Critical factors to be considered when planning the implementation of environmental improvements and energy saving

To identify the critical success factors in the adoption of energy efficiency actions in Brazilian hospitals and describe their behaviour are the objectives of this paper. In order to achieve these goals, a literature review was performed on green management and energy efficiency. This was the basis to define the questions of the interview script applied to two hospitals located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The interview script application was complemented by secondary data and direct observation. The results showed that: a) the studied hospitals are embracing environmental management actions more often and, whenever possible, energy efficiency actions are taken as well; and b) in the cases analysed top management support, commitment with the environment, green process design and employee empowerment were some of the most relevant critical success factors to the accomplishment of energy efficiency actions. These findings may be of interest to emerging countries, including BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

Detection of propranolol in pharmaceutical formulations by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

This paper describes an analytical reflectometric method that has an objective not only the industrial quality control but also to detect possible falsifications and/or adulterations of propranolol in pharmaceutical formulations. The method is based on the diffuse reflectance measurements of the colored product (III) of the spot test reaction between propranolol hydrochloride (I) and 2,6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide (II) using filter paper as solid support. Spot test conditions have been investigated using experimental design in order to identify and optimize the critical factors. The factors evaluated were DCQ concentration, propranolol solvent and DCQ solvent. The best reaction conditions were achieved with the addition of 30 mu L, of propranolol solution in ethanol 35% (v/v) and 30 mu L of DCQ solution at 70 mg mL(-1) in acetone, in this order. All reflectance measurements were carried out at 500 nm and the linear range was from 8.45 x 10(-4) to 8.45 x 10(-2) mol L-1 (r= 0.998). The limit of detection was 1.01 x 10(-4) mol L-1. No interference was observed from the assessed excipients and drugs. The method was applied to determine propranolol in commercial brands of pharmaceuticals. The results obtained by the proposed method were favorably compared with those given by the British Pharmacopoeia procedure. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modelo de referência para estruturar o Seis Sigma nas organizações

Este artigo apresenta o modelo de referência para estruturar o Seis Sigma, o qual é resultante da incorporação de teorias que contribuem para aumentar o potencial estratégico do Seis Sigma no sentido de incrementar o desempenho organizacional. em sua proposta, o modelo de referência engloba um direcionamento sobre certos requisitos primordiais para o sucesso do programa Seis Sigma. A base teórica de sustentação do modelo de referência foi construída a partir de estudos sobre a influência dos seguintes fatores: orientação estratégica e alinhamento estratégico; medição e gerenciamento do desempenho organizacional; uso de estatística (pensamento estatístico); capacitação/especialização de pessoas; implementação e gerenciamento de projetos; e uso de tecnologia de informação. Complementando a proposição do modelo, o artigo traz evidências empíricas acerca da contribuição dos fatores identificados na formulação do modelo de referência, expondo resultados decorrentes de estudos de caso realizados em quatro subsidiárias brasileiras de multinacionais de grande porte. A análise dos dados forneceu evidências positivas de que os fatores mencionados influenciam de forma efetiva o sucesso e a consolidação do Seis Sigma nas empresas estudadas.

Investigação da quebra de pigmentos por luz

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fatores críticos de sucesso da gestão ambiental com foco em eco-eficiência energética: estudo de múltiplos casos em unidades prestadoras de serivços hospitalares

Pós-graduação em Engenharia de Produção - FEB

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de equipamentos e metodologia para determinação de parâmetros físicos do solo relacionados a dias trabalháveis com máquinas agrícolas

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Fatores críticos de baixa efetividade no planejamento estratégico das cidades: um estudo na região metropolitana do vale do paraíba e litoral norte

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Product-portfolio management: A framework based on Methods, Organization, and Strategy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hatching, survival and deformities of piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) embryos subjected to different cooling protocols

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chronic nicotine activates stress/reward-related brain regions and facilitates the transition to compulsive alcohol drinking

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Halitose na geriatria: diagnóstico, causas e prevalência

