Formação contínua e desenvolvimento profissional dos professores : implicações no sucesso dos alunos de Ciências de Natureza

Tese de mestrado em Educação (Didáctica das Ciências), apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2007A formação contínua de professores tem sido objecto dum nível significativo de estudos de cariz essencialmente teorizador. Pelo contrário, a investigação sobre as práticas reais de formação contínua de professores, tem sido muito pouco estudada. Deste modo, toma-se urgente recolhermos dados e reflectirmos sobre os resultados oriundos de investigações que permitam, posteriormente fazer opções e tomar decisões sobre a organização e estratégias da formação contínua. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho centra-se no estudo da importância da formação contínua na mudança das práticas dos docentes, no consequente desenvolvimento profissional e nas implicações para o sucesso dos alunos de Ciências da Natureza. Os objectivos do presente estudo são, reflectindo a preocupação inicial que esteve na génese desta investigação, os seguintes: relacionar o impacto das acções de formação no desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional dos professores; identificar a eficácia da formação contínua para a mudança das práticas pedagógicas e o efeito dessa mudança sobre a aprendizagem e sucesso dos alunos. As questões gerais da pesquisa foram as seguintes: quais os contributos da formação contínua para o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional dos professores? e que impacte tiveram as mudanças de prática dos professores no sucesso dos alunos em Ciências da Natureza? A partir destas questões formularam-se as sub-questões: que mudanças puderam ser observadas nos professores face às atitudes e ao conhecimento teórico; que capacidades de reflexão foram desenvolvidas e se estas foram utilizadas; que tipo de colegialidade existiu entre os professores; quais as práticas pedagógicas mais usadas; que atitudes demonstraram os alunos perante as novas estratégias de aprendizagem; que diferentes fontes do saber foram mobilizadas pelos alunos e como reagiram estes face às novas estratégias de aprendizagem? A investigação baseou-se em estudo de caso, com base em análise documental, inquérito por questionário e por entrevistas efectuadas a quatro docentes de Ciências da Natureza que participaram na acção de formação contínua "A Educação Sexual em Meio Escolar", promovida e leccionada pela Associação para o Planeamento da Família (APF). Esta acção de formação visava a reflexão dos docentes sobre as práticas pedagógicas utilizadas no conteúdo programático "Reprodução Humana e Crescimento" da disciplina de Ciências da Natureza. Os resultados indiciam que os docentes consideram que a formação contínua teve, um papel importante na mudança das suas práticas pedagógicas e no seu desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional. Por ultimo, os alunos parecem obter melhores resultados com a utilização de novas estratégias pedagógicas implementadas pelos professores após a frequência da acção de formação, baseadas numa aprendizagem mais interactiva e mais autónoma.Teachers' continuous training has been subject of a significant set of studies, mainly theoretical. On the other hand, research on the real continuous training practices hasn't been studied very often. Thus, it's urgent that we gather data and reflect on the results from research that allow us, later on, to take options and decide on the organization and strategies selected on continuous training. In this setting, the current work focuses on studying the importance of continuous training in changing the teaching methods, on the consequent professional development and in the implications on the success students achieve in Natural Sciences subject. The aims of the current study reflect the initial concern that was on the basis of this research and are as such: relate the impact of seminars on personal and professional development; identify the effectiveness of continuous training in changing the teaching methods and the effect of such change in the way students leam and achieve success. The main questions of this research were: what is the contribution of continuous training for teachers' personal and professional development? What impact did the changes in teaching methods have on the success students achieved in Natural Sciences subject? From these questions, sub-questions were made: what changes could be observed in teachers concerning attitude and theoretical knowledge; what reflection skills were developed and were they used; what kind of collegiality was there among teachers; what were the teaching methods they used the most; what attitudes did students show towards the new pedagogic strategies; what different knowledge sources were used by students and how did they react when exposed to the new teaching strategies. This research was based in a case study, in document analysis, in administration of questionnaires and interviews made to Natural Sciences teachers that attended the seminar under the topic "Sexual Education in Schools" promoted and lead by the Association for Family Planning (AFP). This seminar intended to make teachers reflect on the teaching methods they used to teach the topic "Human Reproduction and Growth" in Natural Sciences subject. The results show that teachers think that continuous training had an important role In changing their teaching methods and in their personal and professional development. Lastly, students seem to get better results with the use of the new teaching strategies the teachers implemented after attending the seminar, based in a more interactive teaming process that enables students' autonomy

