Resumen (Objetivo) Plasmodium vivax infecta ampliamente a muchas personas en algunas regiones. La singularidad de formar una etapa latente hace que la malaria vivax pueda ser inducida por una recaída por una infección adicional. En el presente estudio, utilizamos un enfoque de simulación dinámica y acoplamiento molecular ara predecir la posibilidad de que compuestos bioactivos de la familia de plantas Zingiberaceae sean candidatos a fármaco contra la malaria dirigiéndose a la proteína de unión a Duffy de Plasmodium vivax (PvDBP). Se requiere la interacción molecular PvDBP-DARC para mediar el proceso de invasión de merozoitos en los glóbulos rojos. La inhibición de este proceso posiblemente pueda controlar el crecimiento y desarrollo del parásito. (Metodología) El análisis de acoplamiento molecular dio como resultado los dos compuestos principales con el valor de energía de unión más bajo, incluida la 5,7-dihidroxiflavanona (-9,3 kcal/mol) y la pinostrobina (-9,2 kcal/mol). (Resultados) Estos compuestos previstos tienen una interacción más fuerte que la cloroquina como control. Además, los compue potenciales también interactúan con los residuos del sitio de unión de DARC y lo mantienen durante el proceso de simulación de dinámica molecular. De lo contrario, la cloroquina como control no puede retener el 75% de los residuos de unión hacia PvDBP. El estudio de dinámica molecular reveló que los tres complejos tienen una estabilidad relativamente similar. (Conclusiones) Predijimos que los dos compuestos bioactivos tienen potencial como inhibidores de la invasión de merozoitos.

Resumo (Objetivo) O Plasmodium vivax infecta amplamente muitas pessoas em algumas regiões. A singularidade de formar um estágio latente significa que a malária vivax pode ser induzida por recaída devido à infecção adicional. No presente estudo, utilizamos uma abordagem de simulação dinâmica e de acoplamento molecular para prever a possibilidade de compostos bioativos da família de plantas Zingiberaceae como candidatos a medicamentos antimaláricos, visand o aproteína de ligação Duffy do Plasmodium vivax (PvDBP). A interação molecular PvDBP-DARC é necessária para mediar o processo de invasão de merozoítos nos glóbulos vermelhos. A inibição deste processo pode possivelmente controlar o crescimento e desenvolvimento do parasita. (Metodologia) A análise de acoplamento molecular resultou nos dois principais compostos com o menor valor de energia de ligação, incluindo ,7-dihidroxiflavanona (-9,3 kcal/mol) e pinostrobina (-9,2 kcal/mol). (Resultados) Esses compostos previstos têm uma interação mais forte do que a cloroquina como controle. Além disso, os compostos potenciais também interagem e mantêm resíduos do sítio de ligação do DARC durante o processo de simulação de dinâmica molecular. Caso contrário, a cloroquina como controle não pode reter 75% dos resíduos de ligação ao três complexos apresentam estabilidade relativa compostos bioativos têm potencial como inibidor Palavras chave: Medicamentos antimalária; ePvmeesdmsilDBP. ntesa invício;O estudo de dinâmica molecular revelou que os emelhante. (Conclusões) Previmos que os dois asão de merozoítos. Plasmodium vivax; PvDBP; Zingiberáceas.

Abstract (Objective) Plasmodium vivax predominantly infects many people in numerous tropical areas, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, the Americas, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The uniqueness of forming dormant stages can lead to relapse in vivax malaria upon further infection. This study used molecular docking and dynamic simulation to predict potential bioactive compounds from the Zingiberaceae plant family as inhibitors by targeting Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein (PvDBP). PvDBP-DARC molecular interaction is required to mediate the merozoite invasion process into red blood cells. Inhibiting this process can possibly control parasite growth and development. (Methodology) Molecular docking screening was conducted by using 138 natural compounds from the Zingiberaceae plant family targeting Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP). The top two compounds with the lowest binding energy were selected to be analyzed by pharmacokinetics prediction and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. (Results) Molecular docking screening resulted in the top two compounds with the lowest binding energy value, including 5,7-dihydroxyflavanone (-9.3 kcal/mol) and pinostrobin (-9.2 kcal/mol). These compounds are predicted to have stronger interaction than chloroquine as a control. Furthermore, the potential compounds also interact with DARC binding site residues and maintain them during the molecular dynamic simulation process. Otherwise, chloroquine as a control cannot retain 75% binding residues towards PvDBP. A molecular dynamic study revealed that all three complexes have relatively similar stability. (Conclusions) We predicted that the two bioactive compounds (5,7-dihydroxyflavanone and pinostrobin) have the potential as merozoite invasion inhibitors.

Resumen: La ejecución de proyectos de construcción, a menudo presenta obstáculos y desviaciones, lo que genera incumplimientos. La necesidad de mejorar la gestión del desempeño del cronograma es crucial para el cumplimiento de las metas del proyecto. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo identificar los factores clave del desempeño del cronograma en proyectos de construcción con el propósito de plantear estrategias de mejora. Se elaboró un cuestionario de escala con 54 factores seleccionados a partir de la literatura, el cual fue aplicado a profesionales que se desenvuelven en proyectos de construcción en el Perú. Posteriormente se aplicó el estadístico de análisis factorial a las respuestas de los encuestados en 2 conjuntos de datos: factores de éxito y fracaso. El análisis agrupó por separado en 6 factores comunes de éxito y 7 factores comunes de fracaso. Para identificar los factores clave se llevó a cabo una segunda encuesta en base a los factores comunes y se clasificó utilizando el Índice de Importancia Relativa. Los resultados revelaron cómo los 3 primeros factores de éxito clasificados a: compromiso de los involucrados del proyecto, competencia del gerente de proyecto y competencia del propietario. Los factores de fracaso encontrados fueron: conflicto entre los involucrados del proyecto, falta de conocimiento del gerente del proyecto y la incompetencia del propietario. Se plantearon estrategias de mejora, que pueden ser empleados por los involucrados, principalmente por los gerentes, pues en estos profesionales recae la toma de decisiones, por ello, es necesario invertir tiempo y experiencia para resolver los problemas del desempeño del cronograma.

Abstract: The execution of construction projects often presents obstacles and deviations, which generate non-compliance. The need to improve schedule performance management is crucial to meeting project goals. This work aimed to identify the key factors of schedule performance in construction projects with the purpose of proposing improvement strategies. A scale questionnaire was developed with 54 factors selected from the literature, which was applied to professionals who work in construction projects in Peru. Subsequently, the factor analysis statistic was applied to the responses of the participants in 2 sets of data: success and failure factors. The analysis grouped separately into 6 common success factors and 7 common failure factors. To identify the key factors, a second survey was carried out based on the common factors and classified using the Relative Importance Index. The results revealed how the top 3 success factors classified as: commitment of those involved in the project, competence of the project manager and competence of the owner. The failure factors found were: conflict between those involved in the project, lack of knowledge of the project manager and the incompetence of the owner. Improvement strategies were proposed, which can be used by those involved, mainly by managers, since decision-making falls on these professionals, therefore, it is necessary to invest time and experience to resolve schedule performance problems.

ABSTRACT This article investigates regional specificities of coronelism in the First Republic based on the historical experience of Goiás. A significant part of Brazilian legal and political historiography adhered to Victor Nunes Leal’s thesis, according to which the republican coronelism, more than an expression of the private power of the coronels, would signify their weakness in a context of increasing state institutionality. The coronels would fight, with all means, to take over the public machine, starting to distribute its benefits to friends and its rigors to enemies. However, investigating the case of Goiás, based on the novel O tronco, by Bernardo Élis, with other documents from the period, Leal’s thesis cannot explain the hypertrophy of the private power of the coronels in northern Goiás, that ignored or forcibly subjugated state power, with its laws, judges, police, etc. In conclusion, coronelism had different expressions in Brazil, which requires the differentiation of its specificities. Goiás Leals Leal s institutionality fight means machine enemies However tronco Élis period laws judges police etc conclusion Brazil

RESUMO Este artigo investiga especificidades regionais do coronelismo da Primeira República a partir da experiência histórica de Goiás. Parte significativa da historiografia jurídica e política brasileira aderiu à tese de Victor Nunes Leal, para a qual o coronelismo republicano, mais do que expressão do poder privado dos coronéis, significaria a fraqueza deles em um contexto de incremento do aparato estatal. Os coronéis lutariam para se empossarem da máquina pública, passando a distribuir os seus benefícios aos amigos e os seus rigores aos inimigos. Porém, investigando o caso goiano a partir do romance O tronco, de Bernardo Élis, junto com outros documentos da época, a tese de Leal não consegue explicar a hipertrofia do poder privado dos coronéis do norte de Goiás, que ignorava ou subjugava à força o poder estatal, com suas leis, juízes, polícia etc. Conclui-se que o coronelismo teve expressões diferentes no Brasil, o que exige a diferenciação de suas especificidades. Goiás republicano estatal pública inimigos Porém tronco Élis época leis juízes etc Concluise Conclui Brasil

Abstract Sustainable Corporate Finance is an important mechanism to address the climate crisis and its adverse effects on society and the environment. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria have been proposed and implemented as a normative evaluation framework for companies in multiple sectors. However, ESG studies are not yet fully conclusive, but they serve to incorporate more than economic criteria to investment decisions in companies, and in this way, to focus on responsible investments. Among a variety of criteria, corporate responsibility and diversity in top management positions have gained significance today. Given this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the effect of including women in top leadership positions within high-cap companies and their impact on ESG indicators, with a particular focus on organizations in the industrial sector. A longitudinal study was conducted using balanced panel data of the companies that make up the Standard and Poor's 500, linear regression with random effects was estimated, as well as impact analysis using the Synthetic Difference in Difference (SDID). The results show a slight increase in the participation of women in top management (CEO), particularly in the last years (2020-2022). In addition, there is a statistically positive incidence between the participation of a female CEO in a better performance of the ESG indicators of the companies, with an impact of 0.2401 points, being the environmental criterion the most impacted with 0.6522 points.

Resumen Las finanzas corporativas sustentables son un mecanismo importante para hacer frente a la crisis climática y sus efectos adversos a la sociedad y el medio ambiente. Particularmente, se han propuesto e implementado los indicadores Ambiental, Social y Gobierno (ESG, por sus siglas en inglés) como un marco normativo de evaluación para las empresas de múltiples sectores. Los estudios realizados en materia de ESG aun no son concluyentes del todo, pero sirven para incorporar más que criterios económicos a las decisiones de inversión en las empresas y, de esta forma, orientarse en las inversiones responsables. Entre una variedad de criterios, la responsabilidad corporativa y la diversidad en posiciones de alta dirección ha cobrado relevancia en la actualidad. Dado lo anterior, el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el efecto de la inclusión de mujeres en posiciones de liderazgo de alta dirección en las empresas de alta capitalización y su impacto en los indicadores ESG, realizando un especial énfasis en las organizaciones del sector industrial. Se realizó un estudio longitudinal a través de datos panel balanceados de las empresas que componen el índice Standard & Poor's 500, se estimó la regresión lineal con efectos aleatorios, así como del análisis de impacto mediante la Estimación Sintética de las Diferencias (SDID). Los resultados muestran un leve incremento en la participación de las mujeres en los altos mandos (CEO), particularmente en los últimos años (2020-2022). Además, existe una incidencia estadísticamente positiva entre la participación de una mujer CEO en un mejor desempeño de los indicadores ESG de las empresas, con un impacto de 0.2401 puntos, siendo el indicador ambiental el mayor impactado, con 0.6522 puntos.

Resumen (Introducción): La degradación ambiental y la pobreza son prioridad en las agendas de los organismos internacionales de desarrollo y conservación. Se plantea que la relación pobreza y conservación puede ser resuelta simultáneamente, sobre todo, en países en vías de desarrollo, según los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio, y, actualmente, en los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. (Objetivo): Describir las relaciones que existen entre pobreza y conservación de los activos naturales dentro de los medios de vida en el área de estudio, y observar, si el establecimiento de una política de conservación y otra de desarrollo rural sustentable en un contexto neoliberal contribuyeron a resolver ambas problemáticas. (Metodología): Se realizó una investigación-acción-participativa, como estudio de caso. Se realizaron talleres participativos para el diagnóstico de los medios de vida sustentables en las microrregiones Sierra y Valles del municipio de Villaflores, Chiapas, México. (Resultados): Se observó la influencia de dos modelos de desarrollo rural imperantes, en distintos periodos, en los medios de vida de las comunidades. Fuerzas externas que presionan las estrategias de vida y que han fallado para sacar a las comunidades de la situación de pobreza; en el caso de los Valles, esto promovió la deforestación y la degradación de los activos naturales, y, en el caso de la Sierra, se logró conservar, pero las comunidades se encuentran en situación de pobreza extrema y alta vulnerabilidad. (Conclusión): Las políticas e iniciativas impuestas, de manera descendente (top down), han conducido no solo al deterioro ambiental, sino también a la vulnerabilidad y al proceso de precarización de las familias rurales.

Abstract (Introduction): Environmental degradation and poverty are high priority on the agendas of international organizations of development and conservation. It is proposed that the relationship between poverty and conservation can be solved simultaneously, according to the Millennium Development Goals, and currently in the Sustainable Development Goals. (Objective): To describe the relationships that exist between poverty and conservation of natural assets within livelihoods in the study area, and to observe whether the establishment of a conservation policy and another of sustainable rural development in a neoliberal context contributed to solving both problems. (Methodology): A participatory-action-research was carried out, as a case study. Participatory workshops were conducted for the diagnosis of sustainable livelihoods in the Sierra and Valleys micro-regions of the municipality of Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico. (Results): The influence of two prevailing rural development models, in different periods, on community livelihoods was observed. External forces that put pressure on livelihood strategies and that have failed to lift communities out of poverty; in the case of the Valleys, this promoted deforestation and degradation of natural assets, and in the case of the Sierra, conservation was achieved, but communities are in a situation of extreme poverty and high vulnerability. (Conclusions): Policies and initiatives imposed in a top-down manner have led not only to environmental deterioration, but also to vulnerability and the process of precariousness of rural families.

ABSTRACT Public procurement is crucial for the proper functioning of a country, but unfortunately, it can face problems that undermine its efficiency and transparency. For this reason, this research analyzes the top 23 companies that sold over $2.21 billion to the Ecuadorian government between 2015 and 2020. A descriptive methodology and a quantitative approach were used to classify the companies based on their origin, economic activity, and financial situation. The results reveal that 67% of these companies are of Ecuadorian origin. In terms of their financial situation, although they have a strong liquidity position, financing expenses completely dilute their profits, resulting in a negative net profit margin. This finding suggests the need to establish public policies that promote the diversification of economic sectors and the implementation of effective financial management strategies in contracting companies to improve their profitability and long-term financial sustainability.

RESUMEN La contratación pública es crucial para el buen funcionamiento de un país, pero desafortunadamente puede enfrentar problemas que perjudican su eficiencia y transparencia. Por este motivo, esta investigación analiza las 23 principales empresas que entre 2015 y 2020 vendieron más de 2.21 mil millones de dólares con el Estado ecuatoriano. Se utilizó una metodología descriptiva y un enfoque cuantitativo para clasificar a las empresas según su origen, actividad económica y situación financiera. Los resultados revelan que el 67% de estas empresas son de origen ecuatoriano. En cuanto a su situación financiera, aunque tienen una posición sólida en términos de liquidez, los gastos del financiamiento diluyen en su totalidad las utilidades, generando una rentabilidad neta de ventas negativa. Este hallazgo sugiere la necesidad de establecer políticas públicas que promuevan la diversificación de los sectores económicos y la implementación de estrategias de gestión financiera efectivas en las empresas contratistas para mejorar su rentabilidad y sostenibilidad financiera en el largo plazo.

