The open-ended photothermal cell with LiTaO3 and its use in determining the photochemical loss

Comparative determinations of the noise equivalent power (NEP) of open-ended photothermal cells are performed using LiTaO3 and LiNbO3 crystals with and without indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrodes. Open-ended cells can be used for in vivo measurements, which are important when considering the achievability for continuous monitoring of a plant, verifying, for example, the effect of water stress or UV-B radiation on a leaf. We also show the results obtained with one of these cells in the determination of photochemical loss of plant leaves. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Concepções de qualidade de ensino dos coordenadores de graduação: uma análise dos cursos de odontologia do Estado de São Paulo

As novas demandas sociais e as diretrizes curriculares brasileiras para os cursos de odontologia colocam desafios à prática docente nas instituições de educação superior. Nesse contexto, investigam-se as concepções de qualidade de ensino universitário de professores que atuam como coordenadores de graduação nas faculdades de odontologia do Estado de São Paulo que possuem pós-graduação stricto-sensu, para refletir sobre os desafios da formação docente na área. Como instrumentos de levantamento de dados utilizou-se questionário, contendo perguntas abertas e fechadas e entrevista semi-estruturada, organizada para possibilitar o aprofundamento da discussão. Os dados foram descritos e discutidos mediante análise quantitativa e qualitativa, a partir das três dimensões da prática docente analisadas por Cunha (1995): político-estrutural, curricular e pedagógica. Para este artigo, focalizaram-se apenas os aspectos da dimensão pedagógica, na qual os pontos que expressam posturas mais contraditórias referem-se a métodos de ensino-aprendizagem, participação do aluno e tutoria. Os resultados apontam para concepções de ensino-aprendizagem que oscilam entre modelos tradicionais e inovadores, sinalizando pontos de conflito em relação a paradigmas que se articulam diretamente a questões curriculares e político-estruturais.

Contributions of ethnobiology to the conservation of tropical rivers and streams

1. This study aimed to link basic ethnobiological research on local ecological knowledge (LEK) to the conservation of Brazilian streams, based on two case studies: original data on LEK of fishermen about freshwater fish in the Negro River, Amazon, and previously published data about LEK of farmers on the ecological relationship between forest and streams in the Macabuzinho catchment, Atlantic Forest.2. Information was obtained from fishermen through interviews using standard questionnaires containing open-ended questions. Informants for interview were selected either following some defined criteria or applying the 'snowball' method.3. Fishermen's LEK about the diets and habitats of 14 fish species in the Negro River provided new biological information on plant species that are eaten by fish, in addition to confirming some ecological patterns from the biological literature, such as dependence of fish on forests as food sources.4. In the Atlantic Forest, a comparison between farmers' LEK and a rapid stream assessment in the farmers' properties indicated that farmers tended to overestimate the ecological integrity of their streams. Farmers recognized at least 11 forest attributes that correspond to the scientific concept of ecosystem services. Such information may be useful to promote or enhance dialogue among farmers, scientists and managers.5. These results may contribute to the devising of ecosystem management measures in the Negro River, aimed to conserve both rivers and their associated floodplain forests, involving local fishermen. In the Atlantic Forest, we proposed some initiatives, such as to allow direct economic use of their forests to conciliate conflicting perceptions of farmers about ecological benefits versus economic losses from reforestation. Despite their cultural, environmental and geographical differences, the two study cases are complementary and cost-effective and promising approaches to including LEK in the design of ecological research. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hunting and use of terrestrial fauna used by Caicaras from the Atlantic Forest coast (Brazil)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Características dos Problemas que os Alunos Constroem a partir do Enunciado de uma Questão Aberta de Matemática

The present paper shows characteristics of problems that students in the 4(th), 8(th), and 12(th) grades built in response to the enunciation of an open-ended question, taken from their written work in the common question of AVA-2002 (Parana State Large-Scale Assessment-2002). These problems are characterized, in part, by a linear resolution structure constituted based on students' interpretation of individual bits of information contained in the enunciation, one by one, without establishing relations between them; and partly by a non-linear resolution structure constituted based on relations established among the bits of information in the enunciation. Analysis of students' written work is one alternative for teachers to know students' mathematical activity, as well as their particular ways of interpretating enunciations.

Temas regionais em atividades de geometria: uma proposta na formação continuada de professores de Manaus (AM)

Pós-graduação em Educação Matemática - IGCE

A terceira idade e a Internet: uma questão para o novo milênio

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação - FFC

Professores leigos em Rondônia: entre sonhos e oportunidades, a formação e profissionalização docente - um estudo de caso - o PROHACAP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Integração de tecnologias e webtecnologias no ensino de língua inglesa: concepções teóricas, crenças e interações na prática docente

Pós-graduação em Estudos Linguísticos - IBILCE

Formação de professores para o trabalho com o tema sexualidade no cotidiano escolar

The current study aims to examine the training potential of an extension project, to work with the issue of sexuality in the daily school environment, as well as the redefinition of values and prejudices on the part of students. Sexuality relates to the pursuit of pleasure, manifested from birth to death. It is believed that the school environment is permeated with sexuality and the school can not deny its role in informing and training young people to experience it sensibly and safe. The extension project in question is intended to constitute as training space for Biological Sciences undergraduates at a public university, to provide conditions for reflection and subjectification of issues related to sexuality, favoring the training of more qualified teachers to deal with the subject in school environment. We used a qualitative methodology, using as instruments to collect data: questionnaires consisting of open-ended questions answered by members and former members of the design and analysis of mentoring records of supervision. It appears that participation in the project is perceived as significant and indicated as responsible for changes in conceptions, prejudices, stereotypes and attitudes regarding the theme of sexuality. Participants feel better prepared to work with the theme in their teaching practice.

Biology Teachers'Conceptions of the Diversity of Life and the Historical Development of Evolutionary Concepts

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diagnóstico dos casos de aprovação nas disciplinas de cálculo diferencial e integral I e II do curso de licenciatura em química - Unesp de Araraquara

Studies show that the disciplines of differential and integral calculus have high failure rates in all schools where they are present and, although this problem has been accentuated in recent years, it is not a local phenomenon. It's observed since 1970s in various Institutions of higher education in Brazil. These studies seek to understand the causes of failures and proposals for teaching methodology that aims to help reduce these rates. However, there is a large contingent of students who are successful at the first time that they perform these disciplines. And these cases, although they have not been studied, can contribute greatly to the understanding the aspects that are related to learning of them. And this understanding can lead to attitudes and learning and teaching methodologies that promote the expansion of this success. The fact that these subjects also have high failure rates in the Degree in Chemistry of this Institute, this study aimed to investigate the factors that were relevant to the cases for approval of the students performed for the first time. For this we constructed a questionnaire containing objective questions and open answers. The objective sought to diagnose the profile of these students with regard to age, gender, basic education (elementary and middle school), study habits, concurrent activities, among others. These questions were analyzed using simple statistics. The open-ended questions asked students to indicate that they attribute the success obtained in the disciplines and to suggest modes of study. These questions were analyzed using thematic categorization, a method of content analysis. This questionnaire was completed, voluntarily and without identification, by students who have passed the first time attended the courses Calculus I and/ or Calculus II and had never started another college prior to this. The results indicate that the most relevant factors in this process were dedication and correct habits...

Ensino da história e cultura afro-brasileira por meio do atletismo: contribuições de um curso de extensão à distância para professores de educação física

Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento Humano e Tecnologias - IBRC

Detection of serum antibodies to parainfluenza type 3 virus, respiratory syncytial virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and herpes virus type 1 in sheep in the region of Botucatu, São Paulo - Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photosynthetic induction in Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings and cuttings measured by an open photoacoustic cell

Photosynthetic induction in leaves of four-month-old Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings and of cuttings obtained from adult trees that were previously dark-adapted was studied by the in vivo and in situ Open Photoacoustic Cell Technique, Results for the gas exchange component of the photoacoustic (PA) signal were interpreted considering that the gas uptake component would have a phase angle nearly opposite to that of the oxygen evolution component. By subtracting the thermal component from the total PA signal, we studied the competition between gas uptake and oxygen evolution during the photosynthetic induction. Seedlings presented a net oxygen evolution prior to cuttings, but cuttings reached a higher steady-state photosynthetic activity. The chlorophyll (Chl) a/b ratio and the Chl fluorescence induction characteristic F-v/F-m were significantly higher for cuttings, while there was no difference between samples in stomata density and leaf thickness. Thus the differences in PA signals of seedlings and cuttings are associated to differences between the photosystem 2 antenna systems of these samples.