In search of the autonomous and critical individual: a philosophical and pedagogical analysis of the physical education curriculum of São Paulo (Brazil)

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

Interspecific variation in the defensive responses of obligate plant-ants: experimental tests and consequences for herbivory

The aggressive behavior of ants that protect plants from herbivores in exchange for rewards such as shelter or food is thought to be an important form of biotic defense against herbivory, particularly in tropical systems. To date, however, no one has compared the defensive responses of different ant taxa associated with the same plant species, and attempted to relate these differences to longer-term efficacy of ant defense. We used experimental cues associated with herbivory-physical damage and extracts of chemical volatiles from leaf tissue-to compare the aggressive responses of two ant species obligately associated with the Amazonian myrmecophyte Tococa bullifera (Melastomataceae). We also conducted a colony removal experiment to quantify the level of resistance from herbivores provided to plants by each ant species. Our experiments demonstrate that some cues eliciting a strong response from one ant species elicited no response by the other. For cues that do elicit responses, the magnitude of these responses can vary interspecifically. These patterns were consistent with the level of resistance provided from herbivores to plants. The colony removal experiment showed that both ant species defend plants from herbivores: however, herbivory was higher on plants colonized by the less aggressive ant species. Our results add to the growing body of literature indicating defensive ant responses are stimulated by cues associated with herbivory. However, they also suggest the local and regional variation in the composition of potential partner taxa could influence the ecology and evolution of defensive mutualisms in ways that have previously remained unexplored.

Caries risk tests and salivary levels of immunoglobulins to Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in mouthbreathing syndrome patients

The aim of this study was to compare microbiological and salivary variables possibly related to caries risk in treated and untreated mouthbreathing syndrome (MBS) children and control children. Thirty control children, 30 mouthbreathers and 25 treated mouthbreathers were studied for the numbers of lactobacilli, mutans streptococci and yeasts in their saliva. Snyder's test, salivary flow and buffering capacity were also evaluated. Levels of immunoglobulins to Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans in the saliva were quantified using ELISA. Considering the results obtained for the microbiological and salivary caries risk tests, no significant differences were observed among the proportions of patients with small/negative and high/moderate caries risk in the studied groups. The level of IgG to S. mutans was significantly higher in the treated MBS group in relation to MBS patients. on the other hand, the median anti-S. mutans IgM level was lower in the treated MBS patients than in the other groups. For the studied anti-Candida immunoglobulins, IgM level was significantly lower in the treated MBS group than in the other groups. No differences were observed for anti-S. mutans and anti-Candida IgA levels among the groups. The findings suggest that mouthbreathing cannot be considered a risk factor for dental caries. Copyright (C) 2003 S. KargerAG, Basel.

Diagnosis of canine brucellosis: Comparison between serological and microbiological tests and a PCR based on primers to 16S-23S rDNA interspacer

A pair of primers directed to 16S-23S rDNA interspacer (ITS) was designed directed to Brucella genetic sequences in order to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) putatively capable of amplifying DNA from any Brucella species. Nucleic acid extracts from whole-blood from naive dogs were spiked with decreasing amounts of Brucella canis RM6/66 DNA and the resulting solutions were tested by PCR. In addition, the ability of PCR to amplify Brucella spp. genetic sequences from naturally infected dogs was evaluated using 210 whole-blood samples of dogs from 19 kennels. The whole-blood samples collected were subjected to blood culture and PCR. Serodiagnosis was performed using the rapid slide agglutination test with and without 2-mercaptoethanol. The DNA from whole blood was extracted using proteinase-K, sodium dodecyl sulphate and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide followed by phenol-chloroform purification. The PCR was capable of detecting as little as 3.8 fg of Brucella DNA mixed with 450 ng of host DNA. Theoretically, 3.8 fg of Brucella DNA represents the total genomic mass of fewer than two bacterial cells. The PCR diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 100%. From the results observed in the present study, we conclude that PCR could be used as confirmatory test for diagnosis of B. canis infection.

Repeated sprint ability tests and intensity-time curvature constant to predict short-distance running performances

Anaerobic efforts are commonly required through repeated sprint during efforts in many sports, making the anaerobic pathway a target of training. Nevertheless, to identify improvements on such energetic way it is necessary to assess anaerobic capacity or power, which is usually complex. For this purpose, authors have postulated the use of short running performances to anaerobic ability assessment. Thus, the aim of this study was to find a relationship between running performances on anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity or repeated sprint ability. Methods Thirteen military performed maximal running of 50 (P50), 100 (P100) and 300 (P300) m on track, beyond of running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST; RSA and anaerobic power test), maximal anaerobic running test (MART; RSA and anaerobic capacity test) and the W′ from critical power model (anaerobic capacity test). Results By RAST variables, peak and average power (absolute and relative) and maximum velocity were significantly correlated with P50 (r = −0.68, p = 0.03 and −0.76, p = 0.01; −0.83, p < 0.01 and −0.83, p < 0.01; and −0.78, p < 0.01), respectively. The maximum intensity of MART was negatively and significantly correlated with P100 (r = −0.59) and W′ was not statistically correlated with any of the performances. Conclusion MART and W′ were not correlated with short running performances, having a weak performance predicting probably due to its longer duration in relation to assessed performances. Observing RAST outcomes, we postulated that such a protocol can be used during daily training as short running performance predictor.

Mathematics teaching life histories in the study of teachers' perceptions of change

The aim of this paper is to discuss teachers' perceptions of change in their thought and/or practice over time and their perceptions of what kind of experiences or challenges might have influenced those changes. Two mathematics teaching life histories of Brazilian teachers are examined, considering a context of curriculum development in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Reflection on teachers' thought and practice and interest in their own development, including interest in their own learning of mathematics, seemed to be the most important internal aspects influencing change and development. Close support seemed to be the most important external aspect. The retrospective analysis put a good face on personal change and development. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Symbolic power, robotting, and surveilling

Symbolic power is discussed with reference to mathematics and formal languages. Two distinctions are crucial for establishing mechanical and formal perspectives: one between appearance and reality, and one between sense and reference. These distinctions include a nomination of what to consider primary and secondary. They establish the grammatical format of a mechanical and a formal world view. Such views become imposed on the domains addressed by means of mathematics and formal languages. Through such impositions symbolic power of mathematics becomes exercised. The idea that mathematics describes as it prioritises is discussed with reference to robotting and surveillance. In general, the symbolic power of mathematics and formal languages is summarised through the observations: that mathematics treats parts and properties as autonomous, that it dismembers what it addresses and destroys the organic unity around things, and that it simplifies things and reduces them to a single feature. But, whatever forms the symbolic power may take, it cannot be evaluated along a single good-bad axis.

Desenvolvendo cidadãos atuantes por meio do ensino da matemática: o caso do programa PAIE do governo de Minas Gerais

Pós-graduação em Educação Matemática - IGCE

Análise de adequações curriculares no ensino fundamental: subsídios para programas de pesquisa colaborativa na formação de professores

Pós-graduação em Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e Aprendizagem - FC

O vestibular da UNESP: sobre acesso à educação superior e o currículo de geografia na educação básica (2006-2012)

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE

Educação humanista: um estudo sobre o desempenho dos alunos de 5º e 9º anos do Ensino Fundamental em avaliações em larga escala de Matemática

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A relação entre a álgebra acadêmica e a álgebra escolar em um curso de licenciatura em matemática: concepções de alunos e professores

Pós-graduação em Educação - FCT

O processo de constituição histórica das diretrizes curriculares na formação de professores de Educação Física

Os processos históricos que permeiam as diretrizes curriculares possibilitaram enxergar quais são as idéias e as preocupações para com a formação de professores no âmbito da Educação Física. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo foi averiguar, nas políticas públicas de formação de professor dessa disciplina, como ocorreu o processo de qualificação e certificação, buscando entender as justificativas que orientaram a regulamentação dos normativos legais de 1939 a 2004. Portanto, trata-se de um estudo descritivo, de análise qualitativa, tendo como fonte primária as Diretrizes Curriculares veiculada pela imprensa oficial. As novas Diretrizes Curriculares (Resoluções CNE/CP 01/2002, 02/2002 e 7/2004) apontaram perspectivas na formação de um professor mais qualificado para o seu campo de atuação, priorizando a questão da dimensão política da profissão, das competências e do corpo de conhecimento da área. Embora haja progressos em relação aos normativos anteriores, chama-se atenção para a necessidade de que as propostas em construção façam a mediação entre a proposta atual, o percurso histórico do próprio curso e a relação teoria-prática, visando o equilíbrio na formação. A proposta das novas diretrizes não deixa de evidenciar avanços significativos no horizonte da profissionalidade docente e da identidade profissional docente. da mesma forma, para o leitor ou estudioso atento, não deixa de causar preocupação o excesso de competências técnicas colocadas, passando-se a impressão de que agora o que vale é o primado do saber fazer.

Textura do recurso pedagógico e implicações em atividade de encaixe realizada por indivíduos com paralisia cerebral

O estudo teve o propósito de verificar a influência da textura do recurso pedagógico no tempo despendido e no índice de retidão para execução de uma atividade de encaixe realizada por indivíduos com paralisia cerebral. Participaram do estudo 6 alunos com sequelas de paralisia cerebral do tipo espástica, com idade entre 7 anos e 8 meses e 28 anos e 1 mês. O participante deveria segurar o objeto e levá-lo a um ponto demarcado previamente para o encaixe e, após, retorná-lo à posição inicial. O objeto foi apresentado nas texturas lisa, intermediária e áspera, de forma aleatória. Para a coleta de dados, foi utilizada filmagem para posterior leitura pelo programa Kavideo, que possibilitou cálculos para observar o tempo despendido na tarefa e o índice de retidão. Foi realizado o estudo da normalidade das distribuições, verificada por meio do teste de normalidade de Kolmogorov-Smirnov (Teste KS) e a comparação entre as texturas lisa, intermediária e áspera, no movimento de encaixe, por meio da análise de variância de medidas repetidas. Adotou-se para todos os testes nível de significância de 5% de probabilidade para a rejeição da hipótese de normalidade. O resultado do teste de análise de variância de medidas repetidas mostrou que não houve significância para as variáveis estudadas com o recurso apresentado nas três texturas. Porém, os dados da estatística descritiva mostraram que o encaixe do recurso com a textura lisa despendeu um menor tempo para execução da tarefa e, também, determinou um melhor desempenho com relação à trajetória do movimento.