Task design and interaction in collaborative writing: the students’ story

This article investigates student behaviour on collaborative assignments, looking at the relationship between task type and interaction, and considers the implications for task design. Students reported on interactions in a year-long workplace-focussed group communication project, comparing these with interactions on other academy based group assignments. Differences were seen in the amount of brainstorming, the criteria for dividing up work, the intensity of editing, and how conflict was managed. Contributing factors to these differences included the presence or absence of a creative element, the instrumental nature of the task, and the need for a collective approach inherent in the task design.

Flexible work and immigration in Europe

Immigration has risen substantially in many European economies, with far-reaching if still uncertain implications for labor markets and industrial relations. This paper investigates such implications, focusing on employment flexibility, involving both ‘external flexibility’ (fixed-term or temporary agency and/or involuntary part-time work) and ‘internal flexibility’ (overtime and/or balancing-time accounts). The paper identifies reasons why immigration should generally increase the incidence of such flexibility, and why external should rise more than internal flexibility. The paper supports these claims using a dataset of establishments in sixteen European countries.

Effects of abscisic acid, ethylene and sugars on the mobilization of storage proteins and carbohydrates in seeds of the tropical tree Sesbania virgata (Leguminosae)

Endospermic legumes are abundant in tropical forests and their establishment is closely related to the mobilization of cell-wall storage polysaccharides. Endosperm cells also store large numbers of protein bodies that play an important role as a nitrogen reserve in this seed. In this work, a systems approach was adopted to evaluate some of the changes in carbohydrates and hormones during the development of seedlings of the rain forest tree Sesbania virgata during the period of establishment. Seeds imbibed abscisic acid (ABA), glucose and sucrose in an atmosphere of ethylene, and the effects of these compounds on the protein contents, alpha-galactosidase activity and endogenous production of ABA and ethylene by the seeds were observed. The presence of exogenous ABA retarded the degradation of storage protein in the endosperm and decreased alpha-galactosidase activity in the same tissue during galactomannan degradation, suggesting that ABA represses enzyme action. On the other hand, exogenous ethylene increased alpha-galactosidase activity in both the endosperm and testa during galactomannan degradation, suggesting an inducing effect of this hormone on the hydrolytic enzymes. Furthermore, the detection of endogenous ABA and ethylene production during the period of storage mobilization and the changes observed in the production of these endogenous hormones in the presence of glucose and sucrose, suggested a correlation between the signalling pathway of these hormones and the sugars. These findings suggest that ABA, ethylene and sugars play a role in the control of the hydrolytic enzyme activities in seeds of S. virgata, controlling the process of storage degradation. This is thought to ensure a balanced flow of the carbon and nitrogen for seedling development.

The Music Salon in Falun During the 19th Century

The aim of the project is to examine the music salon in Falun as a part of the mining community and in the historical context of European salon culture. A specifc goal is to develop a deeper understanding about the salon when it comes to education and pedagogic ideas. Of a certain interest is Johan Henrik Munktell’s (1804-1861) education travelling (bildningsresor). Inspired by Mendelssohn’s music salon in Berlin and the early salons in Upp-sala he created his own salon in Grycksbo. A letter collection from J.H. Munktell to his father J.J. Munktell in 1828-30 can be considered a unique historical material, which places the salon in Falun in a continental context of culture, education and industrial pretensions. The results have potential to extend the knowledge of Nordic salon culture and how it has infuenced general pedagogy and music education.

Food Aversions in Women During The 2 Years After Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Meiotic nucleolar cycle and chromatoid body formation during the rat (Rattus novergicus) and mouse (Mus musculus) spermiogenesis

The aims of the present study were to follow the nucleolar cycle in spermiogenesis of the laboratory rodents Rattus novergicus and Mus musculus, to verify the relationship between the nucleolar component and chromatoid body (CB) formation and to investigate the function of this cytoplasmic supramolecular structure in spermatogenic haploid cells. Histological sections of adult seminiferous tubules were analyzed cytochemically by light microscopy and ultrastructural procedures by transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that in early spermatids, the CB was visualized in association with the Golgi cisterns indicating that this structure may participate in the acrosome formation process. In late spermatids, the CB was observed near the axonema, a fact suggesting that this structure may support the formation of the spermatozoon tail. In conclusion, our data showed that there is disintegration of spermatid nucleoli at the beginning of spermatogenesis and a fraction of this nucleolar material migrates to the cytoplasm, where a specific structure is formed, known as the "chromatoid body", which, apparently, participates in some parts of the rodent spermiogenesis process. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of the testes and spermatogenesis in species of the family Pentatomidae (Heteroptera)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Analysis of the secondary compounds produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and wild yeast strains during the production of cachaça

O presente trabalho visou estabelecer uma comparação entre composição de cachaças produzidas por Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) e estirpes de leveduras selvagens [Pichia silvicola (Ps), Pichia anomala 1 (Pa1), Pichia anomala 2 (Pa2) e Dekkera bruxelensis (Db)], isoladas em destilarias da região de Jaboticabal-SP. Os componentes secundários da fração denominada coração foram determinados por cromatografia gasosa. Os níveis dos componentes secundários foram influenciados pelo pH dos respectivos vinhos, os quais dependem da estirpe de levedura empregada no processo fermentativo. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae apresentou valores ligeiramente superiores de componentes secundários, enquanto as estirpes selvagens produziram maiores teores de álcoois superiores. As estirpes selvagens de leveduras mostraram-se adequadas para obtenção de uma cachaça de boa qualidade.

Risk factors relating to helminth infections in cows during the peripartum

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Using artificial neural networks for identification of electrical losses in transformers during the manufacturing phase

The paper describes a novel neural model to estimate electrical losses in transformer during the manufacturing phase. The network acts as an identifier of structural features on electrical loss process, so that output parameters can be estimated and generalized from an input parameter set. The model was trained and assessed through experimental data taking into account core losses, copper losses, resistance, current and temperature. The results obtained in the simulations have shown that the developed technique can be used as an alternative tool to make the analysis of electrical losses on distribution transformer more appropriate regarding to manufacturing process. Thus, this research has led to an improvement on the rational use of energy.

AGONISTIC PROFILE AND METABOLISM IN ALEVINS OF THE NILE TILAPIA

Metabolic differences derived from social stress usually show data with high variance that may hinder the finding of important differences. Since such high variance may be caused by agonistic variability occurring during social interactions, this work tested whether metabolism is associated with agonistic profile in the cichlid fish Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Metabolism was inferred from oxygen consumption, resistance to progressive hypoxia and ventilatory rate. Fifteen pairs of alevins were used for each metabolic and behavioral series. An ethogram based on 8 types of agonistic interactions was employed. Agonistic profiles were determined and associated with the physiological parameters later on. The test of canonical correlation showed significant association between some agonistic profiles and metabolism. Ventral nipping and lateral fight appeared as the two most important in promoting association with metabolism.

Northwestern overthrusting and related lateral escape during the Brasiliano orogeny north of the Patos lineament, Borborema province, northeast Brazil

The Borborema province (BP) of northeastern Brazil, located between the São Luís and São Francisco cratons, represents a branching system of Precambrian orogens of the South American platform. It is composed of segments of Archean and Proterozoic crust that were deformed by the convergence of the West African and São Francisco-Congo cratons during assembly of the Brasiliano collage (650 to 500 Ma), a period of intense orogenic activity considered to be the strongest and most pervasive tectonic event that affected the Precambrian of the South American platform. The tectonic and kinematic history of the Brasiliano/Panafrican orogeny is fundamental for reconstructing South American and African Precambrian geology. The correlation between Neoproterozoic tectonic processes occurring in both continents should use structural elements, of regional or local character, with identical kinematic and metamorphic conditions manifested in both basement and supracrustal units. North of the Patos shear zone, subhorizontal Brasiliano thrusts (0.65 to 0.58 Ga) affected the basement and the supracrustal Seridó belt with such related regional D1/D2 structures as foliation, lineation, isoclinal folds, and related metamorphism. Overprinting the previous structures, regional folding with a vertical S3 foliation and an associated strike-slip shear zone were developed (0.58 to 0.52 Ga). The metamorphism is similar for all deformation phases, ranging from upper-greenschist to amphibolite facies with mineral assemblages including biolite and garnet throughout the Seridó fold belt. We propose, on the basis of deformational and kinematic reconstructions, that the structural evolution of the Seridó fold belt was characterized by transition from a syn-collisional to a strike-slip regime. The transition between regimes occurred, progressively or instantaneously, by the switching of the maximum and intermediary strain axes of the strain ellipsoid. The entire tectonic history can be related to a frontal or oblique collision and lateral escape tectonics, with local, syn-collisional transpression and transtension. The Patos shear zone represents a final vertical shearing, juxtaposing different terranes of the northern and southern Borborema province.

Antioxidant enzyme activity and hydrogen peroxide content during the drying of Arabica coffee beans

The development of the germination process and drought stress during the drying of coffee can generate reactive oxygen species, which can be neutralized by way of antioxidant mechanisms. No studies related to antioxidant enzymes during the drying of coffee were found in the literature, and considering their importance, the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) and glutathione reductase (GR), and also the hydrogen peroxide content were evaluated during the drying of two types of coffee bean, one processed as natural coffee and the other as pulped natural coffee. The results showed a reduction in the SOD, GPOX and GR enzymatic activities of the natural coffee as compared to the pulped natural coffee during the drying period. Moreover, the hydrogen peroxide content of the natural coffee was greater than that of the pulped natural coffee. These results suggest the development of oxidative stress during the coffee drying process, controlled more efficiently in pulped natural coffee by the early action of GPOX during the drying process. Nevertheless, differential responses by SOD isoenzymes and possibly the role of other peroxidases also appear to be involved in the responses observed. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Outcome of the agrarian reform in Brazil during the last two decades

The agrarian reform allows for land redistribution and gives rural workers the opportunity to develop their life projects, rescuing the dignity of a historically excluded population. The conquest of the land carries significances that span from the rescue of citizenship to the improvement of living conditions due to the acquisition of goods, products and services. It is pointed out that in Brazil there still exists a marked concentration of large-landed estates. In this sense, this work had the objective of analyzing the Brazilian agrarian reform process during the last two decades. In this period the country had three Presidents, two of them elected with the support of the Rural Landless Workers Movement, increasing the expectations in relation to the fulfillment of the agrarian reform. The advances in the policies of rural settlements are notable; however, the structure of large-land estates remains unaltered. In the last two years (2011 and 2012) the number of settled families, as well as the number of settlements accomplished, were the worst since 2006. The priority of the current government is the eradication of extreme poverty and, in this sense, the agrarian reform becomes an essential policy to contribute to such goal, since with the distribution of the property of the land also diminishes the concentration of wealth.