The determinants of success in university entrance

This paper proposes that high school graduates applying to higher education institutions do not have equal chances of succeeding. Therefore, admission outcomes must be taken into account by researchers and policy makers analysing college-going behaviour and the equity and efficiency of higher education systems.Educational economics, higher education, chances of success

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), microbial safety, and shelf life of smoked blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)

Quality deterioration of smoked catfish is caused by lipid oxidation and microbial spoilage. Smoked catfish can be cross-contaminated during processing and may harbor several pathogens, e.g., Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. Lipid oxidation causes unpleasant flavor, thus making smoked fish unacceptable. Hydroperoxides and free radicals, formed during oxidation, may directly react with fish tissues to promote complex reactions. Through such complex reactions, physicochemical properties of smoked catfish may be adversely affected. A combination of smoking and treatments with antimicrobial agents and antioxidants would retard microbial spoilage, extend shelf life, and enhance safety of smoked catfish. The objective of this study was to assess microbial and physicochemical quality of smoked catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) treated with antimicrobial agents and antioxidants during 6-week storage at room temperature. Raw catfish steaks were subjected to the following treatments for 30 minutes prior to smoking: 25% NaCl and 1% ascorbic acid; 3% sodium lactate; 3% sodium lactate and 5% rosemary extract; and/ or 5% sorbic acid. The non-treated catfish served as control. Smoked catfish samples were drawn after 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks for microbial, pH, water activity, proximate, color, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and peroxide value (PV) analysis. All treated smoked catfish had a water activity (aw) less than 0.85 compared with 0.94 for the control. Total plate count (TPC) for all dried samples was 1.2- 2.2 log CFU/g at day zero and increased to 1.48-3.0 log CFU/g after 4-week storage. The control was moldy after 6-week storage. No mold was observed on samples treated with sodium lactate, or sorbic acid even after 4-week storage. No Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from any smoked samples. Samples treated with 3% sodium lactate had the lowest microbial loads and were shelf-stable up to 6 weeks without refrigeration. The sample treated with rosemary extract was more stable to oxidation than all other treatments. Protein content of smoked sample ranged from 54 to 87%, 2.82 to 5.80% for ash, 13.11 to 22% for fat, and 11 to 22% for moisture. No significant change in color of smoked catfish was observed during storage. Sodium lactate treatment was most efficient in controlling microbial quality and extending shelf life of smoked catfish

Control of Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters

Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are gram-negative halophilic bacteria found in the natural aquatic environment. V. vulnifcus and V. parahaemolyticus have been implicated in foodborne illness and can cause gastroenteritis that has been associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood. V. vulnificus can cause primary septicemia after its ingestion, and secondary septicemia through skin lesions in individuals with preexisting conditions such as elevated serum iron levels. Bacteriophages, viruses that invade and lyse bacteria, specific to V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus are naturally found in seawater and oysters. Every summer, the oyster industry is threatened by recall of oysters due to V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus contamination. Destroying these human pathogens in shell stock oysters will reduce the economic loss due to recalls and protect the oyster industry\u27s reputation, along with the health and welfare of the consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and use different antimicrobial treatments to control Vibrio spp. in raw oysters. The use of bacteriophages active against V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus was investigated. Bacteriophages against V. vulnificus, both opaque and translucent, and V. parahaemolyticus have seasonal distribution, occurring mainly in the summer months when both V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus are at elevated number in oysters. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the predominant morphology of bacteriophages against V. vulnificus (opaque and translucent) and V. parahaemolyticus were icosahedra with thin flexible tail. Bacteriophages against V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus lost their activity at an acidic pH. These bacteriophages were sensitive to elevated temperatures and V. parahaemolyticus bacteriophage was more salt tolerant than V. vulnificus opaque and translucent phages. The antimicrobial property of commercial smoked liquid against V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus was also investigated. Hickory liquid smoke was effective in reducing V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus population in laboratory media and in non-vacuum and vacuum packed oysters stored at 4°C

The added value of narratives in the understanding of adolescent’s

Evidence shows that living with diabetes during adolescence is a challenging experience. Besides the disease and treatment implications, it is important to comprehend how young people make sense of and manage their illness. Illness perceptions have been associated with a range of physical and mental health outcomes in adolescents with chronic disease. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the adolescent’s experiences with diabetes, this study aimed at1 describing illness perceptions of young people with diabetes2; understanding whether and in what ways, an in-depth analysis of the adolescent’s narratives, o%ers additional insight into their experience of living with diabetes. Participants were 32 adolescents with diabetes, aged 12 to 18 years, who completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and wrote a text about “What it is like to have diabetes”. Narratives were analysed with thematic analysis and illustrate how adolescents experience their disease, and the strategies adopted by them to maintain a sense of normalcy. Signi*cant associations with the scores for illness perceptions were found, as for example, adolescents who reported a better understanding of their illness, evaluated the experience of having diabetes as less restrictive (r = -0,445; p = 0.011). The use of narratives proved very informative on the adolescent’s experiences with diabetes. For clinical interventions aimed to promote the adaptation of young people with diabetes, this study *ndings address the need to focus on normalizing their lives, and to promote more positive illness beliefs and coping strategies, to balance the restrictive impact that diabetes has on adolescent’s lives.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risk Factors For Postpartum Urinary Incontinence

To investigate the risk factors for postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) and its characteristics. Method: This was a case-control study with 344 puerperal women (77 cases and 267 controls) with up to 90 days postpartum. In a single session, participants were given a questionnaire with sociodemographic and clinical data and two others that assessed urine leakage, leakage situations, and type of UI. Results: Stress UI was present in 45.5% of the women, incidents of urine leakage several times a day in 44.2%, of which 71.4% were in small amounts and 57.1% when coughing or sneezing. In 70.1% of cases, UI began during pregnancy and remained through the postpartum period. After running a binary logistic regression model, the following factors remained in the final model: UI during pregnancy (OR 12.82, CI 95% 6.94 - 23.81, p < 0.0001), multiparity (OR 2.26, CI 95% 1.22 - 4.19, p = 0.009), gestational age at birth greater or equal to 37 weeks (OR 2.52, CI 95% 1.16 - 5.46, p = 0.02) and constipation (OR 1.94, CI 95% 1.05 - 5.46, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Most often, UI first appeared during pregnancy and remained through the postpartum period. Urinary incontinence during pregnancy, multiparity, gestational age at birth greater or equal to 37 weeks, and constipation were presented as risk factors. In the studied group, stress UI was more frequent.50220020

Fractionation of heavy metals in polluted soil before and after rice cultivation

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the distribution of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn among the different fractions of contaminated soil, before and after rice cultivation. Seven soil samples with different degrees of contamination were studied using a randomized experimental design, with four replicates. Using an ICP-OES we analyzed the contents of heavy metals in fractions of soil, the organic matter therein, the oxides and the residual content before and after rice cultivation. The largest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn in the soil are found in the fractions with stable chemical bonds

La evaluación de los programas y servicios de salud en Brasil como un espacio de conocimiento y práctica

This social and historical study drew on Bourdieu's genetic sociology to analyze the establishment and development of a specialized space for the production of knowledge and practices in health evaluation in Brazil. The study analyzed the trajectories of 28 researchers and policymakers and the historical conditions that allowed establishing this space, using in-depth interviews, document analysis, and a literature review. The resulting material was analyzed according to Bourdieu's concepts of field, habitus, and capital. The results point to the constitution of a sub-space for evaluation within Public Health, resulting from interaction between actors from the administrative and scientific fields, respectively, represented by management institutions in the Brazilian Unified National Health System at its various levels and research groups affiliated with public universities. No common habitus was found between the interviewees and the inherent issues and disputes in this sub-space.Con el objetivo de analizar la formación y el desarrollo de un espacio social especializado en la producción de conocimientos y prácticas sobre la evaluación de la salud en Brasil se llevó a cabo un estudio sobre sociología genética, apoyado en el enfoque socio-histórico de Bourdieu. Para ello, se analizaron las trayectorias de 28 evaluadores seleccionados entre investigadores y gestores, así como las condiciones históricas de posibilidad para la creación de un espacio, a través de entrevistas en profundidad, análisis de documentos y revisión de la literatura. El material generado se analizó de acuerdo a los conceptos de campo, habitus y de capital propuestos por Bourdieu. Los resultados formaron un subespacio de evaluación en salud colectiva, resultado de la interacción entre los agentes de los campos burocráticos y científicos, representados respectivamente por las instituciones del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) en sus diferentes niveles y grupos de investigación inscritos en las universidades públicas. No se identificó habitus comunes entre los agentes entrevistados y las cuestiones y disputas sobre el espacio.Com o objetivo de analisar a constituição e o desenvolvimento de um espaço social especializado na produção de saberes e práticas sobre a avaliação em saúde no Brasil, foi realizado um estudo sócio-histórico apoiado na sociologia genética de Bourdieu. Para isso, foram analisadas as trajetórias de 28 agentes selecionados entre pesquisadores e gestores, bem como as condições históricas de possibilidade de constituição do espaço, por meio de entrevistas em profundidade, análise de documentos e revisão bibliográfica. O material gerado foi analisado à luz dos conceitos de campo, habitus e capital propostos por Bourdieu. Os resultados apontam para a constituição de um subespaço da avaliação no interior da Saúde Coletiva, resultado da interação entre agentes dos campos burocrático e científico, respectivamente representados pelas instituições de gestão do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) em seus vários níveis e grupos de pesquisa inseridos em universidades públicas. Não foi identificado habitus comum entre os agentes entrevistados e as questões e disputas inerentes a esse subespaço.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Políticas Públicas e Saúde ColetivaUniversidade Federal da Bahia Instituto de Saúde ColetivaUNIFESP, Depto. de Políticas Públicas e Saúde ColetivaSciEL

Portuguese Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire - validation and cross-cultural comparison

