Centros de memória da educação como espaços de encontro intergeracional

O presente relatório, no âmbito do Mestrado em Ciências da Educação, no domínio de Educação, Comunidades e Mudança Social, apresenta o trabalho de investigação e intervenção realizado na Câmara Municipal de Murça (CMM), especificamente, no Projeto Raízes da Educação para o Futuro (REduF) e na fase de criação do Centro Interdisciplinar, Transfronteiriço e Inter-regional de Memória da Educação de Murça (CITRIME-Murça), com foco na implantação do Serviço Educativo do CITRIME-Murça, instituição que tem como objetivo central a salvaguarda da herança cultural educativa de Murça. Inserido na fase de transição entre o início do projeto REduF e o CITRIME- Murça, o estágio curricular centrou-se na ideia chave do "centro de memória da educação como um espaço de encontro intergeracional" capaz de promover o bem- estar comunitário e incentivar a preservação e a salvaguarda do património cultural e educativo presentes no Concelho de Murça. O estágio e o planeamento de atividades para o serviço educativo do CITRIME-Murça foram marcados por um trabalho colaborativo numa lógica de "trabalhar com" em vez de "intervir em" (Bolivar, 2003), com o propósito de envolver a comunidade o mais possível durante o processo de intervenção. Ao longo deste relatório, além das atividades desenvolvidas, são discutidos conceitos como cultura material escolar (Felgueiras, 2005), herança educativa (Felgueiras, 2010), relações intergeracionais e serviço educativo (Camacho, 2007), entre outros, que sustentam teoricamente a investigação e intervenção realizadas

A rentabilidade das indústrias nacionais de cortiça: na ótica da gestão de tesouraria.

Dissertação de Mestrado Apresentado ao Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Contabilidade e Finanças, sob orientação de Mestre Adalmiro Álvaro Malheiro de Castro Andrade Pereira.A atual conjuntura económica tem vindo a exigir às empresas uma incessante eficiência quanto à gestão do fundo maneio. Assim, a gestão do fundo maneio constitui uma das funções mais importantes dentro de uma empresa, que visa financiar o ciclo de exploração da empresa sem comprometer o seu funcionamento normal e a sua atividade. Neste âmbito importa distinguir as indústrias das restantes empresas. As indústrias apresentam um prazo médio de existências bastante elevado, originando um montante elevado de ativos correntes. Porém, em contrapartida apresentam prazos médios de recebimento e pagamento mais curtos, que exigem das entidades organizacionais um esforço contínuo na gestão de liquidez que permita honrar os seus compromissos a curto prazo e com a maior rentabilidade possível. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o impacto da gestão do fundo maneio na rentabilidade operacional das empresas, utilizando para o efeito uma amostra das indústrias do sector da cortiça em Portugal. Os dados obtidos reportam um painel de 987 observações respeitantes a 329 empresas para o período de tempo 2010-2012, isto é, são dados com periodicidade anual. Para tal para além de uma análise descritiva dos dados é estimado um modelo econométrico utilizando o método de efeitos fixos para estimação em dados em painel. Os resultados apontam que o cash conversion cycle (em dias) afeta de forma significativa a rentabilidade operacional da empresa. Os gestores poderão aumentar a rentabilidade da empresa através da redução do net trade cycle, do prazo médio de existências e do prazo médio de recebimentos. Ao contrário do prazo médio de recebimentos, a empresa deveria conseguir negociar com os seus fornecedores para alargar o prazo médio de pagamentos. Por outro lado, o crescimento das vendas juntamente com o grau de alavancagem operacional, apresentam um efeito positivo significativo sobre a rentabilidade operacional da empresa como um todo. Por último, relativamente ao nível de endividamento da empresa para assegurar a sua atividade normal, quanto menor o nível de endividamento maior a rentabilidade da entidade organizacional.The current economic environment has demanded that companies are run with relentless efficiency when managing their working capital. The management of working capital is one of the most important activities within a company, which aims to finance the operating cycle without compromising their normal activity. In industries it is known that the average inventory period is quite low, which justifies higher current assets. However, the average collection and payment periods are shorter, which requires an organisation ongoing effort managing the liquidity, to honour their commitments in the short term and maximize their profitability. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of the working capital management within the profitability of a company using, as a case study, the Portuguese cork industry. The data includes 987 companies for the period between 2010 and 2012, using a fixed effect econometric model to estimate the hypothesis. The results shows that the cash conversion cycle significantly affects the company's profitability. Managers may increase this profitability by reducing net trade cycle, the average inventory period and average collection periods. Unlike the average collection period, the companies should also be able to negotiate with their suppliers to extend average payment periods. On the other hand, sales growth along with an increased operational leverage have a significant positive effect on the profitability of the companies. Finally, for the level of debt needed to ensure the normal activity of a company, we can conclude that, the lower the level of debt the greater the profitability. An efficient management of working capital implies an ongoing effort to guarantee the appropriate level of current financial assets and liabilities, leading to the increase of the profitability of companies

Structural Insight into Epitopes in the Pregnancy-Associated Malaria Protein VAR2CSA

Pregnancy-associated malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites binding specifically to chondroitin sulfate A in the placenta. This sequestration of parasites is a major cause of low birth weight in infants and anemia in the mothers. VAR2CSA, a polymorphic multi-domain protein of the PfEMP1 family, is the main parasite ligand for CSA binding, and identification of protective antibody epitopes is essential for VAR2CSA vaccine development. Attempts to determine the crystallographic structures of VAR2CSA or its domains have not been successful yet. In this study, we propose 3D models for each of the VAR2CSA DBL domains and we show that regions in the fold of VAR2CSA inter-domain 2 and a PfEMP1 CIDR domain seem to be homologous to the EBA-175 and Pkα-DBL fold. This suggests that ID2 could be a functional domain. We also identify regions of VAR2CSA present on the surface of native VAR2CSA by comparing reactivity of plasma containing anti-VAR2CSA antibodies in peptide array experiments before and after incubation with native VAR2CSA. By this method we identify conserved VAR2CSA regions targeted by antibodies that react with the native molecule expressed on infected erythrocytes. By mapping the data onto the DBL models we present evidence suggesting that the S1+S2 DBL sub-domains are generally surface-exposed in most domains, whereas the S3 sub-domains are less exposed in native VAR2CSA. These results comprise an important step towards understanding the structure of VAR2CSA on the surface of CSA-binding infected erythrocytes

Nutritional characteristics and minerals of Lardosa cowpea landraces : a strategic legume species for the future

Cowpeas have been cultivated at least since the 8th century BC. [1; 2]. This grain legume (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), one of Africa's natural food gifts to the world, is characterized by its high nutritional value, ability to fix nitrogen and great tolerance to drought. The tolerance of this legume to low fertility soils, high temperatures and scarce water regimes makes this one of the most resistant crops to adverse edaphoclimatic conditions. It is certainly a very important culture in southern European countries like Portugal.Cultivar-Rede de competências para o desenvolvimento sustentável e inovação no setor Agroalimentar (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nutritional characteristics and minerals of Lardosa cowpea landraces: a strategic legume species for the future

Cowpeas have been cultivated at least since the 8th century BC. [1; 2]. This grain legume (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), one of Africa's natural food gifts to the world, is characterized by its high nutritional value, ability to fix nitrogen and great tolerance to drought. The tolerance of this legume to low fertility soils, high temperatures and scarce water regimes makes this one of the most resistant crops to adverse edaphoclimatic conditions. It is certainly a very important culture in southern European countries like Portugal.Cultivar-Rede de competências para o desenvolvimento sustentável e inovação no setor Agroalimentar (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Preliminary characterization of a Moroccan honey with a predominance of Bupleurum spinosum pollen

Honey with Bupleurum spinosum (zandaz) as a main pollen source has not been the subject of previous detailed study. Therefore, twelve Moroccan samples of this honey were subjected to melissopalynological, physicochemical and microbiological quality characterization, as well as antioxidant activity assessment. From a quality point of view, almost all samples were within the limits established by Codex Alimentarius, and/or the European legislation. All samples presented predominance of B. spinosum pollen (more than 48%). Relatively high levels of trehalose (1.3-4.0 g/100 g) and melezitose (1.5-2.8 g/100 g) were detected. Those sugars, not common in monofloral honeys, could be used as an important factor to discriminate zandaz honey. Flavonoid content correlated positively with the honey color, melanoidin and polyphenol content, and negatively with the IC50 values of scavenging ABTS (2,2' - azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radicals, while proline amount correlated negatively with IC50 values of nitric oxide scavenging activity and chelating power. This correlation supports the use of anti-oxidant activities as important variables for PCA (principal component analysis). Both components explained 70% from the given data, and showed certain homogeneity upon analyzed samples independent of the region, suggesting the importance of B. spinosum nectar in the resulting honey characteristics.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for Research Center [UID/BIM/04773/2013 CBMR 1334, UID/AGR/00239/2013, UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569)]; ERDF through the COMPETE - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI

Nutritional and physicochemical analysis of quince from Cova da Beira region: similarities, differences and particularities

Quince, a fruit from the autumn season of the quince tree (Cydonia oblonga Miller), has a considerable nutritional value (e.g., pectin, vitamins C and B complex, minerals or chlorogenic acids). On the other hand, this fruit is characterized by having a hard, rough-looking pulp with a bitter and astringent taste. Since quince is not consumed raw, is mainly used in the production of jams and marmalades. Despite being easy to grow and weather resistant, its production is often neglected and undervalued. Thus, the study objective was to value quinces from the Cova da Beira region by the physicochemical and nutritional characterization, substantiating by how different production years and localization affect quince varieties properties.CULTIVAR (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000020)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of glycosaminoglycan binding regions in the Plasmodium falciparum encoded placental sequestration ligand, VAR2CSA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pregnancy malaria is caused by <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>-infected erythrocytes binding the placental receptor chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). This results in accumulation of parasites in the placenta with severe clinical consequences for the mother and her unborn child. Women become resistant to placental malaria as antibodies are acquired which specifically target the surface of infected erythrocytes binding in the placenta. VAR2CSA is most likely the parasite-encoded protein which mediates binding to the placental receptor CSA. Several domains have been shown to bind CSA <it>in vitro</it>; and it is apparent that a VAR2CSA-based vaccine cannot accommodate all the CSA binding domains and serovariants. It is thus of high priority to define minimal ligand binding regions throughout the VAR2CSA molecule.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To define minimal CSA-binding regions/peptides of VAR2CSA, a phage display library based on the entire <it>var2csa </it>coding region was constructed. This library was screened on immobilized CSA and cells expressing CSA resulting in a limited number of CSA-binding phages. Antibodies against these peptides were affinity purified and tested for reactivity against CSA-binding infected erythrocytes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The most frequently identified phages expressed peptides residing in the parts of VAR2CSA previously defined as CSA binding. In addition, most of the binding regions mapped to surface-exposed parts of VAR2CSA. The binding of a DBL2X peptide to CSA was confirmed with a synthetic peptide. Antibodies against a CSA-binding DBL2X peptide reacted with the surface of infected erythrocytes indicating that this epitope is accessible for antibodies on native VAR2CSA on infected erythrocytes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Short continuous regions of VAR2CSA with affinity for multiple types of CSA were defined. A number of these regions localize to CSA-binding domains and to surface-exposed regions within these domains and a synthetic peptide corresponding to a peptide sequence in DBL2 was shown to bind to CSA and not to CSC. It is likely that some of these epitopes are involved in native parasite CSA adhesion. However, antibodies directed against single epitopes did not inhibit parasite adhesion. This study supports phage display as a technique to identify CSA-binding regions of large proteins such as VAR2CSA.</p

Differential Induction of Functional IgG Using the Plasmodium falciparum Placental Malaria Vaccine Candidate VAR2CSA

BACKGROUND: In Plasmodium falciparum malaria endemic areas placental malaria (PM) is an important complication of malaria. The recurrence of malaria in primigravidae women irrespective of acquired protection during childhood is caused by the interaction between the parasite-expressed VAR2CSA antigen and chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) in the placental intervillous space and lack of protective antibodies. PM impairs fetal development mainly by excessive inflammation processes. After infections during pregnancy women acquire immunity to PM conferred by antibodies against VAR2CSA. Ideally, a vaccine against PM will induce antibody-mediated immune responses that block the adhesion of infected erythrocytes (IE) in the placenta. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have previously shown that antibodies raised in rat against individual domains of VAR2CSA can block IE binding to CSA. In this study we have immunized mice, rats and rabbits with each individual domain and the full-length protein corresponding to the FCR3 VAR2CSA variant. We found there is an inherently higher immunogenicity of C-terminal domains compared to N-terminally located domains. This was irrespective of whether antibodies were induced against single domains or the full-length protein. Species-specific antibody responses were also found, these were mainly directed against single domains and not the full-length VAR2CSA protein. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Binding inhibitory antibodies appeared to be against conformational B-cell epitopes. Non-binding inhibitory antibodies reacted highly against the C-terminal end of the VAR2CSA molecule especially the highly polymorphic DBL6ε domain. Differential species-specific induction of antibody responses may allow for more direct analysis of functional versus non-functional B-cell epitopes

Sexual violence against LGBT people in Portugal: experiences of Portuguese victims of domestic violence

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) people are more likely to be exposed to domestic violence when compared with others. Using a qualitative methodology, 16 LGBT people were interviewed to analyze their experiences as victims of sexual violence by family members and/or partners or former partners. Through a thematic content analysis, three main themes emerge regarding sexual violence: (i) dynamics of sexual violence; (ii) traumatic memories and dissociation episodes from sexual violence, and (iii) risk factors for the occurrence of sexual violence. The results show that participants have suffered sexual violence in childhood, adulthood, or both, with trans people being the most victimized. Coercion, manipulation, threats, and deprivation were the most common strategies used to restrict victims and prevent them from reporting the crime. Many participants report blocking their traumatic memories, as a coping mechanism related to the sexual violence suffered. Offender substance abuse, early age of victims at the time of their sexual victimization, and depressive symptoms were reported to increase the likelihood of an episode of sexual violence. It is necessary to assure specialized training among the professionals that work with LGBT victims of sexual violence within domestic contexts, considering the severe impacts they may face.The authors declare that this study is part of a greater research project entitled RIS, which was co-funded by the Portuguese Programa Operational para a Inclusão Social e Emprego [Portuguese Operational Program for Social Inclusion and Employment] (POISE)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio