Elementos: A celebration of earth and human emotions

The purpose of this project was to create and produce the first album for the author’s music and find her artistic style and uniqueness through the process. The concept of it is oriented to celebrate human emotions, arts, and earth, as well as addressing climate change issues in the journey to create awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution because this is one of the artist’s main concerns. The first step was the production of eight songs, each named after one element of nature, followed by the design of the cover art. For the sound design and style, this album mixes tropical beach vibes, warm rhythms, fun pop melodies and electronic synths mixed with organic sounds recorded using recycled waste for example plastic and glass. The author hopes this album will deliver a message of wellness and inspire people to take action against global warming through small changes in their daily life.https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-production-technology/1218/thumbnail.jp

Assessing potential impacts of deep-sea mining on dispersal and population connectivity of the vent mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus

Dissertação de Mestrado, Estudos Integrados dos Oceanos, 19 de Outubro de 2016, Universidade dos Açores.Os campos hidrotermais são caracterizados por serem ambientes únicos, por terem características físico-químicas extremas, assim como composições únicas de espécies biológicas. Bathymodiolus azoricus é um bivalve de mar profundo predominante dos campos hidrotermais ao longo da Crista Médio-Atlântica (CMA). Ainda muito pouco é conhecido sobre a estrutura genética tanto como a existência de conectividade desta espécie. Desse modo, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar escalas e padrões espaciais sobre conectividade entre populações, a fim de prever a suscetibilidade de esta e de outras espécies, uma vez que a área em estudo poderá ser afetada pela mineração. Uma análise à genómica populacional das amostras, que foram recolhidas em três diferentes locais (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow) e foram sujeitas a genotipagem “RAD sequencing” e Polimorfismo de um Único Nucleotídeo (SNPs), destacaram dois aspetos importantes: (1) Quando todos os SNPs foram analisados, nenhuma estrutura genética foi revelada, sugerindo assim que a maioria dos marcadores não contribuem para qualquer estrutura entre amostras populacionais ou simplesmente não são significativas; (2) Quando analisados apenas os conjuntos discriminantes dos marcadores de SNPs, um padrão de estrutura genética foi claramente revelado, correspondendo assim às expectativas de distribuição espacial das amostras. Este estudo proporciona uma contribuição inovadora para a compreensão da estrutura genética nas populações hidrotermais do CMA, fornecendo assim, pela primeira vez, evidências de uma estrutura genética relativa à fauna existente nos campos hidrotermais na zona norte da CMA. Estas observações não são incompatíveis com a conectividade genética pronunciada, e alguns cuidados devem ser tomados em conta quando se sugerem conclusões. Uma possível explicação para este padrão inclui troca larvar insuficiente entre campos hidrotermais, mas também uma adaptação local. Ambos os casos irão, sem dúvida, afetar a conectividade, e assim, ter consequências na recolonização após a mineração. A recolonização em locais de possível impacto por dispersão larval a partir de fontes remotas pode ser possível. A maioria dessas larvas seriam, no entanto, localmente não adaptáveis, o que pode restringir a resposta à seleção, expansão populacional e taxas de recolonização. Mais estudos com um maior número de taxas representativas são necessários, de modo a obter uma perspetiva mais clara da conectividade populacional nos campos hidrotermais. Além disso, existe uma lacuna considerável de conhecimento sobre os mecanismos que influenciam os padrões de conectividade, dificultando o estabelecimento de conclusões. Finalmente, estudos de genética populacional deverão ser acoplados a modelos de dispersão larval, a fim de identificar possíveis barreiras à dispersão.ABSTRACT: Hydrothermal vents are unique environments of extreme physical–chemical characteristics and biological species composition. Bathymodiolus azoricus is a deep-sea Mytilid bivalve that dominates hydrothermal vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Very little is known about the genetic structure and connectivity of this species. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the spatial scales and patterns over which populations are connected, in order to predict how this and other vent species are likely to be affected by SMS mining in the area. A population genomics analysis of samples collected from three MAR vent sites (Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike, Rainbow) using RAD sequencing and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)genotyping highlighted two important aspects: (1) When all SNPs were used no genetic structure was revealed, suggesting that most of the markers do not contribute to any structure among population samples or are simply not informative; (2) when analyzing only the most discriminant sets of SNP markers, a clear pattern of genetic structure was uncovered, corresponding to expectations of the spatial distribution of samples. This study makes a novel contribution to the understanding of genetic structure at hydrothermal vent populations on the MAR, providing, for the first time, evidence of subtle genetic structure of hydrothermal vent fauna along the northern MAR. This observation is not incompatible with pronounced genetic connectivity, and some care must be taken when drawing conclusions. Possible explanations for this pattern include limited larval exchange between vent fields, but also local adaptation. Both scenarios will impact connectivity and thus have consequences for post-mining recolonization. Recolonization of impacted sites by larvae dispersing from remote sources may be possible. Most of these larvae would, however, not be locally adapted, which might constrain the response to selection, population expansion, and ultimately recolonization rates. More studies are needed with as many representative taxa as possible in order to obtain a wider perspective of population connectivity on hydrothermal vents. Moreover, there is a considerable gap in our knowledge of the mechanisms influencing connectivity patterns, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions. Finally, population genetic studies should be coupled with models of larval dispersal in order to identify potential barriers to dispersal.This work was funded by EU’s FP-7 for research, technological development and demonstration under MIDAS Grant Agreement number 603418

Ecotourism: a Tool for Community Development - Panacea or Mere Rhetoric?

The concept of ecotourism has been widely misunderstood and misused. This undermines some of its aims when it is put in practice. In theory, one of the principles of ecotourism is bringing benefits to the local communities at the destination site. Benefiting the local communities, in turn, offers an opportunity for community development of the local populations (particularly in poor countries). But, in practice, as the concept of ecotourism is misused, it has been documented that the local communities have not always been directly involved and have not benefited from ecotourism projects; consequently, community development has also been undermined. The present study aims at gaining a deeper understanding of the concept of ecotourism, as a means to community development, and finding the links between these two concepts. In addition, two case-studies in the Philippines – each case-study composed by a community and a community-based ecotourism initiative- have been analyzed in order to explore the ways in which ecotourism could support community development at the implementation stage, so as to find the correspondence between conceptualization and implementation. From the conceptual analysis, it has been suggested that in theory ecotourism has a great potential as a tool for community development. This is supported by the fact that some principles of ecotourism could lead to the achievement of some of the aims of community development. However, when the concept of ecotourism is put into practice, several limitations are encountered, which undermine the community development aims. This study identifies such opportunities and limitations. Then, it provides recommendations towards a better understanding of the concept of ecotourism, and towards a better implementation to achieve its aims. The model of the tourism value chain is used to illustrate the community-based ecotourism initiatives proposed for the two communities in the Philippines, and to identify the elements needed for a proper implementation of ecotourism

Éveil au langage et à l’écrit dans le préscolaire: un atout pour l’apprentissage des langues tout au long de la vie?

Nous avons comme objectif, dans le cadre de ce texte, de présenter une étude visant à comprendre l’impact d'activités d’éveil aux langues, centrées sur le contact avec différents systèmes d'écriture, sur le développement d'une conscience phonologique plurilingue des enfants du préscolaire. De notre point de vue, le développement de capacités d'ordre métalinguistique et métaphonologique dès le plus jeune âge peut devenir un avantage pour un apprentissage réussi des langues tout au long de la vie.The present study aims at understanding the impact of awakening to languages activities, focusing on the contact with different writing systems, in the development of a plurilingual phonological awareness by preschool children. From our point of view, the development of metalinguistic and metaphonological abilities from an early age may be an advantage for a successful and lifelong learning of languages

From the sounds of languages to the development of a plurilingual phonological awareness: An experimental study with young children

Dans les dernières années, face à la diversité linguistique et culturelle des sociétés actuelles, des chercheurs de différents pays ont expérimenté des activités d’éveil aux langues dans les premières années de scolarité, tout en défendant l’importance de ces mêmes activités sur les capacités métalinguistiques des enfants, ainsi que sur leurs attitudes envers différentes langues, cultures et sujets (Armand, Maraillet et Beck 2003, Candelier et al. 2004). Nous présentons ici les résultats d’un atelier réalisé avec 138 enfants portugais (entre 3 et 8 ans) du préscolaire et de l’école primaire qui ont communiqué avec des chansons en différentes langues, dans des activités de découverte de nouveaux sons et de nouveaux paysages linguistiques. Au-delà du développement des attitudes positives envers la diversité linguistique et culturelle et l’apprentissage des langues en général, les objectifs de l’atelier étaient surtout de développer la conscience phonologique, entendue comme partie de la compétence plurilingue et pluriculturelle (Coste, Moore et Zarate 1997). Nous discuterons ici les résultats de cette étude, dans le sens d’approfondir le rôle de la diversité linguistique dans le développement d’une ‘conscience phonologique plurilingue’, ainsi que dans le sens d’identifier des activités à mettre en place avec des enfants de cet âge

Abordagens plurais nos primeiros anos de escolaridade: reflexões a partir de contextos de intervenção

Tout en cherchant des réponses aux défis qui se placent, aujourd’hui, aux systèmes éducatifs, dans la gestion de multiples diversités, nous voulons dans ce texte réfléchir sur les approches plurielles, notamment sur les possibilités ouvertes par l’éveil aux langues. Les études présentées montrent différentes formes d’éducation des éléves, dès les premières années de scolarité, au plurilinguisme (respect et mise en valeur de l’autre, de ses langues et de ses cultures ; conscience du langage ; compréhension des problèmes du monde), dans un engagement avec le développement durable et l’intercompréhension.Taking into consideration the challenges facing education today, namely the need to deal with the multiple diversities ever more present within the classrooms, it is our goal in this text to reflect upon the possibilities of plural approaches, in particular of the awakening to languages approach, in the first school years. In this sense, we present two studies which show possible ways of educating young children to value and respect Others with their languages and cultures, to become aware and reflect upon language and linguistic diversity, and to understand World issues, in a serious commitment with pluralism, multiculturalism and an education for sustainable development

Let’s save the bees! An environmental activism initiative in elementary school.

Science education research emphasizes the need to engage students in socio-scientific issues, empowering them to act in a substantiated manner. This study aims to understand the potential of a collective action initiative, focused on the decreasing honey production issue, and on the students’ empowerment for action. A qualitative research methodology was used with an interpretative stance. The participants were 26 3rd grade students and their teacher. Data was collected from the students written documents, and through an interview with the teacher. Results show that students’ engagement in collective action focused on the decreasing honey production issue, required them to mobilize their scientific knowledge to support their actions, as well as the development of several other competences. Students also became aware of the importance, for every citizen, to substantiate their knowledge in order to act, that acting is crucial to overcome issues that may persist and impact future generations, and that only by engaging in action can change take place. Another highlight was the students’ strong engagement in collective action, allowing them to raise awareness this issue in their local community

Implementación de estrategias lúdicas para el desarrollo y fortalecimiento de habilidades sociales en niños y niñas de 9 a 12 años en situación de desplazamiento de la fundación nacional batuta en Arauca

Encuestas; entrevistas, fotografiasLas investigaciones realizadas por (Campo, Ternera & Martínez de Biava, 2009; Elliot, DiPerna, Mroch & Lang, 2004, García Núñez del Arco, 2005) han encontrado sólidas relaciones entre la competencia social en la infancia y el funcionamiento social posterior, Según Del Prette y Del Prette (2008), las habilidades sociales son comportamientos de tipo social disponibles en el repertorio de una persona. El estudio de las habilidades sociales en la infancia está centrado en prevenir dificultades de adaptación y posibilitar el desarrollo de recursos personales en diferentes contextos. El proyecto de implementación de estrategias lúdicas que fomenten y fortalezcan las habilidades sociales en niños y niñas de 9 a 12 años, está dirigido a los estudiantes de la fundación Nacional Batuta del Municipio de Arauca, con la implementación de este proyecto se busca llegar a las vidas de los niños y sus familias de una manera lúdica, diagnosticando la manera como se han formado sus habilidades sociales y como su entorno puede permitir el fortalecimiento de las mismas y el desarrollo correcto mediante actividades lúdicas. En primer lugar se diagnosticará el estado en el cual se encuentran las habilidades sociales en niños y niñas de 9 a 12 años que ha estado expuestos a situaciones traumáticas y violentas para lograr un diseño de actividades que les ayuden a crearlas de una manera funcional y les permitan un desarrollo sano en el ambiente familiar y social en el que ahora se encuentran. Estas actividades se enfocan a educar niños con habilidades sociales como el apego, la empatía, la asertividad, la cooperación, la comunicación, el autocontrol, la resciliencia y la resolución de conflictos, que se desarrollen en un ambiente favorable para sus vidas futuras.Research by (Campo, Veal & Biava Martinez, 2009; Elliot, DiPerna, Mroch & Lang, 2004, Garcia Nunez del Arco, 2005) found strong relationships between social competence in childhood and later social functioning, According the Prette and the Prette (2008), social skills are behaviors of social type available in the repertoire of a person. The study of social skills in childhood is focused on preventing adjustment difficulties and facilitate the development of personal resources in different contexts. The project implementation playful strategies that promote and strengthen social skills in children aged 9-12 years is aimed at students of the National Batuta the Municipality of Arauca foundation, with the implementation of this project it seeks to reach lives of children and their families in a playful way, diagnosing the way they have formed their social skills and how their environment can allow strengthening them and the proper development through play activities. First the state in which they are social skills in children of 9-12 years has been exposed to traumatic and violent to achieve design activities that help them to create them in a functional way and they will diagnose situations allow a healthy development in the family and social environment in which we now are. These activities focus on educating children with social skills such as attachment, empathy, assertiveness, cooperation, communication, self-control, resciliencia and conflict resolution, taking place in a favorable environment for their future lives

Altered cogs of the clock: Insights into the embryonic etiology of spondylocostal dysostosis

Spondylocostal dysostosis (SCDO) is a rare heritable congenital condition, characterized by multiple severe malformations of the vertebrae and ribs. Great advances were made in the last decades at the clinical level, by identifying the genetic mutations underlying the different forms of the disease. These were matched by extraordinary findings in the Developmental Biology field, which elucidated the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in embryo body segmentation into the precursors of the axial skeleton. Of particular relevance was the discovery of the somitogenesis molecular clock that controls the progression of somite boundary formation over time. An overview of these concepts is presented, including the evidence obtained from animal models on the embryonic origins of the mutant-dependent disease. Evidence of an environmental contribution to the severity of the disease is discussed. Finally, a brief reference is made to emerging in vitro models of human somitogenesis which are being employed to model the molecular and cellular events occurring in SCDO. These represent great promise for understanding this and other human diseases and for the development of more efficient therapeutic approaches.PTDC/BEX-BID/5410/2014, SFRH/BD/146043/2019, UID/BIM/04773/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio