ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the distribution profile of thyroidectomies in Brazil from 2010 to 2020 from a macro-regional perspective. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, detailed and descriptive study built on secondary data obtained from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS). We organized the data in tables and grouped them according to the federative unit, macro-region, type of procedure, mortality rate, and year of performance. We performed statistical analysis using the χ2 test to assess the association between the variables, observing a P value of < 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%. Results: From 2010 to 2020, 160 219 thyroidectomy surgeries were performed, of which 77 812 (48.56%) were total, 38 064 (23.76%) partial and 41 191 (25.70%) oncological.The Southeast was responsible for the largest share of procedures, with 70 745 (44.15%), followed by the Northeast with 43 887 (27.39%). In 2020, the procedure was less performed, with 9226 (5.75%) surgeries. The total mortality rate was 0.16% during the study period. Conclusion: We found that thyroidectomies are carried out mainly in the Southeastern, Northeastern, and Southern regions, and showed a downward trend in 2020, which may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, total thyroidectomy is the most performed surgery, and the Northern region had the highest mortality rate.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To introduce a new low-cost simulation model for training basic surgical skills. Methods: The training model was made from a mixture of 20 g of acetic silicone with 11 g of maize starch. Validation consisted of serial training sessions, evaluating the mean pre- and post-training time and the mean final score according to the global rating scale. Results: A decrease in the time required to perform the sutures was observed, comparing the average post and pre-training time of each training day, with a significant correlation between the order of training and the time for performing the simulation. Conclusions: The presented model proved to be capable of simulating the basic suture training skills. It is easy to make, has low cost, and can be easily reproduced in educational institutions.

■ ABSTRACT Introduction: Late breast cancer diagnosis increases the number of surgeries, resulting in high mortality and unsightly results. Therefore, the institution of breast reconstruction procedures is essential. Method: Descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective study on authorizations for hospital admission of patients undergoing breast surgical procedures in oncology from 2011 to 2020, whose data were obtained from the DATASUS platform. Results: 7,529 breast cancer surgeries and 1,949 reconstructive surgeries were performed in the North Region. There was an increase in the number of procedures throughout the decade. In all states, it is possible to notice the difference in the number of municipalities of residence compared to the municipalities of hospitalization. Conclusion: It is necessary to establish oncological reference centers, guaranteeing individualized treatment and breast reconstruction.

■ RESUMO Introdução: O diagnóstico tardio do câncer de mama eleva o número de cirurgias, resultando em alta mortalidade e resultado pouco estético. Assim, é fundamental a instituição de procedimentos de reconstrução mamária. Método: Estudo descritivo, quantitativo e retrospectivo sobre as autorizações de internação hospitalar de pacientes submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos de mama em oncologia, no período de 2011 a 2020, cujo dados foram obtidos na plataforma DATASUS. Resultados: 7.529 cirurgias de câncer de mama e 1.949 cirurgias reparadoras foram realizadas na Região Norte. Houve aumento do número de procedimentos ao longo da década. Em todos os estados é possível perceber a diferença no número de municípios de residência, comparado aos municípios de internação. Conclusão: Necessita-se instituir centros de referência oncológica, garantindo tratamento individualizado e a reconstrução mamária.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the viability of the porcine vas deferens as a realistic microsurgical training model for vasectomy reversal Methods: The model uses swine testicles (vas deferent), which are usually discarded in large street markets since they are not part of Brazilian cuisine. The spermatic cord was carefully dissected, and the vas deferens were isolated, measuring 10 cm in length. A paper quadrilateral with 5 cm2 was built to delimit the surgical training field. The objective of the model is to simulate only the microsurgical step when the vas deferens are already isolated. The parameters analyzed were: feasibility for reproducing the technique, patency before and after performing the vasovasostomy, cost of the model, ease of acquisition, ease of handling, execution time, and model reproducibility. Results: The simulator presented low cost. All models made were viable with a texture similar to human, with positive patency obtained in 100% of the procedures. The internal and external diameters of the vas deferens varied between 0.2-0.4 mm and 2-3 mm, respectively, with a mean length of 9 ± 1.2 cm. The total procedure time was 43.28 ± 3.22 minutes. Conclusions: The realistic model presented proved to be viable for carrying out vasectomy reversal training, due to its low cost, easy acquisition, and easy handling, and providing similar tissue characteristics to humans.

Abstract Angiogenesis (budding of new blood vessels) is involved in several processes, including the development of embryos and growth of tumors. Schinus terebinthifolia leaves express an antitumor lectin (SteLL). This work hypothesized that SteLL can interfere with the formation of a vascular network from preexisting vessels. To test this hypothesis, the effect of SteLL on the angiogenesis process was assessed using an in vivo model of yolk sac membrane of Coturnix japonica embryos. SteLL was isolated with purification factor of 46.6. As expected, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for native basic proteins confirmed the homogeneity and PAGE in presence of dodecyl sodium sulphate revealed a single 14-kDa polypeptide band. The fractal analysis by box counting and information dimension measurements indicated that SteLL at 1.35 mg/mL significantly decreased by ca. 12% the angiogenesis within the C. japonica yolk sac membrane regarding the control. The inhibition of the vascular network formation in the yolk sac membrane resulted in decreased blood supply to the embryos. Consequently, the area of embryos was significantly reduced by 9.2% regarding the control, which corroborated with the antiangiogenic activity of SteLL. The findings implicate SteLL as an antiangiogenic agent and add to the panel of biological activities of this lectin.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a rede vascular sanguínea da retina a partir de retinografias de pacientes com diferentes graus de retinopatia diabética. Métodos Foram utilizadas 90 retinografias (banco de dados MESSIDOR), com diferentes graus de retinopatia diabética divididas em quatro grupos: sem retinopatia (n=23), retinopatia diabética de grau um (n=20), grau dois (n=20) e grau três (n=27). Os graus de retinopatia foram classificados conforme o número de microaneurismas, número de hemorragias e presença de neovascularização. As imagens foram esqueletizadas e quantificadas pelos métodos fractais: dimensão da contagem de caixas e informação. Resultados As médias dos valores das dimensões de contagem de caixas para todos os grupos foram próximas a 1,25, sem diferença estatisticamente significativa nos valores das dimensões entre os grupos para retina inteira. Também não houve diferença estatística nos valores da dimensão de informação entre os grupos, cujas médias variaram entre 1,294 ± 0,013 (grupo do grau 1) e 1,3 ± 0,017 (grupo do grau 3). As imagens retinianas foram divididas em regiões de áreas iguais. Os valores fractais de algumas regiões retinais mostraram diferenças estatísticas, mas estas não foram suficientes para mostrar a sensibilidade dos métodos fractais na identificação da retinopatia diabética. Conclusão Os métodos fractais não foram capazes de identificar os diferentes graus de retinopatia diabética em retinografias.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the retinal blood vascular network of the retinographies of patients with different grades of diabetic retinopathy. Methods Ninety Retinographies (MESSIDOR database) were used, with different grades of diabetic retinopathy divided into 4 groups: no retinopathy (n=23), grade one (n=20), grade two (n=20) and grade three (n=27) diabetic retinopathy. The grades of diabetic retinopathy were classified according to the number of microaneurysms, number of hemorrhages and the presence of neovascularization. The images were skeletonized and quantified by fractal methods: dimension of box-counting (Dbc) and information (Dinf). Results The means of Dbc values of groups were around 1.25, without statistically significant difference in the dimension values between groups for whole retina. There was also no statistical difference in Dinf values between groups, whose means ranged between 1.294 ± 0.013 (group of grade 1) and 1.3 ± 0.017 (group of grade 3). The retinographies were divided into regions of equal areas. The fractal values of some retinal regions showed statistical differences, but these differences were not enough to show the sensitivity of fractal methods in identifying diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion The fractal methods were not able to identify the different grades of diabetic retinopathy in retinographies.

