THE ADDED WORKER EFFECT IN BRAZIL: : WIFE RESPONSE TO THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD’S UNEMPLOYMENT (2012 TO 2017)

When the principal responsible for the family loses his or her job, it is hoped that, in attempting to maintain the level of family income, another member of the family will become part of the workforce; when this occurs, it has an added worker effect. Thus, the objective of this work is to test the hypothesis of the presence of the additional worker effect for the wife when confronting the unemployment of the head of the family in Brazil. Therefore, we used continuous Pnad information from 2012 to 2017 and variations in the specifications of models’ logit for the wife’s transitions into the job market. It was found that the loss of the job of the head of household has a strong effect on the labour supply of the spouse, mainly in the transition from inactivity to unemployment. It was also found that, in addition to the unemployment of the head of the family, there are other factors that explain the transitions of the spouse in the labour market, particularly when small children are present in households. These factors indicated that the lower the age of these children is, the lower the likelihood of wives participating in the labour market

Genetic susceptibility to thyroid cancer: contributions of RET polymorphisms

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, represents more than 1% of all malignancies and has an estimated annual incidence of 212,000 cases worldwide. The term differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) comprises the subtypes papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), these subtypes represent the two most common subtypes of thyroid cancer (approximately 80% and 10% respectively). Despite its incidence DTCs have a good prognosis with relatively few metastases and deaths associated. The polymorphisms (variants in DNA sequence among individuals that have a frequency of at least 1% in a population) of RET proto-oncogene have been studied in different populations for association with susceptibility to thyroid cancer, but with inconsistent findings mainly in DTC. To clarify the contribution of single locus or haplotypes (polymorphisms that are transmitted through generations as a unit) of RET polymorphisms to genetic susceptibility to DTC among Portuguese patients, we conducted a case–control study by analyzing four well-characterized RET polymorphisms (G691S, L769L, S836S and S904S). To achieve this aim, the RET polymorphisms were genotyped and haplotype frequencies were estimated in a population of 282 individuals with DTC and in a control population of 254 individuals. Allele, genotype and haplotype distributions were compared among cases and controls. Patient population was subdivided according to several clinical parameters and allele, genotype and haplotype distributions were compared among the subgroups. The single locus analysis showed an overrepresentation of the S836S polymorphism in patients when compared to controls. Also the heterozygous genotypes of the G691S/S904S polymorphisms were overrepresented in cases diagnosed after the age of 45 years and the heterozygous genotype of G691S polymorphism revealed an overrepresentation in patients with tumors larger then 10mm of diameter at diagnosis. The haplotype analysis showed an overrepresentation of GGTC haplotype in patients particularly in those diagnosed after the age of 45 years. In conclusion, our data suggest that the S836S polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of DTC. Also the heterozygous genotype of the G691S/S904S polymorphisms seems to be associated with age of onset of DTC and additionally the heterozygous genotype of G691S polymorphism appeared to be in association with tumor size. Finally, one haplotype appears to be associated with increased risk of DTC particularly in those developed in later age (after the age of 45 years). These findings need to be confirmed by larger studies in order re-evaluate the role of these variants in the susceptibility to DTC.Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, represents more than 1% of all malignancies and has an estimated annual incidence of 212,000 cases worldwide. The term differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) comprises the subtypes papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), these subtypes represent the two most common subtypes of thyroid cancer (approximately 80% and 10% respectively). Despite its incidence DTCs have a good prognosis with relatively few metastases and deaths associated. The polymorphisms (variants in DNA sequence among individuals that have a frequency of at least 1% in a population) of RET proto-oncogene have been studied in different populations for association with susceptibility to thyroid cancer, but with inconsistent findings mainly in DTC. To clarify the contribution of single locus or haplotypes (polymorphisms that are transmitted through generations as a unit) of RET polymorphisms to genetic susceptibility to DTC among Portuguese patients, we conducted a case–control study by analyzing four well-characterized RET polymorphisms (G691S, L769L, S836S and S904S). To achieve this aim, the RET polymorphisms were genotyped and haplotype frequencies were estimated in a population of 282 individuals with DTC and in a control population of 254 individuals. Allele, genotype and haplotype distributions were compared among cases and controls. Patient population was subdivided according to several clinical parameters and allele, genotype and haplotype distributions were compared among the subgroups. The single locus analysis showed an overrepresentation of the S836S polymorphism in patients when compared to controls. Also the heterozygous genotypes of the G691S/S904S polymorphisms were overrepresented in cases diagnosed after the age of 45 years and the heterozygous genotype of G691S polymorphism revealed an overrepresentation in patients with tumors larger then 10mm of diameter at diagnosis. The haplotype analysis showed an overrepresentation of GGTC haplotype in patients particularly in those diagnosed after the age of 45 years. In conclusion, our data suggest that the S836S polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of DTC. Also the heterozygous genotype of the G691S/S904S polymorphisms seems to be associated with age of onset of DTC and additionally the heterozygous genotype of G691S polymorphism appeared to be in association with tumor size. Finally, one haplotype appears to be associated with increased risk of DTC particularly in those developed in later age (after the age of 45 years). These findings need to be confirmed by larger studies in order re-evaluate the role of these variants in the susceptibility to DTC

