The University Center of Belo Horizonte (UniBH) (Portuguese: Centro Universitário de belo Horizonte) is a university located in the city of Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. It is considered the best university center of the city of Belo Horizonte and one of the best universities in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Education (survey 2011). Acquired by pt:Anima Educação (the business alias of the publicly traded company GAEC Educação, SA (ANIM3:SA)), it is one of the strongest names in higher education in Belo Horizonte, along with UFMG and PUC Minas. UniBH is also one of the most prestigious universities in the country, due to their extension projects and their effort in bringing quality private education to those less fortunate. The UniBH also has ten courses by starry Student Guide of Editora Abril and two courses regarded as the best in the country, Physical Education and Mathematics, according to the RUF 2012 (University Ranking of Folha de S.Paulo). UniBH was acquired in 2009 by Anima Educação.A total of 50 academic programs offered at UniBH lead to Bachelor's of Science, Bachelor's of Arts, Master's, MBA and special Degrees in a variety of disciplines including Biomedicine, Biological Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Journalism, Advertising, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Computer Science, Aeronautic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Geography, Geology, Environmental Management, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, Mining, History, Mathematics, Education, Social Service, International Relations, Law, Business Administration, Accounting, Foreign Trade, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, etc.Noteworthy are the courses Medicine (one of the busiest of Minas Gerais), Law, Education, International Relations, Accounting, Ecology and Journalism, which has among its graduates many of the journalists working in the media mineira. Aiming to integrate teaching, research and extension, the institution maintains the TV UniBH (present on Brazilian cable TV), which operates since 1998 showing a varied program that includes the knowledge produced by the University Center..
Refractory linings play a crucial role in metallurgical operations, facing extreme conditions such as high temperatures, mechanical stress, and corrosive slag. This exposure can result in significant loss of mass and thickness, consequently shortening their useful life. A post-mortem study is therefore essential for understanding the complex corrosion mechanisms and for developing effective mitigation strategies. Identifying the predominant wear mechanisms, such as chemical dissolution and structural spalling, allows for the formulation of new refractory materials and advanced technologies. These innovations are key to improving durability under harsh conditions. The central objective is to enhance the performance and extend the operational life of these refractory linings in demanding industrial processes involving high temperatures. The proposed approach is a literature review of methodologies often used in post-mortem studies of refractory linings, highlighting the effects caused by chemical corrosion from slag and metal infiltration. This analysis will focus on these critical aspects that occur in metallurgical processes.
OBJECTIVE:Agitation and related neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and contribute to caregiver burden, functional decline, and institutionalization. Cannabinoid-based therapies have been investigated as potential symptomatic interventions, but evidence remains limited by small trials, heterogeneous formulations, and variable outcome reporting. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, cognitive outcomes, and safety of cannabinoid-based therapies in AD. METHODS:This systematic review and meta-analysis were prospectively registered in PROSPERO and conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched through April 2025 for randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating cannabinoid-based therapies for agitation or neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD. One nonrandomized open-label study was retained as supplementary evidence for sensitivity analyses. Primary efficacy analyses were restricted to randomized between-group contrasts. Outcomes included Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) total score, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory-Short Form (CMAI-SF), NPI agitation/aggression, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and safety outcomes. Random-effects meta-analyses were complemented by Bayesian models and Trial Sequential Analysis. RESULTS:Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, including six randomized trials and one open-label prospective cohort, with 221 participants enrolled. Cannabinoid-based therapies showed lower neuropsychiatric symptom and agitation scores than placebo in randomized between-group analyses: NPI total score (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.31; 95% confidence intervals [CI], -0.47 to -0.15; k = 4), CMAI-SF (SMD, -0.40; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.10; k = 3), and NPI agitation/aggression (SMD, -0.47; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.25; k = 3). Bayesian posterior probabilities for lower symptom scores exceeded 95%. MMSE findings did not support a consistent cognitive benefit. Somnolence was the principal safety signal (risk ratios, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.43-3.54), with Trial Sequential Analysis suggesting sufficient accrued information for this outcome. Falls and fatigue were imprecisely estimated. CONCLUSIONS:Cannabinoid-based therapies showed lower agitation and neuropsychiatric symptom scores than placebo in AD, with somnolence as the main safety concern. Interpretation remains limited by few trials, heterogeneous formulations and outcome instruments, short follow-up, and concentrated statistical weight. Larger randomized trials with formulation-specific protocols, longer follow-up, active comparators, and systematic safety monitoring are needed.
INTRODUCTION:Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is frequently associated with conduction disturbances and arrhythmias, often requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation in an elderly, high-bleeding-risk population. Leadless pacemakers (LPMs) reduce pocket and lead-related complications and have demonstrated noninferior safety compared with transvenous pacemakers (TVP) in non-TAVR populations. However, comparative data in the post-TAVR setting are lacking. METHODS:We systematically searched Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Sciences and Scopus for studies comparing LPM vs. TVP following TAVR. Random effects models were used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality, device-related complications, re-hospitalization and vascular access site complications. Statistical analysis was performed with R software, version 4.2.3. RESULTS:Six retrospective studies comprising 10,681 patients were included, of whom 874 (7.56%) underwent LPM implantation. Compared with TVP, LPM was associated with a significant reduction in device related complications (RR 0.46; 95% 0.25-0.83; p < 0.011) and vascular access site complications (RR 0.15; 95% CI 0.03-0.68; p = 0.011). There was no significant difference in re-hospitalization (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.23-3.12; p = 0.76). LPM was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR 1.61; 95% CI 1.01-2.57; p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS:Among these six retrospective studies, LPM use following TAVR was associated with fewer device-related and vascular access complications compared with TVP, albeit with a higher risk of all-cause mortality at 2 years. However, this finding likely reflects a selection bias in non-adjusted baseline characteristics rather than device inferiority. No significant differences were observed in re-hospitalization between the two strategies. Prospective studies are required to confirm or refute these findings.
This study provides an integrated assessment of the climatology, variability, and long-term trends of precipitation and air temperature in a key agricultural region of northwestern São Paulo, Brazil, and evaluates their relationship with five large-scale climate oscillations. Using 40 years of high-resolution CHIRPS precipitation and ERA5-Land temperature data, the analysis identifies a significant long-term drying trend (–3.66 mm year⁻1) alongside a concurrent warming trend (+ 0.03 °C year⁻1). Breakpoint analysis reveals a statistically significant intensification of warming after 2000, indicating a shift in the thermal regime in recent decades. Composite analyses demonstrate that regional hydroclimatic variability reflects the combined influence of tropical and extratropical forcings, with seasonally varying influence. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) acts as the primary driver of spring precipitation, whereas the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) predominantly controls autumn and winter temperatures and contributes to winter precipitation variability, with Atlantic variability acting as a secondary modulator. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) further exhibits a seasonally contrasting thermal influence, with warming in autumn and cooling in winter. These results indicate increasing climate risk for the region and its agricultural systems, while also providing a basis for seasonal predictability and climate-informed resource management in transitional regions.
