Projecto de comportamento térmico : estudo sobre optimização da espessura de isolamento térmico da parte opaca de forma a minimizar o custo global (investimento inicial e custo de exploração)

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Civil (especialização em Construções Civis). Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 200

Returns to Postgraduate Education in Portugal: Holding on to a Higher Ground?

In this paper we use a large official employer-employee data set to document and decompose the rising graduates postgraduates’ wage differentials in Portugal. Using a non-parametric matching exercise we disentangle two different sources of postgraduates’ relative earnings: higher wages within the same type of occupations and the access to better paid occupations. We further look at displacement and deskilling effects due to relative demand inertia as possible sources of the evolution of relative earnings. Our results show that both displacement and deskilling effects, particularly of graduates with only a first-degree, appear to be at least as important as direct productivity effects in explaining postgraduates premiums. We also conclude that the relative importance of the former has been steadily increasing overtime and that, on the contrary, the net creation of high-paying, postgraduateonly jobs has been relatively modest. This evidence suggests that postgraduate degrees have largely worked as a way of holding on to a higher ground.COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020, FEDER, FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Educação e mercado de trabalho em Portugal: retornos e transições

http://www.poatfse.qren.pt/upload/docs/Diversos/ESTUDOS/Estudos%202014/Relatorio_final_U_Minho.pdf[Sumário Executivo] A adesão de Portugal à União Europeia em 1986 coincide com a apro- vação da estratégia para a concretização de um mercado interno no espaço europeu, coloca ndo desafios às economias dos países euro- peus e em particular à economia portuguesa, em matéria de produti- vidade e competitividade. O tradicional paradigma de competitividade assente em baixos salários é exposto a um nível de concorrência sem precedentes, revelando - se inadequado para fazer face a este novo con- texto de mercados integrados, caracterizados por uma livre circulação de bens, serviços e fatores produtivos. A capacidade de resposta do mercado de trabalho português é testada, assim como a qualidade da sua força de trabalho, do seu capital humano. Avaliar a qualidade do capital huma no implica, também, aferir o impacto do sistema educa- tivo na força de trabalho, quer ao nível do indivíduo, quer ao nível da sociedade. (excerto)Projecto: 000 598 402 012, POAT FSE – Programa Operacional de Assistência Técnica do Fundo Social Europeu, POATFSE: gerir, conhecer e intervir, QREN

Chemical characterization, cytotoxic evaluation and anti-SARS-CoV2 activity of plant extracts rich in hydrolysable tannins

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of multicomponent exercise program or self-selected physical activity on physical, mental, and biochemical health indicators of older women

The aim of this study was to compare physical, mental, and biochemical health indicators of 48 older women (67 ± 1 year) who practiced multicomponent exercise program (ME, n = 25) and self-selected physical activity (PA, n = 23) for 6 months. It was an observational study, which aimed to relate a prospective intervention. Displacement speed, lower limb (LL) power, functional capacity, body composition, biochemical profile, physical activity levels (PAL), sedentary behavior (SB), quality of life (QoL), and mental illness risk (MIR) were evaluated. ME presented better values compared to the PA in the gait speed (p = 0.001, large ES), aerobic capacity (p = 0.0001, large ES), agility/dynamic balance (p = 0.0001, large ES), LL flexibility (p = 0.0003, large ES), UL flexibility (p = 0.04, large ES), upper limb (UL) strength (p = 0.07, moderate ES), Total cholesterol (p = 0.009, large ES), triglycerides (p = 0.003, large ES), creatinine (p = 0.007, large ES), glycated hemoglobin (p= 0.007, large ES), and lower mean glucose value (p = 0.008, large ES). ME was more efficient than PA to improve indicators of gait speed, and functional capacity, regulate glycated hemoglobin, blood glucose, and serum creatinine. Thys study also brings practical applications for coaches, which could adapt and use creativity to develop different types of systematized ME, aiming to enhance positive adaptations in the older people at multilevel outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Red grape pomace extract: bioactive potential against bacteria, fungi and SARS-CoV-2

The outbreak of COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 forced the scientific world to search for new alternatives to help control the virus. Grape pomace, which is an industrial residue obtained from the winemaking process, has bioactive compounds derived from the grape [1], which can be a starting point for research on the use this residue as a source of new antiviral agents. Thus, the objective of this study was to obtain an extract from the by-product of red grapes discarded by the wine industry in Portugal to be used as an antiviral agent with possible application in disinfectants, fabrics or other materials. The red grape pomace extract was obtained by maceration in a hydroethanolic solution (ethanol:H2O 50:50 v/v) under optimized conditions and submitted to freeze drying. The extract was tested against pathogenic bacteria and a variety of fungi, and the antiviral activity was evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cells. The extract showed antimicrobial activity against a large number of bacteria tested, e.g., B. cereus (1.56 mg/mL), L. monocytogenes and S. aureus (3.125 mg/mL), and E. coli and S. Typhimurium (50 mg/mL). Regarding its antifungal potential, this extract did not show inhibition against the environmental fungi tested, however, it inhibited two of the tested dermatophytes. T. mentagrophytes and the yeast M. furfur at a concentration of 6.25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL, respectively. Regarding the antiviral activity, the results achieved for the viral titer was 6000 PFU/mL, the antiviral activity for SARS-CoV-2 was 1.36 ± 0.15 Mv and the percentage of reduction was of 95.38 ± 1.54%. The results showed that the obtained extract revealed consistent results of antiviral activity, presenting a potential for applications against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, it showed potential against some bacterial pathogens and fungal dermatophytes. Further studies are required for the validation and application of this extract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Intermediate Molecular Phenotypes to Identify Genetic Markers of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity Risk.

Cardiotoxicity due to anthracyclines (CDA) affects cancer patients, but we cannot predict who may suffer from this complication. CDA is a complex trait with a polygenic component that is mainly unidentified. We propose that levels of intermediate molecular phenotypes (IMPs) in the myocardium associated with histopathological damage could explain CDA susceptibility, so variants of genes encoding these IMPs could identify patients susceptible to this complication. Thus, a genetically heterogeneous cohort of mice (n = 165) generated by backcrossing were treated with doxorubicin and docetaxel. We quantified heart fibrosis using an Ariol slide scanner and intramyocardial levels of IMPs using multiplex bead arrays and QPCR. We identified quantitative trait loci linked to IMPs (ipQTLs) and cdaQTLs via linkage analysis. In three cancer patient cohorts, CDA was quantified using echocardiography or Cardiac Magnetic Resonance. CDA behaves as a complex trait in the mouse cohort. IMP levels in the myocardium were associated with CDA. ipQTLs integrated into genetic models with cdaQTLs account for more CDA phenotypic variation than that explained by cda-QTLs alone. Allelic forms of genes encoding IMPs associated with CDA in mice, including AKT1, MAPK14, MAPK8, STAT3, CAS3, and TP53, are genetic determinants of CDA in patients. Two genetic risk scores for pediatric patients (n = 71) and women with breast cancer (n = 420) were generated using machine-learning Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. Thus, IMPs associated with heart damage identify genetic markers of CDA risk, thereby allowing more personalized patient management.J.P.L.’s lab is sponsored by Grant PID2020-118527RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011039; Grant PDC2021-121735-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011039 and by the “European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR”, the Regional Government of Castile and León (CSI144P20). J.P.L. and P.L.S. are supported by the Carlos III Health Institute (PIE14/00066). AGN laboratory and human patients’ studies are supported by an ISCIII project grant (PI18/01242). The Human Genotyping unit is a member of CeGen, PRB3, and is supported by grant PT17/0019 of the PE I + D + i 2013–2016, funded by ISCIII and ERDF. SCLl is supported by MINECO/FEDER research grants (RTI2018-094130-B-100). CH was supported by the Department of Defense (DoD) BCRP, No. BC190820; and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), No. R01CA184476. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is a multi-program national laboratory operated by the University of California for the DOE under contract DE AC02-05CH11231. The Proteomics Unit belongs to ProteoRed, PRB3-ISCIII, supported by grant PT17/0019/0023 of the PE I + D +i, 2017–2020, funded by ISCIII and FEDER. RCC is funded by fellowships from the Spanish Regional Government of Castile and León. NGS is a recipient of an FPU fellowship (MINECO/FEDER). hiPSC-CM studies were funded in part by the “la Caixa” Banking Foundation under the project code HR18-00304 and a Severo Ochoa CNIC Intramural Project (Exp. 12-2016 IGP) to J.J.S

Male breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers : pathology data from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2

Background: BRCA1 and, more commonly, BRCA2 mutations are associated with increased risk of male breast cancer (MBC). However, only a paucity of data exists on the pathology of breast cancers (BCs) in men with BRCA1/2 mutations. Using the largest available dataset, we determined whether MBCs arising in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers display specific pathologic features and whether these features differ from those of BRCA1/2 female BCs (FBCs). Methods: We characterised the pathologic features of 419 BRCA1/2 MBCs and, using logistic regression analysis, contrasted those with data from 9675 BRCA1/2 FBCs and with population-based data from 6351 MBCs in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Results: Among BRCA2 MBCs, grade significantly decreased with increasing age at diagnosis (P = 0.005). Compared with BRCA2 FBCs, BRCA2 MBCs were of significantly higher stage (P for trend = 2 x 10(-5)) and higher grade (P for trend = 0.005) and were more likely to be oestrogen receptor-positive [odds ratio (OR) 10.59; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 5.15-21.80] and progesterone receptor-positive (OR 5.04; 95 % CI 3.17-8.04). With the exception of grade, similar patterns of associations emerged when we compared BRCA1 MBCs and FBCs. BRCA2 MBCs also presented with higher grade than MBCs from the SEER database (P for trend = 4 x 10(-12)). Conclusions: On the basis of the largest series analysed to date, our results show that BRCA1/2 MBCs display distinct pathologic characteristics compared with BRCA1/2 FBCs, and we identified a specific BRCA2-associated MBC phenotype characterised by a variable suggesting greater biological aggressiveness (i.e., high histologic grade). These findings could lead to the development of gender-specific risk prediction models and guide clinical strategies appropriate for MBC management.Peer reviewe