O ensino de geografia e a educação ambiental: um estudo de caso com resíduos sólidos urbanos em Bauru (SP)

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE

Static postural balance study in patients with vestibular disorders using a three dimensional eletromagnetic sensor system

The vestibular-ocular reflex assessment is important, but not enough. Tridimensional electromagnetic sensor systems represent a new method to assess posturography. Aim: To assess body sway in healthy subjects who had positive Dix Hallpike and Epley maneuvers and with other vestibular dysfunctions by means of a three-dimensional system. Study design: Prospective. Materials and Methods: We had 23 healthy women, 15 with peripheral vestibular dysfunction found upon caloric test and 10 with positive Epley and Dix Hallpike maneuvers. All tests performed in the following positions: open and closed eyes on stable and unstable surfaces. Results: With the Eyes Open and on a stable surface, p < 0.01 between the control group and the one with peripheral vestibular dysfunction in all variables, except the a-p maximum, full speed and mediolateral trajectory velocity, which had a p < 0.01 between the group with vestibular dysfunction and controls in all positions. The group with positive Epley and Dix Hallpike maneuvers had p < 0.01 at full speed and in its components in the x and y in positions with open and eyes closed on an unstable surface. Conclusion: The tridimensional electromagnetic sensors system was able to generate reliable information about body sway in the study volunteers.

Conformation analysis of a surface loop that controls active site access in the GH11 xylanase A from Bacillus subtilis

Xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8 endo-1,4-glycosyl hydrolase) catalyze the hydrolysis of xylan, an abundant hemicellulose of plant cell walls. Access to the catalytic site of GH11 xylanases is regulated by movement of a short beta-hairpin, the so-called thumb region, which can adopt open or closed conformations. A crystallographic study has shown that the D11F/R122D mutant of the GH11 xylanase A from Bacillus subtilis (BsXA) displays a stable "open" conformation, and here we report a molecular dynamics simulation study comparing this mutant with the native enzyme over a range of temperatures. The mutant open conformation was stable at 300 and 328 K, however it showed a transition to the closed state at 338 K. Analysis of dihedral angles identified thumb region residues Y113 and T123 as key hinge points which determine the open-closed transition at 338 K. Although the D11F/R122D mutations result in a reduction in local inter-intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the global energies of the open and closed conformations in the native enzyme are equivalent, suggesting that the two conformations are equally accessible. These results indicate that the thumb region shows a broader degree of energetically permissible conformations which regulate the access to the active site region. The R122D mutation contributes to the stability of the open conformation, but is not essential for thumb dynamics, i.e., the wild type enzyme can also adapt to the open conformation.

Influence of chest wall on lung mechanics during inspiration

RATIONALE: The interaction between lungs and chest wall influences lung volume, that determines lung history during respiration cycle. In this study, the influence of chest wall mechanics on respiratory system is assessed by the evaluation of inspiration pressure-volume curve (PV curve) under three different situations: closed-chest, open-chest and isolated lung. The PV curve parameters in each situation allow us to further understand the role played by different chest wall elements in the respiratory function. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (236 ± 29 g) were used. The animals were weighted and then anesthetized with xylazine 2% (O,SmL/kg) and ketamine 10% (0,9mL/kg), exsanguinated and later tracheostomies with a metallic cannula (14 gauge).The cannula was connected to an automatic small animal insufflator. This setup was connected to a pressure transducer (32 samples/s). The 24 animals were randomly separated in three groups:(i) closed chest,(ii) open chest and (iii) isolated lung. The rats were insufflated with 20mL quasi-statically (constant speed of 0,1mUs). lnsufflated volume and measured pressure data were kept and PV curves were obtained for all animals. The PV curves were fitted (non-linear least squares) against the sigmoid equation (1) to obtain the sigmoid equation parameters (a,b,c,d). Elastance measurements were obtained from linear regression of pressure/volume measurements in a 0,8s interval before and after the calculated point. Results: The parameters a,b and c showed no significant change, but the parameter d showed a significant variation among the three groups. The initial elastance also varied between open and closed chest, indicating the need of a higher pressure for the lung expansion, as can be seen in Table 1. Conclusion: A supporting effect of the chest wall was observed at the initial moments of inspiration, observed as a higher initial elastance in open chest situations than in closed chest situations (p=0,00001). The similar initial elastance for the isolated lung and closed chest may be explained by the specific method used for the isolated lung experiment. As the isolated lung is supported by the trachea vertically, the weight of the tissue may have a similar effect of the residual negative pressure in the thorax, responsible for maintaining the residual volume.

Influence of chest wall on lung mechanics during inspiration.

RATIONALE: The interaction between lungs and chest wall influences lung volume, that determines lung history during respiration cycle. In this study, the influence of chest wall mechanics on respiratory system is assessed by the evaluation of inspiration pressure-volume curve (PV curve) under three different situations: closed-chest, open-chest and isolated lung. The PV curve parameters in each situation allow us to further understand the role played by different chest wall elements in the respiratory function. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (236 ± 29 g) were used. The animals were weighted and then anesthetized with xylazine 2% (0,5mL/kg) and ketamine 10% (0,9mL/kg), exsanguinated and later tracheostomized with a metallic cannula (14 gauge). The cannula was connected to an automatic small animal insufflator. This setup was connected to a pressure transducer (32 samples/s). The 24 animals were randomly separated in three groups: (i) closed chest, (ii) open chest and (iii) isolated lung. The rats were insufflated with 20mL quasi-statically (constant speed of 0,1mL/s). Insufflated volume and measured pressure data were kept and PV curves were obtained for all animals. The PV curves were fitted (non-linear least squares) against the sigmoid equation (1) to obtain the sigmoid equation parameters (a,b,c,d). Elastance measurements were obtained from linear regression of pressure/volume measurements in a 0,8s interval before and after the calculated point. Results: The parameters a, b and c showed no significant change, but the parameter d showed a significant variation among the three groups. The initial elastance also varied between open and closed chest, indicating the need of a higher pressure for the lung expansion, as can be seen in Table 1. Table 1: Mean and Standard Deviation of parameters obtained for each protocol. Protocol: Closed Chest – a (mL) -0.35±0.33; b (mL) 13.93±0.89; c (cm H2O) 21.28±2.37; d (cm H2O) 6.17±0.84; r²** (%) 99.4±0.14; Initial Elastance* (cm H2)/mL) 12.72±6.66; Weight (g) 232.33±5.72. Open Chest - a (mL) 0.01±0.28; b (mL) 14.79±0.54; c (cm H2O) 19.47±1.41; d (cm H2O) 3.50±0.28; r²** (%) 98.8±0.34; Initial Elastance* (cm H2)/mL) 28.68±2.36; Weight (g) 217.33±7.97. Isolated Lung - a (mL) -0.09±0.46; b (mL) 14.22±0.75; c (cm H2O) 21.76±1.43; d (cm H2O) 4.24±0.50; r²** (%) 98.9±0.19; Initial Elastance* (cm H2)/mL) 7.13±8.85; Weight (g) 224.33±16.66. * Elastance measures in the 0-0,1 mL range. ** Goodness of sigmoid fit versus measured data Conclusion: A supporting effect of the chest wall was observed at the initial moments of inspiration, observed as a higher initial elastance in open chest situations than in closed chest situations (p=0,00001). The similar initial elastance for the isolated lung and closed chest may be explained by the specific method used for the isolated lung experiment. As the isolated lung is supported by the trachea vertically, the weight of the tissue may have a similar effect of the residual negative pressure in the thorax, responsible for maintaining the residual volume.

Redox regulation of the proteasome via S-glutathionylation

The proteasome is a multimeric and multicatalytic intracellular protease responsible for the degradation of proteins involved in cell cycle control, various signaling processes, antigen presentation, and control of protein synthesis. The central catalytic complex of the proteasome is called the 20S core particle. The majority of these are flanked on one or both sides by regulatory units. Most common among these units is the 19S regulatory unit. When coupled to the 19S unit, the complex is termed the asymmetric or symmetric 26S proteasome depending on whether one or both sides are coupled to the 19S unit, respectively. The 26S proteasome recognizes poly-ubiquitinylated substrates targeted for proteolysis. Targeted proteins interact with the 19S unit where they are deubiquitinylated, unfolded, and translocated to the 20S catalytic chamber for degradation. The 26S proteasome is responsible for the degradation of major proteins involved in the regulation of the cellular cycle, antigen presentation and control of protein synthesis. Alternatively, the proteasome is also active when dissociated from regulatory units. This free pool of 20S proteasome is described in yeast to mammalian cells. The free 20S proteasome degrades proteins by a process independent of poly-ubiquitinylation and ATP consumption. Oxidatively modified proteins and other substrates are degraded in this manner. The 20S proteasome comprises two central heptamers (β-rings) where the catalytic sites are located and two external heptamers (α-rings) that are responsible for proteasomal gating. Because the 20S proteasome lacks regulatory units, it is unclear what mechanisms regulate the gating of α-rings between open and closed forms. In the present review, we discuss 20S proteasomal gating modulation through a redox mechanism, namely, S-glutathionylation of cysteine residues located in the α-rings, and the consequence of this post-translational modification on 20S proteasomal function.

Flessibilità e controllo sindacale nel mercato del lavoro contemporaneo: il caso del contratto a tempo determinato

Il lavoro di ricerca che si presenta è suddiviso in tre capitoli nei quali, da altrettanti punti di osservazione, è analizzato il tema della instabilità del lavoro. Nel primo capitolo, il candidato evidenzia le cause che hanno determinato il vorticoso aumento di utilizzo dei contratti di lavoro flessibili e, a tal proposito, da un prospettiva extra-nazionale, analizza le direttive europee e, i principi comuni e le guidelines che, nel percorso di sviluppo della strategia europea per l’occupazione, hanno posto la flexicurity come modello di mercato europeo tipico; dalla medesima prospettiva, prendendo spunto dai cambiamenti del mercato globale, si pone attenzione all’analisi economica del diritto del lavoro e, in particolare, alle conseguenze che le trasformazioni economiche generano sulla capacità di questa materia di tenere elevato il grado di sicurezza occupazionale connesso alla stipula dei contratti di lavoro. Il secondo capitolo è dedicato al ruolo svolto in Italia dai sindacati sul tema della flessibilità. In tal senso, l’autore evidenzia come la funzione “istituzionale” cui sono chiamate anche le organizzazioni dei lavoratori abbia caratterizzato le scelte di politica sindacale in materia di lavori temporanei; è così preso in esame il concetto di flessibilità “contrattata”, come già emerso in dottrina, e si teorizza la differenza tra rinvii “aperti” e rinvii “chiusi”, quali differenti forme di delega di potere normativo alle parti sociali in materia di flessibilità. Nel terzo ed ultimo capitolo l’autore tenta di evidenziare i vantaggi e le funzioni che derivano dall’utilizzo del contratto a termine, quale principale forma di impiego flessibile del nostro mercato del lavoro. Premessi tali benefici viene formulato un giudizio critico rispetto al grado di liberalizzazione che, con le ultime riforme, è stato ammesso per questo istituto sempre più strumento di arbitrio del datore di lavoro nella scelta della durata e delle condizioni di svolgimento della prestazione di lavoro.

Regional differences in trait-like characteristics of the waking EEG in early adolescence

BACKGROUND The human waking EEG spectrum shows high heritability and stability and, despite maturational cortical changes, high test-retest reliability in children and teens. These phenomena have also been shown to be region specific. We examined the stability of the morphology of the wake EEG spectrum in children aged 11 to 13 years recorded over weekly intervals and assessed whether the waking EEG spectrum in children may also be trait-like. Three minutes of eyes open and three minutes of eyes closed waking EEG was recorded in 22 healthy children once a week for three consecutive weeks. Eyes open and closed EEG power density spectra were calculated for two central (C3LM and C4LM) and two occipital (O1LM and O2LM) derivations. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to determine whether the morphology of the waking EEG spectrum between 1 and 20 Hz is trait-like. We also examined the stability of the alpha peak using an ANOVA. RESULTS The morphology of the EEG spectrum recorded from central derivations was highly stable and unique to an individual (correctly classified in 85% of participants), while the EEG recorded from occipital derivations, while stable, was much less unique across individuals (correctly classified in 42% of participants). Furthermore, our analysis revealed an increase in alpha peak height concurrent with a decline in the frequency of the alpha peak across weeks for occipital derivations. No changes in either measure were observed in the central derivations. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that across weekly recordings, power spectra at central derivations exhibit more "trait-like" characteristics than occipital derivations. These results may be relevant for future studies searching for links between phenotypes, such as psychiatric diagnoses, and the underlying genes (i.e., endophenotypes) by suggesting that such studies should make use of more anterior rather than posterior EEG derivations.

