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BACKGROUND: Public hospital managers in Rio de Janeiro must deal with severe budget costs, which is the only source of income of public hospitals. In this sense, systematic supply chain risk management can contribute to identifying such risks, assessing their severity, and developing mitigating plans, or even revealing the lack of such plans. Private hospital networks must also map their risks since they are facing a diminishing of demand given that unemployment in Brazil, which is growing in the past years, generates an impossibility of affording private healthcare. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how supply chain risk management is being applied in healthcare supply chains from Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. This study considers supply chains located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. To accomplish this objective, we provide answers to two Research Questions: RQ1 - Is SCRM known as a concept among Rio de Janeiro healthcare supply chains? RQ2 - How are risk identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation being implemented by companies from the healthcare supply chains in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil? METHOD: Our research design is based on four steps: i) Research design; ii) Case selection: iii) Data collection (11 cases selected); iv) Data analysis. RESULTS: The interviews revealed that SCRM is an entirely unknown concept among healthcare supply chains from Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. Managers have empirical knowledge of the risks, and they can identify the most hazardous risks and can come up with solutions to mitigate them, nevertheless, in many situations they do not have the authority or the manpower to implement the solutions, at most, managers implement local risk mitigation initiatives that do not consider the supply chains broader context. CONCLUSION: The healthcare organizations studied by this paper do not apply SCRM. They only apply local isolated solutions not considering a supply chain scope. This can become hazardous since isolated risk mitigation initiatives are often innocuous and have the potential to generate other risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Management & Health / Revista Gestão & Saúde is the property of Revista Gestao e Saude and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Assistive technologies have allowed people with disabilities to perform daily tasks with greater independence and autonomy, especially for visually impaired people. Using smart home solutions allows these users to control their homes with less cognitive and physical demand. However, making such applications accessible to meet the needs of visually impaired users, especially in developing countries, remains a challenge. This paper investigates the perceptions of these users about home automation technologies through semi-structured interviews. A total of 20 visually impaired people participated in the interviews. A thematic analysis revealed results concerning the following themes: (1) how people go about their lives at home and around, how people interact with current appliances, objects and environments, (3) how people perceive their attitude to technologies, (4) the Brazilian context of smart homes, (5) what people think smart homes should do and (6) envisaging ways of interacting with smart home systems. The results obtained provide significant insight into the needs of visually-impaired people in Brazil, with analysis of issues that are common with previous studies in more developed countries and specific issues that have important particularities and implications in Brazil and other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents findings based on over 40 hrs of rich, phenomenological narrative interview data in which five Syrian refugees describe their experiences of transitioning to a new life in Brazil. Using the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) as a framework for examining the relationship between a period of vulnerability, multiple social identities and wellbeing, interviews were combined with a "talking stones" technique. Key themes of identity "recovery" and "discovery" were consistent with the identity "gain" and "continuity" components of SIMIC. A theme of "adaptation" suggested that a process of continual identity construction and reconstruction is central to both outcomes. Further, themes relating to identity "constraint" suggests how some contexts can actively freeze identities, thus undermining agency and compromising wellbeing. The refugee stories analysed in this paper demonstrate how the SIMIC is a robust model for capturing many of the identity complexities within post‐migration life. Please refer to the supplementary material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ergonomics in design is intended to close the gap between what is designed and the real work. This study discusses the creation of technical ergonomics requirements for the basic design stage of workshops on offshore platforms. OBJECTIVE: This paper intends to show how the ergonomics discipline contributes to integrating knowledge on the real work of the maintenance crew with the design. METHODS: This case study uses procedures, data collection, and analysis guided by the Ergonomics of the Activity's (EA) theoretical framework, focused on design projects. RESULTS: The results show how ergonomics contributed to a better understanding of maintenance work, as well as how this knowledge was integrated into the project design. This occurred both through the construction of a new layout and equipment list, and through the development of technical specifications. These products enable greater operational efficiency, reductions in the costs of alterations in the next stages of the project, and improvement in working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This work points to the need for new studies on platform maintenance work, in addition to studies that deepen the debate on consolidating ergonomics practice in design projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Práxis Educativa is the property of Revista Praxis Educativa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The current paper discusses the results of a study realized with 66 seekers of 12 psychosocial healthcare services (CAPS) in Brazil, by investigating their social representations. Aims: Throughout a quali-quantitative approach, unstructured interviews have been conducted and focused on two themes: one related to mental suffering and another to the CAPS itself. Method: The data were processed adopting the Iramuteq software for text-mining-analysis. Results: Out of the findings emerged four lexical classes due to the discursive representation of: (1) CAPS (39.7%); (2) social life (29.7%); (3) family (13.6%) and (4) medication and care (17%), where the utterance NÃO (NO) occupies a central position. Accordingly, the NO is associated with ' not there ' and ' not here ', contrasting the care provided outside the CAPS, represented as inhumane or inadequate, to that provided inside the CAPS, linked to feelings of 'not being discriminated, mistreated and unrecognized'. The underlying social representations expressed in the interviews show an opposition between what was experienced outside and what was experienced inside the CAPS. Conclusion: The care received in CAPS units is the expression of a new psychosocial paradigm in a process of implementation, focused on participation and interdisciplinarity, as opposed to the biomedical paradigm focused on the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a Water Access Index (WAI). Using this tool, decision-makers can identify and prioritize areas that need state intervention to develop actions to guarantee rural population access to water. Thus, was carried out is a case study, rural communities in the semi-arid region of Brazil to validate the suggested method. The WAI is based on a combined method of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA), Geographic Information System (GIS), cluster analysis (CA) using Ward's agglomeration method and participation of rural inhabitants. The data for calculating the WAI were obtained by conducting interviews following a script of themes in the structured questionnaire closed to 370 residents of the communities evaluated. To calculate the WAI, weightings were used, in which the scores of the indicators and the weights of the dimensions were determined and analyzed using the Delphi method, what found to be a valid method for calculating the dimensions and indicators weights. Due to difficulty of rural population to have water access and suffer from drought, the proposed model showed appropriate to conduct a robust and well-structured decision-making. The main contributions were the study in region suffering from drought and difficulty in water access, as well as the combination of MCDA, SIG, CA and participation of rural inhabitants methods to aid in this problem. For use in other areas, researchers need to conduct public and specialized consultations to adjust the dimension weights, so the WAI method can estimate the water access situation and generate maps anywhere in the world for decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is a crucial behavior to reduce the global burden of disease. The objective of this study was to understand the relationship between LTPA, employment status, and physical workload (PWL). This study analyzed data from 38 449 individuals interviewed in the National Health Survey (NHS), representative of the Brazilian population. This paper examines LTPA in the last 30 days and whether participants achieved the recommended physical activity (≥150 min week−1) according to employment status and PWL utilizing Poisson regression models. One third and ¼ of the participants reported LTPA in the last 30 days and achieved the recommended LTPA, respectively. Intense PWL was reported by 28.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 27.8–29.6%] of participants; 32.2% among men (95% CI: 31.0–33.5%); 24.3% among women (95% CI: 23.1–25.5%). Precarious employment was associated with a lower prevalence of physical activity among men [adjusted prevalence ratio (PRa) = 0.92; P = 0.016], but not among women (PRa = 1.11; P = 0.039). Employment policies and protection of the work environment are relevant aspects to stimulate physical activity, and may vary by gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: What is known on the subject?: Relapse rates are high among patients who have experienced first‐episode psychosis (FEP).Psychotic relapses are associated with worse quality of life and poorer functionality of the FEP patient.The use of psychoactive substances, non‐adherence to drug treatment, and high expressed emotion (EE) are notable predictors of relapse after the FEP.Although some studies have suggested that psychotic relapse may be associated with a family environment with high levels of emotional over‐involvement (EOI), this finding is still inconsistent across different cultures.EE specific components must be evaluated and interpreted according to the context of cultural norms.There is a scarcity of studies on the role of depression in the occurrence of relapses after the FEP, and the results remain uncertain. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: This study explored the predictors of psychotic relapses in Brazilian patients who experienced FEP.Our results indicate that 29.2% of the patients relapsed after the FEP.Patients diagnosed with depression and high‐EOI in the family environment were predictors of psychotic relapses in this population.This study expands knowledge about the cultural specificity of EOI and the role of depression in psychotic relapse. What are the implications for practice?: Nursing professionals must consider the implications of the family environment and depression in the course of psychosis.Family interventions and the appropriate treatment of depression are important for improving the prognosis of FEP patients. Introduction: Psychotic relapse may be associated with relatives' high emotional over‐involvement (EOI) and with a diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) among first‐episode psychosis (FEP) patients, but the results are still inconsistent across different cultures. Aim: Evaluate the predictors of relapse in FEP patients. Method: Prospective cohort study with 6‐month follow‐up conducted with 65 dyads of patients and relatives from an early intervention unit in Brazil. At the baseline interview, relatives answered to a sociodemographic data form and to the Family Questionnaire. Patients provided sociodemographic and clinical data and answered the Measurement of Treatment Adherence; the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test; the Severity of Dependence Scale to assess cannabis dependence, and the MDE module of the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Psychotic relapses were evaluated using items from the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. The data were analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results: 29.2% of the patients presented at least one psychotic relapse. High‐EOI and MDE were predictors of psychotic relapses. Discussion: Our findings expand the knowledge about the cultural specificity of EOI and the role of depression in psychotic relapse. Implications for practice: Family nursing interventions and the appropriate treatment of MDE must be considered in the care of FEP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study of maternal sensitivity in 22 primiparous women and their infants from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A semi-structured interview was conducted about sociodemographic risk, as and videotaped home observations to assess maternal sensitivity, and its relation with warmth, verbal and physical engagement, and camera awareness. A K-means cluster analysis was performed to examine patterns of risk in relation to maternal sensitivity. Compared to the 15 mothers with higher sensitivity scores, the seven mothers with lower sensitivity scores were characterized by lower educational levels, lower income, lower age, living in a slum, unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, and later onset of prenatal care. Whether father was resident did not appear to distinguish between the lower and higher sensitivity groups. The pattern of social-contextual risk for Brazilian mothers showing less sensitive caregiving to their infants provide a clear direction for future research in this cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Espanola de Comunicacion en Salud is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Comunicacion Sanitaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose This paper aims to address problems in patient flow and identify the reasons behind extensive wait time at a public liver transplant outpatient clinic in an education and research hospital through the use of Lean health-care theories.Design/methodology/approach This paper opted for the application of Lean thinking and action research strategy. Data were collected through personal observations, interviews