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How can a bonus program affect the performance of teachers in classrooms? This paper collected data from teachers employed in Brazilian state-run schools to examine the key mechanisms through which a teacher bonus scheme can have a causal effect on the academic achievements of students. Using mixed-methods research and data triangulation from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with teachers, this study finds limited empirical evidence supporting the bonus program of the state of São Paulo. The bonus program created no additional incentive for educators to start/continue working in state schools, and it was not responsible for the improvement of teaching activities.

Educational indicators have revealed that a significant portion of Brazilian Basic Education students have a less than satisfactory skill level in reading and solving Mathematics problems. Despite several proven benefits, adaptive learning technologies are scarcely used with low-income students in public schools' due unavailable resources and lack of technological infrastructure. Nonetheless, there is a great expectation that the access to new technologies will assist and improve teaching practices and contribute to enhance learning performance. This study aimed to identify good and bad pedagogical practices from teaching and learning processes using a gamified Intelligent Tutor System (ITS) in Elementary Education. In order to achieve this goal, a case study was conducted with a qualitative research approach based on observations made in classrooms in a 9 months period and the application of Framework Analysis as a data analysis technique involving 6 teachers and 112 students aged between 9 and 21 years old from public schools in Brazil. Results presented provide evidence of significant improvement in the domain of Portuguese Language and Mathematical skills. The highlights of the paper are the seven good practices and six bad pedagogical practices with the use of gamified ITS. Additionally, while gamified ITS are important to improve learning and promote more engagement, this study also sheds light on the importance of using gamified ITS aligned with the school curriculum and a clear intervention proposal instead of voluntary use.

This article uses a quasi-experimental design, difference-in-differences, and longitudinal data on student academic achievement to evaluate ex post the (short-term) impact of a teacher bonus program in Brazil. The results indicate that the implementation of the performance-based bonuses in the state schools of São Paulo generated no statistically significant impact on the academic performance of students. There was a similar finding for retention rate and teaching activities. These results must be interpreted with caution given the issues of exams' competence, time of analysis, and geographical scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is an essential component of learning in and for the workplace, and a key building block of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO's) "Key Features of Learning Cities." TVET provides pathways to employment, particularly for young people, and skills development and retraining for older workers. Thus, workplace learning and TVET are integral to a learning city approach focused on lifelong learning. Skills development can also contribute to diversification of the economy and sustainable development. This paper synthesizes literature on skills development through TVET and UNESCO's "Key Features of Learning Cities." It also reviews key documents from member cities in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities to identify methods to connect workplace learning to lifelong learning. The findings are applied to developing a framework for how TVET within a learning cities approach is relevant in a Middle Eastern context.

Currently, changes in rainfall regimes have intensified biomass burning in central Brazil. These fires, resulting mainly from anthropic action, emit large amounts of gases and aerosols into the atmosphere. The emission of these constituents in the dry season can drastically alter the functioning of ecosystems. In this work, it was verified that the high concentrations of Black Carbon (BC) have a direct relationship with the air temperature and influence the carbon capture process. This study was the result of a long-term campaign carried out in the northern region of the Brazilian Pantanal, between 2017 and 2019. Measurements of CO2 fluxes were evaluated together with measurements of temperature, radiation and BC concentrations. The results showed that in some episodes, the increase in BC concentration inhibits photosynthetically active radiation and increases air temperature. As a consequence of the increase in BC concentration, a reduction in carbon capture was observed. In a specific episode in October 2017, this work estimated a deficit of 1.65 kg.m−2 in CO2 capture due to the emission of BC in the Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical education has evolved based on the application of pedagogical actions that place the student as the protagonist of the learning process through the use of active teaching methodologies. Within this context, higher education teachers should use strategies that focus on the student and his/her context and avoid traditional teaching methods. Specifically in medical schools, there is an even greater challenge since the teaching methods of medical curricula differ from those used in previous schooling. Consequently, students acquire their own style of processing information that is often incompatible with the profile of medical schools. This may be one of the factors responsible for the lack of motivation among undergraduates. Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the learning styles of students enrolled in a Brazilian medical school using the Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (ILS). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study that included students from the 1st to the 6th year of a Brazilian medical school. The students participating in this study voluntarily answered 44 questions about learning styles of the Felder-Silverman instrument validated in Brazil. The instrument was divided so that each domain consisted of 11 questions with two response options in which only one could be selected. For each domain, a score (1 point) was assigned to the selected option (a, b) of the question and the learning style category was determined as the difference between these values. For data collection and tabulation, we used the Learning Syle Platform (EdA Platform) developed based on Felder's studies since this system processes information about the dimension analyzed, the preferred style, and the most striking characteristics of each style. Results: The results showed that sensing was the preferred learning style of the students, followed by the sequential and visual styles. It was not possible to determine whether gender or age influences the choice of learning methods because of the homogeneity of the results. Conclusions: The present data will enable teachers of the institution involved in this study to plan pedagogical actions that improve the students' self-awareness, as well as their teaching-learning skills, by choosing the most adequate active methodologies for the medical education programs considering the individuality of each student and class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plant-based and micro-organism-based biological inputs is a sustainable agricultural practice. It promotes a suitable and better utilization of non-renewable resources in the environment. The benefits of using micro-organisms are associated with direct and indirect mechanisms, mainly related to improvements in the absorption and availability of nutrients, resulting in a consequent impact on plant growth. The main benefits of using biochemical pesticides are the promotion of sustainability and the management of resistance to pests and diseases. Although the use of micro-organisms and botanical metabolites is a promising agricultural alternative, they are still primarily concentrated in grain crops. There is a huge opportunity to expand the plant-based and micro-organism-based biological inputs used in agriculture due to the wide range of mechanisms of action of those products. At a global level, several terminologies have been adopted to characterize biological inputs, but many terms used conflict with Brazilian legislation. This review will clarify the classes of biological inputs existing in Brazil as well as present the application and evolution of the market for microbiological and plant-based inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) requires a set of individual and organizational knowledge, skills and attitudes that should be articulated with background factors and needs. In this regard, the development of an EIPM competency profile is important to support the diagnosis, planning and implementation of EIPM. Purpose: To present the process and outcomes of the development of an EIPM competency profile by an expert committee, to be applied in different contexts of the Brazilian Health System. Methods: A committee of experts in EIPM shared different views, experiences and opinions to develop an EIPM competency profile for Brazil. In six consensus workshops mediated by facilitators, the committee defined from macro problems to key actions and performances essential for the competency profile. The development steps consisted of: (1) Constitution of the committee, including researchers, professionals with practical experience, managers, and educators; (2) Development of a rapid review on EIPM competency profiles; (3) Agreement on commitments and responsibilities in the processes; (4) Identification and definition of macro problems relating to the scope of the competency profile; and (5) Outlining of general and specific capacities, to be incorporated into the competency profile, categorized by key actions. Results: The development of the EIPM competency profile was guided by the following macro problems: (1) lack of systematic and transparent decision-making processes in health policy management; (2) underdeveloped institutional capacity for knowledge management and translation; and (3) incipient use of scientific evidence in the formulation and implementation of health policies. A general framework of key actions and performances of the EIPM Competency Profile for Brazil was developed, including 42 specific and general key actions distributed by area of activity (Health Management, Scientific Research, Civil Society, Knowledge Translation, and Cross-sectional areas). Conclusions: The competency profile presented in this article can be used in different contexts as a key tool for the institutionalization of EIPM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to data obtained from meteorological towers, Brazil has significantly increased temperature in the past 20 years, particularly in the North and Midwest regions. Vapor pressure deficit and evapotranspiration were also analyzed, showing an increase across the entire country, confirming that the air is becoming drier. This warming trend is part of the global climate change phenomenon caused by the rise of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, fires, poor soil management practices, deforestation, and logging. The increase in temperature and dryness has profoundly impacted Brazil's climate and ecosystems, leading to intensified extreme weather events and changes in the distribution of both animal and plant species. This study highlights the importance of utilizing meteorological tower data to monitor and understand the effects of climate change in Brazil. It emphasizes the need for immediate action to address its causes and mitigate its negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian period total fertility rate (PTFR) dropped to 1.8 in 2010 (1.5 among those with high education). Due to shifts in fertility timing, the PTFR may provide a misleading picture of fertility levels. The consequences of these changes for the cohort total fertility rate (CTFR)—a measure free from tempo distortions—and for educational differences in completed fertility remain unknown. Due to data limitations, CTFR forecasts in low- and middle-income countries are rare. We use Brazilian censuses to reconstruct fertility rates indirectly and forecast the CTFR for all women and by educational level. Four forecasting methods indicate that the CTFR is unlikely to fall to the level of the PTFR. Educational differences in the CTFR are likely to be stark, at 0.7–0.9, larger than in many high-income countries with comparable CTFRs. We show how the CTFR can be forecasted in settings with limited data and call for more research on educational differences in completed fertility in low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the implications of the proportion of annual family income spent in the pre- and post-diagnosis periods in tuberculosis patients followed for after at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in Brazil. Methods: This was a crosssectional study of tuberculosis patients followed for at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in five Brazilian capitals (one in each region of the country). Results: A total of 62 patients were included in the analysis. The overall average cost of tuberculosis was 283.84 Brazilian reals (R$) in the pre-diagnosis period and R$4,161.86 in the post-diagnosis period. After the costs of tuberculosis disease, 71% of the patients became unemployed, with an overall increase in unemployment; in addition, the number of patients living in nonpoverty decreased by 5%, the number of patients living in poverty increased by 6%, and the number of patients living in extreme poverty increased by 5%. The largest proportion of annual household income to cover the total costs of tuberculosis was for the extremely poor (i.e., 40.37% vs. 11.43% for the less poor). Conclusions: Policies to mitigate catastrophic costs should include interventions planned by the health care system and social protection measures for tuberculosis patients with lower incomes in order to eliminate the global tuberculosis epidemic by 2035--a WHO goal in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil affected mental health among healthcare workers. To objective of this study was to evaluate the mental health of healthcare workers in in the central-west region of the Brazil, estimating the prevalence of mental health disorders, and investigating associated factors, perceptions of safety, and self-perceptions about mental health in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was divided into two parts that included general information and perceptions about the work process and identified symptoms using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. A total of 1,522 healthcare workers participated in the survey. Overall prevalence of symptoms was calculated for depression (58.7%), anxiety (59.7%), and stress (61.7%). Physicians had 3.75 times greater risk of depression (1.59–8.85, 95% CI). Independent variables associated with depression symptoms were not feeling safe with the way services were organized (1.12:1.03–1.21, 95% CI) and self-perception of poor mental health (8.06: 4.03–16.10% CI). Working in management was protective, and married professionals had 12% lower risk of exhibiting symptoms of depression (0.79–0.99, 95% CI). Participants with self-perception of poor mental health had 4.63 greater risk for symptoms of anxiety (2.58–8.31, 95% CI). Protective factors were not having sought support for mental health (0.90: 0.82–0.99, 95% CI), having a graduate degree (0.71: 0.54–0.94, 95% CI), and not having been diagnosed with COVID-19 (0.90: 0.83–0.98, 95% CI). Perception of poor mental health was associated with 6.95-fold greater chance of developing stress symptoms. Protective factors from stress were having a degree in dentistry (0.81: 0.68–0.97, 95% CI), residing in Mato Grosso do Sul (0.91: 0.85–0.98, 95% CI), and not having sought mental health support services (0.88: 0.82–0.95, 95% CI). The prevalence of mental health disorders is high among healthcare workers, and is associated with professional category, organization of services provided, and self-perception of poor mental health, reinforcing the need for preventative measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva 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 Colloquium Agrariae is the property of Asociacao Prudentina de Educacao e Cultura (APEC) 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.)

Interprofessional education is a key driver for patient-centered care. Interprofessionality in healthcare encourages team engagement and commitment, resulting in better outcomes and adherence to treatment. The present study aimed to use the adapted Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) to analyze and correlate receptiveness to interprofessional education among Brazilian undergraduate students, to improve educational strategies. This research conducted a cross-sectional observational study of the perceptions and attitudes of healthcare students using an electronic questionnaire based on the RIPLS. The sample consisted of 938 students from seven healthcare courses of study at a public university. Students in psychology scored lowest overall. Men scored slightly higher (M = 103.9) than women (M = 101.9; p =.002). No significant differences were found in age, year of study, and previous higher education experience. The differences observed between students in the various courses reflects a process of curriculum improvement and promotion of change in institutional teaching and learning. The current study from Brazil presents the receptiveness of students from seven healthcare-related higher education courses to interprofessional education, providing a panel of data that can inform discussions of the possible causes of discrepancy between different courses of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the relationship between cesarean Delivery (CD) and overweight in preschool children, considering the presence of birth aspects and demographic characteristics that have been associated with the risk of excess weight. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional analysis used representative data of children from 2 to 6 years of age at municipal daycare centers in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample included 752 preschoolers. Weight and height were collected in daycare centers, and the nutritional status classification was performed using z scores of Body Mass Index (zBMI). Data analysis was performed in the bivariate and multivariate manner, the latter with the inclusion of another possible risk factor. Adjustments were made for daycare centers time, sex, birth length and weight and maternal schooling. Results: The mean age of preschool children was 4.7 years, and 53.8% were boys. The prevalence of overweight children was 21.7%. The median zBMI of the children born by CD was higher than that of vaginal Delivery (p = 0.0194). The prevalence of overweight showed association with CD (p = 0.0196; PR = 1.397 with 95% CI of 1065–1831). Logistic binary multivariate regression analysis confirmed the association, even in the presence of other possible risk factors (CR: 1.580, 95% CI: 1.072–2.330). Conclusion for Practice: Birth by CD is one of the factors that are associated with the early development of overweight in preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managers responsible for investment decisions undergo cognitive illusions, and therefore, end up systematically making mistakes in their appreciations. Commerce, although the second largest employment generator in Brazil, has been little studied from the perspective of behavioral finance. This study dealt with the perception of retail managers in the city of NatalRN, who pondered about the importance for a set of variables about investment decision making, captured from literature. In this sense, the research aimed to survey and analyze the potential factors influencing investment decisions. Data were collected from 82 companies selected by convenience, through a structured questionnaire, from September to October, 2013, and statistically analyzed through descriptive and exploratory factor analysis. Results point to five influencing factors: market evolution, competitive situation, investment capacity, resources availability and competitive viability, while market evolution was ranked as the most relevant factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Avances en Enfermería is the property of Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia 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.)

Sexual and reproductive health needs and access are often neglected during health emergencies. The 2015/2016 Zika epidemic is an example of priorities shifting to the detriment of women's health needs. The internet is a key tool for abortion knowledge sharing and seeking in countries where abortion is not legally available and it is also a key resource for tele-health. Yet, we know very little about how people use the internet, and the type of information searched for, to access abortion information and services. The aim of this study is to analyse to what extent and how the internet was used as a resource for abortion information during the Zika outbreak and its aftermath in Brazil in 2015/2016. Using Google Trends and Analytics data, we analyse contextually-specific abortion searches using standardised terms that reflect the overall representation of searches at that time alongside weekly levels of Zika incidence. The results show a heightened use of combined search terms for abortion and Zika, as well as abortion and microcephaly, suggesting a rise in abortion information searching linked to the epidemic. These searches were highly correlated with the level of Zika incidence. This study confirms the use of the internet for information seeking during a public health emergency. It demonstrates the need for appropriate internet resources to improve access to abortion information, especially in countries where abortion is highly restricted and stigmatised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work uses anonymized geolocation data from 60 million mobile phone users in Brazil to quantify the impact of coronavirus lockdown measures on social distancing. The results confirm that the current share of the population staying home is lower than the target set by the public authorities to combat the spread of COVID-19. Using difference-in-difference and panel data regression to evaluate the determinants of social distancing, this paper confirms a statistically significant association between political support for Bolsonaro and social distancing. Since the Brazilian president is urging the population to ignore the COVID-19 "hysteria" and get back to a normal routine, the impact of social distancing rules on the circulation of people is lower at a statistically significant level in municipalities with a higher share of Bolsonaro voters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the evolution of clinical and epidemiological data, as well as data related to diagnosis, staging, treatment, and survival, among patients undergoing curative surgery for lung cancer at a tertiary referral center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective study of cases in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database. We selected only cases of patients undergoing curative surgery between January of 2011 and April of 2018. We determined overall and diseasefree survival at 36 months and compared the data between two periods (2011-2014 and 2015-2018). Results: Comparing the two periods (N = 437 cases), we observed trends toward increases in the number of female patients, as well as in the proportions of former smokers (44.09% vs. 53.59%), of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (52.21% vs. 59.72%), and of patients diagnosed at an earlier pathological stage, together with a decrease in 30-day mortality (4.05% vs. 2.39%). There were significant increases in the proportions of cases diagnosed at an earlier clinical stage (p = 0.002) or incidentally (p = 0.003). Although lobectomy was the main surgical technique employed, there was a proportional increase in segmentectomies (2.67% vs. 7.11%; p = 0.026). Overall and disease-free survival rates were 79.4% (95% CI: 74.0-83.9%) and 75.1% (95% CI: 69.1-80.1%), respectively. The difference in overall survival between the periods lost statistical significance when adjusted for pathological stage, the only factor that affected survival (log-rank: p = 0.038 to p = 0.079). Conclusions: The clinical and epidemiological evolution presented in this study corroborates global trends. The decrease in 30-day mortality was probably due to better patient selection and improved surgical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the factors associated with the risk of discontinuing active tuberculosis treatment among patients in an outpatient referral unit and to analyze the association between patients' abandonment risk score and their odds of discontinuing the treatment. Patients and Methods: In this cohort study, tuberculosis patients were prospectively followed up from June 2012 through July 2019 at a secondary tuberculosis referral unit in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. At initial consultation, patients were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and were assigned a score for the risk of treatment abandonment by the nurse. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. Results: One hundred and forty-eight patients were included in the study, of which 65.0% (96/148) were male. Their mean age was 43.3 ± 14.8 years (range: 18– 89 years). Smoking, drug use, repeated admissions, and a high abandonment risk score were the variables associated with the highest risk of discontinuing the treatment. The rate of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection was 37.2%. The overall rate of global treatment abandonment was 10.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.1– 16.2). Upon stratification of patients that abandoned by the risk score, 22.9% (8/35) of the ones that abandoned had a high risk, 10.9% (6/55) had an intermediate risk, and 3.5% (2/58) had a low risk of treatment abandonment. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with abandoning the treatment were smoking [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.91 (95% CI: 1.08, 22.32)] and undergoing retreatment (aOR) = 3.66 (95% CI: 1.04, 12 88). Conclusion: Smoking and undergoing retreatment were independent risk factors for tuberculosis treatment abandonment in this center. Risk stratification can help prioritize the strengthening of treatment adherence among patients at higher risk of abandoning treatment in referral units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity is becoming more and more frequent in children, which can result in health problems both in childhood and in adulthood. Considering that, at school age, eating habits may be influenced by the context in which the child is inserted, mainly, lifestyle, inside and outside the school environment, it is important to evaluate the growth achieved in height, as well as their nutritional status, since this can be an indication of future and possible nutritional disorders, allowing to direct resources and effective public policies in this age group. Objective: Evaluate the growth in stature and nutritional condition of schoolchildren by gender and age in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in the first semester of the 2012 school year. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 595 children of six to ten years of age, through the marketing of Public Municipal Elementary Schools, in the city of Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The statistical analysis of the data was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Science, version 20.0. Results: It was assessed a larger proportion of children between seven and nine years of age, and both in relation to the stature as the Body Mass Index (BMI). The medians are higher when compared to the reference (World Health Organization), revealing that the children are growing well, even above the average for the benchmark. However, at the same time, they have a BMI higher than expected, even considering their high stature. The diagnosis of nutritional status among the boys and girls showed no statistical differences. However, it is worth highlighting that, although the bigger prevalence is eutrophic children (70.3%), a high prevalence of excess weight (overweight, obesity and severe obesity) can also be observed, around 28% of the sample. Conclusion: Although most children were found to be in normal nutritional condition, some were identified as being overweight or obese. It was evident that nutritional condition does not differ in relation to gender, but is influenced by age and height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to map and analyze the factors that best describe and explain the performance of microentrepreneurs in the Northeast of Brazil, after being formalized in the market by the Individual Microentrepreneur Program. This is a quantitative field research with a descriptive and cross-sectional survey research method. We used an intentional, non-probabilistic sample and by judgment of individual microentrepreneurs from the city of Natal/RN. The data were collected through questionnaires and treated by structural equation modeling. The results showed that the performance of microentrepreneurs after their formalization in the market is explained by the benefits accessed, that is, by the increase in business revenues, productivity increase, better access to credit, better price conditions paid to suppliers, better conditions of price passed on to the customer and the greater knowledge of the fixed costs and expenses of the business; the most important benefits for explaining performance were: reduction of taxes and taxes for formalization, the possibility of selling to credit card services, selling products and services to the government, having a formal company, bureaucracy and ease of access to banking services and loans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the morbidity, mortality, and rate of complete resection associated with robotic surgery for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in Brazil, as well as to report the rates of overall survival and disease-free survival in patients so treated. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung carcinoma and undergoing resection by robotic surgery at one of six hospitals in Brazil between February of 2015 and July of 2018. Data were collected retrospectively from the electronic medical records. Results: A total of 154 patients were included. The mean age was 65 ± 9.5 years (range, 30-85 years). The main histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, which was identified in 128 patients (81.5%), followed by epidermoid carcinoma, identified in 14 (9.0%). Lobectomy was performed in 133 patients (86.3%), and segmentectomy was performed in 21 (13.7%). The mean operative time was 209 ± 80 min. Postoperative complications occurred in 32 patients (20.4%). The main complication was air leak, which occurred in 15 patients (9.5%). The median (interquartile range) values for hospital stay and drainage time were 4 days (3-6 days) and 2 days (2-4 days), respectively. There was one death in the immediate postoperative period (30-day mortality rate, 0.5%). The mean follow-up period was 326 ± 274 days (range, 3-1,110 days). Complete resection was achieved in 97.4% of the cases. Overall mortality was 1.5% (3 deaths), and overall survival was 97.5%. Conclusions: Robotic pulmonary resection proved to be a safe treatment for lung cancer. Longer follow-up periods are required in order to assess long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the results of resection of tumors of the thymus by robotic thoracic surgery, analyzing the extent of resection, postoperative complications, time of surgery, and length of stay. Methods: Retrospective study from a database involving patients diagnosed with a tumor of the thymus and undergoing robotic thoracic surgery at one of seven hospitals in Brazil between October of 2015 and June of 2018. Results: During the study period, there were 18 cases of resection of tumors of the thymus: thymoma, in 12; carcinoma, in 2; and carcinoid tumor, in 1; high-grade sarcoma, in 1; teratoma, in 1; and thymolipoma, in 1. The mean lesion size was 60.1 ± 32.0 mm. Tumors of the thymus were resected with tumor-free margins in 17 cases. The median (interquartile range) for pleural drain time and hospital stay, in days, was 1 (1-3) and 2 (2-4), respectively. There was no need for surgical conversion, and there were no major complications. Conclusions: Robotic thoracic surgery for resection of tumors of the thymus has been shown to be feasible and safe, with a low risk of complications and with postoperative outcomes comparable to those of other techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento Humano is the property of Centro de Estudos de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento do Ser Humano 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 Agricultural Research in the Tropics / Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical is the property of Pesquisa Agropecuaria Tropical 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.)

