Metacognição e sucesso escolar: articulando teoria e prática

Este artigo busca salientar a importância da metacognição para os processos de aprendizagem e para o sucesso escolar. Para tanto, discute a necessidade de se construir, nas salas de aula, uma cultura do pensar, que propicie aos alunos: a. uma forma de explicitar, desde cedo, modalidades de pensamento, tornando-as, assim, passíveis de ser compartilhadas; b. um estímulo ou motivação para pensar, de forma a alcançar decisões acertadas; c. a coragem para enfrentar situações novas; d. a transferência de estratégias e conhecimentos gerados em um dado contexto para outros. Um aspecto central na implementação de uma cultura do pensamento é desenvolver habilidades metacognitivas, pois é por meio delas que se torna possível a elaboração de conhecimentos e formas de pensar que assegurem maior possibilidade de sucesso e generalização, bem como a aquisição da autonomia na gestão da aprendizagem e na construção de uma auto-imagem de aprendiz competente. Exemplos de como implementar essa proposta são fornecidos, destacando como a organização do ensino torna os alunos sujeitos de sua própria aprendizagem.

Posturas docentes e formação universitária de professores do ensino fundamental

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar se a participação de professores de redes municipais do Estado de São Paulo em um programa de licenciatura em nível superior, oferecido por duas renomadas universidades paulistas, ocasionava alteração nas posturas docentes dos alunos-professores. Os dados - respostas de 1.272 participantes a 17 simulações de situações problemas apresentadas no início e no final do programa - foram analisadas por meio de procedimentos estatísticos. Os resultados mostraram que 30% dos alunos-professores sofreram modificações de perfil nas posturas estudadas no sentido esperado. Isso parece indicar que os participantes apresentaram, ao final do Programa, maior tendência para dominar e planejar situações didáticas que envolviam os conteúdos básicos das áreas de conhecimento; reconhecer e empregar adequadamente os recursos e tecnologias disponíveis no processo de ensino-aprendizagem; e valer-se da teoria para orientar a prática docente e a avaliação.

Exercício da sexualidade por adolescentes em ambientes de privação de liberdade

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa cujo principal objetivo foi conhecer como se dá o exercício da sexualidade por parte de adolescentes privados de liberdade. Os dados foram coletados em três estados do nordeste brasileiro, que adotaram a política pública de oferecer visitas 'íntimas' aos jovens em conflito com a lei. Os resultados apresentam o perfil dos adolescentes, a vida sexual e os cuidados com a saúde antes da internação, o exercício da sexualidade no interior da instituição e, por fim, a visita íntima do ponto de vista dos entrevistados. Com base nesses dados e nos direitos dos adolescentes à autonomia; à participação; à igualdade e não discriminação, à integridade corporal e à saúde, essa política pública foi avaliada. Recomendações para aperfeiçoá-la foram tecidas, de modo a melhor atender aos direitos sexuais de jovens privados de liberdade.

Aortic arch atheroma and the risk of stroke.

Brain infarction of unknown cause, known as cryptogenic stroke, represents 30% to 40% of all ischemic strokes, or approximately 400,000 cases each year in western Europe. In this category of patients new potential causes, such as aortic arch atheroma in the elderly, have been investigated in the past two decades.

Formação continuada de professores em alguns estados e municípios do Brasil

O objetivo deste estudo é verificar como se dá a formação continuada de professores em diferentes estados e municípios brasileiros. A coleta de dados incluiu entrevistas com pessoas envolvidas na formação continuada, em dezenove secretarias municipais e estaduais de educação de diferentes regiões do país. Os resultados mostraram a presença de ações orientadas basicamente para as séries iniciais do ensino fundamental, privilegiando as áreas de Língua Portuguesa e Matemática. Duas perspectivas foram encontradas: a individualizada, que busca valorizar o próprio professor, sanando suas dificuldades de formação, e a colaborativa, que se centra em atividades realizadas predominantemente nas escolas, com ênfase no trabalho partilhado. Grande parte dessas secretarias considera que modalidades de formação mais duradouras e sistemáticas são mais produtivas, porque levam os docentes a modificar sua prática pedagógica. Há marcada dificuldade em avaliar e acompanhar a aprendizagem dos docentes ao término de sua participação nas ações de formação continuada. No momento atual, o estudo aponta a importância de as secretarias implementarem, simultaneamente, modalidades voltadas para o professor e para a escola, além de elaborar políticas educacionais internamente mais bem articuladas e mais harmônicas com as demais políticas voltadas para o magistério. Essas parecem ser as melhores alternativas para atualizar os conhecimentos e habilidades necessários para os docentes se aprimorarem em sua profissão.

An horizon scan of biogeography

The opportunity to reflect broadly on the accomplishments, prospects, and reach of a field may present itself relatively infrequently. Each biennial meeting of the International Biogeography Society showcases ideas solicited and developed largely during the preceding year, by individuals or teams from across the breadth of the discipline. Here, we highlight challenges, developments, and opportunities in biogeography that were summarized at or emerge from that biennial synthesis. We note the realized and potential impact of rapid data accumulation in several fields, a Renaissance for inter-disciplinary research, the importance of recognizing the evolution-ecology continuum across spatial and temporal scales and at different taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional levels, and re-exploration of classical assumptions and hypotheses using new tools. However, advances are taxonomically and geographically biased, key theoretical frameworks await development of tools for handling, or strategies for simplifying, the biological complexity seen in empirical systems. Current threats to biodiversity require unprecedented integration of knowledge and development of predictive capacity which may enable biogeography to unite its descriptive and hypothetico-deductive arms and establish a greater role within and outside academia

An integrated encyclopedia of DNA elements in the human genome.

The human genome encodes the blueprint of life, but the function of the vast majority of its nearly three billion bases is unknown. The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project has systematically mapped regions of transcription, transcription factor association, chromatin structure and histone modification. These data enabled us to assign biochemical functions for 80% of the genome, in particular outside of the well-studied protein-coding regions. Many discovered candidate regulatory elements are physically associated with one another and with expressed genes, providing new insights into the mechanisms of gene regulation. The newly identified elements also show a statistical correspondence to sequence variants linked to human disease, and can thereby guide interpretation of this variation. Overall, the project provides new insights into the organization and regulation of our genes and genome, and is an expansive resource of functional annotations for biomedical research.

Transscleral Coulomb-controlled iontophoresis of methylprednisolone into the rabbit eye: influence of duration of treatment, current intensity and drug concentration on ocular tissue and fluid levels.

The major problems associated with the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of ocular diseases are their poor intraocular penetration to the posterior segment when administered locally and their secondary side effects when given systemically. To circumvent these problems more efficient methods and techniques of local delivery are being developed. The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate the pharmacokinetics of intraocular penetration of hemisuccinate methyl prednisolone (HMP) after its delivery using the transscleral Coulomb controlled iontophoresis (CCI) system applied to the eye or after intravenous (i.v.) injection in the rabbit, (2) to test the safety of the CCI system for the treated eyes and (3) to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of HMP intraocular distribution after CCI delivery to i.v. injection. For each parameter evaluated, six rabbit eyes were used. For the CCI system, two concentrations of HMP (62.5 and 150mg ml(-1)), various intensities of current and duration of treatment were analyzed. In rabbits serving as controls the HMP was infused in the CCI device but without applied electric current. For the i.v. delivery, HMP at 10mg kg(-1)as a 62.5mg ml(-1)solution was used. The rabbits were observed clinically for evidence of ocular toxicity. At various time points after the administration of drug, rabbits were killed and intraocular fluids and tissues were sampled for methylprednisolone (MP) concentrations by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Histology examinations were performed on six eyes of each group. Among groups that received CCI, the concentrations of MP increased in all ocular tissues and fluids in relation to the intensities of current used (0.4, 1.0 and 2.0mA/0.5cm(2)) and its duration (4 and 10min). Sustained and highest levels of MP were achieved in the choroid and the retina of rabbit eyes treated with the highest current and 10min duration of CCI. No clinical toxicity or histological lesions were observed following CCI. Negligible amounts of MP were found in ocular tissues in the CCI control group without application of current. Compared to i.v. administration, CCI achieved higher and more sustained tissue concentrations with negligible systemic absorption. These data demonstrate that high levels of MP can be safely achieved in intraocular tissues and fluids of the rabbit eye, using CCI. With this system, intraocular tissues levels of MP are higher than those achieved after i.v. injection. Furthermore, if needed, the drug levels achieved with CCI can be modulated as a function of current intensity and duration of treatment. CCI could therefore be used as an alternative method for the delivery of high levels of MP to the intraocular tissues of both the anterior and posterior segments.

Composição centesimal e conteúdo de aminoácidos, ácidos graxos e minerais de seis cultivares de soja destinadas à alimentação humana

Seis cultivares de soja (Glycine max L. Merrill): IAS-4, EMBRAPA-4, Davis, BR-16, Iguaçu e IAS-5, destinadas à alimentação humana, foram caracterizadas quanto à composição centesimal, conteúdo de aminoácidos, ácidos graxos e minerais. Os teores de fibra, proteína e óleo variaram significativamente nas amostras analisadas, enquanto que os teores de cinzas não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Com relação aos teores de minerais, o potássio foi o que obteve o maior valor, 1.824,02 mg/100 g para a cultivar Iguaçu, ficando a EMBRAPA-4 com o maior teor de cálcio, 313,93 mg/100 g. Para a composição em ácidos graxos, notou-se que a cultivar IAS-5 apresentou o maior teor de insaturados, 87,45%, enquanto que a Davis, o menor, 83,93%. A cultivar EMBRAPA-4 apresentou um teor de ácido oléico maior e de linoléico e linolênico bem menores que as demais cultivares estudadas, 39,93%, 42,46% e 4,64%, respectivamente. Os demais ácidos graxos estão de acordo com os valores encontrados na literatura no tocante a óleo de soja. Todas as cultivares estudadas apresentaram excelente balanço em aminoácidos essenciais (AAE). Os teores de cada AAE foram superiores aos da proteína padrão estabelecido pela FAO/WHO, com valor total de AAE variando de 39,5 a 45,0 g/100 g de proteína.

Qualidade da semente e senescência de genótipos de soja sob dois níveis de infestação de percevejos (Pentatomidae)

Este trabalho objetivou estudar a resistência de duas linhagens de soja, do programa de melhoramento do sabor da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, MG, cultivadas sob dois níveis de infestação de percevejos, em comparação com três cultivares de soja. Os genótipos estudados foram: CR-1, CR-3, Cristalina (linhagem paterna), Davis (padrão de suscetibilidade) e IAC-100 (padrão de resistência). CR-1, CR-3, Davis e Cristalina, sob baixa infestação, produziram porcentagens de sementes normais semelhantes entre si (57%), e inferiores às de IAC-100 (77%). Sob alta infestação, CR-1, CR-3 e Cristalina produziram percentagens de sementes normais semelhantes entre si (22%) e inferiores às de Davis (43%) e IAC-100 (59%). Todos os genótipos apresentaram baixo grau de retenção foliar (menos que 6%) quando cultivados sob baixa infestação, mas sob alta infestação, a CR-1 e IAC-100 apresentaram menores porcentagens de retenção foliar (menos que 5%), seguida por Davis e CR-3 (6-20%) e Cristalina (21-40%). CR-1, IAC-100 e Davis não apresentaram plantas com caule verde sob baixa infestação, ao contrário do que foi registrado com CR-3 (3,6%) e Cristalina (11%). IAC-100, CR-1 e Davis apresentaram menores porcentagens de plantas com caule verde (6,4, 10,3 e 18,3%, respectivamente) que CR-3 (64,8%) e Cristalina (77,3%).

Evaluation of Fly Ash in Portland Cement Concrete Paving in Woodbury County, Iowa, HR-201, Construction Report, 1979

The earliest overall comprehensive work on the use of fly ash in concrete was reported by Davis and Associates of the University of California in 1937. Since that time there have been numerous applications of the use and varying proportions of fly ash in portland cement concrete mixes. Fly ash is a pozzolanic powdery by-product of the coal combustion process which is recovered from flue gases and is generally associated with electric power generating plants. Environmental regulations enacted in recent years have required that fly ash be removed from the flue gases to maintain clean air standards. This has resulted in an increased volume of high quality fly ash that is considered a waste product or a by-product that can be utilized in products such as portland cement concrete. There are several sources of the high quality fly ash located in Iowa currently producing a combined total of 281,000 tons of material annually. Due to recent cement shortages and the rapidly increasing highway construction costs, the Iowa Department of Transportation has become interested in utilizing fly ash in portland cement concrete paving mixes. A preliminary review of the Iowa Department of Transportation Materials Laboratory study indicates that a substitution of fly ash for portland cement, within limits, is ·not detrimental to the overall concrete quality. Also the use of fly ash in concrete would reduce the cement consumption as well as provide a potential cost savings in areas where high quality fly ash is available without excessive transportation costs. The previously expressed concerns have shown the need for a research project to develop our knowledge of fly ash replacement in the Iowa Department of Transportation portland cement concrete paving mixes.

Floods of September 15-16, 1992, in the Thompson, Weldon, and Chariton River Basins, South-Central Iowa, HR-140, 1997

Water-surface-elevation profiles and peak discharges for the floods of September 15-16, 1992, in the Thompson, Weldon, and Chariton River Basins, south-central Iowa, are presented in this report. The profiles illustrate the 1992 floods along the Thompson, Weldon, Chariton, and South Fork Chariton Rivers and along Elk Creek in the south-central Iowa counties of Adair, Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Madison, Ringgold, Union, and Wayne. Water-surface-elevation profiles for the floods of July 4, 1981, along the Chariton River in Lucas County and along the South Fork Chariton River in Wayne County also are included in the report for comparative purposes. The September 15-16, 1992, floods are the largest known peak discharges at gaging stations Thompson River at Davis City (station number 06898000) 57,000 cubic feet per second, Weldon River near Leon (station number 06898400) 76,200 cubic feet per second, Chariton River near Chariton (station number 06903400) 37,700 cubic feet per second, and South Fork Chariton River near Promise City (station number 06903700) 70,600 cubic feet per second. The peak discharges were, respectively, 1.7, 2.6, 1.4, and 2.1 times larger than calculated 100-year recurrence-interval discharges. The report provides information on flood stages and discharges and floodflow frequencies for streamflow-gaging stations in the Thompson, Weldon, and Chariton River Basins using flood information collected through 1995. Information on temporary bench marks and reference points established in the Thompson and Weldon River Basins during 1994-95, and in the Chariton River Basin during 1983-84 and 1994-95, also is included in the report. A flood history summarizes rainfall conditions and damages for floods that occurred during 1947, 1959, 1981, 1992, and 1993.

Evaluation of Fly Ash in Portland Cement Concrete Paving in Woodbury County, Iowa, Final Report, HR-201, 1980

The earliest overall comprehensive work on the use of fly ash in concrete was reported by Davis and Associates of the University of California in 1937. Since that time, there have been numerous applications of the use and varying propertions of fly ash in portland cement concrete mixes. Fly ash is a pozzolanic powdery by-product of the coal combustion process which is recovered from flue gases and is, generally associated with electric power generating plants. Environmental regulations enacted in recent years have required that fly ash be removed from the flue gases to maintain clean air standards. This has resulted in an increased volume of high quality fly ash that is considered a waste product or a by-product that can be utilized in products such as portland cement concrete. There are several sources of the high quality fly ash located in Iowa currently producing a combined total of 281,000 tons of material annually.

AltitudeOmics: The Integrative Physiology of Human Acclimatization to Hypobaric Hypoxia and Its Retention upon Reascent.

An understanding of human responses to hypoxia is important for the health of millions of people worldwide who visit, live, or work in the hypoxic environment encountered at high altitudes. In spite of dozens of studies over the last 100 years, the basic mechanisms controlling acclimatization to hypoxia remain largely unknown. The AltitudeOmics project aimed to bridge this gap. Our goals were 1) to describe a phenotype for successful acclimatization and assess its retention and 2) use these findings as a foundation for companion mechanistic studies. Our approach was to characterize acclimatization by measuring changes in arterial oxygenation and hemoglobin concentration [Hb], acute mountain sickness (AMS), cognitive function, and exercise performance in 21 subjects as they acclimatized to 5260 m over 16 days. We then focused on the retention of acclimatization by having subjects reascend to 5260 m after either 7 (n = 14) or 21 (n = 7) days at 1525 m. At 16 days at 5260 m we observed: 1) increases in arterial oxygenation and [Hb] (compared to acute hypoxia: PaO2 rose 9±4 mmHg to 45±4 while PaCO2 dropped a further 6±3 mmHg to 21±3, and [Hb] rose 1.8±0.7 g/dL to 16±2 g/dL; 2) no AMS; 3) improved cognitive function; and 4) improved exercise performance by 8±8% (all changes p<0.01). Upon reascent, we observed retention of arterial oxygenation but not [Hb], protection from AMS, retention of exercise performance, less retention of cognitive function; and noted that some of these effects lasted for 21 days. Taken together, these findings reveal new information about retention of acclimatization, and can be used as a physiological foundation to explore the molecular mechanisms of acclimatization and its retention.