Analysis of the production function in civil construction: a driver for lean construction

The construction industry has bleen an important role for economic growth, and gains in productivity could produce a significative impact. However, historically, it has been proved that this industry is operating not significativelly well in terms of efficiency related performance. The objective of this work is to justify the adoption of Lean Construction, as a comprehensive alternative for addressing problems related to resource and systemic productivity. To frame the productivity problem, the work analyzes the productivity of this sector, using the production function of Cobb Douglas, which is an econometric concept that provides information to assess relationships between the total volume produced, and the resources that are used during the production process. The present work has analyzed biggest  companies in the world of civil construction, all of them listed in the Forbes 2017 publication. The production function analysis shows that these organizations are experiencing returns of decreasing scale. To address this results, this paper discusses the use of lean construction as a feasible alternative to increase productivity, considering the effects that operations networks and supply chain level could produce in the aggregate level of industry performance

Lean Construction: IGLC research evolution and agenda for the future

The way Lean Construction has evolved within the construction industry is still not entirely clear. Inspired by lean manufacturing, there are differences in the output of the construction industry, thus resulting in differences between both types of sectors. In 2012, Jacobs, Folkestad, Glick have conducted a study analyzing the works published in the IGLC between 1996 and 2009. The authors have noticed a gap between Lean Construction and the Toyota Production System framework. In view of the high volume of publications between 2010 and 2016, as well as of the dynamics of the sector, this work proposed to reanalyze the 686 works published in this interval, and to verify whether there have been changes in the content of Lean Construction. It also proposes to map, within the proposed topics, the main topics studied each year through content analysis. Initially, the results obtained with the publication of 2012 have been compared, and it was possible to verify that certain topics remained, as was the case of work-on-process improvement. On the other hand, new topics have emerged and became frequent, such as the case of the Last Planner tool. Thereafter, a roadmap was drawn up by grouping the main topics covered each year by topic, allowing the understanding of the development of Lean Construction in the studied time interval

Soroepidemiologia do lentivirus em ovinos no Semiárido baiano.

[Epidemiology of small ruminant lentiviruses in sheep semiarid of Bahia]. Abstract: To verify the occurrence of antibodies against SRLV in sheep flocks from farms located in Microregion of Feira de Santana, Bahia, we performed a seroepidemiological survey of 10 municipalities with the most effective micro sheep: Antonio Cardoso, Feira de Santana, Ipecaetá , Ipirá, Itatim, Pintadas, Rafael Jambeiro, Santa Terezinha, Santo Estevão e Serra Preta, totaling 384 samples collected from 48 municipalities visited properties. The samples were subjected to the test of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) to give negative results in all sera investigated. This finding can be attributed to the composition of herds, which are mostly of animals breed, the system of creation predominantly semi-extensive and type of exploitation for meat, which reduced the risk of introduction of lentivirus . Therefore, in order to preserve the genetic material already adapted to semi-arid climatic adversities, sanitary measures can be taken to prevent the entry of infectious agents circulating in these herds. This is necessary especially because of the tendencies of improving the productivity of small ruminant animals by the introduction of imported breed

Transgene inheritances and genetic similarities of near isogenic lines of genetically modifi ed common beans

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a herança e a estabilidade de transgenes de uma linhagem de feijoeiro-comum com expressão dos genes rep-trap-ren, do Bean golden mosaic virus, e do gene bar. Foram realizados cruzamentos entre a linhagem transgênica e quatro cultivares comerciais de feijão, seguidos de quatro retrocruzamentos. As progênies de cada cruzamento foram avaliadas quanto à presença dos transgenes, com aplicação do glifosinato de amônia nas folhas e por meio da reação da polimerase em cadeia com uso de oligonucleotídeos específicos. O vírus do mosaico comum necrótico do feijoeiro, Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), foi inoculado mecanicamente nas gerações avançadas. Os transgenes foram herdados em padrão mendeliano nos quatro cruzamentos estudados. As linhagens analisadas apresentaram cerca de 80% das características do parental recorrente, conforme determinado por análises com uso de marcadores de DNA, além de manter caracteres importantes, tais como resistência ao BCMNV. A presença do transgene não causou efeitos indesejáveis que pudessem ser detectados nas progênies avaliadas.The objective of the present work was to determine the inheritance and stability of transgenes of a transgenic bean line expressing the genes rep-trap-ren from Bean golden mosaic virus and the bar gene. Crosses were done between the transgenic line and four commercial bean cultivars, followed by four backcrosses to the commercial cultivars. Progenies from each cross were evaluated for the presence of the transgenes by brushing the leaves with glufosinate ammonium and by polymerase chain reaction using specific oligonucleotides. Advanced generations were rub-inoculated with an isolate of Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV). The transgenes were inherited consistently in a Mendelian pattern in the four crosses studied. The analyzed lines recovered close to 80% of the characteristics of the recurrent parent, as determined by the random amplified DNA markers used, besides maintaining important traits such as resistance to BCMNV. The presence of the transgene did not cause any detectable undesirable effect in the evaluated progenies

Avaliação de cultivares e híbridos de bananeira em quatro ciclos de produção

New productive banana hybrids, presenting good fruits and disease resistant, have been generated at Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical. The objective of this work was to evaluate some of these genotypes in four production cycles, to recommend them to the farmers. The experiment was carried out in the completely randomized design with 18 replications in Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil. The genotypes evaluated were the varieties Grande-Naine, Nanica, Nam, Thap Maeo, Mysore, Caipira, Prata-Comum, Pacovan and Prata-Anã and the hybrids Pioneira, PA03-22, FHIA-18, PV03-76, PV03-44 and JV03-15. The characteristics analyzed were plant height, pseudostem diameter, bunch weight, number of fruits, fruit length and cycle. Along the cycles, 'Nanica' presented the smallest plant height, while 'Prata-Anã' stood out in the pseudostem diameter, followed by 'Prata-Comum' and JV03-15. 'Thap Maeo' stood out in the bunch weight and in the number of fruits, followed by FHIA-18, in the first character, and by 'Mysore', 'Caipira' and FHIA-18, in the second. 'Grande-Naine' and 'Nanica' presented the largest fruit length, while FHIA-18 and PA03-22 stood out in the precocity. It was concluded that 'Thap Maeo' has potential to substitute 'Mysore', and the hybrids evaluated present quality to be recommended to the farmers.Híbridos superiores de bananeira com alta produtividade, frutos vistosos e resistência a doenças estão sendo gerados no programa de melhoramento genético da Embrapa-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar alguns desses genótipos em quatro ciclos de produção, visando sua recomendação aos agricultores. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 18 repetições, em Cruz das Almas, BA. Avaliaram-se as cultivares Grande-Naine, Nanica, Nam, Thap Maeo, Mysore, Caipira, Prata-Comum, Pacovan e Prata-Anã e os híbridos Pioneira, PA03-22, FHIA-18, PV03-76, PV03-44 e JV03-15. Analisaram-se os caracteres altura da planta, diâmetro do pseudocaule, peso do cacho, número de frutos, comprimento do fruto e ciclo. Ao longo dos ciclos, a 'Nanica' apresentou o menor porte, enquanto a 'Prata-Anã' se destacou no diâmetro do pseudocaule, seguida pela 'Prata-Comum' e pelo JV03-15. A 'Thap Maeo' sobressaiu-se no peso do cacho e no número de frutos, seguida pelo FHIA-18, no primeiro caráter, e pela 'Mysore', pela 'Caipira' e pelo FHIA-18, no segundo caráter. A 'Grande-Naine' e a 'Nanica' apresentaram o maior comprimento do fruto, enquanto o FHIA-18 e o PA03-22 destacaram-se na precocidade. A 'Thap Maeo' tem potencial para substituir a 'Mysore' e os híbridos avaliados apresentam qualidade para vir a ser recomendados aos agricultores

Estimation of specific VO2max for elderly in cycle ergometer

The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a specific estimation model of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) based on submaximal ventilatory indicators on a cycle ergometer test protocol in elderly men. We tested, using an incremental protocol, 181 healthy and non-athletes male volunteers, aged between 60 and 79 years old, randomly divided into two groups: group A, of estimation (n = 137), and group B, of validation (n = 44). The independent variables were: body mass in kg, second workload threshold (WT2) and heart rate at the second ventilatory threshold (VT2). The cross-validation method was used in group B, with group A serving as the basis for the model and the validation dataset. The results presented a multiple linear regression model for estimation of VO2max = 31.62 + 0.182 (WT2) – 0.302 (body mass) in mlO2/kg/min-1; adjusted R2 = 0.98 and SEE = 0.682 (mlO2/Kg/min-1). The construction of this specific model for healthy and non-athletes elderly men can demonstrate that it is possible to estimate VO2max with a minimum error (SEE < 1.00) from indicators of ventilatory thresholds obtained in an incremental submaximal test

Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae for lignocellulosic valorization: a review and perspectives on bioethanol production

The biorefinery concept, consisting in using renewable biomass with economical and energy goals, appeared in response to the ongoing exhaustion of fossil reserves. Bioethanol is the most prominent biofuel and has been considered one of the top chemicals to be obtained from biomass. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the preferred microorganism for ethanol production, has been the target of extensive genetic modifications to improve the production of this alcohol from renewable biomasses. Additionally, S. cerevisiae strains from harsh industrial environments have been exploited due to their robust traits and improved fermentative capacity. Nevertheless, there is still not an optimized strain capable of turning second generation bioprocesses economically viable. Considering this, and aiming to facilitate and guide the future development of effective S. cerevisiae strains, this work reviews genetic engineering strategies envisioning improvements in 2nd generation bioethanol production, with special focus in process-related traits, xylose consumption, and consolidated bioprocessing. Altogether, the genetic toolbox described proves S. cerevisiae to be a key microorganism for the establishment of a bioeconomy, not only for the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol, but also having potential as a cell factory platform for overall valorization of renewable biomasses.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020, the PhD grants [SFRH/BD/ 130739/2017 to CEC; SFRH/BD/146367/2019 to POS; SFRH/ BD/132717/2017 to SLB], the MIT-Portugal Program [PhD Grant PD/BD/128247/2016 to JTC], BioTecNorte operation [NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004] and Biomass and Bioenergy Research Infrastructure (BBRI)- LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER- 022059] funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trajetórias formativas de licenciandos em matemática: percepções sobre constituir-se professor

This article, of a qualitative and descriptive nature, aimed to reflect on the formation of the mathematics teacher, seeking to analyze the perceptions of undergraduate students about their formative trajectories. It was adopted as an initial guiding question to mobilize the research: How do I become a teacher of Mathematics? It was directed to the 28 students of the 7th period of the Mathematics Degree at the IFPI - Campus Piripiri, whose analyzes derive from the conceptions of education and training by D'Ambrósio (2012), Fiorentini and Castro (2003), Franco and Pimenta (2010), Schulman (2004) among others. In the methodology, three categories of analysis were highlighted: (1) training needs of graduates; (2) mobilizing moments of teacher training and (3) contributions from teacher teachers. The results point out among the main training needs the domain of mathematical knowledge, projects and research and didactic innovation, and listening and dialogue need to be constituted of permanent teaching actions throughout the trajectory.Este artigo, de natureza qualitativa e descritiva, teve como objetivo refletir sobre a formação do professor de Matemática, procurando analisar as percepções dos licenciandos sobre suas trajetórias formativas. Adotou-se como questão norteadora inicial para mobilizar a pesquisa: Como vou me constituindo professor (a) de Matemática? Foi direcionada aos 28 acadêmicos do VII período da Licenciatura em Matemática do IFPI- Campus Piripiri, cujas análises decorrem das concepções de educação e formação de D’Ambrósio (2012), Fiorentini e Castro (2003), Franco e Pimenta (2010), Schulman (2004), dentre outros. Na metodologia foram destacadas três categorias de análises: (1) necessidades formativas dos licenciandos; (2) momentos mobilizadores de formação docente e (3) contribuições dos professores formadores. Os resultados apontam dentre as principais necessidades formativas o domínio do conhecimento matemático, projetos e pesquisas e inovação didática, sendo que a escuta e o diálogo precisam se constituir de ações docentes permanentes durante toda a trajetória

Smart asphalt mixtures: a bibliometric analysis of the research trends

A smart asphalt mixture holds new capabilities different from the original ones or can react to a stimulus. These capabilities can be categorized based on smartness or function: smartness, mechanical, electrical, optical, energy harvesting, electromagnetic wave/radiation shielding/absorbing, and water related. The most important capabilities applied to asphalt mixtures are the photocatalytic, self-cleaning, self-healing, superhydrophobic, thermochromic, deicing/anti-icing, and latent heat thermal energy storage abilities. This research deals with a bibliometric review of the peer-reviewed journal articles published on the Scopus database, with the strings of terms related to these capabilities and asphalt or bitum in their titles, abstracts, and keywords. The review analysis highlighted the increasing number of accumulated publications, confirming the relevance of this research topic in recent years. The capability most often referred to was self-healing. The study showed that China was the most productive country. Research articles were mostly published in the journal Construction and Building Materials. Several techniques and methods are being developed regarding smart asphalt mixtures; for that reason, this research work aims to evaluate the literature under a bibliometric analysis.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), NanoAir PTDC/FIS-MAC/6606/2020, MicroCoolPav EXPL/EQU-EQU/1110/2021, UIDB/04650/2020, and UIDB/04029/2020. This research was also supported by the doctoral grant 2023.02795.BD, funded by FCT, as well as and bydoctoral grant PRT/BD/154269/2022 financed by the FCT and with funds from POR Norte-Portugal 2020 and State Budget, under MIT Portugal Program. The first author would like to acknowledge the FCT for funding (2022.00763.CEECIND)

AMANSADOS PELA FÉ: REFLEXÕES SOBRE AS FACES DAS CONVERSÕES DOS PALIKUR

O artigo reflete sobre o processo de conversão dos Palikur, povo nativo do Estado do Amapá, ao catolicismo romano e, posteriormente, ao pentecostalismo a eles introduzido pelos missionários do Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL). Resgatando considerações de Arnaud (1984), Capiberibe (2001) e Passes (1998) a respeito e empreendendo esforço de compreensão dos condicionantes que provavelmente contribuíram para a efetivação desse evento, além dos já mencionados pelos autores de base, o artigo propõe, na condição de outro explicador, a possibilidade de escolha como iniciativa dos próprios Palikur, percebendo-se que se mantém um sistema de costumes e crenças integrando a cosmologia palikur, por um lado, e a fé cristã manifesta no catolicismo romano e no pentecostalismo missionário, por outro, evento este que finda por se inscrever na esfera dos processos de hibridização cultural. Nota-se, por fim, que, a despeito disso, as sucessivas intervenções de natureza religiosa impactaram de maneira profunda a cosmologia ancestral palikur em favor de um ideal de evangelização resultado de interpretações unilaterais das narrativas bíblicas