Climate governance in an international system under conservative hegemony: the role of major powers

In the last five years, climate change has been established as a central civilizational driver of our time. As a result of this development, the most diversified social processes - as well as the fields of science which study them - have had their dynamics altered. In International Relations, this double challenge could be explained as follows: 1) in empirical terms, climate change imposes a deepening of cooperation levels on the international community, considering the global common character of the atmosphere; and 2) to International Relations as a discipline, climate change demands from the scientific community a conceptual review of the categories designed to approach the development of global climate governance. The goal of this article is to discuss in both conceptual and empirical terms the structure of global climate change governance, through an exploratory research, aiming at identifying the key elements that allow understanding its dynamics. To do so, we rely on the concept of climate powers. This discussion is grounded in the following framework: we now live in an international system under conservative hegemony that is unable to properly respond to the problems of interdependence, among which - and mainly -, the climate issue.

Heterodox Autonomy Doctrine: realism and purposes, and its relevance

The Autonomy Doctrine, elaborated by Juan Carlos Puig, is a realist point of view of International Relations. It is an analysis, from the periphery, about the structure of world power, and a roadmap (from a theoretical point of view) for the longing process of autonomization-regarding hegemonic power-for a country whose ruling class would decide to overcome dependency. The elements its author took into account when analyzing its own context are explained in this text and, afterwards, are reflected over its relevance nowadays. For that purpose, it is necessary to answer certain questions, such as which are the concepts and categories that may explain its relevance, its applicability to regional integration and cooperation models and projects, and what would be the analytical method to compare reality versus ideas, among others. The methodological proposal to analyze the relevance of Puig's doctrine is to compare it to different visions of regionalism that are currently in effect in Latin America.

Integrating environmental and economic life cycle analysis in product development: a material selection case study

Purpose Achieving sustainability by rethinking products, services and strategies is an enormous challenge currently laid upon the economic sector, in which materials selection plays a critical role. In this context, the present work describes an environmental and economic life cycle analysis of a structural product, comparing two possible material alternatives. The product chosen is a storage tank, presently manufactured in stainless steel (SST) or in a glass fibre reinforced polymer composite (CST). The overall goal of the study is to identify environmental and economic strong and weak points related to the life cycle of the two material alternatives. The consequential win-win or trade-off situations will be identified via a Life Cycle Assessment/Life Cycle Costing (LCA/LCC) integrated model. Methods The LCA/LCC integrated model used consists in applying the LCA methodology to the product system, incorporating, in parallel, its results into the LCC study, namely those of the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Results In both the SST and CST systems the most significant life cycle phase is the raw materials production, in which the most significant environmental burdens correspond to the Fossil fuels and Respiratory inorganics categories. The LCA/LCC integrated analysis shows that the CST has globally a preferable environmental and economic profile, as its impacts are lower than those of the SST in all life cycle stages. Both the internal and external costs are lower, the former resulting mainly from the composite material being significantly less expensive than stainless steel. This therefore represents a full win-win situation. As a consequence, the study clearly indicates that using a thermoset composite material to manufacture storage tanks is environmentally and economically desirable. However, it was also evident that the environmental performance of the CST could be improved by altering its End-of-Life stage. Conclusions The results of the present work provide enlightening insights into the synergies between the environmental and the economic performance of a structural product made with alternative materials. Further, they provide conclusive evidence to support the integration of environmental and economic life cycle analysis in the product development processes of a manufacturing company, or in some cases even in its procurement practices.

