Interactions between firms and universities in an immature system of innovation: a survey of industrial R&D-performers firms in Minas Gerais, Brazil

This paper presents preliminary results from a survey of R&D-performer industrial firms located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The inspiration for this research comes from the Yale Survey (Klevorick et all, 1995) and from the Carnegie Mellon Survey (Cohen et all, 2002), for these Surveys are groundwork for the study of interactions between universities and firms. The objective of this Minas Gerais Survey (MG Survey, henceforth) is the investigation of specific characteristics of the interaction between universities and firms in an 'immature national system of innovation'. The first section summarizes the theoretical questions putted forward by this investigation, specially the role of universities in immature NSIs. The second section investigates the Brazilian NSI using data from the IBGE’s PINTEC, focusing the R&D performer firms in Brazil and the importance of universities and public research institutes as source of knowledge for industrial innovation. This second section presents data that highlight the position of Minas Gerais in the Brazilian NSI and helps to define the MG Survey research universe. The third section summarizes the issues involved in the adaptation of the Yale and the Carnegie Mellon questionnaires to the Brazilian reality and in the identification of the R&D-performer firms in Minas Gerais. The fourth section presents the MG Survey results. The fifth section concludes the paper.systems of innovations, interactions between science and technologies

Dimensionality effects in the LDOS of ferromagnetic hosts probed via STM: spin-polarized quantum beats and spin filtering

We theoretically investigate the local density of states (LDOS) probed by a STM tip of ferromagnetic metals hosting a single adatom and a subsurface impurity. We model the system via the two-impurity Anderson Hamiltonian. By using the equation of motion with the relevant Green functions, we derive analytical expressions for the LDOS of two host types: a surface and a quantum wire. The LDOS reveals Friedel-like oscillations and Fano interference as a function of the STM tip position. These oscillations strongly depend on the host dimension. Interestingly, we find that the spin-dependent Fermi wave numbers of the hosts give rise to spin-polarized quantum beats in the LDOS. While the LDOS for the metallic surface shows a damped beating pattern, it exhibits an opposite behavior in the quantum wire. Due to this absence of damping, the wire operates as a spatially resolved spin filter with a high efficiency.Comment: revised tex

Spots of interaction: an investigation on the relationship between firms and universities in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Spots of interaction summarize the nature of partial connections (between science and technology) operating in the Brazilian system of innovation. A pilot study in Minas Gerais, Brazil, uses two new research tools (for immature NSIs) and presents a database with research groups located in universities and a database built upon an adapted version of the pioneering Yale and Carnegie Mellon Surveys. These complementary databases identify spots of interaction, indicating how economic sectors use specific science and engineering fields. This investigation identifies a dual role of universities in immature NSIs, as substitutes and/or complements firms R&D.systems of innovation, underdevelopment, interactions between science and technology, surveys, universities

Ant assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in three different stages of forest regeneration in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in Sergipe, Brazil

This study aimed to compare the soil ant communities in the Atlantic Forest, in two areas in the restoration process; an area reforested for seven years and another for five years, and a native forest fragment, located near Laranjeiras city in Sergipe State, Brazil, in February (dry season) and June (wet season) 2012. We estimated whether the richness and composition of ants significantly differed between areas. In each sampling area, five plots (20 × 50m) were delineated, spaced 150 m apart, in which five pitfall traps without bait were installed, located 10 m apart, totaling 25 traps/sample area. We sampled 82 morphospecies distributed among 31 genera and seven subfamilies. The richness of ants did not differ between the three study areas (F = 1.71, p = 0.19). The species composition of ants did not differ between forested areas, but differences were observed in the native forest fragment. The species with the highest frequency of occurrence that can serve as indicators in reforested areas were: Pheidole (group Fallax) sp7, Camponotus (Myrmaphaenus) and Crematogaster abstinens. In remnant forests, the species Camponotus renggeri, Pheidole sp.4 and Pseudomyrmex tenuis can indicate environments unless they are disturbed. The results show that ants are sensitive to changes in vegetation and can be used as bioindicators of disturbed areas and/or native forests, and also highlight the importance of conserving remaining forests

