bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression and molecular diversity of Tcf7l2 in the developing murine cerebellum and brain
Authors: Nazwar Tommy A. , Glassmann Alexander , Schilling Karl
Published: April 2009

The Wingless family of secreted proteins impinges on multiple aspects of vertebrate nervous system development, from early global patterning and cell fate decision to synaptogenesis. Here, we mapped the developmental expression of the Tcf7l2, which is key to the canonical Wingless signaling cascade, in the developing cerebellum. The exclusive and transient expression of Tcf7l2 in ventricular and Olig2‐defined precursor cells within the cerebellar anlage, and its predominant expression in postmitotic neurons in the midbrain/inferior colliculus allowed us to ask whether cell type–specific differences are also reflected in splice isoform variability. We also included in this analysis intestinal epithelia, where Tcf7l2 function has been intensively studied. Our data reveal extensive variability of Tcf7l2 splicing in the central nervous system. Additional variability in brain‐expressed Tcf7l2 is generated by a length polymorphism of expressed mRNAs in a stretch of normally nine adenines found at the beginning of exon 18, reminiscent of variability observed at the same site in cancers with microsatellite instability. A consensus emerging from our data is that the expression of isoforms comprising or lacking the C‐clamp motif, which has been linked by in vitro studies to the regulation of cell growth, is indeed tightly correlated with the proliferative status in vivo. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stepping around the Brick Wall: Overcoming Student
Obstacles in Methods Courses
Authors: Bos Angela L. , Schneider Monica C.
Published: April 2009

Many political science departments offer, and increasing numbers of
them require, undergraduate research methods courses. At the same
time, studies cite high levels of student anxiety about such
courses. Utilizing survey data from both students who take and
faculty who teach methods, we conduct an analysis that compares the
barriers students and faculty independently perceive. Next, we share
results from our own exploratory assessment technique, which
evaluates our success in increasing student confidence with regard
to conducting research. Finally, we present specific exercises and
assignments which can serve as solutions to student barriers. We
argue that conscious reflection as to where students lack confidence
and assessment of our efforts allows instructors to approach
teaching methods more effectively.
The 800-Pound Gaijin in the Room:
Strategies and Tactics for Conducting Fieldwork in Japan and
Abroad
Authors: Aldrich Daniel P.
Published: April 2009

Two ideographs make up the Japanese word gaijin, the
first meaning “outside” or “out of place” and the second meaning
“person.” Hence gaijin literally means an outsider or foreigner, and
in polite Japanese most speakers opt for the slightly less brusque
sounding gaikokujin, which places the emphasis on
the foreign nation (koku) from which the alien
comes. But as political scientists doing fieldwork abroad, we are
all foreigners, if not because of superficial differences such as
pigmentation, accent, or dress, then because of our motivations and
goals—gaining information, generating and testing hypotheses, and so
forth. When we speak to informants abroad—whether in Japan, India,
France, or elsewhere—to further our research, we may see ourselves
as 800-pound gorillas who can bring conversations to a halt,
generate unwanted propositions from nearby residents, and induce
stares and pointing.
Politics in Motion: Change and Complexity in the
Contemporary Era
Authors: West Lauren G.
Published: April 2009

For the first time in its history, the APSA Annual Meeting and
Exhibition will be held outside of the continental United States.
Held September 3–6, 2009, in Toronto, this marks the 105th assembly
of the world's largest annual gathering of political scientists. The
meeting will feature over 800 panels organized by 49 thematic
divisions, 66 related groups, APSA committees, and presidential task
forces, as well as more than 200 meetings and receptions. In
addition to division and related group panels, program chairs Simone
Chambers of the University of Toronto and Bruce Jentleson of Duke
University will present a series of theme panels and plenary
sessions that will focus on the meeting's theme, “Politics in
Motion: Change and Complexity in the Contemporary Era.”
HAROLD S. GUETZKOW
Authors: Ward Michael D. , Guetzkow Daniel
Published: April 2009

Dr. Harold Guetzkow, professor emeritus of political science,
psychology, and sociology at Northwestern University, passed away on
Novermber 11, 2008, in San Jose, California, at age 93. His wife,
Lauris, whom he had married in 1944, preceded him in death. He is
survived by sons James (Charolette) and Daniel (Diana) Guetzkow, and
his daughter Gay (Howard) Ben Tré. In his seven decades of active
scholarship, he distinguished himself as a vibrant and path-breaking
scholar as well as an incredibly talented mentor.
Lyndon Johnson And Me: My Years as a Congressional
Fellow
Authors: Gertzog Irwin N.
Published: April 2009

In August 1963, I drove from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to
Washington, To begin the year-long Congressional Fellowship Program.
In the orientations that followed, the fellows met with journalists,
House and Senate members, lobbyists, and bureaucrats, among other
Washington notables. But the most memorable person who talked to us
was Theodore Sorenson, counselor to President Kennedy, and reputedly
his most influential staff advisor.
C. SYLVESTER WHITAKER, Jr.
Authors: Callaway Barbara
Published: April 2009

C. Sylvester Whitaker, Jr., passed away on November 29, 2008, in
Waterville, Maine, after a long battle with cancer. He was 73 years
old.
Topology and elemental distribution in Co alloy:oxide perpendicular media
Authors: Laughlin David. E. , Nuhfer Noel. T. , Park Soyoung , Yuan Hua , Zhu Jian-Gang
Published: April 2009

This analytical electron microscopy study was performed to understand better the microstructure of CoCrPt:SiO2 media. The topology of the magnetic Co alloy grains and the distribution of the elements in the thin films were of special interest. High angle annular dark field images revealed that many grains in the range 5–8 nm have a cavity in their center, observed by low mass-thickness contrast. Electron energy loss spectroscopy Co elemental mapping shows Co to be concentrated mainly in the grains with a depleted region in the center. Si, O, and Cr appear to strongly segregate to the grain boundaries and somewhat to the cavities. In this paper we discuss the possible grain growth mechanisms and the effect of the presence of such cavities on recording properties.
Altering infrared metamaterial performance through metal resonance damping
Authors: Ginn J. , Shelton D. , Krenz P. , Lail B. , Boreman G.
Published: April 2009

Infrared metamaterial design is a rapidly developing field and there are increasing demands for effective optimization and tuning techniques. One approach to tuning is to alter the material properties of the metals making up the resonant metamaterial to purposefully introduce resonance frequency and bandwidth damping. Damping in the infrared portion of the spectrum is unique for metamaterials because the frequency is on the order of the inverse of the relaxation time for most noble metals. Metals with small relaxation times exhibit less resonance frequency damping over a greater portion of the infrared than metals with a longer relaxation time and, subsequently, larger dc conductivity. This leads to the unexpected condition where it is possible to select a metal that simultaneously increases a metamaterial’s bandwidth and resonance frequency without altering the geometry of the structure. Starting with the classical microwave equation for thin-film resistors, a practical equivalent-circuit model is developed predicting the sensitivity of infrared metamaterials to complex film impedance. Several full-wave electromagnetic models are developed to validate the resonant-circuit model, and excellent agreement is demonstrated between modeled and measured results.
N-body Simulations with Live Stellar Evolution
Authors: Church Ross P. , Tout Christopher A. , Hurley Jarrod R.
Published: April 2009

AnN-body code containing live stellar evolution through combination of the software packagesnbody6andstarsis presented. Operational details of the two codes are outlined and the changes that have been made to combine them discussed. We have computed the evolution of clusters of 104stars using the combined code and we compare the results with those obtained usingnbody6and the synthetic stellar evolution codesse. We find that, providing the physics package withinstarsis set up correctly to match the parameters of the models used to constructsse, the results are very similar. This provides a good indication that the new code is working well. We also demonstrate how this physics can be changed simply in the new code with convective overshooting as an example. Similar changes inssewould require considerable reworking of the model fits. We conclude by outlining proposed future development of the code to include more complete models of single stars and binary star systems.
Afghanistan: Imperatives of Stability Misperceived
Authors: Qassem Shayeq
Published: April 2009

More than seven years have passed since the intervention of the international community in Afghanistan, yet the country has not only failed to achieve stability; it has actually experienced a downward trend on that account. The worsening situation in Afghanistan has occurred despite the fact that the Afghan government and its international partners have allocated unprecedented amounts of resources, increased their security forces and implemented socio-political and economic programs that they deemed were conducive to stability. Why and how this failure did come about? This article challenges some of the underlying assumptions for stability and the notion of political reconstruction that the international community and the Afghan government have implemented so far as being largely responsible for the gloomy state of affairs in that country.
Temporal mechanisms of multimodal binding
Authors: Burr David , Silva Ottavia , Cicchini Guido Marco , Banks Martin S. , Morrone Maria Concetta
Published: April 2009

The simultaneity of signals from different senses—such as vision and audition—is a useful cue for determining whether those signals arose from one environmental source or from more than one. To understand better the sensory mechanisms for assessing simultaneity, we measured the discrimination thresholds for time intervals marked by auditory, visual or auditory–visual stimuli, as a function of the base interval. For all conditions, both unimodal and cross-modal, the thresholds followed a characteristic ‘dipper function’ in which the lowest thresholds occurred when discriminating against a non-zero interval. The base interval yielding the lowest threshold was roughly equal to the threshold for discriminating asynchronous from synchronous presentations. Those lowest thresholds occurred at approximately 5, 15 and 75 ms for auditory, visual and auditory–visual stimuli, respectively. Thus, the mechanisms mediating performance with cross-modal stimuli are considerably slower than the mechanisms mediating performance within a particular sense. We developed a simple model with temporal filters of different time constants and showed that the model produces discrimination functions similar to the ones we observed in humans. Both for processing within a single sense, and for processing across senses, temporal perception is affected by the properties of temporal filters, the outputs of which are used to estimate time offsets, correlations between signals, and more.
No apparent impact of increased post‐operative blood glucose levels on clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Van Den Berg Tijs J. , Bogers Hein , Vriesendorp Titia M. , Surachno Janto S. , DeVries J. Hans , Ten Berge Ineke J. , Hoekstra Joost B.L.
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Our objective is to evaluate whether hyperglycemia in the first 48 h after renal transplantation is independently associated with rejection, post‐operative infection and post‐transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in a retrospective cohort study.

Methods:  Patients who received a renal transplant in our hospital in 2003 or 2004 were included. Glucose values until 48 h after surgery were retrieved from laboratory reports. Biopsy proven acute rejection, culture proven infections and PTDM were scored until four months after transplantation. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis and logistic multivariate analysis.

Results:  At least one post‐operative glucose value could be retrieved for 150/151 patients. Rejection occurred in 46/150 (30.5%), infection in 47/150 (31.1%) and PTDM in 19/150 (12.6%) patients. When corrected for other risk factors, no relation was found between post‐operative glucose levels and rejection (weak inverse relation, OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.65–1.03; p = 0.09), post‐operative glucose and infections (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.80–1.21; p = 0.84) and post‐operative glucose and PTDM (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.70–1.23; p = 0.63).

Conclusion:  Increased post‐operative blood glucose levels after renal transplantation were not found to be a risk factor for graft rejection. Also, post‐operative glucose levels were not found to be associated with PTDM and post‐operative infections.
Normalization of endothelial dysfunction following renal transplantation is accompanied by a reduction of circulating visfatin/NAMPT. A novel marker of endothelial damage?
Authors: Yilmaz Mahmut Ilker , Saglam Mutlu , Carrero Juan Jesus , Qureshi Abdul R. , Caglar Kayser , Eyileten Tayfun , Sonmez Alper , Oguz Yusuf , Aslan Ismail , Vural Abdulgaffar , Yenicesu Mujdat , Stenvinkel Peter , Lindholm Bengt , Axelsson Jonas
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Endothelial dysfunction is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease and outcome of patients with chronic kidney disease. We hypothesized that decreased inflammatory activity and increased adiponectin following transplantation could be one mechanism for a better endothelial health. Fifty‐eight living donor kidney transplant non‐diabetic recipients, 31 (23 male, 29 ± 5 yr) on cyclosporine A and 27 (10 male, 26 ± 5 yr) on tacrolimus immunsupression, were studied longitudinally. Visfatin, adiponectin, high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerine mediated dilatation were measured before transplantation and on the 30th and 90th day after transplantation. Pre‐transplantation visfatin, adiponectin and FMD values of patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (p < 0.001 for all). All values decreased significantly 30 and 90 d post‐transplantation. Plasma visfatin and adiponectin, correlated negatively with FMD levels 90 d both before and after kidney transplantation (p < 0.001 for both). Endothelial function improved during the first month after transplantation, and the degree of improvement correlated to reductions in circulating visfatin, adiponectin and hsCRP levels. Of interest, the intracellular enzyme visfatin was the strongest predictor of FMD both before and after kidney transplantation and may thus reflect endothelial cell damage directly.
Constitutionalism and Dissonances: Has Europe Paid Off Its Debt to Functionalism?
Authors: Dani Marco
Published: April 2009

Abstract The negative outcomes of the French and Dutch referenda on the Constitutional Treaty have opened a period of profound constitutional disenchantment in relation to the EU. This impression seems confirmed by the recent Presidency Conclusions of the European Council which, although salvaging many important solutions contained in the Constitutional Treaty, explicitly sanction that ‘the constitutional concept . . . is abandoned’. In the light of this context, what role could the constitutional scholarship play? How to make sense of a polity in which the claims of constitutionalism as a form of power are politically unappealing though legally plausible? This article tries to respond to these questions by reaffirming functionalism as a valid analytical and normative perspective in facing the current constitutional reality of European integration. The analytical value associated with functionalism is evidenced by testing against the current context of the EU legal framework the accounts for EU constitutionalism which postulate functional equivalence between the EU and the Member States. The normative potential of functionalism, then, is discussed by arguing that there may be a value worth preserving in a degree of functional discrepancy between the EU and state constitutionalism and, notably, that the transformative and civilising dividend inherent in functionalism could still be exploited, at least in certain areas of EU policy making. Finally, the article suggests that the difficulties in accounting for EU constitutionalism in the light of state‐centred constitutional theory could be regarded as symptoms of European integration marking a moment in the theoretical evolution of constitutionalism.
Mixed Messages and Mixed Results: The EU's Promotion of Human Rights in Turkey
Authors: Gates Andrea
Published: April 2009

In spite of the fact that human rights appear, based on proclamations made by EU representatives, to be of critical importance in the EU's negotiations with Turkey, human rights reform has not been a primary target of pre‐accession aid to Turkey. Why is human rights reform not a central priority in the EU's allocation of aid in this case? First, Commission representatives and Members of the European Parliament disagree over the relative importance of the status of human rights in the pre‐accession reform process. Second, the format of the aid allocation process magnifies inconsistencies in the EU's approach to human rights reform.
EARTH SATELLITE CAMERA SYSTEMS: RESOLUTION ESTIMATES AND MAPPING APPLICATIONS
Authors: Welch R.
Published: April 2009

Resolution functions which permit the comparison of camera systems considered for earth‐orbiting satellite missions, indicate that a mapping camera (f = 300 mm) with approximately 20 m ground resolution at a scale of 1 : 750 000 would prove more useful for photogrammetric applications than any of the systems currently planned. In the absence of specific satellite missions for mapping purposes, the value of Skylab‐type experiments could be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of a metric camera. ERTS‐A with an estimated ground resolution on the order of 180 m was not intended as a cartographic system. In its present mode it does not meet the standards set by scientists for detailed studies of the earth's resources.
Fast Forward Rounds: An Effective Method for Teaching Medical Students to Transition Patients Safely Across Care Settings
Authors: Ouchida Karin , LoFaso Veronica M. , Capello Carol F. , Ramsaroop Sharda , Reid M. Carrington
Published: April 2009

Adverse events commonly occur during hospital‐to‐home transitions and cause substantial morbidity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Fast Forward Rounds (FFR), a novel educational intervention that aims to foster awareness of the essential elements of transitional care in 3rd‐year medical students. FFR consists of two 90‐minute sessions using lectures, an interactive video, small‐group discussion, and a team‐based learning exercise. It emphasizes functional assessment to identify patients at risk for poor discharge outcomes, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to link vulnerable patients with appropriate services, reviews Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and teaches development of comprehensive care plans. Using a pre/posttest design, participants' knowledge, attitudes and behaviors within the domains of transitional care, functional assessment, interdisciplinary team, community resources, and reimbursement were assessed. Of 103 students, 99.0% attended Session 1 and 97.1% attended Session 2 (pretest completion rate 99.0%, posttest 94.1%). Significant improvements were found in all domains, with the largest gains seen in transitional care. After the intervention, 56.0% identified medication errors as the most common source of adverse events after discharge (vs 14.9% before the intervention, P<.001). Significantly more participants reported feeling competent or expert in safely discharging chronically ill patients (66.3% vs 9.8%, P<.001) and in educating patients about discharge medications (75.8% vs 28.4%, P<.001). Participants also reported changes in transitional care behaviors (e.g., 71.6% now review the discharge medication list with patients and caregivers ≥50% of the time (vs 42.3%, P=.002)). A multimodal educational intervention for medical students increased their transitional care knowledge, reported frequency of transitional care behaviors, and perceived competence in managing the discharge process.
Is Dwight Right? Can the Maximum Height of the Scapula Be Used for Accurate Sex Estimation?*
Authors: Dabbs Gretchen R.
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  This paper presents data from a sample of 803 individuals (308 females and 495 males) from the Hamann‐Todd collection testing Dwight’s century‐old assertion that maximum height of the human scapula can be used for sex estimation—males being larger than 170 mm, females falling below 140 mm. The results of this project show Dwight’s method has high accuracy when scapular height falls either above or below the sex specific demarcation points (96.81%), but a vast majority of both males and females fall in between. The overall accuracy of the method is just 29.27%. By empirically demonstrating the limited usefulness of Dwight’s technique, the author hopes the rote republication of this method in introductory texts on the subject will cease, and draw attention to the need for multiple methods of sex estimation as a response to the overlap in both size and shape between males and females.
Two genetically distinct units ofSinomanglietia glauca(Magnoliaceae) detected by chloroplast PCR‐SSCP
Authors: ZHANG Zhi‐Rong , LUO Lai‐Chun , WU Ding , ZHANG Zhi‐Yong
Published: April 2009

Sinomanglietia glaucais a critically endangered species described from Jiangxi Province in the 1990s. Recently two populations were discovered from Yongshun County of west Hunan Province, about 450 km away from those in Jiangxi. Because of the new findings and the poor reproducibility inherent to RAPD and ISSR markers of previous studies, the population structure of this rare species was reanalyzed with chloroplast PCR‐SSCP (single‐stranded conformation polymorphism), including all of four recorded populations. The results showed that two distinct haplotypes characterized Jiangxi and Hunan populations separately, with no genetic variation occurring within regions. We postulated that this surprising pattern might result from habitat fragmentation and demographic bottlenecks during and/or after the Quaternary glaciation. On the basis of the pronounced genetic structure, two evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) were recommended for effective conservation ofS. glauca.
Frequency dependent Kelvin probe force microscopy on silicon surfaces
Authors: Müller F. , Müller A.-D.
Published: April 2009

At the example of cross-sectionally prepared p-p+-silicon epilayers on silicon, this work studies the frequency dependence of the contact potential difference detected in Kelvin probe force microscopy. The experimental setup employs a single-path off-resonance technique, which has been modified in order to enlarge the frequency range to 1–330kHz. It works with stiff cantilevers at approximately 340kHz resonance frequency and electrical signal amplitudes below 20pm. The setup utilizes multiple-channel digital lock-in amplification and a dedicated background correction, whose principle and experimental realization is described in detail and whose effect on the contact potential difference results is studied exemplarily.
Superposition of fringelike-electron-emission pattern from radical-oxygen-gas exposed Pt field emitter fabricated by electron-beam-induced deposition
Authors: Murakami K. , Nishihara S. , Matsubara N. , Ichikawa S. , Wakaya F. , Takai M.
Published: April 2009

Electron-beam deposited Pt emitters were exposed to radical-oxygen gas to remove the surface amorphous carbon layers of the emitters, resulting in observation of fringelike-electron-emission patterns. The superposition of electron-wave interferences due to electrons emitted from a Pt emitter was further observed. These emission patterns were found to be well reproduced by the Fraunhofer diffraction model. These results suggested that the electron-wave interference might take place by electrons emitted from emission sites of Pt nanocrystals.
Development of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition grown Ru–WCN mixed phase films for nanoscale diffusion barrier and copper direct-plate applications
Authors: Greenslit D. , Chakraborty T. , Eisenbraun E.
Published: April 2009

A novel mixed phase Ru–WCN film grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition has been investigated as a novel direct-plate liner for advanced copper metallization. Ru–WCN films were grown using a nanolaminate approach, and the properties of the films were investigated as they relate to specific changes to processing conditions. The microstructure was found to consist of polycrystalline Ru grains within an amorphous WCN matrix. Preliminary results show that both mixed phase liner composition and thickness contribute to the ability of the film to facilitate dense copper electrolytic plating. Electrical diffusion barrier testing indicates that ∼2–3nm thick liners with metal ratios as high as 11:1 Ru:W can be employed as a directly platable Cu diffusion barrier solution.
Cerebral Protection, Brain Repair, Plasticity and Cell Therapy in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Gutiérrez María , Merino José Joaquín , Alonso de Leciñana María , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio
Published: April 2009

