Cruise 57-S-1 of the N.B. Scofield

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Mudanças econômicas e modelos de governação : democratização e desenvolvimento

Analisa-se que os mercados não existiriam sem instituições, que as economias se organizaram segundo várias modalidades de governação, originando contextos institucionais relevantes para a interpretação dos contextos econômicos das nações. A partir dessa premissa, desenvolve-se a suposição de que há três domínios principais que formam a base organizacional em que assentam as dinâmicas positivas do capitalismo – as relações industriais, os processos de inclusão pelo trabalho e pela aprendizagem e as instituições. Por fim, pode-se concluir que as instituições da esfera legislativa, especialmente as vinculadas ao desenvolvimento e à democracia, constituem elementos essenciais para a organização qualificada da economia, influenciando as capacidades gerais de uma sociedade.

Reforma Administrativa do Poder Executivo e ações de modernização da Câmara dos Deputados

Traça um breve panorama histórico das principais reformas administrativas conduzidas pelo Poder Executivo, com ênfase na reforma de 1995, que difundiu o modelo de administração gerencial. Por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória, recorre-se à metodologia histórico-descritiva para analisar duas das ações de modernização implementadas pela Câmara dos Deputados, apontando-se possíveis pontos de contato com as diretrizes do movimento que pretendeu reformar o aparelho do Estado. A conclusão é que essas ações revelam vários pontos de contato com as reformas administrativas promovidas pelo Poder Executivo.

Floating zone convection

The microgravity research, as a branch of the advanced sciences and a spe- cialized field of high technology, has been made in China since the late 1980's. The research group investigating microgravity fluid physics consisted of our col- leagues and the authors in the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and we pay special attention to the floating zone convection as our first research priority. Now, the research group has expanded and is a part of the National Microgravity Laboratory of the CAS, and the research fields have been extended to include more subjects related to microgravity science. Howev- er, the floating zone convection is still an important topic that greatly holds our research interests.

Bifurcation theory of nonlinear boundary value problems

The theory of bifurcation of solutions to two-point boundary value problems is developed for a system of nonlinear first order ordinary differential equations in which the bifurcation parameter is allowed to appear nonlinearly. An iteration method is used to establish necessary and sufficient conditions for bifurcation and to construct a unique bifurcated branch in a neighborhood of a bifurcation point which is a simple eigenvalue of the linearized problem. The problem of bifurcation at a degenerate eigenvalue of the linearized problem is reduced to that of solving a system of algebraic equations. Cases with no bifurcation and with multiple bifurcation at a degenerate eigenvalue are considered.

The iteration method employed is shown to generate approximate solutions which contain those obtained by formal perturbation theory. Thus the formal perturbation solutions are rigorously justified. A theory of continuation of a solution branch out of the neighborhood of its bifurcation point is presented. Several generalizations and extensions of the theory to other types of problems, such as systems of partial differential equations, are described.

The theory is applied to the problem of the axisymmetric buckling of thin spherical shells. Results are obtained which confirm recent numerical computations.

Distinct intron DNA structures in simian virus 40 T-antigen and adenovirus 2 E1A genes

Distinct structures delineating the introns of Simian Virus 40 T-antigen and Adenovirus 2 E1A genes have been discovered. The structures, which are centered around the branch points of the genes inserted in supercoiled double-stranded plasmids, are specifically targeted through photoactivated strand cleavage by the metal complex tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)rhodium(III). The DNA sites that are recognized lack sequence homology but are similar in demarcating functionally important sites on the RNA level. The single-stranded DNA fragments corresponding to the coding strands of the genes were also found to fold into a structure apparently identical to that in the supercoiled genes based on the recognition by the metal complex. Further investigation of different single-stranded DNA fragments with other structural probes, such as another metal complex bis(1,10-phenanthroline)(phenanthrenequinone diimine)rhodium(III), AMT (4'aminomethyl-4,5',8 trimethylpsoralen), restriction enzyme Mse I, and mung bean nuclease, showed that the structures require the sequ ences at both ends of the intron plus the flanking sequences but not the middle of the intron. The two ends form independent helices which interact with each other to form the global tertiary structures. Both of the intron structures share similarities to the structure of the Holliday junction, which is also known to be specifically targeted by the former metal complex. These structures may have arisen from early RNA intron structures and may have been used to facilitate the evolution of genes through exon shuffling by acting as target sites for recombinase enzymes.

Optimization of multi-cycle two-color laser fields for the generation of an isolated attosecond pulse

The effect of the mixing of pulsed two color fields on the generation of an isolated attosecond pulse has been systematically investigated. One main color is 800 nm and the other color (or secondary color) is varied from 1.2 to 2.4 mu m. This work shows that the continuum length behaves in a similar way to the behavior of the difference in the square of the amplitude of the strongest and next strongest cycle. As the mixing ratio is increased, the optimal wavelength for the extended continuum shifts toward shorter wavelength side. There is a certain mixing ratio of intensities at which the continuum length bifurcates, i.e., the existence of two optimal wavelengths. As the mixing ratio is further increased, each branch bifurcates again into two sub-branches. This 2D map analysis of the mixing ratio and the wavelength of the secondary field easily allows one to select a proper wavelength and the mixing ratio for a given pulse duration of the primary field. The study shows that an isolated sub-100 attosecond pulse can be generated mixing an 11 fs full-width-half-maximum (FWHM), 800 laser pulse with an 1840 nm FWHM pulse. Furthermore the result reveals that a 33 fs FWHM, 800 nm pulse can produce an isolated pulse below 200 as, when properly mixed. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America.

Towards conditional RNAi : shape and sequence transduction with small conditional RNAs

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful biological pathway allowing for sequence-specific knockdown of any gene of interest. While RNAi is a proven tool for probing gene function in biological circuits, it is limited by being constitutively ON and executes the logical operation: silence gene Y. To provide greater control over post-transcriptional gene silencing, we propose engineering a biological logic gate to implement “conditional RNAi.” Such a logic gate would silence gene Y only upon the expression of gene X, a completely unrelated gene, executing the logic: if gene X is transcribed, silence independent gene Y. Silencing of gene Y could be confined to a specific time and/or tissue by appropriately selecting gene X.

To implement the logic of conditional RNAi, we present the design and experimental validation of three nucleic acid self-assembly mechanisms which detect a sub-sequence of mRNA X and produce a Dicer substrate specific to gene Y. We introduce small conditional RNAs (scRNAs) to execute the signal transduction under isothermal conditions. scRNAs are small RNAs which change conformation, leading to both shape and sequence signal transduction, in response to hybridization to an input nucleic acid target. While all three conditional RNAi mechanisms execute the same logical operation, they explore various design alternatives for nucleic acid self-assembly pathways, including the use of duplex and monomer scRNAs, stable versus metastable reactants, multiple methods of nucleation, and 3-way and 4-way branch migration.

We demonstrate the isothermal execution of the conditional RNAi mechanisms in a test tube with recombinant Dicer. These mechanisms execute the logic: if mRNA X is detected, produce a Dicer substrate targeting independent mRNA Y. Only the final Dicer substrate, not the scRNA reactants or intermediates, is efficiently processed by Dicer. Additional work in human whole-cell extracts and a model tissue-culture system delves into both the promise and challenge of implementing conditional RNAi in vivo.

Branes and supersymmetric quantum field theories

Since the discovery of D-branes as non-perturbative, dynamic objects in string theory, various configurations of branes in type IIA/B string theory and M-theory have been considered to study their low-energy dynamics described by supersymmetric quantum field theories.

