Simultaneous Recording of Shadowgrams and Schlieren Images for the Study of Plasma Assisted Aerodynamics

This work describes an optical device for the simultaneous recording of shadowgrams and schlieren images, and some results are presented concerning its application to the study of plasma assisted flow control in airfoil models. This approach offers many advantages in comparison to other methods, specially because the use of tracer particles (like smoke in wind tunnels) is not required for the experiments, thus avoiding contaminations in the electric discharges or air flows. Besides, while schlieren images reveal the refractive index gradients in the area of study, shadowgrams detect the second order spatial derivatives of the refractive indexes. Therefore, the simultaneous recording of these different images may give interesting information about the phenomena under study.

Power law distribution in education: Effect of economical, teaching, and study conditions in university entrance examination

We studied the statistical distribution of student's performance, which is measured through their marks, in university entrance examination (Vestibular) of UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista) with respect to (i) period of study - day versus night period (ii) teaching conditions - private versus public school (iii) economical conditions - high versus low family income. We observed long ubiquitous power law tails in physical and biological sciences in all cases. The mean value increases with better study conditions followed by better teaching and economical conditions. In humanities, the distribution is close to normal distribution with very small tail. This indicates that these power law tails in science subjects axe due to the nature of the subjects themselves. Further and better study, teaching and economical conditions axe more important for physical and biological sciences in comparison to humanities at this level of study. We explain these statistical distributions through Gradually Truncated Power law distributions. We discuss the possible reason for this peculiar behavior.

The use of surface electromyography for the study of auricular acupuncture

The advancement of knowledge in neurophysiology has demonstrated that acupuncture is a method of peripheral neural stimulation that promotes local and systemic reflexive responses. The purpose of this study was to determine if surface electromyography can be used as a tool to study the action of auricular acupuncture on striated skeletal muscle. The electromyographic amplitudes of the anterior, middle and posterior deltoid muscle and the upper trapezium muscle with 20%, 40% and 60% of maximal voluntary contraction of 15 healthy volunteers, were analyzed after the individuals were submitted to the auricular acupuncture treatment. The non-parametric Friedman test was used to compare Root Mean Square values estimated by using a 200 ms moving window. Significant results were further analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. In this exploratory study, the level of significance of each comparison was set to p < 0.05. It was concluded in this study that a surface electromyography can be used as a tool to investigate possible alterations of electrical activity in muscles after auricular acupuncture. However there is still a lack of adequate methodology for its use in this type of study, being that the method used to record the electromyographic signal can also influence the results. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of transverse changes in the dental arches according to growth pattern: a longitudinal study

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Moral judgment competence of medical students: a transcultural study

The authors conducted a cross-sectional short-term study using Lind's Moral Judgment Test (MJT) to compare moral judgment competence (C-score) among students from a medical school in the Northeast region of Brazil and a medical school in the Northern region of Portugal. This study compares the C-scores of groups in the first and eighth semesters of study within each medical school and groups from corresponding semesters between the two medical schools. This study also evaluates the influence of such factors as age and gender on moral competence. A regression of moral judgment competence among the students in their eighth semester versus the students in the first semester of Brazilian medical school (p < 0.001) and a stagnation of moral competence among students in their eighth semester versus the first semester students in the Portuguese medical school (p = 0.06) were observed. For both the first semester and eighth semester groups, the students in the Portuguese medical school had higher C-scores than the students in the Brazilian medical school. In the analysis of the students' performances in terms of MJT dilemmas, the phenomenon of moral segmentation was observed in all of the groups, and the students performed better on the worker's dilemma than on the doctor's dilemma. Among students in the same semester of study, older students had lower C-scores. There was generally no significant difference between men's and women's C-scores. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Uma trajetória da disciplina de análise e um estado do conhecimento sobre seu ensino

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Currículos de formação de professores de educação física no estado do Pará: conteúdos curriculares, concepções pedagógicas e modelos de profissionalidade

O estudo se insere no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da Universidade Federal do Pará, na linha de “Currículo e Formação de Professores”, como parte das produções do grupo de pesquisa “Includere”. Tem como objeto de estudo as propostas curriculares adotadas pelos cursos de formação de professores de Educação Física do Estado do Pará, de 2000 a 2010. Possui o seguinte problema: que concepções de Educação Física e modelos de profissionalidade docentes orientam os currículos prescritos adotados pelos cursos de licenciatura em Educação Física do Estado do Pará? Fundamenta-se metodologicamente no materialismo histórico e dialético, na pesquisa do tipo qualitativa e documental. Realiza análise de conteúdo (TRIVIÑOS, 1987; FRANCO, 2008) dos Projetos Políticos Pedagógicos (PPP) de seis cursos de licenciatura em Educação Física do Estado do Pará. Discute questões teóricas e conceituais sobre currículo, seleção curricular, concepções pedagógicas da Educação Física, profissão, profissionalidade e proletarização docente ao longo das seções. Constata que as Diretrizes Curriculares acionais dos Cursos de Graduação em Educação Física (DCNEF) adotam a concepção pedagógica da Aptidão Física e o modelo de profissionalidade técnico-racionalizante. Nos seis currículos de Educação Física investigados, observa que as concepções pedagógicas predominante são a Saúde renovada e a Fenomenológica, com a presença da Desenvolvimentista, Competitivista e Crítico-Superadora, porém, estas se apresentam hibridizadas nos currículos. Identifica que o modelo de profissionalidade docente adotado nos cursos investigados é técnicoracionalizante, apesar do uso de terminologias progressistas e de contradições entre os textos dos PPP e a estrutura curricular. Conclui que os currículos investigados reproduzem as determinações gerais do capital no projeto de formação, porém que é possível resistir às normatizações oficiais, como demonstra o currículo do Curso de Educação Física da Universidade do Estado do Pará, ainda que este se apresente com limitações em relação ao projeto formativo almejado.

Currículo e formação docente no curso de ciências sociais/UFPA: configurações, continuidades e rupturas (1963-2011)

A tese investiga os desenhos curriculares do curso de Ciências Sociais da Universidade Federal do Pará. campus de Belém no período de 1963-2011. com o objetivo principal de refletir sobre o lugar da formação docente no referido curso. tendo em vista a relação que se estabelece entre o bacharelado e a licenciatura. De forma mais especifica, o estudo intenciona investigar e analisar as principais orientações que foram estabelecidas pelas propostas curriculares para 3 formação docente, assim como identificar como foram estruturados os desenhos curriculares para o referido curso e a forma como são contempladas as disciplinas voltadas para a licenciatura. A pesquisa foi feita a partir de levantamento bibliográfico sobre a temática em bibliotecas físicas e banco de dados virtuais, pesquisa documental realizada sobre os desenhos curriculares. Resoluções, ementas entre outros. Utilizou-se também de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com docentes do curso com o objetivo de aprofundar e esclarecer questões não contidas nos documentos. O estudo utilizou como referencial teórico principal as contribuições da teoria critica do currículo, principalmente das obras de Michael Young, Basil Bernstein, António Flávio Moreira entres outros. Os resultados da pesquisa revelaram que as configurações locais dos desenhos curriculares do curso de Ciências Sociais deve-se em grande parte à fatores estruturais do sistema educacional brasileiro e que a consolidação da pós-graduação, em meados da década de 1960 e inicio de 1970, contribuiu para a aumentar a hierarquização entre as atividades de ensino e pesquisa, entre a graduação e a pós-graduação, entre o campo acadêmico e o escolar nos cursos de Ciências Sociais. As reformulações curriculares ocorridas no curso de Ciências Sociais mantiveram os padrões curriculares para a maioria dos cursos de Ciências Sociais no país desde sua criação. Os desenhos curriculares do curso de Ciências Sociais analisados se orientam por unia concepção de formação docente pautada no modelo de racionalidade técnica que favorece a separação entre a formação conteudista e a formação pedagógica, entre teoria e prática. Apesar das inúmeras reformulações curriculares ocorridas no curso de Ciências Sociais estas alterações mantiveram uma estrutura de organização disciplinar sob a tipologia do currículo coleção. em que as disciplinas singulares são orientadas para seu próprio desenvolvimento e protegidas por limites e hierarquias fortes. O currículo coleção caracterizado pelo enquadramento e classificação forte promove o isolamento entre as áreas do conhecimento o que contribuiu para a demarcação de fronteiras rígidas entre o campo das Ciências Sociais e Educação, entre a formação voltada para pesquisador e a formação orientada para professor.

Different patterns between mechanical and electrical activities: an approach to investigate gastric motility in a model of long-term diabetic rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Double-Blind clinical study of a multivitamin and polymineral complex associated with Panax ginseng (Gerovital)

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a multivitamin and poly minerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Gerovital®) on patients suffering from common physical or mental stress. The study design was controlled, parallel and double blind. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical and laboratory examination. Group A received placebo capsules and group B received Gerovital® capsules. In both cases, two capsules were taken daily during meals for eight weeks. Mood as well as physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 126 patients enrolled, 12 patients (8 in group A and 4 in group B) were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 55 patients completed the study in group A and 59 in group B. The treatment with Gerovital® significantly increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 days of study no difference between groups was observed. However, at 30th, 45th and 60th day, group B showed a statistically significant increase in average score from 30.05 to 41.96, 47.01 and finally 50.81 points. No increase in body weight was detected in either group. No difference in blood pressure or heart rate was also observed between treatments. The present study has shown that the daily use of Gerovital® over a 2-month period can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stress among individuals of different ages, ranging from adults to elderly. Moreover, its use has been associated to a lower incidence of flu-like seasonal respiratory illnesses. Finally, the incidence of undesired effects was similar to placebo.

O ensino na atenção primária à saúde em escolas médicas do estado de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Discutindo a EaD no ensino superior: dando voz aos alunos

The work appeared before the process of articulation and curricular restructuring of Pedagogy courses conducted at the request of the Dean of undergraduate studies at UNESP. The documents surveyed pointed out that, although all courses obey the same laws, curriculum organization of each features singularities, where the course of pedagogy of Bauru (SP) is the only one which is distinguished by the presence of disciplines that work with the issue of technologies. Thus, we have as objectives: to analyze a proposal of curricular use of distance education; map of the curricula of pedagogy of UNESP with respect to technologies; Verify there is possibility of use of a virtual learning scenario in teachers ' initial formation. Thus, there was a didactic experience of use of distance education, which happened in 2010, 2011 and 2012, with students of the first and third year of the course. Were job steps: 1) literature review; 2) study of official documents of the courses of pedagogy of UNESP; 3) elaboration and execution of a didactic proposal of virtual learning environment; 4) description and categorization of data; 5) analysis and interpretation of results. We conclude that there is a need for reorganization of curriculum Pedagogy courses on the use of technologies and virtual learning environments are theoretical and practical articulation opportunities.

Depression, family support and hopelessness: a correlated study

This study aimed to verify the relationship between depression, hopelessness and family support. to this aim, were applied the Escala Baptista de Depressão-Adulto EBADEP- A, The Beck Hopelessness Scale –BHS, Inventário de Percepção de Suporte Familiar- IPSF and a sociodemographic questionnaire on a sample of 198 undergraduate of Pharmacy and Psychology courses of a particular university at São Paulo state (Brazil) with mean age of 23.44 years (SD = 6.8), and with a prevalence of women (80.7%). Results showed significant and positive correlations between EBADEP- A and BHS and significant and negative correlations between EBADEP- A/ BHS and IPSF, indicating that the higher perception of family support the fewer depressive symptoms and hopelessness, agreeing with literature.

Experimental model of intestinal endometriosis: pilot study

Aims: The objective of this study is to create an experimental model of intestinal endometriosis in pigs, which might allow better understanding of deep infiltrating endometriosis and development of new treatment techniques. As secondary objective, we intend to create endometrial implants accessible by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Study Design: Surgical experimental study in swine. Place and Duration of Study: This study was performed at the Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa do Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, Brazil, between January 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: Two sexually mature female minipigBR pigs underwent two laparotomies (each animal). The first laparotomy was performed to implant two fragments of autologous endometrium in the rectal wall. The second one was performed thirty days later to visualize, measure and obtain tissue of the site of the implants for histopathology study. A TRUS study was performed prior to the second surgery. The Institution’s Animal Utilization Study Committee approved the study. Results: In the first laparotomy a 5-cm segment of right uterine horn was resected. The endometrium was separated from the myometrium through sub-endometrial saline injection. Two endometrial fragments (1.0 x 2.0 cm) were dissected and sutured in the intra peritoneal anterior rectal wall of the animals. Thirty days later, all implants were identified during preoperative TRUS. “En-bloc” resection of the intestinal segment with the implants was performed during the second surgery. The autologous implants of endometrium invaded the muscular layer in one of the two animals. Conclusion: We demonstrated that the creation of an animal model of deep infiltrating endometriosis with intestinal involvement is feasible through a simple surgical technique. We believe that this model can be applied in experimental and clinical studies but further studies are necessary to refine the technique.

Scientometric Study of Doctoral Dissertations in Biochemistry in the University of Kerala, India

Biochemistry is the most fascinating subject as it deals with the chemical language of life. The ultimate goal of biochemistry is to describe the phenomena that distinguish living from non-living in the language of chemistry and physics. Researchers in biochemistry use specific techniques native to biochemistry, but increasingly combine these with techniques and ideas from genetics, molecular biology and biophysics. In India at present around 75,000 students are enrolled in research and nearly 11,000 are awarded PhDs every year, of which 50 percent are from science and technology disciplines. Theses and dissertations reflect the scholarly communication process. Scientometrics and citation characteristics of dissertations like the subject fields of dissertations, the number of citations and their distribution by type of source, years, and by number of authors etc., have been studied with a view to identify the basic features of the scholarly communication process in different fields of study. The purpose of the present study is to determine the bibliometric characteristics of the biochemistry research in the university of Kerala, India including subject distribution, bibliographic forms of cited documents, most cited journals, collaboration in authorship, etc. A total of 168 doctoral dissertations awarded between 1966 and 2007 at the Department of Biochemistry of University of Kerala were used as a source.