A relevância do trabalho em equipe num caso de uma equipe interdisciplinar de docentes de primeiro ano de um curso de engenharia

This paper presents part of a broader research and aims to identify and analyze the perceptions of teachers involved with active methodologies, relating to PBL - Project-Based Learning, and the relevance of teamwork in this context. The research presents an exploratory qualitative approach, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers who applied active methodologies since 2004. The interview results showed that the implementation of interdisciplinary projects has proven an effective method for increasing student motivation and consequently to increase their commitment with the learning process, which results in an effective development of technical transversal competences. Collaborative teaching work was considered fundamental for achieving the learning goals defined in the process, and as an opportunity for students to realize the interaction between teachers, tutors and researchers of education, showing that PBL encompasses multiple areas and persons to interact in the project throughout the semester. The teamwork involved strengthens and enhances the results.Este artigo apresenta um recorte de uma investigação mais ampla e tem o objetivo de identificar e analisar a percepção de professores envolvidos com metodologias ativas quanto a relevância em trabalhar com metodologias de aprendizagem baseada em projetos interdisciplinares (PBL – Project-Based Learning) e a relevância em trabalhar em equipa neste contexto. A pesquisa apresentou uma abordagem qualitativa de caráter exploratório, com coleta de dados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com professores que desde 2004 aplicavam metodologias ativas. Os resultados das entrevistas evidenciaram que a implementação de projetos interdisciplinares tem-se mostrado uma metodologia eficaz para ampliar a motivação dos alunos e o consequente aumento do compromisso com a aprendizagem, que resulta na eficácia do desenvolvimento de competências técnicas e competências transversais. O trabalho colaborativo docente foi apontado como de fundamental importância para atingir os objetivos e também como uma vivência para os alunos perceberem a interação entre professores, tutores e investigadores da educação, pois PBL abarca várias disciplinas a interatuar no projeto durante todo o semestre letivo. O trabalho em equipe fortalece os envolvidos e potencializa os resultados

Projetos interdisciplinares no ensino superior : análise do ensino e aprendizagem do Cálculo no 1º semestre do 1º ano

This paper objective is to identify and analyze the activities developed by Integrated Master of Industrial Engineering and Management students in a context of Project‐Based Learning (PBL) in the Calculus curricular unit and discusses learning during the interdisciplinary project development thru the first semester of 2012/2013. This research is based on a case study developed in the context of one program of School of Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal. To accomplish this case study were collected and analyzed documents produced by the students such as preliminary and final reports, preliminary and final presentations and feedback reports. The results indicate that Calculus contents were applied a content during the interdisciplinary project. Additionally, it can be said that contents of curricular unit give support to the decisions taken by the students in the production system design (the students’ project objective), showing interest and more contents integration relevance

Genetic transformation of novel isolates of chicken Lactobacillus bearing probiotic features for expression of heterologous proteins: a tool to develop live oral vaccines

BACKGROUND: The use of lactic acid bacteria as vehicles to delivery antigens to immunize animals is a promising issue. When genetically modified, these bacteria can induce a specific local and systemic immune response against selected pathogens. Gastric acid and bile salts tolerance, production of antagonistic substances against pathogenic microorganisms, and adhesive ability to gut epithelium are other important characteristics that make these bacteria useful for oral immunization. RESULTS: Bacteria isolated on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium (MRS) from different gastrointestinal portions of broiler chicks were evaluated for their resistance to artificial gastric acid and bile salts, production of hydrogen peroxide, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Thirty-eight isolates were first typed at species level by PCR amplification of 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacers using universal primers that anneal within 16S and 23S genes, followed by restriction digestion analyses of PCR amplicons (PCR-ARDRA). An expression cassette was assembled onto the pCR2.1-Topo vector by cloning the promoter, leader peptide, cell wall anchor and terminator sequences derived from the laminin binding S-layer protein gene of L. crispatus strain F5.7 (lbs gene). A sequence encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) was inserted as reporter gene, and an erythromycin resistance gene was added as selective marker. All constructs were able to express GFP in the cloning host E. coli XL1-Blue and different Lactobacillus strains as verified by FACS and laser scanning confocal microscopy. CONCLUSION: Lactobacillus isolated from gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens and selected for probiotic characteristics can be genetically modified by introducing an expression cassette into the lbs locus. The transformed bacteria expressed on its cell wall surface different fluorescent proteins used as reporters of promoter function. It is possible then that similar bacterial model expressing pathogen antigens can be used as live oral vaccines to immunize broilers against infectious diseases

Diphenyl diselenide, a simple glutathione peroxidase mimetic, inhibits human LDL oxidation in vitro

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) represents an important factor in atherogenesis. In the present study, we have investigated the antioxidant capability of diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2, a simple organoseleno compound, against copper (Cu2+) and peroxyl radical-induced human LDL oxidation in vitro. In initial studies using human serum, (PhSe)2 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of Cu2+-induced lipid peroxidation, which was correlated to thiol consumption. (PhSe)2 increased lipid peroxidation lag phase and decreased lipid peroxidation rate in isolated human LDL, evaluated by measuring both conjugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. Consistent with these observations, (PhSe)2 showed a marked inhibitory effect on 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride) (AAPH)-induced oxidation of LDL or parinaric acid (PnA) incorporated into LDL. (PhSe)2 also displayed a dose-dependent protective effect against Cu2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat aortic slices. Interestingly, besides the antioxidant effects of (PhSe)2 toward the lipid moieties of LDL, which was related to its thiol-peroxidase activity, protein moieties from human isolated LDL were also protected against Cu2+-induced oxidation. The results presented herein are the first to show that (i) (PhSe)2 inhibits lipid peroxidation in human isolated LDL in vitro, (ii) this phenomenon is related to its thiol-peroxidase activity, and (iii) this chalcogen also prevents the oxidation of protein moieties of human LDL. Taken together, such data render (PhSe)2 a promising molecule for pharmacological studies with respect to the atherogenic process.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T12-4S21TS2-1/1/38250cf8bae4a4195ccd8905cf5c2a8

On Switched Control Design of Linear Time-Invariant Systems with Polytopic Uncertainties

This paper proposes a new switched control design method for some classes of linear time-invariant systems with polytopic uncertainties. This method uses a quadratic Lyapunov function to design the feedback controller gains based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The controller gain is chosen by a switching law that returns the smallest value of the time derivative of the Lyapunov function. The proposed methodology offers less conservative alternative than the well-known controller for uncertain systems with only one state feedback gain. The control design of a magnetic levitator illustrates the procedure

Sliding Mode Control for Active Suspension System with Data Acquisition Delay

This paper addresses the problem of control of an active suspension system accomplished using a computer. Delay in the states due to the acquisition and transmission of data from sensors to the controller is taken into account. The proposed control strategy uses state predictors along with sliding mode control technique. Two approaches are made: a continuous-time and a discrete-time control. The proposed designs, continuous-time and discrete-time, are applied to the active suspension module simulator from Quanser. Results from computer simulations and experimental tests are analyzed to show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy