2,021 research outputs found
O Problema de Snell-Pothenot: uma proposta de integração de história da Matemática, construção geométrica e tecnologias de informação e comunicação
No full textThe study of Mathematics’ History (HM) has increasingly aroused the interest of several researchers to act as a motivator for the students' interest in the mathematical content taught to them. Associated to this, we have the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a fundamental tool for teaching in the technological world in which we are inserted. Therefore, the aim of this work is to contribute to a dialogue between these educational trends, proposing the integration of HM, Geometric Construction (GC) and ICT in the use of GeoGebra from the problem of Snell-Pothenot. For that, a qualitative research of bibliographic character has been carried out in some books, articles and theses that approach this thematic. As a result, a historical study of Snell-Pothenot's problem was drawn up and two solutions were presented, one modern and more precise and the other classic proposed by Pothenot himself. And finally, we bring a perspective of use in the classroom based on CG with the help of ICT.NenhumaO estudo da História da Matemática (HM) vem despertando cada vez mais o interesse de diversos pesquisadores por funcionar como motivador do interesse dos alunos pelo conteúdo matemático que lhe é ensinado. Associado a isso, temos o uso de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) como uma ferramenta fundamental de ensino no mundo tecnológico no qual estamos inseridos. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é contribuir com um diálogo entre essas tendências educacionais, propondo a integração da HM, Construção Geométrica (CG) e das TIC na utilização do GeoGebra a partir do problema de Snell-Pothenot. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa qualitativa de caráter bibliográfico em alguns livros, artigos e teses que abordam essa temática. Como resultado foi traçado um estudo histórico do problema de Snell-Pothenot e apresentadas duas soluções, uma moderna e mais precisa e outra clássica proposta pelo próprio Pothenot. E por fim, trazemos uma perspectiva de uso em sala de aula pautada em CG com o auxílio das TIC
An overlooked pink species of land iguana in the Galapagos
No full textDespite the attention given to them, the Galapagos have not yet finished offering evolutionary novelties. When Darwin visited the Galapagos, he observed both marine (Amblyrhynchus) and land (Conolophus) iguanas but did not encounter a rare pink black-striped land iguana (herein referred to as "rosada,'' meaning "pink'' in Spanish), which, surprisingly, remained unseen until 1986. Here, we show that substantial genetic isolation exists between the rosada and syntopic yellow forms and that the rosada is basal to extant taxonomically recognized Galapagos land iguanas. The rosada, whose present distribution is a conundrum, is a relict lineage whose origin dates back to a period when at least some of the present-day islands had not yet formed. So far, this species is the only evidence of ancient diversification along the Galapagos land iguana lineage and documents one of the oldest events of divergence ever recorded in the Galapagos. Conservation efforts are needed to prevent this form, identified by us as a good species, from extinction
An assessment of the impact of possible CAP reform scenarios on Romanian agriculture
No full textUsing a simplified model, with key-variable the prices of two different possible scenarios of CAP reform after 2013 (moderate and radical), this paper present a comparison between the price effects of implementation of each reform scenario at 2015 horizon on Romanian agriculture. This short analysis shows that, under the presented hypotheses, the net welfare effect, due to the price changes, for the selected products, is positive in both reform scenarios, yet greater in the case of the radical reform. Integrated in the large context of Romanian development, it seems that the influence of CAP reform upon agriculture and rural areas will be most likely a gradual one: an interpenetration between the two scenarios is foreseeable, starting with the moderate reform that will dominate the period around 2013, the reform measures acquiring a more radical character afterwards.CAP reform, Romania, welfare effects, Agricultural and Food Policy,
The diversification of land iguanas from the Galápagos lslands: a new form of iguana traces the origin of the modern Galápagos land iguanas
No full textThe land iguanas (genus Conolophus) of the Galápagos Islands are among the most significant representatives of the fauna from that archipeiago. Their evolution consists primariiy of a history of extinctions and recolonizations, most of which left few traces in the fossil record and in the genes of the remnant populations. We used a 2.2kb sequence of mtDNA and nine microsatellite DNA loci to investigate pattems of genetic diversification and times of divergence between all extant populations. We also included the genetic analyses of a rare form of land iguana (that we refer to as rosada) from the Wolf Volcano on Isabela island. Both mtDNA and microsatellites indicated major differentiation between western and central islands. MtDNA data indicated that the current patterns and levels of genetic differentiation are not completely consistent with the age ofthe presently emerged isiands. At the base ofthe evolution and diversification of the Galápagos land iguanas, stem two lineages: the first led to the lineages ofthe extant lanci iguanas, while the second led only to the rosada form. The estimated time of such a divergence event predated the age of the oldest extant island. Despite the remarkable diversification found in the mtDNA haplotypes, microsatellite data indicate possible incomplete genetic isolation due to occasional introgression between the rosada and the syntopic yellow form.
An alternative scenario that proposes a recent diversification of the rosada from populations that already had colonized Isabela was not supported by the analysis
EURL-HM-23 Proficiency Test Report - Determination of total As, Cd, Pb, Hg and inorganic As in palm kernel expeller
No full textThe European Union Reference Laboratory for Heavy Metals in Feed and Food (EURL-HM) organised a proficiency test (EURL-HM-23) for the determination of total As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and inorganic As (iAs) in palm kernel expeller to support theo Directive 2002/32/EC on undesirable substances in animal feed. This PT was open only to National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). The EURL-HM-23 test item was a palm kernel expeller spiked with As, Cd, Hg and Pb. The homogeneity and stability of the test item were evaluated and the assigned values were derived from the results reported by the selected expert laboratories.
Thirty four National Reference Laboratories from thirty countries (all EU member states plus Iceland and Norway) registered to the exercise and reported results. Laboratory results were rated using z- and zeta (ζ-) scores in accordance with ISO 13528:2015. The following relative standard deviations for proficiency assessment (σpt) were set according to the modified Horwitz equation: 15% for total As and iAs; 16% for Cd; 17% for Pb and 22% for Hg. More than 87% of the participating NRLs reported satisfactory results (according to the z-score) for total As, Cd, Pb and Hg, and more than 76% for iAs, thus confirming their ability in monitoring maximum levels set by the EU Directive 2002/32/EC. Most of the laboratories provided realistic estimates of their measurement uncertainties.JRC.F.5 - Food and Feed Complianc
Prevalence and clinical picture of celiac disease in Turner syndrome
No full textPrevalence and clinical picture of celiac disease in Turner syndrome.
Bonamico M1, Pasquino AM, Mariani P, Danesi HM, Culasso F, Mazzanti L, Petri A, Bona G; Italian Society Of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology (SIGEP); Italian Study Group for Turner Syndrom (ISGTS).
Author information 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161 Roma, Italy.
Abstract
A multicenter study of Turner syndrome (TS) patients was carried out to estimate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) and to detect clinical characteristics and laboratory data of affected patients. Three hundred eighty-nine girls with TS were screened by IgA antigliadin antibodies and/or antiendomysial antibodies. Intestinal biopsy was offered to positive cases. CD was diagnosed in 25 patients. In celiac subjects, anemia, anorexia, and delayed growth (with respect to Italian TS curves) were frequently present; whereas distended abdomen, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting occurred more rarely. In addition, low serum iron levels, hemoglobinemia, and high values of aminotransferases were observed. Ten patients showed classic CD, 8 showed atypical symptoms, and 7 showed a silent CD. In 11 symptomatic patients, the diagnosis of CD was made at the onset of symptoms, whereas 7 of them showed a median delay of 79 months in diagnosis. Other autoimmune disorders were observed in 40% of the patients. Our study confirms the high prevalence (6.4%) of CD in a large series of TS patients. Moreover, the subclinical picture in 60% of the cases, the diagnostic delay, and the incidence of other autoimmune disorders suggest that routine screening of CD in TS is indicated
Documenting Impacts of Hydro-Meteorological Events Using Earth Observation
No full textThe ambition of H2020 OPERANDUM project is to develop and document Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to mitigate risks associated with hydro-meteorological (HM) hazards. NBS mitigate risks by reducing the vulnerability of a particular system. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the use of multisource remote sensing data in documenting the impact of extreme HM events to advance knowledge on vulnerability and exposure. In particular the focus is to document past impacts due to extreme events selected from a characterization of recent (3 0 years) HM events in 11 Open Air Laboratories (OALs) where co-design, co-development and deployment of NBS are taking place. The impacts were documented by applying a wide spectrum of satellite image data and other, close - range, remote sensing techniques. A better understanding of the consequences due to extreme HM events in a particular area (OALs) is essential to identify elements at risk and expected to provide a reference to evaluate the reduction of vulnerability and mitigation of risks past the completion of NBS.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Optical and Laser Remote SensingGeo-engineerin
The progress and outcomes of black and minority ethnic (BME) nurses through the Nursing and Midwifery Council's "Fitness to Practise" process: Final report
No full textBACKGROUND
This is the first investigation of the relationship between ethnicity and regulation of the nursing profession conducted internationally. The study was commissioned by the Nursing and Midwifery Council which is the regulator of the professions in the UK.
AIMS OF THE STUDY
“To establish whether the progress and outcomes of Black and minority ethnic (BME) nurses in relation to fitness to practice, from the point of referral to the point of case closure, is different from that of White nurses and midwives (N&M); and whether we can from the data account for any differences identified” (Call for research, NMC 2015). The study was designed to investigate whether BME N&M nurses are more likely to be referred and whether they were more likely to progress through the stages of the Fitness to Practise (FtP) process (screening, investigation or adjudication) and whether they were more likely to receive a severe penalty at the end of the process.
DATA
The NMC made available a copy of the register which had socio-demographic information on 681,258 nurses and midwives between April 2012 and December 2014 as well as data on referrals from April 2012 to December 2014 which totalled 5,851. Over that period the total number of cases that went to adjudication was 946.
VARIABLES
The main independent variable is ethnicity which we divided into Black, Asian, White, Other and Unknown. The latter category accounted for 40% of all referrals. The outcomes studied were rates of referral, the imposition of interim orders (where the referred individual is not allowed to work, progression through screening, investigation, adjudication and final outcome, which was dichotomised into “can work” or “cannot work”. The regression models also controlled for: age, gender, source of referral (9 categories), region of qualification (Africa, Asia, Europe, Other, UK), country of referral (4 counties of the UK) and whether or not the individual referred had a representative, such as a Union.
METHODS OF ANALYSIS
Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis, logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression
FINDINGS
Descriptive statistics showed that BME nurses are more likely to be referred than white nurses and to progress through the FtP process. Having trained in Africa is also a risk factor for referral. Older N&M and males are more likely to be referred. Most referrals come from employers but members of the public are also an important source of referral. Inferential statistics show that relative to Whites, being Asian, Black or of Unknown ethnicity is associated with progressing through FtP process. However, when “source of referral” is entered into the regression model only the “Unknown ethnicity” category remains significantly more likely to progress than White N&M. Males are more likely to progress through the FtP process but age, though positive, is not significant. There were few significant differences among the countries of the UK. The imposition of interim orders did not vary by ethnicity. The presence of a representative seems to reflect the stage of the FtP process rather than being a factor that contributes to the outcome. Finally, at adjudication, being Asian or Black is associated with a less severe penalty than White. Only those of Unknown ethnicity are more likely than Whites to get a severe penalty. These results are not altered by controlling for the source of referral.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE STUDY
The strengths include: the fact that this is the first study of its kind, the datasets analysed are large and the statistics are appropriate. Weakness include the fact that in 40% cases the ethnicity of the referred individual is not known. Some of the registered N&M may not be working which means that their risk of being referred to the NMC is low which could be a threat to the comparison of different ethnic groups. The administrative data which we analysed did not provide information about the specialty (e.g. mental health, maternity), job setting (care home, acute hospital) or level of seniority (staff nurse or Director of Nursing of the individuals referred were not amenable to analysis.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The analysis reported here could be enhanced in the future if the information on ethnicity, the setting in which the referred individual is working and their grade is made available. Some jobs may simply carry a higher risk of referral to the NMC and BME nurses may disproportionately occupy those positions. The main finding, which is that the relationship between ethnicity and FtP is mediated by referral by the employer, directs our attention to the need for further research to understand how the working environment leads to an over-representation of BME nurses in the FtP process. Within the NMC, further research needs to be conducted to understand why White nurses are more likely to be given a severe penalty at adjudication even though they are underrepresented in referrals and less likely to progress through the process. With the introduction of the NMC code and revalidation, the collection of data by the NMC and the FtP process will undoubtedly change. At the same time, the NHS has introduced policies to directly affect the working environment of BME nurses and midwives. This means that this study should be repeated to take account of these changes in the wider environment
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