Hirsch's index: a case study conducted at the Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo

An analysis of scientific bibliographic productivity using the Hirsch h-index, information from the Institute of Scientific Information database and the Curriculum Lattes (CNPq, Brazil) was performed at the Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP) that has four departments in natural, biological and social sciences. Bibliometric evaluations of undergraduate programs showed a better performance of the departments of Chemistry (P < 0.001) and Biology (P < 0.001) when compared to the departments of Physics and Mathematics and Psychology and Education. We also analyzed the scientific output of the six graduate programs of FFCLRP: Psychology, Psychobiology, Chemistry, Physics Applied to Medicine and Biology, Comparative Biology, and Entomology. The graduate program in Psychology presented a lower h-index (P < 0.001) and had fewer papers indexed by the ISI web of science (P < 0.001) when compared to the other graduate programs. The poorer performance of the Psychology program may be associated with the limited coverage by the Thompson Institute of Scientific Information database.

Ser(Tão) Seridó em suas cartografias espaciais

The aim of this work is to analyze the spatial frames of reference of the Seridó a region Iocated in the hinterlands of Rio Grande do Norte state from the following texts: Homens de Outrora (1941), by Manuel Dantas; Seridó (1954), by José Augusto Bezerra de Medeiros; Velhos Costumes do Meu Sertão (1965), by Juvenal Lamartine de Faria; and Sertões do Seridó (1980), by Oswaldo Lamartine de Faria. The historiographical discourse will be investigated as to representations of space and the frames of reference that demarcate it. We highlight the space of 1 as delimited by the subjectivity and significances expressed by each author, considering closely the relation between author, writing and body, either in historiography or in the subjects that give shape to the Seridó region in their writings. The Seridó is particularly framed in the relevant historiography as the hinterland (sertão) space, where the drought is a representation referred to recurrently, and as a space of fight , in which man and nature would be in constant struggle, challenging each other. Spatial frames of reference are then situated between the 1 and notions of hinterland and fight with nature

O jogo de RPG como ferramenta auxiliar de aprendizagem na disciplina de Ciências

ON reflecting the traditional teaching approach, characterized by non-dynamic and descriptive methods that still persists in schools at the present time, associated to social living enrichment has motivated the search for new techniques to stimulate students in the process of teaching, such as roleplaying games, known as RPG, already being used in various school disciplines. Considering the amount of themes in general sciences and in biology, in particular that could be explored through RPG our purpose was to develop a game to be used as a learning complementary tool. PANGÉIA, the game we developed, was based on the GURPS system and to be placed at the geological Eras of the earth. The objective of the game was playing a character that represented an animal belonging to a Class of Vertebrates, and making it surviving and reproducing during risky situations presented in the game. These situations were narratives by the Master about challenges that the character would face, which should be solved using the dices. Along the narrative, the Master introduced concepts and informations about the subject being studied. To evaluating how the game worked out, we solicited 11 volunteers, from two different schools in Natal, to play PANGÉIA. Before starting the game, and without knowing the final objectives of our project, the volunteers answered a general questionnaire to let us know their level of knowledge, which was also answered after playing the game. The comparison of the volunteers answers before and after playing the game suggests that this activity influenced them. Also, based on this test, we identified critical aspects to be modified in PANGÉIA, specially a stronger relation between both the questionnaire and the game placement with the narrative of the master. In order to have PANGÉIA used as a complementary learning tool, a teachers handbook has to be written, including rules concerning the format of game application. Nonetheless, based on this pilot study, we conclude that topics on sciences and biology can be easily adjusted to RPG format, and its flexibility provides multiple combinations that can be used to help learning the more difficult topics to be taught in a class

Criar o próprio jogo didático ou apenas jogar? Efeitos de diferentes estratégias de ensino na motivação e aprendizado de ciências

The use of games as educational tools is common, however the effectiveness of games with educational purposes is still poorly known. In this study we evaluated three different low-cost teaching strategies make and play your own board game, just play an educational science game and make a poster to be exposed in the school regarding: (1) science learning; (2) use of deep learning strategies (DLS); and (3) intrinsic motivation. We tested the hypothesis that, in these three parameters evaluated, scores would be higher in the group that made and play their own game, followed respectively by the group that just played a game and the group that made a poster. The research involved 214 fifth-grade students from six elementary schools in Natal/RN. A group of students made and played their own science board game (N = 68), a second group played a science game (N = 75), and a third group made a poster to be exposed at school (N = 71). Our hypothesis was partly empirically supported, since there was no significant difference in science learning and in the use of DLS between the group that made their own game and the group that just played the game; however, both groups had significantly higher scores in science learning and in use of DLS than the group that made the poster. There was no significant difference in the scores of intrinsic motivation among the three experimental groups. Our results indicate that activities related to non-digital games can provide a favorable context for learning in the school environment. We conclude that the use of games for educational purposes (both making a game and just playing a game) is an efficient and viable alternative to teach science in Brazilian public school

Desempenho de híbridos de milho em diferentes arranjos espaciais de plantas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização geomorfológica e modelagem de dados espaciais na plataforma continental rasa do RN nos limites da folha Touros

This work focuses the geomorphological characterization and spatial data modeling in the shallow continental shelf within the Folha Touros limits (SB-25-CV-II), based on bathymetric data analysis and remote sensing products interpretation. The Rio Grande do Norte state is located in northeastern Brazil and the work area is located at the transition region between the eastern and northern portions of their coast. The bathymetric surveys were conduced between march and may 2009, using a 10 meters long vessel and 0.70 meters draught, equipped with global positioning system and echo sounder (dual beam, 200KHz , 14°). The fieldwork resulted in 44 bathymetric profiles espaced 1.5 km and 30 km average length. The bathymetric data amount were 111,200 points and were navigated 1395.7 km within na area about 1,850 km2. The bathymetric data were corrected for the tide level, vessel draught and were subsequently entered into a geographic information system for further processing. Analysis of remote sensing products was carried out using Landsat 7/ETM + band 1, from november 1999. The image was used for visualization and mapping submerged features. The results showed the presence of geomorphological features within the study area. Were observed, from the analysis of local bathymetry and satellite image, seven types of geomorphological features. The channels, with two longitudinals channels (e. g. San Roque and Cioba channels) and other perpendicular to the coast (e. g. Touros, Pititinga and Barretas). Coastal reef formations (Maracajaú, Rio do Fogo and Cioba). Longitudinal waves, described in the literature as longitudinal dunes. The occurrence of a transverse dune field. Another feature observed was the oceanic reefs, an rock alignment parallel to the coast. Were identified four riscas , from north to south: risca do Liso, Gameleira, Zumbi, Pititinga (the latter being described for the first time). Finally, an oceanic terrace was observed in the deepest area of study. Image interpretation corroborated with the in situ results, enabling visualization and description for all features in the region. The results were analysed in an integrating method (using the diferent methodologies applied in this work) and it was essential to describe all features in the area. This method allowed us to evaluate which methods generated better results to describe certain features. From these results was possible to prove the existence of submerged features in the eastern shallow continental shelf of Rio Grande do Norte. In this way, the conclusions was (1) this study contributed to the provision of new information about the area in question, particularly with regard to data collection in situ depths, (2) the method of data collection and interpretation proves to be effective because, through this, it was possible to visualize and interpret the features present in the study area and (3) the interpretation and discussion of results in an integrated method, using different methodologies, can provide better results

Dinâmica da paisagem no litoral oriental do Rio Grande do Norte: geocartografia e padrões espaciais dos campos de dunas móveis

This study shows the results of a research developed in the coastal regions of the Maxaranguape and Touros municipalities, more specific in the mobile dune fields of the Rio Grande do Norte's eastern coast. Although the coastal zones, represent a small percentage of the earth's surface it concentrates a great part of the world's population. The Rio Grande do Norte's state coastal landscape mosaic composed by the dune fields suggest a dynamic scene of changes in the spatial and temporal arranges, with significant changes in the geometry of the sedimentary cover. Following this perspective this research has the objective to map the emerged coastal zone of the Rio Grande do Norte's eastern coast under the perspective of the time-space evolution of the mobile dune fields using geoprocessing techniques, which includes remote sensing, digital images processing and geographic information system (GIS). The results imply the issue of thematic maps: Geologic map; multitemporal evolution map of the mobile dune fields; quantification of the mobile dune fields differences map; temporal evolution of the mobile dune fields surrounds map. The El Niño episodes have directly affected the atmospheric circulation, what have enhanced the sedimentary input in the sand dune, what can justify the relative area growth between the years of 1993 and 2001. The dynamic of the landscape transition were higher than the stability of the spatial pattern of the dune and it's surrounds, as a result the Rio Grande do Norte eastern coast dune fields, specially the mobile dunes from Touros, Zumbi and Maracajau have shown a decrease on the sedimentary cover without vegetation area from 1970 to 2007. Therefore, the data acquired and the techniques used, can be, eventually applied to the mobile dune fields monitoring in order to preserve the dune ecosystems in the Rio Grande do Norte coast

