Landscape formation, environmental changes and prehistoric occupation (Jacaré-Guaçu River Lowlands, Araraquara area, Southeast Brazil, Late Pleistocene-Holocene interval): correlation between geomorphological, pedological, geochronological and archaeological data

This paper presents a geomorphological, pedological and geochronological characterization and contextualization of geomorphogenetic, chronomorphological and environmental sequences from the Araraquara area (central São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil), and their relationship to lithic material from hunter-gatherer archaeological lithic sites. A special emphasis is given to a detailed study of the lowlands of the Jacaré-Guaçu River (between the cities of Araraquara and Boa Esperança do Sul, São Paulo state, Brazil), near the Boa Esperança II hunter-gatherer archaeological site, BES II, in an area of clear asymmetry of the alluvial plain and adjacent slopes. Data derived from the survey of estimated morphogenetic and environmental dynamics are used to contextualize the archaeological material of the BES II site, which is discussed as being associated with the Pleistocene-Holocene transition (an unusual occupation age for the Brazil southeast). We pointed to alternation between successions linked to a quaternary manifestation of a longer pattern of changes of lateral flatting processes and stability of base level with others linked to vertical incision and adequacy to a new base level. We propose a geomorphological model for the Lowlands of Jacaré-Guaçu River, highlighting the possibility that the asymmetry of the plain would be linked to a wider heterogeneity of its geomorphological context of semidetails, partially correlated with the overlapping of neotectonic influence and environmental fluctuations. It is suggested that data from the physical environment of the above mentioned lowlands are compatible with absolute ages obtained by OSL (lower terrace Ia, 14,500±3000 years BP, basal gravel level of the surface coverings, to 10,900±1500 and 4090±340 years BP at the sandy soils and sediments above the gravel) and 14C (8630 years BP, at the level of gleyed sandy-clay soil of 120 cm deep of the low terraces IIa) on archaeological levels of the low terraces of the Jacaré-Guaçu river, in a context of climatic transition from semi-arid conditions to higher humidity, hydrological changes (ephemeral and torrential channels changing to oscillating regimes of perennial channels, with sets of meanders of variable widths of paleochannels, suggesting climatic changes related to the modifications of the fluvial patterns), successive fluctuations (< 10 m) of base levels and large (500 m) lateral migration of the main river to the north guiding the local chronomorphological successions between Late Pleistocene and Late Holocene. The landscape and fluvial dynamics changes over time has influenced the availability of attributes needed for the hunter-gatherer lifestyle (such as fluctuations in the deposition/exposure of river pebbles used as raw material for tool making). Those oscillations are presented as a contribution to explain alternation between more and less dense archaeological levels along the vertical cuts of the low terraces and the location of exception of the BES II site (installed on a fluvial plain and low terraces in a segment characterized by the rarity of rocky outcrops, while most sites in the Araraquara area are linked to slopes, proximal to rocky outcrops - primary sources of lithics artifacts making) on the geomorphological Araraquara area context

Experience Sharing Between Cooperative Reinforcement Learning Agents

The idea of experience sharing between cooperative agents naturally emerges from our understanding of how humans learn. Our evolution as a species is tightly linked to the ability to exchange learned knowledge with one another. It follows that experience sharing (ES) between autonomous and independent agents could become the key to accelerate learning in cooperative multiagent settings. We investigate if randomly selecting experiences to share can increase the performance of deep reinforcement learning agents, and propose three new methods for selecting experiences to accelerate the learning process. Firstly, we introduce Focused ES, which prioritizes unexplored regions of the state space. Secondly, we present Prioritized ES, in which temporal-difference error is used as a measure of priority. Finally, we devise Focused Prioritized ES, which combines both previous approaches. The methods are empirically validated in a control problem. While sharing randomly selected experiences between two Deep Q-Network agents shows no improvement over a single agent baseline, we show that the proposed ES methods can successfully outperform the baseline. In particular, the Focused ES accelerates learning by a factor of 2, reducing by 51% the number of episodes required to complete the task.Comment: Published at the Proceedings of the 31st IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligenc

Nitric Oxide in Skeletal Muscle: Role on Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Function

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in several cellular processes as a signaling molecule and also as a source of reactive nitrogen species (RNS). NO is produced by three isoenzymes called nitric oxide synthases (NOS), all present in skeletal muscle. While neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) are isoforms constitutively expressed, inducible NOS (iNOS) is mainly expressed during inflammatory responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that NO is also involved in the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway, having PGC-1 alpha as the main signaling molecule. Increased NO synthesis has been demonstrated in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle fiber and NO can also reversibly inhibit cytochrome c oxidase (Complex IV of the respiratory chain). Investigation on cultured skeletal myotubes treated with NO donors, NO precursors or NOS inhibitors have also showed a bimodal effect of NO that depends on the concentration used. the present review will discuss the new insights on NO roles on mitochondrial biogenesis and function in skeletal muscle. We will also focus on potential therapeutic strategies based on NO precursors or analogs to treat patients with myopathies and mitochondrial deficiency.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa de São PauloConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Neurol & Neurosurg, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Pharmacol, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Neurol & Neurosurg, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista Sch Med, Dept Pharmacol, BR-04044020 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The role of liquidity in asset pricing: the special case of the Portuguese Stock Market

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the role of liquidity in asset pricing in a tiny market, such as the Portuguese. The unique setting of the Lisbon Stock Exchange with regards to changes in classification from an emerging to a developed stock market, allows an original answer to whether changes in the development of the market affect the role of liquidity in asset pricing. Design/methodology/approach – The authors propose and compare two alternative implications of liquidity in asset pricing: as a desirable characteristic of stocks and as a source of systematic risk. In contrast to prior research for major stock markets, they use the proportion of zero returns which is an appropriated measure of liquidity in tiny markets and propose the separated effects of illiquidity in a capital asset pricing model framework over the whole sample period as well as in two sub-samples, depending on the change in classification of the Portuguese market, from an emerging to a developed one. Findings – The overall results of the study show that individual illiquidity affects Portuguese stock returns. However, in contrast to previous evidence from other markets, they show that the most traded stocks (hence the most liquid stocks) exhibit larger returns. In addition, they show that the illiquidity effects on stock returns were higher and more significant in the period from January 1988 to November 1997, during which the Portuguese stock market was still an emerging market. Research limitations/implications – These findings are relevant for investors when they make their investment decisions and for market regulators because they reflect the need of improving the competitiveness of the Portuguese stock market. Additionally, these findings are a challenge for academics because they exhibit the need for providing alternative theories for tiny markets such as the Portuguese one. Practical implications – The results have important implications for individual and institutional investors who can take into account the peculiar effect of liquidity in stock returns to make proper investment decision. Originality/value – The Portuguese market provides a natural experimental area to analyse the role of liquidity in asset pricing, because it is a tiny market and during the period studied it changed from an emerging to a developed exclusively focuses on the US and major European stock markets, whereas studies for the Portuguese one are scarce. In this context, the study provides an alternative methodological approach with results that differ from those theoretically expected. Thus, these findings are a challenge for academics and open a theoretical and a practical debatestock market. Moreover, the authors have to highlight that previous evidence almost.Propósito – El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar el papel de la liquidez en el precio de los activos en un mercado pequeño, como el portugués. El entorno único de la Bolsa de Valores de Lisboa con respecto a los cambios en la clasificación de un mercado de valores emergente a uno desarrollado, permite una respuesta original a si los cambios en el desarrollo del mercado afectan el papel de la liquidez en el precio de los activos. Diseño / metodología / enfoque – Los autores proponen y comparan dos implicaciones alternativas de la liquidez en el precio de los activos: como característica deseable de las acciones y como fuente de riesgo sistemático. A diferencia de la investigación anterior para los principales mercados de valores, utilizan la proporción de rendimientos cero, que es una medida apropiada de liquidez en mercados pequeños y proponen los efectos separados de la iliquidez en un marco de modelo de precios de activos de capital durante todo el período de la muestra, así como en dos submuestras, en función del cambio de clasificación del mercado portugués, de emergente a desarrollado. Recomendaciones – Los resultados generales del estudio muestran que la falta de liquidez individual afecta la rentabilidad de las acciones portuguesas. Sin embargo, en contraste con la evidencia previa de otros mercados, muestran que las acciones más negociadas (por lo tanto, las acciones más líquidas) exhiben mayores retornos. Además, muestran que los efectos de la iliquidez en la rentabilidad de las acciones fueron mayores y más significativos en el período de enero de 1988 a noviembre de 1997, durante el cual la bolsa portuguesa todavía era un mercado emergente. Limitaciones / implicaciones de la investigación – Estos hallazgos son relevantes para los inversores cuando toman sus decisiones de inversión y para los reguladores del mercado porque reflejan la necesidad de mejorar la competitividad del mercado de valores portugués. Además, estos hallazgos son un desafío para los académicos porque muestran la necesidad de brindar teorías alternativas para mercados pequeños como el portugués. Implicaciones prácticas – Los resultados tienen implicaciones importantes para los inversores individuales e institucionales que pueden tener en cuenta el efecto peculiar de la liquidez en la rentabilidad de las acciones para tomar decisiones de inversión adecuadas. Originalidad / valor – El mercado portugués proporciona un área experimental natural para analizar el papel de la liquidez en el precio de los activos, porque es un mercado pequeño y durante el período estudiado cambió de un emergente a uno desarrollado y se enfoca exclusivamente en los EE. UU. Y los principales mercados bursátiles europeos, mientras que los estudios para los portugueses son escasos. En este contexto, el estudio ofrece un enfoque metodológico alternativo con resultados que difieren de los teóricamente esperados. Por lo tanto, estos hallazgos son un desafío para los académicos y abren un mercado de valores de debate teórico y práctico. Por otra parte, los autores tienen que destacar que casi la evidencia previa

