ETHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MOTHER-PUP INTERACTIONS AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS IN RATS: EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION AND TACTILE STIMULATION OF THE PUPS

Mother-pup interaction, as well as other behavioral reactions were studied during the lactation period in 24 litters of Wistar rats and their dams fed either a 16% (control - C; 12 litters) or a 6% (malnourished - M; 12 litters) protein diet. The diets were isocaloric. Throughout lactation there was a 36.4% weight loss of M dams and a 63% body weight deficit in the M pups when compared to control pups. During this period, half of the litters were exposed daily to additional tactile stimulation (CS or MS), while the other half were submitted to normal rearing conditions (CN or MN). The tactile stimulation of pups (handling) consisted of holding the animal in one hand and gently touching the dorsal part of the animal's body with the fingers for 3 min. A special camera and a time-lapse video were used to record litter behavior in their home cages. Starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m., on days 3, 6, 12, 15, 18 and 21 of lactation, photos were taken at 4-s intervals. An increase in the frequency (154.88 ± 16.19) and duration (455.86 ± 18.05 min) of suckling was observed throughout the lactation period in all groups compared to birth day (frequency 24.88 ± 2.37 and duration 376.76 ± 21.01 min), but the frequency was higher in the C (84.96 ± 8.52) than in the M group (43.13 ± 4.37); however, the M group (470.2 ± 11.87 min) spent more time suckling as compared with the C group (393.67 ± 13.09 min). The M dams showed a decreased frequency of resting position throughout the lactation period (6.5 ± 2.48) compared to birth day (25.42 ± 7.74). Pups from the C group were more frequently observed separated (73.02 ± 4.38) and interacting (258.99 ± 20.61) more with their mothers than the M pups (separated 66.94 ± 5.5 and interacting 165.72 ± 12.05). Tactile stimulation did not interact with diet condition, showing that the kind of stimulation used in the present study did not lead to recovery from the changes induced by protein malnutrition. The changes in mother-pup interaction produced by protein malnutrition of both may represent retardation in neuromotor development and a higher dependence of the pups on their mothers. These changes may represent an important means of energy saving and heat maintenance in malnourished pups. Keywords: protein malnutrition, tactile stimulation, mother-pup interaction.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROTEIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION ON THE BEHAVIOR OF YOUG RATS TESTED IN THE ELEVATED PLUS-MAZE

The interaction between the effects of different levels of protein malnutrition and environmental stimulation was investigated in young male rats in the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Litters (dam plus 6 male and 2 female pups) were fed a 16% (Control: C), 10% (Malnourished: M10) or 6% (Malnourished: M6) protein diet. Half of the litters were daily exposed to additional stimulation (CS, MS10 or MS6), while the other half was maintained in normal rearing conditions (CN, MN10 or MN6). The stimulation (handling) consisted of holding the rat in one hand and gently touching the dorsal part of the body with the fingers for3 min. On the 22nd day of life (weaning), two male pups from each group were tested in the plus-maze. Two male pups continued to receive the same diet their mothers, and other two were fed a non-purified lab chow diet until 35 days of age when they were tested in the plus-maze (LN, LS, LN10, LS10, LN6 and LS6 groups). Results showed that environmental simulation increased open arms exploration both at 22 and 35 days of age, indicating an anxiolytic effect of this procedure. Younger rats (22 days of age) explored significantly more the open arms of the maze as compared with older rats (35 days of age), indicating an increase in anxiety with age. M6 animals showed significantly higher percentages of open arm entries and less frequent attempts to enter open arms in the maze as compared with C and M10 animals. These results suggest that even a short period of protein deficiency can produce alterations in the emotional response of rats in the elevated plus-maze. In addition, the data demonstrated that protein deficiency more severe than 10% is necessary to produce behavior alterations in the EPM test. Keywords: Age, Anxiety, Environmental stimulation, Impulsiveness, Plus-maze test, Protein malnutrition levels.

Culex quinquefasciatus vitellogenesis: morphological and biochemical aspects

The vitellogenic process in Culex quinquefasciatus, which is triggered by a blood meal, involves the synthesis, distribution and storage of the nutrients necessary for embryo development. The fat body of an adult female Cx. quinquefasciatus revealed two cell types: large trophocytes and small, eosinophilic, "oenocyte-like" cells, which show no morphological changes throughout the gonotrophic cycle. Trophocytes, which only begin to synthesise vitellogenin (Vg) 12 h post-blood meal (PBM), undergo a series of morphological changes following engorgement. These changes include the expansion of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi complex, which are later destroyed by autophagosomes. At 84 h PBM, trophocytes return to their pre-engorgement morphology. The ovarian follicles of non-blood-fed Cx. quinquefasciatus contain a cluster of eight undifferentiated cells surrounded by follicular epithelium. After engorgement, the oocyte membrane facing the perioocytic space increases its absorptive surface by microvilli development; large amounts of Vg and lipids are stored between 24 and 48 h PBM. Along with yolk storage in the oocyte, follicular cells exhibit the development of RER cisternae and electron-dense granules begin to fill the perioocytic space, possibly giving rise to endochorion. Later in the gonotrophic cycle, electron-dense vesicles, which are possible exochorion precursors, fuse at the apical membrane of follicular cells. This fusion is followed by follicular cell degeneration.FAPESPCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Career resources among higher education students: a mixed-methods study

Las universidades han sido cuestionadas por su contribución al desarrollo de la empleabilidad de su alumnado. Este tema es particularmente relevante por la incertidumbre que genera el mercado laboral, especialmente para la juventud, acentuado por la crisis pandémica de la Covid-19. Con este punto de partida, se realiza una conceptualización de los recursos de carrera, configurados por un conjunto de factores que inciden en el desarrollo profesional: los recursos relativos al capital humano, al capital social, psicológicos y los relacionadoscon la identidad. Seguidamente, se establece como propósito de la investigación explorar el desarrollo de los recursos de carrera y analizar la perspectiva del alumnado universitario sobre la contribución de sus estudios para conseguir sus metas profesionales. Para ello se realizó un análisis mixto explicativo secuencial. Se aplicó el cuestionario de recursos de carrera a 339 estudiantes de educación superior de una universidad pública española y se realizaron 18 entrevistas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los recursos de carrera son generalmente trabajados y desarrollados en los estudios universitarios de grado. Asimismo, se han identificado algunas dimensiones que presentan una mayor debilidad, como el conocimiento de las oportunidades de futuro en su entorno próximo; y la conexión entre sus características individuales y las experiencias educativas en el desarrollo de los recursos de carrera. Por tanto, este trabajo contribuye a identificar aquellos recursos profesionales específicos que necesitan una mayor atención en la enseñanza universitaria y supone un punto de partida para continuar la investigación en otras instituciones de educación superior en intervenciones, en términos curriculares, pedagógicos y de orientación para la carrera y poder ampliar el conocimiento en este sentido.Increased attention has been paid to the way Higher Education institutions contribute to the development of graduates’ employability. Such issue is particularly relevant in the light of the current uncertainty experienced in the labour market, particularly among younger people, that was recently exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Building on the career resources framework, which integrates a set of resources that are expected to predict career success, including human capital resources, social capital, psychological resources and career identity resources, this study aims to explore the development of student’s career resources over their graduation courses and students’ perceptions about the contribution of their higher education degree for career success. For this purpose, a mixedmethod explanatory sequential design was conducted. The career resources questionnaire was applied to 339 Spanish higher education students from a public university, and then 18 interviews were conducted. The results obtained allow us to conclude that career resources are generally malleable and developed throughout higher education studies. It is also possible to identify dimensions where students present more fragilities, namely those related to the exploration of knowledge related to future professional opportunities in their surrounding environment, and to establish some relation between individual characteristics and educational experiences and the development of career resources. Thus, this research adds knowledge to the identification of specific career resources that need more attention in higher education programs. Implications from this study are discussed, taking its potential to higher education institutions in interventions, in terms of curriculum, pedagogical and/or career counselling actions

Career Resources among Higher Education Students: a ixed-method Study

[Resumen] Las universidades han sido cuestionadas por su contribución al desarrollo de la empleabilidad de su alumnado. Este tema es particularmente relevante por la incertidumbre que genera el mercado laboral, especialmente para la juventud, acentuado por la crisis pandémica de la Covid-19. Con este punto de partida, se realiza una conceptualización de los recursos de carrera, configurados por un conjunto de factores que inciden en el desarrollo profesional: los recursos relativos al capital humano, al capital social, psicológicos y los relacionados con la identidad. Seguidamente, se establece como propósito de la investigación explorar el desarrollo de los recursos de carrera y analizar la perspectiva del alumnado universitario sobre la contribución de sus estudios para conseguir sus metas profesionales. Para ello se realizó un análisis mixto exploratorio secuencial. Se aplicó el cuestionario de recursos de carrera a 339 estudiantes de educación superior de una universidad pública española y se realizaron 18 entrevistas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los recursos de carrera son generalmente trabajados y desarrollados en los estudios universitarios de grado. Asimismo, se han identificado algunas dimensiones que presentan una mayor debilidad, como el conocimiento de las oportunidades de futuro en su entorno próximo; y la conexión entre sus características individuales y las experiencias educativas en el desarrollo de los recursos de carrera. Por tanto, este trabajo contribuye a identificar aquellos recursos profesionales específicos que necesitan una mayor atención en la enseñanza universitaria y supone un punto de partida para continuar la investigación en otras instituciones de educación superior en intervenciones, en términos curriculares, pedagógicos y de orientación para la carrera y poder ampliar el conocimiento en este sentido.[Abstract] Increased attention has been paid to the way Higher Education institutions contribute to the development of graduates’ employability. Such issue is particularly relevant in the light of the current uncertainty experienced in the labour market, particularly among younger people, that was recently exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Building on the career resources framework, which integrates a set of resources that are expected to predict career success, including human capital resources, social capital, psychological resources and career identity resources, this study aims to explore the development of student’s career resources over their graduation courses and students’ perceptions about the contribution of their higher education degree for career success. For this purpose, a mixed-method explanatory sequential design was conducted. The career resources questionnaire was applied to 339 Spanish higher education students from a public university, and then 18 interviews were conducted. The results obtained allow us to conclude that career resources are generally malleable and developed throughout higher education studies. It is also possible to identify dimensions where students present more fragilities, namely those related to the exploration of knowledge related to future professional opportunities in their surrounding environment, and to establish some relation between individual characteristics and educational experiences and the development of career resources. Thus, this research adds knowledge to the identification of specific career resources that need more attention in higher education programs. Implications from this study are discussed, taking its potential to higher education institutions in interventions, in terms of curriculum, pedagogical and/or career counselling actions.Fundación Portuguesa para la Ciencia y la Tecnología; PTDC/CED-EDG/0122/2020Fundación Portuguesa para la Ciencia y la Tecnología; UIDB/01661/2020Fundación Portuguesa para la Ciencia y la Tecnología; UIDP/01661/202

