Corporate governance : value creation and performance in credit unions

In this study, we examine the relationship between good corporate governance practices and the creation of value/performance of credit unions from 2010 to 2012. The objective was to create and validate a corporate governance index for credit unions, and to then analyse the relationship between good governance practices and the creation of value/performance. The problem question is: do good corporate governance practices provide value creation for credit unions? The research started by creating indices from factor analysis to identify latent dependent variables related to value creation and performance; next indices were created from the principal component analysis for the creation of independent latent variables related to corporate governance. Finally, based on panel data from regression models, the influence of the variables and indices related to corporate governance on the indices of value creation and performance was verified. Based on the research, it became evident that the Corporate Governance Index (IGC) is mainly impacted by Executive Management, with 40.31% of the IGC value, followed by the Representation and Participation dimension, with 34.07% of the IGC value. The contribution for academics was the creation of the Corporate Governance Index (IGC) applied for credit unions. As for the contribution to the system of credit unions, the highlight was the effectiveness of the mechanisms for economic-financial and asset management adopted by BACEN, credit unions and OCEMG.Nesta pesquisa, procurou-se analisar a relação entre as boas práticas de governança corporativa e a relação com a criação de valor/desempenho, das cooperativas de crédito ao longo do período de 2010 e 2012. O objetivo da pesquisa foi criar e validar um índice de governança corporativa para as cooperativas de crédito para então analisar a relação entre boas práticas de governança e a criação de valor/desempenho, tendo como questão problema: as boas práticas de governança corporativa proporcionam criação de valor para as cooperativas de crédito? Assim, iniciou-se a pesquisa por meio da criação de índices a partir da análise fatorial para a identificação de variáveis latentes dependentes relacionadas à criação de valor e desempenho; em seguida, a criação de índices a partir da análise de componentes principais para a criação de variáveis latentes independentes relacionadas à governança corporativa. Finalmente, verificou-se, a partir de modelos de regressão com dados em painel, a influência das variáveis e índices relacionados à governança corporativa com os índices de criação de valor e desempenho. Com base na pesquisa, ficou evidenciado que o Índice de Governança Corporativa (IGC) é impactado principalmente pela Gestão Executiva, representando 40,31% da importância do IGC, seguido da dimensão Representação e Participação com 34,07% da importância do IGC. A contribuição do trabalho para a academia foi a criação de Índice de Governança Corporativa (IGC) aplicável às cooperativas de crédito. Quanto à contribuição para o sistema de cooperativas de crédito, assinala-se a constatação de efetividade dos mecanismos de gestão econômico-financeira e patrimonial adotados pelo BACEN, Centrais de Cooperativas de Crédito e a OCEMG

Haptoglobin genotypes and refractory hypertension in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that haptoglobin polymorphism may influence the pathogenesis of microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetic patients. OBJECTIVE: This cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the existence or not of an association between haptoglobin genotypes and prevalence of ischemic cardiovascular events (stable angina, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction), systemic arterial hypertension, refractory hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia in 120 type-2 diabetes mellitus patients followed up at Hospital de Clínicas da UNICAMP in Campinas, São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. METHODS: Haptoglobin genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. The frequencies of the haptoglobin genotypes were compared with the presence/absence of cardiovascular disease, systemic arterial hypertension, refractory hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia; systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements; plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol (total, high density lipoprotein-HDL and low density lipoprotein-LDL) and triglycerides; and serum creatinine levels. RESULTS: Although no association between haptoglobin genotype and the presence of cardiovascular disease could be identified, we found a significant excess of patients with Hp2-1 genotype among those with refractory hypertension, who also had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with the Hp2-1 genotype may have higher chances of developing refractory hypertension. Further studies in other diabetic populations are required to confirm these findings.FUNDAMENTO: Tem sido sugerido que o polimorfismo da haptoglobina pode influenciar na patogênese das complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares em pacientes diabéticos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo principal deste estudo transversal foi de realizar uma investigação da existência ou não de uma associação entre os genótipos de haptoglobina e a prevalência de eventos isquêmicos cardiovasculares (angina estável, angina instável e infarto agudo do miocárdio), hipertensão arterial sistêmica, hipertensão refratária, obesidade e dislipidemia em 120 pacientes com diabete melito tipo 2, seguidos no Hospital Universitário da Unicamp, em Campinas, Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: A genotipagem da haptoglobina foi realizada por reações em cadeia da polimerase alelo-específicas. As frequências dos genótipos de haptoglobina foram comparadas com a presença/ausência de doença cardiovascular, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, hipertensão refratária, obesidade e dislipidemia; medições de pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica; glicemia, colesterol (total, lipoproteínas de alta densidade - HDL e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade - LDL) e triglicerídeos; assim como níveis de creatinina sérica. RESULTADOS: Embora nenhuma associação entre o genótipo de haptoglobina e a presença de doença cardiovascular tenha sido identificada, encontramos um excesso significativo de pacientes com o genótipo Hp2-1 entre as pessoas com hipertensão refratária, que também apresentavam uma maior pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e níveis de colesterol total e LDL. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que os pacientes com diabete melito tipo 2 com o genótipo Hp2-1 podem apresentar uma maior chance de desenvolver hipertensão refratária. Estudos adicionais em populações diabéticas são necessários para confirmar esses achados.33834

Hidrogenionic potential (pH) of the attractant, trap density and control threshold for Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: tephritidae) on Hamlin oranges in São Paulo central region, Brazil

This study evaluated the effect of initial pH values of 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5 of the attractant (protein bait) Milhocina® and borax (sodium borate) in the feld, on the capture of fruit flies in McPhail traps, using 1, 2, 4 and 8 traps per hectare, in order to estimate control thresholds in a Hamlin orange grove in the central region of the state of São Paulo. The most abundant fruit fly species was Ceratitis capitata, comprising almost 99% of the fruit flies captured, of which 80% were females. The largest captures of C. capitata were found in traps baited with Milhocina® and borax at pH 8.5. Captures per trap for the four densities were similar, indicating that the population can be estimated with one trap per hectare in areas with high populations. It was found positive relationships between captures of C. capitata and the number of Hamlin oranges damaged, 2 and 3 weeks after capture. It was obtained equations that correlate captures and damage levels which can be used to estimate control thresholds. The average loss caused in Hamlin orange fruits by C. capitata was 2.5 tons per hectare or 7.5% of production.Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos: avaliar o efeito do pH inicial, 4.5; 6.5 e 8.5, do atrativo proteico Milhocina® e bórax (tetraborato de sódio) na captura de moscas-das-frutas em armadilhas McPhail; estudar densidades de armadilhas, 1; 2; 4 e 8 por hectare, para estimar níveis de controle em laranja cv. Hamlin, na região central de São Paulo. A espécie predominante, com 99% das moscas-das-frutas capturadas, foi Ceratitis capitata, sendo 80% de fêmeas. As maiores capturas de C. capitata ocorreram nas armadilhas com Milhocina® e bórax em pH 8.5. As capturas, nas 4 densidades, foram semelhantes, indicando que a população pode ser estimada com uma armadilha por hectare em áreas de altas populações. Houve relações positivas entre capturas de C. capitata e o número de frutos danificados, 2 e 3 semanas após a captura. Assim, foram obtidas equações que relacionam a captura e o dano, possibilitando estimar níveis de controle desse inseto. As perdas médias causadas por C. capitata em laranja cv. Hamlin chegaram a 2,5 toneladas de frutos por hectare ou 7,5% da produção.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Abordagem do Conteúdo de Mistura envolvendo o Tratamento de Água: análise de uma proposta didática para o ensino de Química

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Subtelomeric I-scel-mediated double-strand breaks are repaired by homologous recombination in trypanosoma cruzi

Trypanosoma cruzi chromosome ends are enriched in surface protein genes and pseudogenes (e.g., trans-sialidases) surrounded by repetitive sequences. It has been proposed that the extensive sequence variability among members of these protein families could play a role in parasite infectivity and evasion of host immune response. In previous reports we showed evidence suggesting that sequences located in these regions are subjected to recombination. To support this hypothesis we introduced a double-strand break (DSB) at a specific target site in a I cruzi subtelomeric region cloned into an artificial chromosome (pTAC). This construct was used to transfect T. cruzi epimastigotes expressing the I-Scel meganuclease. Examination of the repaired sequences showed that DNA repair occurred only through homologous recombination (HR) with endogenous subtelomeric sequences. Our findings suggest that DSBs in subtelomeric repetitive sequences followed by HR between them may contribute to increased variability in T. cruzi multigene families7CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP306591/2015-411/51693-0; 11/51475-

Association between deep-water scale-worms (Annelida: Polynoidae) and black corals (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) in the Southwestern Atlantic