BACKGROUND: Caesarean section is a life-saving procedure which is associated with high rates of maternal and neonatal complications. It has been estimated that globally, 29.7 million births occur by caesarean section annually. The risk of postpartum infection is estimated to be five to ten times higher compared with normal vaginal delivery. Pregnancy-related sepsis was listed as a top-six cause of maternal mortality in the South African Saving Mothers report between 2017 and 2019. Multiple trials have been conducted in an attempt to optimise administration of prophylactic antibiotics in an effort to reduce postpartum infection and maternal sepsis, and current practice guidelines suggest that there is sufficient evidence that extended-spectrum antibiotics, in combination with kefazolin, result in reduction of postpartum infections OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of perioperative administration of kefazolin alone compared with kefazolin plus metronidazole on postpartum infection in women undergoing caesarean section at Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa METHOD: All patients undergoing emergency or elective caesarean section were randomised and then sequentially numbered in opaque sealed envelopes, which were placed in the caesarean section operating theatre. The intervention group received kefazolin and a sealed envelope with metronidazole. The control group received kefazolin and a sealed envelope with normal saline RESULTS: A total of 57/1 010 patients (5.64%) had surgical site infections, of which 27 (5.33%) were in the control group, and 30 (5.96%) were in the intervention group (p=0.66). Two patients in each arm (0.40% in the intervention arm and 0.39% in the control arm) underwent laparotomy procedures, while three women (0.60%) in the intervention arm and four women (0.79%) in the control arm underwent hysterectomy procedures. There were no statistically significant differences in all the measured secondary outcomes between the two groups CONCLUSION: The overall sepsis rate in this study was 5.64%. Postpartum infection is multifactorial and there are multiple factors that can be addressed in strengthening the sepsis care bundle. We do not recommend the addition of metronidazole to kefazolin as prophylaxis at caesarean section

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the first malignant tumor in endocrine glands, and it is estimated that by 2030 it will be in the top five cancers worldwide. In Chile, TC was recently included as pathology No. 82 with Explicit Health Guarantees, which implies allocating significant public and private resources to the treatment of patients with a cancer that is on the rise. There are groups of young patients with small tumors that present a more aggressive clinical behavior, where decision-making could be advanced. Specifically, a group of patients under 55 years of age with tumors less than 2 cm in size but with regional metastases, that lack indication for radioiodine therapy and could require complementary treatment or present a worse evolution. Clinical and molecular tools to guide appropriate treatment in patients with lymph node metastases are limited and have not been updated. There are tumorigenicity and prognostic factors, such as EpithelialMesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) markers that have been incorporated into the study of other tumors and recently in thyroid cancer. Studies linking EMT and CSC with TC currently point to molecular and genetic description, with few reports clinically correlating these findings (particularly in subgroups with particular characteristics of aggressiveness) and proposing them as tumorigenicity and prognosis markers. The description of these biomarkers in the described population could facilitate decision-making regarding follow-up, surgical therapy, and radioiodine therapy.

Resumen El cáncer de tiroides (CT) es el primer tumor maligno en glándulas endocrinas, y se estima que al 2030 estará en el top cinco de cáncer a nivel mundial. En Chile, el CT fue incluido, recientemente, como la patología N° 82 con Garantías Explícitas de Salud, lo que implica destinar importantes recursos públicos y privados al tratamiento de pacientes con un cáncer que va en aumento en el mundo. Existen grupos de pacientes jóvenes con tumores pequeños que presentan un comportamiento clínico más agresivo desde el inicio, donde se podría adelantar la toma de decisiones. Específicamente, destaca un grupo de pacientes menores de 55 años con tumores pequeños menores de 2 cm, pero con metástasis regionales, que quedan fuera de la indicación de radioyodoterapia y podrían requerir tratamiento complementario o presentar peor evolución. Las herramientas clínicas y moleculares para guiar el tratamiento adecuado en pacientes con metástasis linfonodales son limitadas y no han sido actualizadas hasta el momento. Existen factores de tumorigenicidad y pronóstico, tales como los marcadores de Transición Epitelio-Mesenquimal (TEM) y Cáncer Stem Cells (CSC) que se han incorporado al estudio de otros tumores y recientemente en cáncer de tiroides. Actualmente estudios que relacionan TEM y CSC con CT apuntan a la descripción molecular y genética, con escasos reportes que correlacionen, clínicamente, estos hallazgos, (particularmente en subgrupos con características particulares de agresividad) y que los propongan como marcadores de tumorigenicidad y pronóstico. La descripción de estos biomarcadores en la población descrita podría facilitar la toma de decisiones en cuanto a seguimiento, terapia quirúrgica y radioyodoterapia.

BACKGROUND. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the weakness of relying on in-person tuition in higher education. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been a successful addition to higher education. In this study, educators had to replace a planned elective in the medical curriculum with an online option during the pandemic. The roles of the competency framework of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) (Leader and Manager, Health Advocate, Professional, Communicator, Collaborator, Scholar, and Healthcare Practitioner) were used to guide its development. This elective emphasised the non-clinical roles of medical practitioners and was offered in 2020 and 2021. OBJECTIVES. To describe the choices of third-year medical students and time spent participating in a modified online elective in 2020 and 2021. METHODS. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used, involving the participation of 629 medical students. Data were collected and analysed from three primary sources: registration data from LinkedIn Learning, data from the Foundation for Professional Development, and self-reported estimates by students of the average time spent on selected courses. Data included identification of the associated competency acquired. Data analysis was conducted using Python, version 3.10.11. RESULTS. The course choices of 629 students were analysed. In 2020 there were 300 participants and in 2021 there were 329. All the students had one compulsory inclusion in the elective (Management and Leadership Short Course for Undergraduate Healthcare Students). Students in both years reported spending the most average time on courses related to clinical knowledge (Healthcare Practitioner), followed by financial literacy and management (Professional), diversity management (Collaborator), and priority actions to identify and/or respond to (Health Advocate). The most popular courses related to the Leader and Manager role were around decision-making in human resources, problem-solving, and managing healthcare teams. Based on the top 10 LinkedIn Learning course selections of both cohorts, there appeared to be a preference for courses that were consistent with the role of medical professionals in practice. The most popular LinkedIn Learning course was The Six Morning Habits of High Performers. CONCLUSION. Students gravitated toward courses aligned with their role as professional doctors within the HPCSA competency framework. More studies are needed to understand how medical students develop the six non-clinical roles in the HPCSA framework and the effectiveness of MOOCs in a medical curriculum.

