Interview with Leonard Hewell "Kip" Carter

In his February 10, 2012 interview with Robert Ryals, Leonard Hewell “Kip” Carter details growing up in the South during segregation and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as his life as political aide/campaign treasurer to Newt Gingrich. Included are details of his college education at UNC-Chapel Hill – classes, professor, and the Red Scare. Carter shares the history of his friendship and working relationship with Newt Gingrich, the scandals Gingrich faced, and the ultimate end of their relationship. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Expressão de uma quitinase de Metarhizium anisopliae em Nicotiana tabacum : obtenção de plantas transgênicas resistentes a doenças fúngicas

A resistência a doenças em plantas transgênicas tem sido obtida por meio da expressão de genes isolados de bactérias, fungos micoparasitas e plantas. Neste trabalho, relatamos a utilização de um gene do fungo entomopatogênico Metarhizium anisopliae como modo de gerar resistência a doenças fúngicas em plantas. O gene chit1 codifica a quitinase CHIT42 (EC 3.2.1.14), pertencente a uma classe de glicosil-hidrolases capazes de converter quitina em oligômeros de N-acetil-glicosamina (NAcGlc). Quando presentes em tecidos vegetais, supõese que as quitinases ataquem especificamente a parede celular de fungos invasores, provocando danos às hifas e causando a morte por lise das células fúngicas. Deste modo, dois diferentes grupos de plantas transgênicas de Nicotiana tabacum foram produzidos: no primeiro deles, denominado chitplus, os indivíduos possuem o gene chit1 sob o controle do promotor CaMV 35S. O segundo grupo, demoninado chitless, consiste de plantas transformadas com um T-DNA não contendo o gene do fungo. Trinta e quatro plantas transgênicas resistentes à canamicina (17 de cada grupo) foram regeneradas a partir de discos de folhas infectados por Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A produção da quitinase em extratos protéicos de folhas foi analisada por zimogramas em SDS-PAGE contendo glicol-quitina e corados por calcoflúor branco, na forma de um screening dos transgênicos primários. As plantas transgênicas foram testadas, ainda, por meio de ensaios colorimétricos empregando oligômeros sintéticos de NAcGlc como substratos específicos, além de immunoblot e Western blot com soro anti-quitinase. A quantidade de enzima recombinante nas plantas chitplus variou desde nenhuma atividade detectável a elevados níveis de expressão da enzima. A hibridização de Southern blot demonstrou que o número de cópias do gene chit1 integradas no genoma vegetal foi estimado entre uma e quatro. A primeira geração de plantas transgênicas geradas por autofecundação de parentais portadores de duas cópias do transgene foi testada com relação à estabilidade da herança do transgene e em 43 de um total de 67 descendentes, originados de quatro cruzamentos independentes, o padrão de segregação não diferiu das proporções Mendelianas esperadas. Ensaios de resistência, desafiando as plantas transgênicas com o basidiomiceto Rhizoctonia solani foram realizados e uma evidente diminuição da área foliar contendo lesões fúngicas foi observada entre as linhagens transgênicas, embora variações na atividade quitinolítica tenham influenciado o nível de resistência. Nossos resultados sugerem uma relação direta entre a atividade específica de quitinase e ao aumento nos níveis de resistência às lesões causadas pela infecção por R. solani.

Aplicação de modelos de avaliação por múltiplos no Brasil

Com base na literatura internacional, testa-se o desempenho de alguns Drivers de Valor comumente utilizados para avaliação de empresas pelos práticos em finanças através de modelos de regressão simples do tipo cross-section que estimam os Múltiplos de Mercado (?'s dos modelos). Utilizando dados de empresas listadas na Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo-Bovespa, diagnostica-se o comportamento dos diversos múltiplos no decorrer do período entre 1994-2004, atentando-se também para as particularidades das atividades desempenhadas pelas empresas da amostra (e seus possíveis impactos no desempenho de cada Driver de Valor) através de uma subseqüente análise com a separação das empresas da amostra em setores. Extrapolando os padrões de avaliação por múltiplos simples usados pelos analistas de empresas das principais instituições financeiras presentes no Brasil, verifica-se que a introdução de intercepto na formulação tradicional não oferece resultados satisfatórios na redução dos erros de apreçamento. Os resultados encontrados podem não ser genericamente representativos, dada a limitada disponibilidade de informações e as restrições impostas na obtenção da base de dados.

Auditoria das demonstrações financeiras: impactos de novas regulações e tendências da atividade

Esta pesquisa foi elaborada com a intenção de discutir uma das questões mais atuais que envolve o cenário de incertezas quanto à credibilidade das demonstrações financeiras, o que afeta diretamente a atividade de auditoria independente. No conjunto dos fatores que contribuem para esse quadro, destaca-se, com ênfase na realidade brasileira, a intensificação das ações dos órgãos reguladores da referida atividade, através de novas regras que passam a vigorar no final da década de 1990. Salienta-se que, diante da escassa bibliografia sobre o assunto, este trabalho também toma como referência entrevistas realizadas com profissionais de empresas de auditoria e representantes de órgãos reguladores da atividade no Brasil. Demonstra-se que os principais aspectos em discussão fundamentam-se na independência profissional e no controle de qualidade das auditorias, destacando-se: o rodízio das empresas de auditoria; a prestação de serviços de consultoria; a revisão de qualidade pelos pares; e controle de qualidade interno. Na conclusão, apontam-se os impactos positivos e negativos decorrentes das novas regras de regulação e tendências da atividade. Por fim, considera-se a ética profissional como fator imprescindível na credibilidade do processo de elaboração e divulgação das demonstrações financeiras.

Essays on finance and macroeconomy

I study the asset-pricing implications in an cnviromncnt with feedback traders and rational arbitrageurs. Feedback traders are defined as possible naive investors who buy after a raise in prices and sell after a drop in prices. I consider two types of feedback strategies: (1) short-term (SF), motivated by institutional rulcs as top-losscs and margin calls and (2) long-tcrm (LF), motivated by representativeness bias from non-sophisticated investors. Their presence in the market follows a stochastic regime swift process. Short lived assumption for the arbitrageurs prevents the correction of the misspricing generated by feedback strategies. The estimated modcl using US data suggests that the regime switching is able to capture the time varying autocorrclation of returns. The segregation of feedback types helps to identify the long term component that otherwise would not show up due to the large movements implied by the SF typc. The paper also has normativo implications for practioners since it providos a methodology to identify mispricings driven by feedback traders.

A provisão pública de ensino superior como mecanismo de seleção por habilidade: evidências para o Brasil

Este trabalho investiga os fatores associados à segregação de alunos entre o Ensino Superior provido publicamente e aquele oferecido pelo setor privado. Com base em dados da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD/IBGE), são encontrados indícios de que um ano a mais de estudo da mãe do aluno afeta positivamente (0,3 ponto percentual) a probabilidade de o aluno ingressar na rede pública. Em relação à qualidade do Ensino Superior, representada pela nota agregada ao longo do curso da prova objetiva do componente específico do Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes (Enade), são encontradas evidências de uma maior qualidade do bem ofertado publicamente em comparação à rede privada: alunos de instituições públicas apresentam nota agregada 6,17 pontos mais elevada. Usando o método de decomposição de Oaxaca-Blinder sobre a nota do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (Enem) do aluno ingressante, encontra-se que apenas um terço do diferencial de -0,61 pontos na nota entre os alunos da rede privada e os da pública pode ser explicado pelas variáveis observáveis utilizadas, enquanto dois terços do diferencial estariam associados a variáveis não-observáveis, como a habilidade inata do aluno. A nota do Enem, líquida das demais variáveis observáveis, estaria representando, portanto, as características intrínsecas do aluno, inclusive habilidade. Ao se usar esta nota do Enem líquida como variável explicativa na decomposição da nota do Enade de formação geral do ingressante, tem-se que mais de 90% do diferencial de notas entre as redes de ensino podem ser explicados pelas observáveis, e a nota do Enem líquida é o principal fator responsável por explicar este diferencial de notas.

Biosystematics of the Genus Andryala L. (Asteraceae)

Andryala (Asteraceae: Cichorieae) is a little-known Mediterranean-Macaronesian genus whose taxonomy is much in need of revision. The aim of the present biosystematic study was to elucidate species relationships within this genus based on morphological and molecular data. In this study several taxa are recognised: 17 species, 14 subspecies, and 3 hybrids. Among these, 5 species are Macaronesian endemics (A. glandulosa, A. sparsiflora, A. crithmifolia Aiton, A. pinnatifida, and A. perezii), 4 species are Northwest African endemics (A. mogadorensis, A. maroccana, A. chevallieri, and A. nigricans) and one species is endemic to Romania (A. laevitomentosa). Historical background regarding taxonomic delimitation in the genus is addressed from Linnaean to present day concepts, as well as the origin of the name Andryala. The origin of Asteraceae and the systematic position of Andryala is shortly summarised. The morphological study was based on a bibliographic review and the revision of 1066 specimens of 13 herbaria as well as additional material collected during fieldwork. The variability of the morphological characters of the genus, including both vegetative taxonomic characters (root, stem, leaf and indumentum characters) and reproductive ones (inflorescence, floret, fruit and pappus characters), is assessed. Numerical analysis of the morphological data was performed using different similarity or dissimilarity measures and coefficients, as well as ordination and clustering methods. Results support the segregation of the recognised taxa and the congruence of the several analyses in the separation of the recognised taxa (using quantitative, binary or multi-state characters). The proposed taxonomy for Andryala includes a new infra-generic classification, new taxa and new combinations and ranks, typifications and diagnostic keys (one for the species and several for subspecies). For each taxon a list of synonyms, typification comments and a detailed description are provided, just as comments on taxonomy and nomenclature, and a brief discussion on karyology. Additionally, information on ecology and conservation status as well as on distribution and a list of studied material are also presented. Phylogenetic analyses based on different nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers, using Bayesian and maximum parsimony methods of inference, were performed. Results support three main lineages: separate ones for the relict species A. agardhii and A. laevitomentosa and a third including the majority of the Andryala species that underwent a relatively rapid and recent speciation. They also suggest a single colonization event of Madeira and the Canary Islands from the Mediterranean region, followed by insular speciation. Biogeography and speciation within the genus are briefly discussed, including a proposal for the centre of origin of the genus and possible dispersal routes.

Espaços de pobreza e mobilidade urbana: os deslocamentos da população de baixa renda em Natal/RN

This dissertation is an attempt to understand how families with an income of up to three minimum wages and living in different Areas of Demographic Expansion (AEDs) of Natal municipality specifically in the districts of Igapó and Salinas (North Administrative Zone of the city), Ponta Negra (South Administrative Zone), Santos Reis, Praia do Meio, Areia Preta and Mãe Luíza (East Administrative Zone) and Felipe Camarão (West Administrative Zone) solve their problems of urban mobility. It is, therefore, a reflection upon the mobility needs of poor urban households as expressed in terms of origin-destiny displacements for specific movements (house-work, house-school, house-shopping, house-healthcare and house-leisure), all of which being analyzed within the relationship between public transportation and poverty spaces of the city. In order to develop the study, theoretical aspects and themes related to the production of the urban space, to social and spatial segregation, to urban mobility and to transportation were confronted with the collected data referring to the urban population previously selected. One of the research main findings is the crucial role mobility plays in the social differentiation of such people living in Natal and that any policy for the improvement of their living conditions must take mobility issues into account

Arquitetura da (in)segurança: estudando relações entre configuração espacial, artifícios de segurança e violência urbana no bairro Manaíra, João Pessoa, Paraíba

João Pessoa, the capital city of the state of Paraíba (Northeast Brazil), is reputed throughout the country as a quiet place, although it has been acquiring, over the past years, an urban character with social implications similar to those of major metropolitan Brazilian areas. The new situation is evident by the social inequalities, with the creation of confined spaces, which segregate and cause enclosure of the inhabitants, leading to death the public space. This study correlates accessibility in spatial structure with two types of crime data, burglary and robbery, recorded in 2008 and 2009, by the Secretaria de Segurança da Paraíba (The government agency public in charge of safety), in the district of Manaíra, an upper middle class neighborhood, which has, in recent times, been considered one of the most violent areas in João Pessoa. Sought to understand connections between these events and morpho-social aspects of the built environment, where examined the spatial properties, such as accessibility of the urban net, the presence of control measures, the safety of buildings and their uses. Spatial properties were also validated by the observation of pedestrian flows at strategic points of the study area. It was concluded that the presence of intense flows helps to attract potential thieves, physical security and control offers little protection

Exclusão social e projetos habitacionais. Um estudo sobre conjuntos habitacionais, segregação e exclusão social em Natal/RN

In Natal s urban growth process it is given that the performance period of the National Housing Bank (BNH, 1964-1986) was marked by the intense expansion of the urban grid and configuration of outskirts, through the construction of social housing developments. Implanted in segregated areas of the existing formal city, the population installed in these complexes was also excluded from their rights, considering that the housing defines itself not only by the physical dwelling, but also by its access to urban infrastructure, facilities, services, and others. From this reality and the verification of the city s exclusion and sociospatial segregation processes, we aimed to quantitatively demonstrate levels of social exclusion in Natal, based on the methodology developed by Sposati (2000) and adapted by Genovez (2002), which relates IBGE s (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) database underlying variables such as income, schooling and dwelling s quality. The research unveiled some spatial patterns promoted by the social housings: in these areas islands were developed with higher indicators than surrounding areas, revealing internal hierarchies in the city s outskirts

Entre o mar e estrela, um lugar para se bem viver : a problemática da expansão urbana da Cidade de Baía Formosa/RN

The urban expansion problem of Baía Formosa, a southern edge city of de Rio Grande do Norte eastern coast, which has been presented in other coast Brazilian towns, specially on those with tourist activities increase. Therefore, this situation brings huge concerns to their inhabitants, to their technical /scientific community and to the governments, because of the conflicts of interest and of the growth of urban problems that this has been created. At Baía Formosa, the situation is aggravated because the city is confined, once around it, there are large private proprieties, environmental preservation area and the sea, at the eastern edge. The objectives of this study are the analyses of this city expansion process in order to obtain adequate alternatives and defining methodology to apply in other urban nucleus that are subjected to similar situations. Of course, presents social relations, environmental conditions and promoting local population insertion should be considered in order that enjoin this process and contributing to a better social balance. This case study has used bibliography research, field data, maps and soil occupation recorders and photographs of the area, besides the primary data gathering by surveys carried out with many social actors. The present analysis shows that the urban expansion observed today is featured by a recent unsustainable model, which attacks the environment and brings either farm conflicts. On the other hand, the ecological tourism can represent an alternative in order to achieve an adequate expansion form, without forgetting the several structural parameters necessary to support the sustainable activities

Depois das fronteiras: a formação dos espaços de pobreza na periferia norte de Natal-RN

The periphery of the city of Natal was built during the last 20 years, trough informal land developments. This dissertation analyses the urbanization of Natal`s North Zone, the largest residential area in the city where 40% of the population lives. This urban space is characterized as a space of poverty because of its majority of low income dwellers as well as lack of infrastructure. The main objective here is to identify and characterize this space as well as resulting segregation. Variables as income, space morphology, residential typology and the history of real estate development as well as dweller`s history of life are analysed

Geografia da dominação: um estudo sobre a organização espacial da terra do sal (Macau-RN)

This work aims to understand the spatial organization in the Town of Macau, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This approach focus on bringing back the history of the town, the main personages responsible for the construction of this place, denominated "social agents", as well as its social processes and the spatial forms derived from them. As the personages and their practices were identified, it was found out the existence of a driving force for structuring, interlocking, and maintaining the actions carried out by the social agents during the time. Such actions were materialized in the urban space: "the social segregation". The social segregation takes place as a specific geography of domination. The outcome of those owning the best areas" and ways of accessibility in the urban space, varies from the enrichment by property valorization, because of the concentration of public investments of infrastructure, to the comfort of easily reaching all the daily needs related to the displacements in the urban space. In the latter case, such facility has contributed to improve life quality. While one takes advantage of the location in the urban space, others are negatively affected by the same process. This research identified the salina worker as the weakest element of this social structure, occupying the urban periphery of the town of Macau. Such area is characterized by the lack of services and urban equipment in opposition to the center of the town, the locus of elite. This way, it is established the most known segregation pattern: center x periphery, in which the space acts as a mechanism of segregation

Acessibilidade no ambiente escolar: reflexões com base no estudo de duas escolas municipais de Natal-RN

This work was originated through the results of the analysis of the services for the needs of people with disabilities that were permitted by the physical space of two schools of the municipality of Natal/RN. The general objective/goal was to subsidize the elaboration of alternatives for the planning of environments that could be used by any person. The study used the empirical research through the adoption of a multimethod approach including: (i) technical visits oriented by the NBR 9050, (ii) contact with users that have reduced mobility (visually impaired and wheelchair or crutch users) through escorted travels and interviews, and (iii) interview with school managers. The evidence from the research, even though with significant development of laws that guarantee people with disabilities their right to citizenship, the physical environment of our schools still present with many obstacles that prevent the mobility of people with disabilities which proves their lack of readiness to accommodate them. Therefore, the actions taken to address the accessibility has been the adoption of temporary solutions that makes the adaptation more difficult, adds obstacles and reinforces the undesirable segregation, however still very present in our society. Finally, there is the indication that in order to achieve the spatial configuration that promotes social contact and integration in between the persons with different physical status, it is necessary to completely comprehend the activities developed in each space, from the conception of the equipment to the individual learning needs, having in mind creating environments that stimulates the execution of the tasks in an independent manner without the assistance of others. The inclusion regarding attention to accessibility in the decision making process, directed to the arquitectural and urban project, would decrease the constant need to redevelop and adapt spaces, and should be definitely incorporated as an important component in the production of space