The Study of Tissue-Specific DNA Methylation as a Method for the Epigenetic Discrimination of Forensic Samples

In forensic sciences, the serological methods used to determine which body fluid was collected from the crime scene are merely presumptive or labor intensive since they rely on protein detection or on microscopic identification of cells. Given that certain forensic cases may need the precise identification of a body fluid to determine criminal contact, such is the example of a suspected sexual assault of a minor; certainty in the body fluid of origin may depict a precise picture of the events. The identification of loci that show differences in methylation according to the tissue of origin can aid forensic analysts in determining the origin of a DNA sample. The process of DNA methylation occurs naturally in the genome of living organisms and consists in the presence of a methyl group on the carbon 5 of a cytosine, which is typically followed by a guanine (CpG). Analyzing patterns of DNA methylation in body fluids collected from a crime scene is preferential to the analysis of proteins or mRNA since the same extracted DNA used for STR typing can be used for DNA methylation analysis. We have validated and identified loci able to discriminate blood, saliva, semen and vaginal epithelia. In the current study, we have also established the minimum amount of DNA able to provide reliable results using methodologies such as pyrosequencing and high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis for the different markers identified. Lastly, we performed an alternative bioinformatic analysis of data collected using an array that studied methylation in over 450,000 individual cytosines on the human genome. We were able to sort the locations that showed potentially higher methylation differences between body fluids and investigated over 100 of them using HRM analysis. The results of that study, allowed the identification of three new loci able to distinguish blood and two new loci able to distinguish saliva and vaginal epithelia, respectively. The use of DNA methylation patterns to aid forensic investigations started with a publication in 2010, therefore each small contribution such as this work may, similarly to what occured in the biochemistry field, result in the discovery of a method able to put the technology in the hands of forensic analysts

M-commerce: motivations and dynamics from Generation Z e-buyers

Generation Z is recognized as the generation that does not know a world without the internet, grows side to side with innovation and demands more from the market. Brands need to work for new digital updates, constant innovative systems, and interactive processes to captivate these consumers. Understanding the behaviors towards different digital platforms by Generation Z exposes the way this generation looks to the m-commerce platforms. This study aims to explore the shopping motivations and dynamics of Generation Z e-buyers from a cross-country panorama, contributing insights to e-retailers creating effective marketing strategies. The research intends to identify which factors impact the adoption of mobile shopping applications from Generation Z individuals. The study proposes a modified version of the UTAUT2 conceptual model, by adding the constructs Brand/Seller Reputation and Trust, using Gender and Nationality as moderators’ variables. The data for this study includes a sample of 600 responses from Generation Z individuals within Portugal and Italy. The outcomes of this study found that Habitat was the highest predictor of behavioral intentions, followed by Trust and Brand/Seller Reputation. In contrast, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, and Hedonic Motivations have low effects. Additionally, the variables Gender and Nationality do not demonstrate significant variations between the groups. The study’s results formulate solid implications for e-retailers.A Geração Z é reconhecida como a geração que não conhece um mundo sem a internet, nasceu lado a lado com a inovação e exige cada vez mais do mercado. As marcas devem trabalhar em prol de novos progressos digitais, de uma inovação constante nos seus sistemas e por processos interativos que captem esta geração de consumidores. Compreender o comportamento da Geração Z nas diferentes plataformas digitais, expõe como esta geração observa as plataformas de comércio móvel. O estudo tem como objetivo explorar as motivações e as dinâmicas de compra dos indivíduos da Geração Z através de uma perspetiva de dois países, proporcionando "insights" aos retalhistas "online" para a criação de estratégias de marketing eficientes. A pesquisa pretende identificar quais os fatores que impactam a adoção de aplicações de compra móveis pelos indíviduos da Geração Z. O estudo propõe uma versão modificada do modelo conceptual UTAUT2, que incluem os novos fatores Confiança e Reputação da Marca/Retalhista, utilizando o Género e a Nacionalidade como variáveis moderadoras. Os dados para este estudo incluem uma amostra de 600 respostas de indivíduos da Geração Z de Portugal e Itália. Através dos resultados obtidos descobriu-se que o Hábito foi o fator que mais contribuía para a intenção de compra, seguindo-se a Reputação da Marca/Retalhista e a Confiança. Contrariamente, as Influências Sociais, Condições Facilitadoras e Motivações Hedónicas tiveram efeitos reduzidos. Adicionalmente, as variáveis Género e Nacionalidade não demonstraram variações significativas entre os grupos. Os resultados do estudo geraram implicações significativas para os retalhistas presentes "online"

Health and wellness tourism in pandemic times: paradigms shifts and sustainability challenges

The immediate consequences of coronavirus pandemic on tourism sector, triggered significant paradigm shifts on demand and also in the value of healthand healthcare as synonymous of security in tourist destinations, conditioning its image, promotion and the economic development of the territories. This special issue is focused on the challenges and opportunities prompted by this new reality in the specific field of Health and Wellness Tourism,concerning its impacts on related businesses and in worldwide destinations that has a solid tradition related with Thermal Baths, Spas and even withMedical services and facilities regarding tourist purposes. The importance of this approach is due to the fact this kind of Tourism figures as an important factor for the sustainable management of local communitiesand for the promotion of tourist destinations, contributing to the preservation and conservation of natural and even cultural heritage at the regional level.The aim of this special issue is to present the management and marketing strategies, development opportunities, innovative solutions and good practicesexamples that may outcome from these challenging circumstances, presenting full papers, case studies and research reports, based on a sustainabilityperspective. These approaches are developed in literature, regarding different contexts and countries, constituting a solid body of research on the topic.Sheldon and Park (2009) and Voigt and Pforr (2014) made an approach to wellness in a destination perspective, considering different implications fordestination development, management and competitiveness (Prideaux et al., 2014; Smith & Puczkó, 2014), the sustainable regional development(Pechlaner et al., 2014; Wray & Weiler, 2014) and introducing the concept of health region (Pforr et el., 2014). Also Peris-Ortiz & Álvarez-García (2015)analysed Health and Wellness Tourism as an important market segment, analysing it in different dimensions through several European case studies aboutregional development and innovative strategies on Thermalism (Araújo et al., 2015; Costa, Quintela & Mendes, 2015; Joukes & Costa, 2015). In whatconcerns to the actual context of coronavirus pandemic, Berini (2020) organized a sum of different studies regarding the impacts on Tourism and travelsector (Keller, 2020; Richards, 2020), focusing on marketing strategies during Covid-19 sanitary crisis (Andreini & Mangiò, 2020), on the sustainabilitydimension (Holden, 2020; Wells, 2020; Bougleux, 2020) and also forecasting behaviours and social impacts of this phenomenon (Peretta, 2020; Alberti &Perrotta, 2020; Heuwinkel, 2020). Health and Wellness Tourism has been an important factor for the economic development of territories, for the sustainable management of localcommunities and for the promotion of tourist destinations, contributing to the preservation and conservation of natural and even cultural heritage.Considering the importance and ancient tradition of Health and Wellness Tourism in many European (Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Portugal,Turkey, Spain) and worldwide countries (Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Peru, Thailand, United States) mainly due to their richness and abundance of hotsprings, it figures demanding to analyse the economic impacts of Coronavirus pandemic in this activity. Bearing in mind the shift on Health and Healthcareparadigms, figuring as synonymous of security in tourist destinations, conditioning its image, promotion and development, this special issue is focused onthe sustainability challenges and opportunities this new reality is designing in the specific field of Health and Wellness Tourism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Overcoming barriers: the local and the innovative dimensions of inclusive socio-educational practices

This paper discusses some results of a broader research, focusing on a set of eleven socio-educational practices aiming to overcome school failure and dropout, developed in Portugal, giving particular attention to the local and innovative dimensions. This research aims to understand the point of view of the several actors involved, about which factors, processes and relationships contribute the most to building such practices. Data was gathered through documental analysis and semi-structured interviews with those (institutionally) responsible for each practice under study, and was analysed using two instruments. From the point of view of the people responsible, the practices that contribute the most to overcoming school failure and dropout fall into one of four categories: Study Support (4 Practices), Student Grouping (3), Mediation (3) and Pedagogical Differentiation (1). Some practices mobilise resources; others interfere with learning and life contexts, in order to confront institutional, situational and dispositional barriers to participation and learning. Those practices seem to have an impact on school-family communication. Formal schooling, as well as the socio-cultural inclusion of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, are seen as relevant; yet, we can observe a somewhat fragile involvement of families and communities in practices aimed at promoting their youth’s educational success.Este texto analiza algunos resultados de una investigación más amplia, centrada en un conjunto de once prácticas socioeducativas destinadas a superar el fracaso y el abandono escolar, desarrolladas en Portugal, prestando especial atención a las dimensiones locales e innovadoras. Su objetivo es comprender el punto de vista de los diversos actores involucrados, acerca de qué factores, procesos y relaciones contribuyen más a la construcción de tales prácticas. Los datos se recopilaron mediante análisis documental y entrevistas semiestructuradas con los responsables (institucionalmente) de cada práctica, y se analizaron utilizando dos instrumentos. Para las personas responsables, las prácticas que más contribuyen a superar el fracaso escolar y el abandono escolar se dividen en una de cuatro categorías: Apoyo al estudio (4 prácticas), Agrupación de estudiantes (3), Mediación (3) y Diferenciación pedagógica (1). Algunas prácticas movilizan recursos; otros interfieren con el aprendizaje y los contextos de la vida, para enfrentar las barreras institucionales, situacionales y disposicionales a la participación y el aprendizaje. Esas prácticas parecen tener un impacto en la comunicación entre la escuela y la familia. La escolarización formal, así como la inclusión sociocultural de jóvenes de entornos desfavorecidos, se consideran relevantes; sin embargo, se puede observar una participación algo frágil de las familias y las comunidades en las prácticas destinadas a promover el éxito educativo de sus jóvenes.This research is funded by National Funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal), in the context of project PTDC/MHCCED/3775/2014. This research is funded by CIEd – Research Centre on Education, project UID/CED/01661/2019, Institute of Education, University of Minho, through national funds of FCT/MCTES-PT

