Características dos municípios brasileiros que adotaram o Orçamento Participativo entre 1997 e 2012

Esta dissertação analisa as características de cidades com o Orçamento Participativo nas grandes cidades brasileiras durante os períodos administrativos entre 1997 a 2012. O Orçamento Participativo é um processo democrático de elaboração do orçamento das cidades e municípios através de sistemáticas negociações entre cidadãos, as organizações da sociedade civil e do governo municipal. A população participa da definição das obras e serviços a serem executados pelo município. O programa foi implementado em Porto Alegre pelo Partido dos Trabalhadores no final dos anos 80.Devido ao envolvimento da comunidade e os resultados obtidos com o programa, o OP passou a ser adotado também por outras cidades do Brasil e do exterior. No Brasil, os municípios maiores são mais propensos a adotar o Orçamento Participativo. É um programa utilizado com frequência por partidos de esquerda, em particular pelo Partido dos Trabalhadores. Os municípios com menor PIB per capita tendem a adotar o Orçamento Participativo. As cidades com maior organização da sociedade civil são mais propensas a implementar o OP.This dissertation analyzes the characteristics of cities with Participatory Budgeting in large Brazilian cities during the administrative periods between 1997 and 2012. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process of budget formulation in cities and municipalities through systematic negotiations between citizens, civil society organizations and local government. The population participates in the definition of works and services to be performed by the municipality. The program was implemented by the Workers Party in Porto Alegre, in the late 80s.Due to the involvement of the community and the results obtained with the program, Participatory Budgeting came to be adopted also by other cities in Brazil and abroad. In Brazil, the larger municipalities are most likely to adopt Participatory Budgeting. It is a program frequently used by leftist parties, in particular by the Workers Party. Municipalities with the lowest GDP per capita tend to adopt Participatory Budgeting. Cities with the largest civil society organization are more likely to implement Participatory Budgeting

Plant Polyphenols and Their Anti-Cariogenic Properties: A Review

Polyphenols constitute one of the most common groups of substances in plants. Polyphenolic compounds have been reported to have a wide range of biological activities, many of which are related to their conventional antioxidant action; however, increasing scientific knowledge has highlighted their potential activity in preventing oral disease, including the prevention of tooth decay. The aim of this review is to show the emerging findings on the anti-cariogenic properties of polyphenols, which have been obtained from several in vitro studies investigating the effects of these bioactive molecules against Streptococcus mutans, as well as in vivo studies. The analysis of the literature supports the anti-bacterial role of polyphenols on cariogenic streptococci, suggesting (1) a direct effect against S. mutans; (2) an interaction with microbial membrane proteins inhibiting the adherence of bacterial cells to the tooth surface; and (3) the inhibition of glucosyl transferase and amylase. However, more studies, particularly in vivo and in situ, are necessary to establish conclusive evidence for the effectiveness and the clinical applications of these compounds in the prevention of dental caries. It is essential to better determine the nature and distribution of these compounds in our diet and to identify which of the hundreds of existing polyphenols are likely to provide the greatest effects