Soft skills and psychological well-being: A study on Italian urban and rural NEETs

Soft skills retain a certain importance in fully understanding the NEET phenomenon: however, only few researchers have focused on them specifically. The aim of this work is two-fold: a) to detect the differences in terms of soft skills and psychological well-being between urban and rural NEETs; and b) to evaluate which of the soft skills analysed may be predictors of psychological well-being. A sample of young 6998 18−34 years old representative of the Italian population was used. Although gender and educational attainment play a key role in determining NEET status, the degree of urbanisation must be considered because it appears to influence the well-being and perceived soft skills of a group of NEETs. The present study shows that females with low educational attainment residing in rural areas have lower levels of well-being than females with low educational attainment residing in urban areas. A similar influence exists in relation to one particular soft skill: positive vision. Furthermore, soft skills predict psychological well-being wherein degree of urbanisation and gender seems to play a determining role. Policies should, therefore, consider these issues in their design and implementation phases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bisarro ceramics: the Soenga tradition and the proposal for an innovative eco product

Com este artigo pretende-se dar a conhecer a cerâmica tradicional do Norte de Portugal, o barro preto, que é acompanhado pela técnica ancestral de cozedura denominada Soenga que torna este processo muito mais sustentável do que o processo cerâmico que estamos habituados a conhecer. Assim sendo apresenta-se neste artigo a empresa Bisarro, que mantém as técnicas de cozedura ancestrais utilizando-as para modernizar, reinventar e redesenhar peças de cerâmica utilitária aplicando-as ao mercado cerâmico atual, mantendo a consciência e questões sustentáveis muito bem resolvidas. Com a pesquisa obtida propõe-se o desenvolvimento de um projeto integrado nesta empresa e nos seus princípios, de modo a aumentar a sua diversificação de produto reforçando o caráter tecnológico dos seus produtos.With this article I want to make known the traditional ceramics from the North of Portugal, the black clay, which is accompanied by the ancestral firing technique called Soenga that makes this process much more sustainable than the ceramic process we are used to know. Therefore I will present in this article the company Bisarro, which maintains the ancestral firing techniques using them to modernize, reinvent and redesign utilitarian ceramic pieces applying them to the current ceramic market, keeping the awareness and sustainable issues very well resolved. With the research obtained I propose the development of a project of mine, integrated in this company and its principles, in order to increase its product diversification

Optical properties of titanium oxycarbide thin films

The optical properties of TiC x O y thin films, deposited by reactive dc magnetron sputtering at different oxygen flow, were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the energy range of 0.75–4.5 eV. The dielectric functions measured in the energy range of intraband transitions were analyzed using the classical Drude theory. These results show that free plasma energy and the damping constant of the films depend strongly on film stoichiometry and on their oxygen content. The interband contribution to the optical conductivity of these films is in good agreement with the optical conductivity obtained from first principles calculations based on density functional theory. Both the experimental and the calculated results show that it is possible to significantly modify the optical properties of titanium oxycarbide by adjusting the oxygen content.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) – Programa Operacional “Ciência , Tecnologia, Inovação” – CONC-REEQ/443/EEI/2005, PTDC/CTM/69362 e SFRH/BD/27569/200

Tempestade tiroideia – caso clínico

ResumoA tempestade tiroideia (TT) é uma condição clínica grave, resultante da exacerbação abrupta e potencialmente fatal do hipertiroidismo. O principal fator precipitante são as infeções. O diagnóstico é fundamentalmente clínico. Entre as manifestações clínicas destacam‐se a febre, taquicardia, agitação, delírio e coma.Apesar de se tratar de uma situação rara, perante sua suspeita o tratamento deve ser instituído imediatamente, independentemente dos resultados laboratoriais, pois o seu atraso pode ser fatal.Apresenta‐se o caso clínico de uma doente de 53 anos, com fibrilhação auricular paroxística entre outros antecedentes pessoais, medicada com amiodarona há vários anos, que recorreu ao serviço de urgência por quadro clínico de febre e agitação psicomotora, cuja investigação clínica levou ao diagnóstico de TT secundária à amiodarona.Os autores descrevem este caso clínico pela inespecificidade clínica, complexidade diagnóstica e uma vez que se trata de uma entidade clínica rara.AbstractThyroid Storm is a severe clinical condition resulting from a sudden and potentially life‐threatening exacerbation of hyperthyroidism. Underlying infection is the main precipitating factor. Diagnosis is mainly clinically‐based. Among the clinical manifestations, fever, tachycardia, agitation, delirium and coma are of particular emphasis.Although a rare disorder, when suspected, treatment should be instituted immediately, regardless of laboratory results, as delay may be fatal.The authors describe a case study of a 53 year old patient, with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and other personal antecedents, treated with amiodarone for several years, presented to the emergency service with fever and psychomotor agitation, whose clinical research has led to the diagnosis thyroid storm secondary to amiodarone.The authors describe this clinical case by nonspecific clinical, diagnostic complexity and since it is a rare clinical entity

Monitoring the ex-vivo expansion of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in xeno-free microcarrier-based reactor systems by MIR spectroscopy

Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have received considerable attention in the field of cell-based therapies due to their high differentiation potential and ability to modulate immune responses. However, since these cells can only be isolated in very low quantities, successful realization of these therapies requires MSCs ex-vivo expansion to achieve relevant cell doses. The metabolic activity is one of the parameters often monitored during MSCs cultivation by using expensive multi-analytical methods, some of them time-consuming. The present work evaluates the use of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, through rapid and economic high-throughput analyses associated to multivariate data analysis, to monitor three different MSCs cultivation runs conducted in spinner flasks, under xeno-free culture conditions, which differ in the type of microcarriers used and the culture feeding strategy applied. After evaluating diverse spectral preprocessing techniques, the optimized partial least square (PLS) regression models based on the MIR spectra to estimate the glucose, lactate and ammonia concentrations yielded high coefficients of determination (R2 ≥ 0.98, ≥0.98, and ≥0.94, respectively) and low prediction errors (RMSECV ≤ 4.7%, ≤4.4% and ≤5.7%, respectively). Besides PLS models valid for specific expansion protocols, a robust model simultaneously valid for the three processes was also built for predicting glucose, lactate and ammonia, yielding a R2 of 0.95, 0.97 and 0.86, and a RMSECV of 0.33, 0.57, and 0.09 mM, respectively. Therefore, MIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis represents a promising tool for both optimization and control of MSCs expansion processes

The intervention of design in the valorization of Portuguese artisanal products - the cases of footwear, musical instruments and cutlery

Este trabalho investiga o efeito da intervenção do design sobre a evolução do artesanato português nomeadamente na área do calçado, instrumentos musicais de corda e cutelaria. Nos casos estudados a intervenção é mais evidente no calçado e na cutelaria. O artesanato é fonte de inspiração ao eco-design e incrementa a dimensão cultural dos produtos. Alguns designers procuram ligar os seus produtos aos objetos de artesanato, repescando e modernizando modelos de negócio, técnicas, estéticas, materiais e até funções, preservando modos de fazer e produtos que de outra forma seriam esquecidos. A intervenção do design no artesanato cria um certo revivalismo necessário ao crescimento do mercado e à valorização do que é original, local, tradicional e que faz pare do património cultural dos povos. O objetivo principal dos instrumentos musicais é a eficácia da função que é conseguida pelo aprimorar das tecnologias construtivas que têm sido transmitidas entre gerações de mestres.This work investigates the effect of design intervention on the evolution of Portuguese handicrafts, namely in the area of footwear, stringed musical instruments and cutlery. In the cases studied, theintervention is more evident in footwear and cutlery. Craftsmanship is a source of inspiration for ecodesign and increases the cultural dimension of the products. Some designers seek to link their products to craft objects, revising and modernizing business models, techniques, aesthetics, materials and even functions, preserving ways of making and products that would otherwise be forgotten. The intervention of design in handicrafts creates a certain revival that is necessary for the growth of the market and the appreciation of what is original, local, traditional and which forms part of the cultural heritage of the people. The main objective of musical instruments is the effectiveness of the function that is achieved by improving the constructive technologies that have been transmitted between generations of masters

Novel incorporation of red-stage haematococcus pluvialis wet paste as a colourant and enhancer of the organoleptic and functional properties of filloas †

Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow is a microalga used as a nutraceutical, due to its high content in bioactive compounds, mainly carotenoids, in which astaxanthin stands out [1]. Furthermore, H. plu- vialis has shown a high antioxidant potential, and combined with its intense red colour, this microalga could have dual functionality: as a colourant and a bioactive ingredient [ 2]. The process to obtain this ingredient involves several transformation steps—namely, lyophilisation and saponification—raising the costs to develop and obtain free astaxanthin, which paradoxically presents greater instability and solubility than its esterified counterpart [ 3]. Thus, this study provides an alternative approach for the application of red, astaxanthin-rich, H. pluvialis wet paste as a partial substitute for wheat flour (7% and 13% w/w) in the preparation of filloas (Galician pancakes), a typical dessert from the northwestern region of the Iberian Peninsula. To evaluate its power as a natural pigment, the stability of colour over time (3, 6, and 9 days) was measured, and the results were compared with those of a commercial colourant. At the same time, its physicochemical properties such as the microbiological profile were measured to determine its functionality as a food preservative. As a result, redness stability (a*) of 8% higher than that of the commercial colourant was obtained for the maximum concentration of H. pluvialis analysed. The texture showed a significant response (p < 0.02), improving its properties as the concentration of the microalga increased, which showed a tenacity of 3.23 N and extensibility of 15.10 mm during the first 6 days, i.e., a 52% and 19% improvement, respectively, in relation to the control group. In turn, an enrichment of carotenoids, fatty acids, and phenolic com- pounds, in combination with a potential moderator of microbiological degradation by this unicellular organism, gives added value to this food matrix.This research was funded by project ED431 2020/06 (Galician Competitive Research Groups Xunta de Galicia). This study was supported by project EQC2018-005011-P (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Spain). All these programmes are co-funded by FEDER (EU). The authors are also grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); to FCT for S. Heleno (CEECIND/03040/2017) and L. Barros contracts through the individual and institutional scientific employment programme contract, respectively. This article is based upon work from the Sample Preparation Study Group and Network, supported by the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the European Chemical Societyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The generally recognized as safe (GRAS) microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis (wet) as a multifunctional additive for coloring and improving the organoleptic and functional properties of foods

This work proposes the application of astaxanthin-rich H. pluvialis wet paste (HPW) as a partial substitute for wheat flour in the preparation of filloas, a dish that combines the basic ingredients of industrial bakery. The nutritional and color profile of HPW-enriched samples was evaluated by comparative analysis with a mixture of synthetic food dyes. The highest content of carotenoids (798 ± 12 µg g−1) and fatty acids (76 ± 2mgg−1) was obtained for a filloa fortified with H. pluvialis in contrast to a non-significant dye response. Subsequently, the color stability of the fortified filloa was evaluated over time (3, 6 and 9 days), as well as its physicochemical properties and microbiological profile. As a result, HPW provided filloas with a longer shelf life, brightness (*L), and texture, in comparison with a mixture of synthetic dyes. In addition, an inhibitory effect of HPW towards mesophilic aerobic microorganisms in the food was obtained.This research was funded by project ED431 2020/06 (Galician Competitive Research Groups Xunta de Galicia). All these pro- grammes are co-funded by FEDER (EU). The authors are also grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/ MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/ 00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021). Castillo A. acknowl- edges the support of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Galicia-Norte Portugal (GNP, EGTC) under the IACOBUS Program and the MCI of Spain for his contract part of the grant DIN2021-011976 funded by the MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033. L. Barros and S. Heleno acknowledge the national funding by FCT, P. I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for their contracts, and Filipa A. Fernandes for the PhD grant (SFRH/BD/145467/ 2019).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Electrospun magnetic ionic liquid based electroactive materials for tissue engineering applications

Functional electrospun fibers incorporating ionic liquids (ILs) present a novel approach in the development of active microenviroments due to their ability to respond to external magnetic fields without the addition of magnetic particles. In this context, this work reports on the development of magnetically responsive magneto-ionic fibers based on the electroactive polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride) and the magnetic IL (MIL), bis(1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) tetrathiocyanatocobaltate ([Bmim]2[(SCN)4Co]). The PVDF/MIL electrospun fibers were prepared incorporating 5, 10 and 15 wt.% of the MIL, showing that the inclusion of the MIL increases the polar β-phase content of the polymer from 79% to 94% and decreases the crystallinity of the fibers from 47% to 36%. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the fibers decreases with the incorporation of the MIL. The magnetization of the PVDF/MIL composite fibers is proportional to the MIL content and decreases with temperature. Finally, cytotoxicity assays show a decrease in cell viability with increasing the MIL content.This research was funded by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/FIS/04650/2020, and project PTDC/BTM-MAT/28237/2017. Moreover, the authors thank FCT for the research grant SFRH/BD/145345/2019 (LMC), SFRH/BD/148655/2019 (RMM), and D.M.C. and CR thank the FCT for the contract under the Stimulus of Scientific Employment 2020.02915.CEECIND and 2020.04163.CEECIND, respectively.The authors acknowledge funding by Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERFD) through the project PID2019-106099RB-C43/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and from the Basque Government Industry Departments under the ELKARTEK program. Technical and human support provided by IZO-SGI, SGIker (UPV/EHU, MICINN, GV/EJ, ERDF and ESF) is gratefully acknowledged

Nano-zero-valent particles synthesized with agroindustry wastes for pesticide degradation under real conditions

Nano-zero-valent particles (NZVP) had exhibited high degradation activity. NZVP synthesized from agroindustry residues align with circular economy principles. They generate hydroxyl radicals (4.6 µM) that effectively degraded chlorpyrifos-methyl pesticide under real conditions. Bimetallic NZVP, specifically NZVP-Fe:Mn and NZVP-Fe:Ag, show superior pesticide degradation. The metal ratio within NZVP influences their activity (optimal at 0.12:0.12 mM and 0.12:0.19 mM for respectively, NZVP-Fe:Mn and NZVP-Fe:Ag). NZVP characterization includes TEM, SEM-EDS, PZC, FTIR, XRD, and electrochemical analysis, confirming their acid nature, favorable electrochemical behavior, and uniform metal distribution. The impact of different natural extracts on NZVP synthesis and pesticide degradation was explained through extensive extract characterization, revealing the presence of altering pro-oxidants and scavenger species. Blueberry pruning extract yields the highest pesticide degradation (85% in 5 min) due to its stronger antioxidant activity and lower scavenger compound content. NZVP demonstrates efficacy across various pH ranges. Real wastewater samples were treated under optimal conditions, resulting in a pesticide degradation efficiency of approximately 60% within 5 min. The most effective approach for enhancing the treatment process involved the sequential addition of reagents, as opposed to the conventional method of increasing reagent concentrationXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B 2019/091Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDB/50006/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDP/50006/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. LA/P/0008/2020Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. PCI2022-132941Universidade de Vigo/CISUGFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. CEECIND/02702/201