Early development and metabolic physiology of the temperate lesser spotted shark (Scyliorhinus canicula) under high CO2 levels

Tese de mestrado, Ecologia Marinha, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2019Embora os tubarões proliferam em múltiplos habitats e evoluíram de modo a poder ocupar diversos nichos ecológicos, estes peixes têm uma capacidade adaptativa limitada associada às suas estratégias reprodutivas (e.g. maturação sexual tardia, baixa fecundidade) e de vida (e.g. longevidade elevada). Neste contexto, é de extrema importância analisar os possíveis impactos da acidificação (pCO2 ~1000 μatm) na ontogenia inicial (desenvolvimento e fisiologia) do tubarão temperado pata roxa (Scyliorhinus canicula). Mais especificamente, nesta dissertação avaliou-se os efeitos da acidificação no: i) tempo de desenvolvimento (i.e. duração da embriogénese) e primeira alimentação, ii) índice de condição Fulton (dos recém-nascidos), iii) sobrevivência, iv) taxa metabólica basal (RMR), v) taxa metabólica máxima, (MMR) e vi) taxa metabólica normal (AS). A duração do desenvolvimento embrionário variou entre 118 a 125 dias. Após a eclosão, a média de número de dias para o começo da alimentação (i.e. primeira refeição) variou entre 4 a 6 dias. Em ambos os resultados não houve uma diferença significativa entre tratamentos (i.e. normocapnia e hipercapnia; p>0.05). A sobrevivência juvenil (150 dias depois de eclodirem) também não variou significativamente com os níveis de CO2 mais elevados (p>0.05). Quanto às taxas metabólicas e performance aeróbica, também não houve diferenças significativas nos RMR, MMR e AS (p-value >0.005). Em suma, estes resultados sugerem que esta espécie bentónica é resiliente a condições de hipercapnia, o que poderá estar relacionado com o facto destes organismos estarem recorrentemente expostos a grandes variações abióticas na costa ocidental portuguesa (e.g. variações térmicas e de pH associados à sazonalidade do sistema de afloramento). Assim sendo, esta espécie de tubarão temperado não parece vir a ser afetada pelas condições de acidificação dos oceanos projetadas para o final deste século.Although sharks thrive in many different kinds of habitats and evolved to fill many ecological niches across a wide range of habitats, these animals are characterized by the limited capability to adapt rapidly to future climate change. Thus, the objective of the present dissertation was to analyze the potential impact of seawater acidification (OA, high CO2 levels ~1000 μatm) on the early development and physiology of the temperate shark Scyliorhinus canicula. More specifically, we evaluated OA effects on: i) development time and first feed, ii) Fulton condition of the newborns, iii) survival, iv) routine metabolic rate (RMR), v) maximum metabolic rate (MMR), and vi) aerobic scope (AS). The duration of embrygenesis ranged from 118 to 125 days, and after hatching, the mean number of days to start feeding (i.e. first feeding) varied between 4 and 6 days. In both endpoints there were no significant differences among treatments (i.e. normocapnia and hypercapnia; p >0.05). Juvenile survival (after 150 days post-hatching) also did no change significantly under high CO2 levels (p >0.05). Regarding energy expenditure rates and aerobic window, there were no significant differences in RMR, MMR, and AS among treatments (p-value > 0.005). In the overall, we argue that these findings are associated to the fact that S. canicula is a benthic, cosmopolitan and temperate shark usually exposed to great variations of abiotic factors, like those experienced in the highly-dynamic western Portuguese coast (with seasonal upwelling events). Although the present dissertation only investigated acclimation processes, it is plausible to assume that this shark species will not be greatly affected by future acidification conditions

Characteristics of the dairy goat primary sector at the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

A survey was done based on 19 goat shepherds at counties of Centre-highlands, Northern and North-western regions of the Rio de Janeiro State and at the county of Pedra Dourada, Zona da Mata region, State of Minas Gerais. We aimed to characterise the primary sector of the goat milk production chain settled at those regions. Therefore, questionnaires were applied in order to depict profiles of the shepherds, their families, the role of the wife in the activity, the resources available, dependence on income generated by the activity, and how producers administrate their business. Farms were distributed in five strata according to the following daily milk production averages and standard deviations: 8.8 ± 0.9, 15.7 ± 3.9, 22.6 ± 2.7, 34.4 ± 3.4, and 183.8 ± 54.2 L/d. Approximately 42% of the interviewed producers conducted their activities according to a household production model and the income earned was exclusively from the dairy goat husbandry. Sons and daughters performed an important role in the business (27.80%), but most of them (62.73%) worked out at non farm activities. The percentage of wives that worked directly in the activity (@47%) indicated that it could contribute to gender equity in the rural environment. Most of the production systems (63.16%) presented positive gross margins. We have noticed, however, that shepherds perceived only the business gross margin and that the most accurate registries taken were those related to revenues. In general, producers of the higher strata were favoured by their larger production scale, but asymptotic behaviours for costs and amounts invested in animals, equipments and buildings were observed. These characteristics should be considered when policies related to the dairy goat primary sector have to be planned

Price Strategy, Market Orientation, and Business Performance in the Hotel Industry

This study seeks to study the relationship between market orientation and business performance and to evaluate the mediating effect of adopting a low-price strategy in this relationship in the hotel industry. A sample from the Spanish and Portuguese hotel industry is used. Results show that the effect of market orientation on business performance is positive and direct. On the other hand, the results do not confirm the mediating effect of a strategy based on low-price in the strength of this relationship. Moreover, results indicate that a price strategy based on low-price is negatively related to hotel business performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Heart rate response to duration and players’ number variations in Futsal specific drill

Introduction: Recent findings demonstrate that Futsal is a multiple-sprint sport in which high-intensity exercise constitutes a greater proportion of match time than all other team sports (Barbero-Alvarez et al., 2008), but the research of training intensity is a unknown way. Sport specific drills with variations are constantly used in Futsal practices, however the knowledge about how these variations influence drill intensity is very insufficient (Duarte et al., 2007). Therefore, this study aimed to measure the effects of duration and players’ number variations in a Futsal specific drill by the elicited percentage of maximal Heart Rate (HRmax%) and percentage of time spent in three Heart Rate intensity zones (HRzone185%HRmax). Methods: The studied sample was constituted by eight players from a Portuguese First Division team [age 25.9(4.5); weight 67.6(7.5); height 1.7(0.1); BMI 22.4(2.0)]. The exercise testing consists in a “half-pitch game” with official rules. To test the effect of players’ numerical relations, the drill was played in 4v4, 3v3 and 2v2 conditions, during 4 minutes and followed with an active break (continuous running with low intensity) of 4 minutes. In order to test the effect of exercise duration, the drill was played during 4 minutes and 10 minutes conditions, maintaining an active break of 4 minutes. Results: In players’ number variation statistically significant differences were found in HRmax% [4v4 81.5(10.6) to 3v3 86.8(7.3) and to 2v2 87.9(11.7); p=0.01] and in percentage of time spent in HRzone2 [35.4% in 4v4, 12.5% in 3v3 and 10.4% in 2v2; p=0.01]. In the exercise duration statistically significant differences were found only in percentage of time spent in HRzone3 [50% in 4 minutes and 29.2% in 10 minutes; p=0.04]. Conclusions: The decrease in the number of players resulted in an intensity increase, probably due to the larger ratio of area per player and to the progressive decision making constraint by the limited choices of the ball carrier to cooperating with the teams-mate. The variation of the exercise duration did not induce any change in HRmax%. However, playing the “half-pitch game” during 4 minutes period brings more significant percentage of time spent in higher Heart Rate zone and induce more elevated physiological stimulation. Keywords: Heart Rate, Specific Drill, Futsa

Heart rate response to duration and players’ number variations in Futsal specific drill

