Consumer’s willingness to pay for organic coffee : weight of each benefit, subaditivity effect and influence of a national brand

Over the last years organic agriculture has presented a remarkable increase on production due, among other things, to the higher interest shown by the consumers regarding food safety. In the U.S., despite the difficult economic times, the organic food grew by 9,4% in 2010. Therefore organic products’ market represents a great opportunity for companies in this industry. In this research I investigate the price premium consumers’ in Portugal are willing to pay towards an organic product, more specifically organic coffee, estimating the weight of each benefit (private and public) implicit on the organic products for that price premium and if there is a subadditivity effect between public and private benefits. Furthermore, I explore what is the influence of a national brand in the price premium. I performed a survey in Portugal, using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), more specifically Double-bounded dichotomous choice, in order to achieve the objectives of my research. I found that consumers in Portugal are willing to pay 39,7% more for white label organic coffee and the private benefits of this organic product has two times the weight of its’ public benefits. Regarding the subadditivity effect, I discover that there is this effect between private and public benefits. Last but not least, concerning the influence of a national brand in the consumers’ price premium I found that the brand need to have a credible image that is consistent with the benefits of organic products if it wants to influence positively the price premium of consumers in Portugal

Cash budget versus financial budget : advantages and disadvantages : a case study

O objetivo desta tese foi o de apresentar um orçamento alternativo ao orçamento de tesouraria. Esse projeto é interessante porque permite consolidar o conhecimento sobre orçamentos e colocar o que foi aprendido em prática. Esta tese também pretende mostrar com dois exemplos de orçamento diferentes como estes podem ser aplicados numa empresa específica. O método de pesquisa escolhido foi o estudo de caso, porque pretende-se explicar com este trabalho, quais são as vantagens e desvantagens verificadas com o orçamento financeiro e com o orçamento de tesouraria. Algumas das vantagens verificadas com o orçamento de tesouraria são as informações detalhadas que contém; o foco no curto prazo e a descrição de e para onde vai o fluxo monetário. Por outro lado, temos o orçamento financeiro. Ele tem algumas vantagens em comum com o orçamento de tesouraria - o foco de curto prazo. Ele permite-nos estimar se a empresa vai ter lucro ou prejuízo no final do mês ou do ano em análise. O orçamento financeiro foi criado com as informações da empresa. Ambos os tipos de orçamento tem informações importantes e diferentes que se complementam. Os meus resultados foram obtidos numa empresa específica, mas que podem ser aplicáveis a outras empresas.The purpose of this thesis is to present an alternative budget to the cash budget. This project is interesting because it allows me to consolidate my knowledge about budget and put what I have been learning into practise. This thesis also pretends to show two budget examples and how they could be applied in a specific company. The research method chosen was a case study because this work pretends to explain what are the advantages and disadvantages verified with the financial budget and with the cash budget. Some of the advantages verified with the cash budget are the detailed information because it contains short-term focus, and more information about how the cash flows. On the other hand, we have the financial budget. It has some advantages in common with the cash budget – short-term focus. It provides an expectation if the company is going to have profit/loss in the end of the month or year in analysis. The financial budget was created with the company information. Both types of budget have important and different information and they complement each other. My results were obtained related to a specific company but these results could be applicable to other companies

Animal use in Major Depressive Disorder : a necessary evil? Assessing the past to improve the future

Animal models are widely used in research aimed at advancing human healthcare, although their utility for this purpose is more often presumed, than studied. In this thesis I evaluate the contribution of animal models to current knowledge of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a poorly understood mental disorder of multifactorial origin that affects thousands of people worldwide. My hypothesis is that if animal models are contributing meaningfully to medical advances, then animal studies will be well cited by human medical literature. Accordingly, and after conducting a pilot study on ADHD (Chapter 2), I conducted a citation analysis on studies which used rats (Chapter 3) and non-human primates (NHP) (Chapter 4) as models for MDD research. The number of citations of these papers by human medical papers was low. To determine if the low number of citations could be caused by the need for sufficient evidence to accumulate within a field, before a medical breakthrough can be reached, I determined if the citations were by papers on the same disorder, or on unrelated disorders (Chapter 5). In an attempt to determine if low citation numbers are common to all indirect research approaches, I compared the number and relevance of citations of in silico, in vitro and NHP studies, by human medical papers. Other research approaches more effectively informed human research, than NHP models (Chapter 4). I also quantified the citations of other research methods by subsequent animal studies. Citations were low, contrary to common expectations that in vitro and in silico inform subsequent animal studies (Chapter 6). Overall, these results indicate that animal models make poor contributions to human mental disorders research. This merits a change in the extant paradigm in biomedical research, at least in some human disorders, as proposed in Chapter 7

Multiplex, Enzyme-free, Colorimetric Paper-based Device for the Measurement of Glucose, Uric Acid and Cholesterol

The rise in the prevalence of chronic illnesses in under-developed countries, such as Diabetes mellitus, increases the necessity for diagnosis and medical treatment in these areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is one of the most prevalente diseases globally, with close to 400 million patients, being predicted that this number will rise in the future. Consequently, there is the necessity to create alternatives that combat the lack of accessibility to medical facilities and increase the efficiency in diagnosis and treatment. In this context, precise and accessible measurement of relevant biomarkers, for diabetes and other complications, is of extreme importance. The creation of point-f-care devices, produced from a versatile and abundant material such as paper, in combination with enzyme-free, colorimetric detection methods, paired with information systems such as smartphones, stand out as a simple, robust and low-cost alternative, which allows for quantitative results in a short period of time. Especially, the potential to create multiplex sensors, measuring various markers simultaneously, using the same biological sample, brings a significant improvement in the efficiency of these measurements. The main goal for this dissertation work is, then, to develop a multiplex biosensor, able to simultaneously measure physiological concentrations of glucose, uric acid and cholesterol. To do so, Lab-on-Paper technology was employed, to create paper-based devices, using hydrophobic wax printing to develop microfluidic channels. This device is paired with enzyme-free detection methods, based on the use of gold nanoparticles, which are manipulated to show affinity towards these biomarkers. The developed multiplex sensor results from the application of recognition assays in paper substrate, using the colorimetric properties of reactions between the target analytes and gold nanoparticles. These assays were tested with solutions of different concentrations inside each respective physiological range. These tests were submitted to digital analysis, resulting in calibration curves which allow for the extrapolation of concentrations for each of the biomarkers, in a simple, fast and economical way

Men change, and museums change

“The object is the continuation of the subject by other means” (Boaventura Souza Santos) This text was written for the 3rd Meeting of the Seminar on Social Museology, which took place at the Museu do Homem do Nordeste [Museum of the North-eastern Man], in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, in May 2010. It is important to explain that the Seminar on Social Museology is a monthly cycle of theoretical debates organized with the aim of gathering the necessary contributions to put together a new museological model which can indeed be compatible with the practice and its end activity – to institutionally represent the culture of the north-eastern region – and also with the practice of the role of social agent henceforth given Museums by New Museology in Brazil. To these objectives one can add that of legitimizing the museum before its peers and the museological community understood here as partners of its end activity, which is that of representing the North-eastern Man, a task that can only be feasible if socialized

MOVIMENTOS SOCIAIS E AÇÕES AFIRMATIVAS NA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR BRASILEIRA: UMA PERSPECTIVA DE AMPLIAÇÃO DA CIDADANIA NA GESTÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA

Este artigo aborda o tema dos movimentos sociais na perspectiva da resistência social, conforme tratado por Scott (2000) e sua relação com a implantação de Políticas de Ação Afirmativa no Brasil. Dá enfoque à análise dos movimentos sociais, a partir da abordagem feita por Gohn (2011), no campo da educação, focando a educação superior. Considera as características históricas da questão da cidadania no Brasil a partir de Carvalho (2006). Concebe as Políticas de Ação Afirmativa nas Universidades brasileiras como desmembramento das pressões organizadas dos movimentos sociais e como dispositivos do Estado para democratização do acesso ao ensino superior, revertendo uma curva de exclusão que sempre caracterizou a história da educação superior. Apresenta o cenário atual da assistência estudantil, com as novas demandas dos movimentos sociais, que reivindicam a existência de condições materiais e simbólicas para a permanência, na universidade, dos estudantes oriundos das classes populares. Tal realidade contemporânea traz novos – e sérios - desafios para a gestão universitária brasileira

Synthesis of latexes with low concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): effect of reduction techniques of VOCs on the properties of latexes and paints

The reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the latexes produced by emulsion polymerization is a viable option, but it may compromise the performance of the latex in some situations. Different techniques for reduction of residual monomers and VOCs concentrations were studied for understanding the effect of these techniques and VOCs concentrations on the application properties of latexes and paints. Styrene/2-ethylhexyl acrylate latices functionalized with acrylic acid and acrylamide were produced by emulsion polymerization, followed by removal of residues and other VOCs with a chemical or physical technique, or with the combination of both. The effect of various parameters related to reduction techniques of VOCs, type of initiator, reducing agent and nitrogen stripping with steam were studied and correlated with the properties of latexes and paints. The combination of chemical and physical techniques was more effective for reducing the monomers and VOCs to latexes. The techniques employed for reduction of VOCs had a negative effect on the end-use properties of latex and paints. The abrasion resistance of the paint film was dependent on the technique employed and on VOCs concentration.A redução dos compostos orgânicos voláteis (COVs) nos látices produzidos via polimerização em emulsão é uma opção viável, mas em algumas situações pode comprometer a qualidade do látex. Diferentes técnicas de redução da concentração dos monômeros e dos COVs foram estudadas com o objetivo de entender o efeito destas técnicas e da concentração dos COVs nas propriedades de aplicação dos látices e das tintas. Os látices de estireno com acrilato de 2-etil hexila funcionalizados com ácido acrílico e acrilamida foram produzidos via polimerização em emulsão, seguido por remoção química, física e a combinação de ambas as técnicas de redução dos monômeros e dos COVs. Os parâmetros relacionados à técnica de redução dos COVs, ao tipo de iniciador, ao agente de redução e à introdução de nitrogênio saturado com vapor de água foram estudados e correlacionados com as propriedades de aplicação das tintas. A combinação da técnica química com a técnica física foi mais eficiente na redução dos monômeros e dos COVs nos látices. As técnicas utilizadas na redução dos COVs tiveram influência negativa nas propriedades de aplicação dos látices. A resistência à abrasão dos filmes de tinta foi dependente da técnica empregada e da concentração dos COVs.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Instituto de Ciência e TecnologiaBASF S.A. Laboratório de Aplicações TécnicasUNIFESP, Instituto de Ciência e TecnologiaSciEL

State and market : adversaries or allies in the implementation of the national food and nutrition policy? Some reflections on regulation measures

A alimentação e a nutrição constituem requisitos básicos para a promoção e a proteção da saúde, possibilitando a afirmação plena do potencial de crescimento e desenvolvimento humano, com qualidade de vida e cidadania. As mudanças na relação do Estado, sociedade civil e mercado têm trazido uma série de conseqüências sociais adversas, especialmente no campo da saúde e nutrição. Este artigo tem como propósito provocar algumas reflexões relativas à necessidade de pactuação entre Estado, sociedade e mercado para a efetivação de medidas capazes de atuar positivamente no controle da obesidade e conseqüentemente melhorar as condições de saúde e nutrição da população brasileira. Apresenta uma breve descrição de contexto histórico sobre política social no Brasil e seus reflexos específicos na temática de alimentação e nutrição; identifica aspectos políticos principais para uma análise das diretrizes da Política Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição; destaca o fortalecimento de medidas de regulamentação como estratégia de enfrentamento do problema de excesso de peso / obesidade na sociedade, identificando suas raízes a partir do modo de viver urbano, globalizado e neoliberal das ultimas décadas, e, por fim, sugere elementos para enriquecer esse debate. Medidas de regulamentação parecem poder influenciar positivamente nas ações de promoção da saúde, pois estabelecem limites e um conjunto de critérios para mediar as relações entre sociedade e mercado, além de refletir o apoio e a proteção da saúde do cidadão como objetivo principal do Estado nesse processo.Food and nutrition constitute basic requirements for health promotion and protection, enabling the full expression of the human potential for growth and development, with quality of life and citizenship. Changes in the relationship between State, Civil Society, and the Market have brought several adverse social consequences, particularly in the health and nutrition field. This article intends to stimulate some reflections related to the need of an agreement between State, Civil Society and the Market for the accomplishment of measures that are able to contribute to obesity control and, as a consequence, to improve health and nutrition conditions of the Brazilian population. The article also presents a brief description of the historical context of social policies in Brazil and their specific consequences to food and nutrition matters; it identifies the main political aspects to analyze guidelines of the National Food and Nutrition Policy; it emphasizes the strengthening of regulation measures as a strategy to face the problem of excess of weight / obesity in society, identifying its roots in the urban, 'global' and neoliberal way of life of the last decades and, as a conclusion, it suggests more elements to enrich this debate. Regulation Measures seem to have a positive influence on health promotion actions by setting up the boundaries and criteria to mediate the relationship between Civil Society and the Market, besides reflecting the support and protection of the citizen's health as the main purpose of the State in this process

Editorial

Editorial do v.5, n. 2 da Revista Letras Rara