The Brazilian Constitution brings in its wake, explicit principles that guarantee the exercise of direct democracy. Among the many basic principles it presents, we highlight the shared accountability and popular participation, approaching revolutionary concepts such as environmental rationality. This article presents a brief analysis under the bias of environmental rationality, the prospects and limits of environmental citizenship in environmental public hearings, based on principles of shared accountability and popular participation, reflected in public hearings integral to the process of environmental licensing for oil activities in the Macau region, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from the vision of a group of social actors participating. The methodology in the exploratory phase was research literature and documents and subsequently to collect data on the perception of the group of social actors, used the focus group technique. It was concluded that, although the Brazilian environmental regulatory apparatus be considered of excellent quality, in practice the lack of public hearings environmental improvement, especially with regard to hearsay population and the response to the foregoing by the community in these important democratic spaces.

The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment has become alarming because they are abundant and possible human carcinogens. PAHs and derivatives are produced by incomplete combustion of organic material, and the burning of fossil fuels is one of the main sources of these pollutants into the environment. The Concentrations of PAHs increased significantly in urban environments and are influenced mainly by vehicle emissions. PAHs are found in the gas phase at low levels, however, the most likely human carcinogen is found associated with particles, especially fine particulate matter in ambient air. This review characterizes the PAHs from vehicle emissions, with a focus on aspects of sampling and analysis, identification, health and legislation related to these compounds. Some countries propose concentration limits required for PAH, but many studies regarding exposure PAHs show that these pollutants should be a priority when considering air quality and human health risk.

Among the animal products, fish is one of the most susceptible to microbial proliferation for its almost neutral pH, high water activity in tissue, and high nutrient availability. Poor health conditions of the raw material or inappropriate hygiene during the manufacturing process may insert unwanted microorganisms. In Serido, South region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, fish and its products are widely accepted by consumers. We aim to quantify the presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci in Nile tilapia steaks marketed in the referred region. An amount of 15 samples obtained from the market “Nerival Araujo” (Mercado Modelo Nerival Araújo) were analyzed. We used the pour plate direct count on surface (Mannitol Salt agar, 35°C/24-48h). Biochemical confirmation of detected microorganisms was done through thermonuclease and coagulase tests. All samples presented S. aureus population, and 73.3% violates the standard established in the competent law. The confirmed high count highlighted the inappropriate health conditions of the analyzed material, which shows poor hygiene conditions in its manufacturing and marketing.

The increase in health care costs has been a constant source of concern for managers, as noted need to control spending and improve the allocation of available resources. This research aims at analyzing the efficiency of public spending on hospital care in Brazilian state capitals in the years 2008 to 2010. We used descriptive research, literature, quantitative and qualitative. Data collection was performed at the sites of the National Treasury and the DATASUS. The results revealed that spending on hospital care were, on average, 334.760.928,25 in 2008, 403.151.579,13 in 2009 and 368.373.168,56 in 2010. It was found also that, on average, spending on hospital care per capita capitals surveyed were 175,12 (2008), 199,42 (2009) and 204,80 (2010) and Porto Velho, Boa Vista and Manaus were those with the lowest ratios of this type of expenditure per inhabitant in 2008 and 2009, and in 2010, the capital was Macapa, Manaus and Belém and those with the highest per capita spending in the three years surveyed were Porto Alegre , Campo Grande and Belo Horizonte. We conclude that among the 22 state capitals, 4 of them (Goiânia, João Pessoa, São Paulo and Macapa) were efficient in 2008, 4 (Florianopolis, Joao Pessoa, São Paulo and Macapa) were considered efficient by observing their scores in 2009 and, in 2010, the efficiency was seen in 5 capitals (Florianópolis, Macapa, Manaus, São Luís and São Paulo).

The composite made with pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) and polymer matrix of unsaturated Orthothalic polyester was incorporated with the flame - retardant alumina trihydrate (aluminum hydroxide - Al(OH)3), in the proportions of 20%, 40% and 60% on the weight of the material. In order to analyze the influence of the fire retardant in relation to fire resistance. The fibre was treated with 2% sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The flammability tests were carried out in the Textile Engineering Laboratory - UFRN, using the standard UL94. The tests showed that greater the concentration of flame-retardant, higher the burning time. In the test Ul 94, vertical samples were not classified, due to the self-sustaining flame on the treated PALF.

