Load-unload response ratio and accelerating moment/energy release critical region scaling and earthquake prediction

The main idea of the Load-Unload Response Ratio (LURR) is that when a system is stable, its response to loading corresponds to its response to unloading, whereas when the system is approaching an unstable state, the response to loading and unloading becomes quite different. High LURR values and observations of Accelerating Moment/Energy Release (AMR/AER) prior to large earthquakes have led different research groups to suggest intermediate-term earthquake prediction is possible and imply that the LURR and AMR/AER observations may have a similar physical origin. To study this possibility, we conducted a retrospective examination of several Australian and Chinese earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 5.0 to 7.9, including Australia's deadly Newcastle earthquake and the devastating Tangshan earthquake. Both LURR values and best-fit power-law time-to-failure functions were computed using data within a range of distances from the epicenter. Like the best-fit power-law fits in AMR/AER, the LURR value was optimal using data within a certain epicentral distance implying a critical region for LURR. Furthermore, LURR critical region size scales with mainshock magnitude and is similar to the AMR/AER critical region size. These results suggest a common physical origin for both the AMR/AER and LURR observations. Further research may provide clues that yield an understanding of this mechanism and help lead to a solid foundation for intermediate-term earthquake prediction.

No evidence for inhibition of ENaC through CFTR-mediated release of ATP

Both purinergic stimulation and activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) increases Cl- secretion and inhibit amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport. CFTR has been suggested to conduct adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) or to control ATP release to the luminal side of epithelial tissues. Therefore, a possible mechanism on how CFTR controls the activity of epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC) could be by release of ATP or uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), which would then bind to P2Y receptors and inhibit ENaC. We examined this question in native tissues from airways and colon and in Xenopus oocytes. Inhibition of amiloride-sensitive transport by both CFTR and extracellular nucleotides was observed in colon and trachea. However, nucleotides did not inhibit ENaC in Xenopus oocytes, even after coexpression of P2Y(2) receptors. Using different tools such as hexokinase, the P2Y inhibitor suramin or the Cl- channel blocker 4,4'diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), we did not detect any role of a putative ATP secretion in activation of Cl- transport or inhibition of amiloride sensitive short circuit currents by CFTR. In addition, N-2,2'-O-dibutyrylguanosine 3',5-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and protein kinase G (PKG)-dependent phosphorylation or the nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) do not seem to play a role for the inhibition of ENaC by CFTR, which, however, requires the presence of extracellular Cl-. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Spatial and temporal changes in multiple hormone groups during lateral bud release shortly following apex decapitation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seedlings

Although the co-ordination of promotive root-sourced cytokinin (CK) and inhibitory shoot apex-sourced auxin (IAA) is central to all current models on lateral bud dormancy release, control by those hormones alone has appeared inadequate in many studies. Thus it was hypothesized that the IAA : CK model is the central control but that it must be considered within the relevant timeframe leading to lateral bud release and against a backdrop of interactions with other hormone groups. Therefore, IAA and a wide survey of cytokinins (CKs), were examined along with abscisic acid (ABA) and polyamines (PAs) in released buds, tissue surrounding buds and xylem sap at 1 and 4 h after apex removal, when lateral buds of chickpea are known to break dormancy. Three potential lateral bud growth inhibitors, IAA, ABA and cis-zeatin 9-riboside (ZR), declined sharply in the released buds and xylem following decapitation. This is in contrast to potential dormancy breaking CKs like trans-ZR and trans-zeantin 9-riboside 5'phosphate (ZRMP), which represented the strongest correlative changes by increasing 3.5-fold in xylem sap and 22-fold in buds. PAs had not changed significantly in buds or other tissues after 4 h, so they were not directly involved in the breaking of bud dormancy. Results from the xylem and surrounding tissues indicated that bud CK increases resulted from a combination synthesis in the bud and selective loading of CK nucleotides into the xylem from the root.

Transport and metabolism of xylem cytokinins during lateral bud release in decapitated chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seedlings

Although cytokinins (CKs) are widely thought to have a role in promoting shoot branching, there is little data supporting a causative or even a correlative relationship between endogenous CKs and timing of bud outgrowth. We previously showed that lateral bud CK content increased rapidly following shoot decapitation. However, it is not known whether roots are the source of this CK. Here, we have used shoot decapitation to instantaneously induce lateral bud release in chickpea seedlings. This treatment rapidly alters rate and direction of solvent and solute (including CK) trafficking, which may be a passive signalling mechanism central to initiation of lateral bud release. To evaluate changes in xylem transport, intact and decapitated plants were infiltrated with [H-3]zeatin riboside ([H-3]ZR), a water-soluble blue dye or [H-3]H2O by injection into the hypocotyl. All three tracers were recovered in virtually all parts of the shoot within I h of injection. In intact plants, solute accumulation in the lateral bud at node 1 was significantly less than in the adjacent stipule and nodal tissue. In decapitated plants, accumulation of [H-3]ZR and of blue dye in the same bud position was increased 3- to 10-fold relative to intact plants, whereas content of [H-3]H2O was greatly reduced indicating an increased solvent throughput. The stipule and cut stem, predicted to have high evapotranspiration rates, also showed increased solute content accompanied by enhanced depletion of [H-3]H2O. To assess whether metabolism modifies quantities of active CK reaching the buds, we followed the metabolic fate of [H-3]ZR injected at physiological concentrations. Within 1 h, 80-95% of [H-3]ZR was converted to other active CKs (mainly zeatin riboside-5'phosphate (ZRMP) and zeatin (Z)), other significant, but unconfirmed metabolites some of which may be active (O-acetylZR, O-acetylZRMP and a compound correlated with sites of high CK-concentrations) and inactive catabolites (adenosine, adenine, 5'AMP and water). Despite rapid metabolic degradation, the total active label, which was indicative of CK concentration in buds, increased rapidly following decapitation. It can be inferred that xylem sap CKs represent one source of active CKs appearing in lateral buds after shoot decapitation.

