Morphological caste differences and non-sterility of workers in Brachygastra augusti (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Epiponini), a neotropical swarm-founding wasp

Morphological caste differences and ovary conditions were analyzed in four colonies of Brachygastra augusti collected in different stages of the colony cycle. Differences between castes are distinct suggesting pre-imaginal determination. Many intermediates (non-inseminated ovary-developed females) were found. Because these intermediate females were morphologically similar to workers, it is suggested that they are young ovary-developed workers. Because there is a more evident overlap between queens and workers in the colony in pre-emergence of workers stage, and in three colonies in latter stages, especially in worker-production colonies, it is suggested that smaller queens are probably less viable than larger queens as observed in previously studied epiponines.

Enzymatic Logic Gates with Noise-Reducing Sigmoid Response

Biochemical computing is an emerging field of unconventional computing that attempts to process information with biomolecules and biological objects using digital logic. In this work we survey filtering in general, in biochemical computing, and summarize the experimental realization of an and logic gate with sigmoid response in one of the inputs. The logic gate is realized with electrode-immobilized glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme that catalyzes a reaction corresponding to the Boolean and functions. A kinetic model is also developed and used to evaluate the extent to which the performance of the experimentally realized logic gate is close to optimal.

El déficit habitacional en Brasil y México y sus dos megaciudades globales: estudio con los censos de 1990 y 2000

Incluye Bibliografía

Escolas públicas no campo: retrospectiva e perspectivas em um contexto de projetos políticos em disputa

In present article, we present reflections on the process of closing public schools in the countryside in Brazil. Through bibliographical survey, as well as documental research, we carried out a retrospective analysis of the historical moment in which the implementation of policies of mass education directed to people living in rural areas occurs. We have also sought to raise socio-political-economic aspects of the moment in which the process of closing these schools is intensified. The results obtained suggest possible implications of this closure policy, in addition to indicating some of the challenges posed to the public policy of education in the country; for example, the Brazilian federal context and the budget limitations imposed to subnational governments with regard to the funding of school education, particularly in relation to small municipalities and/or municipalities with low tax revenues. This situation quite often occurs because these municipalities present reduced budgets, depending largely on transfers of financial resources from other spheres of the Government, either federal or state, the so-called intergovernmental budgetary transfers; namely, the Municipalities Participation Fund. Such issues demand the resumption of debates about the federative pact, in particular with regard to fiscal federalism, given that the financial capacity of each subnational government is crucial to the implementation of educational policies.

Formação inicial de professores e educação de jovens e adultos: possibilidades da extensão universitária

The present work aimed at investigating the possibilities and limits of academic extension programs as an environment for initial teacher learning and training. It also focused on investigating the main difficulties identified by Pedagogy and Social Science students about this initial training regarding its use in actual teaching activities. It focused on undergraduate students’ perceptions concerning their involvement in an academic extension project which enabled them to interact with students as teachers in a Youth and Adult Education program, during a whole academic year. Semi-structured interviews were done with nine participants. The content of these interviews was analyzed and divided into four thematic categories. The results show that, for these students, what makes this kind of project unique is the possibility of acting in real situations, under supervision, which provided a moment for reflection. Focusing on supervision, the students point out that this resource is not usually there in traditional internship situations – and that they consider it an important and necessary aspect. It was also indicated the relevance of practice, self-awareness and teaching activity experiences. In conclusion, it was perceived that academic extension programs must be more intensively appreciated, given the coordinating role it can play between investigative and didactic activities, both key to initial training.

Gestão democrática na escola: as impressões dos participantes do programa progestão

This paper is a sampling of an extensive research which analyzed and assessed the Distance Learning Program for Qualification of School Managers (Progestão) carried out in three schools, which preserved the same management team during the program. Progestão provided continuing and inservice development for public school managers by means of distance and presential types of learning. This paper deals with the concept of democratic management understood by the proponents of Progestão, the training team (trainers and multipliers), and the managers assisting the course (principals, vice principals, and pedagogical supervisors). Three issues that check the understanding of the democratic management concept were analyzed, as well as how those participants implement it in schools. The research is based on the qualitative approach, which has an evaluating character. It discusses the profile assigned to school management since the amendment of the State and the passing of the Law of Policies and Principles of Education (LDB)/96, besides pointing out the difficulties to support democratic management dissociated from other school practices.

Material didático para alunos surdos: a literatura infantil em Libras

The storytelling is central to the early literacy of children, part of the objectives for the entire kindergarten. The story circle or storytelling is important and helpful in cognitive and emotional development of children, including the ones with disabilities. Seeking communicational accessibility, the aim of this work is to make the book "O Penuginha" by Luiz Vitor Martinello available in LIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language). To facilitate the achievement of this objective, it was considered appropriate to develop a descriptive study following the methodology of qualitative research, to search for literature on how learning takes place in the Portuguese language by deaf students. This study resulted in a DVD with video recordings, the translation of the book "O Penuginha" in LIBRAS and the narration of the book in Portuguese. Therefore, this research is relevant because the paradigm of the twenty first century is the inclusion of all people in different scenarios and the school is one of the first places where the removal of barriers is essential.

Evidências formativas da extensão universitária na docência em Educação Física

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caratteristiche principali dell'emissione di galassie a spirale

Una breve trattazione dei principali meccanismi di emissione delle galassie a spirale nelle varie bande dello spettro elettromagnetico

Predictability in Social Science, The statistical mechanics approach.

The subject of this work concerns the study of the immigration phenomenon, with emphasis on the aspects related to the integration of an immigrant population in a hosting one. Aim of this work is to show the forecasting ability of a recent finding where the behavior of integration quantifiers was analyzed and investigated with a mathematical model of statistical physics origins (a generalization of the monomer dimer model). After providing a detailed literature review of the model, we show that not only such a model is able to identify the social mechanism that drives a particular integration process, but it also provides correct forecast. The research reported here proves that the proposed model of integration and its forecast framework are simple and effective tools to reduce uncertainties about how integration phenomena emerge and how they are likely to develop in response to increased migration levels in the future.

Atrial remodeling, autonomic tone, and lifetime training hours in nonelite athletes

Endurance athletes have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) at 40 to 50 years of age. Signal-averaged P-wave analysis has been used for identifying patients at risk for AF. We evaluated the impact of lifetime training hours on signal-averaged P-wave duration and modifying factors. Nonelite men athletes scheduled to participate in the 2010 Grand Prix of Bern, a 10-mile race, were invited. Four hundred ninety-two marathon and nonmarathon runners applied for participation, 70 were randomly selected, and 60 entered the final analysis. Subjects were stratified according to their lifetime training hours (average endurance and strength training hours per week × 52 × training years) in low (<1,500 hours), medium (1,500 to 4,500 hours), and high (>4,500 hours) training groups. Mean age was 42 ± 7 years. From low to high training groups signal-averaged P-wave duration increased from 131 ± 6 to 142 ± 13 ms (p = 0.026), and left atrial volume increased from 24.8 ± 4.6 to 33.1 ± 6.2 ml/m(2) (p = 0.001). Parasympathetic tone expressed as root of the mean squared differences of successive normal-to-normal intervals increased from 34 ± 13 to 47 ± 16 ms (p = 0.002), and premature atrial contractions increased from 6.1 ± 7.4 to 10.8 ± 7.7 per 24 hours (p = 0.026). Left ventricular mass increased from 100.7 ± 9.0 to 117.1 ± 18.2 g/m(2) (p = 0.002). Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function and blood pressure at rest were normal in all athletes and showed no differences among training groups. Four athletes (6.7%) had a history of paroxysmal AF, as did 1 athlete in the medium training group and 3 athletes in the high training group (p = 0.252). In conclusion, in nonelite men athletes lifetime training hours are associated with prolongation of signal-averaged P-wave duration and an increase in left atrial volume. The altered left atrial substrate may facilitate occurrence of AF. Increased vagal tone and atrial ectopy may serve as modifying and triggering factors.

Raum – Perspektive – Medium 2: Wahrnehmung im Blick. reflex: Tübinger Kunstgeschichte zum Bildwissen

Im zweiten Workshop zum Thema „Raum – Perspektive – Medium“, der im Februar 2009 am Kunsthistorischen Institut der Universität Tübingen stattfand, kristallisierten sich zwei zentrale Thesen heraus, die im nun folgenden Band aus interdisziplinärer Perspektive beleuchtet werden: Erstens die Frage nach dem Anteil des Betrachters am Bildprozess und zweitens eine damit einhergehende Bewertung des Medienbegriffs. In reflex 2 sind nun die Texte versammelt, die aus dem Workshop „Raum – Perspektive – Medium 2“ hervorgegangen sind.