Cómo mejorar la competitividad a través de programas de mejoramiento continuo y el uso del Balanced Scorecard.© Caso: Grunenthal Ecuatoriana Cía. Ltda.

Grunenthal Ecuatoriana Cia. Ltda. es una empresa que ha ocupado un elevado nivel de competitividad durante veinticinco años en el país, razón por la cual se hace indispensable desarrollar una propuesta de mejora continua que permita ajustar las actividades y procesos a una mayor efectividad sostenible en el tiempo. Caso contrario dadas las condiciones económicas del país el futuro empresarial se tornará incierto. El presente trabajo de investigación está destinado a determinar los lineamientos, políticas y normas que una organización debe seguir o establecer dentro de su plan estratégico de mejoramiento continuo. Además permitirá medir la gestión realizada por las diferentes áreas o departamentos de la organización a través del cuadro de mando integral. Y principalmente determinar como lograr una Organización de Calidad a través del uso del cuadro de mando Integral como herramienta de medición de gestión.

Estudio de los procesos productivos con la perspectiva del mejoramiento de la empresa caso: Industria Textil Vimarth Cía. Ltda.

En la presente tesis se plantea una propuesta que conlleva al mejoramiento de sus procesos desde sus generalidades hasta los aspectos particulares en el desarrollo de Vimarth Cía. Ltda. En el primer capítulo se presenta el marco teórico que ha servido de referencia para esta tesis, incluye los temas de valor agregado, planificación estratégica y mejoramiento de los procesos. En el segundo capítulo se realizó el análisis de la evolución del sector de la pequeña industria en el Ecuador y de manera particular en el ramo de prendas de vestir, analizando sus principales indicadores del sector. El tercer capítulo indica el diagnóstico estratégico de la Industria Vimarth en sus diferentes áreas, para definir sus fortalezas, oportunidades, debilidades y amenazas, para investigar y recomendar estrategias de mejoramiento de sus procesos para mantener a la empresa en franca competencia en el sector de confecciones textiles. En el cuarto capítulo se plantea una estrategia de mejoramiento de los procesos para aprovechar las oportunidades de innovar la empresa y reducir tiempos improductivos, fijando objetivos y estrategias necesarias para lograrlos.

El descriptivo de puestos asociados al Plan Carrera en BDO Ecuador Cía Ltda

La presente tesis tiene como objetivo evidenciar la importancia que tienen los descriptivos de funciones y la base que ellos implican para cualquier trabajo que emprenda el área de Talento Humano, en este caso en BDO Ecuador Cia. Ltda. Se realizó la implementación del modelo de competencias, el análisis y descripción de los cargos hasta finalizar en el plan carrera de los colaboradores, mismos que se abordan en los tres capítulos. El primer capítulo que habla sobre el relevamiento de funciones, importancia y el enfoque HAY GROUP que es el que se utilizó en la firma, justamente por tratarse según mi criterio el más objetivo. Se aborda la planificación estratégica y la parte filosófica de la organización. En el capítulo II se aborda la importancia del desarrollo de competencias, la importancia de la adecuación puesto – persona, y la vida laboral por la cual pasa una persona. En el capítulo III se habla sobre el plan carrera, potencial, cómo medirlo, las claves para retener a las personas. Con toda esta implementación y estudio se pretende que la Organización cambie su cultura organizacional a una cultura que se preocupe por el desarrollo de las personas, misma que permita alcanzar a sus colaboradores sus objetivos profesionales y personales, todo este cambio le ayudará a retener a su personal, que es el más valioso dentro de la firma.

La cultura organizacional como variable estratégica para el cambio empresarial: caso Óptica los Andes Cía. Ltda.

Para muchas empresas la cultura organizacional se considera como una estrategia, que puede ser efectiva a la hora de mejorar las condiciones actuales y futuras de las organizaciones, especialmente si éstas se están enfrentando a grandes cambios. Por lo expuesto, el presente trabajo de investigación sobre la cultura organizacional puede convertirse en una herramienta administrativa muy útil para los directivos de la organización. El desarrollo de la investigación tiene cuatro momentos identificados claramente: en el primer capítulo se realiza un análisis teórico, donde se hablará sobre las organizaciones, tipos de estructuras, la cadena de valor y la administración estratégica. En el segundo capítulo hablaremos sobre la cultura organizacional, tipos de culturas y especialmente analizaremos cómo se crea y mantiene una cultura. En el tercer capítulo se aborda el tema sobre el cambio organizacional y finalmente en el cuarto capítulo, se realiza el análisis de las encuestas aplicadas en la empresa Óptica los Andes de la cultura organizacional y estilos de dirección. En el último capítulo se detallan las conclusiones y las recomendaciones para llegar a la cultura organizacional deseada.

Inorganic synthesis of Fe-Ca-Mg carbonates at low temperature

A set of free-drift experiments was undertaken to synthesize carbonates of mixed cation content (Fe, Ca, Mg) from solution at 25 and 70 degrees C to better understand the relationship between the mineralogy and composition of these phases and the solutions from which they precipitate. Metastable solid solutions formed at 25 degrees C which are not predicted from the extrapolation of higher temperature equilibrium assemblages; instead, solids formed that were intermediary in chemical composition to known magnesite-siderite and dolomite solid solutions. A calcite-siderite solid solution precipitated at 25 degrees C, with the percentage of CaCO3 in the solid being proportional to the aqueous Ca/Fe ratio of the solution, while Mg was excluded from the crystal structure except at relatively high aqueous Mg/Ca and Mg/Fe ratios and a low Ca content. Alternatively, at 70 degrees C Mg was the predominant cation of the solid solutions. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the relative dehydration energies of Fe, Ca and Mg play an important role in the formation of mixed cation carbonates in nature. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Ca(v)2.3 calcium channel antagonist SNX-482 reduces dorsal horn neuronal responses in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a difficult state to treat, characterized by alterations in sensory processing that can include allodynia (touch-evoked pain). Evidence exists for nerve damage-induced plasticity in both transmission and modulatory systems, including changes in voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) expression and function; however, the role of Ca(v)2.3 calcium channels has not clearly been defined. Here, the effects of SNX-482, a selective Ca(v)2.3 antagonist, on sensory transmission at the spinal cord level have been investigated in the rat. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of chronic neuropathic pain [Kim & Chung, (1992) Pain, 50, 355-363] was used to induce mechanical allodynia, as tested on the ipsilateral hindpaw. In vivo electrophysiological measurements of dorsal horn neuronal responses to innocuous and noxious electrical and natural stimuli were made after SNL and compared to sham-operated animals. Spinal SNX-482 (0.5-4 mu g/50 mu L) exerted dose-related inhibitions of noxious C-fibre- and A delta-fibre-mediated neuronal responses in conditions of neuropathy, but not in sham-operated animals. Measures of spinal cord hyperexcitability and nociception were most susceptible to SNX-482. In contrast, non-noxious A beta-mediated responses were not affected by SNX-482. Moreover, responses to innocuous mechanical and also thermal stimuli were more sensitive to SNX-482 in SNL than control animals. This study is the first to demonstrate an antinociceptive role for SNX-482-sensitive channels in dorsal horn neurons during neuropathy. These data are consistent with plasticity in Ca(V)2.3 calcium channel expression and suggest a potential selective target to reduce nociceptive transmission during conditions of nerve damage.

Gap junction-mediated spontaneous Ca(2+) waves in differentiated cholinergic SN56 cells

Neuronal gap junctions are receiving increasing attention as a physiological means of intercellular communication, yet our understanding of them is poorly developed when compared to synaptic communication. Using microfluorimetry, we demonstrate that differentiation of SN56 cells (hybridoma cells derived from murine septal neurones) leads to the spontaneous generation of Ca(2+) waves. These waves were unaffected by tetrodotoxin (1microM), but blocked by removal of extracellular Ca(2+), or addition of non-specific Ca(2+) channel inhibitors (Cd(2+) (0.1mM) or Ni(2+) (1mM)). Combined application of antagonists of NMDA receptors (AP5; 100microM), AMPA/kainate receptors (NBQX; 20microM), nicotinic AChR receptors (hexamethonium; 100microM) or inotropic purinoceptors (brilliant blue; 100nM) was also without effect. However, Ca(2+) waves were fully prevented by carbenoxolone (200microM), halothane (3mM) or niflumic acid (100microM), three structurally diverse inhibitors of gap junctions, and mRNA for connexin 36 was detected by PCR. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed spontaneous inward currents in voltage-clamped cells which we inhibited by Cd(2+), Ni(2+) or niflumic acid. Our data suggest that differentiated SN56 cells generated spontaneous Ca(2+) waves which are propagated by intercellular gap junctions. We propose that this system can be exploited conveniently for the development of neuronal gap junction modulators.

Hypoxic modulation of ca(2+) signaling in human venous and arterial endothelial cells

Our understanding of vascular endothelial cell physiology is based on studies of endothelial cells cultured from various vascular beds of different species for varying periods of time. Systematic analysis of the properties of endothelial cells from different parts of the vasculature is lacking. Here, we compare Ca(2+) homeostasis in primary cultures of endothelial cells from human internal mammary artery and saphenous vein and how this is modified by hypoxia, an inevitable consequence of bypass grafting (2.5% O(2), 24 h). Basal [Ca(2+)]( i ) and store depletion-mediated Ca(2+) entry were significantly different between the two cell types, yet agonist (ATP)-mediated mobilization from endoplasmic reticulum stores was similar. Hypoxia potentiated agonist-evoked responses in arterial, but not venous, cells but augmented store depletion-mediated Ca(2+) entry only in venous cells. Clearly, Ca(2+) signaling and its remodeling by hypoxia are strikingly different in arterial vs. venous endothelial cells. Our data have important implications for the interpretation of data obtained from endothelial cells of varying sources.

Geoarchaeological investigations of midden-formation processes in the early to late Neolithic levels at Catalhoyuk, Turkey ca. 8550-8370 cal BP.

Anthropogenic midden deposits are remarkably well preserved at the Neolithic settlement of atalhöyük and provide significant archaeological information on the types and nature of activities occurring at the site. To decipher their complex stratigraphy and to investigate formation processes, a combination of geoarchaeological techniques was used. Deposits were investigated from the early ceramic to late Neolithic levels, targeting continuous sequences to examine high resolution and broader scale changes in deposition. Thin-section micromorphology combined with targeted phytolith and geochemical analyses indicates they are composed of a diverse range of ashes and other charred and siliceous plant materials, with inputs of decayed plants and organic matter, fecal waste, and sedimentary aggregates, each with diverse depositional pathways. Activities identified include in situ burning, with a range of different fuel types that may be associated with different activities. The complexity and heterogeneity of the midden deposits, and thus the necessity of employing an integrated microstratigraphic approach is demonstrated, as a prerequisite for cultural and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.

Distribution of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the leaves of Brassica rapa under varying exogenous Ca and Mg supply

Background and Aims Leafy vegetable Brassica crops are an important source of dietary calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and represent potential targets for increasing leaf Ca and Mg concentrations through agronomy or breeding. Although the internal distribution of Ca and Mg within leaves affects the accumulation of these elements, such data are not available for Brassica. The aim of this study was to characterize the internal distribution of Ca and Mg in the leaves of a vegetable Brassica and to determine the effects of altered exogenous Ca and Mg supply on this distribution. Methods Brassica rapa ssp. trilocularis ‘R-o-18’ was grown at four different Ca:Mg treatments for 21 d in a controlled environment. Concentrations of Ca and Mg were determined in fully expanded leaves using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Internal distributions of Ca and Mg were determined in transverse leaf sections at the base and apex of leaves using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) with cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM). Key Results Leaf Ca and Mg concentrations were greatest in palisade and spongy mesophyll cells, respectively, although this was dependent on exogenous supply. Calcium accumulation in palisade mesophyll cells was enhanced slightly under high Mg supply; in contrast, Mg accumulation in spongy mesophyll cells was not affected by Ca supply. Conclusions The results are consistent with Arabidopsis thaliana and other Brassicaceae, providing phenotypic evidence that conserved mechanisms regulate leaf Ca and Mg distribution at a cellular scale. The future study of Arabidopsis gene orthologues in mutants of this reference B. rapa genotype will improve our understanding of Ca and Mg homeostasis in plants and may provide a model-to-crop translation pathway for targeted breeding.

Mg/Ca partitioning between aqueous solution and aragonite mineral: a molecular dynamics study

We have calculated the concentrations of Mg in the bulk and surfaces of aragonite CaCO3 in equilibrium with aqueous solution, based on molecular dynamics simulations and grand-canonical statistical mechanics. Mg is incorporated in the surfaces, in particular in the (001) terraces, rather than in the bulk of aragonite particles. However, the total Mg content in the bulk and surface of aragonite particles was found to be too small to account for the measured Mg/Ca ratios in corals. We therefore argue that most Mg in corals is either highly metastable in the aragonite lattice, or is located outside the aragonite phase of the coral skeleton, and we discuss the implications of this finding for Mg/Ca paleothermometry.

The role of plasma membrane STIM1 and Ca(2+)entry in platelet aggregation. STIM1 binds to novel proteins in human platelets.

Ca(2+) elevation is essential to platelet activation. STIM1 senses Ca(2+) in the endoplasmic reticulum and activates Orai channels allowing store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE). STIM1 has also been reported to be present in the plasma membrane (PM) with its N-terminal region exposed to the outside medium but its role is not fully understood. We have examined the effects of the antibody GOK/STIM1, which recognises the N-terminal region of STIM1, on SOCE, agonist-stimulated Ca(2+) entry, surface exposure, in vitro thrombus formation and aggregation in human platelets. We also determined novel binding partners of STIM1 using proteomics. The dialysed GOK/STIM1 antibody failed to reduced thapsigargin- and agonist-mediated Ca(2+) entry in Fura2-labelled cells. Using flow cytometry we detect a portion of STIM1 to be surface-exposed. The dialysed GOK/STIM1 antibody reduced thrombus formation by whole blood on collagen-coated capillaries under flow and platelet aggregation induced by collagen. In immunoprecipitation experiments followed by proteomic analysis, STIM1 was found to extract a number of proteins including myosin, DOCK10, thrombospondin-1 and actin. These studies suggest that PM STIM1 may facilitate platelet activation by collagen through novel interactions at the plasma membrane while the essential Ca(2+)-sensing role of STIM1 is served by the protein in the ER.