Hudumia: a platform to support spontaneous volunteers' situational awareness, coordination and safety underemergency scenarios

Spontaneous volunteers always emerge under emergency scenarios and are vital to a successful community response, yet some uncertainty subsists around their role and its inherent acceptance by official entities under emergency scenarios. In our research we have identified that most of the spontaneous volunteers do have none or little support from official entities, hence they end up facing critical problems as situational awareness, safety instructions and guidance, motivation and group organization. We argue that official entities still play a crucial role and should change some of their behaviors regarding spontaneous volunteerism. We aim with this thesis to design a software architecture and a framework in order to implement a solution to support spontaneous volunteerism under emergency scenarios along with a set of guidelines for the design of open information management systems. Together with the collaboration from both citizens and emergency professionals we have been able to attain several important contributions, as the clear identification of the roles taken by both spontaneous volunteers and professionals, the importance of volunteerism in overall community response and the role which open collaborative information management systems have in the community volunteering efforts. These conclusions have directly supported the design guidelines of our software solution proposal. In what concerns to methodology, we first review literature on technologies support to emergencies and how spontaneous volunteers actually challenge these systems. Following, we have performed a field research where we have observed that the emerging of spontaneous volunteer’s efforts imposes new requirements for the design of such systems, which leaded to the creation of a cluster of design guidelines that supported our software solution proposal to address the volunteers’ requirements. Finally we have architected and developed an online open information management tool which has been evaluated via usability engineering methods, usability user tests and heuristic evaluations.

Concepões e práticas pedagógicas de professoras da educação infantil na inclusão de alunos com deficiência

This research focuses on inclusive in childhood education. Its purpose was to investigate and analyze the conceptions and expectations of teachers of childhood education, childhood education center form Natal/RN, on the inclusion students with disabilities, school and pedagogical practices developed and implications for students learning. Theoric base of the cultural historic perspective, the search took by qualitative analysis of numbers form the case study method. It was used methodological procedures: documentary analysis, participant observation, field journal and semi structures interview.Three teachers participated in the survey of that school had student with disabilities in their classrooms. These teachers were called: Rapunzel, Snow white e Pretty. The teacher s nouns involved the refered kind of education. The data obtained from the observation indicated the regular school of childhood education provides educational practices that promote the participation and participation and development of students with disabilities, live situation that may create barriers to learning and to the development of these children. The analysing data of interview from Bardin content analysis (1994) was based in Cunha s studies (2001) Brun (2006, 2008), Mantoam (2006, 2008), Palacios, Paniagua (2007), among others. The dada showed that correlation and divergence of perceptions and expectations about the issues surrounding inclusion in childhood education. The results shaved that teaching strategies, affective ties, sensitivity and own routine of childhood education are factors that can promote inclusive proposal, but also needs a greater fulfillment individual differences of each child in order to their potentiality. The study also shaved that the negative of pedagogic support to teacher, the ignorance of them as guidelines and strategies that include the student s diversity, the importance having positive conceptions about the learning and development of student with severe learning disabilities and the need for a pedagogic training and of a collective work at school which everybody collaborates : parents, direction, coordination getting inclusive school. Believe that this study pointed relevant issues to be focus new research, since the theme is still lacking in study, therefore emphasize, the importance of conducting research that continuous this job

Projetos políticos pedagógicos dos cursos de Odontologia do RN : formação profissional e a perspectiva da atenção à terceira idade

