Cerberus is a feedback inhibitor of Nodal asymmetric signaling in the chick embryo

The TGF-beta-related molecule Nodal plays an essential and conserved role in left-right patterning of the vertebrate embryo. Previous reports have shown that the zebrafish and mouse Cerberus-related proteins Charon and Cerberus-like-2 (Cerl-2), respectively, act in the node region to prevent the Nodal signal from crossing to the right side, whereas chick Cerberus (cCer) has an unclear function in the left-side mesoderm. In this study, we investigate the transcriptional regulation and function of cCer in left-right development. By analyzing the enhancer activity of cCer 5' genomic sequences in electroporated chick embryos, we identified a cCer left-side enhancer that contains two FoxH1 and one SMAD binding site. We show that these Nodal-responsive elements are necessary and sufficient for the activation of transcription in the left-side mesoderm. In transgenic mouse embryos, cCer regulatory sequences behave as in chick embryos, suggesting that the cis-regulatory sequences of Cerberus-related genes have diverged during vertebrate evolution. Moreover, our findings from cCer overexpression and knockdown experiments indicate that cCer is a negative-feedback regulator of Nodal asymmetric signaling. We propose that cCer and mouse Cerl-2 have evolved distinct regulatory mechanisms but retained a conserved function in left-right development, which is to restrict Nodal activity to the left side of the embryo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Idosos ativos, idosos saudáveis

Mestrado em FisioterapiaIntrodução: O envelhecimento saudável enfatiza uma abordagem que reconhece os direitos à igualdade de oportunidades e de tratamento. A falta de atividade física contribui para muitas doenças crónicas que afetam os idosos. Objetivo: O objetivo geral deste projeto é planear um programa de atividade física segundo as suas necessidades e preferências da população dos Olivais Sul tendo em conta a qualidade de vida. Método: Para concretizar este projeto foi desenhado um estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal. Apresenta como variável dependente a qualidade de vida e como variável independente a atividade física. Foi ainda, elaborado um questionário e utilizada a escala de qualidade de vida SF-36 e os dados analisados através do programa IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Resultados: A dimensão da qualidade de vida mais afetada é a vitalidade, seguida da dor corporal, função física e saúde geral, desempenhos físico e emocional, mudança de saúde, saúde mental e função social. A maioria dos idosos expressa o desejo de praticar mais atividade física. Conclusão: É possível concluir que alguns dos problemas presentes na população afetam a qualidade de vida e que, segundo diversos estudos, podem ser melhorados com a atividade física. Este projeto torna-se pertinente pois a maioria dos idosos expressa desejo de praticar mais atividade física e apresenta condições que podem ser melhoradas com a sua prática, nomeadamente problemas respiratórios, cardíacos e neurológicos; dores; diminuição da força muscular, equilíbrio e flexibilidade.ABSTRACT - Introduction: Healthy aging emphasizes an approach that recognizes the rights to equal opportunity and treatment. The lack of physical activity contributes to many chronic diseases that affect older people. Objetives: The goal of this project is to plan a program of physical activity according the needs, preferences and the quality of life of the population resident in Olivais Sul Methodology: To realize this project was designed an observational, descriptive and transversal study. The dependent variable is the quality of life and the independent variable is the physical activity. It also was designed a questionnaire and used a scale for measure the quality of life, SF-36- The data analyze was using the software PASW Statistics 20. Results: The dimension of quality of life more affected is the vitality, followed by body pain, physical function and general health, physical and emotional performance, changes in health, mental health and social function. Most seniors wants to practice more physical activity. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that some of the problems present in this population affect the quality of life and, somes studies say, that they may be improved with physical activity. This project is pertinent because most seniors expressed desire to do more physical activity and provides conditions that can be improved with this practice, including respiratory problems, cardiac and neurological disorders, pain, decreased muscle strength, balance and flexibility

Ensinar inglês no 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico: que competências profissionais para a docência?

Sem resumo disponível.publishe

Avaliação da comunidade microbiana diazotrófica em solos sob cultura biológica por métodos moleculares

Dissertação mest., Biologia Marinha, Universidade do Algarve, 200

Unfairness in consumer services: Outcomes of differential treatment of new and existing clients

In a consumption context, there is a growing interest in understanding unfair behaviour of firms towards customers. Our research focuses on unfairness perceptions driven by differential treatment, particularly through price discrimination, i.e. the practice of charging differential prices to different customers. Our purpose is to investigate the consequences of these practices for unfairness perceptions, satisfaction, trust and patronage, showing a dual perspective: the perceptions of new vs existing clients when they face the advantaged or disadvantaged conditions. A survey-based experimental design approach was used. We conclude that unfairness perception is stronger for existing than for new clients, prompting negative attitudinal and behavioural consequences when the former are exposed to disadvantaged conditions in relation to the latter. Our study aims to provide marketers with a perspective on the pitfalls related to differential treatment between present and prospective clients, with implications in terms of design and implementation of customer management strategies

