Don's Party and the AV Jennings type 15 home

Australian housing underwent a watershed when 1960s mass-produced houses slowly started subscribing to a new aesthetic of continuous living spaces, known as the ‘open plan’ home. This created a new landscape for Australian playwrights to observe and explore in their work when representing domesticity on the stage. Instead of representing a single room of the house on the stage, plays such as ‘Don’s Party’, started to work with a number of openly connected spaces bound by doorways to private sections of the house or to specific outdoor areas. In representing this dialectic between interior and the exterior, private and public spaces in the home, the continuous spaces of the AV Jennings house in ‘Don’s Party’ acted to blur these conditions creating an outer interior. These connected spaces became the place for an outward performance on the family’s interiority, while simultaneously presenting a boundary to an inner interior in the offstage spaces of the home. This paper focuses on the play 'Don's Party' by David Williamson and how the spatial arrangements of the AV Jennings home, in which it was set, influenced the playwright. The research includes a textual analysis of the play, biographical research and interviews with the playwright alongside an analysis of the spatial arrangements of AV Jennings houses.

The effect of BCMO1 gene variants on macular pigment optical density in young healthy Caucasians

Background Serum lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) positively correlate with macular pigment optical density (MPOD), hence the latter is a valuable indirect tool for measuring L and Z content in the macula. L and Z have been attributed antioxidant capacity and protection from certain retinal diseases but their uptake within the eye is thought to depend on genetic, age and environmental factors. In particular gene variants within beta-carotene monooxygenase (BCMO1) are thought to modulate MPOD in the macula. Objectives: To determine the effect of BCMO1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11645428, rs6420424 and rs6464851 on macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in a cohort of young healthy participants of Caucasian origin with normal ocular health. Design In this cohort study, MPOD was assessed in 46 healthy participants (22 male and 24 female) with a mean age of 24 ± 4.0 years (range 19-33). The three SNPs, rs11645428, rs6420424, rs6564851 that have established associations with MPOD were determined using MassEXTEND (hME) Sequenom assay. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on groups segregated into homozygous and heterozygous BCMO1 genotypes. Correlations between body mass index (BMI), iris colour, gender, central retinal thickness (CRT), diet and MPOD were investigated. Results MPOD did not significantly vary with BCMO1 rs11645428 (F2,41 = 0.700, p = 0.503), rs6420424 (F2,41 = 0.210, p = 0.801) nor rs6464851 homozygous or heterozygous genotypes (F2,41 = 0,13, p = 0.88), in this young healthy cohort. The combination of these three SNPs into triple genotypes based on plasma conversion efficiency did not affect MPOD (F2,41 = 0.07, p = 0.9). There was a significant negative correlation with MPOD and central retinal thickness (r = - 0.39, p = 0.01) but no significant correlation between BMI, iris colour, gender and MPOD. Conclusion Our results indicate that macular pigment deposition within the central retina is not dependent on BCMO1 gene variants in young healthy people. We propose that MPOD is saturated in younger persons and/or other gene variant combinations determine its deposition.

Trust, participation and health among ageing people : A cross-sectional cohort study of men and women born in 1926-30, 1936-40, and 1946-50 in the Lahti region, southern Finland

The purpose of the present study was to explore the associations between good self-rated health and economic and social factors in different regions among ageing people in the Päijät-Häme region in southern Finland. The data of this study were collected in 2002 as part of the research and development project Ikihyvä 2002 2012 (Good Ageing in Lahti region GOAL project). The baseline data set consisted of 2,815 participants born in 1926 30, 1936 40, and 1946 50. The response rate was 66 %. According to the previous studies, trust in other people and social participation as the main aspects of social capital are associated with self-rated health. In addition, socioeconomic position (SEP) and self-rated health are associated, but all SEP indicators do not have identical associations with health. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the health associations and regional differences with these factors, especially among ageing people. Regarding these questions, the present study gives new information. According to the results of this study, self-perceived adequacy of income was significantly associated with good self-rated health, especially in the urban areas. Similar associations were found in the rural areas, though education was also considered an important factor. Adequacy of income was an even stronger predictor of good health than the actual income. Women had better self-rated health than men only in the urban areas. The youngest respondents had quite equally better self-rated health than the others. Social participation and access to help when needed were associated with good self-rated health, especially in the urban area and the sparsely populated rural areas. The result was comparable in the rural population centres. The correlation of trust with self-rated health was significant in the urban area. High social capital was associated with good self-rated health in the urban area. The association was quite similar in the other areas, though it was statistically insignificant. High social capital consisted of co-existent high social participation and high trust. The association of traditionalism (low participation and high trust) with self-rated health was also substantial in the urban area. The associations of self-rated health with low social capital (low participation and low trust) and the miniaturisation of community (high participation and low trust) were less significant. From the forms of single participation, going to art exhibitions, theatre, movies, and concerts among women, and studying and self-development among men were positively related to self-rated health. Unexpectedly, among women, active participation in religious events and voluntary work was negatively associated with self-rated health. This may indicate a coping method with ill-health. As a whole, only minor variations in self-rated health were found between the areas. However, the significance of the factors associated with self-rated health varied according to the areas. Economic factors, especially self-perceived adequacy of income was strongly associated with good self-rated health. Also when adjusting for economic and several other background factors social factors (particularly high social capital, social participation, and access to help when needed) were associated with self-rated health. Thus, economic and social factors have a significant relation with the health of the ageing, and improving these factors may have favourable effects on health among ageing people.

Population structure of Pyrenophora teres, the causal agent of net blotch of barley

Spring barley is the most important crop in Finland based on cultivated land area. Net blotch, a disease caused by Pyrenophora teres Drech., is the most damaging disease of barley in Finland. The pressure to improve the economics and efficiency of agriculture has increased the need for more efficient plant protection methods. Development of durable host-plant resistance to net blotch is a promising possibility. However, deployment of disease resistant crops could initiate selection pressure on the pathogen (P. teres) population. The aim of this study was to understand the population biology of P. teres and to estimate the evolutionary potential of P. teres under selective pressure following deployment of resistance genes and application of fungicides. The study included mainly Finnish P. teres isolates. Population samples from Russia and Australia were also included. Using AFLP markers substantial genotypic variation in P. teres populations was identified. Differences among isolates were least within Finnish fields and significantly higher in Krasnodar, Russia. Genetic differentiation was identified among populations from northern Europe and from Australia, and between the two forms P. teres f. teres (PTT, net form of net blotch) and P. teres f. maculata (PTM, spot form of net blotch) in Australia. Differentiation among populations was also identified based on virulence between Finnish and Russian populations, and based on prochloraz (fungicide) tolerance in the Häme region in Finland. Surprisingly only PTT was recovered from Finland and Russia although both forms were earlier equally common in Finland. The reason for the shift in occurrence of forms in Finland remained uncertain. Both forms were found within several fields in Australia. Sexual reproduction of P. teres was supported by recover of both mating types in equal ratio in those areas although the prevalence of sexual mating seems to be less in Finland than in Australia. Population from Krasnodar was an exception since only one mating type was found in there. Based on the substantial high genotypic variation in Krasnodar it was suggested go represent an old P. teres population, whereas the Australian samples were suggested to represent newer populations. In conclusion, P. teres populations are differentiated at several levels. Human assistance in dispersal of P. teres on infected barley seed is obvious and decreases the differentiation among populations. This can increase the plant protection problems caused by this pathogen. P. teres is capable of sexual reproduction in several areas but the prevalence varies. Based on these findings it is apparent that P. teres has the potential to pose more serious problems in barley cultivation if plant protection is neglected. Therefore, good agricultural practices, including crop rotation and the use of healthy seed, are recommended.

Total Hip and Knee Arthoplasty for Osteoarthritis : Factors Related to the Early Outcome of Surgery

Some perioperative clinical factors related to the primary cemented arthroplasty operation for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint are studied and discussed in this thesis. In a randomized, double-blind study, 39 patients were divided into two groups: one receiving tranexamic acid and the other not receiving it. Tranexamic acid was given in a dose of 10 mg/kg before the operation and twice thereafter, at 8-hour intervals. Total blood loss was smaller in the tranexamic acid group than in the control group. No thromboembolic complications were noticed. In a prospective, randomized study, 58 patients with hip arthroplasty and 39 patients with knee arthroplasty were divided into groups with postoperative closed-suction drainage and without drainage. There was no difference in healing of the wounds, postoperative blood transfusions, complications or range of motion. As a result of this study, the use of drains is no longer recommended. In a randomised study the effectiveness of a femoral nerve block (25 patients) was compared with other methods of pain control (24 patients) on the first postoperative day after total knee arthroplasty. The femoral block consisted of a single injection administered at patients´ bedside during the surgeon´s hospital rounds. Femoral block patients reported less pain and required half of the amount of oxycodone. Additional femoral block or continued epidural analgesia was required more frequently by the control group patients. Pain management with femoral blocks resulted in less work for nursing staff. In a retrospective study of 422 total hip and knee arthroplasty cases the C-reactive protein levels and clinical course were examined. After hip and knee arthroplasty the maximal C-reactive protein values are seen on the second and third postoperative days, after which the level decreases rapidly. There is no difference between patients with cemented or uncemented prostheses. Major postoperative complications may cause a further increase in C-reactive protein levels at one and two weeks. In-hospital and outpatient postoperative control radiographs of 200 hip and knee arthroplasties were reviewed retrospectively. If postoperative radiographs are of good quality, there seems to be no need for early repetitive radiographs. The quality and safety of follow-up is not compromised by limiting follow-up radiographs to those with clinical indications. Exposure of the patients and the staff to radiation is reduced. Reading of the radiographs by only the treating orthopaedic surgeon is enough. These factors may seem separate from each other, but linking them together may help the treating orthopaedic surgeon to adequate patient care strategy. Notable savings can be achieved.

Psychosocial processes of health behaviour change in a lifestyle intervention : Influences of gender, socioeconomic status and personality

Background: The onset of many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by changes in diet, physical activity and obesity. Known predictors of successful behaviour change include psychosocial factors such as selfefficacy, action and coping planning, and social support. However, gender and socioeconomic differences in these psychosocial mechanisms underlying health behaviour change have not been examined, despite well-documented sociodemographic differences in lifestyle-related mortality and morbidity. Additionally, although stable personality traits (such as dispositional optimism or pessimism and gender-role orientation: agency and communion) are related to health and health behaviour, to date they have rarely been studied in the context of health behaviour interventions. These personality traits might contribute to health behaviour change independently of the more modifiable domain-specific psychosocial factors, or indirectly through them, or moderated by them. The aims were to examine in an intervention setting: (1) whether changes (during the three-month intervention) in psychological determinants (self-efficacy beliefs, action planning and coping planning) predict changes in exercise and diet behaviours over three months and 12 months, (2) the universality assumption of behaviour change theories, i.e. whether preintervention levels and changes in psychosocial determinants are similar among genders and socioeconomic groups, and whether they predict changes in behaviour in a similar way in these groups, (3) whether the personality traits optimism, pessimism, agency and communion predict changes in abdominal obesity, and the nature of their interplay with modifiable and domain-specific psychosocial factors (self-efficacy and social support). Methods: Finnish men and women (N = 385) aged 50 65 years who were at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes were recruited from health care centres to participate in the GOod Ageing in Lahti Region (GOAL) Lifestyle Implementation Trial. The programme aimed to improve participants lifestyle (physical activity, eating) and decrease their overweight. The measurements of self-efficacy, planning, social support and dispositional optimism/pessimism were conducted pre-intervention at baseline (T1) and after the intensive phase of the intervention at three months (T2), and the measurements of exercise at T1, T2 and 12 months (T3) and healthy eating at T1 and T3. Waist circumference, an indicator of abdominal obesity, was measured at T1 and at oneyear (T3) and three-year (T4) follow-ups. Agency and communion were measured at T4 with the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). Results: (1) Increases in self-efficacy and planning were associated with three-month increases in exercise (Study I). Moreover, both the post-intervention level and three-month increases (during the intervention) in self-efficacy in dealing with barriers predicted the 12-month increase in exercise, and a high postintervention level of coping plans predicted the 12-month decrease in dietary fat (Study II). One- and three-year waist circumference reductions were predicted by the initial three-month increase in self-efficacy (Studies III, IV). (2) Post-intervention at three months, women had formed more action plans for changing their exercise routines and received less social support for behaviour change than men had. The effects of adoption self-efficacy were similar but change in planning played a less significant role among men (Study I). Examining the effects of socioeconomic status (SES), psychosocial determinants at baseline and their changes during the intervention yielded largely similar results. Exercise barriers self-efficacy was enhanced slightly less among those with low SES. Psychosocial determinants predicted behaviour similarly across all SES groups (Study II). (3) Dispositional optimism and pessimism were unrelated to waist circumference change, directly or indirectly, and they did not influence changes in self-efficacy (Study III). Agency predicted 12-month waist circumference reduction among women. High communion coupled with high social support was associated with waist circumference reduction. However, the only significant predictor of three-year waist circumference reduction was an increase in health-related self-efficacy during the intervention (Study IV). Conclusions: Interventions should focus on improving participants self-efficacy early on in the intervention as well as prompting action and coping planning for health behaviour change. Such changes are likely to be similarly effective among intervention participants regardless of gender and educational level. Agentic orientation may operate via helping women to be less affected by the demands of the self-sacrificing female role and enabling them to assertively focus on their own goals. The earlier mixed results regarding the role of social support in behaviour change may be in part explained by personality traits such as communion.

Mitä on olla yksinäinen? Tutkimus ikääntyvien yksinäisyydestä.

Tutkimuksessani kysyn, mitä on olla yksinäinen. Tutkimuskohteenani ovat seitsemän- ja kahdeksankymppiset päi-jäthämäläiset, joille yksinäisyys on arkipäivää. Tutkimukseni kontekstina toimii arkielämä, johon tutkimuskysymykseni kietoutuvat. Selvitän, millaisia tekijöitä yksinäisyyden taustalla on, miten yksinäisyys sitä kokevan arjessa ilmenee ja millaisia suhtautumistapoja ja mahdollisia ratkaisukeinoja yksinäisyyttä kokevalla on. Tutkimuksessani hyödynnän sekä määrällistä että laadullista tutkimusotetta. Tutkimusaineistoina käytän kahta erilaista, mutta samoja ihmisiä koskevaa aineistoa: Ikihyvä Päijät-Häme -seurantatutkimuksen kyselyaineistoa sekä keräämääni haastatteluaineistoa. Kyselyaineisto ja sen analyysi johdattavat minut varsinaiseen tutkimusprosessiin. Sen avulla tarkastelen, missä määrin päijäthämäläiset ikääntyvät kokevat yksinäisyyttä ja kenellä sitä erityisesti esiintyy. Tutkimukseni pääosassa oleva haastatteluaineisto koostuu kymmenen seurantutkimukseen osallistuneen ikääntyvän haastattelusta. Lomakevastauksissaan he olivat kertoneet olevansa usein tai jatkuvasti yksinäisiä. Haastateltavien joukossa on sekä miehiä että naisia. He asuvat eri puolilla Päijät-Hämettä: kaupungin keskustassa, lähiöissä, taajamissa tai maaseutumaisemissa. Haastattelut toteutin pääosin haastateltavien kotonaan, mikä mahdollisti kurkistamisen heidän arkeensa. Tapaamisissamme tekemiäni havaintoja olen kirjannut tutkimuspäiväkirjaani, jota hyödynnän tutkimuksessani. Haastatteluaineiston analyysissä käytän temaattista lähestymistapaa. Sisällönanalyysin avulla etsin vastauksia tutkimuskysymyksiini ja hahmottelen kuvaa siitä, mitä on olla yksinäinen. Yksinäisyyden taustalta paikannan erilaisia elämänhistoriaan ja -tilanteeseen liittyviä tekijöitä, joita kutsun menetetyiksi ja toteutumattomiksi ihmissuhteiksi sekä toimijuuden ja osallisuuden kaventumiseksi. Valtaosa haastateltavista on kohdannut yksinäisyyden vasta vanhemmiten tai yksinäisyyskokemukset ovat syventyneet iän myötä. Osalle yksinäisyys on ollut elämänmittaista. Jokapäiväisessä elämässä yksinäisyys saa merkityksensä varsin konkreettisten tilanteiden kautta: esimerkiksi kotitöitä tehdessä tai nukkumaan mennessä. Yksinäisyys ilmenee erilaisina tunteina kuten suruna, ikävänä, ahdistuksena sekä kokemuksena juurettomuudesta. Sillä on myös fyysisiä seurauksia. Yksinäiset ajatukset saavat levottomaksi ja saamattomaksi, jolloin arjesta selviytyminen tuntuu vaikealta. Useimmille, ja useimmiten arki on konkreettista yksinoloa, mutta passiivista yksinäisenkään arki ei ole. Päivien kulkua rytmittävät rutiinit, joihin sisältyy muun muassa kotitöitä, ulkoilua ja harrastamista yksin tai porukassa. Yksinäisyyteen on sekä sopeuduttu että pyritty vaikuttamaan. Parhaiten sopeutuminen on onnistunut etsimällä yksinäisyydelle luonnolliselta tuntuva selitys, jollaisena ikääntyminen useimmille näyttäytyy. Tällöin yksinäisyyteen ei koeta voivan itse juuri vaikuttaa. Ratkaisukeinojakin on etsitty: uusia ihmissuhteita on pyritty luomaan menetettyjen tai puutteellisten tilalle. Yksinäisessä arjessa toisenlainen todellisuus on läsnä menneisyyden muistojen tai tulevaisuuden haaveiden kautta.

Pre-harvest measurement of pine stands for sawing production planning.

To enhance the utilization of the wood, the sawmills are forced to place more emphasis on planning to master the whole production chain from the forest to the end product. One significant obstacle to integrating the forest-sawmill-market production chain is the lack of appropriate information about forest stands. Since the wood procurement point of view in forest planning systems has been almost totally disregarded there has been a great need to develop an easy and efficient pre-harvest measurement method, allowing separate measurement of stands prior to harvesting. The main purpose of this study was to develop a measurement method for pine stands which forest managers could use in describing the properties of the standing trees for sawing production planning. Study materials were collected from ten Scots pine stands (Pinus sylvestris) located in North Häme and South Pohjanmaa, in southern Finland. The data comprise test sawing data on 314 pine stems, dbh and height measures of all trees and measures of the quality parameters of pine sawlog stems in all ten study stands as well as the locations of all trees in six stands. The study was divided into four sub-studies which deal with pine quality prediction, construction of diameter and dead branch height distributions, sampling designs and applying height and crown height models. The final proposal for the pre-harvest measurement method is a synthesis of the individual sub-studies. Quality analysis resulted in choosing dbh, distance from stump height to the first dead branch (dead branch height), crown height and tree height as the most appropriate quality characteristics of Scots pine. Dbh and dead branch height are measured from each pine sample tree while height and crown height are derived from dbh measures by aid of mixed height and crown height models. Pine and spruce diameter distribution as well as dead branch height distribution are most effectively predicted by the kernel function. Roughly 25 sample trees seems to be appropriate in pure pine stands. In mixed stands the number of sample trees needs to be increased in proportion to the intensity of pines in order to attain the same level of accuracy.

Ideaalin ja todellisuuden välimaastossa - katoavatko perheateriat?

Aims: The recent conversations about disappearing family meals, mental problems of the youngsters and family meals´ protective effect on youngsters problems have been the base of this study. The main aim of this study is to find out, what kind of position family meals do have in the youngsters´lives. Study questions are: 1. What kind of conceptions youngsters have of family meals? 2. What kind of hands-on experience youngsters have about family meals? 3. How youngsters feel family meals on a emotional level? a. Are meals positive moments with the family or do they just limit timetables? b. Do the youngsters need family meals if they do not have those in their families? Why? Why not? Methods: The data was collected using stimulated recall -interviews and basic themed interviews. The data was collected from thirteen 8th graders from Pirkanmaa and Kanta-Häme. The interviews were analyzed with the qualitative content analysis. Results and conclusion: The youngsters´ consepts of the meals and the family meals were quite traditional, assuming that those are warm, varied and eaten with company. The situation of the family meals was good and those were eaten nearly every day in the most of the families. The youngsters thought that the family meals were important social moments with the family and they were able to talk about important things with the family during the meals. They also felt that the daily eating rythm was good and they did not felt that the meals would have been somehow restrictive. Even so that the pupils felt the family meals were important, the pupil whose family did not eat family meals did not long those meals. He felt that he was able to share his thoughts and experiences also in other ways. It is important that youngsters have this channel of communication.

Tietokone ikäihmisen arjessa

The aged people in the target group of my study belong to generation, which has experienced the shift from agricultural society via industrial society up to the society which has been described as information society. They have grown up concurrently with the technological development, but during the recent years the technological development has accelerated. One can say that the older the target study group has come the more information technological skills they need to possess to be equal actors in our society. However, especially in case of aged people the learning and maintaining of skills in information technology has mainly been left dependent on their personal motivation. The purpose of this report is to study the use of computers in the life of the aged people. The report studies the will and ability of the aged people to learn the skill of using computers, and the new possibilities which this brings into their lives. The study questions are the following: 1) Why the aged people start to use computers? 2) How the aged people benefit information technology in their own life? 3) How computers have extended the environment of the aged people? 4) What kind of problems the aged people have experienced in use of computers? The research material consists of group interviews and individual interviews (total of 23 people). The interview material has been collected among the participants on information technology courses of the Senior University of Helsinki University during years 2004-2005. The research method used is theme interviewing. In addition, the material of opinions about information technology of people born in decades of 1920 and 1930, gathered as part of the Ikihyvä Päijät-Häme 2002 -research has been used. On basis of this research one can say that the aged people do have motivation to study the use of computers, although many interviewees commented that they also have met problems in use of computers. The motivation has grown also because the fear that without the skills to use computers they could drift into outsiders of the society, whereas instead as skilled computer users they felt to be equal citizens compared with the younger age groups, and that they can maintain their independence and autonomy. Especially, the independent use of banking routines over the Internet and use of emails seem to give them a position as modern actors. Many interview statements also underline that computers will bring both joy and benefit to the users. Studying the use of computers is a new and interesting hobby, which can fill the hole left in the life after leaving the working life. Using skills of text processing and processing of pictures one can, for example, record the traditional knowledge of the family and ancestry to the younger generations, and write articles or even books on the professional area of ones own. Single people emphasize that computers can even act as companionship substitutes. One can use Internet for virtual traveling, which provides a new dimension in use of computers. Internet can also be used to maintain family relationships, especially between grandparents and remote grandchildren. Typical problems in use of computers appeared to be that reaching the right professional helpdesk advisers of the service providers is difficult and requires lots of time and patience. However, the interviewees were not willing to give up their computers, because they had already used to these. Keywords: digital divide, aging, Internet, usability, motivation, information technology, information society.

Organometallic chemistry of diphosphazanes .13. Palladium complexes of unsymmetrical diphosphazanes Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PYY'

Unsymmetrical diphosphazanes Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PYY' [YY' = O2C12H8 (L(1)), O2C20H12 (L(2)); Y = Ph and Y' = OC6H4Br-4 (L(3)), OC(6)H(4)Me-4 (L(4)), OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-3,5 (L(5)), N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 (L(6))] react with cis-[PdCl2(COD)] (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) giving the chelate complexes of the type cis-[PdCl2{eta(2)-Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PYY'}] [YY' = O2C12H8 (1), O2C20H12 (2), Y = Ph and Y' = OC6H4Br-4 (3), OC(6)H(4)Me-4 (4), OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-3,5 (5), N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 (6)]. The P-N bond in 3 and 5 undergoes a facile cleavage in methanol solution to give cis-[PdCl2{eta(1)Ph(2)P(OMe)}{eta(1)-PhP(NHPri)(Y')}] [Y' = OC6H4Br-4 (7), OC(6)H(3)Me(2)-3,5 (8)]. Reactions of Pd-2(dba)(3) . CHCl3 (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) with the diphosphazanes Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PPhY' [Y' = OC(6)H(4)Me-4 (L(4)), N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 (L(6)), N2C3H3 (L(7))] in the presence of MeI yields cis-[PdI2{eta(2)-Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PPhMe}] (9); the P-O or P-N(pyrazolyl) bond of the starting ligands is cleaved and a p-C(Me) bond is formed. An analogous oxidative addition reaction in the presence of Ph(2)PN(Pr-i)PPh(2) (L(8)) yields cis-[PdI(Me)(eta(2)-L(8))] (10) and cis-[PdI2(eta 2-L(8))] (11). The structures of 8 and 9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd

Short-bite chiral diphosphazanes derived from (S)-?-methyl benzyl amine and their Pd, Pt and Rh metal complexes

New chiral diphosphazane ligands of the type Ph(2)PN(S-*CHMePh)PYY' {YY'= Ph(2) (2), O2C6H4 (3); Y= Ph, Y'= Cl {4a (SS), 4b (SR)}, N(2)C(3)HMe(2)-3,5 {5a (SR), 5b (SS)} are synthesised starting from a chiral aminophosphine, Ph(2)PNH(S-*CHMePh) (1). The structure of one of the diastereomer 5a has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction {Orthorhombic system, P2(1)2(1)2(1); a=10.456 (4), b=15.362 (7), c=17.379 (6) Angstrom, Z=4}. Transition metal mononuclear complexes [Rh{eta(2)-(Ph(2)P)(2)N- (S-*CHMePh)}(2)](+)(BF4)(-) (6), [PdCl2{eta(2)-(Ph(2)P)(2)N(S-*CHMePh)}] (7) and [PtCl2{eta(2)-(Ph(2)P)(2)N- (S-*CHMePh)}] (8) have also been synthesised. The structure of the palladium complex 7 is solved by X-ray crystallography {Orthorhombic system, P2(1)2(1)2(1); a=8.746 (2), b=18.086 (2), c=20.811 (3) Angstrom, Z=4}. All these compounds are characterised by micro analyses, IR and NMR spectroscopic data.

Mudança no Critério de Contabilização de Instrumentos Financeiros pelo IASB: estudo de evento sobre os títulos soberanos da Grécia,

A alteração feita pelo IASB em 2008 na classificação dos instrumentos financeiros para reduzir as perdas bancárias com a crise do subprime e de títulos soberanos dos países-membros da União Europeia, após um pedido protocolado pela Comissão da União Europeia, motivou esta pesquisa. A referida alteração ensejou a mudança do critério de avaliação, que passou de valor justo para valor amortizado, para os instrumentos reclassificados, muito embora alguns bancos não tenham aderido à reclassificação, mantendo a orientação original que determinava a avaliação pelo valor justo. Através de Estudo de Evento testou-se a Hipótese de Eficiência de Mercado - HEM, analisando 33 instituições bancárias detentoras de títulos soberanos gregos. Embora a alteração tenha colaborado para que essas instituições bancárias protelassem essas perdas no resultado, não afetou os fluxos de caixa futuros. E como evidenciam os resultados da pesquisa, o mercado foi equitativo com essas instituições, penalizando-as com base no grau de exposição aos títulos gregos, independentemente do critério utilizado, corroborando a HEM: o valor de um ativo é o valor presente dos fluxos de caixa futuros e não dos lucros. Uma consequência importante foi que os governos, através da terceira revisão do Acordo de Capital de Basileia, adotaram medidas para regulamentar com mais rigor as instituições financeiras, no intuito que essas instituições, futuramente, possam suportar melhor os efeitos de uma crise financeira.

Carboxilesterase na adaptação do metabolismo de lipídios do pacu à hipoxia

Os peixes são vertebrados que vivem em vários habitats. Adaptações de sua fisiologia e de sua bioquímica são estudadas para entender como conseguem sobreviver aos desafios presentes em cada ambiente. A diminuição da concentração de oxigênio dissolvido na água é um fenômeno natural cíclico em águas do Pantanal e da Amazônia. A crescente poluição antrópica dos rios da Amazônia e do Pantanal pode, somada à hipoxia, oferecer ameaça à permanência de muitas espécies de peixes. Ao estudarmos a carboxilesterase (CarbE), enzima importante para a biotransformação de xenobióticos, observamos que sua atividade diminuía em plasma de pacu, um peixe típico do Pantanal, mantido em hipoxia durante 42 horas. As carboxilesterases participam de inúmeras reações químicas no organismo, incluindo uma transesterificação capaz de produzir ésteres etílicos tóxicos de ácido graxo (FAEE, fatty acid ethyl esters) a partir de etanol e ésteres de ácidos graxos. Já que a diminuição da atividade de CarbE poderia ser uma vantagem, pois que o etanol (um produto da glicólise em peixes sob hipoxia) seria menos esterificado, resolvemos saber mais sobre a bioquímica da CarbE do plasma e do fígado de pacus. Os pacus foram submetidos à hipoxia por diminuição da concentração até 0,5 mg O2/L por meio de borbulhamento de nitrogênio na água. Os animais ficaram nessas condições por 42 horas, quando então coletamos sangue e retiramos seus fígados. A atividade de CarbE ensaiada foi 50% menor no soro e 25% menor nos microssomos de fígado se comparada com a de peixes sob 6 mg O2/L. A CarbE isolada do soro dos pacus em normoxia possui massa molecular relativa de 56.000. A eletroforese em gel desnaturante com a fração purificada rendeu três bandas, mas o gel nativo apresentou só duas bandas com atividades sobre α-naftil acetato. Inferimos que mais do que uma isoforma da enzima está no plasma dos pacus. A CarbE isolada do soro não possui atividade de lipase sobre o Tween 20, mas os microssomos dos fígados dos animais em normoxia e hipoxia possuem. No entanto, a CarbE possui atividade sobre acil-CoA assim como o microssomo de fígado. A enzima pura apresenta Vmáx três vezes maior e uma KM quatro vezes maior do que a atividade presente nos microssomos. Além disso, os microssomos do fígado dos pacus em normoxia podem hidrolisar acil-CoA com o dobro da velocidade daqueles em hipoxia. A atividade clássica de CarbE do soro foi inibida por 4-HNE a 4 mM. A atividade de acil-CoA dos microssomos de fígado também foi sensível a 4-HNE a 4 mM, enquanto 2 mM de 4-HNE inibiu metade desta atividade do soro.