The quest for a sustainable product: An environmental study of tyre recyclates

The main objective of the present study is to assess the environmental advantages of substituting aluminium for a polymer composite in the manufacture of a structural product (a frame to be used as a support for solar panels). The composite was made of polypropylene and a recycled tyres��� rubber granulate. Analysis of different composite formulations was performed, to assess the variation of the environmental impact with the percentage of rubber granulate incorporation. The results demonstrate that the decision on which of the two systems (aluminium or composite) has the best life cycle performance is strongly dependent on the End-of Life (EoL) stage of the composite frame. When the EoL is deposition in a landfill, the aluminium frame performs globally better than its composite counterpart. However, when it is incineration with energy recovery or recycling, the composite frame is environmentally preferable. The raw material production stage was found to be responsible for most of the impacts in the two frame systems. In that context, it was shown that various benefits can accrue in several environmental impact categories by recycling rubber tyres and using the resulting materials. This is in a significant part also due to the recycling of the steel in the tyres. The present work illustrates how it is possible to minimize the overall environmental impact of consumer products through the adequate selection of their constitutive materials in the design stage. Additionally it demonstrates how an adequate EoL planning can be an important issue when developing a sustainable product, since it can highly influence its overall life cycle performance.

Exogenous induction of ovarian activity and ovulation and transfer of fresh embryos of domestic cat (Felis catus)

The objective of the present study was the exogenous stimulation of ovarian activity and definition of embryo collection, and transfer protocols, in the domestic cat for potential application in non-domestic endangered species. Sixteen adult queens and two adult male reproducers kept in the experimental cat house at the Morphology sector at the Veterinary Department (DVT), UFV, were used in this study. All the queens received a single application of 150 IU Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) in the post estrus to induce ovarian activity and 80 to 84 hours later, received a single application of 100 UI Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation. After hCG application, only the donor queens were naturally mated. The receptor queens received extra stimulus for induction of ovulation through manipulation of an intravaginal swab. Five to six days after hCG application, the donor queens were subjected to a laparotomy for embryo collection that was performed by trans-horn uterine washing. On average, six embryos were surgically inovulated. They were classified as type I and III compact morula and blastocysts in four receptor queens. Three animals presented pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound at day 36 and two of these animals gave birth to litters of two and four offsprings, respectively, at 66 and 63 days after induction of ovulation. Except for one still birth, all the offspring developed normally.

Kinetics of solute leachate from imbibing Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brazilwood) seeds

The electrical conductivity of leachates from imbibing seeds has been used as a vigor test for several species. The adaptation of this methodology to different species requires knowledge on the leaching kinetics of electrolytes. For Brazilwood seeds, the classic method was not satisfactory and rapid tests are essential because they have low storage capacity at room temperature. Leaching kinetics during seed imbibition is a function of physiological quality, presence or absence of seed coat, imbibing temperature and the initial moisture content of seed. In this study, the electrolyte leaching rate of six different categories of seeds, from two regions, was evaluated in seeds with and without seed coat and incubated with different moisture contents and at different temperatures. The results showed that the electrolyte leaching rate in Brazilwood seeds is independent of the physiological quality, the presence or absence of seed coat and imbibition temperature, but these factors changed the total amount of electrolytes leached. The leaching rate increased in the first few minutes of imbibition, suggesting that the adjustment of the methodology must consider the reduction in imbibition time, reduction in temperature, use of a controlled and slower pre-imbibition, and replacement of the imbibition solution after the first few minutes.

On universal central extensions of Hom-Leibniz algebras

In the category of Hom-Leibniz algebras we introduce the notion of Hom-corepresentation as adequate coefficients to construct the chain complex from which we compute the Leibniz homology of Hom-Leibniz algebras. We study universal central extensions of Hom-Leibniz algebras and generalize some classical results, nevertheless it is necessary to introduce new notions of ��-central extension, universal ��-central extension and ��-perfect Hom-Leibniz algebra due to the fact that the composition of two central extensions of Hom-Leibniz algebras is not central. We also provide the recognition criteria for these kind of universal central extensions. We prove that an ��-perfect Hom-Lie algebra admits a universal ��-central extension in the categories of Hom-Lie and Hom-Leibniz algebras and we obtain the relationships between both of them. In case �� = Id we recover the corresponding results on universal central extensions of Leibniz algebras.

Residents��� perspectives on tourism impacts of portuguese world heritage historic centers: Angra do Hero��smo and ��vora

The aim of this study is twofold. First, the study analyzes local community perspectives of the importance of the World Heritage Site (WHS) classification of the historic centers of Angra do Hero��smo and ��vora. Second, the study analyzes local residents��� perceived tourism impacts on the municipalities of Angra do Hero��smo and ��vora. The methodology comprises quantitative research based on a self-administered survey applied to convenience samples of local residents of the two Portuguese municipalities in 2014. The main results reveal that local residents have a strongly positive perception of the WHS designation in both municipalities. With regard to the perceived tourism impacts, residents from Angra do Hero��smo have a stronger agreement about the impacts of tourism on their city than the residents of ��vora, except for the negative social and cultural impacts. The comparison of the mean scores of these impacts across residents that live near and far from the historic centers reveals that the most valued and least valued impacts in the three categories of impacts (economic, social and cultural, and environmental) are common to all groups of residents. Nevertheless, residents living in or near the historic center of Angra do Hero��smo have higher means in the majority of tourism impacts (in all categories), with only one negative impact to concern the majority of respondents. Among the residents from ��vora, residents living in or near the historic center have higher means in the majority of economic impacts but lower means in almost social and cultural impacts. With regard to the environmental impacts, residents living in or near the historic center have higher means scores in the positive impacts and lower means scores in the negative environmental impacts.

Funcionamento cognitivo em idosos

O aumento da popula����o idosa apresenta-se como um desafio quer para os profissionais, quer para as institui����es, no que concerne ao entendimento dos seus problemas e limita����es e disponibiliza����o de respostas adaptadas. Este �� um estudo explorat��rio descritivo e inferencial que tem como objetivo analisar o funcionamento cognitivo, nomeadamente as fun����es executivas de 62 idosos institucionalizados tendo em conta vari��veis sociodemogr��ficas e a participa����o em atividades de estimula����o cognitiva e o uso do computador. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Question��rio Socidemogr��fico e Cl��nico, Mini Mental State Examination , Escala de Depress��o Geri��trica, Trail Making Test, Stroop e Wisconsin de Classifica����o de Cartas -vers��o computorizada. Os resultados mostram que nas vari��veis WCST Categorias Completas e WCST N�� de Erros, os grupos ���participa em atividades de estimula����o cognitiva��� e o que ���participa em atividade de estimula����o cognitiva e usa o computador/internet���, apresentam melhor resultados respeitantes ��s vari��veis fun����es executivas, em compara����o com o grupo de idosos que n��o participa em atividades. Por outro lado na vari��vel ��ndice B:A os resultados s��o inversamente proporcionais. Quanto ��s vari��veis sociodemogr��ficas sexo e escolaridade, n��o s��o verificadas diferen��as entre grupos, o mesmo n��o acontece com a vari��vel idade relativamente �� vari��vel WCST N�� Erros, onde idosos mais jovens apresentam pior desempenho que idosos mais velhos.

As expetativas das m��es face �� inclus��o de crian��as com Trissomia 21 no primeiro ano do ensino b��sico nas escolas da Regi��o Aut��noma da Madeira

Partindo da an��lise do conceito de inclus��o de crian��as com S��ndrome de Down no primeiro ano do ensino b��sico nas escolas da Regi��o Aut��noma da Madeira, ap��s a interven����o da Equipa de Interven����o Precoce, fazendo refer��ncia ��s expetativas das m��es, este estudo aborda os principais fatores que poder��o influenciar esta tem��tica. Tem como objetivos analisar as expetativas das m��es sobre o processo inclusivo de crian��as com Trissomia 21 na transi����o do pr��-escolar para o 1.�� ciclo e compreender em que medida a Interven����o Precoce contribui para a exist��ncia de expetativas positivas ou negativas face �� inclus��o dos seus filhos. Ao mesmo tempo procura constatar-se quais as principais preocupa����es em rela����o �� entrada dos seus filhos no primeiro ciclo. Este trabalho assenta numa abordagem qualitativa: os dados foram recolhidos atrav��s da realiza����o de sete entrevistas a m��es de crian��as com Trissomia 21. Para a an��lise de informa����o recolhida, utilizou-se a t��cnica de an��lise de conte��do com categorias definidas �� posteriori. Concluiu-se que as m��es t��m expetativas positivas em rela����o �� inclus��o dos seus filhos tendo, no entanto, expetativas negativas em rela����o aos servi��os prestados pelas equipas de Interven����o Precoce no que se refere �� adequa����o de servi��os, nomeadamente, o tempo destinado ao apoio da Terapia da Fala que foi considerado insuficiente pela maioria das m��es. Relativamente �� entrada no primeiro ciclo, as principais preocupa����es prendem-se com a comunica����o oral que o(a) seu (sua) filho(a) ir�� estabelecer com os professores e colegas, com a eventual falta de sensibiliza����o dos docentes face �� problem��tica da T21 e, no que se refere �� aprendizagem, as maiores preocupa����es passam pelo acompanhamento do ritmo de trabalho dos colegas e com a capacidade, ou n��o, de ler e escrever.

SOCIAL BUSINESS DILEMMAS IN BRAZIL: REDE ASTACASE

ABSTRACTSocial businesses seek financial, social and even environmental results. Academic knowledge on how such organizations operate, however, has emerged more recently. This article sought to investigate qualitatively the main tensions and dilemmas occurring throughout the history of Rede Asta, a pioneer social business in direct catalog sales of artisanal products in Brazil. Results indicate the Rede Asta managers have experienced tensions and dilemmas in three of the four categories identified by Smith, Gonin, and Besharov (2013): social and financial performance, organizational aspects and learning. One of the dilemmas involves organizational aspects and learning, since Asta achieves feasibility with two organizations: a nonprofit association and a for-profit corporation. On perceptions of belonging, stakeholders declared they felt they were a part of the organization’s social and environmental goals; some even as activists.

DETERMINANTS OF THE SUCCESS OF GLOBAL AND LOCAL BRANDS IN LATIN AMERICA

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to address the issue of the implementation of global and local brands in Latin America by drawing on contingency theory to develop and test hypotheses relating to how product category characteristics affect the success of global and local brands in the region. Hypotheses are tested using data obtained from top brands rankings reported in five Latin American markets (Argentina, Brazil, the Caribbean and Central America, Chile and Mexico). The study design considers estimating a logistic regression on a binomial dependent variable measuring whether 475 top brands are global or local brands, with product category characteristics as independent variables. Results reveal that product categories related to subscriptions, local tastes, high-tech, and global citizenship do have an impact on the success of global and local brands in Latin America.

Accountability and co-production of information and control: social observatories and their relationship with government agencies

Abstract:Through the development of a proposal to categorize accountability into four stages - classical, cross-sectional, systemic, and diffused -, this article aims to identify characteristics of co-production of information and socio-political control of public administration in the work of Brazilian social observatories in relationship with government control agencies. The study analyses data from 20 social observatories and, particularly, three experiences of co-production of information and control, based on a systemic perspective on accountability and a model with four categories: Political and cultural; valuing; systemic-organizational, and production. The conclusions summarize characteristics of these practices, specific phases in the accountability processes, as well as the potentialities and challenges of co-production of information and control, which not only influences, but it is also influenced by the accountability system.

Sistema de apoio �� decis��o espacial para an��lise do impacte ambiental da dispers��o de poluentes atmosf��ricos

Neste artigo e�� apresentado um Sistema de Apoio a�� Decisa��o Espacial (SADE) onde os decisores podem facilmente definir diferentes tipos de problemas espaciais recorrendo a diferentes categorias de objetos, pre��-definidas ou a definir, associando- lhes caracteri��sticas com ou sem depende��ncia espacial, e indicando formas de interfere��ncia (impactos) entre essas caracte- ri��sticas/propriedades. A ana��lise espacial para determinac��a��o ou avaliac��a��o de configurac��o��es alternativas para a localizac��a��o de diferentes tipos de ocorre��ncias espaciais sera�� feita atrave��s da utilizac��a��o interativa do SADE de acordo com conjuntos de regras intri��nsecas aos va��rios elementos gra��ficos (objetos, categorias, caracteri��sticas, impactos) utilizados na definic��a��o dos problemas. O teste a�� generalidade representativa e anali��tica do SADE proposto e�� efectuado recorrendo a um problema concreto, suficientemente especi��fico e complexo, relativo a�� aplicac��a��o de modelos gaussianos para o estudo da dispersa��o atmosfe��rica de eventuais poluentes resultantes do tratamento de resi��duos so��lidos. A regia��o em estudo esta�� limitada, neste exemplo, ao munici��pio de Coimbra, Portugal. Para este munici��pio esta��o acessi��veis, e sa��o utilizados, os dados demogra��ficos ao ni��vel da secc��a��o de voto (censos oficiais) e, como tal, e�� possi��vel a realizac��a��o de um estudo reali��stico do impacto com populac��o��es humanas.

Seguran��a alimentar nos refeit��rios de uma universidade portuguesa : aplica����o da teoria do comportamento planeado

A Organiza����o Mundial de Sa��de estima que nos pa��ses mais industrializados uma em cada tr��s pessoas sofra, por ano, de uma doen��a de origem alimentar. De acordo com os dados da Ag��ncia Europeia para a Seguran��a Alimentar foram relatados pelos 27 Estados Membros da Uni��o Europeia, no ano 2012, um total de 5.363 surtos de origem alimentar, assistindo-se a uma preval��ncia do setor da restaura����o, como o local de maior ocorr��ncia dos surtos de doen��as de origem alimentar. Para o mesmo ano, Portugal reportou 7 surtos de origem alimentar, envolvendo 135 pessoas com 42 hospitaliza����es. Neste contexto, a aplica����o de boas pr��ticas de higiene, nomeadamente no setor da restaura����o, �� essencial para proteger o consumidor das doen��as de origem alimentar. Neste estudo, pretendeu-se identificar os constructos do modelo da Teoria do Comportamento Planeado (Theory of Planned Behaviour ��� TPB, segundo a terminologia anglo-sax��nica), de Icek Ajzen, que melhor explicam a inten����o dos operadores de alimentos em adotarem os comportamentos de higiene, a saber: i) utiliza����o de luvas e touca de prote����o de cabelos, e ii) remo����o de adornos pessoais, durante a manipula����o de alimentos. Para o efeito, foi aplicado um question��rio tendo por base a Teoria do Comportamento Planeado, a uma amostra de cento e vinte e tr��s operadores dos v��rios refeit��rios de uma universidade portuguesa, na sua grande maioria do sexo feminino (91,1%) e que manipulam alimentos numa base di��ria, recorrendo-se primeiramente a uma fase preliminar de estudo qualitativo, ou pr��-inqu��rito, para melhor selecionar os temas essenciais e as principais categorias a considerar na constru����o deste inqu��rito. Os inqu��ritos foram tratados estatisticamente recorrendo-se �� estat��stica descritiva, �� an��lise fatorial e avalia����o da consist��ncia interna dos fatores resultantes, seguido da aplica����o de regress��o linear e metodologia de an��lise de trajet��rias (path modeling) com vista �� valida����o do TPB. Os resultados obtidos apontam para o fato de a Atitude ser o melhor preditor da Inten����o em adotar os comportamentos em estudo. Verificou-se tamb��m que a motiva����o de cumprir resulta da press��o exercida pelos superiores hier��rquicos ou colegas, influenciando positivamente a inten����o, na medida em que as cren��as normativas assumiram-se como sendo o segundo preditor que melhor previu a inten����o.