A influência da inovação em produtos e processos no desempenho de empresas brasileiras

ABSTRACTThe main objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between performance of product innovations (processes) and growth (profitability) of Brazilian companies from three sectors: manufacturing of machinery and equipment; manufacturing of chemical products and manufacturing of computing equipment, electronic and optical products. We used research data of PINTEC (2003, 2005 and 2008) and PIA (2003-2010) collected at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE. We verified, based on results of multiple regression and statistical analysis, the absence of a positive relationship between the performance of process innovation (product) and profitability (growth). To some extent it was expected that innovations do not provide a high level of explanation for the variance in financial performance of companies considering that there are other factors that help explain this variance (market attractiveness, dominance of input sources, to name just two examples). It was noticed that the literature examined is also inconclusive on the relationship between innovation and financial performance. These contradictory results are mainly due to the diversity of variables used to measure both financial performance and innovation performance. Besides the rejection of the research hypotheses, the study revealed other relevant findings that can support the manager in the decision making process related to the innovation process

Assessment of satisfaction and Quality of Life using self - reported questionnaires after urethroplasty : a prospective analysis

Objectives: To assess patient satisfaction and quality of life after urethroplasty using two different self-reported outcome measures and to compare it with objective clinical data. Materials and Methods: We prospectively collected data from 35 consecutive patients who underwent urethroplasty from January 2013 to September 2014. Patient demographics, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life score, urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure (USS-PROM), maximum flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual urine were collected before, two and eight months after surgery. Failure occurred when any postoperative instrumentation was performed. General estimation equation was used to compare the results and linear regression analysis to correlate both questionnaires with objective data. Results: Mean age was 61 years. Urethroplasties were equally divided between anastomotic and buccal mucosa grafts and 19 patients (59.3%) had a previous urethral procedure. Overall success rate was 87.5%. IPSS improved from a mean 19 at baseline to 5.32 at 8 months (p <0.001). The mean USS-PROM score also improved from 13.21 preoperatively to 3.36 after surgery (p <0.001) and 84.3% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with surgical results. Mean Qmax increased from 4.64mL/s to 11mL/s (p <0.001). Strong negative correlation was found respectively between flow rate and USS-PROM (r=-0.531, p <0.001) and with IPSS (r=-0.512, p <0.001). Conclusions: Significant improvements in urinary symptoms and in quality of life are expected after urethroplasty and they are correlated with objective measures

Evolution of the carrying angle of the elbow: a clinical and radiographic study

OBJECTIVE: This paper has the purpose of evaluate the elbow carrying angle by clinic and radiographic examination in normal children and determine the range of normality according to age from childhood to skeletal maturity and also check if there is a statistically significant difference between the clinical and radiographic measurements. METHODS: We evaluated 510 persons with ages varying from 1 to 18 years distributed in groups with 30 subjects according to the age group with 1-year interval. We performed radiographic examination of the elbow and measured the angle formed by the long axis of the humerus and ulna. The data were statistically analyzed using the student t-test. RESULTS: We determined a normal curve of the study population where there was an increase of this parameter with the progression of age. No statistically significant difference between the clinical and radiographic measures. CONCLUSION: The average of the elbow carrying angle was 12,78 ± 5,35 degrees for females and 11,20 ± 4,45 degrees for males. This values increase progressively from childhood until 16 years when we notice stabilization. There was no statistical difference between the clinical and radiographic measurements.OBJETIVO: Avaliar clínica e radiograficamente o ângulo de carregamento do cotovelo (ACC) determinando uma curva de normalidade de acordo com faixas etárias (da infância à maturidade esquelética) e comparar as medidas clínicas e radiográficas. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 510 indivíduos (1020 cotovelos), com idades entre 1 e 18 anos, distribuídos em grupos de 30 conforme faixas etárias, com intervalo de 1 ano. Excluímos os portadores de: fraturas do cotovelo, sequelas, malformações, doenças genéticas, afecções inflamatórias e frouxidão ligamentar. Mensuramos clinicamente o ACC bilateralmente com goniômetro, onde obtivemos duas medidas por dois examinadores onde média destas foi considerada. Realizamos radiografias ântero-posteriores dos cotovelos e aferimos os ângulos formados pelos eixos do úmero e da ulna. Todos os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste t student. RESULTADOS: Determinamos uma curva de normalidade onde observamos aumento deste parâmetro conforme a progressão da idade. Não observamos diferença significante entre as medidas clínicas e radiográficas. CONCLUSÃO: A média do ângulo de carregamento para o sexo feminino foi 12,78º ± 5,35 e para o masculino 11,20º ± 4,45. Este valor aumenta progressivamente da infância até os 16 anos quando observamos estabilização. Não houve diferença estatística significante das medidas clínicas e radiográficas.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Comportamento espectral de alguns perfis modais de solos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Remote sensing has a high potential for environmental evaluation. However, a necessity exists for a better understanding of the relations between the soil attributes and spectral data. The objective of this work was to analyze the spectral behavior of some soil profiles from the region of Piracicaba, São Paulo State, using a laboratory spectroradiometer (400 to 2500 nm). The relations between the reflected electromagnetic energy and the soil physical, chemical and mineralogical attributes were analyzed, verifying the spectral variations of soil samples in depth along the profiles with their classification and discrimination. Sandy soil reflected more, presenting a spectral curve with an ascendant form, opposite to clayey soils. The 1900 nm band discriminated soil with 2:1 mineralogy from the 1:1 and oxidic soils. It was possible to detect the presence of kaolinite, gibbsite, hematite and goethite in the soils through the descriptive aspects of curves, absorption features and reflectance intensity. A relation exists between the weathering stage and spectral data. The evaluation of the superficial and subsuperficial horizon samples allowed characterizing and discriminating the analytical variability of the profile, helping to soil distinguishing and classification

Initial growth of Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) Macleish in function of planting and topdressing fertilization

Growing demand for alpha-bisabolol oil extracted from&nbsp;Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) Macleish, a Brazilian native tree, justifies its commercial plantations. However, its silviculture is relatively new and lacks information, especially about its nutritional aspects. It is the first study to focus on the field response of&nbsp;E. erythropappus&nbsp;to fertilization. We aimed to assess the effect of planting fertilization and topdressing on its initial growth. The experiment, conducted in Lavras, Brazil, consisted of six different fertilization treatments using different doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), with the quantities based on soil analysis results and recommendations for other forest species. We designed the experiment in four randomized blocks using or not P at planting and application or not of N and K on top dressing, with the increase until 3X P dose when using N and K. Over 20 months, we evaluate the height (H) and base diameter (BD) and processed the data by ANOVA and Scott-Knott test (p&lt;0.07). There was no response to any dose of phosphorus, while there was a positive response to the application of nitrogen and potassium, even without the application of phosphorus. The results indicate topdressing on&nbsp;E. erythropappus&nbsp;to maximize its growth and production

Assessing risk of medication errors: a case study in a teaching hospital

In the health care process, patients are subjected to different hazards. Medication error is one of the most frequent causes of adverse events in hospitals. A risk assessment can provide evidence for the development of an action plan to mitigate, reduce or eliminate these hazards. The objective is to evaluate the risks to patients in the process of drug administration in a university hospital. A case study was carried out in a Brazilian teaching hospital with the use of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) technique. Failures considered as high risks to cause adverse events to patients are exchange of drugs delivered for dispensing, drug identified with the wrong label at the unitization process, lack of prescription standard for dose abbreviation, patient exchange due to inattention or name similarity, request for emergency care without prescription, and drug sent on the wrong shift. The use of FMEA was suitable for the identification and prioritization of risks, providing a basis to develop an action plan to enhance safety.En el proceso de atención de la salud,los pacientes están sujetas a diferentespeligros. El error de medicación es unade las causas más frecuentes de loseventos adversos que ocurren en loshospitales. La evaluación del riesgopuede apoyar el desarrollo de un plan deacción para mitigar, reducir o eliminarestos peligros. El objetivo es evaluar losriesgos para los pacientes en el procesode administración de medicamentos enun hospital universitario. Se llevó acabo en un estudio de caso en unhospital universitario, que se encuentraen Brasil, y la técnica utilizada fue loFailure Modes and Effects Analysis(FMEA). Las fallas de alto riesgo quepueden causar un efecto adverso para elpaciente son: intercambio deadministración de fármacos paradispensar, drogas identificado con laetiqueta equivocada en procesounitarización, la falta de norma paraacortar la dosis en la prescripción,paciente de cambio por falta de atencióno nombre similar, solicitud de atenciónde emergencia sin receta y elintercambio de turno para enviar ladroga. El uso de la herramienta esadecuado para la identificación ypriorización de los riesgos, lo quepermite el desarrollo de un plan deacciones de mejora para hacer elproceso más seguro.Nos processos de cuidados da saúde, ospacientes estão sujeitos a diferentesperigos. O erro de medicação é uma dascausas de maior frequência dos eventosadversos que ocorrem nos hospitais.Uma avaliação de riscos pode subsidiara elaboração de um plano de ação paramitigar, reduzir ou eliminar essesperigos. O objetivo é avaliar os riscosaos pacientes no processo deadministração de medicamentos em umhospital universitário. Foi realizado emestudo de caso em um hospital&nbsp;universitário, localizado no Brasil, e atécnica utilizada foi Failure Modes andEffects Analysis (FMEA). As falhascom risco alto que podem ocasionar umevento adverso ao paciente são: troca demedicamentos na entrega paradispensação, medicamento identificadocom a etiqueta errada no processo deunitarização, falta de padrão paraabreviatura da dose na prescrição, trocado paciente por desatenção ousemelhança do nome, solicitação paraatendimento de emergência semprescrição e medicamento enviado noturno errado. O uso da ferramenta foiadequado para identificação epriorização dos riscos, possibilitando aelaboração de um plano de ações demelhoria para tornar o processo maisseguro

Use of direct oral anticoagulants for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVES: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is one of the most prevalent forms of pulmonary hypertension and is a major complication of acute pulmonary embolism. One mainstay of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension treatment is lifelong anticoagulation. The recent advent of direct oral anticoagulants for acute pulmonary embolism treatment has provided a viable and effective alternative for treating this condition. However, little is known about the efficacy of this new class of drugs for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: A cohort of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients who initiated treatment with direct oral anticoagulants between June 2015 and November 2016 were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Sixteen patients used rivaroxaban, three used dabigatran and one used apixaban for a mean follow-up of 20.9 months. The mean age was 51 years, and eighteen patients were classified as functional class II/III. Eight patients underwent a pulmonary endarterectomy and exhibited clinical, hemodynamic and functional improvement and currently continue to use direct oral anticoagulants. No episode of venous thromboembolism recurrence was identified during the follow-up period, but there was one episode of major bleeding after a traumatic fall. CONCLUSIONS: Although direct oral anticoagulants appear to be a safe and effective alternative for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, larger studies are needed to support their routine use

THE EFFECTS OF GIBBERELIC ACID ON CLUSTER GRAPE MORPHOLOGY CHARACTERISTICS CULTIVAR A DONA AND MARTE

Os experimentos foram realizados em videiras de ‘A Dona’ e ‘Marte’ em Jundiaí-SP, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do ácido giberélico (GA3) nas características morfológicas e químicas dos cachos e bagas de uva. Na cultivar A Dona enxertada sobre os porta-enxertos ‘IAC 766’ e Ripária do Traviú, avaliou-se o efeito do GA3 nas concentrações de 0, 10, 20 e 30 mg dm-3, aplicado aos 20 dias após o pleno florescimento. Na cultivar Marte avaliou-se o efeito do GA3 nas concentrações de 0, 15, 30, 45 e 60 mg dm-3. As características avaliadas foram a massa fresca dos cachos, bagas e engaços; comprimento e largura dos cachos e bagas; número de bagas e teor de sólidos solúveis. Concluiu-se que, para a cultivar A Dona não houve interação entre as concentrações de GA3 e os porta-enxertos, havendo no entanto, melhoria significativa nas características dos cachos com o porta-enxerto ‘IAC 766’. Em relação às concentrações de GA3, pela regressão polinomial, verificou-se que com a concentração de 20 mg dm-3 de GA3, obteve-se acréscimo de 75%, 63% e 9%, respectivamente, na massa fresca de cacho, baga e engaço; de 8% e 15% no comprimento e largura de cacho; de 20% e 10%, no comprimento e largura de bagas; e de 16% no número de bagas. Dessa maneira, recomenda-se para a cultivar A Dona a concentração de 20 mg dm-3 de GA3. Quanto a cultivar Marte, verificou-se aumento linear em todas as características avaliadas, sendo, portanto, recomendada a concentração de 60 mg dm-3.The research was carried out in the grapes cultivars A Dona and Marte at Jundiaí-SP, with a purpose to evaluate the effect of the gibberelic acid (GA3) on the morphology and chemical characteristics of the clusters and berries grape. For A Dona cultivar, the treatments consisted of four concentrations of GA3: 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg dm-3 applied by dipping of clusters. The GA3 was applied 20 days after the bloom. ‘A Dona’ was grafted on ‘Riparia of Traviu’ and ‘IAC 766’ rootstocks. For Marte cultivar, the treatments consisted of five concentrations of GA3: 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg dm-3. The characteristics evaluated were fresh weight of clusters, berries and rachis; length and diameter of clusters and berries, berries number and soluble solid contents. It was concluded that, to cultivate A Dona there was no interaction among the concentrations of GA3 and the rootstocks, but however, significant improvement in the characteristics of clusters with the rootstock 'IAC 766'. In relation the GA3 concentrations analyzed through regression it was verified that the 20 mg dm-3 of GA3 enhanced about 75, 63 and 9% respectively, the fresh weight of clusters, berries and rachis, and about 8 and 15% on length and diameter of clusters and 20 and 10% on berries length and diameter and 16% on the berries number. For A Dona cultivar the GA3 at 20 mg dm-3 was the best concentration. For Marte cultivar, it was observed linear increase for all the characteristics evaluated, therefore, it was recommended the utilization of the 60 mg dm-3 of GA3