Marcia Souza - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Marcia Souza

Cadernos De Saude Publica, 1998

This paper examines the relationship between domestic water use and socioeconomic, environmental,... more This paper examines the relationship between domestic water use and socioeconomic, environmental, and spatial parameters at the household level in a small rural village in northern Minas Gerais State. Five methods are used - direct observation, household interviews, self-reporting by households, regression analysis, and statistical mapping. Results show that water use is characterized by 1) generally low but widely fluctuating values per person per day, 2) sharing of water sources between households, 3) the use of multiple sources by individual households, 4) avoidance of heavily contaminated stream sites, and 5) predominance of socioeconomic factors in water use. Households owning their own water supply used, on average, 25.3 liters per person/day and those without a supply 9. 0 l, with higher use of the local streams among the latter. Water use varied spatially. The socioeconomic factors house quality, latrine ownership, type of watersource, and a utility index were significantly correlated with water use. Implications of this simple household water sources and the more deficient sanitary facilities for potential water-borne disease transmission are briefly discussed and suggestions made for further improvements. This study confirms the appropriateness of the application of direct observation, interview, and microgeographical methods for quantitative water use studies.

Acta Tropica, 2008

This review finds considerable evidence that socioeconomic status has significantly influenced th... more This review finds considerable evidence that socioeconomic status has significantly influenced the transmission, spread and treatment of schistosomiasis in Brazil. High infection rates persist among both the rural and urban poor. Rural living, poor housing and water supplies and low educational level were major factors in schistosomiasis occurrence among agricultural populations. In urban areas, prevailing living conditions in shantytowns and labor migrations from and periodic return movements to rural areas were predictive of schistosomiasis. The risk of the establishment of new transmission foci exists in both rural and urban areas, conferred by and affecting poorer people. Associations between schistosomiasis and socioeconomic parameters, persisting inequities in health services accessibility, prevailing health impacts of schistosomiasis, and the ongoing decentralization of health services point to opportunities and strategies for focused interventions aimed at promoting health-enhancing behavior and living conditions and improving access to health care. The authors call for multidisciplinary studies to better examine the complexities of the socioeconomic environment in relation to schistosomiasis and for economic programs to reduce prevailing socioeconomic inequalities.

Ecology Letters, 2002

In this paper, we used geostatistical approaches to describe bi-dimensional spatial patterns in s... more In this paper, we used geostatistical approaches to describe bi-dimensional spatial patterns in species richness of South American birds of prey (Falconiformes and Strigiformes). They indicated strong spatial patterns both across latitude and longitude, for the two groups. These patterns were then correlated with those expected by a bi-dimensional null model constructed to take into account South America continental edges. As considerable departures from the null model were observed, there may be other ecological or evolutionary explanations for spatial patterns in species richness. Variation seems to be related to habitat heterogeneity across the continent, especially when considering differences between habitats in the central and south-eastern portion of the continent and in the Andean region. This supports previous conclusions that habitat type and heterogeneity affect species richness and abundance at different spatial scales.

Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 2003

RESUMO. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a influência da autocorrelação espacial (ausên... more RESUMO. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a influência da autocorrelação espacial (ausência de independência estatística de observações obtidas ao longo do espaço geográfico) nos estudos ecológicos. Para tanto, uma avaliação dos trabalhos que empregaram os métodos necessários para a quantificação da autocorrelação espacial foi realizada, utilizando os dados fornecidos pelo "Institute for Scientific Information". Os resultados demonstraram que existe uma tendência crescente da utilização das análises de autocorrelação espacial em estudos ecológicos, e que a presença de autocorrelação espacial significativa foi detectada na maior parte dos estudos. Além disso, esses estudos foram desenvolvidos em vários países, por cientistas de diferentes nacionalidades, com diferentes grupos de organismos e em diferentes tipos de ecossistemas. Dessa forma, pode-se considerar que o reconhecimento explícito da estrutura espacial dos processos naturais, por meio da análise da autocorrelação espacial, é um novo paradigma dos estudos ecológicos.

Creative Education, 2014

The article relates a theoretical and conceptual research, whose main objective was to develop a ... more The article relates a theoretical and conceptual research, whose main objective was to develop a model to guide the production of educational microcontent to be used in virtual learning environment with mobility, from interconnections between Pedagogy, Communication and Semiotics. It discusses technologies and mobile devices, mobile learning, microlearning, microcontent and hypermedia, educational microcontent and hybrid languages. It highlights the challenges related to the introduction of mobile devices in educational practices. It considers the physical constraints and the fragmented nature of mobile interaction, under which microcontent is, at the same time, accessible and gifted with pedagogical elements. Educational microcontent is analyzed from the hypermedia perspective, considering the dominance of hybrid languages in digital media. A methodology of educational microcontent production for virtual learning environment is presented, considering the predominance of hybrid languages. This methodology is constituted by the processes: pedagogical architecture and architecture of languages, which represent the main flows of activities and tasks. The research conclusions indicate that: a) the model developed presents the conceptual and theoretical elements essential to the production of microcontent education for mobile learning; b) the concepts and grounds presented in the research are considered preliminary conceptual and theoretical elements; c) the developed model provides grants to developing new research proposals and has the potential to encourage new academic research projects; d) the model has the possibility of being used in didactic-pedagogical projects that focus, for example, collaborative learning and co-authorship.

Este artigo aborda a necessidade de adoção de padrões de descrição de recursos de informação elet... more Este artigo aborda a necessidade de adoção de padrões de descrição de recursos de informação eletrônica, particularmente, no âmbito da Embrapa Informática Agropecuária. O Rural Mídia foi desenvolvido utilizando o modelo Dublin Core (DC) para descrição de seu acervo, acrescido de pequenas adaptações introduzidas diante da necessidade de adequar-se a especificidades meramente institucionais. Este modelo de metadados baseado no Dublin Core, adaptado para o Banco de Imagem, possui características que endossam a sua adoção, como a simplicidade na descrição dos recursos, entendimento semântico universal (dos elementos), escopo internacional e extensibilidade (o que permite sua adaptação às necessidades adicionais de descrição). Palavras-chave Metadados; Dublin Core; Informação eletrônica; Recursos de informação; Catalogação de recursos eletrônicos.

Cadernos De Saude Publica, 1998

This paper examines the relationship between domestic water use and socioeconomic, environmental,... more This paper examines the relationship between domestic water use and socioeconomic, environmental, and spatial parameters at the household level in a small rural village in northern Minas Gerais State. Five methods are used - direct observation, household interviews, self-reporting by households, regression analysis, and statistical mapping. Results show that water use is characterized by 1) generally low but widely fluctuating values per person per day, 2) sharing of water sources between households, 3) the use of multiple sources by individual households, 4) avoidance of heavily contaminated stream sites, and 5) predominance of socioeconomic factors in water use. Households owning their own water supply used, on average, 25.3 liters per person/day and those without a supply 9. 0 l, with higher use of the local streams among the latter. Water use varied spatially. The socioeconomic factors house quality, latrine ownership, type of watersource, and a utility index were significantly correlated with water use. Implications of this simple household water sources and the more deficient sanitary facilities for potential water-borne disease transmission are briefly discussed and suggestions made for further improvements. This study confirms the appropriateness of the application of direct observation, interview, and microgeographical methods for quantitative water use studies.

Acta Tropica, 2008

This review finds considerable evidence that socioeconomic status has significantly influenced th... more This review finds considerable evidence that socioeconomic status has significantly influenced the transmission, spread and treatment of schistosomiasis in Brazil. High infection rates persist among both the rural and urban poor. Rural living, poor housing and water supplies and low educational level were major factors in schistosomiasis occurrence among agricultural populations. In urban areas, prevailing living conditions in shantytowns and labor migrations from and periodic return movements to rural areas were predictive of schistosomiasis. The risk of the establishment of new transmission foci exists in both rural and urban areas, conferred by and affecting poorer people. Associations between schistosomiasis and socioeconomic parameters, persisting inequities in health services accessibility, prevailing health impacts of schistosomiasis, and the ongoing decentralization of health services point to opportunities and strategies for focused interventions aimed at promoting health-enhancing behavior and living conditions and improving access to health care. The authors call for multidisciplinary studies to better examine the complexities of the socioeconomic environment in relation to schistosomiasis and for economic programs to reduce prevailing socioeconomic inequalities.

Ecology Letters, 2002

In this paper, we used geostatistical approaches to describe bi-dimensional spatial patterns in s... more In this paper, we used geostatistical approaches to describe bi-dimensional spatial patterns in species richness of South American birds of prey (Falconiformes and Strigiformes). They indicated strong spatial patterns both across latitude and longitude, for the two groups. These patterns were then correlated with those expected by a bi-dimensional null model constructed to take into account South America continental edges. As considerable departures from the null model were observed, there may be other ecological or evolutionary explanations for spatial patterns in species richness. Variation seems to be related to habitat heterogeneity across the continent, especially when considering differences between habitats in the central and south-eastern portion of the continent and in the Andean region. This supports previous conclusions that habitat type and heterogeneity affect species richness and abundance at different spatial scales.

Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 2003

RESUMO. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a influência da autocorrelação espacial (ausên... more RESUMO. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a influência da autocorrelação espacial (ausência de independência estatística de observações obtidas ao longo do espaço geográfico) nos estudos ecológicos. Para tanto, uma avaliação dos trabalhos que empregaram os métodos necessários para a quantificação da autocorrelação espacial foi realizada, utilizando os dados fornecidos pelo "Institute for Scientific Information". Os resultados demonstraram que existe uma tendência crescente da utilização das análises de autocorrelação espacial em estudos ecológicos, e que a presença de autocorrelação espacial significativa foi detectada na maior parte dos estudos. Além disso, esses estudos foram desenvolvidos em vários países, por cientistas de diferentes nacionalidades, com diferentes grupos de organismos e em diferentes tipos de ecossistemas. Dessa forma, pode-se considerar que o reconhecimento explícito da estrutura espacial dos processos naturais, por meio da análise da autocorrelação espacial, é um novo paradigma dos estudos ecológicos.

Creative Education, 2014

The article relates a theoretical and conceptual research, whose main objective was to develop a ... more The article relates a theoretical and conceptual research, whose main objective was to develop a model to guide the production of educational microcontent to be used in virtual learning environment with mobility, from interconnections between Pedagogy, Communication and Semiotics. It discusses technologies and mobile devices, mobile learning, microlearning, microcontent and hypermedia, educational microcontent and hybrid languages. It highlights the challenges related to the introduction of mobile devices in educational practices. It considers the physical constraints and the fragmented nature of mobile interaction, under which microcontent is, at the same time, accessible and gifted with pedagogical elements. Educational microcontent is analyzed from the hypermedia perspective, considering the dominance of hybrid languages in digital media. A methodology of educational microcontent production for virtual learning environment is presented, considering the predominance of hybrid languages. This methodology is constituted by the processes: pedagogical architecture and architecture of languages, which represent the main flows of activities and tasks. The research conclusions indicate that: a) the model developed presents the conceptual and theoretical elements essential to the production of microcontent education for mobile learning; b) the concepts and grounds presented in the research are considered preliminary conceptual and theoretical elements; c) the developed model provides grants to developing new research proposals and has the potential to encourage new academic research projects; d) the model has the possibility of being used in didactic-pedagogical projects that focus, for example, collaborative learning and co-authorship.

Este artigo aborda a necessidade de adoção de padrões de descrição de recursos de informação elet... more Este artigo aborda a necessidade de adoção de padrões de descrição de recursos de informação eletrônica, particularmente, no âmbito da Embrapa Informática Agropecuária. O Rural Mídia foi desenvolvido utilizando o modelo Dublin Core (DC) para descrição de seu acervo, acrescido de pequenas adaptações introduzidas diante da necessidade de adequar-se a especificidades meramente institucionais. Este modelo de metadados baseado no Dublin Core, adaptado para o Banco de Imagem, possui características que endossam a sua adoção, como a simplicidade na descrição dos recursos, entendimento semântico universal (dos elementos), escopo internacional e extensibilidade (o que permite sua adaptação às necessidades adicionais de descrição). Palavras-chave Metadados; Dublin Core; Informação eletrônica; Recursos de informação; Catalogação de recursos eletrônicos.