Double layer SiO2–TiO2 sol–gel thin films on glass for antireflection, antifogging, and UV recoverable self-cleaning

Double layer thin films, mechanically stable and adhering to glass, were produced through the sol–gel process, using tetraethyl orthosilicate and titanium butoxide as precursors. The refractive index of the titania and silica– titania composite layers were typically 2.1 and 1.7, and their physical thicknesses were approximately 65 nm and 81 nm, respectively, as determined by ellipsometry. These optical constants allowed attainment of quarterwave optical thicknesses at the center of the visible spectrum (550 nm) as designed, with an increase of 3.4% in transmittance. The nanometric surface roughness, measured by optical profilometry, was effective to decrease light scattering and water contact angles to below 10◦ . As novelty in dip-coated sol–gel films, superhydrophilicity for self-cleaning, antifogging, and antireflection in the mid-visible spectrum were simultaneously attained with durability of 9 weeks in the dark. Further application of UV light allowed regeneration of contact angles for self-cleaning

Sars-cov-2 and its effects in the first quarter in Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: El nuevo virus SARS-CoV-2 es causante de una enfermedad llamada COVID-19 que puede tornarse grave e incluso mortal. El número de casos y fallecidos reportados y el impacto a nivel socioeconómico dan una idea de la gravedad a nivel global que ha generado el mismo. Al ser un nuevo virus, se desconoce aún varios aspectos de este, por lo que el objetivo de este artículo es resumir los principales descubrimientos en torno a este nuevo virus y analizar los efectos de este en Argentina durante el primer trimestre del año en curso, con énfasis en la tasa de infección, la tasa de mortalidad y los casos recuperados para evaluar si las medidas de aislamiento y protección han sido efectivas. DESARROLLO: Para esto se graficó el número de infectados, número de recuperados y número de fallecidos bajo diferentes enfoques, además de realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre su origen, mecanismo de infección, síntomas, métodos de diagnóstico, tratamiento, vacuna y medidas de atenuación. CONCLUSIÓN: Se concluye que aún quedan muchos vacíos que llenar sobre información de este virus para poder aplicar una solución farmacológica, mientras tanto la recomendación por parte de la Organización Mundial de la Salud y el Ministerio de Salud Argentino es mantener el distanciamiento social y el uso obligatorio de mascarillas._The new SARS-CoV-2 virus causes a disease called COVID-19 that can become serious and even fatal. The number of cases and deaths reported and the impact at the socioeconomic level give an idea of the global severity that it has generated. As it is a new virus, several aspects of it are still unknown, so the objective of this article is to summarize the main discoveries around this new virus and analyze its effects in Argentina during the first quarter of this year. with an emphasis on the infection rate, the mortality rate, and the cases recovered to evaluate whether the isolation and protection measures have been effective.Development_ For this, the number of infected, number of recovered, and number of deceased were plotted under different approaches, in addition to conducting a review of the literature on its origin, infection mechanism, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment, vaccine, and measures of attenuation. Conclusion_It is concluded that there are still many gaps to fill regarding the information on this virus to apply a pharmacological solution, meanwhile the recommendation by the World Health Organization and the Argentine Ministry of Health is to maintain social distancing and the mandatory use of masks_Fil: Terán Peñafiel, Tania Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Layedra Almeida, Andrea Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Luis A.. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Cadena, María Fernanda. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Pérez, Maximiliano S.. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; ArgentinaFil: Lerner, Betiana. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

SAÚDE EM FOCO, ESTIMULANDO A PROMOÇÃO EM SAÚDE

As feiras livres existem no Brasil desde o período colonial se constituem como um local de trocas de saberes, compartilhamento de idéias e costumes. Nesse contexto os feirantes trabalham e também se expõem a vários riscos, que os predispõem a patologias