Among the various sources for energy production , plant biomass has great potential for growth in coming years. The objective of this study was to evaluation the physical , chemical and energetic properties of some agricultural biomass planted (elephant grass and vertiver grass) ; biomass available in surface water bodies (macrophyte) and resulting biomass of forest holdings (real palm and carnauba straw) , to production of briquettes in order to use this solid fuel in structural red ceramics in the baixo-açu region in Rio Grande do Norte . The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with 3 replications for each species investigated. Totaling 15 experimental plots (5 biomasses X 3 repetitions). Superior Carorific Power and densities of different compositions ( blends ) of elephant grass and carnauba straw were also analyzed . The results show that the briquettes plant derived biomass as carnauba straw and elephant grass , have great potential for use in thermal power generation in existing ceramic kilns in the region and that the biomass can be used in the manufacture of briquettes , both individually, as in mixed blends of different compositions , in order to maintain the manufacture of briquettes throughout the growing season with a greater regularity of physical and thermal characteristics.

The local characteristcs of a site there where a cemetery are important variables that determine the route of contaminants resulting from the decomposition of cadavers. Sources of contaminants are also, varnish, wood preservatives and metal parts of coffins, which can release metals into the environment. The purpose of this study was investigate the clay fraction mineralogy and heavy metal contents of soils from Boqueirão Municipal Cemetery, in Curitiba (PR), and estimate the contamination risk. The samples were collected at three depths (0–20, 20–80 and 80–120 cm) at six selected points. The clay fraction was studied by X ray diffractometry and thermal analysis. The total and exchangeable heavy metal contents (Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) were determined. The contents of Fe2O3 associated with crystalline Fe minerals were low, reflecting low levels of iron from the soil parent materials and different stages of development. The concentrations of total Pb and Zn presented the highest values in relation to soils of the same source material, but such concentrations are not indicative of environmental pollution, but a mild contamination. It is concluded that the soils of this cemetery are suitable for this activity, since they are deep, clayey and have high potential to adsorb heavy metals.

The aim of this study is to determine the metal-mold heat transfer coefficient (hi) of Al-6%wt.Cu alloy as well as theoretical values of solidification thermal variables such as tip growth rates (VL) and cooling rates (TR). A water-cooled solidification experimental apparatus has been developed, and specimens have been solidified under unsteady state heat flow conditions. The thermal variables were calculated from the temperature profiles obtained for five thermocouples located within the metal which allowed to correlate the position of liquidus isotherm from the metal-mold interface (P) with the solidification time. A method based on the comparison between the theoretical and experimental temperature profiles was used to determine the hi values. A numerical model of heat and mass transfer which is applied to directional solidification was used to calculate the theoretical profiles. Experimental laws expressed as a power function of time given by hi= A1 (t) -n1, VL= A2 (P) - n2and TR = A3 (R)-n3 were obtained. A comparison between the values of hi obtained in this work and those proposed in the literature during the upward vertical unidirectional solidification of the alloy investigated is also presented.

Even being a little distant from large urban centers, the Carmo River, located in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, is not immune to the impacts of human actions. Along its course are developed several activities such as aquaculture, Salineira, oil and agriculture, as the cultivation of melons besides the existence of some cities and many villages. Given the above, it is evident the importance of investigating the impacts that these anthropogenic sources generate the water quality of the Rio do Carmo. This study aimed to investigate the anthropogenic influence on the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of water and sediment of the river. To this end, we collected samples of water and sediments at four points in the Carmo River located in its course from its part with constant flow, in other words since dam Umarí. At all points were determined the properties necessary for calculating the water (IQA). The results indicate that water quality is still good in the stretch analyzed, but decreases in the same way towards the mouth and already includes some parameters such as the presence of coliform, dissolved oxygen and BOD, with high and outside the recommended standards in sections near the city of Upanema and agropastoral activities. With varying intensity parameter values are single and SEQI, are strongly influenced by the spatiality and the seasonality typical of the region. Thus, there is a need for actions and projects aimed at alleviating the activities that are polluting the Rio do Carmo, particularly near the city of Upanema and regions around the activities of intensive irrigated horticulture.

