Extracurricular Activities and Wage Differentials

This dissertation develops and estimates a structural dynamic model in which individuals decide among participation in extracurricular activities, study time, and employment during high school. The specification allows for returns to participation in extracurricular activities on salaries and unobserved heterogeneity in students\u27 preferences over study time, extracurricular activities, employment during high school and the acquisition of a bachelor\u27s degree. The model is estimated using a selected sample of 1,875 white males from NELS88. The objective is to evaluate quantitatively the consequences of public policies that eliminate the opportunity for students to participate in extracurricular activities and policies that give payments to students if they obtain higher test scores. Results of counterfactual experiments show that policies that eliminate extracurricular activities in high schools decrease students\u27 tests scores, college graduation rates, and future wages, while policies that give payments based on test scores increase scores and the percentage of students who obtain bachelor\u27s degrees

Antimalarial agents as therapeutic tools against toxoplasmosis: a short bridge between two distant illnesses

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease with paramount impact worldwide, affecting many vulnerable populations and representing a significant matter of concern. Current therapies used against toxoplasmosis are based essentially on old chemotypes, which fail in providing a definitive cure for the disease, placing the most sensitive populations at risk for irreversible damage in vital organs, culminating in death in the most serious cases. Antimalarial drugs have been shown to possess key features for drug repurposing, finding application in the treatment of other parasite-borne illnesses, including toxoplasmosis. Antimalarials provide the most effective therapeutic solutions against toxoplasmosis and make up for the majority of currently available antitoxoplasmic drugs. Additionally, other antiplasmodial drugs have been scrutinized and many promising candidates have emanated in recent developments. Available data demonstrate that it is worthwhile to explore the activity of classical and most recent antimalarial chemotypes, such as quinolines, endoperoxides, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, and nature-derived peptide-based parasiticidal agents, in the context of toxoplasmosis chemotherapy, in the quest for encountering more effective and safer tools for toxoplasmosis control or eradication.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT): UID/MULTI/04326/2019 (CCMAR), UID/QUI/00313/2019 (CQC), PTDC/MAR-BIO/4132/2014, SFRH/BD/140249/2018 (AS).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systematic sequencing of mRNA from the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and first tissue specific transcriptional signature

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the genome sequences of Euphausiacea (krill) although these crustaceans are abundant components of the pelagic ecosystems in all oceans and used for aquaculture and pharmaceutical industry. This study reports the results of an expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project from different tissues of Euphausia superba (the Antarctic krill). RESULTS: We have constructed and sequenced five cDNA libraries from different Antarctic krill tissues: head, abdomen, thoracopods and photophores. We have identified 1.770 high-quality ESTs which were assembled into 216 overlapping clusters and 801 singletons resulting in a total of 1.017 non-redundant sequences. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was performed to quantify and validate the expression levels of ten genes presenting different EST countings in krill tissues. In addition, bioinformatic screening of the non-redundant E. superba sequences identified 69 microsatellite containing ESTs. Clusters, consensuses and related similarity and gene ontology searches were organized in a dedicated E. superba database http://krill.cribi.unipd.it. CONCLUSION: We defined the first tissue transcriptional signatures of E. superba based on functional categorization among the examined tissues. The analyses of annotated transcripts showed a higher similarity with genes from insects with respect to Malacostraca possibly as an effect of the limited number of Malacostraca sequences in the public databases. Our catalogue provides for the first time a genomic tool to investigate the biology of the Antarctic krill

