Developing Social Skills in the Prison Context – Results from the Implementation of a Training Program with Prisoners

Non-formal education programs play an important role in the rehabilitation process of prisoners.  It provides the opportunity for prisoners to engage in useful activities in the prison context, improves their employment prospects after release, facilitates the process of their personal development and transformation and enhances their prospects of developing the motivation, autonomy and responsibility to gain control over their lives after their release. This study aims to present the results of a non-formal education program developed within the context of a curricular internship project, carried out at a Penitentiary Establishment, located in the North of Portugal. The project is part of the third year of a Bachelor Degree programme in Social Education at Portucalense University, which took place from october 2018 to june 2019. The project was organized in four main phases: diagnosis, planning, execution and evaluation. The methods for data collection used were document analysis, observation and questionnaires. The participants in the training program included ten prisoners who kindly volunteered to participate in the training program. The pedagogical strategies used in the training were: role-playing, brainstorming, and self-evaluation grids. The results revealed a positive view by participants and changes in their individual behaviour. Implications of the study and future work will be presented and discussed along the paper. Keywords: Social Education, Prison Education, Non-Formal Education, Development of Social Skills, Training Programme DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-11-06 Publication date:June 30th 2021

Aprendizagem baseada em projectos no contexto do ensino superior: avaliação de um dispositivo pedagógico no ensino de engenharia

