Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-03-01"
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- HypnotizedPublication . Reis, Bruno Ferreira dos; Gomes, Sahra Ursula KunzO relatório trata do processo de criação da curta-metragem de animação “Hypnotized”, a história de um jovem adulto, Alfredo, que tem um prazo para entregar um trabalho. No entanto, ao longo da narrativa, ele perde-se no tempo a jogar videojogos na consola. O prazo aproxima-se cada vez mais do limite, mas o personagem continua a jogar acorrentado, literalmente, através de braços e mãos que saem do ecrã e o agarram, numa difícil luta interior. É um projeto que combina o 2D com 3D refletindo as afinidades do autor, na procura de uma identidade artística. Com efeito, neste trabalho, o 3D está associado à rigidez, ao cenário, aos objetos e o 2D, à plasticidade do desenho, do movimento, da ação, tendo por base a técnica da rotoscopia. Trata-se assim de um projeto construído nas suas várias vertentes (pré-produção, produção e pós-produção) por uma única pessoa, que se deparou com uma série de dificuldades que teve que ultrapassar em prol da ideia concebida.
- Investigating the evolution of Drosophila STING-dependent antiviral innate immunity by multispecies comparison of 2′3′-cGAMP responsesPublication . Hédelin, Léna; Thiébaut, Antonin; Huang, Jingxian; Li, Xiaoyan; Lemoine, Aurélie; Haas, Gabrielle; Meignin, Carine; Cai, Hua; Waterhouse, Robert M.; Martins, Nelson; Imler, Jean LucViruses represent a major threat to all animals, which defend themselves through induction of a large set of virus- stimulated genes that collectively control the infection. In vertebrates, these genes include interferons that play a critical role in the amplification of the response to infection. Virus- and interferon-stimulated genes include restriction factors targeting the different steps of the viral replication cycle, in addition to molecules associated with inflammation and adaptive immunity. Predictably, antiviral genes evolve dynamically in response to viral pressure. As a result, each animal has a unique arsenal of antiviral genes. Here, we exploit the capacity to experimentally activate the evolutionarily conserved stimulator of IFN genes (STING) signaling pathway by injection of the cyclic dinucleotide 2′3′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate into flies to define the repertoire of STING-regulated genes in 10 Drosophila species, spanning 40 million years of evolution. Our data reveal a set of conserved STING-regulated factors, including STING itself, a cGAS-like-receptor, the restriction factor pastel, and the antiviral protein Vago, but also 2 key components of the antiviral RNA interference pathway, Dicer-2, and Argonaute2. In addition, we identify unknown species- or lineage-specific genes that have not been previously associated with resistance to viruses. Our data provide insight into the core antiviral response in Drosophila flies and pave the way for the characterization of previously unknown antiviral effectors.
- Working memory during spontaneous migraine attacks: an fMRI studyPublication . Ruiz-Tagle, A.; Figueiredo, Patrícia; Pinto, Joana; Vilela, Pedro; Martins, Isabel Pavão; Gil-Gouveia, RaquelObjective: To investigate the neural correlates of working memory during a spontaneous migraine attack compared to the interictal phase, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Background: Cognitive disturbances are commonly observed during migraine attacks, particularly in the headache phase. However, the neural basis of these changes remains unknown. Methods: In a fMRI within-subject test-retest design study, eleven women (32 years of age, average) with episodic migraine were evaluated twice, first during a spontaneous migraine attack, and again in a pain-free period. Each session consisted in a cognitive assessment and fMRI while performing a working memory task (N-back). Results: Cognitive test scores were lower during the ictal session than in the pain-free session. Regions typically associated with working memory were activated during the N-back task in both sessions. A voxel wise between session comparison showed significantly greater activation in the left frontal pole and orbitofrontal cortex during the attack relative to the interictal phase. Conclusion: Migraine patients exhibited greater activation of the left frontal pole and orbitofrontal cortex while executing a verbal working memory task during a spontaneous migraine attack when compared to the interictal state. Given the association of these regions with pain processing and inhibitory control, these findings suggest that patients recruit inhibitory areas to accomplish the cognitive task during migraine attacks, a neural signature of their cognitive difficulties.
