RCAAP Repository

It has been more than two decades that the world live with the HIV. Within the passing years we’ve learned a lot about ways of transmission, more efficient medical treatments, more accurate laboratory results, immunity, and so on. It’s still evident, however, the stigma experienced with the find out of the disease. That signalizes that the person is stamped and rejected. To carry a stigma means to carry a characteristic not accepted by society. Based on this fact, people live many prejudice situation and their chances of living naturally are reduced. That way, when a woman faces the positive HIV diagnostic she experiences uncertainty feelings and insecurity, those feelings lead her to a crisis moment. Taking all this into account, this work’s aim is to find out the stigmas that surround the women with HIV infection. This investigation is descriptive and exploratory and its nature is qualitative. The scenario is an infirmary of a specialized hospital in Fortaleza – CE .The research period was from December 2004 to March 2005. Ten women with positive HIV participated. The research method used was the Thematic Oral. It was used recorded semi-structured interview to collect data. The women’s reports were analyzed by creating four categories: 1) facing the diagnostic; 2) changes imposed by the disease; 3) guilt; and 4) living in social exclusion. The women were young, with scarce financial income; low scholar level and they were infected by heterosexual way. This profile coincides with the profile of the majority of infected women in Brazil. Many forms of stigma were identified. Most of them were related to the difficulty of dealing with the diagnostic, changes in the women’s lives because they tried to live better, guilt, social exclusion’s evidence and lack of family’s support. When they remembered the experience of receiving the diagnostic news, they expressed fear of death, shame, and concern with their family, abandonment, solitude, sadness and fault. Besides, they had to keep on trying not to loose their jobs. The different stigma that surround their lives don’t let them live naturally and free of any type of prejudice, and this is a right that has to be respected when we talk about women’s infected with the HIV, because they already suffer bad feelings caused by the disease. This work supported changes in the global assistance offered to infected women, emphasizing that the treatment shouldn’t concern only about biological-opportunists diseases, but should also consider the conflicts experienced by the women. That way, we search for an improvement in these women’s life quality. To defeat the stigmas and the prejudice is a task for all the professionals evolved with these women, this can be done by cultural or legal means.

A vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes brasileiros é representada por números expressivos de mortes por causas externas, alto índice de desemprego, evasão escolar, gravidez precoce, infecção por doenças sexualmente transmissíveis e envolvimento com drogas. No sentido de reverter esse quadro desfavorável, as políticas públicas apontam a necessidade de ações intersetoriais voltadas para promoção da saúde dos adolescentes nas escolas. Dentre os profissionais de saúde que poderão atuar continuamente nas escolas, tem-se o enfermeiro da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Este estudo propõe-se a analisar o contexto dos Enfermeiros da ESF para a promoção da saúde do adolescente no cenário escolar, verificar o conhecimento dos Enfermeiros, identificar a atuação deles e identificar as condições influenciadoras para suas ações. Trata-se de um estudo transversal e exploratório, realizado com 168 enfermeiros da ESF de Fortaleza nos Centros de Saúde da Família (CSF), no período de janeiro a outubro de 2009. Aplicou-se um questionário semiestruturado. As associações entre ação, atuação e capacitação dos enfermeiros com suas características foram analisadas por meio de testes X2 ou de máximo verossimilhança, sendo considerados estatisticamente significantes aqueles com p < 5%. As questões subjetivas foram organizadas em categorias temáticas, analisando-as qualitativamente. Os aspectos éticos e legais foram respeitados. A população estudada revelou-se eminentemente feminina, em idade produtiva, residindo distante da comunidade na qual trabalham, a maioria graduada a mais de 5 anos e especialista, necessitando de cursos de formação na área estudada e com uma diversidade de recursos comunitários disponíveis para colaborar em sua atuação. O conhecimento dos enfermeiros apontou que aspectos como políticas públicas e legislações, funções do enfermeiro na saúde do adolescente, quesitos da saúde escolar e quesitos da escola promotora de saúde formam um entrelace necessário para a efetivação da promoção da saúde do adolescente. A atuação dos enfermeiros nas escolas foi considerada como uma ação de fundamental importância e viável para este profissional exercer, porém eles consideram-se pouco capacitados para seu desempenho. O espaço escolar foi ainda evidenciado como espaço de promoção da saúde e integração com o CSF e que o enfermeiro foi avaliado por 98,8% como o profissional que deve atuar no ambiente escolar. A atual conjuntura de atuação dos enfermeiros, porém, apontou a necessidade de um novo arranjo, incluindo um planejamento que permita uma maior freqüência, maior diversidade de temas, metodologias criativas, com novos parceiros e atores que atendam as reais expectativas dos adolescentes, buscando a promoção da saúde nas escolas. Foram analisados também os fatores que influenciam e repercutem na atuação dos enfermeiros nas escolas com adolescentes, fomentando reflexão crítica para a construção de uma nova realidade que realmente se concretize de maneira contínua e integrada com a comunidade escolar. A partir dos achados deste estudo, um desencadear de aspectos destaca as ações dos enfermeiros da ESF como viáveis, porém, para sua concretização, o Estado deve se apoderar de seus deveres, permitindo que a promoção da saúde escolar se concretize. Portanto, a atuação dos enfermeiros na escola trata-se de um campo promissor que aguarda o planejamento, estruturação e efetivação para a excelência esperada.

