Sou a heroína da história : reinserção profissional de (ex)toxicodependentes através do programa vida-emprego

A presente investigação procura contribuir para a compreensão da reinserção profissional de toxicodependentes em tratamento, conceptualizando-a como um fenómeno complexo e mutltidimensional, privilegiando-se a perspectiva dos actores envolvidos no processo. A reinserção profissional desta população ultrapassa o desejo dos próprios indivíduos, entrelaçando-se com as representações sociais, bem difundidas, da toxicodependência. Se na sociedade actual o acesso ao emprego é cada vez mais um desafio, como se configura esse processo quando nos reportamos a indivíduos que possuem um leque de características favoráveis à exclusão social? Nesse sentido, a única medida existente, de discriminação positiva, destinada exclusivamente a esta população, o Programa Vida-Emprego, foi analisada através dos discursos produzidos e dos significados atribuídos pelos vários intervenientes no processo: os técnicos, os utentes (ex)toxicodependentes e as entidades empregadoras. Através de uma abordagem qualitativa deste fenómeno, e de todo o processo de interpretação e análise das várias entrevistas realizadas, foi possível traçar as interconexões existentes no processo da reinserção profissional, desde os aspectos mais individuais de cada actor, como a produção e atribuição de significados, aos contextos sociais mais amplos e estruturantes das políticas e das organizações profissionais.This investigation seeks to contribute to the comprehension of professional reinsertion of recovering drug addicts, conceptualizing it as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon and privileging the perspective of the social actors involved in the process. This population‟s professional reinsertion goes beyond the individual will, mixing itself with the widespread social representations of drug addiction. If in the present day society it is more and more challenging to access the job market, then how does that process present itself with individuals showing characteristics favorable to social exclusion? Regarding this matter, the only existing measure of positive discrimination targeting this specific group, Program Vida-Emprego, was analyzed considering the speeches produced and the meaning given to them by all those who participate in the process: technicians, the (ex) drug addicts and the employers. Using a qualitative approach on this phenomenon, and on the whole process of interpretation and analysis of several interviews, it was possible to point out the interconnections that exist in the process of professional reinsertion, from the individual aspects of each actor, such as the production and attribution of meaning, to the broader and structuring social contexts of the policies and the professional organizations

Contribuições da Metodologia de Trabalho de Projeto para a construção de aprendizagens integradas das crianças

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1º Ciclo do Ensino BásicoO presente relatório de estágio, integrado no plano de estudos do Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do Primeiro Ciclo do Ensino Básico, apresenta o projeto de intervenção pedagógica desenvolvido no âmbito da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada. A intervenção pedagógica concretizada num contexto de jardim-de-infância, com um grupo de vinte e duas crianças com 5 anos de idade, consistiu na implementação de um trabalho de projeto que possibilitasse perceber de que forma o seu desenvolvimento pode potenciar a construção de aprendizagens integradas nas crianças. O projeto de intervenção sustentou-se num processo cíclico caraterístico da metodologia de investigação-ação que seguiu as diferentes etapas: planificação, ação, observação e reflexão, sempre apoiadas num processo ativo de documentação. Ao longo deste estudo verifica-se o papel ativo das crianças no processo de aprendizagem, que motivadas pelos seus interesses e curiosidades, envolvem-se em ciclos de pesquisa onde investigam as respostas às questões por si colocadas na fase inicial do projeto. Estas investigações, das quais as crianças se foram apropriando em conjunto com as experiências vivenciadas permitiram que as crianças pudessem construir, de uma forma integrada, aprendizagens diversas relacionadas com as diferentes áreas de conteúdo.The present internship report, integrated in the syllabus of the Master's in Pre-school Education and 1st Cycle of Basic Education, presents the project of pedagogical intervention developed within the scope of the Supervised Teaching Practice. The pedagogical intervention carried out in a kindergarten context, with a group of twentytwo children at 5 years old, consisted in the implementation of a project work that allowed to realize how their development could potentiate the construction of learning integrated into children. The intervention project was based on a cyclical process characteristic of the research-action methodology that followed the different steps: planning, action, observation and reflection, always supporting an active process of documentation. Throughout this study the active role of children in the learning process is verified. Motivated by their interests and curiosities, they are involved in research cycles where they investigate the answers to the questions they posed in the initial phase of the project. These investigations, of which the children have appropriated together with the lived experiences allowed the children to construct, in an integrated way, diverse learning related to the different content areas

