Parental death as a vital conjuncture? Intergenerational care and responsibility following bereavement in Senegal

This article explores the ways that parental death represents a 'vital conjuncture' for Serer young people that reconfigures and potentially transforms intergenerational caring responsibilities in different spatial and temporal contexts. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with young people (aged 15-27), family members, religious and community leaders and professionals in rural and urban Senegal, I explore young people's responses to parental death. 'Continuing bonds' with the deceased were expressed through memories evoked in homespace, shared family practices and gendered responsibilities to 'take care of' bereaved family members, to cultivate inherited farmland and to fulfil the wishes of the deceased. Parental death could reconfigure intergenerational care and lead to shifts in power dynamics, as eldest sons asserted their position of authority. While care-giving roles were associated with agency, the low social status accorded to young women's paid and unpaid domestic work undermined their efforts. The research contributes to understandings of gendered nuances in the experience of bereavement and continuing bonds and provides insight into intra-household decision-making processes, ownership and control of assets. Analysis of the culturally specific meanings of relationships and a young person's social location within hierarchies of gender, age, sibling birth order and wider socio-cultural norms and practices is needed.

O touro fica: anotações sobre 'O Testamento de Dom Quixote'

'O Testamento de Dom Quixote', 'script' by Glauber Rocha, is supposed to be loosely inspired in the last chapter of Cervantes' novel, although it is absolutely different from it: in the film the character doesn't recover his lucidity, but he lives surrounded by mystical delirium. Already in its first pages, it is obvious that it is a first draft of 'Cutting Heads', the film he shot in Spain in 1970, in spite of being completely different from the final movie. The comparison between both works allows us to see to what extent this essential seed was a forgotten one: the film was always publicised as a version of 'Macbeth', a reference which is missing here, and the 'Quijote' was never considered a point of depart, although its work with reality and dream determined the tone of the film from the very beginning.

SEM Study of Apical Morphological Alterations in Primary Teeth with Vital and Necrotic Pulps

This study evaluated, by SEM, the morphology of human primary teeth roots. Twenty-four teeth were divided into 3 groups: pulp vitality (group I) and pulp necrosis without (group II) and with apical periodontitis (group III). Roots were analyzed by the presence of periodontal ligament (PDL) fibers and resorption areas. In groups I and II, presence of PDL fibers and absence of resorption were observed in all cases (100%), while all specimens (100%) of group III showed no PDL fibers and resorption areas. In conclusion, there are morphological differences in the apical region of primary teeth with different pulpal and periapical pathologies.

Biofilm on the apical region of roots in primary teeth with vital and necrotic pulps with or without radiographically evident apical pathosis

Aim To evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the presence of biofilms on the external surfaces of the apical third of roots of human primary teeth with vital or necrotic pulps with and without radiographically evident periradicular pathosis. Methodology Eighteen teeth were selected: group I - normal pulp (n = 5), group II - pulp necrosis without radiographic evidence of periapical pathosis (n = 7) and group III - pulp necrosis with well-defined radiographic periapical pathosis (n = 6). After extraction, the teeth were washed with saline and immersed in 0.03 g mL(-1) trypsin solution for 20 min. The teeth were then washed in sodium cacodilate buffer and stored in receptacles containing modified Karnovsky solution. The teeth were sectioned, dehydrated in an ethanol series, critical-point dried with CO(2), sputter coated with gold and the external root surface in the apical third examined by SEM. Results In the teeth of groups I and II, the apical root surfaces were covered by collagen fibres, with no evidence of bacteria (100%). In the teeth of group III, the root apices had no collagen fibres but revealed resorptive areas containing microorganisms (cocci, bacilli, filaments and spirochetes) in all cases (100%). Conclusion Microorganisms organized as biofilms on the external root surface (extraradicular infection) were detected in primary teeth with pulp necrosis and radiographically visible periapical pathosis.

Metallopeptidase inhibitors arrest vital biological processes in the fungal pathogen Scedosporium apiospermum

P>Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging agent of opportunistic mycoses in humans. Previously, we showed that mycelia of S. apiospermum secreted metallopeptidases which were directly linked to the destruction of key host proteins. In this study, we analysed the effect of metallopeptidase inhibitors on S. apiospermum development. As germination of inhaled conidia is a crucial event in the infectious process of S. apiospermum, we studied the morphological transformation induced by the incubation of conidia in Sabouraud-dextrose medium at 37 degrees C. After 6 h, some conidia presented a small projection resembling a germ-tube. A significant increase, around sixfold, in the germ-tube length was found after 12 h, and hyphae were exclusively observed after 24 h. Three distinct metallopeptidase inhibitors were able to arrest the transformation of conidia into hyphae in different ways; for instance, 1,10-phenanthroline (PHEN) completely blocked this process at 10 mu mol l-1, while ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether; EGTA) only partially inhibited the differentiation at up to 10 mmol l-1. EGTA did not promote any significant reduction in the conidial growth, while PHEN and EDTA, both at 10 mmol l-1, inhibited the proliferation around 100% and 65%, respectively. The secretion of polypeptides into the extracellular environment and the metallopeptidase activity secreted by mycelia were completely inhibited by PHEN. These findings suggest that metallo-type enzymes could be potential targets for future therapeutic interventions against S. apiospermum.

Quality management for vital forest tree seedlings : Final report, Project no: P33854-1

The work concerns development of a prototype molecular tests to identify vitality status of conifer seedlings. The work is done by NSure, Holland, Dalarna University and SUAS. In case for spruce, a successful validation experiment has been performed to validate the identified frost tolerance and vitality genes. Multiple indicators were identified that can be used to either reinforce the existing ColdnSure test, but also for development of a vitality test. The identified frost tolerance and vitality genes for pine still need to be validated. NSure together with Dalarna University aim to perform a validation next season. Multiple LN indicators were identified in spruce that can be used to determine the effectiveness of a LN treatment, but they are not yet validated. In spruce and pine hardly any scientific research is performed to study the effect of a LN treatment, particularly not at molecular level. Therefore NSure together with Dalarna Research Station want to apply for a project. Within this project, we would be able to develop the tests further.

High-growth firms : Not so vital after all?

High-growth firms have received considerable interest recently since they create most of the new jobs in the economy. The purpose of our paper is to investigate the characteristics of high-growth firms prior to their growth period, and whether these characteristics differ across industries. Using data on a large sample of limited liability firms in Sweden for the period 2007-2010, we find that high-growth firms do not have the characteristics that we typically associate with successful firms. On the contrary, our results indicate that high-growth firms have low profits and a weak financial position. This might explain why studies have found that high-growth firms are seldom capable of sustaining their high growth rates in subsequent periods, and thus question policies that are targeted towards these companies.

Memórias de trabalhadores do Vital Brazil: um diálogo entre a saúde e a comunidade

O estudo teve como proposta identificar na comunidade do Morro do Vital Brazil referências que indicassem sentido de coletividade e continuidade. Essa comunidade, como pretendido apontar, teria sua origem, nas décadas de 1920 e 1930, no entorno do Instituto de Hygiene, Sorotherapia e Veterinária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, hoje, Instituto Vital Brazil. Por ser fábrica farmacêutica, a produção necessitaria de mão-de-obra, que no caso estudado, passou a morar no morro atrás do Instituto, mas ainda em seu território. Dessa origem, surge uma comunidade com características de cooperação, união e associativismo. Com a prosperidade da fábrica, cresce o número de moradores e inicia-se um conjunto de domicílios e famílias também possuidores de aspectos em comum. Essas identidades possibilitam um encontro com o poder público na forma de políticos e políticas, como o Programa Médico de Família. Com esse último, interesse inicial da pesquisa, nasceu a relação entre a pesquisadora em questão, médica no posto PMF Vital Brazil, e evidenciou performances dos moradores que indicavam um pertencimento e lugar de fala diferenciado. O estudo apontou características da comunidade e dos atores que contribuíram na criação desse coletivo, utilizou como metodologia a história oral.