Efeitos do tramadol sobre variáveis clínicas e limiar nociceptivo mecânico em equinos

Avaliaram-se os efeitos clínicos e o potencial antinociceptivo mecânico de diferentes doses de tramadol administradas por via intravenosa (IV) em equinos. Sete animais foram tratados com 1 (Tr1), 2 (Tr2) ou 3 (Tr3) mg kg-1de tramadol IV em um estudo cruzado do tipo cego e randomizado. Foram avaliados frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, temperatura retal, pressão arterial, nível de sedação, motilidade gastrointestinal, alterações comportamentais e limiar antinociceptivo mecânico (Von Frey). As principais alterações evidenciadas pela administração do tramadol concentram-se no aumento na frequência respiratória em Tr3, aumento signifi cativo da pressão arterial em Tr1 e redução da motilidade gastrointestinal, mais pronunciada em Tr2. O tramadol não promoveu alteração signifi cativa no limiar nociceptivo mecânico. As alterações clínicas observadas nos diferentes tratamentos foram consideradas leves e transitórias. Diante dos resultados, pode-se concluir que o tramadol não apresentou efeito antinociceptivo passível de ser avaliado pelo método empregado no presente estudo, em nenhum dos tratamentos. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis study assessed the clinical effects and the mechanical antinociceptive potential of intravenous (IV) tramadol in horses.A blinded and randomized study was designed with 7 horses treated with 1 (Tr1), 2 (Tr2) or 3 (Tr3) mg kg-1 of tramadol IV. The heart rate, respiratory rate (fR), arterial pressure, degree of sedation, gastrointestinal motility (GI), behavior changes and the mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) were evaluated. The MNT was determined with von Frey device method.Tr3 had a signifi cant increase in their fR and more pronounced behavioral changes than other treatments.The Tr1 showed a signifi cant increase in arterial pressure. The GI reduced signifi cantly, mainly in Tr2. The tramadol did not change the MNT of the horses.The clinical alterations observed with the different treatments were considered mild and transitory, being most evident in Tr2. However the tramadol did not have any analgesic effect with any of the doses evaluated

Irradiação de micro-ondas aplicada à síntese orgânica: uma história de sucesso no Brasil

This review article shows the publications in the field of microwave irradiation published by Brazilian researchers over the past 10 years. In South America, Brazil leads the publication of articles with the use of microwave irradiation possessing a large advantage in number of articles published over the others countries. The works were divided into four major areas: Catalysis, Reactions without Solvent, Heterocycles Chemistry, Natural Products and Other, and some could be classified in more than one category

Cardiac Impairment Evaluated by Transesophageal Echocardiography and Invasive Measurements in Rats Undergoing Sinoaortic Denervation

Background: Sympathetic hyperactivity may be related to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and baro- and chemoreflex impairment in hypertension. However, cardiac function, regarding the association of hypertension and baroreflex dysfunction, has not been previously evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) using intracardiac echocardiographic catheter.Methods and Results: We evaluated exercise tests, baroreflex sensitivity and cardiovascular autonomic control, cardiac function, and biventricular invasive pressures in rats 10 weeks after sinoaortic denervation (SAD). the rats (n = 32) were divided into 4 groups: 16 Wistar (W) with (n = 8) or without SAD (n = 8) and 16 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with (n = 8) or without SAD (SHRSAD) (n = 8). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) did not change between the groups with or without SAD; however, compared to W, SHR groups had higher BP levels and BP variability was increased. Exercise testing showed that SHR had better functional capacity compared to SAD and SHRSAD. Echocardiography showed left ventricular (LV) concentric hypertrophy; segmental systolic and diastolic biventricular dysfunction; indirect signals of pulmonary arterial hypertension, mostly evident in SHRSAD. the end-diastolic right ventricular (RV) pressure increased in all groups compared to W, and the end-diastolic LV pressure increased in SHR and SHRSAD groups compared to W, and in SHRSAD compared to SAD.Conclusions: Our results suggest that baroreflex dysfunction impairs cardiac function, and increases pulmonary artery pressure, supporting a role for baroreflex dysfunction in the pathogenesis of hypertensive cardiac disease. Moreover, TEE is a useful and feasible noninvasive technique that allows the assessment of cardiac function, particularly RV indices in this model of cardiac disease.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ São Paulo, Fac Med, Cardiomyopathy Unit, Heart Inst InCor,Hosp Clin, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Med, Hypertens Unit, Heart Inst InCor,Hosp Clin, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biosci, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biosci, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Staff Knowledge and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 New Biosafety Practices at a Brazilian Dental School

Objective: To evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards biosafety recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Brazilian dental school. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 with the clinical staff of a Brazilian dental school. The whole clinical staff was sent pre-tested self-administered online questionnaires about knowledge and attitudes towards the recommendations for biosafety in dental settings in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistical analyses were carried out for proportion calculation. Results: Disposable head covering caps, isolation gowns, and gloves were the most frequently reported personal protective equipment (PPE). The rates ranged from 52.9% to 88.5% for N95 respirators, from 68.6% to 92.6% for face shields, from 47.4% to 67.5% for conventional eye protection shields, and 45.1% to 77.4% for eye protection with solid side shields. Chlorhexidine gluconate was the most frequent mouthwash indicated before clinical dental care. The percentage of agreement to provide clinical care to patients with suspected COVID-19 varied from 23.5% to 50.0%. The percentage of respondents who agreed that bioaerosol-generating procedures should be avoided was higher than 74.5%. Less than 50% knew the correct sequence for doffing of PPE. Conclusion: This study revealed important gaps in knowledge and attitudes towards prevention and control measures against infection in dental environments in the context of COVID-19, indicating the need for improvements

EROSÃO URBANA: A PROBLEMÁTICA DAS CRATERAS ASFÁLTICAS.

O espaço geográfico é constituído por um elo entre a sociedade e a natureza e para sua constituição foram necessárias muitas alterações no sistema natural. Esse processo desencadeou inúmeras mudanças, em que, muitas das vezes ocorreram sem o devido planejamento e ocasionaram no engendramento do urbano e nas múltiplas e difusas problemáticas relacionadas a superfície do relevo, a hidrologia e a degradação do pavimento asfáltico. Dessarte, este artigo tem por objetivo analisar de forma exploratória os fatores morfológicos da superfície pavimentada condicionantes para o desenvolvimento das crateras asfálticas em perímetro urbano. Por meio de estudo em campo foram selecionados pontos da cidade de Frutal-MG que apresentavam crateras em níveis acentuados e sobrepostos em morfologias de superfície dessemelhantes, sempre levando em consideração também as feições geomorfológicas presentes. Foi constatado que a morfologia da superfície pode contribuir para aumentar a problemática das crateras urbanas, assim como a falta da percepção sistêmica no planejamento urbano da cidade

Dental Findings of Kidney and Liver Transplantation Patients from a Brazilian Oral Health Care Service

Objective: To describe dental findings of kidney and liver, pre and post-transplant patients of an oral health care service from a Brazilian Southeast state. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was developed with a sample of patients attending the oral health care program for transplantation of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Participants were divided into two groups according to the kind of transplantation-kidney or liver. Characteristics of the sample, sex (male/female), age (18-44; 45-54; 55-80), living region (Belo Horizonte, or outside), phase of transplantation (pre-Tx or post-Tx), and self-report of diabetes mellitus and hypertension were presented by frequencies. Dental caries experienced was measured by Decayed, Missing and Filled-Teeth (DMF-T) index. Results: 185 patients, kidney (46; 24.9%), and liver (139; 75.1%) were included. Mean DMFT was 18.3 (20.0). DMFT scores of males (18.7; 20.0), females (17.2; 18.0), pre-transplanted (18.3; 20.0), and post-transplanted (18.1; 20.0) were similar. The liver transplantation group (19.3; 20.0) showed higher caries experience comparing to kidney´s (15.2; 17.0). Conclusion: Dental caries experience was high in kidney and liver patients under transplantation therapy. This highlights the demand for treatment need in this population