Autonomy: an important component for nurses' job satisfaction

This quantitative pilot study (n = 178), conducted in a large Brisbane teaching hospital in Australia, found autonomy to be the most important job component for registered nurses' job satisfaction. The actual level of satisfaction with autonomy was 4.6, on a scale of 1 for very dissatisfied to 7 for very satisfied. The mean for job satisfaction was 4.3, with the job components professional status and interaction adding most substantially to the result. There was discontentment with the other two job components, which were Cask requirements and organisational policies. Demographic comparisons showed that nurses who were preceptors had significantly less job satisfaction than the other nurses at the hospital. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Complementation analysis of the flavivirus Kunjin NS3 and NS5 proteins defines the minimal regions essential for formation of a replication complex and shows a requirement of NS3 in cis for virus assembly

We have previously reported successful trans-complementation of defective Kunjin virus genomic RNAs with a range of large lethal deletions in the nonstructural genes NSI, NS3, and NS5 (A. A. Khromykh et al., J. Virol. 74:3253-3263, 2000). In this study we have mapped further the minimal region in the NS5 gene essential for efficient trans-complementation of genome-length RNAs in repBHK cells to the first 316 of the 905 codons. To allow amplification and easy detection of complemented defective RNAs with deletions apparently affecting virus assembly, we have developed a dual replicon complementation system. In this system defective replicon RNAs with a deletion(s) in the nonstructural genes also encoded the puromycin resistance gene (PAC gene) and the reporter gene for beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal). Complementation of these defective replicon RNAs in repBHK cells resulted in expression of PAC and beta-Gal which allowed establishment of cell lines stably producing replicating defective RNAs by selection with puromycin and comparison of replication efficiencies of complemented defective RNAs by beta-Gal assay. Using this system we demonstrated that deletions in the C-terminal 434 codons of NS3 (codons 178 to 611) were complemented for RNA replication, while any deletions in the first 178 codons were not. None of the genome-length RNAs containing deletions in NS3 shown to be complementable for RNA replication produced secreted defective viruses during complementation in repBHK cells. In contrast, structural proteins produced from these complemented defective RNAs were able to package helper replicon RNA. The results define minimal regions in the NS3 and NS5 genes essential for the formation of complementable replication complex and show a requirement of NS3 in cis for virus assembly.

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus serially passaged in cell culture

Rapid accumulation of few polyhedra (FP) mutants was detected during serial passaging of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaSNPV) in cell culture. 100% FP infected cells were observed by passage 6. The specific yield decreased from 178 polyhedra per cell at passage 2 to two polyhedra per cell at passage 6. The polyhedra at passage 6 were not biologically active, with a 28-fold reduction in potency compared to passage 3. Electron microscopy studies revealed that very few polyhedra were produced in an FP infected cell (< 10 polyhedra per section) and in most cases these polyhedra contained no virions. A specific failure in the intranuclear nucleocapsid envelopment process in the FP infected cells, leading to the accumulation of naked nucleocapsids, was observed. Genomic restriction endonuclease digestion profiles of budded virus DNA from all passages did not indicate any large DNA insertions or deletions that are often associated with such FP phenotypes for the extensively studied Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus and Gaileria mellonella nucleopolyhedrovirus. Within an HaSNPV 25K FP gene homologue, a single base-pair insertion (an adenine residue) within a region of repetitive sequences (seven adenine residues) was identified in one plaque-purified HaSNPV FP mutant. Furthermore, the sequences obtained from individual clones of the 25KFP gene PCR products of a late passage revealed point mutations or single base-pair insertions occurring throughout the gene. The mechanism of FP mutation in HaSNPV is likely similar to that seen for Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus, involving point mutations or small insertions/deletions of the 25K FP gene.

Intraindividual allometric development of aerobic power in 8- to 16-year-old boys

Purpose: The aims of this study are two-fold: first, to analyze intraindividual allometric development of aerobic power of 73 boys followed at annual intervals from 8 to 16 yr, and second, to relate scaled aerobic power with level of habitual physical activity and biological maturity status. Methods: Peak (V) over dot O-2 (treadmill), height, and body mass were measured. Biological maturity was based on age at peak height velocity (PHV) and level of physical activity was based on five assessments between 11 and 15 yr and at 17 yr. Interindividual and intraindividual allometric coefficients were calculated. Multilevel modeling was applied to verify if maturity status and activity explain a significant proportion of peak (V) over dot O-2 after controlling for other explanatory characteristics. Results: At most age levels, interindividual allometry coefficients for body mass exceed k = 0.750. Intraindividual coefficients of peak (V) over dot O-2 by body mass vary widely and range from k' = 0,555 to k' = 1,178. Late maturing boys have smaller k' coefficients than early maturing boys. Conclusion: Peak (V) over dot O-2 is largely explained by body mass, but activity level and its interaction with maturity status contribute independently to peak (V) over dot O-2 even after adjusting for body mass.

Extra-pair paternity and mate-guarding behaviour in the brown thornbill

We used multilocus DNA fingerprinting to assess parentage in the brown thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla, a socially monogamous Australian passerine. Extra-pair paternity was uncommon (6.2% of 178 offspring; 11.9% of 67 broods) and there was no evidence of intra-specific brood parasitism. Extra-pair paternity was limited because pairs spent more time together when females were fertile and males were able to evict intruding males before they could approach the female. Males were responsible for the close proximity of partners during the fertile period. Mate guarding therefore appears to be a male tactic aimed at preventing female infidelity rather than a cooperative behaviour of the pair aimed at preventing extra-pair copulations and/or female harassment. Females did not attempt to escape male guarding and were rarely observed to solicit copulations from intruding males. Nevertheless, females paired to smaller and younger males were more likely to cuckold their mates than females paired to larger and older males. This suggests that females may be more likely to seek or accept extra-pair matings when paired to small, young males or that old, large males are better at preventing their mates from engaging in extra-pair copulations. We found that male age but not male size influences mate-guarding behaviour. Older males tended to respond more aggressively to intruders. We therefore speculate that the relationship between male size/age and extra-pair paternity in brown thornbills may arise because female thornbills prefer large males as mates but are unable to express this preference as easily when paired to older males.

Production of the baculovirus-expressed dengue virus glycoprotein NS1 can be improved dramatically with optimised regimes for fed-batch cultures and the addition of the insect moulting hormone, 20-Hydroxyecdysone

A perennial problem in recombinant protein expression is low yield of the product of interest. A strategy which has been shown to increase the production of baculovirus-expressed proteins is to utilise fed-batch cultures. One disadvantage of this approach is the time-consuming task of optimising the feeding strategy. Previously, a statistical optimisation routine was applied to develop a feeding strategy that increased the yield of beta-Galactosidase (beta-Gal) by 2.4-fold (Biotechnol. Bioeng, 59 (1998) 178). This involves the single addition of nutrient concentrates (amino acids, lipids. glucose and yeastolate ultrafiltrate) into Sf9 cell cultures grown in SF900II medium. In this study, it is demonstrated that this optimised fed-batch strategy developed for a high-yielding intracellular product beta-Gal could be applied successfully to a relatively low-yielding glycosylated and secreted product such as the dengue virus glycoprotein NS1. Optimised batch infections yielded 4 mug/ml of NS1 at a peak cell density of 4.2 x 10(6) cells/ml. In contrast. optimised fed-batch infections exhibited a 3-fold improvement in yield, with 12 mug ml of NS1 produced at a peak cell density of 11.3 x 10(6) cells/ml. No further improvements in yield were recorded when the feed volumes were doubled and the peak cell density was increased to 23 x 10(6) cells/ml, unless the cultures were stimulated by the addition of 4 mug/ml of 20-Hydroxyecdysone (an insect moulting hormone). In this case, the NS1 yield was increased to 20 mug/ml. which was nearly 5-fold higher than optimised batch cultures. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of ultrasonic properties of PAG and MAGIC polymer gel dosimeters

Ultrasonic speed of propagation and attenuation were investigated as a function of absorbed radiation dose in PAG and MAGIC polymer gel dosimeters. Both PAG and MAGIC gel dosimeters displayed a dependence of ultrasonic parameters on absorbed dose with attenuation displaying significant changes in the dose range investigated. The ultrasonic attenuation dose sensitivity at 4 MHz in MAGIC gels was determined to be 4.7 +/- 0.3 dB m(-1) Gy(-1) and for PAG 3.9 +/- 0.3 dB m(-1) Gy(-1). Ultrasonic speed dose sensitivities were 0.178 +/- 0.006 m s(-1) Gy(-1) for MAGIC gel and -0.44 +/- 0.02 m s(-1) Gy(-1) for PAG. Density and compressional elastic modulus were investigated to explain the different sensitivities of ultrasonic speed to radiation for PAG and MAGIC gels. The different sensitivities were found to be due to differences in the compressional elastic modulus as a function of dose for the two formulations. To understand the physical phenomena underlying the increase in ultrasonic attenuation with dose, the viscoelastic properties of the gels were studied. Results suggest that at ultrasonic frequencies, attenuation in polymer gel dosimeters is primarily due to volume viscosity. It is concluded that ultrasonic attenuation significantly increases with absorbed dose. Also, the ultrasonic speed in polymer gel dosimeters is affected by changes in dosimeter elastic modulus that are likely to be a result of polymerization. It is suggested that ultrasound is a sufficiently sensitive technique for polymer gel dosimetry.

Detection of Influenza type A virus by LightCycler RT-PCR

Using the Roche LightCycler we developed a real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using the Influenza A LightCycler RT-PCR (FA-LC-RTPCR) for the rapid detection of Influenza A. The assay was used to examine 178 nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) samples, from patients with clinically recognised respiratory tract infection, for the presence of Influenza A RNA. The results were then compared to a testing algorithm combining direct immunofluorescent assy (DFA) and a culture augmented DFA (CA-DFA) assay. In total, 76 (43%) specimens were positive and 98 (55%) specimens were negative by both the FA-LC-RTPCR and the DFA and CA-DFA algorithm. In addition, the FA-LC-RTPCR detected a further 4 (2%) positive specimens, which were confirmed by a conventional RT-PCR method. The high level of sensitivity and specificity, combined with the rapid turnaround time for results, makes the LC-RT-PCR assay suitable for the detection of Influenza A in clinical specimens.

Chk1 regulates the S phase checkpoint by coupling the physiological turnover and ionizing radiation-induced accelerated proteolysis of Cdc25A

Chk1 kinase coordinates cell cycle progression and preserves genome integrity. Here, we show that chemical or genetic ablation of human Chk1 triggered supraphysiological accumulation of the S phase-promoting Cdc25A phosphatase, prevented ionizing radiation (IR)-induced degradation of Cdc25A, and caused radioresistant DNA synthesis (RDS). The basal turnover of Cdc25A operating in unperturbed S phase required Chk1-dependent phosphorylation of serines 123, 178, 278, and 292. IR-induced acceleration of Cdc25A proteolysis correlated with increased phosphate incorporation into these residues generated by a combined action of Chk1 and Chk2 kinases. Finally, phosphorylation of Chk1 by ATM was required to fully accelerate the IR-induced degradation of Cdc25A. Our results provide evidence that the mammalian S phase checkpoint functions via amplification of physiologically operating, Chk1-dependent mechanisms.

Genetic and environmental risk factors and their interactions for Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population

The interaction between genetic and environmental factors for PD was examined in a Chinese population. It was found that although the intron 2 MAOB (GT)(n) repeat polymorphism was not associated with PID in the population, a relationship might have been masked by the protective effect of tea drinking. In individuals who did not drink tea (<1 cup/day), the possession of short length less than or equal to 178 bp (GT), alleles conferred a borderline significant increased risk for PD (adjusted OR = 1.47; C.l. = 1.03-2. 1). As the extent of tea consumption increased, the association between the less than or equal to178 bp allele and PD disappeared. This result suggests that the MAOB gene may be associated with PD in Chinese if the putative protective effect of tea drinking is taken into account. The significance of this finding is unclear as the study may be limited because of its marginal significance and limited numbers. However, it does demonstrate the importance of considering putative positive and negative environmental risk factors in any examination of genetic risk factors for PD. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A????es premiadas no 13?? Concurso Inova????o na Gest??o P??blica Federal 2008

Nesta publica????o, referente ao 13?? Concurso Inova????o na Gest??o P??blica Federal, o leitor encontrar?? iniciativas inovadoras nas seguintes ??reas: Arranjos institucionais para coordena????o e/ou implementa????o de pol??ticas p??blicas; atendimento ao cidad??o; melhoria dos processos de trabalho; planejamento, gest??o e desempenho institucional

Pergunte ao prefeito: divulga????o e controle de verbas p??blicas na educa????o

O Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento da Educa????o (FNDE) ?? o respons??vel pela capta????o e administra????o do sal??rio-educa????o, contribui????o de 2,5% que incide sobre as folhas de pagamento das empresas p??blicas e privadas. Entretanto, nem sempre os recursos chegavam integralmente ??s salas de aula. A solu????o foi encontrada na divulga????o da informa????o. Em coopera????o com o FNDE, a Radiobr??s passou a anunciar, nos intervalos da ???Voz do Brasil???, diariamente de segunda a sexta-feira, a lista de munic??pios contemplados, mesclada com spots de curta dura????o que explicavam a natureza dos conv??nios e estimulavam a a????o da comunidade com o slogan: ???Pergunte aos vereadores. Pergunte ao prefeito???. A iniciativa aumentou a efici??ncia na aplica????o dos recursos destinados ?? educa????o. O n??mero de den??ncias, encaminhadas ?? auditoria do FNDE, cresceu de 100 por ano para 20 por dia. Praticamente desapareceram as solicita????es de audi??ncias de prefeitos ao FNDE, a fim de influenciar a libera????o das verbas. A partir de junho de 1995, os recursos passaram a ser alocados diretamente ??s escolas em todo o Pa??s, o que aumentou o alcance do programa, sendo que o n??mero de cartas tipo contracheque expedidas cresceu de 100 mil para um milh??o

Iniciativas or??ament??rias sens??veis ?? quest??o de g??nero: dimens??es chave e exemplos pr??ticos

Este trabalho faz uma breve revis??o sobre as diferentes maneiras de se estruturar uma iniciativa or??ament??ria de g??nero, seja ela elaborada pelo governo ou pela sociedade civil, em n??vel local ou nacional, considerando todo o or??amento ou setores selecionados e dependendo do est??gio do ciclo or??ament??rio em que ela ?? realizada. Este estudo delineia uma estrutura para a an??lise de g??nero de or??amentos, relacionando os insumos ??s atividades, aos resultados e aos impactos e, a partir da??, apresenta alguns exemplos de an??lises de or??amento a partir da perspectiva de g??nero, em diferentes momentos do ciclo or??ament??rio, buscando experi??ncias em diferentes pa??ses. Tamb??m destaca dois princ??pios chave na an??lise do or??amento com enfoque no g??nero, a saber: 1) a avalia????o do impacto do or??amento tanto sobre o indiv??duo como sobre a fam??lia; e 2) o reconhecimento da contribui????o econ??mica do trabalho dom??stico n??o remunerado, a cargo basicamente das mulheres.

Os direitos invis??veis

A fala tranq??ila da subprocuradorageral da Rep??blica e Procuradora Federal dos Direitos do Cidad??o, Ela Wiecko Volkmer de Castilho, esconde uma grande inquieta????o quando o assunto ?? a defesa dos direitos culturais. ???Quando se pensa em direitos culturais, logo se associa a minorias ??tnicas, popula????es tradicionais ou em obras de arte e tradi????es folcl??ricas. Mas esse patrim??nio cultural, que n??o tem a grandiosidade de um monumento ou o grau de elabora????o de um livro, aquela coisa do dia-dia, das rela????es pessoais que se estabelecem em determinado grupo ou comunidade, que ?? tamb??m um patrim??nio cultural, n??o tem for??a???, afirma. Ela faz um alerta: ???na pr??tica, os direitos culturais s??o invis??veis, o que leva a viola????es sistem??ticas a este se a outros direitos humanos???.

Educa????o a dist??ncia: o estado da arte e o futuro necess??rio

Este artigo analisa alguns desafios que cercam a ado????o da Educa????o a Dist??ncia por institui????es de ensino, unidades de forma????o e qualifica????o profissional e de educa????o corporativa. Al??m disto, ?? sugerida uma agenda de pesquisa sobre EAD. O artigo trata do papel da EAD na educa????o continuada de adultos e na amplia????o do acesso ?? aprendizagem, em fun????o da possibilidade de intera????es ass??ncronas, mediadas por tecnologias da informa????o e comunica????o. Uma an??lise da situa????o EAD no Brasil mostra um grande crescimento da modalidade. Observa-se que ainda s??o raras as pesquisas sobre EAD no servi??o p??blico. H?? informa????es sugerindo que, em ??rg??os p??blicos com pr??ticas institucionalizadas de EAD, a modalidade representa uma valiosa e eficaz estrat??gia de inclus??o de pessoas em atividades de ensino-aprendizagem. S??o analisados alguns importantes desafios ligados ?? implementa????o e ao desenho de cursos a dist??ncia, e, al??m disto, ?? apresentada uma agenda de pesquisas para a ??rea.