Atitudes de crianças em relação aos grupos nacionais

In the present study we are going to analyze the development of the ingroup favoritism and outgroup derogation in relation to national groups (Portuguese as ingroup and Cape-Verdeans, Brazilian and Chinese as outgroups) in Portuguese children with ages between 6 and 10 years (60 participants with 6/7 years and 60 participants with 9/10 years). The first aim of this research was to examine whether the ingroup favoritism and outgroup derogation changes according to the age groups. We started from the idea that the age groups would show ingroup preference. However in relation to negativity outgroup it was expected to be less evident. The second aim of this study was to examine if the ingroup favoritism and outgroup derogation would be relatively independent, or if they would be related to each other, so that positive perceptions of national ingroup were associated with negative perceptions of national outgroups (in particular, Cape-Verde, Brazilian and Chinese). In a nut Shell, the results confirmed the hypotheses, and in both age groups, the children showed ingroup preference, the negativism of the outgroup was less obvious in the Brazilian group but not in the others (Cape-Verdeans and Chinese). Regarding the relation between the preference for the ingroup and the negativity of the outgroup we realized that these are relatively independent. As a result, we found that the ingroup favoritism is not related with outgroup derogation, it means that, positive perceptions of the ingroup are not related with negative perceptions of the outgroups.

Atitudes de crianças em relação aos grupos nacionais

In the present study we are going to analyze the development of the ingroup favoritism and outgroup derogation in relation to national groups (Portuguese as ingroup and Cape-Verdeans, Brazilian and Chinese as outgroups) in Portuguese children with ages between 6 and 10 years (60 participants with 6/7 years and 60 participants with 9/10 years). The first aim of this research was to examine whether the ingroup favoritism and outgroup derogation changes according to the age groups. We started from the idea that the age groups would show ingroup preference. However in relation to negativity outgroup it was expected to be less evident. The second aim of this study was to examine if the ingroup favoritism and outgroup derogation would be relatively independent, or if they would be related to each other, so that positive perceptions of national ingroup were associated with negative perceptions of national outgroups (in particular, Cape-Verde, Brazilian and Chinese). In a nut Shell, the results confirmed the hypotheses, and in both age groups, the children showed ingroup preference, the negativism of the outgroup was less obvious in the Brazilian group but not in the others (Cape-Verdeans and Chinese). Regarding the relation between the preference for the ingroup and the negativity of the outgroup we realized that these are relatively independent. As a result, we found that the ingroup favoritism is not related with outgroup derogation, it means that, positive perceptions of the ingroup are not related with negative perceptions of the outgroups.

Atitudes de crianças em relação aos grupos nacionais

No presente estudo vamos analisar o desenvolvimento do favoritismo endogrupal e do “derogation” (desvalorização) exogrupal em relação a grupos nacionais (portugueses como endogrupo e cabo-verdianos, brasileiros e chineses como exogrupos) em crianças portuguesas com idades compreendidas entre os 6 e os 10 anos (60 participantes com 6/7 anos e 60 participantes com 9/10 anos). O primeiro objectivo desta investigação consistiu em examinar se o favoritismo endogrupal e o “derogation” exogrupal variam em função de grupos etários. Partimos da ideia de que os grupos etários evidenciariam preferência endogrupal. Já em relação à negatividade exogrupal era esperado que fosse menos evidente. O segundo objectivo deste estudo foi examinar se o favoritismo endogrupal e o “derogation” exogrupal seriam relativamente independentes, ou se estariam reciprocamente relacionados, de modo que percepções positivas do endogrupo nacional estivessem associadas com percepções negativas dos exogrupos nacionais (em particular, cabo-verdianos, brasileiros e chineses). Os resultados confirmaram as hipóteses, assim em ambos os grupos etários as crianças evidenciaram preferência endogrupal, a negatividade do exogrupo, foi apenas menos evidente para o exogrupo brasileiros e não para os restantes (cabo-verdianos e chineses). Relativamente à relação entre a preferência pelo endogrupo e a negatividade do exogrupo verificou-se que estas são relativamente independentes. Assim verificou-se que o favoritismo endogrupal não está relacionado com a desvalorização exogrupal, ou seja, percepções positivas do endogrupo não estão relacionadas com percepções negativas dos exogrupos.

Vitamin E content in fish oil emulsion does not prevent lipoperoxidative effects on human colorectal tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The anticancer action exerted by polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation may not be reproduced by commercially available lipid emulsions rich in vitamin E. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of fish oil (FO) emulsion containing α-tocopherol 0.19 g/L on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and tumors. METHODS: HT-29 cell growth, survival, apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation were analyzed after a 24-h incubation with FO 18 to 80 mg/L. Soybean oil (SO) emulsion was used as an isocaloric and isolipidic control. In vivo, nude mice bearing HT-29 tumors were sacrificed 7 d after an 11-d treatment with intravenous injections of FO or SO 0.2 g ∙ kg(-1) ∙ d(-1) FO or SO to evaluate tumor growth, necrosis, and lipid peroxidation. RESULTS: The FO inhibited cell viability and clonogenicity in a dose-dependent manner, whereas SO showed no significant effect compared with untreated controls. Lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis after treatment with FO 45 mg/L were increased 2.0-fold (P < 0.01) and 1.6-fold (P = 0.04), respectively. In vivo, FO treatment did not significantly affect tumor growth. However, immunohistochemical analyses of tumor tissue sections showed a decrease of 0.6-fold (P < 0.01) in the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 and an increase of 2.3-fold (P = 0.03) in the necrotic area, whereas malondialdehyde and total peroxides were increased by 1.9-fold (P = 0.09) and 7.0-fold (P < 0.01), respectively, in tumors of FO-treated compared with untreated mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FO but not SO has an antitumor effect that can be correlated with lipid peroxidation, despite its vitamin E content.

Nutrição e produtividade da nogueira-macadâmia em razão do parcelamento da adubação mineral

A disponibilidade de nutrientes durante o ano pode influenciar o desempenho da nogueira-macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia). Contudo, não existem informações sobre a resposta dessa cultura ao parcelamento da adubação nas condições brasileiras. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do parcelamento da adubação mineral na nutrição, produtividade e qualidade de frutos da nogueira-macadâmia. O experimento foi conduzido, durante três anos agrícolas, num Latossolo Vermelho, em Jaboticabal, SP. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. O experimento foi constituído por quatro formas de parcelamento da adubação NPK (T1 - uma única aplicação, em outubro; T2 - duas aplicações, em outubro e dezembro; T3 - três aplicações, em outubro, dezembro e fevereiro; e T4 - quatro aplicações, em outubro, dezembro, fevereiro e abril). O parcelamento da adubação NPK proporcionou maiores teores de N nas folhas que a aplicação em dose única, mas não interferiu nos teores dos demais nutrientes. A produtividade da nogueira-macadâmia foi incrementada de forma similar com o parcelamento da adubação NPK em duas, três ou quatro vezes, entre outubro e abril, em comparação à aplicação única em outubro. A taxa de recuperação de amêndoas não foi interferida pelo parcelamento da adubação NPK.

Large N phases, gravitational instantons and the nuts and bolts of AdS holography

Recent results in the literature concerning holography indicate that the thermodynamics of quantum gravity (at least with a negative cosmological constant) can be modeled by the large N thermodynamics of quantum field theory. We emphasize that this suggests a completely unitary evolution of processes in quantum gravity, including black hole formation and decay, and even more extreme examples involving topology change. As concrete examples which show that this correspondence holds even when the space-time is only locally asymptotically AdS, we compute the thermodynamical phase structure of the AdS-Taub-NUT and AdS-Taub-bolt spacetimes, and compare them to a (2+1)-dimensional conformal field theory (at large N) compactified on a squashed three-sphere and on the twisted plane.

Monitoring the clinical introduction of a glutamine and antioxidant solution in critically ill trauma and burn patients

OBJECTIVE: Enteral glutamine supplementation and antioxidants have been shown to be beneficial in some categories of critically ill patients. This study investigated the impact on organ function and clinical outcome of an enteral solution enriched with glutamine and antioxidant micronutrients in patients with trauma and with burns. METHODS: This was a prospective study of a historical control group including critically ill, burned and major trauma patients (n = 86, 40 patients with burns and 46 with trauma, 43 in each group) on admission to an intensive care unit in a university hospital (matching for severity, age, and sex). The intervention aimed to deliver a 500-mL enteral solution containing 30 g of glutamine per day, selenium, zinc, and vitamin E (Gln-AOX) for a maximum of 10 d, in addition to control treatment consisting of enteral nutrition in all patients and intravenous trace elements in all burn patients. RESULTS: Patients were comparable at baseline, except for more inhalation injuries in the burn-Gln-AOX group (P = 0.10) and greater neurologic impairment in the trauma-Gln-AOX group (P = 0.022). Intestinal tolerance was good. The full 500-mL dose was rarely delivered, resulting in a low mean glutamine daily dose (22 g for burn patients and 16 g for trauma patients). In burn patients intravenous trace element delivery was superior to the enteral dose. The evolution of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and other outcome variables did not differ significantly between groups. C-reactive protein decreased faster in the Gln-AOX group. CONCLUSION: The Gln-AOX supplement was well tolerated in critically ill, injured patients, but did not improve outcome significantly. The delivery of glutamine below the 0.5-g/kg recommended dose in association with high intravenous trace element substitution doses in burn patients are likely to have blunted the impact by not reaching an efficient treatment dose. Further trials testing higher doses of Gln are required.

Strengthening of Existing Single Span Steel Beam and Concrete Deck Bridges, HR-238, Part 1, 1983

The Phase I research, Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Project HR-214, "Feasibility Study of Strengthening Existing Single Span Steel Beam Concrete Deck Bridges," verified that post-tensioning can be used to provide strengthening of the composite bridges under investigation. Phase II research, reported here, involved the strengthening of two full-scale prototype bridges - one a prototype of the model bridge tested during Phase I and the other larger and skewed. In addition to the field work, Phase II also involved a considerable amount of laboratory work. A literature search revealed that only minimal data existed on the angle-plus-bar shear connectors. Thus, several specimens utilizing angle-plus-bar, as well as channels, studs and high strength bolts as shear connectors were fabricated and tested. To obtain additional shear connector information, the bridge model of Phase I was sawed into four composite concrete slab and steel beam specimens. Two of the resulting specimens were tested with the original shear connection, while the other two specimens had additional shear connectors added before testing. Although orthotropic plate theory was shown in Phase I to predict vertical load distribution in bridge decks and to predict approximate distribution of post-tensioning for right-angle bridges, it was questioned whether the theory could also be used on skewed bridges. Thus, a small plexiglas model was constructed and used in vertical load distribution tests and post-tensioning force distribution tests for verification of the theory. Conclusions of this research are as follows: (1) The capacity of existing shear connectors must be checked as part of a bridge strengthening program. Determination of the concrete deck strength in advance of bridge strengthening is also recommended. (2) The ultimate capacity of angle-plus-bar shear connectors can be computed on the basis of a modified AASHTO channel connector formula and an angle-to-beam weld capacity check. (3) Existing shear connector capacity can be augmented by means of double-nut high strength bolt connectors. (4) Post-tensioning did not significantly affect truck load distribution for right angle or skewed bridges. (5) Approximate post-tensioning and truck load distribution for actual bridges can be predicted by orthotropic plate theory for vertical load; however, the agreement between actual distribution and theoretical distribution is not as close as that measured for the laboratory model in Phase I. (6) The right angle bridge exhibited considerable end restraint at what would be assumed to be simple support. The construction details at bridge abutments seem to be the reason for the restraint. (7) The skewed bridge exhibited more end restraint than the right angle bridge. Both skew effects and construction details at the abutments accounted for the restraint. (8) End restraint in the right angle and skewed bridges reduced tension strains in the steel bridge beams due to truck loading, but also reduced the compression strains caused by post-tensioning.

CAPACIDADE COMBINATÓRIA PARA FRUTIFICAÇÃO EM CULTIVARES DE NOGUEIRA MACADÂMIA

Um experimento de cruzamentos dialélicos 5 x 5 foi conduzido na Estação Experimental de Tietê, SP, com o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade combinatória de nogueira macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche), cultivares IAC Campinas A, IAC 2-23 A, IAC 4-12 B, IAC 4-20 e IAC 5-10. A avaliação de frutos fixados aos 14 dias após polinização manual revelou que todas as cultivares apresentaram auto-incompatibilidade. Houve diferenças significativas quanto a capacidades geral (CGC) e específica de combinação (CEC) e efeito recíproco (ER) entre elas. A cultivar IAC Campinas A reduziu a frutificação inicial em todos os cruzamentos em que participou como progenitor feminino. Os melhores resultados de frutificação inicial foram apresentados pelos cruzamentos entre as cultivares: IAC 4-20 x IAC Campinas A, IAC 4-12 B x IAC 2-23 A, IAC 4-20 x IAC 4-12 B, IAC 5-10 x IAC 2-23 A, IAC 5-10 x IAC 4-20, IAC 4-20 x IAC 2-23 A e IAC 5-10 x IAC 4-12 B.

Métodos de proteção de enxerto na produção de mudas de mangueira, abacateiro e nogueira-macadâmia

Diferentes materiais de proteção do enxerto foram avaliados na produção de mudas de mangueira (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Tommy Atkins, abacateiro (Persea americana L.) cv. Fortuna e nogueira-macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche) cv. Kau 344. Os materiais utilizados foram: saco de polietileno, parafina, parafina + vaselina, cera de abelha, parafilme e filme de PVC. Verificou-se que o parafilme promoveu melhor resultado de pegamento do enxerto em abacateiro (80,3%) e nogueira-macadâmia (74,1%), seguido pelo filme de PVC (53,4% e 41,7%, respectivamente). Na enxertia de mangueira, o parafilme, filme de PVC e saco de polietileno não diferiram entre si estatisticamente (59,6%, 50,2% e 50,2%, respectivamente). Os porcentuais de pegamento observados nos tratamentos com parafina, parafina + vaselina e cera de abelha foram baixos, em comparação com o melhor tratamento (parafilme). Nas mudas de nogueira-macadâmia o parafilme promoveu melhor desenvolvimento das brotações, além de desprender-se naturalmente dos enxertos. Conclui-se que na enxertia de mangueira os garfos podem ser protegidos com parafilme, filme de PVC ou saco de polietileno; na enxertia de abacateiro, pode-se utilizar parafilme ou filme de PVC, e na enxertia de nogueira-macadâmia deve-se optar pelo parafilme.

Sedentarism affects body fat mass index and fat-free mass index in adults aged 18 to 98 years.

OBJECTIVE: Body mass index does not discriminate body fat from fat-free mass or determine changes in these parameters with physical activity and aging. Body fat mass index (BFMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) permit comparisons of subjects with different heights. This study evaluated differences in body mass index, BFMI, and FFMI in physically active and sedentary subjects younger and older than 60 y and determined the association between physical activity, age, and body composition parameters in a healthy white population between ages 18 and 98 y. METHODS: Body fat and fat-free mass were determined in healthy white men (n = 3549) and women (n = 3184), between ages 18 and 98 y, by bioelectrical impedance analysis. BFMI and FFMI (kg/m2) were calculated. Physical activity was defined as at least 3 h/wk of endurance-type activity for at least 2 mo. RESULTS: Physically active as opposed to sedentary subjects were more likely to have a low BFMI (men: odds ratio [OR], 1.4; confidence interval [CI], 0.7-2.5; women: OR 1.9, CI 1.6-2.2) and less likely to have very high BFMI (men: OR, 0.2; CI, 0.1-0.2; women: OR, 0.1; CI, 0.02-0.2), low FFMI (men: OR, 0.5; CI, 0.3-0.9; women: OR, 0.7; CI, 0.6-0.9), or very high FFMI (men: OR, 0.6; CI, 0.4-0.8; women: OR, 0.7; CI, 0.5-1.0). Compared with subjects younger than 60 y, those older than 60 y were more like to have very high BFMI (men: OR, 6.5; CI, 4.5-9.3; women: OR, 14.0; CI, 9.6-20.5), and women 60 y and older were less likely to have a low BFMI (OR, 0.4; CI, 0.2-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: A clear association was found between low physical activity or age and height-normalized body composition parameters (BFMI and FFMI) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physically active subjects were more likely to have high or very high or low FFMI. Older subjects had higher body weights and BFMI.

Crescimento e produtividade de nogueira-macadâmia em consórcio com cafeeiro arábica irrigado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade de cultivares de nogueira-macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia), em sistema de cultivo consorciado com café (Coffea arabica) irrigado. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com dez repetições. Seis cultivares de macadâmia foram utilizadas, das quais três nacionais (IAC 4-12B, IAC 4-20 e IAC 9-20) e três havaianas (HAES 344, HAES 660 e HAES 816). Nos quatro primeiros anos de produção, foram feitas avaliações de: altura de planta, diâmetro de copa e de tronco, número de nozes por planta, peso médio de noz, peso médio de amêndoa, produção de nozes por planta, taxa de recuperação e produção de amêndoas por planta. As cultivares nacionais apresentaram menor crescimento em altura, com destaque para IAC 4-20, porém, com copas de maior diâmetro. As cultivares nacionais são mais produtivas, com destaque para a IAC 4-12B.

Nutrição e produtividade da nogueira-macadâmia em função de doses de nitrogênio

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de doses de nitrogênio na nutrição mineral e na produtividade da nogueira-macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia). O experimento foi conduzido durante três anos agrícolas, em Jaboticabal, SP. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliadas cinco doses de N (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1 por ano), aplicadas na forma de ureia. O aumento nas doses de N aumentou o teor do nutriente nas folhas e a produtividade de nozes e amêndoas. Os teores de Ca, Mg e S diminuíram e os de Fe e Mg aumentaram linearmente com a adubação nitrogenada. A produtividade de nozes e de amêndoas correlacionou-se positivamente com o teor de N nas folhas, e a faixa de 14 a 18 g kg-1 foi a que possibilitou as maiores produtividades. A dose de 150 kg ha-1 de N por ano proporciona maior produtividade de noz, sem reduzir a taxa de recuperação de amêndoas.

Fructose and metabolic diseases: new findings, new questions.

There has been much concern regarding the role of dietary fructose in the development of metabolic diseases. This concern arises from the continuous increase in fructose (and total added caloric sweeteners consumption) in recent decades, and from the increased use of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener. A large body of evidence shows that a high-fructose diet leads to the development of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in rodents. In humans, fructose has long been known to increase plasma triglyceride concentrations. In addition, when ingested in large amounts as part of a hypercaloric diet, it can cause hepatic insulin resistance, increased total and visceral fat mass, and accumulation of ectopic fat in the liver and skeletal muscle. These early effects may be instrumental in causing, in the long run, the development of the metabolic syndrome. There is however only limited evidence that fructose per se, when consumed in moderate amounts, has deleterious effects. Several effects of a high-fructose diet in humans can be observed with high-fat or high-glucose diets as well, suggesting that an excess caloric intake may be the main factor involved in the development of the metabolic syndrome. The major source of fructose in our diet is with sweetened beverages (and with other products in which caloric sweeteners have been added). The progressive replacement of sucrose by HFCS is however unlikely to be directly involved in the epidemy of metabolic disease, because HFCS appears to have basically the same metabolic effects as sucrose. Consumption of sweetened beverages is however clearly associated with excess calorie intake, and an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases through an increase in body weight. This has led to the recommendation to limit the daily intake of sugar calories.

Mass and energy balance of the carbonization of babassu nutshell as affected by temperature

The objective of this work was to evaluate the carbonization yield of babassu nutshell as affected by final temperature, as well as the energy losses involved in the process. Three layers constituting the babassu nut, that is, the epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp, were used together. The material was carbonized, considering the following final temperatures: 450, 550, 650, 750, and 850ºC. The following were evaluated: energy and charcoal yields, pyroligneous liquid, non-condensable gases, and fixed carbon. The use of babassu nutshell can be highly feasible for charcoal production. The yield of charcoal from babassu nutshell carbonization was higher than that reported in the literature for Eucalyptus wood carbonization, considering the final temperature of 450ºC. Charcoal and energy yields decreased more sharply at lower temperatures, with a tendency to stabilize at higher temperatures. The energy yields obtained can be considered satisfactory, with losses between 45 and 52% (based on higher heating value) and between 43 and 49% (based on lower heating value) at temperatures ranging from 450 to 850ºC, respectively. Yields in fixed carbon and pyroligneous liquid are not affected by the final carbonization temperature.