A evolução das estratégias genéricas de competição e a influência de Michael E. Porter

Generic competitive strategies are considered almost as archetypes in Business Administration, sometimes leading to over simplification of their concepts as well as underestimation of their importance. Since publication in 1980, as part of Michael E. Porter's book Competitive Strategy, the generic strategies of Differentiation, Leadership in Total Cost and Focus have been used in whole or in part, in various approaches, accelerating dissemination of Porter's work and the subject itself. As a contribution to the development of knowledge about generic strategies, extensive research was carried out comparing the best known proposals such as such as the outpacing strategies (GILBERT; STREBEL, 1987, 1989), the value disciplines (TREACY; WIERSEMA, 1995), and the Delta Project (HAX; WILDE, 2001) among others, while adopting Porter's work (1980) as reference. It becomes evident that this work is not only versatile, as confirmed by use in proposals of other authors, but that it remains up to date, influential and can serve as a basis for conceptual advances of more recent complementary proposals and development of unique strategies by organizations.Las estrategias genéricas de competición son tratadas en Administración casi como arquetipos, lo que, a veces, puede llevar a una simplificación exagerada de sus conceptos y a la subvaloración de su relevancia. Desde su publicación en 1980, como parte del libro Compettitive Strategy, de Michael E. Porter, las estrategias genéricas de Diferenciación, Liderazgo en el Costo Total y Foco han sido utilizadas total o parcialmente en varios abordajes, acelerando la diseminación no sólo de ese trabajo de Porter, como del tema. Proponiéndose ofrecer una contribución para el desarrollo del conocimiento sobre estrategias genéricas, adoptamos el trabajo de Porter (1980) como referencia y realizamos una revisión bibliográfica profunda, comparándolo con las propuestas más conocidas, como las outpacing strategies, de Gilbert y Strebel (1987, 1989), las disciplinas de valor, de Treacy y Wiersema (1995), y el Proyecto Delta, de Hax y Wilde (2001), entre otras. Con eso, percibimos que el trabajo de Porter (1980) no es solamente simple y versátil, lo que se comprueba por su utilización parcial o integral en las propuestas de otros autores, como sigue actual, influyente y puede fundamentar las evoluciones conceptuales de las propuestas más recientes que lo complementan y el desarrollo de estrategias singulares por las organizaciones

Evaluation of the Non-Conventional Yeast Starmerella Bacillaris as Biocontrol Agent and Selected Starter for Alcoholic Beverages Production

Yeasts are the main protagonists of the alcoholic fermentation and strongly influence the final characteristics of wine and other alcoholic beverages. In winemaking, during spontaneous fermentation, this process is carried out by indigenous yeasts present on the grape berry and there is a progressive growth pattern of different yeast species, with the final stages invariably being dominated by the alcohol-tolerant strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This species is universally known as the ‘wine yeast’ and is widely preferred for initiating wine fermentations. From a technological point of view spontaneous grape juice fermentations sometime become stuck or sluggish. This lack of reproducibility and predictability has favored, in the past, the use of yeast starters, generally composed of single strains of S. cerevisiae. Selected S. cerevisiae strains predominate during must fermentation, ensure rapid and reliable grape juice fermentation and, as consequence, consistent and predictable wine quality. However, there has been increasing recognition that wines made with Saccharomyces starter cultures are less complex, producing standardized wines. In fact, during spontaneous fermentation many other species (the so call non–Saccharomyces yeasts) are present in the grape must and traditionally they were considered deleterious as responsible for some wine off-flavors. Recently, the role of non-Saccharomyces species has been re-evaluated as some of them has been proposed as co-starter to simulate natural must fermentation and to confer greater complexity and specificity to the wine. In this context, the thesis project was developed in order to select new non-Saccharomyces yeast strains from fermenting musts of overripe grape berries. This stage of grape ripening is characterized to be more susceptible to infection of fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, whom yeasts present on the berry surface have to compete with. Thirty-six isolates were identified as Starmerella bacillaris isolated from destemmed dried grape of Raboso Piave variety, grown on Bagnoli DOC (Appellation of Origin) area (North-East of Italy). This species is recently proven to be of oenological interest mainly for its high glycerol production. Among them, 14 strains were phenotypically characterized and, for the first time, the antifungal activity of S. bacillaris species against B. cinerea and P. expansum were demonstrated. Moreover, fermentation performances of S. bacillaris strains were evaluated in synthetic, grape and apple musts (for the first time in cider production). When tested in sequential fermentations with S. cerevisiae this yeast improved the quality of wine and cider. The obtained results indicate that S. bacillaris can be proposed as biocontrol agent on grape in vineyard and during postharvest on stored apples and its presence on fruit surface positively influences the following juice fermentation. Therefore the released of this yeast in the vineyard can increase the sustainability of the production process and the final wine quality. The obtained results provide a solid basis for a new management of yeast used for winemaking and other alcoholic beverage production and open new prospects for a more integrated strategy to increase wine quality. Then, in this thesis, new S. bacillaris characteristics were evaluated in order to improve alcoholic beverages quality, such as mannoproteins and glutathione production. The quantification of these compounds was determined at the end of fermentation in synthetic must. S. bacillaris was proved to produce different mannoproteins with functional characteristics related to wine stability. Mannoproteins extracted from S. bacillaris cultures presented great potential in increasing the protein stabilization, while if they were produced during sequential fermentation with S. cerevisiae, enhanced the tartaric stabilization. Moreover, in this thesis, a very high glutathione content was demonstrated in S. bacillaris cells after fermentation. Therefore, yeast lees obtained from S. bacillaris fermentations can be proposed as as glutathione source. In the last part of this thesis the aim was to understand the genomic determinants of S. bacillaris technological traits described in the previous parts. Therefore. the whole-genome sequence of two relevant S. bacillaris strains was performed. By means of genome comparisons between the two S. bacillaris strains and between S. bacillaris, S. cerevisiae and other oenological yeasts, specific genes and metabolic pathways involved in technologically-relevant traits were identified and studied

Tropical Dry Forest Succession and the Contribution of Lianas to Wood Area Index (WAI)

The transmission and interception of light through the canopy is an important indicator of forest productivity in tropical forest ecosystems, and the amount of light that eventually reaches the forest floor is influenced by its interactions with leaves, branches, fruits, and flowers among many different canopy elements. While most studies of forest canopy light interception focus on leaf area index (LAI), very few studies have examined wood area index (WAI), which may account for a substantial component of light interception in tropical forests. The influence of lianas on the interception of light and their overall contribution to WAI is a potentially important factor, but it is generally overlooked because of its difficulty to assess. In this paper we evaluate the relative contribution that lianas have to the overall WAI and canopy openness as function of successional stage via a latitudinal comparison of sites across the Americas (Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil). Our results suggest that lianas significantly increase WAI and decreases canopy openness. However, lianas were absent at all of our study sites where canopy openness exceeded 60%. Our data are the first to explicitly document the role of lianas in the estimation of WAI and, overall, they will contribute to better estimations of ecosystem level LAI in tropical environments, where there is a lack of data on WAI

Cleaning insoluble viscoplastic soil layers using static and moving coherent impinging water jets

Impinging liquid jets are widely employed in cleaning operations to remove residual soiling layers from walls and other surfaces of process vessels. Insoluble viscoplastic soiling layers represent challenging soils to clean as removal is primarily by hydraulic forces. The rheological behaviour of a commercial petroleum jelly was investigated and shown to exhibit significant creep below its critical stress. The removal of thin (< 1 mm) layers of petroleum jelly from glass and Perspex surfaces by coherent water jets impinging normally on vertical walls were studied experimentally. The jet clears a roughly circular area, forming a berm of removed material at the cleaning front. The shape of the berm was measured and found to depend on the ratio of the height of the water film and the initial thickness of the soil layer. The data were compared with the adhesive removal of viscoplastic soils proposed by Glover et al. (J. Food Eng., 2016, 178, 95-109) with the momentum flow rate calculated using the results in Bhagat and Wilson (Chem. Eng. Sci, 2019, 152, 606-623). The asymptotic approach to a cleaning limit observed in experiments with static nozzles required modification of the model: a semi-empirical term which represents the transition to a creeping regime is presented. The modified model allowed results obtained using static nozzles to predict the shape of the region cleaned by a jet from a similar nozzle moving across a soiled plate. The influence of process conditions on model parameters is discussed.CAPES Brazil Erasmus

Avaliação da diferença racial na condição de escore corporal e parâmetros do metabolismo lipídico em cavalos Puro Sangue Árabes e Puro Sangue Ingleses treinados para corrida

Foi investigada a existência de diferença na deposição de gordura e no metabolismo lipídico em cavalos de duas raças distintas, com aptidões diferentes, porém, utilizadas para o mesmo esporte. Foram avaliados 20 cavalos Puro Sangue Árabe e 20 cavalos Puro Sangue Ingleses treinados para corrida. As avaliações foram escore de condição corporal, peso e colheita de sangue para determinação de triglicerídeos, colesterol total e ácidos graxos não esterificados. Foi realizada a ultrassonografia da espessura de camada de gordura subcutânea sobre o músculo Longissimus dorsi entre a 17º e 18º costela, a espessura de camada de gordura subcutânea sobre o músculo glúteo médio utilizando o acetábulo como referência e o corte transversal do mesmo músculo. Os cavalos Árabes de corrida apresentaram maior deposição de gordura na camada subcutânea dos músculos glúteo médio e Longissimus dorsei que os cavalos Puro Sangue Ingleses. Tais fatosindicam uma diferença racial que o treinamento, ainda que semelhante a todos, não foi capaz de igualar.This study investigated the existence of difference of fat deposition and lipid metabolism in horses with different races and skills that were used for the same kind of sport. 20 Purebred Arabian and 20 Thoroughbred horses trained for flat race were evaluated. The analyses performed were body condition score, weight and blood collected for determination of triglycerides, total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids. Ultrasonography of the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer was performed on the Longissimus dorsi muscle between the 17th and 18th rib, the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer on the Gluteus medius muscle using the acetabulum as reference, and the cross section of the same muscle. Race-trained Arabian horses showed greater fat layer deposition in the Gluteus medius and Longissimus dorsei musclesthan Thoroughbred horses. These facts indicate that there is a metabolic difference, besides the phenotype, between the races. They also indicate the need to study specific physical conditioning programs for each kind of race

Comparação de diferentes métodos de diagnóstico da lesão de cárie oclusal em dentina

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of in-vitro methods for the occlusal dentine caries diagnosis. Thirty-eight sites were evaluated on third molars without macroscopic carious cavitation in adult individuals from the city of Barretos (SP), Brazil. Visual inspection (VI), endoscopic evaluation (AcuCam), visual inspection and blunt-tipped exploratory probes (Tactile), conventional bite-wing radiographs (CR), direct bite-wing digital radiograph (DR), and direct digital radiograph with contrast and brightness controled (DRbc) were used by five observers. In order to validate the data, the teeth were sectioned and histologically evaluated. The average sensitivity and specificity values of the methods were respectively:0,25 , 0,96 (VI); 0,15 , 0,92 (AcuCam); 0,17 , 0,95 (Tactile); 0,45 , 0,73 (CR); 0,33 , 0,80 (DR) and 0,35 , 0,84 (DRbc) , the effectiveness of clinical methods (VI, AcuCam and Tactile) as well as that of radiographic methods (CR, DR and DRbc) were comparatively similar. The clinical methods presented a smaller number of false-positive diagnosis than the radiographic methods. It was concluded that visual inspection is an important diagnostic method; conventional bite-wing and digital radiography aid the diagnosis and are equally efficient to diagnose carious lesions in the dentine of teeth without visible cavitation.O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar, in vitro, a efetividade de métodos de diagnóstico de lesões de cáries oclusais em dentina. Foram avaliados 38 sítios em 3º molares sem cavidades macroscópicas, de indivíduos adultos, provenientes da cidade de Barretos. Os exames inspeção visual (IV), endoscópio (AcuCam), inspeção visual e uso de sonda exploradora de ponta romba (Táctil), radiografia interproximal (RxC), radiografia digital direta (RxD), e radiografia digital direta com manipulação do contraste e brilho (Rxcb), foram realizados por 5 examinadores não calibrados. Para validação dos dados os dentes foram seccionados e avaliados histologicamente. Concluiu-se que, comparativamente, a efetividade entre os métodos clínicos foram similares, tanto quanto entre os radiográficos. Os métodos clínicos apresentaram um menor número de diagnósticos falsos positivos do que os radiográficos

O suicídio na Guarda Nacional Republicana - A acção de comando na prevenção, contenção e reintegração

O suicídio é um problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo que afecta, em especial, grupos específicos como são as Forças de Segurança. Neste mesmo grupo, tem-se assistido, nas últimas décadas, a um aumento significativo de suicídios, resultante de um conjunto de factores que distingue este grupo dos demais. O presente Trabalho de Investigação Aplicada iniciou-se clarificando o “estado da arte”, através de uma pesquisa bibliográfica com particular incidência em obras, teses e outros trabalhos sobre o suicídio; e bem assim em planos de prevenção e intervenção em casos de suicídio, em busca de conceitos teóricos para sustentar o trabalho de campo. A investigação de campo baseou-se na recolha de dados, através da realização de entrevistas semi – directivas, cujo tratamento através de uma análise de conteúdo às mesmas, permitiu dar resposta às perguntas de investigação e verificar as hipóteses formuladas. A acção de Comando deve ser uma pedra basilar no que diz respeito ao fenómeno do suicídio. O papel do Comandante tem sido descurado nos diversos estudos e planos de intervenção que têm vindo a ser criados, no entanto este poderá ser a chave para ajudar Militares em situação de risco, uma vez que está familiarizado com o comportamento típico de todos os seus Militares, permitindo-lhe uma detecção mais fácil dos problemas quando estes se estão a desenvolver. Comandantes pró – activos na promoção do bem-estar emocional e na gestão do stress podem ajudar na protecção dos seus subordinados. Concluiu-se que relativamente a mentalidade, é notório em todos os entrevistados que existe um conhecimento sobre a problemática do suicídio e todos concordam que tem um impacto muito negativo na Instituição Guarda, que os Comandantes não são preparados para lidar com este fenómeno nos seus Militares e, por último, que a formação dos Comandantes não prevê estas temáticas. Concluiu-se de igual forma que, para os Comandantes conseguirem prevenir e conter casos de risco necessitam de ferramentas que lhe permitam estar mais alerta para este tipo de problemáticas e fazer face a elas.Abstract Suicide is a worldwide public health problem, though affecting some groups in particular to a greater extent, such as the group constituted by the Security Forces. In recent decades this group has had a significant increase in terms of suicide amongst its men. The present study shows the state of the art concerning the issue of suicide in the group of security forces based on extensive bibliographic research, namely in terms of suicide intervention and prevention plans. The research made for this study was also based on data collected in semi-guided interviews, and its analysis, which made it possible to find answers for the initial questions and to check the initial hypothesis too. In several studies and plans of action the role of the Commander has been underestimated as far as dealing with the issue of suicide is concerned. However, due to the Commander’s proximity with his subordinates, his role might be of major importance in terms of detecting possible problems amongst his men. After a thorough analysis of all the interviews it could be concluded that all the interviewees had some knowledge about the topic of suicide and they also agreed that: suicide has a very negative impact within their institution; the commanders are not prepared or trained to deal with the phenomenon; and thirdly, for the Commanders to be prepared they need tools that can help them feel more alert and therefore be able to face and deal with these problem

Drinking of Salvia officinalis tea increases CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

In a previous study, the drinking of a Salvia officinalis tea (prepared as an infusion) for 14 days improved liver antioxidant status in mice and rats where, among other factors, an enhancement of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was observed. Taking in consideration these effects, in the present study the potential protective effects of sage tea drinking against a situation of hepatotoxicity due to free radical formation, such as that caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), were evaluated in mice of both genders. Contrary to what was expected, sage tea drinking significantly increased the CCl4-induced liver injury, as seen by increased plasma transaminase levels and histology liver damage. In accordance with the previous study, sage tea drinking enhanced significantly GST activity. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase was also significantly increased by sage tea drinking. Since CCl4 toxicity results from its bioactivation mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1, the expression level of this protein was measured by Western Blot. An increase in CYP 2E1 protein was observed which may explain, at least in part, the potentiation of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity conferred by sage tea drinking. The CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was higher in females than males. In conclusion, our results indicate that, although sage tea did not have toxic effects of its own, herb–drug interactions are possible and may affect the efficacy and safety of concurrent medical therapy with drugs that are metabolized by phase I enzymes.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/6942/2001, POCI/AGR/62040/200

Phenolic compounds protect HepG2 cells from oxidative damage : relevance of glutathione levels

Prova tipográfica (In Press)In the present work, the potential hepatoprotective effects of five phenolic compounds were evaluated against oxidative damages induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells in order to relate in vitro antioxidant activity with cytoprotective effects. t-BHP induced considerable cell damages to HepG2 cells as shown by significant LDH leakage, increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage as well as decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. All tested phenolic compounds significantly decreased cell death induced by t-BHP (when in co-incubation). If the effects of quercetin are given the reference value 1, the compounds rank in the following order according to inhibition of cell death: luteolin (4.0) > quercetin (1.0) > rosmarinic acid (0.34) > luteolin-7-glucoside (0.30) > caffeic acid (0.21). The results underscore the importance of the compound’s lipophilicity in addition to its antioxidant potential for its biological activity. All tested phenolic compounds were found to significantly decrease lipid peroxidation and prevent GSH depletion induced by t-BHP, but only luteolin and quercetin significantly decreased DNA damage. Therefore, the lipophilicity of the natural antioxidants tested appeared to be of even higher importance for DNA protection than for cell survival. The protective potential against cell death was probably achieved mainly by preventing intracellular GSH depletion. The phenolic compounds studied here showed protective potential against oxidative damages induced in HepG2 cells that could be beneficial against liver diseases where it is known that oxidative stress plays a crucial role.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia -SFRH/BD/6942/2001; POCTI/AGR/62040/2004

Impact of the bitewing radiography exam inclusion on the prevalence of dental caries in 12-year-old students in the city of Franca, São Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: The pattern of development of carious lesions has changed. The carious lesion has been progressive and reaches the dentin without showing alterations in the clinical aspects. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of caries in 12-year-old students in the city of Franca - São Paulo, Brazil, during the year of 2003, and to evaluate the additional value of bitewing radiograph to detect hidden carious lesions in permanent molar dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A probabilistic sample composed of two hundred and fifty six (256) students, from public and private schools, was submitted to a cross-sectional study through examination by a calibrated examiner, in order to detect the caries prevalence, using the methodology recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). For 66% of the sample, bitewing radiographs of the permanent molar region were obtained. The images were analyzed by a calibrated examiner, who established the presence of hidden caries in teeth with radiolucency in dentin, yet considered healthy in the epidemiological survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries in epidemiological exam without (WHO) and with (WHO/R) the inclusion of hidden caries lesion was 54% and 64%, and the DMFT index was 1.73 and 1.92 respectively. CONCLUSION: Utilization of the method of bitewing radiographic diagnosis significantly increased (pINTRODUÇÃO: Ocorreram mudanças no padrão de desenvolvimento da lesão de cárie. As lesões tem progredido e atingido a dentina, sem demonstrar alterações nos aspectos clínicos. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência de cárie em escolares de 12 anos no município de Franca - SP, Brasil, no ano de 2003 e avaliar o valor adicional da radiografia interproximal para detecção de lesões de cárie em dentina de molares permanentes na prevalência de cárie. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Desenvolveu-se um estudo transversal com uma amostra probabilística; em que foram realizados exames epidemiológicos por um examinador calibrado, em 256 escolares das redes de ensino público e particular, utilizando a metodologia recomendada pela OMS; e em 66% da amostra, foram obtidas radiografias interproximais da região de molares permanentes. As imagens foram analisadas por um examinador calibrado; considerando dente com lesão de cárie oculta, aquele que apresentava radiolucidez em dentina no exame radiográfico e no entanto, estava hígido no levantamento epidemiológico. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de cárie dentária no exame epidemiológico sem (OMS) e com (OMS/R) a inclusão da lesão de cárie oculta foi de 54% e 64%, e os índices CPOD, 1,73 e 1,92 respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: O emprego do método de diagnostico radiográfico interproximal aumentou significativamente (