Short- and long-term consequences of thermal variation in the larval environment of anurans

To survive adverse or unpredictable conditions in the ontogenetic environment, many organisms retain a level of phenotypic plasticity that allows them to meet the challenges of rapidly changing conditions. Larval anurans are widely known for their ability to modify behaviour, morphology and physiological processes during development, making them an ideal model system for studies of environmental effects on phenotypic traits. Although temperature is one of the most important factors influencing the growth, development and metamorphic condition of larval anurans, many studies have failed to include ecologically relevant thermal fluctuations among their treatments. We compared the growth and age at metamorphosis of striped marsh frogs Limnodynastes peronii raised in a diurnally fluctuating thermal regime and a stable regime of the same mean temperature. We then assessed the long-term effects of the larval environment on the morphology and performance of post-metamorphic frogs. Larval L. peronii from the fluctuating treatment were significantly longer throughout development and metamorphosed about 5 days earlier. Frogs from the fluctuating group metamorphosed at a smaller mass and in poorer condition compared with the stable group, and had proportionally shorter legs. Frogs from the fluctuating group showed greater jumping performance at metamorphosis and less degradation in performance during a 10-week dormancy. Treatment differences in performance could not be explained by whole-animal morphological variation, suggesting improved contractile properties of the muscles in the fluctuating group.

Structural plasticity of the cyclic-cystine-knot framework: implications for biological activity and drug design

The cyclotide family of plant proteins is of interest because of their unique topology, which combines a head-to-tail cyclic backbone with an embedded cystine knot, and because their-remarkable chemical and biological properties make them ideal candidates as grafting templates for biologically active peptide epitopes. The present Study describes the first steps towards exploiting the cyclotide framework by synthesizing and structurally characterizing two grafted analogues of the cyclotide kalata B1. The modified peptides have polar or charged residues substituted for residues that form part of a surface-exposed hydrophobic patch that plays a significant role in the folding and biological activity of kalata B1. Both analogues retain the native cyclotide fold, but lack the undesired haemolytic activity of their parent molecule, kalata B1. This finding confirms the tolerance of the cyclotide framework to residue Substitutions and opens up possibilities for the Substitution of biologically active peptide epitopes into the framework.

On functionally-fitted Runge-Kutta methods

Functionally-fitted methods are generalizations of collocation techniques to integrate an equation exactly if its solution is a linear combination of a chosen set of basis functions. When these basis functions are chosen as the power functions, we recover classical algebraic collocation methods. This paper shows that functionally-fitted methods can be derived with less restrictive conditions than previously stated in the literature, and that other related results can be derived in a much more elegant way. The novelty in our approach is to fully retain the collocation framework without reverting back into derivations based on cumbersome Taylor series expansions.

Physiologically based synthetic models of hepatic disposition

Current Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are inductive. We present an additional, different approach that is based on the synthetic rather than the inductive approach to modeling and simulation. It relies on object-oriented programming A model of the referent system in its experimental context is synthesized by assembling objects that represent components such as molecules, cells, aspects of tissue architecture, catheters, etc. The single pass perfused rat liver has been well described in evaluating hepatic drug pharmacokinetics (PK) and is the system on which we focus. In silico experiments begin with administration of objects representing actual compounds. Data are collected in a manner analogous to that in the referent PK experiments. The synthetic modeling method allows for recognition and representation of discrete event and discrete time processes, as well as heterogeneity in organization, function, and spatial effects. An application is developed for sucrose and antipyrine, administered separately and together PBPK modeling has made extensive progress in characterizing abstracted PK properties but this has also been its limitation. Now, other important questions and possible extensions emerge. How are these PK properties and the observed behaviors generated? The inherent heuristic limitations of traditional models have hindered getting meaningful, detailed answers to such questions. Synthetic models of the type described here are specifically intended to help answer such questions. Analogous to wet-lab experimental models, they retain their applicability even when broken apart into sub-components. Having and applying this new class of models along with traditional PK modeling methods is expected to increase the productivity of pharmaceutical research at all levels that make use of modeling and simulation.

Developing high yielding wheat for water limited environments in northern Australia

A novel strategy linking physiology with plant breeding, molecular biology and computer simulation modelling is outlined here which aims to enhance selection of high yielding wheats with superior performance under conditions of water scarcity for the northern, subtropical, winter cereals region of Australia. In previous research, a source of high yield and performance under dry conditions for the target region was identified in a drought resistant parent. A large population of fixed lines for molecular genetic studies has been developed using the drought resistant line and widely grown current Australian variety. A preliminary study comparing the parent varieties was conducted in the winter of 2003. The two varieties were similar in many aspects of phenology, morphology and physiology. However, several important traits were identified that likely contribute to higher grain mass and yield of the drought resistant parent, including differences in the number and dry mass of tillers and spikes during development and the ability of drought resistant line to retain green leaves longer during grain filling.

Tourist railways: A staffing dilemma

The number of tourist railways and museums is increasing throughout the world. With many of these attractions staffed largely by volunteers it is becoming increasingly important to understand how to attract, train and retain these volunteers. This exploratory study seeks to establish what motivates people to volunteer at tourist railways. Analysis of in depth interviews with fifteen volunteers at three tourist railways within a 250 kilometre radius of Brisbane, Australia, indicated that often motivation to volunteer goes beyond the altruistic and egoistic motives that are frequently cited in the literature. This study found that many volunteers at tourist railways are also motivated by feelings of nostalgia. As the population ages and fewer people have had contact with the railways of yesteryear, a new challenge arises for organisations, to find an alternative stimulus to attract volunteers to tourist railways and museums.

Organic Matter Dynamics in the Wet Tropics Under Different Sugarcane Residue Management Regimes

Retention of sugarcane leaves and tops on the soil surface after harvesting has almost completely replaced pre- and post-harvest burning of crop residues in the Australian sugar industry. Since its introduction around 25 years ago, residue retention has increased soil organic matter to improve soil fertility as well as improve harvest flexibility and reduce erosion. However, in the wet tropics residue retention also poses potential problems of prolonged waterlogging, and late-season release of nitrogen which can reduce sugar content of the crop. The objective of this project is to examine the management of sugarcane residues in the wet tropics using a systems approach. Subsidiary objectives are (a) to improve understanding of nitrogen cycling in Australian sugarcane soils in the wet tropics, and (b) to identify ways to manage crop residues to retain their advantages and limit their disadvantages. Project objectives will be addressed using several approaches. Historic farm production data recorded by sugar mills in the wet tropics will be analysed to determine the effect of residue burning or retention on crop yield and sugar content. The impact of climate on soil processes will be highlighed by development of an index of nitrogen mineralisation using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. Increased understanding of nitrogen cycling in Australian sugarcane soils and management of crop residues will be gained through a field experiment recently established in the Australian wet tropics. From this experiment the decomposition and nitrogen dynamics of residues placed on the soil surface and incorporated will be compared. The effect of differences in temperature, soil water content and pH will be further examined on these soils under glasshouse conditions. Preliminary results show a high ammonium to nitrate ratio in tropics soils, which may be due to low rates of nitrification that increase the retention of nitrogen in a form (ammonium) that is less subject to leaching. Further results will be presented at Congress.

OS IMPACTOS E CONSEQUÊNCIAS DA ROTATIVIDADE DE PESSOAL SOBRE A MEMÓRIA ORGANIZACIONAL: UM ESTUDO NO COMÉRCIO VAREJISTA

Este estudo visa pesquisar e compreender o impacto da memória organizacional em organizações que possuem um alto índice de rotatividade de pessoal. Com o advento de uma economia baseada em conhecimento, surge um novo trabalhador, chamado por Peter Drucker (1993) e "trabalhador do conhecimento". Nesta nova economia, as organizações enfrentam ambientes de incertezas e de intensa competição, onde o novo ativo intangível das organizações, o conhecimento, se torna a chave para a obtenção da vantagem competitiva, que permite que as empresas ganhem novos mercados e aumentem sua lucratividade. Porém, nestes ambientes competitivos, está se tornando freqüente a saída dos empregados das organizações, seja porque estão em busca de melhores colocações, ou porque as organizações passam por processos de reestruturação, que podem impactar em redução de pessoal, ou ainda, porque estão com seus conhecimentos obsoletos. Diante deste cenário, através de pesquisa exploratória junto às organizações do comércio varejista, foram investigadas as formas pelas quais as empresas armazenam o conhecimento das pessoas, de modo que quando estas deixem a organização seus conhecimentos permaneçam, bem como identificado os principais impactos sobre a qualidade e produtividade em seus processos. Além disso, também são ressaltadas algumas ações em que as empresas possam contribuir para aumentar a satisfação das pessoas em pertencerem a organização, visando contribuir para a maior retenção de profissionais, e conseqüentemente do conhecimento tácito, que é o mais valioso nas organizações.(AU)

Effects of cation substitutions on the physical properties of M2M1T2O6 pyroxenes

In this PhD study, the effects of the cation substitutions on the physical properties of pyroxenes have been discussed. The results of this work extend the knowledge on pyroxenes with different chemical compositions. These properties might be used in the development of ceramic pigments, advanced materials and for the mineralogical phase identification. First of all, the crystallographic differences between Ge and Si pyroxenes have been examined. The structure of C2/c Ca rich Ge clinopyroxenes is very close to the low pressure C2/c structural configuration found in Ca-rich Si-pyroxenes. The shear of the unit cell is very similar, and the difference between a Ge end member and the corresponding Si-rich one is less than 1°. Instead, a remarkable difference exists between Ca-poor Si and Ge clinopyroxenes. First, Ca-poor Ge pyroxenes do not display a P21/c symmetry, but retain the C2/c symmetry; second, the observed C2/c structure shows, at room pressure, the configuration with highly kinked tetrahedral chains characteristic of the high pressure C2/c symmetry of Si Ca-poor pyroxenes. In orthopyroxenes, with Pbca symmetry, Ge-pyroxenes have volume larger than Si-pyroxenes. Samples along the system CaCoGe2O6 - CoCoGe2O6 have been synthesized at three different temperatures: 1050 °C, 1200 °C and 1250 °C. The aim of these solid state syntheses was to obtain a solid solution at ambient pressure, since the analogues Si-system needs high pressure. Unfortunately, very limited solution occurs because the structure forms of the two end member (high temperature for CaCoGe2O6 and high pressure CoCoGe2O6) are incompatible. The phase diagram of this system has been sketched and compared to that of Si. The cobalt end member (CoCoGe2O6) is stable at ambient pressure in two symmetries: at 1050 °C C2/c and 1200 °C Pbca. The impurity phase formed during these experiments is cobalt spinel. Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the vibrational properties of Ca-pyroxenes CaCoGe2O6, CaMgGe2O6, CaMgSi2O6 and CaCoSi2O6. A comparison between silicate and germanate pyroxenes shows significant changes in peak positions of the corresponding modes caused mainly by the difference of the Ge-Si atomic weight along with the distortion and compression of the coordination polyhedra. Red shift in Raman spectra of germanates has been calculated by a rough scale factor calculated by a simple harmonic oscillator model, considering the different bond lengths for 4-coordinated Si ~ 1.60- 1.65 Å vs Ge–O distance ~1.70 - 1.80 Å. The Raman spectra of CaMgGe2O6 and CaCoGe2O6 have been classified, in analogy with silicate (Wang et al., 2001) counterparts, in different ranges: - R1 (880-640 cm-1): strong T-O stretching modes of Ge and non-bridging O1 and O2 atoms within the GeO4 tetrahedron; - R2 (640-480 cm-1): stretching/bending modes of Ge-Obr-Ge bonds (chain stretching and chain bending); - R4 (480-360 cm-1): O-Ge-O vibrations; - R3 (360-240 cm-1): motions of the cations in M2 and M1 sites correlated with tetrahedral chain motion and tilting tetrahedra; - R5 (below 240 cm-1): lattice modes. The largest shift with respect to CaMgSi2O6 - CaCoSi2O6 is shown by the T-O stretching and chain modes. High-pressure Raman spectroscopy (up to about 8 GPa) on the same samples of Ca-pyroxenes using an ETH-type diamond anvil cell shows no phase transition within the P-ranges investigated, as all the peak positions vary linearly as a function of pressure. Our data confirm previous experimental findings on Si-diopside (Chopelas and Serghiou, 2000). In the investigated samples, all the Raman peaks shift upon compression, but the major changes in wavenumber with pressure are attributed to the chain bending (Ge-Obr-Ge bonds) and tetrahedra stretching modes (Ge-Onbr). Upon compression, the kinking angle, the bond lengths and T-T distances between tetrahedra decrease and consequently the wavenumber of the bending chain mode and tetrahedra stretching mode increases. Ge-pyroxenes show the higher P-induced peak-position shifts, being more compressible than corresponding silicates. The vibrational properties of CaM2+Ge2O6 (M2+ =Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) are reported for the first time. The wavenumber of Ge-Obr-Ge bending modes decreases linearly with increasing ionic radius of the M1 cation. No simple correlation has been found with M1 atomic mass or size or crystallographic parameters for the peak at ~850 cm-1 and in the low wavenumber regions. The magnetic properties of the system CaCoSi2O6 - CoCoSi2O6 have been investigated by magnetometry. The join is always characterized by 1 a.p.f.u. of cobalt in M1 site and this causes a pure collinear antiferromagnetic behaviour of the intra-chain superexchange interaction involving Co ions detected in all the measurements, while the magnetic order developed by the cobalt ions in M2 site (intra-chain) is affected by weak ferromagnetism, due to the non-collinearity of their antiferromagnetic interaction. In magnetically ordered systems, this non-collinearity effect promotes a spin canting of anti-parallel aligned magnetic moments and thus is a source of weak ferromagnetic behaviour in an antiferromagnetic. The weak ferromagnetism can be observed only for the samples with Co content higher than 0.5 a.p.f.u. in M2, when the concentration is sufficiently high to create a long range order along the M2 chain which is magnetically independent of M1 chain. The ferromagnetism was detected both in the M(T) at 10 Oe and M(H).

A TV DE MASSA E AS NOVAS ESTRATÉGIAS NARRATIVAS Um estudo sobre audiências e programas contemporâneos

Esta tese aborda o declínio da audiência das grandes redes de TV aberta e os recursos narrativos que os produtores de programas adotaram para enfrentar essa tendência mundial. O estudo traz um panorama da situação da audiência no âmbito internacional e foca, particularmente, o caso do Brasil, onde três grandes emissoras mantém, no conjunto, uma das mais altas concentrações de público do mundo. Depois de analisar a fragmentação das audiências televisivas nas duas últimas décadas e os números que indicam a crescente dispersão dos telespectadores entre múltiplas ofertas de mídia disponíveis nos dias atuais, o trabalho discute as estratégias de programação e de construção de conteúdos. Além de teóricos que pesquisaram a chamada semiótica televisiva , servem de base para a investigação depoimentos de produtores e análises de programas de grande audiência. O objetivo é revelar os procedimentos utilizados para atrair e manter a atenção dos telespectadores, os quais começam com as medições de audiência e os estudos sobre o comportamento dos consumidores em relação à TV. A tese discute também como ocorre a exposição dos telespectadores em um ambiente onde existem várias opções de dispositivos para ver atrações televisivas ou para fazer outras atividades comunicacionais. A escolha deste tema de investigação partiu do princípio de que a exposiçao é condição essencial para sustentar o estudo de outras fases e outros aspectos do processo de comunicação, como a influência dos meios sobre a cultura e a sociedade. Em um contexto onde a mídia ocupa tanto tempo de nosso cotidiano, o impacto dos meios de comunicação de massa pode ser diretamente proporcional ao número de pessoas que eles alcançam e aos nossos hábitos de consumo de informação e entretenimento.

MARKETING DE RELACIONAMENTO NAS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR: Estudo de caso da Universidade Metodista de São Paulo e da Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba

O marketing de relacionamento como ferramenta para atrair e fidelizar os alunos do ensino superior privado é o tema desta pesquisa. Trata-se de um estudo de caso múltiplo incorporado enfocando a Universidade Metodista de São Paulo (UMESP) e a Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba (UNIMEP) e que tem como objetivos principais apontar fatores que motivam os estudantes a escolher determinadas instituições de ensino superior, identificar a maneira como elas atuam na tarefa de atraí-los com vistas a estabelecer um relacionamento e uma comunicação eficientes com esses públicos de interesse e fidelizálos, bem como analisar a real efetividade das ações desenvolvidas pelas IESs. Propõe-se uma incursão teórica para abordar motivações psicológicas, culturais, econômicas e sociais relacionadas ao ato de consumir e estabelecer uma correlação com o consumidor-aluno . Discutem-se também características do marketing de relacionamento associadas ao contexto educacional e apontam-se dificuldades/desafios vivenciados pelas instituições nos esforços de criar e estreitar os laços com os estudantes com vistas a tornar tais laços duradouros. Foram aplicados 1.400 questionários em ambas as universidades a fim de identificar, entre outros aspectos, atributos desejáveis de uma IES, fatores influenciadores para o abandono dela e características associadas a processos comunicacionais que representam diferenciais. O estudo apontou que, apesar de as dificuldades financeiras serem um componente que interfere na atração e na fidelização dos alunos, outros também são determinantes, como o nível de excelência de ensino, o corpo docente e a qualidade do relacionamento que as instituições de ensino estabelecem com tais públicos. Tal qualidade passa, obrigatoriamente, por atributos como liberdade para expressar ideias, espaço de diálogo e transparência na comunicação, elementos desafiadores ao modelo vigente e estimuladores a um novo fazer educacional.

A TV DE MASSA E AS NOVAS ESTRATÉGIAS NARRATIVAS - Um estudo sobre audiências e programas contemporâneos

Esta tese aborda o declínio da audiência das grandes redes de TV aberta e os recursos narrativos que os produtores de programas adotaram para enfrentar essa tendência mundial. O estudo traz um panorama da situação da audiência no âmbito internacional e foca, particularmente, o caso do Brasil, onde três grandes emissoras mantém, no conjunto, uma das mais altas concentrações de público do mundo. Depois de analisar a fragmentação das audiências televisivas nas duas últimas décadas e os números que indicam a crescente dispersão dos telespectadores entre múltiplas ofertas de mídia disponíveis nos dias atuais, o trabalho discute as estratégias de programação e de construção de conteúdos. Além de teóricos que pesquisaram a chamada semiótica televisiva , servem de base para a investigação depoimentos de produtores e análises de programas de grande audiência. O objetivo é revelar os procedimentos utilizados para atrair e manter a atenção dos telespectadores, os quais começam com as medições de audiência e os estudos sobre o comportamento dos consumidores em relação à TV. A tese discute também como ocorre a exposição dos telespectadores em um ambiente onde existem várias opções de dispositivos para ver atrações televisivas ou para fazer outras atividades comunicacionais. A escolha deste tema de investigação partiu do princípio de que a exposiçao é condição essencial para sustentar o estudo de outras fases e outros aspectos do processo de comunicação, como a influência dos meios sobre a cultura e a sociedade. Em um contexto onde a mídia ocupa tanto tempo de nosso cotidiano, o impacto dos meios de comunicação de massa pode ser diretamente proporcional ao número de pessoas que eles alcançam e aos nossos hábitos de consumo de informação e entretenimento.

Binding and hydrodynamic properties of muscarinic receptor subtypes solubilized in 3-(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate

The muscarinic receptor from the cerebral cortex, heart, and lacrimal gland can be solubilized in the zwitterionic detergent 3-(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio-2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPSO) with retention of high affinity [3H]N-methyls-copolamine binding. However, in this detergent there are significant differences in the binding properties of the receptors, compared with those observed in membranes and digitonin solution. Some agents retain a degree of selectivity. In the heart and cortex, agonists can bind with high affinity to a receptor-GTP-binding protein complex. A second, lower affinity, agonist binding state is also present, which resembles a class of sites seen in membranes but not in digitonin solution. The high affinity agonist binding state has been resolved from the lower affinity state on sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Hydrodynamic analysis suggests that the high affinity state is approximately 110,000 Da larger than the lower affinity state. The binding properties of the receptor in CHAPSO can be altered to those seen in digitonin by exchanging detergents after CHAPSO solubilization.

Liposomes based on dimethyldioctadecylammonium promote a depot effect and enhance immunogenicity of soluble antigen

The mechanism behind the immunostimulatory effect obtained with the cationic liposomal vaccine adjuvant DDA:TDB remains unclear. One of the proposed hypotheses is the 'depot effect' in which the liposomal carrier helps to retain the antigen at the injection site thereby increasing the time of vaccine exposure to the immune cells. In the present study we devise a method to quantify the in vivo movement of liposomes and vaccine antigen using the radioisotopes H(3) and I(125) respectively. H(3)-labeled liposomes composed of dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) or an 8:1 molar ratio of DDA and trehalose 6,6-dibehenate (TDB) were administered in combination with I(125)-labeled Ag85B-ESAT-6 antigen, both via intramuscular and subcutaneous injection to mice. Furthermore characterisation of the liposomal system in simulated in vivo conditions was undertaken. Our results show that this dual-labeling technique is functional and reproducible. The administration of Ag85B-ESAT-6 without a liposomal carrier leads to rapid dissemination of the antigen from the site of injection. The administration of Ag85B-ESAT-6 together with either DDA or DDA:TDB liposomes however leads to deposition of the antigen at the injection site with detectable levels still being present 14 days post injection. Neither the incorporation of TDB nor the route of injection had any significant influence on the depot effect of DDA-based liposomes. The presence of TDB in DDA liposomes improves draining of liposomes to the lymph node in addition to increasing monocyte influx to the site of injection as highlighted by the intensive blue colouring of the injection site after pontamine blue staining of phagocytic cells in vivo. Our findings provide conclusive evidence for a cationic liposome-mediated deposition of antigen at the injection site with improved monocyte infiltration.

Employment outcomes and plant closure in a post-industrial city:an analysis of the labour market studies of MG Rover workers three years on

This paper examines how the loss of 6300 jobs from the closure of MG Rover (MGR) in the city of Birmingham (UK) in April 2005 affected the employment trajectories of ex-workers, in the context of wider structural change and efforts at urban renewal. The paper presents an analysis of a longitudinal survey of 300 ex-MGR workers, and examines to what extent the state of local labour markets and workers’ geographical mobility—as well as the effectiveness of the immediate policy response and longer-term local economic strategies—may have helped to balance the impacts of personal attributes associated with workers’ employability and their reabsorption into the labour markets. It is found that the relative buoyancy of the local economy, the success of longer-run efforts at diversification and a strong policy response and retraining initiative helped many disadvantaged workers to find new jobs in the medium term. However, the paper also highlights the unequal employment outcomes and trajectories that many lesser-skilled workers faced. It explores the policy issues arising from such closures and their aftermath, such as the need to co-ordinate responses, to retain institutional capacity, to offer high-quality training and education resources to workers and, where possible, to slow down such closure processes to enable skills to be retained and reused within the local economy.