RCAAP Repository

The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize chitosan (CS) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels, and different CS / PVA compositions, with and without addition of clay (AN) and Ibuprofen (IBU) for a dermal matrix, to be tested as a drug carrier vehicle and used as a wound dressing. They were prepared by the solvent evaporation method and analyzed qualitatively by the visual aspect, them they were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG ), swelling, contact angle, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), degradation test, and the tensile test. The results of DRX for the hydrogels in the presence of AN and IBU exhibited the formation of nanocomposites with interleaved morphologies ordered for the compositions PVA + AN + IBU, CS/PVA (1:2), (1:3) and (1:4) + AN + IBU and exfoliated morphology for the composition CS/PVA (1:1) + AN + IBU. The contact angle measurements, a dominant hydrophilic character was observed for the composition CS/PVA (1:4) + 1% AN + 10% IBU, both in saline and PBS. Regarding to swelling, an increase in the degree of swelling in water (pH 6.05) was observed for all compositions of hydrogels relative to the compositions analyzed in PBS (pH 7.2). In the drug release assay, it was evidenced that the increase of the PVA content and the incorporation of the clay in the different compositions of CS/PVA hydrogels, played a fundamental role in the modulation of the drug release profile, indicating to be promising in the development of hydrogels to be used as dressings in the treatment of injured tissues, The composition CS/PVA (1:4) + 1% AN + 10% IBU presented the best control in the release profile, and therefore, it was suggested for this purpose. It could also be noted that the hydrogels had tenuous, compatible and suitable properties to be used as curatives, such as burns.

Biodegradable polymers have been widely studied due to the social quest to reduce the dependence of fossil products. Poly(lactic acid) - PLA is highlighted because it is biodegradable and has a high modulus of elasticity and stiffness, however low thermal stability, flexibility and impact resistance that limit its use. In this work, blends with PLA and glycerol polymers, and nanocomposites with cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) were prepared to evaluate the blending effect and nanocomposite formation on the thermal and mechanical properties of PLA. Glycerol polymers based on maleic anhydride and adipic acid were synthesized to generate poly(glycerol maleate) - PGM, poly (glycerol adipate) - PGA and the copolymer poly (glycerol maleate - co - adipate). These polymers were added to PLA at concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10 wt.%. In addition, cellulose nanowhiskers were extracted by acid hydrolysis and added at 3 wt.% to blends containing 5% glycerol polymer. Samples were mixed in an internal mixer , then milled and injected. The blends and nanocomposites were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal analysis indicated that there was a decrease in the degradation temperature of the samples, even for the nanocomposites, and there was formation of a second phase with greater crystalline organization and higher porosity. Porosity and processing conditions affected the mechanical properties, and it was only possible to observe that the presence of NWC in PLA allowed a slight deformation. In general, the different injection temperatures as well as the formation of blends with glycerol polymers are a way of compatibilizing PLA and CNW. Despite our results not being satisfactory in terms of mechanical properties, they encourage the pursuit for the development of new biidegradable materials.

This work presents results of a research carried out in a full-time public Child Education Center in João Pessoa, Brazil, with a group of 2-year-old children. The objective was to identify the emergence of gender manifestations in children through their behaviors and interactions. Data collection included interviews with the educators and classroom observation. The text, located in the field of Cultural Studies, approaches the notions of identity and culture from this perspective, as well as the main psychological theories aiming at emphasizing the importance of the study of this age group in regard of the appearance of gender constructions in the imaginary of children and the reproduction of social roles. The research shows the different factors that contribute to the formation of gender identity in the daily life of the day care center, but also conceives the child as a subject that must be recognized in the investigation, implying a work with children and not about them. The results show how education has a normalizing tendency; nevertheless, children transgress. The study contributes to rethinking child education as a decisive step on the way to shaping gender identities and moving towards a new educational model with gender equality as a priority in education policies.

This paper presents results of research conducted on the Pedagogical Political Project (PPP) of pedagogy degree course of the Municipality Municipal Higher Education of Goiás. This study aimed to analyze the teacher's training policies in official documents dealing with guidelines for performance of this professional in the non-school spaces, expressed in the curricular components of the initial training, through the teaching of the course political project. The text initially presents the scenario of the research describing the historicity of Goiana-PE municipality and the City Municipality of Higher Education of Goiás (AMESG) representative of the municipal institutions of higher education. In the scenario of the discussions about teacher training in the national context, it highlights the resistance movement against the creation of the Higher Education Institutes and the Superior Normal Course, this time stems from the strengthening of the degree course in pedagogy based on teaching. We approach the formation of the contemplated professor at the National Education Plan - PNE (2001-2010) and (2011-2020), the National Plan of Basic Education Teacher Training (PARFOR) and National Education Conference - CONAE (2010 and 2014) . Elected to Freirean continuing education category in the context of problem-based education to support the initial training of teacher in performance in non-school spaces. The debate on how the appointment of formal, non-formal and informal, founded the phrase "non-school spaces" which is based on our research. The methodology used was based on qualitative research, with the content analysis method, through the analysis of documents in the official texts of Opinions CNE / CP 5/2005, CNE / CP 03/2006 and in the CNE / CP No. 1, of May 15, 2006, and the Pedagogical Political Project of the degree course in pedagogy. From the study the training proposal in the course content presented curriculum components that include training of teacher for teaching activities in non-school spaces, spread over graduation, with theoretical and practical timetable established in the interdisciplinary context, and worked in methodological activities differentiated, promoting training under the aegis of the quest for knowledge of the discussions in the field of teacher training, based on the needs and social demands.

The choice of ecological literacy proposed by Fritjof Capra was elaborated in order to subsidize the panorama of Environmental Education. The problematic in the issue that must be the thematic one, results in an obstacle of the human related with fragmentation of the knownes, but that will beyond there, the disconnection of human human hand in basic education in terms developed by the ecology. Thus, an investigator of nature as an ecological literacy associated with a natural intelligence can provide the theoretical-methodological results for the teaching-learning processes aimed at the continuous-reflective formation of teachers in Environmental Education, starting from a discussion of the theory of dialogicity/Freirian consciousness. In this sense, this law is justified by the teachers' perception of environmental education, so it is pertinent to train teachers committed to the practice of an ecologically literate teacher. A research was subsidized by the theoretical framework of the authors: Capra, Gardner and Freire. To have a visit to the problem in the issue of the Cabedelo in Paraíba, the field of research was a public community in environmental education. The research paper was made in a natural way based on long-term data analysis data: presentation, continuous training and focus group, all instances within the school of the teachers involved. The construction measures were applied through the grounded theory, formulating categories of questions of the proposed questions. From the results obtained, it is possible that the continuing education of teachers may have been considered as a source of reflection on the importance of education practices as part of a series of knowledges that have already been neglected and involved in isolation. With the results, the results were obtained and the concepts that could be implemented were defined as a natural and emotional context, to provide a sensitivity to the environment, since the valuation of the human being and of the planet is indispensable for all life and any other is either educational or planetary.

This doctoral dissertation purposes to discuss the critical-collaborative processes in Teacher Education in Environmental Education (EE), aiming to investigate the interdisciplinarity between processes of collaboration in EE and production of knowledge and practices contextualized for the Brazilian Semiarid. Thus, this study defends the idea that "critical-collaborative processes in the continuous formation of teachers enable a new perception of the world that surpasses the dichotomies that hinder the embodiment of a contextualized EE for the Semi-arid to (re)approach thought and action in a transdisciplinary relationship". To validate this thesis the methodology of "collaborative critical action research" was applied, associated with epistemological assumptions of the Freirean and Morinian theory, articulated and complemented by the transdisciplinary education and contextualized for the Semi-arid a form to instigate the thought articulated by the transcendence in the act. 25 teachers who teach from the 4th to the 9th grade of a school in Santa Helena, located in the semi-arid region of Paraiba, participated in this research. The results revealed a teacher knowledge (perception) centered in conservationist and/or pragmatic epistemology, marked by limits of theoretical, practical and relational nature probably influenced by the modern traditional paradigm experienced in the formative processes (initial and continued) that fragments the dimensions of the subject and reality. However, with the realization of the research-formation, the composition of a critical and relational praxis scenario was observed among the teachers in the understanding (reflection) and Intervention (action) in the schools where they teach, thus suggesting that critical-collaborative formative processes can stimulate a resizing of the being in its cognitive relation with the multidimensional reality (social, cultural, political, historical, ethical and environmental) experienced. Therefore, although not a definitive answer or even a recipe to be followed, the materialization of a critical, emancipatory and transforming EE requires, fundamentally, critical reflection and collective and transdisciplinary participation in order to legitimize and lead social actors (teachers) to (re)perceive the paradoxes and ambivalences existing in the relation between human beings, society and the environment and, thus, transform it, which cannot be confused with pragmatic extensionist practices or substitution/complementation of curricular contents, but to a process of reflection and learning (production of knowledge), critical, intentional, collaborative, relational, contextual and complex.

This paper presents a new three-phase current-fed Push-Pull DC-DC converter. The proposed converter has reduced size when compared with single-phase topologies and has a simplified gate drive circuit with switches connected to the same reference. When compared with three-phase topologies presented in the literature, the proposed converter has a higher gain and a transformer with reduced leakage inductances, since the voltage applied to the windings has reduced values. A detailed analysis of the converter is presented, containing theoretical waveforms, description of the topological stages and mathematical expressions for the voltages gains and the design of the power structure of the proposed converter with operation in continuous conduction mode and discontinuous conduction mode. In addition, small signal analysis is presented and the converter transfer functions are deduced and validated with simulation results. In order to validate the theoretical analysis simulations are presented and a 700 W prototype was built with an input voltage of 40 V, a output voltage of 400 V and a switching frequency of 40 kHz. With the proposed control strategy, it was possible to maintain the output voltage with at 400 V. The converter had an experimental gain of approximately 10 and is suitable for applications aiming to process the energy from low DC voltage sources.

After the completion of the genome project, new research lines emerged, among them a nutrigenomics, whose objective is to relate the dietary components to the human genome. From this report you should be ready to analyze the epidemic mechanisms, which are developing and are not metabolizable. DNA methylation is the most sensitive and participatory mechanism of transcriptional transmission of gene expression, with variables related to metabolic and health disorders. Changes in methylation of the MTHFR gene lead to changes in the homocysteine and folic acid cycle. In addition, the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is encoded by this gene can make methyl groups for a methylation of DNA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the methylation levels of the MTHFR gene and to correlate glycemic levels, oxidative stress and lifestyle in adult individuals. This is a population-based cross-sectional epidemiological study involving 265 adult individuals in the age range of 20 to 59 years of both genders, representative of the East and West Zones of the city of João Pessoa / PB. Population-based research entitled "II Cycle of Diagnosis and Intervention of Food, Nutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases of the Population of the Municipality of João Pessoa / PB". The data were newborns through epidemiological applications, lifestyle, evaluation of food consumption and nutritional status. From the blood samples were found serum concentrations of total antioxidant capacity, malondealdehyde, lipid profile, folic acid, vitamin b12 and homocysteine, were analyzed. DNA methylation levels analyzes in the promoters of the MTHFR gene were performed by the real-time PCR method. For statistical analysis, linear regression using STATA 13 was used. The methylation levels of the MTHFR gene were 34.14% ± 17.41. The equilibrium between the methylation class with fasting blood glucose levels, when fasting blood glucose increases 1mg / dl, methylation levels increased by 0.050% and the relation with the eventual consumption of more than six doses of alcoholic beverage in the most generic is the larger size compared to serum levels of methylation increased by 4.47%. It was already used for folate consumption, a low to reverse, that is, as folate consumption decreased by 1mg, methylation levels increased by 0.05%. It is concluded that the data demonstrate a positive association between methylation of the MTHFR gene, fasting glucose and alcohol consumption in a series of events, and negative for folate consumption.

Thrombosis is a Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) that increases the risk of death when it is related to the pathological mechanisms of Ischemic Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke. The development of CVDs is inversely related to the consumption of foods rich in vitamin E nutrients (Vit. E), omegas 3 and 9. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of the almond oil of Dipteryx alata Vog. (D. alata Vog.) On induced thrombosis and platelet aggregation in rats. Therefore, tocopherols were quantified in the oil and toxicity was assessed on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Autonomous System (ANS). The oral treatment lasted 10 days, the Control group received 1 mL of 0.9 % NaCl, the two groups supplemented with the oil of D. alata Vog. received doses of 7.2 mg/kg/day and 14.4 mg/kg/day each and Vit. E received 0.42 mg/kg/day of a pharmaceutical formulation of Vit. E diluted in 0.2 mL of mineral oil. On the 11th day after the 10-day supplementation period, the experimental protocol with induction of thrombosis in the carotid artery with FeCl3 and monitoring of blood flow with subsequent dissection of the carotid artery to remove the thrombus was started; in plasma were analyzed platelet aggregation, superoxide anion production (O2•-) and tocopherols quantification; the thoracic aorta artery was dissected for vascular reactivity analysis. According to the results obtained the tocopherols content found in the oil was 2.89 % and the toxicity evaluation showed that the doses tested of 300 and 2000 mg/kg of the oil did not caused behavioral alterations nor neither deaths of the animals. The oil of D. alata Vog. in the dose 14.4 mg/kg had an antithrombotic effect promoting an increase in the occlusion time in this group of 138.6 % and a reduction in the weights of the wet and dry thrombi of 24 h in 62.9 and 61.8 %, respectively, compared to control. The dose D. alata Vog. 14.4 mg/kg also caused a 31 % decrease in ADP-induced platelet aggregation in relation to Control. The measurement of the DHE fluorescence showed a decrease in the O2•- production of 43 % in the D. alata Vog.7.2 mg/kg group and 32.8 % in the Vit. E. The emission of the fluorescence of the DHE in the aggregate platelet was 75.1 % in D. alata Vog. 7.2 mg/kg, 76.6 %, in D. alata Vog. 14.4 mg/kg and 79.4 % in Vit.E, all emission measurements in relation to controls. The reactivity study showed that the oil of D. alata Vog. at doses 7.2 mg/kg, 14.4 mg/kg and Vit. E 0.42 mg/kg reduced the Phe contraction Emax in the vessel at 36.4; 57.7 and 42 %, respectively, compared to Control. Already in the rings without endothelium the oil of D. alata Vog. at 7.2 mg/kg decreased by 33.8 % and at the dose 14.4 mg/kg decreased the Emax of contraction of Phe in the vessel by 35.2 % compared to Control, but this effect was more pronounced in the presence of endothelium. In the group supplemented with the oil of D. alata Vog. dose 14.4 mg/kg, there was an increase in pD2 of the vasorelaxant agents, ACh in 14.6 % compared to Vit. E 0.42 mg/kg and NPS at 17.6; 15.5 and 13.8 % compared to Control, D. alata Vog. 7.2 mg/kg and Vit. E and 0.42 mg/kg, respectively. Therefore, the findings indicate that the oil is non-toxic at the doses tested, prevents thrombosis, reduces platelet aggregation and produces O2 • - and modulates vascular function, showing superior effect to Vit.E. Thus, its use may be a possible strategy for the prevention of CVDs.

The physiological deterioration and development of pathogens in mangos (Mangifera indica L.) limit their post-harvest life, hindering their preservation and maintaining quality during commercialization. Among the diseases causing pre and postharvest losses in mango, anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum fungi stands out among the most important because the severity of symptoms. The chitosan is a polysaccharide with antimicrobial activity, which presents gelling properties when in acidic medium, which allows its application to the formulation of fruit coatings. The incorporation of essential oils into chitosan coatings may increase the antifungal efficacy of the formed coating, reflecting lower postharvest disease severity and slower senescence in fruit. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the application of chitosan coatings incorporated with Mentha piperita L. essential oil for the control of anthracnose caused by C. asianum, C. dianesei, C. fructicola, C. tropicale and C. karstii, as well as post-harvest changes in mango cultivar Tommy Atkins. For this, analyzes were carried out to identify the constituents of Mentha piperita L. essential oil as well as the in vitro antifungal effects of chitosan and essential oil isolated and in combination on radial mycelial growth and the type of interaction established by these substances applied in combination. Tests were also performed to evaluate the effect of chitosan and Mentha piperita L. essential oil coating on the development of anthracnose caused by fungal strains tested on mangos stored at 25 ° C for 15 days. The effects of coating application on post-harvest quality parameters was evaluated through different physicochemical, enzymatic and sensorial analyzes. The use of chitosan (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/mL) and Mentha piperita L. essential oil (0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 µL/mL) alone was effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all strains of Colletotrichum tested in synthetic medium. Mixtures of chitosan (5 or 7.5 mg/mL) and Mentha piperita L. essential oil (0.3, 0.6 or 1.25 µL / mL) were effective in inhibiting radial mycelial growth of the strains tested, with the establishment of additive or synergistic effects. The application of coatings containing chitosan (5 or 7.5 mg/mL) and Mentha piperita L. essential oil (0.6 or 1.25 µL/mL) resulted in reduction of severity of typical anthracnose lesions throughout storage in mangas cv. Tommy Atkins artificially contaminated with the tested strains. The severity of the anthracnose lesions in the mangos coated with chitosan and Mentha piperita L. essential oil in mixtures was similar to or less than that observed in mangoes treated with synthetic fungicides thiophanate-methyl (10 µg a.i./mL) and difenoconazole (0.5 µg a.i./mL). Application of chitosan coatings (5 mg/mL) and Mentha piperita L. essential oil (0.6 or 1.25 µl/mL) were also effective in delaying fruit ripening, with retention of pulp firmness, reduction of weight loss and increase in acidity, possibly as a consequence of the reduction of organic acid degradation. A decrease in the activity of the polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase and pectinamethylesterase enzymes and a delay in fruit color development were also observed. These characteristics interfered with sensory evaluation only on the 15th day of storage in which coated mangos received the lowest scores for color, taste and residual taste. These results demonstrate that the application of coatings containing mixtures of CHI and MPEO can be considered an alternative technology for the control of anthracnose, and post-harvest changes in mango cv. Tommy Atkins.

The Zinc (Zn) plays a role in improving insulin sensitivity, so its supplementation has been used as adjuvant treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, however, there is no consensus as to the efficacy of the compounds used. In this sense, the accomplishment of this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of two Zn compounds on the behavioral, biochemical and histological parameters in an experimental model of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Fifty four male adult rats were randomized into six groups: Control (C = n = 8); Supplementary with Zn Sulphate (SZ; n = 8); Supplementary with Zn Gluconate (GZ; n = 8); Diabetic (D; n = 10); Diabetic Zn Sulfate Supplementary (DSZ; n = 10) and Diabetic Zn Gluconate Supplementary (DGZ; n = 10). The SZ and DSZ groups received oral supplementation of Zn Sulfate and the GZ and DGZ groups received oral Zn Gluconate supplementation at both the dose (15 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks. The Data (mean±SEM) were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test or ANOVA, followed by Tukey posthoc, with significance level of p<0.05. The partial results were: there were no significant differences regarding the classic symptoms of the disease, but group D presented significant loss of body mass and reduction of the murinometric measures (p<0.05) compared to the DSZ and DGZ groups, indicating that Zn supplementation attenuated the loss of weight in diabetes. Regarding the behavioral parameters, the DSZ group presented a longer residence time and a greater number of entries in the open arms in the Elevated Cross Labyrinth Test (p<0.05); greater ambulation and shorter time of immobility in the Open Field Test (p<0.05) and less time of immobility in the Forced Swimming Test (p<0.05); while the DGZ group presented lower immobility time and longer swimming time in the Forced Swim Test (p<0.05), with no statistical differences in the other tests, indicating that supplementation with Zn Sulphate presented an anxiolytic effect and Gluconate supplementation of Zn presented antidepressant effect in diabetic animals, corroborating with the results of the histological analysis, with attenuation of the cerebral histological alterations as reduction of ischemic neurons and hemorrhage of the animals of the DGZ group. The DSZ group presented better glycemic control compared to the D and DGZ groups, considering HbA1c and glycemia values in the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and the Insulin Tolerance Test (p<0.05), suggesting a better uptake of the resulting glucose of Zn Sulfate supplementation. However, the DSZ and DGZ groups presented negative changes in the lipid profile (p<0.05). Total Antioxidant Capacity levels were increased in the DSZ and DGZ groups, compared to the D group (p<0.05), however there was no significant difference in Malondialdehyde levels. The DSZ group presented improvement in liver function, with attenuation of histological changes, compared to D and DGZ groups (p<0.05). The DSZ and DGZ groups showed improvement in renal function, compared to group D (p<0.05); however, the DGZ group presented a greater protective effect of the renal tissues compared to the DSZ group. The results indicate a greater therapeutic effect of Zn Sulphate compared to Zn Gluconate, improving glycemic control, increasing antioxidant activity and attenuating liver and kidney tissue damage. However, supplementation with the two Zn compounds resulted in adverse reactions on the lipid profile, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular complications, therefore, supplementation should be monitored within the tolerable limit.

Exclusive breastfeeding (EB) presents important advantages for maternal and child health, contributing to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Brazil is a worldwide reference in the promotion of the EB and currently there is a network of policies, programs and strategies with this objective. Despite this, the problem of early termination of exclusive breastfeeding is still a difficult reality to overcome. It is necessary to create and deep support strategies that take into account its multiple dimensions, especially actions after hospital discharge, when the woman is facing with most of the difficulties. This research had the objective of analyzing the support to the EB offered by a virtual group, after the hospital discharge. This is a qualitative study, carried out according to the assumptions of the Community-Based Participatory Research, within the framework of action research. The actions were conducted in a private community, from the social network facebook, titled Projeto Amamenta Mamãe, whose focuses in promote and support exclusive breastfeeding after discharge. To understand the support offered, the publications made in this virtual scenario were analyzed, totaling 56 publication topics and 784 comments. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 11 women who were part of this group. The analysis took place by the technique of content analysis proposed by Bardin, in the thematic modality, in the light of the interpretative framework. The group was a scenario of sharing secure information, exchange of experiences and expanding the social network of support of the participants. The creation of actions was based on the needs of women, contributing to their empowerment and their autonomy, inserting them as actors in the support process. The Projeto Amamenta Mamãe was considered a feasible and practical strategy, enabling its replication in the different fields of work of the professionals who work with breastfeeding.

The Unified Health System (SUS, in portuguese) emerged amidst the political and social movements of Brazil. One of its components, Basic Care (AB), includes the Family Health Strategy (ESF), whose Family Health Support Centers (NASF) are linked and have, among their actions, nutritional care - AN. The National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ – AB), established in 2011, has External Evaluation (AE) as one of its phases, and its results can reorient health actions. This research aims to evaluate A within the scope of the NASF throughout Brazil, from the AE of the PMAQ – AB. This is a cross-sectional and analytical study, with a quantitative approach and a secondary basis. It consisted of seven steps, composed of statistical analyzes (descriptive analysis, Pearson's chi-square test and binary logistic regression). The AE questions related to the AN axis constituted the dependent variables, while the independent ones covered the other axes, selected after each methodological step. We disregarded the models with low determination coefficients and the independent variables omitted in the regression. The results are exposed under measures of effect (Odss Ratio - OR). Among the main findings, NASF support to the development of Food and Nutrition Surveillance (VAN) actions was favored by the provision of a shared office (OR = 0,704), analysis of the number of erroneous or unnecessary referrals for specialized care ( OR = 0,749) and monitoring of follow-up users at other points of attention (OR = 0.749). The least contributory aspect of VAN's actions was support to the provision of care for people with chronic diseases (OR = 6,431), who also competed with actions to Promote Adequate and Healthy Food (PAAS) (OR = 4,634); diseases related to food and nutrition (OR = 3.862) and to the intersectoral articulation, to guarantee Food and Nutritional Security – SAN (OR = 3.722). The qualification of referrals to other points of attention was the one that most strengthened the effectiveness of PAAS actions (OR = 0.679). The accomplishment of family orientations optimized the development of actions directed to the aggravations related to the feeding and nutrition (OR = 0,497). Concerning the actions of intersectoral articulation, in order to guarantee SAN, the following elements were highlighted: the existence of schedules or scales of use of the rooms (OR = 0,726), analysis of health indicators of the population of the territory (OR = 0,706) and monitoring of users at other points of attention (OR = 0,787). Through the external evaluation of the PMAQ – AB, it is inferred that the AN strengthened within the AB scope, mediated by the NASF professionals. However, and in line with its guidelines, it is still necessary to strengthen intersectoriality, articulation among NASF professionals, Family Health teams and users, as well as the training focused on SUS and the implementation of Permanent Education. This study can stimulate the analysis of new cycles of the PMAQ – AB, making possible the comparison of the results and fomentation to the strategic planning in health.

