A Política Externa Independente em ação: a Conferência de Punta del Este de 1962

Considerada por San Tiago Dantas como "uma reunião que marcou época na formação do americanismo", a Conferência de Punta del Este, de janeiro de 1962, dedicou-se a tratar dos efeitos da Revolução Cubana no hemisfério. Declarou-se a incompatibilidade do comunismo com os princípios americanos e suspendeu-se Cuba da Junta Interamericana de Defesa (JID) e da OEA. A participação brasileira teve grande destaque e repercussão tanto interna quanto internacionalmente. Procura-se analisar as razões que levaram o Brasil a adotar a posição de condenar o comunismo cubano e aprovar a suspensão de Cuba da JID, sem, porém, concordar com sua suspensão da OEA.

International drivers of Brazilian agricultural cooperation in Africa in the post-2008 economic crisis

This text focuses on the major drivers of Brazilian agricultural cooperation in Africa as conceived and pursued from 2004 to 2014, with emphasis on the impacts of political and economic international changes that took place in that period, and particularly the impacts of the 2008 economic crisis, in framing Brazil's foreign policy and development assistance initiatives. It addresses current international forces and developments at the systemic level, but also analyses recent economic domestic developments, in particular those directly related to Brazilian agriculture and those related to the policy framework of its evolving internationalization. Special attention is paid to the dual dimensions of Brazilian agricultural policy and to its projection in agricultural cooperation as pursed in Africa.

Teaching and learning production and operations management: the journey from identity crisis to a cross, disciplinary approach

Este artigo tem suas raízes em algumas questões relacionadas à "forma" e ao "conteúdo" do que nós, professores, ensinamos na área de Administração da Produção e Operações. Inicialmente, descrevo a evolução histórica desse campo no Brasil. Em seguida, discuto a crise de identidade que o campo está sofrendo. Com o objetivo de apresentar respostas para essa situação, apresento seis propostas para o desenvolvimento e consolidação do campo. Finalmente, descrevo uma iniciativa prática, envolvendo uma disciplina específica da área, ensinada para alunos de pós-graduação. Essa iniciativa enfatiza a "dimensão do conteúdo" (de uma abordagem técnico-operacional para uma abordagem estratégico-gerencial) como também a "dimensão da forma" (do foco no ensino para o foco no aprendizado). O sucesso dessa experiência em curso confirma a coerência da agenda proposta e induz futuros aperfeiçoamentos.

INGRESOS NETOS DEL FRANQUICIADO: UNA SEÑAL PARA ELEGIR FRANQUICIA EN UNA CRISIS

RESUMEN Este artículo aborda desde la perspectiva de la Teoría de Señales la elección de una franquicia por un potencial franquiciado que elige este canal de distribución por primera vez. El objetivo es analizar la relación entre algunas señales enviadas por el franquiciador y la elección de una franquicia por el potencial franquiciado. Concluimos que los efectos de las variables macroeconómicas de España en el periodo 2006-2013 influyeron en los ingresos netos de los franquiciados para que se convirtiera en una señal empleada por éstos a la hora de elegir la franquicia donde abrir un establecimiento.

Mudanças no padrão de alimentação da população urbana brasileira (1962-1988)

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento do padrão alimentar da população urbana brasileira ao longo das três últimas décadas. As fontes de dados foram duas pesquisas nacionais de orçamentos familiares realizadas no início da década de 60 (1961-63) e no final da década de 80 (1987-88) e um inquérito nacional sobre consumo alimentar realizado em meados da década de 70 (1974-75), restringindo-se a análise a sete áreas metropolitanas estudadas em comum pelas três pesquisas. O padrão alimentar foi caracterizado a partir da participação relativa de diferentes alimentos na dieta e do consumo relativo de nutrientes específicos. As mudanças principais mostraram-se semelhantes nas regiões Nordeste e Sudeste e envolveram: 1) redução no consumo relativo de cereais, feijão, raízes e tubérculos; 2) substituição de banha, toucinho e manteiga por óleos e margarinas; e 3) aumento no consumo relativo de leite e derivados e ovos. Essas mudanças deterninaram diminuição na participação relativa de carboidratos na dieta e aumento na participação de lipídios. A proporção total de proteínas manteve-se estável entre as pesquisas (ao redor de 12%), crescendo, entretanto, a participação específica de proteínas de origem animal na dieta. Situação inversa foi observada com os lipídios, registrando-se aumento da fração correspondente aos lipídios de origem vegetal, o que levou ao predomínio dos ácidos graxos poli-insaturados sobre os saturados e à redução do consumo relativo de colesterol. As implicações das mudanças no padrão alimentar da população urbana do país são discutidas à luz de recomendações dietéticas enunciadas pela Organização Mundial de Saúde.

Economic crisis and counter-reform of universal health care systems: Spanish case

The economic crisis that has been affecting Europe in the 21st century has modified social protection systems in the countries that adopted, in the 20th century, universal health care system models, such as Spain. This communication presents some recent transformations, which were caused by changes in Spanish law. Those changes relate to the access to health care services, mainly in regards to the provision of care to foreigners, to financial contribution from users for health care services, and to pharmaceutical assistance. In crisis situations, reforms are observed to follow a trend which restricts rights and deepens social inequalities.

Aplastic crisis due to human parvovirus B19 infection in hereditary hemolytic anaemia

Specific anti-B19 IgM was demonstrated in sera from three children showing transient aplastic crisis. A two years-old boy living in Rio de Janeiro suffering from sickle-cell anaemia showed the crisis during August, 1990. Two siblings living in Santa Maria, RS, developed aplastic crisis during May, 1991, when they were also diagnosed for hereditary spherocytosis. For a third child from this same family, who first developed aplastic crisis no IgM anti-B19 was detected in her sera.

Optimization of random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques for use in genetic studies of Cuban triatominae

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique is a simple and reliable method to detect DNA polymorphism. Several factors can affect the amplification profiles, thereby causing false bands and non-reproducibility of assay. In this study, we analyzed the effect of changing the concentration of primer, magnesium chloride, template DNA and Taq DNA polymerase with the objective of determining their optimum concentration for the standardization of RAPD technique for genetic studies of Cuban Triatominae. Reproducible amplification patterns were obtained using 5 pmoL of primer, 2.5 mM of MgCl2, 25 ng of template DNA and 2 U of Taq DNA polymerase in 25 µL of the reaction. A panel of five random primers was used to evaluate the genetic variability of T. flavida. Three of these (OPA-1, OPA-2 and OPA-4) generated reproducible and distinguishable fingerprinting patterns of Triatominae. Numerical analysis of 52 RAPD amplified bands generated for all five primers was carried out with unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA). Jaccard's Similarity Coefficient data were used to construct a dendrogram. Two groups could be distinguished by RAPD data and these groups coincided with geographic origin, i.e. the populations captured in areas from east and west of Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río. T. flavida present low interpopulation variability that could result in greater susceptibility to pesticides in control programs. The RAPD protocol and the selected primers are useful for molecular characterization of Cuban Triatominae.

In vitro antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity of some selected cuban medicinal plants

Terrestrial plants have been demonstrated to be sources of antimalarial compounds. In Cuba, little is known about antimalarial potentials of plant species used as medicinals. For that reason, we evaluated the antimalarial activity of 14 plant species used in Cuba as antimalarial, antipyretic and/or antiparasitic. Hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared and tested in vitro for the antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum Ghana strain and over human cell line MRC-5 to determine cytotoxicity. Parasite multiplication was determined microscopically by the direct count of Giemsa stained parasites. A colorimetric assay was used to quantify cytotoxicity. Nine extracts showed IC50 values lower than 100 µg/mL against P. falciparum, four extracts were classified as marginally active (SI < 4), one as partially active (Parthenium hysterophorus) exhibiting SI equal to 6.2 and two extracts as active (Bambusa vulgaris and Punica granatum), showing SI > 10. B. vulgaris showed the most potent and specific antiplasmodial action (IC50 = 4.7 µg/mL, SI = 28.9). Phytochemical characterization of active extracts confirmed the presence of triterpenoids in B. vulgaris and polar compounds with phenol free groups and fluorescent metabolites in both extracts as major phytocompounds, by thin layer chromatography. In conclusion, antimalarial use of B. vulgaris and P. hysterophorus was validated. B. vulgaris and P. granatum extracts were selected for follow-up because of their strong antimalarial activity.

Aplastic crisis caused by parvovirus B19 in an adult patient with sickle-cell disease

We describe a case of aplastic crisis caused by parvovirus B19 in an adult sickle-cell patient presenting with paleness, tiredness, fainting and dyspnea. The absence of reticulocytes lead to the diagnosis. Anti-B19 IgM and IgG were detected. Reticulocytopenia in patients with hereditary hemolytic anemia suggests B19 infection.

Histoplasmosis presenting as addisonian crisis in an immunocompetent host

A 71-year-old man with presumptively treated pulmonary tuberculosis ten years earlier and previous alcoholism presented with adrenal insufficiency. HIV serology was negative. A computerized tomography scan of the abdomen showed enlarged right adrenal. He recovered after emergency treatment with hydrocortisone IV. Right adrenalectomy was performed. Histoplasmosis was diagnosed and the patient was treated with itraconazole, corticosteroid replacement, and discharged with good health.