INOVAÇÃO EM SERVIÇO ORIENTADA PARA GESTÃO DE RESÍDUOS: ESTUDO DE CASO EM UMA PRESTADORA DE SERVIÇOS NA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE BELO HORIZONTE

It is common knowledge that civil construction industry causes large externalities in the environment. This article contributes to the area of corporate social responsibility in organizations seeking innovations that reduce the impacts caused by construction waste in society. The objective of this article is to analyze the business structuring and best practices in a small organization that offers innovation in service oriented to waste management, seeking to discover which improvements can be implemented in this evolutionary process. It is a case study that involved participatory interviews and documentary analysis as enabling instruments. The chosen organization won an award due to its offer of innovative services that support waste management in the construction industry. The results were analyzed from the perspectives of innovation, RSC, and Stakeholder Theory. In conclusion, an organization innovates when it seeks to continue adding value, transforming environmental constraints into new business. Best practices in waste management can be achieved through the knowledge and lessons learned and developed through a repository that collects, stores and distributes information about experiences in projects. Finally, it is possible to improve the preparation of the contracts, making them available for consultation by interested parties and enabling better control of tasks.Es del conocimiento común que la Construcción Civil causa grandes externalidades en el medio ambiente. Este artículo contribuye para el área de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) en organizaciones buscando innovaciones que reduzcan los impactos provocados por residuos de la Construcción Civil en la sociedad. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la estructura del negocio y las mejores prácticas en una organización pequeña que ofrece innovación en el servicio orientado a la gestión de residuos, lo que permite descubrir qué mejoras se pueden implementar en este proceso evolutivo. Es un estudio de caso que tuvo entrevistas participativas y análisis documental como instrumentos habilitadores. La organización elegida ganó el premio debido a su oferta de servicios innovadores que apoyan la gestión de residuos de la Construcción Civil. Los resultados fueron analizados sobre la perspectiva de la innovación, RSC y teoría de las partes interesadas. En conclusión, una organización innova cuando busca continuar agregando valor, transformando la restricción ambiental en nuevos negocios. Las mejores prácticas en la gestión de residuos se pueden lograr a través del conocimiento y las lecciones aprendidas desarrolladas a través de un repositorio que recopila, almacena y distribuye información sobre experiencias en proyectos. Finalmente, es posible mejorar la preparación de los contratos, poniéndolos a disposición de las partes interesadas para su consulta y permitiendo un mejor control de las tareas.É consabido que a Construção Civil provoca externalidades de grande monta no ambiente. Este artigo contribui para a área da Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC) em organizações, buscando inovações que reduzam os impactos provocados por resíduos da Construção Civil na sociedade. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a estruturação empresarial e melhores práticas em uma organização de pequeno porte que oferece inovação em serviço, orientada para gestão de resíduos, possibilitando descobrir quais melhorias podem ser implementadas neste processo evolutivo. Trata-se de um estudo de caso que teve as entrevistas participativas e a análise documental como instrumentos habilitadores. A organização escolhida conquistou prêmios devido a sua oferta de serviços inovadores que apoiam a gestão de resíduos da Construção Civil. Os resultados foram analisados sob a perspectiva da inovação, da RSC e da teoria dos stakeholders. Conclui-se que uma organização inova quando busca continuar agregando valor, transformando constrangimento ambiental em novos negócios. Pode-se alcançar melhores práticas em gestão dos resíduos por meio do conhecimento e das lições aprendidas e desenvolvidas por meio de um repositório que coleta, armazena e distribui informações sobre experiências em projetos. Por fim, é possível melhorar a confecção dos contratos, disponibilizando-os para consultas pelas partes interessadas e possibilitando melhor controle das tarefas

Eficiência em inovação de organizações associadas à fundação mineira de software

Este artigo apresenta um modelo de avaliação da eficiência aplicado a empresas associadas à Fundação Mineira de Software - FUMSOFT. O modelo adotado na mensuração foi o Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) - (BANKER, CHARNES, COOPER, 1984) orientado a produto. A metodologia focou em métricas de produção da inovação nas firmas. Os insumos escolhidos baseados na literatura foram o número de empregados em geral e empregados com formação stricto sensu mestrado ou doutorado; e, os produtos foram faturamento bruto, número de projetos de inovação desenvolvidos com sucesso e participação de novos produtos ou serviços no faturamento. As medidas de resultados foram baseadas na construção e analise da fronteira de eficiência técnica relativa por meio da qual as empresas são classificadas em eficientes e não eficientes. Foram coletados dados de 28 organizações. Utilizou-se o método não paramétrico Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) (CHARNES, COOPER, RHODES, 1978) para avaliar graus de eficiência. Concluindo, onze organizações operaram com eficiência, nove dispõem de oportunidade para melhoria no total de vinte e oito empresas analisadas. Cinco foram excluídas como outliers