This article is the result of a literature review and aims to address the challenges and dilemmas in the development of sexual education by parents and educators, as well as discussing the value of emancipatory sexual education in youth training. The results shown from different studies evidenced that many families deprive their children of emancipatory sexual education, the negative value sexuality, believing that children are "asexual beings", as they believe that dialogue anticipated sexual practice and is feel unprepared and timid in dealing with the issue arising from the sexual uneducated in which they were victims. Showed that sexual education in schools has spanned the anxieties of adolescents. In contrast, this has occurred in a limited way, coupled mainly to biological and reproductive aspects of the individual, thus negating the whole breadth pleasurable and beneficial that it provides. We conclude, therefore, that more attention should be given to their sexuality and thematic approach in schools and in the relations between parents and children. Closer relationship between parents, children and schools shows itself as an important strategy and be adopted as well as the stimulus debates in educational institutions, considered as privileged spaces for learning and performing reflections of socially relevant themes.

The present study aimed characterize the fish community structure in the Braço River area of direct influence of the Small Hydroelectric Central Braço, located between the municipalities of Bananal (SP) and Rio Claro (RJ), during the first year of operation of the enterprise. For this purpose, it was sampled quarterly three sites with gillnets of 4 meter of length x 1 meter of height (adjacent internodes of 15 mm and 45 mm) and sieves. Were captured 272 individuals belonging to seven species. Astyanax intermedius was the most abundant species (57% of the total catch), followed by Neoplecostomus microps (17% of total catch) and Phalloceros sp. (12% of the total catch). The highest values of richness and diversity were registered in November 2011 and February 2012. The highest equitability reached in August 2011. Analysis of similarity indicated two groups: May and August of 2011 (rain season) and November 2011 and February of 2012 (dry season)

The rheological behavior of drilling fluids may be altered during the perforation due to the temperature gradient of the wellbore. Thermal degradation suffered by certain additives used as viscosifiers restricts the use of the group depending on the change in temperature which it will be exposed to. This paper presents a study about the rheological behavior of xanthan gum polymer, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and bentonite as a function of temperature. Mathematical models like Ostwald de Waale and Herschel-Bulkley were applied to determine parameters of the rheological behavior. The hydration effect of polymers and clay in the rheology of aqueous solution was previously studied. The rheological characterization was assessed through rheological trials using a system of coaxial cylinders to obtain flow curves. The rheology was evaluated as a function of temperature for each additive used. The results showed that carboxymethylcellulose quickly solubilizes in water but exhibits a greater degradation when exposed to higher temperatures. The xanthan gum polymer proved to be suitable for the formulation of fluids which will be used in wellbores with a higher temperature gradient. Additionally, bentonite did not present any change in the rheological behavior as a function of the temperature gradient studied.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of drug use by students in a state school of Pires do Rio, Goiás, associating it with the performance of the same school. Participants were 371 high school students, aged 14 to 34, the morning and evening shifts who responded to an anonymous collectively in the classroom. The most frequently used drugs at least once in life, were alcohol (95.8%), tobacco (46.1%), marijuana (3.5%), solvents (4%), cocaine (4%) and crack (0.5%). From this study, it was possible that the failure rates presented in the periods investigated, was high when associated with students who have had contact with any drugs, which reinforces the hypothesis that the use of such substances can interfere the academic performance of students. It is considered necessary to implement intervention policies against drug use in order to minimize the problem

The dye industry plays an important role in the world economy, since these are used in various industrial activities. The textile dyes cause particular impact on the environment mainly because they are difficult to breakdown. Several processes have been studied in order that they can make a truly effective treatment for removal of dyes from textile effluents, including biological processes are receiving special attention for its efficiency. The microbiological treatment of wastewater, especially for fungal species has gained space for these organisms are quite versatile, treating a wide variety of colors and have different mechanisms of color removal. So fungi have become quite attractive and shown to be more appropriate in relation to the treatment of textile effluents.

This paper aims to develop a brief reflection on the Teaching of Sociology in Vocational and Technological Education, pointing to possible contributions that science could bring to training in the Integrated Technical High School. The questions put here develop as substrate main theoretical the contributions of Anthony Giddens, as well as considering the purpose of sociology in high school.

The article aims making the biography of Zila Costa Mamede, who was writer, poet and librarian, emphasizing her role in the cultural universe of the production and circulation of the book in Brazil. Through theoretical and methodological approach of the New Cultural History, we highlight the main educational contributions of Mamede by means of the analysis of various documentary sources that enable understand her work for the expansion of Brazilian libraries, particularly those in Rio Grande do Norte, with the aim of breaking the boundaries of an elitist and predominant culture of know. To promote greater interaction and sharing between the formal institutions of learning and the community of readers, Zila Mamede is immortalized as an interpreter of literary and humanistic concerns of his time, especially as a pioneer in the field of librarianship in Rio Grande do Norte.

The use of medicinal plants is present in the culture of all nations, it’s commonly trade at the open street markets. The bad conditions showed on the sell places, associated with the belief that “the natural cannot be bad”, can result in problems to the health of the consumers. We aimed to characterize the socioeconomic profile of the sellers of herbal medicine from Lagoa Nova/RN, describing their methods of stock and exposure, also their beliefs into the use of these therapeutic resources. Interviews were held oriented by structured forms. From the total of the interviewees, sixty per cent were black, twenty per cent were mixed-race and forty per cent were white. The males predominated with sixty per cent of the interviewees. The transmission of ethno botanical knowledge and the point of sale were mostly familiar, reaching eighty per cent. The structure conditions and the hygiene in the point of sale were precarious. The interviewees did not know about the potential risks to the health to the consumers in the inappropriate use of the herbal medicine.

This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of different plant species grown in soil contaminated by heavy metals. For realization the experiment in greenhouse we collected a soil that corresponds to a grounding Ultisol, located in the State of Rio de Janeiro, in an area considered contaminated, which is headquartered in a factory that generates its industrial process, waste, called Galvanic sludge. This soil had its chemical and physical properties determined. For a period of 50 days were cultivated species of cotton, corn, sorghum, sunflower and velvetbean in contaminated soil. After the period of planting, we evaluated the dry matter production of shoots, stems and roots of each species studied, as well as the concentrations of heavy metals absorbed in these different compartments. The pseudo-total content (aqua regia extraction) and bioavailable (DTPA extraction solution and Mehlich-1) of heavy metals in the soil were determined before and after planting the species. The statistical design used in the study was completely randomized with four replications for each species investigated. The results showed that the species behaved well differentiated in biomass production, uptake and translocation of metals to shoots. The sunflower stood out compared to the other species in reducing the concentration of copper metal in the soil, although more studies should be conducted in order to increase biomass production and translocation of heavy metals to shoots of this species.

This study aims at analyzing the urban heat island (UHI) and urban cool island (UCI) in the city of Natal (Brazil), by comparing the long series of air temperature maximum and minimum daily into two weather stations conventional representative, one in the urban area and the other in the rural area, during the fifteen years, from 1995 to 2010. The result shows the presence of thermal fluctuations from the temperature contrast between the urban area and its surroundings area and characterization of urban heat islands and urban cool island in the city of Natal.

MCM-41 molecular sieves attracted great interest due their properties, as high specific surface area, controllable diameter and pore volume. These materials have been applied as adsorbents, catalyst supports, and heterogeneous catalysts in various branches of the chemical industry. In this work, MCM-41 was synthesized from rice husk ash, natural and chemically treated, as alternative sources of silica, called CCA-MCM-41 and CCAL-MCM-41, respectively, with the aim of reusing this residue and produce a lower cost mesoporous material. The materials were synthesized by the hydrothermal method from a gel composition: CTAMBr 1,0 mol L-1; SiO2 4,0 mol L-1; Na2O 1,0 mol L-1; H2O 200 mol L-1; and characterized by XRF, XRD, FT-IR and specific surface area determination by the BET method. The materials showed high specific surface area (905 m2 g-1), with dimensions and pore volume within the specifications of mesoporous materials, which are proprieties similar to MCM-41 synthesized with commercial silica gel, proving that rice husk ash can be used as an alternative source of silica for the synthesis of MCM-41 molecular sieves.

This article analyzes the need of appreciation of the Geologic time in Geography Physical teaching, due to urgency about the environmental subjects, largely discussed in society. The sense of the geochronology’s approach is not only the geological knowledge per si, but its application on the basis of the events’ understanding which marks the Geography of places, a try of theoretical deepening at high school and at university. This research discusses the geological time notion in Geography, particularly in geomorphologic, biogeographic and climatological way. The methodological course is based in a review of the literature and discussions with other students and teachers. The results show the need of a large deepening in approaches about the geological time in Geography teaching due to the loss of depth as the origin of geographical landscapes.

The present study aims to: a) propose a scale to measure the service quality offered by health clubs; b) evaluate the dimensionality of the service quality construct; and c) identify, based on importance-performance matrix, in which dimensions managers should focus their attention. Obeying similarity criteria, completeness, juxtaposition, agglutination, specificity and presence in empirical studies, 31 attributes were selected for compose the scale proposed. Subsequently, the attributes that formed the scale were analyzed by specialists and customers. These analyzed the levels of clarity and representativeness of sentences defining each attribute. Finalized this process, a pilot test with 30 customers was developed, in order to make the last adjustments. We interviewed 986 customers of six among the major health clubs of Natal/RN. The results revealed that the proposed scale, titled QSAG, showed a significant internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha was 0.940). The factor analysis, six factors emerged which explain 61.82% of data variance. This confirms the multidimensionality of the service quality construct. The use of importance-performance matrix allowed to extract a set of actions that can be used to support management decisions for improvement of quality strategies.

Industrial sand is used as raw materials in glass industries, foundry, ceramic, chemical, paint, plastics and many others. The Brazilian largest reserves are located in the states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais. The largest deposits and operating mines in Sao Paulo State are located in the Analandia and Descalvado municipalities. The aim of this paper is to characterize the segment of industrial sand countrywide emphasizing the spatial distribution of reserves, the level of production and production facilities, and both the technological and environmental challenges related to sand mining and processing. It also includes estimates for the industrial sand production from 2012 to 2030 and compares to the existing reserves. The desire to know the main challenges and prospects of industrial sand production in Brazil has guided the research presented in this article.

Considering a health insurance operator from Florianópolis, the relation between the social responsibility of a program called Healthy Company and the quality of life of its employees was analyzed through case study, predominantly qualitative with descriptive purpose. During a month, semi-structured interviews with 15 employees from different boards of the operator were taped and entirely transcribed. Regarding the subcategories of analysis, social responsibility towards the internal public was examined through the indicators of the Ethos Institute and the quality of working life through the attributes proposed by Walton. The interlacing of data concerning these subcategories revealed two coherences and four incoherencies. One of the coherences refers to the fact that the valuing of diversity and the commitment to racial and gender equality are consonant with the social integration subcategory. On the other hand, it was noted that although the company establishes a salutary relationship with the outsourced employees, it ultimately compromises the constitutionalism. The social responsibility towards the internal public and the quality of life of employees showed to be satisfactory. However, fragilities were verified to be adjusted in favor of synchrony between responsibility and quality in the context of the organization herein analyzed.

This paper aims to disseminate research within the PhD, which focuses essentially on analyzing the contribution has the Institutional Program Initiation Scholarship to Teaching (PIBID), the decision of the licensing staff in geography IFRN on your enchantment to be a teacher. We intend to conduct a search of a qualitative nature, understanding, exploring ideas of several authors who study this problem research, analyzing the policy documents that inform teacher training in Brazil and inquiring direct stakeholders in this process. Through initiation into teaching practice, the student-teacher, will be able to reflect on their future professional practice. The PIBID, program of the Ministry of Education, aims to anticipate the link between the licensees, the classroom and school environments in the public formal education, linking higher education, schools and education systems. It is expected that this program is likely to add some innovative learning strategies in geography lessons, articulated with the educational tactics, ways of doing, as practiced by teachers in this geographical science. Currently, the area of the subproject's degree in Geography, the PIBID has its operations in eight schools of the state of basic education, with the participation of 42 scholars. This way, you are afforded the opportunity of a personal decision-making conscious and reflected on the act of teaching, taking and charming, really, with their future profession and professional development.

This paper reports the experiences gathered on teaching Geography at Vocational Education Courses bound to High School, in the Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte - IFRN, in the Campus Natal-Central, using the Moodle platform and the portfolio genre. We have chosen this methodology once noticing that most of our students start in High School with poor familiarity on the habit of recording, writing and on the exercise of thought. In order to publish the production, we used the Moodle platform: http://ead.ifrn.edu.br/moodle/, the device used by the Institution in distance learning courses. We found that, when motivated, the students give us meaningful answers and that it is possible to overcome the initial idea that many still come to school only to memorize the contents and make a good test. There have been significant advances regarding the exercise of writing, criticality and creativity, besides the arousing to the relevance of the Moodle platform in the teaching-learning process and digital inclusion.

This paper presents an attainable model of integral curricular structural development, composed from the authors´ experience with the Project “Thousand Women - Education, Citizenship and Sustainable Development”, Sub-Project “Community Development: Impact on Quality of Life and Environment”, signed by the partnership between the Education and Technology Secretary, of the Education Ministry (SETEC/MEC), and the Collegia Group, from Québec, Canada. The Thousand Women Project was initially designed to be realized in the North-Northeast Network of the formers CEFETs, nowadays Federal Institutes, with implementation starting in 2008 at the Federal Institute of Paraíba, João Pessoa Campus. It aimed to support, in practice, one of the models of social inclusion policies, coated, in its initial form, with the Prior Learning Recognition, targeting people outside the age range of regular schooling, workers and, without exception, women..

Studies related to air pollution and air quality increase every year. In general the researches are related to the knowledge about human health harmful components present in the environment. In according to Brazilian legislation the most important pollutants monitored are represented by carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), smoke and particulate matter: inhalable particles (PM10 and PM2,5) and total suspended particulates (TSP). Other substances such as organic compounds BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) were also investigated due to their high abundance in urban atmospheres. In particular, this paper presents a review of the main air pollutants, emission sources, occurrence, legislation and effects on human health.

This paper aims to conduct a brief reflection on the empirical design of Acari as the cleanest city in Brazil, as referenced in the 70s of last century. As an introduction, we developed initial considerations on the city, having as a methodological resource the knowledge acquired through the subject-matter Arquitetura e Cidade no Brasil. As a follow up to the text, we reflected conceptually about the city, a parameter space to understand Acari – the cleanest city; territory, to understand the city as a historic creation, and the Environment, whose purpose was to associate the theme of the work to the social and environmental sustainability. We have used two contexts: the first of crisis and dissemination of the cleanest city title. The second, relating to urban legislation and city codes established in the imperial and republican periods, which ruled the territory of Acari in the last two centuries, marking the tradition of urban neatness, cleanliness and hygiene.

The aim of this work was constituted to examine the sociospatial organization of this avenue after his transformations years of 2007-2009 saw urban public transport policy, taking into consideration the great disruption of the flow of vehicles on this avenue. We apply four forms directly involved in this issue: bus drivers, passersby avenue, traders and drivers of private cars and also consulted with municipal bodies (SEMURB and STTU). We conclude that such transformations, how pleased were not executed nor solved the serious problems that exist there sociospatial such as thefts, noise, lack of parking, loss of customers, among other jams.

This work aims at presenting a brief history and approach to Indigenous Environmental Education in Brazil from Portuguese colony, passing by international law, to the contemporary public policy. It was investigated whether the Indigenous education nowadays is more focused on formal education or Environmental Education. In this paradigm, it was dealt with issues to improve Environmental Education in indigenous lands. The methodology used in this research focused on the qualitative approach, with technical procedures from bibliographical and desk research. The results indicated that the Indigenous Environmental Education is more focused on formal school education, hence the need for change in the current paradigm, adapting it to environmental education.

Scientific papers dealing with the performance of students have been recently researched, particularly concerning improvements to the processes of teaching and learning conditions of study and educational institution. This study aimed to analyze the current need of the Federal Network of Technical Education on the issue of eradication of evasion and failure in technological education. Thus, questionnaires were administered on the socio-economic and educational level of students at the Federal Institute of Technical Education, Science and Technology of Goiás (IFG) - Campus Inhumas associated with data provided by school records related to approval, disapproval or disapproval for absences of students. After analyzing the responses from the questionnaires and notes taken during the years 2007 to 2010, it became evident the need for improvements to the Federal technical education as the creation of new institutions and courses in existing institutions, as well as the installation of new laboratories, equipment, infrastructure, and improvements in teaching procedures, hiring teachers and use of complementary tools for the monitoring of student performance in courses taken.