Tracking e-learning through published papers: a systematic review

Electronic learning (e-learning) is a broader approach to learning that brings new opportunities for learning and teaching in many fields of education far from the traditional classroom environment. Over the past decades, research in the field indicates a proliferation of e-learning contents and discrepancies that affect interoperability patterns in education for students and teachers; however, little has been done to assess the usability of e-learning systems. From a different perspective, this study aims to provide information on the numerous findings relating to the cumulative results of e-learning in education. This systematic review uses a full protocol with the aim of standardizing and specifying all the procedures adopted to collect and code 99 academic articles from 2010 to 2018 with keywords: education and e-learning. The text analysis as conducted using the qualitative software Leximancer to extract meaning from the large number of articles retrieved. The results highlight four dominant themes, namely education systems and learning issues that in turn promote student behaviours and the use of online learning tools. This research contributes towards providing research propositions that can be used in a cogent theoretical framework and, based on the analysis, we also propose a new definition of e-learning.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Recomendações para o controle de plantas daninhas na cultura da soja.

bitstream/item/54012/1/32.pd

Perceptions in Living Kidney Donation: What ProtagonistsThink and Feel

Abstract Background Although donor perceptions of donation have been evaluated in several programs, evaluation of associated recipients has not been as frequent. Purpose Our aim was to evaluate and compare after transplantation, donor and recipient perceptions of donation. Methods After transplantation 35 recipients and 45 donors completed a sociodemographic and a donation perception questionnaire. We applied the Fisher test to descriptive (absolute and relative frequency) data. Results 57.8% of donors were female and 62.9% of recipients male. 53.3% of donors were siblings, 44.5% parents, and 2.2% a daughter. Most recipients (71.9%) thought that the donation was the donors' initiative and 21.9% that it was suggested by medical team. 96.4% responded that it was the donor's wish that determined their decision; 51.4% had serious or some doubts about accepting the option, but for 48.6% it was an easy decision. Among the donors, 88.9% decided by themselves and 8.9% were asked for donation. For 91.1%, their wish was the main reason of the decision, but 8.9% felt a moral obligation; 77.8% thought it was an easy decision, and 17.8% hesitated a little 84.4% were not worried about their future health. Conclusions Altruistic motivations were predominant in both groups. Most recipients thought that the motivation for donation was self-determined, a finding that agreed with donor perceptions. Perceptions about the quality of and changes in emotional relationship were the same in both groups. Donors and recipients referred to the donation process as positive, but there were some negative emotions and perceptions

Efeitos da oscilação sul evidenciados no regime de precipitação pluvial em Santarém e Belterra.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar efeitos da Oscilação Sul no regime de precipitação pluvial nos municípios de Belterra e Santarém, PA. Utilizou-se dados disponibilizados pelo Centro Nacional de Previsão do Tempo-NCEP e Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia-INMET de estações meteorológicas localizadas nos municípios de Santarém e Belterra, PA, respectivamente Foram utilizados dados, correspondentes a série histórica do período de 1979 a 2009, em que realizou-se uma análise exploratória para extrair medidas de dispersão e identificar marcadores climáticos nesses 31 anos de informações pluviais. Calculou-se a média aritmética, o desvio padrão, a moda, a mediana e normalizou-se a série histórica para identificar anomalias positivas e negativas associadas aos efeitos da Oscilação Sul na Amazônia. Os resultados evidenciaram que nas duas localidades há dois períodos distintos, sendo o mais chuvoso de Dezembro a Maio e o menos chuvoso de Junho a Novembro. Observou-se que o ano de 1985 foi o de maior atividade pluvial, apontando anomalias positivas e indicando efeitos da fase fria da Oscilação Sul (La Niña), tanto em Santarém quanto Belterra. O ano de 1992 foi o menos chuvoso com anomalias negativas relacionadas a fase Quente da Oscilação Sul (El Niño). A maior anomalia positiva foi associada ao evento La Niña forte de 1985 e o valor mais negativo de anomalia foi no El Niño moderado de 1992. Os efeitos de Oscilação Sul influenciam o regime de precipitação pluvial na Amazônia.PIBIC-2011

Hospitalization and mortality rates for heart failure in public hospitals in São Paulo

BACKGROUND: Advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF) have resulted in reduced mortality and hospitalization rates. On the other hand, when hospitalized, patients are at high risk of death. OBJECTIVE: As there are few studies in this group of patients in Brazil, we analyzed the numbers of hospitalization and deaths due to HF in the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) in the city of São Paulo. METHODS: Historical prospective study carried out between 1992 and 2010. The data were obtained from DATASUS. We used Chi-square and t tests for comparison between the periods 1992-1993 and 2008-2009 and logistic regression models when appropriate. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: There was a 32% decrease in the number of hospitalizations for HF between 1992-1993 and 2008-2009 (p = 0.002). The in-hospital mortality rate for HF was 15%, with a 15% increase in the period (p = 0.004). Between 1992 and 1993, the mean time of hospitalization for HF was 8.8 days. Between 2008 and 2009, it was 11.3 days (p = 0.001). August was the month with the highest incidence of hospitalizations for HF, 20% higher than in February, the month with the lowest incidence (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: This study showed changes in trends of hospitalization for HF and mortality over the last two decades. We emphasize important implications: 1: 32% decrease in the number of hospitalizations for HF in SUS hospitals in São Paulo; 2: 25% increase in hospitalization time, and 3: seasonal pattern of hospitalization for HF, with a peak in the third quarter.FUNDAMENTO: Os avanços no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca (IC) resultaram em redução da taxa de mortalidade e de hospitalização. Por outro lado, quando hospitalizados, os pacientes apresentam alto risco de óbito. OBJETIVO: Como são poucos os estudos com esse grupo de pacientes no Brasil, analisamos os números de internação e óbito por IC no SUS do município de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo histórico realizado entre 1992 e 2010. Os dados foram obtidos no DATASUS. Utilizamos os testes qui-quadrado e T para a comparação entre os períodos 1992-1993 e 2008-2009 e modelos de regressão logística quando apropriado. O nível de significância considerado foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: Houve redução de 32% no número de internações por IC entre 1992-1993 e 2008-2009 (p = 0,002). A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar por IC foi de 15%, com aumento de 15% no período (p = 0,004). Entre 1992-1993, o tempo médio de hospitalização por IC foi de 8,8 dias. Entre 2008-2009, 11,3 dias (p = 0,001). Agosto foi o mês com maior incidência de internações por IC, 20% maior do que fevereiro, mês de menor incidência (p = 0,041). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo apresentou as modificações nas tendências de hospitalização e mortalidade hospitalar por IC ao longo das duas últimas décadas. Ressaltamos importantes implicações: 1º: redução em 32% no número de internações por IC em hospitais do SUS no município de São Paulo; 2º: aumento de 25% no tempo de hospitalização; e 3º: padrão sazonal de internação por IC, com pico no terceiro trimestre.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Chromobacterium violaceum as a potential biosurfactant‐producing microorganism

Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram‐negative bacterium found in the soil and water in tropical and sub‐tropical environments. Its complete genome sequence revealed wide varying alternative pathways for energy generation, complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation, motility and widespread utilization of quorum sensing for control of its inducible systems. Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compounds produced by microorganisms, both intra and extracellularly, that reduce surface and interfacial tensions. In this work, C. violaceum UCP 1552 isolated from the contaminated area of Pernambuco, was used. Biosurfactant production was carried out in 500mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 250mL of LB medium [tryptone – 10g/L, yeast extract – 5g/L, sodium chloride – 5g/L] plus 5g/L glucose and 1.6g/L soy oil, at 150 rpm and 30°C. Samples were collected at different fermentation times (from 0 to 188h) to evaluate cellular growth, glucose consumption and biosurfactant production (by reduction of surface tension and emulsification index determination). Biomass growth was observed during the first 96h and afterwards the cells entered the stationary phase. Moreover, glucose was consumed in the first 30h. Surface tension of the fermentation broth free of C. violaceum cells recovered after 188h was found to be 32 mN/m. The highest emulsification index was observed for 12h experiment, being 56 and 59% for sunflower oil and nhexadecane, respectively. Results gathered in this study reveal the C. violaceum potential as a biosurfactant‐producer opening novel perspectives for its application in the environmental area.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Cost optimality and nZEB target in building renovation of Portuguese residential buildings

Promoting the improvement of the overall energy performance of buildings is a relevant part of the European climate action and the Roadmap for moving towards a competitive low carbon economy in 2050, with an expectation of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by around 90% when compared to 1990 values, in the area of the built environment. The recast of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) introduced the goal of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) for all new buildings from January 1st, 2021 and plans should be drawn to stimulate the transformation of existing buildings that are refurbished into the same concept. EPBD also requires that all European Member States must ensure that the minimum energy performance requirements for buildings are set to achieve optimal levels, i.e. the energy performance levels that lead to the minimum cost during the life cycle. Therefore, Cost Optimality and nZEB are two fundamental concepts within the current European Union policy related to the energy performance of buildings and consequently related to climate change mitigation and non-renewable resources consumption, with Cost Optimality mainly focused on costs and nZEB focused on low energy consumption levels and on site renewables harvesting. In this context, this paper, using two characteristic buildings of the Portuguese residential building stock, aims at presenting the results that emerged from the analysis and identification of the most cost-effective packages of renovation measures needed to adapt existing buildings to zero energy balance and comparing them with those resulting from the calculation of cost-optimal levels.The investigation of the trade-offs between a renovation towards zero energy balance and a cost optimal renovation without energy use restrictions is relevant to provide clues to the development of national plans for increasing the number of nZEB and to provide appropriate financing and other instruments to catalyze this transformation

Anthracnose resistance sources to be explored by the common bean breeding programs in Brazil.

The main goal of the present work was to evaluate common bean anthracnose resistance sources for disease reaction under greenhouse and field conditions. In addition, the tested genotypes were also screened with SCAR markers linked to R genes presented as useful for the breeding programs in Brazil

The Still Underestimated Problem of Fungal Diseases Worldwide

In the past few years, fungal diseases caused estimated over 1.6 million deaths annually and over one billion people suffer from severe fungal diseases (Brown et al., 2012; Anonymous, 2017b). Public health surveillance of fungal diseases is generally not compulsory, suggesting that most estimates are conservative (Casadevall, 2017; Anonymous, 2017a). Fungal disease can also damage plants and crops, causing major losses in agricultural activities and food production (Savary et al., 2012). Animal pathogenic fungi are threatening bats, amphibians and reptiles with extinction (Casadevall, 2017). It is estimated that fungi are the highest threat for animal-host and plant-host species, representing the major cause (approximately 65%) of pathogen-driven host loss (Fisher et al., 2012). In this complex scenario, it is now clear that the global warming and accompanying climate changes have resulted in increased incidence of many fungal diseases (Garcia-Solache and Casadevall, 2010). On the basis of all these factors, concerns on the occurrence of a pandemic of fungal origin in a near future have been raised (Casadevall, 2017). In this context, to stop forgetting and underestimating fungal diseases is mandatory