Brazil has been undergoing major demographic change.According to IBGE, the next 20 years the country's elderly population may reach over 30 million people. This tariff provides specifics regarding the process of health / disease. It is essential that higher education institutions are committed to this demand in view of the integrated training of health needs of society. The aim of this study is to analyze the Pedagogical Political Projects (PPP) of courses in dentistry in Rio Grande do Norte (RN), according to the national curriculum guidelines (DCNS) and training from the perspective of health care for the elderly. This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach: with records and interviews. The study subjects were an Assistant Professor in the development of PPPs for each institution. The scenario in this study were dental training institutions in the newborns. Initially, the analysis of the PPP was by using the Alceste 4.9 software. The interpretation of the contents of interviews with teachers was done through content analysis of Bardin (2010). The PPPs are based on the DCNS, meet the characteristics of regional and seek a generalist, but still strongly directed to technical and scientific aspects of professional practice. Efforts and institutional approaches, involving teachers and students of the courses are being mobilized for training with more articulated network of health services. However, the emphasis on content pertaining to the health care of the elderly, is still limited when compared to those targeted content inherent in children and adolescents in all three curricular structures. It is reasonable to conclude that the historical, political, scientific, cultural and social, present in society, influence the formation of the dental professional RN. The greater participation of society in the process of vocational training in dentistry is needed. This can be done from the involvement of universities with health councils, bodies representing the dental profession and other segments of civil society in order to induce changes that generate ideas and educational practices integrative and interdisciplinary, with emphasis on continuing education for teachers, servants, employees and students. Containing conduct this process inherent flexibility of curriculum, teaching-service integration and coordination abilities and professional skills that are essential to understanding the human being and its complexities

Structural basis for metal ion coordination and the catalytic mechanism of sphingomyelinases D

Sphingomyelinases D (SMases D) from Loxosceles spider venom are the principal toxins responsible for the manifestation of dermonecrosis, intravascular hemolysis, and acute renal failure, which can result in death. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin, resulting in the formation of ceramide 1-phosphate and choline or the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidyl choline, generating the lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid. This report represents the first crystal structure of a member of the sphingomyelinase D family from Loxosceles laeta (SMase I), which has been determined at 1.75-angstrom resolution using the quick cryo-soaking technique and phases obtained from a single iodine derivative and data collected from a conventional rotating anode x-ray source. SMase I folds as an (alpha/beta)(8) barrel, the interfacial and catalytic sites encompass hydrophobic loops and a negatively charged surface. Substrate binding and/or the transition state are stabilized by a Mg2+ ion, which is coordinated by Glu(32), Asp(34), Asp(91), and solvent molecules. In the proposed acid base catalytic mechanism, His(12) and His(47) play key roles and are supported by a network of hydrogen bonds between Asp(34), Asp(52), Trp(230), Asp(233), and Asn(252).

Coordination polymer adsorbent for matrix solid-phase dispersion extraction of pesticides during analysis of dehydrated Hyptis pectinata medicinal plant by GC/MS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal behavior of palladium(II) coordination compounds containing isonicotinamide

Palladium(II) coordination compounds of general formula trans-[PdX(2)(isn)(2)], X = Cl(-) (1), N(3) (-) (2), SCN(-) (3), NCO(-) (4), isn = isonicotinamide; were synthesized and characterized in solid state by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and simultaneous TG-DTA. TG experiments reveal that the compounds 1-4 undergo thermal decomposition in three or four stages, yielding Pd(0) as final residue, according to calculus and identification by X-ray powder diffraction.

Synthesis, spectral and thermal studies on dicarboxylate-bridged palladium(II) coordination polymers. Part I

This work describes the synthesis, IR and (13)C CPMAS NMR spectroscopic as well the thermal characterization of the new dicarboxylate complexes [Pd(2)(ox)(2)(4,4'-bipy)]n (1), [Pd(2)(ox)(2)(bpe)](n) (2) and [Pd(2)(ox)(2)(pz)](n) (3) {ox = oxalate, bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, pz = pyrazine}. TG experiments reveal that compounds 1-3 undergo thermal decomposition in three steps. Metal palladium was the final product of the thermal decompositions, which was identified by X-ray powder diffraction.

Synthesis, spectral and thermal studies on dicarboxylate-bridged palladium(II) coordination polymers. Part II

The synthesis and thermal behavior of the new [Pd(fum)(bipy)] (n) center dot 2nH(2)O (1), [Pd(fum)(bpe)] (n) center dot nH(2)O (2) and [Pd(fum)(pz)] (n) center dot 3nH(2)O (3) {bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene and pz = pyrazine} fumarate complexes are described in this work as well their characterization by IR and (13)C CPMAS NMR spectroscopies. TG curves showed that the compounds released organic ligands and lattice water molecules in the temperature range of 46-491 A degrees C. In all the cases, metallic palladium was identified as the final residue.

