Long-term use of custom-made orthopedic shoes: A 1.5-year follow-up study

This study investigated long-term use of custom-made orthopedic shoes (OS) at 1.5 years follow-up. In addition, the association between short-term outcomes and long-term use was studied. Patients from a previously published study who did use their first-ever pair of OS 3 months after delivery received another questionnaire after 1.5 years. Patients with different pathologies were included in the study (n = 269, response = 86%). Mean age was 63 ± 14 years, and 38% were male. After 1.5 years, 87% of the patients still used their OS (78% frequently [4-7 days/week] and 90% occasionally [1-3 days/week]) and 13% of the patients had ceased using their OS. Patients who were using their OS frequently after 1.5 years had significantly higher scores for 8 of 10 short-term usability outcomes (p-values ranged from <0.001 to 0.046). The largest differences between users and nonusers were found for scores on the short-term outcomes of OS fit and communication with the medical specialist and shoe technician (effect size range = 0.16 to 0.46). We conclude that patients with worse short-term usability outcomes for their OS are more likely to use their OS only occasionally or not at all at long-term follow-up.

Bombs away: Visual thinking and students’ engagement in design studios contexts

In design studio, sketching or visual thinking is part of processes that assist students to achieve final design solutions. At QUT’s First and Third Year industrial design studio classes we engage in a variety of teaching pedagogies from which we identify ‘Concept Bombs’ as instrumental in the development of students’ visual thinking and reflective design process, and also as a vehicle to foster positive student engagement. In First year studios our Concept Bombs’ consist of 20 minute individual design tasks focusing on rapid development of initial concept designs and free-hand sketching. In Third Year studios we adopt a variety of formats and different timing, combining individual and team based tasks. Our experience and surveys tell us that students value intensive studio activities especially when combined with timely assessment and feedback. While conventional longer-duration design projects are essential for allowing students to engage with the full depth and complexity of the design process, short and intensive design activities introduce variety to the learning experience and enhance student engagement. This paper presents a comparative analysis of First and Third Year students’ Concept Bomb sketches to describe the types of design knowledge embedded in them, a discussion of limitations and opportunities of this pedagogical technique, as well as considerations for future development of studio based tasks of this kind as design pedagogies in the midst of current university education trends.

Itämafia : Uhkakuvapolitiikka, rikosilmiöt ja kulttuuriset merkitykset

The Eastern Mafia Threat policy, crime phenomena, and cultural meanings An interdisciplinary research on the crime phenomena and the threat policy relating to the organized crime and the mafia of Russia and Estonia is based on 151 expert interviews, statistics, documents, research literature, and press material. The main part of the material consists of interviews of the Finnish, Estonian and Russian police authorities specialized in the problem of organized crime, and the reports on the crime situation drawn up in the Finnish diplomatic representations in Tallinn and St Petersburg. The interviews have been gathered in the years 1996-2001. The main theoretical tools of the research are constructivist research on social problems, and political psychology. Definitional processes of social problems and cultural semantic structures behind them are identified in the analysis and connected to the analysis of the crime cases. Both in the Anglo-American and Russian cultural frames there appears an inflated and exaggerated talk, according to which the mafia rules everything in Russia and is spreading everywhere. There is the traditional anti-Semitic paranoia in the core of this cultural symbiosis produced by Russian legal nihilism, the theory of totalitarianism of Sovietology, and the inertia of Russian anti-capitalism. To equate the Sicilian Mafia with Russia is an anachronism, since no empirical proof of systematic uncontrolled violence or absolute power vacuum in Russia can be found. In the Anglo-American policy of threat images, "the Russian mafia" was seen as a commodified conspiracy theory, which the police, the media, and the research took advantage of, blurring the line between fact and fiction. In Finland, the evolution of the policy of threat images proceeded in three phases: Initially, extensive rolling of refugees and criminals from Russia to Finland was emphasized in the beginning of the 1990's. In the second phase, the eastern mafia was said to infiltrate all over Finnish society and administration. Finland was, however, found immune to this kind of spreading. In the third phase, in the 21st century, the organized crime of Finland was said to be lead from abroad. In Finland, the policy of threat images was especially canalised to moral panics connected to "eastern prostitution". In Estonia, the policy of threat images emphasized the crime organized by the Russian authorities and politicians in order to weaken Estonia. In Russia, the policy of threat images emphasized the total criminalizing of society caused by criminal capitalism. In every country, the policy of threat images was affected by a so-called large-group identity, a term by Vamik Volkan, in which a so-called chosen trauma caused a political paranoia of an outer and inner danger. In Finland, procuring, car theft, and narcotics crimes were at their widest arranged by the Finnish often with the help of the Estonians. The Russians had no influence in the most serious violent crimes in Finland, although the number of assassinations were at least 5, 000 in Russia in the 1990's. In Russia, the assassinations were on one hand connected to marital problems, on the other hand to the pursuit of public attention and a hoped-for effect by the aid of the murder of an influential person. In the white-collar crime phenomena between Finland and Russia, the Finnish state and Finnish corporations gained remarkable benefit of the frauds aimed at the states of the Soviet Union and Russia in 1980's-21st century. The situation of Estonia was very difficult compared to that of Russia in the 1990's, which was manifested in the stagnation of the Estonian police and judicial authorities, the crimes of the police and the voluntary paramilitary organization, bomb explosions, the rebellion called "the jaeger crisis" in the voluntary paramilitary organization, and the "blood autumn" of Eastern Virumaa, in other words terror. The situation of Estonia had a powerful effect on the crime situation of Finland and on the security of the Finnish diplomats. In the continuum of the Finnish policy of threat images, Russia and the Russians were, however, presented as a source of a marked danger.

The Role of Interface Modification on Thermal Degradation and Crystallization Behavior of Composites from Commingled Polypropylene Fiber and Banana Fiber

The thermal degradation behavior of banana fiber and polypropylene/banana fiber composites has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Banana fiber was found to be decomposing in two stages, first one around 320 degrees C and the second one around 450 degrees C. For chemically treated banana fiber, the decomposition process has been at a higher temperature, indicating thermal stability for the treated fiber. Activation energies for thermal degradation were estimated using Coats and Redfern method. Calorific value of the banana fiber was measured using a constant volume isothermal bomb calorimeter. rystallization studies exhibited an increase in the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of polypropylene upon the addition of banana fiber. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1113-1123, 2010. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Mechanism of glycine uptake by the silk glands of the silkworm Bombyx mori L.

The transport of glycine in vitro into the silk glands of the silkworm has been studied. Glycine accumulates inside the tissue to a concentration higher than that present outside, indicating an active transport mechanism. The kinetics of uptake show a biphasic curve and two apparent Km values for accumulation, 0.33 mM and 5.00 mM. The effect of inhibitors on the energy metabolism of glycine transport is inconclusive. Exchange studies indicate the existence of two pools inside the gland, one that is easily removed by exchange and osmotic shock, and the other which is not. The results obtained conform with the carrier model of Britten and McClure concerning the amino-acid pool in E. coli.

Heating values of mature trees.

The effective heating values of the above and below ground biomass components of mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies), downy birch (Betula pubescens), silver birch (Betula pendula), grey alder (Alnus incana), black alder (Alnus glutinosa) and trembling aspen (Populus tremula) were studied. Each sample tree was divided into wood, bark and foliage components. Bomb calorimetry was used to determine the calorimetric heating values. The species is a significant factor in the heating value of individual tree components. The heating value of the wood proper is highest in conifers. Broad-leaved species have a higher heating value of bark than conifers. The species factor diminishes when the weighted heating value of crown, whole stems or stump-root-system are considered. The crown material has a higher heating value per unit weight in comparison with fuelwood from small-sized stems or wholetrees. The additional advantages of coniferous crown material are that it is a non-industrial biomass resource and is readily available. The variability of both the chemical composition and the heating value is small in any given tree component of any species. However, lignin, carbohydrate and extractive content were found to vary from one part of the tree to another and to correlate with the heating value.

