As características relacionadas à frutificação do cafeeiro são altamente influenciadas pelo ambiente. Portanto, a associação de análises agronômicas, fenológicas e genômicas são necessárias para o entendimento desse processo. Esses estudos fazem parte do programa de melhoramento genético do café, com o objetivo de obter plantas com maior uniformidade de maturação, duração de ciclo e bebidas específicas. Nesse contexto, os objetivos desse trabalho foram estabelecer padrões agronômicos e fenológicos comparativos entre diferentes cultivares e safras de café, caracterizar genes diferencialmente expressos durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos de cafeeiro arábica e correlacionar genes diferencialmente expressos com atributos fenológicos e agronômicos. Os estudos foram realizados no Centro de Café do IAC em Campinas, SP. As cultivares de Coffea arabica utilizadas foram: Mundo Novo, Catuaí Vermelho, Icatu Vermelho, Obatã e Icatu Precoce, nas safras de 2004/2005 e 2005/2006. Os atributos fenológicos foram avaliados com base no desenvolvimento do ciclo fenológico e na porcentagem de frutos maduros na colheita. As avaliações agronômicas foram avaliadas baseadas nas características tecnológicas do produto como, produção e rendimento, tipos de sementes e tamanho dos grãos. A expressão gênica diferencial foi avaliada por método semi-quantitativo e quantitativo RT-PCR em todos os estádios de desenvolvimento dos frutos. Seqüências de genes específicos foram identificadas por buscas em bancos de dados do Programa Genoma Café e no Genbank, possibilitando a construção de oligonucleotídeos específicos para cada gene. Em geral, os resultados das análises confirmaram a influência ambiental no desenvolvimento dos frutos do cafeeiro, especialmente as variações hídricas e de temperatura. Diferenças significativas foram identificadas entre as cultivares, em relação aos atributos fenológicos e agronômicos, principalmente na safra 2005/2006 quando foi possível discriminar as cultivares quanto à duração do ciclo fenológico. A expressão gênica durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos, seguiu padrão similar entre as cultivares, mesmo comparando diferentes anos agrícolas. Conseqüentemente, essas análises permitiram a identificação de genes candidatos a serem usados como marcadores genéticos das fases de frutificação de C. arabica, como: crescimento (PAL, CHS e manB), transição do crescimento para o início da maturação (csp1, GLA e ER5), maturação e amadurecimento (CS, AAT, ACS, ACO, ETR e ICL) e transição da maturação para o amadurecimento (PAL). Esses genes marcadores em associação com atributos agronômicos e fenológicos, podem ser utilizados como parâmetros moleculares para a definição de estádios adequados à colheita, assegurando composição final específica dos frutos e da qualidade da bebida. / Coffee fruit development and ripening are biological processes largely influenced by environmental conditions. Therefore, the association of agronomic, phenologic and genomic analyses is necessary for a broad comprehension of these processes. This type of approach is already part of coffee breeding programs, which aimed the development of coffee cultivars bearing maturation uniformity, controlled life cycle and specific cup qualities. In this context, the main objectives of this dissertation are to establish comparative patterns of fruit ripening among different coffee cultivars, to characterize gene expression during fruit development, and to correlate possible differential gene expression with agronomic and phenologic traits. All investigations were performed at the experimental field of the Coffee Center/IAC, Campinas, SP. The Coffea arabica cultivars Mundo Novo, Catuaí Vermelho, Icatu Vermelho, Obatã and Icatu Precoce, years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006, were evaluated regarding phenologic cycle and percentage of cherry fruits at harvesting time. Agronomic traits evaluated included productivity and outturn, type of seeds and grain size. Differential gene expression was evaluated through semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR, in all stages of fruit development. Sequences of selected genes were identified through blast searches in the database of the Coffee Genome EST Project and the Genbank, and used to design gene-specific primers. In general, analyzed results confirmed the environmental influence over fruit development, especially temperature variations during evaluated seasons. Significant differences were identified among cultivars regarding phenologic and agronomic traits, especially in the year 2005/2006 where life cycle duration allowed cultivar discrimination. Gene expression during fruit development followed a similar pattern among evaluated cultivars, even when comparing different harvesting years. Therefore, these patterns allowed the identification of candidate genes for use as genetic markers of C. arabica fruit development phases, such as growing (PAL, CHS and manB), transition from growing to maturation (csp1, GLA, ER), maturation and ripening (CS, AAT, ACS, ACO, ETR, ICL) and transition from maturation to ripening (PAL). These gene-markers, in association with agronomic and phenological traits, may be used as molecular parameters for the definition of best colleting stage, ensuring specific final coffee fruit composition and cup quality.

As características relacionadas à frutificação do cafeeiro são altamente influenciadas pelo ambiente. Portanto, a associação de análises agronômicas, fenológicas e genômicas são necessárias para o entendimento desse processo. Esses estudos fazem parte do programa de melhoramento genético do café, com o objetivo de obter plantas com maior uniformidade de maturação, duração de ciclo e bebidas específicas. Nesse contexto, os objetivos desse trabalho foram estabelecer padrões agronômicos e fenológicos comparativos entre diferentes cultivares e safras de café, caracterizar genes diferencialmente expressos durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos de cafeeiro arábica e correlacionar genes diferencialmente expressos com atributos fenológicos e agronômicos. Os estudos foram realizados no Centro de Café do IAC em Campinas, SP. As cultivares de Coffea arabica utilizadas foram: Mundo Novo, Catuaí Vermelho, Icatu Vermelho, Obatã e Icatu Precoce, nas safras de 2004/2005 e 2005/2006. Os atributos fenológicos foram avaliados com base no desenvolvimento do ciclo fenológico e na porcentagem de frutos maduros na colheita. As avaliações agronômicas foram avaliadas baseadas nas características tecnológicas do produto como, produção e rendimento, tipos de sementes e tamanho dos grãos. A expressão gênica diferencial foi avaliada por método semi-quantitativo e quantitativo RT-PCR em todos os estádios de desenvolvimento dos frutos. Seqüências de genes específicos foram identificadas por buscas em bancos de dados do Programa Genoma Café e no Genbank, possibilitando a construção de oligonucleotídeos específicos para cada gene. Em geral, os resultados das análises confirmaram a influência ambiental no desenvolvimento dos frutos do cafeeiro, especialmente as variações hídricas e de temperatura. Diferenças significativas foram identificadas entre as cultivares, em relação aos atributos fenológicos e agronômicos, principalmente na safra 2005/2006 quando foi possível discriminar as cultivares quanto à duração do ciclo fenológico. A expressão gênica durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos, seguiu padrão similar entre as cultivares, mesmo comparando diferentes anos agrícolas. Conseqüentemente, essas análises permitiram a identificação de genes candidatos a serem usados como marcadores genéticos das fases de frutificação de C. arabica, como: crescimento (PAL, CHS e manB), transição do crescimento para o início da maturação (csp1, GLA e ER5), maturação e amadurecimento (CS, AAT, ACS, ACO, ETR e ICL) e transição da maturação para o amadurecimento (PAL). Esses genes marcadores em associação com atributos agronômicos e fenológicos, podem ser utilizados como parâmetros moleculares para a definição de estádios adequados à colheita, assegurando composição final específica dos frutos e da qualidade da bebida. / Coffee fruit development and ripening are biological processes largely influenced by environmental conditions. Therefore, the association of agronomic, phenologic and genomic analyses is necessary for a broad comprehension of these processes. This type of approach is already part of coffee breeding programs, which aimed the development of coffee cultivars bearing maturation uniformity, controlled life cycle and specific cup qualities. In this context, the main objectives of this dissertation are to establish comparative patterns of fruit ripening among different coffee cultivars, to characterize gene expression during fruit development, and to correlate possible differential gene expression with agronomic and phenologic traits. All investigations were performed at the experimental field of the Coffee Center/IAC, Campinas, SP. The Coffea arabica cultivars Mundo Novo, Catuaí Vermelho, Icatu Vermelho, Obatã and Icatu Precoce, years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006, were evaluated regarding phenologic cycle and percentage of cherry fruits at harvesting time. Agronomic traits evaluated included productivity and outturn, type of seeds and grain size. Differential gene expression was evaluated through semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR, in all stages of fruit development. Sequences of selected genes were identified through blast searches in the database of the Coffee Genome EST Project and the Genbank, and used to design gene-specific primers. In general, analyzed results confirmed the environmental influence over fruit development, especially temperature variations during evaluated seasons. Significant differences were identified among cultivars regarding phenologic and agronomic traits, especially in the year 2005/2006 where life cycle duration allowed cultivar discrimination. Gene expression during fruit development followed a similar pattern among evaluated cultivars, even when comparing different harvesting years. Therefore, these patterns allowed the identification of candidate genes for use as genetic markers of C. arabica fruit development phases, such as growing (PAL, CHS and manB), transition from growing to maturation (csp1, GLA, ER), maturation and ripening (CS, AAT, ACS, ACO, ETR, ICL) and transition from maturation to ripening (PAL). These gene-markers, in association with agronomic and phenological traits, may be used as molecular parameters for the definition of best colleting stage, ensuring specific final coffee fruit composition and cup quality.

L’entreprise qui se développe à l’international est confrontée à la nécessité d’acquérir des informations sur les nouveaux marchés, grâce notamment à des études export. Cette recherche s’intéresse au processus d’identification du chargé d’étude, appelé mode d’acquisition de l’information. Elle démontre que celui-ci fait partie d’un système d’acquisition d’information qui a pour objectif la réduction contrôlée de l’ambigüité des marchés. Elle décrit l’émergence de ce système, son fonctionnement et le processus d’identification du chargé d’étude. Les caractéristiques du système variant avec le niveau d’internationalisation et le degré d’apprentissage de l’organisation, le choix du mode d’acquisition de l’information évolue lui aussi avec le stade de développement international de l’entreprise. / When an organization develops on foreign markets, it has to collect information on that market. Export research is one way to acquire that information. This research focuses on the identification process of the export market researcher, designated as information acquisition mode. We aim to demonstrate that this acquisition mode is part of a system whose objective is to reduce the perceived ambiguity of markets in a controlled fashion. We describe the emergence of the system, its functioning and the identification process of the information acquisition mode. Since the characteristics of the system vary according to the level of internationalization and learning of the organization, we show that the choice of the acquisition mode is also impacted by the international development stage of the company.

Ultravioletinės B spinduliuotės intensyvumo didėjimas ir rūgštėjantys dirvožemiai veikia daugelį augalų fiziologinių ir morfologinių procesų. Yra nemažai atliktų tyrimų apie pavienį šių veiksnių poveikį, tačiau kompleksinis UV-B spinduliuotės ir rūgštaus substrato poveikis augalams kol kas tyrinėtas mažai. Tyrimų tikslas – ištirti pavienį bei kompleksinį 1 ir 3 kJ m-2 d-1 UV–B spinduliuotės dozių ir rūgštaus substrato (pH 4,8) poveikį skirtingų vystymosi tarpsnių sėjamiesiems žirniams (Pisum sativum L.). Tyrimai vykdyti dviem etapais: pirmame etape tirtas pavienis UV-B spinduliuotės ir rūgštaus substrato poveikis sėjamiesiems žirniams priklausomai nuo vystymosi tarpsnio; antrame - kompleksinis UV-B spinduliuotės ir rūgštaus substrato poveikis augalams priklausomai nuo vystymosi tarpsnio. Žirniai pasėti į vegetacinius indus su paruoštu neutralaus rūgštumo durpių substratu, o praėjus 10 ir 17 dienų po sudygimo, t.y. lapų vystymosi (BBCH 14-16) ir šoninių ūglių formavimosi (BBCH 21-23) tarpsniais, veikti pasirinktais stresoriais. Penktą poveikio dieną išmatuoti fiziologiniai ir morfologiniai rodikliai: fotosintezės intensyvumas, vandens naudojimo efektyvumas, pigmentų kiekis, žalioji bei sausoji augalų biomasė ir kt. Nustatyta, jog 1 ir 3 kJ m-2 d-1 UV–B spinduliuotė neigiamai veikė tiek fiziologinius, tiek morfologinius sėjamųjų žirnių rodiklius. Lapų vystymosi (BBCH 14-16) tarpsnio žirniai buvo mažiau atsparūs UV-B poveikiui negu šoninių ūglių formavimosi (BBCH 21-23)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / UV-B radiation and acidic soils could pose many direct and indirect effects on plants including the alteration in transpiration and photosynthesis, and the change in growth, development and morphology. The single impact of UV-B radiation and acid substrate on plants has been studied by several research groups. However, integrated UV-B radiation and substrate acidity impact on plants are still little studied. The aim of the study was to investigate the single and integrated 1 and 3 kJ m-2 d-1 UV-B radiation and substrate acidity (pH 4,8) impact on different development stages pea plants (Pisum sativum L.). Researches were performed in two stages: in the first stage the single UV-B radiation and acid substrate effect on sown pea plants was analysed depending on the development stage. In the second stage the integrated UV-B radiation and acid substrate effect on sown pea plants was analysed depending on the development stage. Peas were sown in vegetative pots with prepared a neutral acidity peat substrate. 10 and 17 days after germination, i.e. at leaf development (BBCH 14-16) stage and lateral shoot formation (BBCH 21-23) stage pea plants were exposed to different stressors. On the fifth day of effect the physiological and morphological indices were measured: photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids, fresh and dry biomass, and others. Investigated that 1 and 3 kJ m-2 d-1 UV-B doses had negative affects on both, physiological and... [to full text]

The Lithuanian coastal area represents a specific region of great economic and rcreational importance. This research has been focused on a few tens of kilometres of the wide continental coastal sector, the northern parts of the Curonian Spit and the Curonian Lagoonal area. The geological material and results of absolute dating collected from numerous sediment samples have served as the basis for the essential specification of the boundaries, age, genesis and palaeo-sedimentation conditions at different Baltic Sea development stages. / Lietuvos pajūrio geologinės sandaros pažinimas, jo geologinės raidos žinojimas, čia vykstančių geologinių procesų suvokimas neabejotinai buvo, yra ir bus ypač aktualūs. Tyrimų objektas apėmė kelių dešimčių kilometrų pločio Baltijos jūros pakrantės ruožą žemyniniame krante, Lietuvai priklausančias šiaurines Kuršių nerijos ir Kuršių marių akvatorijos dalis. Absoliutaus datavimo metodų taikymas nuosėdų ir moliuskų liekanų amžiui nustatyti, iškastinių moliuskų liekanų apibūdinimas, nauji paleobotaninių tyrimų rezultatai bei kita gausi geologinė informacija leido patikslinti Baltijos paleobaseinų vandens lygio (kranto linijos) kaitą vėlyvajame ledynmetyje ir holocene, sudaryti seriją paleogeografinių rekonstrukcijų – kartoschemų skirtingų Baltijos jūros raidos stadijų baseinams.

L’entreprise qui se développe à l’international est confrontée à la nécessité d’acquérir des informations sur les nouveaux marchés, grâce notamment à des études export. Cette recherche s’intéresse au processus d’identification du chargé d’étude, appelé mode d’acquisition de l’information. Elle démontre que celui-ci fait partie d’un système d’acquisition d’information qui a pour objectif la réduction contrôlée de l’ambigüité des marchés. Elle décrit l’émergence de ce système, son fonctionnement et le processus d’identification du chargé d’étude. Les caractéristiques du système variant avec le niveau d’internationalisation et le degré d’apprentissage de l’organisation, le choix du mode d’acquisition de l’information évolue lui aussi avec le stade de développement international de l’entreprise. / When an organization develops on foreign markets, it has to collect information on that market. Export research is one way to acquire that information. This research focuses on the identification process of the export market researcher, designated as information acquisition mode. We aim to demonstrate that this acquisition mode is part of a system whose objective is to reduce the perceived ambiguity of markets in a controlled fashion. We describe the emergence of the system, its functioning and the identification process of the information acquisition mode. Since the characteristics of the system vary according to the level of internationalization and learning of the organization, we show that the choice of the acquisition mode is also impacted by the international development stage of the company.

The purpose of this study is to qualitatively investigate how social studies teachers in a high school, use group development strategies when approaching potentially controversial topics in the classroom. The study used five semi-structured interviews with social studies teachers. Bruce Tuckman's model of group development was used to organize and analyze the teachers' experiences in a way that could be linked to the phases described in the model. The results of the study have shown the importance of using group development as a method to prepare students to handle controversial conversations in a constructive way and promote their growth together. The teachers' overall goal with group development is for the students to learn to cooperate, develop their communication skills and show respect for each other's opinions. The teacher's democratic mission also appears as part of group development. Positive group development also contributes to a cohesive social environment that creates an inclusive conversation climate. The skills acquired through group development were considered applicable when students faced controversial discussions. For example, they were seen using communication skills to actively listen and strive to understand each other's perspectives instead of trying to dominate each other. Therefore, classes may need to go through different stages of development to manage controversial conversations effectively.

This thesis has the main purpose of uncovering the stages and success-failure factors to implement corporate entrepreneurship in energy and automotive companies. The goal is driven by the implication that not understanding the process and factors to be considered can result in the failure of new business development. The corporate entrepreneurship implementations within many corporations are heterogeneous and variative. Therefore, instead of looking at corporate entrepreneurship from a general standpoint, this research combines the two cases to figure out the practice of corporate entrepreneurship more deeply by looking at the similarities and differences between the two of them. The research is conducted in Sweden with the case of two Swedish Companies with different business focus: Volvo (automotive company) and Vattenfall (energy company). This research uses comparative case studies which use semi-structured interviews and analysis of company information. The interview respondents were seven people from the corporate level from different divisions in both companies and nine people from the venture level with different corporate venture projects. The findings of this thesis have identified a total of 21 critical activities in the development stages and 17 success factors in the corporate venture development based on the incorporation of practice in Volvo and Vattenfall. Both companies have many similar activities in the development stages and success factors in the internal venture development. Both of them give a similar picture of corporate entrepreneurship implementation. It shows that the practice of corporate entrepreneurship in Swedish companies has a pattern of firm behaviours. The differences between activities and success factors occur due to different types of projects and organizational structures. / Detta examensarbete har som huvudsyfte att undersöka stadierna och framgångs faktorerna för att implementera entreprenörskap i energi- och fordonsföretag. Målet drivs av implikationen att om man inte förstår processen och faktorerna som ska beaktas kan det leda till att ny affärsutveckling misslyckas. Implementeringarna av entreprenörskap inom företag är heterogena, och vi måste undersöka variationen djupare utveckla mer om variationen. Därför, istället för att titta på entreprenörskap inom företag från en allmän synvinkel, kombinerar denna undersökning de två fallen för att ta reda på praktiken av företagsentreprenörskap djupare genom att titta på likheterna och skillnaderna mellan de två. Undersökningen bedrivs i Sverige med två svenska företag med olika affärsinriktning: Volvo (fordonsföretag) och Vattenfall (energiföretag). Denna undersökning forskning använder sig av jämförande fallstudier som i sin tur använder sig av semistrukturerade intervjuer samt analys av företagsinformation. Intervjurespondenterna var sju personer från företagsnivå från olika divisioner i båda företagen och nio personer från företagsnivå med olika företagsprojekt. Resultaten av denna undersökning avhandling har identifierat totalt 21 kritiska aktiviteter i utvecklingsstadierna och 17 framgångsfaktorer i företagsutvecklingen baserat på inkorporeringen av praxis i Volvo och Vattenfall. Båda företagen har många liknande aktiviteter i utvecklingsskedet och framgångsfaktorer i den interna venture-utvecklingen. Båda ger en liknande bild av genomförandet av entreprenörskap inom företag. Den visar att utövandet av entreprenörskap i svenska företag har ett tydligt mönster. Skillnaderna mellan aktiviteter och framgångsfaktorer uppstår på grund av olika typer av projekt och organisationsstrukturer.

M.A. (Research Consultation) / Adolescent and sexual reproductive health has been identified as among the most important health and development priorities by the South African development (Department of Health, 1995; African National Congress, 1994). The South African government, like many governments in the sub-Saharan region view with concern the region’s rapid population growth and high birth rates particularly among adolescents. This study investigated the perceptions of young mothers regarding teenage pregnancy. Eight participants who live in Vredendal, a predominantly Coloured area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, were selected for interviewing using convenient sampling. Transcripts of unstructured interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings of the study suggest that young mothers initially perceive teenage pregnancy negatively. These perceptions progressively changes to a positive one. Furthermore, the results indicate a limited awareness of available preventative interventions. Results further show participants tend to experience their relationships with significant others as positive. / Psychology

Adolescent and sexual reproductive health has been identified as among the most important health and development priorities by the South African development (Department of Health, 1995; African National Congress, 1994). The South African government, like many governments in the sub-Saharan region view with concern the region’s rapid population growth and high birth rates particularly among adolescents. This study investigated the perceptions of young mothers regarding teenage pregnancy. Eight participants who live in Vredendal, a predominantly Coloured area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, were selected for interviewing using convenient sampling. Transcripts of unstructured interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings of the study suggest that young mothers initially perceive teenage pregnancy negatively. These perceptions progressively changes to a positive one. Furthermore, the results indicate a limited awareness of available preventative interventions. Results further show participants tend to experience their relationships with significant others as positive. / Psychology / M. A. (Research Consultation)