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Unemployment insurances are perceived as major benefits to support workers in their job findings. This thesis contributes to the pre-existent literature through researching the impact of the unemployment benefits on the companies’ hirings and permanent layoffs, due to a lack of research on this matter. Using state and firm-specific variables, this study analyses the absolute and percentage impact on number of companies’ employees. For two of the overall performed regression models, higher amounts of unemployment insurances seem to impact positively the number of companies’ employees.

A presente dissertação tem como objetivo principal o estudo do impacto do marketing de conteúdo no e-commerce. Este tema foi escolhido tendo em conta a sua crescente importância do tema na sociedade e a falta de estudos específicos nesta área em contexto português. O estudo foca-se nos elementos do entretenimento, da confiança, do seu valor e do propósito do marketing de conteúdo e do seu impacto no uso do e-commerce. A investigação foi conduzida em formato de análise quantitativa através de questionário e os resultados foram analisados através do software SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Os resultados desta investigação demonstram que a confiança é o elemento do marketing de conteúdo que mais influencia o uso do ecommerce, com repercussões na forma como as empresas e as agências devem apostar para induzir a compra online. The main objective of this dissertation is to study the impact of content marketing on e-commerce. This theme was chosen taking into account its growing importance in society and the lack of specific studies in this area in the Portuguese context. The study focuses on the elements of entertainment, trust, its value and purpose in content marketing and its impact on the use of e-commerce. The investigation was conducted in a quantitative analysis format using a questionnaire and the results were analyzed using the SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The results of this investigation demonstrate that trust is the content marketing element that most influences the use of e-commerce, with repercussions on the way companies and agencies should bet to induce online purchases.

Increased expression of transketolase (TKT) and its isoform transketolase-like-1 (TKTL1) has been related to the malignant leukemia phenotype through promoting an increase in the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Recently, it has also been described that TKTL1 can have a role in survival under hypoxic conditions and in the acquisition of radio resistance. However, TKTL1’s role in triggering metabolic reprogramming under hypoxia in leukemia cells has never been characterized. Using THP-1 AML cells, and by combining metabolomics and transcriptomics techniques, we characterized the impact of TKTL1 knockdown on the metabolic reprogramming triggered by hypoxia. Results demonstrated that TKTL1 knockdown results in a decrease in TKT, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activities and impairs the hypoxia-induced overexpression of G6PD and GAPDH, all having significant impacts on the redox capacity of NADPH- and NADH-related cells. Moreover, TKTL1 knockdown impedes hypoxia-induced transcription of genes encoding key enzymes and transporters involved in glucose, PPP and amino acid metabolism, rendering cells unable to switch to enhanced glycolysis under hypoxia. Altogether, our results show that TKTL1 plays a key role in the metabolic adaptation to hypoxia in THP-1 AML cells through modulation of G6PD and GAPDH activities, both regulating glucose/glutamine consumption and the transcriptomic overexpression of key players of PPP, glucose and amino acids metabolism.

Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar Submitted by Dina Rocha (dir.biblioteca@ipsantarem.pt) on 2021-12-28T15:43:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Relatório de Estágio_Maria Silva.pdf: 2738873 bytes, checksum: f7875cee3f895867a7df784d8fef75c0 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2021-12-28T15:43:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Relatório de Estágio_Maria Silva.pdf: 2738873 bytes, checksum: f7875cee3f895867a7df784d8fef75c0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021-12-14 N/A

A alergia alimentar é uma condição de saúde adversa crónica que ocorre quando o corpo reconhece erradamente um alimento, considerando-o como prejudicial ao organismo. A prevalência desta condição tem vindo a aumentar nas últimas três décadas, afetando cerca de 17 milhões de indivíduos em toda a Europa. A sintomatologia associada à alergia alimentar divide-se em vários níveis de severidade, desde irritações cutâneas, a quadros mais severos, como os choques anafiláticos. A adoção de medidas de caráter preventivo como a evicção dos alimentos causadores da reação alérgica, são o tratamento mais eficaz para este tipo de condição, resultando em alterações ao quotidiano dos portadores e do seu seio familiar. O caso de estudo desta investigação tem por objetivo o desenho, prototipagem, implementação e avaliação de uma solução para identificação de alimentos e potenciais riscos, durante o processo de aquisição de bens de consumo diário, contribuindo para o aumento da qualidade de vida dos portadores de alergias alimentares e do seu núcleo familiar. A investigação procura focar-se no conceito de nutrição mediada por tecnologias de realidade aumentada, e no seu contributo para resolução de uma problemática, nomeadamente, a aquisição de bens alimentares de consumo diário. Food allergies are a chronic adverse health condition that occurs when the body misrecognizes a food, considering it harmful to the body. The prevalence of this condition has been increasing over the past three decades, affecting around 17 million individuals across Europe. The symptoms associated with food allergies are divided into different levels of severity, that can go from skin irritations to more severe conditions, such as anaphylactic shocks. The adoption of preventive measures, such as the avoidance of foods that cause allergic reactions, is the most effective treatment for this type of condition but it can result in drastic changes to the daily lives of patients and their families. The case study of this research aims to design, prototype, implement and evaluate a solution for identifying food products and their potential risks during the process of purchasing daily consumer goods, and therefore to contribute for an increased quality of life of people with food allergies and their families. The research seeks to focus on the concept of nutrition mediated by augmented reality technologies, and its contribution to solving a particular issue, namely the acquisition of daily consumer goods. Mestrado em Comunicação Multimédia

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a disease that originates significant health and economic losses and is caused by Staphylococcus aureus strains able to produce enterotoxins. The aim of this work is to go further on the study of the volatile exometabolome of S. aureus using an advanced gas chromatographic technique. Enterotoxic and non-enterotoxic strains were assessed. The volatile exometabolome profile comprised 240 volatiles belonging to ten chemical families. This volatiles were mainly by-products of branched-chain amino acids and methionine degradation, pyruvate metabolism, diacetyl pathway, oxidative stress and carotenoid cleavage. Metabolites released by the first two pathways were produced in higher contents by the enterotoxic strains. This study add further insights to S. aureus volatile exometabolome, and also shows that by applying it, it is possible to distinguish strains of S. aureus by the number of produced enterotoxins, which is especially important from the food safety point of view.

Purpose To investigate the subjective experience of adult cancer patients undergoing external radiotherapy and provide evidence for better practices in radiotherapy services. Methods A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA Statement Guidelines. Qualitative and mixed studies were identified through five electronic databases (CINAHL, PsychINFO , Medline, Scopus and Web of Science), between March and April 2020, using defined criteria. Methodological quality assessment was conducted, and the data integrated into a thematic synthesis. Results Of the 886 studies identified, 13 met our inclusion criteria. Patients experiences were described into four main themes: (1) Time, (2) Physical Environment, (3) Treatment Concerns and (4) Radiotherapy Team. Time refers to waiting time and treatment time; Physical Environment states temperature in the treatment room and equipment; Treatment Concerns included side effects, daily activities, positioning and immobilization and treatment preparation (e.g., bladder filling); radiotherapy team comprised patients support; response to patients needs and recognized team. The generating analytical phase of thematic analysis allowed us to recognize that the effectiveness of the radiotherapy team operates as a facilitator of the patients' experience. In contrast, time in the waiting room, the treatment preparation when is required, and the positioning and immobilization, specifically for the neck and head patients, act as barriers. Conclusion Four distinct themes were identified to be positively and negatively associated with patients' experience during external radiotherapy . The evidence provides valuable recommendations to improved radiotherapy services organization, as well as to the delivery of more patient-centred care adjusted to the concerns and needs of patients.

Food safety is a major concern of consumers, food industry and governments, with 25 million foodborne diseases occurring annually worldwide. Staphylococcus aureus , is an extremely versatile opportunistic pathogen being responsible for staphylococcal food poisoning due to enterotoxic strains. With increasing demands for safer food, new food preservation technologies are increasingly gaining interest. In the last two decades, high pressure processing (HPP) appeared as an alternative non-thermal food preservation method promoting inactivation of some spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, while maintaining food characteristics. Factors that modulate its efficiency will be revised, firstly based on the state-of-the art described for bacteria in general and afterwards, when studies exist, for S. aureus specifically. S. aureus inactivation by HPP, like in other microorganisms, is conditioned by cell structures and biomolecules, matrix, HPP processing conditions, the use of antimicrobials and is also dependent of the strain and growth phase. Cell membrane is the most pressure sensitive structure of S. aureus , being the lipids and proteins the most important target molecules. However, monomeric proteins such as staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) are not affected by HPP, and strains with SE appear to be more efficiently inactivated than those without. Other phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of S. aureus strains, such as pigmentation and the presence of σ B factor are extremely important factors determining the efficacy of HPP treatments. Inactivation of S. aureus by HPP to ensure food safety still remains a current challenge regarding the understanding of its particular barotolerance and its inactivation kinetics profile that often deviates from the simpler first order decay. Thus, this review provides state-of-the-art information for researchers interested in studying HPP inactivation of S. aureus . Industrial relevance This review gives an insight on the importance of Staphylococcus aureus as a foodborne versatile opportunistic pathogen and its importance from the food safety point, its barotolerance and the main reasons for this resistant behavior to high pressure processing and the mechanisms of S. aureus inactivation by HPP.

Vertical impulse tests usually designated “jump tests”, are regularly carried out in the assessment of physical performance in athletic performers. The present review aims to explore if such tests can be part of the performance evaluation processes in non-athlete performers. To achieve this, a systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA standards. The databases Pubmed, CINAHL Plus, Medline Complete and Google Scholar were accessed. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven articles were selected. Overall conclusions indicate that countermovement jump (CMJ) gathered consensus as the preferred method to evaluate physical performance, particularly with the contribution of upper limbs movement and self-selected range of angular knee joint flexion. Other information gathered include test procedures to enhance vertical test results and the gender influence on test results.

Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for a large spectrum of diseases, including staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), due to its ability to produce enterotoxins. To prevent the development of SFP, effective food preservation methods are needed. High pressure processing (HPP) uses pressures, between 100 and 600 MPa, to inactivate pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. In this study, HPP treatments (450 MPa and 600 MPa, both for 15 and 30 min, at 20 °C) were applied in three different strains of S. aureus in the stationary growth phase and reduction effectiveness was assessed. A non-enterotoxic strain ATCC 6538 and two enterotoxic strains 2153 MA (with enterotoxin A) and 2065 MA (with enterotoxin A, G, I) were used. It was verified that the non-enterotoxic strain was the most resistant to HPP, not being completely inactivated within 30 min at 600 MPa. Additionally, it was demonstrated that HPP had no effect on virulence factors (enterotoxins, β-hemolysin, lipase, lecithinase, coagulase, thermonuclease, catalase), and also in mannitol fermentation capacity and methicillin susceptibility. HPP treatments also proved to be less effective in the strain with higher carotenoids content (non-enterotoxic strain). The results of this study show that S. aureus HPP barotolerance might be related not only to the presence of enterotoxins but also to carotenoids level, although these two factors may not be the only mechanisms responsible for the distinct sensitivity/resistance to HPP shown by different strains of S. aureus .

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária A endometrite é uma inflamação aguda ou crónica do endométrio com etiologia multifatorial e constitui um dos principais problemas reprodutivos dos equinos, sendo a maior causa da infertilidade das éguas. Uma vez que a infertilidade está associada a uma perda económica significativa no sector da reprodução equina, revela-se importante o estudo da fisiopatologia e dos fatores que contribuem para o aparecimento da endometrite, pelo que é essencial um correto diagnóstico etiológico e uma caracterização do grau de inflamação, de modo a ser estabelecido o tratamento adequado o mais rapidamente possível. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o estudo da abordagem das endometrites num centro de reprodução, com o intuito de avaliar a influência de diferentes variáveis no aparecimento de fluido uterino à ecografia e a viabilidade da utilização deste parâmetro como medida indireta do estabelecimento e grau da inflamação uterina. Foram analisados os dados de um centro de reprodução, localizado no Porto Alto, relativos à época reprodutiva de 2017 de uma amostra de 186 éguas, divididas em três grupos: Grupo 1 (n=186) representado pela totalidade das éguas; Grupo 2 (n=34) representado pelas éguas submetidas a lavagem uterina 24 horas após a IA ou cobrição; Grupo 3 (n=10), representado pelas éguas sujeitas a lavagem uterina pré-IA ou cobrição. Nos grupos 2 e 3 foi realizada uma avaliação citológica do grau de inflamação, a partir dos fluidos obtidos através das lavagens uterinas. Recorrendo à análise estatística, foi possível correlacionar as variáveis estudadas, tendo sido utilizado o limiar de p

Intrinsic and acquired resistance to chemotherapy is the fundamental reason for treatment failure for many cancer patients. The identification of molecular mechanisms involved in drug resistance or sensitization is imperative. Here we report that tribbles homologue 2 (TRIB2) ablates forkhead box O activation and disrupts the p53/MDM2 regulatory axis, conferring resistance to various chemotherapeutics. TRIB2 suppression is exerted via direct interaction with AKT a key signalling protein in cell proliferation, survival and metabolism pathways. Ectopic or intrinsic high expression of TRIB2 induces drug resistance by promoting phospho-AKT (at Ser473) via its COP1 domain. TRIB2 expression is significantly increased in tumour tissues from patients correlating with an increased phosphorylation of AKT, FOXO3a, MDM2 and an impaired therapeutic response. This culminates in an extremely poor clinical outcome. Our study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism underlying drug resistance and suggests that TRIB2 functions as a regulatory component of the PI3K network, activating AKT in cancer cells., The emergence of drug resistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of cancer patients. Here, the authors show that TRIB2 expression increases resistance to PI3K inhibition by promoting AKT activation and the subsequent FOXO inactivation and disruption of p53 function.

A relação marca/consumidor é importante e, atualmente, com a evolução tecnológica e com a disseminação das redes sociais, a sua importância subiu de nível pois o meio online permite que os consumidores estejam mais informados e tenham mais consciência das diversas opções que existem no mercado. Como tal, as marcas aproveitam as redes sociais, tais como o Facebook, para se fazerem notar, para mostrarem o seu lado mais humano e assim estabelecer comunicação com os utilizadores de forma a criar ou manter uma relação mais íntima com o mesmo. Contudo, a liberdade de expressão que existe nas redes sociais nem sempre é favorável às marcas, o que faz com que estas optem por utilizar critérios de gatekeeping para filtrar alguns conteúdos. O que se pretende deste estudo não experimental de tipo exploratório e de método qualitativo, é aferir que critérios de gatekeeping é que são mais suscetíveis de serem utilizados pelas marcas, de forma a evitarem que a relação forte que detêm com o consumidor fique comprometida e manchada pelo ódio e, consequentemente, perceber como é feita a gestão das próprias páginas de Facebook. O objeto do estudo em causa envolve, assim, duas empresas do setor eletrónico que são concorrentes diretas e que têm consumidores muito dedicados e que foram selecionadas através de um método de amostragem não aleatório intencional. The brand/consumer relationship is important and currently, with the technological evolution and the spread of social networks, its importance has increased because the online environment allows consumers to be more informed and more aware of the several options that exist in the market. As such, the brands take advantage of social networks, such as Facebook, to be noticed, to show more of their human side and therefore establish some communication with users in order to create or maintain a more intimate relationship with the user. However, the freedom of speech that exist in social networks is not always favourable to the brands, which makes them choose to use gatekeeping criteria in order to filter some content. The aim of this non-experimental exploratory-type study of qualitative method is to identify which gatekeeping criteria are more likely to be used by brands, in order to avoid that the strong relationship they hold with the consumer gets compromised and marked with hate and, consequently, to understand how the administration of the Facebook pages is done. The object of this study implicates two electronic companies that are direct competitors and both of them have very dedicated consumers, these two companies were selected through a non-intentional random sampling method.