Investigations of Noise-Related Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a frequent consequence of noise trauma. Usually, however, the main focus regarding the consequences of noise trauma is placed on hearing loss, instead of tinnitus. The objectives of the present study were to assess various aspects of noise-related tinnitus in Finland, such as to determine the main causes of conscript acute acoustic traumas (AAT) in the military, assess tinnitus prevalence after noise trauma, characterize long-term AAT-related tinnitus prevalence and characteristics, assess occupational tinnitus, and evaluate the efficacy of hearing protection regulations in preventing hearing loss and tinnitus. The study comprised several independent noise-exposed groups: conscripts performing their military duty, former conscripts who suffered an AAT over a decade earlier, bomb explosion victims, and retired army personnel. Tinnitus questionnaires were used to assess tinnitus prevalence and characteristics. For occupational tinnitus, occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) reports to the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health were reviewed. Tinnitus is a common result of AAT, blast exposure and long-term noise exposure. Despite hearing protection regulations, up to hundreds of AATs occur annually among conscripts in the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF). The most common cause is an accidental shot, accounting for approximately half of the cases. Conscript AATs are mainly due to accidental shots, while the ear is unprotected. Only seldom is an AAT due to negligence. The most common causative weapon of conscript AATs is the assault rifle, accounting for 81% of conscript AATs. After AAT, the majority of tinnitus cases resolve during military service and become asymptomatic. However, in one-fifth of the cases, tinnitus persists, causing problems such as sleeping and concentration difficulties in many. In Finland, occupational tinnitus often remains unreported in conjunction with NIHL reports. In a survey of occupational NIHL cases, tinnitus was mentioned in only four per cent. However, a subsequent inquiry revealed that almost 90% in fact had tinnitus, indicating that most cases remained undetected and unreported. The best way to prevent noise-related tinnitus is prevention of noise trauma. In the military, hearing protection guidelines have been revised several times over the years. These regulations have been effective in reducing hearing loss of professional soldiers. There has also been a reduction in cases with tinnitus, but the decrease was not significant. However, with improved hearing protection regulations, a significant reduction in the risk of more serious, disturbing tinnitus was observed.

Gibbs energy of formation of orthorhombic CaZrO3

The Gibbs free energy of formation of the orthorhombic form of CaZrO3(o) from monoclinic ZrO2(m) and periclase CaO(p) has been determined as a function of temperature in the range 950-1225 K, using an electrochemical cell incorporating single-crystal CaF2 as the solid electrolyte. The results are corrected for the small solid solubility of CaO in ZrO2. For the reaction, ZrO2(m) + CaO(p) --> CaZrO3(o), DELTAG(phi) = -31590 -13.9T(+/- 180) J mol-1. The ''second-law'' enthalpy of formation of CaZrO3 obtained from the results of this study at a mean temperature of 1090 K is in excellent agreement with the high-temperature solution calorimetric measurements of Muromachi and Navrotsky at 1068 K (J. Solid State Chem., 72 (1988) 244), and the average value of the bomb and acid solution calorimetric studies of Lvova and Feodosev (Zh. Fiz. Khim., 38 (1964) 28), Korneev et al. (Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Neorg. Mater., 7 (1971) 886) and Brown and Bennington (Thermochim. Acta, 106 (1986) 183). The standard entropy of CaZrO3(o) at 298.15 K from the free energy data is 96.4 (+/- 3.5) J K-1 mol-1. The results of this study are discussed in comparison with high-temperture e.m.f. measurements reported in the literature on cubic zirconia solid solutions.

Damage of a high-energy solid propellant and its effects on combustion

In order to improve the safety of high-energy solid propellants, a study is carried out for the effects of damage on the combustion of the NEPE (Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether) propellant. The study includes: (1) to introduce damage into the propellants by means of a large-scale drop-weight apparatus; (2) to observe microstructural variations of the propellant with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and then to characterize the damage with density measurements; (3) to investigate thermal decomposition; (4) to carry out closed-bomb tests. The NEPE propellant can be considered as a viscoelastic material. The matrices of damaged samples axe severely degraded, but the particles are not. The results of the thermal decomposition and closed-bomb tests show that the microstructural damage in the propellant affects its decomposition and burn rate.

The Droplet Group Micro-Explosions, Viscosity and Atomization Characteristics of W/O Emulsions

The spray of emulsified fuel, composed of diesel fuel, water and methanol can make micro-explosion under high temperature conditions, and the viscosity and the atomization characteristics of emulsion have significant effects on the micro- explosion of emulsions. To clarify the combustion mechanism of water-in-oil emulsion sprays, combustion bomb experiments were carried out, and the droplet group micro- explosions in W/O fuel emulsion sprays in a high-pressure, high-temperature bomb were observed clearly by a multi-pulsed, off-axis, image-plane ruby laser holocamera and continuously by a high-speed CCD camera.The viscosity and atomization characteristics of emulsions were also studied experimentally. The experimental results show that the higher concentration of the aqueous phase (water-methanol) (<50%) increases the viscosity of the emulsions, especially for higher agent concentration, and higher aqueous phase concentration and higher viscosity results in lager Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD). The experiment results also show that the different kinds of emulsifying agents, with different Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance (HLB) values, have significant influence on the viscosity of the emulsions.

Gestão em saúde, uma perspectiva ergológica: com quantos gestos se faz uma gestão

Baseado na convicção de que trabalhar é gerir fruto das pesquisas com a perspectiva da Ergologia , procura-se nesta tese pensar gestão como um conceito ampliado, algo que todos os humanos operam ao trabalhar, e não somente como uma função exclusiva de administradores, no sentido restrito do termo (referido apenas aos chefes, diretores, etc.). Tendo como campo empírico o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e investigando-se as proposições de alguns dos principais autores sobre o tema da Gestão e Planejamento em Saúde, verificou-se que uma exaustiva busca vem sendo empreendida por diversos agentes do campo da Saúde e por pesquisadores para aproximarem-se, compreenderem e desenvolverem melhor as habilidades, os conhecimentos, as competências e os dispositivos que permitiriam uma gestão mais eficiente do SUS e, mais especificamente, no âmbito de uma Unidade de Saúde Pública no Brasil. Estiveram em análise as práticas de gestão desenvolvidas em um Centro Municipal de Saúde do estado do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil), no qual o autor da tese, além das atividades de pesquisa, exercia a função de diretor geral. A tese teve como objetivo principal analisar, do ponto de vista da atividade, a dimensão gestionária do trabalho na Unidade de Saúde citada, a fim de discutir a viabilidade naquele local e, possivelmente em outras Unidades de Saúde do exercício de uma ergogestão, isto é, uma gestão com base nos princípios propostos pela Ergologia quando o ponto de vista da atividade tem cidadania no meio de trabalho. O referencial teórico constituiu-se de algumas abordagens clínicas do trabalho (Ergonomia da Atividade, Psicopatologia do Trabalho, Psicodinâmica do Trabalho e Clínica da Atividade, esta última em menor proporção) com elementos das contribuições do educador brasileiro Paulo Freire, do psicanalista inglês Donald Winnicott e do biólogo chileno Humberto Maturana, todas colocadas em sinergia dialética sob a orientação da perspectiva ergológica. No curso da investigação foram utilizados métodos e técnicas pertinentes a este quadro e que objetivaram possibilitar a aproximação e o diálogo com os protagonistas da atividade na Unidade de Saúde em análise. Destacam-se as influências da pesquisa-intervenção e da pesquisa etnográfica, sendo o principal dispositivo técnico utilizado aquele denominado Encontros sobre o Trabalho. A pesquisa empreendida, conjuntamente com a experiência concreta de gerenciamento (como diretor geral), permitiu concluir que o esforço de implantação da modalidade que se denomina ergogestão, privilegiando o ponto de vista da atividade, pôde colaborar para promover transformações positivas no cotidiano da Unidade posta em análise. Contudo, sua aceitação por um maior número de atores e seu desenvolvimento dependem do atendimento de algumas necessidades, apontadas pelo coletivo de trabalho como entraves a superar. Os achados aqui presentes podem contribuir para a construção de um patrimônio de informações acerca da Unidade. A partir desse patrimônio outras experiências de gerenciamento podem vir a se desenvolver, obtendo-se assim, cada vez maior êxito na gestão do processo de trabalho e na melhoria das condições do atendimento oferecido aos usuários.

Hydrothermal experiments on the thermal stability of amino substances in sediments

Aspartic acid, threonine, serine and other thermally unstable amino acids have been found in fine-grained elastic sediments of advanced geologic age. The presence of these compounds in ancient sediments conflicts with experimental data determined for their simple thermal decomposition.

Recent and Late Miocene sediments and their humic acid extracts, known to contain essentially complete suites of amino acids, were heated with H₂O in a bomb at temperatures up to 500°C in order to compare the thermal decomposition characteristics of the sedimentary amino compounds.

Most of the amino acids found in protein hydrolyzates are obtained from the Miocene rock in amounts 10 to 100 times less than from the Recent sediment. The two unheated humic acids are rather similar despite their great age difference. The Miocene rock appears uncontaminated by Recent carbon.

Yields of amino acids generally decline in the heated Recent sediment. Some amino compounds apparently increase with heating time in the Miocene rock.

Relative thermal stabilities of the amino acids in sediments are generally similar to those determined using pure aqueous solutions. The relative thermal stabilities of glutamic acid, glycine, and phenylalanine vary in the Recent sediment but are uniform in the Miocene rock.

Amino acids may occur in both proteins and humic complexes in the Recent sediment, while they are probably only present in stabilized organic substances in the Miocene rock. Thermal decomposition of protein amino acids may be affected by surface catalysis in the Recent sediment. The apparent activation energy for the decomposition of alanine in this sediment is 8400 calories per mole. Yields of amino compounds from the heated sediments are not affected by thermal decomposition only.

Amino acids in sediments may only be useful for geothermometry in a very general way.

A better picture of the amino acid content of older sedimentary rocks may be obtained if these sediments are heated in a bomb with H₂O at temperatures around 150°C prior to HCl hydrolysis.

Leucine-isoleucine ratios may prove to be useful as indicators of amino acid sources or for evaluating the fractionation of these substances during diagenesis. Leucine-isoleucine ratios of the Recent and Miocene sediments and humic acids are identical. The humic acids may have a continental source.

The carbon-nitrogen and carbon-hydrogen ratios of sediments and humic acids increase with heating time and temperature. Ratios comparable to those in some kerogens are found in the severely heated Miocene sediment and humic acid.

Preparo e administração de medicamentos intravenosos pela enfermagem: garantindo a segurança junto aos pacientes críticos

O objeto de estudo é o preparo e a administração de medicamentos pela enfermagem por via intravenosa. O objetivo geral foi discutir as consequências, para os pacientes, dos erros encontrados a partir do preparo e da administração de medicações de uso intravenoso pela enfermagem, no ambiente hospitalar. Os objetivos específicos foram determinar os grupos medicamentosos e os medicamentos envolvidos em erros; e identificar o tipo e frequência desses erros que ocorrem no preparo e administração de medicamentos intravenosos pela enfermagem. Trata-se de uma pesquisa com desenho transversal de natureza observacional, sem modelo de intervenção. Foi desenvolvida em um hospital público, da rede sentinela, do Rio de Janeiro onde foram observados técnicos de enfermagem preparando e administrando medicamentos intravenosos, em três setores: Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, Clínica Médica e Clínica Cirúrgica. Foram observadas 367 doses preparadas e 365 doses administradas, totalizado 732 doses, à luz de 14 categorias. Para cada dose observada havia somente duas possibilidades: certo ou errado. Com relação ao perfil das medicações, os grupos prevalentes foram os antimicrobianos com 176 doses (24,04%), seguidos dos antissecretores com 149 doses (20,36%) e analgésicos com 126 doses (17,21%). Anestésicos e anticonvulsivantes foram os menos observados. Todas as categorias foram divididas em dois grupos: os com potencial de dano para o paciente e os com potencial para alterar a resposta terapêutica do medicamento. Na etapa do preparo, no grupo com potencial de dano, as categorias foram: não troca as agulhas com 88,77% de erro; não desinfecção de ampolas (80,27%) e não faz limpeza de bancada (77,26%). Nas categorias não usa máscara e não identifica o medicamento, não foram encontrado erros. Para o grupo com potencial para alterar a resposta terapêutica, as categorias foram: hora errada (57,26%) e dose errada (6,58%). Na etapa da administração, no grupo com potencial de dano ao paciente, as categorias foram: não confere o medicamento com 96,73% de erro, não avalia flebite (87,47%), não avalia a permeabilidade (86,38%) e não confere o paciente (70,57%). Para o grupo com potencial para alterar a resposta terapêutica, a categoria hora errada apresentou 69,75% de erro; em dose errada e via errada não foi evidenciado erro. Percebeu-se que, nas duas etapas, o grupo prevalente foi o com potencial de dano paciente. Porém, no grupo com potencial para alterar o resultado terapêutico do medicamento, a categoria a hora errada foi a que, provavelmente, apresentou maiores prejuízos para o paciente. Considerando-se que o preparo e administração de medicamentos são umas das maiores responsabilidades da enfermagem e que os erros podem causar danos aos pacientes, sugere-se repensar o processo de trabalho da enfermagem e investir mais em questões que envolvam a segurança com a terapia medicamentosa.

Gerenciamento de resíduos químicos de laboratórios: estudo de caso do Instituto de Química da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Instituições de Ensino e Pesquisa possuem um papel fundamental na formação de seus profissionais considerando a ciência, tecnologia e o conhecimento que afetam toda a sociedade. A falta de um programa de gestão de resíduos, na maioria das instituições de ensino e pesquisa do país, tem levado, com certa frequência, a um descarte pouco responsável dos materiais residuais no ambiente, através das pias dos laboratórios ou do lixo comum, ou em muitos casos, resultando na geração de passivos ambientais acumulados precariamente por longo tempo à espera de um eventual tratamento. Entretanto, essas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), através de suas atividades de pesquisa, ensino e extensão, acabam gerando resíduos químicos perigosos, como os de laboratórios químicos. Nas Universidades, o volume de resíduos gerados é muito pequeno, porém a diversidade de resíduos é muito grande, o que dificulta o tratamento dos mesmos. Os resíduos químicos perigosos gerados no Instituto de Química situado no Pavilhão Reitor Haroldo Lisboa da Cunha da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, necessitam de procedimentos seguros de manejo para a sua passivação e/ou disposição final, já que eles requerem um descarte distinto daquele dado ao lixo doméstico, conforme estabelecidos na legislação. Este trabalho objetiva estudar os aspectos de gestão, saúde e segurança do trabalho relacionado ao manejo de resíduos gerados em laboratórios químicos, potencialmente perigosos, enfocando ações preventivas de minimização dos resíduos e o seu tratamento, particularmente nas fontes geradoras, estudando o caso dos laboratórios de Química Geral e Inorgânica comparando-os com o laboratório de Engenharia e Tecnologia de Petróleo e Petroquímica. O trabalho classificou-se como pesquisa exploratória e empírica através do estudo de caso. A metodologia utilizada constituiu-se da aplicação de um questionário, dirigido aos técnicos dos laboratórios, e observações, para avaliação do manejo de resíduos químicos perigosos de forma a propor uma possível adequação dos laboratórios às legislações vigentes, como as resoluções NBR RDC 306/04, CONAMA 358/05, das Fichas de Informação de Segurança, das Normas Regulamentadoras e a OHSAS 18001/07. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que os dois laboratórios estudados de Química Geral e Inorgânica não atendem, ainda, o que preconiza a legislação RDC 306/04 da ANVISA. Observa-se que os resíduos químicos perigosos são manejados inadequadamente, expondo a graves riscos físicos, químicos e de acidentes para os usuários dos laboratórios, além da poluição ambiental gerado pelo lançamento dos efluentes nas redes de esgoto, sem tratamento. O estudo corrobora para a necessidade da implementação do Programa de Gerenciamento de Resíduos Químicos Perigosos, da criação de uma Coordenação de Gestão Ambiental presidida por um especialista da área, da construção de saídas de emergência, com escadas de escape externo para os laboratórios estudados e, sobretudo, de capacitação permanente dos funcionários e alunos.

A transitividade verbal: uma revisão semântico-pragmática

Esta tese aborda o tema Transitividade Verbal em construções predicativas encontradas em corpus construído com textos jornalísticos impressos do Brasil. Os verbos são estudados segundo ocorrências retiradas de jornais de grande circulação em três capitais. Toma-se a semântica, a pragmática e a sintaxe como determinantes potenciais da transitividade verbal e aborda-se o tema segundo perspectiva histórica, ou seja, procura-se desenhar o percurso do tema nos estudos de língua portuguesa desde a sua primeira gramática, chegando-se, então, a reflexões mais atuais e também ao tratamento dispensado aos verbos e sua construção predicativa em dicionários e em gramáticas pedagógicas. O confronto com estudos acerca da língua espanhola também é motivo de atenção, devido à proximidade que o tema apresenta nas duas línguas. A partir desses estudos, buscou-se elaborar quadro sistemático e mais coerente dos verbos segundo a transitividade e construção predicativa, procurando aliar-se a base teórica consistente, apresentada pela tradição dos estudos gramaticais, às reflexões técnico-científicas acordadas com a realidade lingüística levantada a partir do corpus