PERFIL DOS EMPREENDEDORES DE STARTUP DE UM PROGRAMA DE ACELERAÇÃO DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS

Startups são empresas embrionárias, com ideias inovadoras em um ambiente de extrema incerteza. Esta pesquisa descreveu o perfil dos empreendedores de startups aceleradas por um programa de aceleração público do Estado de Minas Gerais. Pode-se dizer que os empreendedores pesquisados são, predominantemente, do sexo masculino, estão na faixa etária de 25 a 34 anos, possuem na maior parte dos casos, nível superior e MBA. Possuem formação principalmente nas áreas de ciências exatas e humanas. São na maior parte solteiros, das classes C e D. Este estudo de caráter quantitativo visou principalmente identificar traços comportamentais de perfil. Concluiu-se que os principais fatores motivacionais ao empreendedorismo de startup foram: “paixão pelo que faz”, espírito de liderança e busca de independência/ autonomia, e, influenciados pelas seguintes experiências pessoais: habilidades gerenciais e operacionais desenvolvidas em empresas anteriores, conhecimento prévio da natureza do negócio e sociedade com pessoas mais experientes. Acerca dos principais fatores ambientais de influência percebeu-se a decisão de se dedicar a um sonho de carreira, identificação de oportunidade no mercado em conformidade com os interesses pessoais e profissionais e identificação de nichos de mercado não atendidos, e ainda, as principais competências dos empreendedores foram administrativas, de relacionamento e comprometimento

“RASTROS DA SENZALA” NAS REPRESENTAÇÕES DO NEGRO NA CULTURA E NA EDUCAÇÃO BRASILEIRA

O presente artigo tem por objetivo discutir sobre as representações do negro na cultura e na educação brasileira. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória que caminhou num primeiro momento na esteira teórica dos Estudos Culturais. Em seguida, através da Análise Crítica do Discurso para melhor entendimento da base ideológica que faz parte da construção desse entendimento em suas múltiplas representações. Os dados revelam que a formação social da população brasileira de origemcolonial produziu discursos baseados em estereótipos étnico-raciais e culturais, de modo     que a relação entre as classes e os sujeitos foram definidas e estruturadas com base em injustiças, desequilíbrios, violências, que são reiterados em diversas conjunturas históricas e discursivas

Spatial variability of physical attributes and soil aggregates in archaeological dark dirt under pasture

Algumas áreas de Terra Preta Arqueológica na Amazônia vêm sendo utilizadas com pastagem o que tem gerado grande preocupação quanto às alterações dos atributos físicos e o estado de agregação do solo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial e as possíveis modificações dos atributos físicos e agregados do solo em terra preta arqueológica sob pastagem. Uma grade de 80 x 56m foi usada e a amostragem realizada em 88 pontos em disposição de 8 x 8m. Nas camadas de 0-0,05, 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20m foram avaliados: a densidade do solo (Ds), carbono orgânico total (COT), estoque de carbono (Est C), diâmetro médio ponderado (DMP), macroporosidade (Macro), microporosidade (Micro) e volume total de poros (VTP). Pelo exame de semivariogramas constatou-se a ocorrência de dependência espacial. Mesmo a área de estudo sendo em pastagem observou-se que os valores de Ds, Macro e VTP, estiveram acima ou abaixo dos valores de referências que podem causar restrição ao crescimento radicular de plantas e à infiltração de água no solo. O DMP e Ds foram dependentes do COT, pois os valores de ambos aumentam ou diminuem de acordo com a camada. Com o aumento da camada do solo, houve o acréscimo do estoque de carbono.136Some areas of archaeological dark dirt in the Amazon have been used with pasture that has generated great concern regarding changes in soil physical attributes and its aggregation state. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial variability and possible modifications of soil physical and aggregate attributes in archaeological black dirt under pasture. A grid of 80 x 56m with 88 sampling points distributed in 8 x 8m were marked. Soil layers at 0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, and 0.10-0.20m were analyzed for: soil density (SD), total organic carbon (TOC), carbon stock (C stock), meanweight diameter (MWD), macroporosity (Macro), microporosity (Micro), and total porosity (TP). From semivariograms tests it was verified the occurrence of spatial dependence. Even with major pasture cover in the study area it was observed that the values of Ds, Macro, and VTP were above or below the reference values, which may cause restriction for root growth of plants and water infiltration in the soil. The DMP and Ds were COT-dependent because values of both increase or decrease depending on the soil layer. When higher the soil layer there was an increase in carbon stock

Artificial neural network model of soil heat flux over multiple land covers in South America

Soil heat flux (G) is an important component for the closure of the surface energy balance (SEB) and the estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) by remote sensing algorithms. Over the last decades, efforts have been focused on parameterizing empirical models for G prediction, based on biophysical parameters estimated by remote sensing. However, due to the existing models’ empirical nature and the restricted conditions in which they were developed, using these models in large-scale applications may lead to significant errors. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the ability of the artificial neural network (ANN) to predict mid-morning G using extensive remote sensing and meteorological reanalysis data over a broad range of climates and land covers in South America. Surface temperature (Ts), albedo (α), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI), obtained from a moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), and net radiation (Rn) from the global land data assimilation system 2.1 (GLDAS 2.1) product, were used as inputs. The ANN’s predictions were validated against measurements obtained by 23 flux towers over multiple land cover types in South America, and their performance was compared to that of existing and commonly used models. The Jackson et al. (1987) and Bastiaanssen (1995) G prediction models were calibrated using the flux tower data for quadratic errors minimization. The ANN outperformed existing models, with mean absolute error (MAE) reductions of 43% and 36%, respectively. Additionally, the inclusion of land cover information as an input in the ANN reduced MAE by 22%. This study indicates that the ANN’s structure is more suited for large-scale G prediction than existing models, which can potentially refine SEB fluxes and ET estimates in South America

Variação espacial de atributos químicos em terra preta arqueológica sob cultivo de cacau na amazonia ocidental

Archeological Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertility soils that are notoriously superior to the vast majority of soils typical of the Amazon region. The study on ADEs has intensified due to the good characteristics presented by these soils, such as high concentration of nutrients (phosphorus, calcium, magnesium). In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of soil chemical attributes in an area of black archeological earth soil under cocoa cultivation in the municipality of Apuí (AM). The mapping of a 42 x 88 m mesh, with irregular spacing of 6 x 8 m, totaling 88 points, was carried out, and then soil samples were collected at depths of 0.0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; (pH, O.C, Sto C, (H+Al), P, K, Ca, Mg, SB, CEC and V%). Data were analyzed using descriptive and geostatistical statistics techniques. The mean and median values were adjusted to the near values, indicating normal distribution, while the soil chemical attributes were adjusted to the spherical and exponential semivariograms models. The majority of the attributes presented coefficient of variation (CV) between 12.1 and 60%, characterized as average variability, the variables in the study presented different ranges and most of them had a strong spatial dependence. The geostatistical techniques used allowed the adjustments of the theoretical models that best represented the experimental semivariance, thus enabling the construction of thematic maps of the spatial distribution of the values of the attributes of the studied area. © 2019, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia. All rights reserved

Rarity of monodominance in hyperdiverse Amazonian forests.

Tropical forests are known for their high diversity. Yet, forest patches do occur in the tropics where a single tree species is dominant. Such "monodominant" forests are known from all of the main tropical regions. For Amazonia, we sampled the occurrence of monodominance in a massive, basin-wide database of forest-inventory plots from the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN). Utilizing a simple defining metric of at least half of the trees ≥ 10 cm diameter belonging to one species, we found only a few occurrences of monodominance in Amazonia, and the phenomenon was not significantly linked to previously hypothesized life history traits such wood density, seed mass, ectomycorrhizal associations, or Rhizobium nodulation. In our analysis, coppicing (the formation of sprouts at the base of the tree or on roots) was the only trait significantly linked to monodominance. While at specific locales coppicing or ectomycorrhizal associations may confer a considerable advantage to a tree species and lead to its monodominance, very few species have these traits. Mining of the ATDN dataset suggests that monodominance is quite rare in Amazonia, and may be linked primarily to edaphic factors

Protective Effect of Baccharis trimera Extract on Acute Hepatic Injury in a Model of Inflammation Induced by Acetaminophen

Background. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a commonly used analgesic and antipyretic. When administered in high doses, APAP is a clinical problem in the US and Europe, often resulting in severe liver injury and potentially acute liver failure. Studies have demonstrated that antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents effectively protect against the acute hepatotoxicity induced by APAP overdose. Methods. The present study attempted to investigate the protective effect of B. trimera against APAP-induced hepatic damage in rats. The liver-function markers ALT and AST, biomarkers of oxidative stress, antioxidant parameters, and histopathological changes were examined. Results. The pretreatment with B. trimera attenuated serum activities of ALT and AST that were enhanced by administration of APAP. Furthermore, pretreatment with the extract decreases the activity of the enzyme SOD and increases the activity of catalase and the concentration of total glutathione. Histopathological analysis confirmed the alleviation of liver damage and reduced lesions caused by APAP. Conclusions. The hepatoprotective action of B. trimera extract may rely on its effect on reducing the oxidative stress caused by APAP-induced hepatic damage in a rat model. General Significance. These results make the extract of B. trimera a potential candidate drug capable of protecting the liver against damage caused by APAP overdose

Artificial neural network model of soil heat flux over multiple land covers in South America

Soil heat flux (G) is an important component for the closure of the surface energy balance (SEB) and the estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) by remote sensing algorithms. Over the last decades, efforts have been focused on parameterizing empirical models for G prediction, based on biophysical parameters estimated by remote sensing. However, due to the existing models’ empirical nature and the restricted conditions in which they were developed, using these models in large-scale applications may lead to significant errors. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the ability of the artificial neural network (ANN) to predict mid-morning G using extensive remote sensing and meteorological reanalysis data over a broad range of climates and land covers in South America. Surface temperature (Ts), albedo (α), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI), obtained from a moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), and net radiation (Rn) from the global land data assimilation system 2.1 (GLDAS 2.1) product, were used as inputs. The ANN’s predictions were validated against measurements obtained by 23 flux towers over multiple land cover types in South America, and their performance was compared to that of existing and commonly used models. The Jackson et al. (1987) and Bastiaanssen (1995) G prediction models were calibrated using the flux tower data for quadratic errors minimization. The ANN outperformed existing models, with mean absolute error (MAE) reductions of 43% and 36%, respectively. Additionally, the inclusion of land cover information as an input in the ANN reduced MAE by 22%. This study indicates that the ANN’s structure is more suited for large-scale G prediction than existing models, which can potentially refine SEB fluxes and ET estimates in South America

12,500+ and counting: biodiversity of the Brazilian Pampa

Knowledge on biodiversity is fundamental for conservation strategies. The Brazilian Pampa region, located in subtropical southern Brazil, is neglected in terms of conservation, and knowledge of its biodiversity is fragmented. We aim to answer the question: how many, and which, species occur in the Brazilian Pampa? In a collaborative effort, we built species lists for plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi that occur in the Brazilian Pampa. We included information on distribution patterns, main habitat types, and conservation status. Our study resulted in referenced lists totaling 12,503 species (12,854 taxa, when considering infraspecific taxonomic categories [or units]). Vascular plants amount to 3,642 species (including 165 Pteridophytes), while algae have 2,046 species (2,378 taxa) and bryophytes 316 species (318 taxa). Fungi (incl. lichenized fungi) contains 1,141 species (1,144 taxa). Animals total 5,358 species (5,372 taxa). Among the latter, vertebrates comprise 1,136 species, while invertebrates are represented by 4,222 species. Our data indicate that, according to current knowledge, the Pampa holds approximately 9% of the Brazilian biodiversity in an area of little more than 2% of Brazil’s total land The proportion of species restricted to the Brazilian Pampa is low (with few groups as exceptions), as it is part of a larger grassland ecoregion and in a transitional climatic setting. Our study yielded considerably higher species numbers than previously known for many species groups; for some, it provides the first published compilation. Further efforts are needed to increase knowledge in the Pampa and other regions of Brazil. Considering the strategic importance of biodiversity and its conservation, appropriate government policies are needed to fund studies on biodiversity, create accessible and constantly updated biodiversity databases, and consider biodiversity in school curricula and other outreach activitie

COVID-19 outcomes in people living with HIV: Peering through the waves

Objective: To evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients infected with HIV, and to compare with a paired sample without HIV infection. Methods: This is a substudy of a Brazilian multicentric cohort that comprised two periods (2020 and 2021). Data was obtained through the retrospective review of medical records. Primary outcomes were admission to the intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death. Patients with HIV and controls were matched for age, sex, number of comorbidities, and hospital of origin using the technique of propensity score matching (up to 4:1). They were compared using the Chi-Square or Fisher's Exact tests for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon for numerical variables. Results: Throughout the study, 17,101 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, and 130 (0.76%) of those were infected with HIV. The median age was 54 (IQR: 43.0;64.0) years in 2020 and 53 (IQR: 46.0;63.5) years in 2021, with a predominance of females in both periods. People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and their controls showed similar prevalence for admission to the ICU and invasive mechanical ventilation requirement in the two periods, with no significant differences. In 2020, in-hospital mortality was higher in the PLHIV compared to the controls (27.9% vs. 17.7%; p = 0.049), but there was no difference in mortality between groups in 2021 (25.0% vs. 25.1%; p > 0.999). Conclusions: Our results reiterate that PLHIV were at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality in the early stages of the pandemic, however, this finding did not sustain in 2021, when the mortality rate is similar to the control group