From ESG investing theory to practice - a status and opportunity in Portugal

From ESG investing theory to practice –A status and opportunity in Portugal aims to disclose the alignment of ESG theory with what is perceived by investors. A qualitative analysis considering Portuguese expert ́s opinion meets theory and conveys the need for further development of the criteria. The adoption of a global framework would enhance the integration of ESG in the decision-making process. Portugal should realize this is an opportunity to improve financial models and widen the capital market. It is stressed out that higher involvement by governments is missing, with the creation of more effective regulations and incentives

Ciência para agir: experiências do primeiro ano de programa

Com objetivo de fomentar o interesse científico no jovem e discutir com a sociedade os problemas relacionados ao meio ambiente e saúde, este programa busca uma integração entre pesquisa, ensino e extensão. No ano de 2017, as atividades extensionistas focaram no tema “qualidade da água”, buscando divulgar os principais resultados de pesquisa desenvolvidos pelos pesquisadores extensionistas nas comunidades atendidas. A parceria com a ONG O Nosso Papel, permitiu que as oficinas fossem desenvolvidas nas entidades beneficiadas pelo Ponto de Cultura Fazendo diferença em Paquetá. A participação de estudantes da UNIRIO nas atividades favorece que o conhecimento adquirido através das nossas atividades se transforme em ação e mudança. Com objetivo de fomentar o interesse científico no jovem e discutir com a sociedade os problemas relacionados ao meio ambiente e saúde, este programa busca uma integração entre pesquisa, ensino e extensão. No ano de 2017, as atividades extensionistas focaram no tema “qualidade da água”, buscando divulgar os principais resultados de pesquisa desenvolvidos pelos pesquisadores extensionistas nas comunidades atendidas. A parceria com a ONG O Nosso Papel, permitiu que as oficinas fossem desenvolvidas nas entidades beneficiadas pelo Ponto de Cultura Fazendo diferença em Paquetá. A participação de estudantes da UNIRIO nas atividades favorece que o conhecimento adquirido através das nossas atividades se transforme em ação e mudança

A "uberização" das relações de trabalho regularizada através do contrato de trabalho intermitente: uma análise do projeto de lei No 3.055/2021

O presente artigo tem como objetivo abordar o instituto do trabalho intermitente, nova modalidade contratual criada por intermédio da Lei no 13.467/17, também conhecida como “Reforma Trabalhista”. Tal instituto foi criado como uma modalidade de trabalho sob vínculo de emprego, com jornada e salário variáveis, conforme a demanda do empregador, e foi justificado pelos legisladores como sendo capaz de retirar o trabalhador da informalidade, diminuindo o índice de desemprego no país. Nesse cenário de nova dinâmica econômica do capitalismo global, analisa-se também o crescimento exponencial da “uberização” do trabalho, que se apresenta como uma forma de trabalho extremamente exploratória, mas não regulada pelo direito. Assim, considerando a discussão a respeito da relação de vínculo empregatício entre os trabalhadores de aplicativo e as empresas de plataforma, diversos projetos de lei no Brasil buscam regularizar a situação laboral destes trabalhadores, dentre eles, o Projeto de Lei no 3.055/2021, utilizado como fonte de análise neste estudo, que visa enquadrar essa categoria como intermitentes. A metodologia empregada neste artigo utilizou o método dedutivo, a pesquisa bibliográfica e exploratória, bem como a análise de artigos científicos e notícias veiculadas em sites acerca do tema. Por fim, a pesquisa realizada permitiu concluir que, nos moldes da legislação atual, o contrato de trabalho intermitente possui imenso potencial de precarização dos postos de trabalho no país e, portanto, não é o meio adequado para regrar o trabalho sob demanda por meio de aplicativos.This article aims to approach the intermittent labor contract, a new modality of labor contract created through the Law no 13.467/2017, also known as "Labor Reform". This institute was created as a kind of work under employment relationship, with variable working hours and salaries, according to the employer's demand, and it was justified by the legislators as being able to withdraw the worker from informality, reducing the unemployment rate in the country. In this scenario of new economic dynamics of global capitalism, the exponential growth of the “uberization” of work is also analyzed, which presents itself as an extremely exploratory form of work, but not regulated by law. Thus, considering the discussion regarding the employment relationship between app workers and platform companies, several Laws in Brazil seek to regularize the employment situation of these workers, among them, Law No 3.055/2021, used as a source of analysis in this study, which aims to frame this category as intermittent workers. The methodology employed in this study used the deductive method, the bibliographic and exploratory research, as well as the analysis of scientific articles and news published in websites about the theme. Finally, the research carried out allowed us to conclude that, under the current legislation, the intermittent work contract has immense potential for the precariousness of jobs in the country and, therefore, it is not the appropriate means of regulating on-demand work through apps.3

Phytocompounds Recovered from the Waste of Cabernet Sauvignon (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.) Vinification: Cytotoxicity (in Normal and Stressful Conditions) and In Vitro Photoprotection Efficacy in a Sunscreen System

We investigated plausible reuse for the dermocosmetic industry of byproducts from the winemaking process of red grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. C. Sauvignon) through the evaluation of one extract (grape pomace extract, GPE) and two fractions (one chloroform, GPE-CHF; one ethyl acetate, GPE-EAF). The samples were characterized analytically by liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a NIH 3T3 fibroblast cell culture to verify a cytosafety profile in normal and stressful environment (presence of H2O2), and by using it in a sunscreen system to observe improvements in the in vitro efficacy by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry with an integrating sphere. The HPLC results for GPE-EAF and GPE-CHF samples with the best profile of syringic and p-coumaric acids, quercetin, and trans-resveratrol were used in the further assays. GPE-EAF and GPE-CHF, both at 30.00 µg/mL, maintained the cell viability in the absence of H2O2 (normal condition). In the sequence, GPE-EAF and GPE-CHF were evaluated against the oxidative stressor H2O2 in NIH 3T3 cells. A sharp drop in viability was only observed for GPE-CHF, and cytotoxicity of GPE-EAF was considered absent even in a hostile environment. Since GPE-EAF previously developed the best results, its potential performance was investigated in a sunscreen system. The in vitro sun protection factor of the phytoderivative-free formulation was 9.0 + 2.5; by adding GPE-EAF at 10.0%, its efficacy was elevated to 15.0 + 2.5. Both samples suffered a negative effect after artificial ultraviolet exposition (500 W/m2); however, the presence of GPE-EAF improved the photostability of the sunscreen system

Prospecting In Vitro Antioxidant and Photoprotective Properties of Rosmarinic Acid in a Sunscreen System Developed by QbD Containing Octyl <i>p</i>-Methoxycinnamate and Bemotrizinol

Progressively growing diagnoses of skin cancer trigger public health concerns about excessive sun exposure, awareness of the deleterious effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin, and the proper use of sunscreens. Studies show that bioactive molecules, such as rosmarinic acid (RA), may potentiate the photoprotective and antioxidant activity of topical formulations. This research presents the application of the concepts of quality by design (QbD) to evaluate the critical parameters of quality and the development of an optimized cosmetic formulation with RA by means of an understanding of product design space. Samples were developed using design of experiments (DoE) and they were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity and photoprotective efficacy, as well as for photostability through artificial irradiation. We were able to achieve the RA performance regarding antioxidant and SPF properties through in vitro experiments. We obtained the equations for predicting the in vitro antioxidant activity and SPF. Considering our sunscreen system, developed with octyl p-methoxycinnamate and bemotrizinol, the presence of RA increased its antioxidant capacity; however, the in vitro SPF was reduced when both UV filters were used. The development of multifunctional sunscreens is of utmost importance; moreover, there is a need for the rational development of formulations that ensure representative statistical tests of the effects and interactions among the components of a formulation on the desired critical quality attributes, including efficacy

Comparação de métodos para a observação de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares e endofíticos do tipo dark septate em espécies nativas de Cerrado

As espécies vegetais de Cerrado sensu stricto apresentam estratégias adaptativas às condições edáficas e climáticas de altos investimentos em fotoassimilados, nutrientes e água para sua estruturação. A simbiose entre fungos e raízes de plantas é uma importante adaptação radicular que auxilia as plantas na absorção de nutrientes e água do solo, sendo determinantes para a sobrevivência no Cerrado. Com o objetivo de estudar fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs) e fungos endofíticos do tipo dark septate (DSEFs) nas raízes de algumas espécies arbóreas e herbáceas, nativas do Cerrado sensu stricto, foram testados diferentes métodos para melhor observação das estruturas fúngicas em simbiose. O melhor método de clarificação foi observado quando as raízes foram autoclavadas a 121 °C em KOH 2 %, por 20 min, e com a subseqüente transferência para solução nova de KOH 2 %, por 24 h, em temperatura ambiente. Este procedimento foi repetido e, em seguida, essas amostras foram imersas em H2O2 2 % por 2 h. Os arbúsculos foram observados com maiores detalhes após a inclusão em resina, seccionamento e coloração com azul-de-toluidina. Todas as espécies avaliadas encontravam-se colonizadas por FMAs, e apenas em Xylopia aromatica não se observaram os DSEFs. As espécies herbáceas apresentaram maiores freqüências de colonização micorrízica do que as arbóreas. O caráter generalista dos FMAs e DSEFs observado nas espécies vegetais do Cerrado sensu stricto sugere a importância dessas simbioses como mecanismo adaptativo às condições de Cerrado

SARS-CoV-2 and rhinovirus infections: are there differences in clinical presentation, laboratory abnormalities, and outcomes in the pediatric population?

This study aims to assess COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in pediatric patients. Between April 17 and September 30, 2020, we collected 1,566 respiratory samples from 1,044 symptomatic patients who were younger than 18 years old to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these, 919 were analyzed for other respiratory pathogens (ORP). Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or ORP were included. We evaluated 76 pediatric COVID-19 infections and 157 other respiratory virus infections. Rhinovirus occurred in 132/157 (84%). COVID-19 patients who were significantly older, had more fevers, headaches and pneumonia than those with ORP. The median white blood cell count was lower in patients with SARS-CoV-2 than in those with ORP (6,470 versus 8,170; p=0.02). COVID-19 patients had significantly worse symptoms than those with ORP

Arbuscular mycorrhizae and absence of cluster roots in the Brazilian Proteaceae Roupala montana Aubl.

Plants growing on soils poor in phosphorus (P) develop P-acquisition strategies such as symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In very poor soils, cluster roots, a non-symbiotic alternative strategy enables plants to extract P uptake by developing modified roots. The latter strategy is characteristic (if not a derived trait) of the Southern Hemisphere Proteaceae, which are thus non-mycorrhizal. The Proteaceae have been studied mainly in Australia, where they are very diverse, especially on very P-poor soils. We investigated the presence of cluster roots and/or AMF in the Proteaceae Roupala montana Aubl. from three areas of the Brazilian Cerrado. This is, a seasonal neotropical savanna on highly weathered soils characterised by high aluminium content, low pH, and very low available P. We discovered that R. montana forms arbuscular mycorrhiza and no cluster roots were observed. All the plantlets collected were mycorrhizal. We also evaluated the fertility of the soil (especially the P availability). It was found that R. montana grows in soils containing more than 220 mg kg−1 total P. Thus, they are, more fertile than in most of Australian soils and likely have sufficient available P to support plant nutrition by way of mycorrhizae. Further research should investigate whether other Brazilian, and more generally non-Australian, Proteaceae species can establish associations with AMF, and the link with soil P availability. Our findings have implications for the phylogenetic patterns of loss of symbiosis with AMF within the Proteaceae