RESUMO O narcisismo (NARC) em executivos seniores exerce um impacto perceptível nas decisões e estratégias corporativas e é frequentemente associado a comportamentos antiéticos e oportunistas, incluindo o tax avoidance (TA). Neste estudo, avaliamos, portanto, a associação entre o NARC do chief executive officer (CEO) e o TA em empresas brasileiras de capital aberto. Ao focar no Brasil, uma economia emergente regulamentada por legislação codificada, nossa investigação realiza uma importante contribuição à literatura contábil sobre o TA. A maioria dos estudos que examinam a relação entre o TA corporativo e os traços de personalidade do CEO foi realizada em países que adotam o common law. De acordo com a literatura, os comportamentos de TA são influenciados pelas especificidades do sistema tributário. Além disso, o nível de desenvolvimento econômico do país de origem deve ser levado em consideração na quantificação do TA corporativo. Essas observações e a ausência de investigações anteriores com foco no Brasil reforçam a relevância do estudo. Nosso estudo também oferece às autoridades tributárias, auditores e investidores ferramentas para a identificação de comportamentos narcisistas preditivos de TA corporativo, os quais podem exigir medidas de precaução por parte dos parceiros de negócios. A amostra foi composta por 68 empresas brasileiras de capital aberto (382 observações), abrangendo o período entre 2010 e 2017, e foi utilizado um modelo de regressão robusto com dados em painel. O TA e o NARC foram medidos com dados secundários, de acordo com a literatura. Nossos resultados mostram uma correlação positiva entre o NARC do CEO e o TA. Executivos com esse traço de personalidade parecem ousados ou agressivos, portanto mais propensos a adotar estratégias de TA, como confirmado no presente estudo. O estudo contribui para a literatura ao demonstrar como um transtorno de personalidade como o NARC afeta as políticas de tributos das empresas, com danos potenciais à reputação corporativa.

ABSTRACT Narcissism (NARC) in senior executives has a perceptible impact on corporate decision-making and strategies and is often associated with unethical and opportunistic behaviors, including tax avoidance (TA). In this study, we therefore evaluated the association between chief executive officer (CEO) NARC and TA in Brazilian public firms. By focusing on Brazil, an emerging economy regulated by code law, our investigation makes an important contribution to the accounting literature on TA. Most studies examining the relation between corporate TA and CEO personality profile have been conducted in common law countries. According to the literature, TA behaviors are influenced by tax system specifics. In addition, the home country’s level of economic development should be taken into account when quantifying corporate TA. These observations, and the lack of previous investigation focusing on Brazil, ratify the relevance of the study. Our study also provides tax authorities, auditors, and investors with tools to identify narcissistic behaviors predictive of corporate TA, which may demand precautionary measures on part of business partners. The sample consisted of 68 Brazilian public firms (382 observations), covering the period 2010-2017, and a robust regression model with panel data was used. TA and NARC were measured with secondary data according to the literature. Our findings show a positive correlation between CEO NARC and TA. Executives with this personality trait come across as bold or aggressive, thus more prone to adopt TA strategies, as confirmed in the present study. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how a personality disorder like NARC affects corporate tax policies, with potential damage to corporate reputation.

Resumen Se analiza la representatividad de las viviendas hechas en madera, en Brasil, indicando el porcentaje de cada técnica cons tructiva según la oferta de las empresas evaluadas. Los porcentajes que evidencian la frecuencia de utilización de las téc nicas de construcción en madera fueron medidos por medio de dos metodologías aplicadas en las empresas: encuesta por entrevistas personales a sus propietarios y búsqueda de datos en sus sitios web. El método de encuestas por entrevistas evaluó 107 empresas brasileñas, y el de búsqueda en los sitios web alcanzó 207 empresas; se consiguió 50,95 y 98,57%, respectivamente, de la población estimada. A pesar de esta diferencia, ambos métodos demostraron un escenario similar. Las entrevistas presentaron mayores costos de aplicación. Las técnicas contemporáneas están disponibles en más del 90% de los productores brasileros. Las casas de tablas horizontales clavadas y las casas de tablas horizontales entre pilares fueron las que tuvieron mayores ofertas.

Abstract This paper analyzes the representativeness of timber housing in Brazil, identifying the percentage of construction techniques offered by each evaluated company. Percentages that evidence the frequency of use of wooden building techniques were measured using two methods applied in the companies: survey through face-to-face interviews with owners and data search on their websites. The survey through interviews evaluated 107 Brazilian companies, while the data search included 207 companies, obtaining 50.95%and 98.57%of the estimated population, respectively. In spite of this difference, both meth ods showed a similar scenario. Interviews evidenced higher application costs. Contemporary techniques are available in more than 90% of Brazilian constructors. Houses with nailed horizontal boards and houses with horizontal wooden boards between columns were offered the most.

