Framework for understanding creativity in requirements engineering

Creativity is important in the discovery and analysis of user and business requirements to achieve innovative uses of information and communication technologies. This paper builds a theoretical framework for understanding creativity in requirements engineering. The framework provides a systematic means of understanding creativity in requirements engineering and comprises five elements (product, process, domain, people and socio-organisational context). The framework provides researchers with a sound basis for exploring how the five elements of creativity can be incorporated within RE methods and techniques to support creative requirements engineering. It provides practitioners with a systematic means of creating environments that nurture and develop creative people, cognitive and collaborative processes and products.

Acessibilidade no ambiente escolar: reflexões com base no estudo de duas escolas municipais de Natal-RN

This work was originated through the results of the analysis of the services for the needs of people with disabilities that were permitted by the physical space of two schools of the municipality of Natal/RN. The general objective/goal was to subsidize the elaboration of alternatives for the planning of environments that could be used by any person. The study used the empirical research through the adoption of a multimethod approach including: (i) technical visits oriented by the NBR 9050, (ii) contact with users that have reduced mobility (visually impaired and wheelchair or crutch users) through escorted travels and interviews, and (iii) interview with school managers. The evidence from the research, even though with significant development of laws that guarantee people with disabilities their right to citizenship, the physical environment of our schools still present with many obstacles that prevent the mobility of people with disabilities which proves their lack of readiness to accommodate them. Therefore, the actions taken to address the accessibility has been the adoption of temporary solutions that makes the adaptation more difficult, adds obstacles and reinforces the undesirable segregation, however still very present in our society. Finally, there is the indication that in order to achieve the spatial configuration that promotes social contact and integration in between the persons with different physical status, it is necessary to completely comprehend the activities developed in each space, from the conception of the equipment to the individual learning needs, having in mind creating environments that stimulates the execution of the tasks in an independent manner without the assistance of others. The inclusion regarding attention to accessibility in the decision making process, directed to the arquitectural and urban project, would decrease the constant need to redevelop and adapt spaces, and should be definitely incorporated as an important component in the production of space

Influência do uso de malhas de sombreamento azul, vermelha e preta no desenvolvimento inicial do pepino Taiko

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family of great commercial importance and their culture is widespread throughout the country. The production of vegetables, high-quality care begins with training ranging from seedlings and shading techniques have an important role in creating environments more conducive to the production of seedlings and many researchers and producers of seedlings have opted for the use of color shading screens, making this way, the wavelength and the amount of incident energy are changed in favor of the plants. Work will be performed at the Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu campus. The statistical design will be in three blocks, each containing 100 plots of each treatment (seedlings covered with blue screen, red and black). Evaluations of dry mass and height will be made at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after emergence, and 5 will be selected seedlings of each treatment. At 14 and 28 DAE was measured, and SPAD chlorophyll content at 30 DAE, was evaluated by measuring gas exchange in the second pair of leaves, fully expanded for each plant, which was put in a chamber controlled with infrared gas analyzer (IRGA LI 6400, Licor) to perform measurements of photosynthesis. Treatment with black shading showed statistically better results for total dry matter, plant height, SPAD chlorophyll content and net assimilation of CO2, showing a better quality seedlings and its use is recommended in the cultivation of cucumber Taiko

Envisioning sustainable water futures in a transdisciplinary learning process: combining normative, explorative, and participatory scenario approaches

