An integrative assessment to determine the genotoxic hazard of estuarine sediments: combining cell and whole-organism responses

The application of the Comet assay in environmental monitoring remains challenging in face of the complexity of environmental stressors, e.g., when dealing with estuarine sediments, that hampers the drawing of cause-effect relationships. Although the in vitro Comet assay may circumvent confounding factors, its application in environmental risk assessment (ERA) still needs validation. As such, the present work aims at integrating genotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage induced by sediment-bound toxicants in HepG2 cells with oxidative stress-related effects observed in three species collected from an impacted estuary. Distinct patterns were observed in cells exposed to crude mixtures of sediment contaminants from the urban/industrial area comparatively to the ones from the rural/riverine area of the estuary, with respect to oxidative DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage. The extracts obtained with the most polar solvent and the crude extracts caused the most significant oxidative DNA damage in HepG2 cells, as measured by the formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (FPG)-modified Comet assay. This observation suggests that metals and unknown toxicants more hydrophilic than polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may be important causative agents, especially in samples from the rural part of the estuary, where oxidative DNA damage was the most significant. Clams, sole, and cuttlefish responded differentially to environmental agents triggering oxidative stress, albeit yielding results accordant with the oxidative DNA damage observed in HepG2 cells. Overall, the integration of in vivo biomarker responses and Comet assay data in HepG2 cells yielded a comparable pattern, indicating that the in vitro FPG-modified Comet assay may be an effective and complementary line-of-evidence in ERA even in particularly challenging, natural, scenarios such as estuarine environments

Tutoring in higher education in Portugal and Spain : lessons learned from six initiatives in place

Tutoring has been one of the issues which have received growing interest within the context of restructuring process in higher education under the so-called Bologna process in Europe. In this paper six tutoring initiatives currently being implemented in Portuguese and Spanish universities are examined in the light of the framework within which tutoring operates in higher education contexts. The various kinds of tutoring — mentoring, curricular tutoring, academic tutoring and training-related tutoring — are implemented in higher educational institutions in an attempt to meet the needs of the students. Data are drawn from the analysis of the reports on six tutoring programs underway in various higher education institutions in Portugal and Spain. In general, they have been put into practice as part of a number of experiences in each of the institutions involved, according to the characteristics of the students and the context. Findings point to the importance and the need of Faculty to be trained in tutoring as well as the need to better clarify the role of the tutor. The paper ends with a number of reflections and recommendations for an improved model of tutoring and guidance as a planned action within higher education. It encompasses a cumulative and consistent process based on a developmental and integral intervention, in order to encourage the active involvement of students and the participation of different agents interacting in the tutoring process.(undefined

Employer branding : análise da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa

Mestrado em MarketingO employer branding, com o passar dos anos, começou a ser uma das prioridades dos responsáveis de recursos humanos e dos gestores de topo. Procura-se, constantemente identificar a melhor maneira de atrair e reter os talentos que marcam a diferença em mercados competitivos, tendo em conta que o capital humano é um elemento crítico e estrategicamente muito importante. O tema desta investigação, inclui-se nesta temática das estratégias de employer branding, dentro de uma empresa, neste caso a Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML). A metodologia utilizada na concretização deste trabalho é qualitativa, sendo que a recolha dos dados foi efetuada através de entrevistas semiestruturadas a nove colaboradores da SCML. Os resultados alcançados nesta investigação, permitiram verificar que os inquiridos têm uma boa perceção e imagem acerca da SCML enquanto entidade empregadora e devido ao seu prestígio e confiança que transmite tanto internamente como externamente, consideram-na um bom local para trabalhar.Employer branding has, over the years, become a top priority for Human Resources Management and top managers. It is sought, to constantly identify the best way to attract and retain talents that make the difference in competitive markets, given that human capital is a critical and strategically important element. The subject of this research is included in this theme of employer branding strategies within a company, in this case the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML). The methodology used in the accomplishment of this work is qualitative, and the data collection was done through semi-structured interviews to nine SCML employees. The results obtained in this research, allowed to verify that the respondents have a good perception and image about the SCML as employer and due to its prestige and confidence that transmits both internally and externally, consider it a good place to work.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Potencial da logística ferroviária para exportação de açúcar em São Paulo: recomendações de localização para armazéns intermodais

This study analyzes the best warehousing location for sugar exportation in the state of Sao Paulo using the railway transportation. A mixed integer programming model was developed and its results indicate some trends for localization and capacity of these warehouses. Four scenarios were elaborated and they showed high competitiveness of the intermodal transport compared to the alternative of road transportation from the mill to the port. It was also confirmed that there is a possibility to increase the market share of the railway transportation for Sao Paulo’s sugar exports.intermodal transportation, railway transport, sugar market., Agribusiness, C61, Q13,

Hopf Galois structures on symmetric and alternating extensions

By using a recent theorem by Koch, Kohl, Truman and Underwood on normality, we determine that some types of Hopf Galois structures do not occur on Galois extensions with Galois group isomorphic to alternating or symmetric groups. Our theory of induced Hopf Galois structures allows us to obtain the whole picture of types of Hopf Galois structures on A4-extensions, S4-extensions, and S5-extensions. Combining it with a result of Carnahan and Childs, we obtain a complete count of the Hopf Galois structures on S5-extensions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A teaching tool for nursing procedure with oxygen therapy

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of auditory neurosensorial stimulation in gait pattern after acute stroke

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An evaluation of anthropometric and conditional indicators for specific positions in youth women's volleyball played as a school sport

The present study aimed to identify anthropometric and functional characteristics of female volleyball players according to their specific in the match