IT governance frameworks: A literature review of Brazilian publications

IT (Information Technology) governance has been a widely studied subject. This has generated different definitions and conceptual models to explain it. We conduct a concept-centric literature review based on a literature reference model. We used three literature frameworks to identify key-variables to evaluate and classify Brazilian IT governance publications. These variables were used to classify 90 Brazilian publications from 2004 to 2012. The authors chose Brazil due to its economic growth and companies’ internationalization on the last years. The organizations are fonder to regulatory and compliance marks due to market visibility, driving them towards IT governance practices due to growing dependence on IT. The frameworks used in the country are usually developed abroad - then verification on how they fit with Brazilian organizations is relevant to business management. The study shows that; the most used methodology is the case study; 90% of the papers were written in Portuguese; the IT alignment is cited, but not evaluated; few cases are related to small and medium business; and decision structures are not discussed. The authors conclude presenting a conceptual model summarizing all the models and Brazilian companies’ particularities

Genomic and evolutionary comparisons of diazotrophic and pathogenic bacteria of the order Rhizobiales

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Species belonging to the Rhizobiales are intriguing and extensively researched for including both bacteria with the ability to fix nitrogen when in symbiosis with leguminous plants and pathogenic bacteria to animals and plants. Similarities between the strategies adopted by pathogenic and symbiotic Rhizobiales have been described, as well as high variability related to events of horizontal gene transfer. Although it is well known that chromosomal rearrangements, mutations and horizontal gene transfer influence the dynamics of bacterial genomes, in Rhizobiales, the scenario that determine pathogenic or symbiotic lifestyle are not clear and there are very few studies of comparative genomic between these classes of prokaryotic microorganisms trying to delineate the evolutionary characterization of symbiosis and pathogenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and bacteria involved in bioremediation closer to symbionts and pathogens in study may assist in the origin and ancestry genes and the gene flow occurring in Rhizobiales. The genomic comparisons of 19 species of Rhizobiales, including nitrogen-fixing, bioremediators and pathogens resulted in 33 common clusters to biological nitrogen fixation and pathogenesis, 15 clusters exclusive to all nitrogen-fixing bacteria and bacteria involved in bioremediation, 13 clusters found in only some nitrogen-fixing and bioremediation bacteria, 01 cluster exclusive to some symbionts, and 01 cluster found only in some pathogens analyzed. In BBH performed to all strains studied, 77 common genes were obtained, 17 of which were related to biological nitrogen fixation and pathogenesis. Phylogenetic reconstructions for Fix, Nif, Nod, Vir, and Trb showed possible horizontal gene transfer events, grouping species of different phenotypes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presence of symbiotic and virulence genes in both pathogens and symbionts does not seem to be the only determinant factor for lifestyle evolution in these microorganisms, although they may act in common stages of host infection. The phylogenetic analysis for many distinct operons involved in these processes emphasizes the relevance of horizontal gene transfer events in the symbiotic and pathogenic similarity.</p

Ferromagnetic Levan Composite: An Affinity Matrix to Purify Lectin

A simple and inexpensive procedure used magnetite and levan to synthesize a composite recovered by a magnetic field. Lectins from Canavalia ensiformis (Con A) and Cratylia mollis (Cramoll 1 and Cramoll 1, 4) did bind specifically to composite. The magnetic property of derivative favored washing out contaminating proteins and recovery of pure lectins with glucose elution. Cramoll 1 was purified by this affinity binding procedure in two steps instead of a previous three-step protocol with ammonium sulfate fractionation, affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-75, and ion exchange chromatography through a CM-cellulose column

Mucociliary clearance, airway inflammation and nasal symptoms in urban motorcyclists

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that outdoor workers exposed to high levels of air pollution exhibit airway inflammation and increased airway symptoms. We hypothesized that these workers would experience increased airway symptoms and decreased nasal mucociliary clearance associated with their exposure to air pollution. METHODS: In total, 25 non-smoking commercial motorcyclists, aged 18-44 years, were included in this study. These drivers work 8-12 hours per day, 5 days per week, driving on urban streets. Nasal mucociliary clearance was measured by the saccharine transit test; airway acidification was measured by assessing the pH of exhaled breath condensate; and airway symptoms were measured by the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-20 questionnaire. To assess personal air pollution exposure, the subjects used a passive-diffusion nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration-monitoring system during the 14 days before each assessment. The associations between NO2 and the airway outcomes were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and the Chi-Square test. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01976039. RESULTS: Compared with clearance in healthy adult males, mucociliary clearance was decreased in 32% of the motorcyclists. Additionally, 64% of the motorcyclists had airway acidification and 92% experienced airway symptoms. The median personal NO2 exposure level was 75 mg/m3 for these subjects and a significant association was observed between NO2 and impaired mucociliary clearance (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Non-smoking commercial motorcyclists exhibit increased airway symptoms and airway acidification as well as decreased nasal mucociliary clearance, all of which are significantly associated with the amount of exposure to air pollution

Enhancing Network Slicing Architectures with Machine Learning, Security, Sustainability and Experimental Networks Integration

Network Slicing (NS) is an essential technique extensively used in 5G networks computing strategies, mobile edge computing, mobile cloud computing, and verticals like the Internet of Vehicles and industrial IoT, among others. NS is foreseen as one of the leading enablers for 6G futuristic and highly demanding applications since it allows the optimization and customization of scarce and disputed resources among dynamic, demanding clients with highly distinct application requirements. Various standardization organizations, like 3GPP's proposal for new generation networks and state-of-the-art 5G/6G research projects, are proposing new NS architectures. However, new NS architectures have to deal with an extensive range of requirements that inherently result in having NS architecture proposals typically fulfilling the needs of specific sets of domains with commonalities. The Slicing Future Internet Infrastructures (SFI2) architecture proposal explores the gap resulting from the diversity of NS architectures target domains by proposing a new NS reference architecture with a defined focus on integrating experimental networks and enhancing the NS architecture with Machine Learning (ML) native optimizations, energy-efficient slicing, and slicing-tailored security functionalities. The SFI2 architectural main contribution includes the utilization of the slice-as-a-service paradigm for end-to-end orchestration of resources across multi-domains and multi-technology experimental networks. In addition, the SFI2 reference architecture instantiations will enhance the multi-domain and multi-technology integrated experimental network deployment with native ML optimization, energy-efficient aware slicing, and slicing-tailored security functionalities for the practical domain.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

An emerging clone, KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST16, associated with high mortality rates in a CC258 endemic setting

Background Carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae have become a global priority, not least in low-middle income countries. Here, we report the emergence and clinical impact of a novel KPC-K. pneumoniae ST16 clone in a Clonal Complex (CC)258 endemic setting. Methods In a teaching Brazilian hospital, a retrospective cohort of adult KPC-KP bloodstream infections (BSI) cases (January 2014 to December 2016) was established to study the molecular epidemiology and its impact on outcome (30-day all-cause mortality). KPC-KP isolates were MLST-typed. Survival analysis between ST/CC groups and risk factors for fatal outcome (logistic regression) were evaluated. Representative isolates underwent whole genome sequencing (WGS), and had their virulence tested in a Galleria larvae model. Results One hundred sixty-five unique KPC-KP BSI cases were identified. CC258 was predominant (66%), followed by ST16 (12%). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 60%; in contrast, 95% of ST16 cases were fatal. Patient’s severity scores were high and baseline clinical variables were not statistically different across ST’s. In multivariate analysis, ST16 (OR 21.4; CI95% 2.3-202.8; p=0,008) and septic shock (OR 11.9; CI95% 4.2-34.1; p<0,001) were independent risk factors for fatal outcome. ST16 clone carried up to 14 resistance genes, including blaKPC-2 in an IncFIBpQIL plasmid, KL51 capsule and Yersiniabactin virulence determinants. ST16 clone was highly pathogenic in the larvae model. Conclusions Mortality rates were high in this KPC-KP BSI cohort, where CC258 is endemic. An emerging ST16 clone was associated with high mortality. Our results suggest that even in endemic settings, highly virulent clones can rapidly emerge demanding constant monitoring

NOTAS E RESENHAS

COBERTURA VEGETAL, POLUIÇÃO AÉREA E DESLIZAMENTOS NA SERRA DO MAR – Helmut TROPPMAIR e Maria Eugênia M. C. FERREIRA. A ECONOMIA POLÍTICA DO COMPLEXO AGROINDUSTRIAL BRASILEIRO (Notas Básicas para Elaboração de um Programa de Pesquisa) - Geraldo MULLER SISTEMAS DA SUPERFÍCIE TERRESTRE - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI GEOMORFOLOGIA DINÂMICA, AMBIENTAL E PALEOECOLOGIA - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI ANÁLISE, MONITORIAMENTO E PREVISÃO EM HIDROLOGIA - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI ENSINO DA GEOGRAFIA - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI ATLAS NACIONAL DO BRASIL - REGIÃO NORDESTE - Miguel Cezar SANCHEZ INTRODUÇÃO À BIODETERIORAZÃO - Myrian Cecilia ROLIM PROCHNOW REFLORESTAMENTO E IMPACTOS AMBIENTAIS - Maria Juraci ZANI DOS SANTOS FORMA URBANA E A NOVA TECNOLOGIA - Pompeu FIGUEIREDO DE CARVALHO O CAPITAL FINANCEIRO E O MERCADO IMOBILIÁRIO DE ESCRITÓRIOS - Pompeu FIGUEIREDO DE CARVALHO O PODER DA BUROCRACIA – R. BATLEY DIALÉTICA DO CONCRETO - Aldomar Arnaldo RUCHERT INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL - João Francisco DE ABREU SISTEMAS DE INFORMAÇÃO PARA PLANEJAMENTO REGIONAL - João Francisco DE ABREU ANÁLISE DOS FLUXOS DE MIGRAÇÃO - João Francisco DE ABREU MODELOS PROJETIVOS DA POPULAÇÃO REGIONAL - João Francisco DE ABREU REPRESENTAÇÃO GRÀFICA DAS INFORMAÇÕES QUANTITATIVAS - João Francisco DE ABREU A CULTURA DO ARROZ - Ana Tereza CACERES CORTEZ MORAES O OCEANO MIOCÊNICO - Reinaldo José BERTINI PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL AND IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 1985-1986 - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI CONCEITOS E TÉCNICAS EM GEOGRAFIA - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI GEOGRAFIA ECONÔMICA DA HÚNGRIA - Antonio CHRISTOFOLETTI PRAGAS E VENENOS: AGROTÓXICOS NO BRASIL E NO TERCEIRO MUNDO - Lígia Celoria POLTRONIÉRI O ESCÂNDALO DAS SEMENTES: O DOMÍNIO NA PRODUÇÃO DE ALIMENTOS - Lígia Celoria POLTRONIÉR

Pathogen-Specific Epitopes as Epidemiological Tools for Defining the Magnitude of Mycobacterium leprae Transmission in Areas Endemic for Leprosy

During recent years, comparative genomic analysis has allowed the identification of Mycobacterium leprae-specific genes with potential application for the diagnosis of leprosy. In a previous study, 58 synthetic peptides derived from these sequences were tested for their ability to induce production of IFN-γ in PBMC from endemic controls (EC) with unknown exposure to M. leprae, household contacts of leprosy patients and patients, indicating the potential of these synthetic peptides for the diagnosis of sub- or preclinical forms of leprosy. In the present study, the patterns of IFN-γ release of the individuals exposed or non-exposed to M. leprae were compared using an Artificial Neural Network algorithm, and the most promising M. leprae peptides for the identification of exposed people were selected. This subset of M. leprae-specific peptides allowed the differentiation of groups of individuals from sites hyperendemic for leprosy versus those from areas with lower level detection rates. A progressive reduction in the IFN-γ levels in response to the peptides was seen when contacts of multibacillary (MB) patients were compared to other less exposed groups, suggesting a down modulation of IFN-γ production with an increase in bacillary load or exposure to M. leprae. The data generated indicate that an IFN-γ assay based on these peptides applied individually or as a pool can be used as a new tool for predicting the magnitude of M. leprae transmission in a given population