Among available treatments in the acute ischemic stroke, only intravenous thrombolysis has been demonstrated to be efficacious. Although the majority of pharmacological neuroprotectants have been efficacious in experimental studies, they have failed in clinical trials. Hence, we need to consider integrated cerebral protection which includes the concept of cerebral repair by supporting cerebral plasticity. We provide a nonsystematic review of the studies published on cerebral protection and repair treatments of cerebral ischemia considering the possibilities of stimulating brain plasticity by trophic factors and cell therapy. The majority of the neuroprotective drugs have failed in clinical trials. Citicoline shows a benefit in meta-analysis and it is currently being explored in a new trial (ICTUS). Neuroprotective drugs combined with reperfusion offer favorable results in experimental animals, but data from clinical studies are not enough. Repair therapies using cerebral plasticity stimulation (trophic factors) and cell therapy have shown certain efficacy in experimental and clinical studies and they are a developing route with clinical therapeutic perspectives.
Plasma and Cutaneous Drug Levels after Topical Application of Piroxicam Gel: A Study in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Marks Ronald , Dykes Peter
Published: April 2009

Two studies in healthy male and female volunteers (aged 18–65 years) were undertaken to determine plasma and cutaneous levels of drug following topical application of piroxicam gel. Twelve subjects applied piroxicam gel to the knee (1 g of 0.5% Feldene gel) at baseline and then after 6, 12 and 24 h. Plasma was collected after 1,2,4,6,14,24,28 and 48 h and piroxicam content determined by high-pressure liquid chromatogrÄphy (HPLC). For the majority of samples collected, piroxicam levels were below the limit of detection (LOD) of the assay and the maximum recorded plasma level in any subject at any time point was 75.4 ng/ml. A single application of gel was administered to the forearms of four groups each of 6 subjects, and biopsy samples of the stratum corneum (skin surface biopsy, SBB) and epidermis/dermis were taken after 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h. The levels of piroxicam were again measured in each sample by HPLC. The highest levels of piroxicam were found in the superficial skin surface biopsy with the lowest levels recorded in the skin surface biopsies nearest the viable epidermis. The mean tissue concentrations ranged from 160 to 640 ng per sample (calculated to be 80–320 µg/g of tissue). The mean levels of piroxicam in a 4-mm punch biopsy showed an increase with time after application, rising from 60.3 to 94.6 ng per biopsy (calculated to be 2.4 to 3.8 µg/g of tissue). It may be concluded that piroxicam rapidly permeates through the stratum corneum into the epidermis/dermis after application of the gel. Low and often undetectable plasma levels of drug were observed after topical application of piroxicam gel in a manner comparable to clinical usage.
Partículas esferoidais associadas ao vírus do mosaico das nervuras da mandioca
Authors: Kitajima E. W. , Costa A. S.
Published: April 2009

Partículas esferoidais de 50-60 m¼ de diâmetro foram encontradas em preparações rápidas e em secções ultra-finas de fôlhas de mandioca infetadas pelo vírus do mosaico das nervuras (VMNM), examinadas ao microscópio electrônico. Tais partículas não foram observadas em preparações de plantas sadias ou de fôlhas sem sintomas de plantas infetadas, e são consideradas como representando o VMNM. Em secções ultra-finas de tecido foliar, as partículas do VMNM encontravam-se dispersas em certas áreas do citoplasma, ricas em ribosomas mas pobres em outras organelas citoplasmáticas, e onde esporadicamente apareciam pequenos feixes de fibrilas densas (7-10 m¼ X 100-300 m¼). Massas densas, de textura finamente granulada (0,3-3 ¼ de diâmetro), foram encontradas em alguns casos associadas às partículas. Provàvelmente, tanto as massas densas como as fibrilas estão implicadas na síntese do VMNM.
Efeito, no primeiro ano agrícola, da época de poda e do espaçamento sôbre a produção de fôlhas de amoreira, de diferentes variedades, formadas pelo sistema de cepo: parte I - estudo na região de Pindorama
Authors: Rúbia António Castilho , Aloisi Sobrinho João , Abramides Eduardo
Published: April 2009

São apresentados os resultados da produção de fôlhas de três variedades comuns de amoreira: Calabreza, Fernão Dias e Lopes Lins, conduzidas no sistema de formação em cepo, com mudas plantadas em diferentes espaçamentos e épocas de poda de produção. No primeiro ano agrícola, as melhores produções foram obtidas com a variedade Calabreza, no espaçamento de 1,50 X 1,00 m e com a época de poda mais atrazada, de 20 de julho.
Correlação entre a resposta do algodoeiro à adubação fosfatada e a análise química do solo, nas condições do Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Fuzatto Milton Geraldo , Cavaleri Popilio Angelo
Published: April 2009

