Educational characteristics of adult students in portuguese technological schools

Despite a massive expansion of education in Portugal, since the 1970’s, educational attainment of the adult population in the country remains low. The numbers of working-age people in some form of continuing education are among the lowest, according to the OECD and EU-27 statistics. Technological Schools(TS), initially created in the 1990’s, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Economy in partnership with industry and industrial associations, aimed to prepare qualified staff for industries and services in the country, particularly in the engineering sector, through the provision of post secondary non-university programmes of studies, the CET (Technological Specialization Courses). Successful CET students are awarded a DET(Diploma of Technological Specialization), which corresponds to Vocational Qualification level IV of the EU, according to the latest alteration (2005) of the Education Systems Act (introduced in 1986). In this, CET’s are also clearly defined as one of the routes for access to Higher Education (HE), in Portugal. The PRILHE (Promoting Reflective and Independent Learning in Higher Education) multinational project, funded by the European Socrates Grundtvig Programme, aimed to identify the learning processes which enable adult students in higher education to become autonomous reflective learners and search best practices to support these learning processes. During this research, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to determine how students organise their studies and develop their learning skills. The Portuguese partner in the project’ consortium used a two case studies approach, one with students of Higher Education Institutions and other with students of TS. This paper only applies to students of TS, as these have a predominant bias towards engineering. Results show that student motivation and professional teaching support contribute equally to the development of an autonomous and reflective approach to learning in adult students; this is essential for success in a knowledge economy, where lifelong learning is the key to continuous employment.

Web survey system to discover the actual role of experience in learning in higher education: a case study

March 19 - 22, 2006, São Paulo, BRAZIL World Congress on Computer Science, Engineering and Technology Education

Efficiency of sampling methods and effort to assess arthropod diversity in Azorean native forests

The BALA project (Biodiversity of Arthropods of Laurisilva of the Azores) is a research initiative to quantify the spatial distribution of arthropod biodiversity in native forests of the Azores archipelago. Arthropods were collected using a combination of two techniques, targeting epigean (ground dwelling) and canopy (arboreal) arthropods: pitfall traps (with Turquin and Ethylene solutions) and beating samples (using the three most dominant plant species). A total of 109 transects distributed amongst 18 forest fragments in seven of the nine Azorean islands were used in this study. The performance of alternative sampling methods and effort were tested. No significant differences were found in the accumulated number of species captured whether an alternative method was used or whether another transect with similar effort was established in another location within the same fragment. A combination of Ethylene and Turquin traps captured more species per individual, Turquin and beating captured more species per sample, and Turquin captured more species per unit time. An optimization exercise was performed and we found that the protocol applied during recent years is very close to optimal, allowing its future replication with confidence. The minimum combinations of sampling effort and methods, in order to monitor or to inventory diversity, taking into account different proportions of sample completeness are discussed.

Determination of pesticides in fruit and fruit juices by chromatographic methods. An overview

In order to combat a variety of pests, pesticides are widely used in fruits. Several extraction procedures (liquid extraction, single drop microextraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, matrix solid-phase dispersion, and stir bar sorptive extraction) have been reported to determine pesticide residues in fruits and fruit juices. The significant change in recent years is the introduction of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) methods in these matrices analysis. A combination of techniques reported the use of new extraction methods and chromatography to provide better quantitative recoveries at low levels. The use of mass spectrometric detectors in combination with liquid and gas chromatography has played a vital role to solve many problems related to food safety. The main attention in this review is on the achievements that have been possible because of the progress in extraction methods and the latest advances and novelties in mass spectrometry, and how these progresses have influenced the best control of food, allowing for an increase in the food safety and quality standards.

Domestic Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) infestation in Northern Peru: a comparative trial of detection methods during a six-month follow-up

Two passive methods in the assessment of intradomiciliary infestation by Rhodnius ecuadoriensis were tested: (i) the Gomes Nuñez sensor box (GN), (ii) sheets of white typing paper and (iii) one active timed manual method. The study was carried out in the Alto Chicama River Valley, Province of Gran Chimú, Department of La Libertad. The study design consisted of an initial searching of triatomines inside of the domestic environment by the manual capture active procedure (man/hour) covering all the studied houses. Then, matched pairs of GN boxes and paper sheets were simultaneously installed in the bedrooms of 207 households distributed in 19 localities. A comparative prospective trial of these passive detection devices were monitored at 2, 4 and, finally 6 months follow-up. Parasitological Trypanosoma rangeli and/or T. cruzi infections were investigated in two houses with high level of infestation by R. ecuadoriensis. 16.9% of the 207 households investigated by an initial active manual method were infested with R. ecuadoriensis. The proportion of infested houses fluctuated from 6.2 to 55.5% amongst the 19 localities investigated. T. rangeli natural infection was detected in R. ecuadoriensis specimens collected in two households. Parasite rates in the bugs ranged from 16.6 to 21.7% respectively. The most striking fact was an average rate of salivary gland infection ranging from 7.4 to 8.3%. At the end of the sixth month period, a cumulative incidence of 31.4% of positive GN boxes against 15.9% for paper sheets was recorded. All three methods combined detected domestic infestation in 129 (62.3%) of the 207 houses studied in the 19 localities. The range of houses infested varies from 6.7% to 92.9%. In areas with low bug density infestation rates, the methodology experienced in our studies, seems to be the best choice for investigations on domestic R. ecuadoriensis populations.

A solution for estimates in software development projects

The Corporate world is becoming more and more competitive. This leads organisations to adapt to this reality, by adopting more efficient processes, which result in a decrease in cost as well as an increase of product quality. One of these processes consists in making proposals to clients, which necessarily include a cost estimation of the project. This estimation is the main focus of this project. In particular, one of the goals is to evaluate which estimation models fit the Altran Portugal software factory the most, the organization where the fieldwork of this thesis will be carried out. There is no broad agreement about which is the type of estimation model more suitable to be used in software projects. Concerning contexts where there is plenty of objective information available to be used as input to an estimation model, model-based methods usually yield better results than the expert judgment. However, what happens more frequently is not having this volume and quality of information, which has a negative impact in the model-based methods performance, favouring the usage of expert judgement. In practice, most organisations use expert judgment, making themselves dependent on the expert. A common problem found is that the performance of the expert’s estimation depends on his previous experience with identical projects. This means that when new types of projects arrive, the estimation will have an unpredictable accuracy. Moreover, different experts will make different estimates, based on their individual experience. As a result, the company will not directly attain a continuous growing knowledge about how the estimate should be carried. Estimation models depend on the input information collected from previous projects, the size of the project database and the resources available. Altran currently does not store the input information from previous projects in a systematic way. It has a small project database and a team of experts. Our work is targeted to companies that operate in similar contexts. We start by gathering information from the organisation in order to identify which estimation approaches can be applied considering the organization’s context. A gap analysis is used to understand what type of information the company would have to collect so that other approaches would become available. Based on our assessment, in our opinion, expert judgment is the most adequate approach for Altran Portugal, in the current context. We analysed past development and evolution projects from Altran Portugal and assessed their estimates. This resulted in the identification of common estimation deviations, errors, and patterns, which lead to the proposal of metrics to help estimators produce estimates leveraging past projects quantitative and qualitative information in a convenient way. This dissertation aims to contribute to more realistic estimates, by identifying shortcomings in the current estimation process and supporting the self-improvement of the process, by gathering as much relevant information as possible from each finished project.

The role of humor in television advertisement: A study regarding Portuguese consumers’ emotions and reactions

The purpose of this study is to explore the humorous side of television advertisement and its impact on Portuguese consumers’ hearts, minds and wallets. Both qualitative (through in-depth interviews) and quantitative (through an on-line survey and subsequent statistical data analysis) methods were used, guaranteeing a more consistent, strong and valid research. Twenty-five interviews with randomly chosen consumers were conducted face-to-face and three interviews via e-mail with marketers and television advertisers were performed in order to explore profoundly the subject. Moreover, 360 people have answered the on-line survey. Through the analysis of the data collected humor perception was found to be positively correlated with persuasion and intention to purchase the product; intention to share the advert; message comprehension; product liking and development of positive feelings towards the brand and brand credibility variables. The main implication of these findings relies on the fact that humor in advertising is able to boost its effectiveness.

Risk assessment in a research laboratory during sol–gel synthesis of nano-TiO2

The occupational risks in the nanotechnology research laboratories are an important topic since a great number of researchers are involved in this area. The risk assessment performed by both qualitative and quantitative methods is a necessary step for the management of the occupational risks. Risk assessment could be performed by qualitative methods that gather consensus in the scientific community. It is also possible to use quantitative methods, based in different technics and metrics, as indicative exposure limits are been settled by several institutions. While performing the risk assessment, the information on the materials used is very important and, if it is not updated, it could create a bias in the assessment results. The exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles risk was assessed in a research laboratory using a quantitative exposure method and qualitative risk assessment methods. It was found the results from direct-reading Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) equipment and the CB Nanotool seem to be related and aligned, while the results obtained from the use of the Stoffenmanager Nano seem to indicate a higher risk level.

Changes in institutional governance and management of higher education in Laos: National University of Laos

PhD thesis in Educational Sciences (specialization in Politics of Education).

Polymicrobial interactions in infections: the case Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans in ventilator-associated pneumonia

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Biomédica (área de especialização em Engenharia Clinica)

Correlation between turbidimetric and nephelometric methods of measuring C-reactive protein in patients with unstable angina or non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the turbidimetric method of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a measure of low-grade inflammation in patients admitted with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: Serum samples obtained at hospital arrival from 68 patients (66±11 years, 40 men), admitted with unstable angina or non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction were used to measure CRP by the methods of nephelometry and turbidimetry. RESULTS: The medians of C-reactive protein by the turbidimetric and nephelometric methods were 0.5 mg/dL and 0.47 mg/dL, respectively. A strong linear association existed between the 2 methods, according to the regression coefficient (b=0.75; 95% C.I.=0.70-0.80) and correlation coefficient (r=0.96; P<0.001). The mean difference between the nephelometric and turbidimetric CRP was 0.02 ± 0.91 mg/dL, and 100% agreement between the methods in the detection of high CRP was observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with non-ST elevation ACS, CRP values obtained by turbidimetry show a strong linear association with the method of nephelometry and perfect agreement in the detection of high CRP.

Influence of skeletal muscle mass on ventilatory and hemodynamic variables during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of skeletal muscle mass on ventilatory and hemodynamic variables during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Twenty-five male patients underwent maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill with a ramp protocol and measurement of the skeletal muscle mass of their thighs by using magnetic resonance imaging. The clinically stable, noncachectic patients were assessed and compared with 14 healthy individuals (S) paired by age and body mass index, who underwent the same examinations. RESULTS: Similar values of skeletal muscle mass were found in both groups (CHF group: 3863 ± 874 g; S group: 3743 ± 540 g; p = 0.32). Significant correlations of oxygen consumption in the anaerobic threshold (CHF: r = 0.39; P= 0.02 and S: r = 0.14; P = 0.31) and of oxygen pulse also in the anaerobic threshold (CHF: r = 0.49; P = 0.01 and S: r =0.12; P = 0.36) were found only in the group of patients with chronic heart failure. CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate that skeletal muscle mass may influence the capacity of patients with CHF to withstand submaximal effort, due to limitations in their physical condition, even maintaining a value similar to that of healthy individuals. This suggests qualitative changes in the musculature.

Movilidad social en barrios de Córdoba: Villa La Tela y áreas colindantes. Social Mobility in Neighborhoods of Cordoba: Villa La Tela and Adjacent Areas.

Esta investigación propone aproximarse al conocimiento y comprensión de los diversos mecanismos de movilidad social en Villa La Tela barrios adyacentes (ciudad de Córdoba). Si bien las poblaciones objetivo poseen diferentes niveles de vida, este proyecto no se propone la comparación entre ambos sectores urbanos, sino la identificación de diversos patrones de movilidad social vigentes. Se intenta también aproximarse indirectamente al esquema de estratificación social vigente en la ciudad de Córdoba. El equipo se propone avanzar en la definición de una estrategia metodológica que permita comprender de una manera integral los diversos mecanismos de movilidad social. Se propone articular una triangulación de métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos que aproveche las fortalezas de cada enfoque para efectuar una mirada multidisciplinaria de las condiciones de vida de la población en estudio. Se intenta también aprovechar la inserción que ya tienen algunos de los investigadores del equipo en los barrios, a fin de aportar conocimientos útiles a las organizaciones que realizan actividades de intervención social. El trabajo se propone en tres fases constituidas por tres instancias que no necesariamente se corresponden con tiempos cronológicos: análisis de información secundaria (censos de población, relevamientos de organismos gubernamentales y civiles) y de resultados de investigaciones previas; en otra fase se generará un espacio recreativo en la comunidad que permita identificar las percepciones subjetivas de los actores locales en relación a las condiciones de vida y la experiencia de movilidad social (etnodrama, etnografía fotográfica); finalmente se realizará una fase de trabajo de encuestas y entrevistas en profundidad a partir de los insumos producidos en las dos fases antes mencionadas. Se tomará para ello, como unidad de análisis socio-económica a los hogares, considerados como el espacio físico y social desde el cual se diseñan e implementan las estrategias familiares de vida de sus miembros. Se considera que el proyecto puede transferir los resultados -parciales y finales- alcanzados a las instituciones intervinientes en los barrios considerados. Esta transferencia constituye una actividad de extensión concreta, dado que las intervenciones en marcha están destinadas a mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población en términos materiales y culturales. La acción sinérgica entre las diversas instituciones que intervienen o investigan sobre estas comunidades es un compromiso, ya que de ello depende la calidad del impacto en las propias comunidades. En este sentido, la descripción de las experiencias intergeneracionales de movilidad social de los hogares y su significación subjetiva, puede considerarse de interés tanto para las instituciones como para la comunidad misma. De esta manera se espera devolver a las comunidades lo que éstas le ofrezcan al equipo de investigación, como flujo de intercambio recíproco de conocimiento y desarrollo humano. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, el equipo espera realizar una evaluación de los distintos abordajes cuantitativos y cualitativos a escala microsocial, a fin de realizar propuestas válidas para nuevas investigaciones en ámbitos locales. This research proposes to approach the knowledge and understanding of the various mechanisms of social mobility in adjacent neighborhoods of Villa La Tela (Cordoba, Argentina). Although the target populations have different levels of life, this project does not intend to compare urban areas, but the identification of different patterns of social mobility nowadays. Indirect approach is also intended to outline the existing social stratification in Cordoba city. We plan to define a methodological approach based on triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods, exploiting the strengths of each approach to make a multidisciplinary vision of the population living conditions. Project proposes phases consisting of three instances, that do not necessarily correspond with chronological time: 1) secondary data analysis (population censuses, surveys of government agencies and civilian organizations) and previous research results; 2) promotion of a recreation space in the community to identify the subjective perceptions of local actors in relation to living conditions and experience of social mobility; 3) finally there will be a phase of survey work and deep interviews from inputs produced in the two phases mentioned above. Households will be taken as socio-economic unit, also considered as social and physical space where family strategies of life are designed and implemented by its members. We considere this project can transfer the obtained results to the institutions involved in the concerned districts. This transfer is a specific outreach activity, since the interventions in place are aimed to improving the living conditions of population in material and cultural terms.

Detection of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes from melanoma patients: direct comparison of multimarker molecular and immunopathological methods.

The technique of sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection is a reliable predictor of metastatic disease in the lymphatic basin draining the primary melanoma. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is emerging as a highly sensitive technique to detect micrometastases in SLNs, but its specificity has been questioned. A prospective SLN study in melanoma patients was undertaken to compare in detail immunopathological versus molecular detection methods. Sentinel lymphadenectomy was performed on 57 patients, with a total of 71 SLNs analysed. SLNs were cut in slices, which were alternatively subjected to parallel multimarker analysis by microscopy (haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry for HMB-45, S100, tyrosinase and Melan-A/MART-1) and RT-PCR (for tyrosinase and Melan-A/MART-1). Metastases were detected by both methods in 23% of the SLNs (28% of the patients). The combined use of Melan-A/MART-1 and tyrosinase amplification increased the sensitivity of PCR detection of microscopically proven micrometastases. Of the 55 immunopathologically negative SLNs, 25 were found to be positive on RT-PCR. Notably, eight of these SLNs contained naevi, all of which were positive for tyrosinase and/or Melan-A/MART-1, as detected at both mRNA and protein level. The remaining 41% of the SLNs were negative on both immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Analysis of a series of adjacent non-SLNs by RT-PCR confirmed the concept of orderly progression of metastasis. Clinical follow-up showed disease recurrence in 12% of the RT-PCR-positive immunopathology-negative SLNs, indicating that even an extensive immunohistochemical analysis may underestimate the presence of micrometastases. However, molecular analyses, albeit more sensitive, need to be further improved in order to attain acceptable specificity before they can be applied diagnostically.

Comparability of clinical wear measurements by optical 3D laser scanning in two different centers.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of different variables to measure the clinical wear of two denture tooth materials in two analysis centers. METHODS: Twelve edentulous patients were provided with full dentures. Two different denture tooth materials (experimental material and control) were placed randomly in accordance with the split-mouth design. For wear measurements, impressions were made after an adjustment phase of 1-2 weeks and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The occlusal wear of the posterior denture teeth of 11 subjects was assessed in two study centers by use of plaster replicas and 3D laser-scanning methods. In both centers sequential scans of the occlusal surfaces were digitized and superimposed. Wear was described by use of four different variables. Statistical analysis was performed after log-transformation of the wear data by use of the Pearson and Lin correlation and by use of a mixed linear model. RESULTS: Mean occlusal vertical wear of the denture teeth after 24 months was between 120μm and 212μm, depending on wear variable and material. For three of the four variables, wear of the experimental material was statistically significantly less than that of the control. Comparison of the two study centers, however, revealed correlation of the wear variables was only moderate whereas strong correlation was observed among the different wear variables evaluated by each center. SIGNIFICANCE: Moderate correlation was observed for clinical wear measurements by optical 3D laser scanning in two different study centers. For the two denture tooth materials, wear measurements limited to the attrition zones led to the same qualitative assessment.