Search

Public–private partnership (PPP) has delivered expected results on a number of significant projects. Yet, despite the growing appeal, problems have been encountered which have either resulted in slow progress or the total failure of such arrangements. This study offers a comparison between Nigeria and South Africa focusing on several identified critical success factors (CSFs) for PPPs. We rely on secondary data to compare Nigeria and South Africa based on the top ten ranking CSFs identified in the literature. Findings reveal that both countries account for the highest number of PPP projects in Africa but have not recorded huge successes as a result of their shortcomings in important CSFs responsible for the success of PPPs. Nigeria, for instance, is still being challenged with poor energy supply, bad road networks, and ineffective waste management practices, among others. South Africa appears to have had better success in PPP delivery due to a suitable financial market, stable economic policy, favorable legal framework, and a transparent procurement process. We conclude by highlighting the key CSFs for PPPs in Nigeria and South Africa and emphasize the need to address the identified shortcomings. The relevance of this study is in its contribution to the understanding of CSF in PPP projects thereby offering useful insights for policy makers and administrators in improving the success rate of PPPs and enhancing the delivery of public services in these countries. Related Articles: Ikeanyibe, Okechukwu Marcellus. 2018. "Bureaucratic Politics and the Implementation of Liberalization Reforms in Nigeria: A Study of the Unbundling and Reorganization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation." Politics & Policy 46(2): 263–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12249. Iwuoha, Victor Chidubem, Nneka Ifeoma Okafor, and Emmanuel Ifeadike. 2022. "State Regulation of Nigeria's Maritime Ports: Exploring the Impact of Port Concession on both the Regulator and the Operators." Politics & Policy 50(5): 1032–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12495. McNamara, Madeleine W., John C. Morris, and Martin Mayer. 2014. "Expanding the Universe of Multi‐Organizational Arrangements: Contingent Coordination and the Deepwater Horizon Transportation Challenges." Politics & Policy 42(3): 346–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12073. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: En los dos decenios siguientes a la adopción del Pacto Internacional de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales, la OIT aplicó un enfoque realista al defender que el ejercicio de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo (SST) como derecho fundamental pasaba por garantizar ciertas condiciones económicas previas. El presente estudio histórico‐comparativo pasa revista a la actuación de la OIT en ese contexto, a la luz del nuevo complejo de incertidumbre sanitaria mundial y de la incorporación de la SST al marco de principios y derechos fundamentales en el trabajo. Se analiza también la aplicabilidad de un enfoque de realismo vigilante a la labor actual de la OIT en este campo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a detailed comparison of the skills and competencies required for systems and computer engineers in Colombia and the rest of Latin America. The research uses data from 187 universities, based on the ranking from the Cybermetrics Lab of the Spanish National Research Council, to categorize 16 generic and 20 specific competencies that these professionals should possess. The comparison is carried out using Venn diagrams and statistical analysis of frequency and proportionality to identify similarities and differences between the two regional groups studied. The findings of the study are crucial for understanding regional variations in the academic preparation and job expectations of systems and computer engineers. This comparative analysis proves to be a valuable tool for both companies and academic institutions in the decision-making process. Companies can use this information to assess the suitability of candidates based on specific competencies, while universities can tailor their curricula to meet the demands of the job market and enhance the quality of education. In summary, the study offers a comprehensive overview of the essential competencies of systems and computer engineers in Colombia and Latin America, enabling more informed and effective decision-making in the academic and business sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: El salario mínimo ha sido una cuestión controvertida desde que se in‐trodujo en la legislación de Australia, los Estados Unidos y el Reino Unido a principios del siglo XX. Los defensores del salario mínimo justifican la intervención estatal basándose en principios de equidad y bien social, mientras que sus detractores se amparan en la teoría del mercado. En este artículo se examina la influencia de estas dos posiciones ideológicas en la fijación de los salarios, y los consiguientes resultados de una y otra. El objetivo es colmar la falta de estudios comparativos sobre los orígenes, la evolución y los actuales sistemas de reglamentación del salario mínimo en los tres países. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the socio-demographic profile and caregiving situation of dependent older adults and their family caregivers in Brazil and Colombia. Method: This mixed comparative and exploratory study follows the comparative study stages proposed by Bereday, namely: Description, interpretation, juxtaposition, and comparison. A semi-structured interview was used. National and international ethical principles were followed in the study, with the ethics committee’s approval in each country. Results: A total of 250 participants were interviewed: 52 dependent older adults in Brazil and 56 in Colombia, along with 70 family caregivers in Brazil and 72 in Colombia. A total of 68.5 % of the elderly and 83.8 % of the caregivers were women. Twelve categories were created based on the participants’ statements, six in the dependent older people and six in the caregivers. Conclusion: Women and daughters were the primary family caregivers, and the Catholic religion was prevalent in both countries. Regarding the caregiving situation in both countries, it stands out that dependent older people and family caregivers feel the presence of a superior being assisting them in overcoming the challenges of caregiving activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the Spanish-Literature subject is to increase the communicative competence of the students, for this reason the work is carried out aimed at the development of the teaching)learning process of literary analysis and the use of audiovisual media specifically with the dramatic work House of dolls, by Henrik Ibsen. The objective of the research responds to solving the scientific problem, as an investigative result observation guides are offered that strengthen the teaching-learning process of literary analysis with the use of the projection of the cinematographic version of the theatrical work. The research used as methods and techniques of the theoretical level, the historical-logical, the analytical-synthetic, the inductive-deductive, modeling, the empirical level observation and techniques such as surveys, interviews and document analysis were used. From the mathematical and statistical methods, the percentage analysis was applied in graphs and tables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Perceived social support during gestation is important for perinatal mental health. However, little is known about these variables in the Colombian population. Objective: To compare perceived social support with sociodemographic and gynaeco-obstetric variables and positive affect in pregnant women in Santa Marta, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Forty women between 19 and 41 years of age (M=26.48; SD=5.03), in their third trimester of pregnancy and beneficiaries of a program to promote exclusive breastfeeding, participated. The participants filled out a sociodemographic and gynaeco-obstetric form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) (a=0.88), and a subscale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) (a=0.82). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparative statistical analyses. Ethical guidelines for human research were followed. Results: 67% of the participants belonged to a low socioeconomic status, 87.5% had a partner, 67.5% had a higher education, 42.5% were employed, and 47.5% were new mothers. Women of higher socioeconomic status perceived greater social support from their friends (p = 0.01). Family social support was significantly higher in first-time mothers (p=0.01) and mothers who reported higher positive affect (p = 0.03). Finally, social support from significant others was higher when it was the woman's first pregnancy (p=0.02). Conclusions: Significant differences were found in some dimensions of perceived social support according to socioeconomic status, being a first-time mother, and positive affect. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims at studying how the literature and the reading formation of students in the last stage of basic education is constituted based on normative documents of Brazilian and Uruguayan education. Based on the documents, it is privileged to discuss how literature and, consequently, the reading formation is forwarded in Brazil and Uruguay, respectively, by the curriculum of High School and Diversified Bachillerato. The investigation of a comparative nature is guided by the principles of document analysis. As a result, it is pointed out that Brazilian guidelines tend to be more general, while in Uruguay there is even an indication of literary works that are part of the curriculum. As for book policies, the Brazilian government gives more emphasis in promoting the creation of collections, while the Uruguayan government does not provide the delivery of physical works to students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article makes known the Mapudungun versión of dialogues colected by Dr. Rodolfo Lenz, which were included in his book Estudios Araucanos. The dialogues are exactly as they are expressed today in Chedungun, the dialectal variant of the language spoken in the Pehuenche community of Cauñicú, in the Alto Bío-Bío (VIII Region). These dialogues were shared by various speakers who are highly competent in their natal tongue. The dialogues in Chilean Pehuenche obtained by Dr. Lenz fron Sejundo Jara (Kallvün) are included for comparativwe purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The disease caused by the dengue virus constitutes a serious health problem for tropical countries. The last decade has seen the re-emergence of this entity in Cuba, with evident changes in its clinical behavior. Objective: to compare the clinical-epidemiological behavior between two series of cases of patients with dengue confirmed diagnosis, in different periods of time. Methods: a descriptive, comparative study that included two series of cases of hospitalized patients with dengue confirmed diagnosis: series A, sample of 83 patients seen in 2017; and series B, sample of 327 seen in 2018. Variables such as: age, signs and symptoms, clinical findings, alarm signs, severe forms, and indicators of quality of care in dengue patients were analyzed. Results: in general, the acute febrile syndrome predominated, although other signs and symptoms such as asthenia, anorexia, rash and retro-ocular pain, manifested a higher incidence in series B. In both groups the most frequent paraclinical finding was lymphocytosis. In series B, the quality standards for the care of patients with dengue were more affected; as well as it also presented a higher rate of alarm signs, serious forms and complications. Conclusions: Although the study analyzed series of patients in two consecutive periods, the more complex behavior was evident in the second, due to the higher incidence of symptoms and less favorable figures for the quality standards established for the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the growing body of research and vivid scientific discourse, the Anthropocene is slowly making its way into the curricula of geography programs across the world. Unlike academic geography, the school subject seems to be more reluctant when it comes to the Anthropocene's implicit implementation. Using content analysis, this article explores how geography curricula or compound subjects containing geography for lower secondary education in fifty countries represented the Anthropocene. The results showed that most curricula detached the Anthropocene from geological time and focused, in a disconnected manner, on three of its descriptors, namely, population growth, industrialization, and globalization. Greenhouse gases played a subordinate role. Also, most curricula operated at the national or global scale, leaving little room to navigate processes on several scales. The results also revealed few differences between curricula prescribing geography as an independent subject or as part of compound subjects, such as social studies or social sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is part of a broader research project focused on analyzing rockshelters and shallow caves located in different regions and geological contexts in Argentina. The main goal is to evaluate patterns and peculiarities in the development of their morphologies and stratigraphies from a geoarchaeological perspective. These sites provide restricted environments with particular dynamics that form, evolve, fill up, and collapse in many different ways that need to be studied at a regional scale to interpret the archaeological and taphonomic records they contain. In one same area, these geoforms can be found at different steps of evolution; but