ARRANJOS INSTITUCIONAIS E DEMOCRACIA PARTICIPATIVA EM CABO VERDE:

A presente Tese procura examinar como os espaços alternativos aos mecanismos convencionais da democracia representativa influenciam na extensão e fortalecimento da democracia participativa em Cabo Verde. Para a consecução desse objetivo, foram selecionados três Conselhos de Políticas Públicas – criados a partir do período democrático iniciado no início dos anos 1990 e respaldados pelo novo Texto Constitucional aprovado em 1992. Os Conselhos selecionados – quais sejam: o Conselho de Concertação Social (CCS), o Conselho Nacional de Saúde (CNS) e a Comissão Nacional para os Direitos Humanos e a Cidadania (CNDHC) além de constituírem três áreas diferentes e possuírem uma abrangência nacional, integram a estrutura político-administrativa do Estado, estando, pois vinculados às orgânicas dos diferentes departamentos governamentais responsáveis pela área do trabalho, salário e seguridade social, da saúde e dos direitos humanos e justiça. Dado esse objeto de estudo, a metodologia usada foi a qualitativa assente na coleta de uma variedade de materiais empíricos relacionados com os conselhos aqui considerados. Implícito a esta metodologia foi priorizado o método comparado centrado na comparação das variáveis e dos conselhos, individualmente considerados, quanto à sua influência no modelo da democracia participativa. Os resultados alcançados com o desenvolvimento da pesquisa sinalizam para o fato de eles não representarem impacto considerável no modelo da democracia participativa em Cabo Verde, sendo a sua existência e funcionamento representar apenas um apêndice da manutenção do modelo da democracia representativa sem que houvesse ocorrência de qualquer transformação nos pressupostos basilares deste modelo. Assim sendo, entre as diversas sugestões apresentadas com o desfecho da pesquisa para a extensão e fortalecimento da democracia participativa, esta Tese propõe a alteração dos arranjos institucionais de modo a que eles possam conferir maior capacidade participativa e deliberativa aos conselhos.

Diretrizes curriculares nacionais para o ensino médio: avaliação de documento

Este texto pretende oferecer algumas contribuições para o debate sobre as mudanças propostas pelas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais elaboradas para a reforma do ensino médio no Brasil. Na primeira parte, avalia-se o cenário político e econômico, como contexto gerador da última etapa de reformas no âmbito da educação, nos anos 90. Pretende-se questionar a opção por um modelo de reforma de estrutura (no caso brasileiro mais restrita ao Programa de Reforma da Educação Profissionalizante - PROEP) e de currículo, cujos temas encontram justificativa no contexto econômico, social, cultural e político contemporâneo. Discute-se a utilização de um "modelo" que toma por base experiências desenvolvidas em outros países, e por referência teórico-metodológica as orientações internacionais de organismos multilaterais, desconsiderando as peculiaridades e injunções do sistema administrativo-político brasileiro, medida política essa que pode aumentar a tensão e a distância normalmente existentes entre programas de governo e a possibilidade de sua concretude na rede escolar. Na segunda parte, discute-se a Resolução do Conselho Nacional de Educação, da Câmara de Educação Básica, n. 3, de 16.6.98, que institui as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para o ensino médio, bem como as Bases Legais - Parte I - dos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais para o Ensino Médio. A análise do discurso oficial toma como referência metodológica a proposição de Bardin (1977, p. 209) para os modelos de análise estrutural, procurando-se relevar os valores implícitos e as conotações dos textos legais

A cultura profissional dos grupos de pesquisa nos institutos federais: uma comunidade de práticas?

Este artigo explora a cultura profissional dos grupos de pesquisa de um importante Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia, localizado na região Nordeste do Brasil, considerando os significados que pesquisadores e demais representantes institucionais dos grupos selecionados atribuem aos saberes, poderes e autonomias em suas interações sociais no processo de produção científica, tecnológica e de inovação e a possível emergência de uma comunidade de práticas na referida instituição. Como resultado, a pesquisa sinalizou para o fato de que, embora haja muitos grupos certificados pelo Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq -, são poucos os que desenvolvem, com regularidade, atividades concernentes à prática da pesquisa científica de modo a que se possa configurar uma comunidade reflexiva autônoma, empenhada em pensar sobre si mesma e em suas condições de trabalho e vida acadêmica enquanto pesquisadores e produtores de conhecimento.

Janelas da cultura local: abrindo oportunidades para inclusão digital de comunidades

Relata os resultados parciais da pesquisa Janelas da Cultura Local: Quissamã, RJ, em desenvolvimento pelo Grupo de Pesquisa Informação e Inclusão Social do Ibict, com apoio do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico. Registra e oferece à discussão a abordagem teórica e metodológica aplicada ao projeto e, ao mesmo tempo, divulga uma informação sobre a responsabilidade social da ciência da informação, no Brasil. O projeto é implementado em parceria com a Secretaria Municipal de Educação e Cultura de Quissamã, RJ, e tem como campo de pesquisa a Escola Municipal Maria Ilka, no bairro Santa Catarina. Além do relatório científico, que incluirá sugestão de uma metodologia para inclusão digital de comunidades, espera-se como resultado a aquisição de competências em informação pelos participantes locais, e especialmente, contribuir para promover o resgate e o registro da memória cultural do dessa comunidade.

Consentimento Informado Normatizado pela Resolução 196/96: Conhecimento e Opinião de Pesquisadores Brasileiros

Introdução : a Resolução 196/96, do Conselho Nacional de Saúde (Ministério da Saúde), apresenta as diretrizes regulamentadoras mais abrangentes acerca de pesquisas envolvendo seres humanos no Brasil, incluindo o conteúdo do termo de consentimento. Objetivo: apresentar o conhecimento e opinião de pesquisadores brasileiros sobre o conteúdo da Resolução 196/96 do Conselho Nacional de Saúde em relação ao consentimento informado. Sujeitos e Métodos: 46 responsáveis pela área de ginecologia em universidades, 4 diretores de centros de pesquisa e 31 pesquisadores, que participaram de um estudo sobre regulação da fecundidade nos 12 meses anteriores a setembro de 2000, completaram um questionário auto-respondido. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizado o teste de chi². Resultados: a maioria dos participantes: declarou conhecer a Resolução e que a considerava adequada, embora difícil de ser cumprida; opinou que todas as pesquisas deviam ter um termo de consentimento; sabia que o termo deve assegurar o sigilo. Significativamente mais pesquisadores do que responsáveis/diretores sabiam que o termo tinha que ser elaborado pelo pesquisador principal, em duas vias. Mais responsáveis/diretores do que pesquisadores disseram que os participantes sempre devem assinar ou colocar a impressão digital no termo e consideraram que a forma de ressarcimento das despesas decorrentes de participar no estudo deve sempre constar no documento. Conclusões: apesar da difusão dada à Resolução 196/96, nem todos os sujeitos deste estudo a conheciam, mesmo estando ligados a uma universidade ou centro de pesquisa. A maioria foi favorável aos conteúdos exigidos pela Resolução para o consentimento informado.

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Dietary practices and nutritional status of 0-24-month-old children from Brazilian Amazonia

Objective: To assess the nutritional status and dietary practices of 0-24-month-old children living in Brazilian Amazonia. Design: Cross-sectional study. Information oil children`s dietary intakes was obtained from diet history data. Weight and length Were measured for anthropometric evaluation. Fe status Was assessed Using fasting venous blood samples; Hb, serum ferritin and soluble tranferrin receptor concentrations were measured. Setting: The towns of Assis Brasil and Acrelandia in the state of Acre, north-west Brazil. Subjects: A total of sixty-nine randomly selected 0-24-month-old children. Results: Of these children, 40.3 % were anaemic, 63.1% were Fe-deficient, 28.1% had Fe-deficiency anaemia and 11.6% were stunted. Breast-feeding was initiated by 97.1% of mother followed by early feeding with complementary foods. The dietary pattern reflected a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods and cow`s milk, with irregular intakes Of fruit, Vegetables and meat. All infants and 92.3% of toddlers were at risk Of inadequate Fe intakes. Fe from animal foods contributed Oil average 0.5% and 14.3% to total dietary Fe intake among infants and toddlers, respectively. Conclusions: Poor nutritional status and inadequate feeding practices in this study population reinforce the importance of exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life. Greater emphasis is required to improve the bioavailability of dietary Fe during complementary feeding practices.

Climatological features of cutoff low systems in the Southern Hemisphere

Cutoff lows (COLs) pressure systems climatology for the Southern Hemisphere (SH), between 10 degrees S and 50 degrees S, using the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) and the ERA-40 European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalyses are analyzed for the period 1979-1999. COLs were identified at three pressure levels (200, 300, and 500 hPa) using an objective method that considers the main physical characteristics of the conceptual model of COLs. Independently of the pressure level analyzed, the climatology from the ERA-40 reanalysis has more COLs systems than the NCEP-NCAR. However, both reanalyses present a large frequency of COLs at 300 hPa, followed by 500 and 200 hPa. The seasonality of COLs differs at each pressure level, but it is similar between the reanalyses. COLs are more frequent during summer, autumn, and winter at 200, 300, and 500 hPa, respectively. At these levels, they tend to occur around the continents, preferentially from southeastern Australia to New Zealand, the south of South America, and the south of Africa. To study the COLs at 200 and 300 hPa from a regional perspective, the SH was divided in three regions: Australia-New Zealand (60 E-130 W), South America (130 degrees W-20 degrees W), and southern Africa (20 degrees W-60 degrees E). The common COLs features in these sectors for both reanalyses are a short lifetime (similar to 80.0% and similar to 70.0% of COLs at 200 and 300 hPa, respectively, persisting for up to 3 days), mobility (similar to 70.0% and similar to 50% of COLs at 200 and 300 hPa, respectively, traveling distances of up to 1200 km), and an eastward propagation.

Morpho-anatomical variations during stem development in some epiphytic Cactaceae

LEMOS, R. C. C. AND G. F. A. MELO-DE-PINNA (Departamento de Botanica, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua do Matao 277, Travessa 14, Cidade Universitaria, Butanta, Caixa Postal 11461, 05422-970, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil). Morpho-anatomical variations during stem development in some epiphytic Cactaceae. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 138: 16-25. 2011. In this study, the morpho-anatomical features of Hatiora salicornioides (Harworth) Britton & Rose, Rhipsalis floccosa Salm-Dyck Pfeiffer, Rhipsalis elliptica G. Lindb. ex K. Schum. and Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haworth. were studied during different phases of stem development. Primary (more developed) and terminal (less developed) segments showed variations of anatomical features as exhibited by the epidermal cells in surface view and transverse section. Features of the vascular system, e.g., the occurrence of non-lignified parenchyma in bands (H. salicornioides) or in small groups (R. floccosa and R. elliptica), as well as pericycle fibers and lignified cells in the medullar region, were only observed on the primary segments. Nevertheless, based on our anatomical analysis of stem segments in different developmental phases, we conclude that some characters described and used in systematic interpretations should be revised, mainly in the vascular (secondary xylem; non-xylematic vascular fibers) and dermal systems (epidermis in surface view and transverse section).

Ethylene and polyamine interactions in morphogenesis of Passiflora cincinnata: effects of ethylene biosynthesis and action modulators, as well as ethylene scavengers

Ethylene is a plant hormone that is of fundamental importance to in vitro morphogenesis, but in many species, it has not been thoroughly studied. Its relationship with polyamines has been studied mainly because the two classes of hormones share a common biosynthetic precursor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). In order to clarify whether competition between polyamines and ethylene influences in vitro morphogenetic responses of Passiflora cincinnata Mast., a climacteric species, different compounds were used that act on ethylene biosynthesis and action, or as ethylene scavengers. Treatment with the ethylene inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) caused a greater regeneration frequency in P. cincinnata, whereas treatment with the ethylene precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic-acid (ACC) lessened regeneration frequencies. The data suggested that levels of polyamines and ethylene are not correlated with morphogenic responses in P. cincinnata. It was ascertained that neither the absolute ethylene and polyamine levels, nor competition between the compounds, correlated to the obtained morphogenic responses. However, sensitivity to, and signaling by, ethylene appears to play an important role in differentiation. This study reinforces previous reports regarding the requirement of critical concentrations and temporal regulation of ethylene levels for morphogenic responses. Temporal regulation also appeared to be a key factor in competition between the two biosynthetic pathways, without having any effects on morphogenesis. Further studies investigating the silencing or overexpression of genes related to ethylene perception, under the influence of polyamines in cell differentiation are extremely important for the complete understanding of this process.

