Salvat (Spain)

Dentro de esta investigación el objetivo de estudio se centró en explorar las percepciones estudiantiles sobre el aprendizaje de la química en distintos niveles (secundaria, medio superior y superior), manejando categorías como desempeño docente, estado socioemocional y evaluación de recursos didácticos. Se desarrolla una investigación con enfoque cuantitativo de tipo exploratorio y descriptivo, utilizando como instrumento de recolección de datos un cuestionario con escala tipo likert. Los resultados indican que el nivel de satisfacción con el desempeño docente tiende a disminuir a medida que avanza el nivel educativo; la claridad en las explicaciones y la participación activa, fueron mejor evaluadas en niveles inferiores, sugieriendo que en niveles superiores se requiere manejar un enfoque pedagógico más atractivo. Se detecta falta de inclusión conforme se avanza de nivel, observando que el alumno pierde el gusto por participar en clase, asi mismo, mantener ejemplos enfocados en el contexto, sugieren que el docente debe mantener este ejercicio para mejorar el aprendizaje de la química. Finalmente se proponen varias líneas de investigación que generen metodologías dentro del proceso enseñanza – aprendizaje en los tres niveles investigados, sugiriendo además que no se puede dejar de lado el estado socioemocional del alumno.

Acute phase protein (APP) concentrations can change due to inflammation and be used to monitor disease in the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). This study aimed to validate Haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) analytes, establish reference values, and characterize Hp and SAA responses in the Iberian ibex after experimentally induced inflammation and experimental bluetongue virus (BTV) infection. Sera from 40 free-ranging box-trapped ibexes were used to establish Hp and SAA reference values. Six healthy ibexes were subcutaneously injected with 5mL of turpentine, then, blood samples were taken, and clinical evaluations were performed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 14 postinjection. Anotherseven ibexes were challenged with BTV. Serum Hp and SAA concentrations were quantified using commercial assays following the manufacturer's instructions. Intra-assay precision and linearity were acceptable for both Hp and SAA. Intra-assay variation for high and low concentration of Hp and SAA were 9.74% and 17.31% and 16.49% and 12.89%, respectively. Inter-assay variation was higher for the low APP concentrations. Reference values for the healthy Iberian ibexes were (median, minimum, and maximum values) 0.2 (0.12-0.64) g/L for Hp and 4.74 (0.05-29.54) mg/L for SAA. Both Hp and SAA acted as a moderate and a major APP, respectively, and each could distinguish animals with turpentine-induced inflammation from those without. Hp and SAA did not change in asymptomatic BTV-infected animals. This study validated Hp and SAA analytes and provided basal reference values for these analytes in the Iberian ibex. Both APPs were able to discriminate between healthy and diseased Iberian ibexes animals during turpentine-induced inflammatory processes.

Abstract AimThe management of the rapid expansion of wild ungulate populations is a challenging task and a societal priority. Using a progressive database of red (Cervus elaphus) and roe (Capreolus capreolus) deer colonization over the last three decades, we estimate the range expansion rates and the underlying mechanisms involved in the expansion patterns of red and roe deer populations at the south‐western edge of its European distribution.LocationMainland Portugal.MethodsWe compiled and grouped historical red and roe deer distribution data in three time periods (1981–1990, 1991–2000 and 2001–2010). We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate how biotic and abiotic drivers determine the expansion patterns of red and roe deer.ResultsWe reported a significant expansion of red and roe deer populations during the last three decades. The significant interaction between propagule pressure and land cover suggests that the effects of propagule pressure vary along environmental gradients. We found that the influence of livestock on red and roe deer expansion is idiosyncratic. Contrary to red deer, roe deer expansion was also influenced by climatic conditions. We did not detect any significant effect of human factors on the red and roe deer expansion.Main conclusionsThe synergistic effects between variables should be taken into account when studying the patterns of species expansion. Our study emphasize that policy makers should consider the spatial, temporal, ecological and societal nuances of species expansion in order to prioritize management measures and to allocate management budgets. Although concerted strategies to curtail species spread should mitigate red and roe deer economic and ecological impacts, these effects can be neutralized by a continuous rural exodus and the consequent forest and shrub encroachment.

In recent decades, there has been a call for change among all stakeholders involved in scoliosis management. Parents of children with scoliosis have complained about the so-called “wait and see” approach that far too many doctors use when evaluating children’s scoliosis curves between 10° and 25°. Observation, Physiotherapy Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) and bracing for idiopathic scoliosis during growth are all therapeutic interventions accepted by the 2011 International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT). The standard features of these interventions are: 1) 3-dimension self-correction; 2) Training activities of daily living (ADL); and 3) Stabilization of the corrected posture. PSSE is part of a scoliosis care model that includes scoliosis specific education, scoliosis specific physical therapy exercises, observation or surveillance, psychological support and intervention, bracing and surgery. The model is oriented to the patient. Diagnosis and patient evaluation is essential in this model looking at a patient-oriented decision according to clinical experience, scientific evidence and patient’s preference. Thus, specific exercises are not considered as an alternative to bracing or surgery but as a therapeutic intervention, which can be used alone or in combination with bracing or surgery according to individual indication. In the PSSE model it is recommended that the physical therapist work as part of a multidisciplinary team including the orthopeadic doctor, the orthotist, and the mental health care provider - all are according to the SOSORT guidelines and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) philosophy. From clinical experiences, PSSE can temporarily stabilize progressive scoliosis curves during the secondary period of progression, more than a year after passing the peak of growth. In non-progressive scoliosis, the regular practice of PSSE could produce a temporary and significant reduction of the Cobb angle. PSSE can also produce benefits in subjects with scoliosis other than reducing the Cobb angle, like improving back asymmetry, based on 3D self-correction and stabilization of a stable 3D corrected posture, as well as the secondary muscle imbalance and related pain. In more severe cases of thoracic scoliosis, it can also improve breathing function.This paper will discuss in detail seven major scoliosis schools and their approaches to PSSE, including their bracing techniques and scientific evidence. The aim of this paper is to understand and learn about the different international treatment methods so that physical therapists can incorporate the best from each into their own practices, and in that way attempt to improve the conservative management of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. These schools are presented in the historical order in which they were developed. They include the Lyon approach from France, the Katharina Schroth Asklepios approach from Germany, the Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis (SEAS) from Italy, the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School approach (BSPTS) from Spain, the Dobomed approach from Poland, the Side Shift approach from the United Kingdom, and the Functional Individual Therapy of Scoliosis approach (FITS) from Poland.

The publication of research in the field of conservative treatment of scoliosis is increasing after a long period of progressive decline. In 2014, three high quality and scientifically sound papers gave new strength to the conservative scoliosis approach. The efficacy of treatment over observation was demonstrated by two RCTs for bracing, and one for scoliosis-specific exercises provided by a physical therapist. It is difficult to design strong studies in this field due to the long time needed for follow up and the challenge of recruiting patients and families willing to be involved in the decision process. Nevertheless, the main methodological errors are not related to the study design but rather on the way it is performed, which very frequently affects the reliability of results. The most common errors are: selection bias, with many studies including functional rather than a true structural scoliosis; inappropriate outcome measures, utilizing parameters not related to scoliosis progression or quality of life; inappropriate follow up, reporting only immediate results and not addressing end of growth results; an incorrect interpretation of findings, with an overestimation of results; and missing the evaluation of skeletal maturity, without which results cannot be considered stable. Being aware of these errors is extremely important both for authors and for readers in order to avoid questionable practices based on inconclusive studies that could harm patients.

Background The relationship between scoliosis magnitude, HRQL and Self Perception of Trunk Deformity is not clear. To better understand this, a prospective data collection including age, main thoracic and lumbar or thoracolumbar Cob angle, Trunk Asymmetry Perception Scale TAPS (1), SRS-22 (2,3) and current treatment was started involving all patients with idiopathic scoliosis attending a rehabilitation clinic, 10 years of age or older at the time of consultation. The data have been retrospectively analyzed and are presented in several studies. This is the study II.

We carried out a pilot study about the influence of the domestic goat Capra hircus on the feeding ecology of the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica in the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PGNP, Portugal). We mapped the grazing areas of domestic goat flocks and determined their stocking rates in two mountains of PGNP, Gerês and Amarela, and we investigated the diets of both ungulates using fecal microhistology in an area where they partially overlapped during spring and summer. Diet composition, ligneous diversity, and ligneous trophic niche were compared seasonally. Although differences in ligneous components were observed, results revealed a considerable diet overlap mainly due to graminoids consumption, especially during autumn and spring. This suggests that direct or indirect foraging competition between the goat species should not be discarded if they spatially concur. Results also emphasized distinct summer feeding strategies of C. pyrenaica in the area, and the influence of cattle (Bos taurus) and horses (Equus caballus) were hypothesized. We recommend removing feral goats from the mountain environment and monitoring grazing areas of domestic flocks. Estimates of ecological carrying capacity and future diet studies should include cattle, horses, and improvement of herb identification.