Study on the characteristics of non-verbal communication between the nurse and the blind patient, whose objectives are the following: analyzing the nurse’s non-verbal communication with the blind patient during the nursing attendance; testing the reliability index among the referees of non-verbal communication analysis; classifying the non-verbal signs, according to Hall’s referential (1986); verifying the association between the video recordings and the non-verbal communication factors; and identifying the barriers to non-verbal communication between the nurse and the blind patient. The approach adopted is exploratory, descriptive, and quantitative, aiming at gathering information for intervention and, therefore, for improvement in the quality of assistance to this clientele. The study has been developed during the period of February to April of 2005, in a reference healthcare unit, of secondary level, in the city of Fortaleza-Ce, with nurses that attended to diabetic patients, as diabetes may cause several ocular disorders, such as cataract and diabetic retinopathy. Previously, the fourteen nurses who attended to diabetic patients at the institution had been contacted. Of those, seven agreed in participating of the study, but only four made part of the study group. In what regards the selection of blind diabetic patients, it was performed at random, considering the ethical principles that govern studies with human beings. The group has been constituted, therefore, by people who went blind as a consequence of diabetes, and who were going to be attended by the nurses who were part of the study group. Five blind people integrated the study group. To the data collection, a video camera was employed, which recorded the entire nursing attendance between the nurse, the blind person and his/her companion. The instrument for data analysis to evaluate the non-verbal communication between the nurse and the blind person was elaborated according to Hall’s theoretical referential (1986), with emphasis on the proxemic theory, and received the designation Nurse - Blind Patient Non-Verbal Communication (CONVENCE). Simultaneously to the data analysis, CONVENCE was sent to three referees in order to be analyzed. To the analysis of the video recordings, three other referees were chosen, who agreed in participating in the study and that were trained according to the proposed referential. From CONVENCE, five categories were elaborated, with their respective sub-categories. Category 1: Spatial distance, with the sub-categories 1.1- distance, 1.2- posture, 1.3- axis, 1.4-contact. Category 2 – Social behavior, with the subcategories: 2.1-emblematic gestures, 2.2 illustrating gestures, 2.3 –regulating gestures. Category 3 – Facial behavior. Category 4 – Visual Code, with the subcategories: 4.1 – ocular opening, 4.2 looking direction. Category 5 – Voice volume. The training sessions and the data analysis were carried out with all the referees present in the same room and at the same time that had been preset in the beginning of the training. The video recordings were analyzed each fifteen seconds, summing up 1.131 non-verbal communication analyses. When analyzing the categories and subcategories, the main results that were observed are the following: In category 1, the subcategory minimal distance prevailed with 1.030 (91%), due to the fact that the environment were the attendance took place favored the adoption of almost exclusively that distance, either by the professional or by the patient. In this category, the subcategory 2 has shown that the sitting posture (98.3 %) almost obtained unanimity in the images that were analyzed. When addresser and addressee maintain the same posture, it means that they are attuned, sharing the same rhythm, degree of interest, and movement. Also, in this category, the subcategory 4, denominated contact, demonstrated that in 943 (83.3 %) interactions there was no contact. The most observed gesture in the subcategory ‘emblematic gestures’ was the moving of hands (762 or 67.4%). The looking direction, subcategory 4.2, deviated from the interlocutor added up 597 (52.8%) and centered in the interlocutor, 502 (44.4%). In all the video recordings, there were considerable interferences in the moment of the interaction nurse-patient. Such fact was considered a hindrance to communication. The nurse has to demonstrate interest during the interaction, and it is the look towards the patient that will favor this attention during the nursing attendance. It can be concluded, according to the data, that the nurse needs to know and to intensify the studies in non-verbal communication, and to adequate its use to the kind of patient being attended.

PEREIRA, Maria Teresa Lisboa Nobre. Resistencias femininas e ação policial: (re)pensando a função social das delegacias da mulher. 2006. 273 f. Tese (Doutorado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará,Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós- Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2006.

MARQUES, Marcelo Santos. A qualificação profissional no foco da crítica ao sistema do capital: em busca dos egressos do CEFETCE. 2009. 387f. Tese (Doutorado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós- Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2009.

O Planejamento Familiar (PF) de mulheres portadoras de Diabetes Mellitus (DM) guarda especificidades, tendo os profissionais que lidar com as particularidades deste grupo, com risco reprodutivo significativo. Portanto, são mulheres que têm indicação de Métodos Anticoncepcionais (MAC) de elevada eficácia, contra-indicação de determinados MAC em face da doença e/ou do tratamento medicamentoso para o DM, e planejamento da concepção acompanhado de adequado controle da referida patologia. O objetivo geral foi avaliar o impacto da assistência oferecida a mulheres portadoras de DM em pré-concepção e anticoncepção. Os objetivos específicos incluíram: descrever repercussões vivenciadas no processo de engravidar, gestar e parir no perfil obstétrico de mulheres portadoras de DM; identificar o conhecimento de mulheres portadoras de DM sobre cuidados a serem tomados na pré-concepção e sobre riscos maternos e fetais; verificar o conhecimento de mulheres portadoras de DM sobre MAC apropriados a essa condição e analisar a adequação do uso de MAC por mulheres vivendo com DM, tomando por base o perfil da patologia. Estudo avaliativo, transversal, realizado com 107 mulheres acompanhadas em centro de referência para DM de Fortaleza-CE. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista, de março a julho de 2009. Foi realizada análise estatística simples, utilizando frequência absoluta e relativa, média (χ), desvio padrão (S) e Intervalos de Confiança (IC). As falas das mulheres foram analisadas conforme Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo proposta por Minayo. Para avaliar o impacto da assistência em pré-concepção e anticoncepção, foram elaborados os indicadores de impacto: percentual de mulheres que conhecem os MAC indicados para a condição de ser portadora de DM e estão em uso desses MAC; percentual de mulheres informadas sobre os riscos maternos e fetais do DM e sobre as medidas a serem tomadas na pré-concepção; percentual de mulheres que engravidaram e não apresentaram complicações relacionadas ao DM. Para avaliar o conhecimento das mulheres, foi utilizada escala tipo likert da Classificação dos Resultados de Enfermagem (NOC). O projeto de pesquisa foi submetido ao Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Ceará, segundo Resolução no. 196/96, aprovado conforme protocolo nº 27/09 e as participantes assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. As mulheres apresentaram média de idade de 25,7 anos, predomínio de relacionamento com parceiro fixo, renda per capita média de R$ 200,00; 90 (84,1%) tinham DM tipo 1, com média de 11,3 anos de diagnóstico. O perfil obstétrico mostrou-se marcado por repercussões possíveis de associação ao DM; 45 (42,1%) mulheres apresentaram conhecimento moderado sobre os cuidados pré-concepcionais (variou de nenhum conhecimento a conhecimento extenso) e 59 (55,1%) apresentaram conhecimento limitado em relação aos riscos maternos e fetais (variou de nenhum a conhecimento moderado); 76 (71%) desconheciam os MAC indicados para mulheres portadoras de DM (este variou de nenhum a moderado), sendo que 104 (97,2%) estavam em uso de MAC e destas 12 (11,6%) utilizavam MAC contra-indicados em detrimento do DM ou MAC que poderiam potencializar riscos. Concluiu-se que mulheres portadoras de DM necessitam de atenção anticonceptiva eficaz e de acompanhamento para monitorização do DM para que a gestação aconteça em melhor momento clínico. Destaca-se a relevante necessidade de que estes conhecimentos cheguem ao nível extenso, para garantir às mulheres portadoras de DM conhecimento e, assim, uma prática pré-concepcional e anti-anticoncepcional segura.

The arise of HIV/AIDS and the design of the epidemy demanded changes in the sexual and reproductive health of men and women who live with the virus. The fact that survival and life quality improved with the advent of antiretroviral therapy highlighted the aspect of chronicity of HIV infection, outlining possibilities for affective-sexual and reproductive relationships in this new reality, in a complex scenery that involves concordant and discordant couples in contexts of life similar to non-infected people, in a process of re-signification of HIV/AIDS and of search for control of this pandemy. This study aimed to understand sexual and reproductive experience of people who live with HIV. The Humanistic Nursing Theory by Paterson and Zderad was used as a theoretical and methodological reference. This is a descriptive research with qualitative design, held at the infectology clinic of the School Hospital Santo Inácio, in Juazeiro do Norte-CE. The subjects of the study were 16 people who live with HIV/AIDS, 7 men and 9 women. Data were collected from July through November, 2007, through free observation, analysis of medical records and semi-structured interview. For the testimonies’ analysis the technique of content analysis was adopted, from which emerged three themes: 1. Sexual experience; 2. Reproductive experience, and 3. Marriage Experience. In these themes one identified eleven sub-themes: 1. The condom in sexual intercourses; 2. Changes in desire after the discovery of HIV seropositivity, 3. Changes in sexual practice after the discovery of HIV seropositivity, 4. Contraceptive methods used before the experience and living with HIV/AIDS; 5. The condom as a contraceptive reference and protection in sexual intercourses; 6. Ignorance about the use of other contraceptive methods in HIV infection; 7. Desire to have children; 8. Fear of vertical transmission of HIV; 9. (Lack of) knowledge about prophylactic measures to reduce the vertical transmission of HIV; 10. Modification in marital relationship due to self-care and care with the other; 11. The distrust in the partner because of HIV. Out of the people who experience and live with HIV/AIDS one got different experiences and meanings for sexual and reproductive experiences in complex life sceneries, still permeated by the stigma resulting from AIDS. The subjects of this study lived in marital union ranging from eight months through over fifteen years, eleven of whom lived in conjugal concordant relationship to HIV and five in discordant relationship. We did not notice divergence of data by the variable time of union. We noticed difficult socioeconomic situation and presence of children, including five conceived after the knowledge of HIV, and two women during pregnancy. The time spent living with the infection varied from less than a year to more than eleven years. In half the cases the context of discovery of HIV infection involved the gestational period, the others after opportunistic disease or by convincing of the partner, being a difficult moment due to proved marital infidelity. The results indicated that the condom was not part of their sexual routine until the knowledge of HIV, being the virus a determinant condition for joining the condom. The stability of the conjugal relationship served in the pre-infection phase as one of the factors that contributed to the non-use of condoms, causing larger contexts of vulnerability, where the genre appears as the main factor. The use of male condoms, after seroconversion, highlighted the difficulties in adhesion, especially among those who had never experienced this method of protection, revealing possible awareness of the need to adapt to the device in sexual intercourse, which is re-signified for these people. However, there is a bigger confrontation for the maintenance of the prevention practice by the use of condoms in discordant couples. The discovery of HIV seropositivity demanded changes in sexual routine, showing a decrease in sexual desire and change in sexual practices, with different aspects for men and women surveyed. There were changes in routine of contraceptive methods used before the seroconversion, using new methods, especially the male condom, in the presence of HIV. We highlighted the lack of knowledge of alternatives contraceptive methods face to HIV infection and AIDS. The desire to have children was observed in men and women, and the fear of vertical transmission appears as a strong determinant to deny that choice, with the lack of prophylactic measures to reduce vertical transmission. The difficulties in fighting against HIV/AIDS require changes in the daily life of the couple, highlighting a bilateral marital behavior of care for the other in an ambiguous relationship because of distrust with the knowledge of HIV infection. This study allowed us to realize that we must open channels of dialogue about sexual and reproductive experiences, stressing the important dimension that is given to the relationships between professionals and patients, as participants in the search of health promotion in a reality still in construction, of re-signification of life, of relationships and health. The gestational period is highlighted as an important moment for the diagnosis of HIV infection, to advise the recommendations and to reduce vertical transmission, beginning with early prevention of vertical transmission, through humanized care, free of judgments and prejudice. The assistance in sexual and reproductive health for people living with HIV demands several questions and challenges, but it points mainly to the need of integral and non-dichotomous assistance, where prevention and treatment work together, recognizing limits, possibilities, aims and priorities, in the individualization of human care.

Care delivery to newborn infants at the intensive care unit demands theoretical-practical knowledge on skin care, as different procedures lead to the breaking of this protective barrier and can cause severe injuries. Moreover, skin maturity needs to be stimulated in premature infants. Thus, this study aimed to examine the efficiency of the semipermeable membrane as a technological resource for use on premature newborn infants’ (PMNI) skin to reduce transepidermal water loss and electrolyte disorders. This experimental study is a randomized clinical trial and was carried out at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Teaching Maternity Assis Chateaubriand – MEAC in Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil, between March and August 2008. The sample included 42 PMNI who complied with the following inclusion criteria: birth weight ≤ 1,500 grams and gestational age ≤ 32 weeks; permanence of at least seven days at the unit; no severe malformations that affected skin integrity; and the consent of parents and/or persons responsible for the infants. The study variables were weight, water balance, urine density, glucose control, sodium dosage and daily water quota. The data were compiled in Excel and statistical analysis was performed in SPSS. A five-percent significance level was adopted and data were presented in tables and charts. All ethical recommendations were followed during all research phases. All PMNI were admitted from the Obstetric Center and the main medical diagnoses were: prematurity, respiratory discomfort syndrome and hyaline membrane disease. The PMNI were accommodated in a double wall incubator (100%), received mechanical ventilation (95,2%) and (100%), used intravenous hydration via central access (81%) and (100%) , commonly antibiotics therapy, parenteral nutrition (71,4%) and (95,2%), enteral feeding (81%) and (61,9%) , phototherapy (71,4%) and (66,7%). As to birth weight, a daily weight loss of 20g occurred in the intervention group (IG), against 18g in the control group (CG). What diuresis is concerned, data showed a statistically significant regression. As for glucose, 4,4 times more episodes of hyperglycemia were evidenced in CG than in IG. The results for the water quota showed a regression of 7,220 for IG, against 6,094 for CG. What the urine density results is concerned, a slight decrease of only 0,777 was found for IG, against a daily increase of 22.892 for CG, that is, the latter presented higher urine density than IC during the seven days. As to sodium, regression for IG was around 0,603, against 1,835 for CG. Infants in CG had 3.0 times higher chances of hypernatremia in the study period. It was found that the application of the semipermeable membrane, the PMNI for IG was associated with decreased sodium levels and daily fluid demands during the first week of life in PMNI, who also presented less episodes of hyperglycemia and whose urine density was maintained within normal standards in comparison with PMNI in CG. The semipermeable membrane is actually an effective therapeutic resource to minimize transepidermal water losses in PMNI.

Mother’s confidence in their ability to provide good care to their children has proven to be relevant when it comes to maternal health promotion. This dissertation aims to construct a scale in order to measure maternal self-efficacy for preventing infantile diarrhea, by creating its items and dimensions, as well as evaluating the instrument’s psychometric aspects (validity and reliability). The following is both a research on methodology and development, having the model proposed by Pasquali on scale elaboration (1997) as our theoretical landmark. In the pre-empirical part, we carefully examined infantile diarrhea prevention as our construct of interest. The bibliographical survey searched for the keywords “children”, “prevention and control”, “diarrhea” on the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane and LILACS database. The first version of the scale was led by the synthesis of 82 selected papers. It had 35 items and also presented four domains: alimentary habits, domestic environment, mother behavior and child hygiene. The 35 items were evaluated by 30 mothers (who performed the semantic analysis), by 31 other mothers who participated in the scale pre-test and also by seven experts in the construct field. After calculating the Content Validity Index (CVI) and making the proper alterations suggested by the mentioned participators, the pilot test was elaborated, containing itself 25 items. In the empirical part of this paper, the selected sample was formed by 448 mothers of less than 5 years old children. Those women were all registered on one of the six Family Health Centers in which the research took place. Data collection was performed from November of 2009 to February of 2010. A questionnaire on socio-demographic elements and child health aspects was used along with the pilot test. The analytical work involved the construct validity, the criterion validity, Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coeficient (ICC). Construct validity, through the factor analysis, has indicated the need for exclusion of the item seven and has also shown the existence of two factors/domains (family hygiene, formed by 15 items; and alimentary/general habits, with 9 items) in the Maternal Self-Efficacy for Infantile Diarrhea Prevention Scale (MSIDPS). Regarding the construct validity, hypotheses were tested by contrasting groups comparison. A negative correlation has been observed between the higher maternal self-efficacy for infantile diarrhea prevention scores and the previous occurrence of diarrhea in the child (p=0,001).The higher self-efficacy scores were also associated with older mothers (p=0,018). By using predictive validity, the criterion validity has shown that higher levels of maternal self-efficacy turned out to be a protective factor against infantile diarrhea, according to specificity and to Negative Predictive Value. Cronbach’s alpha of the MSIDPS was 0,84, which indicates high internal consistency. ICC, after test-retest stability analysis, was 0,45, showing the scale’s applicability throughout time. This dissertation has come to the conclusion that the scale is reliable, valid and capable of evaluating maternal self-efficacy for infantile diarrhea prevention.

CANTUÁRIO, Maria Zelma de Araújo Madeira. A maternidade simbólica na religião Afro-Brasileira: aspectos socioculturais da mãe-de-santo na umbanda em Fortaleza. 2009. 251 f. Tese(Doutorado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós- Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2009.

The problem of environmental education (EE) is complex and plural. It also has a worrying importance when faced to the socio-environmental crisis spread in the globe. Investigating such theme demands an understanding about the EE academic process, as well as the teachers‟ conceptions about it − built in their jobs on the camp − especially in Ceará State. Having in mind that all kind of education must be environmental, we got quite interested to investigate the conceptions about that issue in the speech of teachers and students, confronting with the current legal framework, law 9.795/99, constitutional text, besides specific international documents of the camp. This study was developed based on a critical, systematic and axiological way of analyzing the already mentioned documents, with special emphasis on the National Policy of Environmental Education (PNEA) − where definition, principles, objectives and execution of environmental education were taken from. The first chapter points out the normative dimension of the legal and philosophical conceptions found in EE. The second chapter analyses the factors that make the execution of EE difficult, considered − on this research − as a challenge on the training of environmental educators. The discussion aimed establishing the limits and possibilities on the execution of EE and teacher training. The third chapter presented the results of a collecting data research where questionnaires to academics and students were the instruments analyzed. 176 academics from different courses of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) − including the ones who don‟t teach in training for teaching undergraduate courses whereas EE must be transversal in formal education answered the questionnaire. The objective of analyzing the answers of 49 professors from the same state (Fortaleza, Iguatu, Limoeiro do Norte, Maracanaú, Sobral e Crateús) was evaluating: the amplitude of their conceptions about the environment, EE, knowledge about important documents, and their practices in the area. The answers of those questionnaires revealed the context of teachers and students in EE conceptions. They also helped us to better understand the different kinds of activities used in EE in formal education. The last chapter presented the web site: “Environmental Educators” (www.educadoresambientais.com.br) whose objective is spreading EE to support environmental educators‟ formation.

CORDEIRO, Maria Paula Jacinto. Entre chegadas e partidas: dinâmicas das romarias em Juazeiro do Norte. 2010. 242f. Tese(Doutorado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2010.

BENEVIDES, Mário Henrique Castro. Sertões em guerra: civilização e mudança social em Euclydes da Cunha. 2009. 134f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2009.

SOUSA, Maria Alda de. A propósito do protagonismo juvenil: quais discursos e significados?. 2011. 151 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Sociologia) – Universidade Federal do Ceará,Departamento de Ciências Sociais, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sociologia, Fortaleza-CE, 2011.

Este artigo utiliza um modelo dinâmico de equilíbrio geral, calibrado para a economia brasileira, para quantificar os ganhos de produto e bem-estar associados à cobrança direta pelo uso da infraestrutura pública, considerando que esta forma alternativa de financiamento dos gastos públicos não distorce as decisões dos agentes econômicos, ao contrário do tradicional financiamento através da arrecadação de impostos. De acordo com as simulações realizadas, impondo-se a restrição de não haver reduções nas transferências às famílias, elevar a receita proveniente de pagamentos pelo uso da infraestrutura pública pode implicar consideráveis ganhos de bem-estar, caso esta seja direcionada à redução de alíquotas de impostos sobre a renda do capital privado. Adicionalmente, ganhos de bem-estar ainda maiores podem ser obtidos a partir de uma política de subsídios à oferta privada de infraestrutura, financiada a partir de receitas oriundas da infraestrutura pública.

This paper analyzes in a recursive macroeconomic model, calibrated to the Brazilian economy, the growth and welfare e¤ects of public expenditures under two alternative modes of nancing: the traditional tax-collection mechanism and a user fee for public infrastructure. According to the model-based simulations, when public transfers to household are not allowed to decrease, there might exist substantial welfare net gains if the government increases its revenue by charging a higher user fee for public infrastructure, as long as this policy comes with a reduction in private capital taxes or tax incentives to private infrastructure.

Taking into account the great technological development on renewable energy systems and their applications on power electronics, this work presents a new concept of converters applied to renewable systems and batteries charging with a reduced number of energy processing stages. This work approaches three different high voltage gain converters topologies with only one processing stage, and with bidirectional capability, with batteries, and with photovoltaic panels. The operation of these converters allow that the inputs (PVpanels or batteries), work independently or simultaneously, in order to compose a single DC bus. Also, proposed topologies present natural soft-switching operation. At last, the three prototypes were developed to work with a nominal power of 500W, validating the operation principle of the proposed system, featuring high efficiency, high voltage gain, and good voltage regulation on the DC bus.

Using a new panel dataset of the Brazilian States, it was estimated, by means of econometric models, the effect of social expenditure on enforcement and welfare on criminality during the period of 2001 to 2003. In contrast to past works developed in Brazil, which used basically data on murder, four kinds of offenses are analyzed: murder, robbery, larceny and kidnapping. Based on the economic theory of crime, we have evaluated the direction and the size of the effect of public spending, in addition to social factors, on the criminal behavior in the Brazilian States. Our results, using fixed effects and first differences to take unobserved effects into account, pointed out income inequality as an important factor to explain criminal behavior. Aiming to control simultaneity between spending on public safety and crime, it was still used instrumental variables, examining if there is a deterrence effect from law enforcement. It was observed that, even when the endogeneity issue is taken into account, there seems not to be a consistent deterrence effect of public spending on safety on crime in Brazil. In most estimates, public spending on welfare displayed a negative and robust effect on criminality, suggesting that this kind of expenditure is an important factor to reduce crime.

Our objective is to investigate the effects of unexpected changes in the worker’s obligations on the decision to retire. We considered, throughout this paper, that the firm does not know the level of the worker’s obligations, and is unable to determine the right moment for the worker to retire. We found that the wage rate decreases when the worker obtains the right to retire and that it is necessary that the retirement benefits be greater than the unemployment insurance in order to have flows of workers from unemployment to retirement, while it is not necessary that this be greater than the wage rate to realize flows of workers from employment to retirement. We also verified that the more difficult it is to obtain the right to retire, the higher will be the job creation flow.

This paper analyzes the process of agricultural micro-regional convergence using a threshold effect model for the period from 1970 to 1996. The results show the existence of three clubs of convergence. One formed by the group of richer micro-regions, concentrated in the South and Southeast regions; other formed by the group of poorer micro-regions,located primarily in the Northeast; and a third intermediate group that concentrates the micro-regions of the Center-West and North of Brazil. The results also show that physical capital is more important than human capital to explain the Brazilian agricultural growth process.