Dendrimers in tissue engineering

Dendrimers are highly branched and multivalent, and monodispersive making them perfect candidates for a myriad of controlled drug delivery applications. Dendrimers possess many other advantages, such as the possibility of modulating surface chemistry and charge, and biodegradation rate and to be processed as scaffolds that can emulate natural extracellular matrices thus opening up unique applications in tissue engineering. The combination of dendrimers and other macromolecules (proteins and carbohydrates), as well as other traditional scaffold polymers, has led to the creation of hybrid scaffolds with new physical, mechanical, and biochemical properties. However, despite the widespread use of dendrimers in biomedical applications, their use in the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds remains some-how narrow. The most promising applications of dendritic macromolecules in TE area such as drug delivery strategies, cell differentiation and/or tissue regeneration, 3D/Dynamic platforms and ex vivo/in vivo testing are overviewed and discussed herein.JMO for the financial support provided under the program “Investigador FCT” (IF/01285/2015). MCR acknowledges the IET Institution of Engineering and Technology for the financial support provided under the IET Harvey Research Prize 2017. IMO thanks the financial support under the Norte2020 project (“NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000044”)

Ciberfeminismo na Wikipédia: Visibilidade e Deliberação em WikiProjects feministas=Cyberfeminism on Wikipedia: Visibility and deliberation in feminist Wikiprojects

ResumenEste artigo tem como objetivo discutir como ambientes digitais remodelam a esfera pública contemporânea. Mais especificamente, examina-se o uso da Wikipédia enquanto espaço para a construção colaborativa de representações sociais e políticas. A discussão teórica parte de dois conceitos da literatura sobre esfera pública para analisar o caso de grupos organizados (WikiProject Women’s History e WikiProject Feminism) que buscam utilizar a enciclopédia colaborativa como (a) uma plataforma que produz visibilidade pública e, consequentemente, (b) que ampara debate político online produzindo troca de razões e consolidando representações sociais. Com base na análise, avalia-se a capacidade da Wikipédia configurar-se como um ambiente comunicacional que estabelece novos métodos de construção de representações sociais. AbstractThis article aims to discuss how digital environments reshape the contemporary public sphere. More specifically, it examines the use of Wikipedia as a space for collaborative construction of social and political representations. The theoretical discussion starts from two concepts of the literature about the public sphere to analyze the case of organized groups (WikiProject Women's History and WikiProject Feminism) that seek to use the collaborative encyclopedia as (a) a platform that produces public visibility and, consequently, (b) that supports online debate about politics producing an exchange of reasoning and consolidating social representations. Based on the analysis, it is evaluated the capacity of Wikipedia to configure itself as a communicational environment that establishes new methods of construction of social representations

Bioengineered nanoparticles loaded-hydrogels to target TNF Alpha in inflammatory diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an incurable autoimmune disease that promotes the chronic impairment of patientsâ mobility. For this reason, it is vital to develop therapies that target early inflammatory symptoms and act before permanent articular damage. The present study offers two novel therapies based in advanced drug delivery systems for RA treatment: encapsulated chondroitin sulfate modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimer nanoparticles (NPs) covalently bonded to monoclonal anti-TNF α antibody in both Tyramine-Gellan Gum and Tyramine-Gellan Gum/Silk Fibroin hydrogels. Using pro-inflammatory THP-1 (i.e., human monocytic cell line), the therapy was tested in an inflammation in vitro model under both static and dynamic conditions. Firstly, we demonstrated effective NP-antibody functionalization and TNF-α capture. Upon encapsulation, the NPs were released steadily over 21 days. Moreover, in static conditions, the approaches presented good anti-inflammatory activity over time, enabling the retainment of a high percentage of TNF α. To mimic the physiological conditions of the human body, the hydrogels were evaluated in a dual-chamber bioreactor. Dynamic in vitro studies showed absent cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells and a significant reduction of TNF-α in suspension over 14 days for both hydrogels. Thus, the developed approach showed potential for use as personalized medicine to obtain better therapeutic outcomes and decreased adverse effects.The authors thank the financial support provided under the Norte2020 project (NORTE-08-5369-FSE000044). D.C.F. acknowledges the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for her PhD scholarship (PD/BD/143081/2018) and F.R.M. for her contract under the Transitional Rule DL 57/2016 (CTTI-57/18-I3BS(5)). The FCT distinction attributed to J.M.O. under the Investigator FCT program (number IF/01285/2015) is also greatly acknowledged

