Labor unions and the electoral consequences of trade liberalization

We show that the Brazilian trade liberalization in the early 1990s led to a permanent relative decline in the vote share of left-wing presidential candidates in the regions more affected by the tariff cuts. This happened even though the shock, implemented by a right-wing party, induced a contraction in manufacturing and formal employment in the more affected regions, and despite the left's identification with protectionist policies. To rationalize this response, we consider a new institutional channel for the political effects of trade shocks: the weakening of labor unions. We provide support for this mechanism in two steps. First, we show that union presence-proxied by the number of workers directly employed by unions, by union density, and by the number of union establishments-declined in regions that became more exposed to foreign competition. Second, we show that the negative effect of tariff reductions on the votes for the left was driven exclusively by political parties with historical links to unions. Furthermore, the impact of the trade liberalization on the vote share of these parties was significant only in regions that had unions operating before the reform. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that tariff cuts reduced the vote share of the left partly through the weakening of labor unions. This institutional channel is fundamentally different from the individual-level responses, motivated by economic or identity concerns, that have been considered in the literature

Um estudo fenomológico sobre a experiência do internamento num centro de tratamento de comportamentos aditivos

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA - Instituto Universitário, na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.O presente estudo tem como objetivo explorar a experiência subjetiva de sujeitos que passaram por um centro de tratamento pelo abuso de substâncias. O estudo remete para a compreensão do fenómeno da institucionalização num centro de tratamento através do relato de participantes que vivenciaram a experiência. A metodologia mais adequada foi o método fenomenológico de Amadeo Giorgi, de modo a estudar o fenómeno vivido pelos diversos sujeitos e no final adquirir uma descrição completa com os constituintes essenciais. A amostra é composta por quatro participantes, três do sexo masculino e um do sexo feminino que estiveram internados em centro de tratamento por comportamentos aditivos, com idades compreendidas entre os 38 e os 49 anos. Através dos resultados, verificamos que os participantes aumentam a frequência do consumo de substâncias na adolescência e que estes, muitas vezes, apresentam vulnerabilidade emocional, dificuldade em lidar com as regras, sentimentos de culpa para com os familiares, ambições de vida. É comum, que durante o tratamento o adito altere a sua forma de ser e de estar no mundo, tendo sempre um suporte familiar.ABSTRACT: The present study aims to explore the subjective experience of subjects who went through a treatment centre for substance abuse. The study refers to the understanding of the phenomenon of institutionalization in treatment centre through the report of participants. The most appropriate methodology was the phenomenological method of Amadeo Giorgi, in order to study the phenomenon experienced by the various subjects, and in the end to acquire a complete description of the essential constituents. The sample is composed of four participants, three male and one female aged between 38 and 49 years who were admitted to a treatment centre for addictive behavior. The results show us that the participants increase the frequency of substance use in adolescence, and that adolescents often present emotional vulnerability, difficulty in dealing with rules, feelings of guilt towards family members, ambitions of life. It is common during treatment that participants change they way off seeing and being in the world, always having a family support

Specificity determinants for lysine incorporation in staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan as revealed by the structure of a MurE enzyme ternary complex

Background: MurE controls stereo chemical incorporation of Lysine or diaminopimelate into peptidoglycan stem peptides Results: The structure of S.aureus MurE reveals an unexpected lack of specificity for Lysine within the active site. Conclusion: Incorporation of Lysine is supported by the comparatively high concentration of cytoplasmic lysine, not enzyme specificity. Significance: This study provides new perspectives in targeting Gram-positive peptidoglycan assembly for antimicrobial discovery

Sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review of prevalence

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature regarding the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular diseases. An article search of the ISI Web of Science and PubMed databases using the search terms "sexual dysfunction”, “cardiovascular diseases”, “coronary artery disease", “myocardial infarct" and “prevalence” was performed. In total, 893 references were found. Non-English-language and repeated references were excluded. After an abstract analysis, 91 references were included for full-text reading, and 24 articles that evaluated sexual function using validated instruments were selected for this review. This research was conducted in October 2012, and no time restrictions were placed on any of the database searches. Reviews and theoretical articles were excluded; only clinical trials and epidemiological studies were selected for this review. The studies were mostly cross-sectional, observational and case-control in nature; other studies used prospective cohort or randomized clinical designs. In women, all domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, vaginal lubrication, orgasm, sexual dissatisfaction and pain) were affected. The domains prevalent in men included erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation and orgasm. Sexual dysfunction was related to the severity of cardiovascular disease. When they resumed sexual activity, patients with heart disease reported significant difficulty, including a lack of interest in sex, sexual dissatisfaction and a decrease in the frequency of sexual activity

The All4Children project to assess the initial implementation of the Integrated Model of Family Foster Care in Portugal: a description of the study protocol

Background: The All4Children project addresses the urgent need to transition from institutionalization to family-based care for out-of-home children in Portugal. Despite evidence highlighting the detrimental effects of institutionalization, only a small percentage of children (less than 4%) are currently placed in family foster care in the country. In response to European directives for deinstitutionalization, Portuguese legislation now prioritizes non-kinship family foster care as the preferred alternative for young children in need of care. To facilitate this transition, the Integrated Model of Family Foster Care (MIAF) was developed, offering a comprehensive framework covering the entire spectrum of family foster care. Objective: This research aims to investigate the initial implementation stage of the MIAF to promote high-quality family foster care in Portugal. Method: The study will conduct a mixed-method and longitudinal research project in family foster care agencies across different regions of Portugal, focusing on evaluating the implementation and outcomes of the MIAF model using a multi-informant and multi-method approach. The participants will include caseworkers, children aged 0–9 years entering foster care, and their respective foster families enrolled in the MIAF program. Process evaluation will assess fidelity, feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of MIAF modules, while outcome evaluation will examine child safety, stability, well-being, as well as foster family well-being and quality of relational care. Outcomes: The insights gained from this research initiative will serve as a foundation for the ongoing enhancement of MIAF. Consequently, this project has the capacity to advance evidence-based child welfare practices by refining processes and strategies to better serve vulnerable children and youth. Conclusion: Facilitated by a multidisciplinary team, this project will contribute to advancing research in the field, enhancing practice, and informing policy during a pivotal stage of deinstitutionalization in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Activation of Human CD11b+ B1 B-Cells by Trypanosoma cruzi-Derived Proteins Is Associated With Protective Immune Response in Human Chagas Disease

B-cells mediate humoral adaptive immune response via the production of antibodies and cytokines, and by inducing T-cell activation. These functions can be attributed to distinct B-cell subpopulations. Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, induces a polyclonal B-cell activation and lytic antibody production, critical for controlling parasitemia. Individuals within the chronic phase of Chagas disease may remain in an asymptomatic form (indeterminate), or develop severe cardiomyopathy (cardiac form) that can lead to death. Currently, there is no effective vaccine to prevent Chagas disease, and no treatment to halt the development of the cardiomyopathy once it is installed. The pathology associated with cardiac Chagas disease is a result of an inflammatory reaction. Thus, discovering characteristics of the host's immune response that favor the maintenance of favorable heart function may unveil important immunotherapeutic targets. Given the importance of B cells in antibody production and parasite control, we investigated T. cruzi-derived antigenic fractions responsible for B-cell activation and whether frequencies and functional characteristics of B-cell subpopulations are associated with different clinical outcomes of human Chagas disease. We stimulated cells from indeterminate (I) and cardiac (C) Chagas patients, as well as non-infected individuals (NI), with T. cruzi-derived protein- (PRO), glycolipid- (GCL) and lipid (LIP)-enriched fractions and determined functional characteristics of B-cell subpopulations. Our results showed that the frequency of B-cells was similar amongst groups. PRO, but not GCL nor LIP, led to an increased frequency of B1 B-cells in I, but not C nor NI. Although stimulation with PRO induced higher TNF expression by B1 B-cells from C and I, as compared to NI, it induced expression of IL-10 in cells from I, but not C. Stimulation with PRO induced an increased frequency of the CD11b+ B1 B-cell subpopulation, which was associated with better cardiac function. Chagas patients displayed increased IgM production, and activation of gamma-delta T-cells, which have been associated with B1 B-cell function. Our data showed that PRO activates CD11b+ B1 B-cells, and that this activation is associated with a beneficial clinical status. These findings may have implications in designing new strategies focusing on B-cell activation to prevent Chagas disease cardiomyopathy

Physicochemical and microbiological characterization of ruminal fluid and gastrointestinal contents of calves fed with transition milk silage

The objective was to evaluate the ruminal characteristics and gastrointestinal microbiota of dairy calves in different milk feeding systems. In an entirely randomized design, 18 Holstein calves at 6 to 59 day of age were used randomly allotted. In the conventional treatment were provided 4 L of milk daily. In the second and third treatments, 2 L of transition milk fermented were administered to 2 L of water or 2 L of milk, respectively. At 60 days of age, it was collected approximately 15 mL of the contents of the tract digestive (rumen, abomasum, and small intestine) and feces after necropsy. The different systems of feeding did not influence the color characteristics, odor and viscosity of the ruminal juice. The pH and quantification of Enterobacteriaceae, mycelium fungi and yeast fungi did not show significant difference between treatments for the different sites studied. Aspergillus spp. was the mycelia fungi most frequent between isolates from gastrointestinal tract for both milk systems. The treatments with transition milk silage, in water or milk, did not influence the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics evaluated, corroborating studies indicate this product can be used as milk replacer for the dairy calves.O objetivo com esta pesquisa foi avaliar as características ruminais e a microbiota gastrointestinal de bezerros leiteiros em diferentes sistemas de aleitamento com silagem de leite de transição. Foram utilizados 18 bezerros Holandeses, entre 6 e 59 dias de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. No tratamento convencional, foram fornecidos 4 L de leite por dia. No segundo e terceiro tratamentos, foram fornecidos 2 L de silagem de leite de transição misturados a 2 L de água ou leite, respectivamente. Aos 60 dias de idade, após eutanásia, foram coletados aproximadamente 15 mL do conteúdo do rúmen, abomaso e do intestino delgado e 10 g de fezes. Os sistemas de aleitamento não influenciaram as características de cor, odor e viscosidade do líquido ruminal. O pH e a quantificação de Enterobacteriaceae, fungos micelianos e leveduriformes nos diferentes sítios do trato digestório não foram influenciados pelos sistemas de aleitamento avaliados. Aspergillus spp. foi o fungo micieliano mais frequente em ambos tratamentos. Os aleitamentos com silagem de leite de transição, em água ou em leite, não influenciaram as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas avaliadas, corroborando com os estudos que indicam que esse produto poderia ser utilizado como sucedâneo lácteo na criação de bezerros leiteiros

Avaliação de estados de humor nos exames da Royal Academy of Dance

This qualitative study investigated the mood states of students, participants in of the Royal Academy of Dance examinations. The exploratory research used the POMS (Profile of Mood States), administered before and after the examination, to an intentional sample of 12 dance students, aged 18 to 40 years. The descriptive analysis, comparing the data collectionsin the pre and post-test showed an increase in fatigue and decreased vigor and minimum indices of tension states, depression, anger and confusion. Further studies are needed in order to improve the approaches to the subjective states involving practice, background training in dance and performance assessments, aspects largely unexplored in the academic ambit.Este estudo qualitativo investigou os estados de humor de alunos participantes dos Exames da Royal Academy of Dance. A pesquisa exploratória utilizou o POMS (Profle of Mood States), aplicado antes e após o exame, a uma amostra intencional composta por 12 estudantes de dança, faixa etária de 18 a 40 anos. A análise descritiva, ao se comparar os dados obtidos no pré e pós-teste, evidenciou um aumento da fadiga e uma diminuição do vigor e índices mínimos dos estados de tensão, depressão, raiva e confusão mental. Novos estudos se fazem necessários, visando ao aprimoramento das abordagens acerca dos estados subjetivos envolvendo as práticas, a formação em dança e as avaliações das performances, aspectos ainda pouco explorados em âmbito acadêmico