A typology for describing and assessing Visual Management in construction projects

Visual Management (VM) is a strategy for making information clear and accessible, strongly related to the lean production principle of increasing process transparency. VM also presents a very important role in promoting effective communication and seamless collaboration among team members. It is not an end but consists of practices that improve production system performance. VM practices include both VM devices (the observable portion of a managerial system) and the non-visual work involved in producing information. VM system is a set of interconnected practices deliberately designed to facilitate information sharing. This set of practices must be complementary and have common purposes, which increases the impact of VM, in comparison to isolated VM practices. Therefore, VM seems to be particularly useful for supporting the management of construction projects that can be considered a complex sociotechnical system, in which many dynamically interacting elements combined with their wide diversity may cause unanticipated variability and asset resilience. Several studies about VM in construction have been developed. However, instead of being based on a sound theoretical basis, VM tends to be implemented in construction projects mostly through efforts made by trial and error, many times only copying applications from other contexts such as manufacturing. Hence, there is a need to broaden the development of theory building related to VM. Moreover, it is also important to find innovative ways of disseminating related concepts by active methodologies, such as serious games. The aim of this thesis is to propose a typology for describing and assessing VM in construction projects. Design Science Research is the methodological approach adopted in this investigation, which is based on three academic papers. The first paper develops the first version of the typology, extending the contribution of taxonomies previously proposed in the literature, by emphasizing the role of collaboration and communication, as well as the need to integrate VM practices into managerial routines and other practices. The second paper is focused on a serious game, named VM Game. It is a tool for learning and discussing a set of VM taxonomies regarding purposes, the role of communication, the role of collaboration, and requirements. The third paper devises some propositions to explain the role and impact of VM systems in construction projects, highlighting their purpose and how they support dealing with complexity. Therefore, the typology could be refined to a final version, with ten types of analysis divided into three main levels, from a lower to a higher level of complexity and context-dependence: VM device, practice, and system. The target audience for using the artifacts devised in this investigation is the academic community interested in advancing the prescriptive knowledge on VM, besides construction companies that use VM as a strategy for information management

Gestão Visual: Resultados Preliminares de Uma Revisão Sistemática de Literatura de Conceitos e Princípios Fundamentais

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Força dos músculos cérvico-escapulares e a severidade da disfunção temporomandibular em mulheres com cervicalgia mecânica

Introdução: modificações da função muscular cervical têm sido verificadas em pacientes com cervicalgia e DTM. Entretanto, ainda não é conhecida a relação entre a severidade da DTM e a força muscular cervical na presença/ausência de cervicalgia. Objetivo: verificar a prevalência de DTM em mulheres com e sem cervicalgia mecânica, avaliar a força dos músculos cérvico-escapulares e sua associação com a severidade da DTM. Métodos: participaram 15 voluntárias sem dor cervical (GC) e 14 mulheres com cervicalgia mecânica (GCM), selecionadas por meio do Índice de Disfunção Relacionada ao Pescoço. O diagnóstico e a gravidade da DTM foram determinados pelos Critérios diagnósticos para pesquisa em desordens temporomandibulares e Índice Temporomandibular (IT), respectivamente. A força dos músculos trapézio superior, flexores e extensores cervicais foi aferida por dinamometria digital manual. Resultados: 64,5% das mulheres com cervicalgia e 33,3% das sem dor cervical apresentaram diagnóstico de DTM (p = 0,095). O GCM apresentou menor força dos músculos flexores (p = 0,044) e extensores cervicais (p = 0,006) e maior IT (p = 0,038) que o GC. Também foi verificada correlação negativa moderada entre o IT e força dos músculos trapézio superior dominante (p = 0,046, r = -0,547), não dominante (p = 0,007, r = -0,695) e flexores cervicais (p = 0,023, r = -0,606) no GCM. Conclusão: não houve diferença na prevalência de DTM entre mulheres com e sem cervicalgia. Entretanto, mulheres com cervicalgia apresentaram menor força muscular cervical (comparadas às sem cervicalgia) que esteve associada a maior severidade da DTM. Assim, em mulheres com cervicalgia associada à DTM, é recomendável avaliar e abordar a severidade desta disfunção e o comprometimento dos músculos cérvico-escapulares.Introduction: changes in cervical muscle function have been observed in patients with neck pain (NP) and TMD. However, the relationship between TMD severity and neck muscle strength in the presence/absence of NP is unknown. Objective: to determine the prevalence of TMD in women with and without mechanical NP and assess the cervical-scapular muscle strength and its association with TMD severity. Methods: fifteen volunteers without neck pain (CG) and 14 women with mechanical neck pain (NPG) took part and were selected by the Neck Disability Index. The diagnosis and severity of TMD were determined by the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD and Temporomandibular Index (TI), respectively. The strength of the upper trapezius muscle, and cervical flexor and extensor muscles was measured by digital hand dynamometer. Results: 64.5% of women with NP and 33.3% without NP were diagnosed with TMD (p = 0.095). The NPG showed lower strength of the cervical flexor (p = 0.044) and extensor (p=0.006) muscles, and higher TI (p = 0.038) than in the CG. It was also verified moderate negative correlation between TI and the strength of dominant (p = 0.046, r = -0.547) and non-dominant (p = 0.007, r = -0.695) upper trapezius, and cervical flexors (p = 0.023, r = -0.606) in the NPG. Conclusion: there was no difference in the prevalence of TMD in women with and without NP. However, women with NP have lower cervical muscle strength - compared to those without NP - which was associated with greater severity of TMD. Thus, in women with NP associated with TMD, it is advisable to assess and address the severity of this dysfunction and identify the cervical-scapular muscles compromise

