Efeitos das inomogeneidades da matéria em Cosmologias Aceleradas

The recent observational advances of Astronomy and a more consistent theoretical framework turned Cosmology in one of the most exciting frontiers of contemporary science. In this thesis, homogeneous and inhomogeneous Universe models containing dark matter and different kinds of dark energy are confronted with recent observational data. Initially, we analyze constraints from the existence of old high redshift objects, Supernovas type Ia and the gas mass fraction of galaxy clusters for 2 distinct classes of homogeneous and isotropic models: decaying vacuum and X(z)CDM cosmologies. By considering the quasar APM 08279+5255 at z = 3.91 with age between 2-3 Gyr, we obtain 0,2 < OM < 0,4 while for the j3 parameter which quantifies the contribution of A( t) is restricted to the intervalO, 07 < j3 < 0,32 thereby implying that the minimal age of the Universe amounts to 13.4 Gyr. A lower limit to the quasar formation redshift (zJ > 5,11) was also obtained. Our analyzes including flat, closed and hyperbolic models show that there is no an age crisis for this kind of decaying A( t) scenario. Tests from SN e Ia and gas mass fraction data were realized for flat X(z)CDM models. For an equation of state, úJ(z) = úJo + úJIZ, the best fit is úJo = -1,25, úJl = 1,3 and OM = 0,26, whereas for models with úJ(z) = úJo+úJlz/(l+z), we obtainúJo = -1,4, úJl = 2,57 and OM = 0,26. In another line of development, we have discussed the influence of the observed inhomogeneities by considering the Zeldovich-Kantowski-DyerRoeder (ZKDR) angular diameter distance. By applying the statistical X2 method to a sample of angular diameter for compact radio sources, the best fit to the cosmological parameters for XCDM models are OM = O, 26,úJ = -1,03 and a = 0,9, where úJ and a are the equation of state and the smoothness parameters, respectively. Such results are compatible with a phantom energy component (úJ < -1). The possible bidimensional spaces associated to the plane (a , OM) were restricted by using data from SNe Ia and gas mass fraction of galaxy clusters. For Supernovas the parameters are restricted to the interval 0,32 < OM < 0,5(20") and 0,32 < a < 1,0(20"), while to the gas mass fraction we find 0,18 < OM < 0,32(20") with alI alIowed values of a. For a joint analysis involving Supernovas and gas mass fraction data we obtained 0,18 < OM < 0,38(20"). In general grounds, the present study suggests that the influence of the cosmological inhomogeneities in the matter distribution need to be considered with more detail in the analyses of the observational tests. Further, the analytical treatment based on the ZKDR distance may give non-negligible corrections to the so-calIed background tests of FRW type cosmologies

Wettability, optical properties and molecular structure of plasma polymerized diethylene glycol dimethyl ether

Modern industry has frequently employed ethylene glycol ethers as monomers in plasma polymerization process to produce different types of coatings. In this work we used a stainless steel plasma reactor to grow thin polymeric films from low pressure RF excited plasma of diethylene glycol dimethyl ether. Plasmas were generated at 5W RF power in the range of 16 Pa to 60 Pa. The molecular structure of plasma polymerized films and their optical properties were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and UltravioletVisible Spectroscopy, respectively. The IR spectra show C-H stretching at 3000-2900 cm(-1), C=O stretching at 1730-1650 cm(-1), C-H bending at 1440-1380 cm(-1), C-O and C-O-C stretching at 1200-1000 cm(-1). The refraction index was around 1.5 and the optical gap calculated from absorption coefficient presented value near 3.8 eV. Water contact angle of the films ranged from 40 degrees to 35 degrees with corresponding surface energy from 66 to 73x10(-7) J. Because of its favorable optical and hydrophilic characteristics these films can be used in ophthalmic industries as glass lenses coatings.

Positive leader characteristics from high-speed video observations

Based on analyses of high-speed video recordings of cloud-to-ground lightning in Brazil and the USA, the characteristics of positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) leaders are presented. The high frame rates permitted the average, 2-dimensional speeds of development along the paths of the channels to be resolved with good accuracy. The values range from 0.3 to 6.0 x 10(5) ms(-1) with a mean of 2.7 x 10(5) ms(-1). Contrary to what is usually assumed, downward +CG leader speeds are similar to downward -CG leader speeds. Our observations also show that the speeds tend to increase by a factor of 1.1 to 6.5 as they approach the ground. The presence of short duration, recoil leaders (RLs) during the development of positive leaders reveal a highly branched structure that is not usually recorded when using conventional photographic and video cameras. The existence of the RLs may help to explain observations of UHF-VHF radiation during the development of +CG flashes.

(Con)vivendo em fortalezas: o outro lado do morar bem

The intensification of the fear in the city and in the spaces controlled by this feeling has contributed to a growing socio-spatial inequality, and the rapid growth of market protection. The residential condos emerge as a possible solution to the problem. This is a housing typology expanding worldwide which is seen, especially by the urban middle class, as enablers of quality of life and safety. In Brazil, especially in large cities, the quest for quality of life is directly connected with the desire for security translated through space control (use of high walls, gates, entrance hall, security cameras) and people who use it. This thesis aims at investigating how the different categories of inhabitants of an area predominantly occupied by vertical residential condos realize the socio-spatial dimension and the socio-urban space determined by this type of development. It especially takes into consideration the issue of urban insecurity, based on the assumption that, although published and sold by marketing as safe places , synonym of welfare and supporters of community life , the living in these condos, may even inhibits, social relationships, contributing to socio-spatial isolation and consequent social weakness. This is a survey that seeks to meet the assumptions of Environmental Psychology towards the comprehension of person-environment studies, emphasizing the use of different methods (desk research, observations of and group interviews, focus group technique using photographic resources), as well as the focus on current problems of the urban scene and the knowledge gained in Social Psychology

O pátio escolar do ensino fundamental como ambiente de brincar segundo as crianças usuárias

The intention of the present study was to analyze the adequacy of the playground of elementary schools, according to the point of view of the child student, direct user of this type of environment, what estimated its critical in respect to these spaces and aimed at to contribute for its improvement. Many studies have analyzed the quality of the physical environment available for activities of leisure in specific places for children, focusing in the influence of the physical space in the interpersonal relationships and the comfort and satisfaction generated by the physical characteristics of these spaces. Concern with scholar environment, specially the interest on playgrounds, has been subject of recent studies; however, little attention has been given to the opinion of the user-child in relation to this school environment. In this inquiry of the playground of two state schools of 1ª to 4ª series of elementary school in the city of Piracicaba, SP, was used: assystematics observations, photographic register of the studied environments, interviews with child-users and behavioral mapping. The main subjects resulting from the analysis of the interviews content were: adaptation, density and interpersonal relationships, and infantile confinement. The results revealed the unsatisfactory conditions of the courtyards, in respect to person-environment relationship. The children demonstrated to be critical, creative and responsible when answering questions related to the quality of the school courtyard. This finding confirms previous studies and leads to the conclusion that the child, as the direct user, should be included as an excellent source of consultation in the planning of the constructed environment

Um lugar para chamar de "meu" :estudo sobre relação afetiva com o lugar de moradores da praia de Pipa-RN

The chores and the daily physical and social demands make us feel more and more the need to be in a familiar and restoring environment, with which we frequently establish emotional bonds. The interaction with places for resting and leisure, exemplified in the Environmental Psychology literature as recreational and home environments, allow us to exercise our potentials and to strengthen our (personal and collective) identity. Bearing this in mind, this dissertation has as aim to study the relation of affection between the place and the inhabitants of the community of Pipa-RN, which has turned from fishermen s village into tourist destination, bringing with it many changes to the local population. To accomplish that, we made use of behavioral observations, interviews, and graphic and photographic documentation with 30 subjects selected through a network of indications, attending to the criterion loving Pipa . After analysis and systematization of the answers, we identified three super-categories: 1) Love, characterized by the strong representation that an environment has upon an individual without, necessarily, there being an affective link, allowing it to be nurtured from a distance and dissociated from the desire to be present; 2) Attachment, demonstrated by the difficulty in leaving the place, a bond that can be mediated by personal financial investments or expectation of future benefits; 3) Affiliation, which refers to the feeling of belonging to the place and its community, sharing its history, culture, habits, etc., independent from the place of birth. These super-categories are not exclusive, on the contrary, they can form combinations which we denominate as situations, that could vary from 01 (individual involved with none of the three) to 07 (individual involved with the three); there wasn t the combination between Attachment and Affiliation. These results showed that within the framework of relations of affection with the place, there are countless possibilities of interaction individual-environment, determined by the physicalenvironmental characteristics and by the assessment that each individual makes of it. With this small contribution to the theme, we hope to enlighten the perspectives for future research, especially involving the relation of affection for places and the adoption of proenvironmental conducts, as a question of preservation of the ecosystems and of the quality of life of the inhabitants

Pistas orgânicas: uma atividade lúdica para o ensino das funções orgânicas

Educational games can work as a complementary tool in teaching and learning chemistry, playing an important role in the development of the students cognitive structures, familiarizing them with certain conceptual content, which may arouse interest in the study of such content. In this work, we made an analysis of organic chemistry textbooks recommended by Programa Nacional do Livro Didático 2012, for high school students in order to verify the existence of methodological proposals using educational games. From this analysis, we proposed an educational game to be developed for students on 3º year of high medium and undergraduate chemistry, that are in 1º semester of the course, which is constituted of a tray and 48 letters, which work various concepts concerning organic functions, such as: structural characteristics, physical properties, chemical and properties diverse of the compounds used for the confection of the letters. The game was applied to a class degree in chemistry, period 2012.1 to a Federal Education of Rio Grande do Norte and a group of students of the 3rd year of the state schools of Rio Grande do Norte, in the period the months of April and May 2012. The analysis of the performance of the game proposed was made using visual observations, photographic records and testimonials of students who participated in the games. The instrument used for the data collection was the student questionnaire, which was similar for both groups, differing only in the amount of questions, because one of them had one more question. During application of the game it was observed that it constitutes a dynamic strategy in the teaching and learning of chemistry concepts, given that students actively participated in the classes as well, demonstrated more motivation in the construction of concepts, furthermore, it was possible to observe evidence of other possibilities of the game. This could be verified through visual observations and testimonials at the end of each game, by reading the answers to the questionnaires

Ações educativas com portadores de diabetes Mellitus através da educação popular em saúde

Popular Health Education in its emancipatory dimension refers to individuals and groups to exchange knowledge and experiences, allowing them to associate health to the outcomes of their living conditions. Under this view, health workers and health users are subjects of the educative process. Thus, this study aims to identify the key clinical and socio sanitary attributes and promote educational activities with patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in a Family Health Care Unit of the Western Sanitary District, in the city of Natal / RN. It is an action research which uses the references of the Theory of Liberating Education, which is based on a problem-solving pedagogy and that values dialogue in the process of understanding oneself and the world. Thirty-six diabetics, who are residents of the area covered by the health care unit, and thirty health workers participated in the survey. Each group had an average of twelve participants, and the meetings took place at the Unit´s hall, using conversation wheels, group dynamics, life narratives, experiences telling, movie exhibition and discussions, music, knowledge telling, desires, limitations, beliefs and values socially constructed. Data collection took place during the second half of two thousand and thirteen through Free Word Association Technique (FWAT), recordings of conversation wheels, participative observation, group dynamics, testimonies, questionnaires, life narratives and photographs. The empirical material was organized and subjected to three analyzes: thematic content (Bardin), textual statistics analysis by software IRAMUTEQ (Ratinaud), and photographic analysis (Edmund Feldman). The data analyses originated words, expressions, categories, themes and creative situations showing that popular health education is in process of construction, but still very incipient in primary care. The National Policy on Popular Health Education shows us the necessary ways for the transformation of health practices and the build of a more shared and solidary society. The meetings could be place to reverse that normative logic that has been happening over the years in primary care, but that by itself is not enough. It is possible to conclude that the use of active practices, increasing of listening and training on Popular Health Education will enable changes in the scenario where users and health workers deal with diabetes mellitus. Thus we see the popular health education is being timidly incorporated to the educational process of the subjects involved in this study, and far away from the principles of participation, organization of political work, increase opportunities for dialogue, respect, solidarity and tolerance among different actors involved in addressing the health problems that are fundamental to the improvement in building healthy practices of primary care

Horticultura no baixo curso do Rio Doce, zona norte do Natal/RN: avaliação da qualidade da água por meio de ensaios ecotoxicológicos

The research is developed in areas of horticulture in the city of Natal, in the neighborhoods of Lagoa Azul, Pajuçara and Redinha, along the Doce River, border area with Extremoz city, Rio Grande do Norte State. The region of the fluvial plain of Doce River is located in an Environmental Protection Zone (ZPA-9). This is one of the ZPA which is not under the regulatory marks and there are several environmental problems caused by use and land occupation, featuring an evident disregard of environmental laws and whose protection is hindered by the lack of specific legal mechanisms. This study aims to provide an overview of the use of pesticides in the lower course of the Doce River, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, and to assess environmental degradation in the area through chronic toxicity tests using the microcrustaceous Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard 1894 (Cladocera, Crustacea) as test organism. Visits were made to the area in 2009 and 2010. To obtain information a diagnosis of the local situation was accomplished based on personal observation and non-participatory photographic record, with the aim of assessing the environmental characteristics, population diversity and work processes of horticulturists. During the visits four different points of the Doce River were chosen to collect water for ecotoxicological tests and survey of physico-chemical parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, chloride, turbidity, conductivity and temperature), which were measured in the field using Multiparameter Probe (TROLL 9500). The adverse effects of pesticide use in the lower course of the Doce River is a major problem for both the environmental and human health, since many of the substances and active principles that enter in the composition of the products are synthesized molecules whose effects can only be evaluated through different studies on their actions and behavior at short, medium or long term

