Comprehensive Expression Analyses of Plastidial Thioredoxins of Arabidopsis thaliana Indicate a Main Role of Thioredoxin m2 in Roots

Thioredoxins (TRXs) f and m are redox proteins that regulate key chloroplast processes. The existence of several isoforms of TRXs f and m indicates that these redox players have followed a specialization process throughout evolution. Current research efforts are focused on discerning the signalling role of the different TRX types and their isoforms in chloroplasts. Nonetheless, little is known about their function in non-photosynthetic plastids. For this purpose, we have carried out comprehensive expression analyses by using Arabidopsis thaliana TRXf (f1 and f2) and TRXm (m1, m2, m3 and m4) genes translationally fused to the green fluorescence protein (GFP). These analyses showed that TRX m has different localisation patterns inside chloroplasts, together with a putative dual subcellular localisation of TRX f1. Apart from mesophyll cells, these TRXs were also observed in reproductive organs, stomatal guard cells and roots. We also investigated whether photosynthesis, stomatal density and aperture or root structure were affected in the TRXs f and m loss-of-function Arabidopsis mutants. Remarkably, we immunodetected TRX m2 and the Calvin–Benson cycle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cFBP1) in roots. After carrying out in vitro redox activation assays of cFBP1 by plastid TRXs, we propose that cFBP1 might be activated by TRX m2 in root plastids

Development of graphite-polymer composites as electrode materials

Graphite powder was mixed to polyurethane, silicon rubber and Araldite® (epoxy) in order to prepare composite materials to be used in the preparation of electrodes. Results showed that voltammetric response could be obtained when at least 50% of graphite (w.w-1) is present in the material. SEM and thermogravimetry were also used in the characterization of the composites

O assédio moral no trabalho na visão de operadores do direito Mobbing at work according to operators of the law

Este estudo analisou a concepção de operadores do Direito acerca do assédio moral no trabalho, sua avaliação nas instâncias jurídicas, o perfil dos trabalhadores vitimados atendidos, assim como o papel do Direito e da Psicologia em relação ao fenômeno. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas junto a seis operadores do Direito. Com base na análise de conteúdo das entrevistas, constatou-se uma tendência, entre os entrevistados, de perceberem a natureza organizacional do fenômeno. O medo dos trabalhadores em denunciar eventos dessa natureza foi outro elemento apontado. Os participantes afirmaram ser muito difícil avaliar e comprovar o assédio nos casos que recorrem às diferentes instâncias jurídicas. Quanto ao papel da Psicologia, os entrevistados referem sua importância para a produção de conhecimento, avaliação psicológica dos casos e prevenção da violência psicológica nas organizações. Em relação ao papel do Direito, reiteraram que as instâncias legais sejam espaços de garantia de direitos e reparação de danos.<br>This study analyses the concept of mobbing at work among operators of the Law. The assessment of this practice at legal institutions, the profile of workers affected, and the role of Law and Psychology toward this phenomenon are investigated. Six operators of the Law participated by semi-structured interviews. Based on content analysis of the interviews, it was observed a tendency to perceive the organizational nature of mobbing at work. Another element pointed by participants was the fearfulness of workers in reporting such kind of violence. The interviewed professionals also referred the hardness to assess mobbing in those cases that appeal to legal institutions. About the role of Psychology, they affirmed its importance to production of knowledge, psychological assessment of workers and prevention of psychological violence in organizations. Concerning the role of Law, they had reiterated that legal instances are spaces of guarantee of rights and repairing of damages

Workplace bullying and gender: an overview of empirical findings

The aim of this chapter is to summarize existing research on workplace bullying and gender and examine the many ways in which gender may impact the bullying process. First, it seeks to provide an overview of empirical findings on gender differences in bullying and, second, theoretical explanations for the differences. In terms of prevalence rates, this summary suggests somewhat higher rates for women, although there are regional differences. The chapter reports complex relationships between gender on the one hand and forms of bullying, perpetrations of bullying, consequences of and responses to bullying and interventions in bullying on the other hand. Gender non-conforming behaviour of both men and women as well as being in the minority are recognized as specific risk factors. Yet gender as a social category does not stand in isolation but may intersect and interact with other social categories, creating unique and different experiences for different employee groups. The chapter recognizes gender as a fundamental ordering principle in society and organizations, although many of the empirical studies surveyed still take a gender-as-variable approach instead of explicitly analysing the gendered contexts in which these encounters take place. The overview shows that relationships between gender and bullying are complex and largely shaped by social power afforded to different groups of men and women and by gendered expectations of appropriate behaviour