Objective: to validate the Portuguese version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT) and compare it to the versions from other countries. Methods: the questionnaire was previously adapted to the Portuguese language according to international guidelines. 500 questionnaires were delivered to the parents of a Portuguese community sample of children aged 2 to 10 years old. 370 (74\%) valid questionnaires were obtained, 55 children met exclusion criteria and 315 entered in the validation study. Results: the CSHQ-PT internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.78 for the total scale and ranged from 0.44 to 0.74 for subscales. The test-retest reliability for subscales (Pearson's correlations, n=58) ranged from 0.59 to 0.85. Our data did not adjust to the original 8 domains structure in Confirmatory Factor Analysis but the Exploratory Factor Analysis extracted 5 factors that have correspondence to CSHQ subscales. Conclusion: the CSHQ-PT evidenced psychometric properties that are comparable to the versions from other countries and adequate for the screening of sleep disturbances in children from 2 to 10 years old. (C) 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.publishersversionpublishe

A visibilidade do enfermeiro segundo a percepção de profissionais de comunicação

This study aimed to further our understanding of the social representations of nurses and the nursing profession by communication professionals, since they are intermediates in the decoding of imaging and written representations about society. Method: this is a qualitative study, based on the social representation theory of Moscovici. Five communication professionals working on radio, television, written press, advertising and events were interviewed. Results suggest 1) ignorance about the nurse's field of work, job market and nursing profession categorization. 2) nurses' invisibility before the media and society and 3) nurse's own responsibility to obtain professional recognition and visibility. Participants in this study pointed two essential processes for building a more coherent image of nursing and nurses: 1) exposing the profession primarily before the media, which ignores its potentialities, and 2) through the media in order to reach the population in general.Este estudio busca profundizar la comprensión con respecto a las representaciones sociales acerca del enfermero y la enfermería por profesionales de comunicación, considerando que estos son los intermediarios en la codificación de representaciones de imágenes y textos sobre la sociedad. Metodología: estudio cualitativo basado en la teoría de las representaciones sociales de Moscovici. Fueron entrevistados 5 profesionales de la comunicación que trabajan en radio, televisión, prensa escrita, propaganda y eventos. Los resultados del análisis mostraron 1) el desconocimiento de los campos de actuación, del mercado de trabajo y de la categorización profesional de la enfermería; 2) la invisibilidad del enfermero frente a los médios de comunicación y la sociedad y 3) la responsabilidad del propio enfermero para obtener reconocimiento profesional y visibilidad. Se indican dos procesos imprescindibles como estrategia para la construcción de una imagen más coherente del enfermero y de la enfermería: 1) la exposición de la profesión frente a los propios medios de comunicación, quienes desconoce sus potencialidades, y 2) alcanzar a toda la población a través de estos medios.Este estudo procurou a compreensão das representações sociais sobre o enfermeiro e a enfermagem por profissionais de comunicação, uma vez que estes são intermediários na codificação das representações imagéticas e textuais sobre a sociedade. Metodologia: estudo de corte qualitativo, baseado na teoria das representações sociais de Moscovici. Foram entrevistados cinco profissionais de comunicação atuando nas áreas de rádio, televisão, imprensa escrita, propaganda e eventos. Resultados das análises indicaram 1) o desconhecimento dos campos de atuação, mercado de trabalho e categorização profissional da enfermagem; 2) a invisibilidade do enfermeiro perante a mídia e a sociedade e 3) a responsabilidade do próprio enfermeiro para haver reconhecimento profissional e visibilidade. Apontam dois processos imprescindíveis como estratégia para a construção de uma imagem mais coerente do enfermeiro e da enfermagem: 1) a exposição da profissão primeiramente perante a própria mídia, que desconhece suas potencialidades, e 2) através da mídia, para o alcance da grande população

A qualidade do programa escola campeã: avaliação externa de gestão e eficiência

O artigo tem por objetivo apresentar a síntese dos principais resultados da avaliação externa, realizada pela Fundação Cesgranrio em 2004 e em 2005, do Programa Escola Campeã, no que se refere à gestão e à eficiência das Secretarias Municipais de Educação e escolas parceiras desse Programa. A análise dos resultados obtidos no período de 2001 a 2004, pelos 42 municípios avaliados, indica um crescimento em praticamente todos os indicadores de gestão que o Programa abordou. Constata-se restarem ainda poucos desafios, que demandam a reformulação de políticas e ações da gestão municipal, em especial no caso dos indicadores nomeados Plano de Carreiras, Plano Municipal de Educação e Articulação Municipal. Com relação à eficiência, verificou-se que ainda há problemas recorrentes e, portanto, um caminho a ser percorrido, na medida em que a evolução em grande parte dos indicadores dessa dimensão avaliada nas escolas ainda se mostrou acanhada quando confrontada com os critérios estabelecidos pelo Programa. Pode-se afirmar que os indicadores não atendidos representam falhas no tratamento estatístico de dados relacionados à eficiência da escola. A metodologia de avaliação aplicada ao Programa pode ser replicada todas as vezes que programas com perfil semelhante necessitarem ser avaliados. O modelo desenvolvido atendeu plenamente às especificidades do Programa iluminando suas qualidades, assim como aspectos relacionados à gestão e eficiência que ainda requerem especial atenção