the case of the internal oversight at the United Nations through the lens of public and private bureaucracies transaction cost economics

Funding text: The second author of the paper acknowledges that this work was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (UID/ECO/00124/2013 and Social Sciences Data Lab, Project 22209) by POR Lisboa (Lisboa-01-0145-FEDER-007722 and Social Sciences Data Lab, Project 22209) and POR Norte (Social Sciences Data Lab, Project 22209).Purpose: Through a case study on the governance structures of the UN, the purpose of this paper is to develop a critique of Public and Private Bureaucracies Transaction Cost Economics (PPBTCE) (Williamson, 1999) as a theoretical lens to analyze internal oversight structures. Design/methodology/approach: The authors explore “probity” and “independence” transactions’ attributes through historical narrative case-based research to answer the question – Why did numerous attempts to strengthen the governance of UN internal oversight structures not relieve “probity” hazards? Findings: The analysis shows that at the UN increasing and strengthening the governance of oversight structures, i.e., incentives, did not relieve probity/ethics hazards as predicted in PPBTCE. Secretaries-General and UN General Assembly, entities charged with oversight powers, systematically trumpeted the UN Charter, breaching probity/ethics and disregarding the supervisory independence prerogative of internal oversight structures, hence failing to contribute to the “common good” and to protect the UN mission. Originality/value: This paper is the first application of PPBTCE to internal oversight transactions within an International organization context testing probity and independence attributes. The authors find that “independence” outweighs the “asset specificity” attribute whenever decisions on the governance of internal oversight arise. As far as sourcing decisions are concerned, the authority of the sovereign and the independence of the judiciary as well as quasi-judiciary transactions are not transferable attributes and, thus, cannot be contracted along with the actors’ ethics. PPBTCE should be modified to include, e.g. “virtues ethics” behavioral assumption as a transaction costs’ reduction device and explanatory framework for “probity” hazards, abandoning the opportunism behavioral assumption.publishersversionpublishe

a qualitative study of the perceptions of auditors

The second author of the article acknowledges that this work was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (UID/ECO/00124/2013 and Social Sciences Data Lab, Project 22209) by POR Lisboa (Lisboa-01-0145-FEDER-007722 and Social Sciences Data Lab, Project 22209) and POR Norte (Social Sciences Data Lab, Project 22209).The trustworthiness of a financial audit report rests on the perception of auditor independence. However, several factors can affect those perceptions, ultimately affecting market confidence. This study aims at providing a deep understanding of auditors‟ perceptions of auditor independence, particularly analysing whether and how their perceptions are affected either by the provision of non-audit services, competition, the size and tenure of the audit firm or the client‟s financial condition. Qualitative research was held through semi-structured interviews. Both the provision of non-audit services and tenure have generated great consensus amongst interviewees as impacting auditor independence. Rotation and litigation exposure were mainly perceived as enhancement factors.publishersversionpublishe

Brazilian Amazon Traditional Medicine and the Treatment of Difficult to Heal Leishmaniasis Wounds with Copaifera

The present study describes the use of the traditional species Copaifera for treating wounds, such as ulcers scarring and antileishmanial wounds. It also relates phytochemical studies, evaluation of the leishmanicidal activity, and toxicity. The species of Copaifera with a higher incidence in the Amazon region are Copaifera officinalis, Copaifera reticulata, Copaifera multijuga Hayne. The copaiba oil is used in the Amazon’s traditional medicine, especially as anti-inflammatory ingredient, in ulcers healing, and in scarring and for leishmaniasis. Chemical studies have shown that these oils contain diterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The copaiba oil and terpenes isolated have antiparasitic activity, more promising in the amastigote form of L. amazonensis. This activity is probably related to changes in the cell membrane and mitochondria. The oil showed low cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Furthermore, it may interfere with immune response to infection and also has a healing effect. In summary, the copaiba oil is promising as leishmanicidal agent

Uma revisão bibliográfica sobre Araceae com foco nos gêneros Pistia, Philodendron e Montrichardia: aspectos botânicos, fitoquímicos e atividades biológicas

