A atitude dos professores do 1º ciclo face ao computador portátil Magalhães

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Educação (área de especialização em Tecnologia Educativa)O presente estudo realizou-se num contexto político de valorização das tecnologias na sociedade, na economia, na cultura e na educação. O Sistema Educativo Português, no âmbito do Projecto Plano Tecnológico da Educação (PTE), criou o programa e-escolinhas, que disponibilizou, até ao final do ano lectivo 2008/2009, condições para que todas as crianças pudessem ter acesso ao referido programa. Assim, com um computador por aluno, desenvolvido especificamente para o 1º ciclo, o computador Magalhães, bem como o acesso à rede de banda larga, é uma realidade em todas as salas do 1º ciclo. O Sistema Educativo pretende também integrar os professores em sistemas de formação contínua, certificando as suas competências no domínio da área das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) até 2010. Mediante a apresentação deste enquadramento de políticas, tanto para a educação como para a formação dos docentes na área das TIC, o presente estudo pretendeu conhecer e descrever as atitudes dos professores do 1º ciclo, em quatro Agrupamentos de Escolas do Distrito de Braga, relativamente à utilização do computador Magalhães na sala de aula, através de um estudo misto, que compreendeu um inquérito por questionário e entrevista, no ano lectivo 2009/2010. Os resultados observados revelam uma atitude maioritariamente positiva face à introdução na sala de aula desta Tecnologia Educativa, verificando-se a sua utilização por um número elevado de docentes nas suas práticas lectivas. Estes reconhecem as suas vantagens ao nível das aprendizagens dos alunos. No entanto, este comportamento não traduz uma introdução plena e adequada ao processo, uma vez que a maioria dos docentes inquiridos apresenta índices baixos de segurança/utilização no domínio das TIC, enquanto ferramentas cognitivas. A idade dos docentes mostrou-se discriminante na relação/utilização das TIC, sendo os docentes com idades mais jovens aqueles que apresentam maior segurança na sua utilização, bem como no domínio das múltiplas linguagens que elas suportam. Pela análise aos resultados do estudo, constatamos também que os professores precisam de realizar formação na área das TIC. Esta formação terá que ter em conta a definição dos objectivos de aprendizagem dos alunos para o 1º ciclo, definição dos métodos de aprendizagem adequados e depois sim, enquadramento das TIC em todo o processo. Por isso, o estudo permite-nos questionar também a qualidade das formações no âmbito das TIC, uma vez que a maioria dos docentes já realizou formação nesta área, não tendo esta sido traduzida por comportamentos seguros na utilização das TIC na sala de aula.This study took place in a political context of enrichment of technology in society, culture, economy, culture and education. The Portuguese Educational System, within the Technologic Plan for Education Project, created the e-escolinhas program, released by the end of 2008/2009 academic year, giving all children access to the program. Thus, with a computer per student, developed specifically for the 1º ciclo, the computer Magalhães, as well as network access to broadband, is a reality in all class rooms on the 1º ciclo. The Educational System also aims to integrate the teachers in continuous training systems, certifying their competences in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by 2010. By presenting this political framework, both for education and teachers training in the ICT field, this study intends to discover and describe the 1º ciclo teachers attitude in four groupings in the District of Braga, regarding the use of the computer Magalhães in the classroom, through a mixed study, comprised by a survey with questionnaires and interviews, in the academic year 2009/2010. The observed results show mostly a positive attitude regarding the introduction of this educational technology, verifying its use by a high number of teachers in their teaching practices. They recognise the benefits in students learning levels. However, this behaviour does not reflect a full and adequate introduction to the process, since the majority of teacher surveyed has low rates of confidence/use of ICT as cognitive tools. The teachers`age was shown to be discriminative regarding the relation/use of ICT, being the younger teachers who present a more confident use, as well as in the field of multiple languages supported. By analysing the results of the study, it was found that the teachers need training in ICT. This training will have to account for setting learning goals for 1º ciclo students, definition of appropriate learning methods and then yes, the fit the ICT in the all process. Therefore, the study allows us to also question the quality of training in ICT, since most teachers already conducted training in this area and it has not translated into confident behaviours using ICT in the classroom

Development and characterization of pectin films with Salicornia ramosissima: biodegradation in soil and seawater

Pectin films were developed by incorporating a halophyte plant Salicornia ramosissima (dry powder from stem parts) to modify the film’s properties. The films’ physicomechanical properties, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and microstructure, as well as their biodegradation capacity in soil and seawater, were evaluated. The inclusion of S. ramosissima significantly increased the thickness (0.25 ± 0.01 mm; control 0.18 ± 0.01 mm), color parameters a* (4.96 ± 0.30; control 3.29 ± 0.16) and b* (28.62 ± 0.51; control 12.74 ± 0.75), water vapor permeability (1.62 × 10−9 ± 1.09 × 10−10 (g/m·s·Pa); control 1.24 × 10−9 ± 6.58 × 10−11 (g/m·s·Pa)), water solubility (50.50 ± 5.00%; control 11.56 ± 5.56%), and elongation at break (5.89 ± 0.29%; control 3.91 ± 0.62%). On the other hand, L* (48.84 ± 1.60), tensile strength (0.13 ± 0.02 MPa), and Young’s modulus (0.01 ± 0 MPa) presented lower values compared with the control (L* 81.20 ± 1.60; 4.19 ± 0.82 MPa; 0.93 ± 0.12 MPa), while the moisture content varied between 30% and 45%, for the film with S. ramosissima and the control film, respectively. The addition of S. ramosissima led to opaque films with relatively heterogeneous microstructures. The films showed also good biodegradation capacity—after 21 days in soil (around 90%), and after 30 days in seawater (fully fragmented). These results show that pectin films with S. ramosissima may have great potential to be used in the future as an eco-friendly food packaging material.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Digital games: possibilities and limitations: the Spore Game case

This paper discusses the educational value of digital games, its advantages and limitations. In order to present the educational potential of digital games, we proceed to the analysis and evaluation of a game, which was recently published by Electronic Arts Inc., Spore, a game that reached the market surrounded by controversy, due to the evolution of the cells that settle its universe. This game presents defensible characteristics regardless of the underlying moral bias, offering a strong educational potential and reveling itself as a valuable educational resource, as it promotes active, autonomous and participated learning processes.Universidade do Minho. Centro de Investigação em Educação (CIEd

XRCC1 Arg399Gln and RAD51 5'UTR G135C polymorphisms and their outcome in tumor aggressiveness and survival of Portuguese breast cancer patients

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Empreendedorismo Dos Coordenadores Do Curso De Ciências Contábeis: Um Estudo De Caso Nas Universidades Particulares De João Pessoa-PB

A sociedade se apresenta em constante processo de desenvolvimento, visto que o saber humano evolui aceleradamente. Novas oportunidades surgem e se faz necessário um caráter criativo e inovador nas formas de organização e execução das atividades sociais. Nossa pressão social para mudanças, o papel do saber, dos conhecimentos, da investigação no crescimento sócio-econômico são essenciais, tendo como agentes participativos desse processo as entidades de ensino, particularmente, a área educacional universitária, onde são gerados profissionais especializados, pesquisadores e construtores das novas perspectivas sociais. Esse diagnóstico sobre empreendedorismo dos coordenadores é o objetivo deste artigo, que procurou evidenciar alguns conceitos e características dessa visão inovadora e demonstrar, através do estudo empírico como está a visão empreendedora dos coordenadores do curso de Ciências Contábeis das Universidades Particulares de João Pessoa. Inicialmente fez-se uma revisão de literatura, considerando o papel do coordenador de curso na gestão escolar e a política acadêmica utilizada, tanto à nível administrativo quanto em relação à qualificação docente. Seguidamente, utilizou-se também, uma pesquisa empírica nas universidades particulares de Ciências Contábeis de João Pessoa, através de questionários aos coordenadores do curso de cada instituição. As universidades particulares foram no total de cinco, tendo a participação ativa de todos os coordenadores, que receberam pessoalmente o questionário. O questionário foi elaborado com seis questões abertas (não estabelecem respostas) e oito questões fechadas (apresentam opções de resposta). Este questionário permitiu diagnosticar o empreendedorismo dos coordenadores diante do tradicionalismos acadêmicos, as estratégias utilizadas no processo e as dificuldades encontradas para o cumprimento de tarefas burocráticas e pedagógicas. De acordo com os resultados obtidos verificou-se que os coordenadores para cumprirem a missão de um gestor empreendedor nos seus cursos, terão que deixar de lado as barreiras das lideranças tradicionais passadas e procurar integrar, mobilizar e colocar uma ação de maneira sistemática, junto aos professores e aluno, orientando-os, acompanhando o seu desempenho e ainda controlando os recursos físicos e humanos para operacionalização do Projeto Pedagógico. Sendo necessário que os coordenadores levem em consideração os indicadores de desempenho acadêmico dos cursos de Ciências Contábeis, para avaliarem a sua gestão acadêmica frente a competitividade. A hierarquia deve ser respeitada, embora os coordenados devam levar proposta para implantação de projetos modernos. Não devem apenas aceitar, mas tentar introduzir uma nova visão gerencial e conseguir maior liberdade em sua atuação

A Vaccine Encoding Conserved Promiscuous HIV CD4 Epitopes Induces Broad T Cell Responses in Mice Transgenic to Multiple Common HLA Class II Molecules

Current HIV vaccine approaches are focused on immunogens encoding whole HIV antigenic proteins that mainly elicit cytotoxic CD8+ responses. Mounting evidence points toward a critical role for CD4+ T cells in the control of immunodeficiency virus replication, probably due to cognate help. Vaccine-induced CD4+ T cell responses might, therefore, have a protective effect in HIV replication. In addition, successful vaccines may have to elicit responses to multiple epitopes in a high proportion of vaccinees, to match the highly variable circulating strains of HIV. Using rational vaccine design, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding 18 algorithm-selected conserved, “promiscuous” (multiple HLA-DR-binding) B-subtype HIV CD4 epitopes - previously found to be frequently recognized by HIV-infected patients. We assessed the ability of the vaccine to induce broad T cell responses in the context of multiple HLA class II molecules using different strains of HLA class II- transgenic mice (-DR2, -DR4, -DQ6 and -DQ8). Mice displayed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses of significant breadth and magnitude, and 16 out of the 18 encoded epitopes were recognized. By virtue of inducing broad responses against conserved CD4+ T cell epitopes that can be recognized in the context of widely diverse, common HLA class II alleles, this vaccine concept may cope both with HIV genetic variability and increased population coverage. The vaccine may thus be a source of cognate help for HIV-specific CD8+ T cells elicited by conventional immunogens, in a wide proportion of vaccinees

An Environmental Education and Communication Project on Migratory Fishes and Fishing Communities

This study aims at evaluating the environmental education (EE) and communication intervention for the valorization of migratory fish resources in an estuary of northern Portugal. The EE component intervention was implemented among Middle School pupils of that region. Students’ knowledge was quantitatively evaluated with an experimental approach of pre-testing and post-testing, on the ocean and estuarine literacy (OEL) and biology of migratory species, such as sea lamprey. This study also analyzes the communication component developed via social media. Results of the EE component show an evident increment of OEL (p < 0.05). It is also highlighted that students had previous knowledge on issues that are not covered in the curriculum. Social media has shown to be an effective communication tool mostly among the scientific community (e.g., Ethnobiology). The research has various implications to OEL since it brings a new perspective towards the integration of ocean literacy in formal education; as well as the valorization of Students’ local ecological knowledge and of inter-generational dynamics. This study contributed to promoting local biodiversity, OEL, and participatory local governance of these ecosystemsThe publication was carried out in the context of the provision of services called “Valorization of the fishing production of the Minho River-contribution to the management and valorization of fishing products of the Minho River (COOPERMINHO)—Communication and socio-environmental training of the Local community for the valorization of the fish resources of the Minho River,” financed, via the Municipal Council of Vila Nova de Cerveira, by the program Mar 2020—Programa Operacional Mar 2020 Aviso n°5/2016. Thanks are due for the financial support to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017/2019), to FCT/MCTES through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. This work was also supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia under Grant SFRH/BPD/116379/2016; by the Resclima-EDU Project, funded in the 2018 Call of the State Program of I + D + I, oriented to the Challenges of the Society of the Government of Spain (ref. RTI2018-094074-B-I00). Braga HO thanks the CAPES Foundation—Ministry of Education of Brazil (BEX: 8926/13-1)S

Aripiprazole offsets mutant ATXN3-induced motor dysfunction by targeting dopamine D2 and serotonin 1A and 2A receptors in C. elegans

The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole is a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of psychotic, mood, and other psychiatric disorders. Previous drug discovery efforts pinpointed aripiprazole as an effective suppressor of Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) pathogenesis, as its administration resulted in a reduced abundance and aggregation of mutant Ataxin-3 (ATXN3) proteins. Dopamine partial agonism and functional selectivity have been proposed as the main pharmacological mechanism of action of aripiprazole in the treatment of psychosis; however, this mechanism remains to be determined in the context of MJD. Here, we focus on confirming the efficacy of aripiprazole to reduce motor dysfunction in vivo, using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model of MJD, and on unveiling the drug targets required for its positive action against mutant ATXN3 pathogenesis. We employed pharmacogenetics and pharmacological approaches to identify which dopamine and serotonin receptors are critical for aripiprazole-mediated improvements in motor function. We demonstrated that dopamine D2-like and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors play important roles in this process. Our findings strengthen the relevance of dopaminergic and serotoninergic signaling modulation against mutant ATXN3-mediated pathogenesis. The identification of aripiprazole’s cellular targets, relevant for MJD and perhaps other neurodegenerative diseases, may pave the way for prospective drug discovery and development campaigns aiming to improve the features of this prototypical compound and reduce side effects not negligible in the case of aripiprazole.This work was funded by FEDER through the Competitiveness Internationalization Operational Program (POCI) and by National funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-0 31987, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122; by National funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020). Additionally, this project was supported by the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF). A.J., J.P.-S., D.V.-C., and J.D.S. were supported by the FCT individual fellowships SFRH/BD/76613/2011, PD/BDE/127834/2016, SFRH/BD/147826/2019, and PD/BD/128074/2016, respectively