Winter intervention against Aedes aegypti (Diptera : Culicidae) larvae in subterranean habitats slows surface recolonization in summer

At semiarid Charters Towers, north Queensland, Australia, the importance of Aedes aegypti (L.) in wells was assessed in relation to the colonization of surface habitats during the wet season. From April to July 1999, 10 wells (five positive for Ae. aegypti) were monitored to assess their status and larvae population numbers therein. All surface containers located within a 100 m radius of each well were removed, treated with s-methoprene or sealed to prevent the utilization of these containers by mosquitoes. These inner cores were surrounded by outer zones for a further 100 m in which surface containers were left untreated but all subterranean habitats were treated. Ovitraps were monitored monthly in the inner cores for 36 wk from August 1999 to April 2000 and differences in the proportions of ovitraps positive for Ae. aegypti and Ochlerotatus notoscriptus (Skuse) were analyzed by logistic regression. Analysis of the proportions of ovitraps positive for Ae. aegypti near positive wells indicated significantly greater colonization from November to March (the wet season), compared with those situated near Ae. aegypti negative wells. As Oc. notoscriptus were not produced from subterranean sites, comparisons of the proportions of ovitraps positive for Oc. notoscriptus in positive and negative inner cores provided an indication of the relative productivity of the uncontrolled surface containers in the outer zones. Differences in the utililization of ovitraps by Oc. notoscriptus among positive and negative cores were observed during only one month (March), when oviposition was greater in ovitraps in the negative cores, compared with the positive cores. Best subsets linear regression analysis of the proportion of ovitraps positive for Ae. aegypti against meteorological variables (rainfall, mean wind speed, mean relative humidity, mean minimum, and maximum temperature) during the week of ovitrapping indicated that minimum temperature and wind speed accounted for 63.4% of the variability. This study confirms that for semiarid towns such as Charters Towers, the practice of treating a relatively small number of key subterranean habitats during winter will significantly affect Ae. aegypti recolonization of surface container habitats during summer, the period of greatest risk for dengue.

Microstructural evolution of the Serido Belt, NE-Brazil: the effect of two tectonic events on development of c-axis preferred orientation in quartz

The polyphase evolution of the Serido Belt (NE-Brazil) includes D, crust formation at 2.3-2.1 Ga, D-2 thrust tectonics at 1.9 Ga and crustal reworking by D-3 strike-slip shear zones at 600 Ma. Microstructural investigations within mylonites associated with D-2 and D-3 events were used to constrain the tectono-thermal evolution of the belt. D-2 shear zones commenced at deeper crustal levels and high amphibolite facies conditions (600-650 degreesC) through grain boundary migration, subgrain rotation and operation of quartz Q-prism slip. Continued shearing and exhumation of the terrain forced the re-equilibration of high-T fabrics and the switching of slip systems from (c)-prism to positive and negative (a)-rhombs. During D-3, enhancement of ductility by dissipation of heat that came from syn-D-3 granites developed wide belts of amphibolite facies mylonites. Continued shearing, uplift and cooling of the region induced D-3 shear zones to act in ductile-brittle regimes, marked by fracturing and development of thinner belts of greenschist facies mylonites. During this event, switching from (a)-prism to a basal slip indicates a thermal path from 600 to 350 degreesC. Therefore, microstructures and quartz c-axis fabrics in polydeformed rocks from the Serido Belt preserve the record of two major events, which includes contrasting deformation mechanisms and thermal paths. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults with intellectual disability

Helicobacter pylori infection is common among adults with intellectual disability. The acceptabilities and accuracies of different diagnostic tests in this population are unknown. We aimed to determine (i) patient acceptability and (ii) performance characteristics of serology, fecal-antigen, and urea breath tests among adults with intellectual disability. One hundred sixty-eight such adults underwent H. pylori testing with serology and fecal-antigen tests, and a portion underwent treatment. One year later, the participants were retested with fecal-antigen, serology, and urea breath tests. The numbers of specimens obtained and difficulties in collection reported by caregivers were noted. Test performance characteristics were assessed among participants and 65 of their caregivers, using serology as the reference. All participants provided at least one specimen, despite reported collection difficulties for 23% of fecal and 27% of blood specimens. Only 25% of the participants provided breath specimens; failure to perform this test was associated with lower intellectual ability and higher maladaptive behavior. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the fecal test (baseline and 12 months versus caregivers) were 70 and 63 versus 81, 93 and 95 versus 98, 96 and 92 versus 93, and 53 and 74 versus 93%, respectively; those of the urea breath test (12 months versus caregivers) were 86 versus 100, 88 versus 95, 75 versus 89, and 94 versus 100%, respectively. With assistance, fecal or blood specimens for H. pylori assessment can be provided by most patients with intellectual disability regardless of their level of function or behavior. Only those with greater ability can perform the urea breath test. Using serology as the reference test, the limitations of performance characteristics of the fecal-antigen and urea breath tests are similar to those among a control group of caregivers.

Vantagens e desvantagens do preg??o na gest??o de compras no setor p??blico: o caso da Funasa/PB

O presente artigo ?? parte de um estudo explorat??rio cujo objetivo foi analisar as vantagens e desvantagens na aquisi????o de bens e servi??os por meio das modalidades de licita????o preg??o presencial e eletr??nico no servi??o p??blico. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo de caso na Funda????o Nacional de Sa??de da Para??ba. A parte da pesquisa divulgada neste artigo, al??m de uma s??ntese sobre o referencial te??rico, apresenta as caracter??sticas investigadas da modalidade de licita????o preg??o, comparando suas formas presencial e eletr??nica na institui????o estudada. Os resultados apontam aspectos relevantes quanto ??s quest??es: vantagens e desvantagens do preg??o eletr??nico em rela????o ao preg??o presencial e vice-versa; recursos para atendimento de despesas; planejamento anual da FUNASA/PB; economia de pre??o; economia e repasse de recursos para outras necessidades; prazos de fornecimento; treinamento e capacita????o de pessoal. Conclui a exposi????o destacando alguns pontos fortes e fracos do processo, sugerindo medidas a serem avaliadas no que tange a capacita????o de pessoal e planejamento anual na FUNASA/PB.

Auditoria e gestão : um estudo de caso dos trabalhos auditoriais realizados no IFES

Por intermédio deste trabalho, foi possível detectar o acúmulo de recomendações, o que possivelmente possa indicar a presença de falhas na gestão. Dessa forma o objetivo deste trabalho é investigar as causas e propor soluções que contribuam para o atendimento das recomendações pendentes e para a melhoria de tomada de decisões administrativas. Tomou-se como apoio o Relatório de Auditoria Anual de Contas nº 201305863 e forma apresentadas ferramentas que auxiliem a gestão no processo gerencial de tomadas de decisões. O universo pesquisado compõe-se dos gestores do IFES, que vivem a rotina burocrática dessa instituição de ensino, o que possibilita obter uma percepção do inter-relacionamento profissional junto à AUDIN (Auditoria Interna). A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de questionário, tendo foco na percepção dos gestores de como os trabalhos de auditoria são realizados no IFES, e, paralelamente, buscou informações capazes de municiar a AUDIN com ferramentas capazes de melhor auxiliar no assessoramento administrativo. A pesquisa sugere que a Auditoria Interna e os gestores incorporem diversos conhecimentos para se obter um melhor desempenho frente às demandas do controle interno e externo. Foi observado um acúmulo significativo de recomendações, o que indica a presença de possíveis falhas na gestão do referido órgão. Assim sendo, a pesquisa apresentou resultados que posicionam a Auditoria Interna à margem do processo gerencial do IFES.

A manipulação do tópico discursivo como estratégia da preservação de face

Como em toda interação há o desejo de construir perante os outros uma imagem favorável de si próprio (Goffman, 1967), as entrevistas constituem-se em um espaço de confronto, já que é impossível controlar a imagem que um participante faz do outro. Sendo assim, neste trabalho, faz-se uma análise discursivo-pragmática de entrevistas impressas, tendo como base a noção de face, elaborada por Goffman (1967); a Teoria da Polidez, de Brown e Levinson (1987) e a noção de tópico discursivo como princípio de organização textual-discursiva, Koch (1992), Jubran (1992) e Lins (2008). Deste modo, focaliza-se o contexto de interação verbal em entrevistas a figuras do cenário político estadual/nacional realizadas pelo Jornal A Gazeta, publicadas nos anos de 2004, 2006 e 2008. Nas entrevistas, observa-se como acontecem os atos de ameaça às faces positiva e negativa na relação entrevistador-entrevistado, bem como quais estratégias de polidez eles utilizam para salvar e preservar as suas faces a partir do gerenciamento do tópico discursivo, tendo em vista que os atos de ameaça às faces positiva e negativa podem ser minimizados a partir de estratégias de manipulação do tópico. As principais questões que norteiam este estudo são: a necessidade de construção de face positiva é situação sine qua non para convivência social? É característico no gênero Entrevista a manipulação do tópico como estratégia de preservação de face? Quais estratégias de manipulação de tópico discursivo caracterizam a preservação de face? Dessa forma, esta pesquisa se põe relevante no interior das pesquisas sobre linguagem, uma vez que nela são tecidas reflexões sobre questões muito discutidas pela academia ultimamente, porém de forma separada: manipulação do tópico discursivo, no âmbito da Linguística Textual, e preservação de face, no âmbito da Pragmática.

Dinâmica subnacional e lógica centro-periferia: os impactos do Mercosul na economia política dos estados de Pernambuco, Bahia, São Paulo e Rio Grande do Sul

Neste artigo procura-se associar os estudos teóricos relacionados à temática centro-periferia, multi-level governance, federalismo cooperativo e positive and negative integration à realidade empírica das unidades subnacionais no seio do Mercosul. São ainda efetuadas pesquisas de campo junto a atores políticos e representações de agentes econômicos a fim de privilegiar fontes primárias de informação e desta forma analisar comparativamente os impactos do Mercado Comum do Sul na economia política dos estados de Pernambuco, Bahia, São Paulo e Rio Grande do Sul, assim como em suas respectivas capitais.

Spatial variability of particle size fractions of an Oxisol cultivated with conilon coffee

Information on the spatial distribution of particle size fractions is essential for use planning and management of soils. The aim of this work to was to study the spatial variability of particle size fractions of a Typic Hapludox cultivated with conilon coffee. The soil samples were collected at depths of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m in the coffee canopy projection, totaling 109 georeferentiated points. At the depth of 0.2-0.4 m the clay fraction showed average value significantly higher, while the sand fraction showed was higher in the depth of 0-0.20 m. The silt showed no significant difference between the two depths. The particle size fractions showed medium and high spatial variability. The levels of total sand and clay have positive and negative correlation, respectively, with the altitude of the sampling points, indicating the influence of landscape configuration.

Perceptions of residents of hosting the “Guimarães 2012 European Capital of Culture”: An ex-ante approach

The European Capital of Culture is an annual mega-event, which can provide a good forum though which to challenge and engage local citizens, thus generating feelings of common citizenship. In addition, it presents an ideal opportunity to promote the restructuring of the hosting urban space. However, the success of both the organization and the city that hosts the cultural event depends on the residents’ commitment towards it, the consistency of the tourism attractions and activities supplied, and the capacity of anticipating and monitoring the evolution of tourists’ preferences. The present study aims to assess the intention to participate and the impacts perceived by residents of Guimarães from hosting one of the 2012 European Capitals of Culture (2012 ECOC) in the ex-ante period (2011). Through a convenience sample of 471 usable surveys applied to the local population, conducted between October and December 2011, we tried to identify some of these potential impacts. According to the results received, 40% of residents had a low or very low knowledge of the cultural program, although only 11% demonstrated no intention of attending any activity during the event. The comparison of the mean scores of the expected 2012 ECOC impacts by gender reveals that the most valued and least valued factors are common to female and male respondents. With regard to the differences between those that intended to attend the event and the ones that did not, expected participants rated positive and negative impact factors more than did the ones that did not intend to attend.

