Developing and validating a competence framework for secondary mathematics student teachers through a Delphi method

Initial teacher education programmes provide student teachers with the desired competences to develop themselves as teachers. Although a generic framework for teaching competences is available covering all school subjects in Spain, the initial teacher education programmes curriculum does not specify which competences secondary mathematics student teachers should acquire during their initial teacher education. This explains why this study aimed at developing and validating a competence framework for secondary mathematics student teachers in Spain. Building on existing models and international frameworks, a preliminary list of competences was drawn up. The validation process was based on a Delphi method. Besides experts expressed their opinions about the formulation of the chosen competences. A comprehensive framework of thirty-three competences for secondary mathematics student teachers could be validated

Diatoms, protein and carbohydrate sediment content as proxies for coastal eutrophication in Montevideo, Rio de la Plata Estuary, Uruguay

Foi realizado um estudo da salinidade e da composição das diatomáceas presentes no sedimento superficial em relação ao conteúdo de proteínas/carboidratos na Baía de Montevidéu e região costeira adjacente. Foram obtidas amostras sazonalmente durante um ano ao longo de um gradiente de impacto ambiental humano, e as condições tróficas foram determinadas através da análise da composição bioquímica da matéria orgânica do sedimento superficial. A coocorrência de espécies de diatomáceas marinhas-salobras, (Actinocyclus curvatulus, Actinocyclus gallicus, Coscinodiscus excentricus, Coscinodiscus radiatus, Hyalodiscus subtilis, Paralia sulcata) e diatomáceas indicadoras de águas doces (Aulacoseira granulata, Aulacoseira italica, Aulacoseira muzzanensis, Actinocyclus normanii, Amphora copulata, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Nitzschia linearis) sugerem condições mixohalinas estuarinas na área de estudo. As estações amostradas dentro da baía, próximas às fontes contaminadoras, apresentam condições hipertróficas apontadas pelos maiores valores de proteínas e pela alta abundância relativa de Actinocyclus normanii e Cyclotella meneghiniana, sendo que ambas espécies são consideradas cosmopolitas e indicadoras de degradação aquática. As concentrações de proteínas e carboidratos, bem como os pigmentos fotossintéticos registrados na região costeira adjacente sugerem condições meso-eutróficas e uma diluição dos níveis de contaminação do interior da baía rumo à região externa. A análise multivariada entre espécies de diatomáceas e parâmetros ambientais indica que o gradiente trófico possui hierarquicamente maior peso que a salinidade na explicação da distribuição das diatomáceas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram um aperfeiçoamento na habilidade de determinar a contaminação orgânica dentro da área de estudo, já que pela primeira vez tanto as variáveis orgânicas quanto os biopolímeros foram introduzidos como ferramenta para a determinação da relação degradação/saúde de uma das mais populosas regiões do Río de la Plata.A study on sediment surface diatom composition in relation to both protein/carbohydrate content and salinity was carried out in Montevideo Bay and the adjacent coastal zone. Samples were seasonally taken during one year along a human impact gradient, and the trophic conditions were assessed from the biochemical composition of the surface sediment organic matter. The co-occurrence of the marine-brackish (Actinocyclus curvatulus, Actinocyclus gallicus, Coscinodiscus excentricus, Coscinodiscus radiatus, Hyalodiscus subtilis, Paralia sulcata) and freshwater diatom flora (Aulacoseira granulata, Aulacoseira italica, Aulacoseira muzzanensis, Actinocyclus normanii, Amphora copulata, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Nitzschia linearis), suggests myxohaline estuarine conditions in the study area. The sampling stations located within the bay, close to several contamination sources, exhibited hypertrophic conditions as indicated by the highest levels of protein content, but also by the high relative abundances of Actinocyclus normanii and Cyclotella meneghiniana, as both diatom species are very well established cosmopolitan proxies of aquatic degradation. The levels of both protein and carbohydrate content, but also photosynthetic pigments, recorded in the adjacent coastal zone suggest meso-eutrophic conditions as contamination levels from the inner bay might become diluted off shore. Multivariate diatom species-environmental data relationships, indicate that the trophic gradient is hierarchically more important than salinity in explaining the diatom distribution. The present data imply an improvement in our ability of assessing organic contamination in the study area, since both biological and biopolymer variables were introduced for the first time as a tool for assessing the benthic health/degradation in one of the most populated regions of the Río de la Plata

Hormonal contraception and risk for cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in young women: a scoping review of the evidence

INTRODUCTION: Women are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) than men. Suggestions to explain the sex differences in dementia incidence have included the influence of sex hormones with little attention paid to date as to the effect of hormonal contraception on brain health. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate the current evidence base for associations between hormonal contraceptive use by women and non-binary people in early adulthood and brain health outcomes. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using EMBASE, Medline and Google Scholar, using the keywords "hormonal contraception" OR "contraception" OR "contraceptive" AND "Alzheimer*" OR "Brain Health" OR "Dementia". RESULTS: Eleven papers were identified for inclusion in the narrative synthesis. Studies recruited participants from the UK, USA, China, South Korea and Indonesia. Studies included data from women who were post-menopausal with retrospective data collection, with only one study contemporaneously collecting data from participants during the period of hormonal contraceptive use. Studies reported associations between hormonal contraceptive use and a lower risk of ADRD, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), better cognition and larger grey matter volume. Some studies reported stronger associations with longer duration of hormonal contraceptive use, however, results were inconsistent. Four studies reported no significant associations between hormonal contraceptive use and measures of brain health, including brain age on MRI scans and risk of AD diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Further research is needed on young adults taking hormonal contraceptives, on different types of hormonal contraceptives (other than oral) and to explore intersections between sex, gender, race and ethnicity. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MVX63, identifier: OSF.io: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MVX63

“#Síndrome de menasmain#” : a mãe má e a boa mãe da blogosfera materna brasileira

     Este artigo versa sobre o modelo ideal de mãe e seu avesso nos blogs maternos brasileiros na última década. Apresentamos no texto como se apresenta na blogosfera a designação da “menos mãe” ou “menas mãe” versus da “mais mãe” e quais comportamentos são considerados determinantes para tal. Discutimos ainda como a definição da boa mãe a partir de seu avesso, estratégia que não é nova no processo de normalização feminina, está atrelada às noções de sacrifício e culpa materna, ainda que paradoxalmente seja defendida a possibilidade de escolha feminina. Por fim, apontamos para a patologização da mulher que não corresponde à imagem materna idealizada e o protesto de mulheres que discordam desta estratificação e clamam pelo fim dos julgamentos.  

A tecnologia e a depressão: um aplicativo como ferramenta para cuidado em saúde

The aim was to develop an application for mobile devices as an instrument to support family and close friends of depressed people with potential risk of self-extermination. Applied research of technological production aimed at developing an application for a mobile device that provides information on risk factors for suicidal acts and guidelines applied. The application, developed by the adapted Scrum method, informs the possible manifestations and behaviors of the person at risk, through information provided by the user, through a platform in the chat format, mediated by a virtual agent. The application developed for the use of family members or people close to those with depression and risk of self-extermination can provide access to education for the population and families regarding the manifestations suggestive of the unfavorable evolution of depression. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a detailed study with the evaluation of experts to analyze its quality and usability. It is expected that this application can reach a standard of excellence in meeting the needs of users as an instructive and updated tool, based on evidence, offering quality assistance and harm mitigation.Objetivou-se desenvolver um aplicativo para dispositivo móvel como instrumento de apoio à família e amigos próximos de pessoas depressivas com potencial risco de autoextermínio. Pesquisa aplicada de produção tecnológica destinada a desenvolver um aplicativo para um dispositivo móvel que disponibilize informações sobre os fatores de risco para o ato suicida e orientações aplicadas. O aplicativo, desenvolvido pelo método Scrum adaptado, informa as possíveis manifestações e comportamentos da pessoa com risco, mediante informações prestadas pelo usuário, por meio de uma plataforma no formato de chat, mediada por um agente virtual. O aplicativo desenvolvido para a utilização de familiares ou pessoas próximas àquelas com depressão e risco de autoextermínio pode proporcionar acesso à educação para a população e as famílias em relação às manifestações sugestivas da evolução desfavorável da depressão. Para tanto, faz-se necessário, um estudo destalhado com a avaliação de especialistas para análise da sua qualidade e usabilidade. Espera-se que esse aplicativo possa alcançar um padrão de excelência no atendimento das necessidades dos usuários como uma ferramenta instrutiva e atualizada, baseada em evidências, oferecendo qualidade na assistência e mitigação de danos

Acesso ao sistema interamericano de direitos humanos: o direito internacional visto em comunidade de prática no estado de Pernambuco

O Programa de Extensão Acesso ao Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos (aSIDH) funciona atualmente no Centro de Ciências Jurídicas da Faculdade de Direito do Recife. A ideia da iniciativa é promover assistência jurídica às populações marginalizadas, em especial aos dois casos que foram à Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos e estão localizados no estado de Pernambuco: o da demarcação da Terra Indígena (TI) do Povo Xukuru de Ororubá, na cidade de Pesqueira, e o da superlotação do Complexo Penitenciário do Curado, em Recife. Além disso, são feitas ações em matéria de educação de direitos humanos e tomada de consciência, sempre considerando o Método Paulo Freire de valorização de sujeitos e de diálogo interconectado

Reducing Urinary Tract Infections in Adult Hospitalized Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quality Improvement Project

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain among the most common healthcare-associated infections, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in hospitalized adult patients. Methods: An interdisciplinary team initiated a quality improvement project to help reduce CAUTIs in a South Florida hospital. The project included using a CAUTI bundle consisting of indwelling catheter protocols, electronic bladder management order sets, nursing staff education, and implementation of external urinary catheters during the years 2020 through 2022. Results: The CAUTI bundle demonstrated positive outcomes in decreasing CAUTI rates. During our fiscal year 2022, there were 63% fewer CAUTIs (n = 23) compared to 2020 (n = 62). Conclusion: We reached our organizational goals of decreasing CAUTI rates to 10% below the national benchmark and improving patient outcomes

Hormonal contraception and risk for cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in young women: a scoping review of the evidence

IntroductionWomen are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) than men. Suggestions to explain the sex differences in dementia incidence have included the influence of sex hormones with little attention paid to date as to the effect of hormonal contraception on brain health. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate the current evidence base for associations between hormonal contraceptive use by women and non-binary people in early adulthood and brain health outcomes.MethodsA literature search was conducted using EMBASE, Medline and Google Scholar, using the keywords “hormonal contraception” OR “contraception” OR “contraceptive” AND “Alzheimer*” OR “Brain Health” OR “Dementia”.ResultsEleven papers were identified for inclusion in the narrative synthesis. Studies recruited participants from the UK, USA, China, South Korea and Indonesia. Studies included data from women who were post-menopausal with retrospective data collection, with only one study contemporaneously collecting data from participants during the period of hormonal contraceptive use. Studies reported associations between hormonal contraceptive use and a lower risk of ADRD, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), better cognition and larger grey matter volume. Some studies reported stronger associations with longer duration of hormonal contraceptive use, however, results were inconsistent. Four studies reported no significant associations between hormonal contraceptive use and measures of brain health, including brain age on MRI scans and risk of AD diagnosis.DiscussionFurther research is needed on young adults taking hormonal contraceptives, on different types of hormonal contraceptives (other than oral) and to explore intersections between sex, gender, race and ethnicity.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MVX63, identifier: OSF.io: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MVX6

Effect of suppressive levothyroxine therapy on bone mineral density in young patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Suppressive levothyroxine therapy (sT4) is a cornerstone in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Long-term sT4 may affect bone mineral density (BMD). We evaluated the effect of sT4 on the bone mass of young DTC patients. In this cross-sectional study, BMD was evaluated via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in DTC patients younger than 25 years at diagnosis and undergoing sT4 for ≥1 year. The two control groups comprised patients matched for sex, age, and body-mass-index who were thyroidectomized for indications other than DTC and undergoing L-T4-replacement therapy, and healthy individuals with no prior known thyroid disease. Ninety-three participants were included (thirty-one in each group). There were no differences in the mean age, female sex (77.4% in all groups), or BMI between the sT4 group and each control group. The median TSH level was lower (0.4 [0.04–6.5] vs. 2.7 [0.8–8.5] mIU/mL, p = 0.01) and the mean L-T4 mcg/Kg levels were higher (2.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3, p = 0.01) in the sT4 group compared to the L-T4-replacement therapy group. Lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur BMD were all similar among the groups. sT4 does not impact BMD in young DTC patients after a median time of suppression of 8 years. These findings may help in the decision-making and risk/benefit evaluation of sT4 for this population