Neurogenic Lineage Decisions with Single Cell Resolution

Die embryonale Neurogenese in Drosophila ist eine hochgradig koordinierte Abfolge von Zellschicksalsentscheidungen, die viele Ähnlichkeiten mit der Entwicklung des Nervensystems in Wirbeltieren aufweist. Diese Zellschicksalsentscheidungen sind räumlich und zeitlich koordiniert. Diese Zellen entstehen an stereotypen Positionen in jedem Segment und sind entlang zweier räumlicher Achsen angeordnet: der dorsoventralen und der anteroposterioren Achse. Neuroblasten teilen sich, um stereotype Zelllinien zu bilden, und die Zellen weisen charakteristische Zellmorphologien und -ziele auf, wobei die molekularen Mechanismen, die diese Merkmale bestimmen, noch weitgehend unbekannt sind. Jahrzehnte der Genetik haben einige Faktoren aufgedeckt, die für viele dieser Entscheidungen notwendig sind, aber ein Verständnis der einzelnen neurogenen Linien auf Genomebene war bis vor kurzem in vivo unmöglich. Ich habe mRNA aus Einzelzellen verwendet, um die Transkriptomdynamik von Schicksalsentscheidungen in der frühen Entwicklung des Nervensystems zu untersuchen. Mein Ziel ist es, zu entschlüsseln, wie sich Zellen unterscheiden, wenn Entscheidungen getroffen werden, die für die Entwicklung des Nervensystems wesentlich sind. Ich habe Transkriptomdaten von einzelnen Zellen aus Zehntausenden von Neuroblasten während der gesamten embryonalen Neurogenese erstellt. Es gelang mir, spezifische neurogene Populationen und ihre Genexpressionsprofile entlang ihrer Differenzierungswege zu identifizieren. Ich konnte die komplizierten zeitlichen Achsen, die das sich entwickelnde embryonale Nervensystem formen, teilweise entschlüsseln - ein Prozess, der von der Fliege bis zum Menschen konserviert ist. Diese Arbeit hat die Identifizierung lokalisierter Marker und sogar spezifischer Neuroblasten ermöglicht. Dieses Verständnis kann nun mit Informationen über die einzelnen Zellschicksale kombiniert werden, aus denen diese Neuroblasten hervorgehen, wie z. B. ihre spezifischen neuronalen und glialen Schicksale.Embryonic neurogenesis in Drosophila is a highly coordinated sequence of cell fate decisions that bears many similarities to the development of the nervous system in vertebrates. These cell fate decisions are spatially and temporally coordinated. These cells arise at stereotypic positions in each segment and are arranged along two spatial axes: the dorsoventral axis and the anteroposterior axis. Neuroblasts divide to give rise to stereotypic lineages and the cells exhibit characteristic cell morphologies, branching patterns, and targets, the molecular mechanisms that determine these characteristics are still largely unknown. Decades of genetics have uncovered some factors necessary for many of these decisions, but understanding individual neurogenic lineages at the genome level has been impossible in vivo until recently. I have used Single cell mRNA to study the transcriptome dynamics that accompany important fate decisions in early nervous system development. My goal is to decipher how cells differ when decisions are made that are essential for nervous system development. This knowledge is invaluable for developing models for the in vivo mechanisms that allow individual cells in the nervous system to specify and differentiate. I have generated transcriptome data of single cells from tens of thousands of neuroblasts throughout embryonic neurogenesis. I was able to identify specific neurogenic populations and their gene expression profiles along their differentiation pathways. I was able to partially decipher the intricate temporal axes that shape the developing embryonic nervous system, a process that is conserved from fly to human. Single-cell transcriptomics has enabled the identification of localized markers and even specific neuroblasts. This understanding can now be combined with information about the individual cell fates that give rise to these neuroblasts, such as their specific neuronal and glial fates

Rethinking experimental music within music education: Thoughts and feelings after a voyage through the Project INsono

This paper tells the story of INsono, an interactive sound installation and workshop created by a group of musicians for the 6th edition of the Big Bang in Lisbon, Portugal. To tell this story I will present my findings throughout a narrative that evolves through the analysis and interpretations of interviews with the musicians andthe curator of the Big Bang Lisbon, field notes taken during the creation and the presentation of INsono, and group interviews with children about their lived experiences during the workshop. Describing the process that led to the creation of the final sound installation, I will explore, on one side, what were the main concerns and ideas of the musicians and the curator of the festival in what regards concepts such as education, childhood, music, and art, and,on the other, the perspectives of children that participated in the workshopon their experiences of INsono. This will, hopefully, lead us to a discussion where we might rethink the potentialities of experimental music in both formal and non-formal contexts of learning; moreover, it might lead us alsoto look at the dynamics, strategies and tools that are used in non-formal contexts as a source of inspiration to reflect onpedagogical approaches in the classroom that might enrich the musical and artistic experiences of children

The role of extrinsic and intrinsic perceived benefits on customer’s purchase intention for mass-customized products : the mediation effect of customer’s need for uniqueness

Consumers have more and more unique needs, leaving many displeased with standardized goods. In this sense, mass-customized products have become increasingly important to react to the growing individualization of demand and heterogeneity of customer preferences in many markets. The purpose of this study is to explore how perceived benefits (extrinsic and intrinsic) impact the purchase intention for mass-customized products, mediating the effect of customer’s need for uniqueness. For such, both the Theory of Uniqueness and the Self-Attributed Need for Uniqueness were used to approach customer’s need for uniqueness. An online survey was conducted, exposing the participants to a shirt either in a standardized way or in a mass-customized way. In this sense, this study controls and enhances the role of customization, since the analysis performed for the mass-customized stimulus was also completed for the standardized one. Findings indicate that both extrinsic and intrinsic benefits increase the purchase intention for mass-customized products, but oppositely to the standardized products, the intrinsic benefit has a higher effect on purchase intention. More, only the intrinsic benefit influences customer’s need for uniqueness. On the other hand, customer’s need for uniqueness does not have a significant influence on purchase intention for mass-customized products. Overall, the impact of overall perceived benefits on purchase intention for mass-customized options is not mediated by the customer’s need for uniqueness.Os consumidores têm necessidades cada vez mais singulares, deixando muitos descontentes com os bens standardized. Neste sentido, os produtos customizados em massa têm se tornado cada vez mais importantes na resposta à individualização da procura e heterogeneidade das preferências dos clientes em muitos mercados. O objetivo deste estudo é explorar de que forma os benefícios percepcionados (extrínsecos e intrínsecos) impactam a intenção de compra por produtos customizados em massa, mediando o efeito da necessidade de singularidade do cliente. Para tal, tanto a Teoria da Singularidade como a Necessidade Auto-Atribuída de singularidade foram usadas para abordar a necessidade de singularidade do cliente. Um questionário online foi realizado expondo os participantes a uma camisa standardized ou customizada em massa. Neste sentido, este estudo controla e aprimora o papel da customização, uma vez que a análise realizada para o estímulo customizado em massa foi igualmente feita para o standardized. Os resultados indicam que os benefícios extrínsecos e intrínsecos aumentam a intenção de compra por produtos customizados em massa, mas ao contrário dos produtos standardized, os benefícios intrínsecos têm um efeito superior na intenção de compra. Para além disso, apenas o benefício intrínseco influência a necessidade de singularidade do cliente. Pelo contrário, a necessidade de singularidade do cliente não tem uma influência significativa na intenção de compra por produtos customizados em massa. No geral, o impacto dos benefícios percepcionados na intenção de compra por opções customizadas em massa não é mediado pela necessidade de singularidade do cliente

Abordagem clínica a canais radiculares calcificados e/ou atresiados

A Endodontia, ramo da Medicina Dentária, tem o objetivo de tratar patologias pulpares, permitindo assim, que as estruturas dentárias sejam mantidas em função na cavidade oral. O sucesso do tratamento depende de uma correta conformação, desinfeção e obturação canalar. Estes procedimentos podem estar comprometidos quando no canal existem calcificações, ou estes se encontram atresiados, impedindo o livre acesso apical. Localizar e manipular canais calcificados é um desafio pois a estes, estão associadas várias complicações. Qual a melhor abordagem terapêutica pode ser um dilema para o médico dentista. Contudo, métodos químicos e mecânicos são utilizados para auxiliar o tratamento canalar. Vários autores defendem que tratamentos endodônticos devem ser realizados quando existe sintomatologia e que, em dentes assintomáticos e sem patologia apical, devem ser feitas consultas de controlo periódicas.As a branch of Dentistry, Endodontics’ aim is to treat the pulp pathologies in order to enable the maintenance of the dental structures’ functions inside the oral cavity. The treatment‘s success depends on an accurate conformation, disinfection and obliteration of the canals. These procedures can be impaired when the canal presents calcification or atresia, which preclude the clear apical access. Locating and manipulating calcified canals is a challenge since there are several associated complications. To find the best therapeutic approach can be a dilemma for the dentist. Nevertheless, chemical and mechanical methods are used to help the canal’s treatment. Different authors stand up for the accomplishment of endodontic treatments when there is symptomatology and, in case of asymptomatic teeth with no apical pathology, there should have periodical checkup appointments

Digital multitasking during academic lectures: Did the Covid-19 lockdown change the students’ behavior?

[EN] This paper explores digital multitasking during lectures for university students, attending to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Digital multitasking is conceptualized in this research as engaging in a digital task (T1) during academic lectures (T2). This paper has three main goals: 1. Analyze the variations in digital multitasking in three different moments – pre-pandemic (M1), during the lockdown (M2), and after the Covid-19 pandemic (M3); 2. Explore the purpose by which students engage in digital multitasking – exclusive educational (ED), exclusive non-educational (NED), and combined (COMB), combining educational and non-educational purposes; 3. Explore the digital resources – between 16 categories – used in multitasking during lectures and their relationship with the different purposes – ED, NED, and COMB. This quantitative research appeals to the survey and descriptive, comparative, and correlational analysis. Results show that multitasking during lectures is expected among university students and has changed with Covid-19 to a more educational purpose.This paper was supported by the Digital Media and Interaction Research Center (DigiMedia), Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, Portugal.Mendes, R.; Veloso, A. (2023). Digital multitasking during academic lectures: Did the Covid-19 lockdown change the students’ behavior?. En 9th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'23). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 455-463. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd23.2023.1627845546

The relevance of psychological capital on individual's perceptions of performance, motivation, work-engagement and job-satisfaction

The concept of psychological capital (PsyCap) has been a great focus of interest and curiosity from academics and practitioners. The principal purpose of the present research is to study the relevance of PsyCap and its influence in employees’ attitudes, behaviors and performance. This investigation also aims to understand the importance of an authentic leader (leaders with power to influence their followers and to develop their capabilities) and the impact that the leader’s PsyCap may have on their followers’ dimensions (performance, motivation, work-engagement and job-satisfaction). Data was collected from both Linkedin and from a small company operating in the transportation sector, through a customized survey. The results support the literature showing that: (a) the individual psychological capital has an influence on individuals’ perceptions of performance, motivation, work-engagement and job-satisfaction; (b) the leaders’ PsyCap and the goodwill between the leader and followers may cause some positive impacts on followers’ perceptions of performance, motivation, work-engagement and job-satisfaction; and (c) the leaders’ psychological capital may affect the followers’ level of PsyCap.O conceito de capital psicológico (PsyCap) tem sido alvo de grande atenção e interesse por parte de diversos investigadores. O presente estudo tem como principal objetivo analisar a relevância do PsyCap e a sua respectiva influência nas atitudes, comportamentos e performance dos trabalhadores. Esta investigação tem também interesse em compreender a importância de um líder autêntico (líder com poder para influenciar os seus colaboradores e desenvolvendo as suas capacidades), bem como o impacto que o capital psicológico do líder poderá ter nas principais componentes dos seus colaboradores (performance, motivação, work-engagement e satisfação com o trabalho). Os dados foram recolhidos numa pequena empresa que opera no setor dos transportes e no site Linkedin através de um questionário comum a ambas as amostras. Os resultados encontrados no presente estudo académico coincidem com o que tem sido apresentado na literatura, concluindo assim que: (a) o capital psicológico individual influencia as perceções dos indivíduos relativas à sua performance, motivação, work-engagement e satisfação com o trabalho; (b) o capital psicológico dos líderes e a boa relação estabelecida com os seus colaboradores poderá causar impactes positivos nas perceções dos colaboradores relativas à sua performance, motivação, work-engagement e satisfação com o trabalho; e (c) o capital psicológico dos líderes poderá afetar o nível de PsyCap apresentado pelos seus colaboradores

Contribuições da gestão de recursos humanos para a criatividade e inovação organizacional

Inovar é, hoje, um imperativo para as organizações. Desse modo, é importante promover a criatividade dos colaboradores e apoiar o processo que a transforma em inovação. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi compreender como a Gestão de Recursos Humanos (GRH) pode promover um ambiente de trabalho propício à criatividade, na perspectiva dos colaboradores. Para isso, realizou-se um estudo de caso exploratório em uma empresa portuguesa de médio porte da área das Tecnologias de Informação (TI). Recorreu-se a diferentes fontes de análise, como observação participante, documentos organizacionais e entrevistas. Os dados resultantes dessas fontes foram analisados e organizados com ajuda da template analysis. Os resultados revelaram que, para as chefias e colaborador entrevistados, a criatividade na organização pode ser promovida por meio da existência de suporte para as novas ideias, tolerância ao erro, autonomia, liberdade para que os colaboradores exerçam suas funções e debates para a partilha de ideias. A GRH pode criar condições, por meio das suas práticas (p. ex., formação, avaliação de desempenho, recrutamento e seleção), para a promoção da criatividade e inovação organizacional.Innovation is a key factor to organizations’ competitiveness. To achieve that, it is important to promote creativity among employees and support the transformational process from creativity to innovation. The main objective of this research was to understand how Human Resource Management (HRM) can promote a work environment favorable to creativity, from the perspective of the employees. A case study was carried out on a medium-sized Portuguese information technology (IT) enterprise. Various research techniques were used to collect data, including observation, document analysis, and interviews. Data were organized and analyzed using a template analysis. The results revealed that, for the respondents (managers and employee), creativity within the organization can be promoted by the existence of support for new ideas, error tolerance, autonomy, freedom for employees to perform their tasks, and discussions to share ideas. HRM can create conditions, through their practices (e.g., training, performance evaluation, recruitment, and selection), to promote organizational creativity and innovation

The effectiveness of the Media Smart Program on promoting the critical thinking of children towards the use of celebrities in television advertising

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThe aim of this project was to try to prove the effectiveness of the Media Smart Program in Portugal, a program that helps children to understand and be critical towards advertising. Until now, there were no quantitative studies about this subject in Portugal. Therefore, it was used a structured questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and an Observation in Media Smart Classes. The results suggested that this program was not effective in a short period of time since children might not have time to absorb the entire program. So, future studies should have this point into account

The workers perceptions about human resource management function

There are different perspectives about Human Resource Management (HRM) function, which emphasises (1) specific knowledge that typifies some interventions _ HRM practices such as recruitment or training; (2) the role of a regulator of relations and (3) the capability of intervention which is dependable of the degree of credibility attributed by organizational actors. This credibility is often built in turn of the organizational actors (e.g. workers) perceptions of HRM involvement on the organizations strategy. There is a gap on the literature considering the workers perceptions of HRM. Our purpose is to contribute to the definition of HRM on the perspective of workers. We analyze the perceptions of HRM in six case studies of Portuguese SME. We argue that there are some particular factors which are more evident to workers, and play an important role concerning the impact of HRM

Potential role of immunotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Immuno checkpoint inhibitors have ushered in a new era with respect to the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Many patients are not suitable for treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib) or with anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors (eg, crizotinib and ceritinib). As a result, anti-PD- 1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors may play a novel role in the improvement of outcomes in a metastatic setting. The regulation of immune surveillance, immunoediting, and immunoescape mechanisms may play an interesting role in this regard either alone or in combination with current drugs. Here, we discuss advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer as well as future perspectives within this framework.Pierre Fabr