Elaine Nolasco, Pedro Henrique Vieira Duraes, Júlia Pereira Gonçalves, Maria Cristina de Oliveira, Lucijane Monteiro de Abreu and Alexandre Nascimento de Almeida
Universities are an example of institutions that aggregate people around work/study who consume water, energy and produce waste daily in their activities, generating an impact on…
Abstract
Purpose
Universities are an example of institutions that aggregate people around work/study who consume water, energy and produce waste daily in their activities, generating an impact on the environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the quantity, composition and recycling potential of waste generated at the Faculdade UnB Planaltina (FUP) campus, of the University of Brasilia in the Federal District, Brazil, to develop a waste management strategy compatible with national legislation and sustainable global practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was based on conducting on-site visits to identify the sources of generation, hazardousness, management and gravimetric characteristics of residual waste from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, a selective collection was implemented on the FUP campus, and since then, actions to raise awareness for the selective disposal and monitoring of waste were conducted with the academic community.
Findings
The results showed that the campus generates 148 kg of waste/day, whereas the per capita generation is 92 g/day. The production of hazardous waste is related to campus laboratories which manage it under a specific program. The campus restaurant is the place that generates the most waste, of which organic waste is the most representative. When categorizing the waste generated on campus, the authors found that the majority are recyclables at 67% of the total. This category includes material composed of cardboard, paper and plastic, all able to be recycled in the Federal District.
Practical implications
The recyclable waste generated at the FUP campus is being diverted from the city’s landfill because they are donated to a recycling cooperative. These actions promote income generation, social inclusion of waste pickers and a circular economy, all in compliance with the National Solid Waste Policy. As a result, the FUP campus is more in line with Brazilian legislation and the global context of adopting sustainable waste management amongst higher education institutions.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on sustainability in higher education by reporting the process of implementation of a waste management strategy in a university campus. Further, it presents tools and methods that can be used to achieve sustainability in waste management. The study also identifies that the crucial factor for the success of such actions is the mobilization and participation of the academic community in the process. It does so by presenting findings demonstrating how the University of Brasilia has been concerned with adopting pro-environmental measures for sustainable development.
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Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…
Abstract
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.
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Ricardo Manuel Da Costa Melo, Eunice Cristina Ribeiro Lopes, José Luis Coelho Vilas Boas, Lúcia Batista Santos, Sandra Cristina Ferreira Amaro, João Miguel Almeida Ventura-Silva and Isabel de Jesus Oliveira
The impact of dependence on self-care on people’s lives is very significant, with consequences for the person and their caregivers. The purpose of this study is to map the…
Abstract
Purpose
The impact of dependence on self-care on people’s lives is very significant, with consequences for the person and their caregivers. The purpose of this study is to map the evidence on the factors that influence the empowerment of the person dependent on self-care on returning home.
Design/methodology/approach
Scoping review according to the criteria proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute: population (people with a dependence on self-care), concept (factors that influence training) and context (return home after hospitalization in a medical-surgical context). The research was carried out from March 1 to April 30, 2022, in the databases CINAHL and MEDLINE (via EBSCO), Scielo, LILACS, Cuiden and MedicLatina; Gray literature searched RCAAP, DART-Europe and OpenGrey. Studies published in Portuguese, Spanish and English were included, with no time limit.
Findings
One hundred and eighty-one articles were obtained, which, after analysis according to the criteria, resulted in seven studies included for review, ranging from 2007 to 2021, with a level of evidence between 2. c and 4. a (according to Joanna Briggs Institute), and two thematic areas/four categories emerging.
Research limitations/implications
The need for information and training, the relationship and proximity with the health-care team, the design of nursing care targeted at the person’s level of dependence, education, gender, type of surgical intervention and postoperative period, physical space and lack of privacy and audiovisual media.
Originality/value
The perception of these factors proves to be important in the person’s training process, with the nurse’s role being highlighted due to their emphasis on the transition home.
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Fernando Augusto Gouvea-Reis, Danniely Carolinne Soares da Silva, Lairton Souza Borja, Patrícia de Oliveira Dias, Jadher Percio, Cassio Peterka, Janaína de Oliveira, Giselle Sodré, Claudia Mendes Feres, Wallace Dos Santos, Fábio Souza, Ana Izabel Passarella Teixeira, Daiani Cristina Cilião-Alves, Gustavo Adolfo Sierra Romero, Elza Ferreira Noronha, Julio Croda, Rodrigo Haddad, Walter Massa Ramalho, Camile de Moraes and Wildo Navegantes de Araújo
This study aims to estimate the overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and evaluate the accuracy of an antibody rapid test compared to a reference serological assay during a COVID-19…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to estimate the overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and evaluate the accuracy of an antibody rapid test compared to a reference serological assay during a COVID-19 outbreak in a prison complex housing over 13,000 prisoners in Brasília.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors obtained a randomized, stratified representative sample of each prison unit and conducted a repeated serosurvey among prisoners between June and July 2020, using a lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA). Samples were also retested using a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLIA) to compare SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and 21-days incidence, as well as to estimate the overall infection fatality rate (IFR) and determine the diagnostic accuracy of the LFIA test.
Findings
This study identified 485 eligible individuals and enrolled 460 participants. Baseline and 21-days follow-up seroprevalence were estimated at 52.0% (95% CI 44.9–59.0) and 56.7% (95% CI 48.2–65.3) with LFIA; and 80.7% (95% CI 74.1–87.3) and 81.1% (95% CI 74.4–87.8) with CLIA, with an overall IFR of 0.02%. There were 78.2% (95% CI 66.7–89.7) symptomatic individuals among the positive cases. Sensitivity and specificity of LFIA were estimated at 43.4% and 83.3% for IgM; 46.5% and 91.5% for IgG; and 59.1% and 77.3% for combined tests.
Originality/value
The authors found high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies within the prison complex. The occurrence of asymptomatic infection highlights the importance of periodic mass testing in addition to case-finding of symptomatic individuals; however, the field performance of LFIA tests should be validated. This study recommends that vaccination strategies consider the inclusion of prisoners and prison staff in priority groups.
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Patricia Raposo, Michael Andrade, José Correia, Maria E. Salavessa, Cristina Reis, Carlos Oliveira and Abilio M.P. de Jesus
The case-study building of this work is the Medieval Inn of Gralheira (“Pousada Medieval da Gralheira”) located in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal. This building is an example of…
Abstract
Purpose
The case-study building of this work is the Medieval Inn of Gralheira (“Pousada Medieval da Gralheira”) located in Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal. This building is an example of the structures of that time, located in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. A large amount of the built heritage suffers from advanced degradation, making the recovery, increasing the complexity of the rehabilitation and restoration intervention and implying a highly specialized interdisciplinary component. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to carry out a study of the building in order to perform an analysis of its wood floor and assess its structural behaviour and conservation status. This work also presents some examples of intervention methods and rehabilitation techniques used to solve problems in the masonry structure and wood structures.
Design/methodology/approach
In this work, a numerical model of a wood pavement of a medieval building is presented, which was developed and calibrated with values obtained in an experimental campaign of wood specimens extracted from the floor structure and the deformation measured in situ. This model aims to analyse and predict the behaviour of the structure in terms of serviceability limit states. Rehabilitation and reinforcing techniques are described, for specific damages, complemented with a critical comparative analysis to define the most appropriate rehabilitation measures for each situation.
Findings
In this work, for the numerical model of the medieval building under consideration, the support of the beams in the walls between 50 per cent embedded and simply supported (hinge supports) was used. Since the beams have some restriction imposed by the wall, they have a delivery about 20 cm in the wall. The consideration of the delivery between beam and columns as simply supported (hinge supports) is a reasonable approximation. There is a difference between the values of deformation obtained in the numerical model and in situ due to the support conditions and also due to the consideration of the pavement loads as a distributed load, which does not correspond entirely to reality, since the pavement confers rigidity to the floor, behaving like a diaphragm. The presented intervention techniques are not applicable in all structures because each building has different characteristics, in terms of materials and construction. The pathologies occur due to many sources and each case is unique, and must be carefully studied before taking decisions about the rehabilitation methods to use.
Originality/value
This work presents a numerical model of wood pavement of a medieval building developed according to some experimental values obtained in an experimental campaign using wood specimens extracted from original beams and based on in situ measurements. This study is part of master thesis of Michael Andrade, an original research work.
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Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Gustavo Alves de Melo, Maria Cristina Angélico Mendonça, Marcel Andreotti Musetti, André Luiz Marques Serrano, Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira and Clovis Neumann
This paper aims to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil, using the technique of multivariate statistics of principal component analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This research presented a descriptive and quantitative character, as well as exploratory purpose and followed the inductive logic, being empirically structured in two stages, that is, the application of principal component analysis (PCA) in four healthcare performance dimensions; subsequently, the full reapplication of principal component analysis in the most highly correlated variables, in module, with the first three main components (PC1, PC2 and PC3).
Findings
From the principal component analysis, considering mainly the component I, with twice the explanatory power of the second (PC2) and third components (PC3), it was possible to evidence the efficient or inefficient behavior of the HUFs evaluated, through the production of medical residency, by specialty area. Finally, it was observed the formation of two groups composed of seven and eight hospitals, that is, Groups II and IV, which shows that these groups reflect similarities, with respect to the scores and importance of the variables for both hospitals’ groups.
Research limitations/implications
Among the main limitations, it was observed incomplete data for some HUFs, which made it impossible to search for information to explain and better contextualize certain aspects. More specifically, a limited number of hospitals with complete information was dealt with for 60% of SIMEC/REHUF performance indicators.
Practical implications
The use of PCA multivariate technique was of great contribution to the contextualization of the performance and productivity of homogeneous and autonomous units, represented by the hospitals. It was possible to generate a high quantity of information, to contribute with assumptions to complement the decision-making processes in these organizations.
Social implications
Development of public policies, with emphasis on hospitals linked to teaching centers represented by university hospitals. The projection of improvements in the reach of the efficiency of the services of assistance to the public health, from the qualified formation of professionals, both to academy, as to clinical practice.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper for the scenarios, Brazilian public health sector and academic area involved the application of a consolidated performance analysis technique, that is, PCA, obtaining a rich work in relation to the extensive exploitation of techniques to support decision-making processes. In addition, the sequence and the way in which the content, formed by object of study and techniques, has been organized, generating a particular scenario for the measurement of performance in hospital organizations.
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Gustavo Alves de Melo, Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Samuel Borges Barbosa, Maria Cristina Angélico Mendonça, Thiago Henrique Nogueira, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra, Luiz Gonzaga de Castro Júnior, André Luiz Marques Serrano and Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira
The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of fuel flow processes in a network of eight gas stations, located in the mesoregion of Alto Paranaíba and Triângulo Mineiro.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of fuel flow processes in a network of eight gas stations, located in the mesoregion of Alto Paranaíba and Triângulo Mineiro.
Design/methodology/approach
Two multi-criteria decision support methods were applied, respectively, of a statistical and mathematical nature, namely, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The research method used was quantitative, with a brief complement of qualitative research, and descriptive in purpose, supported by the inductive method. The data collection stage took place with the support of interviews, with the application of a structured questionnaire, and non-probabilistic sampling, for convenience.
Findings
It was possible to verify that the gas station that stood out the most was station 2 (GS2), which achieved maximum efficiency, a fact that can be justified by the analysis resulting from the application of PCA, as for the product purchase variable (PP), the GS2 is the one that buys the most fuel, and is also the one with the largest storage capacity (C), and the highest volume of product sales (PS), which suggests signs of balance between supply and demand for this station, justifying its prominence.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the study were related to the DEA technique, which requires a number of variables/indicators three times smaller than the number of DMUs considered, and the difficulty in obtaining financial data on the DMUs analyzed. Considering the security and anonymity of the gas station network, it was not possible to use this data.
Practical implications
The performance assessment of fuel flow processes carried out in this study promotes the efficient use of available resources as well as identifying efficient DMUs that represent benchmarks for improving management processes and performance of inefficient DMUs.
Social implications
From a social perspective, this study promotes the improvement of the quality of flow processes and effective management of the fuel supply chain, ensuring the safe storage and transportation of fuels to customer supply. Performance management in this sector moves other sectors of the economy, since an efficient unit represents a balance between supply and demand, and consequently, boosts the regional economy, promoting economic growth of the population. Hiring qualified labor for this purpose also represents one of the implications of the study. From an environmental perspective, optimizing flow processes generates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and encourages the formulation of public policies aimed at consolidating sustainable practices.
Originality/value
Performance management applied to the context of the fuel supply chain is a relevant topic that has been little explored in scientific research, with a low level of information detail. This study using the inductive method allows the generalization and replication of this management pattern in other organizations in the sector in order to increase the efficiency of the fuel distribution system, with the perspective of maximizing outputs and reducing input consumption. In this aspect, the study introduces possibilities for advancement in social and environmental perspectives based on the effective management of fuel logistics.
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Jaísa Oliveira Chaves, Angelica Maria de Freitas Fernandes, Paola Machado Parreiras, Gustavo Silveira Breguez, Maria Cristina Passos, Luciana Rodrigues da Cunha and Camila Carvalho Menezes
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different times and freezing temperatures on the antioxidant activity of raw human milk (HM) and the impact of light by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of different times and freezing temperatures on the antioxidant activity of raw human milk (HM) and the impact of light by different packaging on retinol level and the antioxidant activity of pasteurized HM.
Design/methodology/approach
Donor milks were homogenized to form the pool of the experimental study characterized by the evaluation of the effects of time (0, 2, 4, 8 and 15 days) freezing temperatures (−3°C, −8°C and −18°C) and the interference of the type of packaging on the antioxidant activity and retinol levels of HM.
Findings
The existing studies do not reveal the real impact of HM storage conditions adopted by human milk banks (HMB) in Brazil on their compounds, mainly in relation to the effects of temperature and freezing time and the incidence of light on retinol levels and antioxidant activity. In view of the already documented importance of these compounds for the growth, development and health of children, it is extremely important to assess their stability according to the procedures adopted by the banks. It has been observed in this study that lower freezing temperatures (−18°C) further preserve the antioxidant activity. It was found that the amber and transparent vials wrapped with aluminum foil allowed for greater retinol stability of HM, with values of 2.501±0.757 µmol/L and 4.991±0.825 µmol/L, respectively. On the contrary, there was no significant influence on antioxidant activity.
Originality/value
It is suggested that HMB store milk at lower temperatures and use glass jars that block the passage of light.
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Sónia Maria Martins Caridade, Rosa Saavedra, Rita Ribeiro, Ana Cristina Oliveira, Manuela Santos, Iris Sofia Almeida and Cristina Soeiro
This paper aims to characterize the type of support provided to victims of violence against women and domestic violence (VAWDV) during the first lockdown, assessing the training…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to characterize the type of support provided to victims of violence against women and domestic violence (VAWDV) during the first lockdown, assessing the training of professionals to use remote support (RS).
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study involves a sample of 196 support professionals, mainly women (91.8%) and who integrate the Portuguese National Support Network for victims of domestic violence (NSNVDV) (Mean age = 36.49; SD = 10.52).
Findings
Telephone emerges as the main RS communication media used in the lockdown (43.9%) and the emergency state periods (57.1%). Participants reported to have never used any social applications (41.8% vs 41.8%) or videoconference (46.4% vs 58.2%), in both periods assessed, i.e. lockdown and emergency state, respectively, and 82.7% assumed to have no training with RS to assist VAWDV victims. However, support professionals recognized several advantages in using RS such as dealing with isolation, reducing inhibition, fear and shame and in promoting the victims’ empowerment.
Research limitations/implications
Given the exploratory nature of this study, only descriptive analyzes were conducted.
Originality/value
During the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about effective RS given by professionals to victims of VAWDV in the Portuguese context. The paper aims to add knowledge to the studied field.
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This study investigates the process of praxeological transformation developed in an early childhood institution using context-based staff educational practices as strategy to…
Abstract
This study investigates the process of praxeological transformation developed in an early childhood institution using context-based staff educational practices as strategy to support the professional development of educators. It aims at developing a pedagogy that recognises and legitimises children as full-right citizens, thus valuing their competences to participate.
The context-based staff educational practices were taken in an ecological perspective thus recognising an interconnection between professional development, curriculum and organisational development. This is a longitudinal case study (four years) framed in a qualitative constructivist approach, using action research, context-based staff development and participatory childhood pedagogy as means to change educational practices. It is founded in the principles of the Childhood Association's pedagogical approach for children learning and teachers' development, as well as on the Effective Early Learning Project as a reference for monitoring and evaluating quality co-construction. The main objectives of the study were defined around the reconstruction of children and educators' images, to create democratic participatory understandings of central actors that will develop a situated pedagogy of respect and learning. The reconceptualisation of the image of the child, based on the listening of his/her voices, has been key for their right to participate and a professional motivation for kindergarten teachers to change their daily professional practices. The data gathered reveal the understanding of children as competent persons and active learners who construct complex forms of thought and action. This long process of learning led the participants to realise the importance of participatory childhood pedagogies.