Tese doutoramento Ciências da Educação (área de especialização em Desenvolvimento Curricular)A aprendizagem baseada em projectos surge, no contexto dos desafios decorrentes do Processo de Bolonha, como estratégia adequada à promoção de uma aprendizagem activa, centrada no desenvolvimento de competências e no trabalho autónomo do aluno. Este trabalho de investigação teve como objectivo principal a avaliação de um dispositivo pedagógico baseado em projectos – Project-Led Education (PLE) - no contexto do ensino de Engenharia. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, realizado na Universidade do Minho, que procura conhecer as percepções e experiências dos diversos participantes (alunos, docentes e tutores) relativamente ao PLE. Pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar o impacto do PLE nos processos e nos resultados de aprendizagem dos alunos bem como as implicações do PLE ao nível do trabalho dos docentes. Neste sentido, a avaliação do PLE foi efectuada com base no Modelo de Avaliação CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product), de Stufflebeam (2003), servindo de quadro de referência para a avaliação do dispositivo pedagógico nas suas várias dimensões. O principal contributo deste modelo reside na melhoria do processo de tomada de decisão, uma vez que concebe a avaliação como um processo pelo qual se delimitam, obtêm e fornecem informações úteis, que permitem julgar acerca das decisões possíveis. Tendo em conta os objectivos de investigação e as perspectivas de avaliação privilegiadas, optámos por um design de investigação baseado, sobretudo, num paradigma de investigação qualitativo, centrado em métodos e técnicas de recolha de dados pouco estruturados (questionários, entrevistas, focus groups, observação participante e narrativas), visando recolher o máximo de informação sobre as percepções dos vários participantes envolvidos nas experiências PLE, durante os alunos lectivos 2005/2006 até 2007/2008. Os resultados da investigação levada a cabo sugerem que o PLE representa um contributo significativo no alcance dos objectivos do processo de Bolonha, nomeadamente no que se refere aos processos de ensino e aprendizagem centrados na aprendizagem do estudante e ainda às mudanças desejáveis ao nível do trabalho dos docentes. De um modo geral, foi possível concluir que as percepções e experiências dos alunos, dos docentes e dos tutores que participaram no PLE foram globalmente positivas. No que diz respeito ao impacto do PLE nos resultados e processos de aprendizagem dos alunos, ele surge associado a uma maior compreensão e aplicação dos conteúdos e ao desenvolvimento de um conjunto de competências transversais, tais como a capacidade de comunicação, de trabalho em equipa, de resolução de problemas, de gestão de conflitos e, ainda, o sentido de responsabilidade. Relativamente às percepções e experiências dos tutores envolvidos no PLE, foi possível destacar um balanço positivo da sua participação, tendo sido identificadas um conjunto de funções que dizem respeito à tarefa de tutoria, nomeadamente, fornecer feedback ao grupo, apoiar o grupo na tomada de decisões, fomentar a motivação do grupo e, por último, revelar preocupação com a aprendizagem individual dos alunos. Foi possível, ainda, dar conta das potencialidades, mas também das fragilidades ou dos desafios que se colocam numa avaliação de natureza essencialmente formativa, com preocupação pela monitorização dos processos e pela avaliação das competências disciplinares e também transversais. Quanto às implicações do PLE ao nível do trabalho docente, destaca-se a interdisciplinaridade da abordagem dos conteúdos e o desenvolvimento de projectos pedagógicos numa lógica colaborativa. O trabalho em equipa, a coordenação e articulação curricular, a partilha de ideias e de experiências, a tomada de decisão conjunta são alguns dos aspectos que a participação em projectos PLE pressupõe em termos de trabalho docente. No que se refere aos desafios que se colocam ao trabalho docente no contexto do PLE, a falta de reconhecimento institucional no que se refere à componente pedagógica do seu trabalho tem surgido como um dos principais constrangimentos, dado o investimento de tempo e de esforço que os docentes dedicam ao projecto. As conclusões deste estudo levantam ainda algumas recomendações para trabalhos de investigação futura, nomeadamente no que se refere à criação de condições adequadas para o desenvolvimento profissional dos professores e para o reconhecimento e valorização do seu desempenho pedagógico.The Bologna Process has introduced a number of changes in Higher Education institutions, namely in curricula restructuring and in new methodologies of teaching and assessing, amongst others. Also of importance is the need to improve student achievement which has to focus not only upon the development of technical competencies, but also upon the development of transversal competencies. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Project-Led Education (PLE) on students‘ learning, and its contribution to the improvement of teaching and learning in Higher Education. It is based on a longitudinal approach with first year Industrial Management and Engineering students, who participated in PLE experiences. To attain this goal, the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) Evaluation Model was used as a framework for evaluating the impact of the programme (Stufflebeam, 2003). The research was based on a qualitative research design focusing on methods of data collection such as questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, participant observation and narratives, applied from the academic years of 2005/2006 to 2007/2008, to students, teachers and tutors. In general, the CIPP Evaluation Model provided a broad understanding of the evaluation process, thus linking the evaluation and decision-making processes. Important data were collected in regard to context, input, process and product evaluation, presenting a broad picture for understanding the project, its context, the processes and outcomes. Data collected from students, in regard to PLE processes and outcomes, showed that students clearly recognized the benefits of PLE experiences in relation to traditional teaching and learning. They highlighted teamwork, increased motivation, teacher and student relationship and articulation between theory and practice, along with real world problem solving, as the most positive aspects of the experience. The disadvantages of PLE as identified by students were the advantages of traditional teaching and learning, such as the fact that the students‘ final grade did not depend on group work and that the workload was also much less, leaving students with more free time to do other things. In fact, one of the constraints of this innovative approach to learning is the heavy workload which it entails. Findings from teachers‘ views point out higher student motivation, increased relevance and meaning of course content to students and the link between theory and practice as some of the major strengths of students‘ participation in PLE. Besides this, teachers recognize greater interdisciplinarity and collaborative work between faculty staff as a result of working in teams themselves. Most of the teachers in this study were satisfied with their participation in PLE and they mentioned that it had encouraged them to be more engaged with students. Teachers stress the partnership developed within a multidisciplinary team which includes teachers and researchers from different fields, as an important input for collaboration, which might explain, to a certain extent, the successful implementation of this experience . However, a set of challenges are also faced by teachers when they engage in active learning methodologies, as learning outcomes, teaching strategies and assessment methods must be aligned in the curriculum. This active role played by teachers has also strong implications for their workload. Although the coordination team works as a team project and tasks are distributed amongst teachers and tutors, the workload associated with this kind of student centered approach requires a much more demanding role from teachers. The lack of institutional support is also pointed out as a constraint due to all the effort which teachers spend on the project, especially in regard to the tutors‘ tasks and duties. . In regard to the tutors‘ role, it is mainly focused on the group process. Some of the tutor‘s tasks include supporting students in their learning process, by motivating them and providing feedback to the group in regard to their performance throughout the projects‘ development. Findings from this study also raise a set of recommendations for future research, specialy in regard to providing opportunities for teachers‘ professional development and the recognition of teaching performance

Evidências sobre aplicação das bandas neuromusculares na reabilitação do pé nos doentes pós Acidente Vascular Cerebral

Objective: To determine the benefits of the application of neuromuscular bands in the rehabilitation of the foot in post-stroke patients. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature according to the model of Joanna Briggs Institute. Studies have been included in adults after stroke to which neuromuscular bands have been applied. Five independent reviewers performed the critical evaluation, extraction and synthesis of the data. Presentation and interpretation of results: The 4 included studies reported improvements in body posture, ambulation and sensory perception. Conclusion: The studies analyzed suggest that neuromuscular bands may be a promising method to be used as a complementary method in the treatment of the patient's foot post stroke, and further studies are needed in this area.Objetivo: Determinar los beneficios de la aplicación de bandas neuromusculares en la rehabilitación del pie en pacientes después de un accidente vascular cerebral. Metodología: Estudio de revisión sistemática de la literatura según el modelo de Joanna Briggs Institute. Se incluyeron estudios en adultos post accidente cerebrovascular a los que se aplicaron bandas neuromusculares. Cinco revisores independientes realizaron la evaluación crítica, extracción y síntesis de los datos. Presentación e interpretación de los resultados: Los 4 estudios incluidos reportaron mejoras en la postura corporal, deambulación y percepción sensorial. Conclusión: Los estudios analizados sugieren que las bandas neuromusculares pueden ser un método prometedor que se utilizará como método complementario en el tratamiento del pie del paciente post accidente cerebrovascular, y se necesitan más estudios en este ámbito.Objetivo: Determinar os benefícios da aplicação das bandas neuromusculares na reabilitação do pé nos doentes pós acidente vascular cerebral. Metodologia: Estudo de revisão sistemática da literatura segundo o modelo de Joanna Briggs Institute. Incluíram-se estudos em adultos pós acidente vascular cerebral aos quais foram aplicadas bandas neuromusculares. Cinco revisores independentes realizaram a avaliação critica, extração e síntese dos dados. Apresentação e interpretação dos resultados: Os 4 estudos incluídos reportaram melhorias na postura corporal, deambulação e perceção sensorial. Conclusão: Os estudos analisados sugerem que as bandas neuromusculares podem ser um método promissor a ser utilizado como método complementar no tratamento do pé do doente pós acidente vascular cerebral, sendo que são necessários mais estudos neste âmbito

Classification of critical levels of CO exposure of firefigthers through monitored heart rate

Smoke inhalation poses a serious health threat to firefighters (FFs), with potential effects including respiratory and cardiac disorders. In this work, environmental and physiological data were collected from FFs, during experimental fires performed in 2015 and 2019. Extending a previous work, which allowed us to conclude that changes in heart rate (HR) were associated with alterations in the inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO), we performed a HR analysis according to different levels of CO exposure during firefighting based on data collected from three FFs. Based on HR collected and on CO occupational exposure standards (OES), we propose a classifier to identify CO exposure levels through the HR measured values. An ensemble of 100 bagged classification trees was used and the classification of CO levels obtained an overall accuracy of 91.9%. The classification can be performed in real-time and can be embedded in a decision fire-fighting support system. This classification of FF’ exposure to critical CO levels, through minimally-invasive monitored HR, opens the possibility to identify hazardous situations, preventing and avoiding possible severe problems in FF’ health due to inhaled pollutants. The obtained results also show the importance of future studies on the relevance and influence of the exposure and inhalation of pollutants on the FF’ health, especially in what refers to hazardous levels of toxic air pollutants.publishe

A tailored approach for appendicular impending and pathologic fractures in solid cancer metastases

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Advances in medical and surgical treatment have played a major role in increasing the survival rates of cancer patients with metastatic bone disease. The clinical course of patients with bone metastases is often impaired by bone complications, such as bone fractures, which have a substantial negative impact on clinical outcomes. To optimize clinical results and prevent a detrimental impact on patients' health, a tailored approach should be defined for any given patient. The optimal management of impending or pathologic fractures is unknown and relies on a multidisciplinary approach to tailor clinical decisions to each individual patient. The ability to control systemic disease, the extent, location and nature of bone metastases, and the biology of the underlying tumor, are the main factors that will define the strategy to follow. The present review covers the most recent data regarding impending and pathologic fractures in patients with bone metastases, and discusses the medical and surgical management of patients presenting with metastatic bone disease in different clinical settings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Student assessment in Higher Education: a review of thesis carried out in Portuguese public universities

Student assessment has become, over the past years, an important and complex issue about higher education pedagogy. This paper aims to present a systematic review of empirical studies (Master and PhD thesis), carried out in Portuguese public universities, focused on the topic of student assessment in higher education, from the year 2010 to 2020. The research methodology followed a qualitative approach, using e PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) model to develop the systematic review. Findings show a trend of change in the assessment practices of students in higher education, whose direction points to an increase of formative assessment centered on students. A strong trend of innovation in assessment practices with the use of technologies also emerges from the studies

Medical Therapy of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is mostly a benign disease of the bone, although with high local recurrence rate and potential for metastatic spread, namely to the lungs. It is also a locally aggressive tumor, associated with severe morbidity and functional impairment due to bone destruction. Treatment is therefore required and should be offered at an early stage to allow complete resection, minimizing functional sequelae and local recurrence. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, often followed by intralesional adjuvant therapy. GCTB has a particular biology, in which RANKL represents a key factor in tumor pathogenesis, thus making this molecule a valuable therapeutic target. Monthly administration of denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against RANKL, has been studied in several clinical trials and shown a high rate of local control with favorable safety profile. In this chapter, current medical management, ongoing studies, and future directions in GCTB will be discussed

Interstitial macrophages lead early stages of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and induce fibroblasts activation

A progressive fibrosing phenotype is critical in several lung diseases. It is irreversible and associated with early patient mortality. Growing evidence has revealed pulmonary macrophages’ role as modulators of the fibrotic processes. The proportion, phenotype, and function of alveolar (AM) and interstitial macrophages (IM) at the early stages of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis have not been clearly described. In this way, our study aimed to characterize these macrophage populations and investigate the effect on fibroblast activation. C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally injected with bleomycin and were sacrificed at day 3, 5, and 7 for the performance of flow cytometry and fluorescent-activated cell sorting analysis for protein and gene expression quantification. After bleomycin administration, the proportion of IM was significantly higher than that of AM, which showed a decay during the inflammatory phase, and peaked at day 7. At day 7 of the inflammatory phase, AM started shifting their phenotype from M1-like towards M2, while IM showed a M2-like phenotype. Conditioned medium derived from IM sorted at day 7 induced fibroblast activation and differentiation in myofibroblasts in vitro. Our findings indicate that IM are the largest macrophage population at the early stages of experimental pulmonary fibrosis and are secreted mediators able to activate fibroblasts, pointing to macrophage modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy to restrain progressive fibrosing lung disorders.This research was funded by the Programa Operacional Potencial Humano (POPH) and Programa Investigador Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) (IF/00959/2014); by Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (COMPETE) and national funds of FCT (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028113); and by national funds of FCT (UIDB/50026/2020, UIDP/50026/2020)

Influencia del anabolizante decanoato de nandrolona en la viabilidad de las células satélites musculares en el proceso de diferenciación

Os anabolizantes são utilizados, especialmente por atletas, com o intuito de aumento da massa muscular e melhora do desempenho. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito do anabolizante Deca-Durabolin(r) sobre a viabilidade (proliferação) de células satélites musculares C2C12 induzidas à diferenciação, mimetizando o processo de reparo após lesão. As células foram cultivadas em Meio Eagle Modificado por Dulbecco (DMEM) suplementado com 10% de Soro Fetal Bovino (SFB) e submetidas à diferenciação pela adição de 2% de soro de cavalo e concomitantemente incubadas com o anabolizante nas concentrações de 5, 10, 25 e 50 µM. Os grupos que não receberam o anabolizante nem o veículo serviram como controle. A viabilidade (proliferação) foi avaliada após um, três e cinco dias, utilizando o método de MTT (3-[4,5-dimetiltriazol-2-il]-2,5 difeniltetrazólio). Foram realizados três experimentos independentes, em cada condição citada, e os resultados submetidos à análise estatística com nível de significância de p≤0,05% (ANOVA/Dunnet). Os resultados permitiram verificar que não houve diferença na viabilidade entre células musculares tratadas com o anabolizante e induzidas à diferenciação e as culturas controles que somente foram induzidas à diferenciação, em todos os parâmetros avaliados. Em conclusão, o anabolizante decanoato de nandrolona, nas concentrações avaliadas, não foi capaz de alterar a viabilidade de células musculares C2C12 durante o processo de diferenciação.Studies indicate that the anabolic nandrolone decanoate (Deca-Durabolin(r)) can modulate cell cycle regulation, but little is known about its effects on muscle cells. Anabolic steroids are used, especially by athletes, to improve muscle mass and performance in the practice of exercises. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the anabolic Deca-Durabolin(r) on the proliferation of skeletal muscle precursor cells C2C12. Cells were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), being supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and subjected to differentiation by the addition of 2% horse serum. They were incubated with anabolic at concentrations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 µM. The groups that received no anabolic or vehicle served as controls. The viability (proliferation) was evaluated by the MTT method (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; Thiazolyl blue) after one, three and five days of incubation. Three independent experiments were performed in each of the mentioned conditions, and the results were submitted to statistical analysis with significance level of p≤0.05 (ANOVA/Dunnett). Results showed no difference in viability between muscle cells treated with anabolic and the control cultures in all parameters. In conclusion, nandrolone, at the used concentrations, was not able to alter the viability of muscle C2C12 satellite cells.Se utilizan los anabolizantes, en particular por atletas con el objetivo de aumentar la masa muscular y mejoría del desempeño. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto del anabolizante Deca- Durabolin(r) sobre la viabilidad (proliferación) de las células satélites musculares C2C12 inducidas a la diferenciación, imitando el proceso de reparación tras una lesión. Las células fueron cultivadas en medio Eagle modificado por Dulbecco (DMEM) suplementado con 10% de suero fetal bovino (SFB) y sometidas a diferenciación mediante la adición de 2% de suero de caballo y, simultáneamente, incubadas con el anabolizante en las concentraciones de 5 , 10 , 25 y 50 µM. En los grupos que no recibieron el anabolizante, ni el vehículo sirvió como controle . La viabilidad (proliferación) se evaluó después de uno, tres y cinco días, utilizando el método de MTT (3 - [4,5 - dimetiltriazol - 2 - il ] -2,5 difeniltetrazolio) . Se realizaron tres experimentos independientes, en cada condición citada, y los resultados sometidos al análisis estadístico con nivel de significación de p≤0,05% (ANOVA/Dunnett). Los resultados permitieron verificar que no hubo diferencia en la viabilidad entre células musculares tratadas con anabolizante e inducidas a diferenciación y culturas de controles que sólo fueron inducidas a diferenciación en todos los parámetros evaluados. En conclusión, el anabolizante decanoato de nandrolona, en las concentraciones evaluadas, no fue capaz de alterar la viabilidad de células musculares C2C12 durante el proceso de diferenciación

Promoción del vínculo intergeneracional a través de los medios digitales

The need to organise encounters between different generations is growing because solidarity between generations is crucial to ensure a fair society for all ages. However, bringing together different age groups is not enough to create a successful intergenerational dialogue. The content, activities and methods used when very different groups come together, should draw the attention of members of both generations. In this regard, the possibilities that virtual tools offer for the deployment of interventions of this type should be a subject of study. Therefore, this paper presents the evidences obtained in relation to the potential of these new tools to promote the welfare of all those involved in programmes of this type, identifying and analysing the online resources used by them for this purpose. The main results suggest that these interventions offer good opportunities to share the learning on equal terms and to address their coexistence together and in completely new ways.The first author received funds from an aid intended to finance the predoctoral recruitment of research staff granted by the Regional Government of Castille and Leon (EDU/1083/2013), co-financed by the European Social Fund, within the 2014-2020 Operational Programme of the European Regional Development Fund (OP ERDF) of Castille and Leon.La necesidad de organizar encuentros entre generaciones va en aumento porque la solidaridad entre las generaciones es crucial para una sociedad equitativa para todas las edades. Sin embargo, reunir a diferentes grupos de edad no es suficiente para crear un diálogo intergeneracional exitoso.El contenido, las actividades y los métodos empleados cuando se juntan grupos muy diferentes, deben atraer a los miembros de ambas generaciones. En este sentido, las posibilidades que lasherramientas virtuales nos brindan para el despliegue de intervenciones de este tipo deben ser objeto de estudio. Así pues, en el presente trabajo se presentan las evidencias obtenidas en relación al potencial de estas nuevas herramientas para favorecer el bienestar de todos los implicados en programas de este tipo, identificando y analizando los recursos online empleados por los mismos para este fin. Los principales resultados apuntan a que estas intervenciones ofrecen buenas oportunidades para compartir el aprendizaje en igualdad de condiciones y para abordar conjuntamente la convivencia de formas completamente nuevas. El primer autor recibió fondos a través de una ayuda destinada a financiar la contratación predoctoral de personal investigador por la Junta de Castilla y León (EDU/1083/2013), cofinanciada por el Fondo Social Europeo, dentro del Programa Operativo del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) 2014-2020 de Castilla y León