Integrated Omics analysis of pig muscle metabolism under the effects of dietary Chlorella vulgaris and exogenous enzymes

Monogastric feeding is dependent on costly conventional feedstuffs. Microalgae such as Chlorella vulgaris are a sustainable alternative; however, its recalcitrant cell wall hinders monogastric digestion. Carbohydrate Active Enzyme (CAZyme) supplementation is a possible solution. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of 5% dietary C. vulgaris (CV) and enzymatic supplementation (CV + R— Rovabio® Excel AP; CV + M—four CAZyme mix) on muscle transcriptome and proteome of finishing pigs, in an integrated approach. Control pigs increased the abundance of contractile apparatus (MYH1, MYH2, MYH4) and energy metabolism (CKMT1, NDUFS3) proteins, demonstrating increased nutrient availability. They had increased expression of SCD, characteristic of increased glucose availability, via the activation of SREBP-1c and ChREBP. CV and CV + R pigs upregulated proteolytic and apoptotic genes (BAX, DDA1), whilst increasing the abundance of glucose (UQCRFS1) and fatty acid catabolism (ACADS) proteins. CV + R pigs upregulated ACOT8 and SIRT3 genes as a response to reduced nutrient availability, maintaining energy homeostasis. The cell wall specific CAZyme mix, CV + M, was able to comparatively reduce Omics alterations in the muscle, thereby reducing endogenous nutrient catabolism compared to the CV + R and CVinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Expression of genes controlling fat deposition in two genetically diverse beef cattle breeds fed high or low silage diets

Articles in International JournalsBackground: Both genetic background and finishing system can alter fat deposition, thus indicating their influence on adipogenic and lipogenic factors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition and fatty acid composition in beef cattle are not fully understood. This study aimed to assess the effect of breed and dietary silage level on the expression patterns of key genes controlling lipid metabolism in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle of cattle. To that purpose, forty bulls from two genetically diverse Portuguese bovine breeds with distinct maturity rates, Alentejana and Barrosã, were selected and fed either low (30% maize silage/70% concentrate) or high silage (70% maize silage/30% concentrate) diets. Results: The results suggested that enhanced deposition of fatty acids in the SAT from Barrosã bulls, when compared to Alentejana, could be due to higher expression levels of lipogenesis (SCD and LPL) and β-oxidation (CRAT) related genes. Our results also indicated that SREBF1 expression in the SAT is increased by feeding the low silage diet. Together, these results point out to a higher lipid turnover in the SAT of Barrosã bulls when compared to Alentejana. In turn, lipid deposition in the LL muscle is related to the expression of adipogenic (PPARG and FABP4) and lipogenic (ACACA and SCD) genes. The positive correlation between ACACA expression levels and total lipids, as well trans fatty acids, points to ACACA as a major player in intramuscular deposition in ruminants. Moreover, results reinforce the role of FABP4 in intramuscular fat development and the SAT as the major site for lipid metabolism in ruminants. Conclusions: Overall, the results showed that SAT and LL muscle fatty acid composition are mostly dependent on the genetic background. In addition, dietary silage level impacted on muscle lipid metabolism to a greater extent than on that of SAT, as evaluated by gene expression levels of adipogenic and lipogenic factors. Moreover, the response to diet composition evaluated through mRNA levels and fatty acid composition showed interesting differences between Alentejana and Barrosã bulls. These findings provide evidence that the genetic background should be taken into account while devising diet-based strategies to manipulate fatty acid composition of beef cattle tissues

Quality Traits and Nutritional Value of Pork and Poultry Meat from Animals Fed with Seaweeds

ReviewSeaweeds have caught the attention of the scientific community in recent years. Their production can mitigate the negative impact of anthropogenic activity and their use in animal nutrition reduces the dependency on conventional crops such as maize and soybean meal. In the context of monogastric animals, novel approaches have made it possible to optimise their use in feed, namely polysaccharide extraction, biomass fermentation, enzymatic processing, and feed supplementation with carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Their bioactive properties make them putative candidates as feed ingredients that enhance meat quality traits, such as lipid oxidation, shelf-life, and meat colour. Indeed, they are excellent sources of essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals, and pigments that can be transferred to the meat of monogastric animals. However, their nutritional composition is highly variable, depending on species, harvesting region, local pollution, and harvesting season, among other factors. In this review, we assess the current use and challenges of using seaweeds in pig and poultry diets, envisaging to improve meat quality and its nutritional valueinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of dietary Chlorella vulgaris and carbohydrate-active enzymes incorporation on plasma metabolites and liver lipid composition of broilers

ResearchBackground: Chlorella vulgaris has been proposed as a sustainable green feedstock in poultry nutrition due to its ease of cultivation, minimal environmental impact and balanced nutritional composition. However, the majority of studies documents the use of C. vulgaris as a dietary supplement in broilers instead of a feed ingredient. To the best of our knowledge, no report has shown the effect of a high-level incorporation (>2 % in the diet) of C. vulgaris on plasma metabolites and hepatic lipid composition of broilers. One hundred and twenty Ross 308 male birds were housed in 40 wired-floor cages and randomly distributed by the following experimental diets at 22 days of age (n = 10) during 15 days: (1) a corn-soybean meal based diet (control); (2) based diet with 10% of C. vulgaris; (3) diet 2 supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP; and (4) diet 2 supplemented with 0.01% of a pre-selected four-CAZyme mixture. Results: The inclusion of C. vulgaris at 10% in the diet, regardless of the presence of exogenous CAZymes, changed plasma metabolites but did not compromise broilers growth. Plasma total lipids increased in broilers fed C. vulgaris combined with the two feed CAZymes (p < 0.001) compared with the control diet. Moreover, the supplementation with Rovabio® increased total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, while the addition of the four-CAZyme mixture increased triacylglycerols, VLDL-cholesterol and ALP activity. In opposition, HDL-cholesterol levels decreased in broilers fed microalga alone (p = 0.002). Regarding hepatic composition, the inclusion of C. vulgaris in broiler diets, individually or combined with exogenous CAZymes, had a minor effect on fatty acids but improved the n-6/n-3 ratio and total carotenoids. Conclusions: In summary, the inclusion of a high level (10%) of C. vulgaris in broiler´s diet, regardless of the presence of exogenous CAZymes, improved hepatic antioxidant composition and did not impair broiler’s performance. In addition, the feed supplementation with CAZymes increased broilers lipemia. Therefore, dietary C. vulgaris at this incorporation level seems to be safe for animal health and do not compromise performance traits, with no need of CAZymes supplementationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

GAMIFICAÇÃO EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA DO COVID-19: UMA NOVA FORMA DE EDUCAR EM SAÚDE - RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Introduction: Since the beginning of the second decade of this century, strategies have been adopted within Education and Health, aiming to increase awareness and add practical value to health professionals, to minimize contamination rates, and to bring primary care into companies and institutions. Faced with the contemporary Brazilian scenario, suddenly hit by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, new forms of ill-characterized illness are emerging, such as stress, physical and mental fatigue, and another work-related suffering. Objective: In this way, the objective was to report the strategies used to educate in health in the return to face-to-face activities during the pandemic of the coronavirus COVID-19 in a private institution of basic and higher education located in the Bahian region. Methods: For this purpose, the methodology was based on an Experience report. Results: The results showed that Hhouve had a greater engagement among employees, especially with the application of gamification, which enabled interaction and encouragement for the practice of labour gymnastics, as well as care in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Final considerations, this experience report suggests that the use of gamification can be a strong ally together with social withdrawal in the fight against COVID-19 and the promotion of occupational health. Cause-and-effect work is needed to investigate the true benefits of technology use, especially in combating COVID-19 and promoting ergonomic quality in work environments.Introducción: Desde inicios de la segunda década del presente siglo, se han adoptado estrategias dentro de Educación y Salud, con el objetivo de sensibilizar y agregar valor práctico a los profesionales de la salud, para minimizar los índices de contaminación y acercar la atención primaria a empresas e instituciones. . Frente al escenario brasileño contemporáneo, repentinamente golpeado por la pandemia del coronavirus, aparecen nuevas formas de enfermedad mal caracterizadas, como el estrés, la fatiga física y mental y otras manifestaciones de sufrimiento relacionadas con el trabajo. Objetivo: Informar las estrategias utilizadas para educar en salud en el retorno a las actividades presenciales durante la pandemia de coronavirus en una institución del recóncavo bahiano. Métodos: Informe de experiencia. Resultados: Hubo un mayor compromiso entre los empleados, especialmente con la aplicación de la gamificación, lo que permitió la interacción y el fomento de la práctica de la gimnasia laboral, así como la atención ante la pandemia de covid-19. Consideraciones finales: Este informe de experiencia sugiere que el uso de la gamificación puede ser un fuerte aliado junto con el retraimiento social para combatir el Covid-19 y promover la salud ocupacional. Se necesita un trabajo de causa y efecto para investigar los beneficios reales del uso tecnológico, especialmente para combatir Covid-19 y promover la calidad ergonómica en los entornos de trabajo. &nbsp;Desde o início da segunda década deste século, estratégias têm sido adotadas dentro da Educação e Saúde, objetivando aumentar a conscientização e agregar valor prático aos profissionais de saúde, para minimizar índices de contaminação e trazer a atenção primária para dentro das empresas e instituições. Diante do cenário contemporâneo brasileiro, subitamente atingido pela pandemia do COVID-19, surgem novas formas de adoecimento mal caracterizadas, como o estresse, fadiga física e mental e outras manifestações de sofrimento relacionadas ao trabalho. Dessa maneira, objetivou-se relatar as estratégias utilizadas para educar em saúde no retorno às atividades presenciais durante a pandemia do COVID-19 em uma instituição particular de ensino básico e superior localizada no recôncavo baiano. Para tanto, a metodologia baseou-se através de um relato de Experiência. Os resultados demonstraram que houve um maior engajamento entre os funcionários, especialmente com a aplicação da gamificação que possibilitou interação e incentivo a prática da ginástica laboral, assim como os cuidados frente a pandemia do COVID-19. Sendo assim, este relato de experiência sugere que o uso da gamificação pode ser um forte aliado juntamente com o afastamento social no combate ao COVID-19 e promoção da saúde laboral. São necessários trabalhos de causa e efeito que investiguem os verdadeiros benefícios da utilização tecnológica especialmente deste no combate ao COVID-19 e na promoção da qualidade ergonômica nos ambientes de trabalho

Effect of dietary inclusion of Spirulina on production performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality traits in post-weaning piglets

The effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), individually or in combination with two commercial carbohydrases, in piglet diets was assessed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality traits. Forty post-weaned male piglets from Large White × Landrace sows crossed with Pietrain boars with an initial live weight of 12.0 ± 0.89 kg were used. Piglets were assigned to one of four dietary treatments (n = 10): cereal and soya bean meal base diet (control), base diet with 10% Spirulina (SP), SP diet supplemented with 0.005% Rovabio® Excel AP (SP + R) and SP diet supplemented with 0.01% lysozyme (SP + L). Animals were slaughtered after a 4-week experimental period. Growth performance was negatively affected by the incorporation of Spirulina in the diets, with an average decrease of 9.1% on final weight, in comparison with control animals. Total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of crude protein was higher (p < .05) in the control group than in other groups. In addition, lysozyme increased TTAD of crude fat and acid detergent fibre, relative to the SP and control groups, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of Spirulina, individually and supplemented with enzymes, did not impair meat quality traits. Surprisingly, no protective effect against lipid oxidation was observed with the inclusion of Spirulina in pork after 7 days of storage. This study indicates that growth performance of post-weaning piglets was impaired by the incorporation of 10% Spirulina in the diets, which is mediated by an increase in digesta viscosity and a lower protein digestibility, as a consequence of the resistance of microalga proteins to the action of endogenous peptidases. In addition, it also indicates that lysozyme, in contrast to Rovabio® Excel AP, is efficient in the degradation of Spirulina cell wall in piglet's intestine. However, the digestion of proteins liberated by Spirulina cell wall disruption is still a challengeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Contribuicao para o estudo do papel da actividade peptido hidrolasica (EC 3.4) na maturacao da carne refrigerada

The aim of this work was to study the contribution of endogenous peptide hydrolasic activity (E C 3.4) for characteristics physical, biochemical and structural/ultra-structural changes of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) meat ageing, at refrigeration temperatures (+4 deg C), in its different types of skeletal muscle (types I, II B and II D). The results provided a strong evidence for a major role of cysteine endo peptidases (Ec 3.4.22), possibly mainly due to calpains (Ec 3.4.22.17), in the tenderising process of the different types of rabbit meat. It is possible that tenderising is mainly due to structural myofibrillar weakening at N_2 lines level, as result of the scission of titin and nebulin filaments. It was also provide a strong evidence for a significant contribution of cysteine endo peptidases, possibly mainly due to calpains, in the in situ endopeptidasic activity (E C 3.4.21-24,99), main structural/ultrastructural changes of myofibrils and 30 kDa fragment formation (type II muscles), in the different types of skeletal muscle of rabbit meat. Finally, in situ exopeptidasic activity (E C 3.4.11-19) of rabbit meat could be predominantly caused by the three main aminopeptidases of skeletal muscle (aminopeptidase B, E C 3.4.11.6, cytosol alanyl aminopeptidase, E C 3.4.11.14, and hydrolase H, E C 3.4.22)Available from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, Servico de Informacao e Documentacao, Av. D. Carlos I, 126, 1249-074 Lisboa, Portugal / FCT - Fundação para o Ciência e a TecnologiaSIGLEPTPortuga

Integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analysis reveals muscle metabolism effects of dietary Ulva lactuca and ulvan lyase supplementation in weaned piglets

Abstract Seaweeds, including the green Ulva lactuca, can potentially reduce competition between feed, food, and fuel. They can also contribute to the improved development of weaned piglets. However, their indigestible polysaccharides of the cell wall pose a challenge. This can be addressed through carbohydrase supplementation, such as the recombinant ulvan lyase. The objective of our study was to assess the muscle metabolism of weaned piglets fed with 7% U. lactuca and 0.01% ulvan lyase supplementation, using an integrated transcriptomics (RNA-seq) and proteomics (LC–MS) approach. Feeding piglets with seaweed and enzyme supplementation resulted in reduced macronutrient availability, leading to protein degradation through the proteasome (PSMD2), with resulting amino acids being utilized as an energy source (GOT2, IDH3B). Moreover, mineral element accumulation may have contributed to increased oxidative stress, evident from elevated levels of antioxidant proteins like catalase, as a response to maintaining tissue homeostasis. The upregulation of the gene AQP7, associated with the osmotic stress response, further supports these findings. Consequently, an increase in chaperone activity, including HSP90, was required to repair damaged proteins. Our results suggest that enzymatic supplementation may exacerbate the effects observed from feeding U. lactuca alone, potentially due to side effects of cell wall degradation during digestion