Competitividade e potencial de crescimento do cluster de moldes para a indústria do plástico em Joinville [Potential growth and competitiveness of the cluster of mold producers at Joinville]

The geographic concentration of firms has been successful recently in many ways: international competitiveness of these firms, regional income's growth, etc. The Italian industrial districts are the case with major relevance at the international literature. At Joinville there are a significant geographic concentration of mold producers for plastic industry. When the geographic concentration of firms is a cluster the potential growth and competitiveness of the firms are increased. This paper investigates if this geographic concentration of firms is a cluster. If it is, its potential of growth and of competitiveness is studied. The result is that the geographic concentration of mold producers at Joinville is a cluster and has significant potential for growth. However this cluster is less developed and less competitive when compared with the main mold's clusters of the world.cluster; Joinville; mold; competitiveness

Reactivation of wild-type and mutant p53 by tryptophanolderived oxazoloisoindolinone SLMP53-1:a novel anticancer small-molecule

Restoration of the p53 pathway, namely by reactivation of mutant (mut) p53, represents a valuable anticancer strategy. Herein, we report the identification of the enantiopure tryptophanol-derived oxazoloisoindolinone SLMP53-1 as a novel reactivator of wild-type (wt) and mut p53, using a yeast-based screening strategy. SLMP53-1 has a p53-dependent anti-proliferative activity in human wt and mut p53R280K-expressing tumor cells. Additionally, SLMP53-1 enhances p53 transcriptional activity and restores wt-like DNA binding ability to mut p53R280K. In wt/mut p53-expressing tumor cells, SLMP53-1 triggers p53 transcription-dependent and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways involving BAX, and wt/mut p53 mitochondrial translocation. SLMP53-1 inhibits the migration of wt/mut p53-expressing tumor cells, and it shows promising p53-dependent synergistic effects with conventional chemotherapeutics. In xenograft mice models, SLMP53-1 inhibits the growth of wt/mut p53-expressing tumors, but not of p53-null tumors, without apparent toxicity. Collectively, besides the potential use of SLMP53-1 as anticancer drug, the tryptophanol-derived oxazoloisoindolinone scaffold represents a promissing starting point for the development of effective p53-reactivating drugs

Practice-driven restructuring of the pharmacy curricula: focus on advanced services

Poster presented at the 5th PCNE Working Symposium 2016: “Work in Progress – Progress in Work”, 19-20 February 2016, Hillerød, Denmark

Ranking the performance of national innovation systems in the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America from a neo-Schumpeterian economics perspective

We present the results of an empirical study of the national innovation systems of countries in the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America from a comprehensive neo-Schumpeterian economics (CNSE) perspective. The empirical study covered the period from 2000 until 2011 and the countries analyzed are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain. Unlike previous approaches that used cluster analyses as a methodological framework to analyze national innovation systems from a CSNE perspective, we use a novel approach based on multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to rank innovation performance. We show how an MCDA approach can be followed in order to rank the performance of national innovation systems and provide an analysis of the results obtained at the financial, public and industry pillars of the CNSE model

Growth and exchange rate volatility: a panel data analysis

The aim of this article is to assess the role of real effective exchange rate volatility on long-run economic growth for a set of 82 advanced and emerging economies using a panel data set ranging from 1970 to 2009. With an accurate measure for exchange rate volatility, the results for the two-step system GMM panel growth models show that a more (less) volatile RER has significant negative (positive) impact on economic growth and the results are robust for different model specifications. In addition to that, exchange rate stability seems to be more important to foster long-run economic growth than exchange rate misalignment

Gay tourism : are you prepared?

