Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2017-03-21"
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- Activity patterns of serotonin neurons underlying cognitive flexibilityPublication . Matias, Sara; Lottem, Eran; Dugué, Guillaume P; Mainen, Zachary FSerotonin is implicated in mood and affective disorders. However, growing evidence suggests that a core endogenous role is to promote flexible adaptation to changes in the causal structure of the environment, through behavioral inhibition and enhanced plasticity. We used long-term photometric recordings in mice to study a population of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons, whose activity we could link to normal reversal learning using pharmacogenetics. We found that these neurons are activated by both positive and negative prediction errors, and thus report signals similar to those proposed to promote learning in conditions of uncertainty. Furthermore, by comparing the cue responses of serotonin and dopamine neurons, we found differences in learning rates that could explain the importance of serotonin in inhibiting perseverative responding. Our findings show how the activity patterns of serotonin neurons support a role in cognitive flexibility, and suggest a revised model of dopamine-serotonin opponency with potential clinical implications.
- Are gastrointestinal parasites a possible threat to an endangered autochthonous portuguese sheep breed?Publication . Ruano, Zita Martins; Mateus, Teresa Susana Letra; Carolino, Renato Nuno PimentelIn the Northeast of Portugal, the sheep system production is extensive, with use of stubble cereals, natural pasture and other poor forage resources. Churra Galega Mirandesa autochthonous sheep breed is well adapted to geographic and climatic conditions of the plateau and cliffs of the Douro River, Portugal. Sheep reared in extensive system are affected by a diversity of gastrointestinal parasites, causing an enormous impact on its health and productivity, which can be especially threatening in an endangered breed like this. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity, prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in Churra Galega Mirandesa sheep breed from their local breed, the Planalto Mirandês (Northeast of Portugal). A questionnaire to farmers was also designed to assess deworming practices, cohabiting animals on the farm and food management. In total, 49 questionnaires were obtained and 512 faecal samples were collected from September to December of 2016. Each sample was analysed by qualitative and quantitative techniques. Parasitic forms were identified in 100% of the flocks. In 97% of the samples gastrointestinal parasites were identified from eleven different families, genera or species: strongyle (85.4%), Eimeria spp. (75.4%), Nematodirus spp. (33.2%), Dicrocoelium spp. (22.5%), Trichuris spp. (6.4%), Eimeria intricata (4.3%), Moniezia benedeni (2.3%), Fasciola hepatica (1.8%), Moniezia expansa (0.8%), Capillaria spp. (0.2%) and Skrjabinema spp. (0.2%). This is the first report of Skrjabinema spp. in Portugal. The prevalence of Trichuris spp. (P<0.05) increased when animals grazed in the early morning and late in the day. On the other hand, the prevalence of Nematodirus spp. (P<0.05) and Dicrocoelium spp. (P <0.01) increased, when animals grazed during all the day. The non-deworming only influenced the prevalence of Nematodirus spp. (P<0.05). The results show great biodiversity in parasites found and a parasite burden apparently low for the three most prevalent parasite, strongyle (mean: 415.5; range: 50-6250), Eimeria spp. (mean: 670.1; range: 50-17550) and Nematodirus spp. (mean: 90.9; range: 50-550) suggesting some parasite adaptation capacity and resilience similar to the host. Among the parasites identified were trematodes of zoonotic importance that may have health implications for farmers and local communities.
- Departamento de Marketing e Vendas Grupo Onyria: Relatório de EstágioPublication . Rede, Nânci Rafaela dos Santos; Dias, IvoO processo de venda não é fácil. A concorrência é intensa, o acesso à informação é assegurado pelas novas tecnologias e o consumidor é cada vez mais exigente. Neste sentido, cabe aos profissionais de Marketing e Vendas aprimorar as suas técnicas de Marketing para que consigam cativar o consumidor ao consumo dos seus produtos e serviços em vez dos produtos e serviços dos seus concorrentes. Atualmente, um dos método mais utilizados pelas organizações, a fim de se destacarem da concorrência, persiste sobre a prestação de serviços. O foco sobre a prestação de serviços perdura sobre a necessidade de desenvolver relacionamentos de longo-prazo. As organizações ao fortalecerem o relacionamento com os seus clientes conseguem, com maior facilidade, ter acesso a informação que permita adaptar a sua oferta às preferências dos mesmos. Estes recebem produtos e serviços personalizáveis, vêm as suas expectativas superadas e mantêm-se satisfeitos. O presente trabalho consiste num relatório de Estágio para conclusão do Mestrado em Gestão e Estratégia Empresarial. O objetivo do mesmo recai sobre a descrição das atividades realizadas no Departamento de Marketing e Vendas do Grupo Onyria, bem como constatar especificidades e constrangimentos da gestão comercial face às atividades desenvolvidas. Para alcançar o objetivo do Relatório foi fundamental a recolha de informação através de conteúdos documentais, notas retiradas durante o período em que a estagiária esteve presente na entidade acolhedora e informação solicitada durante Entrevista realizada ao Diretor do Departamento.