Development of new hybrid gene delivery carriers

Gene therapy has gained increased attention over the last decades due to the possibility to treat a disease at its routes. Several vehicles intended to carry and deliver a functional copy of the deficient gene have been developed. Amongst these, viral vectors are highly effective systems, capable to deliver the genetic cargo to the nucleus. However, these carriers have raised safety concerns regarding to immunogenicity and insertional mutagenesis, creating the need to develop equally efficient vehicles with higher safety profiles. Therefore, non-viral vectors have been suggested as an alternative to viral gene transfer methods, as these overcome some of the drawbacks presented by viral vectors. The main goal of this project was to develop safe and effective non-viral gene carriers, using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) with surface modulated properties. SLNs with surface modulated properties using polyethyleneimine (PEI) combined, or not, with protamine, were produced by hot high shear homogenization. The obtained particles possessed sizes <300 nm suitable for intravenous administration, and good physical stability for 3 months, under the different storage conditions tested (4ºC, room temperature and 37ºC). Moreover, these particles showed good plasmid condensation levels and were able to deliver the gene into the nucleus. Additionally, no cytotoxic effects concerning membrane integrity and metabolic activity of HEK 293-T cells were observed after 24 h of exposition. In conclusion, the developed nanoparticles presented suitable properties for gene delivery, with high capacity to condense DNA and transfect cells without cytotoxicity

Primary school pupils’ misconceptions of the human respiratory system in primary school students: from identification to deconstruction

This study involved 38 students from the 6th year of schooling attending a state school in Lisbon in which the Science syllabus is centered on the study of human body systems. Its purpose was to determine: (i) whether the students possessed any of the misconceptions related to the human respiratory system referenced in other studies (e.g. air enters and leaves our bodies with no function, air tubes connect the lungs to the heart, the air exhaled is rich in carbon dioxide and poor in oxygen); (ii) whether a learning design focused on the deconstruction of these misconceptions would be effective to the conceptual change of these pupils. To this end, the experimental group (class A) experienced a learning design expressly conceived for the deconstruction of the misconceptions related to the human respiratory system, while the control group (class B) experienced a traditional approach with interactive lectures and use of the school textbook. The data were collected through a questionnaire administered in two stages (pre and post-test) and a t-test was used to compare the means obtained by the two groups in the pre-test and to verify the gains of each class between the pre and the post-test. After analysis of the results of the pre-test, it was found that the students of the two groups had several misconceptions of the human respiratory system. The experimental group had more significant gains, although the students in both groups reduced their misconceptions. Both results support the idea that formal education, if provided with well-structured activities, can contribute to the conceptual restructuring of the students’ mind, albeit with a different rate of success. Finally, the present study also helps to confirm the universality of certain misconceptions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Occupational Polarization on Brazilian Labor Market, 1985-2015

The objective of this paper is to analyze employment and wages in occupational structure of Brazilian labor market considering the gender gap as well The analysis is based on information from 1985 to 2015 and estimates from income equations Results showed that occupational polarization was more evident for women during the three analyzed decades as these women broadened their participation on labor market regarding occupations that were more abstract and manual non-routine as professionals and technicians in the first group and domestic services in the second group On the other hand men suffered deep transformations in occupational structure regarding manual and routine activities from agricultural activities to production and operational ones It was verified a reduction in inequality in wage distribution with the increase of average wages although occupations that broadened the demand for labor had relative increase in wages which suggests polarization in women s paymen

Free Hanging Catenary Riser with Steel and Titanium

Deepwater developments are becoming increasingly common in several parts of the world. Although the technological advances have grown exponentially since the first development in such great depth, challenges are still faced regarding the harsh environmental conditions. Considering that, the riser system is a critical part of the subsea architecture. The Steel Catenary Riser (SCR) is usually the preferred option for deep and ultra-deep waters when its feasibility is ensured. However, this type of riser is very sensitive to the host platform's large motions due to the harsh environment. The large motion has the downward velocity at the hang-off point as a critical component, which can induce high levels of fatigue in that location and at the touchdown point (TDP). Thus, risers are usually designed with a flex joint on their top end, reducing or eliminating the fatigue issues in this area. For the TDP, other alternatives have been studied. An alternative that has been considered is the implementation of a titanium section on the touchdown area (TDA) of an SCR, which feasibility in a deepwater and harsh environment is the focus of this work. A comparison with a conventional SCR is made in order to evaluate how the titanium affects the response on the TDA. Results of the strength analyses showed that the SCR is unsuitable when the downward velocity is 3.8 m/s. By implementing the titanium section, which material has higher yield strength, the riser can cope with that downward velocity. The fatigue performance of the risers is checked considering the wave-induced fatigue. The conventional SCR demonstrates to have high fatigue damage, resulting in only 3.5 years on the TDP, which can be explained by its results on the strength analysis. On the other hand, the SCR with a titanium section has a fatigue life of over 20,000 years at the TDP, demonstrating it can improve the results significantly. Sensitivity studies are presented and explain how the riser with titanium is affected by changes in the section length, wall and coating thicknesses, and hang-off angle. Overall, this thesis shows the feasibility of an SCR with a titanium section on the TDA when applied on a spread moored FPSO in deepwater and harsh environmental conditions. Keywords: Deep water, SCR, SCR with titanium section, Extreme Response Analysi