Why we need signed poetry in bilingual education

A truly bilingual and bicultural education for deaf children requires them to learn about the deaf art-form of sign language poetry. In this article I outline the advantages and challenges of doing this. Reviewing the scarce literature on teaching deaf children signed poetry, whether translated or original, I relate it to the use of literature in L2-learning settings. Reflections of deaf teacher-poets from the UK show that deaf children readily relate to signed poetry, and with informed language focus from teachers it helps them to develop a range of language skills, and express their emotions. Barriers to this, however, include lack of training and awareness for both deaf and hearing teachers - even when the teachers are poets

Por que precisamos de poesia sinalizada em educação bilíngue

Uma verdadeira educação bilíngue e bicultural para crianças surdas requer que elas aprendam a forma de arte surda de poesia em língua de sinais. Neste artigo apresento as vantagens e desvantagens de se fazer isto. Revisando a escassa literatura sobre o ensino de poesia sinalizada para crianças surdas, seja traduzida ou original, eu a relaciono ao uso de literatura em cenários de aprendizagem de L2. Reflexões de professores-poetas surdos do Reino Unido mostram que a criança surda prontamente se simpatiza com a poesia sinalizada, e com o foco linguístico adequado dos professores, isto as ajuda a desenvolver uma gama de habilidades linguísticas e a expressar suas emoções. Barreiras para isto, contudo, incluem a falta de treinamento e apreensão de professores surdos e ouvintes - mesmo quando os professores são poetas

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Oxidative and biochemical responses in Brycon amazonicus anesthetized and sedated with Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey.) DC. and Curcuma longa L. essential oils

Objective: To investigate the effects of rapid anesthesia and long-term sedation with the essential oils (EOs) of Myrcia sylvatica (EOMS) and Curcuma longa (EOCL) on biochemical and oxidative parameters in matrinxã. Study design: Prospective, randomized, laboratory experiment. Animals: A total of 72 matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) adults weighing 404.8 ± 27.9 g were divided into eight groups of nine fish. Methods: Biochemical and oxidative effects were investigated in plasma and tissues of matrinxã subjected to rapid anesthesia (5 minutes) or long-term sedation (360 minutes, simulating the practice of transport) with EOMS (200 μL L−1 and 10 μL L−1, respectively) and EOCL (500 μL L−1 and 40 μL L−1, respectively). Results: Transport simulation without sedation or anesthesia increased lipid peroxidation levels in the gills and kidney of fish in the control group. Anesthesia and sedation with EOs decreased cortisol concentrations and increased lactate concentrations compared with controls. Lipid peroxidation was lower in the brain, gills, liver and kidney of sedated and anesthetized fish, than in the control group. Anesthesia with EOs increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase in the brain, and catalase in the liver and gills, compared with controls. Long-term sedation with EOs increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in the brain, catalase in the liver, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the gills and superoxide dismutase in the kidney. In general, nonprotein thiols content and total reactive antioxidant potential of tissues were higher after anesthesia and sedation with EOs compared with the control group. Conclusions and clinical relevance: The concentrations of EOMS and EOCL used were effective at preventing a stress response and excess of reactive oxygen species formation. For these reasons, these substances may be recommended for use in the transportation of fish to improve survival and animal welfare.Fil: Saccol, Etiane M. H.. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Londero, Érika P.. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Bressan, Caroline A.. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Salbego, Joseânia. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Gressler, Luciane T.. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Silva, Lenise V. F.. Universidade Federal do Pará; BrasilFil: Mourão, Rosa H. V.. Universidade Federal do Pará; BrasilFil: Oliveira, Ricardo B.. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Llesuy, Susana Francisca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Baldisserotto, Bernardo. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; BrasilFil: Pavanato, Maria A.. Universidad Federal de Santa Maria; Brasi

Individual Variability in <i>Bothrops</i> <i>atrox</i> Snakes Collected from Different Habitats in the Brazilian Amazon: New Findings on Venom Composition and Functionality

Differences in snake venom composition occur across all taxonomic levels and it has been argued that this variation represents an adaptation that has evolved to facilitate the capture and digestion of prey and evasion of predators. Bothrops atrox is a terrestrial pitviper that is distributed across the Amazon region, where it occupies different habitats. Using statistical analyses and functional assays that incorporate individual variation, we analyzed the individual venom variability in B. atrox snakes from four different habitats (forest, pasture, degraded area, and floodplain) in and around the Amazon River in Brazil. We observed venom differentiation between spatially distinct B. atrox individuals from the different habitats, with venom variation due to both common (high abundance) and rare (low abundance) proteins. Moreover, differences in the composition of the venoms resulted in individual variability in functionality and heterogeneity in the lethality to mammals and birds, particularly among the floodplain snakes. Taken together, the data obtained from individual venoms of B. atrox snakes, captured in different habitats from the Brazilian Amazon, support the hypothesis that the differential distribution of protein isoforms results in functional distinctiveness and the ability of snakes with different venoms to have variable toxic effects on different prey

Evidence for Snake Venom Plasticity in a Long-Term Study with Individual Captive <i>Bothrops atrox</i>

Variability in snake venom composition has been frequently reported and correlated to the adaptability of snakes to environmental conditions. Previous studies report plasticity for the venom phenotype. However, these observations are not conclusive, as the results were based on pooled venoms, which present high individual variability. Here we tested the hypothesis of plasticity by influence of confinement and single diet type in the venom composition of 13 adult specimens of Bothrops atrox snakes, maintained under captivity for more than three years. Individual variability in venom composition was observed in samples extracted just after the capture of the snakes. However, composition was conserved in venoms periodically extracted from nine specimens, which presented low variability restricted to the less abundant components. In a second group, composed of four snakes, drastic changes were observed in the venom samples extracted at different periods, mostly related to snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), the core function toxins of B. atrox venom, which occurred approximately between 400 and 500 days in captivity. These data show plasticity in the venom phenotype during the lifetime of adult snakes maintained under captive conditions. Causes or functional consequences involved in the phenotype modification require further investigations

Comparison of Phylogeny, Venom Composition and Neutralization by Antivenom in Diverse Species of Bothrops Complex

Made available in DSpace on 2015-09-21T17:25:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) carolina_nicolau_etal_IOC_2013.pdf: 1668584 bytes, checksum: 6ae4f3b359524876188b347a8f43cd15 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013Instituto Butantan. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo CruzI. Laboratório de Toxinologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil.Universidade São Paulo. Instituto de Matemática e Estatística. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Instituto Butantan. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil / Instituto Butantan. Laboratório de Fisiopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Instituto Butantan. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil / Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará. Santarém, Pará, Brasil.Instituto Butantan. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil / Instituto Butantan. Laboratório de Fisiopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil / Faculdades Integradas do Tapajó. Santarém, Pará, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo CruzI. Laboratório de Toxinologia. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil.nstituto Butantan. Laboratório de Imunopatologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil / Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Toxinas (INCTTox/CNPq). Brasil.In Latin America, Bothrops snakes account for most snake bites in humans, and the recommended treatment is administration of multispecific Bothrops antivenom (SAB – soro antibotro´pico). However, Bothrops snakes are very diverse with regard to their venom composition, which raises the issue of which venoms should be used as immunizing antigens for the production of pan-specific Bothrops antivenoms. In this study, we simultaneously compared the composition and reactivity with SAB of venoms collected from six species of snakes, distributed in pairs from three distinct phylogenetic clades: Bothrops, Bothropoides and Rhinocerophis. We also evaluated the neutralization of Bothrops atrox venom, which is the species responsible for most snake bites in the Amazon region, but not included in the immunization antigen mixture used to produce SAB. Using mass spectrometric and chromatographic approaches, we observed a lack of similarity in protein composition between the venoms from closely related snakes and a high similarity between the venoms of phylogenetically more distant snakes, suggesting little connection between taxonomic position and venom composition. P-III snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are the most antigenic toxins in the venoms of snakes from the Bothrops complex, whereas class P-I SVMPs, snake venom serine proteinases and phospholipases A2 reacted with antibodies in lower levels. Low molecular size toxins, such as disintegrins and bradykinin-potentiating peptides, were poorly antigenic. Toxins from the same protein family showed antigenic cross-reactivity among venoms from different species; SAB was efficient in neutralizing the B. atrox venom major toxins. Thus, we suggest that it is possible to obtain pan-specific effective antivenoms for Bothrops envenomations through immunization with venoms from only a few species of snakes, if these venoms contain protein classes that are representative of all species to which the antivenom is targeted

Comparison of the elution profiles of venoms from snakes classified in different genera.

<p>Samples containing 5 mg of crude lyophilized venom from <i>Bothrops atrox</i>, <i>Bothrops jararacussu</i>, <i>Bothropoides jararaca</i>, <i>Bothropoides neuwiedi</i>, <i>Rhinocerophis alternatus</i> and <i>Rhinocerophis cotiara</i>, species maintained at Instituto Butantan herpetarium, were applied to a Vydac C-18 column (4.6×250 mm, 10-µm particle size) coupled to an Agilent 1100 HPLC system. The fractions were eluted at 1 mL/min, with a gradient of 0.1% TFA in water (solution A) and 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile (solution B) (5% B for 10 min, followed by 5–15% B over 20 min, 15–45% B over 120 min, 45–70% B over 20 min and 70–100% B over 10 min). The separations were monitored at 214 nm.</p