Exploring the barriers and enablers of Online Education programmes : the specific case of Gender and Geographic Mobility in MBA programmes

Education is one of the corner-stones of modern society, representing a propelling motor of our most needed knowledge accumulation. Yet, interestingly enough, the education industry has demonstrated to be one of the least capable to answer to our increasingly innovative and competitive times. As so, the current education business model has been showing growing offer and demand side pressures, thus creating market gaps to be potentially filled by disruptive innovations, more capable to respond to such market dynamics. This thesis focuses in how the online capabilities are enabling the educational business model to break from some of its strains, as well as allowing it to tackle highly valuable market segments like women and international students, considering the significantly representative USA’s MBA reality. The results found that online education is successfully addressing female learners, vis-à-vis the male-built traditional educational system, due to the flexibility it brings and the use of increasingly user-friendly platforms. By contrast, online MBA’s have not been effectively addressing international students thus tuning down the time-and-space asynchrony benefits of such programmes. Consequently, Massive Open Online Courses, as an emerging and disruptive technology, are grasping this market gap and tackling this growing international demand. Higher Education providers need now to fully rationalize the market dynamics in which they are in and understand the role they want to have in the global arena in order to keep being relevant

Intensification of Biomass Fractionation Processes Using Solid Catalysts

The development of selective and effective hemicellulose recovery and upgrade processes is one of the current major hurdles preventing the full onset of economic and environmentally sustainable biorefineries. In this work, four ion exchange resins (IERs) were characterized and evaluated as alternative catalysts, in order to explore the advantages of the acid-catalyzed processes for the i) direct hydrolysis of raw biomass and ii) the hydrolysis of oligosaccharides, both into monomeric hemicellulose-derived sugars. The hemicellulose hydrolysis using IERs was compared to the use of dilute sulfuric acid for diverse model feedstocks. For H2SO4 processes, xylan conversion into xylose reached 83.9% for Eucalyptus residues (ER), and 98.6% for Miscanthus. When using IERs, a superior or equivalent performance, namely, xylose yields of 93.7% (ER), and 91.3% (Miscanthus) were achieved when using Amberlyst 15. This was further validated for Wheat Straw (WS) that presented a complete hydrolysis of xylan into xylose, showing that IERs usage is an effective alternative for biomass deconstruction. In the two-step process, autohydrolysis and organosolv were compared as means to produced Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) both from ER and WS. Autohydrolysis presented higher XOS yields for both materials and these could be effectively hydrolyzed by IERs, namely Amberlite IR120 and specially Amberlyst 15, enabling to reach efficiencies superior to the H2SO4 catalyzed process. Catalyst reutilization is possible, and typically higher in autohydrolysis when compared to organosolv derived streams. This process was demonstrated to be able to be further intensified by the use of a continuous system, using raffinose as model oligosaccharide, for which a 50% hydrolysis was achieved for a low residence time (5 min) at 140ºC. Finally, the performance of the IERs is discussed based on their structures and properties and the impact of the amount of ash present in the feedstock.O desenvolvimento de processos seletivos e eficientes de recuperação de hemiceluloses é um dos principais obstáculos ao aparecimento de biorrefinarias sustentáveis a nível económico e ambiental. Neste trabalho, foram caracterizadas e avaliadas quatro resinas de troca iónica (IERs) como catalisadores ácidos alternativos, com o objetivo de explorar as vantagens dos processos ácidos para a i) hidrólise direta de biomassa e ii) hidrólise de oligossacáridos, ambas em monómeros de açúcares derivados de hemicelulose. A hidrólise da hemicelulose usando IERs foi comparada ao uso de ácido sulfúrico diluído para diversas matérias-primas. Nos processos catalisados por H2SO4, a conversão de xilano em xilose atingiu 83,9% para resíduos de eucalipto (ER) e 98,6%, para Miscanthus. As IERs, apresentaram um desempenho superior ou equivalente, com rendimentos de xilose de 93,7% (ER) e 91,3% (Miscanthus) usando Amberlyst 15. Isto foi posteriormente validado para a palha de trigo (WS) que apresentou hidrólise completa de xilano em xilose, demonstrando que as IERs são uma alternativa eficaz para desconstrução da biomassa. No processo de duas etapas, a auto-hidrólise e o organosolv foram comparados como processos de produção de Xilo-oligossacáridos (XOS) para ER e WS. A autohidrólise apresentou maiores rendimentos em XOS, para ambos os materiais. O XOS obtidos puderam ser eficazmente hidrolisados por IERs, nomeadamente Amberlite IR120 e principalmente Amberlyst 15, permitindo eficiências superiores ao processo catalisado por H2SO4. A reutilização do catalisador é possível, e normalmente é maior nos licores de auto-hidrólise em comparação com os licores organosolv. Este processo demonstrou poder ser ainda intensificado pelo uso de um sistema contínuo, utilizando rafinose como oligossacárido modelo, onde foi obtida uma hidrólise de 50% para um tempo de residência baixo (5 min) a 140ºC. Por fim, o desempenho das IERs é discutido com base nas suas estruturas e propriedades e no impacto da quantidade de cinza presente na matéria-prima

A Web GIS-Based Platform to Harvest Georeferenced Data from Social Networks: Examples of Data Collection Regarding Disaster Events

Whenever disaster situations occur the civil protection authorities need to have fast access to data that may help to plan emergency response. To contribute to the collection and integration of all available data a platform that aims to harvest Volunteered Geographical Information (VGI) from social networks and collaborative projects was created. This enables the integration of VGI with data coming from other sources, such as data collected by physical sensors in real time and made available through Applications Programming Interface (APIs), as well as, for example, official maps. The architecture of the created platform is described and its first prototype presented. Some example queries are performed and the results are analyzed

Desenvolvimento e implementação de um sistema de custeio numa fábrica de embalagens plásticas

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia e Gestão IndustrialNa gestão de custos, o modelo de custeio tem um papel preponderante tendo como principal função fornecer informação para auxiliar a tomada de decisão. Devido à carência existente na indústria de uma aplicação eficaz dos sistemas de custeio, sentiuse a necessidade de desenvolver um projeto baseado numa solução aplicável à realidade de uma empresa produtora de embalagens plásticas. Apesar da grande diversidade de opções concetuais para os sistemas de custeio, na prática nenhum modelo teórico é totalmente eficaz e atendendo às caraterísticas de cada empresa específica, a adaptação e a combinação de sistemas é bastante frequente. A adaptação dos modelos teóricos pode ser feita tanto para responder às necessidades de informação para a gestão específica da empresa como para permitir ou facilitar o desenvolvimento de modelos de custeio adequados às especificidades dos processos de produção e de negócio da empresa e atendendo à informação disponível e aos sistemas de informação existentes na empresa, Este projeto de investigação teve como objetivo desenvolver e implementar um sistema de custeio adequado a uma empresa do setor das embalagens plásticas. Para este efeito foi elaborado um sistema que resulta da combinação dos sistemas de custeio por processo, por encomenda e sistema de custos-padrão. Seguindo a metodologia de investigação-ação desenvolveram-se fichas de custos para os produtos da empresa de acordo com o sistema de custeio projetado e elaborou-se um estudo dos custos dos centros de custos da empresa. Os principais benefícios proporcionados pelo sistema desenvolvido encontram-se ao nível do aumento da informação disponível para a administração, melhorando os seus instrumentos de suporte à decisão, na clarificação dos custos dos centros de trabalhos e por último, na definição de um custo de produção mais correto que permite uma comparação com os custos da opção de subcontratação. O trabalho desenvolvido comprova a importância da combinação de vários sistemas de custeio como forma de atingir uma solução funcional, que reflita o sistema de produção da empresa em estudo. Com a definição da manga/filme como produto intermédio foi possível a realização de duas fichas de custos ao invés de uma, como acontecia antes na empresa, as quais combinam um sistema de custeio por processo e por encomenda, conseguindo assim refletir com mais clareza o sistema de produção da empresa.In Cost Management, the cost model has a leading role with the main function to provide information to assist in the decision making process. Due to the lack in industry of practical application of costing systems we felt the need to develop a project based on a solution applicable to a company of plastic packaging. Despite the great diversity of conceptual costing systems there is not a perfect system for one specific company and the adaptation and combination of systems in view of the characteristics of a specific company is quite frequent. The adjustment can be made either to fill the company's needs in terms of information as to permit or facilitate the development of cost models according to the specific characteristics found in the company. This research project aimed to find a costing system that suits to a company in the plastic packaging sector. For this purpose a system was developed that results from the combination of process costing, job-order costing and standard costing. Following the action-research methodology it have been developed cost sheets for the company's products in accordance with the costing system engineered and it have been developed a study of the costs of the company. The main benefits provided with this work are to increase the level of information available to management base his decision, clarification on the size of the difference between the costs of work centers defined in the company and the cost to cover the expense incurred and finally the definition of a production cost, allowing a comparison with the cost of a subcontract. The main limitations encountered relate to the lack of information available in the information systems of the company. The work shows the importance of combining various costing systems as a way to reach a functional solution that reflects the production system of the company under study. With the definition of sleeve/film as an intermediate product was possible to conduct two cost sheets instead of one, which combine job-order and process costing systems, thus represent more clearly the production system of the company

Talent Identification and Development in Male Futsal: A Systematic Review

This review aimed to identify and synthesize the most significant literature addressing talent identification and development in futsal. A systematic review of Web of Science™ (all databases), Scopus, PubMed and SPORTDiscus databases was performed according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. This study included original articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese containing relevant data on talent development/identification of male futsal players. The search yielded 238 articles. After screening, a total of 32 manuscripts were fully reviewed. The quality of the data reviewed was generally good. Results indicate that the most successful players exhibit technical, tactical, anthropometric, physiological and psychological advantages and are distinguished from lower-level players based on their earlier dedication to training. This review highlights the need for those involved in the process of identifying and developing talented futsal players to consider the technical and tactical skills of futsal players, along with their anthropometric and physiological characteristics, scaled to age. Finally, special attention should be paid to the supportive psychosocial environments created in sports academies for developing futsal players. Overall, talent identification and development programmes in futsal need to be dynamic and offer the possibility of changing assessment parameters in the long term.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Espacialidades e ressonâncias do patrimônio cultural: reflexões sobre identidade e pertencimento

Há muito tempo viemos nos perguntando qual o nosso devido lugar na natureza, e qual relação temos com a mãe Terra. Nesses termos, analisamos aqui neste escrito, mais especulativo que conclusivo, de que forma ocorre o sentimento de pertencimento; nos preocupando em como a temática paisagem tem se transformado num conceito-chave dentro das ciências humanas. Refletimos os emaranhados que compõem a paisagem em suas facetas, e tratamos de maneira conceitual as noções de espaço, paisagem, lugar, identidade, pertencimento, patrimônio cultural e gestão territorial. Partimos de postulados teórico-metodológicos que admitem a sociabilidade de todos, seja sociedade civil e sua concepção de mundo, seja na visão institucionalizada dos ambientes. Enfocando, sobretudo, as relações estabelecidas entre as pessoas e as materialidades externas

Identification of priority areas for surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis using spatial analysis approaches in Southeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an important public health problem in Brazil and in several tropical regions of the world. In the Americas, Brazil is the country with the highest number of registered cases. In Brazil, the state of Minas Gerais has the highest number of cases in the southeastern region. In the present study, we used spatial analysis in the State of Minas Gerais to identify municipalities of priority during a nine-year period (2007-2015), which might be used to guide surveillance and control measures. METHODS: An ecological study with spatial analysis of autochthonous cases of CL was performed in the state of Minas Gerais between 2007 and 2015. We calculated incidence rates, used Empirical Bayesian smoothing for each municipality, and divided the analyses into three-year intervals. In order to analyze the existence of spatial autocorrelation, and to define priority areas, Moran's Global Index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) were used. RESULTS: The mean incidence rate for the entire state was 6.1/100,000 inhabitants. For Minas Gerais, analysis of CL cases over time revealed a successive increase of indicated mesoregions with high priority municipalities. Eight of the designated mesoregions contained municipalities classified as high priority areas in any of the three evaluated trienniums, and four mesoregions had high priority municipalities throughout the entire investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Within the southeastern region of Brazil, Minas Gerais State stands out, with highest CL incidence rates. Using spatial analysis, we identified an increasing numbers of cases in the municipalities classified as high priority areas in different mesoregions of the state. This information might be of value to direct surveillance and control measures against CL and to understand the dynamics of the expansion of CL in Minas Gerais. Similar approaches might be used to map CL in other regions throughout Brazil, or in any other country, where national notification and control programs exist

Bradykinin-induced Ca2+ signaling in human subcutaneous fibroblasts involves ATP release via hemichannels leading to P2Y12 receptors activation

Chronic musculoskeletal pain involves connective tissue remodeling triggered by inflammatory mediators, such as bradykinin. Fibroblast cells signaling involve changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). ATP has been related to connective tissue mechanotransduction, remodeling and chronic inflammatory pain, via P2 purinoceptors activation. Here, we investigated the involvement of ATP in bradykinin-induced Ca2+ signals in human subcutaneous fibroblasts. Bradykinin, via B2 receptors, caused an abrupt rise in [Ca2+]i to a peak that declined to a plateau, which concentration remained constant until washout. The plateau phase was absent in Ca2+-free medium; [Ca2+]i signal was substantially reduced after depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin. Extracellular ATP inactivation with apyrase decreased the [Ca2+]i plateau. Human subcutaneous fibroblasts respond to bradykinin by releasing ATP via connexin and pannexin hemichannels, since blockade of connexins, with 2- octanol or carbenoxolone, and pannexin-1, with 10Panx, attenuated bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i plateau, whereas inhibitors of vesicular exocytosis, such as brefeldin A and bafilomycin A1, were inactive. The kinetics of extracellular ATP catabolism favors ADP accumulation in human fibroblast cultures. Inhibition of ectonucleotidase activity and, thus, ADP formation from released ATP with POM-1 or by Mg2+ removal from media reduced bradykinin-induced [Ca2+]i plateau. Selective blockade of the ADP-sensitive P2Y12 receptor with AR-C66096 attenuated bradykinin [Ca2+]i plateau, whereas the P2Y1 and P2Y13 receptor antagonists, respectively MRS 2179 and MRS 2211, were inactive. Human fibroblasts exhibited immunoreactivity against connexin-43, pannexin-1 and P2Y12 receptor. Bradykinin induces ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts via connexin and pannexin-1-containing hemichannels leading to [Ca2+]i mobilization through the cooperation of B2 and P2Y12 receptors

Useless or useful? - A literature review

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.Radiotherapy (RT) is the backbone of multimodality treatment of more than half of cancer cases. Despite new modern RT techniques, late complications may occur such as radiation proctitis (RP). The natural history of RP is unpredictable. Minor symptoms may resolve spontaneously or require conservative treatment. On the other hand, for similar and uncomplicated clinical contexts, symptoms may persist and can even be refractory to the progressive increase in treatment measures. Over the last decades, an enormous therapeutic armamentarium has been considered in RP, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Currently, the evidence regarding the impact of HBOT on RP and its benefits is conflicting. Additional prospective and randomised studies are necessary to validate HBOT's effectiveness in the 'real world' clinical practice. This article reviewed the relevant literature on pathophysiology, clinical presentation, different classifications and discuss RP management including a proposal for a therapeutic algorithm with a focus on HBOT.publishersversionpublishe

Histamine Induces ATP Release from Human Subcutaneous Fibroblasts, via Pannexin-1 Hemichannels, Leading to Ca2+Mobilization and Cell Proliferation

Changes in the regulation of connective tissue ATP-mediated mechano-transduction and remodeling may be an important link to the pathogenesis of chronic pain. It has been demonstrated that mast cell-derived histamine plays an important role in painful fibrotic diseases. Here we analyzed the involvement of ATP in the response of human subcutaneous fibroblasts to histamine. Acute histamine application caused a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) and ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts via H1 receptor activation. Histamine-induced [Ca(2+)]i rise was partially attenuated by apyrase, an enzyme that inactivates extracellular ATP, and by blocking P2 purinoceptors with pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo(benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid) tetrasodium salt and reactive blue 2. [Ca(2+)]i accumulation caused by histamine was also reduced upon blocking pannexin-1 hemichannels with (10)Panx, probenecid, or carbenoxolone but not when connexin hemichannels were inhibited with mefloquine or 2-octanol. Brefeldin A, an inhibitor of vesicular exocytosis, also did not block histamine-induced [Ca(2+)]i mobilization. Prolonged exposure of human subcutaneous fibroblast cultures to histamine favored cell growth and type I collagen synthesis via the activation of H1 receptor. This effect was mimicked by ATP and its metabolite, ADP, whereas the selective P2Y1 receptor antagonist, MRS2179, partially attenuated histamine-induced cell growth and type I collagen production. Expression of pannexin-1 and ADP-sensitive P2Y1 receptor on human subcutaneous fibroblasts was confirmed by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis. In conclusion, histamine induces ATP release from human subcutaneous fibroblasts, via pannexin-1 hemichannels, leading to [Ca(2+)]i mobilization and cell growth through the cooperation of H1 and P2 (probably P2Y1) receptors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio