La imagen didáctica : análisis descriptivo y evaluativo.

Analizar los códigos específicos de las imágenes, los factores estructurales de los mensajes icónicos que aparecen en los libros de texto y estudiar la percepción subjetiva de tales imágenes. El problema de investigación radica en el estudio de las imágenes que aparecen en los textos de cuarto de Primaria, estudio que debía completar la apreciación técnica de carácter experto y los juicios valorativos del público al que se destinan. Los objetivos son: analizar las imágenes que aparecen en los manuales escolares de cuarto curso de Enseñanza Primaria, desde una perspectiva descriptiva y evaluar una muestra significativa de imágenes pertenecientes a tales libros desde la perspectiva de los receptores a los que van destinados: los alumnos. Totalidad de los libros de texto para cuarto de Primaria de las editoriales de Santillana y Anaya, las más utilizadas (60'3 por ciento) en los 36 colegios de Primaria consultados en la ciudad de Cartagena. El total de imágenes contenidas en ellos fue de 4361, analizadas en la fase descriptiva de la investigación. Para seleccionar las imágenes a evaluar (fase evaluativa) se tomó como población las 4361 imágenes sobre las que se realizó un muestreo no aleatorio de tipo intencional que seleccionó 10 imágenes (muestra). Para seleccionar el grupo de sujetos se realizó un muestreo probabilístico por coglomerados, partiendo del criterio de población de la zona donde se ubica el centro (rural/urbano), se utilizó también el criterio demográfico de clasificación de las poblaciones según su número de habitantes: urbana, intermedia y rural. Se seleccionaron 3 centros urbanos y 2 rurales (1 centro privado y 4 públicos). Participaron el 100 por cien de los alumnos de cuarto de Primaria de los centros seleccionados presentes en el aula el día en que se realizó la prueba (total 172 alumnos que constituyeron la muestra). Selección de manuales(instrumento de análisis del libro), selección de imágenes, construcción del instrumento de análisis descriptivo de imágenes (ADI), sometido a un estudio piloto según la técnica de la triangulación (validez y fiabilidad). Construcción del instrumento (escla) de análisis evaluativo de la muestra de imágenes seleccionada (establecimiento de categorías de análisis y de sus correspondientes adjetivos y expresiones). Una primera elaboración del instrumento se utilizó con una muestra de 40 alumnos, hasta su redacción definitiva. Se realizó la evaluación en los cinco colegios seleccionados (mayo, curso 93-94), análisis de datos (categorías y codificación), resultados y conclusiones. Instrumento de análisis del libro. Instrumento de Análisis Descriptivo de Imágenes (ADI). Escala de evaluación del diferencial semántico de imágenes. Consideran los niños más bonitas y menos complejas las imágenes de tipo ilustrativo, de valor estético, que no exigen esfuerzo intelectual, no aparecen diferencias significativas en la percepción de imágenes en función de la zona de ubicación del centro, la edad o el sexo de los alumnos encuestados.

Social perception gaze patterns, symptom severity and resting brain function measured using Arterial Spin Labelling

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by qualitative alterations in reciprocal social interactions. Some recent studies show alterations in gaze patterns during social perception and rest-functional abnormalities in the ‘social brain network’. This study investigated: i) social perception gaze patterns in children with ASD and controls, ii) the relationship between autism clinical severity and social perception gaze patterns, iii) the relationship between resting cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and social perception gaze patterns. Methods: Nine children with ASD and 9 children with typical development were studied. Eye-tracking was used to detect gaze patterns during presentation of stimuli depicting social scenes. Autism clinical severity was established using the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R). Arterial spin labelling MRI was used to quantify rCBF. Results: The ASD group looked less at social regions and more at non-social regions than controls. No significant correlation was found between ASD clinical severity and social perception gaze patterns. In the ASD group, gaze behaviour was related to rCBF in the temporal lobe regions at trend level. Positive correlations were found between temporal rCBF and gaze to the face region, while negative correlations were found between temporal rCBF and gaze to non-social regions. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that social perception gaze patterns are altered in children with ASD, and could be related to temporal rCBF.

The air distribution index as an indicator for energy consumption and performance of ventilation systems

This paper deals with the energy consumption and the evaluation of the performance of air supply systems for a ventilated room involving high- and low-level supplies. The energy performance assessment is based on the airflow rate, which is related to the fan power consumption by achieving the same environmental quality performance for each case. Four different ventilation systems are considered: wall displacement ventilation, confluent jets ventilation, impinging jet ventilation and a high level mixing ventilation system. The ventilation performance of these systems will be examined by means of achieving the same Air Distribution Index (ADI) for different cases. The widely used high-level supplies require much more fan power than those for low-level supplies for achieving the same value of ADI. In addition, the supply velocity, hence the supply dynamic pressure, for a high-level supply is much larger than for low-level supplies. This further increases the power consumption for high-level supply systems. The paper considers these factors and attempts to provide some guidelines on the difference in the energy consumption associated with high and low level air supply systems. This will be useful information for designers and to the authors' knowledge there is a lack of information available in the literature on this area of room air distribution. The energy performance of the above-mentioned ventilation systems has been evaluated on the basis of the fan power consumed which is related to the airflow rate required to provide equivalent indoor environment. The Air Distribution Index (ADI) is used to evaluate the indoor environment produced in the room by the ventilation strategy being used. The results reveal that mixing ventilation requires the highest fan power and the confluent jets ventilation needs the lowest fan power in order to achieve nearly the same value of ADI.

A behavioral comparison of male and female adults with high functioning autism spectrum conditions

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) affect more males than females in the general population. However, within ASC it is unclear if there are phenotypic sex differences. Testing for similarities and differences between the sexes is important not only for clinical assessment but also has implications for theories of typical sex differences and of autism. Using cognitive and behavioral measures, we investigated similarities and differences between the sexes in age- and IQ-matched adults with ASC (high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome). Of the 83 (45 males and 38 females) participants, 62 (33 males and 29 females) met Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) cut-off criteria for autism in childhood and were included in all subsequent analyses. The severity of childhood core autism symptoms did not differ between the sexes. Males and females also did not differ in self-reported empathy, systemizing, anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive traits/symptoms or mentalizing performance. However, adult females with ASC showed more lifetime sensory symptoms (p = 0.036), fewer current socio-communication difficulties (p = 0.001), and more self-reported autistic traits (p = 0.012) than males. In addition, females with ASC who also had developmental language delay had lower current performance IQ than those without developmental language delay (p<0.001), a pattern not seen in males. The absence of typical sex differences in empathizing-systemizing profiles within the autism spectrum confirms a prediction from the extreme male brain theory. Behavioral sex differences within ASC may also reflect different developmental mechanisms between males and females with ASC. We discuss the importance of the superficially better socio-communication ability in adult females with ASC in terms of why females with ASC may more often go under-recognized, and receive their diagnosis later, than males.

A depth-integrated 2D coastal and estuarine model with conformal boundary-fitted mesh generation

Details are given of the development and application of a 2D depth-integrated, conformal boundary-fitted, curvilinear model for predicting the depth-mean velocity field and the spatial concentration distribution in estuarine and coastal waters. A numerical method for conformal mesh generation, based on a boundary integral equation formulation, has been developed. By this method a general polygonal region with curved edges can be mapped onto a regular polygonal region with the same number of horizontal and vertical straight edges and a multiply connected region can be mapped onto a regular region with the same connectivity. A stretching transformation on the conformally generated mesh has also been used to provide greater detail where it is needed close to the coast, with larger mesh sizes further offshore, thereby minimizing the computing effort whilst maximizing accuracy. The curvilinear hydrodynamic and solute model has been developed based on a robust rectilinear model. The hydrodynamic equations are approximated using the ADI finite difference scheme with a staggered grid and the solute transport equation is approximated using a modified QUICK scheme. Three numerical examples have been chosen to test the curvilinear model, with an emphasis placed on complex practical applications

Repetition-free longest common subsequence

We study the following problem. Given two sequences x and y over a finite alphabet, find a repetition-free longest common subsequence of x and y. We show several algorithmic results, a computational complexity result, and we describe a preliminary experimental study based on the proposed algorithms. We also show that this problem is APX-hard. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Avaliação da apresentação fenotípica comportamental do autismo em uma amostra de famílias de crianças autistas em Porto Alegre e região metropolitana

O autismo apresenta uma alta herdabilidade e uma etiologia heterogênea, com o provável envolvimento de vários genes. Estudos recentes sugerem que características presentes nos pais de crianças com autismo apresentam paralelo com as apresentações de traços associados nos filhos. Este estudo avaliou 15 famílias de autistas, de Porto Alegre e região metropolitana, e controles. Foram utilizados quatro instrumentos de avaliação no estudo: dois avaliando as características nos filhos (ADI-R e Protocolo de Bosa) e dois aplicados aos pais (ITC e EDS). Os resultados deste estudo apontaram para a confirmação da agregação familiar de características fenotípicas herdadas independentemente. Apesar de diferirem dos resultados dos controles (pais de crianças com desenvolvimento típico), não comprovou-se a existência de uma diferença significativa na severidade de apresentações fenotípicas em pais de crianças autistas. Foi possível estabelecer a presença de uma configuração de características fenotípicas ligadas a aspectos do autismo em pais e crianças com autismo. Esta pesquisa aponta pistas para a existência de um padrão de herança dentro das famílias autistas.

Algumas polêmicas envolvendo a utilização de células-tronco embrionárias no Brasil: um desafio à inovação jurisdicional

A finalidade da presente dissertação será o exame de algumas das muitas polêmicas éticas e jurídicas que envolvem a utilização das células-tronco embrionárias humanas para fins de pesquisa e terapia. A utilização de tais células-tronco foi aprovada pela Lei n.º 11.105 de 2005, conhecida como a nova Lei de Biossegurança, cujo artigo 5º permitiu, apenas para fins de pesquisa e terapia, a utilização das citadas células obtidas de embriões humanos provenientes do processo de fertilização in vitro, não utilizados no respectivo procedimento, atendidas certas condições. Assim que entrou em vigor, o citado dispositivo sofreu por parte do Procurador Geral da República a Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade (ADI) nº 3510, que gerou amplos debates de âmbito multidisciplinar. Apesar da declaração de constitucionalidade do referido artigo, ainda são muitas as polêmicas de ordem jurídica e ética. Questiona-se, principalmente, as divergências existentes acerca da natureza jurídica do embrião, produzido in vitro e excedente nos processos de fertilização, bem como a adequação do princípio constitucional da Dignidade Humana neste contexto. São demonstradas, ainda, questões pertinentes ao patenteamento de material genético e, consequentemente, das células-tronco embrionárias.

A influência exercida pelo amicus curiae nos votos dos ministros do Supremo Tribunal Federal nos acórdãos das ações direta de inconstitucionalidade decididas majoritariamente

O projeto de pesquisa ora apresentado à banca de qualificação da Escola de Direito do Rio de Janeiro da Fundação Getúlio Vargas, como requisito parcial para obtenção do título de Mestre em Poder Judiciário, situa-se na área de concentração das práticas jurisdicionais de fim. O problema de pesquisa é o processo decisório do Supremo Tribunal Federal, com o objetivo específico de estudar a influência exercida por atores externos ao Tribunal nas decisões de seus Ministros. Dentro desta problemática, o recorte escolhido foi a análise da influência exercida por agentes que participam formalmente dos processos sob a jurisdição do Supremo, atuando como amici curiae nas ações diretas de inconstitucionalidade. A dissertação está estruturada em está estruturado em 3 (três) seções, da seguinte forma: a primeira seção faz uma introdução da problemática escolhida e da metodologia utilizada, assim como os indicadores para a realização da análise da existência ou não da influência dos argumentos trazidos pelo amicus curiae. A segunda seção traz breve descrição acerca do controle concentrado de constitucionalidade e o papel do amicus curiae na ação direta de inconstitucionalidade. Traz, ainda, o estudo feito por Damares Medina, a diferença deste trabalho com relação ao primeiro e as ADI estudadas. A terceira seção traz uma análise do processo decisório nos tribunais e a influência exercida pelo amicus curiae nas decisões majoritárias do Supremo Tribunal Federal, em especial, o caso das ações direta de inconstitucionalidade, bem como a análise dos dados encontrados nas 53 (cinqüenta e três) ADI estudadas. Por fim, tem-se a conclusão deste trabalho.

A face inconstitucional do novo marco regulatório do petróleo

A descoberta do pré-sal motivou intensa atividade legislativa que alterou o regime sob o qual o petróleo é explorado no Brasil. Neste contexto, foram instituídas mudanças na distribuição das participações governamentais, notadamente no que se refere ao pagamento dos royalties e participações especiais aos Estados e Municípios produtores de petróleo. Representantes de alguns destes Estados, insatisfeitos frente ao novo marco regulatório, ajuizaram Ações Diretas de Inconstitucionalidade (ADI nº 4.917, ADI nº. 4.916, ADI nº. 4.492 e ADI nº. 4.920) perante o Supremo Tribunal Federal, questionando, em suma, a violação ao pacto federativo, ao ato jurídico perfeito, ao direito adquirido, à segurança jurídica e ao princípio da isonomia.

Valorização do magistério da educação básica no RN: participação do SINTE e do governo estadual na implementação do piso salarial profissional nacional na rede pública estadual no ano de 2009

This paper analyzes the policy of upgrading the teaching profession in relation to financing basic education, with a view to participation of the Union of Education Workers of Rio Grande do Norte - SINTE / RN and the state government in the implementation of Professional Base Salary the National Professional Teaching Public Basic Education - Law 11738/2008, the public state of Rio Grande do Norte. The participation of civil society, through the union movement presents itself as an important process of implementation of Professional Base Salary. The participation of SINTE / RN occurred since the fight to pass the plan, careers and Compensation (2006) until the implementation of the Base Salary (2009) highlighting the power relations established between the Union and State Government. To this end, there were actions such as public hearings and strikes by education professionals. In order to raise issues relevant to the issue of enhancement of teaching and participation of unions as a collective representation has been taken as a theoretical and methodological literature on the financing of basic education, enhancing teaching and participation as well as policy guidelines governing the career of teaching. Was used as a methodological procedure to document analysis and information gathering through semi-structured interviews. The results indicate the participation and the power relationship between the trade union movement and the state government in the implementation of the Base Salary. However, the current issues concerning the limitations of recovery of the teaching profession in order to implement the policy floor, not only merit of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, but the decisions that have been taken by the Supreme Court (STF) relating to the unconstitutionality of Action (ADI) filed by five governors. This fact greatly reduced the possibility of recovery of the teaching of the state, considering that the government was limited to decisions of the Supreme Court. Therefore, the enhancement of teaching remains a challenge for the union movement

Novel insights into the genomic basis of citrus canker based on the genome sequences of two strains of Xanthomonas fuscans subsp aurantifolii

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A generalized alternating-direction implicit scheme for incompressible magnetohydrodynamic viscous flows at low magnetic Reynolds number

This paper presents numerical simulations of incompressible fluid flows in the presence of a magnetic field at low magnetic Reynolds number. The equations governing the flow are the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid motion coupled with Maxwell's equations of electromagnetics. The study of fluid flows under the influence of a magnetic field and with no free electric charges or electric fields is known as magnetohydrodynamics. The magnetohydrodynamics approximation is considered for the formulation of the non-dimensional problem and for the characterization of similarity parameters. A finite-difference technique is used to discretize the equations. In particular, an extension of the generalized Peaceman and Rachford alternating-direction implicit (ADI) scheme for simulating two-dimensional fluid flows is presented. The discretized conservation equations are solved in stream function-vorticity formulation. We compare the ADI and generalized ADI schemes, and show that the latter is more efficient in simulating low Reynolds number and magnetic Reynolds number problems. Numerical results demonstrating the applicability of this technique are also presented. The simulation of incompressible magneto hydrodynamic fluid flows is illustrated by numerical solution for two-dimensional cases. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PCM thermal insulation in buildings

This paper presents the results of a numerical and experimental study of phase change material (PCM) filled walls and roofs under real operational conditions to achieve passive thermal comfort. The numerical part of the study was based on a one-dimensional model for the phase change problem controlled by pure conduction. Real radiation data was used to determine the external face temperature. The numerical treatment was based upon using finite difference approximations and the ADI scheme. The results obtained were compared with field measurements. The experimental set-up consisted of a small room with movable roof and side wall. The roof was constructed in the traditional way but with the phase change material enclosed. Thermocouples were distributed across the cross section of the roof. Another roof, identical but without the PCM, was also used during comparative tests. The movable wall was also constructed as is done traditionally but with the PCM enclosed. Again, thermocouples were distributed across the wall thickness to enable measurement of the local temperatures. Another wall, identical but without the PCM, was also used during comparative tests. The PCM used in the numerical and experimental tests was composed of a mixture of two commercial grades of glycol in order to obtain the required fusion temperature range. Comparison between the simulation results and the experiments indicated good agreement. Field tests also indicated that the PCM used was adequate and that the concept was effective in maintaining the indoor temperature very close to the established comfort limits. Further economical analysis indicated that the concept could effectively help in reducing the electric energy consumption and improving the energy demand pattern. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.