Halitosis is the unpleasant odor of exhaust air through the mouth and lungs. There are over 50 causes, and approximately 90% of cases, is of oral origin. May have physiological origin (stress, breath of morning, fasting, and inappropriate diets), local reasons (bad oral hygiene, bacterial plaque retained on the tongue and/or tonsils, lower production of saliva, gum disease) or systemic reasons (diabetes, kidney or liver problems, constipation, etc.). In the Third Age, this problem tends to increase significantly. Thus, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of halitosis in the geriatric group attended in the dental clinic of UNIRP, identifying their incidence and principal causes. The sample consisted of 48 volunteer patients aged 60 years or older and included more than 90% of patients treated in this age group. It was performed a anamnesis and physical examination. The intra-oral halitosis was detected using a breath meter (halimeter). In the group studied, approximately 54.16% had halitosis, 84.61% of these were users of the prosthesis. The tongue coating was present in 80.76% of individuals with halitosis. After brushing the tongue, 88.46% of patients with halitosis have had the initial index oral malodor decreased. Based on the results of this study it was concluded that factors as dental prostheses and tongue coating are critical factors in causing halitosis.

New product development in brazilian technology-based small and medium enterprises

This article examines new product development (NPD) in small and medium-sized Brazilian enterprises (SMEs) in two technology-based industries: medical devices and process control automation devices. A conceptual model that categorizes factors that contribute to the success of a new product was established. The data were collected from a sample of 62 Brazilian SMEs. The conceptual model was tested to examine the relationships between NPD practices and new product success. Data analysis reveals that new product success in medical device companies is related to organizational characteristics such as NPD proficiency and marketing skills; while in process control automation device companies, they deal in a large degree with product differentiation, innovation and capability to analyze the targeted market. Due to the relatively small sample size, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results.

Localização de descargas parciais em transformadores de potência por meio de sensores piezelétricos de baixo custo e sistemas inteligentes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fatores ergonômicos críticos de mochos odontológicos e sua relação com a produtividade e satisfação de cirurgiões dentistas

The purpose of the ergonomics is to generate adequate working conditions, by the correct use of equipment and appropriate anatomic positions. Ergonomics has become essential in the dentist's life while in the dental practice. The misuse of equipment in performing tasks or the wrong choice of equipment can initiate various problems like back pain, bursitis, repetitive strain injury (RSI), limitation of movement, and stress. Using a survey that was implemented with professional dentists linked to Paulista Association of Dental Surgeons (APCD) and graduate students at the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) in the São José dos Campos (SP) region, this study intends to propose an adequate research instrument to identify ergonomic critical factors of dental stools and their relation to productivity and satisfaction of dentists. The survey was developed with Google Docs Forms tool and was designed by analysis of other studies, existing surveys and other papers in this area. Relevant content were discussed and developed questions about the stool used by dentists in their activities, the occurrence of any problems arising from the exercise of their profession and the views of respondents about the influence of using the dental stool in these cited problems as well as their productivity. Due to obstacles encountered during the project, particularly bureaucratic issues, the survey cannot be implemented as needed, resulting in a test with reduced number of answers. The users' opinion varies according to the stool used, bringing some difficulty to generalizing the answers, but if treated properly, it is possible to obtain relevant conclusions about the main aspects perceived by users in relation to the stool and the needs pointed as most important

Influência da cultura organizacional na implementação de um programa de melhoria contínua de uma empresa de grande porte

The objective of this study was to identify the facilitators and restrictive factors promoted by the organizational culture on the implementation of a continuous improvement program in a company. The influence of organizational culture on tools used to improve processes and results demonstrate critical factors for international competitiveness, reflecting a company's strategy. Depending on how new working methods are implemented, organizational changes to reduce variation and waste, such as lean production, can affect the employee experience in the workplace and their learning conditions. Changes and formalization of the work process can be coercive, characterized by forced compliance, introduction of rules, and focus on technical and financial methods; or may be favorable, encouraging employee involvement in problem solving and stressing learning and innovation. The basis of the analysis lies with two models for assessing organizational culture - Denison Model and Competing Values Framework. The methodology used was: conducting interviews, a questionnaire, literature review and documentary analysis of a large company equipment industry. Results suggest that organizational culture plays an important role in the adoption of Lean practices. It can contribute to its effectiveness and job satisfaction, but it is not decisive feature of their success. The conclusion is that the organizational culture becomes a driving factor when aligned to the proposed practices and when taken into consideration for planning, acting as a limitation when it does not promote development and a participative environment