Family and school : a necessary partnership for the literacy process

Aborda questões que envolvem as práticas de leitura e escrita na escola e a interferência da família nesse processo, considerando as concepções de letramento que subjazem a essa prática e como a família tem contribuído para a mudança ou para a cristalização das práticas escolares de leitura e escrita que emergem dessas diferentes concepções. Com base em pesquisas realizadas na Universidade de Uberaba, são apresentadas as implicações da participação de pais para a proficiência em leitura e escrita de alunos de ensino fundamental. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis article approaches questions that involve reading and writing in the school and the interference of the family in this process, considering the conceptions of literacy and how the family contributes for the change or the crystallization of the schooling practices of reading and writing that emerge from these different conceptions. According to researches carried through in the University of Uberaba, the implications of the participation of parents for the proficiency in reading and writing of basic education pupils are presented

Sub-shot-noise photon-number correlation in mesoscopic twin-beam of light

We demonstrate sub-shot-noise photon-number correlations in a (temporal) multimode mesoscopic ($\sim 10^3$ detected photons) twin-beam produced by ps-pulsed spontaneous non-degenerate parametric downconversion. We have separately detected the signal and idler distributions of photons collected in twin coherence areas and found that the variance of the photon-count difference goes below the shot-noise limit by 3.25 dB. The number of temporal modes contained in the twin-beam, as well as the size of the twin coherence areas, depends on the pump intensity. Our scheme is based on spontaneous downconversion and thus does not suffer from limitations due to the finite gain of the parametric process. Twin-beams are also used to demonstrate the conditional preparation of a nonclassical (sub-Poissonian) state.Comment: 5 pages, 5 (low-res) figures, to appear on PR

Binomial effects of high isostatic pressure and time on the microbiological, sensory characteristics and lipid composition stability of vacuum packed dry fermented sausages “chouriço”

The effect of high pressure processing (HPP), at different combinations of pressure and time, on dry fermented sausages (DFS)was evaluated by chemical, microbiological and sensory analyses. Lipid composition and stability were also assessed. HPP (N400MPa and longer than 154 s) produced a reduction in spoilage microbiota,without negative effect on fermentative microbiota, that will be able to continue their role. Total fatty acids and lipid stability were not affected. Only a small effect on fatty acid (FA) composition was observed. Nutritional value of the lipid fraction was only affected by the ratio n−6/n−3 FA. Treatments at 400MPa for 154 s or 960 s resulted in DFS being detected as different from control by sensory analysis. Those differences did not depreciate the product; on the contrary it seems to improve the bright aspect of the whole sausage, the cohesion and firmness and the correctly dried aspect of slices. Industrial relevance: Dry fermented meat sausages are very popular ready-to-eat meat based products. This study assesses the effects of HPP on this much appreciated traditional products. The results showed that HPP can be successfully applied to theseMediterranean fermented products without losses of sensory and nutritional characteristics. The modelling and optimization of the HPP process applied on dry fermented sausages demonstrated in this study are an advantage to industry efficiency. The utilisation of HPP by the industry can significantly increase dry fermented meat sausage shelf life and safety, providing it an opportunity to reach the global market

Overweight and Class I Obesity Are Associated with Lower 10-Year Risk of Mortality in Brazilian Older Adults: The Bambuí Cohort Study of Ageing

Background: Prospective studies mostly with European and North-American populations have shown inconsistent results r

SCARB2 mutations as modifiers in Gaucher disease: the wrong enzyme at the wrong place?

Unlike most lysosomal proteins, β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), the hydrolase defective in Gaucher disease (GD), is delivered to lysosomes through its interaction with the transmembrane protein LIMP2. A few years ago, mutations in its coding gene, SCARB2, were reported to modify the severity of GD phenotype. The existence of a great variety of GD phenotypes is well-known, with numerous patients who carry identical genotypes presenting remarkable phenotypic variability. Over the years, that variability has been attributed to other genetic, epigenetic and/or environmental factors. Still, there is still much to learn on this subject. Recently, an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and the presence of mutations in the GBA gene has been demonstrated. Moreover, there are also studies suggesting that genetic variants in the SCARB2 gene may also be risk factors for PD. We analysed the SCARB2 gene in the Portuguese cohort of 91 GD patients, having identified 3 different SCARB2 coding variants. Of those, 2 were known polymorphisms with high prevalence in the normal population (p.M159V and p.V396I) and the third was a novel coding variant, p.T398M, present in heterozigousity in a single patient. Our study demonstrated that, at least for the Portuguese population, genetic variability at SCARB2 does not account much to the GD phenotypic spectrum. Nevertheless, in vitro analyses of the novel p.T398M are envisaged, in order to further characterize the effect of this variant on the levels and sub-cellular location of GCase. The clinical presentation of the patient harbouring this coding variant will also be discussed.FCT PTDC/SAU-GMG/102889/2008; SFRH/BD/124372/2016N/

Automated monitoring and quantitative analysis of feeding behaviour in Drosophila

Food ingestion is one of the defining behaviours of all animals, but its quantification and analysis remain challenging. This is especially the case for feeding behaviour in small, genetically tractable animals such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we present a method based on capacitive measurements, which allows the detailed, automated and high-throughput quantification of feeding behaviour. Using this method, we were able to measure the volume ingested in single sips of an individual, and monitor the absorption of food with high temporal resolution. We demonstrate that flies ingest food by rhythmically extending their proboscis with a frequency that is not modulated by the internal state of the animal. Instead, hunger and satiety homeostatically modulate the microstructure of feeding. These results highlight similarities of food intake regulation between insects, rodents, and humans, pointing to a common strategy in how the nervous systems of different animals control food intake

Diabetes immersion training as teaching method to medical practitioners

Este estudo avaliou a eficácia do método de ensino teórico e prático sobre diabetes e a atitude de profissionais médicos quanto à realização de controle glicêmico intensivo. Participaram de um curso de imersão em diabetes, com dois dias de duração, 48 médicos-residentes de clínica médica ou endocrinologia. Os participantes receberam treinamento de monitorização de glicemia capilar, técnicas de aplicação de insulina e contagem de carboidratos, sendo orientados a se portarem como diabéticos e a seguir prescrição médica individual. Foram avaliados através de questionários. No questionário de conhecimentos, observou-se um aumento significante de 12% no índice de acertos entre o início e o final do curso (61,2% e 73,2%, respectivamente, com p < 0,0001). Antes do curso, 70,8% dos participantes diziam ter dificuldades na contagem de carboidratos e 89,6%, na automonitorização glicêmica. Após a experiência prática, 82,9% dos participantes encontraram dificuldades na realização de contagem de carboidratos e 80,8%, na automonitorização; 40,4% fizeram uso de todas as medicações prescritas e 36,1% monitorizaram todas as glicemias. Os resultados deste estudo mostram que esse tipo de curso é eficaz para a aquisição de conhecimentos e contribui com a sensibilização do profissional médico quanto às dificuldades cotidianas enfrentadas pelo portador de diabetes melito na aderência às recomendações.This study evaluated the effectiveness of theoretical and practical teaching method in diabetes and doctors' position about feasibility of intensive blood glucose control. Forty-eight internal medicine or endocrinology residents participated in a two-day diabetes immersion course. The participants received training on self-blood glucose monitoring, techniques of insulin administration and carbohydrate counting. They were also instructed to behave as patients with diabetes and to follow individual medical prescription. They were assessed through questionnaires. In knowledge assessment, a significant increase of 12% was observed between the beginning and the end of the course (61.2% and 73.2%, respectively, with p < 0.0001). Before the course, 70.8% and 89.6% of the participants believed there were complications in performing carbohydrate counting and blood glucose monitoring, respectively. After the experience, 82.9% of them had difficulties in carbohydrate counting and 80.8% in self-monitoring; 40.4% took all medications prescribed and 36.1% monitored blood glucose correctly. These results show that the methodology of this course is an effective way to disseminate knowledge and that it contributes to doctors becoming more sensitive to daily problems faced by patients with diabetes melito concerning the acceptance of medical recommendations

C-Reactive Protein and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Yield Either a Non-Significant or a Modest Incremental Value to Traditional Risk Factors in Predicting Long-Term Overall Mortality in Older Adults

Background:New biomarkers may aid in preventive and end-of-life decisions in older adults if they enhance the prognostic ability of traditional risk factors. We investigated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) improve the ability to predict overall mortality among the elderly of the Bambuí, Brazil Study of Aging when added to traditional risk factors.Methods:From 1997 to 2007, 1,470 community-dwelling individuals (≥60 years) were followed-up. Death was ascertained by continuous verification of death certificates. We calculated hazard ratios per 1 standard deviation change (HR) of death for traditional risk factors only (old model), and traditional risk factors plus CRP and/or BNP (new models) and assessed calibration of the models. Subsequently, we compared c-statistic of each of the new models to the old one, and calculated integrated discriminative improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI).Results:544 (37.0%) participants died in a mean follow-up time of 9.0 years. CRP (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.40), BNP (HR 1.31 95% CI 1.19-1.45), and CRP plus BNP (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.15-1.38, and HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.42, respectively) were independent determinants of mortality. All models were well-calibrated. Discrimination was similar among the old (c-statistic 0.78 [0.78-0.81]) and new models (p=0.43 for CRP; p=0.57 for BNP; and p=0.31 for CRP plus BNP). Compared to the old model, CRP, BNP, and CRP plus BNP models led to an IDI of 0.009 (p<0.001), -0.005 (p<0.001) and -0.003 (p=0.84), and a NRI of 0.04 (p=0.24), 0.07 (p=0.08) and 0.06 (p=0.10), respectively.Conclusions:Despite being independent predictors of long-term risk of death, compared to traditional risk factors CRP and/or BNP led to either a modest or non-significant improvement in the ability of predicting all-cause mortality in older adults

Indoor school environment: easy and low cost to assess inorganic pollutants

Total particulate matter (TPM) was passively collected inside two classrooms of each of five elementary schools in Lisbon, Portugal. TPM was collected in polycarbonate filters with a 47 mm diameter, placed inside of uncovered plastic petri dishes. The sampling period was from 19 May to 22 June 2009 (35 days exposure) and the collected TPM masses varied between 0.2 mg and 0.8 mg. The major elements were Ca, Fe, Na, K, and Zn at μg level, while others were at ng level. Pearson′s correlation coefficients above 0.75 (a high degree of correlation) were found between several elements. Soil-related, traffic soil re-suspension and anthropogenic emission sources could be identified. Blackboard chalk was also identified through Ca large presence. Some of the determined chemical elements are potential carcinogenic. Quality control of the results showed good agreement as confirmed by the application of u-score test

Fungi, bacteria and pollens seasonally quantified at 3 basic schools in Lisbon: evaluation of ventilation need

Nowadays, most individuals spend about 80% of their time indoor and, consequently, the exposure to the indoor environment becomes more relevant than to the outdoor one. Children spend most of their time at home and at school and evaluations of their indoor environment are important for the time-weighted exposure. Due to their airways still in development, children are a sensitive group with higher risk than adults. Larger impact in health and educational performance of children demand indoor air quality studies of schools. The aim of this study was to assess the children exposure to bioaerosols. A methodology based upon passive sampling was applied to evaluate fungi, bacteria and pollens; its procedures and applicability was optimized. An indoor air study by passive sampling represents an easier and cheaper method when comparing with the use of automatic active samplers. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve important quality information without interfering in the classroom activities. The study was conducted in three schools, representative of different environments in the Lisbon urban area, at three different periods of the year to obtain a seasonal variation, to estimate the variability through the city and to understand the underneath causes. Fungi and bacteria were collected indoor and outdoor of the classrooms to determine the indoor/outdoor ratios and to assess the level of outdoor contamination upon the indoor environment. The children's exposure to pollen grains inside the classrooms was also assessed