Nova centralidade em Mossoró (RN): expansão urbana e o bairro Bela Vista

This research aims to reconstruct the process of the recent expansion of the urban area of Mossoró (RN), particularly the dynamics of the Bela Vista neighborhood has been established as a new urban centrality. We start from the perspective that the process of urbanization as a result of the transformation of the capitalist system have profound impacts on the restructuring of urban space, which includes resetting and training of new urban centralities. The basic assumption accepts that recent economic changes have led to the adoption of new strategies for the location of large commercial equipment and services, contributing to urban expansion and redefinition of its centrality, leading to the formation of new urban centralities. The research strategy adopted consists of a case study oriented based on the analysis of qualitative information, but also incorporates quantitative information. Interviews with qualified informants were conducted, as well as field surveys, photographic documentation, in order to grasp the phenomenon observed. The survey results show that the Bela Vista neighborhood can be considered a new urban center, housing the specialized trade and service activities, as well as townhouses, which differentiates it from other areas of the city

O reassentamento dos refugiados colombianos e palestinos no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Since the second semester of 2004, the first refugees guided by ACNUR arrived at Potiguar s territory. Then we follow closely, with other local actors, the implementation and development of this innovative action, namely the resettlement of those refugees in Rio Grande do Norte. To accomplish this, we consider the concepts of territory, dispossession, repossession and international migration. The state of Rio Grande do Norte is a pioneer in the Northeast, in this type of action, since, before this experience, just Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo were engaged in this kind of action. Therefore, this paper analyzes the process of resettlement of refugees, fulfilled in Rio Grande do Norte, between 2004 and 2005. The research broaches the regards that resulted in departure of these refugees from their respective territories (Colombia and Palestine) as well as the characteristics and prospects of the areas that hosted the refugees (Natal, Lajes e Poço Branco). Finally, the work deals with the results achieved afield, through interviews and photographic record, near by refugees

Geografia, turismo e meio ambiente: uma nova face do litoral dos municípios de Extremoz e Ceará-Mirim

La presente pesquisa contempla reflexiones referentes de la actividad turística en la organización socio-espacial en el litoral de las comarcas de Extremoz y Ceará-Mirim, región de la Grande Natal. Nuestro objetivo principal es el estudio de las transformaciones del espacio y de sus implicaciones socio-ambientales en curso en el proceso de producción del espacio turístico en el litoral de las referidas comarcas desde 1997 hasta 2007, momento de importancia publica-privada que, a partir del PRODETUR, tuvo la base para el incremento de las potencialidades turísticas. En este sentido, varias fueron las técnicas para una mejor compresión de las aspiraciones y de la percepción de los actores envueltos con la actividad turística (comerciantes, turistas, populación y poder publico local) para conocer cuales son sus consideraciones en cuanto a los cambios que proceden de la implantación de la actividad turística en el lugar, cuanto a la mejora de la calidad de vida, de la generación de empleo y de renta, comercialización, conservación, preservación del ambiente, cumplimiento de la legislación, afirmación cultural así como las acciones puestas en ejecución en las comarcas. Para tal necesidad, se buscó analizar los datos estadísticos a partir del uso de los cuestionarios con preguntas estructuradas y semi-abiertas como instrumento de colecta de información que les era correlacionada con la opinión de los actores locales de modo que podamos formar y entender los elementos básicos que son parte de los espacios turísticos en foco. Fueran utilizadas fotografías aéreas de las comarcas de Extremoz y Ceará-Mirim, provistas por el IDEMA, con la intención de percibir acerca de los cambios del espacio y las implicaciones socio-ambientales de la área en estudio. Concluimos en función de los resultados que el modelo de Turismo concebido por lo Brasil, estimulado y financiado por lo Gobierno Federal, está insertado en el contexto de la economía global y, por lo tanto, el Estado del Rio Grande del Norte, en específico los espacios litoraneos de las comarcas de Extremoz y Ceará-Mirim, que poseen características similares a este modelo, con sus particularidades, que si traduzca por la exclusión social, formas de apropiación privada de los espacios público y áreas de protección ambiental como las playas, las dunas y las lagunas, el desacato o no el cumplimiento de la legislación ambiental, aumento de las desigualdad de renta en una región que posee una problemática social grave y sin inversión, implantación de la infraestructura, ausencia de política pública local, donde los intereses económicos son prioridad delante de las aclamaciones populares. Se sugiere un repensar cuanto al modelo actual de desarrollo adoptado, que el planeamiento sea pautado en base a la participación integrada de los varios agentes implicados con la actividad turística, incluyendo en la medida del posible, las aspiraciones de la población local como precusoras de sus reales necesidades, donde esta acción interactiva contestará ciertamente en un esfuerzo significativo en la construcción de un nuevo paradigma, modelo del desarrollo sustentable, siendo posible superar gradualmente el incremento de la pobreza, de la exclusión y de los impactos ambientales, donde la calidad de vida sea factor fundamental

Prevalence of refractive errors in students in Northeastern Brazil

To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in the public and private school system in the city of Natal, Northeastern Brazil. Methods: Refractometry was performed on both eyes of 1,024 randomly selected students, enrolled in the 2001 school year and the data were evaluated by the SPSS Data Editor 10.0. Ametropia was divided into: 1- from 0.1 to 0.99 diopter (D); 2- 1.0 to 2.99D; 3- 3.00 to 5.99D and 4- 6D or greater. Astigmatism was regrouped in: I- with-the-rule (axis from 0 to 30 and 150 to 180 degrees), II- against-the-rule (axis between 60 and 120 degrees) and III- oblique (axis between > 30 and < 60 and >120 and <150 degrees). The age groups were categorized as follows, in: 1- 5 to 10 years, 2- 11 to 15 years, 3- 16 to 20 years, 4- over 21 years. Results: Among refractive errors, hyperopia was the most common with 71%, followed by astigmatism (34%) and myopia (13.3%). Of the students with myopia and hyperopia, 48.5% and 34.1% had astigmatism, respectively. With respect to diopters, 58.1% of myopic students were in group 1, and 39% distributed between groups 2 and 3. Hyperopia were mostly found in group 1 (61.7%) as well as astigmatism (70.6%). The association of the astigmatism axes of both eyes showed 92.5% with axis with-the-rule in both eyes, while the percentage for those with axis againstthe- rule was 82.1% and even lower for the oblique axis (50%). Conclusion: The results found differed from those of most international studies, mainly from the Orient, which pointed to myopia as the most common refractive error, and corroborates the national ones, with the majority being hyperopia

Caracterização e comparação de genes expressos em ápices meristemáticos de cana-de-açúcar cultivados em SP e RN

In this work, we used sugarcane as a model due to its importance for sugar and ethanol production. Unlike the current plant models, sugarcane presents a complex genetics and an enormous allelic variation. Here, we report the analysis of SAGE libraries produced using the shoot apical meristem from contrasted genotypes by flowering induction (non-flowering vs. early-flowering varieties) grown under São Paulo state conditions. The expression pattern was analyzed using samples from São Paulo (SP) and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) states. These results showed that cDNAs identified by SAGE libraries had differential expression only in São Paulo state samples. Furthermore, the cDNA identified CYP (Citocrome P450) was chosen for in silico and genome characterization because it was found in SAGE libraries and subtractive libraries from samples from RN. Phylogenetic trees showed the relationship for these sequences. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR for CYP showed a potential role as flowering indutor for RN samples considering different isophorms. Considering the results present here, it can be consider that CYP gene may be used as molecular marker

Feira livre de Macaíba/RN : um estudo das modificações na dinâmica socioespacial (1960/2006)

The objective of the current piece of research is to reflect upon the diverse changes that have occurred in the social and spatial dynamics of the Macaíba fair in the period between 1960 and 2006. During the second half of the 19th century, Macaíba had in the commerce one of this principle economic base a contribution for which the city became one of the main commercial warehouses of the East coast of the Rio Grande do Norte region. This helped lead to the growth of Macaíba s fair, which proved to be one of the most important existing in the state until the 1970 s. In the last two decades of the 20th century, certain elements represented challenges to the fair at Macaíba. These challenges stimulated substantial changes in the fair s dynamics which include the growth and expansion of the commercial and service sector, primarily though supermarkets; consolidation among the commercial and distribution networks, represented by the Central Office of Supply of the Rio Grande do Norte S/A (Ceasa/RN), by the wholesale and refrigeration companies; and the modernization of transportation methods, which permitted an expanded reach for these networks. Even with all these changes, the fair continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the city being the center of resistance against the surge of new forms of commerce and consumption in the city (notable the supermarkets) and the diffusion of other aspects of globalization. The fair has economic importance, as it offers a popular marketplace for the commercialization of very different products and a means for supplying goods to the residents of the city and the rural communities of Macaíba and the surrounding municipalities; and socio-cultural importance in that the fair is a place where popular tradition is expressed, a place where a great number of parallel activities occur, a place for meeting again and again, of conversations, of manifestations of culture and art, and of socialization in all of its dimensions

Setor informal da economia e a dinâmica dos territórios nas praias da cidade do Natal/RN

La recherche sur secteur non-formel de l économie et la dynamique des territoires dans les plages de la ville de Natal/RN, a le but de la compréhension des espaces de ces territoires ainsi que leurs caractéristiques; le rapport des acteurs sociaux et l existence de politiques dirigées direct ou indirectement vers ce secteur de l économie et ses territoires. Pour celà, on donne emphase au scénario économique moulé par le système de production et reproduction dans la mondialisation, ce qui, parmis d autres actions aq l inetrférence sur le marché du travail, lequel subit constamment des transformations importantes cherchant à suivre les changements en niveau global, en devenant, pour ainsi dire, un marché chaque fois plus exigeant et, conséquemment, sélectif. Moyennant la réalité économique et politique vécue, il augmente le nombre de chômeurs dans le pays suscitant, à tort et à travers, la croissance du secteur non-formel de l économie avec ses inombrables travailleurs qui occupent les plus différents segments parmi lesquels les travaux autonomes, ici représentés par les camelots, les propriétaires de baraques, les propriétaires de kiosques ; etc. Pour atteindre ce but, on a cherché les reférenciels théorico-scientifiques ayant pour base la connaissance empirique à travers les inombrables cas d études matérialisés au moyen de donnés primaires et sécondaires. Finalement, on est sûr de ce que les travailleurs du secteur non-formel complèmentent la chaîne repoductive, ils créent et recréent des territoires avec des contenus variés qui sont indispensables pour la croissance et le développement social

As praças e a parceria público-privada em Natal/RN

Defined as public space or space open of common use, the square is a fundamental space for the urban life. Its function depends so much of the historical context, as of its location in the city, but general way, it is associated to leisure activities. In spite of its importance, many Brazilian squares are abandoned and degraded, some are used improperly, other they never left the paper and they are wastelands, most of the time, transformed in garbage deposits. The lack of appropriate equipments in the squares or to the precariousness of the same ones, such as banks, illumination and places for the different age groups; the lack of the "nature", in other words, of green; and the maintenance lack is some of the problems observed at the squares of Natal/RN. The maintenance is essential factor for the own existence of the square, so much in relation to the physical quality of the space, as in relation to the presence, or no, of users. In that work, we studied the squares of Natal/RN and the partnership public-private as form of shared administration of the public space. Our objective is to understand as it feels that partnership in the production and maintenance of squares in Natal/RN and which the benefits for the involved parts. For so much, we rescued the production of squares historically in the city of Natal/RN; We analyzed the legislation that regularizes the adoption of squares in some Brazilian municipal districts and the Bill of Adoption of Public Squares and of Sports and Green Areas in Natal/RN; and, last we analyzed three natalenses squares that had private investment in the construction, it reforms and/or maintenance. The "partnerships" involved exchange for land, environmental and social compensations, always assisting to the private interests, and nothing was registered or documented in the competent public organs. With that dissertation we wanted to contribute for the valorization of the squares and the relevance of the construction, renewal and maintenance of those public spaces in the city of Natal/RN, as life spaces, of encounters, of leisure

A Produção do espaço das pequenas cidades do Seridó Potiguar

The present research wants to comprehend the small towns process of production situated in the Seridó Potiguar, under a historical perspective. Many were the ways passedthrough and the social agents involved in the organization of this space that is build in the treefold: cattle-breeding/cotton plantation/mining, giving origin to the firstcenters. Through the analysis of demographic, economical and social aspects we elaborate a small towns urban profile, considering the 80 s period until today. Those aspects reveal a town s systems with several characteristics and impossible to be insert in some table of reference. These elements are showed in the concentration of urban equipment in the distribution of economical opportunities and in the social connection that are made in the routine of each place. However, the analysis of production s process and special organization proportinated us an explanation of small towns reality, confirming its importance in the urban system, catching sight that, although the restrict urban functions presented, it confirms its towns character by organizing andadministratingthe life specific community

Prevalence of refractive errors in students in Northeastern Brazil

To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in the public and private school system in the city of Natal, Northeastern Brazil. Methods: Refractometry was performed on both eyes of 1,024 randomly selected students, enrolled in the 2001 school year and the data were evaluated by the SPSS Data Editor 10.0. Ametropia was divided into: 1- from 0.1 to 0.99 diopter (D); 2- 1.0 to 2.99D; 3- 3.00 to 5.99D and 4- 6D or greater. Astigmatism was regrouped in: I- with-the-rule (axis from 0 to 30 and 150 to 180 degrees), II- against-the-rule (axis between 60 and 120 degrees) and III- oblique (axis between > 30 and < 60 and >120 and <150 degrees). The age groups were categorized as follows, in: 1- 5 to 10 years, 2- 11 to 15 years, 3- 16 to 20 years, 4- over 21 years. Results: Among refractive errors, hyperopia was the most common with 71%, followed by astigmatism (34%) and myopia (13.3%). Of the students with myopia and hyperopia, 48.5% and 34.1% had astigmatism, respectively. With respect to diopters, 58.1% of myopic students were in group 1, and 39% distributed between groups 2 and 3. Hyperopia were mostly found in group 1 (61.7%) as well as astigmatism (70.6%). The association of the astigmatism axes of both eyes showed 92.5% with axis with-the-rule in both eyes, while the percentage for those with axis againstthe- rule was 82.1% and even lower for the oblique axis (50%). Conclusion: The results found differed from those of most international studies, mainly from the Orient, which pointed to myopia as the most common refractive error, and corroborates the national ones, with the majority being hyperopia

Caracterização e comparação de genes expressos em ápices meristemáticos de cana-de-açúcar cultivados em SP e RN

In this work, we used sugarcane as a model due to its importance for sugar and ethanol production. Unlike the current plant models, sugarcane presents a complex genetics and an enormous allelic variation. Here, we report the analysis of SAGE libraries produced using the shoot apical meristem from contrasted genotypes by flowering induction (non-flowering vs. early-flowering varieties) grown under São Paulo state conditions. The expression pattern was analyzed using samples from São Paulo (SP) and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) states. These results showed that cDNAs identified by SAGE libraries had differential expression only in São Paulo state samples. Furthermore, the cDNA identified CYP (Citocrome P450) was chosen for in silico and genome characterization because it was found in SAGE libraries and subtractive libraries from samples from RN. Phylogenetic trees showed the relationship for these sequences. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR for CYP showed a potential role as flowering indutor for RN samples considering different isophorms. Considering the results present here, it can be consider that CYP gene may be used as molecular marker