Considerando o crescimento da visibilidade da comunidade LGBT e da discussão do seu impacto económico no turismo, este estudo pretende analisar as especificidades deste segmento e a aceitação do mesmo por parte das unidades hoteleiras açorianas, no processo de reserva de alojamento turístico. Para tal, foram criados casais fictícios (homossexuais e heterossexuais) e, a partir da listagem oficial de alojamentos, foi enviado um e-mail, redigido por um desses casais, requisitando informações e disponibilidade para uma estadia em lua-de-mel. Os resultados indicam que não foi oferecido mais alojamento aos heterossexuais do que aos homossexuais, que os homens gays receberam menos respostas positivas do que as mulheres gays e que grande parte das respostas positivas são dadas por mulheres. Constata-se que as características do alojamento não são determinantes na disponibilidade oferecida mediante a orientação sexual e que a resposta aos turistas gays foi tendencialmente mais demorada. Problemas de discriminação e falta de sensibilidade podem ter consequências prejudiciais para o destino. Esta investigação pretende contribuir para a melhoria contínua dos serviços prestados pelos diferentes stakeholders do setor do turismo.ABSTRACT: Considering the visible growth of the LGBT community and the discussion of its economical impact on tourism, and due to the recent increase of the touristic activity in the Azores, this study aims to analyze the gay tourist and the receptivity to this segment from the Azorean accommodation establishments at the booking process. The recent development of the touristic activity in the Azores and the quest for To do so, four fictional couples were created, two gay couples (man-man, woman-woman) and two heterosexual couples (woman-man, man-woman), so gender differences could be assessed. Via the official listing of accommodation establishments in the Azores, an e-mail was sent to 406 establishments, supposedly written by one of these couples, requesting information and availability for a honeymoon stay. This approach was employed so that it was as close as possible to a real life situation with less susceptibility to obtain answers influenced by social desirability. The results indicated that the number of accommodations offered to straight couples was not higher than the number offered to gay couples. More so, the characteristics of the establishments were not determinant of the type of answer, women gave the most answers, gay men received less positive responses than gay women, and gay tourists seemed to get slower responses. Discrimination problems and lack of sensibility might lead to negative consequences to a destination. This research aims to contribute to a continuous improvement of the services provided from the different Azorean tourism stakeholders.N/

Economic efficiency of EMBRAPA’S research centers and the influence of contextual variables

Neste artigo é medida a eficiência econômica dos centros de pesquisa da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa). É usado o modelo DEA BCC, cuja medida de eficiência é modelada como função linear das variáveis contextuais capacidade de geração de receita, intensidade de parcerias, melhoria de processos administrativos, racionalização de custos, tamanho e tipo de centro. O modelo é do tipo painel dinâmico, assume correlação intra-temporal estruturada entre os centros de pesquisa e inter-temporal não estruturada. Para desempatar as unidades eficientes é usado um índice heurístico de eficiência que agrega os resultados de eficiência em relação às fronteiras DEA clássica e invertida. O efeito positivo das parcerias na medida de eficiência, invalida as críticas de que o processo de avaliação prejudica a integração e cooperação entre os centros de pesquisa. A melhoria de processos administrativos é a variável mais importante do ponto de vista da significância estatística das variáveis contextuais. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTIn this paper we measure, with a DEA BCC model, the economic efficiency of Embrapa’s (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) research centers. We model the DEA economic efficiency as a linear function of the contextual variables revenue generation capacity, partnership intensity, improvement of administrative processes, cost rationalization, size and type of research centers. The model used is of the type dynamic panel and assumes a structured correlation matrix intra times and unstructured inter times. In order to better discriminate the efficient units we used a heuristic efficiency score that aggregates the efficiencies in relation to the original and inverted DEA frontiers. Partnerships positive effect in the efficiency scores does not confirm the thoughts that Embrapa’s performance evaluation process discourages the integration and cooperation of its research centers. From the point of view of statistical significance, the improvement of administrative processes is the most important indicator among the contextual variables

Treatment of reducible unstable fractures of the distal radius: randomized clinical study comparing the locked volar plate and external fixator methods: study protocol

Background: Various treatments are available for reducible unstable fractures of the distal radius, such as closed reduction combined with fixation by external fixator (EF), and rigid internal fixation using a locked volar plate (VP). Although there are studies comparing these methods, there is no conclusive evidence indicating which treatment is best. the hypothesis of this study is that surgical treatment with a VP is more effective than EF from the standpoint of functional outcome (patient-reported).Methods/Design: the study is randomized clinical trial with parallel groups and a blinded evaluator and involves the surgical interventions EF and VP. Patients will be randomly assigned (assignment ratio 1: 1) using sealed opaque envelopes. This trial will include consecutive adult patients with an acute (up to 15 days) displaced, unstable fracture of the distal end of the radius of type A2, A3, C1, C2 or C3 by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Osteosynthesefragen-Association for the Study of Internal Fixation classification and type II or type III by the IDEAL(32) classification, without previous surgical treatments of the wrist. the surgical intervention assigned will be performed by three surgical specialists familiar with the techniques described. Evaluations will be performed at 2, and 8 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months, with the primary outcomes being measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and measurement of pain (Visual Analog Pain Scale and digital algometer). Secondary outcomes will include radiographic parameters, objective functional evaluation (goniometry and dynamometry), and the rate of complications and method failure according to the intention-to-treat principle. Final postoperative evaluations (6 and 12 months) will be performed by independent blinded evaluators. for the Student's t-test, a difference of 10 points in the DASH score, with a 95% confidence interval, a statistical power of 80%, and 20% sampling error results in 36 patients per group.Discussion: Results from this study protocol will improve the current evidence regarding to the surgical treatment these fractures.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP EPM, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Hand Arm & Shoulder Surg Unit, São Paulo, BrazilHand Arm & Shoulder Surg Unit, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP EPM, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Hand Arm & Shoulder Surg Unit, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: FAPESP - 2012/00806-2- annex 3Web of Scienc

Effect of shock waves upon the growth plate in rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of shock waves upon the growth plate in rabbits by varying the energy and number of applied waves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six groups of five rabbits aged 5 weeks (Total: 30) were studied. OSSATRON (HMT) was used to generate shock waves. Animals were submitted to applications upon the proximal growth plate of the left tibia; the intensity (14, 21,28kV) and number of waves varied (1,000 and 4,000). The right tibia was used as control. Animals were sacrificed after six weeks when measurements of tibia length were taken and the growth plate was microscopically studied. Statistical tests were used to compare measurements of the growth plate area and tibia length with those obtained in the control group, as well as between study groups. RESULTS: In the present study, no statistically significant change was found in the measurements of the growth plate area and tibia length following application of shock waves in either group. A difference in the tibia growth tended to occur between the groups submitted to 1,000 impulses and the groups submitted to 4,000 impulses. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Hematomas were seen in the local of application in groups submitted to higher-energy waves and spontaneously subsided, special care being not required. CONCLUSIONS: The application of shock waves upon the proximal tibia in immature rabbits as described did not have any effect upon the growth plate, as shown by the evaluation methods used in the present study.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de ondas de choque na placa de crescimento de coelhos, variando a energia e o número de ondas aplicadas. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 30 coelhos com idade de cinco semanas divididos em seis grupos. O aparelho gerador de ondas de choque foi o OSSATRON (HMT). Os animais foram submetidos a aplicações na placa de crescimento proximal da tíbia esquerda, variando a intensidade (14, 21,28kV) e o número de ondas (1000 e 4000). A tíbia direita foi usada como controle. Os animais foram sacrificados após seis semanas e sua avaliação foi feita por meio da mensuração do comprimento das tíbias e pela análise microscópica da placa de crescimento. Os resultados de mensuração da área da placa e do comprimento das tíbias foram comparados com o grupo controle e entre os grupos, utilizando-se estudos estatísticos. RESULTADOS: Neste estudo não ocorreram alterações estatisticamente significantes nas medidas da área da placa ou do comprimento da tíbia após a aplicação de ondas de choque em nenhum dos grupos. Foi observada tendência de ocorrer uma diferença de crescimento das tíbias entre os grupos submetidos a 1.000 impulsos e os grupos submetidos a 4.000 impulsos, mas esta diferença não foi considerada significante. Foi observada também a formação de hematoma no local da aplicação nos grupos que receberam ondas com maior energia, evoluindo com regressão espontânea sem necessidade de cuidados especiais. CONCLUSÕES: A aplicação de ondas de choque na região proximal da tíbia de coelhos imaturos, nas formas descritas, não teve nenhum efeito na placa de crescimento, de acordo com os métodos de avaliação usados neste estudo.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PatologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Ortopedia e TraumatologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PatologiaSciEL