Contribuições da reconstrução racional didática no desenvolvimento de concepções epistemologicamente mais aceitáveis sobre a natureza da ciência e do progresso científico

This study inserts itself in the research line conceptions on the nature of the science (CNC) in the school atmosphere. More specifically, on that teacher of natural sciences who claims not to be interested in philosophy, it is usually noticed a tendency to understand and to teach a vision of a ready/ finished and unalterable science, which directly influences the students conception of science. Discussed here is the application of a didactic rational reconstruction in high school, the results of which are compatible with a more epistemologically acceptable educational concep tion on the nature of science as something provisory, variable and controversial.

Um olhar epistemológico sobre o vocábulo ambiente: algumas contribuições para pensarmos a ecologia e a educação ambiental

After the presentation of semantic and etymological considerations given to the word environment, this paper discusses how this term was appropriated and re-signified in different historical moments. Based on previous studies, it is noted that there were two appropriations of the word environment: one whose origin was in the Natural Sciences and one that would be related to the Human Sciences. At the end is argued that such appropriations can be found today, respectively, in Ecology and Environmental Education

Formação de professores das séries iniciais: o pedagogo em questão

Pós-graduação em Educação para a Ciência - FC

As dificuldades para a gestão do PIBID a partir do olhar de coordenadores e colaboradores em subprojetos na Faculdade de Ciências Bauru: limites e possibilidades

The Institutional Program of Initiation to Teaching, the PIBID, has by its nature the training of teachers. Focused on graduate students, the PIBID acts as a proposal for training beyond the mandatory classes, giving to the students that are entering the program, a great opportunity to improve their training as a teacher. Thus, this work focuses on a discussion of the PIBID at the Faculty of Sciences UNESP Bauru, aimed at subprojects of graduate students linked to the areas of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, working in an interdisciplinary way. I interviewed five teachers (three area coordinators and two contributors) seeking to verify, in their view, the understanding about the program and what were the major difficulties in the training of teachers. For contributors teachers and coordinators of the subprojects, interdisciplinarity has a very important role in the training of new teachers, and the PIBID allows to work this concept more broadly than just in the mandatory classes. However, a program so big like the PIBID comes with problems and it is in this context that this study was conducted. Coordinator teachers and contributors of the subprojects identified flaws in the program that may affect the activities proposed in the institutional design

Interaction Between Roughages and Corn Milling Byproducts in Finishing Cattle Diets

During ethanol production, starch is the primary nutrient fermented and the remaining byproducts are excellent sources of fiber and protein. In addition, inclusion of byproducts in finishing diets may reduce the incidence of acidosis. As a result, roughage level and quality could potentially be reduced in finishing diets containing byproducts. Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of roughage and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) in finishing cattle diets containing corn distillers grains plus solubles. Cattle fed finishing diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) with no roughage had decreased DMI and ADG compared to cattle fed roughage. Within roughage level, ADG was similar for cattle fed alfalfa hay, corn silage or corn stalks when included on an equal NDF basis. Apparent total tract digestibility of OM, NDF, and CP linearly decreased and ruminal pH variables increased linearly due to increasing roughage levels. Roughage sources can be exchanged on an equal NDF basis in beef finishing diets containing 30% WDGS (DM basis). In finishing diets containing modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), DMI linearly increased due to increasing roughage levels but ADG responded quadratically and was lowest for cattle fed diets without roughage. There was also a quadratic response for DMI and ADG due to WCGF inclusion level. Gain:feed decreased linearly with increasing roughage and WCGF inclusion levels. Feeding 15% WCGF resulted in similar cattle performance and carcass traits to cattle fed no WCGF in diets containing 30% MDGS, but cattle fed diets with 60% total byproduct inclusion made up of 30% WCGF and 30% MDGS had reduced performance (DM basis). Additionally, reducing corn silage inclusion level to 7.5% resulted in similar finishing cattle performance and carcass traits to cattle fed 15% corn silage in diets containing 30% MDGS with or without inclusion of WCGF. Elimination of roughage in diets containing either WDGS or MDGS resulted in negative impacts on finishing cattle performance, ruminal metabolism, and carcass traits.

Comparison of the Fuel Needed to Transport Plastic Recyclables Verses Aluminum Recyclables from Yellowstone National Park

Research has provided no definitive answers on whether PET plastic bottles or aluminum cans are a more environmentally sustainable choice as soda containers. This paper researches the fuel used in recycling each of these materials from Yellowstone National Park to processing locations. The data is used to determine which of these alternatives use less fuel in this process. It was found that plastics use more fuel when transported from Yellowstone National Park to the processing center. Aluminum uses less fuel per ton to transport from Yellowstone to the processing center. The conclusions from this research may have implications on which material would be advised to use in selling soda in Yellowstone National Park.

An Affordable, Pratical Eco-House

An eco-house or zero-energy house is not a new concept- houses with extremely low impact on their surroundings and good use of local resources have been around for centuries. This particular eco-house is designed to offer full modern services and comforts while consuming very low energy and few expensive building materials. Ideally, someone would be able to use this thesis as a blueprint for actual construction.

The Effects of Ornamentation on Wolf Spider Foraging

ABSTRACT: As a secondary sexual trait that can increase reproductive success, ornamentation is believed to be costly for organisms to acquire and possess. This study investigates possible costs of ornamentation on wolf spider foraging by comparing foraging abilities of two male forms that differ in ornamentation upon maturation. The two male forms, found syntopically in a mixed population in Mississippi, USA, resemble two sibling species: Schizocosa ocreata, in which males develop large black brushes on their forelegs upon maturation, and Schizocosa rovneri, in which males lack ornamentation following maturation. Individuals of both forms participated in foraging trials as penultimates (juveniles) and as matures. Analyses were conducted to compare behaviors and determine changes in foraging abilities between male forms (non-ornamented vs. brush-legged) and between age groups (penultimate vs. mature). Most foraging behaviors of the two male forms during immaturity were similar with the exception that brush-legged males attacked more frequently than non-ornamented males. Brush-legged males attacked less, spent more time moving, and improved capture abilities as matures, while non-ornamented males retained similar trends for these behaviors with age. Additionally, while capture abilities improved with age among brush-legged males, killing abilities remained constant. This disparity was due to increased escapes made by captured prey items, possibly due to hindrances caused by brush presence preventing secure holds onto crickets. In summary, differences in foraging exist between brush-legged and non-ornamented males prior to sexual maturation, and the development of/presence of brushes appears to influence adult male foraging efficiency.

Comparative Anylysis of Recyling Programs: A Case Study of Three Universities

Abstract The goal of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of three university recycling programs. This study looked at several aspects of the programs that included the diversion rates, per capita ratios of materials recycled and disposed, and the average net costs of waste disposal and waste diversion. The universities included in this study were the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Oregon. To gather the information necessary for this analysis, I contacted each of the university’s recycling coordinators. To determine the average net costs of waste disposal and waste diversion I requested both the recycling budget and solid waste budget from each university for the fiscal years of interest which included: 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009. To calculate the diversion rates and per capita ratios, I requested performance records from each university listing the tonnage of materials recycled and disposed for the same years. This study’s findings reported that the average net costs for waste diversion in all three universities were $22-$122 less per ton than costs for waste collection and disposal. This study also indicated that the universities with the highest diversion and recycling rates were the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Oregon. The university with the lowest waste generated per capita was the University of Oregon followed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Relating Bike Racks and Bike Ridership

Abstract The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the relationship between bicycle ridership and bike racks in a given area. The goal was to discern whether or not the density of bike racks determines the number of riders in the area. I predicted that there would be higher ridership in the areas with a denser bike rack concentration. To investigate this point, I set up five different areas of varying sizes with a similar number of bike racks, and then observed them over a period of 5 business days. By using a simple tally of the bikes found on the racks and bikes locked to other objects, like railings, I collected data in the area during the day when there were likely to be many commuter bikes parked outside. The results show that there is a positive relationship between the density of bike racks in a given area and bike ridership. While there is a positive r-value, more data collection needs to be done to determine the relationship that may exist between bike ridership and bike racks.

Yellowstone Super-Volcano: Evalutaion, Potential Threats, and Possible effects on Nebraska Citizens Health and Prosperity

Abstract Yellowstone National Park is located over a hot spot under the North American tectonic plate and holds a potentially explosive super-volcano that has the ability to cause deadly consequences on the North American continent. After an eruption the surrounding region would see the greatest devastation, covered by pyroclastic deposits and thick ash fall exterminating most all life and destroying all structures in its path. In landscapes of greater distance from the event the consequences will be less dramatic yet still substantial. Records of previous eruption data from the Yellowstone super-volcano show that the ash fall out from the eruption can cover areas as large as one million square kilometers and could leave Nebraska covered in ash up to 10 centimeters thick. This would cause destruction of agriculture, extensive damage to structures, decreased temperatures, and potential respiratory hazards. The effects of volcanic ash on the human respiratory system have been shown to cause acute symptoms from heavy exposure. Symptoms include nasal irritation, throat irritation, coughing, and if preexisting conditions are present some can develop bronchial symptoms, which can last for a few days. People with bronchitis and asthma are shown to experience airway irritation and uncomfortable breathing. In most occurrences, exposure of volcanic ash is too short to cause long-term health hazards. Wearing facial protection can alleviate much of the symptoms. Most of the long-term ramifications of the eruption will be from the atmospheric changes caused from disruption of solar radiation, which will affect much of the global population. The most pertinent concerns for Nebraska citizens are from the accumulation of ash deposits over the landscape and the climatic perturbations. Potential mitigation procedures are essential to prepare our essentially unaware population of the threat that they may soon face if the volcano continues on its eruption cycle.

Morphology of the gas bladder in thorny catfishes (Siluriformes: Doradidae)

The gross morphology of the gas bladder is described, illustrated, compared and categorized among 86 of 88 nominal valid and six undescribed species representing all 31 genera of Doradidae with comments on ontogenetic and taxonomic variation when observed. The putatively basal-most doradids exhibit an unmodified cordiform gas bladder. Derived taxa exhibit an impressive suite of modifications including the addition of a secondary bladder, pronounced reduction of the posterolateral chambers, internal trabeculae, associations with bony capsule-like expansions of the anterior (Weberian) vertebrae, and accessory diverticula varying widely in size, shape, abundance, and distribution. Intra-specific differences are minor, most often reflective of ontogenetic changes especially in large-size species, whereas inter-specific and inter-generic differences are significant, in many cases diagnostic, and suggestive of phylogenetic signal excepting instances of evident convergence such as gas bladder reduction in Rhynchodoras and all but one species of Leptodoras.

Taxonomic revision of extant Doras Lacepede, 1803 (Siluriformes: Doradidae) with descriptions of three new species

Extant Doras are newly diagnosed among Doradidae by the unique combination of maxillary barbels long and fimbriate; mesethmoid with anterior lateral margins converging towards narrow tip; single anterior cranial fontanel contained largely within frontals and anteriorly by mesethmoid (posterior cranial fontanel occluded); anterior nuchal plate wide, pentaganol or roughly hexagonal, sharing distinct lateral suture with epioccipital and isolating supraoccipital from middle nuchal plate; nuchal foramina absent; coracoid process short, posterior tip falling well short of that of postcleithral process; dentary with acicular teeth; and skin immediately ventral to postcleithral process perforated with conspicuous pores. One fossil species, dagger D. dioneae, and two nominal extant species, D. carinatus and D. micropoeus, are recognized as valid and the latter two redescribed. Three additional extant species, D. phlyzakion, D. higuchii and D. zuanoni, are newly described from the middle Amazon and tributaries, lower Amazon tributaries and rio Araguaia (Tocantins drainage), respectively. Doras phlyzakion and D. zuanoni form a monophyletic group that is found in lowland, lentic habitats, and is characterized by multiple conspicuous pores in skin on breast and abdomen, a trait unique among doradids and rare if not unique among all catfishes. The remaining extant species, D. carinatus, D. higuchii and D. micropoeus, with uncertain relationships, are found in upland, lotic habitats. The occurrence of D. carinatus in the Orinoco basin suggests a historical link between right-bank tributaries of the lower Orinoco (e.g., Caroni) draining the western Guiana Shield and more eastern rivers (e.g., Cuyuni-Essequibo) that drain the Shield directly into the Atlantic Ocean. A key to extant species is provided, a neotype is designated for Silurtis carinatus Linnaeus 1766, and Mormyropsis Miranda Ribeiro, 1911, is placed in the synonymy of Doras Lacepede, 1803.

A Simpler and More Accurate AUTO-HDS Framework for Clustering and Visualization of Biological Data

In [1], the authors proposed a framework for automated clustering and visualization of biological data sets named AUTO-HDS. This letter is intended to complement that framework by showing that it is possible to get rid of a user-defined parameter in a way that the clustering stage can be implemented more accurately while having reduced computational complexity

Lindelof spaces which are indestructible, productive, or D

We discuss relationships in Lindelof spaces among the properties "indestructible". "productive", "D", and related properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.