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Copyright of Conjuntura Austral is the property of Conjuntura Austral and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The blasting operation considerably influences the overall productivity of opencast mines, especially when blasting results in oversized fragments that impact the operations ranging from excavation to milling. In this work, a numerical analysis of blasting performance was implemented to optimize the blasting parameters and improve the fragmentation of the hard rock in a copper open pit mine site in Brazil. In this paper, the methodology comprised data collection, 3D numerical model construction for blasting optimization using Blo-Up software, calibration with historical data, and predictive analysis, including testing two different blast designs. With the objective of achieving a desired P80 size of the blasting fragmentation, the results indicate an optimized calibrated model with an overall error equal to 4.0% using a Swebrec distribution fitted to the model data. The optimal P80 size of the resulting muckpile was equivalent to ~0.53 m for the hard rock copper fragments, which was close to the desired P80 size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Exacta is the property of Exacta - Engenharia de Producao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Administração FACES Journal is the property of Revista de Administracao FACES Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The subject matter of this paper is Polish-Portuguese bilingualism observed in one of the Brazilian villages founded by Polish rural immigrants in the second half of the 19th century in the south of the country. The primary instrument for collecting data were the interviews conducted with 48 residents of the village in 2018. The presented outcome confirms the trends noticed in the study by S. Kucharski [1996] and W. Miodunka [2003]; namely, the fairly high level of preservation of Polish in Brazil and discrepancies in the level of command of the spoken and written code by the interviewees. The analysed data permit also the ascertainment of the phenomenon that Polish is being forgotten in the bilingualisation process and that it is disappearing in the surveyed village in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emotional blunting—inability to feel positive or negative emotions, detachment, or reduced emotional responsiveness—is common in people with depression. However, there is a paucity of studies comprehensively investigating this symptom and its functional impact. This study investigated the experience of emotional blunting, and its impact on overall functioning and quality of life, in the acute and remission phases of depression from the perspective of patients and healthcare providers. This paper presents data on the clinical presentation of emotional blunting in depression from the patient perspective. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Brazil, Canada, and Spain between April 15 and May 18, 2021. Data were collected via a self-completed online survey. Respondents were adults with depression (acute or remission phase), who were currently using a prescribed antidepressant, and who reported emotional blunting during the past 6 weeks. Emotional blunting was assessed using the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ; total score range 26–130, higher scores indicate greater emotional blunting). Results: In all, 752 patients completed the survey (62% female; mean age, 45 years). Overall, 44% of patients rated their emotional blunting as extremely severe (acute phase [n = 300], 72%; remission phase [n = 452], 25%; difference, p < 0.01). In all, 56% of patients considered their emotional blunting to be caused by their depression (acute phase, 62%; remission phase, 52%). Mean ODQ total score was 94.8 for patients in the acute phase of depression and 85.7 for those in remission (difference, p < 0.01). Mean score for the ODQ 'antidepressant as cause' domain (maximum possible score, 30) was 18.0 in patients in the acute phase and 17.6 in those in remission. Overall, 45% of patients believed that their antidepressant medication was blunting their emotions and 39% were considering stopping or had already stopped their antidepressant because of perceived emotion-related side effects. Conclusions: Almost three-quarters of patients in the acute phase of depression and one-quarter of those in remission reported severe emotional blunting. Approximately 56% of patients considered their emotional blunting to be caused by their depression, while 45% believed that their antidepressant medication was negatively affecting their emotions. Just over one-third of patients were considering stopping or had stopped their antidepressant as a result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Conjuntura Austral is the property of Conjuntura Austral and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arxiu d'Etnografia de Catalunya is the property of Universitat Rovira I Virgili and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pasos: Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural is the property of Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brasiliana: Journal for Brazilian Studies is the property of Brasiliana: Journal for Brazilian Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This document is a summative editorial from the journal Education Sciences. It discusses the concept of human capabilities development as a means to promote educational opportunity and social well-being within democratic and authoritarian nations. The editorial compares different contexts for human capabilities development, examines policy developments and outcomes, and proposes university practices and partnerships to promote capabilities development. The document also explores the use of databases to inform policy development and highlights the importance of equitable data collection. The editorial includes case studies from various countries, including Brazil, England, China, and the US, to illustrate the potential of the human capabilities framework. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Anuario do Instituto de Geociencias is the property of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Geociencias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: RTXM83, a biosimilar of rituximab, was approved after physicochemical, functional, non-clinical, and clinical studies demonstrated their similarity; these studies included RTXM83-AC-01-11, a multicentric double-blind international prospective pivotal study. Long-term data on biosimilars can potentially elucidate their clinical robustness and facilitate their broader adoption. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed a dataset from a Brazilian cohort previously randomized in the RTXM83-AC-01-11 study followed by the assessment of long-term outcomes in an observational extension phase from randomization in the RTXM83-AC-01–11 study to the last recorded evaluation. Patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) received either reference rituximab (R) or RTXM83 plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) as adjuvant treatment. Results: The median follow-up period was 77.0 months. Patients with initial DLBCL stages III and IV comprised 50% of the R-CHOP group and 40% of the biosimilar group. Five (18.5%) patients, including two RTXM83-CHOP-treated and three R-CHOP-treated individuals, experienced late adverse events (AEs) of interest. No new safety signs were established. At the final assessment, the progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 93.3% and 50.0% in the RTXM83-CHOP and R-CHOP groups, respectively. Median PFS was not achieved in the RTXM83-CHOP group, which was 40.5 months in the R-CHOP group. The overall survival (OS) rates were 100% and 66.7% in the RTXM83-CHOP and R-CHOP groups, respectively. The median OS was not reached in any group. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the long-term safety and effectiveness of RTXM83 in treating DLBCL; outcomes comparable to those of the reference product and potentially improved access to treatment have been indicated. However, further research with more diverse patient groups can validate these findings and advocate the broader adoption of biosimilars in cancer care. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04928573. June 16, 2021, "retrospectively registered". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Contemporânea de Contabilidade is the property of Revista Contemporanea de Contabilidade and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Eucalyptus represents one of the main sources of raw material in Brazil, and each year substantial losses estimated at $400 million occur due to diseases. The active monitoring of eucalyptus crops can help getting accurate information about contaminated areas, in order to improve response time. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide low-cost data acquisition and fast scanning of large areas, however the success of the data acquisition process depends on an efficient planning of the flight route, particularly due to traditionally small autonomy times. This paper proposes a single framework for efficient visual data acquisition using UAVs that combines perception, environment representation and route planning. A probabilistic model of the surveyed environment, containing diseased eucalyptus, soil and healthy trees, is incrementally built using images acquired by the vehicle, in combination with GPS and inertial information for positioning. This incomplete map is then used in the estimation of the next point to be explored according to a certain objective function, aiming to maximize the amount of information collected within a certain traveled distance. Experimental results show that the proposed approach compares favorably to other traditionally used route planning methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, private records are considered important sources for research and for the preservation of memory, becoming the object of interest of public archives, when considering the expansion of their collections. Thus, it is necessary to discuss and improve the systems by which these additions are made, in order to make these acquisition processes representative and rationalized. As a resource to achieve these goals, the adoption of a collection acquisition policy brings transparency and normalization to the processes of incorporation of private documents to public institutions. In this sense, this paper seeks to discuss the process and rules of document acquisition by national archives, based on the study of two specific cases: the Brazilian Nacional Archives and the State Archives of Spain. For the development of this study, we divided the research into three parts: (1) theoretical survey; (2) data collection from the institutions object of the study; (3) data analysis. As a result, we were able to identify that acquisition policies are an important tool to regulate the incorporation of private records by state public archives, however, these procedures still need to be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper focuses on the development of an empirical study over the Comfort Zone (2004; 2006; 2018), shedding light on the role played by emotions in empowering learners to confidently interact in English classes at a public university in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. The theoretical framework was based on the concept of the Comfort Zone (2004; 2006; 2018); and that of emotions (ARAGÃO, 2004; 2011; BARCELOS, 2018; MATURANA, 2002; ZEMBYLAS 2004; 2018). This qualitative and interpretive study (DENZIN; LINCOLN, 2006; LINCOLN; GUBA, 2006) used an individual questionnaire, field observations, individual participants' reports of observation of classes and peers' performance, individual exploratory conversations and an ethnographic group interview (ERICKSON, 1986) for debriefing, and a final individual diary of participants as tools for data collection. Results display a range of emotions impacting learners' performance in interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to discuss a framework to promote ambidexterity through an intentional managed enabling context in order to develop university lecturers' competencies and, at last, to improve students' skills. Design/methodology: A descriptive case study was performed based on literature review and the data collection was done through documentary and field participative research with the PACT working group. The paper reports the stage and maturity of the High Commonality of Themes Project (PACT) on a private Brazilian university in Rio de Janeiro. Consequently, since the faculty shares more qualified knowledge and the syllabus could be realigned without losing epistemological identity, the subjects expect that the students learning process performs on market demanded pragmatic and practical skills. Findings: Findings indicate PACT as a kind of improvement, since it makes possible, balancing Refined Interpolation with Disciplined Extrapolation, to promote the ambidextrous learning through an enabling context, thus allowing specialized lecturers to improve competencies in their core area. Research limitations/implications: As a case study, findings could not be widespread and limitations are related to the initial stages of the PACT implementation. Originality/value: The value and originality of the ambidexterity approach refer to the possibilities it could overlap the bottlenecks that faculty performance generates to students learning effectiveness: non-adherence by the faculty to the discipline they teach (Human Capital); way lecturers interact among courses and one another (Social/Relationship Capital); and development and practicality of the educational guidelines of the course - PPC (Structural Capital). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigates the impact of an outpatient palliative care program on the location of death among patients with cancer. The findings reveal a notable increase in home and hospice deaths for those participating in the program, highlighting the potential benefits of specialized palliative care in challenging healthcare contexts. While the positive impact of early palliative care on the quality of life of cancer patients is well established, there is a noticeable research gap in developing countries. This study sought to determine the impact of an outpatient palliative care (OPC) program on the location of death among patients in Brazil. This was a retrospective study including patients with cancer who died between January 2022 and December 2022 in 32 private cancer centers in Brazil. Data were collected from medical records, encompassing demographics, cancer characteristics, and participation in the OPC program. The study involved 1980 patients, of which 32.3% were in the OPC program. OPC patients were predominantly younger (average age at death of 66.8 vs. 68.0 years old, p = 0.039) and composed of women (59.4% vs. 51.3%, p = 0.019) compared to the no-OPC patients. OPC patients had more home/hospice deaths (19.6% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001), and participation in the outpatient palliative care program strongly predicted home death (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.54–2.64). Our findings suggest a significant impact of the OPC program on increasing home and hospice deaths among patients with cancer in our sample. These findings emphasize the potential of specialized OPC programs to enhance end-of-life care, particularly in low-resource countries facing challenges related to social and cultural dimensions of care and healthcare access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to identify the determinants of intra-industry trade (IIC) between Brazil, the European Union and China, from 2006 to 2017. For this, we used the gravitational model of trade with panel data by Least Squares. Ordinary and by Poisson Pseudo-Maximun-Likelihood (PPML). Data were collected from Comex Stat, Worl Bank and CEPII sites. Regarding the results achieved, it was found that Brazilian intra-industry trade with the European Union and China is low and showed a decrease over the analyzed period. Regarding the determinants, it was found that the cost of trade negatively affects this trade, that is, the higher the trading costs between Brazil and its trading partners, the lower the IIC tends to be between them. On the other hand, the economic size, income similarity and degree of openness of the trading partner positively affect Brazil's IIC with the analyzed partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the methodological rigor of case studies in management accounting published in Brazilian journals. The study is descriptive. The data were collected using documentary research and content analysis, and 180 papers published from 2008 to 2012 in accounting journals rated as A2, B1, and B2 that were classified as case studies were selected. Based on the literature, we established a set of 15 criteria that we expected to be identified (either explicitly or implicitly) in the case studies to classify those case studies as appropriate from the standpoint of methodological rigor. These criteria were partially met by the papers analyzed. The aspects less aligned with those proposed in the literature were the following: little emphasis on justifying the need to understand phenomena in context; lack of explanation of the reason for choosing the case study strategy; the predominant use of questions that do not enable deeper analysis; many studies based on only one source of evidence; little use of data and information triangulation; little emphasis on the data collection method; a high number of cases in which confusion between case study as a research strategy and as data collection method were detected; a low number of papers reporting the method of data analysis; few reports on a study's contributions; and a minority highlighting the issues requiring further research. In conclusion, the method used to apply case studies to management accounting must be improved because few studies showed rigorous application of the procedures that this strategy requires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a technical review process in the area of airborne acquisition of geophysical data, with emphasis for magnetometry. In summary, it addresses the calibration processes of geophysical equipment as well as the aircraft to minimize possible errors in measurements. The corrections used in data processing and filtering are demonstrated with the same results as well as the evolution of these techniques in Brazil and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cadernos de Pesquisa is the property of Fundacao Carlos Chagas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Pensamento Contemporâneo em Administração is the property of Universidade Federal Fluminense (Revista Pensamento Contemporaneo em Administracao) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Applied Economics / Economía Aplicada is the property of FEA-RP, Universidade de Sao Paulo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of RAP: Revista Brasileira de Administração Pública is the property of RAP: Revista Brasileira de Administracao Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article seeks to contribute to the understanding of the role, characteristics and strategies of individuals when they act as what the academic literature categorizes as institutional entrepreneurs. Despite the recent growth of research on the subject of institutional entrepreneurship, work on the individual level continues to be scarce. To achieve our objectives, we probe the literature in search of papers that focuses the actions of individuals as institutional entrepreneurs. We review five articles published in high impact international journals between 2006 to 2009. We identify the individual characteristics of the entrepreneur in these papers, especially those related to the actions of these actors, the stage of institutional change at which they acted and what attributes have been ascribed to them. After that, we confront the results found in the literature review with the role of three entrepreneurs who have created a private company and pioneered the field of commercialization of electric power in Brazil, contributing to the changes taking place in that industry during the 1990s. We describe the institutional context in which they worked, their personal trajectory and the role they played in the field. As research methodology, we adopt the case study method. The phase of data collection relied on multiple sources of evidence, mainly deep interviews. We find predominantly convergent results between the literature and the case analyses. As a contribution, our study suggests that the activities of agents can be divided into two main categories as to their extension. In addition, the analysis of the case study suggest the emergence of a certain consensus about the acting of individuals acting as institutional entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Avances en PsicologÍa Latinoamericana is the property of Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The monitoring of water resources through conventional methods, related to a manual process when performing the sample collection, followed by laboratory analysis, presents some difficulties concerning the logistics of the process, such as access to the interior of a lake, in addition to often being based on a small number of samples. The concept of the internet of things (IoT) is used here to collect data through five parametric probes contained in the floating station located inside a lake and inform them in real time continuously. The main objective of this research is to demonstrate the applicability of the IoT concept in the continuous monitoring of water in a lentic environment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a tool for this. Upon reaching this objective, the advantages observed in this research confirmed that the IoT paradigm is an essential resource, justifying a natural tendency to establish itself when there is a need to collect data efficiently and continuously. Furthermore, the experimental result proves the IoT concept's efficiency, agility, and reliability to environmental issues, especially regarding the most significant natural and indispensable resource for the planet, water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate complications after PICC use in cancer patients. Design: This was a clinical and retrospective study in which the risk factors and complications of PICC use were evaluated. Methods: This study was carried out in the patient, emergency room, and intensive care units through the evaluation of electronic medical records. To assess the association between qualitative variables, the chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test was used, and to compare the reason for withdrawal, the Kruskal–Wallis test was applied. Results: A total of 359 patients (53.5% men) with 43.1 ± 14 years who had a PICC (88% with solid tumours) were evaluated. The most common complications were mechanical complications (61.2%), infection (38%), and thrombosis (57.1%). Patients with double‐lumen catheters experienced thrombosis (85.7%). This study demonstrated the effectiveness of PICC and that patients with haematological cancer are more prone to multiple PICC passages and more mechanical complications and infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical research outcomes depend on the correct definition of the research protocol, the data collection strategy, and the data management plan. Furthermore, researchers often need to work within challenging contexts, as is the case in tuberculosis services, where human and technological resources for research may be scarce. Electronic Data Capture Systems mitigate such risks and enable a reliable environment to conduct health research and promote result dissemination and data reusability. The proposed solution is based on needs pinpointed by researchers, considering the need for an accommodating solution to conduct research in low-resource environments. The REDbox framework was developed to facilitate data collection, management, sharing, and availability in tuberculosis research and improve the user experience through user-friendly, web-based tools. REDbox combines elements of the REDCap and KoBoToolbox electronic data capture systems and semantics to deliver new valuable tools that meet the needs of tuberculosis researchers in Brazil. The framework was implemented in five cross-institutional, nationwide projects to evaluate the users' perceptions of the system's usefulness and the information and user experience. Seventeen responses (representing 40% of active users) to an anonymous survey distributed to active users indicated that REDbox was perceived to be helpful for the particular audience of researchers and health professionals. The relevance of this article lies in the innovative approach to supporting tuberculosis research by combining existing technologies and tailoring supporting features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The business economy experienced major changes during the last three decades. The social and economic globalization associated with the fourth revolution put the accounting profession under great pressure toward harmonization and convergence. Still, the route to become a qualified professional accountant varies from country to country all over the world. This paper seeks to understand the evolution of the accounting profession in Brazil and focus on the interaction between higher education institutions (HEIs) and professional bodies, in the context of digital transformation. It is an exploratory study. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data about the perception of the directors of first-degree programs regarding the autonomy of HEIs in defining the curricular contents intended to qualify accounting professionals. The findings show that HEIs are highly influenced by the professional order and Ministry of Education. The limitation associated with this research is that it focusses on one particular professional group in one country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journalism Research is the property of Sur le journalisme, About journalism, Sobre jornalismo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: This study aims to describe and compare the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics and follow-up of representative samples of patients with myopathies and systemic sclerosis overlap syndromes (Myo-SSc) from two tertiary centers. Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional and retrospective study conducted between January 2000 and December 2020. Fourty-five patients were analyzed with Myo-SSc (6 males, 39 females; mean age: 50.2±15.4 years; range, 45 to 65 years) from two tertiary centers (n=30 from Brazil and n=15 from Japan). Results: The median follow-up was 98 (range, 37 to 168) months. Muscle impairment started simultaneously with the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis in 57.8% (26/45) of cases. Muscle involvement occurred before the onset of systemic sclerosis in 35.5% (16/45) of cases, and after in 6.7% (3/45). Polymyositis was observed in 55.6% (25/45) of cases, followed by dermatomyositis in 24.4% (11/45) and antisynthetase syndrome in 20.0% (9/45). Concerning systemic sclerosis, the diffuse and limited forms occurred in 64.4% (29/45) and 35.6% (16/45) of the cases, respectively. Comparing the subgroups, Myo or SSc onset was earlier in Brazilian patients, and they had a higher frequency of dysphagia (20/45, [66.7%]) and digital ulcers (27/45, [90%]), whereas Japanese patients had higher modified Rodnan skin scores (15 [9 to 23]) and prevalence of positive anti-centromere antibodies (4/15 [23.7%]). The current disease status and mortality were similar in both groups. Conclusion: In the present study, Myo-SSc affected middle-aged women, and its manifestation spectrum varied according to geographic distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate identification of agriculture areas is a key piece in the building blocks strategy of environment and economics resources management. The challenge requires one to deal with landscape complexity, sensors and data acquisition limitations through a proper computational approach to timely deliver accurate information. In this paper, a Machine Learning (ML) based method to enhance the classification process of areas dedicated to seasonal crops (row crops) is proposed. To this objective, a broad exploration of data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer sensors (MODIS) was made using pixel time-series combined with time-series similarity metrics. The experiment was performed in Brazil, covered 61% of the total agriculture areas, five different states specifically selected to demonstrate biome differences and the country's diversity. The validation was made against independent data from EMBRAPA (Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation), RapidEye Sensor Scene Maps. For the eight tested algorithms, the results were enhanced and demonstrate that the method can rate the classification accuracy up to 98.5%, average value for the tested algorithms. The process can be used to timely monitor large areas dedicated to row crops and enables the application of state of art classification techniques, two levels classification process, to identify crops according to each specific need within the areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Paulista de Enfermagem is the property of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Identifying existing care pathways is the first step for understanding how services can be improved to enable early diagnosis and effective follow-up care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs); however, evidence on how care pathways can and should be identified in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is lacking. To describe generalisability and lessons learned from recruitment and data collection for the quantitative component of a mixed methods study designed to determine the care pathway for atrial fibrillation (AF) in Brazil, China and Sri Lanka. Adults (≥18 years) that spoke the local language and with an AF diagnosis were eligible. We excluded anyone with a hearing or cognitive impairment or ineligible address. Eligible participants were identified using electronic records in Brazil and China; in Sri Lanka, researchers attended the outpatient clinics to identify eligible participants. Data were collected using two quantitative questionnaires administered at least 2-months apart. A minimum sample size of 238 was required for each country. The required sample size was met in Brazil (n = 267) and China (n = 298), but a large proportion of AF patients could not be contacted (47% and 27%, respectively) or refused to participate (36% and 38%, respectively). In Sri Lanka, recruitment was challenging, resulting in a reduced sample (n = 151). Mean age of participants from Brazil, China and Sri Lanka was 69 (SD = 11.3), 65 (SD = 12.8) and 58 (SD = 11.7), respectively. Females accounted for 49% of the Brazil sample, 62% in China and 70% in Sri Lanka. Generalisability was an issue in Brazil and China, as was selection bias. Recruitment bias was highlighted in Sri Lanka. Additional or alternative recruitment methods may be required to ensure generalisability and reduce bias in future studies aimed at identifying NCD care pathways in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem is the property of Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cadernos PAGU is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of EMPIRIA: Revista de Metodología de Ciencias Sociales is the property of Editorial UNED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the perception of Lean management practices and its influence on sustainability practices in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The theoretical background was supported by Lean management and sustainable practices in HEI, which were used to design the research model. The research methodology comprises a quantitative research characterized as a survey, whose data collection was carried out through a questionnaire. The study population was the academic staff of HEI in Brazil and Portugal. A valid sample of 966 valid responses was obtained. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and, structural equation modeling. The results allowed the evaluation of a significant and positive relationship between the second-order construct, called HEI Lean practices, and the environmental, economic and social practices. A moderating effect was also found as significant between the relation of Lean and social practices. These findings demonstrated the relevance of aspects such as leadership and systemic vision to support staff activities, continuous improvement and waste elimination as a daily practice, long-term thinking and the focus on the student as building blocks of the HEI success in promoting sustainability practices and thinking. [Display omitted] • Approximation between Lean and sustainability practices in HEI. • Lean practices influences TBL sustainability practices in HEI. • Delineation of basic organizational practices for HEI success in promoting sustainability. • A survey conducted with 966 respondents in Brazil and Portugal. • Respondent's country moderates the influence of Lean on social practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper considers the variables influencing the level of service of the operational arrival components at airports using variables that include demand characteristics, terminal layout, the number and type of carousels, waiting time and space available. The analysis combines user monitoring techniques, data collection, simulation models, design of experiments and linear regression. Five major international airports in Brazil are used as case studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The born global phenomenon has been made apparent, mainly in high technology sectors, which requires new theoretical understandings about the role of nascent and small international companies. This article analyzes the relationship between a company's external environment in its country of origin, internal organizational factors and the factors relating to how some technology-based firms (TBFs) internationalize. A survey was applied to Brazilian TBFs. At the end of the data collection period, the first database generated 214 responses. Out of these, 85 (39.7%) were obtained from companies involved in some kind of business abroad. However, only 54 questionnaires were considered valid for this research. The data were analyzed using logistic regression statistical techniques. The results show that external factors influence the internationalization of TBFs more as compared to internal factors. Integration in the value chain and an entrepreneur's ability to manage internationally are the factors that best distinguish the internationalization of born-global TBFs. Thus, this paper contributes to the discussion of the internationalization process of born-globals and TBFs, filling the gap regarding the importance of external, internal and entrepreneurial factors in these companies' internationalization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper deals with the analysis and comparison of 7 (seven) numerical methods for the assessment of effectiveness in determining the parameters for the Weibull distribution, using wind speed data collected in Camocim and Paracuru cities, State of Ceará, in the northeast region of Brazil, in the period from August 2004 to April 2006, obtained by the Department of Infrastructure of the State of Ceará. One method is not well known, namely the equivalent energy method, and its performance is compared to the others. By using the methods of analysis of variance, RMSE (root mean square error), and chi-square tests to compare the proposed methods, this study aims to determine which ones are effective in determining the parameters of the Weibull distribution for the available data, in an attempt to establish acceptable criteria to a better utilization of wind power in the State of Ceará, which is a national prominence in the use of renewable sources for electricity generation in Brazil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this paper is to identify and analyze the strategizing process in an organizational network of small and medium size enterprises. We employ the strategy as social practice perspective as reference for the study. This approach assumes that strategies are constituted in everyday life, through interactions among the actors, who negotiate their various and contradictory interests. That approach follows the movement that has occurred in social theory, which focuses on social practices. The research is based on a qualitative case study developed in an interorganizational network at Minas Gerais. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, non-participant observation and documentary analysis. Based on information search in the field we identify the existence of four strategic practices in the network (negotiating and purchasing, pricing products, defining brand and designing franchises, creating the credit card). Such strategies have been identified as "individual" or "collective". "Individual" and "collective" strategies influence each other on the process of strategizing, however, the line that separating them is unclear to the extent that the interests are negotiated. We conclude that the strategies as practice developed in the network, in the course of the relationships between actors, are constantly in tensions and contradictions among various inter-organizational interests. Moreover, the strategies do not follow a consistent logic through deliberate actions towards a clearly defined goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Tecnología Educativa is the property of Revista Latinoamericana de Tecnologia Educativa - RELATEC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For neurological disorders, pharmacological tests have shown promising results in the reduction of side effects when using plants with known therapeutic effects in the treatment of some types of dementia. Therefore, the goals of this study are to gather data about the major medicinal plants used in the nervous system as described in ethnopharmacological surveys from South America and Brazil and to compare this data with the results from pharmacological tests on the active principles of those same plants found in the scientific literature. After collecting the data about each plant, their respective popular indication was compared with the results found through pharmacological tests. The discrepancy rate between the effects observed by ethnopharmacological and pharmacological methods in this study is greater than 50%. In conclusion, despite the importance of ethnopharmacological data, it is important to make comparisons with pharmacological tests for the same plants, since the pharmacological studies, although few, have shown a high rate of discrepancy in the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]