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T19:29:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) 1.pdf: 490087 bytes, checksum: 6905e527ea66ab28e49e81ec60c1d713 (MD5) Previous issue date: 13Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Pará. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Belém, PA, Brasil.O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma ampla revisão bibliográfica sobre a família Araceae. Esta revisão enfocou os gêneros Pistia, Philodendron e Montrichardia com alegação popular de uso medicinal. A pesquisa foi realizada em diferentes bases de dados, periódicos e livros especializados sobre o tema. A família Araceae é constituída por espécies ornamentais, tóxicas e medicinais. Pistia stratiotes conhecida popularmente como erva-de-santa-luzia, repolho-d’água, alface-d’agua e golfo, é usada como diurético, antifebrífugo, para tratamento de estrangúria, hematúria, diabetes, hemoptise, hidropsia, artrite, afecções hepáticas e escorbuto. Entretanto, estas alegações populares carecem de estudos de validação. Em termos químicos, foram isolados esteroides. O gênero mais estudado desta família, em termos de atividades biológicas, é o Montrichardia, sendo avaliadas suas atividades antiplasmódica, antibacteriana, antifúngica e antinociceptiva. Entretanto, existe uma carência de estudos fitoquímicos deste gênero. Para Philodendron, as principais alegações populares são tratamento da mordida de serpentes, analgésica, purgante, hemostática e vermífuga. Estudos fitoquímicos levaram ao isolamento de sitosteol e outras substâncias. Estudos biológicos confirmaram atividades em Trypanossoma cruzi e Trichomonas vaginalis, porém os mecanismos envolvidos na toxicidade ainda não estão completamente elucidados. Em síntese, esta família possui diferentes espécies com potencial terapêutico, sendo urgentes estudos que validem os usos medicinais descritos.The present paper reports a broad literature review on the Araceae family, focusing the genera with popular allegation of medicinal use. The review was carried through different databases, specialized periodicals and books. The Araceae family comprises ornamental, toxic and medicinal plants. Species with allegations of popular use against serpent bites and scurvy, as well as vermifuge, laxative, and hemostatic, among other uses, are described. The Pistia genus includes P. stratiotes, popularly known as santa-luzia with, repolho-d’água, alface-d’agua and golfo, with popular allegations of activity as diuretic, antipyretics, stranguria, hematuria, diabetes, hemoptysis, hydropsy, arthritis, liver affections, and treatment of scurvy. However, these popular allegations lack of validation studies. Phytochemically, steroids have been isolated from this species. Certainty the mostly studied genus of this family in terms of biological activities is Montrichardia that has been evaluated for antiplasmodial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antinociceptive activities. Another genus of this family with allegation of popular use is Philodendron, with the following allegations: treatment of serpent bites and pain killer, laxative, hemostatic and vermifuges. Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of sitosteol and other substances. Biological studies confirmed activities against Trypanosoma cruzi and Trichomonas vaginalis, but the mechanisms involved in toxicity are still not completely elucidated. In summary, this family includes different species with therapeutical potential that deserve validation studies

Spatio-temporal evolution of mortality in Cape Verde: 1995-2018.

Located in West Africa, Cabo Verde is a low income country, with significant gains in health indicators. Mortality is an important demographic factor. Its analysis provides essential statistical data for the design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs. The propose of this work is to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of mortality in Cabo Verde between 1995 to 2018. This is an observational, quantitative study that performs demographic analysis of mortality data from the Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde. Specific mortality rates from standardized causes were calculated considering the population of the country as a reference in the year 2010 and also the standardized rate for all causes on each island, aiming at comparing the islands. During the period under analysis, the number of deaths in men was always higher than that of women. The main causes of death were diseases of the circulatory system and with a higher incidence in women. São Nicolau, Brava, and Santo Antão islands have mortality rates, higher than the national level (2010-2018). The main cause of premature death in women as identified as diseases of the circulatory system, while in men it is injuries, trauma, poisoning and external causes. There was a 72% decrease in the mortality rate due to unclassified symptoms and clinical signs, and an increase in respiratory diseases and tumours. With the exception of diseases of the circulatory system, mortality rates in men are higher than in women for all the considered causes. A decrease in specific mortality rates by age group is expected for both sexes, with a greater gain in men in the younger age groups. With these data, it is intended to alert health decision-makers about the best strategies to be defined in the reduction of mortality in the country

Activity of alkaloids from Aspidosperma nitidum against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

Federal University of Pará. Institute of Health Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation. Belém, PA, BrazilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilFederal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents. Belém, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the BIONORTE Network. Belém, PA, BrazilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, BrasilFederal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the BIONORTE Network. Belém, PA, BrazilFederal University of Ouro Preto. School of Pharmacy. Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilFederal University of Pará. Institute of Health Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation. Belém, PA, BrazilFederal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the BIONORTE Network. Belém, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Oxidative Stress Research Laboratory. Belém, PA, BrazilFederal University of Pará. Institute of Health Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Innovation. Belém, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Pará. Institute of Biological Sciences. Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Biotechnology of the BIONORTE Network. Belém, PA, BrazilThis study evaluated the morphological changes caused by fractions and subfractions, obtained from barks of Aspidosperna nitidum, against L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes. The ethanolic extract (EE) obtained through the maceration of trunk barks was subjected to an acid–base partition, resulting the neutral (FN) and the alkaloid (FA) fractions, and fractionation under refux, yielded hexane (FrHEX), dichloromethane (FrDCL), ethyl acetate (FrACoET), and methanol (FrMEOH) fractions. The FA was fractionated and three subfractions (SF5-6, SF8, and SF9) were obtained and analyzed by HPLC–DAD and 1 H NMR. The antipromastigote activity of all samples was evaluated by MTT, after that, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the active fractions were performed. Chromatographic analyzes suggest the presence of alkaloids in EE, FN, FA, and FrDCL. The fractionation of FA led to the isolation of the indole alkaloid dihydrocorynantheol (SF8 fractions). The SF5-6, dihydrocorynantheol and SF-9 samples were active against promastigotes, while FrDCL was moderately active. The SEM analysis revealed cell rounding and changes in the fagellum of the parasites. In the TEM analysis, the treated promastigotes showed changes in fagellar pocket and kinetoplast, and presence of lipid inclusions. These results suggest that alkaloids isolated from A. nitidum are promising as leishmanicidal

Nucleação de Escolas no Campo: conflitos entre formação e desenraizamento

Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar os motivos que levaram à nucleação de escolas localizadas na zona rural de municípios do brejo paraibano a partir dos pontos de vista dos envolvidos nessa ação. O aporte metodológico foi organizado tomando como base a abordagem qualitativa. Após realização da pesquisa, constatou-se que o argumento de que a nucleação das escolas contribui para a melhoria na organização do ensino não se confirmou. Destaca-se que o fechamento das escolas tem colaborado com a saída dos moradores do campo para a cidade, interferindo na formação da identidade e possibilitando o desenraizamento dos sujeitos campesinos