Repositório RCAAP

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This study intends to contribute to the consistent development of the global apprenticeships, creativity and the individual expression in the 1st graders, having as a resource the artwork and using as a pedagogical strategy the project work. Despite legislation and curricular guidelines pointing in the direction of effective work in Art Education, there is still prejudice on the part of schools, families and society in general, devaluing its importance. Consequently, there are a lot of constraints, from the lack of teachers’ training in this area to difficulties in managing the curriculum. Project work is also not a common practice in classrooms, as it is a modality with a significant level of uncertainty throughout the process, wrongly interpreted as insecurity. The project modality proposed co-teaching work between the head teacher and the specialist teacher, making the connection between learning and art. This approach opens the door to understanding Art Education as a structured cognitive process, and not just manual skill. The first and second parts of this study correspond to the theoretical framework. The investigation methodologies used were the qualitative investigation of documental basis, the biographical one and the comparative study, as well as a case study. The third part presents the pedagogical experiment portrayed with the application of a project of Art Education project in the Visual Arts with the corresponding analysis of its impact through ethnographic study and action research methodologies. Through the work of art, it was possible to develop a project that allowed interdisciplinary approaches to be developed, contributing to global learning. The work by projects and in collaboration subserves a unique, transforming and truly meaningful path.

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Com este trabalho pretendeu avaliar-se o potencial anti-biofilme de treze óleos essenciais, em duas variantes de Rhodococcus erythropolis DCL14, uma variante produtora de exo-polímeros (DCL14-S) e uma variante não produtora (DCL14-R). A composição química dos óleos foi analisada por GC-MS e a concentração mínima inibitória do crescimento (MIC), para cada um deles, foi obtida através do método de diluições sucessivas em placas de 96 poços. Seleccionaram-se os óleos que apresentaram menor actividade bactericida e maior potencial anti-adesão. O potencial anti-adesão foi medido através da capacidade dos óleos para inibir a formação de biofilmes em placas de 6 poços e da sua influência no potencial zeta das células bacterianas. Os óleos seleccionados foram os de Origanum virens, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Citrus lemon e Citrus sinensis. A influência destes óleos na formação de biofilmes e em biofilmes estabelecidos foi testada utilizando concentrações sub-inibitórias correspondentes a 5, 10 e 20% das suas MICs. Neste trabalho foi igualmente estudado o modo de acção destes cinco óleos através da análise da actividade da catalase, dos ácidos gordos da membrana plasmática e do DNA das duas variantes de DCL14. Estudou-se também a actividade antibacteriana de combinações entre óleos essenciais e quatro antibióticos (vancomicina, teicoplanina, levofloxacina e ciprofloxacina). Concluiu-se que os cinco óleos essenciais analisados têm capacidade para inibir a formação de biofilmes, em especial no caso da variante DCL14-S de R. erythropolis, onde se chegou a atingir mais de 70% de inibição para os óleos de O. virens e C. lemon. Os óleos estudados parecem influenciar principalmente a composição da membrana plasmática bacteriana, provocando um aumento no grau de saturação dos ácidos gordos, no entanto, estes óleos influenciaram também a acção da catalase e provocaram a degradação do DNA bacteriano. Os óleos de O. virens e C. lemon apresentaram efeito sinérgico com alguns dos antibióticos testados.

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This study explores the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), multiple autonomy support attunement (MASA), and social development indicators (antisocial behavior, prosociality, and selfregulation), considering the concurrent effects of structural (gender and age) and social factors (social networks’ size and orientation). MASA describes patterns of autonomy support provided by different sources, which, in this case, were parents, teachers, and mentors. Participants were 645 adolescents (mean = 12.30; standard deviation = .60; 55.35% girls). Using latent class analysis, a 4-class solution for MASA presented the best fit. A generalized linear model approach revealed that lower SES was associated with greater antisocial behavior, while MASA was linked to improved prosociality and self-regulation when youths were included in a high-attuned multiple autonomy support class, compared to other MASA classes. Thus, optimal levels of MASA can represent an asset for training, implementation, and assessment stages of interventions aimed at improving early adolescents’ positive social development.

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The shell collection of the Museus de Geociências of the Instituto Superior Técnico originated in the mid-19th century, with a primarily educational purpose, but also a scientific and utilitarian one, characteristic of university museums. This collection was in an advanced state of degradation, caused by the effect of microorganisms resulting from water infiltration, and required rapid intervention. To solve this problem, the collection’s conservation work consisted of preserving and thoroughly sanitising the specimens and associated information, as well as re-evaluating the packaging of the specimens to avoid similar situations in the future, and then carrying out an inventory of the collection. The results obtained by analysing the survey revealed that the collection totals more than 6077 fossil and modern specimens, representing five classes of molluscs (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Cephalopoda, Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda) and fifty different taxonomic genera, making it possible to explain concepts relevant to the teaching of Palaeontology, a subject taught at the institution until 1948, also evidenced by the fact that the collection is located in a classroom. Throughout the research, this collection’s historical, pedagogical, and scientific importance became increasingly clear, as did its uniqueness, demonstrated by the combination of fossil and modern mollusc typologies, making it a rare case in the context of Natural History and especially in the Geosciences, in Portugal.

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Neurotransmitter transporters are regulated by phosphorylation but little is known about endogenous substances and receptors that regulate this process. Adenosine is an ubiquitous neuromodulator operating G-protein coupled receptors, which affect the activity of several kinases. We therefore evaluated the influence of adenosine upon the GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) mediated GABA uptake into hippocampal synaptosomes. Removal of endogenous adenosine (adenosine deaminase, 1 U/mL) decreased GABA uptake, an effect mimicked by blockade of A2A receptors (2-(2-furanyl)-7-(2-phenylethyl)-7H-pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine, 50 nM) but not A1 or A2B receptors. A2A receptor activation (4-[2-[[6-amino-9-(N-ethyl-b-D-ribofuranuronamidosyl)- 9H-purin-yl]amino]ethyl]benzenepropanoic acid hydrochloride, 3–100 nM) enhanced GABA uptake by increasing the transporter Vmax without change of KM. This was mimicked by adenylate cyclase activation (forskolin, 10 lM) and prevented by protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition (N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino) ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride, 1 lM), which per se did not influenceGABAtransport. Blockade of protein kinase C (PKC) (2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)indol- 3-yl]-3-(indol-3-yl) maleimide, 1 lM) facilitated GABA transport whereas PKC activation (4-b-phorbol-didecanoate, 250 nM) inhibited it. PKA blockade did not affect the facilitatory action of the PKC inhibitor or the inhibitory action of the PKC activator. However, when adenylate cyclase was activated neither activation nor inhibition of PKC affected GABA uptake. It is concluded that A2A receptors, through activation of the adenylate cyclase/cAMP/PKA transducing pathway facilitate GAT-1 mediated GABA transport into nerve endings by restraining tonic PKC-mediated inhibition.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver um instrumento para avaliação da Fluência na Leitura Silenciosa em Contexto (FLSC), com estudantes universitários portugueses. A sua construção foi inspirada num teste de FLSC dos EUA. Inclui duas formas equivalentes. Cada uma contém um texto escrito em letras maiúsculas, sem pontuação nem espaços entre palavras. Os estudantes tinham de desenhar um traço separador entre o maior número de palavras possível, numa condição de tempo limitado. O teste foi administrado a um total de 50 estudantes universitários, em pequenos grupos (entre 5 e 10 participantes). Foi obtida uma adequada fiabilidade entre as formas e uma boa validade concorrente, com um teste de compreensão em leitura silenciosa. O teste revelou-se uma medida rápida, precisa e de baixo custo para a avaliação da FLSC, agora disponível no Português Europeu, útil para a investigação e a clínica. Limitações e direções futuras são discutidas.

No presente estudo analisamos os níveis de fluência na leitura oral de texto e de palavras em listas e o efeito de contexto (processamento semântico e sintático que beneficia a fluência de leitura oral de texto) em alunos do 8.º e 10.º ano de escolaridade, de duas escolas públicas de Lisboa. Considerou-se como medida de fluência o número de palavras lidas corretamente por minuto e como medida do contexto, a diferença de desempenho entre os dois tipos de fluência. O desempenho dos alunos do 10.º ano foi superior ao dos do 8.º, o que indica que, no Português Europeu, os níveis de fluência evoluem entre estes anos. O desempenho na fluência de texto foi superior ao observado para palavras, e o efeito de contexto mais marcado no 10.º ano, revelando um progresso mais acentuado no processamento semântico e sintático do que na identificação de palavras isoladas.

LAMA2-congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) is characterized by muscle weakness and hypotonia present at birth and, currently, no treatment or cure are available. LAMA2-CMD is linked to mutations in LAMA2, which encodes the laminin α2-chain, a component of laminin 211 (LN211), which is the most important laminin isoform in mature skeletal muscle. Using the dyW /dyW mouse model for LAMA2-CMD, the host laboratory and collaborators established that the disease onset occurs during fetal development, with muscle growth impairment, numerical reduction of muscle stem cells and myoblasts, and overactivation of the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway. Our latest results also point to a role of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in this process. To understand which mechanisms trigger these defects, a Lama2-deficient C2C12 myoblast cell line was established. Preliminary studies with Lama2- deficient cells showed alterations in proliferation and differentiation, as well as an increase in DNA damage and oxidative stress. The aim of this project was to test whether inhibition of FAK and/or STAT3 counters the LAMA2-CMD phenotype in vitro. For that, first the cell lines required were generated and their differentiation was analyzed. Data confirmed the impaired differentiation of Lama2- deficient cells and revealed a significant increase of both nuclear and cytoplasmic NFIX, while MYF5 is apparently retained in cytoplasm in Lama2-deficient cells, both key factors in myogenesis. Subsequently, these cell lines were used to titrate the FAK and STAT3 inhibitor concentrations and to test the efficiency of shRNA targeting FAK and STAT3. Results indicate that the use of FAK inhibitor (3 µM for 2 hours) tends to reduce STAT3 levels, while a reduction in oxidative stress was not observed. All findings together, will certainly contribute towards a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the first steps of LAMA2-CMD, which is essential for the development of therapies targeting the primary events of this incurable disease.

Machine Learning (ML) has steadily integrated itself into the lives of numerous individuals. A proficient ML model typically demands access to a substantial volume of data. The utilization of high-quality data greatly facilitates the creation of accurate ML models. Some experts assert that data holds greater significance than the algorithms themselves. However, a significant challenge arises because such high-quality data is often extensive and collected from many locations. Furthermore, various nations are revising their legislation to address their citizens’ data privacy requirements, prompted by growing concerns over security, which makes access to this data even harder. Federated Learning (FL) is a distributed machine learning approach allowing multiple parties to train a model collaboratively without sharing sensitive data. It has gained widespread popularity recently due to its ability to preserve data privacy. However, FL also poses novel security challenges since training relies on data and computations from many entities that a malicious actor might have compromised, as they are usually geographically dispersed and independently managed. Evaluations of current FL security mechanisms in the literature are often based on simplistic testing environments and demand complex programming to integrate new attacks/defenses. Therefore, this work presents an accessible platform that leverages a realistic environment to facilitate the experimentation and evaluation of new solutions in relevant FL scenarios. Comparison with already proposed approaches is also expedited since FADO provides a few out-of-the-box implementations. We develop a use case based on a recently published network attack to demonstrate the platform’s utility. The results show that FADO mirrors the results of the original implementation, demonstrating its capability to reproduce the impact of attack and defense techniques in Federated Learning (FL). Additionally, they reveal that distributing target class examples across more clients weakens the effectiveness of network attacks, with varying impacts based on the target class and dataset. At last, we concluded that simultaneous performing network and node attacks significantly decrease accuracy, and while the clipping defense proves effective in some datasets like EMNIST and FashionMNIST, it falls short in others, such as DBPedia.

From a cognitive information processing perspective, parents’ cognitive schemas strongly influence the way they perceive and act toward their children. In order to explore how maternal cognitive representations about parenting are organized in a multidimensional space, mothers referred to child protection services and mothers with no such reference completed a free description task of maternal attributes and a sorting task of those attributes according to their probability of co-occurrence in the same mother. Overall, the results suggest that maladaptive parenting seems to be associated with less positive parental schemata, higher schemata rigidity, and higher external attributions regarding parenting. Using multidimensional scaling to represent the structure and content of maternal schemata constitutes an innovative contribution to the parenting domain with potential applications. These conceptual maps representing maternal schemata that shape parental responses in child-rearing situations can be used as theoretical frameworks to develop empirically based guidelines for intervention work with maltreating parents.