Managing environmental training in organizations: Theoretical review and proposal of a model

Purpose: The aim of this work is to address the issue of environmental training in organizations, presenting a theoretical review on the subject and proposing a model that highlights the importance of this type of training for organizations. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents a thorough, updated literature review, discusses typology and the best practices of environmental training, and presents a framework integrating environmental training and organizational results. Findings: A careful consideration allows identifying a significant theoretical gap related to the lack of theoretical references, best practices, and an alignment between environmental training and organizational results. To overcome this gap, a model was proposed that helps to manage the environmental training process in organizations. Research limitations/implications: The paper needs to be complemented with empirical research on the topic. Originality/value: Environmental training is considered to be an essential element for organizations seeking to mitigate their environmental impacts. ISO 14001 states that environmental management is a duty of certified organizations. However, there have been few published articles that suggest models and insights to improve the environmental training in organizations. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

A methodological approach to gender analysis in natural disaster assessment: a guide for the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Harmonic propagation analysis in electric energy distribution systems

An important alteration of the equivalent loads profile has been observed in the electrical energy distribution systems, for the last years. Such fact is due to the significant increment of the electronic processors of electric energy that, in general, behave as nonlinear loads, generating harmonic distortions in the currents and voltages along the electric network. The effects of these nonlinear loads, even if they are concentrated in specific sections of the network, are present along the branch circuits, affecting the behavior of the entire electric network. For the evaluation of this phenomenon it is necessary the analysis of the harmonic currents flow and the understanding of the causes and effects of the consequent voltage harmonic distortions. The usual tools for calculation the harmonic flow consider one-line equivalent networks, balanced and symmetrical systems. Therefore, they are not tools appropriate for analysis of the operation and the influence/interaction of mitigation elements. In this context, this work proposes the development of a computational tool for the analysis of the three-phase harmonic propagation using Norton modified models and considering the real nature of unbalanced electric systems operation. © 2011 IEEE.

Building sustainable values in organizations with the support of human resource management: Evidence from one firm considered as the 'best place to work' in Brazil

Researchers and other professionals unanimously agree that companies should become more sustainable, but this will not happen without the support of human resource management. Paradoxically, there is a lack of information on the support human resource management offers to organizational sustainability applied to real cases. Therefore, this research presents a case study on this topic that was carried out in a leading Brazilian company, which is considered as a model and has been selected as 'the best place to work in the country'. The results provide practical examples of how this family company has been working to guarantee an increasingly sustainable performance with the support of human resources, highlighting the achievements and challenges the company has faced. One of the main results indicates that companies seeking to achieve sustainability need the assistance of the human resource field in order to design a communication system which bridges the gap between practices and sustainable values. © 2012 Management Centre for Human Values.

Cytogenetic analysis in Thoracocharax stellatus (Kner, 1858) (Characiformes, Gasteropelecidae) from Paraguay river basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Thoracocharax stellatus (Characiformes, Gasteropelecidae) is a small Neotropical species of fish, widely distributed in several rivers of South America. Evidence for karyotype heteromorphysm in populations from different geographical regions has been reported for this species. In this way, populations of T. stellatus from the Paraguay River basin were cytogenetically characterized and the results were compared with other studies performed in the same species but from different basins. The results showed a diploid number of 2n = 54 for T. stellatus, with chromosomes arranged in 6 metacentric (m), 6 submetacentric (sm), 2 subtelocentric (st) and 40 acrocentric (a), for both sexes, with a simple Nucleolus Organiser Region (NOR) system reported by the techniques of silver nitrate impregnation and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) using 18S rDNA sequences as probe. The distribution of constitutive heterochromatin, observed by the C-band technique and Chromomycin A3 staining showed great similarity among the analyzed populations and consists mainly of discrete blocks in the pericentromeric and telomeric regions of most chromosomes. The presence of female heterogamety was alsoobserved indicating a ZZ/ZW system with W chromosome almost totally heterochromatic. The results also show cytogenetic diversity of the group and are useful to understand the mechanisms of karyotype evolution of the family. © Edson Lourenço da Silva et al.

Social vulnerability, insurance and risk diversification in Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Kinematic analysis in healthy and hip-dysplastic German Shepherd dogs

This study investigated kinematic patterns in clinically normal German Shepherd dogs (GSDs) compared to those with hip dysplasia and with no clinical signs of lameness. Two groups of GSDs, including 10 clinically healthy dogs (G1) and 10 with hip dysplasia (G2), were trotted on a treadmill at a constant speed. Kinematic data were collected by a 3-camera system and analysed by a motion-analysis program. Flexion and extension joint angles and angular velocities were determined for the shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, stifle, and tarsal joints.Within each group, the differences between the right and left limbs in all kinematic variables were not significant. Minimum angle, angular displacement and minimum angular velocity did not differ between groups. Significant differences were observed in the maximum angular velocity and maximum angle of the hip joint (dysplastic. >. healthy), and in the maximum angular velocity of the carpal joint (healthy. >. dysplastic). It was concluded that, when trotting on a treadmill, dysplastic dogs with no signs of lameness may present joint kinematic alterations in the hind as well as the forelimbs. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight, obese, and extremely obese brazilian adolescents

