Search

Background Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) have long been regarded as a cornerstone intervention in mitigating the adverse effects of a preterm birth. However, the safety and efficacy of ACS in hospitals in low-resource countries has not been established in an efficacy trial despite their widespread use. Findings of a large cluster-randomized trial in six low- and middle-income countries showed that efforts to scale up ACS use in low-resource settings can lead to harm. There is equipoise regarding the benefits and harms of ACS use in hospitals in low-resource countries. This randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether ACS are safe and efficacious when given to women at risk of imminent birth in the early preterm period, in hospitals in low-resource countries. Methods/design The trial design is a parallel, two-arm, double-blind, individually randomized, placebo-controlled trial of ACS (dexamethasone) for women at risk of imminent preterm birth. The trial will recruit 6018 women in participating hospitals across five low-resource countries (Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Pakistan). The primary objectives are to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone with placebo on survival of the baby and maternal infectious morbidity. The primary outcomes are: 1) neonatal death (to 28 completed days of life); 2) any baby death (any stillbirth postrandomization or neonatal death); and 3) a composite outcome to assess possible maternal bacterial infections. The trial will recruit eligible, consenting pregnant women from 26 weeks 0 days to 33 weeks 6 days gestation with confirmed live fetuses, in whom birth is planned or expected within 48 h. The intervention comprises a regimen of intramuscular dexamethasone sodium phosphate. The comparison is an identical placebo regimen (normal saline). A total of 6018 women will be recruited to detect a reduction of 15% or more in neonatal deaths in a two-sided 5% significance test with 90% power (including 10% loss to follow-up). Discussion Findings of this trial will guide clinicians, programme managers and policymakers on the safety and efficacy of ACS in hospitals in low-resource countries. The trial findings will inform updating of the World Health Organization’s global recommendations on ACS use. Trial registration ACTRN12617000476336. Registered on 31 March 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3488-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Orientador: Nelson da Silva Cordeiro Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Resumo: Com a finalidade de contribuir com o conhecimento de parasitos do filo Myxozoa em peixes de água doce, acrescentando possíveis novas espécies às já descritas, foram examinados deJaneiro a Dezembro de 2001, 120 exemplares de Astyanax altiparanae e 18 exemplares de Serrasalmus spilopleura, coletados em um lago da Fazenda Rio das Pedras, localizada no município de Campinas, SP. Verificou-se também a prevalência e os aspectos histopatológicos provocados no hospedeiro. Os peixes coletados com o auxílio de vara comum de pesca, foram transportados vivos para o laboratório, onde todos os seus órgãos foram examinados. A detenninação do parasito foi realizada mediante comparações morfométricas com as espécies já descritas na literatura. Em A. altiparanae foi observado a ocorrência de duas novas espécies de mixosporídios pertencentes ao gênero Henneguya: Henneguya chydadea, parasitando as brânquias, com prevalência de 88,3% e Henneguya sp. 1 parasitando as nadadeiras, com prevalência de 44,3%. O desenvolvimento dos cistos de H. chydadea no epitélio lamelar resultou em deformação da lamela e compressão dos capilares. Em estágios mais avançados observou-se retração das lamelas vizinhas, com redução da superfície para as trocas gasosas. Similar estudo histológico revelou que os cistos de Henneguya sp. 1, desenvolvem-se no tecido conjuntivo da base dos raios das nadadeiras. A presença desses cistos não provocou nenhuma resposta inflamatória no hospedeiro. Nas brânquias de S. spilopleura foi verificado, a ocorrência de uma nova espécie de mixosporídio, Henneguya curvata, com prevalência de 100%. O parasito produziu defonnação -das estruturas lamelares, incluindo compressão dos capilares, o qual levou a um discreto edema. Em estágios mais avançados os cistos produziram fusão entre as lamelas vizinhas Abstract: Aiming to contribute to the knowledge of parasites of the filo Myxozoa in freshwater fish, adding possible new species to the ones already described, 120 samples ofAstyanas altiparanae and 18 samples of Serrasalmus spilopleura were examined between January and December 2001, collected ftom a lake located on Rio das Pedras fimn, close to the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Prevalence was also veritied and the histopathological aspects provoked in the host. The fish collected with the aid of an ordinary fishing rod, were transported alive to the laboratory, where all their organs were examined. The determination of the parasite was perceived upon morphometrical comparisons with the species already described in the literature. In A. altiparanae was observed the occurrence of two new species of myxosporeans belonging to the genera Henneguya: Henneguya chydadea, parasitising the gill, with prevalence of 88.3 % and Henneguya sp. 1 parasitising the fins, with prevalence of 44.3 %. The development ofthe cysts of H. chydadea in the lamellar epithelium resulted in defonnation ofthe lamellae and compression of the capillaries. In more advanced stages, retraction of the neighboring lamellae was observed, with reduction of the surfuce for the gas exchanges. Similar histological study revealed that the cysts of Henneguya sp. 1 developed in the conjunctive tis sue ofthe basis ofthe radii of the fins. The presence of these cysts did not provoke anY inflammatory response in the host. In the gill of S. spilopleura was observed the occurrence of a new species of myxosporeans, Henneguya curvata, with prevalence ofl 00%. The parasite produced deformation -of the lamellar structures, including compression of the capillaries, which lead to slight edema. In more advanced stages the cysts produced fusion among the neighboring lamellae Mestrado Mestre em Parasitologia

Bakgrund: Diabetes mellitus typ 2 är en växande folksjukdom i Sverige och globalt. Utförandet av egenvård är viktigt för att en person ska kunna undvika komplikationer och leva ett långt och hälsosamt liv. Syfte: Att beskriva personers erfarenheter av att utföra egenvård vid diabetes mellitus typ 2. Metod: En kvalitativ litteraturöversikt genomfördes där 16 artiklar analyserades och användes för resultatet. En induktiv ansats har använts. Analysen har gjorts i fem steg enligt Friberg. Resultat: Analysen resulterade i två teman: “Förändrade levnadsvanor” och “Behov av stöd och information”. Förändringar som utfördes gällande fysisk aktivitet och kost innebar en omvälvande omställning i vardagen. Den förändrade kosten medförde hinder i det sociala livet. Stöd från omgivningen och hälso- och sjukvården var betydelsefullt. Vilken information som gavs påverkade utförandet av egenvård. Slutsats: Egenvårdshanteringen innebar varierande grad av livsstilsförändringar. Den svåraste förändringen att genomföra var kostanpassning. Information och fungerande stöd från omgivningen och hälso- och sjukvården underlättade utförandet av egenvård. Litteraturöversikten kan användas som stöd för hälso- och sjukvårdpersonal för att få en övergripande insikt i personers erfarenheter. Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a growing health care concern, in Sweden and globally. The implementation of self-care is a significant part to avoid complications and live a long and healthy life. Aim: To describe people’s experiences of performing self-care in diabetes mellitus type 2. Methods: A qualitative literature review was conducted in which 16 articles were analysed and used for the result. An inductive approach has been used. The analysis was conducted in five steps according to Friberg. Results: The analysis resulted in two themes: “Changed lifestyle” and “Need for support and information”. Changes regarding diet and physical activity entailed readjustment in the everyday life. Dietary changes were found as a barrier to the social life. Support from both health care, family and friends was meaningful. The information that was provided affected the execution of self-care. Conclusion: The management of self-care involved various extent of lifestyle changes. The most difficult to implement in the daily life was dietary changes. Information and support from surroundings and health care facilitated the implementation of self-care. The literature review may be used as support for health care professionals to achieve more insight in people’s experiences.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of antenatal glucocorticoids in women in low-resource countries who are at risk for preterm birth are uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a multicountry, randomized trial involving pregnant women between 26 weeks 0 days and 33 weeks 6 days of gestation who were at risk for preterm birth. The participants were assigned to intramuscular dexamethasone or identical placebo. The primary outcomes were neonatal death alone, stillbirth or neonatal death, and possible maternal bacterial infection; neonatal death alone and stillbirth or neonatal death were evaluated with superiority analyses, and possible maternal bacterial infection was evaluated with a noninferiority analysis with the use of a prespecified margin of 1.25 on the relative scale. RESULTS: A total of 2852 women (and their 3070 fetuses) from 29 secondary- and tertiary-level hospitals across Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan underwent randomization. The trial was stopped for benefit at the second interim analysis. Neonatal death occurred in 278 of 1417 infants (19.6%) in the dexamethasone group and in 331 of 1406 infants (23.5%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 0.97; P=0.03). Stillbirth or neonatal death occurred in 393 of 1532 fetuses and infants (25.7%) and in 444 of 1519 fetuses and infants (29.2%), respectively (relative risk, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.99; P=0.04); the incidence of possible maternal bacterial infection was 4.8% and 6.3%, respectively (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.03). There was no significant between-group difference in the incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among women in low-resource countries who were at risk for early preterm birth, the use of dexamethasone resulted in significantly lower risks of neonatal death alone and stillbirth or neonatal death than the use of placebo, without an increase in the incidence of possible maternal bacterial infection. Fil: Oladapo, Olufemi T.. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Vogel, Joshua P.. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Piaggio, Gilda. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Nguyen, My-Huong. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Althabe, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; Argentina Fil: Metin Gülmezoglu, A.. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Bahl, Rajiv. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Rao, Suman P.N.. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: de Costa, Ayesha. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Gupta, Shuchita. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; Argentina Fil: Shahidullah, Mohammod. No especifíca; Fil: Chowdhury, Saleha B.. No especifíca; Fil: Ara, Gulshan. No especifíca; Fil: Akter, Shaheen. No especifíca; Fil: Akhter, Nasreen. No especifíca; Fil: Dey, Probhat R.. No especifíca; Fil: Abdus Sabur, M.. No especifíca; Fil: Azad, Mohammad T.. No especifíca; Fil: Choudhury, Shahana F.. No especifíca; Fil: Matin, M.A.. No especifíca; Fil: Goudar, Shivaprasad S.. No especifíca; Fil: Dhaded, Sangappa M.. No especifíca; Fil: Metgud, Mrityunjay C.. No especifíca; Fil: Pujar, Yeshita V.. No especifíca; Fil: Somannavar, Manjunath S.. No especifíca; Fil: Vernekar, Sunil S.. No especifíca; Fil: Herekar, Veena R.. No especifíca; Fil: Bidri, Shailaja R.. No especifíca; Fil: Mathapati, Sangamesh S.. No especifíca; Fil: Patil, Preeti G.. No especifíca; Fil: Patil, Mallanagouda M.. No especifíca; Fil: Gudadinni, Muttappa R.. No especifíca; Fil: Bijapure, Hidaytullah R.. No especifíca; Fil: Mallapur, Ashalata A.. No especifíca; Fil: Katageri, Geetanjali M.. No especifíca; Fil: Chikkamath, Sumangala B.. No especifíca; Fil: Yelamali, Bhuvaneshwari C.. No especifíca; Fil: Pol, Ramesh R.. No especifíca; Fil: Misra, Sujata S.. No especifíca; Fil: Das, Leena. No especifíca

Aeration issued through a ventilation shaft is an important measure to prevent cavitation and large gauge pressure in flood discharge tunnels. In order to dimension the ventilation shaft appropriately, itis necessary to have a good understanding of the air-water flow in the tunnel. In this study, the multiphase flow through a discharge tunnel was simulated in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent. Since the flow was separated, the simulation setup used the volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase model, that could track the water surface. Furthermore, the so called RNG k-epsilon turbulence model was used. The CFD model was validated with measured data provided from two open channel experiments carried out on a scaled model at Sichuan University. To ensure mesh independence, grid convergence index (GCI)studies were performed for the two validating cases. After the validation, a top wall and a ventilation shaft was added to the CFD model. The flow was then simulated for four different shaft designs and four different water inlet velocities. The air demand and air supply for the various scenarios could thereby be calculated. The results of this study were also compared with previous research on multiphase flow through tunnels with similar design. It was concluded that the air flow downstream in the tunnel converged for the two larger designs. It was also concluded that the air demand in the tunnel was satisfied for the larger ventilation shafts. A smaller study on cavitation was made and the risk was considered non-existent for all the simulated cases.

Orientador: Flávia Luciane Consoni de Mello Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências Resumo: As transformações da indústria automobilística trazem consigo mudanças no curso da mobilidade mundial e as trajetórias de desenvolvimento nas tecnologias dos veículos elétricos (VEs) seguem de maneira acelerada nas últimas décadas. No caso brasileiro, busca-se compreender como o país se posiciona em relação ao crescimento desta rota tecnológica e quais são suas potencialidades e desafios. Deste modo, o objetivo desta tese é identificar e compreender quais são as possibilidades para a estruturação da eletromobilidade no Brasil e sua governança a partir das dimensões da formação de competências e atividades de P&D para o Sistema de Propulsão Elétrico (SPE). Tais objetivos foram conduzidos considerando o SPE como o artefato central da eletromobilidade, sendo um framework desenvolvido a partir do conceito de bloco de competências, discutido na teoria dos Sistemas Tecnológicos de Inovação. Para isso, compreendeu a análise de dados empíricos a partir da realização de entrevistas com os principais atores ligados à temática no Brasil (governo, empresas, associações de classe e Institutos de Ciência e Tecnologia), de buscas de patentes, na Plataforma Questel Orbit, e de artigos científicos, na base de dados Scopus, além de outras fontes secundárias. Foi possível verificar um STI ainda em construção e emergente no Brasil, a exemplo dos atores que estão identificando seus papéis e articulando parcerias. As atividades e projetos não estão definidos e encontram-se em elaboração, como a execução de programas piloto e projetos demonstrativos. Vis-à-vis, notou-se avanços no que diz respeito às políticas públicas e seu arcabouço de instrumentos regulatórios em expansão, que podem corroborar o desenvolvimento