Pessoas cegas no mercado de trabalho: da formação à integração

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em PsicologiaO mercado de trabalho evoluiu ao longo dos tempos, lado a lado com a evolução tecnológica, legislativa e com uma aposta na formação profissional, abrindo as portas à integração de pessoas cegas. Assim, este estudo tem como principal objetivo perceber como se processa a integração de indivíduos cegos no mercado de trabalho, tanto na perspetiva dos próprios, como na das respetivas organizações. Para alcançar os objetivos recorreu-se a um estudo com metodologia qualitativa, tendo sido entrevistados 13 elementos, 8 pessoas cegas integradas no mercado de trabalho, com licenciatura ou com formação profissional da Associação dos Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal (ACAPO) e 5 chefias. Com este estudo concluiu-se que os/as entrevistados/as consideram que atualmente a integração de pessoas cegas no mercado de trabalho é positiva, havendo, contudo, ainda um longo caminho a percorrer, nomeadamente, melhorar a informação junto dos empregadores, acerca desta temática. Outra conclusão prende-se com o facto dos dados sugerirem que os conteúdos lecionados pelas associações formativas deveriam acompanhar as necessidades atuais do mercado de trabalho.The job market has evolved over time, as much as in their perspective as in that of the organizations side by side with the technological and legislative evolution and a commitment to the professional training, paving the way for the integration of blind people. Thus, the main goal of this study is to understand how blind people get integrated into the job market, as much in their perspective as in the organization’s. To reach this goal, it was developed a qualitative study in which 13 people were interviewed, 8 blind people integrated into the job market, with a university degree or a professional training from the Portuguese Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACAPO) and 5 supervisors. With this study, it was concluded that the respondents consider that nowadays the integration of blind people into the job market is positive, even though there is still a long way to go, particularly to improve the information that the employers have about this topic. Another conclusion is related to the fact that the data suggests that the contents lectured by the training associations should keep up with the current needs of the job market

what role for central banking and supervisors to build a climate and environmental resilient financial system

O conceito de ‘Finanças Verdes’ surgiu como uma resposta à necessidade de compatibilizar a economia global com os esforços para combater as alterações climáticas e assim, prosseguir um desenvolvimento ambientalmente sustentável. Para o sistema financeiro, esta abordagem implica tratar dos riscos financeiros relacionados com o clima, que resultam dos impactos adversos das alterações climáticas, assim como das externalidades negativas decorrentes da transição para uma economia neutra na emissão de carbono. No entanto, os bancos centrais e os quadros regulamentares existentes negligenciaram até então estas fontes de risco, resultando numa ausência de informação financeira e nãofinanceira relativa à exposição dos bancos a riscos climáticos e numa potencial falta de credibilidade em produtos financeiros verdes e sustentáveis. Esta pesquisa visa definir, caracterizar e analisar os riscos financeiros relacionados com o clima no sector bancário, incluindo os desafios de adaptação das carteiras de empréstimos aos fatores de transmissão micro e macroeconómicos de riscos físicos e transitórios. Em particular, centra-se no papel da regulação e supervisão financeira, bem como dos bancos centrais no panorama internacional e, em particular, da União Europeia, a fim de assegurar um sistema financeiro sólido e estável face aos crescentes impactos adversos das alterações climáticas, nomeadamente na transformação dos fundamentos económicos e na mudança das preferências dos consumidores em direção a uma economia sustentável. Esse papel poderá implicar um alargamento dos mandatos dos supervisores financeiros e dos bancos centrais a fim de considerarem fatores de sustentabilidade nas suas tomadas de decisão. Seguindo uma abordagem tradicional baseada no risco, analisam-se os principais instrumentos micro e macroprudenciais à luz dos três pilares dos Acordos de Basileia, bem como possíveis alterações à política monetária e aos seus instrumentos financeiros tradicionais.The concept of "Green Finance" emerged as a response to the need of aligning the global economy with the efforts to fight climate change and thus, pursuing an environmentally sustainable development. For the financial system, this includes addressing climate-related financial risks, which arise from the adverse impacts of climate change, and the negative externalities of the transition to a carbonneutral economy. However, central banks and the existing regulatory frameworks have traditionally neglected these sources of risk, resulting in a lack of financial and non-financial information on banks' exposure to climate risks and a lack of trust in green and sustainable financial products. This research aims to define, characterise and analyse climate-related financial risks in the banking sector, including the challenges in adapting lending portfolios to physical and transitional micro and macroeconomic transmission channels. In particular, it focuses on the role of financial regulation and supervision, as well as central banks, in the international landscape (especially in the context of the European Union) to ensure a sound and stable financial system in light of the rising negative effects of climate change, the changing economic fundamentals, and shifting consumer preferences towards a sustainable economy. Furthermore, supervisors and central banks may be persuaded to prioritise sustainability factors in their decision-making processes, which may entail an extension of their mandates. Using a traditional risk-based approach, key micro and macroprudential instruments are analysed in the light of the three pillars of the Basel Accords, as well as possible changes to monetary policy and its traditional financial instruments

Online grocery shopping In Portugal: how store-based businesses can adapt to win

This paper examines the current state of online grocery shopping in Portugal, in order to help existing store-based grocers provide the best online offer that they can. Review on existing studies and an analysis of customer preferences in Portugal helped understand that Price and Convenience are the key factors to win in the online grocery channel. Given the early stage of adoption of this service, this means that retailers have improvement opportunities through which they can adapt their offers and increase sales, especially in what concerns order fulfilment