Fluxo de Caixa, ADRs e Restrições de Crédito no Brasil

Following Almeida, Campello and Weisbach (2003), we use the link between financial constraints and firm’s demand for liquidity to test the effect of financial constraints on firm policies in Brazil. The effect of financial constraints can be captured by a firm’s propensity to save cash out in addition of cash inflows. While constrained firms should have a positive cash flow sensitivity of cash, unconstrained firms’ cash savings should not be systematically related to cash flows. Using 2SLS method to deal with endogeneity problems, we estimate the cash flow sensitivity of cash using a large sample of Brazilian manufacturing firms over the 1995-2007 period and, using the access to international financial markets trough ADRs as a criterion for financial constraint, we find that firms that are more likely to be financially constrained display a significantly positive cash flow sensitivity of cash, while unconstrained firms do not.Seguindo Almeida, Campello e Weisbach (2003), usamos a relação entre restrição de crédito e a demanda por liquidez para mensurar o efeito das restrições crédito sobre as políticas das empresas brasileiras. O efeito da restrição de crédito pode ser capturado via propensão à poupança de fundos líquidos extraordinários. Enquanto empresas que enfrentam restrições de crédito deveriam apresentar uma sensibilidade positiva à entrada de recursos extraordinários em seu fluxo de caixa, as empresas irrestritas não apresentariam qualquer relação neste sentido. Utilizando o método 2SLS, estimamos a sensibilidade do fluxo de caixa à receitas extraordinárias usando uma amostra de empresas brasileiras entre 1995 e 2007 e, utilizando o acesso ao mercado financeiro internacional através de ADRs, verificamos que as empresas restritas financeiramente apresentam uma sensibilidade positiva do fluxo de caixa à recursos extraordinários, enquanto as empresas irrestritas não se comportam da mesma forma

Effect of short-term practice of breathing exercises on the breathing capacity in school-age girls

Background: The breathing mechanism has existed since our birth and accompanies us throughout life. Breathing is an important function in the regulatory process of numerous body functions, its optimization can bring many health benefits. However, many children are unaware of the mechanisms of breathing, namely abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, and in addition to this, many breathe normally through their mouths. Methods: The present study aimed to verify the influence of a short-Term breathing exercise program in school-Age girls breathing capacity. Fourteen female students aged between 8 and 10 years were selected, from this selection two groups were formed, the control group (CG) with 7 children and the experimental group (EG) with 7. Through a spirometric test, an assessment of breathing capacity (ABC) was carried out for both groups. The GE participated in a program of breathing exercises (BEP) lasting 15 to 20 minutes for 5 weeks. Then, the ABC was performed again for both groups. Discussion: The results demonstrate a significant increase in the values (p 0.01) of the forced vital capacity (FVC) of the EG, thus suggesting that the application of a BEP promotes the breathing capacity of school-Aged girls. Further studies should be performed with larger samples and with a longer protocol.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synthesis, structure and antileishmanial evaluation of endoperoxide–pyrazole hybrids

Leishmaniases are among the most impacting neglected tropical diseases. In attempts to repurpose antimalarial drugs or candidates, it was found that selected 1,2,4-trioxanes, 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes, and pyrazole-containing chemotypes demonstrated activity against Leishmania parasites. This study reports the synthesis and structure of trioxolane–pyrazole (OZ1, OZ2) and tetraoxane–pyrazole (T1, T2) hybrids obtained from the reaction of 3(5)-aminopyrazole with endoperoxide-containing building blocks. Interestingly, only the endocyclic amine of 3(5)-aminopyrazole was found to act as nucleophile for amide coupling. However, the fate of the reaction was influenced by prototropic tautomerism of the pyrazole heterocycle, yielding 3- and 5-aminopyrazole containing hybrids which were characterized by different techniques, including X-ray crystallography. The compounds were evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of L. tropica and L. infantum, and for cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells. Selected compounds were also evaluated against intramacrophage amastigote forms of L. infantum. Trioxolane–pyrazole hybrids OZ1 and OZ2 exhibited some activity against Leishmania promastigotes, while tetraoxane–pyrazole hybrids proved inactive, most likely due to solubility issues. Eight salt forms, specifically tosylate, mesylate, and hydrochloride salts, were then prepared to improve the solubility of the corresponding peroxide hybrids and were uniformly tested. Biological evaluations in promastigotes showed that the compound OZ1•HCl was the most active against both strains of Leishmania. Such finding was corroborated by the results obtained in assessments of the L. infantum amastigote susceptibility. It is noteworthy that the salt forms of the endoperoxide–pyrazole hybrids displayed a broader spectrum of action, showing activity in both strains of Leishmania. Our preliminary biological findings encourage further optimization of peroxide–pyrazole hybrids to identify a promising antileishmanial lead.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Patologia ossicular na otite média crônica: implicações clínicas

