Brazilian Perspective Research Articles

The dynamic relationship between labor markets and competition: a Brazilian perspective

This work delves into the intricate relationship between labor law and competition in Brazil. Despite their seemingly distinct nature, these two principles are deeply intertwined within the country’s constitutional and economic framework. This article highlights the potential for creating meaningful connections between the two fields. Through an exploratory and analytical methodology, the authors provide a comprehensive view, drawing primarily from practical cases faced by the competition authority (Administrative Council for Economic Defense), to ignite a robust discourse on this topic. This article addresses possible anti-competitive conduct, particularly the unauthorized exchange of sensitive information regarding work terms and conditions, constitutional provisions, and CADE’s approach to recent cases. Besides, preventive, punitive measures and competition advocacy can be effectively implemented in Brazil, advocating enhanced collaboration between these two pivotal areas.

Tackling the obesity epidemic: a Brazilian perspective.

Tackling the obesity epidemic: a Brazilian perspective.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research in the Field of 'Spirituality and Health': An Introductory How-to-Guide from a Brazilian Perspective.

The present article aims to describe the different steps on how to design, develop and conduct quantitative and qualitative Spirituality and Health (S/H) studies from a Brazilian perspective, discussing definitions and instruments, and proposing a "how-to guide" for those interested in this field of research. A narrative review of the literature has been conducted by experts in the field of S/H aiming to develop a "how-to-guide". Spirituality is a very complex concept that has several challenges in the current scientific literature, including the lack of consensus in the definitions, the numerous dimensions assessed, the diverse instruments for measurement, the criticisms from other scholars, the great diversity of religious and cultural traditions and the growing number of "spiritual but not religious" individuals. This review supports that S/H studies may follow the high scientific standards, using consolidated research procedures and solid methods for both qualitative and quantitative research. Some peculiarities of the research methods for this field are discussed. S/H research is still under development, and there are several future directions for S/H studies, aiming to minimize previous criticisms and generating stronger evidence.

Cross-border planning for Brazilian families

Abstract This article aims to provide an overview of cross-border planning for Brazilian Families, addressing key topics to be taken into consideration, especially those related to marital asset regimes, forced heirship rights, private, corporate, tax and international laws, from a Brazilian perspective. It also addresses the significant impacts of the 2023 Brazilian tax reform, encompassing the taxation of investment funds in Brazil, income derived by individuals resident in the country, controlled entities and trusts abroad, the introduction of CFC rules for individuals and further anti-deferral rules.

Utilising free comments and textual analysis to identify knowledge and acceptance of functional dairy products: A Brazilian perspective

Regular consumption of functional dairy products offers numerous health benefits, such as anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study assessed Brazilian consumers' knowledge and barriers to their consumption using the free comment (FC) method and textual analysis. FC identified 462 descriptors from 332 volunteers, including ‘cheese’, ‘dairy’, ‘health’, ‘probiotic’, ‘nutrients’ and ‘benefits’. Textual analysis organised the data, revealing consumers' knowledge and preferences. The analysis highlighted the need for strategies to address barriers to functional dairy product consumption, focusing on sensory preferences and promoting these products among consumers who currently resist them.

The protection of vulnerable algorithmic groups through collective data protection in the onlife world: A Brazilian perspective

The aim of this doctrinal legal study is to analyze the interplay between the vulnerability of groups in algorithmic systems and the protection of collective interests in data protection law in Brazil's legal system. Two research questions are raised: (i) Is the protection of personal data regulation applicable to data processing activities related to algorithmic groups? and (ii) can algorithmic groups be regarded as groups with vulnerability under the LGPD legal regime? This article is divided into three parts apart from the introduction, and combines three strands of research, namely group rights theory, vulnerability studies, and law and technology perspective. This combination is key to outline, in Sections 2 and 3, a theoretical framework that elucidates the concepts of collective data protection and group vulnerability mapping both onto the notion of algorithmic groups. Section 2 argues for the collective dimension of the right to the protection of personal data as the foundation of a collective data protection. Section 3, in turn, explores the conceptualization of group vulnerability and how this discourse resonates with algorithmic groups in the onlife world. I draw on vulnerability studies, and on Mireille Hildebrandt's law and technology perspective to delineate what do I mean by group vulnerability and how do I articulate theoretically this notion with algorithmic groups and the affordances of algorithmic systems. Section 4 examines the relation between collective data protection and vulnerability of algorithmic groups under the data protection legal framework in Brazil. To answer the research questions, the analysis is concentrated on three aspects of Brazilian data protection law: (i) the “collectivization of data protection”; (ii) the integration of group vulnerability in the data protection legal framework; (iii) data protection impact assessments in the context of LGPD's risk-based approach. The collective dimension of the right to personal data protection is increasingly recognized in Brazilian law through class-action litigation, particularly in the context of addressing vulnerabilities caused by new data-driven technologies. This collective dimension should guide courts and the Brazilian DPA in interpreting and applying the LGPD, especially Art. 12, § 2, regarding group data processing by algorithmic profiling systems. Data protection law in Brazil acknowledges that groups of data subjects may face vulnerability, requiring special protection and safeguards to mitigate risks and violations. Group vulnerability signals contexts deserving special attention and serves as a source of obligations and rights. Within LGPD's risk-based approach, mandatory DPIAs in ML-based algorithmic profiling systems help identify vulnerable groups and implement appropriate safeguards to mitigate risks of harm or rights violations. Non-compliance with safeguard implementation obligations should be considered a breach of Brazilian data protection laws.

Survival of the fittest: does Riva Self Cure outperform Equia Forte when used to restore mesio-occlusal cavities in atraumatic restorative technique?

Double-blind (participant and outcome assessor), randomised, non-inferiority, two-arm (1:1 allocation) clinical trial. The study included children aged 4-8 years old from public schools in Tietê, Brazil, who had mesio-occlusal carious lesions, into dentine, in primary molars. The carious teeth had to be asymptomatic of pulpal involvement. The children had to be medically fit and cooperative for dental treatment within their classroom environment. Consent was gained from a parent/guardian prior to entering the study. Children with carious lesions in multiple teeth, only one tooth was included, which was selected by a random draw. Treatment on other teeth would be carried out in the nearest health centre. The primary outcome was the 2-year survival of the restorations, analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression (α = 5%). Costs for materials and professional services were recorded in Brazilian Reais (R$), converted to US dollars (US$), and analysed using Monte Carlo simulation. Of the 152 children enrolled (76 per group), 121 (79%) were evaluated at the 2-year mark. Overall, the 2-year survival rate of the restorations was 39% (EF: 45%; RSC: 32%), with no significant difference between the two groups. The total cost of restorations with RSC was lower than with EF, resulting in a cost saving of US$6.18 per restoration. After 2 years, Riva Self Cure demonstrated comparable survival rates to Equia Forte for mesio-occlusal restorations in primary molars, while being more cost-effective from a Brazilian perspective.

The Russo-Ukrainian War and the Brazilian Perspective on the International Order

The Russo-Ukrainian War and the Brazilian Perspective on the International Order

Epidemiological evolution of dengue in the pre-pandemic to post-pandemic periods in the Americas and Brazil

Introduction: Dengue is an asymptomatic infection or present symptoms like low fever to disabling high fever, severe headache, retroocular, muscle and joint pain, in addition to skin rashes, and if associated with COVID-19, it can worsen the illness condition. Objective: investigate the epidemiological evolution of dengue in the pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic periods from an American and Brazilian perspective. Methodology: descriptive study, based on the search for information in epidemiological bulletins, data from DATASUS and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, in addition to articles available in databases provided by SciELO, ScienceDirect and Pubmed. Results: In the period before the pandemic, the high number of notifications was due to the DENV2 serotype, causing a large epidemic. In the years 2020-2021 there was a drop in the number of notifications due to the introduction of social and public health measures, misdiagnosis between the signs/symptoms of dengue and COVID-19, inaccurate serological tests and underreporting. In 2022 and 2023, the epidemiological scenario again points to increasing notification of dengue cases, mainly due to changes in routine vector control during the pandemic, combined with favorable environmental factors, such as increased rainfall. Conclusion: the neglect of both dengue fever and other diseases has negatively impacted the population today, since in order to mitigate the damage caused by the pandemic, actions to promote and prevent the health of endemic diseases in our territory, when placed in the background, have caused the underreporting of cases, influenced by changes in the political, economic and health spheres of society.

Cost-Utility of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Refractory Cardiogenic Shock: A Brazilian Perspective Study.

Refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality rates, and the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a therapeutic option has generated discussions. Therefore, its cost-effectiveness, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil, remains uncertain.Objectives: To conduct a cost-utility analysis from the Brazilian Unified Health System perspective to assess the cost-effectiveness of VA-ECMO combined with standard care compared to standard care alone in adult refractory CS patients. We followed a cohort of refractory CS patients treated with VA-ECMO in tertiary care centers located in Southern Brazilian. We collected data on hospital outcomes and costs. We conducted a systematic review to supplement our data and utilized a Markov model to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and per life-year gained. In the base-case analysis, VA-ECMO yielded an ICER of Int$ 37,491 per QALY. Sensitivity analyses identified hospitalization cost, relative risk of survival, and VA-ECMO group survival as key drivers of results. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis favored VA-ECMO, with a 78% probability of cost-effectiveness at the recommended willingness-to-pay threshold. Our study suggests that, within the Brazilian Health System framework, VA-ECMO may be a cost-effective therapy for refractory CS. However, limited efficacy data and recent trials questioning its benefit in specific patient subsets highlight the need for further research. Rigorous clinical trials, encompassing diverse patient profiles, are essential to confirm cost-effectiveness and ensure equitable access to advanced medical interventions within healthcare systems, particularly in socio-economically diverse countries like Brazil.