with users and team brainstorming. A value stream map was developed, improvement possibilities were identified and non-value-added activities were attempted to be eliminated.Findings Significant problems were identified and improvements were implemented and measured. The major remedial measures were: change the scheduling pattern, create a flow chart and a Kanban visual guide for medical students. In addition, an institutional change in the medical appointment scheduling software collaborated in the reduction of time and in the patient’s displacement. The waiting time was reduced by 4.5 h, and the per cent complete and accurate increased by 50 per cent.Practical implications The flow was redesigned, and a culture of continuous improvement was introduced. Visiting the place where work was being done, leaders identified and created more value to the process without significant costs. The Gemba Walk was a powerful tool, interacting with people and processes in a Kaizen spirit.Originality/value Public health services in developing countries are one of the most deprived social needs of good practice. It will be useful for those who need examples about how to apply Lean tools in health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are only a small number of reported intervention studies to improve health literacy among older populations. This paper reports on a study designed to investigate the feasibility and potential impact on health literacy and health practices of embedding an intervention programme to improve health literacy with older people through established primary health care units (PHCUs) in a disadvantaged urban community in Brazil. This investigation utilized a quasi-experimental design, with 42 participants recruited for the intervention group and comparison group. The Alfa-Health Program was offered by a nurse in a PHCU as part of the public universal health system over a period of 5 months, and was compared for its impact on a range of health literacy and self-reported health outcomes with routine health care available for older people. The intervention achieved relatively high levels of participation, and positive feedback from participants. Some improvements in vaccination rates, health literacy and reported health behaviours related to food choices and physical activity were observed. The intervention made good use of existing facilities; the content and methods were well received by the participants. However, there were some difficulties in recruitment and in retention of participants. The study has demonstrated the practical feasibility of delivering a comprehensive health education programme designed to improve health literacy in a PHCU in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We aimed to estimate latent foetal growth conditions and explore their determinants among maternal characteristics and ultrasound biometric parameters. We additionally investigated the influence of foetal growth conditions on perinatal variables. Methods We used data from live-born singletons in the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in Acre, Brazil (MINA-Brazil Study) population-based birth cohort. Maternal and perinatal characteristics were assessed in medical records from the maternity hospital and interviews with participants from July 2015 to June 2016. A sub-sample went through ultrasound examinations during the antenatal period, with assessment of foetal head and abdominal circumferences, and femur length. We estimated latent foetal growth conditions with a structural equation modelling framework, informed by the child's birth weight z-scores (BWZ) and birth length z-scores (BLZ) according to gestational age. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the occurrence of perinatal events were estimated according to linear predictions of the latent variable. Results We included 1253 participants. Latent foetal growth conditions explained 88.3% of BWZ and 53.7% of BLZ variation. Maternal elevated blood pressure, primiparity, smoking, malaria, and insufficient gestational weight gain negatively impacted foetal growth conditions. In the subsample (n=499), ultrasound biometric parameters assessed at 28 weeks were positively associated with the latent variable, with the largest contribution from foetal abdominal circumference. Each standardised unit of predicted foetal growth conditions halved the chance for preterm birth (95% CI=0.26, 0.74) and longer hospital stay (>3 days) (95% CI=0.28, 0.88). Conversely, BWZ and BLZ were not independently associated with these perinatal variables in separate logistic regression models. Conclusions Latent foetal growth conditions jointly encompassing weight gain and linear growth during gestation were negatively influenced by a scenario of dual burden of maternal morbidities, with perinatal implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Marketing clothes online can be challenging for those who buy and sell them. They are products that people still feel the need to have direct contact with. Some of their attributes are not easily communicated digitally, such as the fit and the feel of the fabric. Besides, the lack of standardization of sizes practiced by the Brazilian clothing industry raises several doubts to the user. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to present the results of an investigation concerning the user experience (UX) resulting from the interaction with female e-commerce websites. METHODS: The methods were organized into two stages: exploratory and descriptive. The former consisted of an exploratory interview (19 interviewees), an online questionnaire (205 respondents), and semi-structured interviews with 5 fashion specialists. In the latter, 60 users were divided into two groups of 30 participants to undertake a usability test on an e-commerce website (dafiti.com.br) to evaluate the UX when buying clothes. Group A used a desktop/laptop and Group B used a smartphone. The users were then debriefed and answered the AttrakDiff2™ questionnaire. RESULTS: Users lacked technical knowledge on clothing attributes and were extremely wary about the size and fit information provided (60% in Group A and 83% in Group B were not sure about fit and size information). Surprisingly, the AttrakDiff2™ showed no significant difference between the mobile or the desktop/laptop UX (Group A: M = 4.0 SD = 0.1; Group B: M = 4.1 SD = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The most significant problem faced by the users concerned the fit and sizing information, as these attributes are usually poorly communicated digitally. In addition to being a usability problem, by inducing users to errors, its greatest impact was on the UX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disasters have many consequences in terms of human lives, material, economic, and/or environmental damages. Among preventive and mitigation measures, it is recognized that early warning systems (EWS) are an effective and essential tool to minimize damages caused by natural disasters. Using the experience of CEMADEN (National Early Warning and Monitoring Centre of Natural Disasters) in Brazil, this paper aims to investigate, through a systems approach, what factors may interfere with the effectiveness of EWSs. A case study was developed based on interviews with experts from CEMADEN. Those interviews generated cognitive maps that translated the perceptions of the experts and were used to structure the problem and to support the construction of a systemic model. The model allowed the analysis of the EWS, identifying behaviors, as reinforcement and balancing loops, not always intuitive, to