Resumo Neste artigo, é analisada a representatividade das moradias feitas em madeira no Brasil por meio da indicação da porcen tagem de cada técnica construtiva segundo a oferta das empresas avaliadas. As porcentagens que evidenciam a freqüência de utilização das técnicas de construção em madeira foram medidas mediante duas metodologias aplicadas nas empresas: entrevistas pessoais a seus proprietários e busca de dados em sites. O método de entrevistas pessoais avaliou 107 empresas brasileiras, e a busca nos sites atingiu 207 empresas; foram alcançados 50,95 e 98,57%, respectivamente, da população estimada. Apesar dessa diferença, ambos os métodos demonstraram um cenário semelhante. As entrevistas apresentaram maiores custos de aplicação. As técnicas contemporâneas estão disponíveis em mais de 90 % dos produtores brasileiros. As casas de tábuas horizontais pregadas e as casas de tábuas horizontais entre pilares foram as que mais tiveram ofertas.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated forest restoration projects filed at the state environmental agency of Rio de Janeiro (Inea), regarding the requirements contained in the Resolution Nº 36/2011. Legal, technical, environmental and ecological parameters of 65 restoration projects in the design and implementation phases were analyzed. Only 29% of the projects met the requirements of Resolution Nº 36/2011. The low compliance with the requirements of the resolution evidences the lack of knowledge of the current regulations in the state of Rio de Janeiro by the technical users of the system. This condition implies a longer time of environmental licensing. Recently, Inea has revoked Res. Nº 36/2011 through Res. Nº 143/2017, which, in addition to simplifying the presentation of restoration projects, gave rise to the State System for Monitoring and Evaluation of Forest Restoration – SEMAR.

RESUMO O consórcio de leguminosas arbóreas com gramíneas forrageiras em sistema silvipastoril pode evitar a degradação das pastagens e recuperá-las. Neste sistema, o fornecimento de nitrogênio (N) ocorre através da simbiose entre leguminosas e bactérias. No entanto, a qualidade das pastagens permite a ação de bactérias diazotróficas de vida livre, que possuem o gene nifH que codifica a enzima nitrogenase. Além disso, na etapa da nitrificação, as bactérias amônio oxidantes (AOB) são avaliadas por regiões específicas do 16S rRNA de AOB. Assim, investigamos a influência da introdução das leguminosas arbóreas no sistema silvipastoril na estrutura da comunidade, na diversidade e na abundância de bactérias totais, bactérias diazotróficas e bactérias amônio oxidantes por DGGE (Eletroforese em Gel com Gradiente Desnaturante) e qPCR (PCR quantitativa em tempo real). O experimento teve nove parcelas de um hectare com Sabiá (Mimosa caesalpinifolia), Gliricídia (Gliricidia sepium) e Braquiária solteira (Brachiaria decumbens), em delineamento em blocos ao acaso com três tratamentos: I-Braquiária em consórcio com Sabiá; II-Braquiária em consórcio com Gliricídia e III - Braquiária solteira, com três repetições. A estrutura das comunidades de bactérias totais e bactérias amônio oxidantes foi influenciada pela introdução das leguminosas arbóreas, possivelmente por meio da modificação dos atributos químicos do solo. Bactérias totais, bactérias amônio oxidantes e bactérias diazotróficas foram mais abundantes nos solos sob leguminosas, que proporcionaram melhores condições para o crescimento microbiano quando comparado à braquiária solteira. O manejo silvipastoril com leguminosas arbóreas melhora a qualidade biológica do solo, favorecendo a comunidade bacteriana ligada ao ciclo do N.