- The power of fashion and the fashioning of power – analyzing a facet of the fashion industry that impacted on the American political scene in 2020Publication . Loureiro, Leonor Gomes de Castro Morais; Barba, Maria Luísa Homem Leal de Faria GeraldesWe live in a world that is mostly shaped by imagery, making fashion a universal definer of power and status. While approaching the 2020 Presidential Election in the United States, the pandemic situation forced the fashion industry to rethink its strategies and responsibilities, underlining the industry’s potential to become a transforming agent in a politically polarized world. The topic was chosen as fashion has become more and more intertwined with politics, in this case, in North America, establishing power plays that translate into changes in the American popular culture and, by consequence of globalization, around the world. Specific brands and designers are increasingly invested in taking a stand towards political issues, often positioning themselves on either one of the two polar opposite sides. As the context is ever-changing, due to the evolution of the pandemic, as well as the global impact of the results of the election, we wonder in what ways does the materialization of fashion reflect the geopolitical issues on a global scale, given that the articulation of material and abstract ideas is flexible and gives many possibilities for interpretations and representations. Therefore, this study aims at examining the relevance of the fashion sector in the 2020 Presidential Election, while living a global pandemic. Furthermore, by relating it to relevant literature in order to add to the global discussion, we will ask: in which ways and to what extent is fashion a tool for social change, beyond the act of purchasing symbolic and stylish items?
- Proposals to revise the statutes of the International Committee on Systematics of ProkaryotesPublication . Arahal, David R.; Göker, Markus; Hahnke, Richard L.; Manaia, Célia M.; Moore, Edward R. B.; Oren, Aharon; Sutcliffe, Iain C.; Ventura, StefanoThe International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes serves to administer the rules of prokaryotic nomenclature via the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, ensures the publication of the International Journal of Sys-tematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, and works to represent the interests of the microbiological disciplines regarding prokaryotic nomenclature. The functions and mechanisms of operation of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) are defined in its Statutes, which were last revised in 2019. As members of the 2020–2023 and the 2023–2026 ICSP Executive Board and the Judicial Commission, we propose here some further revisions to help improve the clarity and functionality of the Statutes.
- Resilience training programs with police forces: a systematic reviewPublication . Moreno, Ana F.; Karanika-Murray, Maria; Batista, Patrícia; Hill, Rowena; Vilalta, Susanna Rubiol; Oliveira-Silva, PatríciaThrough the course of their career, it is expected that police officers are exposed to stressful and emotionally challenging environments, which, combined with well-known organizational and occupational stressors, makes this professional class vulnerable to several psychological and medical conditions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing intervention programs that seek to minimize the impact of the changing nature of police work within a changing society and promote skills that enable police officers to deal more effectively with the current and future challenges. Therefore, the aim of this review is to systematize resilience training intervention programs and characterize their format, content, and efficacy. For that purpose, we searched four databases for resilience programs delivered to the police. We reached a final sample of 32 articles from a total of 550 published studies. The articles considered were divided into three main groups: mindfulness-based resilience interventions (n = 13), neurobiological-based resilience interventions (n = 13), and other resilience training interventions that did not fit in the previous categories (n = 6). There was much inter-intervention variability, mainly concerning their structure and approach. However, the intervention programs were relatively uniform in the topics covered, such as psychoeducation, police scenario simulation, and debriefing. Nonetheless, most studies found positive outcomes on the variables of interest, predominantly clinical and performance indicators (e.g., stress, anxiety, decision-making). Subsequent research endeavors could aim to determine the most reliable measure outcome measures for resilience variables and intervention efficacy, as alongside identifying pivotal occupational factors crucial to a robust and impactful resilience intervention.