Papel do carbono no solo no funcionamento da paisagem na bacia do Alto São Bartolomeu, na região do Cerrado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do carbono no solo no funcionamento da paisagem em Latossolos sobre chapadas da bacia hidrográfica do Alto São Bartolomeu, na região do Cerrado do Brasil Central. A concentração de carbono orgânico no solo (COS), os estoques de carbono no solo, e algumas características físicas e químicas do solo foram determinadas a 0-0,20 m de profundidade, em áreas nativas e antrópicas. Os solos de fragmentos de cerrado sentido restrito foram semelhantes física e quimicamente, tendo sido influenciados por Al3+ trocável e concentrações de COS, enquanto as matrizes antrópicas foram influenciadas por densidade do solo, pH, P disponível, e Ca2+ e Mg2+ trocáveis. A estimativa da distribuição espacial do COS para áreas nativas e antrópicas apresentou R2 ajustado de 64,49%, com uso de estoques de carbono, e de 66,50%, com as concentrações de COS das áreas nativas e antrópicas. Estimar a concentração de COS a partir do solo e de feições da paisagem, por meio do uso de geotecnologias aplicadas aos índices de vegetação, é uma ferramenta potencial para avaliar a produtividade dos agroecossistemas, além de contribuir para estratégias de gestão mais adequadas em grandes escalas.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of soil carbon on landscape functioning of the Oxisols covering the plateaus of the Alto São Bartolomeu watershed, in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) region of Central Brazil. Soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration, carbon stocks, and some soil physical and chemical characteristics were determined at the 0-0.20-m depth on native and anthropogenic areas. Soils from cerrado stricto sensu patches were similar both physically and chemically, being affected by exchangeable Al3+ and by SOC concentrations, while anthropogenic matrices were affected by soil bulk density, pH, extractable P, and exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+. The estimate of spatial distribution of soil carbon better fitted had an adjusted R2 of 64.49% using soil C stock and 66.50% using SOC concentration from native and anthropic areas. Estimating SOC concentration from soil and landscape types, using geotechnologies to analyze vegetation indices, is a potential tool to evaluate the productivity of different agroecosystems, besides contributing to make management strategies more suitable on large scales

In situ remote sensing as a strategy to predict cotton seed yield

Crop harvest scheduling and profits and losses predications require strategies that estimate crop yield. This work aimed to investigate the contribution of phenological variables using path analysis and remote sensing techniques on cotton boll yield and to generate a model using decision trees that help predict cotton boll yield. The sampling field was installed in Chapadão do Céu, in an area of 90 ha. The following phenological variables were evaluated at 30 sample points: plant height at 26, 39, 51, 68, 82, 107, 128, and 185 days after emergence (DAE); number of floral buds at 68, 81, 107, 128, and 185 DAE; number of bolls at 185 DAE; Rededge vegetation index at 23, 35, 53, 91, and 168 DAE; and cotton boll yield. The main variables that can be used to predict cotton boll yield are the number of floral buds (at 107 days after emergence) and the Rededge vegetation index (at 53 and 91 days after emergence). To obtain higher cotton boll yields, the Rededge vegetation index must be greater than 39 at 53 days after emergence, and the plant must present at least 14 floral buds at 107 days after emergence

Fractal and Polar Microstrip Antennas and Arrays for Wireless Communications

This chapter presents the research done by authors in recent years on microstrip antennas and their applications in wireless sensors network. The subject is delimited to the study of conventional microstrip antennas, from which antennas with fractal and polar shapes are proposed. A detailed description of the antenna design methodology is presented for some prototypes of microstrip antennas manufactured with different dielectric substrates. Analysis of the proposed antennas has been done through computational simulation of full-wave methods. Experimental characterization of antennas and dielectric materials has been performed with the use of a vector network analyzer. The results obtained for the resonant and radiation parameters of the antennas are presented. Computer-aided design (CAD) of microstrip antennas and arrays using fractal and polar geometrical transformations results in a wide class of antenna elements with desirable and unique characteristics, such as compact, exclusive, and esthetic antenna design for multiband or broadband frequency operation with stable radiation pattern

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19

Background: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to “train” the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19./ Methods: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of “severe” above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis./ Results: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74–93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI − 44–71%) in older subjects./ Conclusions: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research.

Previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19

BACKGROUND: BCG vaccination, originally used to prevent tuberculosis, is known to "train" the immune system to improve defence against viral respiratory infections. We investigated whether a previous BCG vaccination is associated with less severe clinical progression of COVID-19 METHODS: A case-control study comparing the proportion with a BCG vaccine scar (indicating previous vaccination) in cases and controls presenting with COVID-19 to health units in Brazil. Cases were subjects with severe COVID-19 (O2 saturation < 90%, severe respiratory effort, severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock). Controls had COVID-19 not meeting the definition of "severe" above. Unconditional regression was used to estimate vaccine protection against clinical progression to severe disease, with strict control for age, comorbidity, sex, educational level, race/colour, and municipality. Internal matching and conditional regression were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: BCG was associated with high protection against COVID-19 clinical progression, over 87% (95% CI 74-93%) in subjects aged 60 or less and 35% (95% CI - 44-71%) in older subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This protection may be relevant for public health in settings where COVID-19 vaccine coverage is still low and may have implications for research to identify vaccine candidates for COVID-19 that are broadly protective against mortality from future variants. Further research into the immunomodulatory effects of BCG may inform COVID-19 therapeutic research

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Canagliflozin and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes and Nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to 300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years