Circular economy and consumer's engagement: an exploratory study on higher education

Background: Circular Economy has been considered one of the most powerful principles of modern society. The concerns about increasing resource consumption have forced governments and companies to look at the circular models as a hedge against resource scarcity and an engine for innovation and growth. Objectives: This research aims to bring together the Circular Economy and the consumer's perspective to perceive the impact of its choices on CE initiatives. Methods/Approach: A survey was conducted considering the consumer's engagement with the circular economy concepts. Results: The results pointed out the awareness and willingness of consumers for the transition from the linear to the circular production model, providing an added value to consumers for reducing environmental impacts. Conclusions: Consumers' behaviour can have a forefront role in building a guide with best practices to be considered by companies, designers, and consumers on implementing initiatives in the field of Circular Economy.CAPES and Science without Borders scholarship, BEX Process 10.190-13-9 (Alves) and FCT - UIDB/04728/2020; ADiTLAB, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, and FCT through R&D Unit Project Scope UIDB/00319/2020 (ALGORITMI) (Silva); and UIDB/04106/2020 (CIDMA) and UIDP/04106/2020 (Rodrigues

Boosting regional socioeconomic development through logistics activities: a conceptual model

Background: Regional Development (RD) allows countries to balance regional differences by providing economic and social benefits to communities. This research highlights the importance of logistics activities to regional social development, and a framework to assess these connections is proposed. Objectives: How to boost regional socioeconomic development through logistics. Methods/Approach: The contributions of logistics to socioeconomic development are analysed based on the previous research, and the case of the Alto Minho (AM) region in Portugal was used to illustrate the connection between logistics and regional development. Results showed that logistics had created jobs, increased company turnover and exports, and increased GDP growth in several regions. For the AM region, results indicate that many companies are operating in this area, contributing to supporting municipalities to reduce regional disparities. Conclusions: A framework for assessing regional logistics performance is proposed together with several logistics performance indicators. This approach is essential for future developments integrating logistics into socioeconomic development.- (undefined

FÓRUNS DAS DÉCADAS DE 1930/1940 NO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO E A PRESERVAÇÃO DO CENTRO HISTÓRICO DE PRESIDENTE PRUDENTE-SP

 Este estudo faz um inventário para compreender a importância dos bens arquitetônicos como patrimônio urbano, com o objetivo da sua salvaguarda através do resgate de suas temporalidades espacializadas, verificando dessa forma, seu valor para construção de identidades na cidade contemporânea. Através da análise da implantação dos Fóruns das décadas de 1930/ 1940 nas cidades médias paulistas, esses “projetos padrões” do Departamento de Obras Públicas (DOP) são examinados pelo seu valor como patrimônio artístico e histórico. Assim, seleciona-se o Antigo Fórum de Presidente Prudente, que tem a consolidação de sua importância como valor cultural pelas conexões socioespaciais com a Igreja, a Praça, o Paço Municipal e a Escola. Acumula, então, pela percepção, cognição, vivência: memória, significação, imaginário social e identidade urbana através da sua relação com a morfologia da cidade. Desse modo, essas análises e reflexões definem diretrizes em relação ao seu processo de preservação. Palavras-chave: Paisagem Cultural, Fórum, Preservação.   Abstract This study makes an inventory to understand the importance of architectural assets as urban heritage, with the objective of its safeguarding through the redemption of its spatialized temporalities, verifying thus its value to construction of identities in the contemporary city. Through analysis of the implantation of the Forums of the 1940s in medium-sized cities in State of São Paulo, these “standard projects” of the Public Works Department (DOP – Departamento de Obras Públicas), are examined for its value as historical and artistical heritage. So, select it the Old Forum of Presidente Prudente, has the consolidation of its importance as cultural value by socioespatial connections with the Church, the Square, the City Hall and the School. Accumulates, then, by perception, cognition and experience: memory, signification, social imaginary and urban identity through its relation with the morphology of the city. Thus, these analysis and reflections define guidelines in relation to its preservation process. Keywords: Cultural Landscape, Forum, Preservatio

Perímetro abdominal se asocia a la ingesta de alimentos, factores sociodemográficos y de comportamiento entre los adultos en el sur de Brasil: un estudio basado en la población

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the abdominal perimeter determinants in adults who live in the city of Lages, Sc. Design: A population-based cross-sectional study in adults from 20 to 59 years-old of the urban area (n=2.022). The dependent variable is the abdominal perimeter, the independent variables are: age, skin color self-reported, marital status, number of children, per capita income, education, physical activity, smoking, nutrition, self-reported diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, body weight index. The differences between the mean perimeters were tested using ANOVA test and multiple linear regression for confounding adjustment. Results: The response rate was 98.2%, 52.3% were women. The mean abdominal perimeter for men was 93.66 cm (SD 13.8) and for women 92.80 cm (SD 14.5). There was a positive association of abdominal circumference with age (p<0.001) and negative regarding education. The abdominal perimeter means were higher for those insufficiently active (p<0.001), for former smokers (p<0.001), for those who consumed meat without fat removal (p = 0.001), for those who consumed fruit less than 5 times a week (p<0.001) and for those who were overweight (p<0.001). Remained positively associated with changes in abdominal obesity, insufficient physical activity, smoking, former smoker and consumption of meat without fat removal. All proximal variables remained positively associated with abdominal perimeter. Conclusions: The results have confirmed that diet, lifestyle and sociodemographic conditions determine a different distribution in abdominal fat, it is needed actions to promote a healthy lifestyle312621628Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los determinantes del perímetro abdominal en adultos que viven en la ciudad de Lages, SC. Diseño: Estudio transversal de base poblacional en adultos 20-59 años de edad, de la zona urbana (n= 2022). La variable dependiente fue el perímetro abdominal y las variables independientes fueron: edad, color de la piel auto dicho, estado civil, número de hijos, renta per cápita, nivel educacional, actividad física, tabaquismo, nutrición, diabetes mellitus auto dicho, presión arterial alta e índice de masa corporal. Las diferencias entre los promedios de perímetros se probaron a través de la ANOVA y de la regresión lineal múltiple, ajustada para los factores de confusión. Resultados: La tasa de respuesta fue de un 98,2%, de los cuales un 52,3% eran mujeres. El perímetro abdominal promedio para los hombres fue 93,66 cm (SD= 13,8 cm) y para las mujeres 92,80 cm (SD= 14,5). Hubo asociación positiva entre la circunferencia abdominal y la edad (p<0,001) y negativa entre la circunferencia abdominal y el nivel educacional. El promedio de perímetro abdominal fue más grande en personas insuficientemente activas (p<0,001), en los ex fumadores (p<0,001), en los que consumen carne sin la eliminación de grasa (p=0,001), en aquellos que consumían frutos menos de 5 veces a la semana (p<0,001) y en los que tenían sobrepeso (p<0,001). Se mantuvo una asociación positiva con los cambios en la obesidad abdominal, la insuficiente actividad física, el tabaquismo, ex fumador y el consumo de carne sin la eliminación de grasa. Todas las variables proximales se mantuvieron asociadas positivamente con el perímetro abdominal. Conclusiones: Los resultados confirman que la dieta, el estilo de vida y las condiciones sociodemográficas determinan una distribución diferente de la grasa abdominal, siendo necesarias acciones para promover un estilo de vida saludablesem informaçã

A MECHANICAL SPEEDO-METER TO ASSESS SWIMMER’S HORIZONTAL INTRA-CYCLIC VELOCITY: VALIDATION FOR BREASTSTROKE AND BUTTERFLY STROKE

The aim was to validate a system to assess speed-fluctuation at breaststroke and butterfly stroke. 12 boys and 11 undertook a set of maximal 2x25 m swims (Breaststroke and Butterfly stroke). The speedo-meter cable was attached to the subject’s hip and data was acquired on-line. At the same time, subjects were recorded in the sagital plane with an underwater video camera enabling the hip to be digitized. The following were analysed: (i) maximal velocity; (ii) minimal velocity; (iii) difference between maximal and minimal velocity; (iv) coefficient of variation. There were no significant differences for the mean values between methods, except for the coefficient of variation. Linear regression models were highly related. More than 80% of the Bland-Altman plots were within the 1.96 standard-deviation criteria used as a rule of thumb for technique validation

Insecticide resistance mediated 1 by an exon skipping event

Many genes increase coding capacity by alternate exon usage. The gene encoding the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) a6 subunit, target of the bio-insecticide spinosad, is one example of this and expands protein diversity via alternative splicing of mutually exclusive exons. Here, we show that spinosad resistance in the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta is associated with aberrant regulation of splicing of Taa6 resulting in a novel form of insecticide resistance mediated by exon skipping. Sequencing of the a6 subunit cDNA from spinosad selected and unselected strains of T. absoluta revealed all Taa6 transcripts of the selected strain were devoid of exon 3, with comparison of genomic DNA and mRNA revealing this is a result of exon skipping. Exon skipping cosegregated with spinosad resistance in survival bioassays, and functional characterization of this alteration using modified human nAChR a7, a model of insect a6, demonstrated that exon 3 is essential for receptor function and hence spinosad sensitivity. DNA and RNA sequencing analyses suggested that exon skipping did not result from genetic alterations in intronic or exonic cis-regulatory elements, but rather was associated with a single epigenetic modification downstream of exon 3a, and quantitative changes in the expression of trans-acting proteins that have known roles in the regulation of alternative splicing. Our results demonstrate that the intrinsic capacity of the a6 gene to generate transcript diversity via alternative splicing can be readily exploited during the evolution of resistance and identifies exon skipping as a molecular alteration conferring insecticide resistance

