Programas de gestão de ideias e inovação: as práticas das grandes empresas na região sul do Brasil

ABSTRACTResearch on the situation of idea management initiatives in large companies in Southern Brazil, undertaken as an exploratory descriptive survey using a quantitative approach. The survey population comprised 85 companies, resulting on 41 valid responses. The data allowed the identification of company profile characteristics, idea management practices, their benefits and obstacles, and the determining factors for adopting the initiatives. The results show that 70 percent of the companies surveyed have structured programs to seek, stimulate, evaluate, implement and reward ideas from employees. The perceived benefits were: a greater ability to generate ideas and turn them into projects, increased participation, teamwork and motivation among employees. The main obstacles to the implementation of idea management programs are low levels of employee involvement, communication problems, and insufficient rewards for participation. Regarding the effectiveness of the initiatives, structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation (PLS) supports the conclusion that, even though idea management practices have a positive effect on innovation results, the initiatives must be supported by aspects of organizational culture, behavior and processes that contribute to promote learning, knowledge absorption and sharing, and the consequent development of innovative activities. Lastly, there is perceived need for more detailed studies about the role of culture, behavior, managerial practices and processes associated with knowledge management and innovation, and their impacts on innovative capacity

Acute inhibition of estradiol synthesis impacts vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation and cerebellar long-term potentiation in male rats

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) adaptation is an ideal model for investigating how the neurosteroid 17 beta-estradiol (E2) contributes to the modification of behavior by regulating synaptic activities. We hypothesized that E2 impacts VOR adaptation by affecting cerebellar synaptic plasticity at the parallel fiber–Purkinje cell (PF) synapse. To verify this hypothesis, we investigated the acute effect of blocking E2 synthesis on gain increases and decreases in adaptation of the VOR in male rats using an oral dose (2.5 mg/kg) of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. We also assessed the effect of letrozole on synaptic plasticity at the PF synapse in vitro, using cerebellar slices from male rats. We found that letrozole acutely impaired both gain increases and decreases adaptation of the VOR without altering basal ocular-motor performance. Moreover, letrozole prevented long-term potentiation at the PF synapse (PF-LTP) without affecting long-term depression (PF-LTD). Thus, in male rats neurosteroid E2 has a relevant impact on VOR adaptation and affects exclusively PF-LTP. These findings suggest that E2 might regulate changes in VOR adaptation by acting locally on cerebellar and extra-cerebellar synaptic plasticity sites

High-pressure, non compliant balloon angioplasty for long and calcified infrapopliteal and inframalleolar lesions is feasible

Background: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of high-pressure, noncompliant balloon angioplasty in the management of long infrapopliteal calcified lesions. Methods: Consecutive patients, presenting with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and long (>100 mm) calcified infrapopliteal lesions who were treated with a high pressure, noncompliant balloon (JADE, OrbusNeich, Hong Kong) between January 2016 and July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Angioplasty was performed by inflating the balloon to a pressure of 22 to 24 atm for 90 seconds. Primary outcome was technical success. Secondary outcomes were procedure-related complications, limb salvage, amputation-free survival (AFS), wound healing, overall survival, freedom from clinically driven target lesion reintervention (CD-TLR), and resolution of CLTI at 2 and 3 years. Results: Overall, 23 lesions in 21 limbs of 20 patients were treated. All patients had tissue loss (Rutherford 5 or 6). The mean lesion length was 374.8 mm. Of all lesions, 56.5% were occlusions, 91.3% were classified as TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C and D lesions, and 78.3% had severe calcification classification. Of all lesions, 52.2% extended into the below-the-ankle arteries. Technical success was achieved in 22 lesions (95.7%). There were no procedure-related complications. No bailout stenting was required. At 2 and 3 years, limb salvage was 84.7% and 78.7%, AFS was 71.4% and 56.1%, wound healing was 81.0% and 85.7%, overall survival was 75.0% and 64.3% and freedom from CD-TLR was 77.6% and 63.5%, respectively. Resolution of CLTI without TLR was 81.0% at 2 and 3 years. Conclusions: This study is the first to analyze safety and feasibility of a high-pressure, noncompliant balloon for long, calcified infrapopliteal and inframalleolar lesions

Clinical pharmacokinetics of tramadol and main metabolites in horses undergoing orchiectomy.

Tramadol is a synthetic codeine analogue used as an analgesic in human and veterinary medicine. It is not approved for use in horses, but could represent a valid tool for pain treatment in this species.The serum pharmacokinetic profile and urinary excretion of tramadol and its metabolites (O-desmethyltramadol [M1], N-desmethyltramadol [M2] and N,O-desmethyltramadol [M5]) was investigated in a multidrug anaesthetic and analgesic approach for orchiectomy in horses. The evaluation of the degree of cardiovascular stability, the intraoperative effect and postoperative analgesia obtained by the visual analogue scale are also reported. Animal and methods: Tramadol (4 mg/kg BW) was administered intravenously to eight male yearlings as a bolus over 60 seconds, 5 min after intubation and 15 min prior to surgery. Drug quantification was performed in serum and urine for tramadol, M1, M2 and M5 by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection.Mean tramadol concentration was 14.87 ± 11.14 μg/mL at 0.08 h, and 0.05 ± 0.06 μg/mL at 10 h. Serum concentrations of M1 and M2 metabolites were quite limited. For M1 and M2, median maximum concentration (Cmax) and time to achieve maximum concentration (Tmax) were 0.05 μg/mL and 0.75 h, and 0.08 μg/mL and 2 h, respectively; M5 was never detected. In urine, tramadol was the most recovered compound, followed by M1, M2 and M5.Showing no adverse events and based on the kinetic behaviour, pre-operative tramadol IV at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW might be useful and safe as analgesic in horses undergoing surgery

Portable low-cost smart brace for elbow rehabilitation

This article deals with the development and experimentation of an elbow static progressive brace equipped with special sensors, aimed at objective evaluation of the physiological response of the articulation during treatments for recovery of the functional range of motion. The device is able to acquire and record the moment which is applied to the joint and the flexion angle of the latter. The first part of the article describes the general design of the brace, which takes into account the several specifications of such a device. The design considers both the mechanical and electronic requirements of the application. The device, after acceptance tests, was employed in an experimental phase where two different patients were analyzed. Ultimately, the device proved to be an useful instrument for the classification of the patients and the definition of the treatment protocol; further experience may allow to define criteria for an objective monitoring during the rehabilitation treatment

A regional survey on Merkel cell carcinoma: a plea for uniform patient journey modeling and diagnostic–therapeutic pathway

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer that usually affects the elderly and immunosuppressed in sun-exposed areas. Due to its rarity, it is frequently unrecognized, and its management is not standardized across medical centers, despite the more recent availability of immunotherapy, with avelumab as first-line treatment improving the prognosis even in advanced stages of disease. We conducted a purpose-designed survey of a selected sample of physicians working in the Lazio region, in Italy, to assess their awareness and knowledge of MCC as well as their perspective on assisted diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. The Lazio region, and in particular Rome, is one of the most important academic and non- academic center in Italy dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. A total of 368 doctors (including 100 general practitioners, 72 oncologists, 87 dermatologists, 59 surgeons, and 50 anatomopathologists) agreed to be part of this survey. Surgeons, oncologists, and dermatologists thought themselves significantly more updated on MCC than primary care physicians, but more than half of the interviewees are interested in CCM training courses and training with clearer and more standardized care pathways. Significant differences have been reported from survey participants in terms of multidisciplinary team set up for MCC management. The identification of specialized centers and the improvement of communication pathways among different specialties, as well as between patients and physicians, could be very beneficial in improving patients’ journey modeling and starting a uniform diagnostic and therapeutic pathway for MCC patients in the new era of immunotherapies

Sensory inflow manipulation induces learning-like phenomena in motor behavior

© 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Purpose: Perceptual and goal-directed behaviors may be improved by repetitive sensory stimulations without practice-based training. Focal muscle vibration (f-MV) modulating the spatiotemporal properties of proprioceptive inflow is well-suited to investigate the effectiveness of sensory stimulation in influencing motor outcomes. Thus, in this study, we verified whether optimized f-MV stimulation patterns might affect motor control of upper limb movements. Methods: To answer this question, we vibrated the slightly tonically contracted anterior deltoid (AD), posterior deltoid (PD), and pectoralis major muscles in different combinations in forty healthy subjects at a frequency of 100 Hz for 10 min in single or repetitive administrations. We evaluated the vibration effect immediately after f-MV application on upper limb targeted movements tasks, and one week later. We assessed target accuracy, movement mean and peak speed, and normalized Jerk using a 3D optoelectronic motion capture system. Besides, we evaluated AD and PD activity during the tasks using wireless electromyography. Results: We found that f-MV may induce increases (p \u3c 0.05) in movement accuracy, mean speed and smoothness, and changes (p \u3c 0.05) in the electromyographic activity. The main effects of f-MV occurred overtime after repetitive vibration of the AD and PD muscles. Conclusion: Thus, in healthy subjects, optimized f-MV stimulation patterns might over time affect the motor control of the upper limb movement. This finding implies that f-MV may improve the individual’s ability to produce expected motor outcomes and suggests that it may be used to boost motor skills and learning during training and to support functional recovery in rehabilitation

