Following Darwin’s footsteps: Evaluating the impact of an activity designed for elementary school students to link historically important evolution key concepts on their understanding of natural selection

While several researchers have suggested that evolution should be explored from the initial years of schooling, little information is available on effective resources to enhance elementary school students’ level of understanding of evolution by natural selection (LUENS). For the present study, we designed, implemented, and evaluated an educational activity planned for fourth graders (9 to 10 years old) to explore concepts and conceptual fields that were historically important for the discovery of natural selection. Observation field notes and students’ productions were used to analyze how the students explored the proposed activity. Additionally, an evaluation framework consisting of a test, the evaluation criteria, and the scoring process was applied in two fourth-grade classes (N = 44) to estimate elementary school students’ LUENS before and after engaging in the activity. Our results show that our activity allowed students to link the key concepts, resulting in a significant increase of their understanding of natural selection. They also reveal that additional activities and minor fine-tuning of the present activity are required to further support students’ learning about the concept of differential reproduction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O novo portal de Turismo da cidade do Porto: promoção de um destino Turismo e Vitivinícola.

[Abstract] The new website of the city of Porto (www.visitporto.travel), that started development in early 2010 and was activated in May 2011, functions as a tourism marketplace combined with an integrated information system for tourism. This is achieved by combining a series of tools and technologies that provide information and advice and support the acquisition of goods and services. Starting from the early stage of trip planning and remote access (telephone, SMS, email and web), proceeding to the arrival into the city and face to face interactions in e.g. tourist shops, combined with other means of self-information and acquisition of goods and services (e.g. PortoCard), supporting the visit all the way up to eventually leaving the city to visit other destinations, such as the vineyards of the Douro Valley, and coming back to Porto for the return journey, and finishing with the process of feedback and follow-up. This paper describes the rationale behind the creation of this website that intends to be a tourism gateway to the Metropolitan Area of Porto and Northern Portugal with special emphasis on the Douro Valley, and the experience behind the process of designing, implementing and rolling out the new portal, and adapting it to user feedback. Although the website is still under active development some parts of it are already considered to be a success. The most important result seems to be that the website is working as a rally point for the tourism ecosystem, fostering the development of synergies between the different players.[Resumo] O novo portal de turismo da cidade do Porto (www.visitporto.travel), cujo desenvolvimento arrancou no início de 2010 sendo disponibilizado ao público em maio 2011, funciona como um mercado de turismo combinado com um sistema de informação integrado. Isto é conseguido através da combinação de uma série de ferramentas e tecnologias que fornecem informação e aconselhamento e apoiam a aquisição de bens e serviços turísticos. O suporte vai desde a fase inicial de planeamento da viagem e acesso remoto (telefone, SMS, e-mail e web), prosseguindo com a chegada à cidade e interações face a face, por exemplo em lojas do turismo, combinado com outros meios de auto informação e aquisição de bens e serviços (por exemplo, PortoCard), apoiando a visita ao longo de todo o percurso até eventualmente deixar a cidade para visitar outros destinos, tal como as vinhas do Vale do Douro, voltando ao Porto para a viagem de regresso, e terminando com o processo de feedback e acompanhamento posterior. Este artigo descreve a lógica da criação deste sítio web que pretende ser uma porta de entrada do turismo para a Área Metropolitana do Porto e Norte de Portugal, com especial destaque para o vinho e o Vale do Douro; e descreve a experiência por trás do processo de conceção, implementação e operacionalização deste novo portal, e adaptação do mesmo em função do feedback dos utilizadores. Embora ainda esteja em ativo desenvolvimento, algumas componentes deste portal já são consideradas um sucesso. O resultado mais importante parece ser estar funcionando como um ponto de encontro para o ecossistema[Resumen] El nuevo sitio web de la ciudad de Oporto (www.visitporto.travel), que comenzó a desarrollarse a principios de 2010 y se activó en mayo de 2011, funciona como un mercado turístico combinado con un sistema de información integrado para el turismo. Esto se logra mediante la articulación de una serie de herramientas y tecnologías que proporcionan información, asesoramiento y apoyo en la adquisición de bienes y servicios. Así, desde la fase inicial de planificación del viaje y del acceso remoto a la información (teléfono, SMS, correo electrónico y web), la llegada a la ciudad ofrece una interacción cara a cara, por ejemplo, en tiendas para turistas, junto con otros medios de auto-información y compra de bienes y servicios (por ejemplo, PortoCard) que apoyan la visita y la programación de la salida de la ciudad para conocer otros destinos, como los viñedos del Valle del Duero, y de vuelta a Oporto para el viaje de regreso concluir así el proceso de retroalimentación y seguimiento. Este artículo describe la lógica inherente a la creación del sitio web referido que pretende ser una puerta de entrada para el turismo en el Área Metropolitana de Oporto y Norte de Portugal, con especial énfasis en el Valle del Duero, y la experiencia integral de la concepción, implementación e implantación del nuevo portal, para adaptarlo a la retroalimentación del usuario. Aunque el sitio está todavía en desarrollo, algunos de sus componentes ya se consideran un éxito. El resultado más importante parece radicar en el hecho de que el sitio web está funcionando como un punto de encuentro para el ecosistema del turismo, impulsando el desarrollo de sinergias entre los diferentes agentes

A Comparison of the Application of the SMED Methodology in Two Different Cutting Lines

Purpose: This study was carried out in a cork company and its purpose was to observe and analyze the practices and methods used during the tools/series change moments and to propose improvements and alternatives to these same procedures so that the time needed to carry out the setup is reduced by 15% in both lines. Methodology/Approach:The methodology included the following phases: 1st - historical data collection and setup video recording, 2nd - footage analysis and conduction of informal interviews with employees, 3rd - flow, Gantt, and spaghetti charts creation and making of an action plan based on the waste and improvement opportunities identified in video analysis, 4th - validation with the line workers of the new operating mode created with the Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) tool and communication to the Maintenance department about their role in this project, 5th - making and placement of plasticized cards on the cutting lines to ensure that new operating mode is followed and carrying out the actions identified in the action plan. Findings: Throughout this project using observations, video recording and its subsequent analysis, as well as interviews to the workers operating in the line, it was found the existence of several actions carried out by them during the setups which did not add value to the product, lack of adequate tools for the work to be performed and lack of work tools in general Research Limitation/implication: The study was limited by the lines and products under study and by the duration of the curricular internship, which was about five months. Originality/Value of paper: The article demonstrates the added value in terms of product quality and production output rate that SMED methodology can bring to companies that adopt the lean philosophy and in particular this continuous improvement tool.The author Alexandre Silva would like to thank Amorim Revestimentos for the opportunity to carry out the project in its facilities, thank Filipe Ferreira and César Daniel for the moments of companionship and for the shared knowledge, thank Mr. Pedrosa and the entire Maintenance Department for their collaboration in this project, to thank the employees of the cut lines for their availability to clarify doubts, to listen and follow my ideas and to thank, namely, Professor José Carlos Sá for his guidance and availability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Actionable Framework for Understanding and Improving Talent Retention as a Competitive Advantage in IT Organizations

In the rapidly evolving global business landscape, the demand for software has intensified competition among organizations, leading to challenges in retaining highly qualified IT members in software organizations. One of the problems faced by IT organizations is the retention of these strategic professionals, also known as talent. This work presents an actionable framework for Talent Retention (TR) used in IT organizations. It is based on our findings from interviews performed with 21 IT managers. The TR Framework is our main research outcome. Our framework encompasses a set of factors, contextual characteristics, barriers, strategies, and coping mechanisms. Our findings indicated that software engineers can be differentiated from other professional groups, and beyond competitive salaries, other elements for retaining talent in IT organizations should be considered, such as psychological safety, work-life balance, a positive work environment, innovative and challenging projects, and flexible work. A better understanding of factors could guide IT managers in improving talent management processes by addressing Software Engineering challenges, identifying important elements, and exploring strategies at the individual, team, and organizational levels.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2205.06352 by other author

Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in the Upper Eyelid in a Dog

