Study on suppression of otoacoustic emissions: lateral domain

A pon stimulation by contralateral, ipsilateral or bilateral noise, the medial olivocochlear efferent tract changes the amplitude of otoacoustic emissions relative to the tested ear, reducing or removing it; this resulted in a reduction/suppression effect of otoacoustic emissions. Differences in patterns of elimination/reduction of otoacoustic emissions between ears have been documented worldwide; there are, however, no Brazilian studies investigating the effect of lateral dominance.Aims: To compare the effect of the presence of deletion/reduction of otoacoustic emissions and their amplitude relative to lateral dominance in normal hearing adults.Methods: A clinical and experimental study. The sample comprised 75 individuals. The methodology was conventional - linear click intensity of 60 dB SPL; white noise was contralateral stimulation at 60 dB SPL.Description of results: There were no statistically significant differences between right and left ear results, in terms of asymmetry of the degree of otoacoustic emissions and the presence of suppression/reduction.Conclusion: There is no lateral dominance in the degree of otoacoustic emissions in the presence of suppression/reduction in the study population.

Thermogravimetric studies of the decomposition kinetics of four different Hevea rubber clones using Ozawa's approach

Thermal degradation of natural rubber extracted from four different rubber clones of the Hevea brasiliensis species was investigated by thermogravimetry using Ozawa's approach to assess the kinetic parameters of the decomposition process. The results are discussed in terms of the order of reaction, kinetic parameters such as activation energy as a function of conversion degree, and thermal stability for each of the clones.

Growth and developmental outcomes of the extremely preterm infant

Objetive: To provide information for pediatricians and neonatologists to create realistic outcome expectations and thus help plan their actions. Sources of data: Searches were made of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Lilacs databases. Summary of the findings: The assessment of growth and development over the first 2-3 years must adjust chronological age with respect of the degree of prematurity. There is special concern regarding the prognoses of small for gestational age preterm infants, and for those with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Attention must be directed towards improving the nutrition of extremely low birth weight infants during their first years of life; these infants have high prevalence levels of failure to catch-up on growth, diseases and rehospitalizations during their first 2 years. They are frequently underweight and shorter than expected during early childhood, but delayed catch-up growth may occur between 8 and 14 years. Extremely low birth weight infants are at increased risk of neurological abnormalities and developmental delays during their first years of life. Educational, psychological, and behavioral problems are frequent during school years. Teenage and adult outcomes show that although some performance differences persist, social integration is not impaired. Conclusions: The growth and neurodevelopment of all ELBW infants must be carefully monitored after discharge, to ensure that children and their families receive adequate support and intervention to optimize prognoses. Copyright © 2005 by Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria.

Cytologic analysis of alterations induced by smoking and by alcohol consumption

Objective: To analyze cytologically the buccal mucosa of smoking and nonsmoking volunteers to determine what cellular changes are induced by cigarettes and alcohol consumption. Study Design: In order to evaluate cellular changes induced by smoking and alcohol consumption, exfoliative cytology was used for the analysis of mucosal smears obtained from the buccal mucosa of 25 smokers and 25 nonsmokers. The number of cigarettes consumed, duration of smoking, presence or absence of alcohol ingestion, ingested alcohol dose and frequency of consumption, and most frequently used type of alcoholic beverage were determined using a questionnaire. Three smears from each individual stained by the Papanicolaou method were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively under a light microscope by 2 experienced examiners in terms of inflammatory and dysplastic alterations and of the degree of epithelial maturation. Results: Although numerous alterations were observed in smokers they corresponded up to only Papanicolaou class II and were not significantly different from nonsmokers (Mann-Whitney and χ 2 tests, p < 0.05). A higher proportion of inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells) were obtained from smokers as compared to nonsmokers, while the proportion of bacteria was similar in the 2 groups. Conclusion: The findings indicate that even after a short period of cigarette use and alcohol consumption, inflammatory alterations were detectable on exfoliative cytology of the buccal mucosa in a young group, demonstrating the usefulness of cytology for early detection in smokers. © The International Academy of Cytology.

