Herding behaviour and sentiment: Evidence in a small European market

AbstractThis work studies herding behaviour in a small European market, by analysing the stocks that constituted the Portuguese stock PSI-20 index, for the period between 2003 and 2011. The two different approaches used to measure herding intensity led to different results, suggesting that measurements of the herding phenomenon are sensitive to the method used. Consequently, there is a need for further research into the methodology used to test this phenomenon. Additionally, the study analyses the relationship between herd behaviour and investor sentiment, an area that has been little explored. In applying causality tests to the impact of sentiment on herd behaviour, only weak evidence is found that sentiment influences herding

The upper Hauterivian–Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) Arrifes section (Algarve Basin, Southern Portugal): A palynostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental approach

Integrated sedimentological, palynological, and palynofacies analyses of the Arrifes section in the central Algarve Basin (southern Portugal) provided new information on the age and environments of this Lower Cretaceous sequence. The sedimentary succession at the Arrifes section consists of fossiliferous inter-bedded limestones, marly limestones, and marls, dated as latest Hauterivian to late Barremian age (Lower Cretaceous) based on key dinoflagellate taxa. During this interval, the Arrifes area records cli-matic shifts and, multiple sea-level fluctuations; overall deposition was in shallow subtidal to intertidal settings, with deposition of carbonate and marly sediments. During the latest Hauterivian to earliest Barremian interval, an evident sea-level fall culminated in the subaerial exposure of the local carbonate ramp with increased influx of clastic sediments. However, during the Barremian, both sedimentological and palynological analyses suggest an overall deepening of the water depth towards the top of the section. These overall increase in the water column are confirmed by oscillation of terrestrial/marine palynomorph groups and supported by dinosaur track levels at the top of the succession; the latter indicate that sedimentation occurred in intertidal to subtidal environments. Finally, an attempt was made to correlate the Arrifes section with other sections from the Algarve Basin, as well as with broader region. These new data suggest a setting in the Tethyan basin influenced during the latest Hauterivian to the end of the Barremian. These new data allow local correlations and new palynological ages and paleoenvironmental interpretations for the Lower Cretaceous succession of the Algarve Basin.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Improving the downstream processing of interferon alfa-2b using alternative purification platforms based on ionic liquids

Improvements on human life expectancy and the lack of effective therapies has led to an increment of chronic diseases, being the application of biopharmaceuticals an efficient strategy to mitigate this scenario. Among the current available biopharmaceuticals, the role of interferon α-2b (IFNα-2b) should be highlighted, as it has been marketed over 30 years with a considerable impact on the global therapeutic proteins market (Castro et al, Vaccines, 2021). IFN manufacturing requires the use of the recombinant DNA technology, involving two main stages, the upstream and downstream stages. The first includes recombinant protein production in a suitable host microorganism, such as Escherichia coli (Castro et al, Sep. Purif. Technol., 2020), while the second comprises protein recovery, isolation, purification and polishing. Due to the high demands of the pharmaceutical industry for products with high purity and biological activity, the downstream stage is responsible for the majority of the production costs of biopharmaceuticals (50–90%), often including time-consuming and multi-step processes. Therefore, there is an immediate need to develop more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable protein purification methodologies. In this work, two ionic-liquid-(IL)-based strategies were investigated for the purification of IFNα-2b recombinantly produced from E. coli fermentation broth, namely as adjuvants in aqueous biphasic systems or as chromatographic ligands immobilized in solid materials. Overall, the obtained results demonstrate that by tailoring IL’s chemical structures, improved protein purification processes are obtained and that the secondary structure of proteins is preserved.publishe

Sustainable ionic-liquid-based strategies for the downstream processing of interferon α-2b from Echerichia coli

Over the last decades, society has been facing an increment of chronic diseases due to the higher human life expectancy and the lack of efficient treatments for several pathologies. In this regard, biopharmaceuticals have become one of the most effective clinical treatments for a broad range of diseases, including cancer, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders [1]. Among biopharmaceuticals, the role of interferons, particularly interferon α-2b (IFNα-2b), should be underlined, as they have been marketed for over 30 years with a considerable impact on the global therapeutic proteins market [2]. Usually based on the recombinant DNA technology, the manufacturing process of biopharmaceuticals encompasses two main stages: the upstream and downstream stages. Typically, the upstream phase includes recombinant protein production processes in a suitable host microorganism, such as Escherichia coli [3], while the general downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals comprises four stages - recovery, isolation, purification and polishing -, which are responsible for the majority of the production costs of biopharmaceuticals (50–90%) [3]. The downstream processing is a time-consuming and multi-step process, for which the development of cost-effective purification processes is mandatory to decrease their costs and environmental impact. In this context, two ionic-liquid-(IL)-based strategies were investigated in this work for the purification of IFNα-2b recombinantly produced from E. coli fermentation broth. ILs have been used as adjuvants in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) and applied in supported materials as alternative ligands. The obtained results demonstrate that ILs have a tailoring ability and contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable downstream processes of biopharmaceuticals.publishe

Escala de Competências de Estudo (ECE-SUP): fundamentos e construção

Num projecto de investigação entre a Universidade do Minho (Portugal), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (Espanha), Universidade Pedagógica (Moçambique) e a Universidade São Francisco (Brasil), procedeu-se à construção de uma “Escala de Competências de Estudo” (ECE-Sup), para alunos do Ensino Superior. O ponto de partida foi a leitura da investigação na área e a consulta de outras escalas disponíveis, definindo-se que a ECE-sup (designação ainda provisória) avaliaria quatro grandes áreas ou dimensões em termos do comportamento auto-regulado dos estudantes na sua aprendizagem: (i) as atitudes e os comportamentos em relação ao estudo e à sua organização pelos alunos, (ii) os aspectos motivacionais do estudo, (iii) as competências cognitivas envolvidas na aquisição de conhecimento, e (iv) a realização nas situações de avaliação. Estas quatro áreas foram representadas através de itens retirados do quotidiano dos alunos, privilegiando-se um enfoque autoregulatório na aprendizagem. Professores e alunos foram chamados a analisar os itens na sua relevância e compreensão, havendo a preocupação de buscar uma formulação dos itens comum aos quatro países (apenas diferença na componente ortográfica nas palavras usadas). Uma análise qualitativa dos itens através do método da “reflexão falada” foi conduzida junto de alguns alunos das Universidades envolvidas, eliminando-se ambiguidades e reformulando-se vários itens na base das sugestões dos próprios alunos. A versão experimental composta por 55 itens foi então aplicada a uma amostra de alunos de três das quatro Universidades, considerando estudantes de ciências/tecnologias e de humanidades, repartidos pelo 1º e 3º anos da graduação, para efeitos da apreciação dos itens através de métodos quantitativos.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Striped dolphins as trace element biomonitoring tools in oceanic waters: accounting for health-related variables

In Europe, monitoring contaminant concentrations and their effects in the marine environment is required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC). The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is the most abundant small cetacean species in Portuguese oceanic waters, representing a potential biomonitoring tool of contaminant levels in offshore waters. Concentrations of nine trace elements were evaluated by ICP-MS in kidney, liver and muscle samples of 31 striped dolphins stranded in the Portuguese continental coast. The mean renal Cd concentration was high (19.3 μg.g-1 wet weight, range 0.1-69.3 μg.g-1 wet weight) comparing to striped dolphins from other locations. Therefore, the present study reports a possibly concerning level of Cd in the oceanic food chain in Portuguese offshore areas. This study also aimed at evaluating potential relationships between trace element concentrations and striped dolphins' biological and health-related variables. Individual length was related with some of the trace element concentrations detected in striped dolphins. Indeed, Cd, Hg and Se bioaccumulated in larger animals, whereas the reverse was observed for Mn and Zn. Striped dolphins with high parasite burdens showed higher levels of Hg, while animals showing gross pathologies presented higher concentrations of Cd and Se. This study reported relationships between trace element concentrations and health-related variables for the first time in striped dolphins and it also provided information on the relative contamination status of Portuguese oceanic waters in comparison to other regions in the world.publishe

A importância da religião afro no processo de resistência da cultura ancestralizada no Brasil

This article discusses the importance of the Afro religion for the African people as a starting point to keep their history, culture and ancestry alive. The mother religion, which projects the search for long-lost and separated family ties in the face of the condition of enslaved people, maintains its relevance in the construction of the social, political and economic process in our country. We seek, therefore, a sensitive look at the Afro religion here in our country: how it materialized from its beginning in the terreiros of the big houses and flourished over the long years of our history, emphasizing our traditional communities of yards and our struggles with social movements. We bring Exu to these discussions as a great potentiator of these struggles from mother Africa to our current sheds. Exu as the one who opens the way, the one who watches over the gates and the first one who comes to our rescue.O presente artigo discute a importância da religião afro para o povo africano como ponto de partida para manter viva sua história, sua cultura e sua ancestralidade. A religião mãe que projeta busca de entrelaces familiares há muito perdidos e separados diante da condição de povo escravizado, mantém sua relevância na construção do processo sócio, político e econômico em nosso país. Buscamos, então, um olhar sensível acerca da religião afro aqui em nosso país: como se concretizou desde seu início nos terreiros das casas grandes e floresceu aos longos anos da nossa história, enfatizando nossas comunidades tradicionais de terreiros e nossas lutas junto aos movimentos sociais. Trazemos para essas discussões Exu como grande potencializador dessas lutas desde a mãe África até nossos barracões atuais. Exu como o que abre os caminhos, o que vigia as porteiras e o primeiro que chega em nosso socorro

Evolução da epilepsia de lobo temporal mesial familiar

OBJECTIVE: To analyze seizure outcome in individuals with familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (FMTLE). METHOD: We followed prospectively 64 individuals with FMTLE and 37 asymptomatic individuals belonging to 28 families. RESULTS: Patients with FMTLE had a mean follow up was 93.4 ± 15.8 months. At baseline they were divided in benign (n = 29), remission (n = 28) and refractory (n = 7). At last follow up visit 41.4% patients with benign FMTLE remained classified as benign, 20.7% became refractory and 37.9% were in remission. In the subgroup of FMTLE in remission 21 75% remained without seizures; 21.4% were classified as benign FMTLE, and one died (3.6%) from cause unrelated to epilepsy. All refractory patients remained refractory. From the asymptomatic group, 10.8% became symptomatic (FMTLE). The mean follow up was 76.0 ± 21.2 months. CONCLUSION: Prospective follow up of more than 7 years in patients with FMTLE revealed that it is unlikely to achieve seizure control in those with refractory seizures. Patients with diagnose of more benign forms of FMTLE for more than one year are likely to either remit or remain under well controlled seizures. The majority of patients who had achieved seizure remission remained seizure-free and none became refractory. Asymptomatic individuals had a greater probability to have seizures compared to the general population in a 6 year period of follow up.OBJETIVOS: Analisar a evolução de famílias com epilepsia de lobo temporal mesial familiar (ELTMF). METODOLOGIA: Seguimento prospectivo de 64 pacientes com ELTMF e 37 membros assintomáticos pertencente a 28 famílias. RESULTADOS: A média de seguimento dos pacientes com ELTMF foi de 93,4 ± 15,8 meses. Na avaliação inicial os pacientes foram divididos em benignos (n = 29), remissão (n = 28) e refratários (n = 7). Na última visita disponível, 41,4% dos pacientes com ELTMF benigna permaneceram classificados como benignos, 20,7% tornaram-se refratários e 37,9% entraram em remissão. No grupo em remissão, 75% permaneceram livres de crise, 21,4% foram classificados como benignos e um faleceu (3,6%) de causa não relacionada à epilepsia. Todos pacientes refratários permaneceram refratários. Em relação aos assintomáticos 10,8% evoluíram com crises. A média de seguimento dos assintomáticos foi de 76,0 ± 21,2 meses. CONCLUSÃO: O seguimento prospectivo de mais de 7 anos de pacientes com ELTMF revelou que é improvável ocorrer controle de crises no grupo refratário. No grupo benigno é muito provável que estes indivíduos entrem em remissão ou permaneçam com evolução benigna. A maioria dos pacientes do grupo em remissão permaneceu em remissão e nenhum se tornou refratário. Em relação aos assintomáticos a probabilidade de apresentar uma crise no decorrer de aproximadamente 6 anos foi maior que o observado na população geral.111113Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

T-box transcription factor Brachyury is associated with prostate cancer progression and aggressiveness

Purpose: Successful therapy of patients with prostate cancer is highly dependent on reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Brachyury is considered a negative prognostic factor in colon and lung cancer; however, there are no reports on Brachyury’s expression in prostate cancer. Experimental Design: In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of Brachyury expression in prostate tumorigenesis using a large series of human prostate samples comprising benign tissue, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions, localized tumor, and metastatic tissues. The results obtained were compared with what can be inferred from the Oncomine database. In addition, multiple in vitro models of prostate cancer were used to dissect the biologic role of Brachyury in prostate cancer progression. Results: We found that Brachyury is significantly overexpressed in prostate cancer and metastatic tumors when compared with normal tissues, both at protein and at mRNA levels. Brachyury expression in the cytoplasm correlates with highly aggressive tumors, whereas the presence of Brachyury in the nucleus is correlated with tumor invasion. We found that Brachyury-positive cells present higher viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion rates than Brachyury-negative cells. Microarray analysis further showed that genes co-expressed with Brachyury are clustered in oncogenic-related pathways, namely cell motility, cellcycle regulation, and cell metabolism. Conclusions: Collectively, the present study suggests that Brachyury plays an important role in prostate cancer aggressiveness and points, for the first time, to Brachyury as a significant predictor of poor prostate cancer prognosis. Our work paves the way for future studies assessing Brachyury as a possible prostate cancer therapeutic target.This study was supported by the ICVS internal research funds of participating authors and by the FCT project, ref. PTDC/SAU-MET113415/2009. F. Pinto and N. Pertega-Gomes received fellowships from the FCT, ref. SFRH/BD/81369/2011 and SFRH/BD/61027/2009, respectively. R. P. Andrade was funded by Ciencia2007 Program Contract and Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON. 2) - NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000017

A teoria das representações sociais no Congreso Internacional sobre Investigación en la Didáctica de las Ciências

Este é um trabalho de pesquisa bibliográfica sobre a Teoria das Representações Sociais em artigos publicados nas três últimas edições do "Congreso Internacional sobre Investigación en la Didáctica de las Ciencias" (2005, 2009 e 2013). A teoria das Representações Sociais orienta quatorze dos trabalhos publicados, sobre vários temas, tendo sido empregadas diferentes metodologias para a coleta e análise de dados. Deste pequeno número de artigos a penetração desta teoria entre os participantes deste Congresso ainda não é significativa, embora em outros fóruns esteja clara sua potencialidade de pesquisa para o campo educacional