Avoiding healthy cells extinction in a cancer model

We consider a dynamical model of cancer growth including three interacting cell populations of tumor cells, healthy host cells and immune effector cells. For certain parameter choice, the dynamical system displays chaotic motion and by decreasing the response of the immune system to the tumor cells, a boundary crisis leading to transient chaotic dynamics is observed. This means that the system behaves chaotically for a finite amount of time until the unavoidable extinction of the healthy and immune cell populations occurs. Our main goal here is to apply a control method to avoid extinction. For that purpose, we apply the partial control method, which aims to control transient chaotic dynamics in the presence of external disturbances. As a result, we have succeeded to avoid the uncontrolled growth of tumor cells and the extinction of healthy tissue. The possibility of using this method compared to the frequently used therapies is discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pre-harvest cane burning and health: the association between school absences and burning sugarcane fields

The objective of this study was to investigate an association between pre-harvest sugarcane burning and respiratory diseases in children under five years of age. The following data were collected in five schools in the city of Araraquara, SP, Southeastern Brazil, between March and June 2009: daily records of absences and the reasons stated for these absences, total concentration of suspended particulate matter (µg/m3), and air humidity. The relationship between the percentage of school absences due to respiratory problems and the concentration of particulate matter in March and from April to June presented a distinct behavior: absences increased alongside the increase in particulate matter concentration. The use of school absences as indicators of this relationship is an innovative approach.

An experimental study to compare the interface pressure and experience of healthy participants when lying still for 20 minutes in a supine position on two different imaging surfaces

Introduction: Pressure ulcers are a high cost, high volume issue for health and medical care providers, affecting patients’ recovery and psychological wellbeing. The current research of support surfaces on pressure as a risk factor in the development of pressure ulcers is not relevant to the specialised, controlled environment of the radiological setting. Method: 38 healthy participants aged 19-51 were placed supine on two different imaging surfaces. The XSENSOR pressure mapping system was used to measure the interface pressure. Data was acquired over a time of 20 minutes preceded by 6 minutes settling time to reduce measurement error. Qualitative information regarding participants’ opinion on pain and comfort was recorded using a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22. Results: Data was collected from 30 participants aged 19 to 51 (mean 25.77, SD 7.72), BMI from 18.7 to 33.6 (mean 24.12, SD 3.29), for two surfaces, following eight participant exclusions due to technical faults. Total average pressure, average pressure for jeopardy areas (head, sacrum & heels) and peak pressure for jeopardy areas were calculated as interface pressure in mmHg. Qualitative data showed that a significant difference in experiences of comfort and pain was found in the jeopardy areas (P<0.05) between the two surfaces. Conclusion: A significant difference is seen in average pressure between the two surfaces. Pain and comfort data also show a significant difference between the surfaces, both findings support the proposal for further investigation into the effects of radiological surfaces as a risk factor for the formation of pressure ulcers.

Structuring and moodleing a course: case studies at the polytechnic of Porto - School of engineering

This work presents a comparative study covering four different courses lectured at the Polytechnic of Porto - School of Engineering, in respect to the usage of a particular Learning Management System, i.e. Moodle, and its impact on students' results. Even though positive correlation factors exist, e.g. between the number of Moodle accesses versus the final exam grade obtained by each student, the explanation behind it may not be straightforward. Mapping this particular factor to course numbers reveals that the quality of the resources might be preponderant and not only their quantity. This paper also addresses teachers who used this platform as a complement to their courses (b-learning) and identifies some particular issues they should be aware in order to potentiate students' engagement and learning.

Using remote lab networks to provide support to public secondary school education level

The advantages of networking are widely known in many areas (from business to personal ones). One particular area where networks have also proved their benefits is education. Taking the secondary school education level into account, some successful cases can be found in literature. In this paper we describe a particular remote lab network supporting physical experiments accessible to students of institutions geographically separated. The network architecture and application examples of using some of the available remote experiments are illustrated in detail.

OPTIMAX research summer school: um projeto pedagógico para a promoção da investigação em radiologia

Porquê este projeto? Conhecimentos, aptidões, competências; desenvolvimento de competências (instrumentais, interpessoais, sistémicas); contributo para uma concepção de carácter multidimensional do estudante, preparando-o para apreender a importância da investigação, preparando-o para uma profissão de saúde; as novas soluções tecnológicas, a par da inovação e a mudança nos cuidados de saúde e dos processos de trabalho, constituem hoje os desafios do presente e do futuro para os profissionais de saúde [o desenvolvimento da tecnologia e da informática, a educação e a prática baseada na evidência (investigação), as mudanças nos processos de trabalho, o trabalho em equipa, a dimensão internacional]; a investigação e o seu impacto na profissão (desenvolvimento de conhecimentos próprios das profissões, autonomia, impacto positivo nas práticas profissionais, benefício do doente); a investigação auxilia no processo de definição dos parâmetros de uma profissão (nenhuma profissão terá um desenvolvimento sustentado sem o contributo da investigação; é através da investigação que se constitui um domínio de conhecimentos baseados na evidência que permitam as boas práticas); apostar num projeto associado à investigação, com uma base científica que contribua para uma melhor educação e prática profissional visando assegurar a credibilidade da profissão; aprendizagem centrada no estudante; adopção de metodologias de ensino que promovam a autonomia, o raciocínio, a capacidade crítica e a resolução de problemas.

ESEIG Mobile: an m-learning approach in a superior school

In recent years, mobile learning has emerged as an educational approach to decrease the limitation of learning location and adapt the teaching-learning process to all type of students. However, the large number and variety of Web-enabled devices poses challenges for Web content creators who want to automatic get the delivery context and adapt the content to mobile devices. In this paper we study several approaches to adapt the learning content to mobile phones. We present an architecture for deliver uniform m-Learning content to students in a higher School. The system development is organized in two phases: firstly enabling the educational content to mobile devices and then adapting it to all the heterogeneous mobile platforms. With this approach, Web authors will not need to create specialized pages for each kind of device, since the content is automatically transformed to adapt to any mobile device capabilities from WAP to XHTML MP-compliant devices.

Porto Polytechnical Engineering School sustainable development action plan

Porto Polytechnical Engineering School (ISEP), a Global Reporting Initiative training partner in Portugal, has just presented its Sustainable Development Action Plan (PASUS), which main objective is the formation of a new kind of engineers, with a Sustainable Development (SD) philosophy in the core of their academic curricula courses.

Tudo exceto a pia da cozinha? A Kitchen Sink School e o Kitchen Sink Drama: figurações realistas no pós-guerra

Ensaio sobre a relação das telas da Kitchen Sink School (John Bratby / Edward Middleditch / Derrick Greaves / Jack Smith) com a dramaturgia realista do pós-Segunda Guerra Mundial em Inglaterra.

Educação alimentar infantil: potencialidades de estudantes de educação de infância

Resumo: Na promoção de comportamentos alimentares saudáveis ao longo da vida. que deve iniciar-se o mais precocemente possível, a educação alimentar é um elemento chave. O jardim-de-infância é um espaço efectivo na implementação de projectos de educação alimentar, onde os educadores de infância são actores imprescindíveis. Este estudo teve como objectivo desenvolver uma metodologia apropriada para identificar as capacidades de estudantes de educação de infância e avaliar as suas aptidões no contexto da educação alimentar infantil. A população alvo do estudo foram estudantes do 4ºano da licenciatura em educação de infância de instituições públicas e privadas da área metropolitana de Lisboa (n=287). Construiu-se um videograma, integrador dos domínios da aprendizagem (cognitivo e afectivo) e dos factores associados aos comportamentos em saúde (predisponentes, capacitadores e de esforço). A construção dos questionários estruturou-se em: conhecimentos-atitudes-comportamentos.Pretendia-se que os estudantes transmitissem a sua opinião, de acordo com os questionários.Os estudantes manifestaram conhecimentos, no âmbito da alimentação infantil e da utilidade e aplicabilidade da educação alimentar.Nenhum estudante apresentou conhecimentos negativos, numa escala de zero a 18 valores, 86,9% obtiveram uma classificação entre 11 e 17 valores e 13,1% a classificação máxima.A atitude dos estudantes revelou-se consensual com o desejável, 98,5% apresentaram atitudes positivas face aos aspectos estruturadores das actividades de educação alimentar.No domínio do "saber fazer" 51,0% dos estudantes demonstraram fragilidades no seu desempenho/comportamento. Em conclusão, a utilização do questionário demonstrou ser apropriado para a medição dos conhecimentos, das atitudes e como forma de os estudantes, após visionarem o videograma, espelharem o seu desempenho/comportamento face à representação do educador de infância. A taxa de resposta nunca foi inferior a 98,9% (n=284). No domínio dos conhecimentos, os estudantes manifestaram concepções positivas no campo da alimentação infantil e da educação alimentar. As atitudes enfatizaram-se no domínio afectivo, nos aspectos relacionais e comunicacionais. No domínio dos comportamentos, 91,8% dos estudantes apresentaram dificuldades na identificação dos aspectos menos correctos do desempenho dos actores do video, o que pode sugerir lacunas no âmbito do "saber fazer". Abstract:Nutrition education is key element to promote lifelong healthy eating behaviours and it must begin since early stages of life. Nursery schools are an effective space in the implementation of nutrition education projects, where the nursery teachers are indispensable actors. The aim of this study was to develop an appropriate methodology to identify nursery education student´s skills and evaluate their attitudes in the childhood nutrition education's context. The study's population were students of the 4th degree in private and public nursery education universities in Lisbon metropolitan area (n=287). A video integrator of learning domains (cognitive and affective) and of factors associated with health behaviours (predisposing, enabling and reinforcing) was developed. Questionnaire´s construction was structured in: knowledge-attitudes-behaviours.According to the questionnaires students were asked to transmit their opinion. Students revealed knowledge, in the scope of the childhood nutrition and in utility and applicability of nutrition education. No students presented negative results in knowledge ina zero - 18 scale; 86,9% students obtained a classification between 11 and 17 and the maximum classification was obtained by 13.1% students. Student's attitude was according to win the desirable, 98,5% student´s revealed positive attitudes in the nutrition education's structure aspects of chilhood activities.In the domain of the "know to do" 51,0% of students showed fragilities in their performance/behaviour. In conclusion, the questionnaire´s utilization confirm to be appropriated in measurement knowledge and attitudes and also, after watching the video, as a way for students reflect their performance/behaviour face to the nursery teacher´s representation. Answer´s rate was never lower than 98.9% (n=284). In the knowledge's domain students demonstrated positive conceptions in the childhood nutrition and nutrition education's fields. Attitudes were emphasized in the effective domain in the communication and relational aspects. In behaviour's domain 91.8% students presented difficulties in identifying the less correct aspects of the video actor's performance what may suggest gaps in the "know to do" scope.

ESEIG Mobile: an m-learning approach in a superior school

In recent years, mobile learning has emerged as an educational approach to decrease the limitation of learning location and adapt the teaching-learning process to all type of students. However, the large number and variety of Web-enabled devices poses challenges for Web content creators who want to automatic get the delivery context and adapt the content to mobile devices. This paper studies several approaches to adapt the learning content to mobile phones. It presents an architecture for deliver uniform m-Learning content to students in a higher School. The system development is organized in two phases: firstly enabling the educational content to mobile devices and then adapting it to all the heterogeneous mobile platforms. With this approach, Web authors will not need to create specialized pages for each kind of device, since the content is automatically transformed to adapt to any mobile device capabilities from WAP to XHTML MP-compliant devices.

Finding a school technological partner: a multicriteria method for school information system producer selection

The choice of an information systems is a critical factor of success in an organization's performance, since, by involving multiple decision-makers, with often conflicting objectives, several alternatives with aggressive marketing, makes it particularly complex by the scope of a consensus. The main objective of this work is to make the analysis and selection of a information system to support the school management, pedagogical and administrative components, using a multicriteria decision aid system – MMASSITI – Multicriteria Method- ology to Support the Selection of Information Systems/Information Technologies – integrates a multicriteria model that seeks to provide a systematic approach in the process of choice of Information Systems, able to produce sustained recommendations concerning the decision scope. Its application to a case study has identi- fied the relevant factors in the selection process of school educational and management information system and get a solution that allows the decision maker’ to compare the quality of the various alternatives.

Changing representations and practices in school mathematics: the case of Modern Math in Portugal

The curricular movement known as Modern Mathematics aimed at the transformation of representations and practices in school mathematics. Its study provides us with ways of understanding how these changes came about. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the ways in which representations of school mathematics gradually were influenced by ideas from the Modern Mathematics movement, how these new ideas merged into local educational traditions, and how they were transformed into meaningful practice. This work is centred on the Portuguese context from the middle 1950s to the middle 1960s, and builds on Chervel’s notion of school culture and Gruzinski’s discussion of connected histories.

Intestinal parasites in school food handlers in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

In order to verify the presence of intestinal parasites in food handlers, stool samples were collected from 104 cooks and their helpers that were working in food preparation in 20 public elementary schools, in various areas of the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The samples were collected during the months of November and December, 1988, in plastic flasks containing a 10% formaldehyde solution and processed by the Hoffmann, Pons & Janer method. The sediment was examined using triplicate slides. All individuals were females aged between 24 to 69 years. Intestinal parasites were found in 85.0% of the studied schools and 47.1% of the studied food handlers (cooks and helpers) were found to be positive. Among the 49 infected food handlers, 32 (65.3%) carried a single parasite and 17 (34.7%) carried two parasites. The following intestinal parasites were found: Giardia lamblia (21.1%), Entamoeba coli (21.1%), hookworms (9.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5.8%), Entamoeba histolytica (2.9%), Hymenolepis nana (1.9%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.0%). These data emphasize the need for a rigid semi-annual control in all school food handlers, including diagnosis, specific treatment and orientation about the mechanisms of transmission of the intestinal parasites.

Carriage of the classical thermotolerant campylobacters in healthy domestic animals from Eastern Peru

Com o objetivo de conhecer a importância dos animais domésticos como reservatórios naturais dos clássicos campylobacters termotolerantes, amostras de fezes foram obtidas de mamíferos e aves do leste do Peru e imediatamente colocadas num meio de enriquecimento. Técnicas convencionais foram utilizadas para identificar C. jejuni ssp. jejuni, C. coli e C. lari. Campylobacter foi isolado em 26,5% dos animais estudados, sendo C. jejuni ssp. jejuni biovar I o mais freqüente (8,9%). O frango foi o reservatório mais importante destes microorganismos (54,0%).