OBJECTIVE: To compare the presence of ossicular pathologies in chronic otitis media in patients with perforated and those with and without tympanic membranes.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was based on histological analysis through optic microscopy. Out of 1.382 human temporal bones, we selected 144 that presented with tissue alterations compatible with chronic otitis media. These bones were collected from 96 individuals, 55 male and 41 female, aged from 10 to 88 years. Only 28 had perforated tympanic membranes.RESULTS: The analysis of the temporal bones indicated as the most common findings granulation tissue, ossicular alterations, tympanosclerosis, tympanic perforation, and cholesterol granuloma and cholesteatoma. The alterations found in this study revealed that the anvil is the most commonly affected ossicle, followed by the stapes and the malleus.CONCLUSIONS: The comparative analysis of perforated and non-perforated human temporal bones indicated that the two groups were similar regarding ossicular pathology.OBJETIVO: Comparar a presença de alterações ossiculares na otite média crônica em pacientes com membrana timpânica íntegra e com tímpano perfurado.MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Este estudo foi baseado em uma análise histológica através de microscopia ótica. De um grupo de 1.382 ossos temporais humanos, 144 foram escolhidos por apresentarem alterações teciduais compatíveis com otite média crônica. Estes ossos foram retirados de 96 indivíduos, 55 do sexo masculino e 41 do sexo feminino, com idades que variavam de 10 meses a 88 anos. Apenas 28 apresentavam a membrana timpânica perfurada, enquanto 116 ossos temporais humanos a tinham íntegra. RESULTADOS: A análise dos ossos temporais humanos apontou como os achados mais comuns o tecido de granulação, as alterações ossiculares, a timpanosclerose, a perfuração timpânica, o granuloma de colesterol e o colesteatoma. O perfil das alterações encontradas neste estudo mostram a bigorna como o ossículo mais atingido, seguido pelo estribo e pelo martelo.CONCLUSÕES: A análise comparativa dos ossos temporais com e sem perfurações da membrana timpânica indicaram que os grupos eram similares em relação à patologia ossicular

The impact of metabolic syndrome on metabolic, pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic markers according to the presence of high blood pressure criterion

OBJECTIVES: We explored whether high blood pressure is associated with metabolic, inflammatory and prothrombotic dysregulation in patients with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We evaluated 135 consecutive overweight/obese patients. From this group, we selected 75 patients who were not under the regular use of medications for metabolic syndrome as defined by the current Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults criteria. The patients were divided into metabolic syndrome with and without high blood pressure criteria (≥130/≥85 mmHg). RESULTS: Compared to the 45 metabolic syndrome patients without high blood pressure, the 30 patients with metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure had significantly higher glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid and creatinine values; in contrast, these patients had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol values. Metabolic syndrome patients with high blood pressure also had significantly higher levels of retinol-binding protein 4, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and lower levels of adiponectin. Moreover, patients with metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure had increased surrogate markers of sympathetic activity and decreased baroreflex sensitivity. Logistic regression analysis showed that high-density lipoprotein, retinol-binding protein 4 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were independently associated with metabolic syndrome patients with high blood pressure. There is a strong trend for an independent association between metabolic syndrome patients with high blood pressure and glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: High blood pressure, which may be related to the autonomic dysfunction, is associated with metabolic, inflammatory and prothrombotic dysregulation in patients with metabolic syndrome

Psychometric evaluation of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) in Italy

Two studies were conducted to adapt the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) to the Italian context. Results suggest that the BPNSFS can be considered a promising instrument in the context of SDT-based research for investigating satisfaction and frustration of the three basic needs in Italy