Difficulties inadaptationand academic performance in higher education: ananalysis in terms of vocational preferences and level of education

[Resumo] Assiste-se a urna maior sensibilidade por parte dos investigadores e autoridades académicas com as dificuldades de adaptaçao e de realizaçao dos estudantes do Ensino Superior. Tais dificuldades sao particularmente sentidas junto dos alunos do 10 ano. Um projecto de investigaçao neste dominio decorre na Universidade do Minho. Neste artigo apresentam- se alguns dados descritivos das dificuldades académicas de urna amostra portuguesa de estudantes do Ensino Superior (n=370), tomando-se quer o facto dos estudantes poderem ou nao estarem a frequentar o curso e estabelecimento de ensino correspondente a sua 1ª escolha vocacional, quer o ano escolar em que os estudantes se encontram. Os resultados sugerem que as dificuldades académicas nas áreas avaliadas nao se diferenciam de acordo com as opçoes vocacionais dos estudantes, muito embora algumas diferenzas sao encontradas quando comparamos os alunos dos anos iniciais e terminais do curso superior que frequentam

What's That Object? Learning Astronomical Concepts Through The Use Of The Aladin Program And Manipulation Of Astronomical Images

Various studies have noted current shortcomings in the teaching and learning of science in schools, and the results of large-scale tests show that despite heavy investment in education, Brazilians' understanding of science test scores typically fall short of what could be if students had a consistent, high-quality basic education. This article summarizes the teaching plan and systematic study results for an activity titled "What’s That Object?" implemented in the city of Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil, in 2015. Astronomical concepts were taught, and the Aladin software was used in the lessons, which included two computerized memory games produced for this activity.We believe that the results lend strong support to the notion that astronomy education can be improved and motivates educators to teach astronomical concepts at the elementary school level

Downstream transport processes modulate the effects of environmental heterogeneity on riverine phytoplankton

Environmental heterogeneity (EH) in space and time promotes niche-partition, which leads to high variation in biological communities, such as in algae. In streams, EH is highly related to the intensity of the water flow and may lead to community variation mainly during the low flow conditions. Despite the wide knowledge on the responses of phytoplankton communities to EH in lentic and semi-lentic systems, studies of riverine phytoplankton community variation are still scarce. Here, we first investigated the relationship between phytoplankton community variation and EH in different courses of the river and between seasons. We expected that under low or intermediate flow conditions, there is a positive correlation between community variation and EH. Alternatively, we did not expect any relationship between EH and community variation under high flow condition because stronger downstream transport would mask environmental filtering. We sampled nine sites monthly (May 2012 to April 2013) in a tropical river of Brazilian Southeast. We calculated EH from abiotic data whereas for community variation, here community distinctiveness (CD), we used Sorensen (CDSor) and Bray-Curtis (CDBray) dissimilarities. Differences in EH, CDSor and CDBray were tested at between-season and among-course levels. We found lower distinctiveness during the dry season when EH was the highest. Contrastingly, phytoplankton CD was the highest even when EH was low during the wet season. We found that this pattern raised from the increasing in individuals dispersal during the wet season, promoting mass effects. Finally, our results thus reject the first hypothesis and show a negative relationship between EH and distinctiveness. However, results support our alternative hypothesis and show that during the wet season, distinctiveness is not driven by EH. These results provide new insights into how EH drives community variation, being useful for both basic research about riverine algal communities and biomonitoring programs using phytoplankton communities as bioindicators. (C). 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Responses of Functional and Taxonomic Phytoplankton Diversity to Environmental Gradients in Subtropical and Tropical Reservoirs

Understanding the influence of environmental conditions on biodiversity is a major task in ecology. We investigated how phytoplankton taxonomic (TD) and functional (FD) diversities vary with environmental factors in eight subtropical and tropical reservoirs. We hypothesized that i) environmental variables affect phytoplankton TD and FD; ii) FD provides better relationships to environmental changes than TD, and; iii) indices based on biomass are better related to the environment than those based on identities. The relationships between phytoplankton diversities and environmental drivers were assessed through generalized linear models. Our hypotheses were partly confirmed. TD and FD were, in fact, dependent on the environment, with higher values occurring in warmer, clearer, and more enriched systems, under lower zooplankton grazing pressure; but FD based on identities was not predicted better from environmental conditions than TD based on identities. As expected, indices based on biomass are better related to the environment than their counterpart based on identities

Macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) cake from biodiesel processing: a low-cost substrate to produce lipases from Moniliella spathulata R25L270 with potential application in the oleochemical industry

[Background]: Biodiesel industry wastes were evaluated as supplements for lipase production by Moniliella spathulata R25L270, which is newly identified yeast with great lipolytic potential. Macaúba cake (MC), used for the first time in this work as inducer to produce lipases, and residual oil (RO) were mixed to maximise enzyme production. The lipase secreted was biochemically characterised.[Results]: The best ratio for the mixture (MC:RO) was 0.66:0.34 and the fitted values for lipase activity and total protein concentration were 0.98 U mL−1 and 0.356 mg mL−1, respectively. Maximum activity obtained (2.47 U mL−1) was achieved at 31.5°C and pH 6.7, and the enzyme was stable in this condition. A novel enzyme was purified and identified for the first time by mass spectrometry. The lipase efficiently hydrolysed different natural oils and exhibited selectivity in the production of eicosapentaenoic acid from fish oil.[Conclusion]: The use of MC and RO as a supplement to produce the new lipase from M. spathulata R25L270 may be one alternative for reducing lipase production costs and simultaneously adding value to biodiesel industry residues. The potential application of the lipase in the oleochemical industry was demonstrated by its pH and temperature stabilities and selective hydrolysis.This research was supported by Brazilian agencies: CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), INCT (Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia) de Nanomateriais de Carbono, FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais), Rede Mineira de Toxinas com Ação Terapêutica and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior).Peer reviewe

The Effects of Green Tea Consumption on Cardiometabolic Alterations Induced by Experimental Diabetes

We evaluated cardiac autonomic modulation by heart rate (HRV), and arterial pressure variability (APV), and metabolic response in streptozotocin diabetic rats treated with green tea. Male Wistar rats were separated in groups: control, drinking tap water (C), green tea-treated (GT) group, diabetic, drinking tap water (D), and diabetic, treated with green tea (DGT). Kidney mass was greater in D and DGT than in C and GT, but reduced in DGT compared to D. Green tea prevented the increase in creatinine clearance and reduced hyperglycemia in DGT compared to D. Arterial pressure was increased in GT and decreased in D compared to C. HRV was reduced in D compared with all groups. APV was decreased in D compared to C and recovery in DGT. Sympathetic modulation of APV was decreased in D compared with all groups. Green tea reduced hyperglycemia, prevented renal injury and autonomic dysfunction, suggesting reduced cardiovascular risk and target organ damage in diabetes

Evaluation Model of Virtual Learning Environments: A Pilot Study

Virtual learning environments (VLE) have frequently been used in educational practices, and the evaluation of their effectiveness as instruments to support learning gains must consider several dimensions. This paper presents an evaluation model for VLE, called MA-AVA (Model for the Evaluation of VLE), built after a review of the literature and focused on verifying students\u27 learning gains. The MA-AVA evaluation model was applied in a pilot study to an undergraduate engineering class, using a VLE, Educ-MAS-GA, in the discipline of Analytical Geometry. The results indicate that, although students\u27 perception of learning in VLE is relevant, the knowledge acquired is more subtle and difficult to assess. Therefore, a VLE learning evaluation model should include different dimensions of learning, such as the students’ perceptions and their measures of learning gain

Aids, estigma e desemprego: implicações para os serviços de saúde

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of the stigmatization and discrimination process in the work environment on the routine healthcare and well-being of men living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Qualitative study with 17 men living with HIV, conducted in 2002. Testimonies given in a group to discuss the difficulties concerning discrimination in the work environment were studied, by means of discursive practice analysis. The group, originating from a specialized center for HIV/AIDS treatment in the city of São Paulo, represented a segment of previous research. RESULTS: The discussion among participants pointed out the fact that antiretroviral treatment requires frequent visits to medical assistance services, resulting in absences and delays at work. To show medical certificates to justify absences at work, even without indicating AIDS, can lead to dismissal. Unemployed, many are barred during medical examinations and have their right to confidentiality violated. As a last resource, the request for retirement results in a humiliating or discriminatory scene during the medical inspection. CONCLUSIONS: Assistance planned with the patients' participation enables the broadening of psychosocial attention and the consideration of the needs of both employed and unemployed patients, acknowledging that the stigma limits care, affecting mental health and the evolution of infection. To reduce the effect of stigma and discrimination is something that requires intersectoral political articulation and will contribute to reach goals that are globally recognized as fundamental to control the epidemic.OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito do processo de estigmatização e discriminação no ambiente de trabalho sobre os cuidados cotidianos à saúde e o bem-estar de homens vivendo com HIV/Aids. MÉTODOS: Estudo qualitativo com 17 homens vivendo com HIV, realizado em 2002. Foram estudados os depoimentos em grupo para discutir as dificuldades sobre discriminação no ambiente de trabalho, utilizando análise das práticas discursivas. O grupo, proveniente de centro especializado em HIV/Aids da cidade de São Paulo, representou segmento de pesquisa anterior. RESULTADOS: O debate entre os participantes indicou que o tratamento anti-retroviral exige idas freqüentes aos serviços de assistência médica, que implicam em faltas ou atrasos no trabalho. A apresentação de atestados médicos para justificar ausência no trabalho, mesmo sem indicar Aids, pode resultar em demissão. Desempregados, muitos são barrados nos exames médicos e têm o direito ao sigilo de sua condição violado. Como último recurso, o pedido de aposentadoria implica em cenas de humilhação ou discriminação na perícia médica. CONCLUSÕES: A assistência planejada com o envolvimento dos pacientes consegue ampliar a atenção psicossocial e considerar as necessidades do paciente trabalhador ou desempregado, reconhecendo que o estigma limita o cuidado, afetando a saúde mental e a evolução da infecção. Mitigar o efeito do estigma e da discriminação requer articulação política intersetorial e contribuirá para atingir metas globalmente reconhecidas como fundamentais para o controle da epidemia