The differential role of social networks. Strategies and routes in Brazilian migration to Portugal and the Netherlands

Abstract This paper draws on qualitative and quantitative data on the migration experiences of Brazilians living in Portugal and the Netherlands to reflect and expand upon the existing knowledge on the role of social networks in migration processes. We consider different migrant profiles based on principal migration motives to identify differentiated socio-demographic profiles and relate these to migration strategies. We show that differences in the ways migrants access and use social networks in their migration projects can be related to these different migration motives and profiles. Simultaneously, we compare two distinct immigration contexts both in terms of contemporary immigration regimes and working opportunities and historical links to Brazil. Our findings demonstrate that migration scholars need to move beyond the narrow conceptualisation of social networks based on community or kin relationships, to consider multiple configurations involving different agents – both in the origin and destination countries – at different stages of the migration process. In addition, we show that future analyses would benefit from taking into account the differences between migrants driven by distinct motivations in different places

Differential volatile organic compounds signatures of apple juices from Madeira Island according to variety and geographical origin

One of the main food authenticity issues is related to products` false labelling concerning their variety or geo graphical origin. For this reason, the aim of this study was to establish distinctive characteristics for the dis crimination of apple juices according to regional varieties (Rijo, Verde, Ribeiro and Azedo) and geographical origin (Prazeres and Santo da Serra (Madeira Island)) on the basis of their volatile pattern by headspace solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC–MS) combined with chemometric tools. The results obtained revealed a perfect discrimination between the different apple varieties, with Rijo apple juices as samples with the major relative concentration of ethanol, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutanoate and ethyl hexanoate. Moreover, this study allowed a geographical origin-based clas sification of Azedo apple juices, highlighting ethyl acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, ethyl hexanoate, and toluene (described for the first time in apple juices) as discriminatory features. This study demonstrated that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could serve as authenticity indicators to verify variety and geographical origin of apple juices, providing local producers multiple benefits and legal protection against misuse of the products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Untargeted fingerprinting of cider volatiles from different geographical regions by HS-SPME/GC-MS

The volatomic fingerprint of ciders produced in different geographical regions from Madeira Island was estab lished using headspace solid phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS SPME/GC–MS) in order to explore the effects of geographical region on the volatile pattern ciders in addition to identify potential molecular geographic markers. A total of 107 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to different chemical families were identified from which 50 VOCs are common to all ciders analysed. Significant differences in the relative content of VOCs from ciders of different geographical regions were observed. The potential of the identified VOCs for ciders discrimination according to region was assessed through chemometric tools, such as principal components analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The PCA showed significant differences among ciders from different island geographical regions. Fifteen VOCs re sponsible for ciders discrimination were identified by PLS-DA. Fifteen VOCs, namely five terpenoids, four al cohols, three acids and three esters, present variable importance in projection (VIP) values higher than one. Our findings provide relevant information related to volatile signature of ciders produced in Madeira Island, which may be a useful tool to cider-making process contributing to improve the quality of the final product. In addition, the geographical discrimination recognizes the unique and distinctive characteristics that will allow in the future to protect the quality and typicity of products originating in certain geographical regions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CT characterisation and classification of feline temporomandibular joint trauma : a case series of 79 cats

Research Areas: Veterinary SciencesObjectives The aim of this study was to characterise and describe patterns of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries occurring in cats using CT. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in adherence with the STROBE guidelines. Among the medical and CT records of 79 cats, 158 TMJs were reviewed in a collaborative study between six institutions. Results TMJ injuries were most commonly unilateral, representing 70.9% of cases. The mandibular condyle was fractured in 88 cases (55.7%) of the 158 TMJs observed. Of those, 84.0% were intra-articular condyle fractures, with the medial half of the mandibular condyle over-represented. Luxations occurred in 32.9% of cases, which was 19.0% of all evaluated TMJs. Rostrodorsal luxations were most common representing 87.0% of all luxations. Temporal bone fractures were observed in 30.4% of all cases, which was 18.4% of TMJs. The majority of fractures were of an unknown cause. When the cause was determined, road traffic accident (RTA) was the most frequent, followed by animal interaction, other external forces (sharp or blunt force) and high-rise trauma. Bilateral injuries were 13.1 times more likely to occur in high-rise trauma (P=0.01) and temporal bone fracture was significantly associated with RTAs (P=0.016). No other significant associations were observed between cause of injury and the resulting TMJ injury pattern. Conclusions and relevance Various TMJ injury patterns can occur in cats as a result of trauma. Intra-articular fractures of the medial half of the mandibular condyle occur most commonly. Although unilateral injuries are more frequent, high-rise trauma tends to present with bilateral lesions. Further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to better understand TMJ patterns of injury and how they relate to possible causes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hands Up! Atypical Defensive Reactions in Heavy Players of Violent Video Games When Exposed to Gun-Attack Pictures

Threatening cues and surrounding contexts trigger specific defensive response patterns. Posturography, a technique for measuring postural strategies, has been used to evaluate motor defensive reactions in humans. When exposed to gun pointed pictures, humans were shown to exhibit an immobility reaction. Short and long-term exposure to violent video games was shown to be a causal risk factor for increased violent and aggressive behavior. Assaultive violence with a gun is a major trigger for motor defensive reactions, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most characteristic psychiatric sequelae. Recent studies point to links between PTSD symptoms and emotional shortfalls in non-clinical trauma-exposed samples. The present study investigated defensive reactions to gun threat and PTSD symptoms in heavy players of violent video games compared to non-players. Male university students were screened according to use of violent video games and divided in three groups: non-players, moderate players, and heavy players. Stimuli were pictures depicting a man pointing a gun directed at the participant. In matched control pictures, non-lethal objects replaced the gun. Posturography was recorded and PTSD symptoms were assessed. When exposed to the threat pictures, non-players exhibited the expected reduction in amplitude of body sway (immobility), heavy players presented atypical augmented amplitude of body sway, and moderate players showed intermediate reactivity. Heavy players presented a significant distinct reaction compared to non-players. They also scored significantly higher in PTSD symptoms than non-players. Disadvantageous defensive reactions and higher vulnerability to PTSD symptoms, revealed in the present study, add to other shortcomings for heavy players

Brazilian vodkas have undetectable levels of ethyl carbamate

While in Europe vodka is mainly derived from potatoes or cereals, a large proportion of Brazilian vodka is likely obtained from sugarcane, which contains ethyl carbamate (EC) precursors. EC, in addition to several other contaminants and congeners, were investigated in 32 samples of Brazilian vodka. All samples complied with the Brazilian regulations for congeners and contaminants, having EC content below 0.01 mg/L (detection limit). These results are probably related to the processing of vodka, in particular the use of extractive and rectifying stainless steel distillation columns, which allow the production of high strength spirits with low levels of congeners and contaminants

Essential oil of Thymus vulgaris: preparation of pharmaceutical mouthwash formulation and in vitro evaluation of the bacterial plaque-inhibiting properties

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in vitro o efeito do óleo essencial de Thymus vulgaris (tomilho) puro ou incorporado em uma formulação farmacêutica de uso oral (enxaguatório bucal), frente ao Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), determinando-se sua concentração inibitoria minima (CIM) e o efeito na formação da placa bacteriana. A CIM obtida para o óleo essencial de tomilho foi de 100 μg/mL (1 %). Procedeu-se o desenvolvimento de enxaguatório bucal com efeito antiplaca contendo o óleo essencial comercial de tomilho. As análises da formação da placa bacteriana (ensaios microbiológicos, análise macroscópica de aderência e análises por MEV) confirmaram a eficácia destas novas formulações de enxaguatórios, sem álcool, contendo óleo essencial de T. vulgaris como agentes antiplaca bacteriana com possível emprego na odontologia preventiva. A caracterização química do óleo essencial bioativo foi realizada por CG-MS, verificando-se a presença de carvacrol, p-cimeno e α-pineno como constituintes majoritáriosThe aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris (thyme) pure or incorporate in a alcohol-free pharmaceutical mouthwash formulation, against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), being determined the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the effect in the bacterial plate formation. The MIC value obtained for the essential oil was 100 μg/mL (1 %). The mouthwash pharmaceutical formulation containing commercial essential oil of T. vulgaris was preparated. Microbiological and macroscopic analysis as well as analyses for MEV confirmed the effectiveness of this new alcohol-free mouthwash formulation containing essential oil of T. vulgaris as agent with plaqueinhibiting properties and possible application in the preventive dentistry. The chemical characterization of the bioactive essential oil was accomplished by CG-MS, being verified the presence of carvacrol, p-cimene and α- pinene as major constituents.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire