The organizational culture of a Brazilian public hospital

The objective of this research was to analyze the organizational culture of a Brazilian public hospital. It is a descriptive study with quantitative approach of data, developed in a public hospital of São Paulo State, Brazil. The sample was composed by 52 nurses and 146 nursing technicians and auxiliaries. Data were collected from January to June 2011 using the Brazilian Instrument for Assessing Organizational Culture – IBACO. The analysis of the organizational values showed the existence of hierarchical rigidity and centralization of power within the institution, as well as individualism and competition, which hinders teamwork. The values concerning workers’ well-being, satisfaction and motivation were not highly valued. In regard to organizational practices, the promotion of interpersonal relationship, continuous education, and rewarding practices were not valued either. It becomes apparent that traditional models of work organization support work practices and determine the organizational culture of the hospital.


Combining molecular evolution and environmental genomics to unravel adaptive processes of MHC class IIB diversity in European minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus)

Host-pathogen interactions are a major evolutionary force promoting local adaptation. Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) represent unique candidates to investigate evolutionary processes driving local adaptation to parasite communities. The present study aimed at identifying the relative roles of neutral and adaptive processes driving the evolution of MHC class IIB (MHCIIB) genes in natural populations of European minnows (Phoxinus phoxinus). To this end, we isolated and genotyped exon 2 of two MHCIIB gene duplicates (DAB1 and DAB3) and 1665 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers in nine populations, and characterized local bacterial communities by 16S rDNA barcoding using 454 amplicon sequencing. Both MHCIIB loci exhibited signs of historical balancing selection. Whereas genetic differentiation exceeded that of neutral markers at both loci, the populations' genetic diversities were positively correlated with local pathogen diversities only at DAB3. Overall, our results suggest pathogen-mediated local adaptation in European minnows at both MHCIIB loci. While at DAB1 selection appears to favor different alleles among populations, this is only partially the case in DAB3, which appears to be locally adapted to pathogen communities in terms of genetic diversity. These results provide new insights into the importance of host-pathogen interactions in driving local adaptation in the European minnow, and highlight that the importance of adaptive processes driving MHCIIB gene evolution may differ among duplicates within species, presumably as a consequence of alternative selective regimes or different genomic context.

Plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity - are we looking at the relevant levels of diversity and are we using the right techniques?

Fungal symbionts commonly occur in plants influencing host growth, physiology, and ecology (Carlile et al., 2001). However, while whole-plant growth responses to biotrophic fungi are readily demonstrated, it has been much more difficult to identify and detect the physiological mechanisms responsible. Previous work on the clonal grass Glyceria striata has revealed that the systemic fungal endophyte Epichloë glyceriae has a positive effect on clonal growth of its host (Pan & Clay, 2002; 2003). The latest study from these authors, in this issue (pp. 467- 475), now suggests that increased carbon movement in hosts infected by E. glyceriae may function as one mechanism by which endophytic fungi could increase plant growth. Given the widespread distribution of both clonal plants and symbiotic fungi, this research will have implications for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of fungus-plant associations in natural communities.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 3, no.1, March/April 1998

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol.1, no. 6, January/February 1997

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 2, no. 1, March/April 1997

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 2, no. 2, May/June 1997

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 2, no.3, July/August 1997

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 2, no.4, September/October 1997

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 2, no.5, November/December 1997

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 2, no.6, January/February 1998

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 3, no.1, March/April 1998

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 4, no.1, October, 1999

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.

Team Diversity Newsletter, Vol 3, no.2, May/June 1998

Newsletter produced by Iowa Civil Right Commission for the community about the community.