IDEA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND INNOVATION: PRACTICES OF LARGE CORPORATIONS IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Investigação sobre a situação das iniciativas de gestão de ideias em empresas de grande porte do sul do Brasil, por meio de pesquisa exploratória e descritiva com abordagem quantitativa. A população da pesquisa foi de 85 empresas, com 41 respostas válidas. Os dados identificaram o perfil das empresas, as práticas de gestão de ideias, benefícios e obstáculos, e fatores determinantes da adoção de iniciativas. Os resultados indicam que 70% das empresas pesquisadas possuem programas estruturados para solicitar, estimular, avaliar, implementar e recompensar ideias oferecidas pelos funcionários. Os benefícios percebidos foram: capacidade maior de gerar ideias e transformá-las em projetos, o incremento da participação e trabalho em equipe, e o aumento da motivação entre os funcionários. Os principais fatores que dificultam a implantação dos programas de ideias são o baixo envolvimento do pessoal, problemas de comunicação e recompensas insuficientes à participação. Com relação à eficácia das iniciativas, a modelagem de equações estruturais com estimação por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS) permite concluir que, embora as práticas de gestão de ideias influenciem positivamente os resultados de inovação, estas devem ser apoiadas por aspectos da cultura, comportamento e processos da empresa que contribuam para promover a aprendizagem, a absorção e compartilhamento do conhecimento, e o consequente desenvolvimento de atividades inovadoras. Finalmente, percebe-se a necessidade de estudos mais profundos sobre o papel da cultura, comportamentos, práticas gerenciais e processos associados à gestão do conhecimento e da inovação, e seus impactos na capacidade de inovar.Research on the situation of idea management initiatives in large companies in Southern Brazil, undertaken as an exploratory descriptive survey using a quantitative approach. The survey population comprised 85 companies, resulting on 41 valid responses. The data allowed the identification of company profile characteristics, idea management practices, their benefits and obstacles, and the determining factors for adopting the initiatives. The results show that 70 percent of the companies surveyed have structured programs to seek, stimulate, evaluate, implement and reward ideas from employees. The perceived benefits were: a greater ability to generate ideas and turn them into projects, increased participation, teamwork and motivation among employees. The main obstacles to the implementation of idea management programs are low levels of employee involvement, communication problems, and insufficient rewards for participation. Regarding the effectiveness of the initiatives, structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation (PLS) supports the conclusion that, even though idea management practices have a positive effect on innovation results, the initiatives must be supported by aspects of organizational culture, behavior and processes that contribute to promote learning, knowledge absorption and sharing, and the consequent development of innovative activities. Lastly, there is perceived need for more detailed studies about the role of culture, behavior, managerial practices and processes associated with knowledge management and innovation, and their impacts on innovative capacity

CT radiomics-based machine learning classification of atypical cartilaginous tumours and appendicular chondrosarcomas

Background Clinical management ranges from surveillance or curettage to wide resection for atypical to higher-grade cartilaginous tumours, respectively. Our aim was to investigate the performance of computed tomography (CT) radiomics-based machine learning for classification of atypical cartilaginous tumours and higher-grade chondrosarcomas of long bones. Methods One-hundred-twenty patients with histology-proven lesions were retrospectively included. The training cohort consisted of 84 CT scans from centre 1 (n=55 G1 or atypical cartilaginous tumours; n=29 G2-G4 chondrosarcomas). The external test cohort consisted of the CT component of 36 positron emission tomography-CT scans from centre 2 (n=16 G1 or atypical cartilaginous tumours; n=20 G2-G4 chondrosarcomas). Bidimensional segmentation was performed on preoperative CT. Radiomic features were extracted. After dimensionality reduction and class balancing in centre 1, the performance of a machine-learning classifier (LogitBoost) was assessed on the training cohort using 10-fold cross-validation and on the external test cohort. In centre 2, its performance was compared with preoperative biopsy and an experienced radiologist using McNemar's test. Findings The classifier had 81% (AUC=0.89) and 75% (AUC=0.78) accuracy in identifying the lesions in the training and external test cohorts, respectively. Specifically, its accuracy in classifying atypical cartilaginous tumours and higher-grade chondrosarcomas was 84% and 78% in the training cohort, and 81% and 70% in the external test cohort, respectively. Preoperative biopsy had 64% (AUC=0.66) accuracy (p=0.29). The radiologist had 81% accuracy (p=0.75). Interpretation Machine learning showed good accuracy in classifying atypical and higher-grade cartilaginous tumours of long bones based on preoperative CT radiomic features

A new device to seal large coronary aneurysms: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Coronary artery aneurysm is an uncommon disease. It is defined as a coronary artery dilatation, exceeding the diameter of the normal adjacent segment or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 to 2 times. Coronary artery aneurysms are typically diagnosed by coronary angiography. The prognosis of coronary artery aneurysm is not well known and the management is challenging.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 68-year-old Italian-Caucasian man presented to our hospital with angina. Coronary angiography revealed a large coronary aneurysm of the right coronary artery, which was successfully treated by the percutaneous implantation of an MGuard™stent.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case report provides evidence that coronary artery aneurysms, even if very large, can be safely treated by MGuard™stent implantation. We strongly emphasize the high flexibility and good deliverability of this device, which leads to the complete exclusion of the aneurysm mediated by the process of endothelization of its thin mesh sleeves.</p