State University of Campinas (UNICAMP)

Resumo Este artigo propõe um indicador que descreve, para cada município brasileiro, o nível de aprendizagem de seus estudantes do ensino fundamental e as desigualdades de aprendizagem entre grupos de estudantes definidos por nível socioeconômico, raça e sexo. Esse indicador é necessário porque as desigualdades de aprendizagem são crescentes e, contudo, não são observadas pelo principal indicador educacional do país, o Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica (IDEB). O estudo inicialmente conceitualiza justiça em educação, situando-se no debate sobre teorias de justiça distributiva. Em seguida, apresenta os aspectos metodológicos do indicador e os resultados obtidos. A principal constatação é que as disciplinas e séries escolares nas quais se verificou o maior número de municípios aumentando o seu nível de aprendizagem são também aquelas em que se verificou forte aumento das desigualdades.

This article proposes an indicator that describes each Brazilian municipality’s learning level of its elementary school students, as well as learning inequalities among groups of students defined by socioeconomic status, race, and sex. This indicator is necessary because learning inequalities are growing and are not observed by the country’s main educational indicator, the Basic Education Development Index (IDEB). This study initially conceptualizes justice in education, positioning itself in the debate on theories of justice. Then, it presents the methodological aspects of the indicator and the results obtained. The main finding is that the subjects and school grades in which the highest number of municipalities increased their learning levels are also those in which there was a strong increase in inequalities.

Resumo Este comentário critica a reprodução da crença equivocada de que a economia mainstream é igual à economia neoclássica e de que esta, por sua vez, é igual à economia (neo)liberal. A rejeição dessas igualdades complica as relações entre economia mainstream, ortodoxa e heterodoxa. O comentário argumenta também que o caso do Brasil é diferente do americano, pois várias ideias econômicas que são marginalizadas nos Estados Unidos têm prestígio e influência na academia brasileira, o que torna o próprio conceito de economia mainstream mais ambíguo. Tudo isso implica várias divergências em relação ao artigo recente de Francisco Marques (2024). Outras diferenças são apontadas no que se refere ao uso de matemática, estatística e econometria e à interdisciplinaridade. O resultado é uma visão mais complexa da academia de economia nos Estados Unidos e sobretudo no Brasil. O comentário também identifica e corrige as principais distorções na tradução que Marques faz de um trecho relativamente longo de Dequech (2018).

Orange-fleshed non-netted honeydew melon has high nutritional and economic potential, being widely appreciated as a refreshing sweet fruit. Therefore, evaluating commercial samples of such relevant products for the fresh fruit market is of great importance. This study investigated the antioxidant capacity, quality parameters, and chemical composition of honeydew melons from the Brazilian market. The values of pH and °Brix determined for melon samples were 6.5 ± 0.30 and 9.2 ± 0.80 g/100 g (fresh weight), respectively, which agree with the results expected for high-quality melons. The chromatography analysis revealed sucrose (49% of total sugar) as the main sugar, followed by fructose (30%) and glucose (21%). Carotenoids, which are directly linked to the characteristic orange color, showed a total level of 270.59 µg/g (dry weight). Additionally, the higher b* value compared to a* value indicates the highest yellow contribution. Regarding the antioxidant assays, in addition to presenting antioxidant capacity for both methods applied, DPPH and FRAP, levels ranging from 16.40 ± 0.21 µmol ascorbic acid equivalent/g to 56.98 ± 0.80 µmol Trolox equivalent/g (dry weight) were reported in melon extracts. Moreover, the results were higher in terms of FRAP than DPPH. Therefore, the results underscore the evaluated honeydew melons as valuable sources of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids and phenolics, which contribute to their antioxidant properties. Besides, analyses of color, pH, and total soluble solids content also reflect the quality attributes.

Despite the significant socioeconomic impact of yam cultivation in developing countries, this field needs more scientific studies and incentives. In Brazil, the absence of a developed processing chain has resulted in a considerable production loss due to the predominant form of commercialization (in natura). This study aimed was to examine the physicochemical and technological composition of yams of the species Dioscorea trifida L., including both white and purple varieties. The aim was to contribute to an increase in food utilization and technological potential. The proximate composition of the flours indicated that the yam species investigated have the potential for human consumption and are good sources of energy (1,489 and 1,527 kJ), with considerable levels of total fiber (8.18 and 6.69 g 100 g–1), potassium (1,325 and 981 mg 100 g–1), and phenolic compounds (133 and 110 mg 100 g–1) for white and purple yams, respectively. Additionally, the yams demonstrated distinct properties in water and oil, indicating their potential for use in breading applications. The viscoamylographic profiles of purple yam flour and yam starches were found suitable for use in quick-cooking foods that reach high viscosity when heated, whereas white yam flour was identified as a suitable thickening agent. The yams yielded flours and starches with favorable characteristics as food ingredients, offering greater added value and enhanced stability compared to the original raw materials. They present a sustainable alternative for reducing post-harvest losses and, as they are gluten-free, they cater to the celiac population. Keywords: tuber; gluten free; ingredient; sustainability

Neglected tropical viral diseases are a burden to social and economic welfare being responsible for higher pathogen‐related mortality rates and chronic debilitating patient conditions. Climatic changes have widened up the infectibility ratio of such diseases, with autochthonous transmission in formerly temperate‐to‐cold environments. The slow‐paced development of potential vaccines followed by the inexistence of antiviral drugs for such diseases considerably worsens the situation. Coordination compounds are a class of molecules that have been extensively explored as antiviral drugs for viruses such as poliovirus, HIV and, more recently, SARS‐CoV‐2, figuring as potential molecules to be explored and capitalized as antivirals against neglected viral strains. In this review the current efforts from the inorganic medicinal chemistry to address viral neglected tropical diseases, with emphasis to coordination compounds, is presented. Since many of neglected viruses are also arthropod‐borne viruses, relying on a vector for transmission, coordination entities able to mitigate vectors are also presented as a parallel strategy to prevent and control such diseases.

Water main bursts not only lead to financial losses, but also water losses. Climate change and water resources scarcity puts in perspective the need to understand the conditions of the water transportation infrastructure to prevent accidents. The objective of this work is to present resilience indices related to the operation of the water system and infrastructure operational limits to aid decision maker to evaluate risk. The resilience indexes were established based on four indexes arising from transient flows simulation: burst pressure, minimum transient pressure, maximum air volume and resultant forces. Decision making on a complex problem with many parameters based on a simple index is not straightforward, therefore we used a multicriteria decision technique to assist, the simplified three-scale Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). To test the proposed method, a case study of a trunk main from the municipality of Franca, Brazil is presented. To calculate the indexes a hydraulic model with transient flows of the referred system was simulated. For the case study, a few scenarios were evaluated. The scenario where no protection devices are present is the most critical. Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process; Resilience indices; Transient flows; Water main

Societal Impact Statement Forest ecosystems absorb and store about 25% of global carbon dioxide emissions annually and are increasingly shaped by human land use and management. Climate change interacts with land use and forest dynamics to influence observed carbon stocks and the strength of the land carbon sink. We show that climate change effects on modeled forest land carbon stocks are strongest in tropical wildlands that have limited human influence. Global forest carbon stocks and carbon sink strength may decline as climate change and anthropogenic influences intensify, with wildland tropical forests, especially in Amazonia, likely being especially vulnerable. Summary Human effects on ecosystems date back thousands of years, and anthropogenic biomes—anthromes—broadly incorporate the effects of human population density and land use on ecosystems. Forests are integral to the global carbon cycle, containing large biomass carbon stocks, yet their responses to land use and climate change are uncertain but critical to informing climate change mitigation strategies, ecosystem management, and Earth system modeling. Using an anthromes perspective and the site locations from the Global Forest Carbon (ForC) Database, we compare intensively used, cultured, and wildland forest lands in tropical and extratropical regions. We summarize recent past (1900‐present) patterns of land use intensification, and we use a feedback analysis of Earth system models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 to estimate the sensitivity of forest carbon stocks to CO2 and temperature change for different anthromes among regions. Modeled global forest carbon stock responses are positive for CO2 increase but neutral to negative for temperature increase. Across anthromes (intensively used, cultured, and wildland forest areas), modeled forest carbon stock responses of temperate and boreal forests are less variable than those of tropical forests. Tropical wildland forest areas appear especially sensitive to CO2 and temperature change, with the negative temperature response highlighting the potential vulnerability of the globally significant carbon stock in tropical forests. The net effect of anthropogenic activities—including land‐use intensification and environmental change and their interactions with natural forest dynamics—will shape future forest carbon stock changes. These interactive effects will likely be strongest in tropical wildlands.

In this work, we designed and implemented an enhanced Lagrangian‐Eulerian numerical method for solving a wide range of nonlinear balance laws, including systems of hyperbolic equations with source terms. We developed both fully discrete and semi‐discrete formulations, and extended the concept of No‐Flow curves to this general class of nonlinear balance laws. We conducted a numerical convergence study using weak asymptotic analysis, which involved investigating the existence, uniqueness, and regularity of entropy‐weak solutions computed with our scheme. The proposed method is Riemann‐solver‐free. To evaluate the shock‐capturing capabilities of the enhanced Lagrangian‐Eulerian numerical scheme, we carried out numerical experiments that demonstrate its ability to accurately resolve the key features of balance law models and hyperbolic problems. A representative set of numerical examples is provided to illustrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method.

Discussed here is a regularized version of the classical Gardner equation that arises in hydrodynamics and plasma physics. This initial-value problem posed on all of ${\mathbb {R}}$ will be considered with bore-like initial data. That is, the initial wave configuration will consist of a moderately smooth function that asymptotes to zero as the spatial variable $x \rightarrow +\infty$, but converges to $r > 0$ as $x \rightarrow -\infty$. Such initial profiles can arise in internal wave propagation, for example. In their idealized versions set on all of ${\mathbb {R}}$, they possess an infinite amount of potential energy. This makes the analysis of the initial-value problem a slightly more subtle than the common situation where the initial profile is assumed to be localized, so being modelled by Sobolev-class initial data.

In the context of sustainable energy use, multiple criteria are involved in the decision to select the best energy generation projects, as well as its installation location. However, despite the widespread use of decision-making techniques, there is a noticeable gap due to the lack of a systematic process for selecting the best projects for energy transition. This paper evaluates alternatives of photovoltaic panels for energy generation in floating systems and proposes a procedure to select the best project using a multiple-criteria decision analysis. The Entropy method was used to determine the weight of eight criteria, including cost, number of cells, efficiency, area, panel weight, and power characteristics, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to make the selection. A sensitivity analysis was conducted considering different weighing methods. Among the 20 photovoltaic panels analysed, the method proved to be effective in determining the most successful one for installation in floating systems. The chosen panel maintained the best performance in all scenarios tested. This paper provides a systematic approach for selecting the most suitable photovoltaic panel for floating energy systems, contributing to researchers to refine decision-making methodologies and practitioners to optimise project implementation in sustainable energy initiatives.

This paper aims to analyze to what extent particular entrepreneurial perspectives can influence Sustainable Value Creation (SVC) in Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship. It is intended to identify the main entrepreneurial perspectives that facilitate the creation of social, economic, and environmental value, comparing the most appropriate configurations between sustainable and traditional KIE. Data from a cross-sectional study with 285 Brazilian knowledge-intensive entrepreneurs participating in the Brazilian Innovative Research in Small Businesses (PIPE) program were analyzed using a multi-method methodology approach, combining Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), Necessary Conditional Analysis (NCA), and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). Results presented empirical evidence that perceived social support and environmental engagement significantly influence SVC, regarding the knowledge-intensive sustainable entrepreneurs sample. Especially regarding the traditional sample, only empathy seems to be an antecedent of SVC. Findings were also supported by the NCA method, which pointed out the necessary conditions for both samples to create higher levels of sustainable value. Further, the fsQCA technique provided pathways for both samples to improve their strategies on sustainable value. Taking an explicative and quantitatively-applied methodological approach, our empirical estimations have used a multi-method procedure. Our empirical exercises have highlighted which entrepreneurial perspectives influence SVC for both sustainable versus ‘traditional’ entrepreneurs. Further, we also specify the configurational path alternatives to move in the direction of higher levels of sustainable value.

Objective: errors are inevitable in the scholarly pursuit of truth, yet they are often seen as flaws rather than growth opportunities. This paper examines the tension between scholars’ inherent fallibility and rigorous academic research standards, particularly concerning quantitative methods such as exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The focus is on whether the academic community effectively balances the acceptance of errors as part of the learning process, with the relentless pursuit of truth and how this balance influences the advancement of knowledge within the context of evolving statistical tools needed to improve our understanding of complex global relationships. Provocations: if errors are fundamental to scientific progress, why does the academic community approach them with apprehension? This fear of mistakes may inhibit innovation, especially in fields such as quantitative methods research, where the stakes are high. Another question is whether the accessibility of user-friendly statistical software has led to a superficial understanding of complex methodologies, prioritizing convenience over depth. Conclusions: we advocate for a shift in how the academic community perceives errors toward viewing them as essential to the research process rather than as fatal flaws. Embracing a humble approach to pointing out mistakes and limitations, particularly with quantitative methods such as EFA and SEM, can create a more innovative and progressive research environment. We call for a cultural shift where constructive critiques are balanced with understanding our collective fallibility, with the ultimate goal of producing more impactful scholarship. Keywords: scientific fallibility; quantitative methods; exploratory factor analysis; academic rigor; structural equation modeling (SEM)

This article aims to characterize the large-scale assessments implemented in Latin America, of which Brazil is a participant, problematizing the quality that such assessment tools inflict on school education. This is a documentary research based on information available on the website of the National Institute of Studies and Educational Research Anísio Teixeira (INEP). The following assessments are described and analyzed: Comparative and Explanatory Regional Study (ERCE); Progress in Reading International Study (PIRLS); Program for International Student Assessment (PISA); and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). We conclude that the quality of school education is central to these assessments, generally translated into scores obtained by students’ performance on standardized tests, forming a notion of quality almost exclusively associated with the results of school learning, even though contextual questionnaires accompany these assessments. Furthermore, the characterization of large-scale assessment initiatives present in Latin America reveals the increasingly robust interest of international organizations in creating instruments capable of measuring student learning, enabling the comparison of the quality of school education between and within educational systems. Keywords: Large-Scale Assessment; Latin America; Quality of School Education; International Assessments

Resumo: Este artigo trata de uma pesquisa do tipo Estado da Arte cujo objetivo foi identificar e analisar as dissertações e teses defendidas no período de 1972 a 2019, que usaram como referencial o autor Vigotski e que trataram de práticas pedagógicas sobre ensino de Física Moderna e Contemporânea para o Ensino Médio. Os trabalhos foram classificados por meio de descritores de análise, institucionais e pedagógicos, para a compreensão das principais características das pesquisas. Foram localizadas 34 pesquisas dentro desse escopo, das quais a maioria abordou práticas escolares relacionadas à Astronomia e Cosmologia, Física Quântica e Física Nuclear. Sobre os Modelos Pedagógicos, foram encontradas 18 pesquisas alinhadas ao modelo CTS e 16 práticas construtivistas. Esses modelos utilizam métodos e estratégias de ensino que estão próximos à Teoria Sociocultural de Vigotski, e quatro, com estratégias de ensino antagônicas às vigotskianas.