Perceived employability in a situation of crisis: The influence of the external context and perceived financial threat

Purpose This study aims to analyse how people's perceived employability was affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study explores individuals' perceived financial threat, age and work situation as factors that shape perceived employability. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via a survey at three different times between October 2020 and May 2021, which were chosen to reflect the evolution of the pandemic. The participants (n = 124) reported participants' perceived employability and financial threat during the pandemic in Portugal. Perceived employability is a multidimensional concept, as this includes the following scales: employment protective behaviour, employment risk, job-seeking behaviour, self-control and self-learning. Findings Participants' overall perceived employability failed to record significant variance over the period under analysis. Nevertheless, perceived employment protective behaviour decreased the most, especially in the case of young adults (aged 18 to 24). Individuals' perceived financial threat varied according to the external context, being lower during the last moment of data collection, which corresponded to the less-socially and economically restrictive period. Employees with the most stable work condition, i.e. with a permanent employment contract, were those who felt less financially threatened when compared to other respondents. A negative relationship between perceived employability and perceived financial threat was identified during the third moment of data collection. Originality/value The research informs about how individuals perceive themselves in a highly unpredictable and unstable context. The longitudinal approach shows how the external context affected people's perceived employability and financial threat throughout the pandemic.UIDB/04928/202

Hepatitis C virus NS5A targets the nucleosome assembly protein NAP1L1 to control the innate cellular response

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA hepatotropic virus. Despite cellular defenses, HCV is able to replicate in hepatocytes and to establish a chronic infection that could lead to severe complications and hepatocellular carcinoma. An important player in subverting the host response to HCV infection is the viral non-structural protein NS5A that, in addition to its role in replication and assembly, targets several pathways involved in the cellular response to viral infection. Several unbiased screens identified the nucleosome-assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) as an interaction partner of HCV NS5A. Here we confirm this interaction and map it to the C-terminus of NS5A of both genotype 1 and 2. NS5A sequesters NAP1L1 in the cytoplasm blocking its nuclear translocation. However, only NS5A from genotype 2 HCV, but not from genotype 1, targets NAP1L1 for proteosomal-mediated degradation. NAP1L1 is a nuclear chaperone involved in chromatin remodeling and we demonstrate the NAP1L1-dependent regulation of specific pathways involved in cellular responses to viral infection and cell survival. Among those we show that lack of NAP1L1 leads to a decrease of RELA protein levels and a strong defect of IRF3 TBK1/IKKϵ-mediated phosphorylation leading to inefficient RIG-I and TLR3 responses. Hence, HCV is able to modulate the host cell environment by targeting NAP1L1 through NS5A

Análise dos tempos de resolução de incidentes no desenvolvimento de software

Mestrado em Decisão Económica e EmpresarialNo estágio realizado na empresa Quidgest pretendeu-se analisar o tempo decorrido entre o início e o fim do processo de resolução de incidentes no desenvolvimento de software. Durante o estágio, houve uma semana de formação com o intuito de dar aos colaboradores a oportunidade de se familiarizarem com a plataforma Genio. O estudo baseou-se numa base de dados com 3133 incidentes fornecida pela empresa. A motivação para este trabalho deve-se essencialmente à necessidade da parte da empresa de identificar quais são os factores que podem influenciar a entrega da resolução do incidente. Utilizaram-se análises gráficas e modelos estatísticos de duração para avaliar se os processos de resolução de incidentes são encerrados rapidamente ou não. Depois de concluído o estudo, pode salientar-se que aproximadamente 60% dos incidentes são encerrados no próprio dia em que chega o pedido da parte do cliente. As análises dos processos com tempos de encerramento muito longos não só chegaram a evidenciar uma certa associação com determinados programas que apresentam maior complexidade, mas também com um número restrito de técnicos, possivelmente os que têm maiores competências em resolver problemas mais específicos. Tendo-se observado, em todos os anos, uma tendência para o fecho dos processos mais célere, procedeu-se a uma análise dos tempos por programa e por técnico nos vários anos. Não se evidenciou uma alteração dos tempos devida à entrada de novos técnicos, mas sim uma diminuição dos tempos para os mesmos técnicos por anos.The objective during the training course in Quidgest was to analyse the time recurring between the beginning and the end of the incident resolution process during software development. There was a training week especially organised to give collaborators the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Genio platform. The study was based on a database with 3133 incidents that was gently provided by the company. The company's need to identify which factors may influence the delivery of the incident resolution was the basis for this study. Several graphic analyses and statistical models for duration were used to evaluate if the incidents resolution processes are swiftly completed. After the conclusion of the study, it may be affirmed that approximately 60 % of the incidents are completed on the same day of the arrival of the request from the customer. The analysis of the processes with very extensive conclusion times showed not only that these were, to some extension, associated to more complex programmes, but also to a restricted number of technicians, possibly the ones highly competent on specific problem solving. Having been observed, throughout the years, a tendency to accelerate the conclusion of the processes, an analysis of the times spent per programme and per technician was also performed. Any change in the times due to the admittance of new technicians was not observed; on the contrary, there was a decrease on the times for the same technicians throughout the years