Uma regressão múltipla, descrevendo a resposta do algodoeiro à adubação fosfatada em função do teor de PO4-3 solúvel e da acidez do solo, aquêle dado por dois métodos de análise, é discutida em 126 experimentos de adubação realizados em vários tipos de solo do Estado de São Paulo. Em geral, o índice de acidez se mostrou tão importante quanto o teor de fósforo solúvel, para explicar o efeito da adubação fosfatada, sendo maiores êstes, em solos mais ácidos. Os dois métodos de análise de fósforo no solo, utilizando respectivamente ácido sulfúrico 0,05 Ne ácido oxálico + oxalato de potássio N,como soluções extratoras, foram comparados no estudo das correlações. A separação dos ensaios em dois grupos, se conduzidos em solos argilosos ou arenosos, revelou interação entre os métodos de análise e êsses grupos, o que possibilitou apreciar as vantagens e inconvenientes de cada método, nas condições estudadas.
Efeito da compactação artificial de dois solos limo-argilosos sôbre a penetração das raízes de arroz
Authors: Grohmann Francisco , Queiroz Neto José Pereira de
Published: April 2009

Amostras de dois solos limo-argilosos foram compactadas, utilizando-se um compactador Bruce modificado. Tanto pela variação da intensidade de compactação como pela variação do teor de umidade do solo, obteve-se uma escala crescente de massas específicas aparentes dessas amostras. Nestas foram plantadas sementes de arroz, para determinar as relações entre a penetração das raízes da planta e a massa específica aparente do solo. Verificou-se que, a partir de determinadas massas específicas aparentes, artificialmente obtidas, a penetração das raízes era totalmente impedida e o desenvolvimento do sistema radicular grandemente reduzido.
Características dos agregados de solo podzólico vermelho amarelo da Estação Experimental de Monte Alegre do Sul
Authors: Oliveira J. Bertoldo de , Grohmann Francisco , Queiroz Neto José Pereira de
Published: April 2009

Procurou-se analisar as características físico-químicas dos agregados de amostras de solo provenientes de três parcelas: cultura de milho, pomar de frutas de clima temperado e eucalipto. No laboratório foram efetuadas as seguintes determinações: granulometria, pH, C e N totais; Ca++, Mg+ + e K+ trocáveis e capacidade de troca de cations. A variação dos teores dos elementos nas diferentes classes de tamanho de agregados dos solos analisados não foi muito grande. De maneira geral, os agregados da parcela "milho" apresentaram os mais baixos níveis de elementos. Pequenas diferenças apresentaram as duas parcelas - "pomar" e "eucalipto". A soma das bases trocáveis e a capacidade de troca de cations parecem estar intimamente relacionadas com os valores de matéria orgânica, mostrando a importância dêsse constituinte do solo.
Adubação mineral do feijoeiro: IX - Efeitos de N, P, K, Se de uma mistura de micronutrientes, em "terra-roxa-misturada" préviamente tratada, ou não, com calcário dolomítico e adubação verde com labelabe
Authors: Miyasaka Shiro , Mascarenhas H. A. A. , Freire E. S. , Igue Toshio , Di Sordi Guido
Published: April 2009

Em seis pares de experiências instaladas em áreas vizinhas, uma das quais, no ano agrícola anterior, foi tratada com calcário dolomítico e adubação verde com labelade, ficando a outra simplesmente em pousio, as respostas às adubações minerais foram geralmente menores na área prèviamente tratada, ao passo que as produções obtidas foram consideravelmente maiores naquelas que ficaram em pousio.
Efeitos sõbre a produção do feijoeiro, da aplicação de diversos tipos de matéria orgânica, não decomposta, na presença de adubação mineral com P, NP, PK
Authors: Miyasaka Shiro , Lovadini L.A.C. , Freire E.S. , van Raij Bernardo
Published: April 2009

Numa experiência em que se estudou, na cultura do feijoeiro, o comportamento de diversos tipos de matéria orgânica, não decomposta, na presença de adubações minerais com P, NP ou PK, o nitrogênio foi o elemento que controlou a produção. Nas parcelas adubadas exclusivamente com P, os adubos orgânicos, aplicados em sulcos laterais aos destinados às sementes, aumentaram consideràvelmente a produção, crescendo os aumentos na seguinte ordem: bagaço de cana, capim-gordura, soja perene, fôlhas de cafeeiro, cascas de café e cascas de amendoim. Nas parcelas com NP, as produções foram geralmente maiores, e dos adubos orgânicos sòmente as cascas de amendoim, o capim-gordura e a dose dupla de fôlhas de café proporcionaram pequenos aumentos.
Nova espécie do gênero Manihot Adans. do Estado de Minas Gerais
Authors: Cruz Neusa Diniz da
Published: April 2009

Nova espécie é aqui descrita, M. handroana, muito afim à M. jolyana N. D. Cruz, mas perfeitamente distinguível desta na morfologia vegetativa e floral. As características mais evidentes são: algumas fôlhas inferiores com os lobos lobulados e levemente peitadas; flores maiores, principalmente as masculinas, e de côr verde-amarelada na face externa; presença do disco bastante carnoso nas flores femininas, que durante a formação do fruto aumenta consideravelmente de tamanho; forma do fruto de seção acentuadamente trígona, enquanto que na M. Jolyana é circular. As diferenças morfológicas permitem concluir tratar-se de duas espécies diferentes, embora ambas sejam da mesma formação geográfica, Serra da Mantiqueira. Provavelmente uma derivou a outra. A observação citológica em tecido somático mostrou possuir a espécie 2n = 36 cromossomos, como a M. jolyana.
Comportamento de variedades de alface na região de Campinas
Authors: Bernardi José Botter , Igue Toshio
Published: April 2009

São apresentados os resultados de ensaio de variedades de alface pertencentes a diferentes tipos. Além da produtividade e qualidade do produto, o trabalho visou verificar o comportamento das variedades nas condições de temperaturas elevadas reinantes em agôsto-outubro, fim do período cultural recomendável nas condições do planalto paulista. A variedade "Great Lakes" superou enormemente as demais em produtividade e tipo das cabeças. A "Maravilla de las Cuatro Estaciones", a segunda colocada, revelou grande tolerância ao calor.
Validade e confiabilidade da versão brasileira do Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho
Authors: Martinez Maria Carmen , Latorre Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira , Fischer Frida Marina
Published: April 2009

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a validade e a confiabilidade da versão brasileira de índice de capacidade para o trabalho. MÉTODOS:Estudo transversal com amostra de 475 trabalhadores de empresa do setor elétrico no estado de São Paulo (dez municípios em Campinas e região), realizado em 2005. Foram avaliados os seguintes aspectos da versão brasileira do Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho: validade de construto, por meio de análise fatorial confirmatória e da capacidade discriminante; validade de critério, correlacionado o escore do índice com medidas de saúde auto-referidas; e confiabilidade, por meio da análise da consistência interna utilizando o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. RESULTADOS: A análise fatorial indicou três fatores do construto capacidade para o trabalho: questões relativas aos "recursos mentais" (20,6% da variância), à autopercepção da capacidade para o trabalho (18,9% da variância) e à presença de doenças e limitações decorrentes do estado de saúde (18,4% da variância). O índice discriminou os trabalhadores segundo nível de absenteísmo, identificando média estatisticamente significativa (p<0,001) entre aqueles com absenteísmo elevado (37,2 pontos) e baixo (42,3 pontos). A análise de critério mostrou correlação do índice com todas as dimensões do estado de saúde analisadas (p<0,0001). O índice apresentou boa confiabilidade com coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (0,72). CONCLUSÕES: A versão brasileira do Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho mostrou propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias quanto à validade de construto, de critério e de confiabilidade, representando uma opção adequada para avaliação da capacidade para o trabalho em abordagens individuais e inquéritos populacionais.
Prevalência e fatores associados à violência entre parceiros íntimos: um estudo de base populacional em Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil, 2007
Authors: Anacleto Adriana Jaqueline , Njaine Kathie , Longo Giana Zarbato , Boing Antonio Fernando , Peres Karen Glazer
Published: April 2009

Estimou-se a prevalência da violência entre parceiros íntimos e os fatores associados em Lages, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Realizou-se um estudo transversal de base populacional domiciliar com mulheres de 20-59 anos (n = 1.042), da zona urbana. As prevalências de agressão verbal, violência física menor e violência física grave foram estimadas pelo questionário Conflict Tactics Scales - Form R. Questões sobre aspectos sócio-econômicos e demográficos foram investigadas. As associações foram testadas pelo teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson e o de tendência linear. A prevalência de violência entre casais para agressão verbal, agressão física menor e agressão física grave foram de 79%, 14,9% e 9,3%, respectivamente. Casais com menos de trinta anos, com renda per capita inferior a meio salário mínimo mensal e vivendo em locais com mais de dois indivíduos por cômodo dormitório apresentaram maiores prevalências das violências mensuradas quando comparados com casais mais velhos, com maior rendimento e menor aglomeração, respectivamente. Programas preventivos, além de estudos qualitativos, podem ser estratégias efetivas para melhor compreender a violência entre parceiros íntimos.
Avaliação neurológica de recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso com displasia broncopulmonar
Authors: Souza Tathiana Ghisi de , Stopíglia Mônica Sanchez , Baracat Emílio Carlos E.
Published: April 2009

OBJETIVO: Descrever e comparar a avaliação neurológica e comportamental de recém-nascidos pré-termos com e sem displasia broncopulmonar (DBP). MÉTODOS: Recém-nascidos prematuros com peso ao nascer inferior a 1500g e idade gestacional menor de 32 semanas foram avaliados com 40 semanas de idade gestacional corrigida, no Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Utilizou-se a Avaliação Neurológica de Dubowitz, com 29 itens divididos em seis categorias: tônus, padrões de tônus, reflexos, movimentos, sinais anormais e comportamento. O estado de consciência do recém-nascido foi graduado segundo Brazelton (1973). Utilizaram-se os testes do qui-quadrado e exato de Fischer para variáveis qualitativas e o de Mann-Whitney para as numéricas não-paramétricas, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: No período de janeiro de 2005 a setembro de 2007, 24 recém-nascidos, 12 com DBP e 12 controles, com idade gestacional ao nascer de 28±1 semana e peso de 884±202g no grupo com DBP e 31±1 semana e 1156±216g no Grupo Controle foram avaliados. Dos 29 itens avaliados, 18 foram homogêneos entre os grupos e a pontuação geral dos dois grupos não apresentou diferença (p=0,30). Observou-se maior anormalidade neurológica no grupo com DBP em oito itens e, no Grupo Controle, em três itens. CONCLUSÕES: A comparação da avaliação neurológica de Dubowitz de recém-nascidos pré-termos com e sem DBP não apresentou diferença significante com 40 semanas de idade gestacional corrigida. Nas categorias reflexos e postura/tônus, observou-se tendência a anormalidade no grupo DBP.
Estratégias competitivas no setor elétrico brasileiro: uma análise dos interesses e expectativas dos atores da Chesf
Authors: Pinto Murilo Sergio Lucena , Oliveira Rezilda Rodrigues
Published: April 2009

O estudo focaliza aspectos políticos e estratégicos relativos à atividade de transmissão de energia da Chesf, considerando os possíveis impactos causados pelo processo de reestruturação e privatização do setor elétrico brasileiro. Foram realizadas entrevistas com stakeholders estratégicos, investigando interesses e expectativas da empresa e as mudanças ocorridas no contexto institucional recente, buscando-se demarcar fronteiras e atribuições a serem delineadas para a Chesf. Como resultado, foi-lhe sugerido adotar mecanismos mais competitivos e estruturas mais ajustadas à ambiência institucional de mudanças tecnológicas, de novas regras e de convivência com agentes em condições de parcerias estratégicas, visando à busca de novas oportunidades de negócios e de maior rentabilidade dos investimentos.
A dimensão estratégica das redes horizontais de PMEs: teorizações e evidências
Authors: Balestrin Alsones , Vargas Lilia Maria
Published: April 2009

No presente artigo é feita uma reflexão sobre o tema redes interorganizacionais, envolvendo aspectos teóricos e conceituais das tipologias de redes interorganizacionais e de redes horizontais de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs), conduzindo o debate para uma tese central: a configuração em rede como recurso estratégico para a competitividade das PMEs. Na seqüência do artigo, são apresentados os aspectos metodológicos e os resultados de um estudo de caso realizado em uma rede horizontal de cooperação formada por 44 PMEs da indústria de confecções, localizada na Região Sul do Brasil. As evidências teóricas e empíricas sinalizam que a configuração em rede permite às PMEs alcançarem os seguintes benefícios: maiores trocas de informações e conhecimentos entre as empresas, participação e vendas de produtos em feiras, lobbying, melhorias nos processos empresariais, participação de palestras e de cursos de formação, barganha de preço junto aos fornecedores, marketing conjunto, acesso a novos representantes, maiores garantias no fornecimento de crédito aos clientes, maior facilidade de comercialização de insumos entre as empresas e ganhos de economias de escala, de escopo e de especialização.
Who are the relevant stakeholders to the local government context? Empirical evidences on environmental influences in the decision-making process of English Local Authorities
Authors: Gomes Ricardo Corrêa
Published: April 2009

This article presents empirical evidence of stakeholding in the local government context. It is the result of a survey carried out with English Local Authorities in 2001. It outlines the arena in which local government make decisions by pinpointing the relevant stakeholders in the process as well as the amount of power they are perceived to represent by chief executives. The investigation has its theoretical basis in resource dependence and institutional theories, which are commonly used for explaining an organization's behaviour and performance as influenced by its environment. As an empirical contribution, the article proposes a stakeholder map for any kind of local government organizations that will help in identifying strategies for managing stakeholders.
Proteocephalid cestode infection in alien fish, Cichla piquiti Kullander and Ferreira, 2006 (Osteichthyes: Cichlidae), from Volta Grande reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Martins ML. , Pereira Jr. J. , De Chambrier A. , Yamashita MM.
Published: April 2009

This work evaluates the variation of the parasitological indexes in 114 Cichla piquiti Kullander and Ferreira, 2006 (tucunaré) infected by two proteocephalid species (Cestoda) for the period of August 1999 to June 2001 in the Volta Grande reservoir, MG, Brazil. The relation between the parasitosis with rainfall and water quality (pH, electric conductivity, oxygen, chlorophyll, transparency and temperature) is discussed. Prevalence of Proteocephalus macrophallus (Diesing, 1850) and/or P. microscopicus (Woodland, 1935) was 83.3%, mean intensity 110.8 and mean abundance 100.7 during the period. A hundred percent prevalence was reported in August and December 1999, April and December 2000 and June 2001. The largest mean intensities of 122.7 (October 1999), 158.8 (December 1999), 96.4 (February 2000), 400.7 (April 2000), 215.6 (October 2000) and 136.4 (December 2000) were observed. Abiotic factors may favour the development of the species of the food chain that sustain the organisms in the diet of "tucunaré", but in this case, there was no correlation (P > 0.05) between the values of prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance with the rainfall and water quality. At the same time, these organisms may constitute the intermediate hosts of cestodes. The time-course between the fish species development and the parasitosis manifestation in the definitive host can explain the lack of correlation between the parasitological indexes and abiotic factors. The predation on small fishes and cannibalism described for "tucunaré" might explain the high values of prevalence and intensity of infection. The results are also related to the exotic condition of the host in the reservoir.
THE INTERACTION WITH DISABLED PERSONS SCALE: A VALIDATION WITH UK MIDWIVES
Authors: Wallymahmed Akhtar H. , Moffat Stella F. McKay , Cunningham Cliff C
Published: April 2009

The Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale (IDP) was designed to measure attitudes towards people with disabilities (Gething, 1991). Using exploratory factor analysis with the 20 items scale, Gething (1994) concluded that the scale has six stable and relatively related factors. In
the present study, the IDP was used with a sample of 244 trained midwives to examine the psychometric properties of the IDP, particularly to test Gething's (1994) six-factor and MacLean and Ganon's (1995) two-factor models. As found by Loo (2001), the current study supports neither
the six-factor nor the two-factor models of previous studies.