Responsible research and innovation: a global perspective

Based on the paper presented at the Doctorate Conference on Technologogy Assessment in July 2013 at the University Nova Lisboa, Caparica campus

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates in Shiraz, Iran

AbstractINTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding CTX-M gene in Escherichia coliisolates.METHODS:Phenotypic screening of 376 E. coli isolates for ESBL was conducted using disk diffusion. ESBL-producing isolates were tested using PCR and specific primers. The blaCTX-M cluster was identified using the RFLP method, and its genotype was sequenced.RESULTS:From 202 ESBL-producing E. coli , 185 (91.5%) possessed CTX-M genes. CTX-M-1 subtypes were found in 98% of the isolates. The blaCTX-M gene was identical to CTX-M-15.CONCLUSIONS:A high prevalence of CTX-M-1-producing E. coli apparently exists in Shiraz, Iran.

Description of continuous data using bar graphs: a misleading approach

INTRODUCTION:With the ease provided by current computational programs, medical and scientific journals use bar graphs to describe continuous data.METHODS:This manuscript discusses the inadequacy of bars graphs to present continuous data.RESULTS:Simulated data show that box plots and dot plots are more-feasible tools to describe continuous data.CONCLUSIONS:These plots are preferred to represent continuous variables since they effectively describe the range, shape, and variability of observations and clearly identify outliers. By contrast, bar graphs address only measures of central tendency. Bar graphs should be used only to describe qualitative data.

Occurrence and sensitivity profile of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae at a tertiary hospital in Southern Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial infections are closely associated with antimicrobial drug resistance. One of the most important mechanisms of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is the production of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of ESBL-producing strains and to assess the evolution of antimicrobial drug resistance between 2007 and 2013 at the Hospital São Vicente de Paulo, Passo Fundo, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. Bacterial culture was performed from January to December 2013. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of these cultures was determined using the disk diffusion method. Phenotypic screening for ESBL production was performed using the disk approximation method. RESULTS : We analyzed a total of 19,112 cultures, 11.5% of which were positive for Enterobacteriaceae. Of these, 30.3% of the isolates were positive for ESBL production, and the most prevalent species was Klebsiella sp. (37.5%). Over 95% of these isolates showed reduced susceptibility to all cephalosporins, aztreonam, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The isolates also showed high sensitivity to the following antimicrobials: amikacin, meropenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam. Overall, the resistance rates among ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae decreased from 2007 to 2013. CONCLUSIONS : In our hospital, the increased sensitivity to certain antimicrobial agents seems to be directly related to the implementation of improvements in the methods to prevent and control nosocomial infections in addition to the natural development of other resistance mechanisms.

Proposal of a methodology for the design of the installation of turrets on aircrafts – the approach on the aerodynamic influences

The present work has its origin on the necessity of enabling a design certified company, or DOA (Design Organization Approval), to perform a modification; this modification is the installation of EO/IR (Electro-optical infrared) sensors on aircrafts. The subject of interest in this dissertation lies on the aerodynamic impact of the modification on the aircraft. The primary purpose of the present thesis is the creation of a methodology that regards the design stage of the modification. This methodology serves as guidance to the DOA design team that is assigned to the design of the modification. The methodology includes a recommendation to the certification of the modification; it contains a method intended to decide the location of the installation of the sensors on the aircraft; it also comprises of a design structure specifically adapted to the modification in study. Regarding the aerodynamic impact, it is studied the aerodynamic analysis’ tools, which allows one to relate the different stages of design to the most suited tools to each stage. A case study is performed with the purpose of not only validating the methodology which was created but also to giving a first approach to the preliminary design of the modification. As example, there are used the Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft and the FLIR Star Safire III sensor.

Real convergence in per capita output and growth in Eurozone: A time-series approach

The real convergence hypothesis has spurred a myriad of empirical tests and approaches in the economic literature. This Work Project intends to test for real output and growth convergence in all N(N-1)/2 possible pairs of output and output growth gaps of 14 Eurozone countries. This paper follows a time-series approach, as it tests for the presence of unit roots and persistence changes in the above mentioned pairs of output gaps, as well as for the existence of growth convergence with autoregressive models. Overall, significantly greater evidence has been found to support growth convergence rather than output convergence in our sample.

Nutrition for the pediatric surgical patient: approach in the peri-operative period

Nutrition is essential for maintenance of physiologic homeostasis and growth. Hypermetabolic states lead to a depletion of body stores, with decreased immunocompetence and increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update regarding the provision of appropriate nutrition for the pediatric surgical patient, emphasizing the preoperative and postoperative periods. Modern nutritional support for the surgical patient comprises numerous stages, including assessment of nutritional status, nutritional requirements, and nutritional therapy. Nutritional assessment is performed utilizing the clinical history, clinical examination, anthropometry, and biochemical evaluation. Anthropometric parameters include body weight, height, arm and head circumference, and skinfold thickness measurements. The biochemical evaluation is conducted using determinations of plasma levels of proteins, including album, pre-albumin, transferrin, and retinol-binding protein. These parameters are subject to error and are influenced by the rapid changes in body composition in the peri-operative period. Nutritional therapy includes enteral and/or parenteral nutrition. Enteral feeding is the first choice for nutritional therapy. If enteral feeding is not indicated, parenteral nutrition must be utilized. In all cases, an individualized, adequate diet (enteral formula or parenteral solution) is obligatory to decrease the occurrence of overfeeding and its undesirable consequences.

Conventional approach x laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer treatment after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: results of a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection compared to conventional approach for surgical treatment of patients with distal rectal cancer presenting with incomplete response after chemoradiation. METHOD: Twenty eight patients with distal rectal adenocarcinoma were randomized to undergo surgical treatment by laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection or conventional approach and evaluated prospectively. Thirteen underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection and 15 conventional approach. RESULTS: There was no significant difference (p<0,05) between the two studied groups regarding: gender, age, body mass index, patients with previous abdominal surgeries, intra and post operative complications, need for blood transfusion, hospital stay after surgery, length of resected segment and pathological staging. Mean operation time was 228 minutes for the laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection versus 284 minutes for the conventional approach (p=0.04). Mean anesthesia duration was shorter (p=0.03) for laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection when compared to conventional approach : 304 and 362 minutes, respectively. There was no need for conversion to open approach in this series. After a mean follow-up of 47.2 months and with the exclusion of two patients in the conventional abdominoperineal resection who presented with unsuspected synchronic metastasis during surgery, local recurrence was observed in two patients in the conventional group and in none in the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is feasible, similar to conventional approach concerning surgery duration, intra operative morbidity, blood requirements and post operative morbidity. Larger number of cases and an extended follow-up are required to adequate evaluation of oncological results for patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection after chemoradiation for radical treatment of distal rectal cancer.

A historical approach to the new secular stagnation hypothesis

In this paper, we analyze the behavior of real interest rates over the long-run using historical data for nine developed economies, to assess the extent to which the recent decline observed in most advanced countries is at odds with the past data, as suggested by the Secular Stagnation hypothesis. By using data from 1703 and performing stationarity and structural breaks tests, we find that the recent decline in interest rates is not explained by a structural break in the time series. Our results also show that considering long-run data leads to different conclusions than using short-run data.

A qualitative approach to define the prototype of a Portuguese expatriate leader in Angola

This qualitative research analyzes the individual life experiences of Portuguese expatriate leaders who left their home country to work at organizations in Angola, a place that offers better job opportunities. Through interviews with those professionals and their followers, a prototype of a Portuguese expatriate leader in Angola has been developed. Even though Angola is a former Portuguese colony, it was at war for many years and so the economic situation and culture of the country are distant from what Portuguese workers are used too, which requires them to adapt and be open-minded to change.

A proactive approach o XY international expansion

This work project was conducted under a Direct Research internship (DRI) that consists on an individual dissertation established on a given organization. DRI has a problem solving format to an empirical question to be addressed, «Which country has the highest potential for the next step of XY internationalization process? ». In order to achieve the project’s purpose, it was conducted a scanning process using a top-down approach over an initial list of nine countries given by XY. To do so it was developed an international scanning framework based on different domains and weights that allowed to achieve the top two countries with highest potential. After an in depth analysis over the final set, it was recommended Switzerland as the best country to make the next step of XY internationalization in Europe.

Segurança e criminalidade organizada

Globalization brought some deep changes to the world (dis)order. Nowadays, more than in other moment in history, we are closer to the ones physically far, living in “global village” called by Marshall McLuhan (1962). The concepts and premises built in this new order, have totally broken with the ones that “came out from Westphalia”, which had last to the end of the cold war, like, for example, the concept of security. Since then, security has been facing one of its biggest transformations ever, completely disrupting the state border based idea and starting to be extended to other domains, as human, economic, environmental and IT security, among others. In this global and interdependent environment, “new” threats and risks have raised, which are demanding a comprehensive approach from the States, international organizations and other actors, to allow the analysis and understanding its impacts on the various society sectors and orders. Inside the enormous challenges to the global security, it is important to regard the organized crime, which covers, by itself, a set of threats and risks, enhanced by its connection to other types of criminality, such as terrorism. The goals pursued and the tactics used by criminal organizations during the perpetration of illegal activities, specially the drug smuggling, have impact in an wide spectrum of the social, economic financial and politic dimensions, which should not be underestimated, otherwise our own security may be compromised. Therefore, the current investigation intends to be an important catalyst to the idea debate inside security scope, through the analysis of the organized crime and the drug smuggling, adding to a discussion of this issue, which should be deeper and holistic, aiming a better understanding of the challenges provided by our society.

An interactive learning approach to accounting classes

This working paper explores the use of interactive learning tools, such as business simulations, to facilitate the active learning process in accounting classes. Although business simulations were firstly introduced in the United States in the 1950s, the vast majority of accounting professors still use traditional teaching methods, based in end-of-chapter exercises and written cases. Moreover, the current students’ generation brings new challenges to the classroom related with their video, game, internet and mobile culture. Thus, a survey and an experimentation were conducted to understand, on one hand, if accounting professors are willing to adjust their teaching methods with the adoption of interactive learning tools and, on the other hand, if the adoption of interactive learning tools in accounting classes yield better academic results and levels of satisfaction among students. Students using more interactive learning approaches scored significantly higher means than others that did not. Accounting professors are clearly willing to try, at least once, the use of an accounting simulator in classes.

The reasons behind the progression in PISA scores: An education production function approach using semi-parametric techniques

Research Masters

A practical approach to execute and test a lean startup

This paper practically applies the “Lean Startup Approach” by identifying, analyzing and executing a newly developed web-based business idea. Hypotheses were designed and tested with the construction of a minimum viable product – i.e. a landing page. In-depth interviews allowed deciding either to pivot or persevere the initial launch strategy. Overall, the aim was to collect as much valuable response as possible from customers and ultimately decide for a superior strategy while devoting the smallest amount of time and money.