Wide-band tracheids (WBTs) of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic stems in species of Cactaceae

ARRUDA, E. AND G. F. A. MELO-DE-PINNA (Departamento de Botanica, Instituto de Biociencias. Universidade de Sao Paulo, Rua do Matao, travessa 14, Cidade Universitaria, Butanta, Caixa Postal 11461, 05422-970. Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil). Wide-band tracheids (WBTs) of the photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic stems in species of Cactaceae. J. Torrey Bat. Soc. 137: 16-29. 2010.-The absence of WBTs and wood polymorphisms in some species of the Caryophyllales may be related to the particular area of plant analyzed. The present research has the objective of studying the photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic stems of different species and stages of differentiation to register wood polymorphisms and to understand the distribution and occurrence of WBTs. Wood polymorphism was observed in the non-photosynthetic stern of young and adult plants of Opuntioideae and Cactoideae and is also found in the photosynthetic stem of young plants of some species of Cactoideae. Cactoideae present WBT/fibrous dimorphic wood that can be related to cambial variation associated with growth habits and plant development. As expected, in the photosynthetic stem of the adult columnar cacti the wood is monomorphic fibrous in which WBTs were not found. This wood contains a great amount of fibers due to necessity of the mechanical support. In contrast, the globular species do not possess fibers in this area of the stem in either adult or young plants. Opuntia monacantha Haw. had non-fibrous wood in which WBTs were observed in the axial system and in the inner parts of the rays. Fiber clusters were present in the axial system. This wood represents a variation in the wood types described for Opuntioideae. Also, in O. monacantha, cells similar to the WBTs were observed in the pith, which can be interpreted as variation in the morphogenic processes during the ontogeny of the plant, probably a case of homeosis. Monomorphic fibrous wood without WBTs was found along the entire stem of Pereskia bahiensis Gurke. This feature has been observed in other pereskias, and in addition to the others, indicates its proximity to the ancestral cacti.

Stigmatic surface in the Vochysiaceae: reproductive and taxonomic implications

(Stigmatic surface, reproductive biology and taxonomy of the Vochysiaceae). The Vochysiaceae are Neotropical trees and shrubs, common in the savanna areas in Central Brazil (Cerrados). The family has been traditionally divided into two tribes: Erismeae, with three genera, and Vochysieae, with five genera. We investigated the stigmatic surface of six Vochysiaceae species, belonging to four genera of Vochysieae: Vochysia, Salvertia, Callisthene and Qualea. Flowers and buds at different developmental stages were collected. Morphological features were observed on fresh material and stigmatic receptivity was inferred based on esterasic activity. Pistils were fixed and embedded in paraplast and sectioned on a rotary microtome; the sections were stained before histological analysis. Stigmas of open flowers were also observed by scanning electron microscopy. Stigmas of all species were wet and showed esterasic activity at pre-anthesis and anthesis stages. Stigmatic surface was continuous with transmitting tissue of glandular nature. Vochysia and Salvertia stigmatic surfaces were formed by multicelular uniseriate hairs, and species of the remaining genera showed papillate surface. The exudate over mature stigmas in all species flowed without rupture of stigmatic Surface and pollen tubes grew down between hairs or papillae. Differences on the stigmatic surface agreed with a phylogenetic reconstruction that separated two clades and indicated that Vochysieae is not monophyletic. Stigmatic features could not be associated with pollination and breeding systems.

Prospects for biodiversity conservation in the Atlantic Forest: Lessons from aging human-modified landscapes

Recent global assessments have shown the limited coverage of protected areas across tropical biotas, fuelling a growing interest in the potential conservation services provided by anthropogenic landscapes. Here we examine the geographic distribution of biological diversity in the Atlantic Forest of South America, synthesize the most conspicuous forest biodiversity responses to human disturbances, propose further conservation initiatives for this biota, and offer a range of general insights into the prospects of forest species persistence in human-modified tropical forest landscapes worldwide. At the biome scale, the most extensive pre-Columbian habitats across the Atlantic Forest ranged across elevations below 800 masl, which still concentrate most areas within the major centers of species endemism. Unfortunately, up to 88% of the original forest habitat has been lost, mainly across these low to intermediate elevations, whereas protected areas are clearly skewed towards high elevations above 1200 masl. At the landscape scale, most remaining Atlantic Forest cover is embedded within dynamic agro-mosaics including elements such as small forest fragments, early-to-late secondary forest patches and exotic tree mono-cultures. In this sort of aging or long-term modified landscapes, habitat fragmentation appears to effectively drive edge-dominated portions of forest fragments towards an early-successional system, greatly limiting the long-term persistence of forest-obligate and forest-dependent species. However, the extent to which forest habitats approach early-successional systems, thereby threatening the bulk of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity, depends on both past and present landscape configuration. Many elements of human-modified landscapes (e.g. patches of early-secondary forests and tree mono-cultures) may offer excellent conservation opportunities, but they cannot replace the conservation value of protected areas and hitherto unprotected large patches of old-growth forests. Finally, the biodiversity conservation services provided by anthropogenic landscapes across Atlantic Forest and other tropical forest regions can be significantly augmented by coupling biodiversity corridor initiatives with biota-scale attempts to plug existing gaps in the representativeness of protected areas. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Successful carnivore identification with faecal DNA across a fragmented Amazonian landscape

The use of scat surveys to obtain DNA has been well documented in temperate areas, where DNA preservation may be more effective than in tropical forests. Samples obtained in the tropics are often exposed to high humidity, warm temperatures, frequent rain and intense sunlight, all of which can rapidly degrade DNA. Despite these potential problems, we demonstrate successful mtDNA amplification and sequencing for faeces of carnivores collected in tropical conditions and quantify how sample condition and environmental variables influence the success of PCR amplification and species identification. Additionally, the feasibility of genotyping nuclear microsatellites from jaguar (Panthera onca) faeces was investigated. From October 2007 to December 2008, 93 faecal samples were collected in the southern Brazilian Amazon. A total of eight carnivore species was successfully identified from 71% of all samples obtained. Information theoretic analysis revealed that the number of PCR attempts before a successful sequence was an important negative predictor across all three responses (success of species identification, success of species identification from the first sequence and PCR amplification success), whereas the relative importance of the other three predictors (sample condition, season and distance from forest edge) varied between the three responses. Nuclear microsatellite amplification from jaguar faeces had lower success rates (15-44%) compared with those of the mtDNA marker. Our results show that DNA obtained from faecal samples works efficiently for carnivore species identification in the Amazon forest and also shows potential for nuclear DNA analysis, thus providing a valuable tool for genetic, ecological and conservation studies.

Human Stem Cell Cultures from Cleft Lip/Palate Patients Show Enrichment of Transcripts Involved in Extracellular Matrix Modeling By Comparison to Controls

Nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCL/P) is a complex disease resulting from failure of fusion of facial primordia, a complex developmental process that includes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Detection of differential gene transcription between NSCL/P patients and control individuals offers an interesting alternative for investigating pathways involved in disease manifestation. Here we compared the transcriptome of 6 dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) cultures from NSCL/P patients and 6 controls. Eighty-seven differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The most significant putative gene network comprised 13 out of 87 DEGs of which 8 encode extracellular proteins: ACAN, COL4A1, COL4A2, GDF15, IGF2, MMP1, MMP3 and PDGFa. Through clustering analyses we also observed that MMP3, ACAN, COL4A1 and COL4A2 exhibit co-regulated expression. Interestingly, it is known that MMP3 cleavages a wide range of extracellular proteins, including the collagens IV, V, IX, X, proteoglycans, fibronectin and laminin. It is also capable of activating other MMPs. Moreover, MMP3 had previously been associated with NSCL/P. The same general pattern was observed in a further sample, confirming involvement of synchronized gene expression patterns which differed between NSCL/P patients and controls. These results show the robustness of our methodology for the detection of differentially expressed genes using the RankProd method. In conclusion, DPSCs from NSCL/P patients exhibit gene expression signatures involving genes associated with mechanisms of extracellular matrix modeling and palate EMT processes which differ from those observed in controls. This comparative approach should lead to a more rapid identification of gene networks predisposing to this complex malformation syndrome than conventional gene mapping technologies.