Values are often used to examine cultural variability. Yet, little research has focused on the functions that values fulfill and the implications of these functions for understanding cultural variability. This paper describes a theoretical analysis of the functions of values based on 2 widely accepted pan-cultural functions: values guide actions and express needs. The theoretical model proposes that the first function differentiates values according to the goals pursued (personal, central, or social goals), whereas the second function differentiates values according to the needs expressed (survival or thriving needs). A combination of these 2 functions yields 6 basic values (structural hypothesis) with specific marker values (content hypothesis). Support for the hypotheses was obtained in a large convenience national sample (N = 5,176) of Brazilian university students with confirmatory factor analysis and multidimensional scaling. Central values were located between personal and social values, and survival and thriving values separated into 2 regions. Theoretical and cross-cultural implications of the findings, especially the universality of the general structure of motivational aims, are discussed, along with interpretations of existing value scales from a functional perspective.

Los valores se emplean para examinar la variabilidad cultural, pero ha sido escasa la investigación centrada en las funciones de los valores y sus implicaciones para comprender la variabilidad cultural. El artículo analiza teóricamente las funciones de los valores basado en 2 funciones panculturales ampliamente aceptadas: los valores guían acciones y expresan necesidades. El modelo teórico propone que la primera función distingue a los valores según las metas perseguidas (personales, centrales o sociales); la segunda función los diferencia según las necesidades (de supervivencia o crecimiento). La combinación de estas funciones arroja 6 valores básicos (hipótesis estructural) con valores marcadores específicos (hipótesis de contenido). Estas hipótesis fueron apoyadas en una muestra intencionada nacional amplia (N = 5.176) de estudiantes universitarios brasileños, por medio de análisis factorial confirmatorio y escalamiento multidimensional. Los valores centrales se situaron entre los valores personales y sociales y los de supervivencia y de crecimiento se separaron en 2 áreas. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y transculturales de los resultados, especialmente la universalidad de la estructura general de metas motivacionales, junto con interpretaciones de escalas de valores existentes.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram analisar o consumo de aflatoxinas sobre o desenvolvimento de alevinos de tilápia e avaliar o efeito da inoculação de Aeromonas hydrophilasobre os parâmetros de desempenho produtivo dos animais. Para isso, dois testes individuais foram realizados. Foram utilizados 120 alevinos com 35 dias e 1,55 ± 0,005 g de peso médio em cada ensaio, distribuídos em 20 aquários. Cada unidade experimental foi constituída por um aquário de 60 L com seis alevinos. No primeiro ensaio, como tratamentos foram utilizados níveis crescentes de inclusão de aflatoxina (0,350; 0,757; 1,177 mg.kg ração-1) e um grupo controle com ração sem aflatoxina, em um delineamento inteiramente randomizado com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. No segundo ensaio, utilizou-se um grupo controle que recebeu ração livre de aflatoxina, o qual foi inoculado com solução salina (grupo 1) e Aeromonas hydrophila (grupo 2), bem como grupos de animais que receberam ração contendo 0,350 mg.kg feed-1 de aflatoxina (grupo 3); 0,757 mg.kg feed-1 de aflatoxina (grupo 4); e 1,177 mg.kg ração-1de aflatoxina (grupo 5), sendo estes grupos inoculados com Aeromonas hydrophila. A sobrevivência e o comprimento total dos alevinos foram influenciados pelos tratamentos (p < 0,05). A ação sinérgica de aflatoxinas e Aeromonas hydrophila mostrou-se eficaz ao provocar a morte dos alevinos e influenciar a conversão alimentar e comprimento.

The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of the intake of aflatoxin on the development of tilapia and to evaluate the impact of inoculation with Aeromonas hydrophila on performance parameters, so these two individual tests were performed. One hundred and twenty fingerlings aged 35 days old, with mean weight of 1.55 ± 0.005 g and mean length of 5 cm were used in each test, distributed in 20 tanks. Each experimental unit consisted of a 60 L tank with six fingerlings. In the first experiment, increasing levels of aflatoxin (0.350, 0.757, 1.177 mg.kg feed-1) were used as treatments and, for the control group, a diet without aflatoxin was used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates. In the second experiment, a control group of Nile tilapia fingerlings was used and received a diet without aflatoxin, inoculated with saline solution (group 1) and Aeromonas hydrophila (group 2), as well as groups of animals fed on diets containing 0.350 mg.kg feed-1of aflatoxin (group 3), 0.757 mg.kg feed-1of aflatoxin (group 4) and 1.177 mg.kg feed-1of aflatoxin (group 5), and these groups were inoculated with Aeromonas hydrophila. The survival rate and the total length of fingerlings were influenced by the treatments (p < 0.05). The synergistic action of aflatoxins and Aeromonas hydrophila was effective and caused the death of experimental fish, thus affecting feed conversion and length.

We report on 13 patients diagnosed with meningococcal infections in patients attending state-owned hospitals serving an indigent population in Pretoria in 2009. The case fatality rate was 27%. Ceftriaxone was the main antibiotic (9 out of 13 patients) for therapy. Five isolates (39%) were serogroup B and 4 (31%) serogroup W135. Most isolates (12/13) were fully susceptible to penicillin (MIC range 0.016 - 0.047 µg/ml). A single isolate was intermediately resistant to penicillin (MIC, 0.125 µg/ml) while all isolates were uniformly susceptible to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. This pattern reveals a shift in serogroups with an increase of serogroup B disease in the Pretoria region, and the need for ongoing monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and the value of ceftriaxone for favourable therapeutic outcome.

In this work, a methodology for the characterization of sugar cane bagasse was validated. Bagasse pre-treated with steam in a 5000 L reactor at a pressure of 15.3 kgf/cm², during 7 min, was used to test the methodology. The methodology consisted of the hydrolysis of the material with H2SO4 at 72% v/v, for the quantification of carbohydrates, organic acid, furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural by HPLC; insoluble lignin and ash by gravimetry; and soluble lignin by spectrophotometry. Linearity, repeatability, reproducibility and accuracy of the results obtained in two Research Laboratories were determined, and were considered to be suitable for the validation of the methodology.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the histometry of ligature-induced periodontitis in rats at different histological section depths. Sixteen male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: ligature and control. In the ligature group, rats received a sterile 4/0 silk ligature around the maxillary right 2nd molar. Thirty serial sections containing the 1st and 2nd molars, in which the coronal and root pulp, cementoenamel junction (CEJ) in the mesial side of the 2nd molar, interproximal alveolar bone and connective fiber attachment were clearly visible, were selected for histometric analysis. The histological sections were clustered in groups of 10 sections corresponding the buccal (B), central (C) and lingual (L) regions of the of periodontal tissue samples. The distance between the CEJ in the mesial side of the 2nd molar and the attached periodontal ligament fibers (CEJ-PL) as well as the distance between the CEJ and the alveolar bone crest (CEJ-BC) were determined. From CEJ-PL and CEJ-BC distances measured for each specimen, the measurements obtained in the B, L and C regions were recorded individually and together. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Significant differences (p<0.001) were observed between the control and ligature groups regarding CEJ-PL (0.05 mm and 0.26 mm, respectively) and CEJ-BC (0.47 mm and 0.77 mm, respectively) measurements. Regarding the depth of the buccal, central and lingual planes, the means of CEJ-PL and CEJ-BC of both groups showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). In conclusion, the selection of 10 serial sections of the central region of periodontal tissue samples at any depth can be considered as representative for the evaluation of periodontal ligament fiber attachment and bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

Um novo método espectrofotométrico simples, sensível e com boa seletividade é apresentado para a determinação rápida de mercúrio (II) em nível de traços com 2-mercapto-5-metilbenzilimidazol (MMBI) como um novo reagente espectrofotométrico (lambda max = 320 nm), em um meio aquoso ligeiramente alcalino (tampão Britton-Robinson (BR) 0,04 M, pH 8,0). A reação é instantânea e a absorbância permanece estável por mais de 24 horas. O coeficiente de absorção molar encontrado foi de 2,71 x 10(4) L mol-1 cm-1. A composição estequiométrica do complexo é de 1:1 (Hg:MMBI). Considerável excesso dos íons cobre, zinco, chumbo e cádmio não interfere na determinação. O método desenvolvido permitiu a determinação de mercúrio na faixa de 2 x 10-6 a 4 x 10-5 mol.L-1 com boa precisão e exatidão, e o limite de detecção para Hg foi de 9,9 x 10-7 mol.L-1. O método foi aplicado com sucesso a amostras de peixe e os resultados foram avaliados com o clássico método de espectrometria de absorção atômica (EAA). Os desvios padrão relativos para as amostras analisadas foram de 7,2 e 33% (n = 5), enquanto os erros foram de 1,63 e 11,6. O método mostrou-se sensível, seletivo e foi aplicado para a determinação de mercúrio em amostras de peixe com resultados satisfatórios.

A simple, sensitive and selective spectrophotmetric method is presented for the rapid determination of mercury (II) at trace levels using 2-mercapto-5-methylbenzimidazole (MMBI) as a new spectrophotometric reagent (lambdamax = 320 nm) in a slightly basic (0.04 M Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer, pH 8.0) aqueous solution. The reaction is instantaneous and the absorbance remains stable for over 24 hours. The average molar absorption coefficient was found to be 2.71 x 10(4) L mol-1 cm-1. The stoichiometric composition of the chelate is 1:1 (Hg:MMBI). Considerable excesses of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium do not interfere in the determination. The method developed allowed the determination of mercury in the range of 2 x 10-6 to 4 x 10-5 mol.L-1 with good precision, accuracy and the detection limit was 9.9 x 10-7 mol.L-1 of Hg. The method was successfully applied to fish samples and the results were evaluated and compared with classic atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The relative standard deviations for the samples analyzed were between 7.2 and 33% (n = 5), while the errors were between 1.63 and 11.6. The method was found to be sensitive, selective and was used for the determination of mercury in fish with satisfactory results.

En este trabajo se usan técnicas estadísticas multivariantes tales como el Análisis Discriminante de Fisher FDA y el Análisis Discriminante Generalizado GDA para realizar el diagnóstico de fallas en un proceso industrial. La identificación de las fallas se realiza por medio del Análisis de pares FDA, que permite seleccionar las variables más relacionadas con la falla. Por tanto, para el diagnóstico de las fallas se propone el FDA en la clasificación de las fallas linealmente separables y el GDA para clasificar fallas donde la data requiere de un clasificador no lineal. Se propone un nuevo procedimiento para el estudio de las fallas, éste se incluye en la etapa de extracción, y se realiza por medio del análisis Wavelet, para decorrelacionar y reducir la dimensión de la data. Un tanque de reacción no isotérmico agitado continuamente fue usado mediante simulación en presencia de fallas típicas, para estudiar las bondades del método propuesto.

In this paper, multivariate statistical techniques such as Fisher Discriminant Analysis and Generalized Discriminant Analysis are utilized for fault diagnosis in an industrial process. The pair-wise FDA analysis is used to identify the fault, which determines the most related variable with the present fault. Therefore, the FDA is proposed to classify linearly separable faults and the GDA to classify faults where a nonlinear classifier is needed. A new procedure to study faults is proposed which include wavelet analysis in the extraction phase, to reduce and decorrelate the data. A continuous stirred tank reactor was simulated in presence of typical faults in order to study the proposed method.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse trends in reported invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in South Africa within the first five years of introduction of conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine in the routine child immunization schedule. METHODS: We used national laboratory-based surveillance data to identify cases of invasive H. influenzae disease between July 1999 and June 2004, and submitted isolates for serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. FINDINGS: The absolute number of Hib cases (reported to the national surveillance system) among children below one year of age decreased by 65%, from 55 cases in 1999-2000 to 19 cases in 2003-04. Enhanced surveillance initiated in 2003, identified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection and incomplete vaccination as contributing factors for Hib transmission. The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases of H. influenzae remained unchanged because non-type b disease was being increasingly reported to the surveillance system concomitant with system enhancements. Children with non-typable disease were more likely to be HIV-positive (32 of 34, 94%) than children with Hib disease (10 of 14, 71%), P = 0.051. Recent Hib isolates were more likely to be multidrug resistant (2% in 1999-2000 versus 19% in 2003-04, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Data from a newly established national laboratory-based surveillance system showed a decrease in Hib disease burden among South African children following conjugate vaccine introduction and identified cases of non-typable disease associated with HIV infection.

OBJETIVO: Analizar las tendencias de los casos notificados de enfermedad invasiva por Haemophilus influenzae en Sudáfrica durante los cinco primeros años de utilización de la vacuna conjugada contra Haemophilus influenzae tipo b (anti-Hib) en el calendario de vacunación infantil sistemática. MÉTODOS: Usamos los datos de vigilancia obtenidos por el laboratorio nacional para identificar los casos de enfermedad invasiva por H. influenzae registrados entre julio de 1999 y junio de 2004, así como las cepas aisladas enviadas para serotipificación y análisis de la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos. RESULTADOS: La cifra absoluta de casos de infección por Hib (notificados al sistema de vigilancia nacional) entre los niños menores de un año se redujo en un 65%, de 55 casos en 1999- 2000 a 19 casos en 2003-2004. La vigilancia mejorada iniciada en 2003 identificó la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y la vacunación incompleta como factores contribuyentes a la transmisión de Hib. El número total de casos de infección por H. influenzae confirmados en laboratorio se mantuvo inalterado debido a que la enfermedad de tipo no b se notificó con creciente frecuencia al sistema de vigilancia como consecuencia de la mejora del sistema. Los niños con enfermedad no tipificable tenían más probabilidades de ser VIH-positivos (32 de 34; 94%) que los niños con enfermedad por Hib (10 de 14; 71%), P = 0,051, y los aislados recientes de Hib tenían más probabilidades de ser multirresistentes (2% en 1999-2000, frente al 19% de 2003-2004, P = 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Los datos de un nuevo sistema nacional de vigilancia basado en el laboratorio mostraron una disminución de la carga de morbilidad por Hib entre los niños sudafricanos tras la introducción de vacunas conjugadas e identificaron casos de enfermedad no tipificable asociada a la infección por VIH.

OBJECTIF: Analyser les tendances observées dans les infections invasives à Haemophilus influenzae en Afrique du Sud pendant les cinq premières années suivant l'introduction du vaccin conjugué anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) dans le calendrier de vaccination systématique de l'enfant. MÉTHODES: On a utilisé les données de la surveillance nationale au laboratoire pour définir les cas d'infection invasive à H. influenzae entre juillet 1999 et juin 2004 et soumis des isolements au sérotypage et à des épreuves de sensibilité aux antimicrobiens. RÉSULTATS: Le nombre absolu de cas d'infection à Hib (notifiés au système de surveillance national) chez l'enfant de moins d'un an a diminué de 65 %, passant de 55 en 1999-2000 à 19 en 2003-2004. Le renforcement de la surveillance commencé en 2003 a permis de constater que l'infection par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) et la vaccination incomplète constituaient des facteurs contribuant à la transmission du Hib. Le nombre total de cas d'infection à H. influenzae confirmés au laboratoire est resté inchangé, les infections n'appartenant pas au type b étant de plus en plus notifiées au système de surveillance à mesure que celui-ci devenait plus performant. Les enfants touchés par une infection à Haemophilus de type impossible à déterminer étaient plus souvent VIH-positifs (32 sur 34, 94 %) que les enfants infectés par Hib (10 sur 14, 71 %, p = 0,051). On a également observé une probabilité plus grande de multirésistance dans les isolements récents de Hib (2 % en 1999-2000 contre 19 % en 2003-2004, p = 0,001). CONCLUSION: Les données issues d'un système national de surveillance au laboratoire récemment mis en place ont fait apparaître une diminution de la charge de morbidité due à Hib chez les enfants sud-africains à la suite de l'introduction du vaccin conjugué et permis d'identifier des infections à Haemophilus dont le type était impossible à déterminer, associées à l'infection par le VIH.