Aims: To assess the variability in UV-B (280–320 nm) sensitivity of selected bacterial isolates from the surface microlayer and underlying water of the Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) estuary and their ability to recover from previous UV-induced stress. Methods and Results: Bacterial suspensions were exposed to UV-B radiation (3·3 W m−2). Effects on culturability and activity were assessed from colony counts and 3H-leucine incorporation rates, respectively. Among the tested isolates, wide variability in UV-B-induced inhibition of culturability (37·4–99·3%) and activity (36·0–98·0%) was observed. Incubation of UV-B-irradiated suspensions under reactivating regimes (UV-A, 3·65 W m−2; photosynthetic active radiation, 40 W m−2; dark) also revealed diversity in the extent of recovery from UV-B stress. Trends of enhanced resistance of culturability (up to 15·0%) and enhanced recovery in activity (up to 52·0%) were observed in bacterioneuston isolates. Conclusions: Bacterioneuston isolates were less sensitive and recovered more rapidly from UV-B stress than bacterioplankton isolates, showing enhanced reduction in their metabolism during the irradiation period and decreased culturability during the recovery process compared to bacterioplankton. Significance and Impact of the Study: UV exposure can affect the diversity and activity of microbial communities by selecting UV-resistant strains and alter their metabolic activity towards protective strategies.

In this work, the development of resistance and the recovery of growth after several consecutive cycles of high hydrostatic pressure (HPP) were for the first time evaluated in different strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Three strains of this important and highly resilient to HPP foodborne pathogen were used: a non-enterotoxigenic ATCC 6538 strain, treated with 600 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C, and the toxigenic strains 2153 MA (with enterotoxin A) and 2065 MA (with the enterotoxins A, G and I), treated with 600 MPa for 15 min at 20 °C. After the first treatment, surviving colonies were used to produce new bacterial cultures. This procedure was repeated nine times more for each bacterium or until total inactivation occurred. The inactivation profile of non-enterotoxic strain and the two enterotoxic strains did not change after consecutive cycles, but the toxic strain with three enterotoxins was completely inactivated after the fourth cycle. The three strains did not recover their viability after 14 days. The results indicate that HPP effectively inactivates non-toxigenic and toxigenic strains of S. aureus after a single treatment. The surviving bacteria did not develop resistance after 10 cycles of pressurization and did not recover their viability after 14 days of incubation.

The surface microlayer (SML) is characterized by different physicochemical properties from underlying waters (UW). However, whether these differences in abiotic factors underlie the distinct sensitivity of bacterioneuston (i.e. SML bacteria) and bacterioplankton to environmental stressors remains to be addressed. We investigated the contribution of abiotic factors to the UV-B sensitivity of bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton. Nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphate) emerged as important determinants of bacterial UV-B sensitivity. The role of particles, nutrients, and dissolved organic components on bacterial UV-B sensitivity was further evaluated using dilution cultures. Filtered samples were twofold more UV sensitive than unfiltered samples, suggesting a UV-protective effect of particles. High nutrient concentrations attenuated bacterial UV-B sensitivity (up to 40%), compared with unamended conditions, by influencing bacterial physiology and/or community composition. Suspending cells in natural water, particularly from the SML, also attenuated UV-B sensitivity (up to 23%), compared with suspension in an artificial mineral solution. Bioassays using Pseudomonas sp. strain NT5I1.2B revealed that chemical water properties influence UV-induced oxidative damage. UV-B sensitivity was associated with high cell-specific activities. The chemical environment of the SML and UW influences UV-B effects on the corresponding bacterial communities. Maintaining low cell activities might be advantageous in stressful environments, like the SML.

