Explicações teleológicas no ensino de evolução

O presente estudo tem como finalidade investigar o pensamento teleológico e suas implicações para o ensino e a formação de professores de Biologia. Particularmente, visa a compreender como os professores utilizam os argumentos teleológicos na elaboração das explicações sobre temáticas de evolução no ensino de Biologia. O trabalho empírico focaliza as soluções apresentadas por docentes às diversas situações em que o pensamento teleológico assume em aula, nas quais predominam uma visão linear e progressista sobre evolução. Tomando como referência a análise realizada, argumenta-se que a complexidade do pensamento teleológico não se restringe ao ensino Biologia e, portanto, os usos dados didáticos devem ser analisados em relação às finalidades educativas e não unicamente aos critérios científicos. Apontamos para seu uso consciente e em situações específicas

Efecto de diferentes regimenes de riego sobre la carga frutal, tama\uf1o de fruta y rendimiento del olivo cv. Sevillana

In order to determine the effects of different regulated deficit irrigation (RDC) strategies in olives ( Olea europea L.), four irrigation treatments were applied, for three seasons, in an eight-year-old orchard of cv. 'Sevillana' olives, growing in the locality of Tierras Blanca, San Felipe, V Region, Chile (32\ub047' S; 70\ub042' W; 800 m above sea level). Treatments were: T1, irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) for the entire season; T2, 100% ETc from beginning of shoot growth until the end of fruit growth stage II and 40% ETc during stage III; T3, 100% ETc from beginning of shoot growth until the end of fruit growth stage II and 25% ETc during stage III; and T4, 60% ETc throughout the entire season. Both stem water potential and stomatal conductance were affected by RDC, especially when 40 and 25% ETc were applied. During fruit stage III, water stress did not affect the fruit-bearing load, however during this stage severe water stress affected the final fruit weight. Water stress during the whole season (60% ETc), produced a strong reduction on the fruit-bearing load of the season of high production, which seems to have its origin in the previous season. According to the results, the best strategy for RDC in olives seems to be moderate stress (application of 40% Etc) in phase III of fruit growth.Con el objetivo de determinar el efecto de diferentes estrategias de riego deficitario controlado (RDC) en olivos ( Olea europea L.), se aplicaron cuatro tratamientos de riego, en tres temporadas, a un huerto de ocho a\uf1os de edad, del cv. Sevillana, ubicado en la localidad de Tierras Blancas, San Felipe, V Regi\uf3n (32\ub047' lat. Sur, 70\ub042' long. Oeste, 800 m.s.n.m). Los tratamientos fueron: T1, regado con el equivalente al 100% de la evapotranspiraci\uf3n del cultivo (ETc) durante toda la temporada; T2, 100% de la ETc desde brotaci\uf3n hasta el t\ue9rmino de la fase II de crecimiento del fruto y 40% durante la fase III; T3, 100% de la ETc desde brotaci\uf3n hasta el t\ue9rmino de la fase II de crecimiento del fruto y 25% durante la fase III; y T4, 60% de la ETc durante toda la temporada. Tanto el potencial h\ueddrico xilem\ue1tico como la conductancia estom\ue1tica se vieron afectados por la aplicaci\uf3n de riego restringido, especialmente cuando se aplicaron 40 y 25% de la ETc. D\ue9ficit h\ueddricos durante la fase III de crecimiento de frutos no afectaron la carga frutal, sin embargo restricciones h\ueddricas severas durante esta fase tuvieron incidencia en el peso final del fruto. D\ue9ficit h\ueddricos durante toda la temporada (60% ETc), produjeron una fuerte reducci\uf3n en la carga frutal de la temporada de alta producci\uf3n, la que parece tener su origen en el a\uf1o anterior. De acuerdo a los resultados, la mejor estrategia RDC en olivo parece ser un estr\ue9s moderado (aplicaci\uf3n del 40% de la ETc) en la fase III de crecimiento del fruto

Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in bambangan (Mangifera pajang Kort.) peels and their free radical scavenging activity.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of acidified methanolic extract prepared from fully ripe bambangan (Mangifera pajang K.) peel cultivated in Sarawak, Malaysia, were analyzed. The total phenolic content (98.3 mg GAE/g) of bambangan peel powder (BPP) was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. BPP showed a strong potency of antioxidant activity and was consistent with that of BHT and vitamin C as confirmed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) assays. Gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, protocatechuic acid, and mangiferin were the major compounds among the 16 phenolics that have been identified and quantified in M. pajang peels with 20.9, 12.7, 7.3, 5.4, and 4.8 mg/g BPP, respectively. Peak identities were confirmed by comparing their retention times, UV-vis absorption spectra, and mass spectra with authentic standards. The 16 phenolic compounds identified in M. pajang K. using HPLC-DAD and TSQ-ESI-MS are reported here for the first time