Avaliação do estado e traço de ansiedade em indivíduos com disfunção temporomandibular e assintomáticos

Several psychological diseases, mainly stress, anxiety and depression can be associated to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), acting as important collaborators for the settlement and maintenance of this dysfunction. Emotional states and/ or traits associated to stressor factors can lead to oral dysfunctional habits and, consequently, hyperactivity of masticatory musculature, constituting triggering factors of orofacial pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of anxiety state or trait in asymptomatic individuals and with temporomandibular disorder. Thirty-five volunteers took part in the study, 20 with TMD and 15 asymptomatic ones. The participants were evaluated for the presence and degree of TMD (Anamnestic Index of Fonseca and Anamnestic and Clinical Index of Dysfunction and Occlusal State). Then, the evaluation of anxiety state and trait was carried out by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). It was observed a significant higher incidence of anxiety state (43.3 versus 35.7) and trait (48.1 versus 36.73) in subjects with TMD when comparing them to the asymptomatic individuals. The results suggest that the state and trait of anxiety can contribute for the development and perpetuation of the temporomandibular disorders.Diversos distúrbios psicológicos, principalmente o estresse, ansiedade e depressão, podem estar associados com a disfunção temporomandibular (DTM), agindo como importantes colaboradores para a instalação e manutenção desta disfunção. Estados e/ou traços emocionais aliados a fatores estressores de vida podem levar a hábitos disfuncionais orais e conseqüentemente à hiperatividade da musculatura mastigatória, constituindo fatores desencadeantes de dor orofacial. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença do estado e traço de ansiedade em indivíduos assintomáticos e com disfunção temporomandibular. Participaram do estudo 35 voluntários, sendo 20 indivíduos com DTM e 15 assintomát icos. Os participantes foram avaliados para verificação da presença e grau de disfunção temporomandibular (Índice Anamnésico de Fonseca e Índice Anamnésico e Clínico de Disfunção e Estado Oclusal). Após, realizou-se a avaliação do estado e traço de ansiedade por meio do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado. Observou-se incidência significativamente maior tanto do estado de ansiedade (43,3 versus 35,7) como do traço (48,1 versus 36,73) de personalidade ansiosa em indivíduos com DTM, quando comparados aos assintomáticos para esta disfunção. Os resultados sugerem que estado e traço de ansiedade podem contribuir para a gênese e perpetuação das disfunções temporomandibulares

Visual management requirements to support design planning and control within digital contexts

Difficulties in managing the construction design process are strongly related to its nature, as a large number of interdependent decisions are involved, which need to be made by many different stakeholders, in an environment that has a high degree of uncertainty. Moreover, there is a growing use of digital tools to support design. Traditional communication approaches used in design management only partially comply with the requirements of digital contexts, and new methods and tools are necessary to address these challenges. Visual Management (VM) has the potential to increase process transparency in the design stage, in order to support collaboration and communication and facilitate the transfer of information. However, the literature on the implementation of VM to support design management is still scarce. Moreover, there is limited understanding of the connection between VM and information and communication technologies (ICT). This investigation aims to propose a set of requirements to support VM applications for design planning and control within digital contexts, which can potentially contribute to improving the effectiveness of VM. This set of requirements were initially identified within the literature, considering different fields of knowledge, and then refined in an empirical study that was developed in collaboration with an infrastructure design and consultancy company in the UK. The Design Science Research approach was the methodological approach adopted in this investigation, which involved incremental learning cycles for devising the artefact, carried out in three different projects. The main findings include (i) the definition of a set of VM requirements that are applicable to the context investigated in this research study; (ii) an assessment of the relevance of the requirements for different types of visual practices, hierarchical planning levels, and stakeholders that are involved; (iii) the identification of some current limitations and challenges of implementing digital VM in construction design. From a practical perspective, this set of requirements may guide practitioners and academics in devising and assessing digital VM practices

Effectiveness of spinal manipulation and myofascial release compared with spinal manipulation alone on health-related outcomes in individuals with non-specific low back pain:randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of spinal manipulation combined with myofascial release compared with spinal manipulation alone, in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Design: Randomized controlled trial with three months follow-up. Setting: Rehabilitation clinic. Participants: Seventy-two individuals (between 18 and 50 years of age; CNLBP ≥12 consecutive weeks) were enrolled and randomly allocated to one of two groups: (1) Spinal manipulation and myofascial release – SMMRG; n = 36) or (2) Spinal manipulation alone (SMG; n = 36). Interventions: Combined spinal manipulation (characterized by high velocity/low amplitude thrusts) of the sacroiliac and lumbar spine and myofascial release of lumbar and sacroiliac muscles vs manipulation of the sacroiliac and lumbar spine alone, twice a week, for three weeks. Main outcome measures: Assessments were performed at baseline, three weeks post intervention and three months follow-up. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, pressure pain-threshold and dynamic balance. Results: No significant differences were found between SMMRG vs SMG in pain intensity and disability post intervention and at follow-up. We found an overall significant difference between-groups for CNLBP disability (SMG-SMMRG: mean difference of 5.0; 95% confidence interval of difference 9.9; −0.1), though this effect was not clinically important and was not sustained at follow-up. Conclusions: We demonstrated that spinal manipulation combined with myofascial release was not more effective compared to spinal manipulation alone for patients with CNLBP. Clinical trial registration number: NCT03113292

Partição de massa no consórcio de milho, Brachiaria ruziziensis e feijão guandu

 The objective of this research was to evaluate the partition of dry mass in the production of maize, Brachiaria ruziziensis and pigeon pea cultivated in intercropping. The experiment was conducted at the IFC- Campus Concordia, SC. The design was randomized blocks with repeated measures over time, with four replications, consisting of six treatments: (1) B. ruziziensis; (2) Pigeon pea; (3) Corn + pigeon pea + B. ruziziensis; (4) Corn + B. ruziziensis; (5) Corn + pigeon pea and (6) Corn. The total dry mass productivity of corn and forage species, and the partition of the mass of leaves, stalk and corn cobs at 69, 97, 118 and 160 days after sowing were determined. During the cycle there were no differences in the productivity of total dry mass, leaves and corn cobs when cultivated in intercropping with B. ruziziensis. The cultivation of intercropped corn and pigeon pea showed a total accumulation of dry mass equivalent to the cultivation of single corn. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a partição de massa seca na produção de milho, Brachiaria ruziziensis e feijão guandu cultivados em consórcio. O experimento foi conduzido no IFC Campus Concórdia, SC. O delineamento foi de blocos ao acaso com medidas repetidas no tempo, com quatro repetições, composto por seis tratamentos: (1) B. ruziziensis solteira; (2) feijão guandu solteiro; (3) milho + feijão guandu + B. ruziziensis; (4) milho + B. ruziziensis; (5) milho + feijão guandu e (6) milho solteiro. Foi determinada a produtividade de massa seca total do milho e das espécies forrageiras, e a partição da massa de folhas, colmo e espigas de milho aos 69, 97, 118 e 160 dias após a semeadura. Durante o ciclo não houve diferenças na produtividade de massa seca de folha, espigas e total de milho quando cultivado em consórcio com B. ruziziensis. O cultivo de milho e feijão guandu consorciados apresentaram acúmulo total de massa seca, quando somados, equivalentes ao cultivo do milho solteiro

Atividade elétrica dos músculos cervicais e amplitude de movimento da coluna cervical em indivíduos com e sem DTM

The aim of the research was to evaluate the electrical activity and pain on palpation of the cervical muscles, the cervical range of motion (ROM) and the relationship between electrical activity and ROM in individuals with and without temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Fifty three volunteers took part in the study, being 24 with TMD and 29 without, both genders, from 18 to 32 years old. The TMD was diagnosed through Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD). The electromyografhy of Sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) and upper trapezius muscles was carried out bilaterally during rest situation, with a frequency of 2 KHz and band-pass filter of 10-1000Hz. The measures of flexion, extension, lateral tilt and rotation ROM were acquired through a fleximeter and the comparison between groups was analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. The Spearman test verified the correlation between the variables, with 5% of significance level. There were no differences in the cervical ROM between the groups. The electrical activity was significantly higher in the right SCM (p=0,0130), left (p=0,0335) and right (p=0,0334) trapezius muscles in the TMD group. There were no significant correlations between electrical activity and cervical ROM. Pain in the neck muscles was significantly higher only in the right SCM (p=0,0055). It is concluded that the studied groups had difference in the electrical activity of the cervical muscles, which was larger in the individuals with TMD.O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a atividade elétrica e a dor à palpação dos músculos cervicais, a amplitude de movimento (ADM) da coluna cervical e a relação entre atividade elétrica e ADM cervical em indivíduos com e sem desordem temporomandibular (DTM). Participaram do estudo 53 voluntários, sendo 24 com DTM e 29 sem, de ambos os gêneros, com 18 a 32 anos de idade. A DTM foi diagnosticada pelo critério de diagnóstico em pesquisa para DTM (Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders). A eletromiografia dos músculos esternocleidomastoídeo (ECOM) e trapézio superior foi realizada bilateralmente, na situação de repouso, com frequência de 2 KHz e filtro passa-faixa de 10-1000 Hz. As medidas de ADM de flexão, extensão, lateroflexão e rotação foram realizadas com um flexímetro e a comparação entre os grupos contou com o teste de Mann Whitney. O teste de Spearman foi aplicado para a correlação entre as variáveis, com nível de significância de 5%. Não foi verificada nenhuma diferença na ADM cervical entre os grupos. A atividade elétrica demonstrou-se significativamente maior nos músculos ECOM direito (p=0,0130), trapézio superior direito (p=0,0334) e esquerdo (p=0,0335) no grupo DTM em relação ao grupo controle. Não houve correlação significante entre atividade elétrica e ADM cervical. A dor nos músculos cervicais apresentou-se significativamente maior apenas no músculo ECOM direito (p=0,0055). Conclui-se que os grupos estudados registraram diferença na atividade elétrica dos músculos cervicais, sendo esta maior em indivíduos com DTM

Estudo da postura corporal em crianças com respiração predominantemente oral e escolares em geral

Objective: to evaluate the posture of children with predominant oral breathing and to compare these findings to the described ones in the literature related to the general school-age children. Methods: 30 school-age children with oral breathing were submitted to subjective postural evaluation, with analysis of the positioning symmetry of the structures in the anterior, posterior and lateral views. The obtained results were compared to those described in the literature related to the general school-age body posture. Results: in the anterior view, the elevation of the right shoulder, elbow and fingers flexion prevailed. In the posterior view, it was observed abduction and elevation of the scapulas and rotation of the knees. And, in the lateral view, it was observed forward head posture and protrusion and medial rotation of shoulders. In the literature findings it was observed semiflexion of the knees, shoulder protrusion and lumbar hyperlordosis. Conclusion: the breathing mode is essential for the postural balance of children in school- age. It was also evidenced that some alterations are peculiar of the normal postural development, once they were present in both groups.Objetivo: avaliar a postura de respiradores predominantemente orais e comparar com achados, descritos na literatura, de escolares em geral. Métodos: a amostra foi composta por 30 escolares, respiradores orais, que foram submetidos à avaliação postural subjetiva com análise da simetria e do posicionamento das estruturas, nas vistas anterior, posterior e lateral. Os achados obtidos foram comparados aos descritos na literatura sobre a postura corporal de escolares em geral. Resultados: na vista anterior predominou a elevação do ombro direito, flexão de cotovelo e dedos. Na vista posterior, observou-se abdução e elevação das escápulas e rotação dos joelhos. E, na vista lateral, anteriorização da cabeça, protrusão e rotação interna de ombros. Na literatura revisada predominaram: semiflexão de joelhos, protrusão de ombros, hiperlordose lombar. Conclusão: o modo respiratório é essencial no equilíbrio postural de crianças em idade escolar. Algumas alterações são próprias do desenvolvimento postural normal, pois apareceram em ambos os grupos