Reprodução do capital e metamorfoses espaciais : um estudo da verticalização de Ponta Negra, Natal/RN

The broach presented in this dissertation, linked to post graduate Geography´s of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - UFRN, more exactly about the research group entitled interdisciplinary studies unit on space and housing built . The research developed through this study has this central theme on vertical grounding of the construction in the neighborhood of ponta negra in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. Realizing this momentum as a way of accumulation of capital in city. Rio Grande do Norte´s city. During the 2000 s , the neighborhood of Ponta Negra went through an intense process of vertical integration of its ground, Provided by many factor of conditions created from new economic, political and social functions which start to be outlined mainly from the tourism development in this neighborhood since the 80´s decade. The Tourism development and the landing planning of the ponta negra´s neighborhood promoted for the government by using order to police the city´s urbanization, beyond the sense of the civilian building actors. They enabled this neighborhood to become propitious to the real estate investments. Many ventures were built before the year of 2010 while another are on building, which, over the years, changed the sociospatyal dinamics of the neighborhood. Considering the urban space is socially built, product and condition for the reproductive process of the capitalist society, the goal of this research is to investigate the verticalization of the ground, for capital reproduction purposes. This research aims to analyze the vertical this quarter through the theory of social production of space by Henri Lefebvre. The Methodology adopted pervades for secondary and primary research, compound for bibliographic research, documentary, journal, magazines, camp research and interview, to reach the best way to analyse the dynamics of the refered neighborhood

Circuitos espaciais de produção da atividade boneleira: o uso dos territórios de Caicó, Serra Negra do Norte e São José do Seridó

Cette étude a été fondée sur la reconaissance, la description et l'analyse du circuit spatial de la production de l activité des fabriques des casquettes dans la région du Seridó Potiguar. L activité des fabriques des casquettes est située dans les villes de Caicó, Serra Negra do Norte e São José do Seridó, qui forment le pôle de fabriques de casquettes, composé de soixante-quatre (64) unités de fabrication, le deuxième plus grand producteur de casquettes au Brésil. Dans la condition de base géographique, l'opérationnalisation du concept de circuits spatiales de la production a été essentielle à la compréhension de l'utilisation du territoire et de l'indivisibilité de l'espace, du fournisseur de matières premières au consommateur final, comprenant les étapes des matières premières, la main-d'oeuvre, le stockage, les transports, le commerce et la consommation dans la période actuelle, dans laquelle les instances de la production, la circulation, la distribution et de la consommation sont spatialement diffus. Sur la base de l'identification et de la localisation de ces étapes et des principaux acteurs impliqués dans la activité des fabriques de casquettes, une configuration de circuit spatial de la production a été élaborée, en s'interprétant l'utilisation des territoires par les instances productives. L'interprétation des étapes de production a identifié que les entreprises liées à l'Association Seridoense des Fabricants de Casquettes agissent plus efficacement sur le territoire que celles nonassociées, alors que toujours elles investissent dans des nouveaux équipements, en augmentant sa puissance technique pour se renforcer avant un marché si compétitif comme celui des casquettes. En examinant la contribution de la fabrication des casquettes à l'utilisation actuelle des territoires de la coupe, nous avons appris que les activités complémentaires et des matières premiéres nécessaires à sa réalisation se trouvent dans leur environnement géographique. Ainsi, la proximité spatiale entre les étapes de la fabrication des casquettes fait entrevoir la matérialité du territoire, conférée dans la coexistence des techniques passées et présentes, et l'ensemble des actions effectuées par un certain nombre de travailleurs sociaux qui collaborent à la création du circuit spatial de la production de l activité des fabriques des casquettes. Cette étude a confirmé que les fabriques des casquettes sont organisées sous la forme de cellules de production, continues ou discontinues, dont les équipements et les machines à coudre industrielles obéissent à la logique d'une production de plus en plus standardisée. Ce circuit spatial de la production contribue à l'utilisation actuelle des territoires de Caicó, Serra Negra do Norte et de São José do Seridó car il amplifie le mouvement du commerce et des relations entre les lieux, à travers la dynamique des flux des personnes, des biens et des produits, en constante circulation, guidées par la division du travail entre les étapes productives

Um olhar sobre o cotidiano e as re-definições espaciais no Bairro Potengi, Natal/RN

This work aims to conduct an analysis on the production of space and the dynamics between social agents that act and interact, albeit in different ways, in the production and re-production space in the Neighborhood Potengi in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The neighborhood is undergoing a process of dynamism undeniable and has a daily marked by heterogeneity, especially as a neighborhood in transition. So your analysis, from the perspective of the dialectical method, contributes to the understanding of the production space can be analyzed through the study of the forms and content, and may contribute to its real apprehension. After all, the city reflects forms, assumes functions, features and content that dynamic influences and is influenced by human relationships. Thus, this research seeks to analyze the production of space, based on the observation and study of the rich daily life of different social agents that operate within concrete quoted

Educação ambiental e educação em valores em livros didáticos de ciências naturais

Os valores têm sido considerados importante conteúdo de ensino, sobretudo ao tratarmos de certas temáticas, como a ambiental. Procurando analisar o tratamento dado à dimensão valorativa da temática ambiental em três coleções de Ciências Naturais voltadas às séries finais do Ensino Fundamental verificamos a predominância da visão antropocêntrica, sendo a natureza valorizada em função de sua utilidade para o ser humano. O predomínio da valorização do conhecimento científico em detrimento de outras formas de conhecimento, da ação humana individual em detrimento da coletiva e a simples apresentação de leis ambientais foram outros aspectos problemáticos encontrados. Uma das coleções, entretanto, além de valorizar o trabalho coletivo dos alunos, também se destacou pela maior ênfase dada à dimensão estética, implicando uma visão de mundo menos utilitarista e um tratamento mais adequado do conteúdo valorativo da temática ambiental.

Fragmentos da presença do pensamento idealista na história da construção das ciências da natureza

O propósito deste trabalho é estabelecer o caminho percorrido pelo idealismo em sua participação na construção das Ciências da Natureza desde a antigüidade até o final do século XX. Para os pensadores antigos, o mundo físico era governado pela idéia, e o modo de apreendê-la era por meio da contemplação da alma ou da observação e da lógica. Na escolástica essa idéia é Deus. Na renascença, Deus se torna matemático. em Galileu a Matemática do mundo é entendida pela experimentação. Para Descartes o mundo é mecânico e entendido por hipóteses dedutivas. Newton enxerga o mundo mecânico construído e corrigido pelo Deus geômetra e entendido pela observação e experimentação. Os empiristas retiram a idéia do universo e a colocam no espírito humano. em Kant as regras que organizam as idéias na mente também organizam o mundo mecânico. em Hegel o real só é real porque é racional, e essa racionalidade vem de Deus, que transforma o mundo natural e atinge o espírito humano. Os pensadores, influenciados por Hegel, percebem a incapacidade das leis da mecânica explicarem as leis da vida. Comte e Bergson procuram, de forma diferente, submeter às leis da Física às leis das ciências da vida. O universo mecanicista é absorvido pelo determinismo relativista e pelo probabilismo quântico. A linguagem da lógica se associa ao empirismo na descrição da ciência procurando retirar dela o idealismo e a metafísica e, após um período de florescimento, acaba não tendo sucesso. A dificuldade da apreensão do real volta a ser o problema da ciência no final do século XX, e a procura de uma possível solução reaproxima a ciência do idealismo.

Pluralismo metodológico no ensino de ciências

Inspirados numa leitura epistemológica feyerabendiana, este trabalho sugere uma abordagem metodológica pluralista para o ensino das ciências. Defendemos que esse estratagema didático seja potencialmente mais eficaz para a aprendizagem, na medida em que procura dar conta do espectro de questões que se apresentam na sala de aula.

Aulas de campo em ambientes naturais e aprendizagem em ciências: um estudo com alunos do ensino fundamental

Este trabalho discute a contribuição das aulas de Ciências desenvolvidas em fragmentos dos ecossistemas terrestres naturais brasileiros na relação entre os aspectos emocionais e seu papel na motivação dos alunos em um contexto educativo. Analisa também como a abordagem menos fragmentada e menos abstrata de determinados conhecimentos referentes à ecologia pode contribuir para o processo de aprendizagem.

A ficção científica e o ensino de ciências: o imaginário como formador do real e do racional

Este artigo apresenta uma reflexão sobre a inserção da ficção científica no ensino de Ciências, no qual buscamos identificar como a ficção científica incorpora elementos na estrutura conceitual dos educandos partindo do pressuposto de que teria um papel de desencadeadora e/ou organizadora da aprendizagem. O filme Jurassic Park foi estudado como constitutivo do conhecimento, transmutando o ficcional no real/racional, possibilitando a organização hierárquica dos conceitos, acrescendo novos elementos na estrutura conceitual dos educandos e atuando, também, na mediação do conhecimento - ora organizando, ora desencadeando.