O contributo das tecnologias digitais na transparência da avaliação digital no contexto de educação superior a distância

O presente trabalho desenvolveu-se com base na aplicação de um modelo que apresenta um quadro concetual que procura enquadrar em quatro dimensões as práticas de avaliação e contribuir para a sustentabilidade dessas mesmas práticas, em contextos de aprendizagem digital – modelo PrACT (Praticabilidade, Consistência, Autenticidade e Transparência). Num contexto de Educação Superior a Distância, concretamente no 2.º Ciclo, o estudo tratou de aplicar a Dimensão «Transparência», na qual a estratégia de avaliação deve ser visível e compreensível por todos os intervenientes, evidenciando os estudantes. Assim sendo, o estudo foi orientado tendo como base quatro questões de investigação: (1) Que estratégias e instrumentos de avaliação digital são utilizados no Ensino Superior a Distância?; (2) Quais as formas de participação dos estudantes na sua própria avaliação?; (3) Qual o impacto das tecnologias digitais na apresentação e partilha dos processos e produtos de avaliação?; e (4) Qual a importância das tecnologias digitais na avaliação das competências a desenvolver? A investigação enquadrou-se, assim, no campo de estudo de múltiplos casos, de natureza qualitativa e descritiva. Numa perspetiva holística, a investigação focou cinco casos particulares, cada um deles correspondendo a uma Unidade Curricular de Mestrados. Os dados da investigação foram recolhidos por via de: entrevistas semiestruturadas; inquéritos por questionário (docentes e estudantes) e análise documental específica de cada Unidade Curricular em estudo. Para uma melhor apreciação dos parâmetros da dimensão «Transparência» foi desenvolvido um guião de análise. Embora a metodologia aplicada não permita generalizações, constatou-se que as tecnologias digitais: facilitaram a realização das tarefas de avaliação; facilitaram a partilha dos produtos e originaram maior interesse na realização das tarefas de avaliação. Perante os dados recolhidos, e considerando a dimensão da «Transparência», verificou-se que: o parâmetro mais frágil foi o da «Visibilidade» e o mais fortalecido o do «Impacto».The present work was developed based on the application of a model that presents a conceptual framework that seeks to fit into four dimensions the assessment practices and contribute to the sustainability of these same practices in digital learning contexts - PrACT model (Practicability, Consistency, Authenticity and Transparency). In a Higher Distance Education context, specifically in the 2nd Cycle, the study tried to apply the «Transparency» dimension, in which the evaluation strategy should be visible and comprehensible by all stakeholders, highlighting the students. Therefore, the study was oriented based on four research questions: (1) What digital assessment strategies and instruments are used in Distance Higher Education?; (2) What forms of student participation do they have in their own assessment?; (3) What is the impact of digital technologies on the presentation and sharing of assessment processes and products?; and (4) How important is digital technology in assessing the competencies to be developed? The research was therefore in the field of study of multiple cases, of a qualitative and descriptive nature. In a holistic perspective, the research focused on five particular cases, each corresponding to a Master's Degree. The research data were collected through: semi-structured interviews; questionnaire surveys (teachers and students) and specific documentary analysis of each Curricular Unit under study. For a better appreciation of the parameters of the «Transparency» dimension, an analysis guide was developed. Although the applied methodology does not allow generalizations, it was verified that the digital technologies: facilitated the accomplishment of the assessment tasks; facilitated the sharing of products and led to greater interest in the performance of the assessment tasks. In view of the data collected, and considering the «Transparency» dimension, it was found that: the most fragile parameter was «Visibility» and the most strengthened was «Impact»

Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants

Background Hypertension can be detected at the primary health-care level and low-cost treatments can effectively control hypertension. We aimed to measure the prevalence of hypertension and progress in its detection, treatment, and control from 1990 to 2019 for 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 1990 to 2019 on people aged 30–79 years from population-representative studies with measurement of blood pressure and data on blood pressure treatment. We defined hypertension as having systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking medication for hypertension. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and the proportion of people with hypertension who had a previous diagnosis (detection), who were taking medication for hypertension (treatment), and whose hypertension was controlled to below 140/90 mm Hg (control). The model allowed for trends over time to be non-linear and to vary by age. Findings The number of people aged 30–79 years with hypertension doubled from 1990 to 2019, from 331 (95% credible interval 306–359) million women and 317 (292–344) million men in 1990 to 626 (584–668) million women and 652 (604–698) million men in 2019, despite stable global age-standardised prevalence. In 2019, age-standardised hypertension prevalence was lowest in Canada and Peru for both men and women; in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and some countries in western Europe including Switzerland, Spain, and the UK for women; and in several low-income and middle-income countries such as Eritrea, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Solomon Islands for men. Hypertension prevalence surpassed 50% for women in two countries and men in nine countries, in central and eastern Europe, central Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. Globally, 59% (55–62) of women and 49% (46–52) of men with hypertension reported a previous diagnosis of hypertension in 2019, and 47% (43–51) of women and 38% (35–41) of men were treated. Control rates among people with hypertension in 2019 were 23% (20–27) for women and 18% (16–21) for men. In 2019, treatment and control rates were highest in South Korea, Canada, and Iceland (treatment >70%; control >50%), followed by the USA, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, and Taiwan. Treatment rates were less than 25% for women and less than 20% for men in Nepal, Indonesia, and some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Control rates were below 10% for women and men in these countries and for men in some countries in north Africa, central and south Asia, and eastern Europe. Treatment and control rates have improved in most countries since 1990, but we found little change in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania. Improvements were largest in high-income countries, central Europe, and some upper-middle-income and recently high-income countries including Costa Rica, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Brazil, Chile, Turkey, and Iran. Interpretation Improvements in the detection, treatment, and control of hypertension have varied substantially across countries, with some middle-income countries now outperforming most high-income nations. The dual approach of reducing hypertension prevalence through primary prevention and enhancing its treatment and control is achievable not only in high-income countries but also in low-income and middle-income settings

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions

Desenvolvimento inicial do quiabeiro sob fertilização nitrogenada em diferentes relações amônio/nitrato

The okra is a culture of great interest among the small farmer, however they are still scarce studies about the nutrition of this vegetable. This work was carried with the objective of evaluating the influence of the nitrogen fertilizer in different ammonium/nitrate ratio on the vegetative development of the okra. The experimental design was in blocks randomized, arranged in factorial scheme 2x5, with four repetitions, being the first factor of the scheme constituted by two nitrogen doses (50 and 100 mg kg-1), and the second for different N-NH4 + /N-NO3 - ratio, equivalent to 0/100; 25/75; 50/50; 75/25 and 100/0. In I begin it of the flowering the plants were collected and appraised as for the matter accumulation it dries of the aerial part (MDAP), of the system root (MSR) and total (MDT), leaf area (LA), diameter of the stem (DS), height (H) and reason of leaf area (RFA). Significant effect of the interaction was observed between the doses and the appraised forms of nitrogen. The largest development of the plants was found when nitrogen was applied in the largest ratio of ammonium.O quiabeiro é uma cultura de grande interesse entre os pequenos produtores, no entanto ainda são escassos estudos sobre a nutrição desta hortaliça. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da fertilização nitrogenada em diferentes relações amônio/nitrato no desenvolvimento vegetativo do quiabeiro. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 com quatro repetições, sendo o primeiro fator do esquema constituído por duas doses de nitrogênio (50 e 100 mg kg-1), e o segundo por diferentes relações N-NO3 - /N-NH4 + , equivalentes a 0/100; 25/75; 50/50; 75/25 e 100/0. No inicio do florescimento as plantas foram coletadas e avaliadas quanto ao acúmulo de matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), do sistema radicular (MSR) e total (MST), área foliar (AF), diâmetro do caule (DC), altura (ALT) e razão de área foliar (RAF). Foi observado efeito significativo da interação entre as doses e as formas de nitrogênio avaliadas. O maior desenvolvimento das plantas foi encontrado quando se aplicou nitrogênio nas maiores proporções de amônio

Características agronômicas e nutritivas de pastos de capim-Massai com pasto diferido e adubação nitrogenada

This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and nutritional value of Massai grass (Megathyrsus maximus ‘Massai’) pastures fertilized with different nitrogen levels and subjected to deferred grazing. A completely randomized experimental design (CRD) was adopted, with including five nitrogen levels (zero, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg ha?1), and five replications (plots). The degradability trial used a CRD including a 6 × 5 factorial arrangement, consisting of six rumen-incubation times (6, 24, 48, 60, 84, and 96 h) and five levels of nitrogen in different plots. One fistulated sheep, with a live weight of 60 kg, was used in the experiment. Total herbage biomass, dead herbage biomass, and height showed a quadratic response to nitrogen fertilization levels of 100 to 200 kg ha-1 resulted in greater tillering. Protein and dry matter content increased linearly with nitrogen fertilization level, leading to increase in fibrous components. The increase in NDF and ADF contents might be a consequence of the reduction in NCE, and the high flowering rate of the grass, owing likely to the reduction in metabolism of the grass in an attempt to extend its lifetime. Nitrogen levels of 300 kg ha?1 or higher affected the productive characteristics positively, whereas the chemical characteristics were negatively affected.Objetivou-se avaliar as características agronômicas e valor nutritivo do capim-Massai (Megathyrsus maximus ‘Massai’) submetido a diferimento e doses crescentes de nitrogênio. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC) com cinco doses de nitrogênio (zero, 100; 200; 300 e 400 kg de N ha-1) com cinco repetições (parcelas). O ensaio de degradabilidade foi estruturado em DIC, com arranjo fatorial 6x5, seis tempos de incubação no rúmen (6, 24, 48, 60, 84 e 96 h) e cinco doses de N em parcelas diferidas. Utilizou-se um ovino fistulado com peso vivo de 60 kg. A biomassa de forragem total, morta e a altura respondeu à adubação nitrogenada de forma quadrática. A adubação nitrogenada nas doses 100 a 200 kg de N ha-1 proporcionou maior perfilhamento. A adubação nitrogenada proporcionou resposta linear sobre os teores de proteína e matéria seca em consequência também aumentou os constituintes fibrosos. O amento dos teores de FDN e FDA pode ser uma consequência da redução da ECN e da taxa de florescimento da gramínea, devido provavelmente à redução no metabolismo na tentativa de prolongar sua vida útil. A partir da dose de 300 kg de N ha-1 resultou em redução da degradação da matéria seca do capim-Massai. As doses de N influenciaram positivamente as características produtivas e negativamente as características químicas

Contribuições da Sociologia na América Latina à imaginação sociológica: análise, crítica e compromisso social Sociology's contribution in Latin America to sociological imagination: analysis, critique, and social commitment

O artigo aborda o papel desempenhado pela Sociologia na análise dos processos de transformação das sociedades latino-americanas, no acompanhamento do processo de construção do Estado e da Nação, na problematização das questões sociais na América Latina. São analisados seis períodos na Sociologia na América Latina e no Caribe: I) a herança intelectual da Sociologia ; II) a sociologia da cátedra; III) O período da "Sociologia Científica" e a configuração da "Sociologia Crítica"; IV) a crise institucional, a consolidação da "Sociologia Crítica" e a diversificação da sociologia; V) a sociologia do autoritarismo, da democracia e da exclusão; VI) a consolidação institucional e a mundialização da sociologia da América Latina (desde o ano de 2000), podendo-se afirmar que os traços distintivos do saber sociológico no continente foram: o internacionalismo, o hibridismo, a abordagem crítica dos processos e conflitos das sociedades latino-americanas e o compromisso social do sociólogo.<br>The article focuses on the role played by Sociology in the analysis of processes of change in Latin American societies, in the process of construction of Nation and State, in the debate of social issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. Six periods in Sociology in Latin America and the Caribbean are examined: I) sociology's intellectual legacy; II) sociology as a cathedra; III) the period of "Scientific Sociology"; IV) the institutional crisis, the consolidation of "Critical Sociology", and the diversifying of sociology; V) sociology of authoritarianism, democracy and exclusion; VI) institutional consolidation and globalization of Latin American sociology (since 2000). It may be said that the distinctive features of sociological knowledge in the continent were: internationalism, hybridism, the critical approach to processes and conflicts of Latin American societies, and the sociologist social commitment