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Assessing the effect of cork oak fertigation on crown and root structure using electro-magnetic tracking system
Get PDFCork oak (Quercus suber L.) mortality events have spurred scientific research into new afforestation techniques, particularly the use of fertigation to accelerate tree growth and hasten the onset of the productive phase when cork stripping becomes feasible. This study examines the effects of fertigation on the development of root and aerial systems, with the objective of determining if fertigation can eventually be discontinued without compromising tree vitality. Six seven-year-old trees growing under natural conditions were selected for analysis, grouped into three pairs, each with similar crown sizes but subjected to different watering regimes – fertigation and rainfed. These trees were analyzed using the Fastrak Polhemus method, focusing on seven parameters: volume, area, length, root diameter, root-to-shoot ratio, shape area, and circularity. Analyses were conducted both graphically and using par¬tial correlation statistics. The findings indicate that tree size accounted for the most significant differences in these parameters. Conversely, fertigation was associated with an increase in trunk volume, while rainfed conditions led to larger root diameters, likely as an adaptation to drought. The most pronounced differences were observed in smaller trees, where both groups exhibited unbalanced but opposing root-to-shoot ratios: rainfed trees invested more in root development, while fertigation trees prioritized aerial growth. The impact of irrigation on the development of below-ground and above-ground biomass in arid regions is crucial in the context of ongoing climate change, which will further intensify drought during the growing season
A cross-sectional study of how environmental and school variables shape schoolchildren's motor competence
Get PDFMotor competence is an important component of children's physical development, influencing their participation in many physical activities and long-term health outcomes. Environmental affordances also influence motor behavior levels, especially in young children, but limited investigations still explore their specific impact on school-aged children in underrepresented regions. This cross-sectional investigation examined the relationship between motor competence and affordances in home and school environments among 117 children aged 6 to 10 years in North Brazil, with a particular focus on sex differences. The Affordances for Motor Behavior of Schoolchildren (AMBS) questionnaire assessed environmental opportunities, while the Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) evaluated stability, locomotion, and manipulation skills. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test did not confirm the data normality. Spearman correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multiple linear regressions were applied to determine associations between affordance levels and motor competence scores. Findings revealed weak-to-moderate positive correlations between home and school affordances and motor competence components, particularly in girls. Regression analysis indicated that body mass index negatively impacted motor competence (B = -1.269, p = 0.02), suggesting that higher levels of body mass index may decrease performance levels. Interestingly, while boys typically outperform girls in motor skills, no significant sex differences were found in motor competence levels, possibly due to increased sedentary behavior and screen time post-pandemic. The results underscore the importance of fostering enriching environmental conditions that promote motor skill development, especially for girls. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that enhance environmental affordances in both home and school settings to improve children's motor competence
At the Heartbeat of the Smart City
Get PDFThe evolution of Smart Cities (SCs) underscores the critical need to harmonize technological advancements with the human element. This study probes into the strategies and impacts of boosting inhabitant contentment and the efficacy of services by valuing the emotional and psychological needs of the populace in the digital urban milieu. We assert that the intelligence of a city transcends its technological base to include its attunement to the residents' emotional health. Employing an interdisciplinary lens, merging urban planning and psychological analysis, we scrutinize the ethical collection and incorporation of emotional and psychological data into municipal functions and policymaking. Moreover, are examined both the advantages and possible challenges of this empathetic approach, particularly privacy issues and the necessity for comprehensive frameworks to interpret emotional data or knowledge. One’s research indicates that SCs endeavors that integrate aspects of emotional intelligence cultivate an environment wherein technology amplifies the human experience, culminating in a more encompassing and reactive urban habitat
POLÍTICA AFIRMATIVA: ARGUMENTOS FAVORÁVEIS E CONTRÁRIOS ÀS COTAS NO ENSINO SUPERIOR FEDERAL BRASILEIRO
Get PDFAs ações afirmativas são ações implantadas para reduzir o desequilíbrio entre grupos sociais, eliminando barreiras, formais e informais (preconceito, discriminação), que impeçam o acesso de certos grupos ao ensino superior. No ensino superior federal brasileiro a política afirmativa se materializa, desde 2012, na reserva de vagas (cotas) para estudantes de baixa renda, egressos de escolas públicas, pretos, pardos, indígenas, quilombolas (incluídos em 2023) e pessoas com deficiência. O tema desperta opiniões divergentes e esse trabalho objetiva apresentar os argumentos contrários e favoráveis à lei de cotas no Brasil. Através de uma pesquisa bibliográfica aponta-se que o principal argumento favorável é a inclusão, promoção da igualdade de oportunidades e diversidade social. Os contrários apontam que as cotas ameaçam a meritocracia e defendem a igualdade racial. Compreender os argumentos de cada grupo é essencial para o fortalecimento de uma sociedade democrática que valoriza e respeita a diversidade de opiniões. Além disso contribui para a formulação e melhoria de políticas públicas.
Palavras-chave: Política educacional
Silas’ Four Seasons: George Eliot’s Weaver of Raveloe
Get PDFGeorge Eliot’s Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe uses the seasons, geography, space, and
time to chart the protagonist’s inner growth and life journey. It contrasts two distinct locations that
represent different stages of Silas’ self-awareness and personal development: Lantern Yard, the urban
setting, represents Silas’ early life of rigid religious beliefs, a sense of community, but also betrayal and
false accusation, and industrial progress and change; Raveloe, the rural setting, symbolizes Silas’ isolation
and later redemption, a slower pace of life rooted in nature and tradition, and opportunity for personal
growth and healing. The inner landscape evolves in tandem with his physical surroundings, since the
initial closed-off existence in Raveloe reflects his emotional state. As he opens to the community, his world
expands, and Eppie’s arrival transforms both Silas and his home environment. Silas’ cottage and all the
interiors represent refuge and protection, whereas exteriors signify potential threats but also connection
to nature. Crossing thresholds between these spaces marks important transitions in Silas’ life. Eliot
interweaves the passage of time with changes in the landscape; seasons mirror Silas’ emotional states and
life stages, and time layers the landscape, revealing secrets and altering structures. The rhythms of nature
parallel Silas’ personal evolution, while growth is possible, the past cannot be undone. Through this
intricate mapping of inner and outer landscapes, Eliot creates a rich tapestry that reflects the complexities
of human growth and the profound impact of place and time on personal developmen
First description of antifungal susceptibility of yeast-like fungi in dermal lesions of dogs in Portugal: A 6-year pilot retrospective study (2018-2023)
Get PDFYeast infections, particularly those caused by species of the genera Malassezia and Candida, are important contributors to otitis and dermatitis in dogs. This study investigates the prevalence and antifungal resistance of various yeast-like fungi isolated from canine dermal lesions in Portugal. Between 2018 and 2023, samples from dogs with clinically suspected yeast infections were collected and analysed using the Vitek 2 Compact® (bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) and FUNGITEST™ 60780 kit (Bio-Rad, Hercules, USA). A total of 24 fungal isolates were identified, including Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida albicans. Susceptibility testing revealed high sensitivity to antifungal agents such as fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and miconazole across most species, with notable resistance observed in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa to multiple antifungals. Intermediate resistance levels were detected in Malassezia spp. to flucytosine and several other antifungals. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and prudent antifungal use to prevent resistance development. The study also highlights the importance of revisiting treatment protocols for Malassezia infections in dogs, given the observed resistance patterns. Further research is recommended to explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying antifungal resistance and develop new therapeutic agents
A ascensão hegemónica da China de Xi Jinping na procura do reequilíbrio mundial no século XXI
Get PDFO crescimento de poder dentro da estrutura do sistema internacional de estados evidencia uma
reestruturação e um movimento de reordenamento e reequilíbrio de poder no cenário global. A China
contemporânea apresenta uma política internacional abrangente, que atravessa dimensões económicas,
políticas e sociais, delineando esse processo de reordenamento e reequilíbrio. Esta investigação visa
analisar o comportamento chinês no Sistema Internacional, buscando responder à seguinte questão: De
que forma a atuação da China no cenário internacional pode refletir numa nova ordem mundial,
com base na análise da sua política externa e dos seus efeitos na conjuntura do Sistema
Internacional? No primeiro capítulo, serão apresentadas as teorias que sustentam a pesquisa. O segundo
capítulo abordará a revisão bibliográfica e histórica sobre o objeto de estudo. No terceiro capítulo, serão
analisadas as relações do objeto com outros atores do Sistema Internacional, identificando as principais
dinâmicas. O quarto capítulo examinará os fenómenos gerados pelas interações da China com outros
estados. O método utilizado será bibliográfico e documental. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi
observado que o tipo de hegemonia benevolente da China sugere práticas sociopolíticas e económicas
específicas; - Xi Jinping China’s hegemonic rise in pursuit of global rebalancing in the 21st century
Abstract:
The growth of power within the structure of the international system of states evidences a
restructuring and movement of reordering and balancing power in the global scenario. Contemporary
China presents a comprehensive international policy that traverses economic, political, and social
dimensions, delineating this process of reordering and balancing. This research aims to analyze Chinese
behavior within the International System, seeking to answer the following question: How can China's
actions in the international arena reflect a new world order, based on an analysis of its foreign policy
and its effects on the current context of the International System? In the first chapter, the theories
supporting the research will be presented. The second chapter will address the bibliographic and
historical review of the object of study. The third chapter will analyze the relationships of the object
with other actors in the International System, identifying the main dynamics. The fourth chapter will
examine the phenomena generated by China's interactions with other states. The method employed will
be bibliographic and documentary. From the results obtained, it was observed that the type of benevolent
hegemony suggested specific socio-political and economic practices
Effectiveness of interventions to prevent or treat prolonged grief symptoms among families of patients who die in intensive care units: a systematic review protocol
Get PDFObjective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent or treat prolonged grief symptoms among families of patients who die in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Introduction: Up to 52% of families of patients who die in an ICU may be at risk of experiencing prolonged grief symptoms. This psychological morbidity should be addressed as early as possible through effective interventions.
Inclusion criteria: Studies of adult family members (≥18 years) of adult patients (≥18 years) who died in the ICU after a treatment withdrawal or withholding decision will be considered for inclusion. Family members must be exposed to tailored interventions to prevent or treat prolonged grief symptoms before, during, and/or after the patient's death. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials; before and after studies; and interrupted time-series, cohort, and case-control studies will be considered.
Methods: The JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness will be followed. Databases to be searched include CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and APA PsycINFO (all via EBSCOhost), as well as PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. Two independent reviewers will perform the study selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction. Studies will be pooled in meta-analysis, if possible. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the standard χ 2 and I 2 tests. Statistical analyses will be performed using the random-effects model. The fixed-effects model will be used if fewer than 5 studies are included. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to grade the certainty of evidence, and a Summary of Findings will be presented
A formação de professores da Unidade de Ensino Tchico-Té (Guiné-Bissau): perceções de atores educativos
Get PDFTrabalhar com a política de formação dos professores é, por si só, um desafio imenso. No entanto, quando falamos na realidade da Guiné-Bissau, esse desafio aumenta ainda mais em virtude das adversidades encontradas no contexto sócio-histórico. Logo após o período da colonização portuguesa, o país mergulhou numa guerra civil fratricida que só foi superada no início da década de 1980. Os confrontos deixaram milhares de mortos, as infraestruturas nacionais foi destruída e as condições de vida da população deterioraram-se de forma avassaladora. A falta de saneamento básico, a carência no sistema de saúde, o déficit habitacional crescente, a economia incipiente e os graves problemas na área de educação foram determinantes nos anos posteriores e causaram grande sofrimento à população da Guiné-Bissau, sendo que as consequências da guerra civil perduram até aos dias atuais. Contudo, apesar dos elevados índices de analfabetismo e de abandono escolar, foram obtidos vários avanços no campo das políticas públicas na educação nas últimas décadas. Assim, nesta investigação, será pontualmente abordada a política pública voltada para o processo de formação de professores, precisamente na Unidade de Ensino Tchico-Té. Portanto, esta pesquisa pretende analisar a estrutura e o funcionamento da Unidade de Ensino Tchico-Té, a partir das perceções de alunos e ex-alunos e Diretor. Trata-se de estudo de natureza qualitativa baseada na realização de entrevistas, questionários e análise documental; - Abstract:
The teacher training policy of the Tchico-Té Teaching Unit
Working with teacher training policy is, in itself, an immense challenge. However, when we talk about the reality of Guinea-Bissau, this challenge increases even more due to the adversities encountered in the socio-historical context. Soon after the period of Portuguese colonisation, the country was plunged into a fratricidal civil war that was only overcome in the early 1980s. The confrontations left thousands of dead, the national infrastructure was destroyed and the living conditions of the population deteriorated overwhelmingly. The lack of basic sanitation, the shortage in the health system, the growing housing deficit, the incipient economy and the serious problems in the area of education were determinant in the following years and caused great suffering to the population of Guinea-Bissau, and the consequences of the civil war endure to the present day. However, despite the high rates of illiteracy and school dropout, there have been several advances in the field of public policy development in education in recent decades. Thus, in this research, the public policy focused on the teacher training process will be addressed, precisely in the Tchico-Té Teaching Unit. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the structure and functioning of the Tchico-Té Teaching Unit, with the intention of trying to understand the policy adopted to ground and boost the teacher training process. This is a qualitative research based on semi-structured interviews and document analysis, which dialogue with the theoretical framework.
Keywords: Teacher training; Tchico-Té ; Guiné-Bissau
Tell me where you go, and I’ll tell you where you die: landscape connectivity as a tool to predict amphibian roadkill risk
Get PDFHuman overpopulation, development, and consequent activities such as land conversion and linear infrastructure expansion, are currently some of the main threats to biodiversity. Amphibians are especially affected because they depend on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats to complete their life cycles, which can be negatively impacted by roads, due to reduced landscape connectivity. Understanding animal movement across the landscape may improve the prioritisation of sites to implementing mitigation measures. We assessed landscape connectivity using circuit theory, for two amphibian species (the Iberian spadefoot toad and the Iberian ribbed newt) on a Mediterranean landscape in Southern Portugal. We addressed the following question: Can landscape connectivity predict amphibian roadkill risk? Our connectivity models assigned higher current movement corridors to heterogeneous habitats composed of sparse forests combined with low-management agricultural areas and good networks of higher-density water bodies. We found a positive correlation between high-connectivity road segments and roadkill for both species, proving that landscape connectivity can be a valuable tool to predict locations with higher roadkill probability.
We acknowledge that maintaining a heterogeneous landscape, with a higher density of short-distance water bodies that connect highly suitable habitats is important for amphibians. The identification of corridors with increased amphibian movement probability provides useful insights for road agencies to implement amphibian-oriented roadkill mitigation measures