support better management and planning decisions to improve the system effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies on substance use in Brazil have not focused on opioid misuse, previously thought to be nearly non-existent. This paper presents new findings on heroin and non-medical use of opioid analgesics. Data come from the 2015 Brazilian Household Survey on Substance Use (BHSU-3), a nationally representative survey estimating epidemiological parameters related to substance use by residents across Brazil. BHSU-3 used stratified multi-stage probability sampling across multiple geographic domains of interest, resulting in 16,273 interviews with household residents. Lifetime heroin use among Brazilians was 0.3 (95% C.I:0.2–0.4). Lifetime, past-year, and past-month non-medical use of opioid analgesics were respectively 2.9 (95%C.I.:2.3–3.4), 1.4 (95%C.I.:1.1–1.7) and 0.6 (95%C.I.:0.4–0.8). Past-year prevalence of non-medical opioid analgesics use was lower among males [Prevalence Ratio (PR): 0.54 (95% C.I.:0.36–0.78)], those aged 12–24 [0.56 (95% C.I.:0.34–0.92)], persons with monthly family incomes between R$1,501–3,000 [0.59 (95% C.I.:0.38–0.92)] or greater than R$3,000 [0.64 (95% C.I.:0.42–0.98)], and persons who were unemployed [0.65 (95% C.I.:0.46–0.92)]. Non-medical use of opioids in Brazil may be more prevalent than previously recognised. Proper measurement and evaluation of opioid misuse across Brazil and other Latin American countries is critical to understand and prevent opioid-related harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente is the property of Revista em Agronegocio e Meio Ambiente and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although healthcare managers make increasingly difficult decisions about health innovations, the way they may interact with innovators to foster health system sustainability remains underexplored. Drawing on the Responsible Innovation in Health (RIH) framework, this paper analyses interviews (n =37) with Canadian and Brazilian innovators to identify: how they operationalize inclusive design processes; what influences the responsiveness of their innovation to system-level challenges; and how they consider the level and intensity of care required by their innovation. Our qualitative findings indicate that innovators seek to: 1) engage stakeholders at an early ideation stage through context-specific methods combining both formal and informal strategies; 2) address specific system-level benefits but often struggle with the positioning of their solution within the health system; and 3) mitigate staff shortages in specialized care, increase general practitioners' capacity or patients and informal caregivers' autonomy. These findings provide empirical insights on how healthcare managers can promote and organize collaborative processes that harness innovation towards more sustainable health systems. By adopting a RIH-oriented managerial role, they can set in place more inclusive design processes, articulate key system-level challenges, and help innovators adjust the level and intensity of care required by their innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Physical activity is recommended for recipients of a kidney transplant. However, ADHERE BRAZIL study found a high prevalence (69%) of physical inactivity in Brazilian recipients of a kidney transplant. To tackle this behavior, a broad analysis of barriers is needed. This study aimed to identify factors (patient and transplant center levels) associated with physical inactivity among recipients of a kidney transplant. Methods This was a subproject of the ADHERE BRAZIL study, a cross-sectional, multicenter study of 1105 recipients of a kidney transplant from 20 kidney transplant centers. Using a multistage sampling method, patients were proportionally and randomly selected. Applying the Brief Physical Activity Assessment questionnaire, patients were classified as physically active (≥150 min/wk) or physically inactive (<150 min/wk). On the basis of an ecological model, 34 factors associated with physical inactivity were analyzed by sequential logistic regression. Results At the patient level, physical inactivity was associated with smoking (odds ratio = 2.43; 95% CI = 0.97–6.06), obesity (odds ratio = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.26–2.55), peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.20–8.42), >3 posttransplant hospitalizations (odds ratio = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.17–2.13), family income of >1 reference salary ($248.28 per month; odds ratio = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.48–0.90), and student status (odds ratio = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.37–0.92). At the center level, the correlates were having exercise physiologists in the clinical team (odds ratio = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.46–0.64) and being monitored in a teaching hospital (undergraduate students) (odds ratio = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.01–2.13). Conclusions This study identified factors associated with physical inactivity after kidney transplantation that may guide future multilevel behavioral change interventions for physical activity. Impact In a multicenter sample of recipients of a kidney transplant with a prevalence of physical inactivity of 69%, we found associations between this behavior and patient- and center-level factors. At the patient level, the chance of physical inactivity was positively associated with smoking, obesity, and patient morbidity (peripheral vascular disease and hospitalization events after kidney transplantation). Conversely, a high family income and a student status negatively correlated with physical inactivity. At the center level, the presence of a dedicated professional to motivate physical activity resulted in a reduced chance of physical inactivity. A broad knowledge of barriers associated with physical inactivity can allow us to identify patients at a high risk of not adhering to the recommended levels of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community health workers in developing countries usually perform house calls in degraded and violent territories. Thus, in this paper we study the effects of urban violence in the performance of CHWs in poorly developed territories, in order to understand the challenges of delivering care to dangerous communities in developing countries. We conducted telephone surveys for 5 months in 2017, within a systematic sample of 2.000 CHWs based on clinics distributed along the health regions of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We completed 766 interviews, approximately 40% of the sample, 86% man and 14% women. Most participants are 30 to 39 years old (35%), followed by 27% of 40 to 49 years old participants. As CHWs work on the sharp end of the healthcare system, responsible for outreaching, community education, counseling, and social support, our study presents contributions to government and management levels on working conditions inside communities, constraints in assistance, and difficulties in implementing primary care policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the existence and participation of public and private real estate credit lines for timber house funding in Brazil. The analysis was completed through face-to-face interviews with Brazilian timber housing producers. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied in this survey method to obtain a sectorial approach of the industry. Accesses to full financing for timber housing and credit for the acquisition of construction materials were the main two issues studied. About 107 producers were fully evaluated from all sectors. Half of the studied companies offer full housing finance and, simultaneously, most loans still come from private banks. Credit directed to raw materials emerges as the most common method of accessing funding for timber-based construction despite the lower economic value of this form of credit compared to other, more complete financial options. Public banks disseminate partial credit more frequently because of lower rates and lower restrictions, such as the absence of insurance requirements against risks from these construction ventures. Full funding proliferation will stimulate this market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ergonomics/Human factors (HFE) is little considered in the engineering design practice and design methodologies do not adequately present the use of HFE. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to propose a systematic for the integration of HFE into product design, based on the user-centered design approach. Thus, an overview of the systematic is presented, as well as the suggestion of methods and support tools for each phase of the design process. METHODS: In order to verify the applicability of the systematic it was done an expert evaluation of the systematic and an experiment was carried out in the engineering education, in two classes of the product design course in a Brazilian University in 2016. RESULTS: The results showed that the students of the study group developed a better knowledge about HFE and its use in product design, besides the probability of using HFE in the product design went from low to high after the experiment. CONCLUSION: Presenting this information in a systematized way together with the design process allows students to be more likely to use it, to understand it better and know how to use it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cadernos PAGU is the property of Universidade Estadual de Campinas - Portal de Periodicos Eletronicos Cientificos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With a growing ageing population and the advent of interactive TV (iTV), understanding how older people use iTV services is a timely and important task. Working towards this end, this paper reports on in situ conversations of, and observations with, almost 400 older people, with different levels of educational attainment and experience with ICTs, while talking about and using online video portals and similar interactive systems in Spain, Brazil and Denmark. The results show more similarities than differences in their reasons for adopting online video portals and patterns of use. All our participants used these portals for keeping or remaining in touch with people they trusted. The results also show that privacy online was a common concern to all the participants. Differences in the acceptance of e-government services and the type of content that drove most of their interactions were also found. Implications for designing more accessible and meaningful iTV services are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in the number of older people with dementia is currently a trend around the world. In low and middle countries, effective public health services are not yet well‐developed, and family care‐givers may be overwhelmed by the requirements of care. This paper has two purposes: to share findings from an ethnographic study about family dementia care practices in Brazil and to draw attention to the significance of the materiality of care practices in the family context. The study was conducted in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We describe the care trajectory of one family and, analysing data using the insights of Actor Network Theory, show the significance of objects in a networked relation of care. In particular, we show how incontinence products such as adult diapers assume different positions in the network, acting as either mediator or intermediary of care in relation to other elements of the network composed of family members and their living situation, the person with dementia herself, the doctor, and Brazilian health policies. Although the diaper is often seen as an ordinary object for care providers, its participation in a care network shapes relations, activating conflict, financial constraint, and disciplining the body of the person with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to assess the frequency of depression symptoms among Brazilian immigrants living in Massachusetts, the second largest Brazilian immigrant population in the United States, and to identify correlates of depression. A convenience sample of Brazilian immigrants aged 18 or older residing in Massachusetts was used. Data were collected from December 2013 to March 2014, in the Consulate General of Brazil in Boston and in three religious events, using a structure questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Depression symptoms were observed in 35.3% of the respondents, with equal distribution by sex. Correlates of depression were low income, being single, poor English proficiency, and poor self-perception of health. These results suggest a need for community outreach, sensitization, and counseling, in Portuguese and adapted to the culture of Brazilian immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has established a well-known constitutional right to health. Legal scholars have focused largely on one aspect of this right: the role of the courts in enforcing health care access. Less attention has been paid to another aspect: citizens' right to participate in health planning. Participation is a constituent component of Brazil's right to health that is intended to guarantee accountability and fair resource distribution for improved population health. In this paper, drawing on constitutional analysis and interviews carried out for my doctoral research, I discuss Brazil's national-level participatory body, the National Health Council, and its potential for fostering accountability and balancing individual and societal interests in health policy. Effective participation, I contend, is a way to strengthen Brazil's health system to the benefit of the entire population, rather than only those who have access to the courts. This paper seeks to underline the constitutional requirement of participation as a core element of the realization of the right to health in Brazil and to invite other legal scholars to critically engage with the way in which Brazil's right to health is implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy / Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional is the property of Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional da UFSCar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The global health community is increasingly advocating for the local production of pharmaceuticals in developing countries as a way to promote technology transfer, capacity building and improve access to medicines. However, efforts to advance drug manufacturing in these countries revive an old dilemma of fostering technological development versus granting access to social services, such as healthcare. This paper explores the case of Brazil, a country that has developed large-scale health-inspired industrial policies, but is, yet, little understood. Brazil’s experience suggests that progressive healthcare bureaucrats can create innovative practices for technology and knowledge transfers. It also demonstrates that highly competitive pharmaceutical firms can collaborate with each other, if a government provides them the right incentives. Reforming regulatory policies is crucial for guaranteeing high-quality products in developing countries, but governments must play a crucial role in supporting local firms to adapt to these regulations. These findings send a strong message to global health policymakers and practitioners on the conditions to create a suitable environment for local production of medical products. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The professional work of small animal veterinary staff encompasses a wide diversity of demanding tasks. This has prompted a number of studies covering physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, or psychological hazards, as well as their health effects upon veterinary workers. However, such results were obtained from self-reported surveys (via paper or online). This study reports the identification of potential hazards and provides a risk assessment of 15 veterinary clinics based on data from walk-through surveys, interviews with workers, and quantification of indoor air quality parameters including concentration of volatile organic compounds (total, isoflurane, and glutaraldehyde). The risk arising from X-ray exposure was unacceptable in seven clinics; X-ray examination should be discontinued in the absence of isolated radiation rooms, poor safety practices, and lack of personal protective equipment. Ergonomic-related hazards and work practices should be revised as soon as possible, considering that improper postures, as well as moving and lifting heavy animals are major causes of musculoskeletal disorders. The risk levels were, in general, small or medium (acceptable) with regard to exposure to physical hazards (such as bites, scratches, cuts, and burns) and biological hazards. It was observed that the indoor air quality parameters including temperature, respirable particulate matter and total volatile organic compounds do not indicate a comfortable workplace environment, requiring clinics' attention to keep the safe environment. The veterinarians and nurses were exposed to isoflurane (above 2 ppm) during surgery if an extractor system for waste gas was used instead of a scavenging system. Finally, veterinary workers did not possess any type of training on occupational safety and health issues, even though they recognized its importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Can low‐fidelity simulation improve the knowledge and skills of patients undergoing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and their caregivers to prevent complications? Patients undergoing CIC are exposed to risks, such as urethral trauma and urinary tract infections. Objective of this paper was to assess the implications of low‐fidelity simulations for patients and caregivers in the use of clean intermittent catheterization in the event of urethral trauma and for its prevention. A quasi‐experimental study carried out between November 2015 and February 2016 in the rehabilitation centre of a university hospital, with patients undergoing CIC and/or their caregivers. Following the ethical precepts, data collection was performed during nursing consultations by means of interviews, structured observation, and a knowledge test applied before and after the low‐fidelity simulation. Patients undergoing CIC and/or caregivers underwent a low‐fidelity simulation of CIC with urethral trauma and then they were guided by the researchers following the protocol established in the department. They then underwent another simulation with the same characteristics. Fifty‐five patients participated in this study, in which most of them (33 [60·0%]) were men, with an average age of 31·7 years. Bleeding was reported by 19 patients (34·5%), of which 18 were men. The performance of low‐fidelity simulations proved to be effective for patients or caregivers in adverse situations, such as bleeding, resistance to the introduction of the catheter and negative urine drainage. The performance of low‐fidelity simulation is easily accessible and shows efficiency when used in teaching‐learning processes of health education and development of skills and competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research discusses contextual factors that influence the development of complementary and/or integrative therapies developed by local health units on street-level bureaucracy in Santos. Through a qualitative approach, the research verifies that street-level bureaucracy is free to suggest and implement the aforementioned therapies, even if they do not have formal support of the municipality; however, they need support from their immediate local supervisors so they can adjust and implement the practice's routine, or the practice might not occur. Additionally, this text also presents guidelines in order to further develop the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) by the elderly is commonly studied, but studies evaluating the use of PIM by frail elderly covered by prepaid health plans are still lacking. Objective: To identify the prevalence of use and the factors associated with the use of PIM by the elderly patients with high and moderate risk of clinical-functional vulnerability, according to the Beers criteria 2019. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed with elderly people from a private health plan in Vitória-ES, Brazil. Socioeconomic, demographic and clinical data were collected through a digital platform and a structured questionnaire through an interview, from October 2018 to June 2019. The association between the use of PIM and independent variables was verified by univariate logistic regression with their respective confidence intervals (CI) 95%. The Multiple Model included the variables with P ≤.20. Results: 332 elderly patients were interviewed (mean age 81.5 years, gender 237 female, 95 male). A 65% prevalence of PIM use was identified. In the multiple logistic regression model, the variables associated with the use of PIM were self-medication (P =.004), high risk of clinical-functional vulnerability (P =.022), use of psychotropic medications (P =.000001), musculoskeletal medications (P =.04) and alimentary tract medications (P =.03). Physical exercises were considered a protection factor (P =.02). Conclusion: The high prevalence of PIM use indicates the need for improvement in elderly private health care, to increase pharmacotherapy safety for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Culture, Health & Sexuality is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy / Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional is the property of Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional da UFSCar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Design in use and inventiveness are key concepts in ergonomics. It is well-known that users design but is not explored in the literature how they manage to do that. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to contribute to the discussion of how users actually design, by showing a research conducted in sugar cane harvesting in Brazil and in Australia. METHODS: Through the methodology of the Ergonomic Work Analysis (EWA), the design modifications made by the harvesting teams were identified as well as their elaboration process. RESULTS: Three categories of modifications in machines’ design were identified: structural, functional and operational and they were more numerous in Brazilian situations. It is proposed that two theories underlying the theme are intertwined: the instrument-mediated activity approach and the design as bricolage. CONCLUSIONS: It is argued that users design through the articulation of: a) the operators’ activity, b) the mechanical technicians’ inventory to practice bricolage as a way of designing and c) the work organisation and the existence of social spaces of interaction between these two subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the experiences of the first generation of adolescents who acquired HIV through vertical transmission when disclosing their diagnosis to friends and romantic partners. The study sample was selected by convenience, with 20 patients (13–20 years old) participating in a qualitative investigation using individual interviews (language: Portuguese; duration: 45 minutes). The participants were followed in specialized clinics for the treatment of pediatric AIDS in São Paulo, Brazil. The results suggest that families who live with HIV tend to keep it a secret, and such behavior is learned and accepted unquestioningly as natural. Respect for privacy and the fear of rejection, coupled with the belief that information about their disease will be spread, are the main beliefs with which participants justify their secrecy. In terms of romantic relationships, adolescents were aware that their HIV status should at some point be shared with current or future sexual partners. However, the decision to reveal an HIV diagnosis in romantic relationships is permeated by anxieties, uncertainties about the right time, and fear of abandonment. In any case, telling the truth requires trust, guarantees of the other’s love, and, in some cases, probing romantic partners beforehand to learn their perceptions about the disease. Participants who had experiences disclosing their HIV status shared positive and negative results, including emotional support, acceptance, and understanding, along with ostracism, discrimination, and abandonment by family members. The findings of this paper reinforce the challenges of revealing an HIV diagnosis to third parties. It requires understanding the meaning and importance of the secret for each patient, along with the conflict between the right to confidentiality and the responsibility of treating others exposed to the disease. All these aspects should be discussed extensively with this population and incorporated into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction and Aims: This paper describes how substance use features in the accounts of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators in treatment in England and Brazil. The aim of the research was to better understand cross cultural constructions of IPV perpetration amongst men in treatment for substance use.Design and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 men in community substance use treatment in Sao Paolo, Brazil and London and the South East of England who had reported IPV perpetration in a questionnaire survey. A thematic, narrative analysis was carried out of men's explanations for IPV perpetration.Findings: Three types of narratives were distinguished: (i) disputes, centred on substance use, that escalate to IPV perpetration; (ii) IPV perpetration that is explained by uncharacteristic loss of control, as a result of intoxication; and (iii) IPV perpetration provoked by a perceived betrayal, in which substance use is incidental. In all types of accounts hegemonic principles of male and female roles and behaviour provided a context for and make IPV perpetration explicable.Discussion and Conclusions: Substance use and IPV are culturally constructed and contextually defined. Understanding the meaning-making of substance using IPV perpetrators has implications for the treatment of both substance abuse and IPV. [Radcliffe P, d'Oliveira AFPL, Lea S, dos Santos Figueiredo W, Gilchrist G. Accounting for intimate partner violence perpetration. A cross-cultural comparison of English and Brazilian male substance users' explanations. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:64-71]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem is the property of Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Health is recognized as a fundamental right in Brazil's constitution. In the absence of a clearly defined benefit packages of healthcare services that are financed under the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS), courts have become important in adjudicating coverage decisions. Empirical assessments of equity and the right to health tend to focus on simple measures of access. However, these empirical perspectives belie the significant inequalities and rights violations that arise in the case of more complex health needs such as cancer. To shed light on these issues, this paper focuses on the care pathways for breast and cervical cancer and explores access and quality issues that arise at different points along the care pathway with implications for the realization of the right to health in Brazil. Method: A mixed method approach is used. The analysis is primarily based on a quantitative analysis of national representative administrative data principally from the cervical and breast cancer information systems and the hospital cancer registry. To gain more insights into the organization of cancer care, qualitative data was collected from the state of Bahia, through document analysis, direct observation, roundtable discussions with health workers (HWs), and structured interviews with health care administrators. Results: The paper reveals that the volume of completed screening exams is well below the estimated need, and a tendency toward lower breast cancer screening rates in poorer states and for women in the lowest income brackets. Only 26% of breast cancer cases and 29% of cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage (stage 0 or I), thereby reducing the survival prospects of patients. Waiting times between confirmed diagnosis and treatment are long, despite new legislation that guarantees a maximum of 60 days. The waiting times are significantly longer for patients that follow the recommended patient pathways, and who are diagnosed outside the hospital. Conclusion: The study reveals that there are large variations between states and patients, where the poorest states and patients fare worse on key indicators. More broadly, the paper shows the importance of collecting data both on patient characteristics and health system performance and carry out detailed health system analysis for exposing, empirically, rights violations and for identifying how they can be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This case study examines the co-authoring of unboxing videos by one six-year-old, second-generation Brazilian immigrant child and her mother in the United States. These videos were created in response to boxes filled with gifts they received yearly from relatives in Brazil. To understand this mother-daughter dyad and their video production, this study draws on metaphors of mobility, the logics of reciprocity and obligation in gift-exchange, and the concept of care constellations. The analysis of interviews, field notes, and unboxing videos identified specific routes, rhythms, and frictions that fueled this family digital literacy practice. It also suggested that participants were implicated in a pattern of caregiving through a transnational cycle of gift-exchange. These findings disrupt typical framings of the unboxing genre as a manifestation of U.S. capitalist ethos and foreground the material and discursive production of care in a transnational family's digital literacy practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most health systems are insufficiently prepared to promote the participation of chronically ill patients in their care. Strong primary health care (PHC) strengthens patients' resources and thus promotes their participation. The tasks of providing continuous care to people with chronic diseases and promoting self‐management are the responsibility of PHC nurses. Recent research assessing enablers of or barriers to nurses' efforts to support patients' participation has mostly not considered the special situation of patients with chronic diseases or focused on the PHC setting. Objective: To investigate enablers of and barriers to PHC nurses' efforts to promote the participation of chronically ill patients in their care. Methods: We interviewed 34 practicing PHC nurses and 23 key informants with advanced knowledge of PHC nursing practice in Brazil, Germany and Spain. The data was analyzed using thematic coding. Results: We identified four categories of barriers and enablers. (1) Establishing bonds with patients: Interviewees emphasized that understanding patients' views and behaviours is important for PHC nurses. (2) Cooperation with relatives and families: Good relationships with families are fundamental, however conflicts within families could challenge PHC nurses efforts to strengthen participation. (3) Communication and cooperation within PHC teams: PHC nurses see Cooperative team structures as a potential enabler, while the dominance of a 'biomedical' approach to patient care is seen as a barrier. (4) Work environment: Interviewees agreed that increased workload is a barrier to patient participation. Discussion and Conclusions: Supporting patient participation should be acknowledged as an important responsibility for nurses by general practitioners and PHC planners. PHC nurses should be trained in communicative competence when discussing participation with chronically ill patients. Interprofessional education could strengthen other professionals' understanding of patient participation as a nursing task. Patient or Public Contribution: This study is part of a research project associated with the research network 'forges: User‐oriented care: Promotion of health in the context of chronic diseases and care dependency'. The study's focus and provisional results were discussed continuously with partners in health and social care practice and presented to and discussed with the public at two conferences in which patient representatives, professionals and researchers participated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the Integrated Care Transitions Project between the emergency department (ED) of a university hospital and primary health care (PHC) services in a large city in Southern Brazil was the focus of this study. Care transitions occurred through telephone contact for patients discharged from the ED to PHC. Design/methodology/approach – This descriptive, exploratory qualitative research collected data via semi-structured interviews (n=14) including interns of health disciplines, advisors for interns, nurses, and physicians from the ED and PHC Family Unit. A thematic analysis of the data were conducted. Findings – ED providers felt they gained increased knowledge of the care networks available for patients in the community. Connection between the providers in ED and PHC facilitated confidence in the services provided in the community and increased continuity of care for patients’ needs. The PHC providers recognized integration promoted communication and better care planning for patients discharged from ED. Integrated care made the work in the PHC easier and benefited the users. Research limitations/implications – The study evaluated a program available in one hospital. Generalizability may be limited as services in the ED were provided by professional residents and their advisors, not employees of the hospital. Practical implications – Shared information by different health services leads to better care for patients and greater job satisfaction for providers. Originality/value – Care transitions are not well-managed in health care; there is limited research focusing on care transitions from ED to community. For providers and patients, this program assisted in building capacity and networks for transitions in care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Breastfeeding is an important determinant of child survival and normal growth and development, but breastfeeding prevalence is generally low in Brazil. Factors associated with infant feeding practices there are not well understood. This paper examines factors associated with breastfeeding cessation in a township in the western Brazilian Amazon. Methods A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted among children younger than 25 months and collected information on maternal and child characteristics. Survival analysis based on a proximal-distal framework examined the association between breastfeeding duration and socioeconomic and maternal/child biological factors. Results The median breastfeeding duration among 101 children who were no longer breastfeeding was 120 days. Almost two-thirds (63 %) of these children stopped breastfeeding before 6 months of age. In the larger sample of 209 children, 74.6 % had previously been bottle-fed. Considering the full proximal-distal model, a child who had ever been bottle-fed was expected to cease breastfeeding about 88 % sooner than one who was never bottle-fed ( p < 0.001). Children in the second-poorest wealth quartile stopped breastfeeding sooner than children in the poorest quartile ( p < 0.05). Discussion Breastfeeding cessation in the study area occurred much earlier than the recommended 2 years of age. Factors associated with ending breastfeeding early included ever-use of a bottle, having a single mother, and belonging to the second-poorest wealth quartile. Further research is needed to better understand these factors and other barriers women face to continuing breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ethnobiology & Ethnomedicine is the property of BioMed Central and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: This paper discusses the results of ethno-ornithological research conducted on the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of artisanal fishers in northeast Brazil between August 2013 and October 2014. Methods: The present study analyzed the LEK of 240 artisanal fishermen in relation to Nearctic shorebirds and the factors that may be affecting their populations. We examined whether differences occurred according to the gender and age of the local population. The research instruments included semi-structured and check-list interviews. Results: We found that greater knowledge of migratory birds and the areas where they occur was retained by the local men compared with the local women. Half of the male respondents stated that the birds are always in the same locations, and most of the respondents believed that changes in certain populations were caused by factors related to habitat disturbance, particularly to increases in housing construction and visitors to the island. The main practices affecting the presence of migratory birds mentioned by the locals were boat traffic and noise from bars and vessels. According to the artisanal fishermen, the population of migratory birds that use the area for foraging and resting has been reduced over time. Conclusions: Changes in the local landscape related to urbanization and tourism are most likely the primary causes underlying the reduced migratory shorebird populations as reported by local inhabitants. Thus, managing and monitoring urbanization and tourism are fundamental to increasing the success of the migration process and improving the conservation of migratory shorebird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]