The transcriptome analysis of early morphogenesis in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelium reveals novel and induced genes potentially associated to the dimorphic process

BACKGROUND: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a human pathogen with a broad distribution in Latin America. The fungus is thermally dimorphic with two distinct forms corresponding to completely different lifestyles. Upon elevation of the temperature to that of the mammalian body, the fungus adopts a yeast-like form that is exclusively associated with its pathogenic lifestyle. We describe expressed sequence tags (ESTs) analysis to assess the expression profile of the mycelium to yeast transition. To identify P. brasiliensis differentially expressed sequences during conversion we performed a large-scale comparative analysis between P. brasiliensis ESTs identified in the transition transcriptome and databases. RESULTS: Our analysis was based on 1107 ESTs from a transition cDNA library of P. brasiliensis. A total of 639 consensus sequences were assembled. Genes of primary metabolism, energy, protein synthesis and fate, cellular transport, biogenesis of cellular components were represented in the transition cDNA library. A considerable number of genes (7.51%) had not been previously reported for P. brasiliensis in public databases. Gene expression analysis using in silico EST subtraction revealed that numerous genes were more expressed during the transition phase when compared to the mycelial ESTs [1]. Classes of differentially expressed sequences were selected for further analysis including: genes related to the synthesis/remodeling of the cell wall/membrane. Thirty four genes from this family were induced. Ten genes related to signal transduction were increased. Twelve genes encoding putative virulence factors manifested increased expression. The in silico approach was validated by northern blot and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: The developmental program of P. brasiliensis is characterized by significant differential positive modulation of the cell wall/membrane related transcripts, and signal transduction proteins, suggesting the related processes important contributors to dimorphism. Also, putative virulence factors are more expressed in the transition process suggesting adaptation to the host of the yeast incoming parasitic phase. Those genes provide ideal candidates for further studies directed at understanding fungal morphogenesis and its regulation

Salvage treatment for refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia: a 10-year single-center experience

OBJECTIVES: The outcomes of refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in developing countries are underreported, even though the similar classic regimens are widely used. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective comparison of ‘‘MEC’’ (mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine) and ‘‘FLAG-IDA’’ (fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and filgrastim) in adults with first relapse or refractory AML. RESULTS: In total, 60 patients were included, of which 28 patients received MEC and 32 received FLAG-IDA. A complete response (CR) rate of 48.3% was observed. Of the included patients, 16 (27%) died before undergoing bone marrow assessment. No statiscally significant difference in CR rate was found between the two protocols (p=0.447). The median survival in the total cohort was 4 months, with a 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of 9.7%. In a multivariable model including age, fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) status, and stem-cell transplantation (SCT), only the last two indicators remained significant: FLT3-ITD mutation (hazard ratio [HR] =4.6, po0.001) and SCT (HR=0.43, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In our analysis, there were no significant differences between the chosen regimens. High rates of early toxicity were found, emphasizing the role of supportive care and judicious selection of patients who are eligible for intensive salvage therapy in this setting. The FLT3-ITD mutation and SCT remained significant factors for survival in our study, in line with the results of previous studies

Multifunctional Hybrid MoS2-PEGylated/Au Nanostructures with Potential Theranostic Applications in Biomedicine

In this work, flower-like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) microspheres were produced with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form MoS2-PEG. Likewise, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were added to form MoS2-PEG/Au to investigate its potential application as a theranostic nanomaterial. These nanomaterials were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron X-ray spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The produced hierarchical MoS2-PEG/Au microstructures showed an average diameter of 400 nm containing distributed gold nanoparticles, with great cellular viability on tumoral and non-tumoral cells. This aspect makes them with multifunctional characteristics with potential application for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Through the complete morphological and physicochemical characterization, it was possible to observe that both MoS2-PEG and MoS2-PEG/Au showed good chemical stability and demonstrated noninterference in the pattern of the cell nucleus, as well. Thus, our results suggest the possible application of these hybrid nanomaterials can be immensely explored for theranostic proposals in biomedicine

Evaluation of pharmaceutical services in eight cities of the Brazilian Northeast

This article intended to assess the Pharmaceutical Services in eight cities of the Brazilian Northeast. It was a descriptive and transversal study done between July and September of 2007. Data was gathered from the sectors of the Pharmaceutical Services Bureau, medicines delivery, and pharmacies of the Municipal Secretaries of Health-care. The assessment was based on a study instrument developed by the researchers following the indicators elaborated by the Brazilian Health Ministry. The development levels for each Pharmaceutical Services stage were measured from 1 to 3, with 3 representing the Best quality of PS. The programming and acquisition stages showed the best results. On the other hand, prescription was considered the most problematic stage. This data shows the need for improvement in the Pharmaceutical Services of these citiesColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire