Universidade Positivo

About: Universidade Positivo is a education organization based out in Curitiba, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 1290 authors who have published 1237 publications receiving 9335 citations. The organization is also known as: Positive University.

Index-based and compliance assessment of water quality for a Brazilian subtropical reservoir

Abstract: The Passauna catchment is part of the Upper Iguacu watershed and includes a water supply reservoir for over 500,000 inhabitants of Curitiba metropolitan region. The aim of this study was to establish the state of reservoir water quality, and whether it has undergone any recent medium- and long-term variations. A physical-chemical-biological assessment was undertaken using nine indicators and three indexes: Water Quality Index (WQI), Trophic State Index (TSI) and Shannon-Weaver Index (H’) for macroinvertebrate diversity. Compliance with the prescribed quality standards for the water body was verified using frequency curves. Two WQI calculation approaches were contrasted to test for conditions of partial data unavailability. Temporal trends in key parameters were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. WQI results from 1991-2014 indicated that the water quality may be classified as good and improved in the final decade of such period, while most TSI results were in the oligotrophic/mesotrophic range, but with no significant temporal trend. The biodiversity result of H’=1.6 obtained with data acquired in 2014 indicated a moderately degraded ecosystem that is typically associated with flow regulation and a degree of water quality impairment. Such a multi-indicator integrated physical-chemical-biological monitoring approach comprised a robust framework for assessments of medium-long term aquatic health.

Reuso de água em indústria de fabricação de estruturas em concreto: uma estratégia de gestão ambiental

Abstract: Diante das frequentes crises hidricas registradas no Brasil, o reuso industrial de agua e de efluente tratado e um importante instrumento na gestao dos recursos hidricos, sobretudo nas grandes cidades. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a oportunidade de reducao do consumo de agua potavel em industria de fabricacao de estruturas em concreto, considerando requisitos quantitativos, qualitativos e economico-financeiros. A metodologia utilizada baseou-se em: coletas de campo para determinar a oferta e a demanda de agua de reuso no empreendimento estudado; levantamento da qualidade da agua de reuso requerida; proposta de tratamento e avaliacao do investimento necessario. Os resultados mostraram um potencial de reducao de 61% da demanda mensal de agua potavel do empreendimento analisado, com um baixo investimento (cerca de R$ 3.000,00). Concluiu-se que o reuso de agua pode ser considerado uma alternativa estrategica para a empresa, sobretudo em um cenario de cobranca pelo uso da agua e de restricao em caso de escassez.

Pulse therapy combined with oral corticosteroids in the management of severe rheumatic carditis and rebound.

Abstract: Objective The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical course, laboratory tests, and the cardiac involvement in rheumatic carditis patients in functional class III and IV, submitted to pulse therapy combined with oral prednisone. Methods A total of 120 patients with severe carditis due to acute rheumatic fever were treatment with three cycles of pulse therapy combined with oral corticosteroids. The patients were followed up from the hospital admission until the end of the treatment and returned after 30, 60, and 90 days to control. The patients were evaluated by clinical, laboratory, and transthoracic echocardiogram. Results In total, 23 (19.2%) patients at first attack of rheumatic fever and 97 (80.8%) with recurrent carditis were evaluated. Cardiac surgery was performed in 8 (6.6%) patients. The patients showed improved laboratory and radiological parameters (p<0.001) and were discharged, 74 (61.7%) in functional class I and 46 (38.3%) in functional class II. Hospitalisation time ranged from 21 to 176 days, with a mean of 69.1 days. Reduction of left atrium and ventricle diameters was observed, measured by means of transthoracic echocardiography, at hospital admission and discharge (p<0.001). None of the patients experienced rebound. Conclusions The pulse therapy was effective in controlling severe rheumatic carditis and the oral corticosteroid prevented rebound episodes. Prolonged hospital stay was required for the clinical stabilisation of patients and to avoid the interruption of medication.

Aumento da expressão do MCP-1 coroidal e escleral em modelo experimental de hipercolesterolemia

Abstract: OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho e demonstrar experimentalmente que a dieta rica em colesterol provoca aumento da expressao da MCP-1 na coroide e esclera. METODO: Coelhos New Zealand foram organizados em dois grupos: GN (grupo dieta normal), composto por 8 coelhos (8 olhos), recebeu racao padrao para coelhos, durante 4 semanas; GH (grupo hipercolesterolemico), composto por 13 coelhos (13 olhos), recebeu dieta rica em colesterol a 1% por 8 semanas. Foi realizada a dosagem serica de colesterol total, triglicerideos, HDL colesterol, glicemia de jejum no inicio do experimento e no momento da eutanasia. Ao final da 8a semana para o GH e 4a semana para o GN foi realizada a eutanasia dos animais e os olhos foram submetidos a analise imuno-histoquimica com o anticorpo anti-MCP-1. RESULTADOS: A dieta provocou significativo aumento do colesterol total e triglicerideos do GH em relacao ao GN (p<0,001). Houve significativo aumento da expressao da MCP-1 na coroide e esclera dos animais do GH em relacao ao GN (p<0,001). CONCLUSAO: Este estudo demonstrou que a dieta hipercolesterolemica em coelhos induz ao aumento da expressao do MCP-1 na coroide e esclera.

Pressões ambientais, stakeholders e respostas estratégicas: proposição de metodologia de análise do ambiente institucional em setores produtivos

Abstract: O presente artigo tem por objetivo discutir e apresentar uma metodologia voltada a avaliacao de pressoes e stakeholders envolvidos na configuracao de um dado campo organizacional levando em conta elementos de natureza tecnico-instrumental e institucional para mapear o ambiente. Por tais razoes, este estudo assume, em seu fundamento teorico, conceitos relacionados a teoria institucional, sobretudo Oliver (1992) e sua tipologia de pressoes, e a abordagem dos stakeholders visando entender e mapear agentes relevantes num dado campo organizacional. A metodologia utilizada foi multi-metodos, sendo eles a pesquisa nao-reativa e o estudo de campo. Como tecnicas foram utilizadas a analise de dados secundarios para mapeamento inicial do campo e apontamento das forcas ambientais e o focus group com o fim de apurar pressoes e fatores salientes, stakeholders e a interacao entre ambos, respectivamente. Diversos cuidados foram tomados para a transposicao dos conceitos a operacionalizacao metodologica. Apos estas precaucoes, foi conduzido um piloto no setor de hortifruti na Regiao Metropolitana de Curitiba-PR. Como resultados podem ser apontados que os participantes nao tiveram dificuldade em entender e utilizar os instrumentos; apos as tabulacoes, chegou-se a resultados consistentes e coerentes com a realidade do setor; e, o cruzamento de pressoes com stakeholders , considerando sua influencia e desempenho sugeriu a adocao de algumas respostas coerentes com o que de fato os atores praticam. Institutional Pressures, Stakeholders and Strategic Responses: Proposal of Methodology for Analysis of Environment in Prodution Sectors ABSTRACT This article aims to discuss and present a methodology focused on the evaluation of pressures and stakeholders involved in an organizational field taking into account elements of technical-instrumental and institutional framework for mapping the environment. For these reasons, this study assumes in its theoretical basis, concepts related to institutional theory, particularly Oliver (1992) and her tipology of pressures, and the approach of the stakeholders in order to understand and map stakeholders in a given organizational field. The methodology was multi-method, and they research and non-reactive field study. The techniques used were secondary data analysis for initial mapping of the field and pointing of environmental pressures and the focus group in order to determine pressures and salient factors, stakeholders and the interaction between them, respectively. Several precautions were taken for the implementation of the concepts to the implementation methodology. After these precautions, a pilot was conducted in the horticultural sector in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba-PR. The results can be pointed out that participants had no difficulty in understanding and using instruments. After tabs, came up with consistent results and consistent with the reality of the sector, and the cross-pressures with stakeholders, considering their influence and performance suggested the adoption of some coherent answers to what the actors actually practice it.