O processo da inovação em pequena empresa

O mercado atual caracterizado por grande concorrência global, tem estimulado muitas empresas a buscar vantagens competitivas para manterem-se neste ambiente. A capacidade de inovar é o grande diferencial das empresas. A nova dinâmica do mercado global exige inovações em produto e processos assegurar a sobrevivência das empresas no mercado. As pequenas empresas são caracterizadas pela flexibilidade e agilidade, qualidades importantes para a inovação, portanto elas serão alvo deste trabalho. O objetivo desta dissertação é descrever como acontece o processo de inovação em uma pequena Empresa denominada FMS. Para tanto foi feito um estudo de caso da pequena Empresa metalúrgica, onde é analisada uma inovação em produto e outra em processo. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas com funcionários, sócios e documentos da empresa. Também são abordadas as estratégias tecnológicas empregadas, o estilo de gestão e características dos funcionários e sócios que participam do processo de inovação. O trabalho está fundamentado no modelo de processo de inovação interativo de Rothwell (1983). A pesquisa mostra que a Empresa FMS no seu processo de inovação segue em linha o modelo interativo. Porém a fase referente ao marketing e vendas deve ser melhor desenvolvida bem como deverá haver maior participação dos funcionários no processo. São apresentados pontos fortes e fracos relacionados com o processo de inovação, um modelo de processo de inovação para o caso e possíveis ações de melhoria para a Empresa.The current market conditions are characterized by global competition what simulates the companies to look for competitive advantages in order to survive. The innovative capacity is the main factor that is responsible for the maintenance of the enterprises in the market. Small companies usually do not have research and development (R&D) however they are flexible and more susceptible to innovation and changes. The purpose of this work is to describe than, the innovation of a product and of a process in a small metallurgical company FMS. The data was collected through interviews with employers, partners and documents. It was analysed the technological strategy employed, the management style and the profile of the workers and the partners that take a part in the innovation process. Of the different models of innovation process reviewed in the literature Rothwell's interactive model was found to be the closed model in use at FMS. However the marketing fase was found to be the weakest point of the whole process. More participation of the workers in the innovation process as well as other suggestions are also presented

The margination propensity of spherical particles for vascular targeting in the microcirculation

The propensity of circulating particles to drift laterally towards the vessel walls (margination) in the microcirculation has been experimentally studied using a parallel plate flow chamber. Fluorescent polystyrene particles, with a relative density to water of just 50 g/cm3comparable with that of liposomal or polymeric nanoparticles used in drug delivery and bio-imaging, have been used with a diameter spanning over three order of magnitudes from 50 nm up to 10 mum. The number n approximately s MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaagaart1ev2aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacPC6xNi=xH8viVGI8Gi=hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0xb9qqpG0dXdb9aspeI8k8fiI+fsY=rqGqVepae9pg0db9vqaiVgFr0xfr=xfr=xc9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaaeqabiWaaaGcbaGafmOvayLbaGaadaWgaaWcbaGaem4Camhabeaaaaa@2EB4@ of particles marginating per unit surface have been measured through confocal fluorescent microscopy for a horizontal chamber, and the corresponding total volume V approximately s MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaagaart1ev2aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacPC6xNi=xH8viVGI8Gi=hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0xb9qqpG0dXdb9aspeI8k8fiI+fsY=rqGqVepae9pg0db9vqaiVgFr0xfr=xfr=xc9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaaeqabiWaaaGcbaGafmOvayLbaGaadaWgaaWcbaGaem4Camhabeaaaaa@2EB4@ of particles has been calculated. Scaling laws have been derived as a function of the particle diameter d. In horizontal capillaries, margination is mainly due to the gravitational force for particles with d > 200 nm and V approximately s MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaagaart1ev2aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacPC6xNi=xH8viVGI8Gi=hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0xb9qqpG0dXdb9aspeI8k8fiI+fsY=rqGqVepae9pg0db9vqaiVgFr0xfr=xfr=xc9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaaeqabiWaaaGcbaGafmOvayLbaGaadaWgaaWcbaGaem4Camhabeaaaaa@2EB4@ increases with d4; whereas for smaller particles V approximately s MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaagaart1ev2aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacPC6xNi=xH8viVGI8Gi=hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0xb9qqpG0dXdb9aspeI8k8fiI+fsY=rqGqVepae9pg0db9vqaiVgFr0xfr=xfr=xc9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaaeqabiWaaaGcbaGafmOvayLbaGaadaWgaaWcbaGaem4Camhabeaaaaa@2EB4@ increases with d3. In vertical capillaries, since the particles are heavier than the fluid they would tend to marginate towards the walls in downward flows and towards the center in upward flows, with V approximately s MathType@MTEF@5@5@+=feaagaart1ev2aaatCvAUfKttLearuWrP9MDH5MBPbIqV92AaeXatLxBI9gBaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacPC6xNi=xH8viVGI8Gi=hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0xb9qqpG0dXdb9aspeI8k8fiI+fsY=rqGqVepae9pg0db9vqaiVgFr0xfr=xfr=xc9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaaeqabiWaaaGcbaGafmOvayLbaGaadaWgaaWcbaGaem4Camhabeaaaaa@2EB4@ increasing with d9/2. However, the margination in vertical capillaries is predicted to be much smaller than in horizontal capillaries. These results suggest that, for particles circulating in an external field of volume forces (gravitation or magnetic), the strategy of using larger particles designed to marginate and adhere firmly to the vascular walls under flow could be more effective than that of using particles sufficiently small (d < 200 nm) to hopefully cross a discontinuous endothelium

Dual-Targeted Hyaluronic Acid/Albumin Micelle-Like Nanoparticles for the Vectorization of Doxorubicin

Drug targeting of tumor cells is one of the great challenges in cancer therapy; nanoparticles based on natural polymers represent valuable tools to achieve this aim. The ability to respond to environmental signals from the pathological site (e.g., altered redox potential), together with the specific interaction with membrane receptors overexpressed on cancer cells membrane (e.g., CD44 receptors), represent the main features of actively targeted nanoparticles. In this work, redox-responsive micelle-like nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembling of a hyaluronic acid–human serum albumin conjugate containing cystamine moieties acting as a functional spacer. The conjugation procedure consisted of a reductive amination step of hyaluronic acid followed by condensation with albumin. After self-assembling, nanoparticles with a mean size of 70 nm and able to be destabilized in reducing media were obtained. Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles modulated drug release rate in response to different redox conditions. Finally, the viability and uptake experiments on healthy (BALB-3T3) and metastatic cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells proved the potential applicability of the proposed system as a drug vector in cancer therapyL.D.-G. acknowledges Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria for a postdoctoral fellowship (Xunta de Galicia, Spain; ED481B 2017/063)S

Mn-Doped Glass–Ceramic Bioactive (Mn-BG) Thin Film to Selectively Enhance the Bioactivity of Electrospun Fibrous Polymeric Scaffolds

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of new technologies to meet the demand for engineered interfaces with appropriate properties for osteochondral unit repair and regeneration. In this context, we combined two methodologies that have emerged as powerful approaches for tissue engineering application: electrospinning to fabricate a nanofibrous polymeric scaffold and pulsed laser deposition to tune and control the composition and morphology of the scaffold surface. A multi-component scaffold composed of synthetic and natural polymers was proposed to combine the biocompatibility and suitable mechanical properties of poly(D,L-lactic acid) with the hydrophilicity and cellular affinity of gelatin. As part of a biomimetic strategy for the generation of bi-functional scaffolds, we coated the electrospun fibers with a thin film of a bioactive glass–ceramic material supplemented with manganese ions. The physico-chemical properties and composition of the bi-layered scaffold were investigated, and its bioactivity, in terms of induced mineralization, was tested by incubation in a simulated body fluid buffer. The processes of the inorganic film dissolution and the calcium phosphate phases growth were followed by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, confirming that a combination of bioactive glass–ceramics and nanofibrous scaffolds has promising potential in the regeneration of osteochondral tissue due to its ability to induce mineralization in connective tissues. © 2022 by the authors

Boletín NUESTRA AMÉRICA XXI - Desafíos y alternativas, num.58, Agosto 2021

Una excelente iniciativa del Grupo de Trabajo Crisis y economía mundial, coordinado por María Josefina Morales, Julio Gambina y Gabriela Roffinelli

Manejo dos resíduos da colheita de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild) e a sustentabilidade do sítio.