Reference values for bone strength assessed by quantitative ultrasound early after birth in term and preterm neonates

Objectivo: Estabelecer valores de referência da robustez óssea nos primeiros dias de vida, em recém-nascidos de termo e pré-termo adequados para a idade de gestação nascidos em Portugal. Métodos: Foi medida a velocidade do som (VdS) (m/s) por ultrassonografia quantitativa, numa amostra sistemática de recém-nascidos adequados para a idade de gestação, de termo e pré-termo, respectivamente nos primeiros dois e cinco dias após o nascimento. Foi avaliada a homogeneidade de valores entre géneros e entre grupos de idade de gestação. Resultados: A amostra constou de 158 recém-nascidos, 34 de termo e 124 pré-termo (idade de gestação entre 26 a 41 semanas), com peso de nascimento de 595 g a 4195 g, 84 do sexo masculino (53,2%) e 20 gémeos (10,8%). A média da VdS aumenta significativamente com a idade de gestação. São providenciados valores de referência da VdS para os percentis 10, 25, 50, 75 e 90, para grupos de idade de gestação, sem distinção para o género. Conclusão: São disponibilizados valores de referência de VdS nos primeiros dias de vida, de recém-nascidos adequados para a idade de gestação, de termo e pré-termo, nascidos em Portugal. Estes valores reflectem a robustez óssea intrauterina e servem de referência basal para estudos evolutivos realizados em Portugal.ABSTRACT - Aim: To obtain reference values for bone strength assessed early after birth for term and preterm neonates in Portugal. Methods: Speed of sound (SOS) (m/s) was measured using the quantitative ultrasound method in a systematic sample of appropriate-for-gestationalage term and preterm neonates, within the first two and five days after birth, respectively. Homogeneity of values between genders and between gestational age groups was assessed. Results: A sample of 158 neonates was enrolled, 34 full-term and 124 preterm (26-41 weeks of gestation), birth weights of 595g-4195g, 84 males (53.2%) and 20 twins (10.8%). The mean of the SOS significantly increases with gestational age. Reference values of SOS for gestational age groups are provided as 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th centiles without gender distinction. Conclusion: Reference values for SOS early after birth are made available for term and preterm appropriate-for-gestational age neonates, reflecting the intrauterine bone status, a baseline for follow-up studies on bone strength in Portugal

Boroxine benzaldehyde complex for pharmaceutical applications probed by electron interactions