Background: In the last decade, robotic video-assisted thoracic surgery (R-VATS) has grown significantly and consolidated as an alternative to video-assisted thoracic surgery. The objective of this study is to present the implementation as well as the experience with R-VATS accumulated by 2 Brazilian groups. We also compared the outcomes of procedures performed during the learning curve and after a more mature experience. Methods: Retrospective cohort study included all R-VATS procedures performed since April 2015 until April 2018. We describe the process of implantation of robotic surgery, highlighting the peculiarities and difficulties found in a developing country. Moreover, we reported our descriptive results and compared the first 60 patients to the subsequent cases. Results: Two hundred and five patients included 101 females/104 males. Mean age was 61.7 years. There were hundred and sixty-four pulmonary resections, 39 resections of mediastinal lesions, 1 diaphragmatic plication, and 1 resection of a hilar tumor. Median operative times were 205 min for lung resections and 129 min for mediastinal. There was no conversion to VATS or thoracotomy or major intraoperative complications. Median length of stay was 3 days for pulmonary resections and 1 day for mediastinal. Postoperative complications occurred in 35 cases (17.0%)—prolonged air leak was the most common (17 cases). One fatality occurred in an elderly patient with pneumonia and sepsis (0.4%). Comparison of the first 60 patients (learning curve) with subsequent 145 patients (consolidated experience) showed significant differences in surgical and ICU time, both favoring consolidated experience. Conclusions: Our results were comparable to the literature. Robotic thoracic surgery can be safely and successfully implemented in tertiary hospitals in emerging countries provided that all stakeholders are involved and compromised with the implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to map and analyze the factors that best describe and explain the performance of microentrepreneurs in the Northeast of Brazil, after being formalized in the market by the Individual Microentrepreneur Program. This is a quantitative field research with a descriptive and cross-sectional survey research method. We used an intentional, non-probabilistic sample and by judgment of individual microentrepreneurs from the city of Natal/RN. The data were collected through questionnaires and treated by structural equation modeling. The results showed that the performance of microentrepreneurs after their formalization in the market is explained by the benefits accessed, that is, by the increase in business revenues, productivity increase, better access to credit, better price conditions paid to suppliers, better conditions of price passed on to the customer and the greater knowledge of the fixed costs and expenses of the business; the most important benefits for explaining performance were: reduction of taxes and taxes for formalization, the possibility of selling to credit card services, selling products and services to the government, having a formal company, bureaucracy and ease of access to banking services and loans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento Humano is the property of Centro de Estudos de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento do Ser Humano 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.)

Viral hepatitis, syphilis, HIV, and tuberculosis infections in prisons have been identified globally as a public health problem. Tuberculosis (TB) and viral hepatitis co-infection may increase the risk of anti-tuberculosis treatment-induced hepatotoxicity, leading to the frequent cause of discontinuation of the first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the epidemiological features of HCV, HBV, syphilis and HIV infections among bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis prisoners in Campo Grande (MS), Central Brazil. The participants who agreed to participate (n = 279) were interviewed and tested for the presence of active or current HCV, HBV, syphilis and HIV infections. The prevalence of HCV exposure was 4.7% (13/279; 95% CI 2.2–7.1). HCV RNA was detected in 84.6% (11/13) of anti-HCV positive samples. Out of 279 participants, 19 (6.8%; 95% CI 4.4–10.4) were HIV co-infected, 1.4% (4/279, 95% CI 0.5–3.8) had chronic hepatitis B virus (HBsAg positive) and 9.3% (26/279, 95% CI 6.4–13.4) had serological marker of exposure to hepatitis B virus (total anti-HBc positive). The prevalence of lifetime syphilis infection (anti-T. pallidum positive) was 10% (28/279, 95% CI 7.0–14.2) and active syphilis (VDRL ≥ 1/8 titre) was 5% (14/279, 95% CI 2.9–8.3). The prevalence of TB/HCV co-infection among prisoners with HIV (15.8%) was higher than among HIV-non-infected prisoners (3.8%; P<0.05). These results highlight the importance of hepatitis testing among prisoners with bacteriologically confirmed case of TB who can be more effectively and safely treated in order to reduce the side effects of hepatotoxic anti-TB drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Research into the evolution of the functional performance of children and adolescents with DS enables parents and professionals involved in their follow-up to promote their development. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional abilities of children and adolescents with Down syndrome and the assistance offered by their parents/caregivers. METHOD: A cross-sectional study, with 100 children and adolescents with DS whom parents or caregivers were interviewed to complete the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Linear regression analyses were performed with the software MedCalc version 16.8.4 and GraphPad Prism version 6.07. RESULTS: Children and adolescents with DS need more time to acquire skills of self-care, mobility and social function. Their parents were able to better identify the difficulties before the children reached 8-years of age. CONCLUSION: Parents can identify the difficulties of their children when they are younger and offer more assistance, but this does not happen when the children are of elementary school age. This suggests that they need professional support that is not restricted to the guidelines and the schools. [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 Revista Brasileira de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento Humano is the property of Centro de Estudos de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento do Ser Humano 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 Cerrado biome covers a large area of central Brazil, containing a mosaic of physiognomies determined by soil fertility, seasonal rainfall, and fire. The ground layer vegetation presents a high eudicot diversity and a high proportion of belowground phytomass, represented mainly by a diversity of underground organs storing carbohydrates. Fructans and other soluble carbohydrates are claimed to be more than reserves, conferring protection against abiotic stresses due to osmoregulation properties and rapid turnover. Inulin- and levan-type fructans are prominent and found respectively in the underground organs of Asteraceae and Amaranthaceae, abundant families in the herbaceous Cerrado flora. Poaceae, mainly Panicoideae, is also abundant and accumulates glucose, sucrose, and malto-oligosaccharides, but not fructans, in contrast with temperate grasses. Here, we review evidence that fructans in the herbaceous flora of the Cerrado play a significant role in tolerance to drought and fire, promoting the rapid recovery of the ground-layer vegetation after environmental disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first record of a black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus; Primates: Callitrichidae) in Carlos Botelho State Park, southeastern Brazil, which is one of the most important protected areas in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The species is listed as globally threatened by the IUCN, and our record and further confirmation of the effective colonization of this large continuous area of Atlantic forest may provide new perspectives for the conservation of this tamarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are some evidence in the theoretical library related the potential of starch digestibility in the whole tract with EM intake. However, there is a lack of data, mainly in Nellore cattle that is the most common beef breed raised in Brazil regarding this subject. The goal of this study was to evaluate if there was any relationship between ME and FS. The data used to carry out this analysis came from a trial with different diets. The ME data were generated from the NRC (1984) that ME=0.82 DE. Therefore, through intake data were calculated the ME. FS data were provided from the same trial. FS analyses have been made using NIRS equations to Nellore Cattle developed by (Caetano et al., 2009; Caetano et al., 2019). To perform Statistics Analyses, was used a GLM mode by SAS® as well as ANOVA test to obtain the best slope. Related the EM intake data there were N= 93 read and FS data there were = 97. The outcome provided by Statistics Analyses were not significant among linear up to cubic regressions. The best fitted model was a cubic regression although the R2 were not significant, P< 0.01 R2=0.04. The model was EMI=1.8 x FS- 0.069xFS2+0.00076x+FS3+15.42. Therefore, by those data there were not any relationship between ME intake and FS. However, more data should be used to enhance this prediction, due to some authors such as (Harmon, 2004; McLeod et al., 2008) tried to figure out the effects of energy intake on starch digestibility in different sites. it appears that energy is much more related to fat synthesis enzymes (McLeod et al., 2008; Baldwin et al., 2006; Girard et al., 1997), not interfering in starch digestibility that might be much more related to grain processing methods than EM intake, (Owens and Zinn., 2011). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we seek to clarify how intermunicipal consortia distribute benefits and costs among their members, a relevant point to structure the willingness to cooperation between partners. Under the case study in three government areas, we identify two patterns of the systems for sharing costs and benefits. In the first, the division agreement is restricted to routine expenses of the consortium, while additional agreements with each member ensure contributions, ex post, according to the proportion of benefits enjoyed. In the second, the division agreement itself includes criteria that allow equalizing, ex ante, such contributions and benefits. In the end, we consider restrictions on functions performed by consortia in public policies, due to the reasoning by which each member pays for what it consumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo is the property of Instituto de Medicina Tropical 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.)

Introduction: birth weight is an indicator for the evaluation of intrauterine growth (IUGR) as well as a mortality risk index. There are already a large number of studies on newborns (NB) with low birth weight (LBW), while studies on those with insufficient birth weight (IB) are rare, including those related to adequate or limited intrauterine growth. Objective: to estimate the incidence of underweight among infants born at term and the proportion of those who are small for their gestational age, within an urban clientele of the Brazilian public health system, Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS. Methods: observational study in a public maternity department of the hospital Regional de Cotia, in the metropolitan area of †São Paulo, which cares for of SUS patients. A universe of live births were evaluated in the last trimester of 2009, determining the proportion of IB infants and the adequacy of weight, based on gestational age and sex. Results: the incidence of insufficient birth weight was similar to that observed in the last two decades in Brazil, corresponding to 1/4 of the total number of births. The proportion of small gestational age newborns (NB SGA) was small, affecting only 4.2% of the IB infants. In 90% of these infants no pathology was identified to explain IB. The proportion of cesarean births (47.1%) among IB newborns as well as the difference in gestational age that they had in relation to the newborns of adequate weight, around four days, from the standpoint of IUGR does not justify the difference in mean weight between the two groups. Conclusion: the incidence of IB was high, however only a small proportion of these infants were small for gestational age. The data indicates the need for continued research on IB, including providing incentives for the continued improvement of public policies and programs regarding pre and peri-natal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ipanema alkaline-carbonatitic complex is part of the Meso-Cenozoic alkaline magmatism located within the southeastern part of the Brazilian Platform. Drill-core and field sampling have indicated the occurrence of glimmerites, with subordinate shonkinites (mela-syenites), clinopyroxene-bearing glimmerites, diorites and syenites. The glimmerites are cross-cut by lamprophyric dykes and calciocarbonatites. Fenitization has deeply affected the country rocks, originating dioritic and syenitic rocks. The Ipanema rocks show a distinct potassic affinity. The initial Sr-Nd- isotopic composition of the Ipanema rocks (Sr/Sr = 0.70661-0.70754 and Nd/Nd = 0.51169-0.51181) is similar to that of tholeiitic and potassium-rich-alkaline rocks of the Eastern Paraguay. Stable isotope data for the Ipanema calciocarbonatite suggest interaction with fluids at temperatures typical of hydrothermal stages, as hypothesized for other carbonatite complexes from southeastern Brazil. The chemical differences between the lamprophyre, glimmerites, carbonatites, apatitites and magnetitites, and the absence of marked REE enrichment in the evolved lithologies, all indicate that fractional crystallization and accumulus of liquidus phases in a magma reservoir, likely coupled with liquid immiscibility processes, may have played an important role in the genesis of the Ipanema rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Energy from liquids is one of the most important factors that could impact on the high prevalence of children and adolescents obesity around the world. There are few data on the liquid consumption in Brazil. The aim of this study is to evaluate the volume and quality of liquids consumed by Brazilian children and adolescents and to determine the proportion of their daily energy intake composed of liquids. Methods: A multicenter study was conducted in five Brazilian cities; the study included 831 participants between 3 and 17 years of age. A four-day dietary record specific to fluids was completed for each individual, and the volume of and Kcal from liquid intake were evaluated. The average number of Kcal in each beverage was determined based on label information, and the daily energy intake data from liquids were compared with the recommendations of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária-- ANVISA), the Brazilian food regulation authority, according to each subject's age. Results: As the children aged, the volume of carbonated beverages that they consumed increased significantly, and their milk intake decreased significantly. For children between the ages of 3 and 10, milk and dairy products contributed the greatest daily number of Kcal from liquids. Sugar sweetened beverages which included carbonated beverages, nectars and artificial beverages, accounted for 37% and 45% of the total Kcal from liquid intake in the 3- to 6-year-old and 7- to 10- year-old groups, respectively. Among adolescents (participants 11- to 17- years old), most of the energy intake from liquids came from carbonated beverages, which accounted for an average of 207 kcal/day in this group (42% of their total energy intake from liquids). Health professionals should be attentive to the excessive consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in children and adolescents. The movement toward healthier dietary patterns at the individual and population levels may help to improve programs for preventing overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Conclusion: From childhood to adolescence the daily volume of liquid ingested increased reaching a total of 2.0 liters on average. Of this volume, the daily volume of milk ingested decreased while the carbonated drinks, sweetened, nectars and artificial beverages increased significantly. The proportion of water remained constant in about 1/3 of the total volume. From 3 to 17 years of age the energy intake from carbonated beverages increased by about 20%. The carbonated drinks on average corresponded to a tenth of the daily requirements of energy of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Food & Nutrition / Alimentos e Nutrição is the property of Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, UNESP 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 Pulmonology / Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia 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.)

Background: We evaluated growth and nutritional status of preschool children between 2 and 6 years old from low income families from 14 daycare centers.Methods: Cross-sectional study with 1544 children from daycare centers of Santo Andre, Brazil. Body weight (W), height (H) and body mass index (BMI) were classified according to the 2000 National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS). Cutoff points for nutritional disorders: -2 z scores and 2.5 and 10 percentiles for malnutrition risk, 85 to 95 percentile for overweight and above BMI 95 percentile for obesity. Stepwise Forward Regression method was used including age, gender, birth weight, breastfeeding duration, age of mother at birth and period of time they attended the daycare center.Results: Children presented mean z scores of H, W and BMI above the median of the CDC/NCHS reference. Girls were taller and heavier than boys, while we observed similar BMI between both genders. The z scores tended to rise with age. A Pearson Coefficient of Correlation of 0.89 for W, 0.93 for H and 0.95 for BMI was documented indicating positive association of age with weight, height and BMI. The frequency of children below -2 z scores was lower than expected: 1.5% for W, 1.75% for H and 0% for BMI, which suggests that there were no malnourished children. The other extremity of the distribution evidenced prevalence of overweight and obesity of 16.8% and 10.8%, respectively.Conclusion: Low income preschool children are in an advanced stage of nutritional transition with a high prevalence of overweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento Humano is the property of Centro de Estudos de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento do Ser Humano 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 Brasileira de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento Humano is the property of Centro de Estudos de Crescimento e Desenvolvimento do Ser Humano 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.)