The use and ways of appropriation of natural resources of common use, remarkably fishery resources, have been discussed at academic surveys. The aim of the present paper is to perform an approach concerning the integrated and participative management of fishery resources with the trade-off template contribution adapted from Policarpo e Santos (2008). Thus, it was proposed the study of the trade-off template in order to promote a reflection on a proposal of an integrated management template for fishery resources with the participation of social actors. The bibliographic references provided the theoretical support for the present discussion. The studies of Polycarp and Santos (2008) were taken as subsidies to discuss the integrated management templates for fishery resources. As a result of this study, the main contribution is focused on the significance of the interaction and participation of social actors in public policy and decision-making processes.

The availability of patent data in national and international banks has greatly increased the possibilities for analysis of these documents in various fields of research. This study aims to analyze the technological information contained in patent databases as a strategy in the exploration of new technologies. It describes major free electronic databases, including their documents, structure, codes INID "Internationally agreed Numbers for the Identification of Data", index, references and basic classification. Moreover, it analyses statistical data of the activities of the Center for Technology Dissemination, Documentation and Information (CEDIN) from the National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil (INPI) in the period from 2000 to 2011. The research showed that technological information contained in patents may be placed for a wide range of use within companies and universities. In recent yeras, CEDIN has been serving internal and external users by providing guidance on the basis of patents and literature, but this number is still small. In order to familiarize potential users of technological information, task forces should be gathered among INPI, universities and companies.

Brazilian education has the textbooks as the main information resource for students and teachers. This work analyzes how occurs the approach about the Cerrado biome in six biology textbooks for the high school. The aspects analyzed were the number of pages for the topic, figures, exemplifications about the local fauna and flora and approach of the subject. The analysis showed that all aspects are briefly presented. Examples of local fauna and flora, when present in the books, are mentioned only with the popular name. As a result, the Cerrado is treated uncritically as their state of degradation and importance to the maintenance of global biodiversity.

The objective of the article is to identify, from the mapping of critical processes, possible improvements to the management of the Course Coordination Administration (CCA) of the Federal University of Paraíba. For this purpose, we carried out an exploratory, descriptive and applied study, describing the critical processes of the unit studied and analyzes them with a view to its improvement. The techniques of data collection used were: semi-structured interview, questionnaire, the matrix GUT (Severity / Urgency / Trend) and simple observation. As a result, we found that the process of Registration and Installation of Groupings were the most critical, the main problems reside in the failure of communication between the CCA and the academic departments, and the absence of planning the provision of courses provided. Thus, a proposal was made for the improvement of organizational processes and the importance of process mapping as a tool for continuous improvement was noted.

This study seeks to identify the organizational culture at the Centre for Development and Improvement of the Military Police of Rio Grande do Norte - Brazil (CFAPM) based on the model of organizational functioning styles of Paz and Mendes. Therefore, this study is considered to be descriptive and is classified as a case study and is predominantly quantitative in nature. It was conducted on 59 police officers working in CFAPM. The study allowed for the identification of the relationship between organizational culture and the socio-demographic subjects studied. The data was processed using statistical techniques applying the Chi-square, Fisher exact Test and Correspondence Analysis. The results indicated the predominance of the affiliative cultural style and from the police investigated a significant relationship between socio-demographic and cultural styles was seen and identified. Its predominance was evident in 55.9% of the police. This predominance was seen in all the general characteristics, showing organizational culture is influenced by these general characteristics. Finally, it is concluded that this study identifies that the cultural style that is predominant in CFAPM, is the affiliative, which has characteristics of standard collectivism, with a developed subculture style.

This article discusses the evaluation as strategy that promotes the understanding of teaching and learning process. Entangled in contradictions and uncertainties, this is a moving field where circle speeches and actions that aim to measure and guide the formation of subjects. Distance Education is another scenario that complexifies the existing challenges, expanding the possibilities for discussion about autonomy, pedagogical mediation, professor, student in a context that requires the problematization about competences and skills, strategies and programs. As methodological strategy were used theoretical references from authors as Pierre Lévy, Philippe Perrenoud, Edgar Morin and Jussara Hoffmann, and the collection of secondary information derived from the virtual learning environment (VLE). The use of VLE and theoretical reflection subsidized the analysis about evaluation and learning, from the notions of competence and skill, program and strategy, allowing to conclude that: in Distance Education, evaluation is a possibility for the construction of interfaces and dialogues between different subjects, favoring teaching praxis in the conduction of learning problems, becoming itself a perennial challenge in the process that involves the formation.

One of the most recent subjects related to family rights, being guideline of lawsuits in the politics, social and in the third sector boundaries of the Brazilian society. It regards the question of affiliation in non-conventional families, such as: homo-affection adoptions, adoptions between conventional couples, children born from artificial insemination etc. In these points, there are legal antagonistic agreements about the application of the concept of affiliation, and its application in family court processes. This article reports a historic description from the evolution of the affiliation concept, focused in Brazil, considering the most different applications in law sue processes, technical reports and informal memos. A parallel with the types of affiliation and other correlations with the current law have already been made. Moreover, a research was made, with a fortuitous sample, in the universe of family expert lawyers about their understanding regarding this questions and controversies, as well as issues of difficult agreement. It was concluded that a positive agreement regarding the exceptions of the affiliation concept involves 17% of the asked professionals, as well as women professionals are more sensible in the acceptance of the subject.

The agriculture is the main source of income for rural communities, especially in the settlements located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, necessitating the use of water to ensure the proper development of crops. The study aims to analyze the well water of settlements of the Apodi Plateau, classifying them as to its use in irrigation. Samples were collected from wells of 11 settlements for physical and chemical analysis in order to rank as the criteria for water quality according to the UCCC and Richard. It was observed that all wells showed some restraint for use in irrigation and the well 3 being that one who presented the greatest risk of soil salinity and sodicity. The wells 1, 8, 14 and 17 had a lower degree of restriction in accordance with the UCCC, while the wells 16, 18 and 19 had the lowest risk of salinity and sodicity by the methodology of Richards.

The experience of women in the private sphere in the work alters intra-family relationships, allowing them greater freedom, autonomy and independence. Inequalities, socially constructed, of internalization of the role of women, in turn, result in discrimination, integration difficulties market, with salaries comparatively inferior to man, and poor access to services, plus painful daily within the sphere domestica. Public policies actions and programs developed by federal, state and local goverment, as part of gender relations, are thus relevant in reducing inequalities. This is, then, the object of this text, which discusses the institutionalization of public policies for the construction of gender equality and the relevance that the state assumes the role of incorporating the bias and cause of gender relations in public debates and actions. In Brazil, the formulation and implementation of the National Policy for Women was, in this sense, crucial to guide actions to be taken by governments in fostering equality initiatives in relations between men and women.

This paper reports an experiment accomplished in a class of History in four technical courses of the module ‘Integrated Technical’, which are offered by the Federal Institution of Education, Science and Technology of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in the year of 2010. The experiment has been consolidated with the project “My Course and History”, which enabled the 3rd year students, in their 3rd quarter, to relate proposed History content of that quarter with subjects of their courses in specific. The proposal had as an objective to challenge the limits of the disciplines in History as well as in their courses in specific, in an multidiscipline effort to rebuild knowledge not only through integration of knowledge produced in different study fields, but also in association, many times dialectical between different dimensions of the studied and observed reality. The proposal had as an outcome the delivery of twenty-four essays, in an effort to overcome the fragmentation and linearity of knowledge production.

The use and ways of appropriation of natural resources of common use, remarkably fishery resources, have been discussed at academic surveys. The aim of the present paper is to perform an approach concerning the integrated and participative management of fishery resources with the trade-off template contribution adapted from Policarpo e Santos (2008). Thus, it was proposed the study of the trade-off template in order to promote a reflection on a proposal of an integrated management template for fishery resources with the participation of social actors. The bibliographic references provided the theoretical support for the present discussion. The studies of Polycarp and Santos (2008) were taken as subsidies to discuss the integrated management templates for fishery resources. As a result of this study, the main contribution is focused on the significance of the interaction and participation of social actors in public policy and decision-making processes.

It was developed a composite with matrix of gypsum and reinforcement of vegetal fiber (Cocos nucifera) to the manufacturing of plates and panels for civil construction. Samples were produced in a sandwich shape of gypsum / fiber / gypsum. Two different thickness of the layer of fiber were considerate: 8 mm and 10 mm. A sample of gypsum without the layer of fiber was fabricated and used as a standard to comparative study. A thermal analyzer equipment was used to the determination of the thermal conductivity (k), thermal diffusivity (a) and volumetric thermal capacity (r.CP). Based on the results of the tests, it was possible to point out some advantages of the composite comparing with the standard (gypsum). The lower value of k promotes better thermal insulation capacity of the composite, allowing a reduction of the thermal charge inside buildings due to the solar thermal radiation. Thus, the composite seems to be adequate to be applied as a cover element in buildings located at low latitudes (e. g., the Northeast region of Brazil). Beyond the advantages mentioned above, the composite is able to approaching more lightness and economy of material, allowing the production of slim constructive elements.

This study aims to discuss and reflect aspects of the curriculum and features courses in technology in a particular technological education institution in the state of Espirito Santo. The study also looks at the presence of specific knowledge of Financial Mathematics and Finance content in the curricula of graduate technology and its influence on the formation of the students in this type of higher education. For the analysis and conclusions were taken into account the Ministry of Education curriculum guidelines for undergraduate courses of technology and the skills and competencies defined for these grades.