Preoperative Indicators of the Effectiveness of Surgical Release in Patients with de Quervain Disease:A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: A significant proportion of patients report persistent pain after surgical release for de Quervain disease (DQ). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a surgical release for DQ and to identify the preoperative factors associated with pain after a surgical release for DQ. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 707 patients who underwent surgical release and completed a visual analogue scale questionnaire (VAS; range 0 to 100). We used a paired t test to analyze the effectiveness of the surgical release on pain at 3 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative measure. A hierarchical multivariable linear regression model was created to investigate the contribution of patient-related and disease-related characteristics to postoperative pain. Results: All VAS domains showed improvement after surgical release. On average, the mean VAS pain decreased by 44 points (95% CI, 42, 46). Smoking (B = 6.37; P &lt; 0.01), younger age (B = -0.35; P &lt; 0.01), longer duration of complaints (B = 0.13; P &lt; 0.01), concomitant surgery (B = 14.40; P &lt; 0.01), and higher VAS pain scores at intake (B = 0.15; P &lt; 0.01) were associated with worse VAS pain scores postoperatively. Together, the variables explained 11% of the variance in mean VAS pain score at 3 months follow-up. Conclusions: This study confirms that surgical treatment for DQ significantly reduces patient-reported pain. Smoking, younger age, concomitant surgery, duration of complaints, and higher VAS pain scores at intake are associated with worse patient-reported pain 3 months after surgical release. However, the small effects suggest that these factors should not be considered the only important factors. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.</p

Staff’s views on delivering patient-led therapy during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: a focus group study with lessons for trial fidelity

Background; Fidelity to the treatment protocol is key to successful trials but often problematic. This article reports the staff’s views on delivering a complex rehabilitation intervention: patient-led therapy during inpatient stroke care. Methods; An exploratory qualitative study using focus groups with staff involved in a multicenter (n = 12) feasibility trial of patient-led therapy (the MAESTRO trial) was undertaken as part of the evaluation process. Purposive sampling ensured that participants represented all recruiting sites, relevant professions and levels of seniority. Data analysis used a Framework Approach. Results; Five focus groups were held involving 30 participants. Five main themes emerged: the effect of the interventions, practical problems, patient-related factors, professional dilemmas, and skills. Staff felt the main effect of the therapies was on patients’ autonomy and occupation; the main practical problems were the patients’ difficulties in achieving the correct position and a lack of space. Staff clearly identified characteristics that made patient-led therapy unsuitable for some patients. Most staff experienced dilemmas over how to prioritize the trial interventions compared to their usual therapy and other clinical demands. Staff also lacked confidence about how to deliver the interventions, particularly when adapting the interventions to individual needs. For each barrier to implementation, possible solutions were identified. Of these, involving other people and establishing a routine were the most common. Conclusions; Delivering rehabilitation interventions within a trial is complex. Staff require time and support to develop the skills, strategies and confidence to identify suitable patients, deliver new treatments, adapt the new treatments to individuals’ needs and balance the demands of delivering the trial intervention according to the treatment protocol with other clinical and professional priorities

Forearm rotation improves after corrective osteotomy in patients with symptomatic distal radius malunion

Objectives: Distal radius malunion can result in pain and functional complaints. One of the functional problems that can affect daily life is impaired forearm rotation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of corrective osteotomy for distal radius malunion on forearm rotation at 12 months after surgery. We secondarily studied the effect on grip strength, radiological measurements, and patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs). Patients and methods: This cohort study analysed prospectively collected data of adult patients with symptomatic distal radius malunion. All patients underwent corrective osteotomy for malunion and were followed for 1 year. We measured forearm rotation (pronation and supination) and grip strength and analysed radiographs. PROMs consisted of the Patient-Rated Hand/Wrist Evaluation (PRWHE) questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and satisfaction with hand function. Results:Preoperative total forearm rotation was 112° (SD: 34°), of which supination of 49° (SD: 25°) was more impaired than pronation of 63° (SD: 17°). Twelve months after surgery, an unpaired Student's t-test showed a significant improvement of total forearm rotation to 142° (SD: 17°) (p &lt; 0.05). Pronation improved to 72° (SD: 10°), and supination to 69° (SD: 13°) (p &lt; 0.05). Grip strength, PROMs, as well as inclination and volar tilt on radiographs improved significantly during the first year after surgery (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with reduced forearm rotation due to distal radius malunion, corrective osteotomy is an effective treatment that significantly improves forearm rotation. In addition, this intervention improves grip strength, the PRWHE-score, pain, and satisfaction with hand function.</p

Recurrence of Dupuytren’s contracture: A consensus-based definition

Purpose: One of the major determinants of Dupyutren disease (DD) treatment efficacy is recurrence of the contracture. Unfortunately, lack of agreement in the literature on what constitutes recurrence makes it nearly impossible to compare the multiple treatments alternatives available today. The aim of this study is to bring an unbiased pool of experts to agree upon what would be considered a recurrence of DD after treatment; and from that consensus establish a much-needed definition for DD recurrence. Methods: To reach an expert consensus on the definition of recurrence we used the Delphi method and invited 43 Dupuytren’s research and treatment experts from 10 countries to participate by answering a series of questionnaire rounds. After each round the answers were analyzed and the experts received a feedback report with another questionnaire round to further hone in of the definition. We defined consensus when at least 70% of the experts agreed on a topic. Results: Twenty-one experts agreed to participate in this study. After four consensus rounds, we agreed that DD recurrence should be defined as “more than 20 degrees of contracture recurrence in any treated joint at one year post-treatment compared to six weeks post-treatment”. In addition, “recurrence should be reported individually for every treated joint” and afterwards measurements should be repeated and reported yearly. Conclusion: This study provides the most comprehensive to date definition of what should be considered recurrence of DD. These standardized criteria should allow us to better evaluate the many treatment alternatives

The challenge of admitting the very elderly to intensive care

The aging of the population has increased the demand for healthcare resources. The number of patients aged 80 years and older admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) increased during the past decade, as has the intensity of care for such patients. Yet, many physicians remain reluctant to admit the oldest, arguing a "squandering" of societal resources, that ICU care could be deleterious, or that ICU care may not actually be what the patient or family wants in this instance. Other ICU physicians are strong advocates for admission of a selected elderly population. These discrepant opinions may partly be explained by the current lack of validated criteria to select accurately the patients (of any age) who will benefit most from ICU hospitalization. This review describes the epidemiology of the elderly aged 80 years and older admitted in the ICU, their long-term outcomes, and to discuss some of the solutions to cope with the burden of an aging population receiving acute care hospitalization

Euclid preparation: XXIX. Water ice in spacecraft Part I: The physics of ice formation and contamination

Material outgassing in a vacuum leads to molecular contamination, a well-known problem in spaceflight. Water is the most common contaminant in cryogenic spacecraft, altering numerous properties of optical systems. Too much ice means that Euclid’s calibration requirements cannot be met anymore. Euclid must then be thermally decontaminated, which is a month-long risky operation. We need to understand how ice affects our data to build adequate calibration and survey plans. A comprehensive analysis in the context of an astrophysical space survey has not been done before. In this paper we look at other spacecraft with well-documented outgassing records. We then review the formation of thin ice films, and find that for Euclid a mix of amorphous and crystalline ices is expected. Their surface topography – and thus optical properties – depend on the competing energetic needs of the substrate-water and the water-water interfaces, and they are hard to predict with current theories. We illustrate that with scanning-tunnelling and atomic-force microscope images of thin ice films. Sophisticated tools exist to compute contamination rates, and we must understand their underlying physical principles and uncertainties. We find considerable knowledge errors on the diffusion and sublimation coefficients, limiting the accuracy of outgassing estimates. We developed a water transport model to compute contamination rates in Euclid, and find agreement with industry estimates within the uncertainties. Tests of the Euclid flight hardware in space simulators did not pick up significant contamination signals, but they were also not geared towards this purpose; our in-flight calibration observations will be much more sensitive. To derive a calibration and decontamination strategy, we need to understand the link between the amount of ice in the optics and its effect on the data. There is little research about this, possibly because other spacecraft can decontaminate more easily, quenching the need for a deeper understanding. In our second paper, we quantify the impact of iced optics on Euclid’s data