1,448 research outputs found

    Relatório final de estágio realizado na Escola Básica Integrada Rainha Dona Leonor de Lencastre no ano lectivo 2009/2010

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    Mestrado no Ensino da Educação Física nos Ensinos Básico e Secundário.Este trabalho pretende constituir uma reflexão factual, crítica e projectiva sobre as práticas decorrentes do Estágio Pedagógico do Mestrado em Educação Física nos Ensinos Básico e Secundário, realizadas na Escola Básica Integrada Rainha Dona Leonor de Lencastre, durante o ano lectivo 2009/2010. O presente documento decorre assim de uma análise do processo de ensino-aprendizagem desenvolvido durante o Estágio Pedagógico, centrando-se em cada uma das quatro áreas de intervenção que o definem, com o propósito de relatar os acontecimentos mais relevantes, ocorridos durante o processo de estágio. Posto isto, o conteúdo deste documento constitui-se na forma de relatório final de estágio, contendo tanto os aspectos físicos como demográficos do contexto onde se inseriu a prática pedagógica do professor estagiário, bem como uma reflexão descritiva e reflexiva que, de forma integrada e suportada no conhecimento empírico e cientifico do professor, pretende desenvolver linhas orientadoras para a futura profissão do estagiário na área das ciências da educação

    Concept study of an implantable microsystem for electrical resistance and temperature measurements in dairy cows, suitable for estrus detection

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    In cattle breeding industry, where artificial insemination techniques are employed, the successful detection of estrus onset leads to considerable cost-saving in herd management. One of the most reliable approaches is based on the determination of progesterone concentration in milk. However, these methods rely on the biosensor concept where a biological substrate is used in a chemical-binding reaction to directly or indirectly produce some effect (electrical or light) that is used at the transducer level. These methods present several drawbacks concerning real-time measurements due to the complexity of the reactions involved and reagent/waste handling. Another approach is to combine measurements of temperature and electrical resistance of reproductive tissues to predict estrus. Using a low-power microsystem with wireless capabilities it is possible to take these measurements in situ and more frequently. The proposed microsystem comprises a second-order delta–sigma modulator for analog-to-digital conversion and a class-E radio-frequency (RF) transmitter operating in the ISM-band of 433MHz to transfer acquired data to a collar. Electrical resistance is measured by using a modifiedWenner array and temperature by the on-chip temperature sensor. System (including battery and antenna) package is made of a tissue-compatible material to allow implantation in the cow’s vulvar muscle. Since estrus prediction is based on relative changes of the two correlated parameters, calibration is not necessary. Some preliminary results regarding the measuring concept are presented

    The selective COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib reduces acute inflammatory markers in a model of neurogenic laryngitis but loses its efficacy with prolonged treatment

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    The selective COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib reduces acute inflammatory markers in a model of neurogenic laryngitis but loses its efficacy with prolonged treatment.OBJECTIVE: A randomised experimental study was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor in neurogenic laryngitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar Han rats were subjected to the nasogastric intubation model (NGI) of laryngitis for 1 and 2 weeks. The NGI animals were divided into three groups: (1) treated with COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib, (2) vehicle and (3) non-intubated animals. A fourth group of animals was submitted to NGI only. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) fibre-immunoreactivity (IR) and quantification of COX-2 positive cells through stereological analysis. The expression of COX-2, interleukins IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined by quantitative real time QRT-PCR. TREATMENT: Etoricoxib (6 mg/kg/day) was prepared in 0.9% sterile saline with 5% glucose (vehicle) and administered daily during 1 or 2 weeks. RESULTS: Treatment for 1 week with Etoricoxib attenuated the CGRP-IR fibre depletion, the COX-2-IR increased cell number and the TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA increased levels induced by NGI. Two weeks of treatment had no beneficial effect. CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib is effective in neurogenic laryngitis for limited periods of administration, indicating that selective COX-2 inhibitors should be evaluated in the future.This study was supported by Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian Project No 74551 and Fundacao Grunenthal (Portugal)

    A new model of laryngitis: neuropeptide, cyclooxygenase, and cytokine profile

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    Objectives/Hypothesis: To develop and characterize a new model of laryngeal inflammation by analyzing the presence of neurogenic peptides and expression of cyclooxygenases (COX) and cytokines in the mucosa.Study Design: Laryngitis induced by nasogastric intubation (NGI) was evaluated by histopathologic changes of the mucosa, alterations in calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) neuropeptides in sensory fibers, and COX-1,2, and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) expression in the laryngeal mucosa.Methods: Rats submitted to NGI for 1 to 5 weeks were compared with controls. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for stereologic analysis of SP and CGRP fiber density and number of mucosal cells expressing COX-2. Alterations in inflammatory mediators were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Results: NGI induced metaplasia of the epithelium and narrowing of the laryngeal lumen because of hypertrophy of laryngeal glandules and edema. An initial decrease in CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive fibers in the laryngeal mucosa (1-3 wk) was reverted with time (5 wk). COX-2 expression in mucosal cells increased progressively, reaching a maximum level at 5 weeks, and was observed in mononuclear immune cells, which is indicative of a chronic inflammatory process. In regard to mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, TNF-alpha was increased during the 5 week NGI, and IL-10 decreased during the 5 weeks,whereas IL-beta, IL-6, and COX-2 increased in the first 1 to 2 weeks and returned to baseline at 5 weeks.Conclusions: This NGI model results in laryngeal chronic inflammation without direct mechanical aggression of the mucosa and may contribute to the study of future therapeutic approaches to this pathology.FEDERFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTI/NSE/46399/2002Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian - projecto nº 7455

    Comparison of the whole slide imaging and conventional light microscopy in the grading of oral epithelial dysplasia:a multi-institutional study

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    Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) is an alternative method to light microscopy (LM). However, few studies have compared the diagnostic agreement between WSI and LM, especially to grade oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variability in grading OED by the World Health Organization grading system, using WSI and conventional LM, and to investigate whether the access to clinical information, and psychologic or physical states of the pathologists could interfere with the diagnosis. eleven experienced pathologists from seven Brazilian universities independently evaluated twenty-five OED cases. The analyses were performed in duplicate for each method, with an interval of at least 30 days, and the time consumed in each analysis was measured. Physical and psychologic states were evaluated by blood pressure levels, heart rate and two questionnaires: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale. Clinical information was provided after the second evaluation using WSI and the pathologist could change their diagnostic decision or not. LM showed a higher inter-examiner agreement (k=0.53) than WSI (k=0.45) and a smaller time consumed by the pathologists (mean of 65.53 seconds compared to 91.02 seconds in WSI). In the first analysis using conventional microscopy, there was a positive correlation between kappa values and anxiety (r=0.47, p=0.02), and stress (r=0.64, p<0.01), and an inverse correlation with heart rate (r=-0.48, p=0.02). In the digital analysis, there was also a positive correlation between kappa values and anxiety (r=0.75, p<0.001). After clinical information was given, there was a slight change in 11.3% of the cases, and a great discrepancy in 1.1% of the cases, mainly increasing the OED grade. both microscopy systems had similar results, although LM had slightly higher kappa values, and WSI was more time consuming

    Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates matrisome signature and impacts cell behavior on MSC-engineered extracellular matrices

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    BACKGROUND: The vast and promising class of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been under investigation for distinct therapeutic applications. Nevertheless, their role as molecular drivers of bone regeneration remains poorly studied. The lncRNA H19 mediates osteogenic differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) through the control of intracellular pathways. However, the effect of H19 on the extracellular matrix (ECM) components is still largely unknown. This research study was designed to decode the H19-mediated ECM regulatory network, and to reveal how the decellularized siH19-engineered matrices influence MSC proliferation and fate. This is particularly relevant for diseases in which the ECM regulation and remodeling processes are disrupted, such as osteoporosis. METHODS: Mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics analysis was used to identify ECM components, after oligonucleotides delivery to osteoporosis-derived hMSCs. Moreover, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis assays were performed. Engineered matrices were decellularized, characterized by atomic force microscopy and repopulated with hMSC and pre-adipocytes. Clinical bone samples were characterized by histomorphometry analysis. RESULTS: Our study provides an in-depth proteome-wide and matrisome-specific analysis of the ECM proteins controlled by the lncRNA H19. Using bone marrow-isolated MSC from patients with osteoporosis, we identified fibrillin-1 (FBN1), vitronectin (VTN) and collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), among others, as having different pattern levels following H19 silencing. Decellularized siH19-engineered matrices are less dense and have a decreased collagen content compared with control matrices. Repopulation with naïve MSCs promotes a shift towards the adipogenic lineage in detriment of the osteogenic lineage and inhibits proliferation. In pre-adipocytes, these siH19-matrices enhance lipid droplets formation. Mechanistically, H19 is targeted by miR-29c, whose expression is decreased in osteoporotic bone clinical samples. Accordingly, miR-29c impacts MSC proliferation and collagen production, but does not influence ALP staining or mineralization, revealing that H19 silencing and miR-29c mimics have complementary but not overlapping functions. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest H19 as a therapeutic target to engineer the bone ECM and to control cell behavior.publishersversionpublishe

    Educational approach for fault detection in Internal Combustion Engines with Matlab Toolbox Fuzzy Logic

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    Fuzzy logic is the logic defined from the theory of fuzzy sets. It differs from the crisp logic (traditional) in their characteristics and their details. In textbooks on fuzzy inference systems, exemplified superficially implementation creating doubts among computer science students. Traditionally, teachers teach IC with the use of conceptual models. This model was to serve specified parameters computing courses, allowing students to study and development of computational models using Matlab Fuzzy Logic Toolbox (MFLT) for fault detection in engines. This paper proposes an academic learning model based on fuzzy inference and modeling to detect incipient faults in components of internal combustion engines

    A adequabilidade climática ao mosquito vector da malária, Anopheles atroparvus, em cenários climáticos futuros

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    Este trabalho pretende modelar espaços climáticos futuros para um dos principais vectores de malária conhecidos no Continente Europeu, Anopheles atroparvus. Para tal, procedeu-se à aplicação de modelos estatísticos, calibrados com a distribuição actual da espécie, sobre variáveis climáticas representativas de quatro cenários climáticos futuros. Os resultados obtidos revelam a tendência para novos extremos climáticos em várias áreas onde a espécie ocorre actualmente, aos quais está associado um grau de incerteza elevado quanto à variação da adequabilidade à espécie. Ainda assim, para as restantes áreas da Europa reconhece-se uma tendência geral para o aumento de valores de adequabilidade climática, tal como a sua subida em latitude.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Using blockchain technology for implementation of an android graphics simulation application

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    The Blockchain technology can be used for many purposes on the web, the main one being the financial branch, having in mind the present article clearly presents the technology concepts behind Bitcoin called Blockchain and is shown throughout the work to implementation of a mobile application developed in the Android platform, where it makes use of blockchain to simulate the operation of its own, being a practical guide to blockchain, can be used to teach technology to lay visually, the tool uses principles such as hash function, chain of blocks, consensus algorithm among others that are linked to the technology of crypto coin

    Association of organized physical activity and levels of cardiorespiratory fitness with indicators of mental health in children

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    To verify the associations between organized physical activity out of school (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with indicators of mental health in children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 226 students (47% girls) of public school in the south of Brazil aged between 6 to 11 years-old (8.36 ± 1.46). The cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by running and walking-test in six minutes, following the procedures of the “Brazil Sports Project”. PA was evaluated through a question and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire assessed mental health indicators. Generalized linear regressions were used with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Total difficulties (β = 2.691; 95%CI, 0.181 to 5.200) and emotional symptoms (β = 1.528; 95%CI, 0.609 to 2.448) were inversely associated with PA. Total difficulties (β = -0.013; 95%CI, -0.022 to -0.003), hyperactivity/attention deficit (β = -0.002; 95%CI, -0.010 to -0.002), and peer relationship problems (β = -0.002; 95%CI, -0.003 to -0.001) were associated with CRF in boys. Conclusion: A total of difficulties and emotional problems presented an inverse association with PA. Further, CRF was inversely associated with total difficulties, hyperactivity-inattention, and peer relationship problems
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