A imagem do destino turístico alemanha na perspectiva do turista brasileiro que pretende visitar o país

Diante da importância que a imagem de um destino turístico pode ter, este trabalho permite compreender melhor o seu papel, tanto na comercialização do destino em estudo, neste caso a Alemanha, quanto na sua divulgação e suas expectativas. A correspondência entre a imagem que o turista possui do País, com a expectativa gerada do que pretende encontrar ao realizar a visita, são fundamentais para a sua satisfação e consequente possibilidade de fidelização, ou seja, esta percepção que o turista tem em relação a um determinado destino influi tanto em sua eleição como na satisfação que venham a ter em futura viagem. Desta forma, quanto maior e melhor for a informação que o turista disponha com relação ao destino, mais a imagem que este terá de referido destino tenderá a corresponder a realidade. Sendo assim, a metodologia aplicada baseou-se em 204 inquéritos respondidos por turistas brasileiros que ainda não haviam visitado a Alemanha. Após a coleta dos dados, os mesmos foram tabulados e passaram para análise e formulação dos resultados e conclusão

Response of human engineered cartilage based on articular or nasal chondrocytes to interleukin-1? and low oxygen

Previous studies showed that human nasal chondrocytes (HNC) exhibit higher proliferation and chondrogenic capacity as compared to human articular chondrocytes (HAC). To consider HNC as a relevant alternative cell source for the repair of articular cartilage defects it is necessary to test how these cells react when exposed to environmental factors typical of an injured joint. We thus aimed this study at investigating the responses of HNC and HAC to exposure to interleukin (IL)-1? and low oxygen. For this purpose HAC and HNC harvested from the same donors (N=5) were expanded in vitro and then cultured in pellets or collagen-based scaffolds at standard (19%) or low oxygen (5%) conditions. Resulting tissues were analyzed after a short (3 days) exposure to IL-1?, mimicking the initially inflammatory implantation site, or following a recovery time (1 or 2 weeks for pellets and scaffolds, respectively). After IL-1? treatment, constructs generated by both HAC and HNC displayed a transient loss of GAG (up to 21.8% and 36.8%, respectively) and, consistently, an increased production of metalloproteases (MMP)-1 and -13. Collagen type II and the cryptic fragment of aggrecan (DIPEN), both evaluated immunohistochemically, displayed a trend consistent with GAG and MMPs production. HNC-based constructs exhibited a more efficient recovery upon IL-1? withdrawal, resulting in a higher accumulation of GAG (up to 2.6-fold) compared to the corresponding HAC-based tissues. On the other hand, HAC displayed a positive response to low oxygen culture, while HNC were only slightly affected by oxygen percentage. Collectively, under the conditions tested mimicking the postsurgery articular environment, HNC retained a tissue-forming capacity, similar or even better than HAC. These results represent a step forward in validating HNC as a cell source for cartilage tissue engineering strategies

Engineering human cell-based, functionally integrated osteochondral grafts by biological bonding of engineered cartilage tissues to bony scaffolds

In this study, we aimed at developing and validating a technique for the engineering of osteochondral grafts based on the biological bonding of a chondral layer with a bony scaffold by cell-laid extracellular matrix. Osteochondral composites were generated by combining collagen-based matrices (Chondro-Gide) containing human chondrocytes with devitalized spongiosa cylinders (Tutobone) using a fibrin gel (Tisseel). We demonstrate that separate pre-culture of the chondral layer for 3 days prior to the generation of the composite allows for (i) more efficient cartilaginous matrix accumulation than no pre-culture, as assessed histologically and biochemically, and (ii) superior biological bonding to the bony scaffold than 14 days of pre-culture, as assessed using a peel-off mechanical test, developed to measure integration of bilayered materials. The presence of the bony scaffold induced an upregulation in the infiltrated cells of the osteoblast-related gene bone sialoprotein, indicative of the establishment of a gradient of cell phenotypes, but did not affect per se the quality of the cartilaginous matrix in the chondral layer. The described strategy to generate osteochondral plugs is simple to be implemented and--since it is based on clinically compliant cells and materials--is amenable to be readily tested in the clinic

Dependence and Imperialism in India

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69044/2/10.1177_048661347300500111.pd

EpIG‐DB: A database of vascular epiphyte assemblages in the Neotropics

Vascular epiphytes are a diverse and conspicuous component of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical forests. Yet, the patterns and drivers of epiphyte assemblages are poorly studied in comparison with soil‐rooted plants. Current knowledge about diversity patterns of epiphytes mainly stems from local studies or floristic inventories, but this information has not yet been integrated to allow a better understanding of large‐scale distribution patterns. EpIG‐DB, the first database on epiphyte assemblages at the continental scale, resulted from an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished inventory data from the Neotropics. The current version of EpIG‐DB consists of 463,196 individual epiphytes from 3,005 species, which were collected from a total of 18,148 relevés (host trees and ‘understory’ plots). EpIG‐DB reports the occurrence of ‘true’ epiphytes, hemiepiphytes and nomadic vines, including information on their cover, abundance, frequency and biomass. Most records (97%) correspond to sampled host trees, 76% of them aggregated in forest plots. The data is stored in a TURBOVEG database using the most up‐to‐date checklist of vascular epiphytes. A total of 18 additional fields were created for the standardization of associated data commonly used in epiphyte ecology (e.g. by considering different sampling methods). EpIG‐DB currently covers six major biomes across the whole latitudinal range of epiphytes in the Neotropics but welcomes data globally. This novel database provides, for the first time, unique biodiversity data on epiphytes for the Neotropics and unified guidelines for future collection of epiphyte data. EpIG‐DB will allow exploration of new ways to study the community ecology and biogeography of vascular epiphytes

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The impact of women's social position on fertility in developing countries

This paper examines ideas about possible ways in which the extent of women's autonomy, women's economic dependency, and other aspects of their position vis-à-vis men influence fertility in Third World populations. Women's position or “status” seems likely to be related to the supply of children because of its links with age at marriage. Women's position may also affect the demand for children and the costs of fertility regulation, though some connections suggested in the literature are implausible. The paper ends with suggestions for future research.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45660/1/11206_2005_Article_BF01124382.pd