deste setor no Brasil. No que toca a formação de competências no Brasil, observou-se o aumento: (1) do patenteamento de tecnologias; (2) da publicação de artigos e (3) do engajamento dos grupos de pesquisa, relacionados aos blocos de competência do SPE. As principais tecnologias demonstradas pelas buscas proporcionaram a prospecção das oportunidades locais, que evidenciam competências existentes/potenciais em: Powertrain, nos motores elétricos avançados e suas tecnologias; infraestrutura, no desenvolvimento de eletropostos; acumuladores, na parte de empacotamento e programação das baterias. No bloco da integração, destacou-se a montagem dos veículos híbridos a partir de sistemas flex fuel com a opção do etanol, aproveitando-se das competências nacionais já acumuladas. Pari passu as oportunidades, notaram-se barreiras, como a fabricação de células no Brasil, um ponto sensível e de difícil execução e da pouca articulação das montadoras instaladas no Brasil em se acoplar aos fornecedores locais. A partir desta análise, revelou-se imperativo pensar e discutir formas de governança desse sistema e meios de coordenação entre estes atores, para que oriente suas atividades e crie uma visão de futuro para o setor. Como solução ao quadro mapeado, propõe-se a criação de uma Plataforma Nacional de Eletromobilidade, sendo uma estrutura de governança com foco na articulação destes atores e no arranjo e orquestração das ações pró VEs. Como alvos dessa governança, pontuou-se agendas estratégicas a serem trabalhadas, reveladas através do mapeamento das situações/problemas. Para suportar estas agendas e sua execução, sugeriu-se a criação de Fóruns Permanentes e um Núcleo de Pesquisa, para acampar as atividades da plataforma Abstract: The automobile industry transformation leads to changes in the course of global mobility: the development paths related to electrification-based propulsion technologies have been accelerating over the last two decades. In the Brazilian case, we aim to understand how the country stands in relation to the growth of this technological route and what are the strengths and challenges. In this sense, the purpose of this thesis is to identify and understand the possibilities and necessary arrangements for electromobility in Brazil from the perspective of R&D activities and competence building for the Electric Propulsion System (EPS). This objective was conducted designing the EPS framework, adopted as the core artifact of electromobility. Based on competence bloc concept, this analytical scheme was inspired by the field of Technological Innovation System (TIS) theory. In order to achieve this, empirical data was collected and analyzed by conducting field survey with the main actors related to electromobility in Brazil (government, companies, class associations and institutes of science and technology). In addition, regarding Science and Technology indicators, patents was extracted from Questel Orbit platform; scientific articles, obtained in Scopus database, as well other secondary sources. It was possible to verify a TIS under construction and emerging in Brazil, exemplified by the actors who are (still) identifying their roles and articulating partnerships. The activities and projects are not defined and are being elaborated, such as the execution of pilot programs and demonstration projects. Vis-à-vis, there has been progress noted in public policy and its expanding regulation instruments, which can corroborate the segment development in Brazil. Regarding the competence building in Brazil, it was observed the increase of: (1) technologies patenting activities; (2) articles publications and (3) engagement of research groups related to EPS's competence blocks. The outputs of this mapping enabled a foresight exercise, prospecting local opportunities. The key technologies which Brazilian industry demonstrated competencies, highlights potential at: Powertrain, in advanced electric motors and their technologies; infrastructure, in the development of electric vehicle supply equipment and charging stations; energy accumulators, regarding packaging and software for batteries. In relation to vehicular architecture, the hybrid vehicles assembly using flex fuel systems were remarkable due to the advances taken by the previous biofuels sector experience. Pari passu, we diagnose challenges and obstacles, such as the technological gap of battery cells manufacturing in Brazil and the disconnection among automakers installed in Brazil with local suppliers. From this analysis, it becomes imperative to conceive a governance arrangement in this TIS and discuss means of coordination among these actors, in order to guide its activities and create a common vision of segment's future. As a solution, it is proposed the creation of a National Platform for Electromobility, as a governance structure focused on the articulation and orchestration of these actors. As targets of this governance, strategic agendas were elaborated to be carried out, extracted through the barriers and opportunities exercise. In order to support these agendas and their implementation, it is suggested the creation of Permanent Forums and a Research Community to encompass the platform activities Doutorado Política Científica e Tecnologica Doutor em Política Científica e Tecnológica CAPES