Vivências ludopoiéticas no jogo de areia: a tatilidade na autoformação humanescente

This study presents the ludopoietic experiences in Sandplay and the expression of tactility in humanescente self-training of future teachers of geography. The overall objective was to analyze and interpret as the tactility in the ludopoietic experiences with Sandplay facilitates the sentipensar and boosts the humanescent self-training. The qualitative research approach follows the principles of existential research-action into the etnofenomenologic perspective, that considers studies of the ethnography and the phenomenology with ethnomethodology. In this study we used the sedimentary rock called sandstone and your mineral grains as cognitive operator to stimulate the discussions of the ludopoietic experiences in Sandplay. The members of research were students of the Geography degree of IFRN. To achieve the research objectives were organized experiential meetings and virtual meetings. The ludopoietic experiences in Sandplay revealed the impact of tactility to humanescente self-training, indicating the importance of touch for apprehend and experience the world with beauty, joy and tenderness. These experiences showed the ludopoietic system properties, the threads of embodiment and the meaning of the sentipensar of tactility as a phenomenon that drives the humanescent self-training, evidenced by etnofenomenologie. Data were obtained through Sandplay, sensitive listening, experiential diary, photographic and movie records. In the process of data analysis were revealed the of etnofenomenological principles of experientiality indiciality, reflexivity, self-organizability, filiability, archetypality and humanescencialidade. Through the tactility, the Sandplay favors the awareness of the condition of being, takes life stories, providing the construction of knowledge in a meaningful and contextual way

Fotografia e marketing: uma análise dos atrativos turísticos da cidade de João Pessoa-PB

Photography is a resourse of the most used and effective marketing, besides being an polysemic art, boundless sense; this allows for different readings. Nevertheless, there are those who, through the control and supervision, try to organize its meaning, such as the marketing companies. Others, such as artists, are the responsibility of the observers to give their work some understanding. Resorting a photographic iconography of the tourist attractions of the city of João Pessoa in Brazil from 2005 to 2010. This survey selected images published in catalogs supported by the Fundo de Incentivo a Cultura (FIC) and the Empresa Paraibana de Turismo (PBTUR). The central idea of this qualitative research is the assumption that, in general, tourists crave, even unconsciously, a reality of a tourist attraction motivated by photographic image conveyed the travel market, meanwhile, emphasizes that the art market, the same attraction is exposed and uncovered. Thus it is argued, by photos, such as environmental and sociocultural characteristics are commodified by these organs that have different purposes is not exclusive, given that the FIC supports art and PBTUR sponsors the tourism. Beyond the iconography used for cataloging and photographic analysis, interviews were conducted by the method of visual narratives in ordes to approximate the data with the view of tourists and photographers. In that resulted in a refletion on the current imagistic process involving the release of the tourist destinations in order to be allowed on a critical reading of photographic production and market resources to marketing and promoting the art of the city. It was observed that both the art and photography marketing acquire different symbolic values with respect to their markets promoted by the catalogs analyzed.

A mineração artesanal e de pequena escala em pegmatitos e cerâmica no município de Parelhas, região do Seridó/Rio Grande do Norte

The working conditions, occupational health, occupational illness and workers quality of life, usually referring to the artisanal activities and the workers with a poor professional support. Because this reality is still present in locals without good infrastructure of social and economic attention, there is a need for a broad knowledge of problems related to the productive processes that include features of unsanitary and unhealthy. Despite the intense process of industrialization promoted by globalization and the growth of developing nations like Brazil, the activities of artisanal and small-scale mining are still suffering from the marginalization of their production processes and their workers. This dissertation deals with the description of mineral-based activities (MBA), especially the activities related to production processes of extraction and processing of red pottery and minerals in pegmatites in Parelhas city, Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, which are conducted by small mining companies or artisanal miners. The study of the work process was based on direct observation, photographic documentation, ergonomics, health and occupational safety analysis, interviews and structured questionnaire with workers of the two activities. The results indicate the need for improvement in both workplaces (red pottery and pegmatites), adaptation of workers to safety standards specific to the workplace, more attention and care related to ergonomics and occupational safety, greater importance to economic and social relations among performed activities, workers and firms of mineral branch and better and greater integration of social policies, supported by different sectors of society with the intention of transforming the current social, cultural, labor and education situation

Corrective eyeglasses and medial canthal basal cell carcinoma: a case-control study

Background Corrective eyeglasses are frequently worn by adults, particularly at older ages. Their lenses and frames provide ultraviolet protection. Medial canthal basal cell carcinomas are infrequent (38%), and their relation with the use of corrective glasses was not yet investigated. Objectives To assess the prevalence of corrective eyeglasses use in individuals with medial canthal basal cell carcinoma. Methods Case-control study using two controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity for each case. Cases were patients with medial canthal basal cell carcinoma, and controls were patients with basal cell carcinoma elsewhere on the face. The prevalence of major risk variables was estimated and adjusted by conditional multiple logistic regression. Results Fifty cases and 100 controls were assessed. The mean patient age was 69.7 years, and 54% of the subjects were females. No difference regarding the eyeglasses use or use duration was found between groups. However, when visual defects were separately evaluated, eyeglasses for myopia correction were independently associated with lower risk of medial canthal basal cell carcinoma development (OR = 0.26; P = 0.03), what can be related to long term local photoprotection. Conclusion The use of eyeglasses for myopia correction is associated with lower prevalence of medial cantal basal cell carcinoma. Risk-reducing mechanisms should be elucidated.

Úlceras crônicas dos membros inferiores: avaliação pela fotografia digital

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho da análise de imagem digital na estimativa da área acometida pelas úlceras crônicas dos membros inferiores. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo em que foram mensuradas úlceras empregando o método planimétrico clássico, utilizando desenho dos seus contornos em filme plástico transparente, medida sua área posteriormente por folha milimetrada. Esses valores foram utilizados como padrão para a comparação com a estimativa de área pelas fotografias digitais padronizadas das úlceras e dos desenhos das mesmas em filme plástico. Para criar um referencial de conversão dos pixels em milímetros, foi empregado um adesivo com tamanho conhecido, adjacente à úlcera. RESULTADOS: foram avaliadas 42 lesões em 20 pacientes portadores de úlceras crônicas de membros inferiores. As áreas das úlceras variaram de 0,24 a 101,65cm². Observou-se forte correlação entre as medidas planimétricas e as fotos das úlceras (R²=0,86 p<0,01), porém a correlação das medidas planimétricas com as fotos digitais dos desenhos das úlceras foi ainda maior (R²=0,99 p<0,01). CONCLUSÃO: A fotografia digital padronizada revelou-se método rápido, preciso e não-invasivo capaz de estimar a área afetada por úlceras. A avaliação das medidas fotográficas dos contornos das úlceras deve ser preferida em relação à análise de sua fotografia direta.

Pirometamorfismo nos arenitos da Formação Açu, Bacia Potiguar, NE do Brasil

Pyrometamorphism results from conditions of high temperatures and very low pressures provoked by the intrusion of hypabyssal basic bodies into sedimentary or metassedimentary hosting rocks. The onshore portion of the Potiguar Basin in NE Brazil offers examples of this type of metamorphism nearby the contacts of Paleogene to Neogene plugs, sills and dikes of diabases and basalts crosscutting sandstones, siltstones and shales of the Açu Formation (Albian-Cenomanian). The thermal effects over these rocks are reflected on textures and minerals assemblages that characterize the sanidinite facies of metamorphism, often with partial melting of the feldspathic and mica-rich matrix. The liquid formed is potassic and peraluminous, with variably colored rhyolitic glass (colorless, yellow, brown) comprising microcrystals of tridymite, sanidine and clinoenstatite, besides residual detrital clasts of quartz and rarely zircon, staurolite and garnet. Lenses of shale intercalated within the sandstones display crystallites of Fe-cordierite (sekaninaite), mullite, sanidine, armalcolite (Fe-Ti oxide) and brown spinel. The rocks formed due to the thermal effect of the intrusions are called buchites for which two types are herein described: a light one derived from feldspathic sandstone and siltstone protoliths; and a dark one derived from black shale protoliths. Textures indicating partial melting and minerals such as sanidine, mullite, tridymite and armalcolite strongly demonstrate that during the intrusion of the basic bodies the temperature reached 1,000-1,150°C, and was followed by quenching. Cooling of the interstitial melts has as consequences the closure of pores and decrease of the permeability of the protolith, which varies from about 17-11% in the unaffected rocks to zero in the thermally modified types. Although observed only at contacts and over small distances, the number of basic intrusions hosted within the Potiguar Basin in both onshore and offshore portions leaves opened the possibility of important implications of the thermal effects over the hydrocarbon exploration in this area as well in other Cretaceous and Paleozoic basins in Brazil