A Science Teacher Education Course in a Science Centre: A Successful Strategy to Empower Teachers to Master Museum Resources Exploration?

The main objective of this study was to understand the impacts of a science teacher training course, designed and implemented in a science centre, in teachers’ exploitation of the opportunities inherent to science centres learning contexts, through the evaluation of its impact. Data were collected through direct observation of the tutorial sessions and the school-visits organized and implemented by seven teachers. An online questionnaire was administered to 38 participants in order to understand their perspectives of the course. The data were triangulated in order to make an evaluation of the course according to its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance and durability. Data showed that the development of a science teacher course by a science centre, proved to help teachers to capitalize on the opportunities these non-formal institutions offer to enrich and reinforce science school learning. Some improvements were suggested in order to achieve a greater effectiveness

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and risk factor assessment in cattle in rural livestock areas of Govuro District in the Southeast of Mozambique

BACKGROUND: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is an infectious disease of cattle that also affects other domestic animals, free-ranging and farmed wildlife, and also humans. In Mozambique, scattered surveys have reported a wide variation of bTB prevalence rates in cattle from different regions. Due to direct economic repercussions on livestock and indirect consequences for human health and wildlife, knowing the prevalence rates of the disease is essential to define an effective control strategy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Govuro district to determine bTB prevalence in cattle and identify associated risk factors. A representative sample of the cattle population was defined, stratified by livestock areas (n = 14). A total of 1136 cattle from 289 farmers were tested using the single comparative intradermal tuberculin test. The overall apparent prevalence was estimated at 39.6% (95% CI 36.8-42.5) using a diagnostic threshold cut-off according to the World Organization for Animal Health. bTB reactors were found in 13 livestock areas, with prevalence rates ranging from 8.1 to 65.8%. Age was the main risk factor; animals older than 4 years were more likely to be positive reactors (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.2-4.7). Landim local breed showed a lower prevalence than crossbred animals (Landim × Brahman) (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The findings reveal an urgent need for intervention with effective, area-based, control measures in order to reduce bTB prevalence and prevent its spread to the human population. In addition to the high prevalence, population habits in Govuro, particularly the consumption of raw milk, clearly may potentiate the transmission to humans. Thus, further studies on human tuberculosis and the molecular characterization of the predominant strain lineages that cause bTB in cattle and humans are urgently required to evaluate the impact on human health in the region.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 221948, ICONZ (Integrated Control of Neglected Zoonoses). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Molecular diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Mozambique

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mozambique is one of the countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Sub-Saharan Africa, and information on the predominant genotypes of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>circulating in the country are important to better understand the epidemic. This study determined the predominant strain lineages that cause TB in Mozambique.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 445 <it>M. tuberculosis </it>isolates from seven different provinces of Mozambique were characterized by spoligotyping and resulting profiles were compared with the international spoligotyping database SITVIT2.</p> <p>The four most predominant lineages observed were: the Latin-American Mediterranean (LAM, n = 165 or 37%); the East African-Indian (EAI, n = 132 or 29.7%); an evolutionary recent but yet ill-defined T clade, (n = 52 or 11.6%); and the globally-emerging Beijing clone, (n = 31 or 7%). A high spoligotype diversity was found for the EAI, LAM and T lineages.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The TB epidemic in Mozambique is caused by a wide diversity of spoligotypes with predominance of LAM, EAI, T and Beijing lineages.</p

Estratégias para detecção precoce de propensão à evasão

Evasion is a concern for both face-to-face and distance education courses. This article presents the results of research regarding its causes. In addition to investigating references from other works about the same subject, we also undertaken a study using data derived from a distance learning course for in-service teachers. This study and the accompanying research aim to diagnose the causes of evasion and to obtain evidence that helps to prevent situations contributing to it. There is an analysis of the records of course activities and an evaluation of computer-based communication strategies, i.e., with the aim of detecting evasion risk levels, as well as identifying relevant factors that lead to evasion. These data help to elicit indicators of student activity in distance learning courses which, in turn, facilitate the identification of situations where there is a higher risk of evasion.A evasão é uma preocupação nos cursos tanto presenciais quanto de EAD e este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma investigação sobre suas causas. Além da investigação a partir de referências de outros trabalhos sobre o mesmo tema, foi desenvolvido um estudo usando dados derivados das atividades em um curso a distância para formação de professores em serviço. Este estudo e a pesquisa realizada visaram diagnosticar as causas da evasão e buscar indicadores que possibilitem identificar precocemente situações que contribuam para a evasão. A análise dos registros das atividades no curso também avaliou as estratégias de comunicação mediada por computador buscando detectar indícios de risco de evasão, bem como identificar fatores relevantes que levam a evasão. Os dados permitiram elicitar indicadores de atividade dos alunos em cursos EAD os quais permitem identificar situações onde exista risco mais elevado de evasão

INCLUSÃO DIGITAL DE CRIANÇAS COM CÂNCER: RELATO DAS VIVÊNCIAS MEDIADAS POR ACADÊMICOS DE ENFERMAGEM

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/223658345461Trata-se do relato das vivências nas atividades do projeto de extensão intitulado: “Os acadêmicos de enfermagem e a administração no processo de aprendizagem e inclusão digital das crianças com câncer”. O objetivo principal foi proporcionar a inserção digital por meio do lúdico e de recursos da informática. As atividades foram desenvolvidas no Centro de Convivências da Turma do Ique em Santa Maria, Brasil, por acadêmicas de Enfermagem, durante maio de 2008 a dezembro de 2009. Percebeu-se a importância da interação com a informática e com os computadores para o aprimoramento da criança, tanto em nível intelectual, quanto nos níveis social e psicológico. As vivências demonstraram que o processo de adoecimento pode ser mais bem enfrentado quando se fizer acompanhado de intervenções lúdicas e prazerosas e que façam parte da atualidade a qual as crianças estão inseridas

DA TECTÓNICA DE PLACAS À TEORIA DA EVOLUÇÃO; DOS SUPERCONTINENTES À DISPERSÃO DOS SERES VIVOS

Na última década a evolução do conhecimento do comportamento das camadas internas do nosso planeta tem levado a profundas alterações da forma como a dinâmica da Terra é encarada. O ênfase nas células de convecção lineares e na movimentação das placas tectónicas expressa nos ciclos de Wilson, tem evoluídos lentamente para uma aproximação onde as enormes plumas convectivas (quentes e frias) e o ciclo dos supercontinentes aparecem como processos dominantes. Esta transformação tem permitido uma visão mais integradora, onde os processos tectónicos e de evolução da Vida na Terra surgem, não como processos isolados, mas sim como complementares. No entanto, esta nova abordagem ainda não se reflecte nos curricula do ensino. Neste trabalho propõe-se um conjunto de actividades práticas para o ensino secundário explorando o conceito do ciclo dos supercontinentes e da dispersão da Vida na Terra. A reconstrução da dispersão dos principais blocos continentais desde a Rodinia até à Actualidade permite perceber, não apenas a agregação e dispersão dos supercontinentes (Rodinia Panotia Pangeia), mas também e a sua influência na dispersão de alguns dos principais grupos de seres vivos na Terra. Com efeito, a existência da Panotia é fundamental para perceber a distribuição das primeiras trilobites no Câmbrico inferior, a agregação da Pangeia é crucial para perceber a dispersão dos tetrápodes na Terra e a existência deste último supercontinente explica porque existem fósseis de dinossáurios em todos os continentes

Da Tectónica de Placas à Teoria da Evolução; dos supercontinentes à dispersão dos seres vivos

A evolução do conhecimento do interior do nosso planeta tem levad o a profundas alterações da forma como a dinâmica da Terra é encarad a, evidenciando a existência de ciclo dos supercontinentes. Esta transformação tem permitido uma visão mais integradora, onde os processos tectónicos e de evolução da Vida na Terra surgem como complementares. No entanto, esta nova abordagem ainda não se reflete nos curricula do ensino. A realiza - ção de um conjunto de atividades práticas explorando a forma como os grandes blocos continentais foram evoluindo, desde o superconti nen t e Rodíni a até à Atualidade, e a sua influência na dispersão de alguns dos principais grupos de seres vivos, constitui uma abordagem eficiente de alguns aspetos associados ao ciclo dos supercontinentes

TSE Monitoring in Wildlife Epidemiology, Transmission, Diagnosis, Genetics and Control

Among the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids is now the rising concern within Europe. CWD will be outlined in this chapter gathering its epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, genetics, and control. Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrPc), usually designated by PrPsc or prion. CWD is a prion disease of natural transmission affecting cervids detected mainly in North America. The first European case was detected in Norway, in 2016, in a wild reindeer; until April 2018, a total of 23 cases were described. The definite diagnosis is postmortem, performed in target areas of the brain and lymph nodes. Samples are first screened using a rapid test and, if positive, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. It is not possible to establish a culling plan based on the genotype, once affected animals appear with all genotypes. However, some polymorphisms seem to result in longer incubation periods or confer a reduced risk. The control is not easy in captive cervids and even more in the wildlife; some recommendations have been proposed in order to understand the danger and impact of CWD on animal and public health

Neuropathology of animal prion diseases

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases are a fatal group of infectious, inherited and spontaneous neurodegenerative diseases affecting human and animals. They are caused by the conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a misfolded pathological isoform (PrPSc or prion- proteinaceous infectious particle) that self-propagates by conformational conversion of PrPC. Yet by an unknown mechanism, PrPC can fold into different PrPSc conformers that may result in different prion strains that display specific disease phenotype (incubation time, clinical signs and lesion profile). Although the pathways for neurodegeneration as well as the involvement of brain inflammation in these diseases are not well understood, the spongiform changes, neuronal loss, gliosis and accumulation of PrPSc are the characteristic neuropathological lesions. Scrapie affecting small ruminants was the first identified TSE and has been considered the archetype of prion diseases, though atypical and new animal prion diseases continue to emerge highlighting the importance to investigate the lesion profile in naturally affected animals. In this report, we review the neuropathology and the neuroinflammation of animal prion diseases in natural hosts from scrapie, going through the zoonotic bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the chronic wasting disease (CWD) to the newly identified camel prion disease (CPD).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio