Future entrepreneur’s profile

Given that entrepreneurship plays a key role in the development of a country’s economy, governments should stimulate entrepreneurial orientation, particularly among youngsters in their formative years; schools must play a pertinent role in the promotion and support of these capacities. Indeed, the European Commission advises that schools foster such skills. In this context, we apply a frame to screen school populations in the Azores Islands, Portugal, for prospects of entrepreneurship and to study the profiles of those who noticeably show entrepreneurial orientations. Knowing the ideal combination of personality traits that foretell young entrepreneurs, schools can develop the syllabuses that are best aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and increasing the capacities of those who prove to be entrepreneurially oriented. This work leads to the following main findings: first, that one quarter of all senior students in high school in the Azores Islands bears prospects for entrepreneurship and, second, this same group shows a well-defined psychological profile that may vary depending on one’s willingness to expend effort.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prediction of entrepreneurship : an ordered regression approach

Entrepreneurship is a popular research topic over the last several decades. Various authors study the characteristics that best define future entrepreneur profiles. In this paper, we apply a framework to screen school populations in the Azores Islands, Portugal, for prospects of entrepreneurship and to study the profiles of those who show noticeably entrepreneurial orientations. The contribution of the paper consists of applying ordered regression to explain the entrepreneurial prospects of students in high school.N/

Regulation of receptor kinase-mediated immune signalling by dynamic phosphorylation

Plants recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via cell surface-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), initiating a broad-spectrum defense response against pathogens, known as PRR-triggered immunity (PTI). However, immunity comes at a cost; and immune responses need to be tightly regulated. How PTI signalling is negatively regulated in plants is not fully understood. PRRs are present at the plasma membrane in dynamic kinase complexes that heavily rely on trans-phosphorylation to initiate signaling. The Arabidopsis cytoplasmic kinase BIK1 associates with different PRRs and plays a central role in the activation of downstream immune signaling. In this study, we identify the protein phosphatase PP2C38 as a negative regulator of BIK1 activity and BIK1-mediated immunity. PP2C38 dynamically associates with BIK1, as well as with the PRRs FLS2 and EFR, but not with the regulatory receptor kinase (RK) BAK1. PP2C38 regulates PAMP-induced BIK1 phosphorylation and impairs the phosphorylation of the NADPH oxidase RBOHD by BIK1, leading to reduced oxidative burst and stomatal immunity. Notably, upon PAMP perception, PP2C38 is phosphorylated on serine 77, most likely by BIK1, and dissociates from the PRR-BIK1 complex. We suggest that this mechanism relieves the negative regulation imposed by PP2C38 to enable efficient BIK1 activation. This study uncovers an important regulatory mechanism of this central immune component, and extends our knowledge on how plant immunity is appropriately controlled

Modeling Biomass Substrates for Syngas Generation by Using CFD Approaches

Recent reports from top universities state that in spite of having great national importance, there are dozens of fields of study that are suffering due to a lack of funding. Perhaps the greatest tool available to assist researchers with this regard is numerical simulation. This tool allows cutting costs, decreasing the necessary design cycle and allows an enormous amount of physical insight on the process itself). Numerical model’s ability to correctly predict a complex system was tested in this chapter by drawing from a previously developed computational fluid dynamics model for biomass gasification. Numerical results were compared with both experimental results (pilot scale plant) and available literature. Results from common Portuguese biomass substrates were found to be within a satisfactory margin of error of 20%. Influence of all major operational conditions was then investigated and the model was once again able to predict all the expected trends. All the relevant process products were also analyzed. Finally, the numerical model was coupled with an optimization model. Maximum efficiency value was found at 900°C with a SBR of 1.5 for MSW and 1 for forest residues. Results showed that numerical models could have a preponderant impact on biomass gasification field

Impact of oral versus subcutaneous methotrexate treatment on the quality of life of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2022O metotrexato (MTX) continua a ser a terapêutica de eleição na Artrite Idiopática Juvenil (AIJ), podendo ser administrado por via oral ou subcutânea. Não existem diferenças significativas entre as duas vias de administração, contudo, alguns estudos demonstraram uma maior biodisponibilidade e melhores respostas com o uso de MTX subcutâneo, sobretudo quando em doses mais elevadas. No entanto, um maior receio das injeções, entre outros, pode comprometer a qualidade de vida e a adesão à terapêutica. Este projeto visa comparar o impacto do MTX oral versus subcutâneo na qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescentes com AIJ, bem como a efetividade e os efeitos adversos. Com esse propósito realizou-se um estudo observacional de coorte, seguida prospectivamente no Reuma.pt. A qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelo JAMAR e EQ-5DY e a efetividade pela melhoria da atividade da doença e da função. Os efeitos adversos que levaram a alteração de dose, via de administração ou descontinuação foram recolhidos. Um total de 26 crianças e adolescentes com AIJ, 65.4% raparigas, com uma idade média de 11.9, uma mediana de idade de diagnóstico de 2.7 e uma média de duração de doença de 7.5 anos, foram incluídos. Foram analisados 17 cursos terapêuticos com MTX subcutâneo e 29 com oral. As medianas do EQ-5D-Y foram 0.85 e 1 (p=0.864) e as medianas do JAMAR-criança foram 4 e 3.5 (p=818) para a via subcutânea e oral, respetivamente. O MTX subcutâneo foi superior ao oral na redução da dor, e do JADAS e VS aos 6 meses. Contudo, a dose de MTX subcutâneo foi superior. A tolerância foi semelhante entres as duas vias de administração. Nesta coorte, a via de administração do MTX não afetou a qualidade de vida. O MTX foi eficaz e bem tolerado, independentemente da via de administração.Methotrexate (MTX), administered either orally or subcutaneously, remains the mainstay of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) treatment because of its effectiveness and acceptable safety profile. No significant differences between the two routes of administration have been reported, but some studies demonstrated a greater bioavailability with subcutaneous route, especially with higher doses. Nevertheless, fear of injections, among other concerns, can compromise the quality of life and medication adherence. This project addresses the impact of orally and subcutaneously administered MTX on the quality of life of children and adolescents with JIA, as well as the effectiveness and side effects with both routes of administration. The database Reuma.pt was used to perform an observational study. The quality of life was measured by JAMAR and EQ-5DY questionnaires, and effectiveness assessed by the improvement in disease activity and function. Side effects that led to change of dose or route of administration or MTX discontinuation were also collected. A total of 26 children and adolescents with JIA, 65.4% females, with a mean age of 11.9, a median age at diagnosis of 2.7 and a mean disease duration of 7.5 years were included. 17 treatment courses with subcutaneous and 29 with oral MTX were analyzed. The median scores of EQ-5D-Y were 0.85 and 1 (p=0.864) and of JAMAR for children were 4 and 3.5 (p=0.818), for subcutaneous and oral routes of administration, respectively. Regarding effectiveness, subcutaneous MTX was superior to oral MTX, in terms of JADAS and ESR reduction at 6 months and reduction of pain. However, the dosage of subcutaneous MTX was significantly higher. Both subcutaneous and oral MTX were well tolerated. In this cohort, the route of administration of MTX did not affect quality of life. MTX was effective and well tolerated regardless of the route of administration

Entrepreneurship Promotion in Higher Education Institutions

AbstractsThe importance of entrepreneurship promotion has increased significantly in today's society, especial-ly during periods of crises. This work is based on the responses obtained through a survey conducted on a sample of 305 undergraduates of the University of the Azores, enrolled in different science pro-grams. The aim is to deepen the knowledge of the entrepreneurial propensity of higher education students in the Azores, and in that way the university can stimulate their interest in creating business-es. The main results obtained, using exploratory data analysis (from the univariate to the multivari-ate), are presented and discussed. Research paper Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Sousa, Á., Couto, G., Branco, N., Silva, O., Bace-lar-Nicolau, H. (2017). “Entrepreneurship Promotion in Higher Education Institutions”, Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 157–184

Silicon detectors for neutrino oscillation experiments

This note describes the technique of using a target equipped with high resolution silicon microstrip detectors for the detection of the topological signature of decays in neutrino oscillation ex periments. Two detectors are presented. The first detector is installed in the NOMAD spectrometer at the CERN SPS neutrino beam. The target consists of four layers passive boron carbide plate s (total mass of 45 kg) interleaved with five layers of silicon microstrip detectors. A total of 600 single--sided silicon microstrip detectors are used amounting to a total area of 1.14 m$^2$. The silicon tracker is made with the longest ladders built to date (72 cm). During the 1997 run about 8000 charged current interactions were estimated to have occurred in the target and data tak ing will continue in 1998. For these events it will be possible to perform a precise measurement of both vertex and kinematical variables. The second detector was installed in September 1997 in a CERN PS pion beam to investigate the possibility of combining silicon detectors and nuclear emulsions. This detector consists of 72 single--sided silicon microstrip detectors with a total surfac e of 0.13 m$^2$ distributed over four layers, providing two measurements of each of the two orthogonal coordinates. This exposure will measure the precision with which the silicon tracker can p redict the position of particles in the emulsion. Both detectors provide invaluable experience towards the construction of a large scale silicon tracker for future neutrino oscillation experime nts

Gender bias in the hospitality sector: female and male jobs

The hospitality sector is still very traditional and male-dominated in terms of values, it is segregating and discriminatory according to gender, not only horizontally but also vertically, the wage differences between men and women are critical, and many of the jobs are stigmatized. Indeed, despite women representing most of the workforce in hospitality, such numerical dominance is not reflected in the leadership positions they occupy. Traditionally, men and women occupy different roles in the hospitality industry: women are more often assigned functions that are in line with their social roles and that represents an extension of their domestic tasks so that it is easier to find women in-room service or cleaning. Men, on the other hand, are more easily assigned physically demanding tasks, administrative and management functions, which require more skills and are therefore better paid. This study aims to examine the female and male social representation associated with the performance of certain roles in the hospitality sector, as perceived by tourism and hospitality students, to explore gender representations associated with different hierarchical positions and departments, and to understand some of the (in)equalities that continue to persist between men and women in hospitality. A quantitative cross-sectional study was performed to achieve the study goals. Our sample consists of 200 higher education students in tourism and hospitality. Based on Bem Sex Role Inventory short-form traits questionnaire, we applied an online questionnaire with the purpose of knowing the students’ gender representations of different professional activities in the hospitality industry. Within our results, we expect to describe the gender bias of the professional functions in the hospitality sector. On the other hand, we expect to understand possible gender differences between operational and leadership positions, and from different departments. The findings of this study will help the hotels to analyse their gender practices and policies. By giving voice to the stereotypes that foster gender inequalities in the hospitality sector, hotels can become aware of their gendered practices and policies that impact the recruitment process and the various roles and functions that are assigned to men and women.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio