Digital technologies, teacher training and teaching practices

This article presents the research results involving teacher training in the era of cyberculture and its interrelation with knowledge, skills and attitudes by teachers in an educational context influenced by the use of Digital Technologies (DTs). The discussion advanced here results from a qualitative investigation, consisting of a case study, with data collected from semi-structured interviews with teachers of courses with a hybrid approach, in the setting of a non-profit university in the south of Brazil. To analyze the data, we used a methodology associated to discourse textual analysis. This investigation provided an understanding of the competencies evidenced by teachers who engage in good teaching practices with DTs, resulting in elements that allow us to reflect on planning educational actions in the scope of the academic/professional development of working professors. Four major competencies were identified as the object of reflection: digital fluency, teaching practice, planning and pedagogical intervention. In this article, we discuss the developments of digital fluency, for understanding its contribution to teachers that wish to use/create teaching practices with DTs, based on their experiences and those of their peers. The subjects interviewed in this study demonstrated a heightened level of familiarity regarding the use of technologies, but had limited training with respect to their didactic-methodological aspects. The results provided us with indicators to reflect on the organization of strategically-prepared training spaces so that the faculty can experiment, test, discuss and exchange experiences regarding teaching activities to include in their practices with the use of DTs.Este artigo apresenta os resultados de pesquisa envolvendo a formação docente em tempos de cibercultura e sua inter-relação com conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes para atuação de professores no cenário educacional influenciado pelo uso de Tecnologias Digitais (TDs). A discussão aqui proposta é resultante de uma pesquisa qualitativa, apoiada por um estudo de caso, com dados coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, no cenário de uma universidade comunitária no sul do Brasil, tendo como sujeitos os docentes que ministram disciplinas com abordagem semipresencial. Utilizou-se, para realizar a análise dos dados, uma metodologia associada à análise textual discursiva. A investigação possibilitou compreender as competências evidenciadas pelos docentes que empreendem boas práticas pedagógicas com TDs, resultando em elementos que nos permitem refletir acerca do planejamento de ações formativas no âmbito do desenvolvimento acadêmico/ profissional de professores em serviço. Foram identificadas quatro grandes competências a serem objeto de reflexão: fluência digital, prática pedagógica, planejamento e mediação pedagógica. Neste artigo, discutimos os desdobramentos da fluência digital, por entender sua contribuição para docentes que desejam utilizar/criar práticas pedagógicas com TDs, a partir de suas experiências e das de seus pares. Os sujeitos entrevistados no estudo demostraram um nível de familiaridade diferenciado quanto ao uso de tecnologias, mas evidenciaram restrições na sua formação no que tange a aspectos didático-metodológicos. Os resultados forneceram-nos indicadores para refletirmos a respeito da organização de espaços de formação estrategicamente pensados para que o corpo docente experimente, teste, discuta e troque experiências acerca das possibilidades didáticas para compor suas práticas com uso de TDs

Botanical origin, microbiological quality and physicochemical composition of the Melipona scutellaris pot-pollen (“samburá”) from Bahia (Brazil) Region

Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 is of economic importance for local beekeepers, besides its relevance in the pollination of native plant species of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Currently, data on the use of floral resources by Meliponini colonies are scarce, particularly in urban environments. We evaluated the botanical origin, the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of pollen stored by M. scutellaris in colonies in an urban environment. The samples (n = 44) were obtained from the metropolitan region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, a region of intense urban and industrial activities. We identified 52 pollen types belonging to 21 botanical families. The botanical families Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, and Anacardiaceae represented most pollen types. Aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria, Bacillus spp., molds and yeasts, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, and Salmonella spp. were not found in the samples. We identified and quantified fatty acids with carbon numbers varying from C4 to C20. For the physicochemical parameters, the following variations were verified: moisture (47.3% to 55.70%), ash (3.45% to 5.90%), protein (10.19 to 24.02%), pH (3.28 to 3.99), acidity (237.20 to 557.10 meq/kg), lipids (2.43 to 7.94%), carbohydrates (10.85 to 28.89%) and total energy value (170.60 to 216.99 kcal/100g). Pollen stored (“samburá”) by bees is a complete food and a source of nutrients with therapeutic potential. Pollen stored by M. scutellaris consists of a heterofloral pollen with physicochemical and microbiological qualities, considered safe for human consumption. Moreover, it contains linoleic and linolenic essential fatty acids making it a potential nutraceutical product.This study was financed in part by the “Coordenação de Aperfeic¸oamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil” (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and by the “Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia” (FAPESB) - Finance Code PAM0004/2014. We thank “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq) for the scholarship granted to CALC (No. 305885/2017-0).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Using multi-criteria analysis for smart city assessment

Urban centers have been under a new concept of city. Smart Cities are, in a nutshell, organized communities that feature high communication technology and conscious investments in sustainability, providing dynamic and safe environments. This paper presents a methodology to assess and rank Smart Cities based on a multi-criteria decision-making process. Methodologies that do not consider a pondered approach and filter for specific goals are commonly found in the literature, once there is a great number of criteria involved in these analyses. This work proposes filtering the criteria, considering each specific evaluation and its objectives. Our methodology is based on a multi-criteria analysis and uses AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) to support the process of weights definition and MACBAC (Multi-Attributive Border Approximation Area Comparison) in an application with compensatory characteristics. Through this study, it is possible to conduct the assessment of Smart Cities according to its multiple contexts, viz. its location, decision-makers and the objectives of the analysis. All in all, this research presents novelty related to the organization of the evaluation in accord to the expected resolution and a pondered approach with reduced number of criteria, making the analysis very straightforward.publicad

ANÁLISE DAS REPETIÇÕES MÁXIMAS ESTIMADAS ATRAVÉS DO TESTE DE UMA REPETIÇÃO MÁXIMA

A adequada prescrição do treinamento de força (TF) deve considerar o volume e a intensidade aplicada aos exercícios. Este experimento teve como objetivo verificar o número de repetições máximas (RM) realizadas em quatro exercícios nos percentuais de 60 e 80% de uma repetição máxima (1RM). A amostra foi constituída de 10 homens treinados (29,5 À 5,8 anos; 85,2 À 7,0 kg; 177 À 10 cm) que realizaram o teste de 1RM nos exercícios desenvolvimento (DS), tríceps na testa (TT), supino reto (SR) e rosca bíceps (RB). A análise estatística foi feita através do método descritivo. Os valores na intensidade de 60% de 1RM foram: DS = 15,1 À 3,7 RM; TT = 16,3 À 4,6 RM; SR = 16,9 À 4,7 RM; RB = 11,0 À 2,3 RM, e os valores obtidos na intensidade de 80% de 1RM foram: DS = 7,9 À 2,2 RM; TT = 8,8 À 3,4 RM; SR = 8,2 À 2,9 RM; RB = 5,0 À 2,2 RM. A partir dos resultados apresentados no presente experimento, pode-se observar que nem todos os exercícios e indivíduos apresentam a mesma média de RM para determinada carga. Sendo assim, seria mais adequada a prescrição do TF através de testes submáximos. ANALYSIS OF THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM REPETITIONS THROUGH ONE MAXIMUM REPETITION Abstract: The appropriate prescription of the strength training (ST) should to consider the volume and the applied intensity to the exercises. This experiment had as objective verifies the number of repetitions maximum (RM) accomplished in four exercises in the percentile of 60 and 80% of a one maximum repetition (1RM). The sample was constituted of 10 trained men (29.5 À 5.8 years; 85.2 À 7.0 kg; 177 À 10 cm) accomplished the test of 1RM in the exercises shoulder-press (SP), triceps-extension (TE), bench-press (BP) and biceps-curl (BC). The statistical analysis was made through descriptive method. The values in the intensity of 60% of 1RM were: SP = 15.1 À 3.7 RM; TE = 16.3 À 4.6 RM; BP = 16.9 À 4.7 RM; BC = 11 À 2.3 RM, and the values obtained in the intensity of 80% of 1RM were: SP = 7.9 À 2.2 RM; TE = 8.8 À 3.4 RM; BP = 8.2 À 2.9 RM; BC = 5.0 À 2.2 RM. Starting from the results presented in the present experiment, can be observed that nor all of the exercises and individuals present the same average of RM for certain load. Being like this, it would be more appropriate the prescription of TF through submaximal tests

Efeito-leitor de ciência: a textualização e circulação da ciência em folders sobre transgênicos

Apresentamos a análise de folders sobre alimentos transgênicos de uma empresa multinacional protagonista importante em controvérsias sobre essa temática. As análises se amparam na noção de efeito-leitor, posição de leitura e relação com a ciência que o leitor pode vir a ocupar. Consideramos esse aspecto relevante se se deseja formar leitores de ciência com compreensão da dimensão social da sua produção e circulação. A análise dá visibilidade ao fato de que não apenas nos posicionamos em controvérsias sociocientíficas como já somos posicionados. Ao dar visibilidade a esse processo, de natureza discursiva, buscamos contribuir para pensar a produção de práticas de leitura da ciência na escola como construção de possibilidades de trabalhar com os estudantes as posições que os constituem em relação à ciência. Tratar-se-ia de trabalhar não apenas o conteúdo do texto, mas a textualização desse conteúdo, ou seja, a textualização da ciência. A textualização desses folders representa um exemplo da variedade de textualizações que fazem circular a ciência numa sociedade como a nossa

Chitosan/TPP microparticles obtained by microemulsion method applied in controlled release of heparin

AbstractThis work deals with the preparation of chitosan/tripolyphosphate microparticles (CHT/TPP) using microemulsion system based on water/benzyl alcohol. The morphology of the microparticles was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microparticles were also characterized through infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The morphology and crystallinity of microparticles depended mainly on CHT/TPP ratio. Studies of controlled release of HP were evaluated in distilled water and in simulated gastric fluid. Besides, the profile of HP releasing could be tailored by tuning the CHT/TPP molar ratio. Finally, these prospective results allow the particles to be employed as site-specific HP controlled release system

In Vitro

Stryphnodendron species, popularly named “barbatimão,” are traditionally used in Brazil as anti-inflammatory agents. This study aimed to investigate the effect of barbatimão and 11 other species on the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated THP-1 cells, as well as their anti-arthritis activity. The extracts of Stryphnodendron adstringens, Stryphnodendron obovatum, Campomanesia lineatifolia, and Terminalia glabrescens promoted a concentration-dependent inhibition of TNF-α. Mice injected with LPS in the knee joint were treated per os with fractions from the selected extracts. Both the organic (SAO) and the aqueous (SAA) fractions of S. adstringens promoted a dose-dependent reduction of leukocyte migration and neutrophil accumulation into the joint, but none of them reduced CXCL1 concentration in the periarticular tissue. In contrast, treatment with C. lineatifolia and T. glabrescens fractions did not ameliorate the inflammatory parameters. Analyses of SAO by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) led to the identification of gallic acid along with 11 prodelphinidins, characterized as monomers and dimers of the B-type. Our findings contribute to some extent to corroborating the traditional use of S. adstringens as an anti-inflammatory agent. This activity is probably related to a decrease of leukocyte migration into the inflammatory site. Polyphenols like gallic acid and prodelphinidins, identified in the active fraction, may contribute to the observed activity

The Genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical Malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors ∼100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vector–human and vector–parasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible a