Towards Indicators for Assessing Land-Use Change in Planning: Case Study of the Peri-Urban Zone of Thessaloniki.

Expanding urban areas face growing land use conflicts particularly in the peri-urban zone, which is defined as a zone outside the city, occupied both by ‘classical’ rural land uses, and construction of road infrastructure and commercial shopping centers, which result as rapid changes. These changes of the peri-urban zone lead to complex patterns of land uses as evidenced in terms of the intensity and structure. To the extent that modern societies need to understand such patterns in order to formulate appropriate guidance policies, it is interesting to develop a relevant framework of analysis. It is necessary to assess land-use change in order to assist urban planning and related decision-making. The proposed approach explores an analytical framework combining GIS and a system of PSI (pressure-state-impact) indicators aimed at the analysis of urban growth and land use change in the peri-urban zone of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece which is located in the Northern part of the country and has approximately one million inhabitants.

Atributos determinantes valorizados pelos consumidores do varejo brasileiro de materiais de construção

This article analyzes the determinant attributes valued by the retail consumer of construction materials in São Paulo State, Brazil, using a survey with 450 consumers from two large retail networks of construction materials in three Brazilian cities testing two hypotheses regarding the differences in attributes valued by the consumes when choosing a point of sale. The Correspondence Analysis (CA) was used to examine relationships of the valued attributes from one city to another. The results showed that there are 45 determinant attributes valued by the consumer, classified into 9 categories (relationship, service, convenience, pricing policy, point of sale, product, services, promotion and brand). The categorization proved to that some categories, for example, convenience, have different meanings in cities with different profiles. Other attributes appreciated by customers were product variety, location of store, personalized service, price, quality of products, and store image. The results of the study contribute to the field by enhancing knowledge of determinant attributes valued in construction materials retail, helping store managers to shape their marketing strategies.Este artigo analisa os atributos determinantes valorizados pelo consumidor varejista de materiais de construção no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, utilizando uma pesquisa com 450 consumidores de duas grandes redes varejistas de materiais de construção em três cidades brasileiras, testando duas hipóteses sobre as diferenças nos atributos valorizados na escolha de um ponto de venda. A Análise de Correspondência (CA) foi usada para examinar as relações dos atributos valorizados de uma cidade para outra. Os resultados mostraram que existem 45 atributos determinantes valorizados pelo consumidor, classificados em 9 categorias (relacionamento, serviço, conveniência, política de preços, ponto de venda, produto, serviços, promoção e marca). A categorização provou que algumas categorias, por exemplo, conveniência, têm significados diferentes em cidades com diferentes perfis. Outros atributos apreciados pelos clientes foram a variedade de produtos, a localização da loja, o serviço personalizado, o preço, a qualidade dos produtos e a imagem da loja. Os resultados do estudo contribuem para o campo, aumentando o conhecimento de atributos determinantes valorizados no varejo de materiais de construção, ajudando os gerentes de lojas a moldar suas estratégias de marketing

Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9±7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8±11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1±9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>;PD and >;CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (

MENOPAUSA E CÂNCER DE MAMA: RISCOS E PREVENÇÃO

The menopause is a natural period in women's lives, marked by the cessation of menstruation and significant hormonal changes. However, this stage is also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This study aims to analyze the risk factors for breast cancer during the menopause and propose effective prevention measures. To achieve this objective, a systematic review of the literature was carried out, including epidemiological studies, clinical trials and recent reviews. Data related to age at menopause, hormone therapy, family history and lifestyle habits were analyzed. In addition, prevention strategies were identified, such as weight control, regular physical activity, healthy eating and mammography screening. The menopause is a critical period for women's health, with increased risks of breast cancer due to hormonal changes. However, awareness and the adoption of preventive measures can significantly reduce this risk. Weight control, physical activity and a balanced diet play essential roles in prevention. In addition, regular mammographic screening in women in the appropriate age group is essential for the early detection of breast cancer.A menopausa é um período natural na vida das mulheres, marcado pela cessação da menstruação e mudanças hormonais significativas. No entanto, esse estágio também está associado a um aumento do risco de câncer de mama. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar os fatores de risco do câncer de mama durante a menopausa e propor medidas de prevenção eficazes. Para alcançar esse objetivo, realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura, incluindo estudos epidemiológicos, ensaios clínicos e revisões recentes. Foram analisados dados relacionados à idade da menopausa, terapia hormonal, histórico familiar e hábitos de vida. Além disso, foram identificadas estratégias de prevenção, como o controle de peso, atividade física regular, alimentação saudável e rastreamento mamográfico. A menopausa é um período crítico para a saúde da mulher, com riscos aumentados de câncer de mama devido às mudanças hormonais. No entanto, a conscientização e a adoção de medidas preventivas podem reduzir significativamente esse risco. O controle do peso, a prática de atividades físicas e uma dieta equilibrada desempenham papéis essenciais na prevenção. Além disso, o rastreamento mamográfico regular em mulheres na faixa etária apropriada é fundamental para a detecção precoce do câncer de mama

Práticas contemporâneas de marketing: O caso de pequenas empresas de confecção de vestuários

Objective: to analyze small clothing manufacturing companies and the use of contemporary marketing practices in the dimensions of interactive marketing, digital marketing and network marketing.Methodology: the study is qualitative, descriptive and has multiple cases, and it is conducted through semi-structured interviews, documentary surveys and direct observation.Main results: the small clothing manufacturing company uses interaction marketing practices, network marketing and mainly digital marketing, including some planning, performance evaluation, and intensity, varying according to the entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation.Theoretical/methodological contributions: discussion of contemporary marketing practices, in the context of small clothing manufacturing companies, and formulation of new research proposals.Relevance/originality: studies on the theme of contemporary marketing practices are concentrated in the context of large companies, thus, this study discusses practices in the Brazilian context, small business, and manufactured goods.Objetivo: analisar pequenas empresas de confecção de vestuários quanto à utilização de práticas contemporâneas do marketing interativo, digital e de rede.Metodologia: o estudo tem natureza qualitativa e descritiva, envolvendo multicasos, e foi conduzido por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, do levantamento documental e da observação direta.Principais resultados: a pequena empresa de confecção de vestuários utiliza práticas de marketing de interação, de rede e, principalmente, digital, inclusive, com planejamento, avaliação de desempenho e intensidade, variando em função das orientações empreendedora e para o mercado.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: discussão sobre práticas contemporâneas de marketing, no contexto de pequenas empresas de confecção de vestuários, e formulação de novas proposições de pesquisa.Relevância/originalidade: tendo em vista que os estudos sobre a temática de práticas contemporâneas de marketing estão concentrados, em geral, no contexto de grandes organizações, este estudo considerou relevante discutir tais práticas também em pequenas empresas, de bens manufaturados, no Brasil.Objetivo: analizar pequeñas empresas de fabricación de ropa y el uso de prácticas de marketing contemporáneas en las dimensiones de marketing interactivo, marketing digital y mercadeo en red. Metodología: el estudio es cualitativo, descriptivo y tiene múltiples casos, y se realiza a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, encuestas documentales y observación directa. Resultados principales: la pequeña empresa de fabricación de ropa utiliza prácticas de marketing de interacción, mercadeo en red y principalmente marketing digital, incluida alguna evaluación de desempeño de planificación e intensidad, que varía de acuerdo con la orientación empresarial y la orientación de marketing. Contribuciones teóricas/metodológicas: discusión de prácticas de marketing contemporáneas, en el contexto de pequeñas empresas de fabricación de ropa, y formulación de nuevas propuestas de investigación. Relevancia / originalidad: los estudios sobre el tema de las prácticas de marketing contemporáneas se concentran en el contexto de las grandes empresas, por lo tanto, este estudio analiza las prácticas en el contexto brasileño, las pequeñas empresas y los productos manufacturados

Modelo de Diagnóstico Mercadológico en el Sector de Servicios

This paper discusses marketing as a diagnostic process that includes the consideration of factors that affect organization�s marketing performance by submitting the proposal for a suggested model to be implemented in the service sector at the planning phase of marketing. This study may be characterized as empirical, qualitative, exploratory, and as a case study that includes participant direct observation in field research, interviews and analysis of internal documents. The results evidence theoretical and practical analysis as well as the limitations of the implemented model when compared with the diagnostic model presented in the theoretical framework.El artículo aborda al diagnóstico mercadológico como un proceso que comprende el examen de factores que afectan al desempeño del marketing de la organización y presenta la propuesta de un modelo sugerido para su implementación en el sector de servicios en la etapa de la planificación del marketing. Este estudio puede caracterizarse como empírico, exploratorio, cualitativo y con la forma de un estudio de caso cuya investigación de campo incluyó observación directa participante, entrevista en profundidad y análisis de documentos internos. Los resultados muestran un análisis teórico-práctico y las limitaciones del modelo implementado, cuando se lo compara con el modelo de diagnóstico presentado en el marco teórico

Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9+/-7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8+/-11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1+/-9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (p<0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0; p=0.009). Conclusions: The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP

A new large animal model of CLN5 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in Borderdale sheep is caused by a nucleotide substitution at a consensus splice site (c.571 + 1G >>> A) leading to excision of exon 3

Batten disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, NCLs) are a group of inherited childhood diseases that result in severe brain atrophy, blindness and seizures, leading to premature death. To date, eight different genes have been identified, each associated with a different form. Linkage analysis indicated a CLN5 form in a colony of affected New Zealand Borderdale sheep. Sequencing studies established the disease-causing mutation to be a substitution at a consensus splice site (c.571 + 1G > A), leading to the excision of exon 3 and a truncated putative protein. A molecular diagnostic test has been developed based on the excision of exon 3. Sequence alignments support the gene product being a soluble lysosomal protein. Western blotting of isolated storage bodies indicates the specific storage of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase. This flock is being expanded as a large animal model for mechanistic studies and trial therapies

Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subarachnoid haemorrhage hospitalisations, aneurysm treatment and in-hospital mortality: 1-year follow-up

Background: Prior studies indicated a decrease in the incidences of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated differences in the incidence, severity of aSAH presentation, and ruptured aneurysm treatment modality during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the preceding year. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 49 countries and 187 centres. We recorded volumes for COVID-19 hospitalisations, aSAH hospitalisations, Hunt-Hess grade, coiling, clipping and aSAH in-hospital mortality. Diagnoses were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes or stroke databases from January 2019 to May 2021. Results: Over the study period, there were 16 247 aSAH admissions, 344 491 COVID-19 admissions, 8300 ruptured aneurysm coiling and 4240 ruptured aneurysm clipping procedures. Declines were observed in aSAH admissions (-6.4% (95% CI -7.0% to -5.8%), p=0.0001) during the first year of the pandemic compared with the prior year, most pronounced in high-volume SAH and high-volume COVID-19 hospitals. There was a trend towards a decline in mild and moderate presentations of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) (mild: -5% (95% CI -5.9% to -4.3%), p=0.06; moderate: -8.3% (95% CI -10.2% to -6.7%), p=0.06) but no difference in higher SAH severity. The ruptured aneurysm clipping rate remained unchanged (30.7% vs 31.2%, p=0.58), whereas ruptured aneurysm coiling increased (53.97% vs 56.5%, p=0.009). There was no difference in aSAH in-hospital mortality rate (19.1% vs 20.1%, p=0.12). Conclusion: During the first year of the pandemic, there was a decrease in aSAH admissions volume, driven by a decrease in mild to moderate presentation of aSAH. There was an increase in the ruptured aneurysm coiling rate but neither change in the ruptured aneurysm clipping rate nor change in aSAH in-hospital mortality