RESUMO
Academic dishonesty is prevalent and has unfortunately become normalized in post-secondary institutions worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic more than two years ago led to an increase in cheating and confrontation of instructors with academic honesty. The main objective of this study was to create an explicative model according to the levels of morality, pragmatism, and gender. Researchers applied an online questionnaire to 735 anonymous university students. Analysis showed that participants were less honest in morality than in pragmatism, but the average value was very close for both dimensions. A substantial number of students with low and moderate levels of dishonesty were observed in both moral and pragmatic contexts. The initial hypothesis was partially validated, as the level of morality was associated with the level of pragmatism rather than gender, indicating a direct albeit moderate impact of pragmatism on morality. We confirmed the second hypothesis, showing the influence of gender and morality on the level of pragmatism. Participants suggested that English as a Foreign Language instructors should modify their approach, account for ethical considerations, offer extra classes, revise teaching and evaluation methods, and sanction students who cheat. Surprisingly, results show a slight tendency for lower honesty in morality compared to pragmatism. Despite honest behaviors, it is essential to address gender differences and promote academic honesty through education, policies, and a culture of honesty.
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Insect pollination is issential for hybrid seed production systems, among which, introduced and native bees are the primary pollinating agents transferring pollen from male fertile (MF) to male sterile (MS) lines. On a highly dimorphic sunflower (Helianthus annuus) crop, we assessed the foraging behavior of solitary Melissodes bees and honey bees Apis mellifera. We found that Melissodes spp. were dominant in and showed fidelity to MF plants, gathering sunflower pollen efficiently throughout the day. In contrast, honey bees dominated on MS lines, mostly gathered nectar and exhibited high floral constancy, even after interacting with a second visitor. Also, honey bees carried sunflower pollen on their bodies while visiting MS inflorescences. This study highlights the need for a thorough understanding of the factors involved in a pollinator-dependent agroecosystem crop to assess the contribution of native bees on pollination of crops which offer resources spatially separated in two highly dimorphic parental lines.
Assuntos
Abelhas/fisiologia , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Helianthus/fisiologia , Animais , Abelhas/classificação , Produtos Agrícolas/parasitologia , Helianthus/parasitologia , Inflorescência/parasitologia , Inflorescência/fisiologia , PolinizaçãoRESUMO
The honey bee is the most frequently used species in pollination services for diverse crops. In onion crops (Allium cepa), however, bees avoid visiting certain varieties, being attracted differently to male sterile (MS) and fertile (OP) lines. These differences might be based on the phenolic profiles of the cultivars' nectars. To understand the relationship between nectar composition and pollinator attraction to different onion lines, we tested sensory and cognitive abilities and palatability in honey bees exposed to MS and OP onion nectars and sugar solutions mimicking them. We evaluated the proboscis extension response (PER) after antennal contact (unconditioned response) to MS or OP onion nectars, finding no statistical differences, which indicates similar gustatory perception for the two nectars. We also performed food uptake assays to test palatability of different artificial nectars, considering their flavonoids and potassium content. The presence of potassium decreased the palatability of the artificial nectars. Finally, we evaluated the bees' cognitive abilities when the reward (unconditioned stimulus) offered during conditioning PER assays presents differences in composition. We found that potassium by itself impaired learning; however, such impairment was even higher when naringenin and quercetin were added in the unconditioned stimulus (MS nectar mimic). Interestingly, potassium together with luteolin (OP nectar mimic) improved learning. Our study demonstrates that the differences in the nectars' flavonoid profiles combined with their high potassium content could explain the previously reported differences in attractiveness between onion lines, suggesting an important role of nectar compounds other than sugars for the attractiveness of flowers to pollinators.
Assuntos
Abelhas/fisiologia , Fenóis/metabolismo , Néctar de Plantas/química , Animais , Comportamento Apetitivo/fisiologia , Cognição , Cebolas/química , RecompensaRESUMO
Objetivo: Determinar si el uso de transparencias de color ayuda a mejorar la lectura, eliminando distorsiones visuales perceptuales, malestares físicos al leer, sintomatología del síndrome Irlen. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio cuasi-experimental sobre efectos del Método Irlen® - uso del color - en sesenta y un estudiantes del cuarto grado de las escuelas urbanas de Cuenca, identificados como severos en el rango de Irlen, en un estudio anterior de pre-valencia. Los participantes fueron evaluados a través de nuevas observaciones, entrevistas y cuatro pruebas de la Escala Perceptual de Lectura Irlen. Medidas de tendencia central y porcentajes fueron utilizadas para el análisis de datos. Resultados: Las mejoras atribuidas al uso del color en rango considerable fueron: 1) 59% comodidad; 2) 37.7% menos borroso; 3) 41% menos tensión y fatiga; 4) 45.9% más seguridad y fluidez al leer; 5) 34.4% menos movimientos en la página; 6) 31.2% eliminación de distorsiones; 7) 13.1% menos errores al leer; 8) 9.8% mejora del espacio limitado; 9) 8.2% en atención limitada; y 10) 1.6% mejora en comprensión lectora. Conclusión: El uso de las transparencias de color ayuda parcialmente a eliminar algunas distorsiones visuales perceptuales y malestares físicos al leer lo que facilita la lectura.
Objective: To determine whether the use of color transparencies helps improve reading eliminating visual perceptual distortions, phy-sical discomfort when reading, and Irlen syn-drome symptomatology.Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study about effects of Irlen® Method - use of color was made in sixty-one students from fourth graders in urban schools in Cuenca, which were identified as severe in the range of Irlen in a previous study of prevalence. The participants were evaluated through new ob-servations, interviews and four Irlen Reading Perceptual Scale tests. Central tendency me-asures and percentages were used for data analysis. Results: The Improvements in reading due to the use of color in a significant range were: 1) 59% comfort; 2) 37.7% less blurry; 3) 41% less stress and fatigue; 4) 45.9% more confidence and fluency when reading; 5) 34.4% fewer movements on the page; 6) 31.2% elimination of distortions; 7) 13.1% fewer errors when rea-ding; 8) 9.8% improvement in the limited spa-ce; 9) 8.2% in limited attention; and 10) 1.6% improvement in reading comprehension. Conclusion: The use of color transparencies partially helps to eliminate some visual per-ceptual distortions and physical discomfort when reading which facilitates the reading process.
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Criança , Leitura , Transtornos da Visão , Visão de Cores , Recursos Audiovisuais , Estudantes , Estatística como AssuntoRESUMO
Imidacloprid (IMI), a neonicotinoid used for its high selective toxicity to insects, is one of the most commonly used pesticides. However, its effect on beneficial insects such as the honeybee Apis mellifera L is still controversial. As young adult workers perform in-hive duties that are crucial for colony maintenance and survival, we aimed to assess the effect of sublethal IMI doses on honeybee behaviour during this period. Also, because this insecticide acts as a cholinergic-nicotinic agonist and these pathways take part in insect learning and memory processes; we used IMI to assess their role and the changes they suffer along early adulthood. We focused on appetitive behaviours based on the proboscis extension response. Laboratory reared adults of 2 to 10 days of age were exposed to sublethal IMI doses (0.25 or 0.50ng) administered orally or topically prior to behavioural assessment. Modification of gustatory responsiveness and impairment of learning and memory were found as a result of IMI exposure. These outcomes differed depending on age of evaluation, type of exposure and IMI dose, being the youngest bees more sensitive and the highest oral dose more toxic. Altogether, these results imply that IMI administered at levels found in agroecosystems can reduce sensitivity to reward and impair associative learning in young honeybees. Therefore, once a nectar inflow with IMI traces is distributed within the hive, it could impair in-door duties with negative consequences on colony performance.
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Abelhas/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Condicionamento Clássico/efeitos dos fármacos , Imidazóis/farmacologia , Inseticidas/farmacologia , Nitrocompostos/farmacologia , Animais , Comportamento Apetitivo/efeitos dos fármacos , Aprendizagem por Associação/efeitos dos fármacos , Memória/efeitos dos fármacos , NeonicotinoidesRESUMO
Uno de los motivos de consulta cada vez más frecuente es el riesgo de volar de los pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares crónicas. La presión de la cabina no es la misma que a nivel del mar, lo que significa disminución en la fracción inspirada de O2, esto puede representar una hipoxia significante en pacientes asintomáticos en su vida diaria, para evitar riesgos es indispensable el uso de O2 suplementario durante el vuelo. Los métodos para la identificación de las personas con riesgo de hipoxemia y los cambios fisiopatológicos que ocurren en la altura para producirla son analizados.
Patients with chronic lung disease frecuently ask to doctors if they are fit to fly. Commercial flights are not pressurised to sea level, there is a reduction in partial pressure of oxygen, this may result in significant hypoxia in asymptomatic patients. The different assessment methods to identify the potential problems that patients with chronic respiratory conditions may encounter during air travel, changes of respiratory physiology during the air travel and oxygen supplementation are discussed.
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Humanos , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica , Enjoo devido ao Movimento , Altitude , Pneumopatias , HipóxiaRESUMO
Volumetric digital computer-assisted reconstruction of histological sections is an attractive possibility for developmental studies. Commercial solutions are very expensive for many educational institutions. Therefore, we developed a software system for three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomical virtual models. The input data for the system are the digitized images from the histological samples of the chondrocranium of two crotalines, Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus terrificus, and one colubrid, Philodryas olfersii, using a stereomicroscope connected to a digital camera. These images are then manually registered and segmented. We use computer graphics visualization algorithms such as marching cubes and ray casting to generate three-dimensional visualizations of the volumes. The results show that the digital reconstruction is as good as the manual reconstruction with the advantages of speed of reconstruction, accuracy, and flexibility to handle and study the volume. Compared with commercial options, our system has approximately the same features, and it is available free for the scientific community.
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Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador/instrumentação , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador/métodos , Crânio/embriologia , Serpentes/embriologia , Software , Animais , Cartilagem/embriologia , Embrião não Mamífero , Desenvolvimento Embrionário , Clima TropicalRESUMO
This paper addresses, what determines that experienced forager honeybees return to places where they have previously exploited nectar. Although there was already some evidence that dance and trophallaxis can cause bees to return to feed, the fraction of unemployed foragers that follow dance or receive food from employed foragers before revisiting the feeder was unknown. We found that 27% of the experienced foragers had no contact with the returning foragers inside the hive. The most common interactions were dance following (64%) and trophallaxis (21%). The great variability found in the amount of interactions suggests that individual bees require different stimulation before changing to the foraging mode. This broad disparity negatively correlated with the number of days after marking at the feeder, a variable that is closely related to the foraging experience, suggesting that a temporal variable might affect the decision-making in reactivated foragers.