O JORNALISMO AMBIENTAL NA CONCEPÇÃO DE QUEM O FAZ: ESTUDO COM JORNALISTAS DA AMÉRICA LATINA, CARIBE, PORTUGAL, ESPANHA E PAÍSES AFRICANOS DE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA

Este artigo é fruto de uma pesquisa realizada com jornalistas que se dedicam à cobertura de meio ambiente, em veículos de comunicação, assessorias de imprensa ou no ensino, na América Latina, Caribe, Portugal, Espanha e países africanos de língua portuguesa a fim de verificar como esses profissionais compreendem a noção de Jornalismo Ambiental (JA). Metodologicamente, partimos de uma mapeamento de quem seriam os jornalistas que poderiam contribuir com a pesquisa para, então, aplicarmos questionários com perguntas abertas que envolvem o entendimento dos desafios desta prática. A abordagem é qualitativa e baseia-se ainda em pesquisa bibliográfica e tem caráter descritivo. Dentre os resultados, observamos que muitos jornalistas trabalham em consonância com os aportes teóricos da área, comprometendo-se com a pauta ambiental.   PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Jornalismo Ambiental; Prática jornalística; Jornalistas.     ABSTRACT This article is the result of research carried out with journalists who work in the field of environmental, in communication vehicles, press services or in the teaching area, in Latin America, the Caribbean, Portugal, Spain and Portuguese-speaking African countries in order to verify how these professionals understand the notion of Environmental Journalism (EJ). Methodologically, we start with a mapping of who would be the journalists who could contribute to the research and then apply questionnaires with open questions that involve the understanding of the challenges of this practice. The approach is qualitative and is based on bibliographic research and had descriptive character. Among the results, it is observed that many journalists work in consonance with the theoretical contributions of the area, committing themselves to the environmental agenda.  KEYWORDS: Environmental Journalism; Journalistic practice; Jounalists.     RESUMEN Este artículo es el resultado de una investigación con periodistas que se dedican a la cobertura del medio ambiente, en vehículos de comunicación, asesorías de prensa o en el área de enseñanza, en América Latina, el Caribe, Portugal, España y los países africanos de lengua portuguesa con el fin de ver cómo estos profesionales comprenden la noción de Periodismo Ambiental (PA). Metodológicamente, se parte de una cartografía de quiénes serían los periodistas que podrían contribuir con la investigación para entonces aplicar cuestionarios con preguntas abiertas que involucra el entendimiento de los desafíos de esta práctica. El enfoque es cualitativo, se basa en la investigación bibliográfica y tiene carácter descriptivo. Entre los resultados, observamos que muchos periodistas trabajan en consonancia con los aportes teóricos del área, comprometiéndose con la pauta ambiental.  PALABRAS CLAVE: Periodismo Ambiental; Práctica periodística; Periodistas

Protein Pattern Formation

Protein pattern formation is essential for the spatial organization of many intracellular processes like cell division, flagellum positioning, and chemotaxis. A prominent example of intracellular patterns are the oscillatory pole-to-pole oscillations of Min proteins in \textit{E. coli} whose biological function is to ensure precise cell division. Cell polarization, a prerequisite for processes such as stem cell differentiation and cell polarity in yeast, is also mediated by a diffusion-reaction process. More generally, these functional modules of cells serve as model systems for self-organization, one of the core principles of life. Under which conditions spatio-temporal patterns emerge, and how these patterns are regulated by biochemical and geometrical factors are major aspects of current research. Here we review recent theoretical and experimental advances in the field of intracellular pattern formation, focusing on general design principles and fundamental physical mechanisms.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, review articl

Prenatal hypoxia induces increased cardiac contractility on a background of decreased capillary density.

Background: Chronic hypoxia in utero (CHU) is one of the most common insults to fetal development and may be associated with poor cardiac recovery from ischaemia-reperfusion injury,yet the effects on normal cardiac mechanical performance are poorly understood. Methods: Pregnant female wistar rats were exposed to hypoxia (12% oxygen, balance nitrogen)for days 10–20 of pregnancy. Pups were born into normal room air and weaned normally. At 10 weeks of age, hearts were excised under anaesthesia and underwent retrograde 'Langendorff' perfusion. Mechanical performance was measured at constant filling pressure (100 cm H2O) with intraventricular balloon. Left ventricular free wall was dissected away and capillary density estimated following alkaline phosphatase staining. Expression of SERCA2a and Nitric Oxide Synthases (NOS) proteins were estimated by immunoblotting. Results: CHU significantly increased body mass (P < 0.001) compared with age-matched control rats but was without effect on relative cardiac mass. For incremental increases in left ventricular balloon volume, diastolic pressure was preserved. However, systolic pressure was significantly greater following CHU for balloon volume = 50 μl (P < 0.01) and up to 200 μl (P < 0.05). For higher balloon volumes systolic pressure was not significantly different from control. Developed pressures were correspondingly increased relative to controls for balloon volumes up to 250 μl (P < 0.05).Left ventricular free wall capillary density was significantly decreased in both epicardium (18%; P <0.05) and endocardium (11%; P < 0.05) despite preserved coronary flow. Western blot analysis revealed no change to the expression of SERCA2a or nNOS but immuno-detectable eNOS protein was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in cardiac tissue following chronic hypoxia in utero. Conclusion: These data offer potential mechanisms for poor recovery following ischaemia, including decreased coronary flow reserve and impaired angiogenesis with subsequent detrimental effects of post-natal cardiac performance

Environmental Communication and its Potentialities in the Social Problems Confrontation

O artigo apresenta reflexões sobre a noção de comunicação ambiental, a fim de contribuir na construção do conceito que define esta área considerada especializada e de interface. Defende-se que tal área, situada no imbricamento entre os campos da comunicação e do meio ambiente, caracteriza-se por englobar fundamentos e perspectivas de ambos, ressaltando seu caráter interdisciplinar. Inicialmente são apresentadas as bases epistemológicas dos dois campos, com o objetivo de enfatizar as articulações práticas e teóricas que ocorrem entre eles. Faz-se, então, uma revisão de literatura acerca do termo “comunicação ambiental”, considerando autores nacionais e internacionais, e argumenta-se que esta não se resume a tratar de temáticas características da área ambiental. Por fim, busca-se refletir sobre as possibilidades da comunicação ambiental para auxiliar nas ações de enfrentamento dos problemas socioambientais contemporâneos.This paper provides reflections over the notion of environmental communication, seeking to contribute on the construction of the concept that defines this kind of communication, considered specialized and of interface. The argument stated is that environmental communication is characterized by embracing perspectives and fundamentals of both the communication and the environmental fields, since it is situated in their interweave, emphasizing its interdisciplinary character. Initially, the epistemological bases of both fields are presented, in order to highlight the practical and theoretical articulations that occur between them. A literature review about the term is then provided, considering national and international authors, followed by the argumentation that environmental communication is not simply about dealing with thematic features of the environmental field. Finally, some reflections on its possibilities to assist in coping actions of contemporary social and environmental problems are offered

Star forming dwarf galaxies

Star forming dwarf galaxies (SFDGs) have a high gas content and low metallicities, reminiscent of the basic entities in hierarchical galaxy formation scenarios. In the young universe they probably also played a major role in the cosmic reionization. Their abundant presence in the local volume and their youthful character make them ideal objects for detailed studies of the initial stellar mass function (IMF), fundamental star formation processes and its feedback to the interstellar medium. Occasionally we witness SFDGs involved in extreme starbursts, giving rise to strongly elevated production of super star clusters and global superwinds, mechanisms yet to be explored in more detail. SFDGs is the initial state of all dwarf galaxies and the relation to the environment provides us with a key to how different types of dwarf galaxies are emerging. In this review we will put the emphasis on the exotic starburst phase, as it seems less important for present day galaxy evolution but perhaps fundamental in the initial phase of galaxy formation.Comment: To appear in JENAM Symposium "Dwarf Galaxies: Keys to Galaxy Formation and Evolution", P. Papaderos, G. Hensler, S. Recchi (eds.). Lisbon, September 2010, Springer Verlag, in pres

Uma análise crítica da aplicação do método Janela do Cliente na avaliação da qualidade do Restaurante Universitário

The Costumer Window method has the main function to measure the level of importance and the degree of satisfaction with the products or services provided by the company, being a tool able to identify the weak points and powers of the company. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical analysis of the application of the method the client window in quality evaluation of University Restaurant, from Federal University of Santa Maria – RS (UFSM). The research involved 1,855 users, including students, teachers and administrative staff. The results showed that in the three units of the University Restaurant, most of the items evaluated is in Quadrant A of the Costumer Window, called "competitive force", ie, most of the items is important to the user and are attended of satisfactorily by restaurants. However, some items are in Quadrant D of the Costumer Window, called "competitive vulnerability", these items are important to the user but they are not being attended adequately. The results of this survey were forwarded to the administration of University Restaurant, which can generate subsides for the formulation of proposals to improvements (changes or adaptations) in the assessed attributes.O método da Janela do Cliente tem por principal função medir o nível de importância e o grau de satisfação em relação aos produtos ou serviços prestados pela empresa, sendo uma ferramenta capaz de identificar os pontos falhos e as potências da empresa. O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar uma análise critica da aplicação do método Janela do Cliente na avaliação da qualidade do Restaurante Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria – RS (UFSM). Participaram da pesquisa, 1.855 usuários, entre alunos, docentes e técnicos administrativos. Os resultados mostraram que, nas três unidades do Restaurante Universitário, a maioria dos itens avaliados encontra-se no Quadrante A da Janela do Cliente, denominado “força competitiva”, ou seja, a maioria dos itens é importante para o usuário e são atendidos de forma satisfatória pelos restaurantes. No entanto, alguns itens encontram-se no Quadrante D da Janela do Cliente, denominado “vulnerabilidade competitiva”, sendo esses itens importantes para o usuário, porém não estão sendo atendidos de forma adequada. Os resultados dessa pesquisa foram encaminhados à administração do Restaurante Universitário, onde poderão gerar subsídios para formulação de propostas que visam melhorias (mudanças ou adaptações) nos atributos avaliados

Chaoborus and Gasterosteus Anti-Predator Responses in Daphnia pulex Are Mediated by Independent Cholinergic and Gabaergic Neuronal Signals

Many prey species evolved inducible defense strategies that protect effectively against predation threats. Especially the crustacean Daphnia emerged as a model system for studying the ecology and evolution of inducible defenses. Daphnia pulex e.g. shows different phenotypic adaptations against vertebrate and invertebrate predators. In response to the invertebrate phantom midge larvae Chaoborus (Diptera) D. pulex develops defensive morphological defenses (neckteeth). Cues originating from predatory fish result in life history changes in which resources are allocated from somatic growth to reproduction. While there are hints that responses against Chaoborus cues are transmitted involving cholinergic neuronal pathways, nothing is known about the neurophysiology underlying the transmission of fish related cues. We investigated the neurophysiological basis underlying the activation of inducible defenses in D. pulex using induction assays with the invertebrate predator Chaoborus and the three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus. Predator-specific cues were combined with neuro-effective substances that stimulated or inhibited the cholinergic and gabaergic nervous system. We show that cholinergic-dependent pathways are involved in the perception and transmission of Chaoborus cues, while GABA was not involved. Thus, the cholinergic nervous system independently mediates the development of morphological defenses in response to Chaoborus cues. In contrast, only the inhibitory effect of GABA significantly influence fish-induced life history changes, while the application of cholinergic stimulants had no effect in combination with fish related cues. Our results show that cholinergic stimulation mediates signal transmission of Chaoborus cues leading to morphological defenses. Fish cues, which are responsible for predator-specific life history adaptations involve gabaergic control. Our study shows that both pathways are independent and thus potentially allow for adjustment of responses to variable predation regimes

Satisfação dos usuários de um Restaurante Universitário: adaptação de uma escala a partir da Teoria da Resposta ao Item

The client’s opinion is one of the most accurate way to evaluate the performance of an organization. The university restaurants play an important role in public institutions of undergraduate education, representing the democratization of the university space, contributing to dropout rate reduction, and improving living conditions for the clients. Item response theory has been presenting good performance in different management applications, including customer satisfaction assessment. Thus, the goal of this paper is to create a scale to evaluate the user satisfaction level of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) restaurant considering the two-parameter logistic model (2PL) and item response theory (IRT). The data were obtained based on a form prepared using the Google Docs program, in a total of 1.855 respondents. A descriptive analysis of the considered data is presented and the 2LM model was fitted. The results show at what level of the satisfaction assessment the clients of the UFSM university restaurant are situated and the interpretation of the levels. The 2PL and IRT are identified as suitable tools for the data analysis.A avaliação da satisfação de clientes é uma das formas mais eficientes de analisar o desempenho de uma organização. Os restaurantes universitários desempenham um papel de destaque nas Instituições Públicas de Ensino Superior, representam a democratização do espaço universitário, contribuem para a redução dos índices de evasão escolar e possibilitam melhores condições de vida para os usuários. A Teoria de resposta ao item vem mostrando um bom desempenho em várias aplicações na área da gestão, inclusive na avaliação do nível de satisfação de clientes.  Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo criar uma escala para mensurar o nível de satisfação dos usuários do Restaurante Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, por meio do Modelo Logístico de Dois Parâmetros (ML2) da Teoria da Resposta ao Item (TRI). Os dados foram obtidos por meio de um formulário elaborado utilizando o aplicativo Google Docs, totalizando 1.855 respondentes. Uma análise descritiva dos dados é apresentada e em seguida o ML2 é ajustado.  Foi possível identificar em que nível da escala de satisfação os usuários do RU da UFSM estão situados, assim como a interpretação desses níveis. Verificamos que o ML2 da TRI foi adequado para a análise proposta

A bovine lymphosarcoma cell line infected with theileria annulata exhibits an irreversible reconfiguration of host cell gene expression

Theileria annulata, an intracellular parasite of bovine lymphoid cells, induces substantial phenotypic alterations to its host cell including continuous proliferation, cytoskeletal changes and resistance to apoptosis. While parasite induced modulation of host cell signal transduction pathways and NFκB activation are established, there remains considerable speculation on the complexities of the parasite directed control mechanisms that govern these radical changes to the host cell. Our objectives in this study were to provide a comprehensive analysis of the global changes to host cell gene expression with emphasis on those that result from direct intervention by the parasite. By using comparative microarray analysis of an uninfected bovine cell line and its Theileria infected counterpart, in conjunction with use of the specific parasitacidal agent, buparvaquone, we have identified a large number of host cell gene expression changes that result from parasite infection. Our results indicate that the viable parasite can irreversibly modify the transformed phenotype of a bovine cell line. Fifty percent of genes with altered expression failed to show a reversible response to parasite death, a possible contributing factor to initiation of host cell apoptosis. The genes that did show an early predicted response to loss of parasite viability highlighted a sub-group of genes that are likely to be under direct control by parasite infection. Network and pathway analysis demonstrated that this sub-group is significantly enriched for genes involved in regulation of chromatin modification and gene expression. The results provide evidence that the Theileria parasite has the regulatory capacity to generate widespread change to host cell gene expression in a complex and largely irreversible manner