Tax Litigation and Corporate Debt: A Brazilian Perspective

Objective: The study aims to explore the impact of tax litigation on the indebtedness levels of Brazilian firms. The research is motivated by Brazil's high volume of tax disputes and the lack of existing studies focusing on the relationship between tax litigation and firm indebtedness in this particular context.
 Method: The sample includes non-financial firms listed on the Brazilian stock exchange from 2017 to 2022. Linear regression methodology, utilizing panel data and fixed effects, was employed to analyze the relationship. Tax litigation was quantified by summing tax provisions and contingent liabilities, which were then relativized by the firms' total assets. Data were sourced from Comdinheiro software, with additional information manually gathered from company explanatory notes.
 Results or Discussion: The study found a positive relationship between tax litigation and firm indebtedness in Brazil. This suggests that companies involved in more tax disputes tend to have higher levels of debt, pointing towards a complex relationship between the two variables in the Brazilian economic landscape.
 Contributions: This research fills a gap in existing literature by investigating the effects of tax litigation on the capital structure of Brazilian firms. It provides valuable insights that can be beneficial for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and firms in understanding the implications of tax disputes on financial strategies.

Donation and Equitable Access to Organ, Tissue, and Cell Transplants: A Brazilian Perspective on the Strategy and Plan of Action 2019-2030

ObjectiveTo position the Brazilian Transplant System within the context of the 4 Strategic Lines of Action proposed by the Pan-American Health Organization. MethodA specialist analysis was conducted through comparative analyses of the 4 Strategic Lines of Action, objectives, and indicators outlined in the Action Plan, along with the donation and transplantation system in accordance with Brazilian transplantation law. Subsequent to an in-depth review of the document issued by the health authority, a series of meetings involving 8 specialists in organ donation and transplantation were conducted. During these meetings, discussions were carried out with the objective of numerically interpreting each strategy presented in the document, and recommendations constructed. ResultsFour strategies were evaluated and only 2 of them the third (81,3%) and the fourth (90%) do not achieve the indicators to complete the objective related to equitable access to organ, tissue, and cell transplants in Brazil. ConclusionThe recommendations developed carry importance, as they are innovative and contribute to the establishment of priorities when shaping public policies. The report not only highlights indicators that were not satisfactorily met but also provides insights into the recommendations formulated to improve those indicators that have already been achieved and to work toward achieving those that have not yet been realized. Additionally, these recommendations can justify actions and establish priorities for research efforts in the field.

Understanding Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions About the Energy–Water–Food Nexus in Education for Sustainability: A Brazilian Perspective

The water–energy–food nexus approach to the sustainable management of resources emphasizes chains of interdependence and contingencies of their elements. As these concepts are increasingly relevant for research and policy, educational institutions seek to add materials about them into curricula. This article aimed to identify issues and relevant points for education for sustainability in undergraduate higher education, based on a combined analysis of research results regarding the perceptions, experiences and participation of undergraduates in the water–energy–food nexus in São Paulo, Brazil. The analyses enabled an exploration of the contexts in which education for sustainability is set at higher education institutions by taking into account the perceptions of students. It was observed that university students perceive that their knowledge of issues and topics related to the nexus elements is either limited or sufficient, without remarkable distinctions between responses for public and private institutions, although public ones are viewed as superior in educational level terms.

Evolution over the last 40 years of the assisted reproduction technologies in cattle - the Brazilian perspective I - timed artificial insemination.

The reproductive efficiency of the herd is correlated with higher productivity in livestock. Reproduction biotechniques, such as ovulation synchronization protocols, are important to optimize production and accelerate genetic profit in beef and dairy herds. The objective of this review is to describe the evolution over the last 40 years of the artificial insemination (AI) and the timed-AI (TAI) protocols in cattle from a Brazilian perspective. TAI protocols are based on synchronizing emergence of the wave of follicular growth, controlling circulating progesterone (P4) concentrations, stimulating the final growth of the follicle and inducing a synchronized ovulation. Hormonal alternatives that optimize the response at the end of the protocol and strategies to induce final follicle growth and ovulation in categories of females with low expression of estrus are described. Furthermore, the potential positive effect of previous exposure to injectable P4 on fertility of Bos indicus and Bos taurus cows is also discussed.

Photobiomodulation for Oral Mucositis – A Microcosting and Budget Impact Analysis from a Brazilian Perspective

Photobiomodulation for Oral Mucositis – A Microcosting and Budget Impact Analysis from a Brazilian Perspective

Evolution over the last 40 years of the assisted reproductive technologies in cattle - the Brazilian perspective for embryo transfer and resynchronization programs (part II).

The productivity of the beef and dairy industries depends directly on the reproductive efficiency and genetic gain of the herd, which are directly associated with the appropriate use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). The objective of this review is to show from a Brazilian perspective the evolution over the last 40 years of ARTs related to ovulation resynchronization programs and embryo transfer in cattle. Despite significant improvements and high fertility obtained in timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols (Sales et al., 2024 - Part I), the improvement of the use of in vitro-produced embryos, development of resynchronization programs, and the advance in Doppler ultrasonography (Doppler-US) for reproductive assessments of bovine females were the ARTs that presented the greatest relevance on reproductive effectiveness in cattle. In the last seven years, the embryo transfer (ET) technology using in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos took over the conventional ET of in vivo produced embryos after donor's superovulation. Also, procedures and pregnancy rates after ET of IVP embryos were improved in dairy and beef operations. The Doppler-US allows the identification of non-pregnant females at an early stage based on the evaluation of blood perfusion of the corpus luteum. Recent studies in beef and dairy cows indicate satisfactory accuracy when Doppler-US is used at 20-22 days after TAI. Consequently, super-early resynchronization programs have been developed and are being implemented in commercial programs, thereby facilitating earlier conception through the use of semen from superior bulls, providing genetic and economic improvements in herds. Likewise, the assessment of luteal function by Doppler-US allows the selection of embryo recipients with greater receptivity, and consequently may increase the effectiveness of timed ET programs.

How does IR study children? A Brazilian perspective from the field

How does IR study children? A Brazilian perspective from the field

Dissident Bodies and Studies of Gender in Buddhism: Brazilian Perspectives

Dissident Bodies and Studies of Gender in Buddhism: Brazilian Perspectives

Sensory quality of beef with different ultimate pH values – A Brazilian perspective

This study evaluated Brazilian consumer perceptions of beef with different pH values at 48 h post-mortem (pHu) through sensory analysis. A total of 138 consumers evaluated raw and grilled steaks. The steaks were divided according to their pHu (normal pH < 5.8, atypical darkness, firmness, and dryness [DFD] > 5.8 pH < 6, and typical DFD pH ≥ 6). There was no difference in the visual evaluation of raw steaks or purchase intention. Evaluation of the grilled steaks showed that consumers preferred typical DFD steaks in terms of tenderness, and there was a tendency for the same behavior in terms of juiciness. No differences were observed in other evaluated parameters. Cluster analysis identified three consumer segments for visual evaluation, indicating a preference for steaks with higher pHu in terms of freshness. Additionally, four segments were identified for evaluation, with some groups expressing a preference for higher pHu meat in terms of freshness appearance, tenderness liking, and overall liking. The developed regression models for overall liking and purchase intention exhibited favorable adjustment indices, with r2 values of 0.86 and 0.57, respectively, for raw steaks and 0.90 for grilled steaks for in overall liking. Regression models indicated a strong influence of color and freshness appearance, in addition to tenderness liking and juiciness liking, on the overall liking scores of consumers. These results indicate that Brazilian consumers do not dislike dark cutting and, despite differentiating their greater tenderness, do not show a preference between the different pHu values.

The History of New World Leishmaniases From a Brazilian Perspective

Abstract This article addresses the leishmaniases in the Americas from a Brazilian perspective. The first cases of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis were described in 1909 in São Paulo. Latin American researchers gained international projection because of their work on this disease they considered autochthonous, which came to be known as American tegumentary leishmaniasis. But visceral leishmaniasis only emerged as a public health problem in the Americas in 1934 thanks to a new diagnostic technique for yellow fever. Zoonoses earned greater attention later, especially in the laboratory founded in 1965 at the Evandro Chagas Institute by Ralph Lainson and Jeffrey Shaw. Here we examine their connections with other teams and the resulting changes when they proved that parasite, vector, and host populations were much more heterogeneous than previously imagined. Technical innovations provided a better understanding of the distinct epidemiological characteristics of the illnesses caused by different Leishmania amid a backdrop of far-reaching transnational networks.