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Purpose: This paper aims to propose a performance measurement system to evaluate the key aspects of entrepreneurial activities in Brazilian universities. Design/methodology/approach: This study was developed in two phases. Both phases consisted of a survey sent to Brazilian universities (public, private and not-for-profit) whose technology transfer offices (TTO) had contributed to the annual report by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI, 2015), which evaluates the implementation of the Innovation Law. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to analyze the answers. Findings: A set of 13 indicators and 13 characteristics of the organizational structure of the institutions was identified for the purpose of evaluating the level of development of the entrepreneurship activities. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of this study relates to the low quality of the survey responses. It was not possible to qualitatively validate all the selected indicators. This is because universities are still not internally organized, because the higher authorities do not enforce the collection and treatment of data based on the existing legislation. Originality/value: The results of this study, with the definition of indicators, can be used to inform public policy for the stimulation of entrepreneurship in other countries and regions.

This article discusses an investigation carried out with a group of young learners of English in a Brazilian language school aiming at these individuals' development of critical thinking and their involvement in a de-naturalization process of gender dualism. The study, which took place in an educational context witnessing important changes at both macro and micro levels, has its theoretical foundation in multicultural and identity studies as well as in Goffman's (1974, 1981) notions of footing and participant status and in Wood, Bruner, and Ross's (1976) concept of scaffolding. By re-defining the EFL classroom as a multicultural site in which essentialist and stereotypical social identities are constantly challenged, participants in this three-semester long research project engaged in pedagogical practices moving away from a teacher-student pattern towards a pattern in which participants, reconfiguring relations of power in the classroom, could take on different alignments while engaging in the development of critical thinking concerning gender issues. These debates, together with this dynamic participation structure, enabled students to revisit some taken-for-granted assumptions concerning gender. They also stimulated changes in the roles traditionally played by the teacher and by students: the former performed varied footings other than those of controller, transmitter, or facilitator, and provided scaffolding characterized by both support and challenge; the latter could perform the role of the more knowledgeable participant.

Background: Important evidence has been constantly produced and needs to be converted into practice. Professional consumption of such evidence may be a barrier to its implementation. Then, effective implementation of evidence-based interventions in clinical practice leans on the understanding of how professionals value attributes when choosing between options for dental care, permitting to guide this implementation process by maximizing strengthens and minimizing barriers related to that. Methods: This is part of a broader project investigating the potential of incorporating scientific evidence into clinical practice and public policy recommendations and guidelines, identifying strengths and barriers in such an implementation process. The present research protocol comprises a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) from the Brazilian oral health professionals' perspective, aiming to assess how different factors are associated with professional decision-making in dental care, including the role of scientific evidence. Different choice sets will be developed, either focusing on understanding the role of scientific evidence in the professional decision-making process or on understanding specific attributes associated with different interventions recently tested in randomized clinical trials and available as newly produced scientific evidence to be used in clinical practice. Discussion: Translating research into practice usually requires time and effort. Shortening this process may be useful for faster incorporation into clinical practice and beneficial to the population. Understanding the context and professionals' decision-making preferences is crucial to designing more effective implementation and/or educational initiatives. Ultimately, we expect to design an efficient implementation strategy that overcomes threats and potential opportunities identified during the DCEs, creating a customized structure for dental professionals. Trial registration: https://osf.io/bhncv. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the conceptions of science teachers from Brazil and Portugal about the importance of rural children learning science and, based on this, to propose a strategy for teacher training sensitive to cultural diversity in the classroom. The data were collected through questions containing problem situations, with subsequent content analysis. In light of our findings, we argue that the conceptions of Brazilian and Portuguese teachers converge in the sense that rural knowledge can be important facilitators for learning the school scientific knowledge, which is necessary to improve the quality of life of children in their communities. However, despite this, contradictions were found between teaching for conceptual change and conceptual profile change because teachers, while talking about dialogue, attributed supremacy to science for advances to happen in rural environments. Consequently, we propose a strategy for teacher training sensitive to cultural diversity, containing a set of activities whose central purpose is to promote intercultural dialogue in science teaching for rural children. These activities aim to motivate teachers to develop culturally inclusive didactics that give voice to students, increasing their participation and interest in their empowerment in decision-making in diverse cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates contextualization processes in two psychiatric interviews. Specifically, it analyses how different analytical tools--frame and narrative--work to clarify contextual embeddings and story bits. Frame analysis provides a way of looking at local and larger social contexts in talk. Specifically it provides a way of understanding "what's going on here?" (Goffman 1974). Narrativee analysis provides a way of understanding the relation of major topics and themes in an interview situation. Most of all, the unfolding of a key story has implications for understanding who the patient is and what experience she values most in that encounter. Frame and narrative also work to evidence what makes these interactions such a complex speech event. From a frame perspective, context may present multiple and unexpected frame embeddings. In the development of a story, key organizational components (for example, an orientation section) may display fragmented information or be absent. Frame and narrative address different questions and may clarify different social and linguistic processes at play in the interview situation.

Copyright of Polêm!ca is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) 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 Enfermagem Brasil is the property of Atlantica Editora 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.)

Aims: To assess the effects of oral pain on oral health-related quality of life during pregnancy and document measures taken by pregnant women seeking relief for oral pain. Their experience of other types of pain were also investigated. Methods: A sample of pregnant women who were admitted to a public hospital to give birth were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Those who agreed were asked if they had experienced any pain due to problems with their mouth, teeth, or dentures during the 6 months prior to the interviews. Interviewees who answered affirmatively were questioned about the effects of this pain on their normal activities with the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) tool. Results: The study population consisted of 504 subjects (83% of the eligible individuals). A high prevalence of untreated dental caries was found. The prevalences of oral pain, headaches, back pain, and pelvic pain were 39.1%, 61.5%, 59.3%, and 60.9%, respectively. Of those reporting pain, 168 (33.3%) reported having had difficulty doing at least one of the activities included in the OIDP due to oral pain. The most frequently mentioned effects were difficulty in maintaining emotional balance (23.6%), difficulty eating (22.8%), and difficulty cleaning teeth (20%). The mean and median OIDP scores were 13.9% and 8.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Oral pain during pregnancy was an important problem for this group of women and had a negative effect on their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text analyzes the process of professional development of teachers in Brazil and Portugal. Its main discussion: What characteristics are present in the Community of Practice (CoP) to become Learning Community (LC) and potentiate the professional development of the teacher/trainer? The proposal is to develop and investigate a process of creation of a CoP (case study), through a space of face-to-face interaction and in cyberspace, that fosters Professional Teacher Development from studies, discussions, reflections and written productions referring to shared conceptions, experiences and knowledge, providing the transformation into a LC. The audio of meetings will be transcribed and posts in cyberspace facilitate the analysis. To analyze the data, we will carry out the follow-up and systematization of the studies through discursive textual analysis to produce categories of teacher knowledge experienced in the interactive process. The text starts from a theoretical reference on the process of creating CoP and the transformation into LC. Then, an experiment is presented at Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology Farroupilha (IFFAR) - Brazil, which provided the transformation in LC. Finally, the CoP in Portugal is described with characteristics that potentiate the transformation into a LC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The authors assessed whether dentists' diagnostic inferences differ when test accuracy information is communicated using natural frequencies versus conditional probabilities. Methods. A parallel, randomized controlled trial with dentists was carried out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The dentists received a question on the probability of a patient having interproximal caries, given a positive bite-wing radiograph. This question was asked using information that was formulated into either natural frequencies or conditional probabilities. Results. Only 14 (13.9%) of the dentists gave the correct answer; 13 in the natural frequencies group, and 1 in the conditional probabilities group (P < .001). There were 7 nearly correct answers in the natural frequencies group and none in the conditional probabilities group (P ¼ .005). Conclusions. Representing diagnostic test accuracy in natural frequencies substantially helped dentists make diagnostic inferences. Nearly twice as many dentists overestimated the presence of interproximal caries when given information in conditional probabilities. Practical Implications. Our study findings show information shared using natural frequencies may be more accurately interpreted by dentists than that based on conditional probabilities. Patients will probably receive different standards of care depending on the format in which dentists receive diagnostic test accuracy information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Manufacturing footwear requires intense manual labor and high repetitions with low variability in function that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) symptoms and psychological stress. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a potential association between musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and perceived stress among footwear industry workers. METHODS: The Nordic General Questionnaire (NGQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were completed by 357 footwear industry workers. The association between MSD and perceived stress was evaluated using the Chi-Square test and Odds Ratios along with their 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: The twelve-month prevalence of MSD symptoms among the respondents was 66% (n = 236) and the symptoms were significantly associated with perceived stress (p = 0.002, OR: 10, 95% CI: 1.7 to 60.6). The seven-day prevalence of MSD symptoms was 33% and the symptoms were also significantly associated with perceived stress (p = 0.001, OR: 2.7, 95% CI:0.8 to 9.3). The association between perceived stress and MSD symptoms indicates a strong association between MSD symptoms and perceived stress levels. CONCLUSION: Considering that these problems are important determinants of worker's health, a combined approach to reduce both stress and MSD symptoms is necessary for prevention and health promotion in the footwear industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the gender distribution in management posts of Brazilian incubators. It considers specifically the management functions in the incubators and the leadership positions in the national association to address the following topics: 1) the gender distribution in the job functions of incubators, 2) the characteristics of the incubator management, 3) the characteristics and performance of the incubators managed by women, and 4) the representative positions of the women working at the National Brazilian Association of Incubators. The principal result of this research, with regard to gender distribution in the job functions at the incubators, shows that women run few incubators (a mere 12.5% of the total). The characteristics of incubators run by women are that they are smaller, recently established and with fewer graduated companies. The investigation points to the need to increase transparency and accountability, from a gender perspective, of all social actors involved with incubators: universities, regional network incubators, incubators' councils and associations. It is suggested that these organizations should significantly improve the monitoring of practices towards a more equal distribution of gender. In particular, women should be positioned in all policy committees related to incubators, including the National Association's Board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the effects of fluoride ( F) toothpastes on the prevention of dental caries in the primary dentition of preschool children. Study design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A search for randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials was carried out, without idiom restraints, in six electronic databases, registers of ongoing trials, meeting abstracts, dentistry journals and reference lists of potentially eligible studies. The search yielded 1932 records and 159 full-text articles were independently read by two examiners. Data regarding characteristics of participants, interventions, outcomes, length of follow-up and potential of bias were independently extracted by two examiners on the basis of predetermined criteria. Any disagreement was solved by consensus after consulting a third examiner. Pooled prevented fractions ( PF) and relative risks ( RR) were estimated separately for studies testing low F toothpastes (<600 ppm) and those testing standard F toothpastes (1000-1500 ppm). Results Eight clinical trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria and most of them compared F toothpastes associated with oral health education against no intervention. When standard F toothpastes were compared to placebo or no intervention, significant caries reduction at surface ( PF = 31%; 95% CI 18-43; 2644 participants in five studies), tooth ( PF = 16%; 95% CI 8-25; 2555 participants in one study) and individual ( RR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.81-0.93; 2806 participants in two studies) level were observed. Low F toothpastes were effective only at surface level ( PF = 40%; 95% CI 5-75; 561 participants in two studies). Conclusion Standard F toothpastes are effective in reducing dental caries in the primary teeth of preschool children and thus their use should be recommended to this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the EX-Ante Carbon-balance Tool (EX-ACT) application on two rural development projects in Brazil. The analysis provides an estimate of project impact on GHG emissions and C sequestration indicating net mitigation potential: results show that the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project has the potential to mitigate 12.2Mt CO2e and the Rio de Janeiro Sustainable Rural Development Project 0.85Mt CO2e. Both projects are successful at promoting activities aimed at reducing rural poverty and also contribute to climate change mitigation, demonstrating the potential importance of sustainable agriculture (improved cropland and grassland management, expansion of agro-forestry systems and protection of forested areas) in delivering environmental services. EX-ACT has also been used as a tool to guide project developers in refining components and activities to increase project environmental benefits. Cost–benefit analysis shows that while both projects generate environmental benefits associated with climate change mitigation, the Santa Catarina Rural Competitiveness Project has significantly higher potential due to the size of the project area and the nature of activities, thus a higher likelihood of potential co-financing from climate finance sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Support to Research in the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) is a public institution, linked to the Rio de Janeiro State Department for Science and Technology. It