Brazilian Public Institutions Research Articles

System Dynamics Modeling For Co2 Emission Reduction Through Paper Replacement By Electronic Processes In A Public Institution

Background: The study addresses the importance of reducing CO2 emissions to mitigate climate change, focusing on replacing paper use with electronic processes in a public institution. Paper usage significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, while electronic management can reduce these emissions. The study is a proposal that encouraged the electronic processing of administrative tasks to ensure speed. Decree 8.539/2015 made the electronic processing of documents in federal public administration mandatory. The Judiciary branch was a pioneer in implementing electronic processes in Brazilian public institutions. For this article, the Systems Dynamics (SD) methodology was used, and a simulation model was developed to assess the environmental impact of process automation at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). Key results highlighted the reduction of CO2 emissions and cost savings. The implementation of digital processes resulted in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, and the adoption of electronic processes generated financial savings. Therefore, System Dynamics modeling is a useful tool for institutions to plan scenarios and promote environmental sustainability. The transition to electronic processes in public institutions can bring significant environmental and economic benefits.

Abstract PO1-09-12: Cancer health disparities among patients with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treated in public or private practices in Brazil

Abstract Background Cancer registries in Brazil are deficient and data about patients’ profiles and cancer treatment patterns are scarce in the country. Moreover, while 30% of population has access to private insurance, almost 70% of population uses publicly health services. The objective of this work was to describe the sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics of women with early-stage ER+ breast cancer on adjuvant ET in different regions of Brazil, and to describe treatment patterns for this disease according public and private institutions. Methodology: We performed a real-world data analysis in different institution regions of Brazil. Women with a history of early-stage ER+ invasive carcinoma of the breast on adjuvant endocrine therapy for at least 6 months were invited to participate of this study in 12 centers in four different regions in Brazil. Demographic and clinicopathologic information was retrieved from medical records. In order to compare healthcare insurance type, we considered patients who were treated under the Brazilian public health system as publicly insured, and women who had private insurance or paid for their treatment as privately insured. High education level was defined by completed high school. Data collection was done with RedCap software. Qualitative variables were compared between groups using the Chi-square or exact Chi-square test and for quantitative variables the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Analyzes were performed in SAS 9.4; Results: From June 2021 to May 2023, a total of 461 women with ER+, early BC, were included in this analysis. A total of 233 (50.6%) came from private institutions, the mean age was 56.02 years (range 22-93), 47.69% were non-white, 61.3% were post-menopause, 61.7% lived with a partner, and 76.2% were highly educated and 66.81% had comorbidities. Tumor staging at diagnosis was classified as III, II and I respectively in 21.26%, 43.17% and 35.57% of all cases. Regarding treatment received, 62.4% of patients underwent lumpectomy, 32.2% had axillary dissection, 67.6% received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, 45.2% were on aromatase inhibitors and 14.19% were on ovarian function suppression plus ET . Median duration of ET use was 2.78 years (range 6 months- 9.61 years). Publicly health insurance was associated significantly associated with younger age at diagnosis (< 60 yo), premenopausal status, to live alone, lower educational level, more advanced tumors, prior mastectomy, prior axillary dissection, prior neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, prior radiotherapy, lower use of aromatase inhibitors, ovarian function suppression plus ET, and CDK4/6 inhibitors, while higher use of concomitant medications. Conclusion: The study shows significant health disparities among women with early-stage ER+ breast cancer treated in private versus public institutions in Brazil. Importantly, despite having more advanced tumors, women in public institution had less access to ovarian suppression, CDK4/6 inhibitors and were treated with more aggressive surgical procedures. A deep discussion involving government, lawmakers, health care providers and patients should be conducted to try to decrease the described disparities. Patient’s characteristic and patterns of treatment among patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer on adjuvant therapy according to health insurance in Brazil ALND: axillary lymph node dissection; CDK4/6i: CDK4/6 inhibitors; ET: endocrine therapy; OS: ovary suppression. Citation Format: Romualdo Barroso-Sousa, Daniele Assad-Suzuki, Danielle Santos, Fernanda Moura, Sulene Oliveira, Anna Luiza Galvão, Bruno Souza, Amanda Castro, Monalisa Andrade, Andrea Shimada, Yuri Beckedorff, Maria Cristina Magalhães, Cristiano Souza, Carlos Paiva, Heloísa Resende, Daniela Pereira, Angelica Rodrigues, Daniela Rosa. Cancer health disparities among patients with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treated in public or private practices in Brazil [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-09-12.

Abstract PO4-23-02: Blue Dye-Only for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Initially Node-positive Breast Cancer

Abstract Importance: Randomized trials evaluated the false negative rate (FNR) of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in initially node-positive (cN1/2) breast cancer (BC) patients who downstaged after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC): the studies were negative, as they found FNR above 10%. However, the FNR was adequate when the lymph node was marked with a clip before NAC or at least 3 lymph nodes were removed. SLNB using a combination of blue dye and a radiotracer (Technetium-99) was encouraged to facilitate identification and maximize SLNB results in this scenario. However, radiotracer is unavailable in many services around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), but the feasibility and the recurrence rates of SNLB with the use of blue dye-only, in previous cN1/2 patients, are unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, proportion of patients undergoing SLNB without axillary dissection (AD) and mean number of resected sentinel nodes (SN), and recurrence rates (axillary recurrence [AR], ipsilateral breast recurrence [IBR], new contralateral primary, disease-free survival [DFS] and overall survival [OS]) of SNLB with the use of blue dye-only in initially node-positive BC (cN1/2). Design, Setting, and Participants: From 2013 to 2023, a cohort of patients undergoing NAC was evaluated at a public institution in Brazil (Hospital Geral de Fortaleza - HGF). Radiotracer and clips were not available. Patients with prior cN1/2 were identified and evaluated. AD was not recommended in cases of negative histopathological results for lymph node metastases after SLNB using blue dye-only. Inflammatory, cN0 and cN3 BC patients were excluded. Results: Among 119 cN1/2 BC patients treated with NAC, 100 (84%) cases underwent SLNB with blue dye-only and 70 (59%) had SLNB alone. The median of SN were 3.1 and 55 (78%) cases had 3 or more SN. No events related to blue dye occurred. The median age of these 70 patients was 49 (25-84) years, and most cases were T2 (n=40/57.1%), followed by T3 (n=18/25.7%), T4 (n=6/8.6%) and T1 (n=6/8.6%), while N1 predominated in axillary status (n=64/91.4%). Regarding breast cancer subtype, there were 19 (27.1%) hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative, 16 (22.9%) hormone receptor-negative/HER2-positive, 21 (30%) hormone receptor-positive/HER2-positive and 14 (20%) triple-negative cases. 55 (79%) patients received regimens containing anthracyclines and taxanes. Anti-HER2 therapy was used in all cases, but pertuzumab associated with trastuzumab were available in only 8 patients (8/37). Breast-conserving surgery was performed in 40 (57%) cases while total mastectomy in 30 (43%). Patients with hormone-positive BC received endocrine therapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy was made in all cases, except one who underwent mastectomy. After 36 months of median follow-up, no axillary recurrences were observed. One patient had a new primary in the contralateral breast. Three patients had distant disease and two died. Conclusions: This cohort found that the use of SLNB with blue dye-only in Initially cN1/2 BC patients who achieved complete response after NAC is feasible, with very low axillary recurrence rates, like previous reports in the literature that used a combination of tracers. These data reinforce the need for further studies in this scenario, as it maintains the possibility of avoiding AD in places with difficult access to oncological treatment, especially in LMIC. Figure 1 - Flowchart cN: Clinical node stage; BC: Breast cancer; NAC: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; SNLB: Sentinel lymph node biopsy; AD: Axillary dissection; SN: Sentinel node Table 1 - Demographic Characteristics Citation Format: Francisco Pimentel Cavalcante, Felipe Zerwes, Alessandra Souza, Patricia Ziegelmann, Ryane Alcantara, Amanda Cardoso, Andre Mattar, Eduardo Millen, Antonio Frasson. Blue Dye-Only for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Initially Node-positive Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-23-02.

Turnover Intention Among ICT Professionals in Brazilian Public Organizations

This study investigates turnover intentions within the context of Brazilian public organizations, focusing on Information and Communications Technology professionals. Moreover, the research highlights the factors influencing turnover intentions and underscores the critical role of remote work and compensation satisfaction, particularly salary, in shaping these intentions. The desire for the flexibility inherent in remote work and the emphasis on equitable and competitive compensation packages emerge as critical drivers for retaining technology professionals. In addition to these key factors, these findings underscore organizations’ need to adopt effective retention strategies, encompassing policies that endorse remote work alternatives and establish competitive compensation norms. By addressing these factors, Brazilian public institutions can cultivate a stable and committed technology professionals workforce. Consequently, this study enriches the understanding of strategic decision-making and human resource practices, offering pertinent insights for organizational enhancement.

Sustainable open innovation for ammunition waste management: Proposal for implementation in brazilian public security institutions

The study describes how looking at collaborative processes with a sustainable bias can effectively contribute, through sustainable open innovation, to opportunities for solving challenges of the same context. Therefore, we present a study proposal to improve the public security arena (reverse logistics of ammunition expended in training), aiming at recycling the generated waste. The research strategy was case study analysis, which is appropriate for investigating real-life events. It was necessary to understand which factors contribute to qualifying the requirements for reverse logistics and sustainable innovation in public security institutions. The specific objective is to link the maturity level of the public security institutions to its goals in reverse logistics, to give greater view to implement it. As a result, we were able to increase the current status of knowledge regarding the sustainable disposal of expended ammunition cases and get a better understanding of the economic gains by selling the brass scraps waste (expended ammunition) as a large expected benefit, collaborating to reduce the customer’s costs by enhancing their reverse logistics processes. Also, considering the solutions to complex problems through collaboration, knowledge of purposes, and organizational maturity, point out the relationship between sustainability and innovation.

A brief research report of suicide rates in the Brazilian elderly over a 12-year period: the lack of association of the "Setembro Amarelo" campaign for suicide prevention.

Aiming to disseminate information related to suicide prevention in Brazil, the "Setembro Amarelo" campaign has been conducted since 2015. The objective of this study is to assess the association between this campaign and elderly suicide rates over a 12-year period. Data were gathered from the Mortality Information System and the Notifiable Diseases Information System, established by public institutions in Brazil. An interrupted time-series framework was applied to assess the association between the "Setembro Amarelo" campaign and suicide mortality rates in the elderly population (60 et plus) in the southeastern region of Brazil. We consider three monthly outcomes: all suicides, suicides in males and suicide in females. We operationalize the campaign assuming three effects: short-term, declining and sustained. The period of analysis was from 2011-2022. The suicide-mortality rate over time has remained stable; the average rate in the pre-campaign period was 0.028 and increased slightly to 0.035. Regardless of the campaign's operationalization and the outcome used, results show no significant associations between the campaign and elderly suicide rates. The campaign was associated with non-significant decreased effects of 15% (P=0.532) in the short term, and 16% (P=0.446) assuming the campaign was sustained. There is a lack of association between the campaign and suicide rates, among the elderly in Brazil's southeastern region. As suicide is complex and multifactorial, more research is needed. The campaign, while raising awareness and reducing stigma, may not reduce suicides. To reduce the suicide rate in the elderly requires addressing social, economic and cultural factors, multisectoral interventions, and upholding basic human rights.

The relationship between structure, composition and processes of boards and the performance of Brazilian federal public institutions of higher education

The relationship between structure, composition and processes of boards and the performance of Brazilian federal public institutions of higher education

Association between ultra-processed food consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes: the ELSA-Brasil cohort

BackgroundUltra-processed food (UPF) consumption increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in various high-income countries, with some variation in the magnitude across studies. Our objective was to investigate the association of UPF consumption and specific subgroups with incident type 2 diabetes in Brazilian adults.MethodsThe Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a multicenter cohort study of 15,105 adults (35–74 years) enrolled in public institutions in Brazil (2008–2010). We followed participants with two clinic visits (2012–2014; 2017–2019) and annual telephone surveillance. After excluding those with diabetes at baseline, who died or were lost in the follow-up, with missing data, with implausible energy food intake, or reporting bariatric surgery, there were 10,202 participants. We used the NOVA classification to assess UPF consumption based on a food frequency questionnaire. We defined type 2 diabetes by self-report, medication use, or comprehensive laboratory tests. We estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using robust Poisson regression.ResultsMedian UPF consumption was 372 g/day. Over 8.2 (0.7) years of follow-up, we detected 1799 (17.6%) incident cases. After adjustment for socio-demographics, family history of diabetes, and behavioral risk factors, comparing the fourth (≥ 566 g/day) with the first (< 236 g/day) quartile of UPF distribution, RR was 1.24 (1.10–1.39); every 150 g/day increments in UPF consumption resulted in a RR of 1.05 (1.03–1.07). Reclassifying natural beverages with added sweeteners as UPF increased risk (RR 1.40; 1.25–1.58). Among UPF subgroupings, consumption of processed meats and sweetened beverages increased diabetes risk, while yogurt and dairy sweets decreased the risk (p < 0.05).ConclusionsUPF consumption increased the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Brazilian adults, with heterogeneity across specific food items. These findings add to previous evidence for the role of UPFs in the development of diabetes and other chronic diseases, supporting recommendations to avoid their intake in diabetes prevention and management.

Lgbtqia+ agenda and Critical Literacy

Recently, the LGBTQIA+ agenda has received attention from researchers in Critical Applied Linguistics, since language education makes it possible to promote the coexistence of young people with diversity. However, the school curriculum is still quite conservative, and administrators and teachers see the topic as highly complex. This paper, anchored in theoretical notes from Critical Literacy, discusses a systematized proposal of activities developed in an English class of a vocational computing course integrated into High School at a federal public institution in Brazil. Carrying out the activities raised reflections around the fact that, from a critical perspective, texts approaching themes concerning gender identities can contribute to an education committed to a more inclusive and egalitarian society.

Difficulties in purchasing and contracting in support of research projects in public institutions in Brazil: Challenges of Control or dysfunction in the relationship between the involved agents?

This article proposes a new perspective on the difficulties in purchasing and contracting in support of research projects in public institutions in Brazil, which persist even after the legal innovations introduced by the New Legal Framework for Science, Technology, and Innovation (Law 13.243/2016), which were intended to simplify and streamline the procurement processes of goods, services, and supplies for the smooth progress of scientific research. The literature's approach to the subject tends to place greater emphasis on the dysfunctions of Control and issues related to the culture of public administration. However, in this article, we propose expanding this perspective to the intricate relationship between the agents involved or interfering in the process and the complexity of this system, with various problems that may be reinforcing and unintentionally contributing to resistance to the intended change by the new legal framework.

Modeling of Soil Loss by Water Erosion and Its Impacts on the Cantareira System, Brazil

The Cantareira System is one of the largest water supply systems in the world, supplying about half of the water consumed by 22 million inhabitants in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil. In this scenario, in view of climate change, silting is a serious environmental threat and a major challenge to the sustainability of water reservoirs. Therefore, identifying the provenance of sediments is an essential tool to support soil conservation policies, slowing erosion processes and mitigating the deposition of sediments in water reservoirs. Thus, this study aimed to model soil losses—sediment production, by water erosion in the Cantareira System, based on the RUSLE model—Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, GIS—Geographic Information System and SR—Remote Sensing. The work was conducted on data obtained from online platforms of Brazilian public institutions. The results indicate an average rate of soil loss of 13 Mg ha−1 yr−1, which corresponds to an annual loss of 3 million tons, of which 22% reaches water bodies. The data also show that: (1) in 66 % of the Cantareira System, soil losses are below the soil loss tolerance limits, and, in 34% of the region, water erosion is compromising the sustainability of water and soil resources; (2) the areas with the greatest soil losses are predominantly located in planted forests, agricultural crops and non-vegetated areas; and (3) sectors with high rates of soil loss require the adoption of conservationist practices aimed at reducing sediment production rates and thereby increasing supply and improving water quality.

Relational governance in the ITO: the role of self-determination theory and the mediating effect of control perceived

ObjetivoLos investigadores en la materia reconocen la importancia de la relación entre contratista y contratado en el proceso de externalización de las tecnologías de la información (TI). Sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre el impacto del perfil del gestor en este proceso. Así, el objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar el impacto de la percepción de competencia, autonomía y relación de los gestores públicos en la gobernanza relacional (GR), así como, identificar el efecto del control percibido en esta relación.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueEste estudio utiliza un abordaje cuantitativo para investigar el impacto de las características de comportamiento de los gestores de TI a partir de la teoría de la autodeterminación (TAD). Los datos fueron recolectados en instituciones públicas brasileñas que actúan en las áreas de educación, finanzas, estadística y tecnología, y las hipótesis fueron identificadas y evaluadas utilizando la técnica de modelado de ecuaciones estructurales por mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM).ConclusionesLos resultados identificaron que la autodeterminación de los directivos está relacionada con la percepción de control, en consecuencia, repercute en el GR al proporcionar sentimientos de competencia y autonomía capaces de construir una relación beneficiosa con el proveedor de TI.Implicaciones prácticasEste estudio promueve la comprensión de que la alta dirección necesita apoyar la autonomía de los directivos para aumentar sus niveles de motivación intrínseca a la hora de gestionar las entregas de los proveedores.OriginalidadLa aplicación de la teoría de la autodeterminación al contexto de la subcontratación de TI proporciona nuevos conocimientos sobre la mediación del control percibido al explicar la relación entre las expectativas y motivaciones de los directivos como un importante impulsor de la GR.