Ligand-rare-earth ion energy transfer in coordination compounds. A theoretical approach

A theoretical approach to the energy transfer process that occurs between a ligand and a rare-earth ion in luminescent complexes is presented. A discussion on the energy transfer mechanisms involved and on the associated selection rules is made. Numerical estimates are also presented.

Synthesis, spectral and thermal studies on pyrazolate-bridged palladium(II) coordination polymers

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and thermal behavior of pyrazolate-bridged palladium complexes [Pd(mu-Pz)(2)](n) (1), [Pd(mu-mPz)(2)](n) (2), [Pd(mu-dmPz)(2)](n) (3), [Pd(mu-IPz)(2)](n) (4) {pyrazolate (Pz(-)), 4-methylpyrazolate (mPz(-)), 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate (dmPz(-)), 4-iodopyrazolate (IPz(-))} have been described in this work. The exobidentate coordination mode of pyrazolato ligands in 1-4 was inferred on basis of IR spectroscopic evidences. TG investigations indicated that the introduction of substituents at the 4 position in the pyrazolyl moiety into coordination polymers do not affect significantly their thermal stability, whereas at the 3 and 5 position reduced the stability of the main chain. Metal palladium was the final product of the thermal decompositions, which was identified by X-ray powder diffraction.

Attending to the non-preferred hand improves bimanual coordination in children

The effect of attentional focus in bimanual coordination was investigated from a developmental perspective by examining performance of right- and left-handed children, 5-8-years and 9-12-years old, on bimanual reciprocal tapping tasks. Attentional focus was either specified, by asking the children to attend to the preferred or to the non-preferred hand, or unspecified for the execution of the tasks. When attention was oriented to the non-preferred hand we found a reduced movement time and a lower frequency of errors. Performance differences for handedness and age-groups were observed when the children were oriented to attend to the preferred hand or when there was no instruction regarding attention. These differences in performance were eliminated when attention was oriented to the non-preferred hand. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An examination of constraints affecting the intralimb coordination of hemiparetic gait

A dynamical systems approach to the study of locomotor intralimb coordination in those with hemiparesis led to an examination of the utility of the shank-thigh relative phase (RP) as a collective variable and the identification of potential constraints that may shape this coordination. Eighteen non-disabled individuals formed three groups matched to the age and gender of six participants with chronic right hemiparesis. The three groups differed in the constraints imposed on their walking: (1) walking at their preferred walking speed; (2) walking as slowly as those with hemiparesis; and, (3) walking slowly with a right ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). The results revealed an asymmetry in intralimb coordination between the unaffected and affected leg of those with hemiparesis localized to the latter third of the gait cycle when the limb is advanced from the end of stance to the reestablishment of a new stance. Walking slowly with or without an AFO resulted in no measureable effect in the non-disabled, but accounts for 22% of the variance in the intralimb coordination of the hemiplegic's affected limb and 16% in the unaffected limb. The AFO offered little additional contribution. These results derive from shank-thigh RP that is shown to provide more information about intralimb coordination than knee angle displacement. Implications for these results and the use of RP for rehabilitation are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved. PsycINFO classification. 3297. 2330.

Head, eye and arm coordination in table tennis

The aim of this study was to determine the role of head, eye and arm movements during the execution of a table tennis forehand stroke. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of line-of-gaze, arm and ball was used to describe visual and motor behaviour. Skilled and less skilled participants returned the ball to cued right or left target areas under three levels of temporal constraint: pre-, early- and late-cue conditions. In the pre- and early-cue conditions, both high and low skill participants tracked the ball early in flight and kept gaze stable on a location in advance of the ball before ball-bat contact. Skilled participants demonstrated an earlier onset of ball tracking and recorded higher performance accuracy than less skilled counterparts. The manipulation of cue condition showed the limits of adaptation to maintain accuracy on the target. Participants were able to accommodate the constraints imposed by the early-cue condition by using a shorter quiet eye duration, earlier quiet eye offset and reduced arm velocity at contact. In the late-cue condition, modifications to gaze, head and arm movements were not sufficient to preserve accuracy. The findings highlight the functional coupling between perception and action during time-constrained, goal-directed actions.