BALANCED SCORECARD COMO SISTEMA DE AVALIAÇÃO DE DESEMPENHO DE UMA INSTITUIÇÃO DE ENSINO SUPERIOR PÚBLICA MUNICIPAL

Este artigo tem por objetivo desenvolver um modelo de avaliação de desempenho por meio da estruturação do Balanced Scorecard (BSC) em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior Pública Municipal, a Faculdade Municipal da Palhoça (FMP), no estado de Santa Catarina. Para tanto, a revisão sistemática da literatura científica internacional (por meio de um procedimento bibliométrico), permitiu a elaboração de uma estrutura de BSC adaptada para IES públicas, com indicadores e categorias baseados na literatura e alinhados de acordo com a missão, a visão, os valores, os objetivos e as metas da FMP. A construção dessa estrutura adaptada do BSC foi validada pelos gestores da FMP utilizando questionários e entrevistas para construção das funções de valor e taxas de compensação, que auxiliaram na construção de um mapa estratégico e na proposição de recomendações para melhoria do desempenho da IES. Como resultado, observou-se que Sustentabilidade foi a perspectiva com maior relevância para a FMP (50%), e com menor desempenho, este sendo 34,06; seguido por Stakeholders (20%), com baixo desempenho, equivalente a 37,72; Aprendizado e Crescimento (16%), com o melhor desempenho entre as perspectivas, equivalente a 68,15; e Processos Internos (14%), com o desempenho equivalente a 45,46

New endoscopic procedure for bladder wall closure: results from the porcine model

Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas are usually managed by radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), often followed by intravesical chemotherapy to minimize recurrence. Open surgery is the gold standard procedure for RNU, but it associates with high morbidity, and it has been increasingly replaced by minimally invasive strategies, such as laparoscopy and endoscopy. Although effective, endoscopic ureteral excision leaves the bladder unsutured, increasing the risk of tumor spillage, and precluding the immediate administration of intravesical chemotherapy. Here we describe a new method to close the bladder wall after ureteral excision, using barbed sutures via the endoscopic access. Our results in 8 female pigs demonstrate that this method is effective to close the bladder wall. The procedure was completed in a median time of 24 min, and no adverse events were registered in the follow-up or at the three-week necropsy. This technique improves a previous approach described by our group because the device is more flexible and allows to tie the knots inside the bladder. Barbed sutures have been used in the clinical practice for other types of surgeries, and therefore this method can further be adapted to human patients with no safety concerns. Its use may allow to administer intravesical chemotherapy, which reduces tumor recurrence and improves patient outcomes.The authors acknowledge Ana Goios for support in manuscript writing and technical editing, and for producing original illustrations for Figure 3. Doctoral grant of CUF Jose de Mello Saude

4-[(E)-2-(2-Chloro­benzyl­idene)hydrazin-1-yl]quinolin-1-ium chloride dihydrate

In the title hydrated salt, C16H13ClN3 +·Cl−·2H2O, a small twist is evident in the cation so that the chloro­benzene ring is not coplanar with the central hydrazinyl group [the N—C—C—C torsion angle = −4.8 (12)°]. The conformation about the imine N=C bond [1.284 (10) Å] is E. The components of the structure are connected into a three-dimensional architecture via O—H⋯O, O—H⋯Cl and N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. One water H atom is disposed over two sites of equal occupancy

Characterization of titanium welded joints by the orbital gas tungsten arc welding process for aerospace application

In this work, three welding programs for orbital gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), previously developed, were used, using pulsed current and increasing speed (#A), constant current (#B) and pulsed current and decreasing current (#C). One of these should be used for the propulsion system of the Satellite CBERS (China – Brazil Earth Resources Satellite). Welded joints using tubes of commercially pure titanium were obtained with these procedures, which were characterized by means of mechanical and metallographic tests. The obtained results showed that the three welding procedures produce welded joints free of defects and with adequate shape. Although small differences on mechanical properties and on microstructure have been observed, the three welding programs attained compatible results with international standards used in the aerospace segment. The welding program #B, due to the reduced heat input used, was considered to obtain slightly advantage over the others

Snake Venom: Any Clue for Antibiotics and CAM?

Lately several naturally occurring peptides presenting antimicrobial activity have been described in the literature. However, snake venoms, which are an enormous source of peptides, have not been fully explored for searching such molecules. The aim of this work is to review the basis of antimicrobial mechanisms revealing snake venom as a feasible source for searching an antibiotic prototype. Therefore, it includes (i) a description of the constituents of the snake venoms involved in their main biological effects during the envenomation process; (ii) examples of snake venom molecules of commercial use; (iii) mechanisms of action of known antibiotics; and (iv) how the microorganisms can be resistant to antibiotics. This review also shows that snake venoms are not totally unexplored sources for antibiotics and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)

Efeitos de um programa domiciliar de exercícios após um treinamento resistido supervisionado em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Design of the study: clinical Trial. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a homebased resistance exercise program with elastic tubing after supervised resistance training on peripheral muscle strength and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The study included 22 COPD patients, aged 55-70 years. Peripheral muscle strength and quality of life were evaluated through digital dynamometer and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ) respectively after supervised resistance training program, and then the patients were divided into two groups: home-based treatment (n = 10) and control (n = 12). After 16 weeks the assessments were repeated. Results: The home resistance training showed no significant increase in peripheral muscle strength and quality of life, however, was able to maintain the gains made in the previous supervised training. Conclusion: The continuity of home-based treatment did not promote additional improvements to supervised training after the protocol, since the gains were maintained in both assessed groups after 4 monthsDesenho do estudo: ensaio clínico. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercícios resistidos em domicílio, com tubos elásticos, após o treinamento resistido supervisionado sobre a força muscular periférica e qualidade de vida de pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). Métodos: O estudo incluiu 22 pacientes com DPOC, com idade entre 55-70 anos. A força muscular periférica e a qualidade de vida foram avaliados por meio da dinamometria e do questionário Chronic Respiratory Questionare (CRQ), respectivamente, após o programa de treinamento de resistência supervisionado, e, em seguida, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: tratamento domiciliar (n = 10) e controle (n = 12). Após 16 semanas, as avaliações foram repetidas. Resultados: O treinamento resistido em domicílio não mostrou aumento significativo sobre a força muscular periférica e qualidade de vida, no entanto, foi capaz de manter os ganhos obtidos após o programa de treinamento supervisionado. Conclusão: A continuidade do tratamento em domicílio não promoveu melhorias adicionais após o protocolo, uma vez que os ganhos foram mantidos nos dois grupos avaliados após 4 mese

Sugarcane Straw Blanket Management Effects on Plant Growth, Development, and Yield in Southeastern Brazil

In Brazilian sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) production systems, the practice of moving harvesting residue from row to inter-row positions (i.e., raking) has increased in response to producer concerns over the potential negative effects of sugarcane straw on crop establishment and stalk yield. Despite increasing adoption among sugarcane farmers, the impacts of straw raking practices on plant growth and yield remain unclear. A 2-yr experiment that included both dry and wet seasons was conducted at two sites in southeastern Brazil to evaluate straw management strategy effects on plant tillering, phytomass accumulation, plant nutritional status, and stalk yield. The experiments were established at the Bom Retiro mill and the Univalem mill. Experimental treatments included raking straw to inter-rows (raked), total straw removal (bare soil), and no straw removal (straw cover). Raked and bare soil treatments improved plant tillering but did not influence final plant population. Straw management had a slight effect on phytomass accumulation. Reduction of phytomass yield was observed from the first to the second ratoon during both seasons at both sites. At Bom Retiro, phytomass yield decreased 37% for stands established during the dry season and 19% for stands established during the wet season. At Univalem, phytomass yield decreased 20% for stands established during the dry season and 30% for stands established during the wet season. Retaining straw in the field (regardless of treatment) increased leaf tissue P content but not stalk yield. Raking straw from row to interrow positions at these locations in southeastern Brazil had no benefit on sugarcane yield but may result in soil compaction and higher production costs over time

M-Theory Moduli Space and Cosmology

We conduct a systematic search for a viable string/M-theory cosmology, focusing on cosmologies that include an era of slow-roll inflation, after which the moduli are stabilized and the Universe is in a state with an acceptably small cosmological constant. We observe that the duality relations between different cosmological backgrounds of string/M-theory moduli space are greatly simplified, and that this simplification leads to a truncated moduli space within which possible cosmological solutions lie. We review some known challenges to four dimensional models in the "outer", perturbative, region of moduli space, and use duality relations to extend them to models of all of the (compactified) perturbative string theories and 11D supergravity, including brane world models. We conclude that cosmologies restricted to the outer region are not viable, and that the most likely region of moduli space in which to find realistic cosmology is the "central", non-perturbative region, with coupling and compact volume both of order unity, in string units.Comment: 42 pages, 3 figure

Epigenetic regulation of nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible (Nos2) by NLRC4 inflammasomes involves PARP1 cleavage

Nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible (Nos2) expression is necessary for the microbicidal activity of macrophages. However, NOS2 over-activation causes multiple inflammatory disorders, suggesting a tight gene regulation is necessary. Using cytosolic flagellin as a model for inflammasome-dependent NOS2 activation, we discovered a surprising new role for NLRC4/caspase-1 axis in regulating chromatin accessibility of the Nos2 promoter. We found that activation of two independent mechanisms is necessary for NOS2 expression by cytosolic flagellin: caspase-1 and NF-kappa B activation. NF-kappa B activation was necessary, but not sufficient, for NOS2 expression. Conversely, caspase-1 was necessary for NOS2 expression, but dispensable for NF-kappa B activation, indicating that this protease acts downstream NF-kappa B activation. We demonstrated that epigenetic regulation of Nos2 by caspase-1 involves cleavage of the chromatin regulator PARP1 (also known as ARTD1) and chromatin accessibility of the NF-kappa B binding sites located at the Nos2 promoter. Remarkably, caspase-1-mediated Nos2 transcription and NO production contribute to the resistance of macrophages to Salmonella typhimurium infection. Our results uncover the molecular mechanism behind the constricted regulation of Nos2 expression and open new therapeutic opportunities based on epigenetic activities of caspase-1 against infectious and inflammatory diseases.Kanton of ZurichUniversity Research Priority Program (URPP) in Translational Cancer Biology at the University of ZurichSwiss National Science FoundationCancer Research SocietyCanadian Cancer SocietyNSERCOntario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)province of OntarioPrincess Margaret Cancer FoundationUniversity of Toronto McLaughlin CentreFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP - Brazil)Brazilian Research Council (CNPq-Brazil)CAPESINCTVUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTC Mol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Dept Microbiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Hlth Network, Princess Margaret Canc Ctr, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, CanadaUniv Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Sao Paulo & Inst Invest Imunol, Inst Nacl Ciencia Tecnol INCT 3, Sao Paulo, BrazilInst Nacl Ciencia Tecnol INCT III, Inst Invest Imunol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Zurich, Dept Mol Mech Dis, Zurich, SwitzerlandUniv Toronto, Dept Med Biophys, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, CanadaUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTC Mol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Sao Paulo, BrazilSwiss National Science Foundation: 310030B_138667Cancer Research Society: CRS19092Cancer Research Society: CRS19091Canadian Cancer Society: CCSRI 703279Canadian Cancer Society CCSRI 703716NSERC: 489073University of Toronto McLaughlin Centre: MC-2015-02FAPESP: 2013/16010-5FAPESP: 2015/18003-1Web of Scienc