Background: Obesity in infancy and adolescence has acquired epidemic dimensions worldwide and is considered a risk factor for a number of disorders that can manifest at an early age, such as Metabolic Syndrome (MS). In this study, we evaluated overweight, obese, and extremely obese adolescents for the presence of MS, and studied the prevalence of single factors of the syndrome in this population. Methods. A total of 321 adolescents (174 females and 147 males) aged 10 to 16 years, attending the Adolescent Outpatient Clinic of Botucatu School of Medicine, Brazil, between April 2009 and April 2011 were enrolled in this study. Adolescents underwent anthropometric evaluation (weight, height, and abdominal circumference) and Body Mass Index (BMI) was estimated according to age and gender, following Disease Control and Prevention Centers recommendations (CDC, 2000). Blood pressure was measured and individuals with BMI ≥ 85§ssup§th§esup§ percentile were submitted to laboratory evaluation for Total Cholesterol, HDL and LDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Fasting Insulinemia, and Fasting Glycemia to identify MS factors, according to the criteria suggested by the International Diabetes Federation. Insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA-IR, Quicki, and Fasting Glycemia/Fasting Insulinemia (FGI). Results and discussion. Of the 321 adolescents, 95 (29.6%) were overweight, 129 (40.2%) were obese, and 97 (30.2%) were extremely obese. Around 18% were diagnosed with MS. The most prevalent risk factors were abdominal circumference ≥90§ssup§th§esup§ percentile (55%), HDL < 40 mg/dL (35.5%), High Pressure ≥130/85 mm/Hg (21%), Triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (18.5%), and Fasting Glycemia ≥100 mg/dL (2%). Insulin resistance was observed in 65% of the adolescents. Conclusion: An increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, together with cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia and abnormal blood pressure, were observed in adolescents, contributing to the onset of metabolic syndrome at younger ages. Risk factors for MS were more prevalent in females. © 2013 Rizzo et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Risk management in software projects through Knowledge Management techniques: Cases in Brazilian Incubated Technology-Based Firms

In businesses such as the software industry, which uses knowledge as a resource, activities are knowledge intensive, requiring constant adoption of new technologies and practices. Another feature of this environment is that the industry is particularly susceptible to failure; with this in mind, the objective of this research is to analyze the integration of Knowledge Management techniques into the activity of risk management as it applies to software development projects of micro and small Brazilian incubated technology-based firms. Research methods chosen were the Multiple Case Study. The main risk factor for managers and developers is that scope or goals are often unclear or misinterpreted. For risk management, firms have found that Knowledge Management techniques of conversion combination would be the most applicable for use; however, those most commonly used refer to the conversion mode as internalization.. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. APM and IPMA.

Biomedical Ti-Mo Alloys with Surface Machined and Modified by Laser Beam: Biomechanical, Histological, and Histometric Analysis in Rabbits

Purpose: In vivo bone response was assessed by removal torque, hystological and histometrical analysis on a recently developed biomedical Ti-15Mo alloy, after surface modification by laser beam irradiation, installed in the tibia of rabbits. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 wide cylindrical Ti-15Mo dental implants were obtained (10mm × 3.75mm). The implants were divided into two groups: 1) control samples (Machined surface - MS) and 2) implants with their surface modified by Laser beam-irradiation (Test samples - LS). Six implants of each surface were used for removal torque test and 10 of each surface for histological and histometrical analysis. The implants were placed in the tibial metaphyses of rabbits. Results: Average removal torque was 51.5Ncm to MS and >90Ncm to LS. Bone-to-implant-contact percentage was significantly higher for LS implants both in the cortical and marrow regions. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that laser treated Ti-15Mo alloys are promising materials for biomedical application. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The most frequent cardiovascular risk factors in Brazilian aged 80 years or older

To identify the most frequent cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in Brazilian participants. Sample of 113 individuals aged 80 to 95 years (83.4 + 2.9 years), of both sexes, from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo state. Waist circumference (WC), body mass index, percentage of total body fat (% BF), hypertension, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and glucose were used for characterization of risk factors. The chi-square test was used to assess proportions of risk factors and Student's t test to compare the results between the sexes. High prevalence of risk factor was observed, mainly hypertension (67.3%) and % BF (79.6%). Male participants presented higher weight, height, and WC (p <.001), and female participants, higher TC and % BF (p <.001). Only 7.1% of male and 4.2% of female participants showed no risk factors, and 71.3% of male and 85.9% of female participants had three or more. The participants presented a high prevalence of CRFs, particularly percentage of body fat and hypertension, and, in addition, female participants also presented TC. © The Author(s) 2011.