Background: Schwannomas are benign neurogenic tumours of peripheral nerves. They originate from Schwann cells, which form the neural sheath.Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are most commonly found on the head and neck regions of both dogs and people. Schwannomas are rarely observed in ophthalmic areas. When they occur, ocular Schwannomas are usually located in the orbit, uveal tract and conjunctiva. The occurrence of uveal schwannoma, a subset of PNST has been well documented in the veterinary literature. This is the first report of a palpebral PNST in the dog. The lip-to-lid flap is a feasible technique to reconstruct the upper eyelid following wide surgical removal of a tumor in the dog.Case: A 9-year-old, spayed female mixed-breed dog was referred for evaluation of a large mass involving the right upper eyelid for a duration of approximately one month. The inspection revealed sero-sanguinolent discharge and an oval-shaped mass occupying more than 70% of the right upper eyelid. The dog was alert and the ophthalmic and general physical examination did not revealed abnormalities. Ocular ultrasonography did not show significant findings. A fine-needle aspirate of the palpebral tumor was not elucidative, even so, a presumptive diagnosis of eyelid neoplasia was considered most likely. Excision of the entire mass with a 2 cm margin was performed. The third eyelid and dorso-medial bulbar conjunctiva were also removed. Upper eyelid reconstruction was performed based on a similar technique previously described in cats (lip-to-lid flap). As a result, neoplastic spindle cells exhibited immunoreactivity for S100 and intense cytoplasmic staining for vimentin, supporting the diagnosis of schwannoma. Fifteen days later, the margins of the subdermal pattern flap were healed and skin sutures were removed. On the last follow-up, 9 months post-surgery, the dog was visual, and the flap was well incorporated and covered the ocular surface. Ten months later, another large mass arising from the right inferior palpebral conjunctiva was observed. Once ultrasound revealed orbital invasion exenteration combined with orbitectomy were performed, and the defect was covered with an auricular axial pattern flap. Although the second tumor had the same histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the first mass additional staining for Ki67 was used to investigate the biological behavior of both masses.Discussion: Reported eyelid neoplasms in dogs include adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the meibomian glands, melanomas, fibroma, fibrosarcoma, histiocytoma, mastocytoma, lipomas, papillomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. To the author´s knowledge, however, this is the first case description of a PNST affecting the eyelid in a dog. The histologic distinction between PNSTs and other spindle cell tumors, including myxosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and melanoma can be challenging and requires immunohistochemical stainin. S100 is an acidic protein that identifies various nervous tissue cells, including Schwann cells, and the majority of canine PNSTs diffusely express this molecule. As in the case presented here, neoplastic cells of different ocular and adnexal structures were also positive for S100 and vimentin in all PNSTs previously reported in the veterinary literature. This is the first report of PNST affecting the eyelid in a dog. The lip-to-lid flap is a feasible technique to reconstruct the upper eyelid following wide surgical removal of a tumor in dogs. However, the authors suggest radical surgery combining orbitectomy, exenteration and a miocutaneous flap if PNST is diagnosed in the eyelids of dogs. They also caution once recurrence is possible and can be more aggressive.Keywords: lip-to-lid transposition, S100, vimentin, desmin, Ki67, dog