Polynoid scale-worms have been found living as commensals with deep-water antipatharians (commonly known as black corals) in the Potiguar Basin, off Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeastern Brazil. In this paper two polychaete species and four black corals species are redescribed. Benhamipolynoe cf. antipathicola and Parahololepidella cf. greeffi, and the black coral Stylopathes adinocrada Opresko, 2006 are recorded for the Southwestern Atlantic. Benhamipolynoe cf. antipathicola was first described from off New Zealand and the Malay Archipelago, as symbiont with the black coral Stylopathes tenuispina (Silberfeld, 1909). It was later reported for the North Atlantic, off Florida, associated with Stylopathes columnaris (Duchassaing, 1870). In our study, B. cf. antipathicola was found in association with the black coral S. adinocrada. Parahololepidella cf. greeffi was first described as a free-living from shallow waters off São Tomé and Cabo Verde Islands, West Africa, and later reported as symbiont with the black coral Tanacetipathes cf. spinescens in the same location. Our data expand both the geographical distribution and the host range of this species which is reported for the first time as symbiont with Tanacetipathes barbadensis (Brook, 1889), T. tanacetum (Pourtalès, 1880) and T. thamnea (Warner, 1981) in Brazil. The aim of this study is to discuss commensal associations between two species of scale-worm polynoids and black corals found in the Southwestern Atlantic, and also reporting their global distribution. Finally, we provided an updated list of the commensal polynoids and their black coral hosts

Haptoglobin Genotypes And Refractory Hypertension In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

It has been suggested that haptoglobin polymorphism may influence the pathogenesis of microvascular and macrovascular complications in diabetic patients. This cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the existence or not of an association between haptoglobin genotypes and prevalence of ischemic cardiovascular events (stable angina, unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction), systemic arterial hypertension, refractory hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia in 120 type-2 diabetes mellitus patients followed up at Hospital de Clínicas da UNICAMP in Campinas, São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. Haptoglobin genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. The frequencies of the haptoglobin genotypes were compared with the presence/absence of cardiovascular disease, systemic arterial hypertension, refractory hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia; systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements; plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol (total, high density lipoprotein-HDL and low density lipoprotein-LDL) and triglycerides; and serum creatinine levels. Although no association between haptoglobin genotype and the presence of cardiovascular disease could be identified, we found a significant excess of patients with Hp2-1 genotype among those with refractory hypertension, who also had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and total and LDL cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with the Hp2-1 genotype may have higher chances of developing refractory hypertension. Further studies in other diabetic populations are required to confirm these findings.97338-4

Immobilization and stabilization of the endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of Malbranchea pulchella for production of the xylooligosaccharides

Over the last few years, the lignocellulosic biorefinery concept has been extended beyond the application of biofuel production. Innovative and efficient technologies for lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose fractionation allow the implementation of integrated processes for the co-production of bioenergy and higher value-added bioproducts. Among the different approaches, the use of Endo-1,4--xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8) in the hydrolysis of rich-xylan feedstocks has increased in the integrated process to produce fermentable and xylooligosaccharides (XOS). Nowadays, XOS has been preferentially used as prebiotic components in the development of new functional foods for presenting additional biological benefits such as antioxidant, inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. In the current work, we immobilized an endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of Malbranchea pulchella (Mpxyn10) and evaluated its potential in the production of XOS from xylan from various sources. Mpxyn10 was immobilized on agarose-activated supports (Glyoxyl-, MANAE-, GLUT- and PEI-agarose) and commercial Purolite support. Values >90% of immobilization yield were obtained on aminoactivated supports (Purolite, MANAE, and PEI-agarose) after 120 min, and the highest values of activity recovery were obtained for MANAE-MpXyn10 (137%) and Purolite-MpXyn10 (142%) derivatives. MANAE- and Purolite-MpXyn10 derivatives maintained more than 90% of their activity after 24 h of incubation at 70 °C, while the residual activity of free MpXyn10 was only 11%. MpXyn10 derivatives were also active and stable over a wide range of pH (4.0-6.0) and in the presence of furfural and HMF compounds. MpXyn10 derivatives were tested to produce XOS from xylan from various sources. Maximum values of XOS (xylobiose and xylotriose) were found for xylan beechwood at 8.1 mg mL-1, birchwood at 8.6 mg mL-1, and wheat arabinoxylan at 8.9 mg mL-1 after 3 h of reaction, at 50 °C, using Purolite-MpXyn10. This derivative was reused in various reaction cycles, maintaining more than 80% of yield XOS after 6 cycles of reaction. The results obtained in this work provide a basis for the development of applications of immobilized MpXyn10 to XOS production and other high value-added product in the lignocellulosic biorefinery field.The work was supported by the following: FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation, grants: 2014/50884 and 2018/07522-6; Process 2020/00081-4) and National Institute of Science and Technology of Bioethanol, INCT, CNPq (grant: 465319/2014-9) and Process 301963/2017-7.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio