Learning through planning experiments: a case study in thermal comfort in hospitals

Learning engineering involves observing and understanding how systems or processes work, but also knowing the cause and effect relationships present. During the course, students learn that the process of engineering investigation requires conducting experiments to validate theories or hypotheses about what makes the system work. Each experimental run is a test. It is through active experimentation, the controlled intervention of a process that modifies the inputs and characteristics of the process, that it is possible to learn the effect of a set of different factors on a response variable. Based on experimental data collected to model thermal comfort in hospital waiting rooms, this paper aims to contribute to the knowledge of this phenomenon through the selection of the most appropriate statistical techniques to analyze the data. For engineering students this is an opportunity to bring theory to practice.- This research was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), within the Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020 (ALGORITMI) and R&D Units Project Scope UIDP/04077/2020 (METRICS). Diogo Gracoeiro acknowledges the BII scholarship VCC-ALG-04/2021 attributed by FCT

Mountain wave turbulence in the presence of directional wind shear over the Rocky Mountains

Mountain wave turbulence in the presence of directional wind shear over the Rocky Mountains in Colorado is investigated. Pilot Reports (PIREPs) are used to select cases in which moderate or severe turbulence encounters were reported in combination with significant directional wind shear in the upstream sounding from Grand Junction, CO (GJT). For a selected case, semi-idealized numerical simulations are carried out using the WRF-ARW atmospheric model, initialized with the GJT atmospheric sounding and a realistic but truncated orography profile. In order to isolate the role of directional wind shear in causing wave breaking, sensitivity tests are performed to exclude the variation of the atmospheric stability with height, the speed shear, and the mountain amplitude as dominant wave breaking mechanisms. Significant downwind transport of instabilities is detected in horizontal flow cross-sections, resulting in mountain-wave-induced turbulence occurring at large horizontal distances from the first wave breaking point (and from the orography that generates the waves). The existence of an asymptotic wake, as predicted by Shutts for directional shear flows, is hypothesized to be responsible for this downwind transport. Critical levels induced by directional wind shear are further studied by taking 2D power spectra of the magnitude of the horizontal velocity perturbation field. In these spectra, a rotation of the most energetic wave modes with the background wind, as well as perpendicularity between the background wind vector and the wave-number vector of those modes at critical levels, can be found, which is consistent with the mechanism expected to lead to wave breaking in directional shear flows

Description of Longidorus bordonensis sp. nov. from Portugal, with systematics and molecular phylogeny of the genus (Nematoda, Longidoridae)

The genus Longidorus currently comprises 176 species of polyphagous plant ectoparasites, including eight species that vector nepoviruses. Longidorus is one of the most difficult genera to accurately identify species because of the similar morphology and overlapping measurements and ratios among species. Sequences of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-genes are a powerful level-species diagnostic tool for the genus Longidorus. From 2015 to 2019, a nematode survey was conducted in vineyards and agro-forest environments in Portugal. The populations of Longidorus spp. were characterized through an integrative approach based on morphological data and molecular phylogenetic analysis from rRNA genes (D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S, ITS1, and partial 18S), including the topotype of L. vinearum. Longidorus bordonensis sp. nov., a didelphic species recovered from the rhizosphere of grasses, is described and illustrated. Longidorus vineacola, with cork oak and wild olive as hosts, is also characterized. This is the first time that L. wicuolea, from cork oak, is reported for Portugal. Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees for these three molecular markers established phylogenetic relationships among the new species with other Longidorus spp. Phylogenetic trees indicated that i) L. bordonensis sp. nov. is clustered together with other Longidorus spp. and forms a sister clade with L. pini and L. carpetanensis, sharing a short body and odontostyle length, and elongate to conical female tail, and ii) all the other species described and illustrated are phylogenetically associated, including the topotype isolate of L. vinearum

Multipolar mitosis and aneuploidy after chrysotile treatment: a consequence of abscission failure and cytokinesis regression

Chrysotile, like other types of asbestos, has been associated with mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. However, the cellular abnormalities induced by these fibers involved in cancer development have not been elucidated yet. Previous works show that chrysotile fibers induce features of cancer cells, such as aneuploidy, multinucleation and multipolar mitosis. In the present study, normal and cancer derived human cell lines were treated with chrysotile and the cellular and molecular mechanisms related to generation of aneuploid cells was elucidated. The first alteration observed was cytokinesis regression, the main cause of multinucleated cells formation and centrosome amplification. The multinucleated cells formed after cytokinesis regression were able to progress through cell cycle and generated aneuploid cells after abnormal mitosis. To understand the process of cytokinesis regression, localization of cytokinetic proteins was investigated. It was observed mislocalization of Anillin, Aurora B, Septin 9 and Alix in the intercellular bridge, and no determination of secondary constriction and abscission sites. Fiber treatment also led to overexpression of genes related to cancer, cytokinesis and cell cycle. The results show that chrysotile fibers induce cellular and molecular alterations in normal and tumor cells that have been related to cancer initiation and progression, and that tetraploidization and aneuploid cell formation are striking events after fiber internalization, which could generate a favorable context to cancer development

I love me, I love me not : psychological adjustment in institutionalized and non-institutionalized adolescents

Revista de Psicologia da Criança e do Adolescente. - ISSN 1647-4120. - V. 9, n. 1 (Janeiro-Dezembro 2018). - p. 83-102.A investigação hipotetiza três sistemas de regulação emocional: ameaça, procura (drive) e tranquilização. A institucionalização relaciona-se com vários indicadores de desajustamento psicológico e com a sobreativação dos sistema de ameaça e/ou de drive. Por outro lado, a autocompaixão, relacionada com o sistema de tranquilização, parece ter um efeito positivo no ajustamento psicológico. Este estudo comparou adolescentes institucionalizados e não institucionalizados em variáveis relacionadas com psicopatologia e bem-estar. A amostra incluiu 460 adolescentes não institucionalizados e 171 adolescentes institucionalizados. Bem-estar, depressão, memórias precoces de calor e segurança (EMWS), vergonha, autocriticismo, autocompaixão (SCS-A) e medos da compaixão foram avaliados. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre as amostras no bem-estar, medo de dar compaixão ao outro, e fatores Calor/Compreensão, Mindfulness e Sobreidentificação da SCS-A. No entanto, foram encontradas diferenças na pontuação da depressão, vergonha, autocriticismo, medo de receber compaixão dos outros e de ser autocompassivo, e na pontuação do fator Humanidade Comum da SCS-A, com os adolescentes institucionalizados a pontuarem mais alto. Adolescentes institucionalizados apresentaram pontuações mais baixas nas EMWS, e nos fatores Autocrítica e Isolamento da SCS-A. As amostras não diferiram no bem-estar, possivelmente porque os adolescentes institucionalizados o avaliaram considerando as adversidades passadas antes da institucionalização. As pontuações mais altas na Humanidade Comum podem explicar-se através do contacto com pares com experiências semelhantes, facto que pode também explicar não terem medo de dar compaixão a outros. Hipotetiza-se que a instituição, quando funcional, possa ter um papel na estimulação do sistema de tranquilização.Research hypothesizes three emotion regulation systems: the threat system, the drive system, and the soothing system. Institutionalization is related with several indicators of psychological maladjustment and with the activation of the drive and/or the threat system. On the other hand, self-compassion, related to the soothing system, seems to have a positive effect in well-being. This study compared institutionalized and non-institutionalized adolescents in variables related to psychopathology and well-being. The sample included 460 noninstitutionalized adolescents and 171 institutionalized adolescents. Well-being, depression, early memories of warmth and safeness (EMWS), shame, self-criticism, self-compassion (SCS-A), and fears of compassion were assessed. Significant differences between the samples in well-being, fear of giving compassion to others, and in the factors Self-Kindness, Mindfulness and Over-Identification of the SCS-A were not found. However, there were differences in the scores of depression, external shame, self-criticism, fear of receiving compassion from others and from self, and in the factor Common Humanity (SCS-A), institutionalized adolescents scoring higher. Institutionalized adolescents presented lower scores in EMWS, and in the factors Self-Judgment and Isolation (SCS-A). The samples did not differ on well-being, possibly because institutionalized adolescents evaluated it considering their early life adversities before institutionalization. Higher scores in Common Humanity may be explained through contact with peers with the same background, which may also explain the fact that they are not afraid to give compassion to others. It is hypothesized that the institution, when functional, may have a role in stimulating the soothing system

Immobilization of b-galactosidase from kluyveromyces lactis onto a polysiloxane–polyvinyl alcohol magnetic (mPOS–PVA) composite for lactose hydrolysis

β-Galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis was covalently immobilized onto a mPOS–PVA, using glutaraldehyde as activating agent and its properties were evaluated. The enzymatic water insoluble derivative displayed the same optimum pH (6.5) and optimum temperature (50 °C) of the soluble enzyme. The apparent Km app and activation energy for both soluble and immobilized enzyme derivative were found to be not significantly different. The mPOS–PVA β-galactosidase preparation presented a higher operational and thermal stability than the soluble enzyme. This immobilized β-galactosidase also was effective in hydrolyzing lactose from milk. Hence, one can conclude that mPOS–PVA is an attractive and efficient support for β-galactosidase immobilization.Alban, the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America; Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq)

Ensino de língua estrangeira: concepções de língua, cultura e identidade no contexto ensino/aprendizagem

O presente artigo analisa a seguinte temática: Ensinode língua estrangeira: concepções de língua, cultura e identidade no contexto ensino/aprendizagem. Na busca do tripé – língua, cultura e identidade, o presente estudo faz uma relação a partir desses aspectos, com vistas a uma (re)significação no processo ensino/aprendizagem de língua estrangeira, pois, quando se estuda uma língua estrangeira, é imprescindível, também, atentar-se para a cultura, bem como a identidade da língua em estudo. Tomando como base a língua, será discutida a visão da mesma, tendo como pressupostos teóricos a concepção estruturalista de Ferdinand Saussure (2000) e contemporânea de Mikhail Bakhtin (1986). No tocante a cultura, serão apontadas questões que visam à importância de se trabalhar aspectos culturais no ensino de língua estrangeira, com vistas a serem abordados não como acréscimo na aula, mas como elementos indispensáveis. Por fim, com base em Rajagopalan (1998), Beato (2004), dentre outros, será discutida a concepção de identidade, bem como sua constante transformação, com vistas a perceber a importância da identidade no ensino de língua estrangeira, pois esta pode favorecer o entendimento do entorno que envolve o eu e o outro no espaço de confluências, a saber, a sala de aula

Acidentes do trabalho em estudantes do ensino fundamental e médio do Estado de São Paulo

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of occupational injuries and identify their risk factors among students in two municipalities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in public schools of the municipalities of Santo Antonio do Pinhal and Monteiro Lobato, Brazil. A stratified probabilistic sample was drawn from public middle and high schools of the study municipalities. A total of 781 students aged 11 to 19 years participated in the study. Students attending middle and high school answered a comprehensive questionnaire on living and working conditions, as well as aspects of work injuries, and health conditions. Multiple logistic regression models were fitted to estimate risk factors of previous and present occupational injuries. RESULTS: Of 781 students, 604 previously had or currently have jobs and 47% reported previous injuries. Among current workers (n=555), 38% reported injuries on their current job. Risk factors for work injuries with statistically significant odds ratio >;2.0 included attending evening school, working as a housekeeper, waiter or brickmaker, and with potentially dangerous machines. CONCLUSIONS: The study results reinforce the need of restricting adolescent work and support communities to implement social promotion programs.OBJETIVOS: Estimar a prevalência de acidentes de trabalho entre estudantes adolescentes em área urbana e identificar os fatores de risco de ocorrência dos acidentes de trabalho. MÉTODOS: Um estudo transversal foi conduzido nas escolas públicas de ensino fundamental e médio, das cidades de Santo Antonio do Pinhal e Monteiro Lobato, Estado de São Paulo. Foi realizada uma amostra probabilística estratificada em duas escolas públicas de ensino médio de cada uma das duas cidades pesquisadas. O total da população pesquisada foi de 781 estudantes, de 11 a 19 anos de idade. Os estudantes responderam um questionário sobre condições de vida e trabalho, incluindo as características dos acidentes de trabalho ocorridos e problemas de saúde. Foram estimados os fatores de riscos para a ocorrência de acidentes no trabalho, do passado e do presente, usando modelos de regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: Dos 781 estudantes que participaram da pesquisa, 604 relataram ter experiência de trabalho. Destes, 47% relataram já ter sofrido acidentes. Entre aqueles que, no período de coleta de dados, estavam trabalhando (n=555), 38% afirmaram ter sofrido acidentes no posto que ocupavam naquele momento. Os fatores de risco para a ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho, que apresentaram razão de chances acima de 2,0, foram: estudar no período vespertino, exercer funções de empregado(a) doméstico(a), garçom ou oleiro, e trabalhar com objetos e máquinas perigosas. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram a necessidade de restringir o trabalho de adolescentes, dando apoio às comunidades na implementação de programas de desenvolvimento social

Handbook of successful open teaching practices

The document presents 24 open teaching practices, with the aim to inspire teachers to adopt open approaches, as well as an original competences framework for Open Education.Erasmus +info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio