Distribution of a nematocyst-bearing sponge in relation to potential coral donors

Haliclona sp. 628 (Demospongiae, Haplosclerida, Chalinidae), a sponge found on the reef slope below 5 in depth on the Great Barrier Reef, has two unusual characteristics. It contains a symbiotic dinoflagellate, Symbiodinium sp., similar in structure to the dinoflagellate found within Acropora nobilis (S. microadriaticum), and it contains coral nematocysts randomly distributed between the ectosome and endosome and usually undischarged in intact sponge tissue. Given the unusual occurrence of nematocysts in Haliclona sp. 628, the focus of this study was to determine the distribution of this species of sponge on the reef slope at Heron Island Reef in relation to the distribution of potential coral donors. A combination of line and belt transects was used to estimate the abundance of Halielona sp. 628 and a co-occurring congener, Haliclona sp. 1031, which does not contain nematocysts, at three widely separated sites on the reef slope at Heron Island Reef. The abundance of different types of substratum (sand, sand-covered coral rubble, dead A. nobilis, live A. nobilis, other live coral, and other dead coral) along the transects and the substratum to which each sponge colony was attached were also recorded. Despite the predominance of live A. nobilis and sand-covered rubble at all sites, between 30 and 55% of Haliclona sp. 628 colonies were attached to dead A. nobilis which comprised less than 8% of the available substratum along any transect. In contrast, Haliclona sp. 1031 was found significantly more frequently on other dead corals and less frequently on live A. nobilis than would be expected based on the availability of the different substrata in the sites. Potential explanations to account for the distribution of Haliclona sp. 628 in relation to potential coral donors are discussed.

Photosynthetic responses of the coral Montipora digitata to cold temperature stress

Coral bleaching events have become more frequent and widespread, largely due to elevated sea surface temperatures. Global climate change could lead to increased variability of sea surface temperatures, through influences on climate systems, e.g. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Field observations in 1999, following a strong ENSO, revealed that corals bleached in winter after unusually cold weather. To explore the basis for these observations, the photosynthetic responses of the coral species Montipora digitata Studer were investigated in a series of temperature and light experiments. Small replicate coral colonies were exposed to ecologically relevant lower temperatures for varying durations and under light regimes that ranged from darkness to full sunlight. Photosynthetic efficiency was analyzed using a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer (F-0, F-m, F-v/F-m), and chlorophyll a (chl a) content and symbiotic dinoflagellate density were analyzed with spectrophotometry and microscopy, respectively. Cold temperature stress had a negative impact on M digitata colonies indicated by decreased photosynthetic efficiency (F-v/F-m), loss of symbiotic dinoflagellates and changes in photosynthetic pigment concentrations. Corals in higher light regimes were more susceptible to cold temperature stress, Moderate cold stress resulted in photoacclimatory responses, but severe cold stress resulted in photodamage, bleaching and increased mortality. Responses to cold temperature stress of M digitata appeared similar to that observed in corals exposed to warmer than normal temperatures, suggesting a common mechanism. The results of this study suggest that corals and coral reefs may also be impacted by exposure to cold as well as warm temperature extremes as climate change occurs.

Visual Biology of Hawaiian Coral Reef Fishes. III. Environmental Light and an Integrated Approach to the Ecology of Reef Fish Vision

In the previous two papers in this three-part series, we have examined visual pigments, ocular media transmission, and colors of the coral reef fish of Hawaii. This paper first details aspects of the light field and background colors at the microhabitat level on Hawaiian reefs and does so from the perspective and scale of fish living on the reef. Second, information from all three papers is combined in an attempt to examine trends in the visual ecology of reef inhabitants. Our goal is to begin to see fish the way they appear to other fish. Observations resulting from the combination of results in all three papers include the following. Yellow and blue colors on their own are strikingly well matched to backgrounds on the reef such as coral and bodies of horizontally viewed water. These colors, therefore, depending on context, may be important in camouflage as well as conspicuousness. The spectral characteristics of fish colors are correlated to the known spectral sensitivities in reef fish single cones and are tuned for maximum signal reliability when viewed against known backgrounds. The optimal positions of spectral sensitivity in a modeled dichromatic visual system are generally close to the sensitivities known for reef fish. Models also predict that both UV-sensitive and red-sensitive cone types are advantageous for a variety of tasks. UV-sensitive cones are known in some reef fish, red-sensitive cones have yet to be found. Labroid colors, which appear green or blue to us, may he matched to the far-red component of chlorophyll reflectance for camouflage. Red cave/hole dwelling reef fish are relatively poorly matched to the background they are often viewed against but this may be visually irrelevant. The model predicts that the task of distinguishing green algae from coral is optimized with a relatively long wavelength visual pigment pair. Herbivorous grazers whose visual pigments are known possess the longest sensitivities so far found. Labroid complex colors are highly contrasting complementary colors close up but combine, because of the spatial addition, which results from low visual resolution, at distance, to match background water colors remarkably well. Therefore, they are effective for simultaneous communication and camouflage.

Visual Biology of Hawaiian Coral Reef Fishes. I. Ocular Transmission and Visual Pigments

The visual biology of Hawaiian reef fishes was explored by examining their eyes for spectral sensitivity of their visual pigments and for transmission of light through the ocular media to the retina. The spectral absorption curves for the visual pigments of 38 species of Hawaiian fish were recorded using microspectrophotometry. The peak absorption wavelength (lambda(max)) of the rods varied from 477-502 nm and the lambda(max) of individual species conformed closely to values for the same species previously reported using a whole retina extraction procedure. The visual pigments of single cone photoreceptors were categorized, dependent on their lambda(max)-values, as ultraviolet (347-376 nm), violet (398-431 nm) or blue (439-498 nm) sensitive cones. Eight species possessed ultraviolet-sensitive cones and 14 species violet-sensitive cones. Thus, 47% of the species examined displayed photosensitivity to the short-wavelength region of the spectrum. Both identical and nonidentical paired and double cones were found with blue sensitivity or green absorption peaks (> 500 nm). Spectrophotometry of the lens, cornea, and humors for 195 species from 49 families found that the spectral composition of the light transmitted to the retina was most often limited by the lens (73% of species examined). Except for two unusual species with humor-limited eyes, Acanthocybium solandri (Scombridae) and the priacanthid fish, Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, the remainder had corneal-limited eyes. The wavelength at which 50% of the light was blocked (T50) was classified according to a system modified from Douglas and McGuigan (1989) as Type I, T50 < = 355 nm, (32 species); Type IIa, 355 < T50 < = 380 nm (30 species); Type IIb, 380 < T50 405 nm (84 species). Possession of UV-transmitting ocular media follows both taxonomic and functional lines and, if the ecology of the species is considered, is correlated with the short-wavelength visual pigments found in the species. Three types of short-wavelength vision in fishes are hypothesized: UV-sensitive, UV-specialized, and violet-specialized. UV-sensitive eyes lack UV blockers (Type I and IIa) and can sense UV light with the secondary absorption peak or beta peak of their longer wavelength visual pigments but do not possess specialized UV receptor cells and, therefore, probably lack UV hue discrimination. UV-specialized eyes allow transmission of UV light to the retina (Type I and IIa) and also possess UV-sensitive cone receptors with peak absorption between 300 and 400 nm. Given the appropriate perceptual mechanisms, these species could possess true UV-color vision and hue discrimination. Violet-specialized eyes extend into Type IIb eyes and possess violet-sensitive cone cells. UV-sensitive eyes are found throughout the fishes from at least two species of sharks to modern bony fishes. Eyes with specialized short-wavelength sensitivity are common in tropical reef fishes and must be taken into consideration when performing research involving the visual perception systems of these fishes. Because most glass and plastics are UV-opaque, great care must be taken to ensure that aquarium dividers, specimen holding containers, etc., are UV-transparent or at least to report the types of materials in use.

Portal do software p??blico brasileiro

O Portal do Software P??blico Brasileiro consolida-se como uma iniciativa que conseguiu criar um ambiente comum para compartilhar solu????es de software no setor p??blico, racionalizar a gest??o dos recursos de inform??tica, reaproveitar as solu????es de software existentes para diminuir custos e atividades redundantes, estabelecer parcerias e a????es cooperadas, refor??ar a pol??tica p??blica de estimular o uso de software livre e definir uma forma de licenciamento de software que sustente o compartilhamento de solu????es entre os ??rg??os do setor p??blico de acordo com as prerrogativas legais brasileiras e a Constitui????o Federal. Esta iniciativa trouxe como inova????o o compartilhamento de ???software p??blico???, que oficializou um novo modelo de licenciamento e de gest??o das solu????es desenvolvidas na administra????o p??blica, estabelecendo parceria entre diversos ??rg??os, institui????es, empresas e cidad??os, e hoje conta com mais de 100 mil participantes

Texto para discuss??o 3: Reflex??es sobre a proposta de reforma do Estado brasileiro

A reforma do Estado ?? uma preocupa????o comum a quase todos os pa??ses do mundo. No ??mbito nacional, ap??s um per??odo mais exacerbado de radicaliza????es e polariza????es, o debate sobre o assunto vem adquirindo maior serenidade, profundidade e rigor. Seu foco tem se deslocado de uma defini????o aprior??stica e descontextualizada do tamanho ideal do Estado (e, com isso, vem conseguindo, paulatinamente, ultrapassar os manique??smos iniciais), para se centrar em quest??es realmente estrat??gicas: que tipo de Estado se deseja construir? Como dever?? se relacionar com a sociedade e o mercado? Quais ser??o sua miss??o, objetivos, papel, formas e meios de interven????o e fun????es? Que caracter??sticas organizacionais e gerenciais necessitar?? adquirir para lograr ??xito? O primeiro volume desta s??rie ?? um exemplo dessa mudan??a oportuna de enfoque, partindo do Estado necess??rio e conseguindo avan??ar em rela????o a, pelo menos, algumas das quest??es estrat??gicas j?? mencionadas

Texto para discuss??o 25: desafios e oportunidades no setor de compras governamentais na Am??rica Latina e Caribe: o caso brasileiro

Este texto tem como objetivo apresentar um panorama geral do setor de compras governamentais na Am??rica Latina, passando posteriormente a uma an??lise do caso brasileiro. Inicialmente s??o abordados alguns aspectos da evolu????o do Estado, demonstrando que as grandes altera????es no perfil do setor p??blico n??o significam obrigatoriamente uma redu????o do tamanho do Estado na Am??rica Latina, mas sim uma profunda transforma????o na organiza????o da sua a????o. No continente latino-americano, o setor de compras tem sido objeto de debates e acordos que visam uma converg??ncia das regras dos pa??ses que integrar??o a ALCA ??? ??rea de Livre Com??rcio das Am??ricas. Este texto tamb??m aborda as principais tend??ncias, desafios e oportunidades neste processo.Na apresenta????o do caso brasileiro s??o analisadas as pol??ticas, o modelo de gest??o e a tecnologia aplicada no setor de compras do governo central, finalizando com uma aprecia????o da nova proposta de lei para o setor.

Disciplina 1.3: sistema pol??tico brasileiro

A disciplina teve como principais conte??dos: as principais dimens??es institucionais que comp??em o Sistema Pol??tico Brasileiro e seus impactos sobre o funcionamento da Democracia no Brasil. Modelos de democracia em perspectiva comparada. O sistema de governo e as rela????es entre executivo e legislativo. Representa????o pol??tica, partidos e elei????es. O federalismo e as rela????es intergovernamentais. O papel pol??tico das institui????es de justi??a. Reforma Pol??tica. Os condicionamentos decorrentes das caracter??sticas do Sistema Pol??tico Brasileiro no processo decis??rio sobre pol??ticas p??blicas

Disciplina 1.3: sistema pol??tico brasileiro

Diagn??stico geral a respeito das institui????es pol??ticas brasileiras. Sistema eleitoral e seus impactos sobre o sistema partid??rio. Rela????es Executivo-Legislativo e a Organiza????o Congressual no Brasil. O federalismo e seus impactos sobre o processo decis??rio. Judici??rio e Pol??tica no Brasil

Fortalecimento da gest??o de pol??ticas p??blicas da inclus??o social do governo federal brasileiro: projeto de coopera????o t??cnica Brasil-Espanha 2007-2010

O Projeto de Fortalecimento da Gest??o de Pol??ticas P??blicas de Inclus??o Social do Governo Federal Brasileiro, apresentado pela ENAP ?? AECI em 2006, visa promover processos de inclus??o social de grupos que vivem em situa????o de extrema vulnerabilidade. Nos 36 meses de dura????o do projeto a qualidade dos servi??os prestados pelas redes de atendimento p??blica e privada aos idosos, pessoas com defici??ncia e benefici??rios do sistema de previd??ncia social, dever?? ser incrementada. Para isso, pretende-se melhorar a regulamenta????o dos servi??os de aten????o a estes grupos sociais, melhorar a forma????o dos gestores e operadores p??blicos e privados destes servi??os, melhorar o acesso ??s informa????es, aumentar o compromisso dos estados e munic??pios e da rede de aten????o a estes grupos sociais, agilizar a resposta da administra????o perante as solicita????es dos cidad??os e melhorar a rede de atendimento

A educa????o on-line como estrat??gia para a forma????o do servidor p??blico brasileiro: o desenvolvimento de curso a dist??ncia para a melhor gest??o das transfer??ncias volunt??rias de recursos p??blicos

Este artigo relata a experi??ncia da ENAP com a educa????o on-line como estrat??gia para a forma????o do servidor p??blico brasileiro. ?? dado destaque ao desenvolvimento do curso a dist??ncia Gest??o de Conv??nios e de Contratos de Repasse para Convenentes, desenvolvido em parceria com a Casa Civil da Presid??ncia da Rep??blica e a Secretaria de Tecnologia e Log??stica da Informa????o do Minist??rio do Planejamento, Or??amento e Gest??o brasileiro. A iniciativa teve como objetivo contribuir para a melhor gest??o das transfer??ncias volunt??rias de recursos p??blicos no Brasil. Ao final s??o apresentadas reflex??es sobre a apropria????o de tecnologias de informa????o e de comunica????o em processos de forma????o de servidores p??blicos que se traduzem como investimentos para o ??xito da a????o governamental.

Parceria p??blico-privada: compreendendo o modelo brasileiro

A necessidade de viabilizar investimentos p??blicos em um contexto de restri????o fiscal impulsionou governos de diversos pa??ses a buscar na parceria com o setor privado a alternativa para a realiza????o de obras e servi??os p??blicos. A experi??ncia paradigm??tica do Reino Unido em programas de parceria p??blico-privada (PPP) norteou a implanta????o de iniciativas semelhantes mundo afora. No Brasil, a aprova????o, em dezembro de 2004, da lei que disciplina as normas para contrata????o de PPP deu in??cio a um processo que passar?? pela defini????o dos projetos priorit??rios e que culminar?? na consolida????o das parcerias como mais um instrumento para a viabiliza????o de obras e servi??os p??blicos de que o pa??s necessita. Esse artigo tem por objetivo elucidar o modelo brasileiro de parcerias p??blico-privadas. Ap??s uma contextualiza????o inicial, s??o discutidos os fundamentos que balizam a implanta????o de um programa de PPP e apresentadas algumas caracter??sticas gerais dos contratos. Por fim, s??o expostos os pontos centrais da lei brasileira.

Caminhos da sustentabilidade para o cinema brasileiro

O artigo pretende mostrar as dificuldades de sustentabilidade da atividade cinematogr??fica brasileira. Com base na an??lise da cadeia produtiva, na estrutura tribut??ria e nas falhas da legisla????o de incentivo fiscal, prop??e-se a exist??ncia de um ciclo vicioso de depend??ncia aos incentivos fiscais. Tendo em vista as dificuldades de acesso a salas de cinema, devido, entre outros fatores, ao baixo poder aquisitivo da popula????o e ?? concentra????o geogr??fica de cinemas nas grandes cidades, prop??e-se uma parceria efetiva entre cinema e televis??o, facilitada pela tecnologia digital. Isso implicar?? altera????es na legisla????o atual, bem como a cria????o de regras regulat??rias, como forma de ampliar o acesso de filmes nacionais ?? grade de programa????o televisiva e tamb??m de viabilizar, em termos industriais, essa atividade econ??mica.

A sociologia de Max Weber: sua import??ncia para a teoria e a pr??tica da administra????o

A tradu????o integral da obra de Max Weber ??? Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft ??? empreendida pela editora mexicana ??? Fondo de Cultura Econ??mica, sob a esclarecida dire????o de Jos?? Medina Echavarr??a, ?? um acontecimento a cuja magnitude esta Revista n??o pode permanecer indiferente. ?? esta a primeira vez que a referida obra aparece em l??ngua diferente da original, pois a anunciada tradu????o do seu primeiro volume, realizada por Parsons-Henderson, n??o foi editada at?? o presente e, ao que me consta, circula mimeografada, em restritos centros de estudo dos Estados Unidos. Apesar de inacabada e fragment??ria e de ser um livro p??stumo, publicado gra??as ?? dedica????o e compet??ncia de Marianna Weber, esposa do autor, Economia e Sociedade ?? a obra n??o s?? onde se re??nem os temas centrais de Max Weber, como tamb??m onde ele exp??e o seu sistema de sociologia.