Quality management practices to direct and control the accomplishment of project objectives in R&D units

Projects create value and capabilities for organizations and beneficiaries of their outcomes and must be managed by implementing quality processes to assure an execution compliant with plans, activities, and applicable standards, and to accomplish the defined requirements and objectives in an efficient and effective manner. This study analyzed the frequency of use of quality management practices by companies with R&D units and compared them with project management students expectations of implementing quality project management practices as a professional. The data was collected using an online survey, and twenty-six quality management practices have been analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, following standard procedures, and using the Independent-samples T-Test. For twelve out of the twenty-six practices, significant differences have been found between the two samples, five referring to quality planning practices and seven referring to quality control practices. For the twelve quality management practices, project management students had greater expectations of implementing them, in contrast to the actual frequency of use among the surveyed companies. The results can provide inputs to improve project management practices among companies, reinforcing the importance of training and recruiting project management professionals that have the required training, talent, and aligned expectations on how to successfully manage projects.- (undefined

Meteorological effects of a cold spell event over Amazonia: a case study

Observations of the influence of a Cold Spell phenomena on meteorological variables and on energy and CO2 fluxes were made in a forest site near Ji-Paraná, Rondonia, during June 2001. Friagem caused a diminution of 35% at air temperature. A reduction of 75 W.m-2 from normal days (200 W.m-2) to cold days (125 W.m-2) in the mean incoming solar radiation was also observed. During the Cold Spell days, both sensible heat (H) and latent heat fluxes (LE) showed a decrease in their mean daily value, showing a difference from normal days of 8 e 34%, respectively. The CO2 concentration remained constant, without increase during the night, due to the windy condition of cold days. During normal days the mean diurnal CO2 flux (-2,44 mmol m-2 s-1) was lesser than that one at phenomena days (-5,78 mmol m-2 s-1), while the mean nocturnal fluxes were +1,77mmol m-2 s-1 e +2,83mmol m-2 s-1 during normal and cold days, respectively.A influência do fenômeno da friagem nas variáveis meteorológicas e nos fluxos de energia e CO2 , foi realizada numa área de floresta próxima à região de Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, durante o mês de junho de 2001. A friagem ocasionou uma diminuição de 35% no valor da temperatura do ar. Notou-se uma redução de 75 W.m-2, na radiação solar incidente, associada à nebulosidade presente em decorrência da penetração da massa de ar fria. Conseqüentemente, tanto o fluxo de calor sensível (H) quanto o de calor latente (LE), apresentaram uma diminuição no seu valor médio diário, apresentando uma diferença em relação aos dias normais de 8 e 34%, respectivamente. A concentração de CO2 permaneceu constante, sem apresentar o aumento comum durante a noite, devido à condição de vento forte típica da friagem. Em situação normal o fluxo médio durante o dia de CO2 (-2,44 mmol m-2 s-1) foi menor que durante os dias de friagem (-5,78 mmol m-2 s-1); enquanto que os fluxos médios noturnos foram +1,77mmol m-2 s-1 e +2,83mmol m-2 s-1 durante situações de dias normais e de friagem, respectivamente.ROCHA, E. J. P. Universidade Federal do Par

Investigação de parâmetros que interferem na Carga de Trabalho Fisiológica no transporte de pacientes