the velocity of this change process, as well as their characteristics, are poorly known for different regions of the country. Thus, 24 case studies, located in different areas, are analyzed in this contribution to start evaluating patterns and recurring processes. So far, some interesting regularities have been observed, regarding the sites themselves (morphologies, types, and dimensions) as well as their sedimentary deposits (characteristics and chronologies). The preliminary results obtained, begin to offer useful information for their archaeological and taphonomic interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En este estudio comparativo, los autores analizan los vínculos entre las relaciones laborales y los ajustes salariales o de plantilla tras la crisis de 2007-2008, a partir de dos encuestas comparables sobre empresas de Gran Bretaña (WERS) y de Francia (REPONSE) en 2010-2012. Pese a las diferencias contextuales (composición del tejido productivo, circunstancias temporales e intensidad de la crisis), los vínculos entre las relaciones laborales y las estrategias de ajuste son parecidos (la presencia sindical no logra evitar los ajustes). Por lo tanto, la diferenciación de los sistemas de relaciones laborales no permite explicar las divergencias entre las modalidades de ajuste a nivel macroeconómico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers the first large-scale comparative analysis of pupils' and teachers' perspectives on homosexuality using two waves (2013 and 2017) of self-collected data through questionnaires issued in eight European countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Spain, Poland, Hungary and Turkey. Using these unique data, the authors examine to what extent differences prevail across countries, what mechanisms explain the differences, and how the differences change over time. The results indicate significant differences across countries. Moreover, although a positive trend can be observed between the two waves of the survey, in some countries the general climate towards homosexuality is reversing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the most important functions of municipalities as a public institution is to provide, maintain and promote the health of citizens. To improve the health of the community, we need to understand the function of the municipality in countries that affect the health and well-being of the population. Material and methods: This study is a comparative-descriptive study. After searching for databases and authoritative sources and documents, related research was introduced into the study. Considering the performance of municipalities in the provision of health services, 7 countries were selected as statistical samples. Finally, the comparative attitudes of selected countries based on the role of municipalities in providing health services, macroeconomic indicators and health economics were tabulated, compared and compared. Results: The municipalities of the selected countries in the provision of health services have been made in the form of four process factors, context, content and stakeholders, among which the health system infrastructure, government form, the degree of rehabilitation and the council system are considered as effective factors in the provision of health services. Conclusion: Development of cities and disproportionate facilities with the population, providing appropriate health services to the people is not possible except with the participation of all sectors, especially urban management. An overview of the experiences of the studied countries shows that the municipalities also play a key role in the development of the city as well as in the area of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En este estudio se analiza el incumplimiento del salario mínimo durante el periodo 2003-2012 en diez países de Europa central y oriental con salario mínimo obligatorio nacional. A partir de los datos de EU-SILC y la metodología propuesta por Bhorat, Kanbur y Mayet (2013), se cuantifica la incidencia y magnitud del incumplimiento. Se realizan análisis de regresión sobre determinantes individuales, laborales y macroeconómicos. Aunque la incidencia permanece relativamente baja, los trabajadores a los que se dirigen las políticas de salario mínimo parecen los más expuestos a su incumplimiento. Con el tiempo, una mayor incidencia se asocia a una razón más alta entre salario mínimo y salario medio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se analizan las diferencias de ingresos entre migrantes calificados occidentales, árabes y asiáticos del sector privado en los países del Consejo de Cooperación del Golfo de 2012 a 2014. Utilizando dos métodos de descomposición estándar, se investiga si las percepciones de los empleadores son la causa de la prima salarial de los occidentales. Según los resultados, de un tercio a tres cuartos de la brecha de ingresos reales por hora son atribuibles a las características relacionadas con la productividad, y el resto a los mayores costos de oportunidad. El efecto potencial de las percepciones no observadas resulta no significativo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, theories on how to select executives at universities, and ways in which they are selected in practice are identified with the aim of comparing them with the ways executives are selected at the Salesian Polytechnic University of Ecuador (UPS) in particular. How to search for candidates, what criteria are applied to select them, how the selection process goes, and how executives are trained, are the main things which are compared. Finally, major differences between executive selection process at the UPS and in other institutions are presented and analyzed for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: Aunque el espectacular aumento de la participación laboral femenina en los últimos decenios se relaciona con cambios significativos en las oportunidades económicas de la mujer, las disparidades laborales de género persisten en muchas formas. Este artículo evalúa si las mayores diferencias de género en los mercados de trabajo europeos están directamente relacionadas con las malas condiciones económicas. Con este fin, se actualizan los resultados de un indicador compuesto diseñado por las autoras en un estudio anterior y se construyen tres nuevos indicadores compuestos que arrojan clasificaciones de las condiciones laborales de hombres y mujeres por separado, y de la brecha de género. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into Service Learning (S-L) has investigated the value of this pedagogy to construct student learning and foster commitment to social issues. Most research focuses on the positives outcomes of S-L, without considering comparison with other practices. We aim to contribute to this research from a critical point of view by performing a comparative analysis between S-L and other models of practice. Using the Course Value Inventory scale, we compare the assessment of 174 students taking a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, considering their participation in S-L or non-S-L practice. We intent to test if there are differences in the students' assessment between the two models of practice in what concerns to authentic learning. We compare separately the three dimensions of this construct: personal learning, procedural learning and content learning to find or discard the value of S-L in this matter. The results are discussed in relation with previous studies from a cultural-historical approach in order to make sense of the found differences and propose further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality assurance policies have expanded in the educational scenario in diverse parts of the world. At the school system level, there is a growing body of literature related to the design, implementation and effects of these reforms. However, there is little attention to these policies at the level of early years education. This article aims to analyze systems of quality assurance at this educational level in different countries. For this purpose, the results of a comparative research are presented that included the study of eight countries/regions: Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, United States (Colorado), England, Italy (Reggio Emilia) and Sweden. The research identifies two models that respond to different socio-historical contexts and traditions in educational policy; named "performance accountability" and "professional-communitarian accountability". The paper concludes with lessons from both models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research seeks to analyze the existing relationship between terrorist attacks, political instability, discourse from international media outlets and news agencies in receptive tourism. To accomplish this, four countries that have different internal situations will be studied in the period 2012-2015: Egypt, Tunisia, Venezuela and Spain combining quantitative methodologies using official data from international and national organisms, with journalistic discourse analysis from 4 international news agencies and 4 international media outlets through the use of the MAXQDA (v. 11.0.11) software tool. The results have shown that the information spread by media about terrorist attacks have more effects on tourism than those about political and economic instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of the ostomy problem and its social and emotional implications on the conjugal life with a partner with colostomy is the starting point of this study. The condition of a person with a permanent ostomy can influence social and daily activities with their spouses. Objective: To analyze the social and affective aspects of daily coexistence of the spouse and his partner with a definite intestinal ostomy. Method: Comparative study of case control type of quantitative nature, conducted with spouses of ostomized patients paired to the non ostomized in the Federal District, Brazil. The study included 108 spouses of whom 36 spouses of the ostomized called the Case Group and 72 of the non ostomized entitled Control Group. The data was collected from October 2011 to June 2012. Results: The results show that the case group when compared to the control group presented a lower frequency to restaurants, collective events and participates less in leisure activities. In regard to the habits of practicing physical activities, the perception concerning stability in marital coexistence and the evaluation of affective relation, similar rates were observed in both groups. Conclusion: The spouse and his ostomized partner suffered from changes in daily conviviality and the affective bonds of the couple remained unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen La autora analiza los ingresos de los trabajadores del cuidado en el Canadá, Estados Unidos, Japón, República de Corea y Taiwán (China) con microdatos del Luxembourg Income Study. Desagregando las definiciones existentes del trabajo del cuidado, distingue entre ocupaciones de categoría superior e inferior, según el grado de «cierre social», revelando la prima o penalización salarial asociadas en los países del estudio. También estima empíricamente las similitudes y diferencias entre países en función de su régimen de bienestar, «liberal» o de «desarrollo productivista», corroborando la hipótesis de que la globalización ha fomentado una convergencia sustancial del mercado internacional del cuidado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the historical and political aspects that have shaped Library and Information Science professions in Spain, and other countries such as Brazil and the United States, are reviewed. This paper aims to identify some of the key trends and to propose some contents that should be covered by graduate and undergraduate programs. I propose a greater emphasis on technology, ethics, critical theories, and research in LIS studies, as well as a closer collaboration with Journalism, Communication, and Computer Science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen La importancia de armonizar las definiciones estadísticas nacionales de empleo e inactividad es evidente, tanto en aras de la exactitud en general como de la comparabilidad de los datos internacionales. Se comparan aquí someramente las prácticas estadísticas de Albania, Bosnia y Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croacia, Eslovenia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia y Turquía. Si bien todos estos países recaban datos a través de encuestas de población activa, existen discrepancias en las definiciones y la clasificación según la situación laboral de determinados grupos, en particular en lo que respecta a la categoría estadística de desempleo. Por eso es necesario continuar la labor de armonización. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the beginning of 2014, a comparative study was started on literacy of cadets of the Military Academy between the years 2010 and 2014, in order to verify if changes made and suggested by the study carried out in 2010 concerning the implementation of creative workshops I, II and III had an effect on the military training of young cadets, as well as to identify what kind of actions must be taken to improve, in search of academic excellence of tje Military Academy of Cadets regarding literacy, i.e., the ability to read and write. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gutta-percha with a sealer cement has been used for many years as a fill for root canal therapies, new materials and techniques have been recently developed that could increase the success rate of endodontic treatments. It is important to compare materials that are used today, with those that are coming to the market, which possess considerable advantages that may well increase the rate of successful treatments. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the adhesion properties of a new bioceramic sealer: EndoSequence ® BC Sealer™ using BC Points. For this, the following techniques were used: Single cone obturation and lateral condensation with AH-Plus. The results demonstrated differences between the groups of AH-Plus and BC-Sealer. On the bond strength that was applied in the different thirds of the root canal, the sealer cement BC-Sealer proved to be the best adhesion material in all thirds of the root canal being significantly more noticeable in the apical third. The two sealants are effective root canal adhesives, used properly, any of there may grant an acceptable result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the well-being as a linguistic, cultural, philosophical and economic concept. It states that the welfare, as an abstract concept, is especially representative of the culture and the national image of the world, because it has no real immediate support in the extralinguistic reality. Firstly, author makes a review of some important conceptions of well-being in philosophy and economics. Their study indicates that many classical philosophical conceptions accept the existence of three types of well-being with a preeminence of internal well-being over the external and physical ones, whereas the economic concept mainly focuses on its external aspect. Secondly, this article presents the results of a linguistic study of the concept of well-being based on the analysis of components. After a brief explanation of the principles of construction of lexical-semantic fields, author describes and compares the lexical-semantic fields of the concept of well-being in the Spanish and Russian languages. Thirdly, author claims that in the study of abstract concepts such as well-being, the analysis of components should be complemented by the analysis of combinability in order to discover their associative potential. This article presents the results of a comparative study of combinatorial properties of the lexemes bienestar y блᵃгᵒϲᵒϲτᵒяᵒие in Spanish and English, respectively. Finally, author concludes that the concept of well-being has an important place in both Spanish and Russian linguistic cultures and highlights the similarities and differences in the way speakers of both languages perceive it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of the study is to determine the concordance between the PROCAM (Prospective Cardiovascular Münster) and Framingham scales in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Materials and methods. A cross sectional study was conducted in HIV-positive male population who use HAART in a national reference hospital located in Lima, Peru. To evaluate the concordance between the two scales the graphic method of Bland and Altman was used, for the evaluation of the correlation we used the Pearson coefficient and to measure the agreement we use the kappa coefficient. Results. 111 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 47.0 years. The distribution of patients according to the risk was low, moderate and high, 81.2%, 13.6% and 5.4% respectively for PROCAM and 71.2%, 25.2% and 3.6% for Framingham. According to the graphic method of Bland and Altman, the concordance was adequate in low values and was lost as the risk score increased. Pearson's test found a strong correlation (r=0.87 and p<0.05) and the kappa coefficient was 0.56 (p<0,001). Conclusions. The agreement we found at low risk decreases as the risk increases. Strong correlation was found between the two scales. We recommend further studies in order to know which scale of cardiovascular risk is the most optimal scale for clinical practice among HIV population who receive HAART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing importance of participatory processes as a complement to representative democracy in local spaces among other results have led to a substantial increase in the experiences of participatory budgets. These experiences have been -since its beginning- observed from different standpoints, in order to understand them and, at the same time, determine the possibilities of their primary aims. We present a methodology for the evaluation and comparison of one of the main protagonists of the processes of participatory budgets: the citizens' proposals -equipment, work, activities, and services- in which these experiences are developed. Thereby providing quantifiable criteria for both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the objectives of participatory budgeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is one of the countries that has invested more in high performance sport; the ultimate goal of this nation is to win about 30 medals in the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games in 2016. The aims of this study were to present the structure of the Brazilian sport policies and the quality of actions in high performance sport policies. The actions were compared with other countries in an international research called "Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success". The results indicated the existence of financial resources, but the strategic planning and integration in the Brazilian high performance sport policies are deficient. It was also found that high performance sports policies in Brazil showed a progress due to the organization of international major events in the country, but there are still several factors that can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brachymetatarsia is the > 5 mm shortening of the metatarsal parabolic arc of the foot, in one or more metatarsals. It is directly related with the early closure of the epiphyseal cartilage or with early fusion of the epiphyseal line of the distal end of the metatarsal. The fourth metatarsal is usually the most affected one. Females are more commonly affected, with a female to male ratio of 25:1; 72% of cases have bilateral involvement. The causes may be congenital, posttraumatic or result from specific conditions. A prospective, comparative study was conducted of patients with a diagnosis of congenital brachymetatarsia seen in 2007-2008 and 2008-2012. Seven patients were included in the former period: six girls and one boy. Eight patients were included in the latter period: five girls and three boys. The mean shortening achieved in the first group was 21.1 mm; in the second one, 18 mm, without regression. The daily distraction in both groups was 0.5 mm. Metatarsal elongation by means of callotaxis with external fix-ators is an appropriate procedure for adolescent patients about to achieve epiphyseal closure. The best results are obtained with gradual distraction at a rate of 0.5 mm per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of health legalization has led to explore the conditions that produce a successful intervention of constitutional courts in this field. Objective: the purpose of this research is to identify factors associated with the success of the structural litigation in health, particularly when it involves general and complex orders. Methodology: this topic was analized in four judicial proceedings in South Africa, Argentina, India and Colombia where health guarantee has been mediated, in one way or another, by the judiciary. The cases are discussed using the comparative method proposed by Charles Ragin, in which the independent or explanatory variables are the factors that determine the highest probability of success of the case. Results: the research adopts the point of view that structural litigation in health is successful if it produces four effects explained by Cesar Rodriguez and Diana Rodriguez: unlocking effect, public policy effect, social impact and deliberative effect. The comparison of these processes in different contexts, allows arriving to new learnings in order to guarantee this right in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galvanometer mirror systems are a fundamental tool used in many research fields to deploy curves over virtually any surface. Even though the pointbased methodology is the current standard used to achieve this task, it has the shortcoming of using a format of coordinates (expressed as a massive list of points) to represent the curve to be displayed, requiring large memory arrays. An alternative methodology is the so-called Piecewise-Linear which representation format is based on the use of a mathematical Piecewise-Linear formulation where the curves to be drawn are treated as a parametric system composed of two positional equations, X and Y , related to each other by an artificial parameter μ. In comparison against the point-based method, Piecewise-Linear exhibits attractive advantages such as: memory saving and improved sharpness for projected curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ensuring Safe Surgery is a problem of great interest in public health. Bleeding is one of the most significant predictors of intraoperative outcomes. Visual estimation is the most frequently practiced method, although it is imprecise and may over or underestimate blood loss. Objectives: To determine the correlation between visual estimation and the actual volume of blood soaked in surgical absorbent material, by a group of anaesthetists in the city of Cartagena. Also, to establish the determinants of the correlation between estimated and actual volumes in the perioperative period. Methods: Observational study designed to estimate the correlation between visual estimation of blood loss, using photographs of gauze pads and sponges impregnated with different volumes of blood, and the actual extent of perioperative bleeding. The study sample was drawn from members of the Bolivar Anaesthesia Society, including subjects with different levels of training and experience (41 anaesthetists, 15 residents). Each participant was requested to estimate the volume of blood content (ml) in gauze pads and surgical sponges impregnated with blood, based on high-resolution photographic images. To estimate the agreement coefficient the intraclass correlation was used, and to identify factors associated with the accuracy of the estimate, a logistic regression analysis was performed. The visual estimate was considered adequate when it differed less than 10% compared to the actual known volume. Results: The visual estimate was the method of choice used by 100% of the participants to determine the extent of perioperative bleeding. However, its correlation with the actual volume of blood is suboptimal and visual estimates of the same volume of blood by different subjects were very heterogeneous (ICC: 0.582, 95% CI 0.28-0.74). A tendency to overestimate bleeding among participants using visual estimation (65.2%) was observed. The logistic regression analysis identified the level of training (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.04-2.969, P = 0.033) and volumes greater than 75 ml of whole fresh blood in the absorbent material (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.04-2.32, P = 0.029) as independent determinants of agreement. Conclusions: Visual estimation is suboptimal as a method for determining perioperative bleeding. The objective measurement must be the method of choice in this clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patient-specific cutting blocks (PSCB) have been proposed as an interesting option to achieve appropriate alignment in knee arthroplasty. However, there is no information as to which of the available planning methods is the right one. Material and methods: A prospective study was designed to compare two PSCB systems using different planning methods (Signature with CAT scan + teleradiography; Visionaire with MRI) with the standard alignment method. Radiographic and functional pre- and postoperative parameters were analyzed, together with hospital stay, blood transfusion needs, operative time and associated complications. Results: A total of 10 patients per group were operated on. No statistically significant differences were observed between both of the patient-specific alignment systems and the standard system (p > 0.05). However, greater precision was achieved with the former systems and the Signature system was slightly more accurate. Operative time was shorter in patients in whom PSCBs were used, and it was still slightly shorter in those in whom the Visionaire system was used (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The new PSCB systems may be useful to improve alignment in knee arthroplasty and reduce the operative time. While larger case series confirming these data become available, the authors recommend using these systems in cases in which the standard systems do not work properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare quality of life in patients with Tossy type III acromioclavicular dislocation treated with the hook-plate ORIF technique, the Weaver & Dunn technique and the Bosworth technique. Material and methods: A cross-sectional analytical survey was conducted from January 2012 to April 2013 in patients with a diagnosis of Tossy type III acromioclavicular dislocation treated surgically with the hook-plate ORIF technique, the Weaver & Dunn technique, and the Bosworth technique. We included patients ages 18 to 70 years old, operated within three weeks after the diagnosis. Quality of life was assessed using the hetero-administered DASH questionnaire once the informed consent was obtained. Results: Forty-seven patients were operated on. They were divided into 3 groups: hook-plate ORIF technique, with 26 patients: Weaver & Dunn technique, 11 patients; and Bosworth technique, 10 patients. Sex and age distribution were similar in all 3 groups, with p = 0.137 and p = 0.252, respectively. Time elapsed after surgery was similar in all 3 groups, with p = 0.051. The hook-plate ORIF technique was the most frequently used one, in 26 surgeries. 96.4% of patients had mild disability and symptoms with the hook-plate ORIF technique, and 100% with the Bosworth and Weaver & Dunn techniques. Conclusions: Quality of life was similar with all 3 surgical techniques and involved mild disability and symptoms. The hook-plate ORIF technique was the most frequently used technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. There are tools to quantitatively study the volume of the hippocampus. Such study would help to complement, more objectively and precisely, structural alterations that may be associated with the data obtained from electroencephalograms. Material and methods. Seventeen patients, between 3 and 11 years of age, with diagnosis of first-time seizures and from whom magnetic resonance studies and electroencephalograms were available, were analyzed. Results:.The left temporal lobe was involved in 3 patients, of whom 1 (5%) was found to be normal in the magnetic resonance and 2 (11%) abnormal with diagnoses of venous angioma and cortical atrophy. No significant difference was found between the two groups for the results obtained with resonance (Student p value: 0.6) and those obtained with electroencephalography (Student p value: 0.3). Electroencephalographic alterations in the frontal region were observed in 8 (47%) patients, 4 (23%) predominantly left, 1 (5%) right, and 3 (17%) bilateral; of those, in 5 (29%) cases the resonance was normal, one had left temporal atrophy, one diagnosis of meningitis, and one more of medulloblastoma. Discussion. In the remaining 3 (17%) patients we found generalized cortical involvement in the electroencephalogram, but resonance found one normal study, one suprasellar ependymoma, and one patient with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Conclusion. it was not possible to show a statistically significant value that could relate the results obtained by magnetic resonance with those obtained by electroencephalography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Evaluate the capacity of ultrasound qualitative breast elastography to predict malignancy of solid nodules, classified as BI-RADS category 4 and 5, with subsequent recommendation of biopsy. Material and method. We reviewed, in the PACS system, elastograph images (color map based on the Ueno scale) from patients who underwent biopsy of BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions at the Hospital Christus Muguerza Diagnostic Breast Imaging Center and had histopathological analysis at that hospital. Results. Sixty-three patients were included and biopsies of 68 solid nodules were taken. In the statistical analysis we obtained, for elastography, sensitivity to BI-RADS 4 and 5 malignant solid nodules of 87%; specificity of 70%, a positive predictive value of 71%, and a negative predictive value of 86%; the overall accuracy was 77% and the confidence interval 95%. Conclusion. Because the positive and negative predictive values are no higher than those reported in the international specialized literature we cannot fail to consider other diagnostic methods such as mammogram and mode B ultrasound in making the decision to perform biopsies; elastography is only an additional tool with advantages and disadvantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the socio-demographic aspects, of health, care and clinic of people with venous ulcer (VU) in Brazil and Portugal. Method: Analytical comparative and transversal study with a quantitative approach. The sample was composed by 130 persons with UV assisted in Natal/Brazil and Évora/Portugal in the period between June and October of 2011, through a structured interview form and collection of bio-physiological measures. Results: Significant differences between the two countries were verified, regarding the age, family income, profession/occupation, time of lesion shorter than 6 months, small lesion area, ulcer with granulation, availability of proper products, place for treatment, access to medics, Doppler examination and documentation of clinical sate. Conclusion: The researched in Portugal were elder, with better income; the number of patients with a profession/occupation was lower than the researched users in Brazil and presented lesions with more favourable characteristics to the scar healing process. The researched assistance to users with VU in Portugal has presented to be significantly better than the one performed in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the functions and implications of contemporary filial piety in three Chinese societies, namely, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China, using large-scale cross-national datasets from the 2006 East Asian Social Survey. Despite the shared Confucian cultural values among these three societies, they have sharply differed in their paths toward modernization and in the development of their sociopolitical structures over the last century. The authors propose that the implications and influences of filial piety tend to be more similar in Taiwan and Hong Kong, but may be different in China because of profound differences in its sociopolitical system. Using the dual filial piety model as the baseline for comparative analyses, the results show that dual filial piety can be found in all three societies, although there are some componential alterations in China. The study also goes beyond the common practice of treating filial piety within the confines of caring for family elders by considering its functional utility to influence an individual’s sociopsychological outcomes. The regression results support the significance of dual filial piety and its close association with various aspects of daily life in contemporary Chinese societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to compare the perceptions of quality of life (QOL) and to identify factors associated with QOL among seniors living in the community in Porto Alegre, RS and institutionalized seniors from the countryside of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Method: this study used secondary data from two cross-sectional epidemiological studies. The sample consisted of 288 seniors living in the community and 76 institutionalized seniors. An instrument addressing socio-demographic data and the WHOQOL-BREF were administered. Results: bivariate analysis showed that age, gender, schooling, self-reported health, and leisure presented statistically significant differences between institutionalized and non-institutionalized seniors. The Psychological and Social Relationships domains also presented statistically significant differences. The variables that presented significant correlation in multivariate analysis in relation to the Psychological domain were education, assessments of health, leisure and in relation to the Social domain, education and age. Conclusion: being institutionalized did not influence the older adults' perceptions of QOL, but the socio-demographic characteristics and self-assessments of health did. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of the European Higher Education Area in Spain has involved a substantial change in the traditional practices of university education, introducing important modifications both in the teaching methodology and in the assessment criteria. This work presents the experience carried out by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Albacete in the subject of Cost Accounting. The paper aims to determine whether the new methodologies used in recent years and the introduction of new criteria for assessment have had a positive impact on the improvement of the students' performance and motivation in the aforementioned subject, which is taught in the third year of the degree in Business and Management Administration (ADE). In order to achieve this, we compared the grades obtained by students during the academic years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 (in which the ECTS methodology was applied) with those obtained in the two immediately preceding academic years: 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 (where the teaching methodology involved lectures and a final exam worth 100% of the final grade). The findings evince an overall increase in the rate of students who take the exam and participate in the process of continuous assessment as a result of the new teaching methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Total lumbar disc replacement was developed to avoid the drawbacks of arthrodesis. This procedure should be done cautiously due to the various already known complications. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical and radiographic results after single-level lumbar arthroplasty with the Prodisc-L, Maverick and Charité prostheses at our service. Material and methods: A retrospective study was performed comparing the clinical and radiographic results of three groups of patients who underwent total lumbar disc arthroplasty from January 2000 to December 2007. Results: Twenty-one lumbar prosthetic surgeries were performed. The Prodisc device was used in 13 patients, the Maverick in 4, and the Charité in 4. After the application of the Stauffer-Coventry scale, 16 patients reported excellent results and 5 good results. The mean preoperative interbody height was 7.9 mm and the mean postoperative height was 12.91 mm. The mean differential angle in the dynamic films was 5.47° preoperatively and 4.61 postoperatively; the mean angle in neutral position was 13.38 preoperatively and 19.61 postoperatively. Conclusions: This study showed that the clinical result was good in all three groups. Mobility was better maintained with the Charité prosthesis compared to the Prodisc and Maverick devices. The three prostheses are appropriate for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present intervention study sought to assess the results of homeopathic treatment in malnourished children aged 1-19 years old below the 3th percentile in the weight-height ratio at San Juan Policlinic, Ranchuelo County, Cuba, between November 2004 and December 2005. A total of 99 children were randomly allocated by Mathcad in two groups, one (n=50) was given homeopathic treatment, and the control group (n=49) that did not. Administration of medication was defined by clinical criteria. Inclusion, exclusion and exit criteria were defined. Variables were identified and operationalized, and the information collected from both groups was interpreted. After one-year follow-up, 42 out of 50 children (84%) treated with homeopathy attained normal weight, whereas only 15 out of 49 (30%) of the children in the control group attained normal weight [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the differences between socio-demographic variables, inpatients and outpatients of individuals assessed in a community mental health center (CMHC) with or with no diagnosable mental disorders according to ICD-10 (mental disorder or Z code). Method: Design: comparative description. Scope: urban area. Population: all patients referred to the Salamanca Mental Health Service (n =1187). Variables: sociodemographics, clinical and health ser- vice utilization gathered through clinical interview, GHQ-28, SCL-90-R and an expectations scale. Results: Among the mental patients there are more singles, a lower level of education, they are diagnosed by female professionals more frequently, and they have priority referals. Moreover they have mental health history more frequently, they arrive at the mental health service with psychopharmacological treatment administered often and after the evaluation they are discharged less frequently than Z code. Mental disorders are given more weight in all the SCL-90-R indexes studied. Vital occurrences were out of control more often in mental disorders than Z codes at the time of evaluation. Conclusions: The socio-demographic differences between both populations are finite like in previous studies. In our research both patient groups have fewer clinical visits than in international studies, but more prescribed medication at the time of the evaluation, especially in Z codes. It appears that mental patients lack social skills or the ability to stressful life events and, therefore, are more vulnerable than Z codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hyaluronic acid is a major component of synovial fluid and cartilage; it plays an essential role in joint function. This concept is based on the hypothesis that intraarticular sodium hyaluronate injections improve articular function upon restoring synovial fluid viscosupplementation and promoting endogenous synthesis. Material and methods: Forty randomly selected patients older than 50 years of age, with a diagnosis of gonarthrosis, standard treatment-naïve, were divided into two 20-patient groups. The first group was treated with five 2.5 ml doses of hyaluronic acid, at one dose per week. The second group was treated with a single 2 ml dose of intraarticular methylprednisolone. A survey containing the Womac functional scale and the pain visual analogue scale was applied to both groups before and 3 months after treatment. Results: A statistically significant reduction in pain (visual analogue scale) was observed 3 months after treatment in group H (1.6 ± 0.88) and group M (2.95 ± 1.84), as well as a functional post-treatment improvement in the Womac scale. Results for post-treatment pain were 5.43 ± 1.05 for group H and 7.86 ± 0.77 for group M; results for post-treatment stiffness were 3.05 ± 0.82 for group H and 3.7 ± 0.85 for group M; and finally for post-treatment functional capacity the results were 12.25 ± 0.82 for group H and 18.95 ± 0.85 for group M. Conclusion: Intraarticular sodium hyaluronate is more effective for pain and function than methylprednisolone. However, it involves higher costs than conservative treatment and fewer costs than surgical treatment, as well as the discomfort resulting from repeated intraarticular injections and the possibility of anaphylactic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]