Atlantic 231Pa/230Th and biogenic opal compilation of the Holocene and the LGM

The strength and geometry of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is tightly coupled to climate on glacial-interglacial and millennial timescales, but has proved difficult to reconstruct, particularly for the Last Glacial Maximum. Today, the return flow from the northern North Atlantic to lower latitudes associated with the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation reaches down to approximately 4,000 m. In contrast, during the Last Glacial Maximum this return flow is thought to have occurred primarily at shallower depths. Measurements of sedimentary 231Pa/230Th have been used to reconstruct the strength of circulation in the North Atlantic Ocean, but the effects of biogenic silica on 231Pa/230Th-based estimates remain controversial. Here we use measurements of 231Pa/230Th ratios and biogenic silica in Holocene-aged Atlantic sediments and simulations with a two-dimensional scavenging model to demonstrate that the geometry and strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation are the primary controls of 231Pa/230Th ratios in modern Atlantic sediments. For the glacial maximum, a simulation of Atlantic overturning with a shallow, but vigorous circulation and bulk water transport at around 2,000 m depth best matched observed glacial Atlantic 231Pa/230Th values. We estimate that the transport of intermediate water during the Last Glacial Maximum was at least as strong as deep water transport today.

SRL 172 (killed Mycobacterium vaccae) in addition to standard chemotherapy improves quality of life without affecting survival, in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer : phase III results

Background: This open-label, randomised phase III study was designed to further investigate the clinical activity and safety of SRL172 (killed Mycobacterium vaccae suspension) with chemotherapy in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods: Patients were randomised to receive platinum-based chemotherapy, consisting of up to six cycles of MVP (mitomycin, vinblastine and cisplatin or carboplatin) with (210 patients) or without (209 patients) monthly SRL172. Results: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in overall survival (primary efficacy end point) over the course of the study (median overall survival of 223 days versus 225 days; P = 0.65). However, a higher proportion of patients were alive at the end of the 15-week treatment phase in the chemotherapy plus SRL172 group (90%), than in the chemotherapy alone group (83%) (P = 0.061). At the end of the treatment phase, the response rate was 37% in the combined group and 33% in the chemotherapy alone group. Patients in the chemotherapy alone group had greater deterioration in their Global Health Status score (-14.3) than patients in the chemotherapy plus SRL172 group (-6.6) (P = 0.02). Conclusion: In this non-placebo controlled trial, SRL172 when added to standard cancer chemotherapy significantly improved patient quality of life without affecting overall survival times. © 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Sapientia, 1989, Vol. XLIV, nº 172 (número completo)

Contenido: Naturaleza del conocimiento humano : el significado de la abstracción en Santo Tomás (II) / Octavio Nicolás Derisi – Nacimiento, vida y transfiguración del filósofo griego / Cesáreo López Salgado – La transformación ockhamista de la teoría de la suposición / Ignacio Miralbell – La noción de lugar en Guillermo de Ockham / Olga L. Larre ; J. E. Bolzán – Notas y comentarios -- Bibliografía

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 172 A]

O chamado Grupo dos Trinta e Dois Constituintes revisou o projeto de Constituição, do Relator Bernardo Cabral (PMDB-AM), e reduziu o texto para duzentos e cinquenta artigos. O Deputado Israel Pinheiro (PMDB-MG) declara que o texto constitucional ficou mais organizado, mais articulado, após a revisão. Não houve preocupação em tocar nos pontos polêmicos do projeto, mas apenas de enxugar o texto original, deixando para a lei ordinária o que não é constitucional. O Senador Virgílio Távora (PDS-CE) considera que foi uma tentativa válida de auxílio. O Deputado Ulysses Guimarães (PMDB-SP), a quem foi entregue a nova versão, considerou que é uma contribuição importante, assim como outras tantas que chegarão. Balanço da primeira semana de entrega das emendas populares a Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC). Representantes de empregados em empresas de telecomunicações de todo o país entregam emenda na qual pedem a manutenção do monopólio estatal nos serviços de telecomunicação e a criação do Conselho Nacional de Comunicação, que garanta a cada brasileiro o direito à informação livre e sem censura. Representantes das cooperativas entregam emenda na qual pedem a auto-gestão dos seus negócios, o ensino do cooperativismo e a isenção de impostos. Roberto Rodrigues, representante das cooperados, diz que quando a cooperativa vende algum insumo para o cooperado, cobrando dele um diferencial referente ao custo operacional da cooperativa, não pode haver incidência de imposto. O Deputado Ivo Vanderlinde (PMDB-SC) considera positivo o fortalecimento do cooperativismo. O Deputado Bernardo Cabral (PMDB-AM) mostra entusiasmo ao receber as emendas populares. Fernando Gabeira, jornalista e escritor, convoca o povo a participar.