ABSTRACT Intercropping tree legumes with forage grasses in a silvopastoral system can avoid pasture degradation benefiting the soil. In such a system, nitrogen (N) is supplied by symbiosis between legumes and bacteria. However, the pasture quality determines the action of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which possess nifH genes, which encode nitrogenase enzyme. Ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), involved in the nitrification step, can be evaluated by specific regions of the 16S rRNA corresponding to AOB. Thus, we investigated the influence of the introduction of tree legumes into a silvopastoral system on the community structure and abundance of total bacteria, diazotrophic bacteria and ammonium-oxidizing bacteria by DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) and real-time qPCR (quantitative PCR). The experiment involved nine plots of one hectare each, planted with sabia (Mimosa caesalpinifolia), a Gliricidia species (Gliricidia sepium), and a Brachiaria species (Brachiaria decumbens) in a randomized block design, forming three treatments: I-Brachiaria intercropped with sabia; II-Brachiaria intercropped with Gliricidia and III-Brachiaria only, with three replicates. The structures of the total bacterial and ammonium-oxidizing bacterial communities were influenced by tree legume introduction, possibly through modification of the soil chemical attributes. The copy numbers of total bacteria, ammonium-oxidizing bacteria and diazotrophic bacteria were higher in soils planted with legumes, which provided better conditions for microbial growth compared to planting with the Brachiaria species alone. Silvopastoral management with tree legumes improves the biological quality of soil, favouring the bacterial community linked to N-cycling.

ABSTRACT Is there a relationship between a party's capacity to influence legislative decision-making and its decision to be part of a government coalition? In this study, we argue that when formal legislative rules are more conducive to actors’ policy preferences, parties have fewer incentives to join the cabinet. To test our analytical model, we analyze 68 governments and 112 cabinets in 12 presidential systems, from 1979 to 2011. Our results indicate that the decision to integrate the cabinet in presidential systems is related to the level of influence parties have on legislative policy formation in Latin American democracies.

RESUMEN ¿Existe relación entre la capacidad para influir en la toma de decisiones legislativas y la decisión del partido de integrar la coalición de gobierno? En este estudio, argumentamos que cuando las reglas del proceso legislativo son más receptivas a considerar las preferencias de las políticas públicas de los actores, los partidos tienen menos incentivos para unirse al gabinete. Para probar nuestro argumento, analizamos 68 gobiernos y 112 gabinetes en 12 sistemas presidenciales, de 1979 a 2011. Nuestros resultados indican que las decisiones de los partidos de integrarse en los sistemas presidenciales del gobierno están relacionadas con el nivel de influencia que tienen en el proceso decisorio en las democracias latinoamericanas.

Resumo Fundamento: Estudos pequenos têm relacionado níveis mais elevados de hormônio tireoestimulante (TSH) a pior prognóstico em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA). Tal relação, no entanto, permanece incerta. Objetivo: Analisar os desfechos de pacientes com SCA, relacionando-os aos níveis de TSH medidos no setor de emergência. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo observacional incluindo 505 pacientes com SCA (446 no grupo I: TSH ± 4 mUI/L; 59 no grupo II: TSH > 4 mUI/L) entre maio de 2010 e maio de 2014. Dados sobre comorbidades e medicamentos usados foram obtidos. O desfecho primário foi mortalidade intra-hospitalar por todas as causas. O desfecho secundário incluiu eventos combinados (morte, angina instável não fatal ou infarto do miocárdio, choque cardiogênico, sangramento e acidente vascular encefálico). A comparação entre grupos foi realizada através de ANOVA de uma via e teste do qui-quadrado. A análise multivariada foi realizada por regressão logística, adotando-se o nível de significância de p < 0,05. Resultados: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os grupos I e II relacionadas ao uso de enoxaparina (75,2% vs. 57,63%; p = 0,02) e estatinas (84,08% vs. 71,19%; p < 0,0001), acidente vascular encefálico prévio (5,83% vs. 15,25%; p = 0,007), eventos combinados (14,80% vs. 27,12%, OR = 3,05; p = 0,004), choque cardiogênico (4,77% vs. 6,05%, OR = 4,77; p = 0,02) e sangramento (12,09% vs. 15,25%, OR = 3,36; p = 0,012). Conclusão: Em pacientes com SCA e TSH > 4 mUI/L à admissão hospitalar, observou-se pior prognóstico associado à maior incidência de eventos combinados intra-hospitalares, choque cardiogênico e sangramentos.

Abstract Background: Some small studies have related higher levels of thyrotropin (TSH) to potentially worse prognosis in acute coronary syndromes. However, this relationship remains uncertain. Objective: To analyze the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes in relation to the value of TSH at admission. Methods: Observational and retrospective study with 505 patients (446 in group I [TSH ≤ 4 mIU/L] and 59 in group II [TSH > 4 mIU/L]) with acute coronary syndromes between May 2010 and May 2014. We obtained data about comorbidities and the medications used at the hospital. The primary endpoint was in-hospital all-cause death. The secondary endpoint included combined events (death, non-fatal unstable angina or myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, bleeding and stroke). Comparisons between groups were made by one-way ANOVA and chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was determined by logistic regression. Analyses were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results: Significant differences between groups I and II were observed regarding the use of enoxaparin (75.2% vs. 57.63%, p = 0.02) and statins (84.08% vs. 71.19%, p < 0.0001), previous stroke (5.83% vs. 15.25%, p = 0.007), combined events (14.80% vs. 27.12%, OR = 3.05, p = 0.004), cardiogenic shock (4.77% vs. 6.05%, OR = 4.77, p = 0.02) and bleeding (12.09% vs. 15.25%, OR = 3.36, p = 0.012). Conclusions: In patients with acute coronary syndromes and TSH > 4 mIU/L at admission, worse prognosis was observed, with higher incidences of in-hospital combined events, cardiogenic shock and bleeding.

Resumo Políticas redistributivas centralizadas podem induzir resultados desiguais entre os territórios? Respondemos afirmativamente a esta questão, apresentando evidências de que a transferência de renda para indivíduos, promovida por uma política social em que a arrecadação e o gasto são centralizados, como o Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC), não se traduz automaticamente em redistribuição de recursos entre territórios. Embora a adoção de políticas de redistribuição de renda no nível interpessoal seja importante para suavizar as tendências de extrema pobreza, estes ganhos em bem-estar não reduzem mecanicamente as disparidades entre as regiões brasileiras. Nas situações em que fatores exógenos à estrutura fiscal impedem que a alocação de recursos siga a distribuição espacial da necessidade, políticas redistributivas centralizadas podem colaborar para o aumento da desigualdade territorial.

Abstract Can centralized redistributive policies lead to unequal results among territories? This study gives an affirmative answer to this question and presents evidences that the redistribution of income at the interpersonal level, promoted by social policy in which both revenue and expenditure are centralized – Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) (Continuous Cash Benefit Payment) - is not automatically translated into redistribution of funds among territories. Although the adoption of income transfer policies in the interpersonal level is important to reduce overall regional poverty, the welfare gains do not necessarily mean a reduction of the interregional disparities in Brazil. In circumstances where exogenous factors affect the equalizing effect of income spending - when spending does not follow the spatial distribution of necessity (social vulnerability concentration), centralized redistributive policies can contribute to the increase in territorial inequality.

Resumo A formação de governos multipartidários potencializa o risco de assimetria de informação entre principals e agentes, de maneira que os conflitos do gabinete sobre políticas se refletem no comportamento dos partidos no parlamento. Diversos estudos demonstram que o controle mútuo entre os partidos integrantes do gabinete é uma forma de compensar a perda de informação inerente à delegação. Enquanto a literatura costuma focar na fase de formulação das políticas, analisando os governos formados no Brasil entre 1995 e 2014, argumento que existe um conjunto mais diversificado de estratégias que permitem aos partidos escrutinar as políticas implementadas por seus parceiros de gabinete. Fazendo uso de análise de redes e técnicas quantitativas de análise de texto (método Gibbs Sampling, algoritmo bayesiano derivado do Latent Dirichlet allocation – LDA) mostro que, nas situações em que os portfólios ministeriais são distribuídos para atores com distintas preferências sobre políticas, os partidos intensificam o uso dos Requerimentos de Informação (RIC) para monitorar os ministérios e políticas que lhes interessam. A estrutura das redes de controle intragabinete varia em função da saliência dos ministérios: os partidos responsáveis pelos portfólios com maior dotação orçamentária são os atores com maior grau de centralidade nas redes de monitoramento mútuo.

Abstract The formation of multiparty governments increases the risk of asymmetry of information between principals and agents so that the cabinet's policy conflicts are reflected in the behavior of parties in parliament. Several studies reveal that mutual control between cabinet parties is a way to compensate for the loss of information inherent in the delegation. While analysts often focus on the policy-making process, I argue that there is a more diverse set of strategies that allow parties to scrutinize policies implemented by their cabinet partners. To test this argument, I analyze the multiparty governments formed in Brazil between 1995 and 2014. I use network analysis and machine learning—Gibbs Sampling Method, Bayesian algorithm derived from Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)—to show that, in situations in which ministerial portfolios are distributed to actors with different policy preferences, parties intensify the use of Information Requirements (RIC), an important tool for horizontal control, to monitor the ministries, policies, and programs that interest them. The structure of the intra-cabinet control networks varies according to the importance of the ministries: the parties allocated in the ministries with the largest portion of the federal budget—those with the most resources for the implementation of public policies—are the actors with the greatest degree of centrality in the intra-cabinet mutual control networks.

Resumen La formación de gobiernos multipartidistas potencializa el riesgo de asimetría de información entre principals y agentes, de manera que los conflictos del gabinete sobre políticas se reflejan en el comportamiento de los partidos en el parlamento. Diversos estudios demuestran que el control mutuo entre los partidos integrantes del gabinete es una forma de compensar la pérdida de información inherente a la delegación. Mientras los analistas suelen enfocarse en la fase de formulación de las políticas, analizando los gobiernos formados en Brasil, entre 1995 y 2014, argumento en este trabajo que existe un conjunto más diversificado de estrategias que permiten a los partidos escudriñar las políticas implementadas por sus socios de gabinete. Utilizo análisis de redes y técnicas cuantitativas de análisis de texto – Método Gibbs Sampling, algoritmo bayesiano derivado del Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) – para mostrar que, en las situaciones en que los portafolios ministeriales se distribuyen a actores con distintas preferencias sobre políticas, los partidos intensifican el uso de los Requerimientos de Información (RIC), un importante instrumento de control horizontal, para monitorear los ministerios, políticas y programas que les interesan. La estructura de las redes de control horizontal intragabinete varía en función de la importancia de los ministerios: los partidos responsables de las carteras con mayor dotación presupuestaria – aquellos con más recursos para la implementación de políticas públicas – son los actores con mayor grado de centralidad en las redes de control mutuo.

Résumé La formation des gouvernements pluripartites intensifie le risque de l’asymétrie d’information entre des principals et des agents, de sorte que les conflits du cabinet sur les politiques se reflètent dans le comportement des partis au Parlement. Plusieurs études ont démontré que le contrôle mutuel entre les partis intégrant le cabinet est un moyen de compenser la perte d’information inhérente à la délégation. Alors que les analystes se concentrent souvent sur le moment de la formulation des politiques, avec l’analyse des gouvernements formés au Brésil entre 1995 et 2014, je soutiens dans ce travail qu'il existe un ensemble plus diversifié de stratégies qui permettent aux partis de surveiller les politiques mises en œuvre par les partenaires du cabinet. Grâce à l’analyse de réseau et les techniques quantitatives d’analyse de texte – Méthode Gibbs Sampling, algorithme bayésien dérivé du Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) – je montre que, dans les situations où les portefeuilles ministériels sont distribués à des acteurs ayant des préférences divergentes sur les politiques, les partis intensifient l’utilisation des Requêtes d’Information (RIC), un important instrument de contrôle horizontal pour surveiller les ministères, les politiques et les programmes qui les concernent. La structure des réseaux de contrôle horizontal dans le cabinet varie en fonction de l´importance des ministères: les partis responsables pour les dossiers avec les plus grandes allocations budgétaires – ceux qui ont plus de ressources pour la mise en œuvre des politiques publiques – sont les acteurs ayant le degré de centralité le plus élevé dans les réseaux de contrôle mutuel, c´est-à-dire que ce sont ceux qui reçoivent la majeure partie du contrôle de leurs partenaires du gouvernement.

This study focuses on the degree of political dominance exercised on cabinets by the executive chief in presidential systems. According to a debate that began in the 1990s, presidential systems are characterized by a non-collegial decision-making process, led by and personified in the figure of the president, in contrast to parliamentary systems where a joint decision-making process is prevalent. The key argument of this research note is that, although the majority of presidents have the constitutional power to remove cabinet ministers, the executive decision-making process in presidential systems is not necessarily vertical or based on a non-collegial process. By building a new index, we reveal a significant variation in the executive power exerted by presidents over their cabinets. To classify the degree of political dominance of presidents over their cabinets, we analyzed the rules of cabinet decision-making processes as defined in 18 Latin American constitutions.