The authors acknowledge Professor Pedro M. P. Gois for support and constructive discussions, from the iMed.ULisboa – Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa. M.M., A.N., R.R. and F.F.S. acknowledge the Portuguese National Funding Agency FCT‐MCTES through research grant PTDC/FIS‐AQM/31215/2017. L.C. acknowledges financial support from São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), under grant N.2020/04822‐9. This work was also supported by Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (RaBBiT, PD/00193/2012); UID/FIS/00068/2020 (CEFITEC). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Rationale: 2,4,6-Tris(4-formylphenyl)boroxine (TFPB) is a substituted boroxine containing a benzaldehyde molecule bonded to each boron atom. Boroxine cages are an emerging class of functional nanostructures used in host–guest chemistry, and benzaldehyde is a potential radiosensitizer. Reactions initiated by low-energy electrons with such complexes may dictate and bring new fundamental knowledge for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Methods: The electron ionization properties of TFPB are investigated using a gas-phase electron–molecule crossed beam apparatus coupled with a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer in an orthogonal geometry. Ionization and threshold energies are experimentally determined by mass spectra acquisition as a function of the electron energy. Results: The abundance of the molecular precursor cation in the mass spectrum at 70 eV is significantly lower than that of the most abundant fragment C7H5O+. Twenty-nine cationic fragments with relative intensities >2% are detected and identified. The appearance energies of six fragment cations are reported, and the experimental first ionization potential is found at (Formula presented.) eV. Moreover, eight double cations are identified. The present results are supported by quantum chemical calculations based on bound state techniques, electron ionization models and thermodynamic thresholds. Conclusions: According to these results, the TPFB properties may combine the potential radiosensitizer effect of benzaldehyde with the stability of the boroxine ring.publishersversionpublishe

Neofobia alimentar e hábitos alimentares em crianças pré-escolares e conhecimentos nutricionais parentais

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Secção de Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Núcleo de Psicologia Clínica da Saúde e da Doença), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2011O presente estudo tem como objectivo conhecer o contributo de alguns determinantes psicológicos do comportamento alimentar das crianças pré-escolares, através do estudo do comportamento alimentar e da neofobia alimentar da criança, e dos conhecimentos nutricionais parentais. A amostra é constituída por 85 pais de crianças que frequentavam Jardins-de-Infância de um Agrupamento de Escolas de Torres Vedras cujas idades eram compreendidas entre os 5 e 6 anos. Foi pedido aos pais para responderem a 4 questionários, Questionário sobre Dados Sócio-Demográficos, Escala de Neofobia Alimentar em Crianças (Pliner, 1994), Questionário sobre Hábitos Alimentares Infantis (Andrade, Gomes e Barros, 2010) e Questionário sobre Conhecimentos Nutricionais (Vereecken e Maes, 2010). Os resultados indicam que as crianças com níveis de neofobia alimentar altos têm hábitos alimentares significativamente piores que as crianças com níveis de neofobia baixos, e que a associação entre a neofobia alimentar das crianças e os conhecimentos nutricionais parentais não é significativa. Foram ainda encontradas associações significativas entre a neofobia alimentar e os hábitos alimentares em termos da frequência de consumo dos alimentos e da familiaridade com alimentos diversificados, diferenças significativas entre os pais com o 9º ano de escolaridade e os pais com ensino superior e entre os pais com nível sócio-económico médio e os pais com nível sócio-económico médio-alto e alto em relação aos conhecimentos nutricionais, e entre pais de níveis de escolaridade diferente em relação ao número de refeições habituais. Estes resultados podem ser utilizados para estruturar intervenções futuras dirigidas a pais/encarregados de educação e educadores de infância, que tenham como objectivo a promoção de comportamentos alimentares saudáveis na idade pré-escolar.This study aims to understand the contribution of psychological determinants in the eating behavior of preschool children through the study of feeding and food neophobia of the child, as well as parental nutritional knowledge. The sample consists of 85 parents of children attending kindergartens of a grouping of schools in Torres Vedras, whose ages were between 5 and 6 years. Parents were asked to answer 4 different questionnaires, Socio-Demographic Data Questionnaire, Children’s Food Neophobia Scale (Pliner, 1994), Children’s Eating Habits Questionnaire (Andrade, Gomes e Barros, 2010) and Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (Vereecken e Maes, 2010). Results indicate that children with high levels of food neophobia have significantly worst eating habits than those with lower levels of food neophobia, and that the association between the child’s food neophobia and parental nutritional knowledge is not significant. We also found significant associations between food neophobia and eating habits regarding food consumption frequency and food diversity awareness, significant differences between nutritional knowledge of parents who concluded 9th grade and those with a college degree and among parents with medium socio-economical level and parents with medium-high and high socio-economical levels concerning the. We also found significant differences between parents with different levels of education regarding the child’s number of usual meals. These results can be used to structure future interventions towards parents and early childhood educators which aim to promote healthy eating habits in pre-scholar age

Avaliação da toxicidade celular do glifosato sobre as gônadas de Danio rerio (Cyprinidae)

Os herbicidas são muito utilizados na agricultura por substituírem a mão-de-obra na capina, diminuindo consequentemente o esforço exigido pelo trabalho, e otimizando o tempo dos agricultores, mas em uma concentração elevada pode trazer malefícios para organismos aquáticos podendo provocar alterações moleculares e celulares que afetarão a morfologia, fisiologia e bioquímica dos tecidos. Dentre os agrotóxicos, o organofosforado glifosato é um dos herbicidas mais usados no Brasil e no mundo. Considerando a importância de reconhecer as alterações macroscópicas e mutagênicas na avaliação da toxicidade do herbicida glifosato, amplamente utilizado na agricultura, foi utilizado neste estudo, como modelo experimental, o peixe Danio rerio. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos subletais de toxicidade do herbicida glifosato sobre a morfologia nos ovários de D. rerio e analisar o percentual de micronúcleo nos peixes expostos às concentrações de glifosato. Os peixes foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo um exposto ao herbicida a uma concentração 65 µg/L diluído em água, determinado pela Resolução do Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) Nº 357, de 17 de março de 2005, que estabelece a concentração de 65 µg/L de glifosato em águas dos rios no Brasil. O outro grupo de peixes foi utilizado como controle, mantidos em água isenta de herbicida. Verificou-se um aumento significativo na massa dos ovários, bem como um aumento significativo no índice gonadossomático (IGS) em ovários de peixes expostos ao glifosato por um período de 15 dias. Em relação ao percentual de micronúcleo dos eritrócitos os grupos não diferiram estatisticamente entre si. Mesmo na concentração de glifosato regulamentada para os rios do Brasil, efeitos subletais tóxicos foram identificados nos ovários. Desta forma, sugere-se a realização de testes toxicológicos para avaliação de parâmetros reprodutivos. Os efeitos adversos do glifosato sobre os ovários demonstradas aqui representam um importante risco para a reprodução de peixes

The role of automatic shape and position recognitionin streamlining manufacturing

The main features of most components consist of simple basic functional geometries: planes, cylinders, spheres and cones. Shape and position recognition of these geometries is essential for dimensional characterization of components, and represent an important contribution in the life cycle of the product, concerning in particular the manufacturing and inspection processes of the final product. This work aims to establish an algorithm to automatically recognize such geometries, without operator intervention. Using differential geometry large volumes of data can be treated and the basic functional geometries to be dealt recognized. The original data can be obtained by rapid acquisition methods, such as 3D survey or photography, and then converted into Cartesian coordinates. The satisfaction of intrinsic decision conditions allows different geometries to be fast identified, without operator intervention. Since inspection is generally a time consuming task, this method reduces operator intervention in the process. The algorithm was first tested using geometric data generated in MATLAB and then through a set of data points acquired by measuring with a coordinate measuring machine and a 3D scan on real physical surfaces. Comparison time spent in measuring is presented to show the advantage of the method. The results validated the suitability and potential of the algorithm hereby proposedCMAT, the Research Centre of Mathematics of the University of Minho with the Portuguese Funds from the “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”, through the Project PEstOE/MAT/UI0013/2014; MEtRICs – (Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center); CGIT - Centro de Gestão Industrial e da Tecnologi

Genome sequences of five African swine fever virus genotype IX isolates from domestic pigs in Uganda

Complete genome sequences of five African swine fever virus isolates were determined directly from clinical material obtained from domestic pigs in Uganda. Four sequences were essentially identical to each other, and all were closely related to the only known genome sequence of p72 genotype IX

Genome sequences of five African swine fever virus genotype IX isolates from domestic pigs in Uganda

Complete genome sequences of five African swine fever virus isolates were determined directly from clinical material obtained from domestic pigs in Uganda. Four sequences were essentially identical to each other, and all were closely related to the only known genome sequence of p72 genotype IX