Aquaculture rainbow trouts are contaminated with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae species carrying clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes

[Resumo][Abstract

Multi-actor perspectives on successful and inclusive socio-educational practices: overcoming school failure and dropout in Portugal

Project "EDUPLACES: Practices, voices and pathways of inclusive education" seeks to identify, characterise and discuss socio-educational practices aimed at overcoming school failure and dropout. Teachers/professionals, parents, children/young people and institutional partners engaged in ten practices, located in four Portuguese municipalities, participated in interviews (10) and focus groups (37). Cross-analysis produced relevant results pertaining to the practices’ location, basis (school or community organisation) and philosophy (student grouping, study support, mediation or pedagogical differentiation). Additionally, it revealed some differences between groups of participants: individual change is an outcome more predominantly identified by parents and children/young people; teachers/professionals frequently address successful approaches to school-family-community interactions; partners express a generally positive outlook on the practices, instead of focusing on barriers.This research is funded by National Funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal), in the context of project PTDC/MHC-CED/3775/2014. This research is funded by CIEd – Research Centre on Education, project UID/CED/01661/2019, Institute of Education, University of Minho, through national funds of FCT/MCTES-PT

Multi-actor perspectives on succesful and inclusive socio-educational practices: overcoming school failure and dropout in Portugal

Project "EDUPLACES: Practices, voices and pathways of inclusive education" seeks to identify, characterise and discuss socio-educational practices aimed at overcoming school failure and dropout. Teachers/professionals, parents, children/young people and institutional partners engaged in ten practices, located in four Portuguese municipalities, participated in interviews (10) and focus groups (37). Cross-analysisproduced relevant results pertaining to the practices’ location, basis (school or community organisation) and philosophy (student grouping, study support, mediation or pedagogical differentiation). Additionally, it revealed some differences between groupsof participants: individual change is an outcome more predominantly identified by parents and children/young people; teachers/professionals frequently address successful approaches to school-family-community interactions; partners express a generally positive outlook on the practices, instead of focusing on barriers.This research is funded by National Funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal), in the context of project PTDC/MHC-CED/3775/2014. This research is funded by CIEd – Research Centre on Education, project UID/CED/01661/2019, Institute of Education, University of Minho, through national funds of FCT/MCTES-PT

Seasonal Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in the Lis River, Portugal

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The majority of microplastics (MP) found in the marine environment have land-based sources and rivers are known as carriers of these particles to the ocean. This work is the first to study MP in the Lis River Basin and coastal shoreline (total nine sampling sites) and the potential relationship with inputs from 105 companies/units. We report the seasonal abundance, typology, colour, size, and polymer distribution of MP in surface water and sediment. To the collected samples, a digestion protocol was applied, followed by filtration. For sediment, an MP density separation was performed prior to filtration. MP were mostly fibres (0.02 to 1111.11 items.m−3 in water and 10.66 to 1609.64 items.kg−1 in sediment) and fragments (0.02 to 2311.11 items.m−3 in water and 10.66 to 501.01 items.kg−1 in sediment). The most frequent colours were transparent and blue, and MP were mostly smaller than 1 mm in water and 2 mm in sediment samples. The most abundant polymers in water were polyethylene (37%), polyacrylate (18%) and polystyrene (18%), and in sediment, polyethylene terephthalate (29%) and polyacrylate (23%). Population density, plastic processing companies and meteorological factors were found to be associated with seasonal MP abundance and distribution patterns in the Lis River Basin.publishersversionpublishe