bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Transport Infrastructure Development and Competitiveness in the Member Countries of Pacific Alliance (2007-2016)
Authors: Cortes-Villafradez Raul Alberto , De la Peña-Cárdenas Nicolas
Published: April 2020

The development of transport infrastructure is a key element for increasing competitiveness, as it reduces the distance effect and freight transport costs, allowing the generation of efficiencies in market integration. This descriptive study uses a comparative methodology, taking as variables the indicators of global competitiveness of the member countries of the Pacific Alliance during the period 2007-2016. The analysis of the results shows a weak trend in the infrastructure development of the Pacific Alliance group and a notable asymmetry among the member countries. There is a need for an individual strategy in each country that is in line with the objectives of trade integration in Asia. Another finding suggests that the achievement of better indicators depends on other significant variables and on the way in which the costs of transport infrastructure investments are passed on to agents who move freight.
Scenarios of a turbulent Brexit
Authors: Navarro-Pabsdorf Margarita , Cuenca-García Eduardo , Caviedes Angela Andrea
Published: April 2020

The decision made by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has been one of the most delicate moments in the history of the European integration project. Given the difficulties of doing other types of evaluations at the moment, this work aims to analyze the causes and the process followed, since it is the first time that a member country—one of the most prominent ones—takes this path. The conversations carried out for this purpose have posed unanswered questions of economic, political, and social nature about how to carry out this order successfully; this has raised serious doubts about its advantages, which were discussed at the time of voting for the exit from the European Union. This situation has created a climate of distrust between European and British citizens regarding their politicians, as it is not very clear if the latter are really defending the interests of the country or others.
Determination of hemolysis cut-offs for biochemical and immunochemical analytes according to their value
Authors: Dupuy Anne Marie , Bargnoux Anne Sophie , Kuster Nils , Cristol Jean Paul , Badiou Stéphanie
Published: April 2020

Background

All general biochemistry instruments allow the measure of hemolysis index (HI), and suppliers provide an acceptable HI for each assay without consideration of the analyte value or its clinical application. Our first objective was to measure the impact of hemolysis degree on plasma biochemical and immunochemical analytes to determine the maximum allowable HI for each of them using four calculation methods as significant bias in comparison to manufacturer’s data. The second objective was to assess whether the maximum allowable HI varied according to the analyte values.

Methods

Twenty analytes were measured in hemolyzate-treated plasma to determine the HI leading to a significant change compared to baseline value. Analytes were assessed at one (3 analytes), two (5 analytes) and three (12 analytes) values according to their sensitivity to hemolysis and their clinical impact. We used four calculation methods as significant limit from baseline value: the total change limit (TCL), the 10% change (10%Δ), the analytical change limit and the reference change value.

Results

Allowable HI was significantly different according to the threshold chosen for most analytes and was also dependent on the analyte value for alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, iron, haptoglobin and high sensitivity troponin T. No hemolysis interference was observed for albumin, creatinine, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin even at an HI value of 11 g/L.

Conclusions

This study highlights that TCL is the most appropriate calculation method to determine allowable HI in practice for biochemical and immunochemical parameters using Cobas 8000© from Roche Diagnostics. In addition, different allowable HI were found according to analyte value leading to optimization of resampling to save time in patient care.
The value of urine biochemical parameters in the prediction of the severity of coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Liu Rui , Ma Qingfeng , Han Huan , Su Hanwen , Liu Fang , Wu Kailang , Wang Wei , Zhu Chengliang
Published: April 2020

Background

Among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the cases of a significant proportion of patients are severe. A viral nucleic acid test is used for the diagnosis of COVID-19, and some hematological indicators have been used in the auxiliary diagnosis and identification of the severity of COVID-19. Regarding body fluid samples, except for being used for nucleic acid testing, the relationship between COVID-19 and routine body fluid parameters is not known. Our aim was to investigate the value of urine biochemical parameters in the prediction of the severity of COVID-19.

Methods

A total of 119 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. According to the severity of COVID-19, the patients were divided into three groups (moderate 67, severe 42 and critical 10), and 45 healthy persons were enrolled in the same period as healthy controls. The relationship between the results of urine biochemical parameters and the severity of COVID-19 was analyzed.

Results

The positive rates of urine occult blood (BLOOD) and proteinuria (PRO) were higher in COVID-19 patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.05); the urine specific gravity (SG) value was lower in patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.05), and the urine potential of hydrogen (pH) value was higher in patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). The positive rates of urine glucose (GLU-U) and PRO in the severe and critical groups were higher than those in the moderate group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively); other biochemical parameters of urine were not associated with the severity of COVID-19.

Conclusions

Some urine biochemical parameters are different between patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 and healthy controls, and GLU-U and PRO may be helpful for the differentiation of COVID-19 severity.
Routine blood tests as a potential diagnostic tool for COVID-19
Authors: Ferrari Davide , Motta Andrea , Strollo Marta , Banfi Giuseppe , Locatelli Massimo
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to date, the epidemic has gradually spread to 209 countries worldwide with more than 1.5 million infected people and 100,000 deaths. Amplification of viral RNA by rRT-PCR serves as the gold standard for confirmation of infection, yet it needs a long turnaround time (3–4 h to generate results) and shows false-negative rates as large as 15%–20%. In addition, the need of certified laboratories, expensive equipment and trained personnel led many countries to limit the rRT-PCR tests only to individuals with pronounced respiratory syndrome symptoms. Thus, there is a need for alternative, less expensive and more accessible tests.

Methods

We analyzed the plasma levels of white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, C-reactive protein (CRP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of 207 patients who, after being admitted to the emergency room of the San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy) with COVID-19 symptoms, were rRT-PCR tested. Of them, 105 tested positive, whereas 102 tested negative.

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed for WBC, CRP, AST, ALT and LDH. Empirical thresholds for AST and LDH allowed the identification of 70% of either COVID-19-positive or -negative patients on the basis of routine blood test results.

Conclusions

Combining appropriate cutoffs for certain hematological parameters could help in identifying false-positive/negative rRT-PCR tests. Blood test analysis might be used as an alternative to rRT-PCR for identifying COVID-19-positive patients in those countries which suffer from a large shortage of rRT-PCR reagents and/or specialized laboratory.
Full-Scale Experimental Study on the Single and Group of Soil-Cement Columns under Vertical Load Applying for Buildings
Authors: Do Huu-Dao , Pham Van-Ngoc , Phan Cao-Tho , Puppala Anand , Oh Erwin
Published: April 2020

This article presents the results of in-situ research on the soil-cement (SC) column as the foundation of buildings. A physical model was constructed consisting of two single SC columns, one group of three SC columns (G1), and another group of five SC columns (G2) with a diameter of 0.6 m and a length of 7.5 m. Among ten experimental columns, four SC columns were instrumented by strain gages to determine the load transfer and analysis of the skin and toe resistance distributions along the depth of the SC columns. These columns were constructed by the wet mixing method according to Japanese technology with two static blades to increase the quality of the mixture. The bearing capacity of the single SC column was measured as 1,180 kN, and the top and toe displacements were measured to be approximately 36.6 mm and 27.7 mm, respectively. For the group of SC columns, the skin resistance of the center and outer columns decreased by 4.17 % and 16.16 %, respectively, in comparison to the single column. The toe resistance of the SC column in the groups was significantly lower than that of the single column, from 45.10 % for the group G1, and up to 60.78 % for the group G2. The effect of the group of SC columns was also determined from the experiment with the group coefficients around 0.664 for group G1 and 0.554 for group G2. The research results from the full-scale model are essential in evaluating the group effects of the SC columns, especially in applications for the foundation of buildings.
Acceptance Sampling Scheme with Warranty for Life Testing Using Bayesian Inference Methods
Authors: Zhu Jianping , Sun Junge , Xin Hua , Zheng Chenlu , Tsai Tzong-Ru
Published: April 2020

We propose an empirical Bayesian (EB) procedure with a rebate warranty policy to search for optimal sampling plans for three-parameter Burr-type XII distribution (3pBXIID) under truncated life testing. The proposed method requires fewer assumptions than its competitors to search for optimal sampling plans when the lifetimes of products follow a 3pBXIID. The Newton–Raphson method using the quasi-Newton (QN) algorithm, the evolution algorithm method using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) are used in the proposed EB procedure to search for reliable estimates of the parameters in the Bayesian model, and the obtained estimates are denoted as QN-EB, PSO-EB, and GA-EB, respectively. The performance of the QN-EB, PSO-EB, and GA-EB estimates were evaluated by performing Monte Carlo simulations. The simulation results show that the PSO-EB method outperforms the GA-EB and QN-EB methods in obtaining reliable estimates of the parameters in terms of bias and mean squared error. A grid-searching algorithm with the plug-in parameters of PSO-EB estimates to search for the optimal EB sampling plans is presented. Two examples pertaining to the lifetime of an oil-well pump in a sucker-rod oil pumping system and the first failure time of a small electric cart are used to illustrate the application of the proposed EB method.
Hypothalamic MCH Neuron Activity Dynamics during Cataplexy of Narcolepsy
Authors: Sun Ying , Liu Meng
Published: April 2020

Hypothalamic orexin (hypocretin, HCRT) deficiency causes sleep disorder narcolepsy with cataplexy in humans and murine. As another integral group of sleep/wake-regulating neurons in the same brain area, the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons’ involvement in cataplexy remains ambiguous. Here we used the live animal deep-brain calcium (Ca2+) imaging tool to record MCH neuron dynamics during cataplexy by expressing calcium sensor GCaMP6s into genetically defined MCH neurons in orexin knock-out mice, which are a model of human narcolepsy. Similar to wild-type mice, MCH neurons of the narcoleptic mice displayed significantly higher Ca2+transient fluorescent intensity during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and active waking (AW) episodes compared with non-REM (NREM) sleep. Moreover, MCH neurons displayed significantly lower Ca2+signals during cataplexy. Importantly, a pre-cataplexy elevation of Ca2+signals from MCH neurons was not a prerequisite for cataplexy initiation. Our results demonstrated the inactivation status of MCH neurons during cataplexy and suggested that MCH neurons are not involved in the initiation and maintenance of cataplexy in orexin knock-out mice.
Sex-Selective Effects on Behavior in a Mouse Model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Saré Rachel Michelle , Lemons Abigail , Figueroa Christopher , Song Alex , Levine Merlin , Beebe Smith Carolyn
Published: April 2020

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that is caused by a mutation in eitherTSC1orTSC2. TSC affects multiple systems of the body, and patients with TSC display a range of neurologic and behavioral manifestations including seizures, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders. Whereas behavioral phenotypes of many mouse models have been studied, the effects of sex have, for the most part, not been explored. We studied adult male and femaleTsc2heterozygous and control mice to investigate the influence of sex and genotype on behavior. On a test of social preference,Tsc2heterozygous mice, regardless of sex, demonstrated lower preference for the stranger mouse than control mice. In the open field,Tsc2heterozygous males and control females habituated to the open field with decreasing anxiety-like behavior over time, whereasTsc2heterozygous females did not show habituation to the open field environment. We did not find any statistically significant effects of genotype on open field activity, learning and memory or motor function. Our results highlight phenotype differences inTsc2heterozygous mice, some of which are influenced by sex. A consideration of how sex influences the behavioral phenotypes of TSC is critical to develop a more complete understanding of the disorder and better target future pharmacological treatments.
Molecular profiling for acromegaly treatment: a validation study
Authors: Puig-Domingo Manel , Gil Joan , Sampedro-Nuñez Miguel , Jordà Mireia , Webb Susan M , Serra Guillermo , Pons Laura , Salinas Isabel , Blanco Alberto , Marques-Pamies Montserrat , Valassi Elena , Picó Antonio , García-Martínez Araceli , Carrato Cristina , Buj Raquel , del Pozo Carlos , Obiols Gabriel , Villabona Carles , Cámara Rosa , Fajardo-Montañana Carmen , Alvarez Clara V , Bernabéu Ignacio , Marazuela Mónica
Published: April 2020

Pharmacologic treatment of acromegaly is currently based upon assay-error strategy, the first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL) being the first-line treatment. However, about 50% of patients do not respond adequately to SRL. Our objective was to evaluate the potential usefulness of different molecular markers as predictors of response to SRL. We used somatotropinoma tissue obtained after surgery from a national cohort of 100 acromegalic patients. Seventy-one patients were treated with SRL during at least 6 months under maximal therapeutic doses according to IGF1 values. We analyzed the expression of SSTR2, SSTR5, AIP, CDH1 (E-cadherin), MKI67 (Ki-67), KLK10, DRD2, ARRB1, GHRL, In1-Ghrelin, PLAGL1 and PEBP1 (RKIP) by RT-qPCR and mutations in GNAS gene by Sanger sequencing. The response to SRL was categorized as complete response (CR), partial (PR) or non-response (NR) if IGF1 was normal, between >2<3 SDS or >3 SDS IGF1 at 6 months of follow-up, respectively. From the 71 patients treated, there were 27 CR (38%), 18 PR (25%) and 26 NR (37%). SSTR2, Ki-67 and E-cadherin were associated with SRL response (P < 0.03, P < 0.01 and P < 0.003, respectively). E-cadherin was the best discriminator for response prediction (AUC = 0.74, P < 0.02, PPV of 83.7%, NPV of 72.6%), which was validated at protein level. SSTR5 expression was higher in patients pre-treated with SRL before surgery. We conclude that somatotropinomas showed heterogeneity in the expression of genes associated with SRL response. E-cadherin was the best molecular predictor of response to SRL. Thus, the inclusion of E-cadherin in subsequent treatment-decision after surgical failure may be useful in acromegaly.
Conhecimento e atitudes de estudantes da área da saúde sobre a doação de córneas
Authors: Bartolomeu Isabela Mirandola , Faria e Sousa Sidney Júlio , Zucoloto Miriane Lucindo , Martinez Edson Zangiacomi
Published: April 2020

Objetivos: investigar o conhecimento e as atitudes em relação ao transplante de córneas entre os acadêmicos de cursos de graduação da área da saúde.Métodos: trata-se de um estudo observacional, descritivo, com delineamento transversal, que incluiu os alunos ativos dos cursos de graduação em Fonoaudiologia, Nutrição e Metabolismo, Fisioterapia ou Terapia Ocupacional, oferecidos pela Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), campus Ribeirão Preto. Os estudantes responderam em sala de aula a um instrumento estruturado. Foi aplicado um questionário contendo 16 itens sobre o conhecimento em relação ao transplante de córneas, baseado em instrumentos usados em trabalhos similares, e questões sobre as atitudes perante a doação.Resultados: participaram da pesquisa 335 estudantes (83,1% de sexo feminino).Apenas 6,6% declararam saber como proceder para ser um doador de córneas, e 55,5% declararam saber que a retirada da córnea só pode ser realizada após o óbito do doador. Dentre os 16 itens do questionário de conhecimento, os estudantes tiveram uma média de apenas 5,6 respostas corretas, com um desvio padrão de 3,1 acertos.Conclusões: o conhecimento dos estudantes entrevistados sobre a doação de córnea é bastante insatisfatório. Diante da conhecida escassez de córneas para transplantes, são necessárias ações educativas que tornem esses futuros profissionais aptos a divulgarem a prática da doação de córneas entre seus futuros pacientes e respectivos familiares.
De la violencia política a la violencia social. Una mirada desde la literatura centroamericana
Authors: Barrera Galdámez Allan Armando
Published: April 2020

La violencia representada en la literatura centroamericana de posguerra se ha asociado al desencanto con los proyectos políticos utópicos del siglo XX. Sin embargo, poco se le ha relacionado con la puesta en marcha del neoliberalismo. Bajo esa línea de análisis, este ensayo realiza un contrapunto entre la violencia representada en la literatura del periodo de los conflictos armados y la del actual escenario de posguerra. Se toman como muestra dos obras de corte testimonial: Un día en la vida (1980), de Manlio Argueta y Crónica de los años de Fuego (1993), de Marco Antonio Flores; y dos publicadas después de la mitad de la década de 1990: El arma en el hombre (2001), de Horacio Castellanos Moya y El cojo bueno (1996), de Rodrigo Rey Rosa. Se concluye que la literatura de posguerra estudiada evidencia cómo la violencia afectó a los individuos desarticulados de la colectividad, pues muestra la atomización que sufren los sujetos dentro de la sociedad neoliberal, la cual les ha reducido a individuos despojados de lo colectivo.
Ethnobotany survey of medicinal plants used for traditional maternal healthcare by Serawai tribe, Seluma district, Bengkulu - Indonesia
Authors: Rahayu Sri Endarti , Oktapianti Rika , Matondang Ikhsan
Published: April 2020

Biology Faculty, Universitas Nasional, Jl. Sawo Manila No. 61, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan 12520, Indonesia.
OFAT versus DOE as two optimization protocols for the chromatographic analysis of some OTC pharmaceuticals carrying negative cardiovascular effects and administered by pregnant and breast-feeding females: Application to dose dependent effect
Authors: El Sherbiny Dina , Wahba Mary E. K.
Published: April 2020

A simple HPLC technique has been utilized for rapid and sensitive quantitative analysis of two mixtures of drugs that are used during pregnancy and lactation. Drugs of the first mixture are used to manage gastrointestinal tract illness that are common during early stages of pregnancy, while pharmaceutical agents of the second mixture are administered over the counter as galactagogues or to overcome postpartum depression. Mixture I includes famotidine (FMT), ranitidine (RNT), nizatidine (NZT), and pantoprazole (PNT), which were separated on a C18 column using a mobile phase composed of methanol: 0.02 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate (60:40, v/v) of pH 6.9, adopting UV detection at 240 nm at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Mixture II on the other hand, consists of domperidone (DOM), metoclopramide (MET), and sulpiride (SUL). These drugs were eluted using the same column and flow rate as those in mixture I, using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: 0.075 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate (30:70, v/v) of pH 6 adopting a detection wavelength 270 nm. Two optimization protocols were utilized to optimize the chromatographic separation conditions, namely one factor at a time (OFAT) and design of experiments (DOE) where face centered cube response surface experimental design was chosen for this investigation. Comparison of the results obtained from both protocols reveals the accordance between them.

Full validation procedure under guidance of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) was applied to the proposed methods which enabled their application to separate the drugs of both mixtures in spiked rat whole blood samples and in vivo analysis of rat heart blood.
Twelve tips to combat ill-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: A guide for health professionals & educators
Authors: Neufeld Adam , Malin Greg
Published: April 2020

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background: Self-determination theory (SDT) represents an organismic theory of motivation and well-being, viewing people as naturally evolving creatures with innate needs for growth, mastery, and connection. According to SDT, for these tendencies to function optimally and for people to flourish, they require support of three basic psychological needs-autonomy, competence, and relatedness. During a pandemic such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can provoke isolation, fear, and feelings of helplessness, it is more important than ever to prioritize and support each other's basic psychological needs. Aim: The concept of basic psychological need satisfaction is relevant in the health professions, but during a crisis, it is easy for these needs to get overlooked or thrown aside. Through this article, we aim to make this concept more understandable and applicable by those in the health and education professions, including students. Methods: SDT literature was foundational to creating these practical guidelines. Results: The authors present 12 SDT-derived tips for practitioners, educators, administrators, and learners, on ways to engage in need-supportive behaviour and promote well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: These tips demonstrate that going back to the basics in times of emergency and stress can help optimize outcomes while fostering connection, ability, and purpose. They can be learned through practice and applied to anything, from emails and social media, to teaching, to patient care.
Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing hallux valgus
Authors: Helito Paulo Victor Partezani , Rocha Stephano Raydan Ramalho , Ortiz Rafael Trevisan , Cerri Giovanni Guido , Leite Claudia da Costa , Rodrigues Marcelo Bordalo
Published: April 2020

Abstract Objective: To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of hallux valgus using radiography during weight bearing as the gold standard. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing MRI of the foot and radiography of the foot during weight bearing at our institution between January and June of 2015. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) was measured on MRI and radiography. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and simple linear regression were used in order to compare measurements. Patients were divided into two groups according to the HVA determined on radiography: > 15° (hallux valgus) and ≤ 15° (control). Qualitative and quantitative assessments of MRI scans were performed. For quantitative assessment, receiver operating characteristic curves were used in order to determine the HVA cutoff with the highest accuracy. Results: A total of 66 MRI scans were included, 22 in the hallux valgus group and 44 in the control group. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests indicated a significant difference between the radiography and MRI measurements. Simple linear regression showed a nonlinear relationship between the measurements and values did not present a strong correlation. In comparison with the radiography measurements, MRI with an HVA cutoff of 16.4° exhibited the highest accuracy (86%). The accuracy of the subjective (qualitative) assessment was inferior to the objective assessment (measurement of the HVA). Conclusion: Hallux valgus can be diagnosed by measuring the HVA on MRI, satisfactory accuracy being achieved with an HVA cutoff of 16.4°.
Ultrasound versus electromyography for the detection of fasciculation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Duarte Márcio Luís , Iared Wagner , Oliveira Acary Souza Bulle , Santos Lucas Ribeiro dos , Peccin Maria Stella
Published: April 2020

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and electromyography for the detection of fasciculation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to compare detection rates between the two methods. By searching the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica, and Latin-American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases, we identified studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy and fasciculation detection rates of ultrasound and electromyography. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, version 2, and RTI item bank tools were used for the evaluation of methodological quality. Ultrasound, for 10 s or 30 s, had a higher detection rate than did electromyography in all muscles evaluated. The overall detection rate (in patients) did not differ significantly between ultrasound for 10 s and ultrasound for 30 s. The accuracy of ultrasound for 10 s was 70% in muscles and 85% in patients. The accuracy of ultrasound for 30 s was 82% in patients. Ultrasound provided detection rates superior to those achieved with electromyography, independent of the examination time and muscles evaluated.
Impact of the Demographic Transition on Tax Collection in Brazil: an analysis of the federative aspect
Authors: Tiné Rafael Ferreira , Freitas Carlos Eduardo de , Paes Nelson Leitão
Published: April 2020

Abstract Several countries have been experiencing a process of population aging. In Brazil, this demographic process, according to Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics projections, reaching 24% in 2040 and 34% in 2060. Thus, the present study innovates when proposing the evaluation of the impact of population aging on tax revenue, with special attention to the analysis of the impact on the collection of taxes on consumption, since the consumption basket tends to be different between young and old people. In order to do that, we use a 4-sector overlapping generation model (OLG) with 55 generations. The results suggest a reduction of output, consumption, working hours and investment. Tax revenues would fall more than output, with a larger reduction in consumption taxes. However, we observe that local revenue is less affected, due to the increase in the consumption of services, induced by the process of population ageing.
Tamanho da Turma e Desempenho Acadêmico dos Universitários: evidência para a UFPB
Authors: Annegues Ana Cláudia , Porto Júnior Sabino , Figueiredo Erik
Published: April 2020

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo consiste em investigar a relação entre o tamanho da classe e o desempenho acadêmico de estudantes do ensino superior. Para isso, utilizaram-se dados administrativos da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), os quais contêm informações acadêmicas e socioeconômicas, como as notas dos alunos e o background familiar. Como estratégia empírica, estimou-se um modelo de dados em painel, com a inclusão de efeitos fixos e dummies para combinações de professor-semestre e disciplina-semestre, como forma de captar a influência de fatores não observados fixos e variantes do tempo, tendo em vista a endogeneidade do tamanho da turma. Empregou-se o método de Guimarães e Portugal (2009) para as estimativas na média e regressão quantílica para dados em painel presente em Koenker (2004). O coeficiente do tamanho da turma estimado pela média se mostrou negativo, embora sua magnitude seja bastante pequena, ao passo que as estimações por regressões quantílicas mostram um efeito negativo para os alunos com pior desempenho e um efeito positivo aos estudantes com as melhores notas.
Fragilidade Financeira e Volatilidade dos Ciclos Econômicos no Brasil Pós-Plano Real
Authors: Teixeira Diego Nunes , Tiryaki Gisele Ferreira , Drummond Carlos Eduardo Iwai
Published: April 2020

Resumo Fricções financeiras comprometem a eficiência com que sistema financeiro direciona recursos para o financiamento de gastos com consumo e com investimentos em bens de capital. Imperfeições no mercado financeiro elevam a volatilidade dos ciclos de econômicos, em razão de flutuações no prêmio de financiamento externo ou de mudanças no comportamento de risco dos agentes econômicos. Este artigo investiga se um aumento da fragilidade financeira compromete a estabilidade dos ciclos econômicos no Brasil. Utilizando dados mensais entre 1996 e 2018, um indicador de fragilidade financeira foi derivado com base no modelo de fator dinâmico e a estimação de modelos de vetores autorregressivos permitiu analisar o comportamento deste indicador nos ciclos econômicos. Os resultados indicam que um aumento na fragilidade financeira compromete o desempenho macroeconômico e revelam a importância da volatilidade cambial e do componente cíclico do nível de preços para as flutuações de curto prazo na atividade econômica no Brasil.
Modelo de Fatores para Commodities e Cenários de Preços no Curto Prazo: o caso da soja
Authors: Aiube Fernando Antonio Lucena , Ferreira Bruna Carolina Fiúza , Levy Ariel
Published: April 2020

Resumo Este artigo analisa os cenários futuros de curto prazo para o preço da soja à vista. A abordagem é feita modelando os fatores não observáveis por processos estocásticos e inova ao incluir o componente sazonal. As variáveis de observação são os preços futuros (estrutura a termo de contratos futuros). Procede-se à estimação do modelo pelo filtro de Kalman. Os resultados mostram um cenário de curto prazo mais favorável a produtores e exportadores. Por outro lado, consumidores e importadores têm indicação de medidas de proteção necessárias para suas posições. A análise pode ser estendida a outras commodities dependentes da sazonalidade. Da mesma forma, o modelo pode ser empregado no apreçamento de derivativos, em que o ativo subjacente é o preço futuro.
A recepção do conceito de transitivismo de Charlotte Bühler na teoria lacaniana do estádio do espelho
Authors: Corrêa Crístia Rosineiri Gonçalves Lopes , Simanke Richard Theisen
Published: April 2020

Resumo O artigo examina a recepção por Lacan do conceito de transitivismo de Charlotte Bühler na elaboração de sua teoria do estágio do espelho entre os anos 1936-1949, a fim de mostrar como noções oriundas da psicologia do desenvolvimento da época foram incorporadas na construção de seu pensamento. Argumenta-se que a contribuição específica de Bühler foi decisiva tanto na formulação inicial do estágio do espelho quanto em seu desenvolvimento subsequente, culminando na versão de 1949, já mais próxima do antipsicologismo estruturalista. Em conclusão, discute-se como a rejeição de uma interpretação psicológica dos conceitos psicanalíticos não pode ser considerada característica originária da teoria lacaniana, surgindo apenas a partir de estágios posteriores de seu desenvolvimento.
Aquisição de intraverbais em crianças com autismo: efeitos do pareamento de estímulos e respostas ecoicas
Authors: Costa Malena Russelakis Carneiro , Souza Carlos Barbosa Alves de
Published: April 2020

Resumo O ensino de intraverbais para indivíduos com autismo tem sido realizado, principalmente, através de procedimentos que envolvem reforçamento diferencial. Recentemente, o procedimento de observação de pareamento de estímulos (SPOP) surgiu enquanto alternativa para verificar a emergência de repertórios verbais. O SPOP implica o pareamento de estímulos sem exigir outra resposta que a observação do pareamento. O ecoico tem sido apontado como facilitador na emergência de operantes verbais. O presente estudo comparou, com um delineamento de sondas múltiplas concorrentes com tratamento alternado adaptado, a eficácia do SPOP com um procedimento de apresentação contígua de estímulos com requisição de resposta ecoica na emergência de intraverbais em três crianças com autismo. Observou-se a eficácia do SPOP na indução de intraverbais e verificou-se o papel facilitador do ecoico. Discutem-se possíveis efeitos de interferência dos tratamentos, da extinção de respostas no contexto experimental e da utilização de reforçadores condicionados como parte do SPOP.
Brazilian women’s transition to new relationships after ending a violent one: a case study
Authors: Parada Priscila de Oliveira , Murta Sheila Giardini
Published: April 2020

Abstract This study investigated characteristics of the transition to new relationships after the end of a violent one through case studies. Two young white Brazilian women who had experienced violent first relationships underwent a narrative interview and filled out the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory. One of them had moved to a healthy relationship and the second one to another violent relationship. Awareness of violence and the adoption of strategies that enlarged models, world views, social circles, support and self care had not been enough to avoid the entrance in a new violent relationship. The development of the ability to access and validate one’s own feelings and wills, resulting in greater assertiveness, favored the transition to a healthy relationship. The approach to secure attachment style accompanied such changes. We discuss the implications to professional practice and preventive initiatives, as well as directions for future research.
Physical and physiological quality of seeds of Campo Grande Stylosanthes coated with different binder materials
Authors: Baroni Danilo Força , Vieira Henrique Duarte , Silva Flávio Wirlan Andrade da , Acha Amanda Justino , Pires José Inácio Coelho
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT: The binder materials used in seed coating provide adherence of the filler materials onto the seeds. Adequate concentrations of the binder promote good physical characteristics of coating while not impairing seed physiological characteristics. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the type and the concentration of binder materials that allow the best physical and physiological characteristics in coated seeds of Campo Grande Stylosanthes. Seed coating was carried out in a coating pan, using sand as the filling material. The treatments consisted of 2 types of binders mixed in 3 ratios (PVA glue and gum arabic glue, diluted in water, 3:1, 2:1, and 1:1), and uncoated seeds as control. The coated seeds were evaluated for physical and physiological characteristics. The laboratory and greenhouse experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design. Results showed that at the different concentrations used this study, neither the PVA glue nor the gum arabic glue had any effect on the physiological quality of Campo Grande Stylosanthes seeds. However, PVA glue in the ratio of 2:1 provided the greatest surface area, maximum diameter, minimum diameter, and sphericity to coated seeds.
Work in organic farming: an overview
Authors: Maas Larissa , Malvestiti Rosane , Gontijo Leila Amaral
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT: In addition to the expansion of sustainability with crop rotation and use of residues from the property itself, the main characteristics of organic agriculture are the extinction of the use of chemicals and producing food free of these contaminants. This review aimed to find evidence that substantiates the improvement of the health and working conditions of farmers working with this model of agriculture. To this end, the ProKnow-C instrument was used, which recommends seven steps to select and evaluate the publications found. Exclusion criteria included studies related to the consumption of these products, school feeding, management, and cultivation techniques or studies conducted with non-organic farmers. After the exclusion, 11 documents remained for content analysis. Results of these studies indicated that when compared to conventional agriculture, there is an increase in cognitive load due to the variety of tasks; however, no mental suffering was identified. Despite the absence of appropriate technology and technical assistance, there is an increase in job satisfaction and an improvement of the health of the family as a whole, improving the quality of life. Additionally, the results of this review pointed to the gaps of research that can be carried out, such as longitudinal studies on organic agriculture, social interactions, environmental working conditions, and studies in the technological area. Finally, the results evinced that organic agriculture has a positive impact on the health of workers. Thus, the need for empirical research is important to develop innovations that improve work in organic agriculture.
Cattle loading rates in different truck models and their relationship with bruises on bovine carcasses
Authors: Ferreira Kethylleen de Carvalho , Furtado Aline Correia , Flores Hugo Pereira , Oliveira Pollyanna Ricartes de Oliveira de , Gonçalves Augusto Galhardo , Oliveira Dalton Mendes de
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT: This study sought to evaluate the number of bruises on bovine carcasses and their relationship with loading rates in different truck models. Bruising percentages in the hindquarter, forequarter and short rib regions were evaluated. The space occupied on the truck by each animal in m² was defined as the Practiced area, obtained by dividing the body area by the number of males and females transported in straight trucks (10.60 x 2.40 m) and livestock trailers (14.80 x 2.60 m), 240 and 168, and 120 and 93, respectively, and 80 males in a straight truck with trailer configuration (17.50 x 2.60 m). The minimum area occupied by the animals was assessed according to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). The data was analyzed in a completely randomized design and included two sex classes, three carcass regions and three truck types. For males, the minimum areas (m²) calculated by the FAWC and AWAC were smaller (1.37 and 1.29 m², respectively) for the straight truck. The straight truck with trailer configuration had the lowest (P=0.0025) bruising index in the forequarter region (15.1%) and the highest (P=0.047) in the short rib region (30.5%). Females transported in the livestock trailer had a higher (P<0.001) percentage of bruises in the forequarter region (51.7%). There was a relationship between the high bruising rates and the loading rate Practiced for the males. Estimations made by the AWAC are close to those practiced in the upper Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
The challenges of project management in small and medium-sized enterprises: a literature review based on bibliometric software and content analysis
Authors: de Almeida Parizotto Letícia , Tonso Aldo , de Carvalho Marly Monteiro
Published: April 2020

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to design an overview about Project Management (PM) in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) by analysing the evolution of publications and the main topics since 1996 to 2016 to motivate future research that helps SMEs to apply PM practices more efficiently. This study performed bibliometrics associated with content analysis of publications collected in scientific bases Web of Science and Scopus and in the periodic International Journal of Project Management. For that, the software VOSviewer, Nvivo, Minitab, and Excel were used in the analyses. The scan of 235 papers about Project Management in SMEs supported a literature overview. Furthermore, four thematic categories are highlighted: Project Management Practices, Planning and Control Systems, Collaboration, and Knowledge Management. Moreover, it was observed that SMEs requires a lighter PM methodology, focused on people and flexible. Besides that, the results show that the main challenges involve a lack of resources and qualified people and the high turnover. However, overcoming these issues, PM can benefit growth and innovation in SMEs. Therefore, this study presents a conceptual framework of benefits and challenges in Project Management in SMEs, reducing the research gap. Furthermore, recommendations for future research, mainly in Brazil, are given.
Use of buffer methods to estimate the potential acidity of Mato Grosso soils
Authors: Prado Marcelo Ribeiro Vilela , Moraes Milton Ferreira de , Ramos Fabrício Tomaz , Santos Carlos Leandro Rodrigues do , Campos David Vilas Boas de , Barros Gisele Teixeira
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT Mato Grosso, with a total area of 903357 km², does not have an official methodology for estimating soil potential acidity (H + Al), and determination of H + Al using the standard method is onerous and time consuming. The objective of this study was to compare estimated values of H + Al determined using the standard calcium acetate method with those obtained using three buffer methods, namely, the Shoemaker, McLean, and Pratt (SMP) buffer, Sikora buffer, and Santa Maria buffer (SMB) methods, with samples of the main classes of cultivated soils in the state of Mato Grosso. A total of 196 soil samples were collected from the arable layer (0-20 cm) in agropastoral and adjacent native systems. Statistical models were obtained and compared with models used by laboratories that are hypothetically inadequate because there is no calibration for soils in the state. After laboratory analyses, the paired H + Al and equilibrium pH values corresponding to the equilibrium of each buffer solution (SMP buffer, SMB, and Sikora buffer) were subjected to nonlinear regression analysis (P < 0.05). The SMB method, which does not release pollutant residues into the environment, was better than the Sikora and SMP methods for replacing the standard method used in state laboratories for soil analysis, that is, H + Al (cm3 c dm-3) = 51.189 -25.70 ln(pHSMB) (R2 = 0.88, P < 0.0001). Thus, if laboratories use uncalibrated equations to estimate soil potential acidity, the recommended limestone correction will be underestimated or overestimated, which may compromise crop productivity in Mato Grosso.
El protestantismo vivido: un estudio comparativo desde América Latina y el sur de Europa
Authors: Roldán Verónica , Pérez Rolando
Published: April 2020

Resumen El dossier que aquí presentamos trata del tema de la religión vivida (lived religion), y muestra resultados de investigaciones realizadas en tres ciudades latinoamericanas (Córdoba, Lima y Montevideo) y en una ciudad en el sur de Europa (Bilbao) y se coloca en el área de estudios sociológicos sobre la experiencia religiosa, la vida cotidiana, los procesos de autonomía y desinstitucionalización de la vivencia religiosa. Las lecturas y reflexiones abordadas en los textos presentados giran en torno a las implicancias de la religiosidad vivida en el protestantismo contemporáneo, las mismas que nos acercan a mirar las interacciones, narrativas y prácticas de los y las creyentes ligados al protestantismo evangélico en diálogo con los temas y dinámicas de la modernidad. Estos trabajos hacen una contribución valiosa al campo de los estudios sociológicos sobre la religión vivida, poniendo énfasis en el modo como lo/as creyentes seleccionan, adaptan, reinterpretan y hacen reapropiaciones de las prácticas y narrativas religiosas en la vida cotidiana, en un contexto de pluralización del campo religioso.
DISABKIDS® in Brazil: advances and future perspectives for the production of scientific knowledge
Authors: Romeiro Viviane , Bullinger Monika , Marziale Maria Helena Palucci , Fegadolli Claudia , Reis Roberta Alvarenga , Silveira Renata Cristina de Campos Pereira , Costa-Júnior Moacyr Lobo da , Sousa Fátima Aparecida Emm Faleiros , Andrade Valéria Sousa de , Conacci Beatriz Juliana , Nascimento Fernanda Karla , Santos Claudia Benedita dos
Published: April 2020

Objective: to map the Brazilian scientific production related to the stages of the methodological process for the use of DISABKIDS® instruments and/or forms adapted to Brazil. Method: scoping review, with searches conducted on10 electronic databases, plus Google Scholar and contacts with researchers, without restriction of period or language. Results: the mapping identified 90 scientific studies involving 46 instruments. Of these, 11 (23.9%) included the elaboration and/or cultural adaptation of the DISABKIDS® instruments to measure the Quality of Life of children or adolescents with chronic conditions and 35 (76.1%) used the Generic Measures and/or Specific Modules for the semantic validation of other instruments. Conclusion: this scoping review allowed a comprehensive evaluation of the use of the DISABKIDS® instrument and forms, in relation to the validation of the instrument adapted to Brazil, presenting a positive advance in the scenario with the development of academic/scientific projects in the country, incorporating the method recommended by the literature for the elaboration, cultural adaptation and validation of instruments and for the systematized and standardized recording of the perception and understanding of the target population about the measure of interest, using DISABKIDS® forms adapted for this purpose.
Conceptual and operational definition of nursing outcomes regarding the breastfeeding establishment
Authors: Emidio Suellen Cristina Dias , Dias Flávia de Souza Barbosa , Moorhead Sue , Deberg Jennifer , Oliveira-Kumakura Ana Railka de Souza , Carmona Elenice Valentim
Published: April 2020

Objective: to construct conceptual and operational definitions of Nursing Outcomes “Breastfeeding establishment: infant (1000)” and “Breastfeeding establishment: maternal (1001)”. Method: integrative literature review in the following databases: PUBMED (United States National Library of Medicine); LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature); CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature); SciVerse SCOPUS; Web of Science; BDENF (Brazilian Nursing Database) and EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database). The gray literature was explored to elucidate topics not covered by the articles. Of 3242 articles, 96 were selected to be read in full, and 43 were used for constructing the definitions. Five theses, three dissertations, three books and two manuals were selected. Results: all the results were reviewed. The definitions facilitated the improvement of the content proposed by the Nursing Outcomes Classification, favoring its application in clinical practice and supporting the development of research and teaching. Conclusion: it was proposed to change the definition of the two outcomes, as well as to change the title of one of them to “Breastfeeding establishment: newborn & infant” (1000), modifying seven of its indicators and excluding one. For the outcome related to the mother, it was proposed to modify two indicators and exclude one.