Managing personal learning environments: the voice of the students

The main purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the kind of educational work to be done with higher education students (undergraduate) in order to encourage them to create and use personal learning environments (PLEs) as a strategy for learning (Attwell, 2007). Based on our current classroom work with students of the 2nd year of a degree in Education and mainly using the functionalities of the Ning system (Copyright © 2010 Ning, Inc.), as well as other tools available on the Internet, we tried to implement a strategy based not only on the presentation of content by the teacher, but also on the recognition of the importance of student’s leadership in the organisation and management of their own learning. Therefore, in addition to face-to-face lectures, we tried to extend the discussion outside the classroom walls using the different services offered by Ning, proposing to integrate the work done by students in their individual evaluation (50% of the final classification). At the end of the semester we observed evidence of a general difficulty felt by the students, particularly in terms of self-regulation and personal organisation. So we decided to try to understand the problem observed in depth. For the purpose of understanding the nature and the extent of these difficulties, we used a methodology focused on analysis of a questionnaire applied to the students about their perception of the difficulties in managing the learning process and about the strategies used for dealing with those difficulties. Although the students acknowledge that the development of the individual online portfolio in a PLE requires that, for the most part, largely they themselves have to get organised and manage of their own learning (Barrett, 2000; Attwell, 2007), one can see that they do not feel prepared for this, experiencing difficulties in personal organisation, time management and regular participation in the proposed activities. In strategic terms, they value the appraisals and/or suggestions given by the teachers, but do not adopt an attitude of reflection or interaction and sharing with others, as catered for by the platform and its functionalities

Technologies may help thinking

The objective of teachers’ personal and professional development is an excellent reason to reflect upon the innovation issues in education and a rare opportunity to implement the use of portfolios in the teaching practices. The most recent developments of digital technologies allow experiencing new organisational and knowledge building that state the diversity and multiplicity of purposes, both alone and as a group. From the reflection on these two aspects comes up the present proposal for the analysis and evaluation of the technologies which may easily be accessed by the educational community and may be used in the process of electronic portfolios building. In what teachers are concerned the use of portfolios can become a powerful means helping the change of the educational practices (Cardoso, Peixoto, Serrano and Moreira, 1996) if it is adopted as a metacognitive and reflexive strategy about teaching about them (Galvão, 2005). However there is a lack of information about what portfolios are, which technologies can be used, how they are prepared and how to take advantage of them. All these questions point out to the need of a specific training in this field. Accordingly, this chapter especially aims at helping teachers in that process, providing an analysis and evaluation technologies grid based on their pedagogical potentialities for the building of digital portfolios

Produtos de alto valor em macroalgas: lípidos como compostos bioactivos

Doutoramento em Química SustentávelMarine macroalgae are considered to be interesting for food in Western countries and an important supply of novel natural bioactive compounds. Among these are polar lipids such as glycolipids, betaine lipids and phospholipids recognized as high valued lipids for nutrition and as functional ingredient with recognized health benefits. Its biosynthesis depends on several environmental factors such as seasonality, nutrition and habitat, increasing the structural complexity of macroalga lipidome, so that its identification is a current challenge. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a promising tool successfully applied in the study of lipidomic signature of distinct organisms, which can be extended to identify the hundreds of species in the lipidome of macroalgae, and allow them to finally be explored as potential source of lipids. In this work we aim to identify the lipidome of macroalgae representative of Chlorophyta (Codium tomentosum), Rhodophyta (Gracilaria sp. and Porphyra dioica) and Ochrophyta (Fucus vesiculosus). These algae thrive in the Portuguese coast but are recently being cultivated on an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system (IMTA). The characterization of the lipidome will be performed by using mass spectrometry analysis tools coupled to chromatographic methods. We aim to evaluate the bioactive properties of the polar lipids from macroalgae fostering the potential application of these compounds in function of its biological properties as anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative/antitumor agents. The main goals of this project were achieved after the characterization by using HILIC–MS and MS/MS approaches of the lipid extracts carrying on different extraction protocols. The results of this study allowed to identify about 238 molecular species distributed by twelve classes in the macroalgae Codium tomentosum, 147 molecular species in fourteen classes in Gracilaria sp., 110 molecular species in fourteen classes in Porphyra dioica and 181 molecular species distributed by seventeen classes in Fucus vesiculosus. Overall, the lipidome of these macroalgae included GLs monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) and its lyso-form (SQMG); phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lyso-PC, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), lyso-PG (LPG), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and betaines (diacylglyceryl trimethyl-homoserine, DGTS). Green macroalgae may be differentiated by the predominance of molecular species including C16 – C20, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as 16:3, 18:3 and 20:5 from n-3 FA family. It contains several molecular species belonging to GLs and betaines including monoacylglyceryl trimethylhomoserine (MGTS), never reported before in the lipidome of macroalga. Red macroalgae are differentiated by molecular species that incorporate C20 FA chains of n-3 and n-6 families, mainly reflected on the composition of GLs.As macroalgas vermelhas diferenciam-se pelo elevado número de espécies moleculares que incluem cadeias de ácidos gordos C20 da família n-3 e n-6, principalmente na composição dos GLs, e pela presença das classes fosfatidiletanolamina (PE) e inositolfosfoceramida (IPC), apenas identificada nestas algas, pelo que podem ser consideradas um biomarcador deste filo. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a variação na assinatura lipidómica em duas fases do ciclo de vida (gametófita e esporófita) tomando como alga de estudo a Porphyra dioica. Os resultados obtidos indicaram variações a nível molecular nas classes PC, PA, PE e PG. Em ambas as fases não se observam variações na assinatura dos GLs. O estudo do perfil em ácidos gordos desta alga mostrou que ambas as fases contêm ácidos gordos do tipo 20:4(n-6) e 20:5(n- 3), pelo que apresentam elevado valor nutricional. Na composição da macroalga castanha Fucus vesiculosus, as espécies moleculares combinam diversos ácidos gordos polinsaturados com 18 e 20 átomos de carbono da família n-3 (18:3, 18:4 e 20:5), e 20:4 da família n-6. As algas castanhas apresentam várias espécies moleculares na categoria das betaínas nomeadamente a classe diacilglicerol trimetil-β-alanina (DGTA) e a sua forma liso MGTA, identificada pela primeira vez no lipidoma de macroalgas, ambas não detetadas no lipidoma dos restantes filo. O efeito da sazonalidade na variação da assinatura lipidómica foi estudado para a Fucus vesiculosus colhida em duas estações do ano: inverno e primavera. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o lipidoma desta macroalga mantém o mesmo número de espécies moleculares em todas as classes de lípidos polares, observando-se um aumento da abundância relativa das espécies moleculares que combinam ácidos gordos polinsaturados C18 e C20 (18:3, 18:4, 20:4 e 20:5), em especial nas categorias GLs e betaínas na macroalga de inverno. Assim, podemos concluir que a sazonalidade tem efeito no lipidoma, manifestado pelo aumento de ácidos gordos incorporados nos lípidos polares na macroalga de inverno, muito benéfico em termos nutricionais. Quanto à bioprospecção, avaliaram-se as atividades antiinflamatória e antiproliferativa do extrato lipídico total da macroalga Gracilaria sp.. A atividade anti-inflamatória foi avaliada pela capacidade de inibição dos extratos na produção de NO em macrófagos RAW 264.7 estimulados com o lipopolissacarídeo bacteriano e a atividade anti proliferativa foi testada quanto à capacidade inibitória na proliferação de células T-47D, originadas a partir de um carcinoma ductal humano (cancro da mama) e de células 5637 originadas a partir do carcinoma humano da bexiga. Os extratos totais demonstraram atividade anti-inflamatória e antiproliferativa, pelo que se avaliou o efeito do extrato rico em glicolípidos e a capacidade inibitória na proliferação de células T-47D, verificando-se uma capacidade inibitória da mesma ordem obtida para o extrato total, pelo que poderão ter particular interesse como fitoquímicos. Assim, os resultados obtidos podem contribuir para a valorização das macroalgas como fonte natural e renovável de alimentos, tendo em consideração o valor nutricional como fonte de ácidos gordos n-3 e n-6, e de compostos bioativos a ser utilizados como ingredientes funcionais, fitoquímicos e noutras potenciais aplicações na indústria alimentar e farmacêutica

Diagnostic performance of visual screening tests in the elderly

The aging of Portuguese population is characterized by an increase of individuals aged older than 65 years. Preventable visual loss in older persons is an important public health problem. Tests used for vision screening should have a high degree of diagnostic validity confirmed by means of clinical trials. The primary aim of a screening program is the early detection of visual diseases. Between 20% and 50% of older people in the UK have undetected reduced vision and in most cases is correctable. Elderly patients do not receive a systematic eye examination unless a problem arises with their glasses or suspicion vision loss. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of visual screening tests for detecting vision loss in elderly. Furthermore, it pretends to define the ability to find the subjects affected with vision loss as positive and the subjects not affected with the same disease as negative. The ideal vision screening method should have high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of risk factors. It should be also low cost and easy to implement in all geographic and socioeconomic regions. Sensitivity is the ability of an examination to identify the presence of a given disease and specificity is the ability of the examination to identify the absence of a given disease. It was not an aim of this study to detect abnormalities that affect visual acuity. The aim of this study was to find out what´s the best test for the identification of any vision loss

Parental predictors of poor visual outcome with occlusion treatment for unilateral amblyopia

Aim: Visual acuity outcome of amblyopia treatment depends on the compliance. This study aimed to determine parental predictors of poor visual outcome with occlusion treatment in unilateral amblyopia and identify the relationship between occlusion recommendations and the patient's actual dose of occlusion reported by the parents. Methods: This study comprised three phases: refractive adaptation for a period of 18 weeks after spectacle correction; occlusion of 3 to 6 hours per day during a period of 6 months; questionnaire administration and completion by parents. Visual acuity as assessed using the Sheridan-Gardiner singles or Snellen acuity chart was used as a measure of visual outcome. Correlation analysis was used to describe the strength and direction of two variables: prescribed occlusion reported by the doctor and actual dose reported by parents. A logistic binary model was adjusted using the following variables: severity, vulnerability, self-efficacy, behaviour intentions, perceived efficacy and treatment barriers, parents' and childrens' age, and parents' level of education. Results: The study included 100 parents (mean age 38.9 years, SD approx 9.2) of 100 children (mean age 6.3 years, SD approx 2.4) with amblyopia. Twenty-eight percent of children had no improvement in visual acuity. The results showed a positive mild correlation (kappa = 0.54) between the prescribed occlusion and actual dose reported by parents. Three predictors for poor visual outcome with occlusion were identified: parents' level of education (OR = 9.28; 95%CI 1.32-65.41); treatment barriers (OR = 2.75; 95%CI 1.22-6.20); interaction between severity and vulnerability (OR = 3.64; 95%CI 1.21-10.93). Severity (OR = 0.07; 95%CI 0.00-0.72) and vulnerability (OR = 0.06; 95%CI 0.05-0.74) when considered in isolation were identified as protective factors. Conclusions: Parents frequently do not use the correct dosage of occlusion as recommended. Parents' educational level and awareness of treatment barriers were predictors of poor visual outcome. Lower levels of education represented a 9-times higher risk of having a poor visual outcome with occlusion treatment

Factors influencing amblyopia rehabilitation in occlusive therapy

Amblyopia develops in an early period and is a decrease of visual acuity (unilateral or bilateral) caused by a deprivation of vision or abnormal binocular interaction. Prognosis of Amblyopia is better when occlusive treatment is implemented in an early stage. Visual acuity of amblyopic eye does not improve without effective occlusive therapy. The aim of this study is to identify potential risk factors of noncompliance with treatment when it is implemented by parents in amblyopic children

Contributo para a validação da escala de avaliação de competências dos ortoptistas no rastreio visual infantil

Neste estudo de investigação foi analisada a estrutura factorial do questionário de “Competências dos Ortoptistas no Rastreio Visual Infantil - CORVI” e construída uma escala de avaliação de competências no rastreio visual infantil. Questionário CORVI é um questionário específico de autopreenchimento constituído por 47 itens, apresentados sob a forma de afirmações, agrupados por 3 dimensões analíticas de análise adaptadas do Tuning Educacional Structures in Europe (2004): competências sistémicas, competências interpessoais e competências instrumentais. Os itens que o constituem permitem identificar a percepção dos inquiridos sobre as competências que consideram possuir para a prática profissional do rastreio visual infantil. Este questionário foi submetido a validação facial e a pré-teste. A consistência interna foi analisada com recurso à Reliability Analysis com análise do índice alpha de Cronbach (α). Obtiveram-se bons valores de consistência interna para todas as dimensões de análise “Competências Sistémicas” (α = 0,916), “Competências Interpessoais” (α = 0,949) e “Competências Instrumentais” (α = 0,892)

Risk factors for non compliance using occlusive therapy: a case study

Purpose: compliance with treatment is a common problem when treating amblyopic patients. Visual acuity of amblyopic eye does not improve without effective occlusive therapy. The aim of this study is to identify potential risk factors of non-compliance with treatment when it is implemented by family in amblyopic children. Setting: a quantitative transversal study was performed in a public hospital and in a private clinic in Lisbon

Occurrence of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and/or carbapenemases in portuguese long-term care facilities

Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing bacteria are widespread in hospitals, but the extent of this problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is poorly understood. We aimed to elucidate, in the Portuguese regional clinical context, the relevance of LTCFs as a reservoir of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. producing ESBL- and/or carbapenemases (Ec/Kp-ESBL/CARB). Fourteen LTCFs from Portugal, corresponding to units of convalescence (UC/n = 3), medium-term internment and rehabilitation (UMDR/ n = 5), or long-term internment and maintenance (ULDM/n = 6), were analyzed (2016–2019). All patients with Ec/Kp-ESBL/CARB infections acquired during LTCF stay were included, and detailed information was collected. Prevalence of patients with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by Ec/Kp-ESBL/CARB did not vary significantly over time (1.48% in 2016–2017, 1.89% in 2017–2018, and 1.90% in 2018–2019), but a statistically significant association with the LTCF typology (ULDM, UMDR) was observed. HAIs were caused by K. pneumoniae (n = 51/54.3%), E. coli (n = 41/43.6%), or both (n = 2/2.1%), producing ESBL (96%) or carbapenemases (4%). Prior colonization (n = 14/16%) corresponded to seven Kp-CARB and seven Ec/Kp-ESBL. The worrying prevalence of patients acquiring HAIs by Ec/Kp-ESBL/CARB, associated with the estimated rates of those already colonized at admission, highlights a relevant role for LTCFs as a reservoir of Ec/Kp-ESBL/CARB. Epidemiological surveillance should be extended to the national level, and colonization screening at LTCF admission implemented systematically.This research received no external funding