The slippery slope : explaining the increase in extreme poverty in urban Brazil, 1976-96

Despite tremendous macroeconomic instability in Brazil, the country's distributions of urban income in 1976 and 1996 appear, at first glance, deceptively similar. Mean household income per capita was stagnant, with minute accumulated growth (4.3 percent) over the two decades. The Gini coefficient hovered just above 0.59 in both years, and the incidence of poverty (relative to a poverty line of R$60 a month in 1996 prices) remained effectively unchanged over the period, at 22 percent. Behind this apparent stability, however, a powerful combination of labor market, demographic, and educational dynamics was at work, one effect of which was to generate a substantial increase in extreme urban poverty. Using a decomposition methodology based on micro-simulation, which endogenizes labor incomes, individual occupational choices, and decisions about education, the authors show that the distribution of income was being affected by: 1) Three factors that tended to increase poverty-a decline in average returns to education and experience, a negative"growth"effect, and unfortunate changes in the structure of occupations and participation in the labor force. 2) Two factors that tended to reduce poverty-improved educational endowments across the board, and a progressive reduction in dependency ratios. The net effect was small and negative for measured inequality overall, and negligible for the incidence of poverty (relative to"high"poverty lines). But the net effect was to substantially increase extreme poverty-suggesting the creation of a group of urban households excluded from any labor market and trapped in indigence. Above the 15th percentile, urban Brazilians have"stayed put"only by climbing hard up a slippery slope. Counteracting failing returns in both self-employment and the labor market required substantially reduced fertility rates and an average of two extra years of schooling (which still left them undereducated for that income level).Economic Theory&Research,Health Economics&Finance,Environmental Economics&Policies,Public Health Promotion,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Inequality,Health Economics&Finance,Environmental Economics&Policies,Governance Indicators,Poverty Assessment

Comando de um Servomecanismo usando Visão Computacional

Neste artigo é apresentada uma metodologia para controlar um servomecanismo usando visão computacional. As imagens de controlo,baseadas na linguagem gestual, são obtidas por intermédio de uma webcam genérica e processadas praticamente em tempo real. Aordem de comando em causa é reconhecida por diferença dos histogramas de orientação da imagem associada e das imagens deordens preestabelecidas. Estas imagens de ordens são guardadas durante o processo de aprendizagem do sistema de controlo.In this paper a methodology to control a servomechanism using computational vision is presented. The control images, based in hand language, are acquired by a generic webcam and processed in quasi real time. The command order in cause is recognized by the difference of the orientation histograms for the associated and preset orders images. These preset orders images are acquired in the learning process of the control system

Cattell’s Personality Factor Questionnaire (CPFQ): Development and Preliminary Study

This study was aimed at: (a) developing an instrument for personality assessment according to Cattell’s model, in which the 16PF is based on; and (b) carrying out an empirical analysis of the internal structure of the instrument. Three hundred and forty seven people, mostly female (67.4%), attending higher education (62.5%) and aged between 16 and 66 (M = 25.69; SD = 8.90) participated in the study. One hundred and twenty items were created and an exploratory factor analysis of the main factors was carried out. Then, a parallel analysis, an exploratory full information factor analysis with categorical variables and an internal consistency analysis were performed. The results suggest that the instrument is composed of 12 factors of reasonable internal consistency rates. The model developed by Cattell helped to understand the structural organization found for the instrument, since there is coherency, especially in relation to more general terms (global factors).Las finalidades de este estudio fueron: (a) crear un instrumento de evaluación de la personalidad según el modelo de Cattell que fundamenta el 16PF, y (b) realizar un análisis empírico de la estructura interna del instrumento. 347 personas participaron, en su mayoría mujeres (67,4%), cursando la educación superior (62,5%) y entre 16 y 66 años (M = 25,69; DE = 8,90). 120 puntos fueron creados y se realizó un análisis exploratorio de los factores principales, seguido de un análisis paralelo, un análisis factorial exploratorio para las variables categóricas con la información completa y análisis de la consistencia interna. Los resultados sugieren que el instrumento está formado por 12 factores de consistencia interna razonable. El modelo construido por Cattell ayudó a comprender la organización estructural que se encuentra en el instrumento, ya que hay coherencia, especialmente en términos más generales (factores globales).Este estudo teve como objetivos: (a) construir um instrumento para avaliação da personalidade de acordo com o modelo de Cattell que dá base para o 16PF e (b) realizar uma análise empírica da estrutura interna desse instrumento. Participaram 347 pessoas, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (67,4%), cursando o ensino superior (62,5%) e com idade variando de 16 a 66 anos (M = 25,69; DP = 8,90). Foram criados 120 itens e realizada uma análise exploratória de fatores principais. Posteriormente, uma análise paralela, uma análise fatorial exploratória por informação completa de variáveis categóricas e análise de consistência interna. Os resultados sugerem que o instrumento é formado por 12 fatores com índices de consistência interna razoáveis. O modelo construído por Cattell ajudou a entender a organização estrutural encontrada para o instrumento, uma vez que há coerência, principalmente em termos mais gerais (fatores globais)

New conceptual model of Reverse Logistics of a worldwide Fashion Company

This paper focuses on the logistics activity of the Outlet Retail industry of accessories and clothing items produced by a Portuguese fashion company, operated by an also Portuguese Third-Party Logistics providers (3PL). The main goal of this study is to address and analyze the current business and process model used by the Portuguese 3PL, to compare it with other existing models within the state-of-art, and to design a new conceptual model for 3PL’s reverse logistics activities in the Clothing and Fashion Industry. The second main goal is to identify improvement opportunities, while observing and mapping logistic activities, in order to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve the quality of the service. The analysis was supported by Lean and Supply Chain methodologies and by appropriate tools like the Value Stream Mapping (VSM). VSM contributed to map the business processes in a structured and systematic way and provided a wide perception of the value chain to identify the waste that could be reduced. The data used to feed the VSM was collected by cycle time measurements and also data analytics. After the analysis, a new Value Stream Proposal was presented for that business model, as well as the gains achieved by the execution of technologic and lean-based improvement actions. Finally, this paper presents a Conceptual Business Model for 3PL’s Reverse Logistics in the Clothing and Fashion Industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Epidemiological status of bovine brucellosis in the Federal District, Brazil

Realizou-se um estudo para caracterizar a situação epidemiológica da brucelose bovina no Distrito Federal (DF). No total foram amostrados 2.019 animais, provenientes de 278 propriedades. Em cada propriedade visitada aplicou-se um questionário epidemiológico para verificar o tipo de exploração e as práticas de criação e sanitárias que poderiam estar associadas ao risco de infecção pela doença. O protocolo utilizado foi o da triagem com o teste do antígeno acidificado tamponado e a confirmação dos positivos com o teste do 2-mercaptoetanol. O rebanho foi considerado positivo quando pelo menos um animal foi reagente às duas provas sorológicas. A prevalência no DF foi de 2,5% [1,0-5,1%] para propriedades e de 0,16% [0,04-0,28%] para animais. Em razão dos resultados encontrados, que permitem pensar em estratégias de erradicação, recomenda-se que o DF intensifique o diagnóstico de brucelose, tanto na forma de testes sorológicos sistemáticos como pela introdução de mecanismos de detecção rápida em laticínios, em ambos os casos a fim de aumentar o número de propriedades certificadas como livres da doença e melhorar a sensibilidade do sistema de vigilância ativa. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTA study to characterize the epidemiological status of brucellosis was carried out in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 2,019 serum samples from 278 herds were collected. In each herd, it was applied an epidemiological questionnaire focused on herd traits as well as husbandry and sanitary practices that could be associated with the risk of infection. The serum samples were screened for antibodies against Brucella spp. by the Rose-Bengal Test (RBT), and all positive sera were re-tested by the 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-ME). The herd was considered positive if at least one animal was positive on both RBT and 2-ME tests. Herd prevalence was estimated as 2.5% [1.0-5.1%] whereas animal prevalence was 0.16% [0.04-0.28%]. Given these results, that may warrant the implementation of eradication strategies, there is a case for intensifying the serological testing in the Federal District, coupled with the introduction of rapid detection methods by the dairy industries, with a view to increasing the number of accredited free herds and improving the sensitivity of the surveillance system

Latex and natural rubber : recent advances for biomedical applications

Recently, latex (NRL) and natural rubber (NR) from Hevea brasiliensis have emerged as promising biomaterials from renewable sources for biomedical applications. Although some attempts at commercial applications have been made, there is a need to comprehensively document the state-of-the-art of these biopolymers for biomedical applications and regenerative medicine. Here we present the recent advances in the development of NRL and NR as biomedical materials with potential properties including biocompatibility and biodegradability. Due to the angiogenic properties of NRL and NR, well-defined functional materials can be used for drug delivery systems (oral/transdermal), scaffolds for skin and bone regeneration, and dressings for wound healing. The incorporation of drugs, nanoparticles, cells, and others into NRL and NR polymer chains offers a wide range of applications such as dressings with antimicrobial activity and sustained release systems. Concluding remarks on the growth of these biomaterials for biomedical applications and regenerative medicine were discussed

All that glitters is not gold: X-ray fluorescence analysis of a fixed dental prosthesis from Colecção de Esqueletos Identificados Século XXI, Portugal (CEI/XXI)

Access to better health care anticipates that more medical devices can be found alongside skeletal remains. Those employed in oral rehabilitation, with available brands or batch/series, can prove useful in the identification process. A previous study in the Colecção de Esqueletos Identificados Século XXI described macroscopically the dental prostheses. An unusual case of a dental device with chromatic alterations demonstrated to require a more detailed analysis. The individual, a 53-year-old male, exhibited, at both arches, a fixed tooth-supported rehabilitation, with gold colouring classified initially as a gold-palladium alloy. Simultaneously, a green pigmentation deposit was observable in bone and prosthesis. This investigation aimed to verify the elemental composition of the dental prosthesis alloy. Elemental analysis was performed by X-ray fluorescence in two regions (labial surface of the prosthetic crown and the root surface of the lower right lateral incisor). Both the spectra and the qualitative results found higher levels of copper and aluminium, followed by nickel, iron, zinc, and manganese. No gold or palladium was detected. The most probable assumption is that a copper-aluminium alloy was used, as its elemental concentration corresponds to those measured in similar devices. Dental prostheses of copper-aluminium alloys have been made popular since the 1980s, particularly in the USA, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Apart from the biographical information, it was also known that the individual's place of birth was an Eastern European country, which highlighted the usefulness of this type of information when dealing with missing people cases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análise do Parâmetro Numérico N na Transformada Inversa de Laplace Segundo o Algoritmo Talbot-Racional

This article investigates the numerical inversion of the Laplace Transform by the Rational-Talbot method and analyzes the influence on the variation of the free parameter N established by the technique when applied to certain functions. The set of elementary functions, for which the method is tested, has exponential and oscillatory characteristics. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the Rational-Talbot method is e cient for the inversion of decreasing exponential functions. At the same time, to perform the inversion process effectively for trigonometric forms, the algorithm requires a greater amount of terms in the sum. For higher values of N, the technique works well. In fact, this is observed in inverting the functions transform, that combine trigonometric and polynomial factors. The method numerical results have a good precision for the treatment of decreasing exponential functions when multiplied by trigonometric functions.Neste artigo investiga-se a inversão numérica da Transformada de Laplace pelo método Talbot-Racional e analisa-se a influência da variação do parâmetro livre N, estabelecido pela técnica, quando aplicado a certas funções. O conjunto de funções elementares, para o qual o método é testado, possui características exponencial e oscilatória. Com base nos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que o método Talbot-Racional é eficiente para a inversão de funções exponenciais decrescentes. No entanto, para realizar o processo de inversão de forma eficaz para formas trigonométricas, o algoritmo requer uma quantidade maior de termos na soma. Para valores mais elevados de N, a técnica funciona bem. Isso é observado, de fato, na inversão das transformadas de funções que combinam fatores trigonométricos e polinomiais. Os resultados numéricos do método possuem boa precisão para o tratamento de funções exponenciais decrescentes quando multiplicados por funções trigonométricas

Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Norte’s Inclusion and Accessibility Policy: origins and perspective

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo discutir los orígenes y la perspectiva actual de la política de Inclusión y Accesibilidad de la Universidade Federal de Rio Grande do Norte. Fundada en 1958 y ubicada en el Noroeste de Brasil, la inclusión solo comenzó a ocurrir en la década de 2010. Tomando la metodología investigación-intervención, el estudio presenta la recepción de temas en torno de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la caída del Muro de Berlín, la lucha contra el legado de la dictadura militar (1964-1985) y el papel de la Constitución Federal de 1988 como generador de una cultura inclusiva y el Plan de Desarrollo institucional y la fundación de la Secretaria de Inclusão e Acessibilidade como elementos de la política local. Se expuso que, en el Noroeste brasileño, es posible el desarrollo de la inclusión universitaria y se señala la posibilidad de diálogo con instituciones de América del Sur.This paper aims to discuss the origins and current perspective of the Inclusion and Accessibility policy of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Founded in 1958 and located in the Northeast of Brazil, inclusion only began to occur in the 2010s. Taking the research-intervention methodology, the study presents the reception of themes after the Second World War, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the fight against the legacy of the military dictatorship (1964-1985) and Federal Constitution of 1988 as a generator of an inclusive culture and indicates the Institutional Development Plan and the foundation of the Secretaria de Inclusão e Acessibilidade as elements of the policy local. It was stated that, in the Brazilian Northeast, the development of university inclusion is possible and points out the possibility of dialogue with institutions in South America.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Publication Trends Studies Involving Disabled Persons with Dental Care Needs: A 20-Year Bibliometric Analysis

Objective: To evaluate scientific production on disabled persons with dental care needs over a 20-year period. Material and Methods: The search was conducted in the PubMed database using the MeSH terms “Disabled Persons” AND “Dentistry”. Three researchers selected articles based on readings of the title, abstract and full text. The articles were categorized according to periodical, country, study design, subject and classification of comorbidities and associated disorders. Three hundred ninety-seven articles published in 140 periodicals were included. Results: The periodicals Special Care in Dentistry (54), Dental Clinics of North America (14) and British Dental Journal (14) accounted for 21% of the publications. The studies were conducted in 50 countries, with the United States accounting for 33%. More than half (52%) of the studies had a cross-sectional design. The main subject addressed was oral diagnosis and most of the comorbidities were generalized disabilities. Conclusion: Although a large number of the periodicals have contributed to knowledge building on disabled persons with dental care needs, the number of articles is small compared to other fields of dentistry. Moreover, important gaps in knowledge persist and projects with better methodological designs are needed to offer a more substantial contribution to clinical practice