Competing water demands for household consumption as well as the production of food, energy, and other uses pose challenges for water supply and sustainable development in many parts of the world. Designing creative strategies and learning processes for sustainable water governance is thus of prime importance. While this need is uncontested, suitable approaches still have to be found. In this article we present and evaluate a conceptual approach to scenario building aimed at transdisciplinary learning for sustainable water governance. The approach combines normative, explorative, and participatory scenario elements. This combination allows for adequate consideration of stakeholders’ and scientists’ systems, target, and transformation knowledge. Application of the approach in the MontanAqua project in the Swiss Alps confirmed its high potential for co-producing new knowledge and establishing a meaningful and deliberative dialogue between all actors involved. The iterative and combined approach ensured that stakeholders’ knowledge was adequately captured, fed into scientific analysis, and brought back to stakeholders in several cycles, thereby facilitating learning and co-production of new knowledge relevant for both stakeholders and scientists. However, the approach also revealed a number of constraints, including the enormous flexibility required of stakeholders and scientists in order for them to truly engage in the co-production of new knowledge. Overall, the study showed that shifts from strategic to communicative action are possible in an environment of mutual trust. This ultimately depends on creating conditions of interaction that place scientists’ and stakeholders’ knowledge on an equal footing.

Construcción de conocimiento y desarrollo de una mirada profesional para la práctica de enseñar matemáticas en entornos en entornos en línea

Este trabajo sintetiza en tres ámbitos algunos de los resultados de las investigaciones sobre la construcción del conocimiento de la enseñanza de las matemáticas en entornos de aprendizaje multimedia que integran espacios de interacción social en contextos b-learning. Estos ámbitos son (i) el papel de la interacción y la negociación de significados en la construcción del conocimiento; (ii) el proceso de instrumentalización del conocimiento de Didáctica de la Matemática en procesos de formación; y (iii) las características de las estructuras argumentativas en los procesos de aprender a conceptualizar la enseñanza de las matemáticas. Finalmente, se identifican nuevas cuestiones de investigación que emergen desde estas investigaciones.

O ENSINO DA COMUNICAÇÃO EMPRESARIAL EM MATO GROSSO DO SUL: dificuldades e desafios para incorporar as novas mídias on-line

A comunicação empresarial se desenvolve a passos largos, acompanhando as mudanças ocorridas no mercado, no universo da comunicação e na própria sociedade. A gestão do relacionamento com os públicos de interesse das organizações se tornou mais complexa e faz com que os profissionais da área atentem para as novas realidades do mercado. Em função desse novo cenário, é fundamental a capacitação do profissional para lidar com as mídias sociais, e ela deve se iniciar já no momento de sua formação universitária. Para a pesquisa bibliográfica, utilizamos como principais autores Bueno (2009), Scott (2008; 2011) e Terra (2011).Por serem assuntos relativamente novos, foram realizadas, ainda, entrevistas semiestruturadas com autores/pesquisadores da área para verificar as situações ideais do ensino da comunicação organizacional atuais. Com objetivo de apresentarmos as condições, percepções e desafios da formação do profissional da comunicação de Mato Grosso do Sul para trabalhar com a comunicação empresarial, foram feitas entrevistas semiestruturadas com os professores das faculdades e fechadas com os acadêmicos, de forma que demos atenção especial para seus conhecimentos e suas práticas nesses novos ambientes de interação. Dentre os resultados encontrados estão a necessidade da formação ampla do profissional com conhecimento da área da comunicação e organizações e a conclusão que essa formação integral garante à atuação dele em qualquer mídia/ferramenta.

Acessibilidade no ambiente escolar: reflexões com base no estudo de duas escolas municipais de Natal-RN

This work was originated through the results of the analysis of the services for the needs of people with disabilities that were permitted by the physical space of two schools of the municipality of Natal/RN. The general objective/goal was to subsidize the elaboration of alternatives for the planning of environments that could be used by any person. The study used the empirical research through the adoption of a multimethod approach including: (i) technical visits oriented by the NBR 9050, (ii) contact with users that have reduced mobility (visually impaired and wheelchair or crutch users) through escorted travels and interviews, and (iii) interview with school managers. The evidence from the research, even though with significant development of laws that guarantee people with disabilities their right to citizenship, the physical environment of our schools still present with many obstacles that prevent the mobility of people with disabilities which proves their lack of readiness to accommodate them. Therefore, the actions taken to address the accessibility has been the adoption of temporary solutions that makes the adaptation more difficult, adds obstacles and reinforces the undesirable segregation, however still very present in our society. Finally, there is the indication that in order to achieve the spatial configuration that promotes social contact and integration in between the persons with different physical status, it is necessary to completely comprehend the activities developed in each space, from the conception of the equipment to the individual learning needs, having in mind creating environments that stimulates the execution of the tasks in an independent manner without the assistance of others. The inclusion regarding attention to accessibility in the decision making process, directed to the arquitectural and urban project, would decrease the constant need to redevelop and adapt spaces, and should be definitely incorporated as an important component in the production of space

Acessibilidade no ambiente escolar: reflexões com base no estudo de duas escolas municipais de Natal-RN

This work was originated through the results of the analysis of the services for the needs of people with disabilities that were permitted by the physical space of two schools of the municipality of Natal/RN. The general objective/goal was to subsidize the elaboration of alternatives for the planning of environments that could be used by any person. The study used the empirical research through the adoption of a multimethod approach including: (i) technical visits oriented by the NBR 9050, (ii) contact with users that have reduced mobility (visually impaired and wheelchair or crutch users) through escorted travels and interviews, and (iii) interview with school managers. The evidence from the research, even though with significant development of laws that guarantee people with disabilities their right to citizenship, the physical environment of our schools still present with many obstacles that prevent the mobility of people with disabilities which proves their lack of readiness to accommodate them. Therefore, the actions taken to address the accessibility has been the adoption of temporary solutions that makes the adaptation more difficult, adds obstacles and reinforces the undesirable segregation, however still very present in our society. Finally, there is the indication that in order to achieve the spatial configuration that promotes social contact and integration in between the persons with different physical status, it is necessary to completely comprehend the activities developed in each space, from the conception of the equipment to the individual learning needs, having in mind creating environments that stimulates the execution of the tasks in an independent manner without the assistance of others. The inclusion regarding attention to accessibility in the decision making process, directed to the arquitectural and urban project, would decrease the constant need to redevelop and adapt spaces, and should be definitely incorporated as an important component in the production of space

Development of a sustained release solid dispersion using swellable polymer by melting method

PURPOSE: This study is to design a sustained release solid dispersion using swellable polymer by melting method. METHODS: Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 4000 (HPMC 4000) were used in solid dispersion for not only enhancing drug dissolution rate but also sustaining drug release. HPMC 4000 is a common swellable polymer in matrix sustained release dosage form, but could not be used in preparation of solid dispersion by melting method. However, the current study utilized the swelling capability of HPMC 4000 accompanied by the common carrier PEG 6000 in solid dispersion to accomplish the goal. RESULTS: While PEG 6000 acted as a releasing stimulant carrier and provided an environment to facilitate the swelling of HPMC 4000, this swellable polymer could act as a rate-controlling agent. This greatly assisted the dissolution enhancement by changing the crystalline structure of drug to more amorphous form and creating a molecular interaction. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that this useful technique can be applied in designing a sustained release solid dispersion with many advantages.

Intimate transactions : art, exhibition and interaction within distributed network environments

The broad research questions of the book are: How can successful, interdisciplinary collaboration contribute to research innovation through Practice-led research? What contributes to the design, production and curation of successful new media art? What are the implications of exhibiting it across dual sites for artists, curators and participant audiences? Is it possible to create an 'intimate transaction' between people who are separated by vast distances but joined by interfaces and distributed networks? Centred on a new media work of the same name by the Transmute Collective (led by Keith Armstrong), this book provides insights from multidisciplinary perspectives. Visual, sound and performance artists, furniture designers, spatial architects, technology systems designers, and curators who collaborated in the production of Intimate Transactions discuss their design philosophies, working processes and resolution of this major new media work. Analytical and philosophical essays by international writers complement these writings on production. They consider how new media art, like Intimate Transactions, challenges traditional understandings of art, curatorial installation and exhibition experience because of the need to take into account interaction, the reconfiguration of space, co-presence, performativity and inter-site collaboration.