Black wattles can grow on several environmental conditions being a fast growing and short life pioneer specie. This work was established on Acacia mearnsii De Wild commercial plantations, belonging to TANAGRO Co., in Piratini, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, growing on different soil types, with plants from the same origin. In each of the five-soil type, a treatment to evaluate black wattle growth in DBH and height, and above ground biomass was considered. Soils had their surface horizons characterized morphological, chemical and physically, and nutritional status were measured in every plant compartment, tannin yield in plant bark, amount of lignin and total extractives were determined in commercial stem wood. Neossolo Litólico eutrófico (Entisol) showed the greatest commercial stem volumes and Neossolo Litólico álico (Entisol) was the least productive, especially due to soil fertility differences, mainly P level, base saturation and aluminum saturation. The amount of macronutrients returned, keeping harvesting residues (branches and crown) on soil surface, was greater than the amount exported in commercial stem and bark, attesting its efficiency on soil reclaiming, if the residues are not burned. In most productive soils in volume of commercial stems, the amount of calcium and magnesium exported was greater than the amount returned to soil. The amount of tannin in black wattle bark was greater in plants growing in adverse soil conditions (shallow and stony soils).A acácia-negra se adapta a inúmeras condições ambientais por ser uma espécie pioneira de crescimento rápido. Este trabalho foi realizado em povoamentos comerciais puros de acácia-negra de propriedade da TANAGRO S.A., no município de Piratini, RS, em cinco classes de solos, com plantas de mesma procedência, constituindo cada qual um tratamento. Em cada solo, foram avaliados o crescimento em DAP, altura e produção de biomassa aérea. Os solos foram caracterizados química, física e morfologicamente em seus horizontes superficiais. Nas plantas, foram determinado o estado nutricional dos diferentes compartimentos, o teor de tanino na casca e o teor de lignina e extrativos totais no tronco. O Neossolo Litólico eutrófico produziu o maior volume de troncos comerciais, enquanto o Neossolo Litólico álico foi o menos produtivo, mostrando a grande importância da fertilidade do solo na produtividade da acácia negra, sobretudo, o teor de P e as saturações por bases e por alumínio trocável. Se os resíduos não forem queimados, a quantidade de macronutrientes devolvida ao solo (por galhos, flor, folhas e vagens) é maior que a quantidade de macronutrientes exportada, com a retirada apenas do tronco comercial e casca, nos solos menos produtivos, confirmando que se trata de espécie recuperadora de solo. Nos solos com maior volume de troncos comerciais produzidos, a quantidade de cálcio e magnésio exportada foi maior do que a devolvida ao solo pelos resíduos da colheita. A concentração de tanino na casca da acácia-negra foi maior em condições adversas de solo, mas a maior produção de casca em solos melhores compensa esse fato

MANAGEMENT OF HARVESTING RESIDUES OF Acacia mearnsii DE WILD AND SITE SUSTAINABILITY

A ac\ue1cia-negra se adapta a in\ufameras condi\ue7\uf5es ambientais por ser uma esp\ue9cie pioneira de crescimento r\ue1pido. Este trabalho foi realizado em povoamentos comerciais puros de ac\ue1cia-negra de propriedade da TANAGRO S.A., no munic\uedpio de Piratini, RS, em cinco classes de solos, com plantas de mesma proced\ueancia, constituindo cada qual um tratamento. Em cada solo, foram avaliados o crescimento em DAP, altura e produ\ue7\ue3o de biomassa a\ue9rea. Os solos foram caracterizados qu\uedmica, f\uedsica e morfologicamente em seus horizontes superficiais. Nas plantas, foram determinado o estado nutricional dos diferentes compartimentos, o teor de tanino na casca e o teor de lignina e extrativos totais no tronco. O Neossolo Lit\uf3lico eutr\uf3fico produziu o maior volume de troncos comerciais, enquanto o Neossolo Lit\uf3lico \ue1lico foi o menos produtivo, mostrando a grande import\ue2ncia da fertilidade do solo na produtividade da ac\ue1cia negra, sobretudo, o teor de P e as satura\ue7\uf5es por bases e por alum\uednio troc\ue1vel. Se os res\uedduos n\ue3o forem queimados, a quantidade de macronutrientes devolvida ao solo (por galhos, flor, folhas e vagens) \ue9 maior que a quantidade de macronutrientes exportada, com a retirada apenas do tronco comercial e casca, nos solos menos produtivos, confirmando que se trata de esp\ue9cie recuperadora de solo. Nos solos com maior volume de troncos comerciais produzidos, a quantidade de c\ue1lcio e magn\ue9sio exportada foi maior do que a devolvida ao solo pelos res\uedduos da colheita. A concentra\ue7\ue3o de tanino na casca da ac\ue1cia-negra foi maior em condi\ue7\uf5es adversas de solo, mas a maior produ\ue7\ue3o de casca em solos melhores compensa esse fato.Black wattles can grow on several environmental conditions being a fast growing and short life pioneer specie. This work was established on Acacia mearnsii De Wild commercial plantations, belonging to TANAGRO Co., in Piratini, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, growing on different soil types, with plants from the same origin. In each of the five-soil type, a treatment to evaluate black wattle growth in DBH and height, and above ground biomass was considered. Soils had their surface horizons characterized morphological, chemical and physically, and nutritional status were measured in every plant compartment, tannin yield in plant bark, amount of lignin and total extractives were determined in commercial stem wood. Neossolo Lit\uf3lico eutr\uf3fico (Entisol) showed the greatest commercial stem volumes and Neossolo Lit\uf3lico \ue1lico (Entisol) was the least productive, especially due to soil fertility differences, mainly P level, base saturation and aluminum saturation. The amount of macronutrients returned, keeping harvesting residues (branches and crown) on soil surface, was greater than the amount exported in commercial stem and bark, attesting its efficiency on soil reclaiming, if the residues are not burned. In most productive soils in volume of commercial stems, the amount of calcium and magnesium exported was greater than the amount returned to soil. The amount of tannin in black wattle bark was greater in plants growing in adverse soil conditions (shallow and stony soils)

TELERILEVAMENTO MULTISPETTRALE DA DRONE PER IL MONITORAGGIO DELLE COLTURE IN AGRICOLTURA DI PRECISIONE. UN’APPLICAZIONE ALLA CIPOLLA ROSSA DI TROPEA

Recently, the International Society for Precision Agriculture (ISPA) defined Precision Agriculture (PA) as ‘a management strategy that gathers, processes and analyses temporal, spatial and individual data and combines it with other information to support management decisions according to estimated variability for improved resource use efficiency, productivity, quality, profitability and sustainability of agricultural production’. In the framework of PA the present paper shows a specific case study applied to the red onion of Tropea (Cipolla Rossa di Tropea) crop. The aim was the monitoring of fields using multispectral imagery acquired by a fixed-wings UAV, and through the use of different vegetation indexes. Multitemporal surveys were carried out using the eBee fixed-wing UAV, equipped with a multispectral camera Sequoia Parrot (R-G-RedEdge-NIR). UAV MS imagery were calibrated using a panel with known reflectance and verified with spectroradiometer measurements using the Apogee Ps-300 on bare soil and vegetation. The UAV monitoring has been implemented on three surveys carried out from November 2018 to January 2019. The results of the analysis of the three datasets showed a high correlation of GNDVI and NDVI vegetation indexes with SAVI. Therefore, the latter was chosen to analyse the vegetative vigour by applying the VI to onion crop’s masks extracted after segmentation and classification of the three images by a geographical object-based image classification (GEOBIA). The obtained results are promising although additional experiments are expected