The Star Formation History in a SMC field: IAC-star/IAC-pop at work

We present a progress report of a project to study the quantitative star formation history (SFH) in different parts of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We use the information in [(B-R), R] color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs), which reach down to the oldest main-sequence turnoffs and allow us to retrieve the SFH in detail. We show the first results of the SFH in a SMC field located in the Southern direction (at $\thicksim$1 kpc from the SMC center). This field is particularly interesting because in spite of being located in a place in which the HI column density is very low, it still presents a recent enhancement of star formation.Comment: Poster presented at: Stellar Populations as Building Blocks of Galaxies, Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 241, 200

БИБЛЕЙСКИЙ ИНТЕРТЕКСТ В РАННИХ СТИХОТВОРЕНИЯХ А. ДЕ ВИНЬИ («СУСАННА», «КУПАНИЕ ЗНАТНОЙ РИМЛЯНКИ», «ИЗМЕННИЦА)

Ранние стихотворения А. де Виньи исследуются как библейский интертекст и мифопоэтический дискурс в контексте современных идей о романтизме

Effects of phoneme repertoire on phoneme decision

In three experiments, listeners detected vowel or consonant targets in lists of CV syllables constructed from five vowels and five consonants. Responses were faster in a predictable context (e.g., listening for a vowel target in a list of syllables all beginning with the same consonant) than in an unpredictable context (e.g., listening for a vowel target in a list of syllables beginning with different consonants). In Experiment 1, the listeners’ native language was Dutch, in which vowel and consonant repertoires are similar in size. The difference between predictable and unpredictable contexts was comparable for vowel and consonant targets. In Experiments 2 and 3, the listeners’ native language was Spanish, which has four times as many consonants as vowels; here effects of an unpredictable consonant context on vowel detection were significantly greater than effects of an unpredictable vowel context on consonant detection. This finding suggests that listeners’ processing of phonemes takes into account the constitution of their language’s phonemic repertoire and the implications that this has for contextual variability

Integrating metalloporphycenes into p-type NiO-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In the current work, we have explored a novel synthetic route towards metalated porphycenes and their use in p-type NiO-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence that the relative positioning of the anchoring group exerts on the DSSC performance

Microbiota-Dependent Immune Responses to Intestinal Parasites

The digestive tract plays a central role in nutrient acquisition and harbors a vast and intricate community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, collectively known as the microbiota. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the complex and highly contextual involvement of this microbiota in the induction and education of host innate and adaptive immune responses under homeostasis, during infection and inflammation. The gut passage and colonization by unicellular and multicellular parasite species present an immense challenge to the host immune system and to the microbial communities that provide vital support for its proper functioning. In mammals, parasitic nematodes induce distinct shifts in the intestinal microbial composition. Vice versa, the commensal microbiota has been shown to serve as a molecular adjuvant and immunomodulator during intestinal parasite infections. Moreover, similar interactions occur within insect vectors of deadly human pathogens. The gut microbiota has emerged as a crucial factor affecting vector competence in Anopheles mosquitoes, where it modulates outcomes of infections with malaria parasites. In this review, we discuss currently known involvements of the host microbiota in the instruction, support or suppression of host immune responses to gastrointestinal nematodes and protozoan parasites in mice, as well as in the malaria mosquito vector. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying microbiota-dependent modulation of host and vector immunity against parasites in mammals and mosquitoes is key to a better understanding of the host-parasite relationships and the identification of more efficient approaches for intervention and treatment of parasite infections of both clinical and veterinary importance

Impact Analysis of Managerial Decisions on the Overall Performance of a Public Transport Operator: The Case of STCP

AbstractThis paper presents a case study from Porto-based public transport operator Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP) to closer investigate the relation between managerial decisions and economic indicators in public transport, such as efficiency and effectiveness. By means of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) the company's performance results between 1946 and 2004 are analyzed. The second part of the analysis serves to explore the managerial history of STCP and to point out main decisions, policies or other decisive factors in the framework of the company's performance. Our approach aims at identifying the magnitude of these decisions within the operational framework and their time-lags. The analysis has shown that certain managerial decisions directly influence the operational activity in the following years and considerably affect the overall performance of the services provided. The decisions are mostly linked to an increase of social benefits and privileges, political and social environment, the implementation of the single agent policy and operational leasing. Another essential conclusion is the identification of a certain time-frame of such influence. Results show the existence of time-lags between decisions and performance, usually representing medium term periods from 2 to 4 years. The results might be translated into policy recommendations, e.g. for setting up the regulatory framework that achieves a systems best performance

Desafios e perspectivas do estudante com deficiência visual na educação superior: análise da produção científica