BACKGROUND. Preventable blindness is a global public health problem. In South Africa (SA) the prevalence of blindness is increasing, with a higher proportion of cataracts than the global norm, and a large rural population with limited access to specialised eye-care services. OBJECTIVE. To determine the level of knowledge regarding preventable blindness and treatment options within a rural and urban population. SETTING. Rural and urban areas in the Eastern Cape, SA. METHODS. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 309 participants. Questionnaires were administered by fieldworkers at the different sites. Proportions were calculated and χ² tests done to determine whether there was any significant relationship between the categorical variables. Data analysis was done using Stata version 15. RESULTS. Participants were almost equally distributed among the urban (49.2%) and rural areas (50.8%). Both groups had a similar composition of males and females. Most participants had completed high school. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the urban and rural participants' knowledge about the causes of blindness: refractive error χ² (1, N=30) = 8.20, p<0.05, and cataract χ² (1, N=28) = 8.64, p<0.05. The top two differences in the views between urban and rural participants regarding symptoms associated with eye problems (p<0.05) were: 'people who need spectacles have double vision', χ² (1, N=122) = 28.19; and 'people who need spectacles squint their eyes', χ² (1, N=124) = 17.37. The majority of urban participants reported opting to go to a private optometrist for eye health services, while the majority of rural participants would go to a pharmacy. Both groups were aware of the role of ageing in blindness. CONCLUSION. Urban participants in this study appeared to be more knowledgeable than rural participants about the causes and symptoms of blindness and its treatment options. These findings should provide some value to those who provide primary healthcare services in rural areas as there is a clear opportunity for patient education and health promotion regarding the causes and symptoms of these common preventable causes of blindness. Addressing this knowledge gap regarding the causes and symptoms of blindness and the treatment options is a critical first step for awareness programmes in rural areas. Without this, there will be little demand for any treatment or service. Future studies are needed to understand which health promotion interventions are effective in preventable blindness in rural populations.

The BCL furnace is scheduled to restart operations after being placed on care and maintenance in 2016 due to depressed nickel prices. The decision to start operations after such a stoppage ought to be led by a techno-economic evaluation of process options to make operations more resilient. For BCL, the decision lies between using the existing flash-smelting furnace (FSF) or a top-submerged lance (TSL) furnace. Available studies show that the FSF combined with other converting technologies is cheaper to operate; however, such studies are based on flowsheet simulation results of single copper concentrates and therefore do not provide a full scope of practical capabilities based on smelter operator skills. Using a t-test on normalized prior operational data from three Cu FSF and two Cu TSL, it was found that the only statistical differences between the operating costs of the FSF and TSL technologies are in the coal use for heating the feed blow and number of rebuilds: the FSF consumes coal to heat the feed blow and the TSL requires 2.4 rebuilds during a course of a single FSF campaign. A summative operating cost comparison over the existing BCL FSF 11-year life shows that BCL can decrease operational costs by some BWP 55.5 million if the operation were to change to the newer TSL technology. The savings derive from reduced coal use, which is normally associated with heating the blow when using the FSF. Despite the TSL carrying added costs of 2.4 rebuilds during a life time of one FSF furnace campaign, the cost associated with the TSL rebuilds of approximately BWP 1.3 million is minimal compared with the overall operational expenditure decrease that BCL will incur on using the TSL technology. In terms of the technology, BCL can have higher Ni-Cu recoveries at lower operational costs by elimination of Ni-Cu losses and eliminating the slag-cleaning furnace by converting to a TSL furnace.

As ocean temperatures increase, so does the need for accurate, regular, and widespread temperature data. This is especially important for researchers studying corals, which can be pushed over their bleaching thresholds by small, sustained changes in water temperature. Satellite data products offer longitudinal estimates of sea surface temperature (SST) taken at regular intervals without the ongoing costs and geospatial limits associated with underwater temperature loggers. However, previous work indicates satellite data are sometimes characterized by significant temperature biases, particularly in stratified coastal waters. Here, we compared the foundation sea surface temperature (fSST) estimated from a highly processed, gridded satellite data set (GHRSST MUR L4 Global SST) to in situ temperature (IST) data collected from coral reef habitats in the top 20 m of the water column at 19 sites in Panama. Comparisons between Pacific and Caribbean coasts and between upwelling and non-upwelling seasons provide a robust test of the utility of this product to estimate subsurface temperatures. The mean differences between fSST and IST show that MUR fSST accurately reflects temperatures at shallow (<9 m) depths on the Caribbean coast (mean bias ≤0.55°C ± standard error (SE) 0.01°C) and during the non-upwelling season on the Pacific coast (mean bias ≤0.26°C ± SE 0.03°C). MUR fSST poorly reflects IST during the Pacific upwelling season, especially at sites 12 m and deeper. In such cases, 66% of satellite estimates deviated from ISTs by >1°C. Our findings underscore how highly processed SST data products should be ground-truthed before being used as a substitute for IST, especially in upwelling areas.

Klipspruit Colliery is experiencing coal losses, which leads to a negative impact on coal production and subsequently loss in revenue. This study aimed to identify the possible causes of coal losses in the No. 4 upper and lower seams. The objectives were to identify potential sources of coal losses through a literature survey, to identify areas where the coal losses occurred, to determine factors affecting coal losses, and to identify the most cost-effective methods to reduce coal losses. Highwall losses, top-of-coal losses, and coal edge losses were identified as the major areas of coal loss at Klipspruit. These losses were mostly attributed to the drilling and blasting practises of the pre-split, interburden waste, and the coal seams. Recommendations include re-visiting the current pre-split design and the tolerances adopted for the interburden and coal seam drilling and blasting design. It is furthermore recommended that Klipspruit implement a continuous improvement plan for the drilling and blasting and refresher training for the blasting crew and operators.

Abstract The University of São Paulo (USP) is acknowledged for its scientific and cultural significance. This article investigates the extent of USP’s influence on the shaping of Brazil’s governing elites. The study is founded on a quantitative analysis of the academic background of individuals occupying top positions in the federal public administration (Presidents of the Republic, Presidents of the Central Bank, Ministers of State, leaders of the Legislative, Judiciary, and the Public Prosecutor Service) from the 1930s to the present day. The data reveals that USP has made a significant contribution to the education of high-ranking federal members across various spheres, with its influence being predominant. The participation of USP alumni varies over time and between different political regimes, being more pronounced during democratic periods. Moreover, other higher education institutions have also played crucial roles in the formation of governing elites. The diversity of institutions attended by government members reflects the complexity and dynamics of the formation of Brazilian elites, influenced by political and social changes over time. (USP significance USPs s Brazils Brazil elites Republic Bank State Legislative Judiciary Service day highranking high ranking spheres predominant regimes periods Moreover

Resumo A Universidade de São Paulo (USP) é reconhecida por sua importância científica e cultural. O artigo investiga o grau de influência da USP na formação das elites dirigentes do Brasil. O estudo se baseia em uma análise quantitativa da formação acadêmica dos ocupantes do alto escalão da administração pública federal (Presidentes da República, Presidentes do Banco Central, Ministros de Estado, líderes do Legislativo, Judiciário e do Ministério Público) desde os anos 1930 até a atualidade. Os dados revelam que a USP contribuiu significativamente para a formação de membros do alto escalão federal em diferentes esferas e sua influência é dominante. A participação de egressos da USP varia ao longo do tempo e entre diferentes regimes políticos, sendo mais acentuada em períodos democráticos. Além disso, outras instituições de ensino superior também tiveram papéis importantes na formação de elites dirigentes. A diversidade de instituições frequentadas pelos membros do governo reflete a complexidade e a dinâmica da formação das elites brasileiras, influenciada por mudanças políticas e sociais ao longo do tempo. (USP cultural Brasil República Central Estado Legislativo Público 193 atualidade dominante políticos democráticos disso brasileiras 19 1

This research explores the employability of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) era in South Africa. It examines the role of TVET lecturers in providing skills that are relevant to the contemporary period. The study uses qualitative research inspired by the interpretivist approach, and a purposive sampling strategy to get the perspectives of TVET lecturers and employers. It was observed that TVET lecturers play a minimal role in the development of the curriculum due to a rigid top-down approach from the Ministry of Higher Education. Companies are forming partnerships with TVET colleges by offering places for in-service training, practicals and internships. The study reveals that South African businesses have adopted 4IR-related technologies, requiring a skilled TVET force that is ready for these transformations. The findings highlight the need for regular curriculum transformation and the importance of TVET education in producing artisans, technologists and technicians that are vital for the South African economy on an ongoing basis.