Person, existence and phenomenology: remarks on the conceptions of personalism of Emmanuel Mounier

This article aims to discuss the personalism of Emmanuel Mounier, especially his views on the person and existence, and its relation to phenomenology. Mounier does not refer to the influence of phenomenology on his thoughts. However, it is possible to notice that his philosophy was strongly influenced by phenomenological ideas. Personalism is a philosophy that says a person`s value as an absolute. The absolute here is understood as a purpose that gives meaning to all the political and social organization. Human existence is the starting point and fundamental postulate of personalism. This means that there is, therefore, a priority of the existence about the human nature, understanding this as an information ""ontological definitive"". This position is a requirement of epistemological reformulation, which means, within personalism, the attempt to develop a phenomenology of existence, located between the radical objectivism of the science and subjectivism of metaphysics.

Qualitative assessment of stock prices listed on the Sao Paulo stock exchange: An approach from the perspective of homogeneity analysis

The stock market suffers uncertain relations throughout the entire negotiation process, with different variables exerting direct and indirect influence on stock prices. This study focuses on the analysis of certain aspects that may influence these values offered by the capital market, based on the Brazil Index of the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa), which selects 100 stocks among the most traded on Bovespa in terms of number of trades and financial volume. The selected variables are characterized by the companies` activity area and the business volume in the month of data collection, i.e. April/2007. This article proposes an analysis that joins the accounting view of the stock price variables that can be influenced with the use of multivariate qualitative data analysis. Data were explored through Correspondence Analysis (Anacor) and Homogeneity Analysis (Homals). According to the research, the selected variables are associated with the values presented by the stocks, which become an internal control instrument and a decision-making tool when it comes to choosing investments.

A note on the multiple partners assignment game

In the assignment game of Shapley and Shubik [Shapley, L.S., Shubik, M., 1972. The assignment game. I. The core, International journal of Game Theory 1, 11-130] agents are allowed to form one partnership at most. That paper proves that, in the context of firms and workers, given two stable payoffs for the firms there is a stable payoff which gives each firm the larger of the two amounts and also one which gives each of them the smaller amount. Analogous result applies to the workers. Sotomayor [Sotomayor, M., 1992. The multiple partners game. In: Majumdar, M. (Ed.), Dynamics and Equilibrium: Essays in Honor to D. Gale. Mcmillian, pp. 322-336] extends this analysis to the case where both types of agents may form more than one partnership and an agent`s payoff is multi-dimensional. Instead, this note concentrates in the total payoff of the agents. It is then proved the rather unexpected result that again the maximum of any pair of stable payoffs for the firms is stable but the minimum need not be, even if we restrict the multiplicity of partnerships to one of the sides. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The perception of Executives and other Employees on the answer to the Sarbanes-Oxley: case study of a subsidary of the American auto industry established in Brazil

To attend and obtain the systems and. internal controls mechanisms proposed by Sarbanes-Oxley certifications is actually a big challenge,for most of the multinational companies registered in SEC (US Securities and Exchange Commission). This work has the objective of contributing to the analysis of this methodology, not only to attend the law but to reduce cost and generate value through the strengthen of the internal control systems, turning them into animating value generation process mechanisms. So, the idea is to identify the main gaps in the theory through the literature revision and a case study in order to put a question to the main deficiencies, strong points or contributions through the evaluation of the noticed practices. Finally, we can say that a a result of the research and the analyses made in. this case, the vast majority of executives and other employees recognize the benefit that Sarbanes-Oxley Act has brought to the company searched. Also recognize that, although there is still necessity for systemic adequacy and infrastructure, it helps and reinforce reducing and controlling the risks. the system of internal controls in all areas of expertise. They approach and understand that there is the need for a change in the other employees` culture to be inserted in the day-today routine as internal controls, attention to Sarbanes-Oxley and Corporate Governance, making the control cost smaller when compared to the benefits generated.

Stakeholders Theory and Theory of the Firm: a study on the hierarchy of objective-functions in Brazilian companies

Discussion opposing the Theory of the Firm to the Theory of Stakeholders are contemporaneous and polemical. One focal point of such debates refers to which objective-function companies, should choose, whether that of the shareholders or that of the stakeholders, and whether it is possible to opt for both simultaneously. Several empirical studies. have attempted-to test a possible correlation between both functions, and there has not been any consensus-so far. The objective of the present research is to examine a gap in such discussions: is there (or not) a subordination of the stakeholders` objective-function to that of the shareholders? The research is empirical,and analytical and employs quantitative methods. Hypotheses were tested and data analyzed by using non-parametrical (chi-square test) and parametrical procedures (frequency. correlation `coefficient). Secondary data was collected from he Economitica database and from the Brazilian Institute of Social and-Economic Analyses (IBASE) website, relative to public companies that have published their Social Balance Statements following the IBASE model from 1999 to 2006, whose sample amounted to 65 companies; In order to assess the objective-function of shareholders a proxy was created based on the following three indices: ROE (return on equity), EnterpriseValue and Tobin`s Q. In order to assess the objective-function of stakeholders a proxy was created by employing the following IBASE social balance indices: internal ones (ISI), external ones (ISE), and environmental ones (IAM). The results have shown no evidence of subordination of stakeholders` objective-function to that of the shareholders in analyzed companies, negating initial expectations and calling for deeper investigation of results. Its main conclusion, which states that the attempted subordination does not take place, is limited to the sample herein investigated and calls for ongoing research aiming at improvements which may lead to sample enlargement and, as a consequence, may make feasible the application of other statistical techniques which may yield a more thorough, analysis of the studied phenomehon.

ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MARGINAL PRODUCT OF CAPITAL ACROSS COUNTRIES

We extended the standard neoclassical model of investment for the case of an open economy. Our model shows that risk premium not only creates a wedge between the marginal product of capital across countries but also reduces an economy`s savings rate. A riskier market thus presents a lower income per capita, ceteris paribus. Our empirical analysis, from 1950 to 2003, lends support to the conclusion that both risk and the correction for output price to investment ratio help to explain the differentials.

Anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of a new catfish species from northeastern Argentina with comments on the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Rhamdella Eigenmann and Eigenmann 1888 (Siluriformes, Heptapteridae)

Rhamdella cainguae, a new species of the family Heptapteridae is described from the Arroyo Cuna-Piru, a tributary of the Rio Parana, in the subtropical forest of Misiones, northeastern Argentina. The presence of a large differentiated ovoid area on the supraorbital laterosensory canal along the frontal-sphenotic boundary, delimited by the slender dorsal walls of the bones, and with no foramen for a laterosensory branch, is an autapomorphy for R. cainguae. A detailed description of the skeleton and laterosensory system of R. cainguae is provided. The genus Rhamdella is rediagnosed on the basis of three autapomorphies: a very large opening in the frontal for the exit of the s6 ( epiphyseal) branch of the supraorbital laterosensory canal ( reversed in R. rusbyi), a large optic foramen, and a dark stripe along the lateral surface of the body ( reversed in R. rusbyi). Rhamdella is considered to be the sister group of a large heptapterid clade composed of the Nemuroglanis sub-clade plus the genera Brachyglanis, Gladioglanis, Leptorhamdia, and Myoglanis. Rhamdella is herein restricted to five valid species: R. aymarae, R. cainguae, R. eriarcha, R. longiuscula, and R. rusbyi. A sister group relationship between R. aymarae and R. rusbyi is supported by three synapomorphies. Rhamdella cainguae shares 12 apomorphic features with R. eriarcha and R. longiuscula.

Intra- and extracellular osmotic regulation in the hololimnetic Caridea and Anomura: a phylogenetic perspective on the conquest of fresh water by the decapod Crustacea

We investigate extra- and intracellular osmoregulatory capability in two species of hololimnetic Caridea and Anomura: Macrobrachium brasiliense, a palaemonid shrimp, and Aegla franca, an aeglid anomuran, both restricted to continental waters. We also appraise the sharing of physiological characteristics by the hololimnetic Decapoda, and their origins and role in the conquest of fresh water. Both species survive salinity exposure well. While overall hyperosmoregulatory capability is weak in A. franca and moderate in M. brasiliense, both species strongly hyporegulate hemolymph [Cl(-)] but not osmolality. Muscle total free amino acids (FAA) increase slowly but markedly in response to the rapid rise in hemolymph osmolality consequent to hyperosmotic challenge: 3.5-fold in A. franca and 1.9-fold in M. brasiliense. Glycine, taurine, arginine, alanine and proline constitute a parts per thousand 85% of muscle FAA pools in fresh water; taurine, arginine, alanine each contribute a parts per thousand 22% in A. franca, while glycine predominates (70%) in M. brasiliense. These FAA also show the greatest increases on salinity challenge. Muscle FAA titers correlate strongly (R = 0.82) with hemolymph osmolalities across the main decapod sub/infraorders, revealing that marine species with high hemolymph osmolalities achieve isosmoticity of the intra- and extracellular fluids partly through elevated intracellular FAA concentrations; freshwater species show low hemolymph osmolalities and exhibit reduced intracellular FAA titers, consistent with isosmoticity at a far lower external osmolality. Given the decapod phylogeny adopted here and their multiple, independent invasions of fresh water, particularly by the Caridea and Anomura, our findings suggest that homoplastic strategies underlie osmotic and ionic homeostasis in the extant freshwater Decapoda.

Re-description and new combination of five New World species of Chrysotus Meigen, with comments on the Neotropical genus Lyroneurus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Five New World species of Chrysotus Meigen are redescribed, four of them herein transferred from Diaphorus Meigen: C. angustifrons (Robinson), comb.nov., C. maculatus (Parent), comb.nov. (= D. maculipennis Robinson), C. robustus(Robinson), comb. nov., C. spectabilis (Loew) and C. wirthi (Robinson), comb. nov. The female of C. maculatus is described for the first time. Terminalia of both males and females are illustrated. The previous suggestion that C. angustifrons, C. robustus, C. wirthi, and C. spectabilis and the Neotropical genus Lyroneurus Loew are closely related based on wing venation similarities is analyzed and rejected.

Molecular phylogeny of the freshwater prawn genus Macrobrachium (Decapoda, Palaemonidae), with emphasis on the relationships among selected American species

The genus Macrobrachium Bate, 1868 is one of the best examples of widespread crustacean genera distributed globally throughout tropical and subtropical waters. Previous investigators have noted the systematic complexity of the group, and have suggested rearrangements within the family Palaemonidae. Our phylogenetic analysis of new mitochondrial DNA sequences of 58 species of Macrobrachium distributed mainly in America support the hypothesis of monophyly of this genus, if Cryphiops Dana, 1852 is accepted as a generic synonym. We concluded that the independent evolution of different types of life cycle (abbreviated larval development-ALD and extended larval development-ELD) must have occurred more than once in the history of the group. Similarly, we also concluded that the current type species of the genus, Macrobrachium americanum Bate, 1868, should not be considered valid, as previously proposed. The synonymy of two members of the `olfersi` species complex (M. birai Lobao, Melo&Fernandes, 1986 and M. holthuisi Genofre&Lobao, 1978) with M. olfersi (Wiegmann, 1836) was confirmed. Similar results were found in comparing M. petronioi Melo, Lobao&Fernandes, 1986 and M. potiuna (Muller, 1880), in which the genetic divergence placed M. petronioi within the level of intraspecific variation of M. potiuna. The taxonomic status of the genus Cryphiops, as well as theories on the origin of Macrobrachium, is also called into question.

Four new species of Paraclius Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, and notes on the systematic position of Cheiromyia Dyte

Four new species of Paraclius Loew from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are described and illustrated: P. amphiatheratus, sp. nov., P. parenti, sp. nov., P. sagittatus, sp. nov., and P. dicrophallus, sp. nov. The condition of their enlarged sperm pump, also seen in the Neotropical genus Cheiromyia Dyte, is briefly discussed. Comments on the phylogenetic position of Cheiromyia are presented in light of new data from female terminalia of that genus.

Effect of glycosylation on the biochemical properties of beta-xylosidases from Aspergillus versicolor

Aspergillus versicolor grown on xylan or xylose produces two beta-xylosidases with differences in biochemical properties and degree of glycosylation. We investigated the alterations in the biochemical properties of these beta-xylosidases after deglycosylation with Endo-H or PNGase F. After deglycosylation, both enzymes migrated faster in PAGE or SDS-PAGE exhibiting the same R(f). Temperature optimum of xylan-induced and xylose-induced beta-xylosidases was 45A degrees C and 40A degrees C, respectively, and 35A degrees C after deglycosylation. The xylan-induced enzyme was more active at acidic pH. After deglycosylation, both enzymes had the same pH optimum of 6.0. Thermal resistance at 55A degrees C showed half-life of 15 min and 9 min for xylose- and xylan-induced enzymes, respectively. After deglycosylation, both enzymes exhibited half-lives of 7.5 min. Native enzymes exhibited different responses to ions, while deglycosylated enzymes exhibited identical responses. Limited proteolysis yielded similar polypeptide profiles for the deglycosylated enzymes, suggesting a common polypeptide core with differential glycosylation apparently responsible for their biochemical and biophysical differences.

Effect of chloride concentration on the electrochemical treatment of a synthetic tannery wastewater

The electrochemical treatment of a synthetic tannery wastewater prepared with 30 compounds used in animal skin processing was studied. Electrolyses were performed in a one-compartment flow cell at a current density of 20 mA cm(-2), using a dimensionally stable anode (DSA (R)) of composition Ti/Ir(0.10)Sn(0.90)O(2) as the working electrode. Effects of chloride concentration and presence of sulfate were evaluated. Variation in the concentration of phenolic compounds as a function of electrolysis time revealed a first-order exponential decay; faster phenol removals were obtained with increasing chloride concentration in the wastewater. Lower phenol removals were obtained in the presence of sulfate. Higher chloride concentrations led to a faster decrease in total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and absorbance values at 228 nm. Faster wastewater color removal, higher current efficiency and lower energy consumption were also obtained. This electrochemical treatment was also able to reduce the wastewater toxicity for Daphnia similis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.