Proposal of environmental zoning for the municipal district of Caraguatatuba-SP

The municipal district of Caraguatatuba always presented a diversity of land use and occupation, which resulted in several levels of impacts modifying the natural dynamics along the years. This paper proposes the implementation of a space pattern that takes into account a special structure of land management that is coherent with the local potentialities and limitations. Considering the need of using the resources and services, once they happen in a rational way, the goal is to find the dynamics stability of the systems, through the limitation of degradading environmental processes. Using the methodology of Landscape Geoecology proposed by Rodriguez et. al. (2004) and considering the applied legislation, it is presented a proposal of an Environmental Zoning in scale 1:50.000

The role of glucosinolates from cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae) in gastrointestinal cancers: from prevention to therapeutics

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is composed of rapidly renewing cells, which increase the likelihood of cancer. Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed GI cancers and currently stands in second place regarding cancer-related mortality. Unfortunately, the treatment of GI is limited, and few developments have occurred in the field over the years. With this in mind, new therapeutic strategies involving biologically active phytocompounds are being evaluated as anti-cancer agents. Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and radish, all belonging to the Brassicaceae family, are high in dietary fibre, minerals, vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and glucosinolates. The latter compound is a secondary metabolite characteristic of this family and, when biologically active, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties. This article reviews the literature regarding the potential of Cruciferous vegetables in the prevention and/or treatment of GI cancers and the relevance of appropriate compound formulations for improving the stability and bioaccessibility of the major Cruciferous compounds, with a particular focus on glucosinolates

AÇÕES DA COMISSÃO DE CONTROLE DE INFECÇÃO HOSPITALAR FRENTE AO NOVO CORONAVÍRUS

Objetivo: relatar a experiência vivenciada por enfermeiros executores da comissão de controle de infecção hospitalar, em um hospital público, no combate ao novo coronavírus. Método: trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre as medidas de prevenção e controle ao novo coronavírus à luz das recomendações da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, realizado no período de março a maio de 2020. Resultados: evidenciam-se mudanças de práticas, normas e rotinas por toda a equipe de saúde que visam a qualidade e segurança da assistência à saúde ao paciente, bem como a proteção aos trabalhadores dos serviços de saúde. Conclusão: o cenário atual exigiu da comissão de controle de infecção hospitalar desenvolver competências e ações para o enfrentamento do novo coronavírus e a implementação de um plano de contingência no ambiente hospitalar. A coparticipação da equipe interdisciplinar foi fundamental para efetivação do novo processo de trabalho frente à pandemia.Descritores: Coronavírus. Infecção Hospitalar. Saúde do Trabalhador. Segurança do Paciente