The influence of seasonalness on the structural characteristics of aquatic humic substances extracted from Negro River (Amazon state) waters: Interactions with Hg(II)

In this work, humic substances were extracted from water samples collected monthly from the Negro River basin in the Amazon state (Brazil) to study their properties in the Amazonian environment and interactions with the mercury ion considering the influence of seasonalness in this formation. The C/H, C/N and C/O atomic ratio parameters, functional groups, concentration of semiquinone-type free radicals, pH, pluviometric and fluviometric indices, and mercury concentrations were interpreted using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The statistical analyses showed that when the pluviometric index was greater and the fluviometric index was smaller, the degree of humification of aquatic substances was greater. The following decreasing order of the degree of humification of the AHS collected monthly was established: Nov/02 to Feb/03 > Mar/02 to May/02 > Jun/02 to Oct/02. The greatest concentrations of mercury were detected in more humidified samples. These results suggest that due to inter and/or intra-molecular rearrangements, the degree of humification of aquatic humic substances is related to its affinity for Hg(II) ions. ©2007 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Accuracy of impression techniques for implants. Part 1 - Influence of transfer copings surface abrasion

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of surface abrasion of transfer copings to obtain a precise master cast for a partially edentulous restoration with different inclinations. Materials and Methods: Replicas (N = 30) of a metal matrix (control group) containing two implants at 90° and 65° in relation to the benchtop were obtained using a polyether impression material and three impression techniques: square impression copings splint with dental floss and autopolymerizing acrylic resin (TRS), square impression copings abraded with aluminum oxide (TA), and square impression copings abraded with aluminum oxide and adhesive-coated (TAA). The replicas obtained in type V stone were digitalized, and the images were exported to AutoCAD software to perform the readings of possible degree alterations in implant inclinations. The results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test (α < 0.05). Results: Comparing the techniques with regard to the 90° implant inclination, no statistical difference was observed between the three techniques and the control group. Analyzing the three techniques with regard to the 65° implant inclination, no significant difference was seen between technique TA and the control group. Conclusions: Technique TA presented more accurate master casts than TRS and TAA techniques. The angulated implant (65°) tended to generate more imprecise master casts than implants perpendicular to the surface. © 2008 by The American College of Prosthodontists.

The use of slot filter in piezocone tests for site characterization of tropical soils

The use of piezocone tests with a slot filter filled with automotive grease for site characterization of tropical soils is assessed. Laboratory tests using the slot filter filled with automotive grease as well as the conventional porous piezo-element saturated with glycerin were carried out to evaluate the pore pressure (u 2) transducer response. CPTu tests using piezo-elements saturated with glycerin and the slot filter filled with grease were pushed side by side in different research sites in Brazil. Estimates of mechanical and hydraulic soil parameters were made based on pore pressure dissipation curves from using both techniques. Laboratory test results indicate that the pore pressure response using the slot filter with grease was delayed when compared to the piezo-element saturated with glycerin, since grease has a higher viscosity. For tropical soils, the records of u2 in piezocone tests using slot filter with grease presented larger peaks than with porous element saturated with glycerin. Records of u2 using the slot filter above the groundwater table suggest the increase of the degree of saturation in unsaturated zone, where porous filter can be desaturated by suction. The slot filter can be used to help the interpretation of the soil profile with deep groundwater level as well as to help detecting its position for some studied soils. The results shown high repeatability for all study sites. This technique is much easier to handle, especially for tropical soils, where the groundwater table is usually deep and pre-drilling is expensive and time consuming. © 2009 IOS Press.

Indexes of structural reform in Latin America

Includes bibliography

O laboratório do artista - cientista

Pós-graduação em Artes - IA

Educação inclusiva em cursos de licenciatura: um estudo sobre possibilidades e limitações da educação a distância (EaD) para formação de professores

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR

A epistemologia subjacente ao currículo e à formação de licenciandos em Ciências Biológicas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Os sentidos outorgados por docentes de cursos de licenciatura sobre a educação ambiental como possibilidade para se pensar a formação de professores

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sobre a formação do professor de música: o tempo fugidio entre a aurora, o crepúsculo e o silêncio

Pós-graduação em Música - IA

Avaliação formativa na Licenciatura de Espanhol: autoavaliação e autorregulação em foco

Neste trabalho discute-se uma experiência com a avaliação formativa voltada para a autoavaliação e autorregulação das competências linguageiras e das estratégias de aprendizagem. A pesquisa aqui relatada tinha por objetivo identificar o que estudantes de Licenciatura de Espanhol Língua Estrangeira (E/LE) autoavaliam e autorregulam em sua aprendizagem, que impacto tem a autoavaliação e autorregulação efetivas em suas competências de comunicação e de aprendizagem e, por fim, que atividades didáticas favorecem a autoavaliação e autorregulação dessas competências. Para alcançarmos os objetivos propostos, optamos por realizar uma pesquisa-ação, que foi desenvolvida na disciplina Língua Espanhola III da Licenciatura em Letras Espanhol da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) - Campus de Castanhal, com base em suporte teórico de autores pesquisados, como Allal (1986; 2007), Bonniol e Vial (2001), Perrenoud (2007), entre outros. Para a análise dos dados obtidos, foi observado como três estudantes da turma tinham lidado com as atividades formativas propostas ao longo do curso e relacionando seu desempenho na disciplina com sua atitude no tocante a essas atividades. Os resultados revelam que inicialmente os objetos mais avaliados e autorregulados pelos alunos diziam respeito às competências linguísticas. No entanto, conforme os aprendentes eram induzidos a refletirem sobre outras dimensões da aprendizagem da língua estrangeira, alguns deles passaram a incluir em suas autoavaliações e autorregulações outros aspectos, como os metacognitivos, o que favoreceu uma melhoria das competências comunicativas e de aprendizagem. As atividades formativas que propiciaram uma autoavaliação e autorregulação mais eficazes foram o roteiro de autoavaliação, o diário de aprendizagem, a elaboração de objetivos comunicativos e de critérios de avaliação, bem como situações que envolviam práticas de autoavaliação, coavaliação e avaliação mútua.

Formação de professores no contexto da (re)introdução da Língua portuguesa em Timor-Leste: da polêmica às ações táticas

A presente pesquisa investiga como os sujeitos envolvidos no processo de aprendizagem de Português no curso de formação de professores do Bacharelato emergencial em Ciências Naturais, ofertado em Timor-Leste pela cooperação brasileira no período entre outubro/2009 e dezembro/2010, “traduzem / interpretam” o discurso de (re)introdução da língua portuguesa nesse país. A pesquisa baseia-se em dados produzidos ou reconstituídos a partir de minha experiência como professora do curso de formação de professores em língua portuguesa, através do “Programa de Qualificação e ensino da Língua Portuguesa em Timor-Leste (PQLP)”, coordenado pela Fundação CAPES. Para proceder à discussão, tomo como ferramentas teórico-metodológicas conceitos de Maingueneau (2008), especialmente os de “interincompreensão” e “simulacro”, como também os conceitos de “estratégia” e “tática” de Michel de Certeau (2012), que compõem seu modelo polemológico das apropriações culturais. As análises apontam que a maneira como cursistas e formador se apropriam do discurso da política de (re)introdução da língua portuguesa em Timor é determinada por formações discursivas diferentes, e que a relação interdiscursiva estabelecida entre elas desencadeia o fenômeno da “interincompreensão”. Compreender como essas formações discursivas se traduzem mutuamente na sala de aula, dentro das atividades que a princípio se destinariam ao ensino e a aprendizagem do português, contribui para que se possa (re)definir as intervenções didáticas das aulas de Português na formação de professores, assim como a política de (re)introdução do português em Timor-Leste. Defendemos que o ensinoaprendizagem do português, no contexto de Timor-Leste, precisa ser compreendido não apenas do ponto de vista didático, no que diz respeito à construção e mediação de saberes entre alunos e professores, como também do ponto de vista ideológico, uma vez que nesse país as propostas de formação atuais representam um projeto que pode conflitar com valores e crenças existentes na sociedade a respeito do idioma português e da relação entre a escola e outras instituições.