Med ett kritiskt diskursanalytiskt tillvägagångssätt har denna studien analyserat hur två rikstäckande kvällsmedier, Aftonbladet och Expressen, skriver om begreppet utsatta områden genom sina publiceringar. Studien vill reda ut huruvida begreppet används på ett speciellt sätt. För att analysera materialet som bestod av 30 texter, inklusive debattartiklar, ledartexter, redaktionella artiklar och reportage från de nämnda tidningarna användes Faircloughs tredimensionella modell för kritisk diskursanalys. Dettaresulterade i identifierandet av fyra särskilda diskurser eller teman som vi har kallat: “Vad är utsatta områden?”, “En gärningsperson utan ansikte –konsekvenser av att fråntas agens”, “Politiker på vit häst” samt “Vi och dem”. Dessa diskuterades sedan utifrån Faircloughs teorier om kritisk diskursanalys samt andra sociologiska teorier som bedömdes som relevanta i sammanhanget där stämplingsteori är den mest framstående. Studien kommer fram till att begreppet utsatta områden används på ett sätt som präglas av få ifrågasättanden av begreppet samt att diskursen kan influeras av det som polisen framhåller i sin rapport om utsatta områden. Vidare framhålls utsatta områden som något som skiljer sig från övriga områden i samhället. Det diskuteras även vilka följder diskurserna kan ha på dessa områden och dess invånare samt vilka följder det kan tänkas få för det sociala arbetet. With a critical discourse analytical approach, this study has analyzed how two nationwide newspapers, Aftonbladet and Expressen, write about the concept of vulnerable areas through their publications. The study wants to find out whether the concept is used in a certain way. To analyze the material that consisted of 30 texts, including letters to the editors, editorials, editorial articles as well as reports from the aforementioned newspapers, Fairclough's three-dimensional model for critical discourse analysis was used. This resulted in the identification of four discourses or themes that we have named: "What are vulnerable areas?", "A perpetrator without a face -consequences of being deprived of agency", "Politicians on a white horse" and "We and them". These were then discussed based on Fairclough's theories on critical discourse analysis and other sociological theories that were deemed relevant in the context where labeling theory is the most prominent. The study concludes that the concept of vulnerable areas is used ina way that is characterized by few questioning the term and that the discourse may be influenced by what the police feature in their report on vulnerable areas. Furthermore, vulnerable areas are emphasized as something that differs from other areas in society. The study also discusses what consequences the discourses may have for these areas and its inhabitants, as well as what consequences this may have for social work.

There are approximately 8 million people with trachomatous trichiasis globally; in the year 2009, less than 160,000 people had surgery. These numbers are too low in order to achieve the goal of elimination of blinding trachoma by the year 2020. Task shifting approaches have led to the training of general nurses in trichiasis surgery in eastern Africa. The overall aim of this study was to determine the attrition and productivity (and the factors associated with productivity) of trichiasis surgeons in Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi.A 3-year cohort study of trichiasis surgeons.The overall response rate was 86%. Defining high productivity as 50+ operations per year per surgeon, only 16.1% of the trichiasis surgeons were highly productive. Among the surgeons, 27.9% were no longer at their site and ceased providing surgery (attrition) over the 3 years of study. High productivity was associated with having been trained by an experienced trainer, supervised by a clinical officer, having more than three surgical sets, and having an outreach program.Attrition of general nurses trained in trichiasis surgery was high. Surgical productivity of trichiasis surgeons remained too low. It is likely that other approaches are needed to address the burden of trichiasis in the three countries. In terms of recommendations, training of trichiasis surgeons should be done in a "package," including a plan for provision of surgical equipment, continuous support and supervision, and outreach.

Este artigo aborda questoes relativas a competitividade internacional, com enfase na administracao aduaneira (aduana), com abordagem conceitual e aplicada. Com base nos conceitos de competitividade e administracao aduaneira, o artigo apresenta o posicionamento competitivo relativo da aduana brasileira frente as aduanas mais eficientes, via metodologia do Data EnvelopmentAnalysis (DEA). Nao ha estudos semelhantes no Brasil sobre a area aduaneira. O software GNU Linear Programming Kit (GLPK) foi utilizado para a analise comparativa de unidades independentes. Como inputs, sao considerados o posicionamento do Brasil em rankings de competitividade e o valor do produto interno bruto (PIB). Como output, o valor das importacoes e exportacoes. A analise dos resultados confirma a baixa eficiencia do Brasil em termos comparativos com outras economias, considerando diferentes bases de dados. Dentre os motivos identificados para a relativa baixa posicao competitiva, encontra-se a burocratizacao de procedimentos aduaneiros, que retira competitividade do Brasil em cadeias de suprimentos globais. Palavras-chave: DEA. Eficiencia. Administracao aduaneira. Comercio Internacional.

En prototyp av ett horisontalaxlat marint strömkraftverk är designat och konstruerat med syfte atterhålla kunskap om marin strömkraft som en förnybar energikälla. Målet var att strömkraftverketskulle uppnå en verkningsgrad om 20 %. Det konstruerade strömkraftverket består huvudsakligenav en trebladig strömkraftsturbin, en växel och en axialflödesgenerator. Turbinbladen designa-des och simulerades baserad på bladelementteori och dess prestanda vad gäller hållfasthet ochhydrodynamik är modellerad. Strömkraftverket testas i ett lokalt vattendrag men målet om enverkningsgrad på 20 % uppnås ej. Den slutgiltiga maximala effekten som utvinns vid test uppgår till 0,22 W vilket motsvarar en verkningsgrad om 0,2 %. A horizontal axis marine current power plant prototype is desinged and constructed in order toobtain knowledge about marine current power as a source of renewable energy and with the goal ofachieving a maximumpower coefficient of 0.2. The power system mainly consists of a three-bladedhydro-turbine, a gear and an axial-flux generator. The turbine blades are designed and simulatedbased on blade element theory and its material strength and hydrodynamic perfomance is modeled.The power system is tested in a local water stream but the goal of apower coefficient of 0.2 isnot reached. An output power of 0.22 W is measured when tested which corresponds to a powercoefficient of 0.2 %.

Orientador: Flávia Luciane Consoni de Mello Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências Resumo: A indústria automobilística global está passando por um período de reestruturação, a qual deverá contemplar o uso de tecnologias alternativas às tradicionais com o propósito de aumentar a eficiência energética dos veículos e paralelamente reduzir as emissões de poluentes. Neste contexto, os veículos elétricos (VE) caracterizam-se como uma das alternativas possíveis frente a este cenário de novas demandas. Essa dissertação avança nesta temática ao investigar, descrever e analisar a trajetória histórica, tecnológica e de mercado do veículo elétrico. Para o aprofundamento ao tema, observou-se a competição tecnológica pelo sistema de propulsão dominante, que ocorreu entre: 1) o motor a vapor; 2) os conversores eletromecânicos de energia (motores elétricos); e 3) os motores a combustão interna, sendo o último caracterizado como vencedor. Ao longo dos 50 anos que seguiriam a partir do fechamento do motor a combustão interna em 1920 como paradigma tecnológico, os veículos elétricos praticamente desaparecem. O projeto do veículo elétrico só foi retomado a partir da década de 1970, com os estímulos vindos da agenda ambiental, da poluição do ar e seus impactos na saúde pública e do aumento do uso dos combustíveis fósseis. Porém, será a partir do século XXI que o segmento dos veículos elétricos irá ascender tanto do lado tecnológico quanto de mercado. Foram observadas três configurações mais promissoras a respeito da tecnologia dos veículos elétricos: a bateria, híbrido e a células a combustíveis. As três configurações apresentam barreiras e desafios, os quais estão sendo sistematicamente trabalhados pelas empresas que estão dispensando esforços para o segmento. Isto é observado com base na evolução das patentes publicadas sobre veículos elétricos e suas tecnologias. Sendo assim, é possível, ainda, constatar a evolução das vendas dos veículos elétricos nos Estados Unidos, Japão e em um pequeno número de países europeus. O êxito mercadológico fica para os modelos híbridos, com vendas sete vezes superiores aos veículos elétricos a bateria. Transpondo esta discussão para o contexto brasileiro atual, salientamos que o Brasil possui os atores (órgãos governamentais, empresas e instituições públicas de pesquisa) e condições (mercado automobilístico consolidado e know-how) necessários para a formação de um complexo automobilístico voltado aos veículos elétricos, porém as ações em curso no país são pontuais. Ainda que tais iniciativas possam favorecer a criação de competências específicas para o veículo elétrico, elas se mostram pouco efetivas para criar as condições que permitam o Brasil ocupar posição de destaque neste mercado. Ao menos que se projete um rol de políticas claras de apoio e suporte ao desenvolvimento de tecnologias locais destinadas ao veículo elétrico, poucos avanços serão conquistados neste campo tecnológico Abstract: Automobile industry across the world is undergoing structural change. Advances in emission regulations and the effects of oil price fluctuations are forcing carmakers towards new product programs that use new technologies in order to increase the energy efficiency of vehicles, reduce emissions and decrease environment impacts. In this context, electric vehicles have been considered as one of the possible alternatives for this scenario of new demands. This dissertation advances on this topic to investigate, describe and analyze the historical and technological trajectories and market behavior of the electric vehicle. It was observed a technological competition by dominant propulsion system, that had occurred among: 1) the steam engine; 2) electromechanical energy converters (electric motors); and 3) internal combustion engines, the last being characterized as the most used. Throughout the following 50 years from the engine closure based on the internal combustion in 1920, electric vehicles practically disappeared. The electric vehicle project was only resumed after the 1970s, due to the environmental agenda, the air pollution