Impact of diabetes mellitus and metabolic control on bone healing around osseointegrated implants: Removal torque and histomorphometric analysis in rats

Objectives: To evaluate bone healing around dental implants with established osseointegration in experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) and insulin therapy by histomorphometric and removal torque analysis in a rat model. Materials and methods: A total of 80 male Wistar rats received a titanium implant in the tibiae proximal methaphysis. After a healing period of 60 days, the rats were divided into four groups of 20 animals each: a 2-month control group, sacrificed at time (group A), a diabetic group (group D), an insulin group (group I), and a 4-month control group (group C), subdivided half for removal torque and half for histomorphometric analysis. In the D and I groups the DM was induced by a single injection of 40 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin (STZ). Two days after DM induction, group I received subcutaneous doses of insulin twice a day, during 2 months. Groups C and D received only saline. Two months after induction of DM, the animals of groups D, C and I were sacrificed. The plasmatic levels of glucose (GPL) were monitored throughout the experiment. Evaluation of the percentages of bone-to-implant contact and bone area within the limits of the implant threads was done by histomorphometric and mechanical torque analysis. Data were analyzed by anova at significant level of 5%. Results: The GPL were within normal range for groups A, C and I and higher for group D. The means and standard deviations (SD) for histomorphometric bone area showed significant difference between group D (69.34 ± 5.00%) and groups C (78.20 ± 4.88%) and I (79.63 ± 4.97%). Related to bone-to-implant contact there were no significant difference between the groups D (60.81 + 6.83%), C (63.37 + 5.88%) and I (66.97 + 4.13%). The means and SD for removal torque showed that group D (12.91 ± 2.51 Ncm) was statistically lower than group I (17.10 ± 3.06 Ncm) and C (16.95 ± 5.39 Ncm). Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus impaired the bone healing around dental implants with established osseointegration because the results presented a lower percentage of bone area in group D in relation to groups C and I resulting in a lowest torque values for implant removal. Moreover, insulin therapy prevents the occurrence of bone abnormalities found in diabetic animals and osseointegration was not compromised. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Association between physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals undergoing cardiac rehabilitation program

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) practice presents an inverse relation with risk factors (RF) of cardiovascular disease, with positive effects in quality of life and other physical and psychological variables. However, the benefits of daily activities have not been established. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and association of cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity in different categories of patients under a cardiac rehabilitation program. Methods: 69 participants of a cardiac rehabilitation program were evaluated and weight, height and blood pressure were checked. Afterwards, the patients answered questionnaires to assess self-reported physical activity level, stress level and verify the presence of RF. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio. Results: High prevalence of RF was found in the subjects, age and hypertension were more prevalent while smoking and stress had lower prevalence. Most individuals were classified as sedentary, except for locomotion PA (LPA). Conclusion: That there is high prevalence of RF in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation programs, while sedentary ones are more likely to have the RF hypertension, obesity, smoking, alcohol and stress than the active ones, depending on the PA category.

Stress analysis in oral obturator prostheses: Imaging photoelastic

Maxillary defects resulting from cancer, trauma, and congenital malformation affect the chewing efficiency and retention of dentures in these patients. The use of implant-retained palatal obturator dentures has improved the self-esteem and quality of life of several subjects. We evaluate the stress distribution of implant-retained palatal obturator dentures with different attachment systems by using the photoelastic analysis images. Two photoelastic models of the maxilla with oral-sinus-nasal communication were fabricated. One model received three implants on the left side of the alveolar ridge (incisive, canine, and first molar regions) and the other did not receive implants. Afterwards, a conventional palatal obturator denture (control) and two implant-retained palatal obturator dentures with different attachment systems (O-ring; bar-clip) were constructed. Models were placed in a circular polariscope and a 100-N axial load was applied in three different regions (incisive, canine, and first molar regions) by using a universal testing machine. The results were photographed and analyzed qualitatively using a software (Adobe Photoshop). The bar-clip system exhibited the highest stress concentration followed by the O-ring system and conventional denture (control). Images generated by the photoelastic method help in the oral rehabilitator planning. © 2013 SPIE.

Commercially pure titanium implants with surfaces modified by laser beam with and without chemical deposition of apatite. Biomechanical and topographical analysis in rabbits

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surfaces of commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) implants modified by laser beam (LS), without and with hydroxyapatite deposition by the biomimetic method (HAB), without (HAB) and with thermal treatment (HABT), and compare them with implants with surfaces modified by acid treatment (AS) and with machined surfaces (MS), employing topographical and biomechanics analysis. Methods: Forty-five rabbits received 75 implants. After 30, 60, and 90 days, the implants were removed by reverse torque and the surfaces were topographically analyzed. Results: At 30 days, statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed among all the surfaces and the MS, between HAB/HABT and AS and between HAB and LS. At 60 days, the reverse torque of LS, HAB, HABT, and AS differed significantly from MS. At 90 days, difference was observed between HAB and MS. The microtopographic analysis revealed statistical difference between the roughness of LS, HAB, and HABT when compared with AS and MS. Conclusions: It was concluded that the implants LS, HAB, and HABT presented physicochemical and topographical properties superior to those of AS and MS and favored the osseointegration process in the shorter periods. In addition, HAB showed the best results when compared with other surfaces. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.