Metas curriculares do 3.º ciclo do ensino básico de geografia: que contributo para o desenvolvimento de competências ambientais?

Assume-se neste trabalho que a educação geográfica, a educação ambiental (EA) e a educação para o desenvolvimento sustentável (EDS) partilham o mesmo quadro de referência epistemológico por três ordens de razões: a) situam-se na charneira entre o físico e o humano; b) exigem a integração dos saberes produzidos por diferentes ciências; c) procuram construir uma visão multidimensional da realidade, em resultado da interação de variáveis naturais, sociais, culturais e económicas. Por isso, não se estranha que ao nível da escola o ensino da geografia sirva, muitas vezes, de pretexto para a promoção de projetos orientados para as problemáticas do ambiente e da sustentabilidade. A análise do conteúdo das metas curriculares para o ensino da geografia no 3.º ciclo do ensino básico, homologados pelo Ministério da Educação e Ciência em 2013 é reveladora de uma conceção redutora do valor educativo e formativo da educação geográfica, como da EA e da EDS, que se afigura patente nos seguintes traços: a) na ausência de uma visão holística da realidade, dada a vincada separação entre os domínios do físico e natural e do humano e social; b) na adoção de um modelo de desenvolvimento curricular assente na listagem atomizada dos conteúdos, que se apresentam sem uma hierarquia conceptual adequada aos processos de construção do conhecimento; c) no caráter residual atribuído aos temas relativos à EA e à EDS

Key stress factors and parameters for production optimisation of silk-elastin-like proteins in E. coli BL21(DE3)

Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) combining the physicochemical and biological properties of silk and elastin have a high potential for use in the pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine and materials fields. Their development for use is however restrained by their production levels. We have recently synthesised a series of novel silk-elastin-like proteins and here we will describe the optimisation of the production of these with the pET-E. coli BL21(DE3) expression system. Both batch production in shake flasks and fed-batch production approaches were investigated. Furthermore, a comprehensive empirical approach examining all process variables (media, medium composition, inducer, induction time and period, temperature, pH, aeration, agitation, pre- and post-induction growth rates) and a detailed characterisation of the bioprocesses were carried out in an attempt to maximise production and to identify the factors limiting higher production levels. Using the optimised conditions, approximately 0.5 g/l of purified SELP was obtained in shake flasks and as much as 4 g/L was obtained when using the fed-batch approach. These represent, respectively, approximately 10 and almost 100-fold increases on that previously reported for SELPs.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)This work was financed by the European Commission via the 7th Framework Programme Project EcoPlast (FP7-NMP-2009-SME-3, collaborative project number 246176)

Batch production of a silk-elastin-like protein in E. coli BL21(DE3) : key parameters for optimisation

The authors wish to thank Prof. Dorit Schuller and Inês Mendes for the use of and assistance with the HPLC column and all the technical staff at the CBMA for their skilful technical assistance.Background: Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) combining the physicochemical and biological properties of silk and elastin have a high potential for use in the pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine and materials fields. Their development for use is however restrained by their production levels. Here we describe the batch production optimisation for a novel recently described SELP in the pET-E. coli BL21(DE3) expression system. Both a comprehensive empirical approach examining all process variables (media, induction time and period, temperature, pH, aeration and agitation) and a detailed characterisation of the bioprocess were carried out in an attempt to maximise production with this system. Results: This study shows that maximum SELP volumetric production is achieved at 37°C using terrific broth at pH 6–7.5, a shake flask volume to medium volume ratio of 10:1 and an agitation speed of 200 rpm. Maximum induction is attained at the beginning of the stationary phase with 0.5 mM IPTG and an induction period of at least 4 hours. We show that the selection agents ampicillin and carbenicillin are rapidly degraded early in the cultivation and that plasmid stability decreases dramatically on induction. Furthermore, acetate accumulates during the bioprocess to levels which are shown to be inhibitory to the host cells. Using our optimised conditions, 500 mg/L of purified SELP was obtained. Conclusions: We have identified the optimal conditions for the shake flask production of a novel SELP with the final production levels obtained being the highest reported to date. While this study is focused on SELPs, we believe that it could also be of general interest to any study where the pET (ampicillin selective marker)-E. coli BL21 (DE3) expression system is used. In particular, we show that induction time is critical in this system with, in contrast to that which is generally believed, optimal production being obtained by induction at the beginning of the stationary phase. Furthermore, we believe that we are at or near the maximum productivity for the system used, with rapid degradation of the selective agent by plasmid encoded β-lactamase, plasmid instability on induction and high acetate production levels being the principal limiting factors for further improved production. Keywords: Biopolymers, Silk-elastin like polymers, pET-E. coli BL21(DE3), Batch productionThis work was financed by the European Commission, via the 7th Framework Programme Project EcoPlast (FP7-NMP-2009-SME-3, collaborative project number 246176), by FEDER through POFC – COMPETE and by national funds from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) through PEst project C/BIA/UI4050/2011C/BIA/UI4050/2011. AC is a recipient of FCT grant SFRH/ BD/75882/2011. TC is thankful to FCT for its support through Programa Ciência 2008.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Acute alithiasic cholecystitis and human herpes virus type-6 infection: first case

A three-year-old male child presented with erythematous maculopapular nonpruritic generalized rash, poor feeding, vomiting, and cramping generalized abdominal pain. He was previously healthy and there was no family history of immunologic or other diseases. On examination he was afebrile, hemodynamically stable, with painful palpation of the right upper quadrant and positive Murphy's sign. Laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory markers, elevated aminotransferase activity, and features of cholestasis. Abdominal ultrasound showed gallbladder wall thickening of 8 mm with a positive sonographic Murphy's sign, without gallstones or pericholecystic fluid. Acute Alithiasic Cholecystitis (AAC) was diagnosed. Tests for underlying infectious causes were negative except positive blood specimen for Human Herpes Virus Type-6 (HHV-6) by polymerase chain reaction. With supportive therapy the child became progressively less symptomatic with gradual improvement. The child was discharged on the sixth day, asymptomatic and with improved analytic values. Two months later he had IgM negative and IgG positive antibodies (1/160) for HHV-6, which confirmed the diagnosis of previous infection. In a six-month follow-up period he remains asymptomatic. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first case of AAC associated with HHV-6 infection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimising a cell factory system for the bioproduction of silk-elastin-like polymers.

Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) combining the physicochemical and biological properties of silk and elastin have a high potential for use in the pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine and materials fields. Their development for use is however restrained by their production levels. Here we describe the production optimisation for a novel recently described SELP in the pETE. coli BL21(DE3) expression system. Both batch production in shake flasks and fed-batch production in fermenters were investigated and optimised. A comprehensive empirical approach optimising all process variables for both processes, in addition to molecular biology approaches for improving performance of the production plasmid were used to maximise production levels. Typical volumetric productivities reported for SELPs are approximately 30 mg/L but here we have increased production levels up to approximately 4 g/L, representing the highest reported SELP productivity to date.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)European CommissionThis work was financed by the European Commission, via the 7th Framework Programme Project EcoPlast (FP7-NMP-2009-SME-3, collaborative project number 246176), by FEDER through POFC – COMPETE and by national funds from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) through PEst project C/BIA/UI4050/2011C/BIA/UI4050/2011

Optimising the production of a silk-elastin-like protein in E. coli: overcoming acetate accumulation and plasmid instability

Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) combining the physicochemical and biological properties of silk and elastin have a high potential for use in the pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine and materials fields. Their development for use is however restrained by their production levels. Here we describe the production optimisation for a novel recently described SELP in the pETE. coli BL21(DE3) expression system. Both batch production in shake flasks and fed-batch production approaches were investigated and optimised. In both cases a comprehensive empirical approach examining all process variables (media, medium composition, inducer, induction time and period, temperature, pH, aeration, agitation, pre- and post-induction growth rates) and a detailed characterisation of the bioprocesses were used in an attempt to maximise production and identify the factors limiting higher production levels. The major factors limiting SELP yields have been identified as acetate accumulation, plasmid instability on induction and a heightened host cell metabolic burden during SELP production. To circumvent these limitations we have optimised the fed-batch production approach and engineered the production plasmid for an improved stability. Using the optimised conditions, approximately 0.5 g/l of purified SELP was obtained in shake flasks and as much as 4.3 g/L was obtained when using the fed-batch approach. These are the highest reported SELP productivities to date and represent, respectively, approximately 10- and 150-fold increases on that previously reported.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)This work was financed by the European Commission, via the 7th Framework Programme Project EcoPlast (FP7-NMP-2009-SME-3, collaborative project number 246176), by FEDER through POFC – COMPETE and by national funds from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) through PEst project C/BIA/UI4050/2011C/BIA/UI4050/2011

Incidencia de los factores humanos y socioculturales en la captura de requerimientos: una revisión de la literatura

La actividad de captura de requerimientos es crítica para el desarrollo de software exitoso ya que cuando está bien ejecutada la probabilidad de obtener un software que cumpla con las necesidades de los usuarios aumenta, por el contrario, cualquier error cometido en esta etapa suele ser más costoso de sub-sanar posteriormente. Al mismo tiempo una parte importante de esta ejecución depende de las competencias que poseen las personas involucradas, del contexto en el que se desempeña y de los métodos o técnicas aplicados a tal fin. Por lo tanto, esta actividad puede verse afectada por factores no técnicos de índole individual o grupal. En este artículo se presenta una revisión sistemática de la literatura con el objetivo de conocer el estado del arte acerca de las propuestas existentes para la captura de requerimientos que contemplen factores humanos y socioculturales influyentes sobre esta actividad, así como también determinar qué adaptaciones se realizan en ese sentido.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Analysis of a Local HIV-1 Epidemic in Portugal Highlights Established Transmission of non-B and -G Subtypes

The existing data supports Portugal as the Western Europe country with highest HIV-1 subtype diversity. However, detailed phylogenetic studies of Portuguese HIV-1 epidemics are still scarce. Thus, our main goal was to analyze the phylodynamics of a local HIV-1 infection in the Portuguese region of Minho. Molecular epidemiological analysis was applied to data from 289 HIV-1 infected individuals followed in the reference Hospital of the province of Minho, Portugal, in which isolated viruses had been sequenced between 2000 and 2012. Viruses of the G (29.1%) and B (27.0%) subtypes were the most frequent, followed by recombinant forms (17.6%), C (14.5%), F1 (7.3%) and A1 (4.2%) subtypes. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that the odds of being infected with A1 and F1 subtype increased over the years when compared with B, G, C or recombinant viruses. As expected, polyphyletic patterns suggesting multiple and old introductions of subtypes B and G were found. However, transmission clusters of non-B and -G viruses among native individuals were also found with the dates of the most recent common ancestor estimated to the early 2000s. Our study supports that the HIV-1 subtype diversity in the Portuguese region of Minho is high and has been increasing in a manner that is apparently driven by factors other than immigration and international travel. Infections with A1 and F1 viruses in the region of Minho are becoming established and were mainly found in sexually transmitted clusters, reinforcing the need for more efficacious control measures targeting this infection route

Rhizomucor and Scedosporium Infection Post Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing invasive fungal infections. This is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 17-year-old male patient diagnosed with severe idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia who developed fungal pneumonitis due to Rhizomucor sp. and rhinoencephalitis due to Scedosporium apiospermum 6 and 8 months after undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. Discussion highlights risk factors for invasive fungal infections (i.e., mucormycosis and scedosporiosis), its clinical features, and the factors that must be taken into account to successfully treat them (early diagnosis, correction of predisposing factors, aggressive surgical debridement, and antifungal and adjunctive therapies)