Coordinated, network-based research as a strategic component of science in Brazil

Scientific research plays a fundamental role in the health and development of any society, since all technological advances depend ultimately on scientific discovery and the generation of wealth is intricately dependent on technological advance. Due to their importance, science and technology generally occupy important places in the hierarchical structure of developed societies, and they receive considerable public and private investment. Publicly funded science is almost entirely devoted to discovery, and it is administered and structured in a very similar way throughout the world. Particularly in the biological sciences, this structure, which is very much centered on the individual scientist and his own hypothesis-based investigations, may not be the best suited for either discovery in the context of complex biological systems, or for the efficient advancement of fundamental knowledge into practical utility. The adoption of other organizational paradigms, which permit a more coordinated and interactive research structure, may provide important opportunities to accelerate the scientific process and further enhance its relevance and contribution to society. The key alternative is a structure that incorporates larger organizational units to tackle larger and more complex problems. One example of such a unit is the research network. Brazil has utilized such networks to great effect in genome sequencing projects, demonstrating their relevance to the Brazilian research community and opening the possibility of their wider utility in the future.

Análise de estabilidade de taludes de aterro de resíduos urbanos utilizando parâmetros geotécnicos de propostas bibliográficas e correlações com Nspt

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

A comparison of patient satisfaction between treatment with conventional complete dentures and overdentures in the elderly: a literature review

Background:It has been stated that mandibular overdentures are more satisfactory than conventional dentures, but problems relating to the use of retrospective ratings, lack of control group and sequential provision of treatment may compromise the findings.Objective:To establish a comparison between treatment with conventional complete dentures and implant-retained overdentures in elderly patients by conducting a literature review.Materials and methods:A search of English language peer-review literature was completed using Medline up to 2008 focusing on evidence-based research. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and longitudinal prospective studies were favoured in the review, using a general hierarchical classification. Articles that did not focus exclusively on the comparison of patient satisfaction between complete dentures and overdentures were excluded from further evaluation. The last search was conducted in February 2008. Key terms included quality of life, patient satisfaction, edentulism, complete denture and overdenture.Results:Among the 90 articles found in the initial search, 27 met the inclusion criteria. This included 18 RCTs and eight prospective and one cohort study. Most of the articles stated superiority of the mandibular implant-retained overdenture therapy over the conventional complete denture regarding patient satisfaction and quality of life.Conclusion:Even with implant treatment presenting higher patient satisfaction and improvement of quality of life, it was not possible to establish a direct comparison between the studies due to differences in adopted methodologies.

Priority areas for the conservation of Atlantic forest large mammals

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Pesquisa educacional com base nas artes: pensando a educação dos professores como experiência estética

Neste artigo, o autor descreve dois estudos, realizados com professores, nos quais objetos de arte são usados como dispositivos deflagradores de reflexão compartilhada. Teoricamente fundamentado em uma nova modalidade de investigação qualitativa no campo da Educação - a Pesquisa Educacional com Base nas Artes (PEBA) -, ele discute particularidades do funcionamento e do papel dessa modalidade de pesquisa no desenvolvimento profissional docente, as diferentes naturezas dos dois objetos de arte utilizados (a fotografia e o espetáculo teatral) e aponta para duas principais vertentes dessa modalidade de pesquisa - a vertente de produção de significados, pela qual o educador de professores e os participantes da pesquisa compartilham e constroem significados ao entrarem em contato com um objeto de arte previamente pronto e confeccionado por um artista profissional; e a vertente representacional, pela qual os professores e educadores participantes constroem, individualmente ou de forma compartilhada, um determinado objeto de arte que reflita e expresse suas representações do mundo da docência. Por fim, o artigo sugere que a PEBA, além de estabelecer contextos reflexivos nos quais alunos e professores têm oportunidades de desvelar a experiência estética, instaura relações alternativas dos participantes com o conhecimento e com a prática pedagógica, evidenciando sua importância social e suas forças revitalizadoras.

A compreensão da atividade pedagógica em uma rede de inter-relações: franquia escolar

Pós-graduação em Educação - IBRC

O léxico da apicultura e da meliponicultura no Brasil: estudos iniciais para a elaboração de um dicionário terminológico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O contexto afetivo-familiar de relações incestuosas entre irmãos

Pós-graduação em Psicologia - FCLAS

Recuperação escolar: um trabalho com alunos em defasagem de aprendizagem nos anos inciais do ensino fundamental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A fragmentação espacial fitogeográfica e a proposta dos corredores ecológicos

This paper aims to study the proposal of ecological corridors as integration solution spaces that present fragmentation of vegetation. The geographic space is composed of physical and human characteristics and interrelation between the different variables result in different landscapes. The landscape ecology provides an understanding of the heterogeneous landscape, which combines the space and ecosystem components. The spatial fragmentation of vegetation and is often the result of a number of factors. This new landscape composition presents different forms of economic exploitation of the soil (agriculture, pasture). The corridors are considered optional connection of plant debris, providing greater flow of species of fauna and flora reconstituting somehow Ecosystem site. The research aims to propose the restoration of an area devoid of natural plant its constitution, becoming restoration tool in a particular area of vegetation fragmented

Os saberes da Educação Física nas perspectivas dos alunos: panorama da literatura e uma proposta de investigação a partir da 'teoria da relação com o saber'

The lack of interest and motivation, and the self-exclusion from Physical Education classes by Secondary and High School students is pointed out in the specific literature as a pedagogical problem for that discipline. Most studies dealing with the issue present only descriptive data, gathered from the quantification of responses given by students to questionnaires, and they lack a more consistent theoretical framework for both the generation of data as to its interpretation. The objectives of this article are: (i) to present an overview of published studies that address the perspectives of students in relation to their Physical Education classes at school, in terms of attitudes, opinions, tastes, motivation, and development; and (ii) to propose theoretical foundation and methodological guidelines for one future field based research that allows better understanding on how Secondary and High School students’ relationship to school Physical Education knowledge occurs, in order to contribute for advances regarding the results and conclusions on such thematics. We suggest that the definition of the research problem, the generation and interpretation of the data must take as reference the "theory of the notion of the relationship to knowledge", by Bernard Charlot, for whom the school knowledge must be understood in its relations with learning beings. The methodological direction should be guided by "qualitative research" general parameters in Education, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with students. Hopefully, in this way, indicators informed by research might contribute to improving the quality of teaching in lessons, in order to provide the students with opportunities for meaningful learning.

Recent research developments in SnO2-based varistors

This paper discusses some advances in research conducted on SnO2-based electroceramics. The addition of different dopants, as well as several thermal treatments in oxidizing and inert atmospheres, were found to influence the microstructure and electrical properties of SnO2-based varistor ceramics. Measurements taken by impedance spectroscopy revealed variations in the height and width of the potential barrier resulting from the atmosphere in which thermal treatments were performed. High nonlinear coefficient values, which are characteristic of high-voltage and commercial ZnO varistors, were obtained for these SnO2-based systems. All the systems developed here have potentially promising varistor applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cross-hole and seismic CPT tests in a tropical soil site

A large portion of Brazil is covered with tropical soils but literature about dynamic parameters of these soils is very limited. SCPT and cross-hole tests were carried out at an experimental research site inland in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Shear wave velocities (VS) determined based on both tests are presented and compared. A good agreement was observed between both test results and the differences can be associated with soil variability, which was very sensitive to CPT tests. It was also observed that Go/q c ratio determined based on SCPT appears to be an interesting technique to help identify tropical soils. Copyright ASCE 2006.

The use of slot filter in piezocone tests for site characterization of tropical soils

The use of piezocone tests with a slot filter filled with automotive grease for site characterization of tropical soils is assessed. Laboratory tests using the slot filter filled with automotive grease as well as the conventional porous piezo-element saturated with glycerin were carried out to evaluate the pore pressure (u 2) transducer response. CPTu tests using piezo-elements saturated with glycerin and the slot filter filled with grease were pushed side by side in different research sites in Brazil. Estimates of mechanical and hydraulic soil parameters were made based on pore pressure dissipation curves from using both techniques. Laboratory test results indicate that the pore pressure response using the slot filter with grease was delayed when compared to the piezo-element saturated with glycerin, since grease has a higher viscosity. For tropical soils, the records of u2 in piezocone tests using slot filter with grease presented larger peaks than with porous element saturated with glycerin. Records of u2 using the slot filter above the groundwater table suggest the increase of the degree of saturation in unsaturated zone, where porous filter can be desaturated by suction. The slot filter can be used to help the interpretation of the soil profile with deep groundwater level as well as to help detecting its position for some studied soils. The results shown high repeatability for all study sites. This technique is much easier to handle, especially for tropical soils, where the groundwater table is usually deep and pre-drilling is expensive and time consuming. © 2009 IOS Press.