Perceptions of residents of hosting the “Guimarães 2012 European Capital of Culture”: an ex-ante approach

The European Capital of Culture is an annual mega-event, which can provide a good forum though which to challenge and engage local citizens, thus generating feelings of common citizenship. In addition, it presents an ideal opportunity to promote the restructuring of the hosting urban space. However, the success of both the organization and the city that hosts the cultural event depends on the residents’ commitment towards it, the consistency of the tourism attractions and activities supplied, and the capacity of anticipating and monitoring the evolution of tourists’ preferences. The present study aims to assess the intention to participate and the impacts perceived by residents of Guimarães from hosting one of the 2012 European Capitals of Culture (2012 ECOC) in the ex-ante period (2011). Through a convenience sample of 471 usable surveys applied to the local population, conducted between October and December 2011, we tried to identify some of these potential impacts. According to the results received, 40% of residents had a low or very low knowledge of the cultural program, although only 11% demonstrated no intention of attending any activity during the event. The comparison of the mean scores of the expected 2012 ECOC impacts by gender reveals that the most valued and least valued factors are common to female and male respondents. With regard to the differences between those that intended to attend the event and the ones that did not, expected participants rated positive and negative impact factors more than did the ones that did not intend to attend.

Personalidade e stresse em militares da Força Aérea Portuguesa: diferenças entre género

RESUMO: A organização militar é uma das mais importantes para qualquer , é uma instituição com regras e valores muito bem definidos, em que factores como a personalidade e o stress terão de ser muito bem avaliados para que se possa integrar uma carreira militar. A amostra estudada foi constituída por 200 militares da Força Aérea Portuguesa, com idade compreendidas entre os 19 e os 52 anos sendo a média de idades 26,3 anos (DP= 5,9). Em estudos anteriores verifiou-se que as diferenças entre géneros são uma condicionante no dia-a-dia de um militar (Lorenzi-Cioldi, 1994). Contudo, Eagly (1987), afirma que a diferença entre géneros tem uma pequena percentagem (5%) contra os 95 % de variabilidade explicada por outros factores na vida militar. Com esta investigação pretendeu-se verificar se existem diferenças entre géneros em relação aos factores básicos da personalidade, stress, afectividade e desejabilidade social, para além de outros aspectos relacionados com estes factores. Utilizaram-se as seguintes medidas de avaliação: o Big Five Factory, BFI (Benet-Martínez & John, 1998), a Paulhus Deception Scale, PDS (Paulhus, 1998), a Positive and Negative Affect Shedule, PANAS (Watson, Clark e Tellenger, 1998) e o Daily Stress Inventory, DSI (Brantley e Glenn, 1989). Conclui-se que ao nível da personalidade, nos factores de extroversão e conscienciosidade as mulheres apresentam valores mais elevados que os homens, em relação ao stress, nos factores competências pessoais, factores ambientais e stressores variados as mulheres obtêm valores mais baixos que os homens. ABSTRACT: The military institution is one of the most important in any country, it has very strict rules and values and therefore factors such as personality and stress must be thoroughly evaluated in order to integrate a military career. The sample under study is constituted by 200 militaries of the Portuguese Air Force, with ages between 19 and 52 years old, being the average 26,3 (DP=5,9). From previous studies it is know that differences in gender constitute a special condition in military personnel day to day life (Lorenzi-Cioldi, 1994). On the other hand, Eagly (1987) states that gender differences represents a small percentage (5%) against 95 % of variance explained by other military life factors. The main focus of this investigation was to determine if there were differences in gender in personality, stress, affect, social desirability and also to study other aspects related to these factors. The measures used were: the Big Five Factory, BFI (Benet-Martínez & John, 1998), the Paulhus Deception Scale, PDS (Paulhus, 1998), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, PANAS (Watson, Clark e Tellenger, 1998), the Daily Stress Inventory, DSI (Brantley e Glenn, 1998). It was concluded that on the personality level, women present higher scores on factors such as extroversion and consciousness. On the stress level, when considering factors such as personal competences, environmental factors and varied stressors, women present lower scores than men.

Maus tratos na infância e relação com a memória, a afectidade negativa e positiva

RESUMO: A presente investigação tem por objectivo estudar a relação entre os maus tratos na infância, a memória, e a afectividade negativa e positiva, em jovens residentes (N=55) em diversos LIJ e RA de duas Instituições da Grande Lisboa, comparando-os com um grupo de controlo (N= 39), de duas Escolas, uma Básica e outra Secundária, também da Grande Lisboa. Foram recolhidas respostas de 47 rapazes e 47 raparigas entre os 12 e os 16 anos, com uma média etária de 14.47 (DP= 1.37). As medidas utilizadas foram a Figura Complexa de Rey, para avaliação da Memória e o PANAS C, para a Afectividade Negativa e Positiva. A análise dos dados permitiu concluir que existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os dois grupos para as dimensões em estudo, tendo piores resultados os jovens que sofreram maus tratos na infância o que corrobora a literatura sobre os danos causados por aqueles, a nível do sistema límbico, sede da afectividade e da memória. ABSTRACT: The present investigation aims at studying the relation between maltreatment in childhood, memory, negative and positive affectivity in youngsters (N=55) living in several Childhood and Youth Homes, as well as in Host Residences of two Institutions located in Greater Lisbon, in comparison to a control group (N=39) of two Schools, an Elementary School and a High School, also located in Greater Lisbon. Answers have been collected from 47 boys and 47 girls, between 12 and 16 years old, with an average range of 14.47 years old (SD= 1.37). The measures used were the Rey Complex Figure, for Memory assessment and PANAS C, for Positive and Negative Affectivity. The data analysis has enabled to conclude that there are statistically significant differences between these two groups for the dimensions in study, having worst results the youngsters that have suffered from maltreatment, confirming the reading about damages caused by it, at limbic system level, the seat of affectivity and memory.

Diagnostic performance of visual screening tests in the elderly

This study aimed to determine and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of visual screening tests for detecting vision loss in elderly. This study is defined as study of diagnostic performance. The diagnostic accuracy of 5 visual tests -near convergence point, near accommodation point, stereopsis, contrast sensibility and amsler grid—was evaluated by means of the ROC method (receiver operating characteristics curves), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+/LR−). Visual acuity was used as the reference standard. A sample of 44 elderly aged 76.7 years (±9.32), who were institutionalized, was collected. The curves of contrast sensitivity and stereopsis are the most accurate (area under the curves were 0.814−p = 0.001, C.I.95%[0.653;0.975]— and 0.713−p = 0.027, C.I.95%[0,540;0,887], respectively). The scores with the best diagnostic validity for the stereopsis test were 0.605 (sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.54; LR+ 1.89, LR−0.24) and 0.610 (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.54; LR+1.75, LR−0.36). The scores with higher diagnostic validity for the contrast sensibility test were 0.530 (sensitivity 0.94, specificity 0.69; LR+ 3.04, LR−0.09). The contrast sensitivity and stereopsis test's proved to be clinically useful in detecting vision loss in the elderly.

Variáveis psicológicas e percepção do estado de saúde em indivíduos submetidos a ressincronização cardíaca

A insuficiência cardíaca afecta cerca de 261 mil pessoas em Portugal constituindo um problema de saúde pública. Pretendemos avaliar aspectos associados à recuperação do estado de saúde nesta síndrome, em particular a esperança, o afecto e a felicidade. Recorremos a um estudo longitudinal com 128 indivíduos sintomáticos com má fracção de ejecção do ventrículo esquerdo. Utilizámos um questionário para caracterizar os aspectos sóciodemográficos, clínicos e funcionais, o Kansas City Cardiomiopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) para avaliar a qualidade de vida, a Subjective Hapiness Scale (SHS) para a felicidade, a HOPE Scale (HOPE) para a esperança e a Positive And Negative Afect Schedule (PANAS) para o afecto. Os questionários de caracterização sócio-demográfica, clínica e funcional, KCCQ e o SHS foram aplicados em três momentos: no internamento, prévio à instituição de terapêutica médica na sua totalidade e ao terceiro e sexto mês após a intervenção médica, na consulta externa. A maioria dos participantes eram homens em classe III da classificação da New York Heart Association com etiologia isquémica. No internamento e antes da terapêutica médica, observámos que a esperança, a felicidade e o afecto se relacionaram com a qualidade de vida, a felicidade e o afecto positivo com a esperança. No período avaliado foram submetidos a: terapia de ressincronização cardíaca (n=52), cardioversor-desfibrilhador implantável (n=44), cirurgia valvular com revascularização do miocárdio (n=14), optimização terapêutica farmacológica (n=10), transplante cardíaco (n=8). Foram significativos os resultados da qualidade de vida, da classificação da New York Heart Association, do exercício físico, da fracção de ejecção do ventrículo esquerdo e das arritmias cardíacas (estrasístoles e taquicardias ventriculares). A felicidade foi preditora da qualidade de vida e da funcionalidade. O afecto negativo foi preditor da satisfação com a insuficiência cardíaca. Concluímos da importância das variáveis positivas a par dos procedimentos médicos no tratamento das pessoas com insuficiência cardíaca. ABSTRACT - Heart failure affects about 261 000 people in Portugal constituting a public health problem. We intend to evaluate aspects of the health recovery in this syndrome, in particular hope, affection and happiness. We used a longitudinal study with 128 symptomatic patients with poor ejection fraction of left ventricle. We used a questionnaire to characterize the socio-demographic, clinical and functional aspects, the Kansas City Cardiomiopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) to assess the quality of life, the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) for happiness, the HOPE Scale (HOPE) for hope and the Positive And Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) for affection. The questionnaires of sociodemographic, clinical and functional KCCQ and SHS were applied on three occasions: on admission, prior to the execution of medical therapy in its totality and in the third and sixth months after medical intervention in the outpatient. Most of the participants were men in Class III New York Heart Association classification with ischemic etiology. At admission and before medical therapy, we observed that the hope, happiness and affection were related to the quality of life, happiness and positive affect with hope. Over the studied period were submitted to: cardiac resynchronization therapy (n=52), implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (n=44), valvular surgery with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (n=14), optimizing drug therapy (n=10), heart transplant (n=8). The significant results were the quality of life, the New York Heart Association classification, the exercise, the ejection fraction and left ventricular cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and estrasistoles). Happiness was a predictor of quality of life and functionality. The negative affect was a predictor of satisfaction with heart failure. We concluded that the positive variables and the medical procedures were important in treating people with heart failure.

Stacked pin Devices for Imaging Applications

In this paper we present results on the optimization of device architectures for colour and imaging applications, using a device with a TCO/pinpi'n/TCO configuration. The effect of the applied voltage on the color selectivity is discussed. Results show that the spectral response curves demonstrate rather good separation between the red, green and blue basic colors. Combining the information obtained under positive and negative applied bias a colour image is acquired without colour filters or pixel architecture. A low level image processing algorithm is used for the colour image reconstruction.