Considering the lifting and transportation of patients in hospitals, workload rates can be high, which can cause Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD), in addition to increasing absenteeism and turnover rates. The present study aims to understand the opinion of workers regarding the restrictions that increase the physiological transport when transporting patients. It is necessary understanding the opinion of those who perform the activities; therefore, semi-structured interviews were conducted with workers, from focus groups. The results related to the characteristics were listed in a Current Reality Tree (CRT) in order to establish any restrictions in terms of workload to which the professionals are submitted. After analyzing the results, six main characteristics that interfere with the physiological workload were presented, such as excessive demand for workers; the high internal temperatures; the increased effort of the worker; the lack of adequate training; the problems with transport materials and, finally, the structural problems.En los hospitales, considerando el levantamiento y el transporte de pacientes, las tasas de carga de trabajo pueden ser altas, lo que puede causar Trastornos Musculoesqueléticos Relacionados con el Trabajo (WMSD), además de aumentar las tasas de ausentismo y rotación. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo conocer la opinión de los trabajadores sobre las restricciones que aumentan la carga de transporte fisiológico en el transporte de pacientes. Es necesario comprender la opinión de quienes hacen el trabajo. Por lo tanto, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a los trabajadores, de los grupos focales. Los resultados relacionados con las características fueron recogidos en un Árbol de Realidad Actual (ARA) para poder establecer las restricciones en cuanto a la carga de trabajo a la que están sometidos los profesionales. Luego de analizar los resultados, se presentaron seis características principales que interfieren con la carga de trabajo fisiológica, como el exceso de demanda de trabajadores; las altas temperaturas internas; el mayor esfuerzo del trabajador; la falta de formación adecuada; problemas con los materiales de transporte y, finalmente, problemas estructurales.Em hospitais, considerando o levantamento e transporte dos pacientes, os índices de carga de trabalho podem ser elevados, podendo provocar Distúrbios Osteomusculares Relacionados ao Trabalho (DORT) e aumentar índices de absenteísmo e turnover. O presente estudo teve por objetivo compreender a percepção dos trabalhadores a respeito das restrições que aumentam a carga de transporte fisiológico no transporte de pacientes. Sendo assim, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com os trabalhadores a partir de grupos focais. Os resultados relativos às características foram relacionados em uma Árvore de Realidade Atual (ARA) para poder estabelecer as eventuais restrições em termos de carga de trabalho às quais estão submetidos os profissionais. Após a análise dos resultados, apresentaram-se seis características principais que interferem na carga de trabalho fisiológica, como o excesso de demanda para os trabalhadores; as temperaturas altas internas; o aumento de esforço do trabalhador; a falta de treinamento adequado; os problemas com materiais de transporte e, por fim, os problemas estruturais

Mesenteric Microcirculatory Dysfunctions and Translocation of Indigenous Bacteria in a Rat Model of Strangulated Small Bowel Obstruction

PRUPOSE: Bacterial translocation has been shown to occur in critically ill patients after extensive trauma, shock, sepsis, or thermal injury. The present study investigates mesenteric microcirculatory dysfunctions, the bacterial translocation phenomenon, and hemodynamic/metabolic disturbances in a rat model of intestinal obstruction and ischemia. METHODS: Anesthetized (pentobarbital 50 mg/kg, i.p.) male Wistar rats (250-350 g) were submitted to intestinal obstruction or laparotomy without intestinal obstruction (Sham) and were evaluated 24 hours later. Bacterial translocation was assessed by bacterial culture of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver, spleen, and blood. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the mesenteric microcirculation were assessed by intravital microscopy, and P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expressions were quantified by immunohistochemistry. Hematocrit, blood gases, lactate, glucose, white blood cells, serum urea, creatinine, bilirubin, and hepatic enzymes were measured. RESULTS: About 86% of intestinal obstruction rats presented positive cultures for E. coli in samples of the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and 57% had positive hemocultures. In comparison to the Sham rats, intestinal obstruction induced neutrophilia and increased the number of rolling (~2-fold), adherent (~5-fold), and migrated leukocytes (~11-fold); this increase was accompanied by an increased expression of P-selectin (~2-fold) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (~2-fold) in the mesenteric microcirculation. Intestinal obstruction rats exhibited decreased PaCO2, alkalosis, hyperlactatemia, and hyperglycemia, and increased blood potassium, hepatic enzyme activity, serum urea, creatinine, and bilirubin. A high mortality rate was observed after intestinal obstruction (83% at 72 h vs. 0% in Sham rats). CONCLUSION: Intestinal obstruction and ischemia in rats is a relevant model for the in vivo study of mesenteric microcirculatory dysfunction and the occurrence of bacterial translocation. This model parallels the events implicated in multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) and death

Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite broad advances in multimodal treatment of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), 30 to 40% of patients develop loco-regional relapse. The aim of this study was to analyze in a retrospective manner the effectiveness of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRTh) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in patients with LABC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred twelve patients with LABC (stage IIB-IIIB) were treated with NCT (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m², doxorubicin 50 mg/m², and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m²(FAC), or doxorubicin 50 mg/m²and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m²(AC) IV in four 21-day courses) followed by CCRTh (60 Gy breast irradiation and weekly mitomycin 5 mg/m², 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m², and dexamethasone 16 mg, or cisplatin 30 mg/m², gemcitabine 100 mg/m²and dexamethasone 16 mg), and 6–8 weeks later, surgery and two additional courses of FAC, AC, or paclitaxel 90 mg/m²weekly for 12 weeks, and in case of estrogen-receptor positive patients, hormonal therapy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Stages IIB, IIIA and -B were 21.4, 42.9, and 35.7%, respectively. Pathological complete response (pCR) in the breast was 42% (95% CI, 33.2–50.5%) and, 29.5% (95% CI, 21.4–37.5%) if including both the breast and the axillary nodes. Multivariate analysis showed that the main determinant of pCR was negative estrogen-receptor status (HR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5–9; <it>p </it>= 0.016). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 76.9% (95% CI, 68.2–84.7%). No relationship between pCR and DFS was found. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the main DFS determinant was clinical stage (IIB and IIIA <it>vs. </it>IIIB, HR = 3.1; 95% CI, 1.02–9.74; <it>p </it>= 0.04). Only one patient had local recurrence. Five-year overall survival was 84.2% (95% CI, 75–93.2%). The toxicity profile was acceptable.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This non-conventional multimodal treatment has good loco-regional control for LABC. Randomized clinical trials of preoperative CCRTh following chemotherapy, in patients with LABC are warranted.</p

Phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from household dogs in Chile

IntroductionAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to animal and public health worldwide; consequently, several AMR surveillances programs have been implemented internationally in both human and veterinary medicine, including indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli. However, companion animals are not typically included in these surveillance programs. Nevertheless, there have been reports of increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli strains isolated from dogs worldwide. In Chile, there is limited information available on AMR in E. coli isolated from companion animals, which prevents the establishment of objective prevention and control measures.MethodsFor this reason, the aim of this study was to characterize the phenotypic and genotypic AMR of E. coli strains isolated from healthy household dogs in Chile. For this purpose, a multi-stage sampling was carried out in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, obtaining samples from 600 healthy dogs. These samples were processed using traditional bacteriology and molecular techniques to isolate E. coli strains. We assessed the minimal inhibitory concentration of 17 antimicrobials and conducted a search of six antimicrobial resistance genes, as well as class 1 and 2 integrons, in the isolated strains.ResultsTwo-hundred and twenty-four strains of E. coli were recovered, and 96.9% (n = 217) showed resistance to at least one drug and only 3.1% (n = 7) were susceptible to all analyzed antimicrobials. Most strains were resistant to cefalexin (91.5%, n = 205, 1st-generation cephalosporin), followed by ampicillin (68.3%, n = 153) and cefpodoxime (31.3%, n = 70, 3rd-generation cephalosporin). Moreover, 24.1% (n = 54) tested positive for extended-spectrum-β-lactamases and 34.4% (n = 77) were multidrug resistant. As for the AMR genes, the most detected was qnrB (28.1%, n = 63), followed by blaCTX-M (22.3%, n = 50), and blaTEM-1 (19.6%, n = 44). Additionally, 16.1% (n = 36) harbored class 1 integrons. Our study shows that E. coli strains isolated from healthy household dogs exhibit resistance to several relevant drugs and also antimicrobial resistance genes considered critical for human health. These results can be used as a starting point for the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance from companion animals. This background should be considered when formulating future resistance surveillance programs or control plans in which companion animals must be included

PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: THE VISION OF A GROUP OF ELDERLY

Objetivo: Descrever e analisar a visão de um grupo de idosos a cerca da prevenção das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa. Utilizou-se para coleta de dados um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturada. Os sujeitos foram 20 idosos que participam do Programa Terceira Idade em ação da Universidade Federal do Piauí. Os dados foram categorizados, analisados e discutidos conforme o referencial teórico. Resultados: percebeu-se que os idosos possuem certo esclarecimento sobre as DST, sobretudo a AIDS. Conclusão: a maioria reconhece no uso do preservativo a forma de prevenção mais adequada e muitos entrevistados demonstraram preconceito quanto ao uso do preservativo

PREVENTION OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: THE VISION OF A GROUP OF ELDERLY

Objetivo: Descrever e analisar a visão de um grupo de idosos a cerca da prevenção das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa. Utilizou-se para coleta de dados um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturada. Os sujeitos foram 20 idosos que participam do Programa Terceira Idade em ação da Universidade Federal do Piauí. Os dados foram categorizados, analisados e discutidos conforme o referencial teórico. Resultados: percebeu-se que os idosos possuem certo esclarecimento sobre as DST, sobretudo a AIDS. Conclusão: a maioria reconhece no uso do preservativo a forma de prevenção mais adequada e muitos entrevistados demonstraram preconceito quanto ao uso do preservativo