GoCARB in the Context of an Artificial Pancreas

Background: In an artificial pancreas (AP), the meals are either manually announced or detected and their size estimated from the blood glucose level. Both methods have limitations, which result in suboptimal postprandial glucose control. The GoCARB system is designed to provide the carbohydrate content of meals and is presented within the AP framework. Method: The combined use of GoCARB with a control algorithm is assessed in a series of 12 computer simulations. The simulations are defined according to the type of the control (open or closed loop), the use or not-use of GoCARB and the diabetics’ skills in carbohydrate estimation. Results: For bad estimators without GoCARB, the percentage of the time spent in target range (70-180 mg/dl) during the postprandial period is 22.5% and 66.2% for open and closed loop, respectively. When the GoCARB is used, the corresponding percentages are 99.7% and 99.8%. In case of open loop, the time spent in severe hypoglycemic events (<50 mg/dl) is 33.6% without the GoCARB and is reduced to 0.0% when the GoCARB is used. In case of closed loop, the corresponding percentage is 1.4% without the GoCARB and is reduced to 0.0% with the GoCARB. Conclusion: The use of GoCARB improves the control of postprandial response and glucose profiles especially in the case of open loop. However, the most efficient regulation is achieved by the combined use of the control algorithm and the GoCARB.

La aplicación de tecnologías por parte de profesionales egresados de bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina)

Se describe y analiza un estado de situación de la aplicación de tecnologías por parte de graduados en Bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, a cargo de las decisiones en las instituciones donde se desempeñan en la actualidad. Para tal objeto se conformó una muestra con los casos que respondieran al perfil de interés y se procedió al relevamiento de la información mediante una encuesta auto-administrada, que combinaba preguntas cerradas y abiertas. Entre otros puntos de interés, se indagó sobre el estado de situación de los procesos de automatización, la aplicación de tecnologías en los distintos procesos bibliotecarios, la formación de grado obtenida en temas vinculados con el uso de tecnologías, así como también acerca de los cursos y los seminarios seguidos y las perspectivas de desarrollo futuro imaginadas. El análisis de los resultados mostró que el conjunto de graduados estudiados mantiene con la tecnología una relación que los mueve hacia un terreno de cambios ininterrumpidos, aunque con diferencias cualitativas importantes entre ellos. Asimismo, es claro que perciben la tecnología como una potencia creativa positiva de cara al futuro

La aplicación de tecnologías por parte de profesionales egresados de bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina)

Se describe y analiza un estado de situación de la aplicación de tecnologías por parte de graduados en Bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, a cargo de las decisiones en las instituciones donde se desempeñan en la actualidad. Para tal objeto se conformó una muestra con los casos que respondieran al perfil de interés y se procedió al relevamiento de la información mediante una encuesta auto-administrada, que combinaba preguntas cerradas y abiertas. Entre otros puntos de interés, se indagó sobre el estado de situación de los procesos de automatización, la aplicación de tecnologías en los distintos procesos bibliotecarios, la formación de grado obtenida en temas vinculados con el uso de tecnologías, así como también acerca de los cursos y los seminarios seguidos y las perspectivas de desarrollo futuro imaginadas. El análisis de los resultados mostró que el conjunto de graduados estudiados mantiene con la tecnología una relación que los mueve hacia un terreno de cambios ininterrumpidos, aunque con diferencias cualitativas importantes entre ellos. Asimismo, es claro que perciben la tecnología como una potencia creativa positiva de cara al futuro

La aplicación de tecnologías por parte de profesionales egresados de bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (Argentina)

Se describe y analiza un estado de situación de la aplicación de tecnologías por parte de graduados en Bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata, a cargo de las decisiones en las instituciones donde se desempeñan en la actualidad. Para tal objeto se conformó una muestra con los casos que respondieran al perfil de interés y se procedió al relevamiento de la información mediante una encuesta auto-administrada, que combinaba preguntas cerradas y abiertas. Entre otros puntos de interés, se indagó sobre el estado de situación de los procesos de automatización, la aplicación de tecnologías en los distintos procesos bibliotecarios, la formación de grado obtenida en temas vinculados con el uso de tecnologías, así como también acerca de los cursos y los seminarios seguidos y las perspectivas de desarrollo futuro imaginadas. El análisis de los resultados mostró que el conjunto de graduados estudiados mantiene con la tecnología una relación que los mueve hacia un terreno de cambios ininterrumpidos, aunque con diferencias cualitativas importantes entre ellos. Asimismo, es claro que perciben la tecnología como una potencia creativa positiva de cara al futuro

O TELETRABALHO NA UNIVERSIDADE E PROCESSOS DE COMUNICAÇÃO

O presente estudo analisa a significância e as implicações do teletrabalho na docência de nível superior no Brasil, objetivando demonstrar os benefícios e aplicações advindos desse processo para a prática professoral superior, assim como o amplo leque funcional derivado do teletrabalho aplicado no labor do professor universitário. Utilizando-se de um estudo de caso promovido junto aos docentes da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do SUL (UFMS), a pesquisa avalia a relação do trabalho docente com o teletrabalho e, também, os impactos, benefícios e problemas que poderão ocorrer em decorrência da implantação do teletrabalho aos docentes da UFMS. Para tanto, foi feita uma análise quantitativa e descritiva, sendo que a análise estatística descritiva serviu de base para inferências generalizadoras de natureza qualitativa. A partir dos resultados da pesquisa de campo, que utilizou como instrumento principal questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas, o estudo conclui que o teletrabalho é uma possibilidade viável e, dentro de suas limitações, benéfica para o trabalho docente superior.

O TELETRABALHO NA UNIVERSIDADE E PROCESSOS DE COMUNICAÇÃO

O presente estudo analisa a significância e as implicações do teletrabalho na docência de nível superior no Brasil, objetivando demonstrar os benefícios e aplicações advindos desse processo para a prática professoral superior, assim como o amplo leque funcional derivado do teletrabalho aplicado no labor do professor universitário. Utilizando-se de um estudo de caso promovido junto aos docentes da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do SUL (UFMS), a pesquisa avalia a relação do trabalho docente com o teletrabalho e, também, os impactos, benefícios e problemas que poderão ocorrer em decorrência da implantação do teletrabalho aos docentes da UFMS. Para tanto, foi feita uma análise quantitativa e descritiva, sendo que a análise estatística descritiva serviu de base para inferências generalizadoras de natureza qualitativa. A partir dos resultados da pesquisa de campo, que utilizou como instrumento principal questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas, o estudo conclui que o teletrabalho é uma possibilidade viável e, dentro de suas limitações, benéfica para o trabalho docente superior.

CONSCIÊNCIA SANITÁRIA: UMA QUESTÃO DE COMUNICAÇÃO E SAÚDE: Um estudo sobre a Vigilância Sanitária de Vitória

O trabalho é um estudo de caso baseado na aná lise crítica do processo de comunicação utilizado pela Vigilância Sanitária de Vitória, ES no desenvolvimento de suas funções e no cumprimento de sua missão de prevenção, proteção e recuperação da saúde da população. Através da aplicação de questionários estruturados com perguntas abertas, semi-abertas e fechadas com funcionários do setor e com uma amostra extraída da lista de contribuintes que receberam o alvará sanitário em 2003 confeccionamos um diagnóstico dos problemas comunicacionais existentes e sugerimos mudanças possíveis. Optamos ter como referencial teórico além da teoria crítica, pesquisas realizadas pelo grupo de pensadores Comunicacionais Latino Americanos porque seus trabalhos se aproximam mais da realidade brasileira. Os resultados obtidos elucidam que a comunicação para a saúde ainda não recebe o reconhecimento necessário nas atividades diárias que visam a saúde coletiva, no caso de Vitória. Confirmamos com a pesquisa a hipótese de que as ações da Vigilância Sanitária não se concretizam sem comunicação eficiente e que muito pode ser feito para melhorar o serviço oferecido se os problemas comunicacionais forem sanados.