Severe Corneal Edema in a Dog Naturally Infected by Leishmania spp.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum that is transmitted to dogs and humans by sandflies. The incidence of eye injuries in VL is high. They occur in 20 to 81% of infected dogs and include blepharitis, granulomatous conjunctivitis, scleritis, keratitis, anterior uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and secondary glaucoma. However, some dogs present only the clinical signs of eye damage. The main objective of this manuscript is to report a case of anterior uveitis with severe corneal edema in a dog with VL that underwent clinical and surgical ophthalmic treatments after miltefosine therapy.Case: An 8-month-old, intact male Labrador Retriever with brown fur presented with pruritus, diffuse desquamation, and conjunctival hyperemia on physical evaluation. On the basis of an ophthalmic examination, nodular conjunctivitis and uveitis were diagnosed in both eyes. Moreover, laboratory examination results showed hyperproteinemia, increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity, and positive reactions to immunochromatographic tests for VL. Clinical treatment was instituted from the moment of diagnosis, when miltefosine and allopurinol were prescribed. At the end of treatment, based on laboratory examination results, only allopurinol was prescribed at a lower dose than initially prescribed for treatment continuation. Topical medications (prednisolone eye drops and sodium hyaluronate) were recommended for the ophthalmic changes. One week after the start of topical treatment, the dog showed an improvement in eye inflammation but still had bilateral corneal edema. A hyperosmotic agent was prescribed to improve edema, and a surgical procedure was recommended if there was no improvement. The physician opted for the surgical procedure in one of the eyes that had not shown significant improvement after the clinical treatment.Discussion: VL is a zoonosis, and the domestic dog is the main reservoir. These animals often have dermatological conditions, and the ophthalmic changes observed can be unilateral or bilateral, with more than one change in the same eye. Lymphoplasmacytic or granulomatous anterior uveitis is the most prevalent change, as the uvea and conjunctiva are important lymphoid areas of the eye; this also explains the high incidence of uveitis and conjunctivitis in dogs with VL. In uveitis, corneal edema is driven by endothelial cell damage induced by prostaglandins, which interfere with the function of the endothelial pump and interrupt the normal dehydrated state of the cornea. Severe corneal edema can result in the formation of fluid-filled multifocal bubbles in the corneal stroma—a condition called bullous keratopathy. These bubbles accumulate under or inside the corneal epithelium, and they can burst spontaneously, leading to corneal erosions or ulcerations. Drug therapy with hyperosmotic agents could, in principle, reduce the formation of bubbles. Surgical options to decrease edema and blistering include a permanent conjunctival graft or thermokeratoplasty. Thermokeratoplasty induces the formation of superficial scars in the corneal stroma, applying multiple cauterization foci to the stroma exposed in the areas of bullous keratopathy and epithelial ulceration. In conclusion, the surgical therapeutic choice results in better visual quality in patients who do not respond well to clinical treatment

Peripheral nerve sheath tumor in the upper eyelid in a dog

Background: Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are most commonly found on the head and neck regions of both dogs and people. Schwannomas are rarely observed in ophthalmic areas. When they occur, ocular Schwannomas are usually located in the orbit, uveal tract and conjunctiva. The occurrence of uveal schwannoma, a subset of PNST has been well documented in the veterinary literature. PNST has never been observed in the eyelids of dogs. Therefore, the present report aimed to describe the surgical treatment and outcome of a PNST located in the upper eyelid of a dog. Case: A 9-year-old, spayed female mixed-breed dog was referred for evaluation of a large mass involving the right upper eyelid for a duration of approximately one month. The inspection revealed sero-sanguinolent discharge and an oval-shaped mass occupying more than 70% of the right upper eyelid. A presumptive diagnosis of eyelid neoplasia was considered most likely. Excision of the entire mass with a 2 cm margin was performed. The third eyelid and dorso-medial bulbar conjunctiva were also removed. Upper eyelid reconstruction was performed based on a similar technique previously described in cats (lip-to-lid flap). As a result, neoplastic spindle cells exhibited immunoreactivity for S100 and intense cytoplasmic staining for vimentin, supporting the diagnosis of schwannoma. Fifteen days later, the margins of the subdermal pattern flap were healed and skin sutures were removed. On the last follow-up, 9 months post-surgery, the dog was visual, and the flap was well incorporated and covered the ocular surface. Ten months later, another large mass arising from the right inferior palpebral conjunctiva was observed. Once ultrasound revealed orbital invasion exenteration combined with orbitectomy were performed, and the defect was covered with an auricular axial pattern flap. The second tumor had the same histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the first mass. Both tumors expressed Ki67; however, the PI in the second mass was higher (7.9%) than the first (3.4%). Discussion: Reported eyelid neoplasms in dogs include adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the meibomian glands, melanomas, fibroma, fibrosarcoma, histiocytoma, mastocytoma, lipomas, papillomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. To the author’s knowledge, however, this is the first case description of a PNST affecting the eyelid in a dog. The histologic distinction between PNSTs and other spindle cell tumors, including myxosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, and melanoma can be challenging and requires immunohistochemical stainin. S100 is an acidic protein that identifies various nervous tissue cells, including Schwann cells, and the majority of canine PNSTs diffusely express this molecule. As in the case presented here, neoplastic cells of different ocular and adnexal structures were also positive for S100 and vimentin in all PNSTs previously reported in the veterinary literature. This is the first report of PNST affecting the eyelid in a dog. The lip-to-lid flap is a feasible technique to reconstruct the upper eyelid following wide surgical removal of a tumor in dogs. However, the authors suggest radical surgery combining orbitectomy, exenteration and a miocutaneous flap if PNST is diagnosed in the eyelids of dogs. They also caution once recurrence is possible and can be more aggressive

Preputial Reconstruction Combined with Graft in Dogs

Background: Preputial injuries are significant in the clinical routine. Traumas, conditions, and mass excision result in extensive and full-thickness defects that lead to chronic penile exposure and consequential injuries. Severe injuries may require preputial reconstructive surgery to restore function and aesthetics. The objective is to report the use of the preputial reconstruction technique using the caudal superficial epigastric axial standard flap associated with a single-stage, full-thickness oral mucosa graft in 3 dogs where the loss of the prepuce was significant. Cases: Three dogs were admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of UFMT with preputial lesions of different etiologies. All cases were referred for preventive reconstruction using a flap in the caudal axial epigastric pattern associated with a single-stage oral mucosa graft. In the 3 reported cases, changes that compromised surgical success, such as suture dehiscence, necrosis, or infection, were not observed during hospitalization. Cutaneous stitch dehiscence, however, was observed in all 3 cases. Dog 1. A small point of dehiscence and tissue necrosis was found and treated with chemical debridement and healed by second intention, which proved to be sufficient on the 30th day. Dog 2.  A half-moon rotation flap was performed, which closed the defect. Dog 3.  A new procedure using the reporting theme technique was necessary in order to cover the cranial portion of the foreskin. The dehiscence present in dogs 2 and 3 was significant. Flap retraction was observed in all 3 cases. In dogs 1 and 3, the retraction was slight, and the exposure of a small portion of the penile glans were observed, showing no changes that required intervention. In dog 2, retraction was important, leading to partial stenosis of the preputial ostium. A larger ostium was obtained by suturing the mucosa to the edge of the wedge. Considering the possibility of adhesion formation, “captons” were made in sterile silicone tubes, and sutures were placed in the dorsal and ventral aspects to prevent adherence of the oral mucosa graft located on the inside of the new foreskin. The captons were removed on the tenth post-operative day, revealing a good opening of the preputial orifice and adequate penile exposure. Discussion: The absence of a foreskin caused by trauma or surgical excision leads to chronic penile exposure, dryness, and ulcerations. The simple covering of the skin with an axial-type flap of the caudal superficial epigastric region tends to fail since only the graft edges are sutured into the abdominal skin. In these circumstances, the subcutaneous region on the penis is exposed and comes in direct contact with urine and the penile mucosa, causing the flap skin to grow to exacerbated retraction. The transplantation of a free-lip mucosa graft allows the subcutaneous region of the transposed skin flap to create adhesions in the fenestrated regions of the lip tissue through the formation of granulation tissue buds, which is performed in a single stage. The permanence of the penis protects the lower urinary system from the occurrence of infections relative to what is normally observed in cases where partial or total penile amputation is practiced in combination with adjunctive scrotal urethrostomy. Given the observations of the 3 cases described here, the technique of pre-facial reconstruction with an axial skin flap of the caudal superficial epigastric region, combined with free-labial mucosa graft, was found to be feasible for the single-stage foreskin technique, but that paraphimosis remanagement may be necessary when cutaneous portions of the penile skin caudal to the glans are removed. Keywords: prepuce, reconstruction, oral mucosa. Título: Reconstrução prepucial com uso de enxerto combinado em cães. Descritores: prepúcio, reconstrução, mucosa oral