The accelerated growth of the elderly population is a worldwide reality, becoming a major challenge for contemporary public health. The global increase in population aging poses greater challenges on health systems and services for the elderly. This population group is in epidemiological and demographic evidence, becoming a priority in studies and interventions in health, particularly in Brazil. In this context, one approach to measuring the quality and availability of health care for the elderly is to assess hospital admission rates, as they are treated early and appropriately to avoid hospitalization. The main objective of this research is to analyze the prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and human development index in the hospital network in the elderly in Brazil. This is an aggregate, quantitative and qualitative, ecological time-series study on the distribution of prevalence coefficients of Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from 534,691 cases of hospitalizations in the 27 Brazilian states, years of 2010 and 2016. The data were notified by year and by place of residence being obtained from the Hospital Information System of the database of the Unified Health System. Statistical analyzes were done using the statistical program R, using the coefficient of prevalence of diseases in each state and region, allowing a visualization of the spatial pattern of these morbidities using the k-means clustering method. The spatial distribution of these patterns was explored, and a multiple regression model was developed to estimate the relationship between prevalence indicators and sociodemographic variables (per capita income, illiteracy rate, and human development index). In the present study, the relationship between the prevalence of hospitalization for systemic arterial hypertension and the human development index (95% CI = -5.4%, -2.6% and -4.040% and p = 0.000) was observed; and prevalence of hospitalization for Diabetes Mellitus and Human Development Index (95% CI = -4.8%, -1.7% and coefficient -3.293% and p = 0.000), as well as a relation between the prevalence of hospitalization for Arterial Hypertension and income (95% CI = -1.7%, -0.3% and coefficient 0.773% and p = 0.000) and the relationship between the prevalence of hospitalization for diabetes mellitus and the rate of illiteracy (95% CI = 0.0; 0,5%, coefficient 0.278% and p = 0.039) in the multiple regression model with panel data. We conclude that there was a trend towards stabilization and reduction in the prevalence of hospitalizations for Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in most states and in different Brazilian regions, higher prevalences of hospitalization in males, and in the higher age range. It should be noted that a negative relationship between the Human Development Index and the prevalence of hospitalizations for both chronic noncommunicable diseases was identified. Although treatment and control of Hypertension and Diabetes improved, the values of these variables remained at high levels.

The aim of this dissertation is to analyze the relationship between work and health of the professionals of general hospital cleaning services of an University Hospital in a capital city in northeast of Brazil. From a theoretical point of view, the Psychodynamics of Work and the Ergonomics of Activity are the main approaches used to analyze the complex relationships between work and health. As for method, a qualitative approach was chosen, which had as instruments a semi-structured individual interview (based on a script built from the theoretical categories of the research) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The collected dada were analyzed using Iramuteq software. The sample consisted of 30 hospital cleaning servers, ranging from 21 to 61 years (M = 40.3, SD = 11.0), single (43.3%), female (66.7%), Incomplete secondary education (50%). The length of service ranged from three days to 28 years in the researched organization. From the analysis of the Hierarchical Describing Classification, the corpus was divided into five classes that were named from their most representative descriptors: Risks at Work, Training and Professional History, Working Conditions, Suffering at Work, and Strategies of Defense and Organization of the Job. Regarding the results, it was verified that cleaning servers are exposed to risks in their work environment, being these physical, chemical and biological, resulting from several situations of vulnerability, among which were identified infectious, musculoskeletal problems; As well as psychic issues such as anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, and emotional exhaustion. Regarding the history and professional training, it was verified that majority have low professional qualification, being this the first job of signed portfolio. They appear as previous jobs: hourly housekeeper, day laborer, waiter and housekeeper. It also identifies deficient training that generates anxiety and insecurity in the servers. As regards working conditions, there was a lack of safety equipment (e.g., glove, mask and hat), inappropriate furniture that exposes workers to hazardous situations and affects the health of these workers. As sources of suffering at work, the conflictual relationship with leadership, invisibility and prejudice became evident. However, the feeling of usefulness in the maintenance of hospital cleaning and janitorial care, the relationship with the peers and even the salary issue were found as sources of pleasure. The praise given by users, patients extol the sense of usefulness and thus, transform suffering into pleasure at work. Last but not least, the organization of work through strict supervision of the bosses, control of time, movements and breaks, as well as the high workload, stands out as an important source of suffering. In this way, it is sought, through the results of this study, to contribute to the production of knowledge regarding the health of hospital cleaning servers, opening the possibility of future transformations of this reality.

The present thesis aimed to investigate the relationships of friendship and their relationships with personality traits and human values. For this, four empirical articles were carried out. Article 1 sought to adapt and gather evidence of validity and reliability of the Friendship Quality Scale (FQS) for Brazil, which considered two studies. The first one had a non-probabilistic sample of 427 university students from the cities of Parnaíba and Teresina, with a mean age of 21.29 years (SD = 4.48). They answered the FQS and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The Factorial Exploratory Analysis (FEA) indicated a unifactorial solution, which after excluding some items, was only 18 items that explained 47% of the total variance (α = 0.93). In the second study, which aimed to investigate new evidence about the structure found, a non-probabilistic sample of 401 university students from the cities of João Pessoa and Cajazeiras, with a mean age of 20 years (SD = 4.83). The Factorial Confirmatory Analysis (FCA) corroborated the FQS unifactory model [χ² (135) = 215.53, p < 0.001, χ²/gl = 1.59, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, RMR = 0.08, SRMR = 0.06, RMSEA = 0.04(IC 90% = 0.03-0.05), α = 0.91]. Article 2, on the other hand, sought to adapt and gather evidence of validity and reliability of the Friendship Intimacy Scale (FIS), using a method similar to the first article, differing only in the applied instrument, which was the FIS. In the first study, FEA indicated a unifactorial structure with 29 items, total variance of 31.14% and α = 0.91. The FCA, performed in the second study, confirmed the structure found [χ² (377) = 532.18, χ²/gl = 1.41, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.05 e RMSEA = 0.03 (IC 90%= 0.02-0.04), α = 0.90]. Article 3 aimed to investigate the influence of human values and personality traits on the quality and intimacy of friendship. For this, a non-probabilistic sample of 200 college students was included, with a mean age of 22.81 (SD = 5.35). They answered the FQS, FIS, Dark Triad Dirty Dozen (DTDD), the Virtuous Personality Inventory (VPI), the Basic Values Questionnaire (BVQ-18), and a Sociodemographic Questionnaire. The results revealed significant correlations between the attributes of the friendship and some of the inserted variables. From the results, two regressions were performed. In the first one, considering the types of orientation of the values as predictors, it was revealed that only gratitude, altruism and central values explained the intimacy [F (3, 163) = 9.82; p < 0.001; R² adjusted = 0.13] and the quality [F (3, 176) = 11.94; p < 0.001; R² adjusted = 0.15] of the friendship. In the second, considering the types of motivators, only gratitude, altruism and humanitarian values explained the attributes of friendship, namely: intimacy [F (3, 166) = 10.85; p < 0.001; R² adjusted = 0.15] and quality [F (3, 176) = 13.78; p < 0.001; R² adjusted = 0.18]. Finally, Article 4 turned to the construction of an explanatory model of friendship including as explainers the constructs virtuous personality and human values. There was a non-probabilistic sample of 200 college students, with a mean age of 21 years (SD = 4.24). They answered EQA, EIA, IPV, QVB-18 and a Sociodemographic Questionnaire. The result of the path analysis revealed that the model with the best indicators of goodness of fit was one in which the traits of virtuous personality, gratitude and altruism, and social values explained the attributes of friendship [χ² (6) = 5.38; p < 0.001; χ² / gl = 0.90, CFI = 1.00, TLI = 1.00; RMSEA = 0.00 (90% CI = 0.00 - 0.08)]. Thus, it was concluded that the objectives of each article were reached, which provided adapted measures to measure quality and intimacy of the friendship, as well as exhibited the power of the antecedent variables to explain such attributes, contributing to the construction of explanatory models in Article 4.

The process of development of new acquisitions by infants, from a historiccultural point of view, is permeated by co-constructive and bidirectional actions. Infant abilities are meaningful in the social context that the baby is found, and their behaviors are continuously improving as they develop. Among the factors involved in this process, the way parents conceive their children’s development have an influence, directly or indirectly, over their practices. The present thesis aimed at investigating parental conceptions about their babies’ first year development, with focus on the conceptions about the development of the intentional communication ability. It showed a longitudinal lineation, with the participation of 20 mothers and 20 fathers of babies of 3, 6, 9, and 12-months old. The participants’ ages ranged between 20 and 36 years old. The tools used were a socio-demographic questionnaire and two semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed in accordance with the guidelines of the content’s analysis. Outcomes showed that, in the parents’ view, the new acquisitions by infants allow a higher rate of interaction between caregivers and babies. Most of the participants mentioned the stimulations as aspects that may promote development, and presented conceptions that recognize the parental role as essential for their children’s healthy development. In relation to the conceptions about the intentional communication ability, it turned out that the parental reports, especially when babies were in the second semester of age, indicated specific infant behaviors that may show these abilities. The mothers figure that babies are able to feel emotions, mainly the positive ones, as well as recognize emotions from others, and point at a higher frequency than that reported by fathers. These data suggest that mothers perceive the development of positive aspects of infant intentionality somewhat earlier than do the fathers. Fathers, in turn, comprehend that their babies are able to feel sadness, guilt, and that they can deliberately behave rather negatively before mothers are able to realize such aspect. In spite of this difference, fathers seem to know the stages of their babies’ development, and feature congruent conceptions regarding infant development as well. We assume that the present study contributes with all the field of research of developmental psychology, and may help in the basis of professional practices. Considering the theoretical referential used, empirical results, and the bibliographic search carried on, proposals of guidelines were made for the elaboration of orientation programs meant to promote infant development by means of actions targeting parents and educators.

The present thesis aims to analyze the Restorative Justice (RJ) within the scope of the Socioeducation Policy. According to its most widely used concept, JR can be understood as the process by which the parties involved in a specific offense collectively resolve how to deal with the consequences of the offense and its future implications. It is assumed, in this thesis, that: Restorative Justice is situated in a context of partnership between State and civil society; in the policy of Socioeducation RJ enters through the justice system, characterizing a response of the State to the issue of the infraction, through consensus; in considering crime as a violation of people and relationships, RJ presents an interpersonal approach, not provoking structural transformations; despite this, the RJ may present itself as a counter-hegemonic possibility, representing a tool that provides young users of the Socioeducation Policy with listening and participation. Based on these assumptions, it is argued that Restorative Justice in SocioEducation Policy is characterized as a response of the State through consensus and epistemological basis in interpersonal relations, revealing an instrument of guarantee of rights, as the right to participate. Based on a critical perspective, the theoretical categories Social Policy and Restorative Justice were used. Regarding the method, the thesis research was carried out in six Brazilian municipalities, in the north, northeast, south and center-west regions. Twenty professionals working with RJ participated in the research in the scope of socioeducational policy. As instrument, semi-structured interviews were used, recorded, transcribed and submitted to analysis with the help of MaxQDA software. The results of the interviews were organized in three categories: Restorative Justice, Restorative Justice as Public Policy and Restorative Justice in Socioeducation. Overall, the data points to the existence of RJ’s understanding as a new conception of justice. The predominant theoreticalepistemological perspective elucidated the focus on interpersonal relations. The justice system has been identified as the main actor in relation to the RJ as public policy, participating in both the implementation and execution of the policy, seeming to represent an instrument of the State in the consensus articulation. However, the State's actions were also identified in partnership with civil society, represented, for example, by non-governmental organizations. With regard to Socioeducation, the data pointed out that RJ practices are used in the community, in the judicial context and in the execution of socioeducational measures. The most commonly used restorative practice are peacebuilding circles, restorative meetings, and conflict mediation; it has been noticed that they have been used as a new resource for acting with the young people in the socioeducation process, which allows reception and listening. In view of the results, the thesis is confirmed that Restorative Justice in socioeducational policy is characterized as a response of the State that has epistemological basis in interpersonal relations, revealing an instrument of guarantee of rights, such as to participate.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the correlation between the level of empathy and the electrophysiological response of the cerebral cortex to audiovisual stimuli with human faces expressing different emotions. Empathy is a process that enables the sharing of emotional states and the understanding of other people's feelings, involving affective and cognitive aspects. Research in Social Cognitive Neuroscience using Electroencephalography (EEG) has pointed out that, in the case of stimuli with emotional expressions, the two dimensions of empathy can be identified differently in event-related potential (ERP). While affective empathy relates to the early response (P100 and N170), the cognitive aspect of empathy can be verified through late positive potential (P300 and LPP). In this research, 18 subjects were exposed to emotional expressions of happy, anger, and sadness through different audio-visual stimuli and responded to Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), composed of four sub-scales, two cognitive, Perspective Taking and Fantasy, and two affective, Personal Distress and Empathic Concern. Electrophysiological activity was measured through an electroencephalogram (EEG) system of 32 channels. The results indicate significant correlations between the level of empathy, specifically in the Perspective Taking dimension, and all ERP components evaluated, P100 in the occipital region (Oz | r = -0.73), N170 in the temporal region (TP9 | r = 0.72), P300 in the central parietal region (Cz | r = 0.58) and LPP in the frontal region (Fz | r = 0.71). We conclude that the level of empathy, demonstrated through the subjective empathy scale, influences electrophysiological response of the cerebral cortex in all components.

The general Aggression model (GAM) employs three central factors to understand aggressive behavior: personal and situational factors, internal trajectories or routes, and behavioral response factors. These factors are seen as social needs, whereby a threat to internal balance is enough, aggressive or violent responses are soon stimulated. GAM conceptualizes intimate partner violence (IPV) as an intentional behavior that causes physical, sexual, psychological, and behavioral harm. From this definition, 7 studies were distributed in 6 articles. The data were analyzed by the statistical software IBM SPSS Statistics and the AMOS, both version 21 and the R language. The first article aimed to analyze the correlation and prediction of the behavioral factors of the violence with the personal factors and the assertive behavior. A total of 305 residents of the city of Grande João Pessoa, aged between 18 and 56 years (M = 25.29, SD = 7.32) participated. The results showed that the factors of violence were correlated with gender, personality (pleasantness, emotional stability and openness to experiences) and values (interactive, normative, suprapersonal, existence and achievement). In addition, it has been found through regression and mediation that these factors can have direct as indirect effects on the behaviors suffered from intimate partner violence. The second article, of a psychometric nature, consisted in the adaptation and validation of a measure that was of behaviors practiced of violence between intimate partners. They were divided into two studies. The first group had 280 respondents from the State of Paraíba, aged between 18 and 58 years (M = 26.83, SD = 6.93). From the analysis of the main components, there were 3 factors (psychological, physical abuse and behavioral control), showing internal consistency. The second study included 218 participants, the majority of the northeast region (52.3%), aged 18-60 years (M = 28.59; SD = 6.95), and consisted of a confirmatory analysis presenting good indexes of adjustments to the model, presenting a shorter and more parsimonious version of the scale. The third article consisted of the construction and validation of a scale of sexual violence, an aggressor version, divided into two studies. The first study had the same participants in study two of article 2, presenting from the analysis of the main components the existence of 1 factor and satisfactory internal consistency. In the second study, there were 203 resident respondents from the State of Paraíba, aged 18-60 years (M = 21.62; SD = 5.25), to verify the confirmatory analysis. The mentioned instruments of article 2 and 3 presented satisfactory psychometric properties, presenting construct validity through the factorial analyzes. The fourth article aimed to analyze the correlation and prediction of personal factors in violence behaviors. The results showed a correlation and prediction between personality factors, human values and attitudes implied by intimate partner violence. And the fifth article, aimed at analyzing the correlation and prediction of violence (physical, psychological, behavioral and sexual abuse) with the personal factor (personality), situational factor (alcohol use) and route (affections). Participants were 411 respondents, the majority resident in Paraíba State (69.7%), aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 25.22, SD = 7.10). The results showed a significant correlation between violence with pleasantness, emotional stability, conscientiousness, narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, positive and negative affects and the frequency of alcohol consumption. But only the negative affects, Machiavellianism and psychopathy explained the violence between intimate partners. Therefore, the objective of this dissertation was fulfilled, and the results of the studies should be weighed, as they present some limitations. Further research is encouraged in order to replicate the data.