Food Purchase from Family Farming in Public Institutions in the Northeast of Brazil: A Tool to Reach Sustainable Development Goals

The purchase of food from family farming in public institutions in Brazil was boosted by the implementation of the public call modality. The National School Feeding Program—PNAE— and the Food Acquisition Program—PAA— are world references in terms of purchasing food from family farming. However, hindrances are still observed regarding the participation of small farmers in public purchase of food, reducing their participation and scope of the food products available. Using a cross-sectional approach, this study analyzed food from family farming purchased by federal institutes of education located at the northeast region of Brazil to characterize the profile of family farmers participating on public calls, identify the food required and verify the processing level of food present into these documents. The data obtained indicate that family farmers supply mainly in natura or minimally processed foods, especially fruits. Meat and meat products were not present and processed foods, such as cheese, were not purchased extensively from family farmers by federal institutes, even when farmers were grouped into cooperatives and associations. Failure to comply with sanitary requirements required in the public call process was the main reason for the non-homologation of some food from family farming. The data found in this study show that despite the advances that allowed the purchase of food from family farming in public educational institutions, it is necessary to find ways to increase the diversity of food. Investing in improving structural conditions would be a way to increase the quality and diversity of food provided by family farming in public institutions, contributing to the environmental, social, and health dimensions of sustainability.

Users’ perception of satisfaction of the eletronic information system – SEI in the Instituto Federal de Rondônia

Public institutions in Brazil have undergone a major process of digitization of their procedures and services following the precepts of Industry 4.0. In this scenario, Instituto Feral da Rondônia - IFRO sought to increase its efficiency with the adoption of the Electronic Information System - SEI, adopted in 2017. The following investigation sought to know the perception of satisfaction of users of the system through the adapted application of the Model of Technology Acceptance (TAM). This is an exploratory investigation of a quantitative nature that sought to validate or reject hypotheses through the application of a questionnaire. The collected data showed that the various analyzed constructs had a positive relationship with each other, making it possible to validate all the research hypotheses. It was concluded that IFRO employees perceived the usefulness of the SEI and that this perception significantly influenced the intention to use the system and the quality, agility and planning of work in the institution.

Overview of nursing ethics teaching in Brazilian public higher education institutions.

to outline the teaching of ethics in undergraduate Nursing programs in Brazilian public higher education institutions. descriptive and exploratory study, carried out through the documentary analysis of pedagogical projects of undergraduate Nursing programs in Brazil. 153 active undergraduate Nursing programs were found, of which 106 provide the pedagogical project. In addition to deontological teaching, the teaching of ethics was identified in a transversal way associated with themes such as Social Context, Hospital and Community Care, Pharmacology, Systematization of Nursing Care, Surgical Nursing, Epidemiology, Palliative Care, Management in Nursing, Diversity, Women's, Children's, Adolescent's, Adult's and Older People's Health, and Mental Health. the challenge in teaching nursing ethics is its integration with each action of caring, teaching and managing.

Resiliência e espiritualidade de estudantes de Medicina durante isolamento social devido à pandemia da Covid-19

Abstract Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of university students. In this period of uncertainty and challenges, the development of resilience, that is, the ability to deal with and recover from adverse situations, was necessary. From the perspective of social isolation, spirituality is shown to be an important resource for resignification, which can have a positive impact on students’ resilience. Objective: To identify the degree of resilience of medical students during the social isolation caused by COVID-19 and its relationship with spirituality and personal factors. Methodology: A mixed cross-sectional study carried out with medical students from Brazilian private and public institutions. Data were collected from June to September 2020 using a questionnaire containing sociodemographic and opinion questions about positive and negative aspects of social isolation, the Resilience Scale and the Spirituality-Related Attitudes Scale (ARES). For the analysis of the open responses to the questionnaire, a content analysis was performed with categorization of responses by topic. Result: 308 students participated in the study. The average scores found showed that the students showed moderate resilience and high spirituality. A weak positive correlation was observed between the degree of spirituality and resilience. The variables that positively impacted both resilience and spirituality were high level of satisfaction in studying to become a doctor, high level of happiness with life in recent months, better quality of life during isolation, having a religion and high importance attributed to the fact of having a religion. Female students aged over 25 years old showed greater spirituality. The most often cited positive points were related to social relationships, leisure and personal development. The most frequent negative points and difficulties were mental-physical-social health and remote teaching/adaptation to a new routine. Conclusion: The study suggests that students with greater spirituality are more resilient, being better able to deal with stressors; to adapt and have a positive view of adverse situations. These results can contribute to a reflection on educational strategies that aim to help students in coping with stressful situations, such as those experienced as a result of social isolation.

Overview of nursing ethics teaching in Brazilian public higher education institutions

RESUMO Objetivos: traçar o panorama do ensino da ética nos cursos de graduação em Enfermagem nas instituições públicas de ensino superior brasileiras. Métodos: estudo descritivo e exploratório, realizado por meio da análise documental de projetos pedagógicos de cursos de graduação em Enfermagem no Brasil. Resultados: foram encontrados 153 cursos ativos de graduação em Enfermagem, dos quais 106 disponibilizam o projeto pedagógico. Além do ensino deontológico, foi identificado o ensino de ética de forma transversal associada a temas como Contexto Social, Atenção Hospitalar e Comunitária, Farmacologia, Sistematização da Assistência em Enfermagem, Enfermagem Cirúrgica, Epidemiologia, Cuidados Paliativos, Gestão em Enfermagem, Diversidade, Saúde da Mulher, Criança, Adolescente, Adulto e Idoso e Saúde Mental. Considerações Finais: o desafio no ensino da ética em enfermagem é sua integração com cada ação de cuidar, ensinar e gerenciar.

(Dis)posições para a formação docente em um curso de pedagogia: contribuições da extensão universitária

Abstract This study describes results of research that aimed at analyzing how pedagogy students’ participation in university extension activities can contribute to the development of (dis)positions for their teacher education. This study uses Nóvoa’s theoretical concepts of (dis)positions and Zeichner’s “third space”. We contextualized university extension programs with the support of the Forum of Extension Pro-Rectors in Brazilian Higher Education Public Institutions - Forproex) and related studies. This research was methodologically developed from a documental analysis of the available extension actions to train teachers in the scrutinized institution, followed by an analysis of interviews with subjects involved with such actions and linked to the pedagogy course in question. Results indicate that extension develops teacher training positions, though some more frequently than others. Considering the extension actions that composed this study, the most developed positions in order (with reasons), are investigative recomposition, by its relation with research; public exposition, by its relation with society; professional interposition, by its articulation with schools and teachers; pedagogical composition, by dialogism and collaborative work; and personal disposition, by self-knowledge and self-construction.

Os determinantes do desempenho no exame de seleçao da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

In order to decrease inequalities in tertiary education attendance, many Brazilian public institutions implemented affirmative action policies in the last decades. In particular, a bonus policy was implemented at UFMG in 2009, which was substituted by a quota policy in 2012. Besides, other policies also implemented by this and other public universities in Brazil may have had an indirect effect of promoting an increase in minorities’ attendance, such as the Restructuring and Expansion of Federal Universities (Reuni) policy and the use of the National Exam of the Secondary Level (ENEM) as a tool for tertiary education student’s selection. This paper analyzes the determinants of the performance in the entrance exam of Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), between the years of 2009 and 2013, with a focus on these policy changes. Affirmative action and Reuni policies did not affect remarkably the performance of minorities at the UFMG´s selection process. However, the use of ENEM as the first stage in this process relatively decreased the performance of minorities. Moreover, differences for skin color were dwarfed by other inequalities, such as the household income, the parent’s educational level or the type of the secondary school attended by the student.

Influence of institutional factors on the civil engineering student performance in Brazil

ABSTRACT The reasons why Brazilian civil engineering education has not achieved competitive performance worldwide remain unclear. Thus, this study aims to identify what factors influence student performance in civil engineering undergraduate programs in public institutions in Brazil. Multiple linear regression methods were used to analyse the interactions between the student performance (dependent variable) and the professors’ and universities’ attributes (predictors). The analysis shows that the professor’s qualification and didactics are significant attributes, as are the time of the program’s existence, the academic organisation (if it is annual or semester courses), and the institutions’ administrative jurisdiction. The discussion presented possible explanations for each attribute’s contribution. The study adds to the theory of predicting student performance in a developing country scenario, in this case, Latin America, where engineering education has less investments in academic infrastructure and human capital.