Early life, current socioeconomic position and serum lipids in young adulthood of participants in a cohort study initiated in 1978/1979

The association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and serum lipids has been little studied and the results have been controversial. A total of 2063 young adults born in 1978/79 were evaluated at 23-25 years of age in the fourth follow-up of a cohort study carried out in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, corresponding to 31.8% of the original sample. Total serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and low-density cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) were analyzed according to SEP at birth and during young adulthood. SEP was classified into tertiles of family income and a cumulative score of socioeconomic disadvantage was created. TC was 11.85 mg/100 mL lower among men of lower SEP in childhood (P < 0.01) but no difference was found in women, whereas it was 8.46 lower among men (P < 0.01) and 8.21 lower among women of lower SEP in adulthood (P < 0.05). Individuals of lower SEP had lower LDL and HDL cholesterol, with small differences between sexes and between the two times in life. There was no association between SEP and triglyceride levels. After adjustment of income at one time point in relation to the other, some associations lost significance. The greater the socioeconomic disadvantage accumulated along life, the lower the levels of TC, LDL and HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). The socioeconomic gradient of TC and LDL cholesterol was inverse, representing a lower cardiovascular risk for individuals of lower SEP, while the socioeconomic gradient of HDL cholesterol indicated a lower cardiovascular risk for individuals of higher SEP.

Tratamentos para superação de dormência em sementes de cornichão anual

Sementes viáveis de muitas espécies de plantas, freqüentemente não absorvem água e, portanto, não germinam, mesmo que as condições ambientais sejam favoráveis, sendo comumente chamadas impermeáveis ou duras. Portanto, existe a necessidade de se utilizar métodos pré-germinativos que permitam superar a dormência, possibilitando a expressão da máxima germinação do lote. O objetivo do experimento foi identificar os métodos mais eficientes para a superação da dormência tegumentar de sementes de cornichão anual (Lotus subbflorus L.), que sejam rápidos, seguros e de fácil padronização. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório Didático de Sementes da Faculdade de Agronomia "Eliseu Maciel", na Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Foram utilizados dois lotes de sementes provenientes da região de Herval do Sul, RS. Os tratamentos realizados foram: teste de germinação (testemunha), pré-esfriamento por 4, 7 e 10 dias (7 ºC), pré-aquecimento por 1, 4, e 7 dias (50 ºC) e escarificação por lixa mecânica por 30, 60 e 90 segundos, a 1750 rpm. Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que a escarificação por lixa mecânica por 30, 60 e 90 segundos, a 1750 rpm apresentam as melhores respostas na superação da dormência expressas pela relação plântulas normais com plântulas anormais e sementes mortas.

Poder de barganha dos sindicatos e negociações coletivas na indústria do Rio Grande do Sul, 1979-1995

This paper analyses the relationship between bargaining outcomes in seventeen units regarding the manufacturing sector in Rio Grande do Sul, and change in the relevant economic environment from 1979 to 1995. Theories on the determinants of bargaining outcomes are discussed in order to provide a basis for hypothesizing about the specific case. Statistical outcomes suggest that collective bargaining have been basically influenced by unemployment, manufacturing relative prices, the stabilization policies starting in 1986, and, specifically for negotiated minimum wages, change in the official rates of minimum wages.