Estrutura econômica, mercado de trabalho e evolução sócio-ocupacional no Rio Grande do Norte 2001 a 2008: reflexo de uma condição mercantil e estruturalmente periférica

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the evolution of the socio-occupational status in Rio Grande do Norte from 2001 to 2008, based on the characterization of the socio-economic status of this State from the analysis of labor market norte-rio-grandense . The study, specifically, drew a comparison between the dynamics of the labor market in Rio Grande do Norte and the capital city, Natal. From this perspective, the purpose was to make a relationship between the social division of labor and its effects on the socio-spatial division, represented in the "macro scale" by the federal unit and the "micro level" for the capital; locus of economic and population concentration. The collection of data on the labor market had as a major source PNAD/IBGE, characterizing the labor market in many ways: people of working age, economically active population and employed and unemployed people, classified by age, sex, color, education, income and social protection condition. However, as for the socio-occupational division, we follow the methodology used by the research group on national television, based in IPPUR /UFRJ, called Monitoring of the Metropolis," which rallied twenty-four groups that aggregate the occupations found in the PNAD/IBGE, in eight groups of socio-occupational categories, according to the similarity between them. It was used in the socio-spatial cutting two relevant discussions, which are inter-related and were characterized as crucial points in developing the research problem: the former was related to the influence of the hegemony of merchant capital in the labor market in Rio Grande North and, the latter, it referred the socio-economic relations between the territory and the variable occupation. Lastly, the results all indicated that in Rio Grande do Norte, as a peripheral state, has suffered the devastating influence of the hegemony of capital purely commercial basis, where "wealth" of capitalism is generated through the sphere of mere movement of goods and services rather than a productive process due to the social relations of production more advanced. We have a little advanced economic structure, with a tertiary sector that has propagated under-employment or disguised unemployment. Similarly, the agricultural sector has been presented as an example of greater social degradation of working conditions in the state. The secondary sector, in turn, also was not behind this uncertainty; on the contrary, confirmed that condition, with poor levels of income, low education of the workforce and a high degree of social helplessness, even in the state capital, space full urban area, which although always appear with a favorable condition compared to Province, in practically most of the variables studied, was also reflected at the same time the author of a structurally underdeveloped condition

Cultura organizacional orientada à qualidade: um survey nas concessionárias automotivas brasileiras certificadas com a ISO 9001

The study aims identify the existence of quality culture in Brazilian automotive dealerships with ISO 9001, motivated by this research problem: exist a quality culture in this dealerships, which facilitates the adoption of quality practices supported by ISO 9001? For referencing, the theoretical review was written in five themes: organizational culture, quality culture, total quality management, ISO 9001 quality management system and the Brazilian automobile industry. As regards the methodological aspects, the research has an applied nature, with a quantitative approach, being exploratory in their objectives, and bibliographic, documental and survey as technical procedures. The organizations participating in the study were all Brazilian automotive dealerships certified with ISO 9001. The research intended cover all the 80 active dealers with ISO 9001 certification identified by the Brazilian Committee for Quality (ABNT CB-25). The survey recorded participation of 32 companies (response rate 40%). The questionnaire was sent to seller managers, formatted into five sections: 1) introductory message 2) manager profile, 3) reasons for implementation and benefits generated by ISO 4) adoption levels of quality practices and 5) diagnosis of organizational culture. The questions contained in sections 2 and 3 were structured in multiple choice, and in the remaining sections were structured in Likert 5-point scale. The statistical method used (data analysis), was the descriptive statistics, for data representation in frequency percentage (FP) and standard level (SL). The results showed that the interviewed dealerships have an organizational culture with very high levels of prevalence in "outcome orientation" and "attention to detail" cultural dimensions. In addition, about the other two dimensions considered conducive to quality (innovation and teamwork/respect for people), both observed high prevalence. Based on the present results, concluded that the organizational culture of Brazilian dealerships with ISO 9001 are quality oriented, being conducive to adoption of quality practices supported by TQM Systems. However, it is important to mention that the quality culture identified is not sufficiently developed to adopt quality practices at optimal levels, which sets up an unfavorable scenario to deals with highly rigorous customer

Predicao de campo em comunicacao sem fio

Even living in the XXI century are still some difficulties in access to broadband Internet in several Brazilian cities, due to the purchasing power of people and lack of government investment. But even with these difficulties, we seek to encourage the use of wireless technology, which is based on the IEEE 802.11b protocol - also known as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) Wireless Fidelity Communications, having wide range of commercial applications in the world market, nationally and internationally. In Brazil, this technology is in full operation in major cities and has proved attractive in relation to the access point to multipoint and point-to-point. This paper is a comparative analysis of prediction field, using models based on the prediction of propagation loss. To validate the techniques used here, the Okumura-Hata models, modified Okumura-Hata, Walfisch-Ikegami model, were applied to a wireless computer network, located in the neighborhood of Cajupiranga in the city of Melbourn, in Rio Grande do Norte . They are used for networking wireless 802.11b, using the Mobile Radio to measure signal levels, beyond the heights of the antennas and distances from the transmitter. The performance data versus distance are added to the graphs generated and compared with results obtained through calculations of propagation models

Effect of supplementing compost with grapeseed meal on Agaricus bisporus production

BACKGROUND: This work assesses the agronomic performance of grapeseed meal, before and after oil extraction, in nutritional compost supplement when growing the mushroom species Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. The effect of formaldehyde treatment before using this compost is also considered. Materials were applied at different doses at spawning. Along with non-supplemented compost, three commercial nutritional supplements were used as controls.RESULTS: In general terms, grapeseed meal performance was similar to that of commercial delayed-release nutrients, but improved the non-supplemented compost response. We highlight that grapeseed enhances performance as larger yields of harvested mushrooms were obtained with greater dry weight content; however, their protein content was lower. The best performance was displayed by fresh formaldehyde-treated grapeseed (6000 ppm) when applied to the 10 g kg(-1) compost dose.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that grapeseed meal offers a great potential to be applied on a commercial scale. The addition of grapeseed resulted in an enhanced performance as shown by the higher number of harvested mushrooms. The use of grapeseed meal (extracted or non-extracted), a low-cost ingredient with high levels of carbohydrates, may suppose an economic profit on the basis of the positive effect of adding carbon in the mushroom cultivation. (C) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de padrão de torque para calibração de torquímetros em três faixas de medição

The continuous development of instruments and equipment used as tools or torque measurement in the industry is demanding more accurate techniques in the use of this kind instrumentation, including development of metrological characteristics in torque measurement. The same happens with the needs in calibration services. There is a diversity of methods of hand torque tools in the market with different measuring range but without complaining with technical standards in terms of requirements of quality and reliability. However, actually there is no choice of a torque measuring standard that fulfils, with low cost, the needs for the calibration of hand torque tools in a large number of ranges. The objective of this thesis is to show the development and evaluation of a torque measuring standard device with a conception to allow the calibration of hand torque tools with three levels of torque with an single instrument, promoting reduction of costs and time in the calibration, also offering reliability for the evaluation of torque measuring instrument. To attend the demand in the calibration of hand torque tools it is necessary that the calibration laboratories have a big collection of torque measuring standards, to fulfills the needs of the costumer, what is very costly. The development of this type of torque measuring standard revealed a viable technique and economically making possible the calibration of hand torque tools in different nominal ranges through a single measurement system versatile, efficient and of easy operation

Suprimento de potássio em função da adubação potássica residual em um Latossolo Vermelho do Cerrado

Em alguns solos com baixos teores de potássio trocável, formas não trocáveis participam do suprimento às plantas. Há evidências de que a disponibilização do K não trocável depende mais da demanda das plantas pelo nutriente do que das propriedades do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o suprimento e a exaustão de formas de K em um Latossolo Vermelho do Cerrado em decorrência da adubação potássica residual e do cultivo de Brachiaria ruziziensis (Syn. Urochloa ruziziensis). Amostras de solos foram coletadas na camada de 0-20 cm, em parcelas de um experimento de campo em que a soja vinha sendo adubada anualmente, por 10 anos, com 0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 de K2O. em casa de vegetação, as amostras de solo receberam a aplicação de 0, 150 e 300 mg dm-3 de K e foram cultivadas com B. ruziziensis, com cinco cortes sucessivos. O suprimento de K às plantas dependeu mais do fertilizante recém-adicionado do que do efeito residual de adubações anteriores. O K não trocável foi responsável, ao longo do tempo, pela manutenção dos teores de K trocáveis e, na ausência de adubação potássica, constituiu a principal fonte de K para as plantas de B. ruziziensis. As plantas de B. ruziziensis possuem capacidade de extrair quantidade considerável de K do solo, confirmando sua importância como cultura de cobertura, na ciclagem do nutriente no solo.

Adjuvantes e assistência de ar em pulverizador de barras sobre a deposição da calda e controle de Phakopsora pachyrhizi (Sydow & Sydow)

Com o intuito de melhorar a cobertura da pulverização e diminuir as perdas na produtividade da cultura da soja, o estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da adição de adjuvantes à calda combinado ou não ao uso da assistência de ar sobre a deposição da pulverização, controle de Phakopsora pachyrhizi H. Sydow & P. Sydow, perdas de produção (peso de 1000 grãos) e produtividade da cultura (kg ha-1). Dois experimentos a campo foram conduzidos na cultura da soja, variedade Conquista, safra agrícola 2008/09. Um deles no delineamento em blocos ao acaso com três doses de adjuvantes associados a um marcador cúprico combinadas a dois níveis de ar na barra de pulverização (0 e 29 km h-1), totalizando 6 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Outro experimento foi instalado no mesmo local do anterior. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com 7 tratamentos: fungicida e dois adjuvantes associados ao fungicida, combinados a dois níveis de ar na barra de pulverização (0 e 29 km h-1), mais testemunha, e 4 repetições. Após a pulverização do fungicida piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole com diferentes tecnologias, procedeu-se a avaliação da severidade da doença através da estimativa da área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD) e da produtividade da cultura da soja. A assistência de ar na velocidade máxima gerada pelo ventilador (29 km h-1), combinada ao fungicida piraclostrobina + epoxiconazole mais o adjuvante organosiliconado Silwet L-77 contribuiu para melhor controle da ferrugem asiática, proporcionando incremento na produtividade e no peso de 1000 grãos.

Morphological and physiological alterations induced by lactofen in soybean leaves are reduced with nitric oxide

O lactofen é um herbicida difeniléter recomendado para controlar plantas daninhas de folhas largas em campos de soja (Glycine max) e seu mecanismo de ação é a inibição da protoporfirinogênio-IX oxidase (Protox), que atua na biossíntese de clorofilas. Essa inibição resulta em um acúmulo de protoporfirina-IX, o que leva à produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS), causando estresse oxidativo. Conseqüentemente, podem ocorrer manchas, enrugamento e queima das folhas, o que leva à paralisação temporária do crescimento da cultura. Porém, o óxido nítrico (NO) atua como um antioxidante na eliminação direta das ROS. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar, por meio de avaliações fitométricas e bioquímicas, o efeito protetor do NO em plantas de soja tratadas com o herbicida lactofen. Plantas de soja foram pré-tratadas com diferentes doses de Nitroprussiato de Sódio (SNP), substância doadora de NO, e então pulverizadas com 168 g a.i. ha-1 lactofen. O pré-tratamento com SNP foi benéfico, pois o NO reduziu os sintomas de injúria causados pelo lactofen nos folíolos jovens e manteve baixos teores de açúcares solúveis. Porém, o NO proporcionou crescimento mais lento das plantas. Desta forma, posteriores estudos são necessários para elucidar os mecanismos de ação do NO na sinalização do estresse promovido pelo lactofen na cultura da soja.

Processo argumentativo na (re)significação de concepções ético/morais

This study analysed the relationship between the production of argumentative discourses and the development and (re)signification of ethical/moral concepts, conceptions and reasoning. It focused on ethical-argumentative reasoning concerning other people and their different points of view. The specific aims of this research were: (1) to investigate the considering alternative positions on adolescents previous views on a specific topic; (2) to verify whether the ability to generate counterarguments was associated with higher levels of moral reasoning, according to Kohlberg theory, and (3) to have a better comprehension of a possible relationship between adolescents abilities to use cognitive and verbal-argumentative strategies and the (re) signification of concepts/beliefs of an ethical/moral nature, and also the solution of conflicts of the same nature. The participants in this study were seventh grade students of private and public schools. Four empirical tasks were used in order to evaluate argumentative and moral reasoning. These tasks focused on: the evaluation of moral dilemmas (DIT); the evaluation of moral dilemmas with the presentation of a written justification for subjects responses; the production of arguments and the reaction to counterarguments. There was also a group-debate situation in which both argumentation and the discussion ethical/moral issues were observed. The moral dilemmas tasks aimed to evaluate the level of moral reasoning of the participants. The argumentation tasks investigated whether the adolescents generated and justified a point of view and how they dealt with counterarguments or alternative information which could lead the participants to modify their initial positions on the topic under discussion in a monological situation as well as in a group-debate setting. The results showed that, in a monological situation, most of the adolescents produced only a partial developed argumentative discourse, whereas in a more social-verbal interaction situation their discourse appeared to be more elaborated. As a general result, it was observed that the confrontation with the other s views, or dealing with counterarguments allow the adolescents to re-evaluate and re-elaborate their own views on a debatable topic. Regarding the relationship between counterargumentation and moral reasoning, it was verified that there was a subtle tendency associating the two processes. However, other factors, such as, social, emotional and cultural aspects might also influence the development of moral reasoning

Large nuclear vacuoles are indicative of abnormal chromatin packaging in human spermatozoa

The aim of this investigation was to determine the presence of abnormal sperm chromatin packaging in spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV) selected via high magnification by analysing the pattern of chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining. A prospective observational study was designed to analyse semen samples obtained from 66 men undergoing infertility diagnosis and treatment. The numbers of cells with normal (dull yellow staining of the sperm head/CMA3-negative) and abnormal (bright yellow fluorescence of the sperm head/CMA3-positive) chromatin packaging were determined on slides with normal and LNV spermatozoa. The presence of bright yellow fluorescence (CMA3-positive) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in spermatozoa with LNV than in normal spermatozoa (719/1351; 53.2% vs. 337/835; 40.3%, respectively), reflecting a higher percentage of abnormal chromatin packaging in spermatozoa with large LNV. Our data support the hypothesis that the presence of LNV reflects the presence of abnormal chromatin packaging, which may facilitate sperm DNA damage. As sperm nuclear vacuoles are evaluated more precisely at high magnifications using motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME), the present results support the use of high-magnification sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

GnRH agonist versus GnRH antagonist in IVF/ICSI cycles with recombinant LH supplementation: DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in granulosa cells

Objective: To compare the level of apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in the human granulosa cell (GC) layer exposed to an agonist or antagonist of GnRH in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles supplemented with recombinant LH (rLH).Study design: Patients without ovulatory dysfunction, aged <= 37 years and in their first ICSI cycle were prospectively randomised to receive either a long GnRH agonist protocol or a multi-dose antagonist protocol. In both groups, recombinant FSH supplemented with rLH was used for ovarian stimulation, and the GCs were collected during oocyte denudation. The GCs were then analysed for DNA fragmentation by TUNEL assay and for apoptosis using the annexin-V assay. The outcomes were given as the percentage of GCs with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis out of the total number of GCs analysed. Comparison of the agonist versus the antagonist group was performed using the Mann-Whitney test.Results: DNA fragmentation: 32 patients were included in either the GnRH agonist group (n = 16) or the antagonist group (n = 16). The percentage of GCs with positive DNA fragmentation did not differ significantly (P = 0.76) between the agonist group (15.5 +/- 9.4%) and the antagonist group (18.8 +/- 13.3%). Apoptosis: 28 patients were included in either the GnRH agonist group (n = 14) or the antagonist group (n = 14). The percentage of GCs positive for apoptosis did not differ significantly (P = 0.78) between the agonist group (34.6 +/- 14.7%) and the antagonist group (36.5 +/- 22%).Conclusions: The results suggest that therapy with either an agonist or antagonist of GnRH is associated with comparable levels of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in granulosa cells in ICSI cycles supplemented with rLH. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Significance of large nuclear vacuoles in human spermatozoa: implications for ICSI

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of DNA fragmentation and the presence of denatured single-stranded or normal double-stranded DNA in spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV) selected by high magnification. Fresh semen samples from 30 patients were prepared by discontinuous isolate concentration gradient. Spermatozoa with normal nucleus (NN) and LNV were selected at x8400 magnification and placed on different slides. DNA fragmentation was determined by TUNEL assay. Denatured and double-stranded DNA was identified by the acridine orange fluorescence method. DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa with LNV (29.1%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in spermatozoa with NN (15.9%). Therefore, cleavage of genomic DNA in low molecular weight DNA fragments (mono- and oligonucleosomes), and single-strand breaks (nicks) in high molecular weight DNA occur more frequently in spermatozoa with LNV. Similarly, the percentage of denatured-stranded DNA in spermatozoa with LNV (67.9%) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in spermatozoa with NN (33.1%). The high level of denatured DNA in spermatozoa with LNV suggests precocious decondensation and disaggregation of sperm chromatin fibres. The results show an association between LNV and DNA damage in spermatozoa, and support the routine morphological selection and injection of motile spermatozoa at high magnification for ICSI.

Single-embryo transfer reduces clinical pregnancy rates and live births in fresh IVF and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycles: a meta-analysis

Background: It has become an accepted procedure to transfer more than one embryo to the patient to achieve acceptable ongoing pregnancy rates. However, transfers of more than a single embryo increase the probability of establishing a multiple gestation. Single-embryo transfer can minimize twin pregnancies but may also lower live birth rates. This meta-analysis aimed to compare current data on single-embryo versus double-embryo transfer in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles with respect to implantation, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates.Methods: Search strategies included on-line surveys of databases from 1995 to 2008. Data management and analysis were conducted using the Stats Direct statistical software. The fixed-effect model was used for odds ratio (OR). Fixed-effect effectiveness was evaluated by the Mantel Haenszel method. Seven trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Results: When pooling results under the fixed-effect model, the implantation rate was not significantly different between double-embryo transfer (34.5%) and single-embryo transfer group (34.7%) (P = 0.96; OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.78, 1.25). on the other hand, double-embryo transfer produced a statistically significantly higher ongoing clinical pregnancy rate (44.5%) than single-embryo transfer (28.3%) (P < 0.0001; OR: 2.06, 95% CI = 1.64,2.60). At the same time, pooling results presented a significantly higher live birth rate when double-embryo transfer (42.5%) (P < 0.001; OR: 1.87, 95% CI = 1.44,2.42) was compared with single-embryo transfer (28.4%).Conclusion: Meta-analysis with 95% confidence showed that, despite similar implantation rates, fresh double-embryo transfer had a 1.64 to 2.60 times greater ongoing pregnancy rate and 1.44 to 2.42 times greater live birth rate than single-embryo transfer in a population suitable for ART treatment.

Exigências de treonina de leitões dos 7 aos 12 e dos 12 aos 23 kg

Foram realizados dois experimentos (E) com 204 leitões Large White (E1: dos 7,23 aos 12,32 kg; e E2: dos 12,64 aos 23,81 kg). O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro níveis de treonina na ração (E1: 0,80; 0,87; 0,93 e 0,99 %; e E2: 0,69; 0,74; 0,80 e 0,85 %); oito (E1) e nove (E2) repetições para o consumo diário de ração (CDR), ganho diário de peso (GDP), ganho diário de peso ajustado (GDPA) e conversão alimentar (CA); e cinco repetições para uréia plasmática (U). Não se observaram diferenças no CDR e GDP (P>0,10). Verificaram-se efeitos quadráticos da treonina no GDPA do E1 (P=0,086) e E2 (P=0,052), na CA do E2 (P=0,035) e na U do E1 (P=0,002), bem como efeito linear negativo na CA do E1 (P=0,030) e U do E2 (P=0,044). O nível de 0,89% de treonina minimizou o teor plasmático de uréia e o de 0,94% maximizou o ganho diário de peso ajustado no E1, enquanto no E2 0,76% de treonina na ração maximizou o ganho diário de peso ajustado e minimizou a conversão alimentar.

Digestible lysine levels in diets for pigs from 24 to 50 kg under sanitary segregation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)