O DINHEIRO E O SAGRADO Uma leitura das interfaces de fenômenos culturais, religiosos e econômicos e de seus reflexos existenciais, à luz das Ciências Sociais e da Psicologia Analítica

Esta tese é o resultado de uma pesquisa sobre o uso e a influência do dinheiro no que tange às questões existenciais, no contexto capitalista, ligadas ao trinômio: saúde, amor e espiritualidade. Para isso, foram analisados vários tipos de vínculo, afetivos ou não, existentes nas relações humanas, no âmbito da família, do mercado e do Estado, convergindo para a busca do sagrado que dá sentido e significado existenciais. O eixo teórico se localiza em uma interface entre as Ciências Sociais e a Psicologia Analítica, de Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), que expressa em sua obra a necessidade humana de encontrar a realização do ser pela conquista consciente de um estado de integração evolutiva. Esta dimensão integral existe quando é realizada a unificação dos vários aspectos do eu com o inconsciente, expressos teleologicamente no processo de individuação. O resultado da evolução científica e tecnológica, acrescido pela supremacia do mercado, abrange praticamente todas as esferas da vida humana, imprimindo uma importância excessiva ao dinheiro. Por exemplo, até o campo religioso foi invadido pela lógica monetária, que se instalou impondo uma atitude monetarizada nas práticas e ritos religiosos, como ocorre em algumas igrejas neopentecostais. Por sua vez, a supervalorização do dinheiro contribui para um processo que combina dessacralização e exclusão social, bem como para o aumento significativo de doenças em todas as instâncias em que as trocas deixaram de acontecer livremente. Com a interdição das trocas, a vida se esvai, comprometendo a evolução humana nas instâncias físicas, psíquicas, sociais, espirituais, familiares, afetivas ou profissionais. Como os desejos de lucro e de acúmulo impedem as trocas, a conquista da dimensão integral vai ficando sombreada até ser substituída pela anestesia do consumo, no sentido de aliviar, apesar de não eliminar, os sentimentos de angústia pela falta de sentido existencial. Busca-se neste trabalho o entendimento da razão pela qual o ser humano contemporâneo deixou de trocar livremente e passou a acumular, muitas vezes por meio de consumo do supérfluo, ficando à mercê de um mercado que pretende ser hegemônico, colocando inclusive o dinheiro como caminho de cura e salvação. Fizemos um levantamento das possibilidades que podem restar para a concretização de uma readequação do uso do dinheiro a serviço da individuação e da realização existencial.(AU)

Nonsynonymous substitution in abalone sperm fertilization genes exceeds substitution in introns and mitochondrial DNA

Strong positive Darwinian selection acts on two sperm fertilization proteins, lysin and 18-kDa protein, from abalone (Haliotis). To understand the phylogenetic context for this dramatic molecular evolution, we obtained sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI), and genomic sequences of lysin, 18-kDa, and a G protein subunit. Based on mtDNA differentiation, four north Pacific abalone species diverged within the past 2 million years (Myr), and remaining north Pacific species diverged over a period of 4–20 Myr. Between-species nonsynonymous differences in lysin and 18-kDa exons exceed nucleotide differences in introns by 3.5- to 24-fold. Remarkably, in some comparisons nonsynonymous substitutions in lysin and 18-kDa genes exceed synonymous substitutions in mtCOI. Lysin and 18-kDa intron/exon segments were sequenced from multiple red abalone individuals collected over a 1,200-km range. Only two nucleotide changes and two sites of slippage variation were detected in a total of >29,000 nucleotides surveyed. However, polymorphism in mtCOI and a G protein intron was found in this species. This finding suggests that positive selection swept one lysin allele and one 18-kDa allele to fixation. Similarities between mtCOI and lysin gene trees indicate that rapid adaptive evolution of lysin has occurred consistently through the history of the group. Comparisons with mtCOI molecular clock calibrations suggest that nonsynonymous substitutions accumulate 2–50 times faster in lysin and 18-kDa genes than in rapidly evolving mammalian genes.

Negative genetic correlation for adult fitness between sexes reveals ontogenetic conflict in Drosophila

Because of their distinctive roles in reproduction, females and males are selected toward different optimal phenotypes. Ontogenetic conflict between the sexes arises when homologous traits are selected in different directions. The evolution of sexual dimorphism by sex-limited gene expression alleviates this problem. However, because the majority of genes are not sex-limited, the potential for substantial conflict may remain. Here we assess the degree of ontogenetic conflict in the fruit-fly, Drosophila melanogaster, by cloning 40 haploid genomes and measuring their Darwinian fitness in both sexes. The intersexual genetic correlations for juvenile viability, adult reproductive success, and total fitness were used to gauge potential conflict during development. First, as juveniles, where the fitness objectives of the two sexes appear to be similar, survival was strongly positively correlated across sexes. Second, after adult maturation, where gender roles diverge, a significant negative correlation for reproductive success was found. Finally, because of counterbalancing correlations in the juvenile and adult components, no intersexual correlation for total fitness was found. Highly significant genotype-by-gender interaction variance was measured for both adult and total fitness. These results demonstrate strong intersexual discord during development because of the expression of sexually antagonistic variation.

Long term trends in the evolution of H(3) HA1 human influenza type A

We have studied the HA1 domain of 254 human influenza A(H3N2) virus genes for clues that might help identify characteristics of hemagglutinins (HAs) of circulating strains that are predictive of that strain’s epidemic potential. Our preliminary findings include the following. (i) The most parsimonious tree found requires 1,260 substitutions of which 712 are silent and 548 are replacement substitutions. (ii) The HA1 portion of the HA gene is evolving at a rate of 5.7 nucleotide substitutions/year or 5.7 × 10−3 substitutions/site per year. (iii) The replacement substitutions are distributed randomly across the three positions of the codon when allowance is made for the number of ways each codon can change the encoded amino acid. (iv) The replacement substitutions are not distributed randomly over the branches of the tree, there being 2.2 times more changes per tip branch than for non-tip branches. This result is independent of how the virus was amplified (egg grown or kidney cell grown) prior to sequencing or if sequencing was carried out directly on the original clinical specimen by PCR. (v) These excess changes on the tip branches are probably the result of a bias in the choice of strains to sequence and the detection of deleterious mutations that had not yet been removed by negative selection. (vi) There are six hypervariable codons accumulating replacement substitutions at an average rate that is 7.2 times that of the other varied codons. (vii) The number of variable codons in the trunk branches (the winners of the competitive race against the immune system) is 47 ± 5, significantly fewer than in the twigs (90 ± 7), which in turn is significantly fewer variable codons than in tip branches (175 ± 8). (viii) A minimum of one of every 12 branches has nodes at opposite ends representing viruses that reside on different continents. This is, however, no more than would be expected if one were to randomly reassign the continent of origin of the isolates. (ix) Of 99 codons with at least four mutations, 31 have ratios of non-silent to silent changes with probabilities less than 0.05 of occurring by chance, and 14 of those have probabilities <0.005. These observations strongly support positive Darwinian selection. We suggest that the small number of variable positions along the successful trunk lineage, together with knowledge of the codons that have shown positive selection, may provide clues that permit an improved prediction of which strains will cause epidemics and therefore should be used for vaccine production.

A demographic approach to selection

The concepts of demography provide a means of combining the ecological approach to population growth with the genetical approach to natural selection. We have utilized the demographic theory of natural selection developed by Norton and Charlesworth to analyze life history schedules of births and deaths for populations of genotypes in Drosophila pseudoobscura. Our populations illustrate a stable genetic equilibrium, an unstable genetic equilibrium, and a case of no equilibrium. We have estimated population growth rates and Darwinian fitnesses of the genotypes and have explored the role of population growth in determining natural selection. The age-specific rates of births and deaths provide insights into components of selection. Both viability and fertility are important components in our populations.

Evolutionary EST analysis identifies rapidly evolving male reproductive proteins in Drosophila

Sequence comparisons of genomes or expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from related organisms provide insight into functional conservation and diversification. We compare the sequences of ESTs from the male accessory gland of Drosophila simulans to their orthologs in its close relative Drosophila melanogaster, and demonstrate rapid divergence of many of these reproductive genes. Nineteen (∼11%) of 176 independent genes identified in the EST screen contain protein-coding regions with an excess of nonsynonymous over synonymous changes, suggesting that their divergence has been accelerated by positive Darwinian selection. Genes that encode putative accessory gland-specific seminal fluid proteins had a significantly elevated level of nonsynonymous substitution relative to nonaccessory gland-specific genes. With the 57 new accessory gland genes reported here, we predict that ∼90% of the male accessory gland genes have been identified. The evolutionary EST approach applied here to identify putative targets of adaptive evolution is readily applicable to other tissues and organisms.

Accelerated evolution in the protein-coding regions is universal in crotalinae snake venom gland phospholipase A2 isozyme genes.

The nucleotide sequences of four genes encoding Trimeresurus gramineus (green habu snake, crotalinae) venom gland phospholipase A2 (PLA2; phosphatidylcholine 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) isozymes were compared internally and externally with those of six genes encoding Trimeresurus flavoviridis (habu snake, crotalinae) venom gland PLA2 isozymes. The numbers of nucleotide substitutions per site (KN) for the noncoding regions including introns were one-third to one-eighth of the numbers of nucleotide substitutions per synonymous site (KS) for the protein-coding regions of exons, indicating that the noncoding regions are much more conserved than the protein-coding regions. The KN values for the introns were found to be nearly equivalent to those of introns of T. gramineus and T. flavoviridis TATA box-binding protein genes, which are assumed to be a general (nonvenomous) gene. Thus, it is evident that the introns of venom gland PLA2 isozyme genes have evolved at a similar rate to those of nonvenomous genes. The numbers of nucleotide substitutions per nonsynonymous site (KA) were close to or larger than the KS values for the protein-coding regions in venom gland PLA2 isozyme genes. All of the data combined reveal that Darwinian-type accelerated evolution has universally occurred only in the protein-coding regions of crotalinae snake venom PLA2 isozyme genes.

Avaliação da mobilidade urbana com ênfase na condição da acidentalidade do usuário vulnerável

Atualmente vive-se uma mudança de paradigma no planejamento dos transportes: o ser humano volta a ser o centro da tomada de decisões e o automóvel fica em segundo plano. Para que isso ocorra, são necessárias ferramentas confiáveis as quais avaliem a situação atual das cidades para que sejam traçadas metas no sentido de melhorar a vida da população. A mobilidade urbana sustentável busca a melhoria do transporte baseada no tripé social, ambiental e econômico. Esse trabalho busca avaliar a condição de segurança do usuário vulnerável (sem carenagem protetora) em relação ao usuário não vulnerável (com carenagem), buscando avaliar fatores como o modo escolhido para justificar a segurança do usuário. Apesar da mudança de paradigma, as intervenções urbanas continuam voltadas ao transporte individual, assim o usuário de transporte público de má qualidade migra para outros modos, o que causa o aumento do risco relativo do usuário vulnerável. Um dos fatores que influenciam muito para essa migração é o tempo de viagem, significativamente maior para o usuário do transporte público.

The Rasikajy civilization in northeast Madagascar: a pre-European Chinese community?

Archaeological excavations in northern Madagascar during the first half of the 20th century have revealed the presence of a former prosperous civilisation known as the Rasikajy civilisation. Little is known about the origin of this civilisation and how and when they first arrived in Madagascar. The most striking evidence for the Rasikajy civilisation comes from excavations at a necropolis in Vohemar located along the northeast coast, where more than 600 tombs containing spectacular objects were unearthed in the 1940s (Vernier & Millot 1971). The findings in the tombs included, amongst others, Chinese ceramics, silver and gold jewellery, iron weapons, glassware, bronze mirrors and chlorite-schist objects (ibid.). The latter objects were produced from chlorite schist mined at quarries in northern and eastern Madagascar and there is evidence that jewellery and iron objects were also produced by the Rasikajy from locally available raw material. Chlorite-schist objects have not only been found in coastal sites in Madagascar, but also in the Comores and eastern Africa suggesting an active engagement of the Rasikajy in western Indian Ocean trade. Our re-evaluation of published literature on archaeological sites in northern Madagascar indicates that the majority of Chinese ceramics found in the tombs at Vohemar dates from the 15th and first half of the 16th century with some dating back to the 14th century or earlier. Our comparative analysis of burial objects at Vohemar shows that locally produced chlorite-schist tripod vessels exhibit remarkable resemblances to ancient Chinese bronze ritual tripod vessels. The objects encountered in the tombs and their positions with respect to the body indicate that the Rasikajy practiced burial rites similar to those practised in the past in China. Our re-evaluation of the literature suggests that communities with Chinese roots were present in northeastern Madagascar prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1500 and participated in the Indian Ocean trade network. The demise of the Rasikajy civilisation seems to have occurred in the second half of the 16th century when production of chlorite-schist objects ceased. It is still unclear why this occurred.

University of Michigan Observatory

Richard Bull, architect. Known at various times as Detroit Observatory, Campus Observatory, Old Observatory. Stereoscopic photograph showing the 1868 director's residence addition. James C. Watson (wearing top hat) is seen with a telescope on a tripod; his wife, Annette, is standing at the porch. (Source: A Creation of His Own: Tappan's Detroit Observatory by Patricia S. Whitesell) On verso: Views at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Darwiniana : essays /

I. The Darwinian Hypothesis (1859) --II. The origin of species (1860) --III. Criticisms on "The origin of species" (1864) --IV. The genealogy of animals (1869) --V. Mr. Darwin's critics (1871) --VI. Evolution in biology (1878) --VII. The coming of age of "The origin of species" (1880) --VIII. Charles Darwin (1882) --IX. The Darwin memorial (1885) --X. Obituary (1888) --XI. Six lectures to working men "On our knowledge of the causes of the phenomena of organic nature" (1863)

Ultraviolet and Visible Light Exposure Among Indoor Agricultural Workers

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Split Ends

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Guidelines for filming digital camera video clips for the assessment of gait and movement disorders by teleneurology

Digital still cameras capable of filming short video clips are readily available, but the quality of these recordings for telemedicine has not been reported. We performed a blinded study using four commonly available digital cameras. A simulated patient with a hemiplegic gait pattern was filmed by the same videographer in an identical, brightly lit indoor setting. Six neurologists viewed the blinded video clips on their PC and comparisons were made between cameras, between video clips recorded with and without a tripod, and between video clips filmed on high- or low-quality settings. Use of a tripod had a smaller effect than expected, while images taken on a high-quality setting were strongly preferred to those taken on a low-quality setting. Although there was some variability in video quality between selected cameras, all were of sufficient quality to identify physical signs such as gait and tremor. Adequate-quality video clips of movement disorders can be produced with low-cost cameras and transmitted by email for teleneurology purposes.