Psicose e toxicomanias: um estudo psicanalítico

This paper is a case study that aims to discuss the effects of drug abuse by a person with psychotic structure from a psychoanalytical perspective. The interest in this subject was born from an internship experience in the Mental Health area in which a psychotic patient had a drug abuse problem and the service treating him had difficulties dealing with this. In order to accomplish the objective of this work four theoretical chapters were written and the case is discussed throughout them articulating the theoretical issues with clinical practice. A literature review revealed that Freud and Lacan did not dedicate themselves to the study of the effect of drug use by psychotic patients but they made important contributions unfolding the theoretical and clinical psychoanalytical practice. Contemporary psychoanalytic authors suggest that the drug use made by psychotics differs from the use by neurotics, because of the particularity of the psychotic structure. It was found that drug use in psychosis can operate in three different ways: the first refers to drug use as substitute of a missing signifier helping the psychotic patient building a social bond. The second function is to intensify psychotic phenomena and the third function is to operate as an attempt to diminish those same phenomena. We conclude that, while the use of drugs in neurosis provides an individualist way of satisfaction, that excludes social aspects. For psychosis such use may operate differently and may play a role in social integration, among others effects. Such discussion can help move forward the direction of treatment of psychosis when the case involves drug use

Resiliência e socialização organizacional de novos servidores: um estudo transcultural

The main aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between resilience and organizational socialization among newcomers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), comparing the results obtained in a cross-cultural perspective. The sample (N=205) was composed of mentored (N=70) and non-mentored (N=72) professors and technical-administrative employees at UFRN, and their non-mentored counterparts at NTNU (N=63). The data collection instruments used were the Organizational Socialization Inventory (OSI), the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) and a sociodemographic form. Data analysis was preceded by a number of tests to verify possible distinct response styles among the respondents, as they came from different cultures. Descriptive analysis and t-tests were performed to identify and compare organizational socialization and resilience outcomes. Hierarchical regression analyses were carried out, the first ones involving all participants (N=205), to observe the predictive power of resilience factors in relation to organizational socialization factors, beyond the effects of nationality, occupation and mentoring experience. The other hierarchical regression analyses were conducted separately for the professors (N=109) and technical-administrative employees (N=96); and for the mentored (N=70) and non-mentored newcomers from UFRN (N=72), and nonmentored newcomers from NTNU (N=63), to compare the predictive power of resilience in relation to organizational socialization between newcomers from the two occupations, and also among the three groups of participants. The results of this study showed that socialization and resilience profiles differed according to demographic and cultural characteristics, and to the socialization strategies adopted in the institutions studied. Furthermore, it was observed that resilience added a significant incremental prediction to all socialization factors, beyond nationality, occupation, and mentoring experience. The predictive contribution from each of the resilience factors was also noteworthy, mainly those of Planned Future and Social Resources. With respect to nationality, occupation and mentoring experience, it was noted that they explained a significant part of the variance in almost all organizational socialization factors, in addition to playing a meaningful role in predicting the scores of such factors, with some evidence of moderation or mediation by the resilience factors. Considering these and the comparative results of the predictive power of resilience in relation to the organizational socialization, between the two occupations and among the three groups of participants, as a whole, the main findings of this study were as follows: resilience tends to contribute to organizational socialization outcomes; the resilience of some subjects may be a differential factor for success in those situations in which individuals face working conditions that are less favorable to promoting their adaptation; and, a formal mentoring program may contribute to improving newcomer resilience, producing better and more homogeneous organizational socialization outcomes. The practical implications, limitations and main contributions of the study are discussed, with a number of suggestions for future research

Structural damage detection by fuzzy clustering

The development of strategies for structural health monitoring (SHM) has become increasingly important because of the necessity of preventing undesirable damage. This paper describes an approach to this problem using vibration data. It involves a three-stage process: reduction of the time-series data using principle component analysis (PCA), the development of a data-based model using an auto-regressive moving average (ARMA) model using data from an undamaged structure, and the classification of whether or not the structure is damaged using a fuzzy clustering approach. The approach is applied to data from a benchmark structure from Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA. Two fuzzy clustering algorithms are compared: fuzzy c-means (FCM) and Gustafson-Kessel (GK) algorithms. It is shown that while both fuzzy clustering algorithms are effective, the GK algorithm marginally outperforms the FCM algorithm. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

EBNA-1 gene sequences in Brazilian and American patients with Hodgkin's disease

We examined the types of Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) gene carboxy (C)-terminal mutations occurring in Hodgkin's disease (HD) and reactive tissues from two different geographic regions. Previously reported EBNA-1 C-terminal region amino acid sequence variants, based on the amino acid at codon 487, include Prototype (P)-ala, which is found in the B95.8-derived prototype virus, P-thr, Variant (V)-leu, V-val, and V-pro. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify portions of the EBNA-1 gene, followed by DNA sequencing, we found a single EBNA-1 gene sequence variant in each tissue, whether reactive or neoplastic and whether from Brazil or the United States. Variant EBNA-1 gene sequences were more common in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues from different geographic areas than the so-called prototype sequence. In the 17 Brazilian HD cases, 4 cases had P-thr variants and 13 had V-leu variants. In the six reactive tissues from Brazil, one had a P-ala variant, two had P-thr variants, and three had V-leu variants. In the 12 American HD cases, 2 had P-ala variants, 6 had P-thr variants, and 4 had V-leu variants. The 11 American reactive tissues included 2 P ala variants, 5 P-thr variants, and 4 V-leu variants. In both countries, there were similar variant EBNA-1 sequences present in normal tissues and HD cases. Compared with the P ala and P-thr cases, the V-leu cases were more likely to have the 30-bp latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) gene deletion (P = 0.0075). In addition, cases of HD with the V-leu were statistically associated with a substitution of asparagine for glutamine at codon 322 of the C-terminal portion of the LMP1 gene. Our results suggest that any variation in EBNA-1 gene sequence is caused by a polymorphism present in pre-existing viral strains in the underlying population, and not a mutation occurring during oncogenesis. (C) 1999 by the American Society of Hematology.

Identification of a microRNA signature associated with progression of leukoplakia to oral carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding RNA molecules involved in cancer initiation and progression. Deregulated miR expression has been implicated in cancer; however, there are no studies implicating an miR signature associated with progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although OSCC may develop from oral leukoplakia, clinical and histological assessments have limited prognostic value in predicting which leukoplakic lesions will progress. Our aim was to quantify miR expression changes in leukoplakia and same-site OSCC and to identify an miR signature associated with progression. We examined miR expression changes in 43 sequential progressive samples from 12 patients and four non-progressive leukoplakias from four different patients, using TaqMan Low Density Arrays. The findings were validated using quantitative RT-PCR in an independent cohort of 52 progressive dysplasias and OSCCs, and five non-progressive dysplasias. Global miR expression profiles distinguished progressive leukoplakia/OSCC from non-progressive leukoplakias/normal tissues. One hundred and nine miRs were highly expressed exclusively in progressive leukoplakia and invasive OSCC. miR-21, miR-181b and miR-345 expressions were consistently increased and associated with increases in lesion severity during progression. Over-expression of miR-21, miR-181b and miR-345 may play an important role in malignant transformation. Our study provides the first evidence of an miR signature potentially useful for identifying leukoplakias at risk of malignant transformation.

Annexin A1 subcellular expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

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

Caracterização de hemoglobina N-Baltimore em doador de sangue de São José do Rio Preto, SP

As alterações que envolvem as globinas devem-se a modificações em genes responsáveis pela seqüência e estrutura das cadeias polipeptídicas, bem como aos genes reguladores da síntese destas cadeias. Hemoglobinas variantes apresentam estrutura química diferente da hemoglobina normal correspondente, resultante de mutações em uma ou mais bases nitrogenadas, ocasionando a troca de aminoácidos nas globinas alfa, beta, delta ou gama. A hemoglobina N-Baltimore é uma variante de globina beta, com substituição da lisina, na posição 95, por ácido glutâmico, apresentando mobilidade eletroforética mais rápida que a hemoglobina A em pH alcalino. Nas análises eletroforéticas em pH alcalino realizadas em doadores de sangue do Hemocentro de São José do Rio Preto (SP) identificamos a presença de portador de hemoglobina rápida em heterozigose, posteriormente confirmada por focalização isoelétrica e cromatografia líquida de alta pressão (HPLC). Os estudos de hemoglobinas anormais em doadores de sangue permitem a identificação de variantes raras e possibilitam o aconselhamento genético adequado a cada caso com estudo familial.

Dressed-state approach to a simple radiating atom

We consider a system consisting of an atom in the dipole approximation, coupled to the electromagnetic field. Using recently introduced renormalized coordinates and dressed states, we give a non-perturbative solution to the atom radiation process. From this formalism a non-exponential decay law naturally emerges. However, at least for low frequencies and weak coupling, there is only a very small, practically non-detectable, deviation from a purely exponential decay, in agreement with all previous results in the literature. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Photosynthetic characteristics of a tropical population of Nitella cernua (Characeae, Chlorophyta)

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

Temperatura e enriquecimento ambiental sobre o bem-estar de coelhos em crescimento

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

Processamento de cerâmicas reticuladas a partir de matérias-primas naturais

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of the seed predator Acanthoscelides schrankiae on viability of its host plant Mimosa bimucronata

Seeds of Mimosa bimucronata are heavily infested (pre-dispersal predation) by the bruchid beetle Acanthoscelides schrankiae in Brazil. In this study, firstly we set up experiments to assess seed germination under seven and six different light and temperature regimes, respectively, and then we evaluated the ability of seeds to germinate after predation. We tested the hypothesis that the non-predated seeds from infested fruits may respond differently when set for germination than those seeds of non-infested fruits. We also hypothesized that predation may increase the production of unviable seeds. Seeds under 18 hours of light presented the highest percentage of germination, and the alternating temperature 20-30 degrees C was considered as optimum for germination (abnormal seedlings were not considered as a successful germination). Germination of seeds from non-infested fruits was significantly higher than germination of non-predated seeds from infested fruits, and predation also caused a significant increase in the proportion of dead seeds. Our results also show a positive correlation between proportions of unviable seeds and predated seeds. These results demonstrated that seeds of M. bimucronata are strongly affected by predation because predated seeds did not germinate and non-predated seeds had their viability reduced when located in infested fruits, supporting our hypothesis.

An approach of optimal sensitivity applied in the tertiary loop of the automatic generation control

This paper proposes an approach of optimal sensitivity applied in the tertiary loop of the automatic generation control. The approach is based on the theorem of non-linear perturbation. From an optimal operation point obtained by an optimal power flow a new optimal operation point is directly determined after a perturbation, i.e., without the necessity of an iterative process. This new optimal operation point satisfies the constraints of the problem for small perturbation in the loads. The participation factors and the voltage set point of the automatic voltage regulators (AVR) of the generators are determined by the technique of optimal sensitivity, considering the effects of the active power losses minimization and the network constraints. The participation factors and voltage set point of the generators are supplied directly to a computational program of dynamic simulation of the automatic generation control, named by power sensitivity mode. Test results are presented to show the good performance of this approach. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tuberculosis diagnosis after bleach processing for early stage tuberculosis laboratory capacity building

The diagnosis of tuberculosis is seriously hampered in the absence of standard biosafety laboratory facilities for specimen concentration and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. Within a laboratory twinning arrangement, heat-fixed direct smear and sediment from 74 bleach-processed and 20 non-processed specimens from Cumura Hospital, Guinea-Bissau, were sent to Lisbon for molecular evaluation of rifampicin resistance. Sequence analysis of a 369 base-pair ppoB locus detected 3.2% (3/94) resistant specimens. To our knowledge, this represents the first report on the molecular analysis of M. tuberculosis from bleach-processed sputum, an alternative to current diagnostic practice in low-resource settings.

The Araguaia fold belt, Brazil: A reactivated Brasiliano-Pan-African cycle (550 Ma) geosuture

The Araguaia-Tocantins geosuture, which separates the Araguaia Fold Belt (AFB) from the Archean Amazonian Craton, was active in the late Middle Proterozoic. The Baixo Araguaia Supergroup was deposited, consisting of the Estrondo Group (lower quartzites with intercalated schists), Xambioá Formation (schists), and Canto da Vazante Formation (upper feldspathic schists); and the Tocantins Group consisting of the Couto Magalhaës Formation (phyllites, quartzites, slates, limestones, and metacherts) and Pequizeiro Formation (upper chlorite schists); and associated mafic-ultramafic bodies. The deformational history includes four regional phases of deformation within this supracrustal sequence: recumbent folds with vergence to the west; refolding with a N-S trend; an intense crenulation episode; and late thrusting from east to west. Metamorphism is of intermediate or intermediate-high pressure type with garnet, biotite, chlorite, and sericite isograds succeeded by a slightly or non-metamorphosed zone, from east to west. Rocks surrounding sparse gneissic-cored domes contain isograds of staurolite, kyanite, and fibrolite. These isograds are believed to be associated with the 1100 Ma Uruaçuano event. The Brasiliano Orogeny strongly affected the AFB with displacements due to transcurrent reactivation of great and old faults of the basement, slight folding in the supracrustal sequence, intrusion of small granite bodies, and development of domes with associated normal faults. The area underlain by the Estrondo Group was uplifted at this time, causing the deposition of the Rio das Barreiras polymictic conglomerate of the central area. K-Ar and Rb-Sr analyses date this thermo-tectonic event at 550 ± 100 Ma. The Archean basement is exposed in the cores of domes as a granite-gneiss association, the Colméia complex, which shows thermo-tectonic features that may be interpreted as polycyclic imprints (Jequié, Transamazonian?, Uruaçuano, and Brasiliano Events). © 1989.