Recent findings demonstrate that Futsal is a multiple-sprint sport in which high-intensity exercise constitutes a greater proportion of match time than all other team sports (Barbero-Alvarez et al., 2008), but the research of training intensity is a unknown way. Sport specific drills with variations are constantly used in Futsal practices, however the knowledge about how these variations influence drill intensity is very insufficient (Duarte et al., 2007). Therefore, this study aimed to measure the effects of duration and players’ number variations in a Futsal specific drill by the elicited percentage of maximal Heart Rate (HRmax%) and percentage of time spent in three Heart Rate intensity zones (HRzone185%HRmax). The studied sample was constituted by eight players from a Portuguese First Division team [age 25.9(4.5); weight 67.6(7.5); height 1.7(0.1); BMI 22.4(2.0)]. The exercise testing consists in a “half-pitch game” with official rules. To test the effect of players’ numerical relations, the drill was played in 4v4, 3v3 and 2v2 conditions, during 4 minutes and followed with an active break (continuous running with low intensity) of 4 minutes. In order to test the effect of exercise duration, the drill was played during 4 minutes and 10 minutes conditions, maintaining an active break of 4 minutes. In players’ number variation statistically significant differences were found in HRmax% [4v4 81.5(10.6) to 3v3 86.8(7.3) and to 2v2 87.9(11.7); p=0.01] and in percentage of time spent in HRzone2 [35.4% in 4v4, 12.5% in 3v3 and 10.4% in 2v2; p=0.01]. In the exercise duration statistically significant differences were found only in percentage of time spent in HRzone3 [50% in 4 minutes and 29.2% in 10 minutes; p=0.04]. The decrease in the number of players resulted in an intensity increase, probably due to the larger ratio of area per player and to the progressive decision making constraint by the limited choices of the ball carrier to cooperating with the teams-mate. The variation of the exercise duration did not induce any change in HRmax%. However, playing the “half-pitch game” during 4 minutes period brings more significant percentage of time spent in higher Heart Rate zone and induce more elevated physiological stimulation

Effects of Exercise Duration and Number of Players in Heart Rate Responses and Technical Skills During Futsal Small-sided Games

In the design of training programs, it is common for coaches to modify task constraints to conduct the drill intensity at the targeted level. Sport specific drills with variations are constantly used in Futsal practices, however the knowledge about how these variations influence drill intensity and technical demands is very scarce. The purpose of this study was to measure the physiological and technical effects of both duration and variations in the numbers of players in futsal specific drills. Heart rates and technical skills of 8 semi-professional futsal players were recorded during four specific drills. The experimental protocol consisted in a half-court game with official rules, played in 4v4, 3v3 and 2v2, each during 4 minutes and 4v4 during 10 minutes. It was maintained an active break of 4 minutes between each repetition. The lowest %HRmax was observed in response to the 4v4 drill independent of the exercise duration. In players’ number variation statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of time spent between 65-85%HRmax, in the number of successive contacts with the ball and number of dribbles. In exercise duration, statistically significant differences were found in percentage of time spent above 85%HRmax, in the number of successive contacts with the ball, number of dribbles and number of tackles. The decrease in the number of players and exercise duration resulted in intensity increases and more frequent individual tactical actions

Responsabilidade civil do empregador por lesões decorrentes de esforços repetitivos

O presente trabalho visa analisar a responsabilidade civil do empregador pelas lesões decorrentes de esforços repetitivos, mostrando que a relação de trabalho subordinado é uma relação bastante complexa, sendo que o próprio ordenamento jurídico reconhece a desigualdade fática entre as partes. O conhecimento da LER/DORT é antigo, porém, muito presente na atualidade, principalmente com o avanço tecnológico e a nova divisão do trabalho. A análise história da legislação acidentaria brasileira mostra os regressos e avanços quanto à proteção dispensada ao trabalhador. Com a demonstração do conceito de LER/DORT, apresenta-se o que dispõe a lei n. 8.213/1991, que traz o conceito de doenças ocupacionais, bem como sua equiparação ao acidente de trabalho. A Competência para a análise desta matéria, após grande discussão, com o advento da Emenda Constitucional n. 45/2004 se encaminhou para a Justiça do Trabalho. Vencido este tema, verifica-se que a responsabilidade civil ainda neste campo é a subjetiva, sendo que somente nos casos de doenças profissionais a responsabilidade objetiva pode ser evocada. Ainda, existe a possibilidade de aplicação da responsabilidade civil pela perda de uma chance, advinda da França, onde o que deve se reparar não é o dano propriamente dito, mas a probabilidade de uma perda da vítima. Além da responsabilidade civil, o empregado vitimado de doença ocupacional tem direito a garantia do emprego, bem como reintegração no caso de dispensa, tudo isso após o devido processo legal, com realização de perícia médica bastante complexa

As estruturas globais e regionais do campo de pesquisa, desenvolvimento e inovação das doenças negligenciadas leishmaniose e tuberculose sob a ótica das redes complexas

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciência da Informação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Informação, 2015.Na era da informação, do conhecimento e das mídias digitais, de que forma os padrões de relacionamento interpessoais registrados geram informações sobre a estrutura global e regional da pesquisa em doenças negligenciadas? Este estudo investiga as redes de coautoria de cientistas que trabalham em leishmaniose e em tuberculose, duas das principais doenças negligenciadas no contexto brasileiro e mundial, em busca de revelar de que forma vêm ocorrendo mudanças no universo de participação das pesquisas. Foi identificada a ascensão de pesquisadores de países como Brasil, Índia, China e África do Sul, que se tornaram não apenas relevantes, mas em certas áreas chegam a dominar a estrutura de colaboração em rede e a produtividade no campo observado. Os resultados apresentados possibilitam às agências de financiamento avaliar seu papel em relação aos objetivos de construção e desenvolvimento da capacidade científica, bem como a consistência de parcerias científicas em todo o mundo. Eles também permitem a avaliação dos mecanismos que apoiam e incentivam a investigação em países endêmicos. O estudo também realiza uma análise exploratória acerca dos resultados da aplicação de métodos de análise de redes complexas no universo analisado. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa avalia a criação de instrumentos que apoiem a tomada de decisão em saúde pública, buscando demonstrar como a utilização desses métodos, amparados pelo uso apropriado de tecnologias para tratamento de dados, apresenta alternativas promissoras na avaliação da ciência e das dinâmicas de redes de ciência e tecnologia. O estudo utilizou diferentes bases para a recuperação dos dados, a saber: o PubMed, a Web of Science e o SciELO. Foi analisada a dinâmica das redes de coautoria em publicações científicas além das palavras-chave, das revistas científicas e outros elementos que compõem os chamados metadados das publicações científicas. O resultado final é um conjunto de métodos que podem apoiar o estudo das comunidades científicas e dos grupos de pesquisa com base em seu comportamento específico quanto à comunicação e ao relacionamento entre seus pares.In the age of information, knowledge and digital media, how the registered interpersonal relationship patterns generate information on global and regional structure of the research in neglected diseases? This study investigates the networks of co-authorship of scientists working on leishmaniasis and tuberculosis, two of the major neglected diseases in the Brazilian and global context, seeking to reveal how changes are taking place in the universe of shared research. It has been identified the rise of researchers from countries such as Brazil, India, China and South Africa, which became not only relevant, but in certain areas come to dominate the networked collaborative structure and productivity in the observed field. The presented results allow the funding agencies to assess its role in relation to construction and development goals of scientific capacity as well as the consistency of scientific partnerships worldwide. They also allow the evaluation of the mechanisms that support and encourage research in endemic countries. The study also conducts an exploratory analysis of the results of the application analysis of complex networks methods in the universe analyzed. In this sense, the research evaluates the development of tools to support public health decisions demonstrating how the use of these methods, supported by appropriate use of technologies for data processing, offers promising alternatives in the evaluation of science and network dynamics on science and technology. The study used different databases for data retrieval, namely: PubMed, Web of Science and SciELO. The dynamics of co-authorship networks in scientific publications was analyzed in addition to keywords, scientific journals and other elements that make up the so-called metadata of scientific publications. The end result is a set of methods that can support the study of scientific communities and research groups based on their specific behavior as communication and the relationship among their peers

Fungal infections diagnosis - Past, present and future

Despite the scientific advances observed in the recent decades and the emergence of new methodologies, the diagnosis of systemic fungal infections persists as a problematic issue. Fungal cultivation, the stan-dard method that allows a proven diagnosis, has numerous disadvantages, as low sensitivity (only 50% of the patients present positive fungal cultures), and long growth time. These are factors that delay the patient's treatment and, consequently, lead to higher hospital costs. To improve the accuracy and quickness of fungal infections diagnosis, several new methodologies attempt to be implemented in clinical microbiology laboratories. Most of these innovative methods are independent of pathogen isolation, which means that the diagnosis goes from being considered proven to probable. In spite of the advantage of being culture-independent, the majority of the methods lack standardization. PCR-based methods are becoming more and more commonly used, which has earned them an important place in hospital laboratories. This can be perceived now, as PCR-based methodologies have proved to be an essential tool fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. This review aims to go through the main steps of the diagnosis for systemic fungal infection, from diagnostic classifications, through methodologies considered as "gold standard", to the molecular methods currently used, and finally mentioning some of the more futuristic approaches.(c) 2021 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569) and UID/BIA/04050/2019 strategic programs, which is funded by national funds through the FCT-Fundacao para a Ciência e Tecnologia, and by the ERDF-European Regional Devel-opment Fund through the COMPETE2020-Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalizacao (POCI) and Sistema de Apoio à Investigacao Cientifica e Tecnol?ogica (SAICT)

Heart rate and technical responses to variation in pitch dimension and surface in ‘‘three-a-side’’ youth soccer drills

Small-sided soccer games allow increasing players specific practice time eliciting simultaneously phy- sical and technical aspects within a major tactical involvement. Youth players’ performance in ‘‘three- a-side’’ drills are used very often without knowing their real impact. Thus, the aim of the current study was to identify heart rate and technical responses to variation in pitch dimension (30620 m; 20615 m) and surface (grass; rough sand) in ‘‘three-a-side’’ drills performed by youth players (age 9.9+0.64). Each drill condition lasted for 15 min, with a 6-min period of active recovery. Heart rate was evaluated through heart rate reserve (HRR). Tech- nical analysis was validated by a group of experts and consisted of quantifying the following variables: number and ratio of right and wrong passes, average number of ball contacts for each team’s ball possession, number of in and off goal shoots, goals, shooting efficiency, number of passes by shooting play and 161 situations. Results were analysed though a 262 repeated measures ANOVA. In the grass pitch, teams’ exhibited in the 30620 m pitch a higher HRR (132 + 5 and 126 + 4) and a higher ratio of right passes (0.72 + 0.01 and 0.60 + 0.03). In the rough sand pitch, significant differences were found, with higher values for the 30620 pitch, for number (49.5 + 0.7 and 39.0 + 2.8) and ratio (0.67 + 0.00 and 0.57 + 0.02) of right passes, average number of ball contacts (2.1 + 0.08 and 1.8 + 0.02) and HRR (129 + 5 and 124 + 4). In the 30620 m pitch, significant differences were found for ratio of right passes, with higher value in the grass (0.72 + 0.01 and 0.67 + 0.00), and HRR, also with higher values for the grass (134+4 and 129+5). In the 20615 m pitch, significant differences were found only in HRR, with higher values for the grass field (128+4 and 124+4). Coaches should be aware that modifying pitches dimension and surface influences drill physio- logical and technical impact. Therefore, these results help coaches to better plan and direct youth soccer drills and controlling quantity and quality in prac- tices