What happens after the swallow? Introducing the glottal release sound

Cervical auscultation presents as a noninvasive screening assessment of swallowing. Until now the focus of acoustic research in swallowing has been the characterization of swallowing sounds,. However, it may be that the technique is also suitable for the detection of respiratory sounds post swallow. A healthy relationship between swallowing and respiration is widely accepted as pivotal to safe swallowing. Previous investigators have shown that the expiratory phase of respiration commonly occurs prior to and after swallowing. That the larynx is valved shut during swallowing is also accepted. Previous research indicates that the larynx releases valved air immediately post swallow in healthy individuals. The current investigation sought to explore acoustic evidence of a release of subglottic air post swallow in nondysphagic individuals using a noninvasive medium. Fifty-nine healthy individuals spanning the ages of 18 to 60+ years swallowed 5 and 10 milliliters (ml) of thin and thick liquid boluses. Objective acoustic analysis was used to verify presence of the sound and to characterize its morphological features. The sound, dubbed the glottal release sound, was found to consistently occur in close proximity following the swallowing sound. The results indicated that the sound has distinct morphological features and that these change depending on the volume and viscosity of the bolus swallowed. Further research will be required to translate this information to a clinical tool.

A crise do transporte a??reo no Brasil: 2006-2007

Este estudo de caso aborda a crise vivida pelo setor de transporte a??reo brasileiro nos anos de 2006 e 2007. Deflagrada por um acidente de vulto, a crise teve como protagonistas os controladores de tr??fego a??reo, que, sob suspeita de falha funcional e comunica????o dif??cil com as autoridades do setor, reagiram por meio de uma estrat??gia de opera????o-padr??o (greve branca). Essa situa????o, somada ?? escassez de pessoal, provocou, de novembro de 2006 at?? meados de 2007, o descontrole operacional dos principais aeroportos do pa??s, com grandes preju??zos aos usu??rios. Um novo acidente a??reo, no decorrer da crise, agravou ainda mais a situa????o do setor, expondo defici??ncias estruturais e profissionais ?? opini??o p??blica brasileira, em uma ??rea at?? ent??o considerada segura. O caso relata as tentativas de equacionamento da crise por parte das autoridades respons??veis pela pol??tica de transporte a??reo, frente ao descontentamento e ??s reivindica????es dos controladores de tr??fego a??reo e ?? indigna????o da sociedade. O objetivo do estudo de caso ?? ilustrar uma situa????o de crise e de processo de negocia????o, tendo sido originalmente utilizado em uma oficina sobre negocia????es no setor p??blico. O caso pode ser utilizado como material de apoio em cursos que abordem, entre outros, os seguintes t??picos: negocia????o, gest??o de crises, comunica????o e planejamento estrat??gico

Manual do Reposit??rio institucional da ENAP

O Manual do Reposit??rio Institucional da ENAP foi elaborado com o objetivo de auxiliar a compreens??o e utiliza????o dessa ferramenta, visando ?? capacita????o de pontos focais que far??o a submiss??o de ativos digitais, a valida????o dos documentos depositados, e dos revisores de metadados, que ir??o de fato publicar os itens no reposit??rio, orientando quanto ??s regras para o preenchimento do conjunto de metadados, e aos passos necess??rios para o fluxo de submiss??o.

Sisbio: Sistema de Autoriza????o e Informa????o em Biodiversidade

O Sisbio ?? um sistema informatizado de autoriza????o e de informa????o que objetiva melhorar o atendimento a pesquisadores cujos estudos envolvem coleta de material biol??gico ou s??o desenvolvidos em unidades de conserva????o da natureza ou ainda, em cavernas. Por meio do preenchimento e envio de formul??rios pela internet, pesquisadores solicitam ao Instituto Chico Mendes de Conserva????o da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) autoriza????es para as atividades supracitadas. Pelo sistema, os pesquisadores tamb??m apresentam seus relat??rios de atividades, cujas informa????es compor??o um banco de dados georreferenciado. Anteriormente, essas autoriza????es eram emitidas em papel a partir da an??lise do projeto de pesquisa impresso enviado por correio. Os relat??rios das atividades autorizadas eram arquivados em processos, tornando as informa????es neles contidas pouco dispon??veis para a consulta. O Sisbio mudou esse quadro, promovendo celeridade e transpar??ncia na an??lise, bem como a otimiza????o da gest??o e uso da informa????o

Planejamento em sa??de: m??dulo I

Texto elaborado para apoiar as atividades did??ticas do M??dulo I do curso de qualifica????o de cerca de quarenta t??cnicos do Minist??rio da Sa??de (MS) na utiliza????o do enfoque participativo do Planejamento Estrat??gico-Situacional (PES), de Carlos Matus, realizado presencialmente na Escola Nacional de Administra????o P??blica (ENAP), em Bras??lia

A????es premiadas no 16?? Concurso Inova????o na Gest??o P??blica Federal 2011

Este livro re??ne as dez iniciativas premiadas no 16?? Concurso Inova????o na Gest??o P??blica Federal. Nesta 16?? edi????o, o Concurso conta com os apoios da Embaixada da Fran??a, da Embaixada da Noruega, da Ag??ncia de Coopera????o Internacional Alem?? (GIZ) e da Ag??ncia Brasileira de Coopera????o (ABC), que premiam os primeiros colocados com visitas t??cnicas. A ENAP tamb??m premia os vencedores com vagas nos cursos de Especializa????o em Gest??o P??blica e Desenvolvimento Gerencial , publica????es da Escola, livro contendo os relatos das iniciativas, certificado, divulga????o no Banco de Solu????es do s??tio do Concurso, assinatura de um ano da Revista do Servi??o P??blico (RSP) e Selo Inova????o

Escolas de governo e gest??o por compet??ncias: mesa-redonda de pesquisa-a????o

Dando sequ??ncia aos debates iniciados em 2004 e 2005 e que tiveram como produto o livro ???Gest??o por compet??ncias em organiza????es de governo???, a Mesa-redonda de Pesquisa-A????o vers??o 2009 prop??e-se a suprir uma lacuna importante: discutir a atua????o do Sistema de Escolas de Governo da Uni??o em face das diretrizes da Pol??tica Nacional de Desenvolvimento de Pessoal (PNDP) ??? Decreto n?? 5.707 de 23 de fevereiro de 2006

Carteiro amigo: o carteiro levando informa????es para o cidad??o

Em 1996, O governo estadual do Cear?? preocupado em reverter o quadro da desnutri????o e da morbi-mortalidade infantil no Cear?? mobilizou uma parceria entre a Secretaria Estadual de Sa??de, UNICEF e OMS e os Correios e Tel??grafos a efetuarem campanha educativa conjunta. Tal iniciativa viria a promover, proteger apoiar o aleitamento materno enfatizando a import??ncia do leite humano na sa??de infantil. O Projeto foi um sucesso. A campanha resultou na duplica????o do n??mero de m??es que amamentavam no Cear?? saltando de 46% em 1996 para 51% em 1998

Projeto cria????o e revitaliza????o dos espa??os de conviv??ncia na UFPA

O Projeto Cria????o e Revitaliza????o dos Espa??os de Conviv??ncia na UFPA agrega professores, alunos e t??cnicos administrativos comprometidos com a Universidade e com os bens p??blicos. A equipe multidisciplinar mobiliza os usu??rios da Institui????o bem como os respons??veis pela gest??o do campus universit??rio e pela manuten????o da sua infraestrutura a produzirem a????es concretas de grande efeito multiplicador capazes de promover mudan??as em situa????es que estavam prejudicando a rotina acad??mica da Institui????o

Texto para discuss??o 20: a reforma administrativa francesa: da crise da fun????o p??blica a uma nova racionalidade da a????o coletiva, uma dif??cil transi????o

Um dos marcos da reforma francesa ?? a crise da gest??o p??blica. Sabemos que a crise da gest??o p??blica ?? um fen??meno hoje universal que se tornou vis??vel a partir da d??cada de 70, especificamente com a crise do petr??leo.Com o fim do conflito Leste/Oeste em 1989, esta crise torna-se mais evidente e v??m-se refor??adas suas conota????es ideol??gicas. No caso franc??s, ao lado desta crise mundial, os analistas identificam uma crise espec??fica, a saber, a fal??ncia do modelo de Estado. Dentre os pa??ses industrializados do Ocidente, o Estado franc??s ??, sem d??vida, um dos que mais interv??m na vida social, econ??mica e pol??tica

Reforma do Estado no setor de sa??de: os casos da Catalunha, Canad??, Reino Unido e Estados Unidos

Colet??nea de textos que abordam diversas experi??ncias que t??m sido implementadas na reforma dos sistemas de sa??de ao redor do mundo, e que representam a ado????o progressiva de novas formas de gest??o empresarial no sistema sanit??rio, acarretando uma s??rie de empreendimentos inovadores. A busca da efici??ncia atrelada a uma maior eq??idade em sa??de, bem como concep????es diferenciadas do papel do Estado na ??rea social, ilustram cada um dos casos apresentados.