and its impacts on public health and the increase of fossil fuels prices. However, in the 21st century, the segment of electric vehicles has ascended in both technological and market fields. Therefore, it is possible to identify the three most promising settings about electric vehicle technology: battery electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle and fuel cells vehicle. The three configurations have obstacles and challenges, which are being systematically tackled by companies that are dispensing efforts for the segment, based on the evolution of patents published concerning the electric vehicles and their technologies. Thus, it is possible to verify the evolution of the electric vehicles selling in the United States, Japan and a few European countries. The world market success is related to hybrids models, selling seven times more than the battery electric vehicle. In the current Brazilian context, the country has the government agencies, companies and public research intuitions and had the conditions (mature automobile market and know-how) for the formation of an automobile complex of electric vehicles, with off actions. Although such initiatives may favor the creation of specific competencies for electric vehicle, they show little effective to create conditions for the Brazil occupy a prominent position in this market. It should be projected a list clear policies to support the development of local technologies for the electric vehicle, or few advances will be achieved in this technological field Mestrado Política Científica e Tecnologica Mestre em Política Científica e Tecnológica CAPES

Background Knowledge and skills of primary health care workers (PHCWs) in primary eye care have been demonstrated to be inadequate in several districts of Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. We tested whether enhanced supervision, focused on improving practical skills over two years, would raise the scores of these workers on a test of basic knowledge and skills. Methods This was a randomised controlled trial. All primary health care (PHC) facilities within two districts of each country were enrolled and randomly assigned by district (Kenya, Malawi) or by health care facility (Tanzania) to receive quarterly skills-based supervision by a district eye coordinator or to continue existing routine supervision. At baseline, a test of basic knowledge and skills in five key areas was administered to PHCWs, and visual acuity (VA) charts and working torches were provided. After two years the test was administered again. Changes in test scores were compared between the intervention (enhanced supervision) and the non-intervention (routine supervision) facilities. Results All 137 facilities in the six districts were enrolled including 343 PHCWs. At baseline, no facility had a visual acuity chart and 18 (13%) had a working torch; the average total skills scores were 6.04 and 6.38 (maximum of 12) in the non-intervention and the intervention facilities, respectively. After two years, 16 intervention facilities (23.2%) had a visual acuity chart correctly placed and 19 (27.5%) had a working torch, compared to 4 (5.9%) and 6 (8.8%), respectively, in the routine supervision facilities. At the facility level, the change in overall test scores was +1.84 points in the intervention sites compared to +0.42 points in the non-intervention sites (p

The class Myxosporea of the phylum Myxozoa contains 52 genera (Kent M.L., Andree K.B., Bartholomew J.L., ElMatbouli M., Desser S.S., Devlin R.H., Feist S.W., Hedrick R.P., Hoffmann R.W., Khattra J., Hallett S.L., Lester R.J.G., Longshaw M., Palenzeula O., Siddall M.E., Xiao C.X. 2001: J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 48: 395–413), most of which parasitize fishes. Henneguya Thelohan, 1892 is the second most common of these genera and contains more than 150 species, some of which are important pathological agents (Dykova I., Lom J. 1978: J. Fish Biol. 12: 197–202; Kalavati C., Narasimhamurti C.C. 1985: Arch. Protistenkd. 129: 199–202; Lom J., Dykova I. 1995: In P.T.K. Woo (Ed.), Fish Diseases and Disorders. Protozoan and Metazoan Infections. Vol. 1. CAB International, Wallingford pp. 97–147; Martins M.L., Souza V.N., Moraes J.R.E., Moraes F.R. 1999: Rev. Bras. Biol. 59: 527– 534). In South America, Henneguya is the most abundant genus, with 31 species. To date, two species of Henneguya have been reported in Serrasalmus spp.: Henneguya iheringi Pinto, 1928 parasitizing Serrasalmus spilopleura caught in the state of Sao Paulo, and H. striolata Casal, Matos et Azevedo, 1997 parasitizing S. striolatus collected in the Amazon River estuary near Belem, state of Para, Brazil. Fish of the genus Serrasalmus are voracious carnivorous fish popularly known as piranhas and are widely distributed throughout South American rivers. In this study, we describe a new species of Henneguya parasitizing S. spilopleura. Eighteen adult and juvenile specimens of S. spilopleura were collected locally from a lake on a farm in the municipality of Campinas, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and examined for the presence of myxosporeans. The fish were captured between January and June 2001, and transported alive to the laboratory where they were killed by transection of the spinal cord then measured and necropsied. The measurements of 30 fresh mature spores (Lom J., Arthur J.R. 1989: J. Fish Dis. 12: 151–156) were obtained using a micrometer incorporated into a microscope eyepiece. The dimensions were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (SD). India ink staining was used to detect the mucus envelope. The spores were checked for the presence of an iodinophilous vacuole after adding a drop of Lugol solution. Smears containing free spores were stained with Giemsa’s solution and mounted in low viscosity medium as permanent mounts (Adriano E.A., Arana S., Ceccarelli P.S., Cordeiro N.S. 2002: Folia Parasitol. 49: 259–262). For histological analysis, portions of the gills containing plasmodia were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 24 h, embedded in paraffin, cut into sections 4 μm thick and stained with sirius red (Adriano et al. 2002, op. cit.), haematoxylin and eosin and PAS.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-03-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:50:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 barassaneto_j_me_mar.pdf: 646187 bytes, checksum: e12e0dd7595edcbf3fddd3de9773c9ea (MD5) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) O fim do regime militar e a ascensão de novas forças sociais na sociedade brasileira possibilitaram o desenvolvimento de uma concepção de participação popular que indicava a necessidade de organização das “massas exploradas” através dos conselhos populares, órgãos de participação direta onde os trabalhadores poderiam tomar as decisões sobre a sociedade. No entanto, constata-se que as transformações engendradas pela nova correlação de forças nacionais e internacionais, no decorrer dos anos 1990, apontam um panorama defensivo para os setores que postulavam as teses da participação e organização popular. A ofensiva política e ideológica do neoliberalismo, associada às transformações programáticas de partidos de esquerda como o PT, ensejam a criação de novas “práticas participativas”. Estas novas práticas são apropriadas e redefinidas por segmentos conservadores, além de estimuladas pelos agentes do capital financeiro internacional; e passam a ter um caráter mais gerencialista do que transformador. Neste sentido, este estudo tem por objetivo a análise das metamorfoses que constituem a noção de participação popular e seu desenvolvimento no Partido dos Trabalhadores, suas continuidades e rupturas, bem como suas interconexões com as mudanças programáticas do partido The end of military regime and the rise of new social forces in Brazilian society facilitated the development of a conception of popular participation which indicated the need for organization of the “exploited masses” through the popular councils, direct participation organisms where workers could take the decisions on society. However, it appears that the changes engendered by the new correlation of forces nationally and internationally, over the years 1990, indicate a defensive outlook for the sectors that postulated the thesis of popular participation and organization. The political and ideological offensive of neoliberalism, programmatic changes associated with left-wing parties like the PT have inspired the creation of new “participatory practices”. These new practices are appropriated and redefined by conservative segments, stimulated by the agents of international finance capital, and now they have a more managed than a processor one. Thus, this study aims to analyze the transformations that constitute the notion of popular participation and development in the Worker´s Party, its continuities and ruptures, as well as its interconnections with the party’s programmatic changes

Orientadores: Nelson da Silva Cordeiro, Sarah Arana Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Resumo: A susceptibilidade à infecção natural por parasitos do filo Myxozoa foi avaliada em Salminus brasiliensis (dourado) e Leporinus obtusidens (piapara), oriundos de ambiente natural. Durante o período de 2005 a 2007, 60 dourados e 60 piaparas, foram colhidos no rio Mogi-Guaçu em trechos a jusante da barragem da Cachoeira de Emas, localizada no município de Pirassununga, SP, Brasil. (...continua) Abstract: The susceptibility to natural by Myxozoan parasites was evaluted in Salminus brasiliensis (dourado) na Leporinus obtusidenss (piapara), from the natural environment. During the period of 2005 to 2007, 60 dourado and 60 piapara were collected in the river Mogi-Guaçu, near Cacheira de Emas, located in the municipality of Pirassununga, State of São Paulo, Brazil. (¿to be continued) Doutorado Doutor em Parasitologia

A new species of Myxosporea, Henneguya chydadea, is described parasitizing the gills of Astyanax altiparanae collected from a lake on Rio das Pedras farm near Campinas, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Of the fish examined, 88.3% had gills parasitized by myxosporeans. The prevalence of the parasite ranged from 80% in the spring and fall, 93% in the summer and 100% in the winter. The parasite induced the formation of white, oval-shaped cysts measuring 40-64 microm x 64-80 microm which deformed the gill lamellae, compressed the capillaries, and caused retraction of the neighboring lamellae. The mature spores were elongated and had two identical, parallel elongate polar capsules. Each capsule contained a polar filament with 9-10 turns. There was no mucous envelope or iodinophilous vacuole. Morphometric differences between this parasite and other species of the genus Henneguya indicated, that the parasite observed in A. altiparanae is a new species. This is the first report of a myxosporeanparasitizing A. altiparanae.