Gestão por competência: identificação de competências relevantes em consultores de recursos humanos

O presente trabalho é uma pesquisa de campo que teve como objetivo identificar as competências profissionais relevantes para a atuação em consultorias de Recursos Humanos. Inicialmente tem-se uma apresentação teórica sobre os principais conceitos correlatos ao tema que são. Este referencial teórico traz informações de diversos autores sobre gestão de pessoas, gestão por competências e consultoria de recursos humanos. Em seguida tem-se o método da pesquisa, que relata como ocorreram as entrevistas com consultores de 05 empresas de prestação deste tipo de serviço em Brasília – DF, totalizando 11 participantes entrevistadas. O questionário de entrevista foi elaborado pela autora deste trabalho e com orientações e alterações realizadas pelo orientador da pesquisa. Após a realização de todas as entrevista e transcrição das mesmas, com todas as informações colhidas, os resultados foram categorizados, seguindo a metodologia de análise de conteúdo de Laurence Bardin. Em seguida as competências foram elaboradas e estão sugeridas de acordo com a definição de Carbone, que baseasse em comportamentos que podem ser identificados no trabalho, relacionados ao desempenho profissional das pessoas. Com as informações já analisadas, percebe-se que existe a predominância de psicólogos nessas empresas e que a principal atividade desempenhada por esses consultores é o recrutamento e a seleção de pessoas. Nota-se também que esse tipo de trabalho exige conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes específicas. Como por exemplo, dinamismo, foco no cliente, agilidade, cumprimento de prazos, percepção, posicionamento, dentre outras características que compõe a competência profissional para essa atuação. Após a análise de todos os dados levantados através do método fica nítida a necessidade de que esses profissionais adquiram mais conhecimentos e práticas em RH. Isso facilitaria a possibilidade de atuar com as mais diversas soluções de recursos humanos estratégicos, saindo do RH operacional e realizando atividades também de grande importância para a gestão de uma empresa. Tais como avaliação de desempenho, pesquisa de clima, treinamentos, acompanhamento de funcionários, cargos e salários, dentre outras. Com os dados coletados e averiguados, é possível concluir que a psicologia está consolidada na área de consultoria, porém os profissionais e as empresas precisam aperfeiçoar-se melhor para que consigam realizar também atividades do recursos humanos estratégico. Além de possibilitar a sua atuação a favor da realização do plano estratégico de uma organização. São sugeridas algumas competências baseadas nas categorizações realizadas e que necessitam de um trabalho posterior para validação e que sejam estabelecidas com maior profundidade

INFECTION RELATED TO THE EXTERNAL VENTRICULAR SHUNT IN A NEUROSURGERY HOSPITAL

OBJETIVO:Identificar os fatores co-respons&aacute;veis de infec&ccedil;&atilde;o relacionada &agrave; deriva&ccedil;&atilde;o ventricular externa.M&Eacute;TODO: estudo retrospectivo com an&aacute;lise quantitativa dos dados; desenvolvido no Servi&ccedil;o de Arquivo M&eacute;dico de um hospital p&uacute;blico referencia em neurocirurgia em Pernambuco. Amostra constitu&iacute;da de 140 pacientes submetidos a inser&ccedil;&atilde;o de Deriva&ccedil;&atilde;o Ventricular Externa. Os dados foram coletados por question&aacute;rio semi-estruturado; analisados atrav&eacute;s do programa software SPSS 13.0. RESULTADOS: Predomin&acirc;ncia do sexo masculino 39,7%; idade entre 20 e 39 anos 52%;tempo de internamento acima de 60 dias 72,7%; M&uacute;ltiplas DVE instaladas 100%;tempo de uso da DVE acima de 30 dias 96,2%. CONLUS&Atilde;O: signific&acirc;ncia estat&iacute;stica para os fatores: tempo de internamento prolongado, n&uacute;mero de DVE instaladas, tempo de uso da DVE e o desenvolvimento de infec&ccedil;&atilde;o. A&ccedil;&otilde;es de enfermagem s&atilde;o emergentes visando garantir a seguran&ccedil;a do paciente no ambiente hospitalar