that Supports a 360º Customer Loyalty Assurance Process in Private Healthcare Organizations

This study translates how the potential exists for ICT and Web 2.0 to promote and improve the quality and efficiency of the supply of health services. The segmented and personalized access to individual clinical records is considered in the context of basic support information which simultaneously facilitates an initial screening by a health professional, to all those who fit in a universe of clients and patients of Private Healthcare Organizations - PHO. The context is of excellent customized health care which builds trusting relationships with the target market. The project does however recognize barriers to this change namely by making the health system more transparent clinicians who hitherto have gone mainly unquestioned and unnoticed will subsequently possibly be subject to more scrutiny and possible judicial action in case of mal practice. Nonetheless, with this work we aim to present an initial position relative to the need for the existence of information systems which support the process of creation of customer loyalty in private organizations delivering health care services.

Torção do cordão espermático: aspectos de diagnóstico e terapêutica

Resumo A torcao do cordao espermatico e uma patologia frequente. Trata-se de uma emergencia cirurgica uma vez que o atraso ou a incapacidade de realizar um diagnostico correcto tem, como consequencia, a perda do testiculo atingido. Ocorre, mais frequentemente, durante o primeiro ano de vida e na puberdade. O diagnostico tem por base os achados da historia, dor escrotal intensa, unilateral, acompanhada de alteracao na posicao do testiculo visualizada durante a realizacao do exame objectivo. Os exames auxiliares de diagnostico tem lugar, quando ha duvida no diagnostico, mas a sua execucao nao deve adiar a atitude cirurgica. A escrototomia tem implicacoes no diagnostico (uma vez que confirma ou nao a existencia de torcao) e na terapeutica (destorcao e orquidopexia). O prognostico depende do tempo de evolucao e gravidade da torcao. A diminuicao da fertilidade e a atrofia testicular sao consequencias tardias possiveis.

Innovation And Entrepreneurship: What Professors From Leading Universities Say?

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