Narrativas dos profissionais dos ensinos pré-escolar e primeiro ciclo face às crianças com necessidades educativas especiais: o outro lado da história

[Resumo] As debilidades na formação dos educadores e professores quanto as NEE sao uma importante variável influenciadora na e para a construção de urna equidade educativa. Registe-se a afirmação proferida na Declaras;ao de Salamanca: "a preparação adequada de todo o pessoal educativo é o factor chave na promosção das escolas inclusivas." Toma-se imprescindível conhecermos as formas de pensar, de actuar, a diversidade de sentimentos e estratégias que os profissionais poderao demonstrar como resultado de lidarem com uma criança com NEE, para que possamos melhor compreender e interpretar a direcs;ao para a construção de um diálogo efectivo de parceria educacional. Pretende-se, assim, através de urna metodologia qualitativa - análise de narrativas - o desenvolvimento de um programa de forma<;ao que promova desenvolvimento de atitudes positivas face a escola inclusiva, a aquisis;ao de novas competencias de ensino, que permita aos profissionais serem mais responsivos as necessidades educativas das criança

Effects on Lettuce Yield Parameters and Toxicological Safety Assessment of a Plant-Derived Formulation Based on Rosemary and Eucalyptus Essential Oils

Essential oils from medicinal and aromatic plants are increasingly recognized as a promising class of green molecules for use in crop production. In many cases, the beneficial aspects of a substance are not supported by sufficient toxicological safety testing, even though recent reports suggest that some compounds may be toxic to terrestrial or aquatic non-target species. It is, therefore, essential to investigate the possibility of adverse effects on non-target animals and humans exposed to these substances through the consumption of fruit and/or vegetables. The present study aims to examine the potential effects on yield and quality parameters and investigate the level of in vitro and in vivo toxicity of an Eco-product (EP) based on rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils, to provide a measure for safe use in the agricultural sector. The product was evaluated in lettuce crop production and indicated that one-time application of the EP formula increases yield, activating various secondary metabolism pathways of the plant to cope with oxidative stress. Cytotoxicity assays and in vivo acute oral and dermal toxicity studies suggest that the tested compound does not pose any significant health hazard, and the dissolved product can be classified in Category 5, according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

Chemical composition and plant growth of Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta plants cultivated under saline conditions

The aim of this report was to study the effect of salinity (control: 2dS/m, S1: 4 dS/m and S2: 6 dS/m) and harvest time (first harvest on 9 May 2018 and second harvest on 19 April 2018) on the growth and the chemical composition of Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta plants. The plants of the first harvest were used for the plant growth measurements (fresh weight and moisture content of leaves, rosette diameter, number and thickness of leaves), whereas those of the second harvest were not used for these measurements due to the flowering initiation, which made the leaves unmarketable due to their hard texture. The results of our study showed that C. raphanina subsp. mixta plants can be cultivated under mild salinity (S1 treatment) conditions without severe effects on plant growth and yield, since a more severe loss (27.5%) was observed for the S2 treatment. In addition, harvest time proved to be a cost-effective cultivation practice that allows to regulate the quality of the final product, either in edible form (first harvest) or for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical purposes as well as antimicrobial agents in food products. Therefore, the combination of these two agronomic factors showed interesting results in terms of the quality of the final product. In particular, high salinity (S2 treatment) improved the nutritional value by increasing the fat, proteins and carbohydrates contents in the first harvest, as well as the tocopherols and sugars contents (S1 and S2 treatments, respectively) in the second harvest. In addition, salinity and harvest time affected the oxalic acid content which was the lowest for the S2 treatment at the second harvest. Similarly, the richest fatty acid (α-linolenic acid) increased with increasing salinity at the first harvest. Salinity and harvest time also affected the antimicrobial properties, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Trichoderma viride, where the extracts from the S1 and S2 treatments showed high effectiveness. In contrast, the highest amounts of flavanones (pinocembrin derivatives) were detected in the control treatment (second harvest), which was also reflected to the highest antioxidant activity (TBARS) for the same treatment. In conclusion, C. raphanina subsp. mixta plants seem to be tolerant to medium salinity stress (S1 treatment) since plant growth was not severely impaired, while salinity and harvesting time affected the nutritional value (fat, proteins, and carbohydrates) and the chemical composition (tocopherols, sugars, oxalic acid, fatty acids), as well as the bioactive properties (cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties) of the final product

Wild and cultivated centaurea raphanina subsp. Mixta: A valuable source of bioactive compounds

Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta (DC.) Runemark is a wild edible species endemic to Greece. This study evaluated the chemical composition and bioactive properties of wild and cultivated C. raphanina subsp. mixta plants. Wild plants had higher nutritional value than cultivated ones, whereas cultivated plants contained more tocopherols. Glucose and sucrose were higher in cultivated plants and trehalose in wild ones. Oxalic and total organic acids were detected in higher amounts in cultivated samples. The main fatty acids were α-linolenic, linoleic and palmitic acid, while wild plants were richer in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Two pinocembrin derivatives were the main phenolic compounds being detected in higher amounts in wild plants. Regarding the antioxidant activity, wild and cultivated plants were more effective in the oxidative haemolysis (OxHLIA) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays, respectively. Moreover, both extracts showed moderate cytotoxicity in non-tumor cell lines (PLP2), while cultivated plants were more effective against cervical carcinoma (HeLa), breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and non-small lung cancer (NCI-H460) cell lines. Finally, wild plants showed higher antimicrobial activity than cultivated plants against specific pathogens. In conclusion, the cultivation of C. raphanina subsp. mixta showed promising results in terms of tocopherols content and antiproliferative effects, however further research is needed to decrease oxalic acid content

Impact of cinnamon oil-enrichment on microbial spoilage of fresh produce

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) oil (ranging between 25 and 500 ppm) was tested for antifungal activity against Colletotrichum coccodes, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger in vitro. Oil-enrichment resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reduction on subsequent colony development for the examined pathogens. Fungal spore production inhibited up to 63% at 25 ppm of cinnamon oil concentration when compared with equivalent plates stored in ambient air. In the highest oil concentration (500 ppm) employed, fungal sporulation (except for B. cinerea) was completely retarded. In vitro, cinnamon oil reduced spore germination and germ tube length in C. coccodes, B. cinerea, C. herbarum and R. stolonifer with the effects were dependent on oil concentration. However, cinnamon oil (up to 100 ppm) accelerated spore germination for A. niger. Wound-inoculated pepper fruit accelerated B. cinerea and C. coccodes development following 3 days vapour exposure to cinnamon, and this effect was not persisted for longer exposure but no differences observed for tomato fruit. Pre-exposing tomato fruit to 500 ppm cinnamon vapours for 3 days, and then inoculated with fungi, reduced B. cinerea and C. coccodes lesion development. At the present, trials is currently focussing on the mechanisms underlying the impacts of essential oil volatiles on disease development with a major contribution to limiting the spread of the pathogen by lowering the spore load in the storage/transit atmospheres as well as the use of essential oil as an alternative food preservative. Industrial relevance: The data presented in this work suggest that the use of pure cinnamon essential oil is an innovative and useful tool as alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides or other sanitation techniques in storage/packaging. Oil enrichment may reduce disease development with a major contribution to limiting the spread of the pathogen by lowering the spore load (spore production) in the storage/transit atmospheres as well as the use of essential oil as an alternative food preservative. The effectiveness (oil concentration) of the oil depends on the target pathogen. The effects of natural compounds on individual microorganisms (fungi and bacteria), both responsible for spoilage and food-borne pathogens, as well as the minimum concentration to gain effectiveness without affecting fresh produce quality and storage deserve further research. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Maintaining postharvest quality of fresh produce with volatile compounds

The postharvest quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) fruit was evaluated after treatment with eucalyptus (Ec: Eucalyptus globulus L.) and cinnamon (Cn: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Blume) volatile oil compounds and storage at 13 °C during or following vapour exposure. Fruit decay decreased in fruit treated with oil vapours and transfer to 'ambient air' (AA). Cn-treated tomato maintained fruit firmness during exposure, but the effects were not persistent following storage to AA. However, no effects on fruit firmness were observed for Ec-treated tomato and strawberry-treated with Ec-and Cn-vapours. Oil vapours stimulated levels of total soluble solids during exposure but effects were persistent only for 'cherry' tomatoes following exposure. Fruit samples treated with oil vapours did not differ in percentage weight loss, organic acid content, sweetness and total phenolic content during or following vapour exposure compared with untreated fruit. The results suggest that essential oil vapour may improve fruit quality-related attributes on top of the well-documented antimicrobial protection during fresh produce storage and transit. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Effects of substrate medium and container type in hydroponically grown strawberries

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plants were grown hydroponically in cocosoil (Coc), pumice (Pum) and Coc:Pum (50:50) mixtures in multi-channels or pots. In multi-channels, the number of leaves and runners (stolons) doubled in plants grown in Coc comparing with the control treatment (Pum), while in pots; strawberry plants produce increased number of runners in Coc. Flower number increased (up to 55%) in plants grown in Pum in multi-channels while no differences observed for the number of flowers in plants grown in pots. Leaf stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate and internal concentration of CO2 differentiated according to the plant vegetative or reproductive stage and/or substrate medium, with higher values marked in Coc-based substrates. Leaf and stem fresh weight as well as leaf area was increased (up to 72%, 82% and 96% respectively) in case of Coc comparing with the Pum. Fruit number increased but fruit fresh weight decreased in plants grown in Coc, comparing with plants grown in Pum, resulting in similar plant yields for the examined substrate medium. However, considering plant density, the double number of plants grown in multi-channels comparing with pots, thus the total yield was greater. Substrates and/or container type had little effect in fruit quality parameters. The present findings highlights the putative use of organic medium i.e., cocosoil as substrate medium in strawberry culture, while the container type may affect the crop yield

Gaseous ozone-enrichment for the preservation of fresh produce

Ozone is considered the most economically important air pollutant worldwide. Experimental studies reveal contrasting effects of ozone on foliar pathogens with several successful applications in postharvest level. Oranges, grapes and tomatoes were infected with green mould (Penicillium digitatum) and grey mould (Botrytis cinerea), then fruit incubated in 'clean air' or an ozone-enriched atmosphere (concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 ppm). In vivo and in vitro experimentation revealed lesion development and spore production to be markedly reduced in fruit maintained in an ozone-enriched atmosphere. Higher concentrations/duration of exposure resulted in greater impacts on lesion development/spore production, with considerable benefits resulting from exposure to low levels of ozone (i.e., below the 0.2 ppm threshold set for the protection of human health). In vitro studies performed on fungi raised on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for 6-8 days at 13°C and 95% relative humidity (RH) revealed no direct effects of ozone on fungal development, implying that suppression of pathogen development was due in a large part to the impacts of ozone on fruit-pathogen interactions

Alleviation of salinity-induced stress in lettuce growth by potassium sulphate using nutrient film technique

Salinity in soil, or irrigation water, can reduce plant growth, interfere with nutrient balance, and reduce crop yields. The effects of NaCl salinity and potassium level on the plant growth and severity of gray mold [Botrytis cinerea (De Bary) Whetzel] were investigated in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cvs. Beta and Paris Island) grown with the nutrient film technique (NFT) under greenhouse conditions during early spring. Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions containing 40 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) and/or 10 mM potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Salinity or K-enrichment mainly affected the upper part of lettuce plants and reduced leaf fresh weight and leaf area. However, their combination reversed the negative impact of salinity on plant growth. Salinized and/or potassium-enriched plants did not differ in root length, leaf dry weight, leaf length, or numbers of leaves produced. Photosynthetic rate and the intercellular CO2 concentration did not differ among treatments, whereas stomatal conductance was reduced in salt-treated plants of cv. Paris Island. Salinity induced plant disease only for cv. Beta and greater disease severity was observed when salinity was combined with potassium. Total nutrient uptake was reduced 2-fold in salt-treated plants compared to controls. Lettuce grown in NFT had tolerance to NaCl salinity, and this method could be used to exploit saline water in soilless culture. These findings also suggest that a proper management of the salt concentration of the nutrient solution can provide an effective tool to improve the quality of leafy vegetables with little effect on yield

Potassium and calcium enrichment alleviate salinity-induced stress in hydroponically grown endives

Salinity either of soil or of irrigation water causes disturbance in plant growth and nutrient balance and reduces crop yields. The effects of NaCl salinity and/or calcium or potassium level on the plant growth and severity of gray mold (Botrytis cinerea [De Bary] Whetzel) were investigated in endive (Cichorium endivia L., cv. Green Curled) grown with the nutrient film technique under greenhouse conditions during early spring. Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions containing 40 mmol/l of sodium chloride (NaCl) and/or 10 mmol/l potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Additionally, plants treated with foliar spray of 15 mmol/l calcium nitrate [(CaNO3) 2] or distilled water. Salinity or K- and Ca-enrichment mainly affected the upper part of endive plants and reduced leaf area. However, when salinity combined with either K- or Ca-enrichment, the negative impact of salinity on plant growth was reversed. Salinized and/or K- and Ca-enriched, plants did not differ in plant biomass, leaf/root ratio, leaf fresh weight, leaf number, and root length. Salinity did not have any impacts on photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2 concentration. Indeed, photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance increased with Ca foliar application and decreased with K while the opposite effects were observed for the intercellular CO2 concentration. Total nutrient uptake was reduced 2-fold in salt-treated plants compared to controls. No symptoms of tip-burn or blackheart were recorded throughout the experimental study. Endive grown in the nutrient film technique had tolerance to NaCl salinity, and this method could be used to exploit saline water in soilless culture. These findings also suggest that a proper management of the salt concentration of the nutrient solution plus external elemental enrichment may provide an efficient tool to improve the quality of leafy vegetables with little effect on yield