The inclusion of students with visual impairments in higher education has still been challenging for managers and teachers to ensure academic success. Despite the investment initiatives by the government, but they are still insufficient in the face of the difficulties of access and permanence of these students. Therefore, the objective of this work is to analyze research on access and permanence with an emphasis on Specialized Educational Assistance for students with visual impairments in the productions of the Special Education Journal of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) in the period from 2014 to 2019. We used a quantitative-qualitative analysis of the nature of reviewing scientific production in the journal in question, for this we work with the indicators of disability, visual impairment, higher education, access, permanence, specialized educational assistance and their combinations. The search resulted in 519 articles, of which only 39 address inclusion in higher education. 14 were selected for analysis, dealing with visual impairment, higher education, inclusion and permanence. We conclude that the number of visually impaired students in Higher Education has increased by more than 50% (fifty percent), that there is a set of legislation that favors inclusion, but the conditions, whether of resources/technologies or teacher formation, do not yet appear for its effectiveness, according to research. Specialized educational assistance, guaranteed by law, is not yet perceived as materialized. Publications are relevant for the creation of new policies, actions and strategies for the permanence of students with disabilities in higher education and specialized educational assistance according to their specificities, but it still need further study.La inclusión de estudiantes con dificultades de visión en la educación superior todavía es un desafío para los gerentes y docentes para garantizar el éxito académico. A pesar de las iniciativas e inversiones del gobierno, todavía son insuficientes ante las dificultades de acceso y permanencia de estos universitarios. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las investigaciones sobre acceso, permanencia con énfasis en Apoyo Educativo Especializado para estudiantes con discapacidad visual en las producciones de la Revista de Educación Especial de la Universidad Federal de Santa María (UFSM) en el período de 2014 a 2019. Trabajaremos con un análisis cuanti-cualitativo en la revisión de la producción científica de la revista en cuestión, para ello se trabaja con los descriptores de discapacidad, discapacidad visual, educación superior, acceso, permanencia, apoyo educativo especializado y sus combinaciones. La búsqueda resultó en 519 artículos, de los cuales solo 39 abordan la inclusión en la educación superior. Se seleccionaron 14, para su análisis, centrados en discapacidad visual, educación superior, inclusión y permanencia. Concluimos que el número de estudiantes con discapacidad visual en Educación Superior se ha incrementado en más del 50% (cincuenta por ciento), que existe un conjunto de ordenanzas legales que favorecen la inclusión, pero las condiciones, ya sea de recursos / tecnologías o de formación, aún no aparecen en las prácticas de los profesores, según las investigaciones. El apoyo educativo especializado, garantizado por ley, aún no se realiza en todos los casos. Las publicaciones son relevantes para la creación de nuevas políticas, acciones y estrategias para la permanencia de los estudiantes con discapacidad en la educación superior y el apoyo educativo especializado según sus especificidades, pero que aún requieren mayor estudio.A inclusão do estudante com deficiência visual na educação superior ainda tem sido desafiadora para os gestores e professores, para garantir êxito acadêmico. Mesmo com a existência de iniciativas e investimentos por parte do poder público, mas elas ainda são insuficientes diante das dificuldades de acesso e permanência destes universitários. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar as pesquisas sobre acesso e permanência, com ênfase no Atendimento Educacional Especializado de estudantes com deficiência visual nas produções da Revista de Educação Especial da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) no período de 2014 a 2019. Utilizamos uma análise quanti-qualitativa de natureza de revisão da produção científica na revista em questão, para isso trabalhamos com os indicadores deficiência, deficiência visual, educação superior, acesso, permanência, atendimento educacional especializado e suas combinações. A pesquisa resultou em 519 artigos, dos quais apenas 39 abordam a inclusão na educação superior. Foram selecionados 14 para análise, tratando de deficiência visual, educação superior, inclusão e permanência. Concluímos que o número de estudantes com deficiência visual na Educação Superior tem aumentado mais de 50% (cinquenta por cento), que existe um conjunto de legislação que favorece a inclusão, porém não aparecem ainda as condições, seja de recursos/tecnologias ou de formação de professores para sua efetivação, conforme as pesquisas. O atendimento educacional especializado, garantido por lei, ainda não se percebe materializado. As publicações são relevantes para a criação de novas políticas, ações e estratégias para a permanência do estudante com deficiência na educação superior e atendimento educacional especializado de acordo com suas especificidades, mas que ainda necessitam de maiores aprofundamentos

Sialoglycoproteins and N-Glycans from Secreted Exosomes of Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

Exosomes consist of vesicles that are secreted by several human cells, including tumor cells and neurons, and they are found in several biological fluids. Exosomes have characteristic protein and lipid composition, however, the results concerning glycoprotein composition and glycosylation are scarce. Here, protein glycosylation of exosomes from ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells has been studied by lectin blotting, NP-HPLC analysis of 2-aminobenzamide labeled glycans and mass spectrometry. An abundant sialoglycoprotein was found enriched in exosomes and it was identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and immunoblot as the galectin-3-binding protein (LGALS3BP). Exosomes were found to contain predominantly complex glycans of the di-, tri-, and tetraantennary type with or without proximal fucose and also high mannose glycans. Diantennary glycans containing bisecting N-acetylglucosamine were also detected. This work provides detailed information about glycoprotein and N-glycan composition of exosomes from ovarian cancer cells, furthermore it opens novel perspectives to further explore the functional role of glycans in the biology of exosomes.EU Joint Programme JPND/0003/2011, FCT grant: Pest-OE/EQB/LA0004/2011, FCT PhD fellowship

An Adaptation of Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) Methodology to Examine the Energizing Effects of Reward-Predicting Cues on Behavior in Young Adults

There is growing recognition that much of human behavior is governed by the presence of classically conditioned cues. The Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) paradigm offers a way to measure the effects of classically conditioned stimuli on behavior. In the current study, a novel behavioral task, an adaptation of the PIT framework, was developed for use in conjunction with an fMRI classical conditioning task. Twenty-four healthy young adults completed (1) instrumental training, (2) Pavlovian conditioning, and (3) a Transfer test. During instrumental training, participants learned to apply force to a handgrip to win money from slot machines pictured on a computer screen. During Pavlovian conditioning, slot machines appeared with one of two abstract symbols (cues), one symbol was predictive of monetary reward. During the Transfer test, participants again applied force to a handgrip to win money. This time, the slot machines were presented with the Pavlovian cues, but with the outcomes hidden. The results indicated increased effort on the instrumental task, i.e. higher response frequency and greater force, in the presence of the reward-predicting cue. Our findings add to the growing number of studies demonstrating PIT effects in humans. This new paradigm is effective in measuring the effects of a conditioned stimulus on behavioral activation

A folding ADC based on switched capacitor circuits in 350 nm CMOS

Peer Reviewe