Utilização do choque osmótico na avaliação da viabilidade de sêmen criopreservado de ovinos

This study evaluated the use of hipoosmotic swelling test (HOST) with deionized water (0 mOsmol), as a method of post thaw ram semen evaluation and correlate their findings with different techniques of semen evaluation. Therefore, twenty semen samples of 20 different adult rams were assessed as for kinetic sperm parameters through computerized system (IVOS 12, Hamiton Thorn Biosciences, Beverly, MA, EUA) and subjective analysis. The sperm membranes viability was carried out by the association of fluorescent probes (propidium iodide, JC-1 and FITC-PSA). The structural integrity of the plasma membrane was also studied through supravital test with eosin and the functional integrity of membrane evaluated by doing the hipoosmotic swelling test with deionized water (0 mOsmol), in the following proportions: One part of semen for 10 (HOST 10), 50 (HOST 50) and 100 (HOST 100) parts of water. After semen dilution in the different proportions it was fixed in formalin-buffered saline and analyzed with regard to percentage of HOST reactive sperm (bent/coiled). The percentage of reaction obtained for HOST 10 (33,1%); HOST 50 (32,8%) and HOST 100 (31,8%) did not differ significantly. HOST 10 presented positive correlation with the plasma membrane integrity by the EOS (r = 0,80; p < 0,05). Positive correlations between HOST 50 and HOST 100 with sperm subpopulation with membrane integrity by fluorescence were observed (r = 0,83 and r = 0,85; p < 0,01). The findings suggest that the HOST with deionized water can provide additional information for post thawing ram sperm viability evaluation.

Comparing the Teaching-Learning Process With and Without the Use of Computerized Technological Resources

Computerized technological resources have become essential in education, particularly for teaching topics that require the performance of specific tasks. These resources can effectively help the execution of such tasks and the teaching-learning process itself. After the development of a Web site on the topic of nursing staff scheduling, this study aimed at comparing the development of students involved in the teaching-learning process of the previously mentioned topic, with and without the use of computer technology. Two random groups of undergraduate nursing students from a public university in São Paulo state, Brazil, were organized: a case group (used the Web site) and a control group (did not use the Web site). Data were collected from 2003 to 2005 after approval by the Research Ethics Committee. Results showed no significant difference in motivation or knowledge acquisition. A similar performance for the two groups was also verified. Other aspects observed were difficulty in doing the nursing staff scheduling exercise and the students' acknowledgment of the topic's importance for their training and professional lives; easy access was considered to be a positive aspect for maintaining the Web site.

Teaching and learning data structures supported by computers: An experiment using CADILAG tool

This paper aims to present the use of a learning object (CADILAG), developed to facilitate understanding data structure operations by using visual presentations and animations. The CADILAG allows visualizing the behavior of algorithms usually discussed during Computer Science and Information System courses. For each data structure it is possible visualizing its content and its operation dynamically. Its use was evaluated an the results are presented. © 2012 AISTI.