was set up for the purpose of promoting research and encouraging the scientific and technological activities necessary for the sociocultural development of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The aim of this article is to evaluate the evolution of FAPERJ's role with reference to public policies developed in support of innovation, and to analyse the transition of policy objective from provision of a system of foment for scientific and technological development to another one that also induces innovation. The study involves an analysis of FAPERJ's performance in the context of the national public policy provision of incentives to technology and innovation with reference to the types of programmes supported and the diversity of the players involved in those activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the role of hormonal contraceptives as a risk factor of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and cervical cancer in our multi-center population-based LAMS (Latin American Screening) study. Methods: A cohort study with >12,000 women from Brazil and Argentina using logistic regression to analyze the covariates of hormonal contraception (HOC - oral, injections, patches, implants, vaginal ring and progesterone intrauterine system) use followed by multivariate modeling for predictors of HR-HPV and CIN2+. Results: HR-HPV infection was a consistent risk factor of high-grade CIN in all three groups of women. The length of HOC use was not significantly related to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL)+ Pap (p = 0.069), LSIL+ Pap (p = 0.781) or ASCUS+ (p = 0.231). The same was true with the length of HOC use and histology CIN3+ (p = 0.115) and CIN2+ (p = 0.515). Frequently, HOC users have previously shown more HPV-related lesions, as well as lower HPV prevalence if they were current smokers. But HOC use and time of usage were not independent risk factors of either HR-HPV infection or high-grade CIN using multiple logistic regressions. Conclusions: No evidence was found for an association between the use of HOC with an increased risk for HR-HPV infection or high-grade CIN in this cohort. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral disorders can have a negative impact on the functional, social and psychological wellbeing of young children and their families and cause pain/discomfort for the child. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) has emerged as an important health outcome in clinical trials and healthcare research. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) is a proxy measure of children's OHRQoL designed to assess the negative impact of oral disorders on the quality of life of preschool children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the ECOHIS (B-ECOHIS). Methods: This investigation was carried out in preliminary and field studies. The preliminary study comprised a cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Petropolis, Brazil. A sample of 150 children from two to five years of age was recruited at a public hospital. In the field study, an epidemiological survey was carried out in public and private preschools of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The B-ECOHIS was answered by 1643 parents/caregivers of five-year-old male and female preschool children. In both phases, oral examinations were performed by a single previously calibrated dentist. Reliability was determined through test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Validity was determined through convergent and discriminant validities. The correlation between the scores obtained on the child and family impact sections was assessed. Results: In the preliminary (P) and field (F) study, test-retest reliability correlation values were 0.98 and 0.99 for the child impact section and 0.97 and 0.99 for the family impact section, respectively. The B-ECOHIS demonstrated internal consistency: child impact section (P: α = 0.74; F: α = 0.80) and family impact section (P: α = 0.59; F: α = 0.76). The correlation between the scores obtained on the child and family impact sections was statistically significant (P: rs = 0.54; F: rs = 0.62; p ≤ 0.001). In both phases of the study, B-ECOHIS scores were significantly associated with the decayed, missing and filled teeth index, decayed teeth and discolored upper anterior teeth (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The B-ECOHIS proved reliable and valid for assessing the negative impact of oral disorders on the quality of life of preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of cement replacement by sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) in industrial scale aiming to reduce the CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. SCBA is a by-product of the sugar/ethanol agro-industry abundantly available in some regions of the world and has cementitious properties indicating that it can be used together with cement. Recent comprehensive research developed at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil has demonstrated that SCBA maintains, or even improves, the mechanical and durability properties of cement-based materials such as mortars and concretes. Brazil is the world’s largest sugar cane producer and being a developing country can claim carbon credits. A simulation was carried out to estimate the potential of CO2 emission reductions and the viability to issue certified emission reduction (CER) credits. The simulation was developed within the framework of the methodology established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The State of São Paulo (Brazil) was chosen for this case study because it concentrates about 60% of the national sugar cane and ash production together with an important concentration of cement factories. Since one of the key variables to estimate the CO2 emissions is the average distance between sugar cane/ethanol factories and the cement plants, a genetic algorithm was developed to solve this optimization problem. The results indicated that SCBA blended cement reduces CO2 emissions, which qualifies this product for CDM projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clinica Integrada is the property of Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clinica Integrada Journal (Brazil) 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: To investigate the interrelationships between factors involved in orthodontic treatment seeking by children aged 12-15 years. Setting: State funded orthodontic clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry of the Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a nearby public school. Subjects and methods. One hundred and ninety-four adolescents aged 12-15 years took part in the study; 92 had sought orthodontic treatment at UERJ (orthodontic group) and 102 were from a nearby public school and had never undergone or sought orthodontic treatment (comparison group). Each participant underwent a comprehensive oral examination, and both parent and child were questioned about who had initiated the orthodontic referral. Outcomes: Normative need assessed with IOTN DHC; clinician and self-perceived aesthetic perception assessed with IOTN AC, previous caries experience was determined using the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) and WHO diagnostic criteria. The 'Brazil Economic Classification Criteria' was used to classify the socioeconomic status. Intra-examiner repeatability and inter-examiner agreement were assessed with kappa statistics. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between orthodontic treatment seeking (dependent variable) and the independent variables (i.e. aesthetic impairment, malocclusion severity, socioeconomic status, gender, age and DMFT). Results: Univariate analyses showed that self-perceived aesthetics (P<0.001), examiner-assessed aesthetics (P=0.01) and treatment need (P<0.001), socioeconomic status (P<0.001) were significantly associated with orthodontic treatment seeking, but gender (P=0.22) and DMFT (P=0.41) were not. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that poor self-perceived aesthetics (OR= 16.7; 95% CI: 4.17-61.9), more severe malocclusion (OR=3.4; 95% CI 1.64-7.14) and better socioeconomic position (OR=39.1; 95% CI: 5.47-280.54) significantly influenced the decision to seek orthodontic treatment. Conclusions: Concern about dental appearance and the desire for treatment, together with normative orthodontic need, should be carefully assessed by dentists before referring patients to specialized orthodontic care in publicly-funded clinics. In a publicly-funded oral health care system, self-perceived orthodontic treatment need is the key to establishing treatment priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira em Promoção da Saúde is the property of Revista Brasileira em Promocao da Saude 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 Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

In the present article, we investigate the extent to which professional theories that underlie, inform, and guide the interviewing practices of two psychiatrists (a neuropsychiatrist and a psychoanalyst) are discursively displayed in their ways of conducting a psychiatric interview. This study analyses excerpts from two audio-recorded psychiatric interviews held at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. It follows theoretical and methodological frameworks derived from interactional sociolinguistics. Ethnographic data and research interviews with both clinicians also ground our discussion. Using frame analysis as a central tool, we found that the psychiatrist who subscribes to a neuropsychiatric orientation displays a concern on assessing the patient’s cognitive processes, and shifts topics away from the patient’s delusions to (re)introduce the institutional frame of the psychiatric interview. By contrast, the psychiatrist who holds a psychoanalytic orientation towards interviewing not only listens attentively to very personal topics introduced by the patient, but also sustains and develops these topics. Most of all, she proposes and stays within conversational frames. In keeping a dual understanding about their practices in the interview situation, both doctors balance the need to follow the institutional agenda and the need to listen to the patient, despite their different theoretical orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing countries' scientific and technological development depends on the assistance of several government spheres, in particular from the federal one, in order to formulate policies and generate financial support mechanisms. Aiming to explore better the research results for the benefit of the productive sector, the Brazilian government has implemented programs whose main focus is the promotion of the interaction between academia (universities and public research institutions) and companies. Among these initiatives, it is worth mentioning the Scientific and Technological Development Support Program (PADCT), an initiative undertaken by the Brazilian government and the World Bank. The third version of this Program (PADCT 111) was set up during the period 1998-2002 and supported 142 projects through its Technological Development Component (CDT), contemplating four lines of action: Technological Platforms (PLAT), Sectoral and Regional Development (PCRS). Specific Collaborative Projects (CE) and Technological Support to Small and Medium Firms (AMPE). This paper aims at presenting this experience through the exploration of an ex-post evaluation related to a set of' results demonstrating the feasibility of this S&T policy option for developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued growth and the privatisation of Brazil’s electricity system, which is largely based upon hydropower, is projected to lead to big expansion mainly of natural gas but also coal power stations with a resulting huge growth in greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions unless steps are taken to avoid this. The Brazilian National Program of Power Conservation and Efficient Use of Electrical Energy in terms of avoided GHG emissions (PROCEL), originally created in 1985, is a multi-stakeholder program coordinated by Eletrobra´s aimed to reduce the waste of electrical power on both supply and demand side. Initially crippled by lack of funds, a new finance structure introduced in 1994 has greatly increased PROCEL’s impact. Here we develop scenarios that suggest that continued expansion of PROCEL’s programme, including resources that might be drawn through clean development mechanism (CDM) projects, to meet projected PROCEL targets over the next two decades could avoid approximately one-third of the GHG emissions from the Brazilian power sector. This contribution demonstrates the significant global environmental benefits of PROCEL in addition to national benefits of this innovative programme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including trends in global construction disputes, anti-corruption measures in Brazil and Mexico and pitfalls related to emergency relief funding.

Abstract: Background: Recently, a high prevalence of G2P[4] rotavirus (RV) infection was reported from Brazil, and linked with the universal RV vaccination programme that used the G1P[8] live oral RV vaccine. Objective: To determine the genotypes of RV co-circulating in a non-vaccinated population, in northern Portugal in the winter season of 2007. Study design: Prospective multicenter study of the genotypes circulating in the northwest region of Portugal during January to March 2007. Children with acute gastroenteritis, who attended the Pediatric Emergency Services of five Hospitals, were included in the study. The parents of the children completed a clinical and epidemiological data questionnaire and stool samples were collected. Stool samples positive in a RV enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were genotyped by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Stool samples were collected from 424 children. Two hundred and thirty-four (55.2%) stool samples were RV-positive. G2P[4] was the predominant RV type (68.6%), followed by G9P[8] (14.0%). Conclusions: Because our population was naïve for RV vaccine, the G2P[4] predominance cannot be explained by vaccination. Rather, this high prevalence of G2P[4] may be within the normal fluctuation of RV genotypes. RV strain surveillance programmes are important for informing RV vaccination programmes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) allows for longer survival for people living with HIV and hence long-term complications of both disease and treatment are common. Our purpose was to evaluate bone alterations in men living with HIV (MLWH) and receiving cART and to identify associated factors that can be corrected or mitigated., Patients and Design: Thirty MLWH and 36 healthy controls (≥50 years) were studied for areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone microstructure (high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography [HR-pQCT]), serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, 25(OH)D, testosterone (T), estradiol (E 2 ), glucose, creatinine, and albumin levels., Results: The proportion of patients classified as osteoporosis (according to the lowest aBMD T-score) was higher among MLWH as compared to controls (17.9% vs. 5.9%, p = .011). The MLWH showed significant alterations in cortical and trabecular bone on HR-pQCT, which were not associated with the duration of HIV infection or cART. These differences in vBMD and bone microstructure seen in HR-pQCT persisted in the nonosteoporotic MLWH as compared to nonosteoporotic control subjects. Body mass index (BMI) and fat mass were lower in MLWH and positively associated with total vBMD, cortical bone area, and thickness. E 2 and E 2 /T ratios were lower in MLWH than in controls and significantly correlated with several cortical and trabecular bone parameters. Multivariate regression analysis entering simultaneously age, BMI, and E 2 defined that E 2 is an independent influence on bone parameters evaluated by HR-pQCT., Conclusion: MLWH have alterations in bone volumetric density and microstructure when compared with controls, irrespective of aBMD, which are associated with lower E 2 and BMI., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)