One example of such a construction is based on the description of Seiberg-Witten curves of four-dimensional N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories as branes in type IIA string theory and M-theory. This enables us to study the gauge theories in strongly-coupled regimes. Spectral networks are another tool for utilizing branes to study non-perturbative regimes of two- and four-dimensional supersymmetric theories. Using spectral networks of a Seiberg-Witten theory we can find its BPS spectrum, which is protected from quantum corrections by supersymmetry, and also the BPS spectrum of a related two-dimensional N = (2,2) theory whose (twisted) superpotential is determined by the Seiberg-Witten curve. When we don’t know the perturbative description of such a theory, its spectrum obtained via spectral networks is a useful piece of information. In this thesis we illustrate these ideas with examples of the use of Seiberg-Witten curves and spectral networks to understand various two- and four-dimensional supersymmetric theories.

First, we examine how the geometry of a Seiberg-Witten curve serves as a useful tool for identifying various limits of the parameters of the Seiberg-Witten theory, including Argyres-Seiberg duality and Argyres-Douglas fixed points. Next, we consider the low-energy limit of a two-dimensional N = (2, 2) supersymmetric theory from an M-theory brane configuration whose (twisted) superpotential is determined by the geometry of the branes. We show that, when the two-dimensional theory flows to its infra-red fixed point, particular cases realize Kazama-Suzuki coset models. We also study the BPS spectrum of an Argyres-Douglas type superconformal field theory on the Coulomb branch by using its spectral networks. We provide strong evidence of the equivalence of superconformal field theories from different string-theoretic constructions by comparing their BPS spectra.

Part I. A study of the velocity structure of the earth by the use of core phases. Part II. The 1971 San Fernando earthquake series focal mechanisms and tectonics

The initial objective of Part I was to determine the nature of upper mantle discontinuities, the average velocities through the mantle, and differences between mantle structure under continents and oceans by the use of P'dP', the seismic core phase P'P' (PKPPKP) that reflects at depth d in the mantle. In order to accomplish this, it was found necessary to also investigate core phases themselves and their inferences on core structure. P'dP' at both single stations and at the LASA array in Montana indicates that the following zones are candidates for discontinuities with varying degrees of confidence: 800-950 km, weak; 630-670 km, strongest; 500-600 km, strong but interpretation in doubt; 350-415 km, fair; 280-300 km, strong, varying in depth; 100-200 km, strong, varying in depth, may be the bottom of the low-velocity zone. It is estimated that a single station cannot easily discriminate between asymmetric P'P' and P'dP' for lead times of about 30 sec from the main P'P' phase, but the LASA array reduces this uncertainty range to less than 10 sec. The problems of scatter of P'P' main-phase times, mainly due to asymmetric P'P', incorrect identification of the branch, and lack of the proper velocity structure at the velocity point, are avoided and the analysis shows that one-way travel of P waves through oceanic mantle is delayed by 0.65 to 0.95 sec relative to United States mid-continental mantle.

A new P-wave velocity core model is constructed from observed times, dt/dΔ's, and relative amplitudes of P'; the observed times of SKS, SKKS, and PKiKP; and a new mantle-velocity determination by Jordan and Anderson. The new core model is smooth except for a discontinuity at the inner-core boundary determined to be at a radius of 1215 km. Short-period amplitude data do not require the inner core Q to be significantly lower than that of the outer core. Several lines of evidence show that most, if not all, of the arrivals preceding the DF branch of P' at distances shorter than 143° are due to scattering as proposed by Haddon and not due to spherically symmetric discontinuities just above the inner core as previously believed. Calculation of the travel-time distribution of scattered phases and comparison with published data show that the strongest scattering takes place at or near the core-mantle boundary close to the seismic station.

In Part II, the largest events in the San Fernando earthquake series, initiated by the main shock at 14 00 41.8 GMT on February 9, 1971, were chosen for analysis from the first three months of activity, 87 events in all. The initial rupture location coincides with the lower, northernmost edge of the main north-dipping thrust fault and the aftershock distribution. The best focal mechanism fit to the main shock P-wave first motions constrains the fault plane parameters to: strike, N 67° (± 6°) W; dip, 52° (± 3°) NE; rake, 72° (67°-95°) left lateral. Focal mechanisms of the aftershocks clearly outline a downstep of the western edge of the main thrust fault surface along a northeast-trending flexure. Faulting on this downstep is left-lateral strike-slip and dominates the strain release of the aftershock series, which indicates that the downstep limited the main event rupture on the west. The main thrust fault surface dips at about 35° to the northeast at shallow depths and probably steepens to 50° below a depth of 8 km. This steep dip at depth is a characteristic of other thrust faults in the Transverse Ranges and indicates the presence at depth of laterally-varying vertical forces that are probably due to buckling or overriding that causes some upward redirection of a dominant north-south horizontal compression. Two sets of events exhibit normal dip-slip motion with shallow hypocenters and correlate with areas of ground subsidence deduced from gravity data. Several lines of evidence indicate that a horizontal compressional stress in a north or north-northwest direction was added to the stresses in the aftershock area 12 days after the main shock. After this change, events were contained in bursts along the downstep and sequencing within the bursts provides evidence for an earthquake-triggering phenomenon that propagates with speeds of 5 to 15 km/day. Seismicity before the San Fernando series and the mapped structure of the area suggest that the downstep of the main fault surface is not a localized discontinuity but is part of a zone of weakness extending from Point Dume, near Malibu, to Palmdale on the San Andreas fault. This zone is interpreted as a decoupling boundary between crustal blocks that permits them to deform separately in the prevalent crustal-shortening mode of the Transverse Ranges region.

Arbeitsgebiete Ichthyologie und Fischsammlung am Institut für Seefischerei werden Ende 1992 aufgegeben

On 31 Oecember 1992, the Institut für Seefischerei Hamburg (ISH) will dissolve its branch of systematic ichthyology at the Zoologieal Museum Hamburg University. Remaining ISH ichthyology staff and facilities will move back in January 1993 to Institut für Seefischerei headquarters in Palmaille 9, D-·2000 Hamburg 50 (Tel. 040·389050, Fax 040·38905 129). The research field systematic ichthyology will not be continued at ISH. The ISH fish collection will be handed over to the Zoological Museum of Hamburg University (ZMH) as future responsible holder from 1 January 1993 onward. Loan requests for former ISH material should be addressed from January 1993 on only to: Prof. Dr. H. Wilkens, Kustos Ichthyologie, Zoological Museum der Universität, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, D·2000 Hamburg 13 (Tel. 040·4123 3870, Fax 040·4123 3937). A couple of months will be needed before requests for loan of former ISH holdings can be handled again. It should, however, be noted that even for a longer period there may be problems in serving loan requests promptly due to logistic difficulties and shortage of staff at the ZMH ichthyology department.

Diálogo Constitucional e Correção Legislativa da Jurisprudência no Direito Tributário Brasileiro

No âmbito de uma democracia constitucional que adota o controle judicial de constitucionalidade, o Judiciário sempre possui o poder de ser o árbitro definitivo das questões constitucionais? O trabalho investiga as alternativas legislativas que o Congresso pode adotar com a intenção de corrigir decisões do Supremo Tribunal Federal, especialmente no Direito Tributário. Discute argumentos contrários à supremacia judicial, especialmente utilizando a doutrina norte-americana, e defende que a doutrina do diálogo constitucional pode desempenhar um papel relevante na interpretação constitucional, pois ressalta o fato de que o Legislativo possui uma importante participação na tarefa de definir o conteúdo da Constituição. Também são examinadas teorias da ciência política que trabalham com a hipótese de que as fronteiras entre os poderes no princípio da separação de poderes tornaram-se cinzentas. Neste sentido, a correção legislativa da jurisprudência pode preencher um importante papel na democracia, pois representa a possibilidade de uma troca de experiências entre os poderes do Estado e permite que interesses derrotados na esfera judicial possam apresentar novos argumentos em esfera diversa.

Para uma teoria do direito internacional do consumidor: a proteção do consumidor no livre comércio internacional

O consumidor é o agente vulnerável na relação de consumo internacional. O processo de globalização se apresenta, para o consumidor, como uma globalização do consumo. A globalização do consumo se caracteriza pelo comércio e fornecimento internacional de produtos e serviços por empresários/fornecedores transnacionais/globais, utilizando marcas de renome mundial, acessíveis a todos os consumidores do planeta, e agrava a vulnerabilidade do consumidor no mercado. A proteção jurídica do consumidor internacional é uma necessidade que os sistemas jurídicos nacionais não se mostram aptos a prover adequadamente, assim como o Direito Internacional também não. A presente tese demonstra a deficiência da Ciência do Direito na proteção do consumidor no contexto da globalização; demonstra como o próprio comércio internacional é prejudicado ao não priorizar de maneira absoluta e efetiva a proteção do consumidor na OMC, bem como ao mostrar-se apático diante dos diferentes níveis de proteção proporcionada aos consumidores em cada diferente sistema jurídico nacional; demonstra, também, como a proteção do consumidor de maneira uniforme e global por um direito comum aos Estados é possível e será capaz de tornar mais eficiente economicamente o processo de globalização do consumo, ao encorajar a participação mais intensa do consumidor no mercado internacional; e propõe a construção de um novo ramo do Direito dedicado ao problema, o Direito Internacional do Consumidor (DIC), por meio da elaboração de uma Teoria do Direito Internacional do Consumidor. O Direito Internacional do Consumidor pretende ser um direito comum e universal de proteção ao consumidor, fundado em métodos, conceitos, institutos, normas e princípios jurídicos universais. O DIC dialogará com outros ramos do Direito Público e Privado, especialmente o Direito Internacional Econômico, o Direito Internacional do Comércio, o Direito Internacional Privado, o Direito Processual Civil Internacional, e o Direito do Consumidor. Pretende-se com isto atender ao ideal de promover o livre comércio internacional com respeito aos Direitos Humanos.

Conflito de interesses na sociedade de economia mista: interesse público versus interesse privado

A presente tese tem por objetivo tratar do conflito de interesses na sociedade de economia mista. Referida sociedade tem na sua base constitutiva o conflito como elemento inerente. Por possuir capital público e privado, não é fácil solucionar facilmente os problemas que se apresentam no decorrer de sua existência frente à possibilidade de que o detentor do poder de controle pode decidir em prol do interesse público. E é visando limitar a má utilização do interesse público como resposta à tomada de decisões por parte do acionista controlador que se propõe uma mudança de paradigma. Para tanto, propõe-se analisar o papel do Estado empresário na atual conjuntura de limitação de intervenção do Estado na economia. Também é abordada a forma com que o poder Executivo vem intervindo no mercado, de forma a limitar a livre iniciativa e, por vezes, até mesmo eivada de certa inconstitucionalidade. No entanto, para evitar que haja afronta à Constituição no que diz respeito à exploração de atividade econômica por parte do Estado sem que sejam observados os limites constitucionais impostos, apresenta-se o meta-interesse como meio de solução. Sendo o meta-interesse o interesse da própria companhia, e considerando que o interesse público que fundamenta a autorização para a criação da sociedade de economia mista se extingue com a criação da referida companhia, tem-se que as normas que devem reger as sociedades de economia mista são as normas de direito privado. Com o meta-interesse o Estado passa a intervir na seara privada em igualdade de condições com as demais companhias, não podendo mais se valer de sua posição de acionista majoritário para tomar decisões que conflitem com o interesse da companhia e que privilegiem o interesse público secundário ou até mesmo o interesse político do Estado em detrimento do interesse social e dos acionistas minoritários. Dessa forma, o meta-interesse tem por finalidade colocar fim aos conflitos em relação à aplicação das normas jurídicas e as indefinições da própria natureza da sociedade de economia mista.