Nos últimos anos, assistimos a uma mudança no mercado Português de Decoração de Interiores caracterizada por maior leque de novas marcas e ofertas. Constatamos isso não só pelo lançamento em Portugal de algumas marcas já com elevada notoriedade internacional, nomeadamente a abertura do IKEA em 2004 - uma companhia privada de origem sueca especializada na venda de produtos domésticos de baixo custo; a expansão do Leroy Merlin - uma rede de lojas de materiais de construção, decoração, jardinagem e bricolagem; como também pela influência de programas televisivos que se dedicam à renovação de espaços como o “Querido, Mudei a Casa!”, já no ar há mais de 9 anos. O IKEA revolucionou este mercado e despertou novas ideias. No entanto, apesar do facilitismo proporcionado por esta visão, a maioria das pessoas dispõe cada vez mais do seu tempo para a vida profissional, em detrimento da vida pessoal, o que diminui a disponibilidade para uma procura mais intensiva e diversificada de produtos de decoração. Neste ponto, encontrei a oportunidade de criar através de um site na internet um novo conceito de decoração de interiores. Para analisar a viabilidade deste conceito, foi realizada uma análise macro e micro ambiente e um estudo de mercado, que teve como objetivo não só a caracterização dos potenciais clientes, a validação do conceito e a oportunidade para comprar pela internet, como também a definição de objetivos, estratégias e políticas de implementação para o negócio. Por último foi realizada a viabilidade económico-financeira para garantir fluxos financeiros positivos. In recent years we have witnessed a change in the Portuguese market of Interior Decoration with a growing range of new brands and offers. We can realize that, not only regarding the launch in Portugal of some brands with international notoriousness, as IKEA’s opening in 2004 - a Swedish private company specialized in the sale of domestic low-cost products; the growth of Leroy Merlin - a network of building, decorating, and gardening supply stores; as well as the influence of television programs dedicated to spaces renovation, like "Querido, Mudei a Casa!" already in the air for more than nine years. IKEA revolutionized this market and sparked new ideas. However, despite of the easiness given by this vision, the majority of people dispend more of their time working, impairing their personal life, which reduces the availability for a more intensive and diversified demand of decoration products. At this point, I found here the opportunity to create through a website a new concept of interior decoration. To analyze the feasibility of this concept, was made a macro and micro environment analysis and a study of the market, which aimed not only the characterization of potential customers, validating the concept and the opportunity to buy online, as well as the setting of objectives, strategies and implementation policies for the business. Finally the economic and financial viability were conducted to ensure positive cash flow.

Tributyltin (TBT) is a biocide extremely toxic to a wide range of organisms, which has been used for decades in antifouling paints. Despite its global ban in 2008, TBT is still a problem of great concern due to the high levels trapped in sediments. Aeromonas molluscorum Av27 is a TBT degrading bacterium that was isolated from an estuarine system. We investigated the ability and the role of this bacterium on TBT degradation in this estuarine system, using a microcosm approach in order to mimic environmental conditions. The experiment was established and followed for 150 days. Simultaneously, changes in the indigenous bacterial community structure were also investigated. The results revealed a maximum TBT degradation rate of 28% accompanied by the detection of the degradation products over time. Additionally, it was observed that TBT degradation was significantly enhanced by the presence of Av27. In addition a significantly higher TBT degradation occurred when the concentration of Av27 was higher. TBT degradation affected the bacterial community composition as revealed by the changes in the prevalence of Proteobacteria subdivisions, namely the increase of Deltaproteobacteria and the onset of Epsilonproteobacteria. However, the addition of Av27 strain did not affect the dominant phylotypes. Total bacterial number, bacterial biomass productivity, 16S rRNA gene and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses also indicated alterations on the bacterial community structure over time, with bacteria non-tolerant to pollutants increasing their representativeness, as, for instance, the increase of the number of Alphaproteobacteria clones from 6% in the beginning to 12% at the end of the experiment. The work herein presented confirms the potential of Av27 strain to be used in the decontamination of TBT-polluted environments.

Dissertação de mestrado em Psicologia (Psicologia da Educação, Desenvolvimento e Aconselhamento), apresentada à Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra O presente estudo exploratório apresenta os resultados da avaliação da eficácia de um programa de promoção do uso e reconhecimento de emoções positivas – Programa Be Positive - em contexto escolar na satisfação com a vida, na afetividade e nas conceções pessoais de competência de alunos do ensino secundário. O programa foi aplicado sob articulação de dois modelos teóricos: o Modelo Broaden-and-Build das Emoções Positivas e o Modelos das Conceções Pessoais de Competência. Foi utilizado um design de medidas repetidas com grupos independentes e a avaliação foi realizada pela administração da Escala de Satisfação com a Vida, da Escala de Afetividade Positiva e Negativa e do Questionário Compósito de Competência Percebida. Procedeu-se ainda à Análise de Conteúdo para avaliar a importância atribuída ao programa e as aprendizagens efetuadas pelos participantes. Os resultados obtidos indicam ganhos significativos na dimensão estática das conceções pessoais de competência, na satisfação com a vida e na afetividade – aumento da afetividade positiva e diminuição da afetividade negativa. Estatisticamente, não se verificaram resultados significativos para grande parte das variáveis dependentes. Não obstante, os dados obtidos da avaliação qualitativa demonstram que o programa teve impacto nos indivíduos e no grupo turma. The current exploratory study presents the results obtained from the evaluation of the efficiency of a program promoting positive emotion use and recognition - Be Positive Program - in academic context, in regards to satisfaction with life, affectivity and personal conceptions of competence in high school students. The program was applied under the articulation of two theoretical models: the Broaden-and-Build Theory and the Personal Conception of Competence Model. A repeated measures design was employed and the evaluation was conducted through the administration of the Satisfacion With Life Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Composite Questionnaire of Perceived Competence. The Content Analysis methodology was applied to evaluate the importance attributed to the program, and the effective learning reported by the participants. The results point towards significant gains in the static dimension of the personal conceptions of competence, in satisfaction with life and in affectivity - increased positive affectivity and decreased negative affectivity. Statistically, no significant results were recorded for a large percentage of the dependent variables. Notwithstanding, the data produced by the qualitative evaluation demonstrate that the program had an impact on the individuals and the class group.

A novel approach based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC–ToFMS) was developed for the simultaneous screening of microbial and mite contamination level in cereals and coffee beans. The proposed approach emerges as a powerful tool for the rapid assessment of the microbial contamination level (ca. 70 min versus ca. 72 to 120 h for bacteria and fungi, respectively, using conventional plate counts), and mite contamination (ca. 70 min versus ca. 24 h). A full-factorial design was performed for optimization of the SPME experimental parameters. The methodology was applied to three types of rice (rough, brown, and white rice), oat, wheat, and green and roasted coffee beans. Simultaneously, microbiological analysis of the samples (total aerobic microorganisms, moulds, and yeasts) was performed by conventional plate counts. A set of 54 volatile markers was selected among all the compounds detected by GC×GC–ToFMS. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied in order to establish a relationship between potential volatile markers and the level of microbial contamination. Methylbenzene, 3-octanone, 2-nonanone, 2-methyl-3-pentanol, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2-hexanone were associated to samples with higher microbial contamination level, especially in rough rice. Moreover, oat exhibited a high GC peak area of 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde, a sexual and alarm pheromone for adult mites, which in the other matrices appeared as a trace component. The number of mites detected in oat grains was correlated to the GC peak area of the pheromone. The HS-SPME/GC×GC–ToFMS methodology can be regarded as the basis for the development of a rapid and versatile method that can be applied in industry to the simultaneous assessment the level of microbiological contamination and for detection of mites in cereals grains and coffee beans.

Bacteria from the surface microlayer (bacterioneuston) and underlying waters (bacterioplankton) were isolated upon exposure to UV-B radiation, and their individual UV sensitivity in terms of CFU numbers, activity (leucine and thymidine incorporation), sole-carbon source use profiles, repair potential (light-dependent and independent), and photoadaptation potential, under different physiological conditions, was compared. Colony counts were 11.5-16.2% more reduced by UV-B exposure in bacterioplankton isolates (P

The biological effects of UV radiation of different wavelengths (UVA, UVB and UVC) were assessed in nine bacterial isolates displaying different UV sensitivities. Biological effects (survival and activity) and molecular markers of oxidative stress [DNA strand breakage (DSB), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damage to proteins and lipids, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase] were quantified and statistically analyzed in order to identify the major determinants of cell inactivation under the different spectral regions. Survival and activity followed a clear wavelength dependence, being highest under UVA and lowest under UVC. The generation of ROS, as well as protein and lipid oxidation, followed the same pattern. DNA damage (DSB) showed the inverse trend. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that survival under UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths was best explained by DSB, oxidative damage to lipids, and intracellular ROS levels, respectively. The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and editors who provided helpful criticism and suggestions which greatly contributed to improve the original manuscript. Acknowledgments are due to Francisco Coelho and Abel Ferreira for assistance in UV intensity measurements and to Prof. Rosário Correia (Physics Department, Universiy of Aveiro) for reviewing the manuscript. Financial support for this work was provided by CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the form of a PhD grant to A. L. Santos (SFRH/BD/40160/2007) and a post-Doctoral grant to I. Henriques (SFRH/BPD/63487/2009). published

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The effect of tributyltin (TBT) on growth and metabolic activity of three estuarine bacteria with different TBT resistance profiles was investigated in an organic-rich culture medium (TSB) and in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) buffer. Exposure to TBT was assessed by determining its effect on growth (OD(600 nm) measurement), bacterial productivity (leucine incorporation), viability (CFU counts), aggregation and cell size (from Live/Dead analysis), ATP and NADH concentrations. TBT exposure resulted in decrease of bacterial density, cell size, and metabolic activity. In addition, cell aggregates were observed in the TBT-treated cultures. TBT strongly affected bacterial cell metabolism and seemed to exert an effect on its equilibrium, interfering with cell activity. Also, TBT toxicity was lower when cells were grown in TSB than in PBS, suggesting that a nutrient-rich growth medium can protect cells from TBT toxicity. This study contributes to our understanding of the TBT-resistant cell behavior reflected in its physiology and metabolic activity. This information is of utmost importance for further studies of TBT bioremediation. published

Heterotrophic bacterioplankton play a key role in the transfer of organic carbon from the dissolved pool into planktonic trophic webs. The accurate measurement of bacterial biomass pro- duction (BBP) is crucial for the establishment of carbon budgets in aquatic systems. Estimation of BBP from the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine into bacterial proteins requires the use of empirical, semitheoretical or theoretical conversion factors (CFs). In this study, our estimate of the BBP for the estuarine system of Ria de Aveiro was higher when we used empirical and semitheoretical CFs than when we used theoretical ones. Empirical CFs ranged between 9.26 and 29.81 kg C mol -1 in the marine zone and between 4.25 and 16.88 kg C mol -1 in the brackish zone. Semitheoretical CFs ranged from 5.06 to 9.49 kg C mol -1 in the marine zone and from 5.28 to 9.34 kg C mol -1 in the brack- ish zone. During experiments to determine empirical CFs, the structure of the bacterial community was also analyzed. Sample preparation and the addition of leucine altered the structure of the bacte- rial community, and this probably affected the determination of the empirical CFs. The results show that, besides the effect of the use of an inadequate CF, the estimates of BBP can be biased in a sys- tem-specific way by the alteration of the structure of the bacterial community as a result of sample manipulation (i.e. filtration/dilution, incubation, and addition of non-radiolabelled and radiolabelled leucine).

Neste estudo propomo-nos a perceber as Políticas de Educação Pré-Escolar em Portugal de 1997 a 2007. A razão da escolha destes anos é porque 1997 foi um ano particularmente rico na Educação Pré-Escolar em Portugal. Foi um ano em que o Estado regulou grandes medidas para este tipo de educação. A Educação Pré-Escolar é agora considerada a primeira etapa no processo de educação ao longo da vida. É vista como um suporte à família que tem um importante papel no desenvolvimento de crianças dos 3 aos 5 anos. Nessa altura são também criadas regras para a actividade dos educadores de infância. Estudos de Políticas de Educação Pré-Escolar foram importantes para compreender o que se passou de 1997 a 2007. Houve um estudo particularmente importante que teve a nossa atenção, o de Vilarinho(2000) que analisa as Políticas de Educação Pré-Escolar em Portugal de 1977 a 1997. Este estudo (1997-2007) mostra um período que é caracterizado por uma continuidade no discurso do Estado e permite-nos perceber o principal desenvolvimento desta década na Educação Pré-Escolar Portuguesa. In this study we propose ourselves to understand the Pre-School Policies in Portugal´s Education from 1997 to 2007. The reason of the choice of these years is because 1997 was a particular rich year on the pre-school education in Portugal. It was the year when the State ruled the mainly measures for this kind of education. Pre-school education is now considered the first step of a lifelong learning process. It is seen as a support to family that plays an important role to the development of 3-5 years’ children. By that time there are also created rules for the nursery teachers’ activity. Pre-school Policies’ studies were important to realize what happened from 1997 to 2007. There is a particular interesting study that took our attention, the one from Vilarinho(2000) that analyses the Portuguese Pre-School Policies from 1977 to 1997. This study (1997-2007) shows a period that is characterized by a continuous State speech and allows us to understand the main development of this decade in Portuguese Pre-School Education.