- ForewordPublication . Vieira, Eduarda
- Specific language impairment, autisms spectrum disorders and social (pragmatic) communication disorders: is there overlap in language deficits? A reviewPublication . Félix, Juliana; Santos, Maria Emília; Benitez-Burraco, AntonioAnalysing language characteristics and understanding their dynamics is the key for a successful intervention by speech and language therapists (SLT). Thus, this review aims to investigate a possible overlap in language development shared by autism spectrum disorders (ASD), specific language impairment (SLI) and social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SPCD). The sources of this work were the PubMed, PsycInfo and SciELO databases, as well as the Scientific Open Access Repositories of Portugal. The final selection included 18 studies, focused on several linguistic areas. Results suggest that when individuals are matched according to some language or cognitive skills, they will also show similar characteristics in other language domains. Future work should be done based on spontaneous speech.
- Validation of the Portuguese version of Hoge Intrinsic Motivation Religiosity Scale and Rohrbaugh and Jessor Religiosity ScalePublication . Leite, Ângela; Nobre, Bruno; Dias, Paulo C.This study aims to validate, for the Portuguese population, the bidimensional structure of the Hoge Intrinsic Motivation Religiosity Scale (HIMRS) and the four-dimensional structure of the Rohrbaugh and Jessor Religiosity Scale (RJRS); it also aims to establish an association between the two religious scales and religious identity. To this end, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with polychoric matrix (for ordinal data) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) were carried out. Besides reliability, convergent and discriminant validity were assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, composite reliability (CR), average variance extracted (AVE), and AVE squared roots. The Portuguese versions of the HIMRS and RJRS presented good model fit. These instruments correlated with each other and with religious identity. Differences in religious motivation and in religious identity concerning sociodemographic variables were found: women, divorced, and older participants define themselves as being more spiritual or religious persons than men, single or married, and younger participants. Also, years of education were positively associated with religious intrinsic motivation and negatively associated with religious extrinsic motivation. This study provides two more instruments with adequate properties to assess intrinsic religious motivations, past-year frequency of religious service attendance, and personal religiosity for the Portuguese population.
- Investigação e desenvolvimento de tabletes de chocolate e produtos de confeitariaPublication . Oliveira, Ana Catarina de Castro; Silva, Sofia Alexandra Almeida Ferreira Vieira daO consumo de chocolate é observado mundialmente, no entanto, em Portugal regista-se um consumo inferior face a outros países da Europa, sendo o chocolate preto o tipo de chocolate preferido. As tendências alimentares juntam nos últimos anos o prazer associado ao ato da alimentação, a saúde e o bem-estar e a conveniência, e, por meio disso, a investigação e o desenvolvimento de produtos apresentam-se como áreas fundamentais. A Imperial – Produtos Alimentares, S.A., tratando-se de uma empresa que aposta e investe na inovação e no desenvolvimento contínuo de produtos alimentares, viu a oportunidade de fazer responder às necessidades do consumidor e às tendências e, desta forma, o presente relatório de estágio reflete o desenvolvimento de novos produtos na área das tabletes e dos drageados de chocolate, nomeadamente, tabletes de chocolate com inclusões de pepitas de lima e com cereais crocantes, e cereais cobertos com chocolate de leite. O desenvolvimento destes projetos compreendeu várias fases até alcançar o protótipo final, entre elas a investigação de matérias-primas e o desenvolvimento laboratorial propriamente dito. A validação e aprovação do protótipo foi efetuada mediante a realização de testes sensoriais e, posteriormente, conforme o caso, por intermédio de um teste à escala industrial. Diante disto, foram desenvolvidos os elementos obrigatórios relativos à rotulagem para desenvolvimento da embalagem do produto. Em conclusão, os objetivos gerais e específicos definidos para este trabalho foram atingidos, na medida em que os projetos delineados foram executados, e também avaliados e aprovados. Adicionalmente, foram identificadas sugestões de melhoria, por forma a contribuir positivamente para o futuro desenvolvimento dos vários projetos de desenvolvimento de produtos da empresa.