Anti-Inflammatory properties of injectable Betamethasone-Loaded Tyramine-Modified Gellan Gum/Silk Fibroin Hydrogels

Rheumatoid arthritis is a rheumatic disease for which a healing treatment does not presently exist. Silk fibroin has been extensively studied for use in drug delivery systems due to its uniqueness, versatility and strong clinical track record in medicine. However, in general, natural polymeric materials are not mechanically stable enough, and have high rates of biodegradation. Thus, synthetic materials such as gellan gum can be used to produce composite structures with biological signals to promote tissue-specific interactions while providing the desired mechanical properties. In this work, we aimed to produce hydrogels of tyramine-modified gellan gum with silk fibroin (Tyâ GG/SF) via horseradish peroxidase (HRP), with encapsulated betamethasone, to improve the biocompatibility and mechanical properties, and further increase therapeutic efficacy to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Tyâ GG/SF hydrogels presented a β-sheet secondary structure, with gelation time around 2â 5 min, good resistance to enzymatic degradation, a suitable injectability profile, viscoelastic capacity with a significant solid component and a betamethasone-controlled release profile over time. In vitro studies showed that Tyâ GG/SF hydrogels did not produce a deleterious effect on cellular metabolic activity, morphology or proliferation. Furthermore, Tyâ GG/SF hydrogels with encapsulated betamethasone revealed greater therapeutic efficacy than the drug applied alone. Therefore, this strategy can provide an improvement in therapeutic efficacy when compared to the traditional use of drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Norte2020 project (“NORTE-08-5369-FSE000044”), REMIX project (GA 778078—REMIX—H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017) Gilson Lab, Chonbuk National University, Republic of Korea and the Frontiers of technology for theranostics of cancer, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases (FROnTHERA), Structural Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023. The FCT distinction attributed to J.M.O. under the Investigator FCT program (number IF/01285/2015) is also greatly acknowledged. C.G. also wishes to acknowledge FCT for supporting her research (number SFRH/BPD/94277/201

Physical-chemical and rheological characterization of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) of Algarve and West

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar as caraterísticas físico-químicas e reológicas de duas variedades de tomate, Vimeiro e Runner, cultivados no Algarve e Oeste, ao longo da época de colheita. As amostras foram submetidas à análise do peso, calibre, humidade, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez titulável total, licopeno, cor e dureza. Observaram-se diferenças significativas para todos os parâmetros quando considerados os fatores produtor x variedade x região. Para licopeno e dureza não se observaram diferenças significativas entre variedades e regiões. A análise de componentes principais permitiu identificar 3 clusters, onde a região foi considerada um factor diferenciador. As amostras pertencentes ao cluster 1, variedade Vimeiro produzida no Oeste, revelaram maior peso e calibre e apresentaram uma cor mais intensa e próxima do vermelho. As amostras representadas no cluster 2, variedade Runner produzida no Oeste, revelaram um teor de humidade significativamente superior às restantes modalidades. O cluster 3, amostras da região do Algarve da variedade Runner, encontrou‑se fortemente marcado pela coordenada H°. No que respeita à coordenada de cor a*, os desvios padrão foram elevados em ambas as regiões, mas mais acentuados no Algarve, revelando alguma heterogeneidade dos frutos. De um modo geral verificou-se que o tomate produzido no Oeste apresentou características diferenciadoras, sobretudo no que respeita à homogeneidade de amostras e, peso e calibre superiores.The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical and rheological characteristics of two tomato varieties, Vimeiro and Runner, grown in Algarve and West of Portugal, during the harvest season. The samples were submitted to analysis of weight, caliber, moisture, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, lycopene, color and hardness. Significant differences were observed for all parameters when considering the factors producer X variety X region. For lycopene and hardness no differences notorious between varied and regions were observed. The principal components analysis identified 3 clusters. Regarding to cluster 1, Vimeiro variety produced in West of Portugal, higher weight, higher caliber and a more intense and red color were found. In the cluster 2, Runner variety produced in West of Portugal, samples shows a moisture content significantly higher. Cluster 3, Runner variety produced in Algarve, is strongly marked by the coordinate H°. The standard deviations associated with the color coordinate a * were accentuated in the two regions, but more representative in the Algarve, revealing some heterogeneity of the fruits. It is concluded that the tomato produced in the West presents differentiating characteristics, especially with respect to the superior weight and caliber.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Magnetic/plasmonic MnFe2O4/Au nanoparticles covered with lipid bilayers for applications in thermotherapy

In this work, three different types of magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles were prepared: core-shell nanoparticles with a manganese ferrite core and a gold shell; plasmonic gold nanoparticles decorated with magnetic nanoparticles of manganese ferrite; and magnetic nanoparticles of manganese ferrite decorated with plasmonic gold nanoparticles. The structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of these nanoparticles were evaluated. In order to further develop applications in cancer therapy, the prepared mixed nanoparticles were covered with a lipid bilayer. The local heating capability of these nanosystems was tested through the quenching of rhodamine fluorescence incorporated in the lipid layer.Financial support by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013. A.R.O Rodrigues thanks the FCT for SFRH/BD/90949/2012 PhD grant and funding to MAP-Fis Doctoral Program.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Educating for earthquake science and risk in a tectonically slowly deforming region

Over the past decade, scientists have been called to participate more actively in public education and outreach (E&O). This is particularly true in fields of significant societal impact, such as earthquake science. Local earthquake risk culture plays a role in the way that the public engages in educational efforts. In this article, we describe an adapted E&O program for earthquake science and risk. The program is tailored for a region of slow tectonic deformation, where large earthquakes are extreme events that occur with long return periods. The adapted program has two main goals: (1) to increase the awareness and preparedness of the population to earthquake and related risks (tsunami, liquefaction, fires, etc.), and (2) to increase the quality of earthquake science education, so as to attract talented students to geosciences. Our integrated program relies on activities tuned for different population groups who have different interests and abilities, namely young children, teenagers, young adults, and professionals

“The ark of rights”: development of a board game to empower older adults regarding their rights

There is an urgent need to ensure the rights of older adults. In particular, there is a lack of awareness of human rights by older adults themselves, for which intervention strategies should be developed. Due to the need for intervention at this level, a board game was created to empower older adults regarding their rights using a dynamic and interactive method. This article aims to describe the development stages of the board game “The Ark of Rights”® up to its pilot study. Its development followed three stages: A first phase to review the scientific literature and benchmarks on the rights of older persons, a second phase to define the game design and collect statements from older people for the game, and a third phase to test the game. The European Portuguese Validation of the System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to assess the latter phase. Approximately 200 older people contributed to the game’s contents (second phase), and 74 participated and positively evaluated the game’s usability and their satisfaction with its use (third phase). In summary, the game “The Ark of Rights” revealed itself to be a resource for empowering older adults regarding their rights. It also enables the identification of possible human rights violations among older adults and subsequent intervention.This research was funded by POISE/CIG 03 4436 FSE OO1051 under typology 3. 16, Financial and Technical Support to Non-Profit Civil Society Organizations, under Portugal 2020, specifically Priority Axis 3