Agile Knowledge Management: A Review, Reconceptualization, and Extension to Military Applications

This study contributes to the literature by integrating agility in knowledge management (KM) operations, especially in military environments via major findings of (a) introducing a new approach to KM with integration of \u27agility\u27; (b) articulating the application of an enhanced process of Agile Knowledge Management (AKM) across the military. The purpose of the study is to explore the conceptual background of agility in KM, re-conceptualize it and extend it to military applications with a special focus on counterinsurgency (COIN). An initial qualitative exploration of agility in KM was performed. Three different concepts and their interrelationships were analyzed: (a) KM, (b) agility in operations, and (c) military organizations in the COIN environment. Findings from this initial qualitative analysis were used to inductively redefine, re-conceptualize, and extend the concept of AKM, as well as, to compare and adapt the AKM concept to the military environment of COIN. An additional qualitative analysis was performed to validate the extended concept of AKM. While this study is mainly focused on AKM in a dynamic multinational and joint military environment of COIN, conclusions may be applicable in a broader context. The results of this research can be used by engineering managers and KM practitioners and academics with particular focus on the military environment as foundation for (a) further research and development in AKM (b) developing customized AKM education programs and (c) extending the concept of AKM and its application to other environments

Craniometric measurements in dogs (Canis familiaris). Features in the mesaticephalic skulls

In this study, a total of 25 skulls of the adult, mongrel and mesaticephalics dogs were used. Craniometric measurements for different parts of the skull were made. Cephalic indices and ratios were calculated. Certain points and landmarks on the skull are recognized in making linear measurements and are inion, bregma, nasion, prosthion, pogonion, basion, euryon, and zygion. Skull height (41,92 mm ± 3,9), skull length (177,72 mm ± 16,22), neurocranium (96,84 mm ± 7,25), viscerocranial (79,24 mm ± 8,72), basal length (140,24 mm ± 12,21), condylobasal (149,32 mm ± 12,21), snout (69,84 mm ± 7,07), nasals (50,08 mm ± 6,77), mandibular (129,88 mm ± 16,3), and of palatal (76,84 mm ± 7,01); width of neurocranium (62,24 mm ± 3,8), and zygomatic (95,44 mm ± 7,85) were obtained. Therefore, were calculated cranial index (53,83 mm ± 3,36), neurocranium (64,48 mm ± 4,69), facial (121,06 mm ± 9,18), basal (44,64 mm ± 4,17), width of the jugular processes (41 mm ± 4,2), of occipital condyles (35,48 mm ± 3,21), and of the foramen magnum (17,48 mm ± 2,27); height of the occipital triangle (38,28 mm ± 3,35), of the foramen magnum (14,36 mm ± 1,07); length of the dorsal notch (16,1 mm ± 1,12), and foramen magnum index (83,71 mm ± 14,44). Although with some differences in measurements, no significant difference was observed between the dimensions and reported to mesaticephalic skulls.Neste estudo, foram utilizados 25 crânios de cães adultos, s.r.d., de ambos os sexos, todos mesaticéfalos. Foram realizadas medidas craniométricas para as diferentes partes do crânio. Os índices cefálicos e as proporções foram calculados. Obteve-se medidas a partir dos índices craniométricos ínio, bregma, násio, próstio, básio, eurio, zígio e pogônio. Calculou-se a altura do crânio (41,92 mm ± 3,9), o comprimento do crânio (177,72 mm ± 16,22), do neurocrânio (96,84 mm ± 7,25), do viscerocrânio (79,24 mm ± 8,72), basal (140,24 mm ± 12,21), condilobasal (149,32 mm ± 12,21), do focinho (69,84 mm ± 7,07), dos ossos nasais (50,08 mm ± 6,77), da mandíbula (129,88 mm ± 16,3) e do palato (76,84 mm ± 7,01); e a largura do neurocrânio (62,24 mm ± 3,8) e zigomática (95,44 mm ± 7,85). Além disso, foram calculados os índices do crânio (53,83 mm ± 3,36), do neurocrânio (64,48 mm ± 4,69), facial (121,06 mm ± 9,18) e o basal (44,64 mm ± 4,17). Também foram realizadas medidas na área occipital, que incluíram a largura entre processos jugulares (41 mm ± 4,2), entre os côndilos occipitais (35,48 mm ± 3,21), e do forame magno (17,48 mm ± 2,27); a altura do triângulo occipital (38,28 mm ± 3,35), do forame magno (14,36 mm ± 1,07), o comprimento da incisura dorsal (16,1 mm ± 1,12) e o índice do forame magno (83,71 mm ± 14,44). Embora com algumas diferenças nas mensurações, não houve diferença significativa entre as dimensões observadas e as relatadas para crânios mesaticéfalo

Maternal morbidity and near miss associated with maternal age: the innovative approach of the 2006 Brazilian demographic health survey

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of potentially life-threatening maternal conditions and near miss in Brazil according to maternal age. METHODS: A secondary analysis of the 2006 Brazilian demographic health survey database using a validated questionnaire to evaluate maternal morbidity with a focus on age extremes. The study included 5,025 women with at least 1 live birth in the 5-year reference period preceding their interviews. Three age range periods were used: 15-19 years (younger age), 20-34 years (control), and 35-49 years (advanced maternal age). According to a pragmatic definition, any woman reporting eclampsia, hysterectomy, blood transfusion, or admission to the intensive care unit during her pregnancy/childbirth was considered a near-miss case. The associations between age and severe maternal morbidity were further assessed. RESULTS: For the 6,833 reported pregnancies, 73.7% of the women were 20-34 years old, 17.9% were of advanced maternal age, and only 8.4% were of younger age. More than 22% of the women had at least one of the complications appraised, and blood transfusion, which was more prevalent among the controls, was the only variable with a significant difference among the age groups. The overall rate of maternal near miss was 21.1 per 1000 live births. There was a trend of higher maternal near miss with increasing age. The only significant risk factor identified for maternal near miss was a lower literacy level among older women. CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend towards worse results with increasing age. The investigation of the determinants of maternal near miss at the community level using an innovative approach through a demographic health survey is an example suggested for under-resourced settings

Characterization of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) Foam for Thermal Insulation and Sound Absorption Applications in Buildings

Exploring new construction materials with low environmental impact leads to innovation in buildings and also to the expansion of environmental sustainability in the construction industry. In this perspective, the thermal insulation and the sound absorption performances of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) foam were analyzed for potential application in buildings. This material is of plant origin, it is natural, renewable, abundant, and has a low environmental impact. In this research, characterizations were made by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), apparent density, thermogravimetry (TGA and DTG), thermal conductivity, and sound absorption. The SEM analysis revealed a predominantly porous, small, and closed-cell morphology in the vegetable foam. Due to its porosity and lightness, the material has an apparent density similar to other thermal insulating and sound-absorbing materials used commercially. The evaluation of thermogravimetric (TGA/DTG) results demonstrated thermal stability at temperatures that attest to the use of Buriti foam as a building material. Based on the thermal conductivity test, the Buriti foam was characterized as an insulating material comparable to conventional thermal insulation materials and in the same range as other existing thermal insulators of plant origin. Concerning sound absorption, the Buriti foam presented a low performance in the analyzed frequency range, mainly attributed to the absence of open porosity in the material. Therefore, understanding the sound absorption mechanisms of Buriti foam requires further studies exploring additional ways of processing the material

Lipid profile of artisanal Minas cheese from certified regions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o perfil de ácidos graxos em queijos minas artesanais provenientes de sete regiões certificadas no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Um total de 78 amostras foram coletadas em regiões com produtores cadastrados pelo Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária. Para determinar a composição lipídica, foram analisadas diferentes variedades de queijo das seguintes regiões: Canastra, Serro, Araxá, Serra do Salitre, Triângulo Mineiro, Campo das Vertentes e Cerrado. A composição lipídica dos queijos da Serra do Salitre e de Araxá foi similar em ácido caproico (C6:0), total de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados e razão entre ácidos poli-insaturados e saturados. Nas outras regiões, a composição lipídica diferiu devido a associações com ácidos graxos específicos, como as dos queijos das regiões do Triangulo Mineiro com C20:5n3, do Cerrado com C20:4n6, da Serra da Canastra com C8:0, do Serro com C22:2 e C22:6n3 e de Campo das Vertentes com C17:0, C18:0 e C20:0. O perfil de ácidos graxos e os índices nutricionais relacionados ao perfil lipídico dos queijos minas artesanais diferem de acordo com a região de origem. O teor e o perfil de ácidos graxos ômega 3 são parâmetros importantes para diferenciar os queijos minas artesanais. O queijo minas artesanal do Serro apresenta melhores índices nutricionais quanto ao perfil de ácidos graxos que os demais queijos estudados.The objective of this work was to determine the fatty acid profile of artisanal Minas cheese from seven certified regions in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 78 samples were collected in regions where the producers were registered by Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária. For lipid profile determination, different cheese varieties from the following regions were analyzed: Canastra, Serro, Araxá, Serra do Salitre, Triângulo Mineiro, Campo das Vertentes, and Cerrado. The lipid profile of Serra do Salitre and Araxá cheeses  was similar in caproic acid (C6:0), total polyunsaturated fatty acids, and ratio of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids. In the other regions, lipid profile differed due to associations with specific fatty acids, such as those of the cheeses from Triângulo Mineiro with C20:5n3, of Cerrado with C20:4n6, of Canastra with C8:0, of Serro with C22:2 and C22:6n3, and of Campo das Vertentes with C17:0, C18:0, and C20:0. The fatty acid profile and nutritional indices related to the lipid profile of artisanal Minas cheeses differ according to the region of origin. The content and profile of omega 3 fatty acids are significant parameters to differentiate artisanal Minas cheeses. Serro artisanal Minas cheese presents superior nutritional indices concerning fatty acid profile than the other studied cheeses

Agronomic performance and genetic gain by selection of physic nut in three Brazilian regions

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho agronômico e o ganho genético pela seleção de famílias de meio-irmãos de pinhão-manso, cultivado em três regiões do Brasil. A partir de seleção fenotípica prévia, foram instalados três testes de progênies, em 2008, nos municípios de Planaltina, DF, Nova Porteirinha, MG, e Pelotas, RS. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e cinco plantas por parcela. Como testemunha, foram utilizadas sementes, colhidas ao acaso, de uma população sem seleção. Houve interação significativa entre os efeitos de genótipos por ambientes. As estimativas dos componentes de variância e dos parâmetros genéticos indicaram que é possível obter ganhos com a seleção das melhores famílias, nos ambientes avaliados. Em cada ambiente, ao menos uma família foi selecionada com desempenho superior ao tratamento-controle. O ganho genético médio, obtido pela seleção massal nos três ambientes, foi de 72%. Observou-se alto coeficiente de correlação entre os ambientes de Planaltina e Nova Porteirinha, quanto ao desempenho agronômico, o que não se repetiu no Município de Pelotas. A interação genótipo x ambiente deve ser considerada na recomendação de materiais genéticos de pinhão-manso para ambientes distintos.The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance and genetic gain by the selection of half-sib families of physic nut grown in three Brazilian regions. Based on previous phenotypic selection, three progeny tests were performed, in 2008, in the municipalities of Planaltina, DF, Nova Porteirinha, MG, and Pelotas, RS. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replicates, and five plants per plot. Randomly collected seeds from a population without selection were used as control. There was a significant interaction between the effects of genotypes and environments. Estimates of variance components and genetic parameters indicated that it is possible to obtain genetic gains from selection of the best families in the evaluated environments. In each environment, at least one family was selected with a higher performance than the control treatment. Mass selection in the three environments provided 72% of genetic gains. The agronomic performance had a high correlation coefficient between the environments of Planaltina and Nova Porteirinha, which did not occur in Pelotas. Genotype x environment interaction should be considered in the recommendations of physic nut genetic material for different environments

Desempenho agronômico e ganho genético pela seleção de pinhão‑manso em três regiões do Brasil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance and genetic gain by the selection of half‑sib families of physic nut grown in three Brazilian regions. Based on previous phenotypic selection, three progeny tests were performed, in 2008, in the municipalities of Planaltina, DF, Nova Porteirinha, MG, and Pelotas, RS. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replicates, and five plants per plot. Randomly collected seeds from a population without selection were used as control. There was a significant interaction between the effects of genotypes and environments. Estimates of variance components and genetic parameters indicated that it is possible to obtain genetic gains from selection of the best families in the evaluated environments. In each environment, at least one family was selected with a higher performance than the control treatment. Mass selection in the three environments provided 72% of genetic gains. The agronomic performance had a high correlation coefficient between the environments of Planaltina and Nova Porteirinha, which did not occur in Pelotas. Genotype x environment interaction should be considered in the recommendations of physic nut genetic material for different environments.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho agronômico e o ganho genético pela seleção de famílias de meio‑irmãos de pinhão‑manso, cultivado em três regiões do Brasil. A partir de seleção fenotípica prévia, foram instalados três testes de progênies, em 2008, nos municípios de Planaltina, DF, Nova Porteirinha, MG, e Pelotas, RS. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e cinco plantas por parcela. Como testemunha, foram utilizadas sementes, colhidas ao acaso, de uma população sem seleção. Houve interação significativa entre os efeitos de genótipos por ambientes. As estimativas dos componentes de variância e dos parâmetros genéticos indicaram que é possível obter ganhos com a seleção das melhores famílias, nos ambientes avaliados. Em cada ambiente, ao menos uma família foi selecionada com desempenho superior ao tratamento‑controle. O ganho genético médio, obtido pela seleção massal nos três ambientes, foi de 72%. Observou-se alto coeficiente de correlação entre os ambientes de Planaltina e Nova Porteirinha, quanto ao desempenho agronômico, o que não se repetiu no Município de Pelotas. A interação genótipo x ambiente deve ser considerada na recomendação de materiais genéticos de pinhão‑manso para ambientes distintos

Histomorphometric analysis of inflammatory response and necrosis in re-implanted central incisor of rats treated with low-level laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy is a tool employed in the management of post-operative inflammation process and in the enhancement of reparative process. The aim of the study was to perform histological evaluation of dental and periodontal ligament of rats central upper-left incisor teeth re-implanted and irradiated with low-level laser (InGaAl, 685 nm, 50 J/cm2) 15, 30, and 60 days after re-implantation. Seventy-two male rats had the central upper left incisor removed and kept for 15 min on dry gauze before replantation. Laser was irradiated over the root surface and empty alveolus prior replantation and over surrounding mucosa after the re-implantation. After histological procedures, all slices were analyzed regarding external resorption area and histological aspects. We observed an increase of root resorption (p < 0.05) in the control group compared to the laser group at 15, 30, and 60 days. These results showed that the laser groups developed less root resorption areas than the control group in all experimental periods. Additionally, histological analysis revealed less inflammatory cells and necrotic areas in laser groups