Greening the work force in Brazilian hotels: The role of environmental training

BACKGROUND: Organizations are increasingly required to reduce their environmental impact through the adoption of environmental management, which requires the support of human resource practices.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine whether human resource management practices, especially training, are supporting environmental management practices at four hotels located in Brazil.METHODS: This research is qualitative, based on the analysis of four hotels in Brazil.RESULTS: Based on the systematized empirical evidence collected from four hotels (Hotels A, B, C, and D), it can be concluded that: (1) human resource management is still not fully aligned with environmental objectives at the hotels studied; (2) only Hotel B has implemented environmental management practices and aligned with human resource management in a more developed manner, which may indicate that these two variables of analysis could have interrelations; (3) environmental training as a human resource management practice was verified in all hotels analyzed.CONCLUSIONS: The greening of human resources practices is not fully aligned with environmental objectives in the hotels studied. If these hotels really wish to "go green," environmental training will be necessary. Hotel stakeholders play a major role in implementing the greening of the hotel industry.

Efeito agudo de diferentes intensidades de exercícios com pesos sobre o volume e a contração voluntária máxima isométrica, em idosas treinadas

The prescription of strength training intensity (ST) by maximum repetition (RM) is characterized by a decrease in the number of repetitions in multiple series. Some studies have shown that reductions in the intensity of exercise can optimize the volume of training with similar acute neuromuscular behaviors. The objective of the study was to investigate the acute effect of two different ST intensities on the training volume, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and rate of force development (RFD) in elderly women. The study included eight trained women (66.7 ± 6.7 years; 7.6 ± 17.8 kg; 159 cm; 29.33 ± 5.80 kg/m²). They underwent to three experimental conditions: two different intensities of ST (100% and 80% of 15-RM) on a chair for Leg Extension and a control condition. In the condition to 100% of 15 RM, all participants performed three sets to the concentric muscle fatigue, whereas in the condition to 80% involved the use of two sets of 15 repetitions and only the third to the concentric muscle fatigue. The order of experimental conditions was randomized. The MVC and RFD were determined on the basis of the isometric forcetime curve analysis which was obtained by a force transducer fixed on the unit Bonnet Chair, in the pre and after four and ten minutes for each experimental conditions. The total volume was calculated by multiplying the number of repetitions in three sets by the load in kg. Descriptive statistical analysis procedures were employed (mean ± standard deviation) in addition to two-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at p <0.05. It was neither main effect of moment or condition, nor condition x moment interaction for MVC and RFD. For the total volume, no significant difference was noted between the conditions (100 and 80% of 15-RM). For sustainability of ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Efeito protetor após sessões de exercício excêntrico: comparação entre membros superiores e inferiores

The objective of the present study was to compare in which part (lower limb or upper limb) the repeated bout effect has the greatest magnitude. Twelve males individuals with no recent (6 months) experience with resisted training participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (legs and arms) and came to the laboratory 5 times. 1st) adaptation to the dynamometer. 2nd) to perform one bout of eccentric exercise (EE) and provide markers such as isometric peak torque (IPT), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) (both collected before and after the bout) and concentration of the creatine kinase (CK) enzyme in the blood (only before the bout). 3rd) 48 after the first bout the same markers were collected again. After 14 days, the methodologies used in the 2nd and 3rd visits to the laboratory were repeated respectively to determine the repeated bout effect. A significant decrease of IPT and a significant increase of CK and DOMS were found immediately after and 48 hours after the first bout of EE for the arms group. The legs group showed a significant increase in CK (48 hours after the EE) and DOMS (immediately after the EE) resulting from the first bout. In the arms group, the second bout did not cause significant increase in CK or DOMS on any of the situations, however, it provoked a decrease in force production immediately after the EE. The legs group showed a significant increase of DOMS immediately after the second bout of EE, which caused no significant increase in CK. The only marker in which the repeated bout effect happened for both groups was CK. No significant difference was found between the protections for both groups. Taking into account the results, it’s been discussed whether there is a relation between the susceptibility to muscle damage and the repeated bout effect, and also...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Influência do alongamento prévio no pico de torque e na taxa de força em exercício de contração isométrica

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of previous active static stretch on the isometric peak torque (PT) and rate of force development (RFD) measured from different time intervals from the beginning of muscle contraction. Participated of this study 15 male individuals, apparently healthy, with ages between 18 and 25 years, without regular physical activity practice. The individuals were submitted in different days to the following tests: 1) Familiarization session to the isokinetic dynamometer; 2) Two maximal isometric concentric contractions for knee extensors in isokinetic dynamometer to determine PT and RFD (Control), and; 3) Two active static stretching exercises for the dominant leg extensors (10 x 30 s for each exercise, with 20 s of rest). After the stretching, the isokinetic test was repeated (Post-Stretching). The conditions 2 and 3 were performed in random order. The RFD was considered as the mean slope of the moment-time curve at time intervals of 0-30, 0-50 and 0-100ms relative to the beginning of muscle contraction. It was verified significant reduction for both maximal RFD and PT after the stretching (p < 0.05). At intervals of 0- 30ms, 0-50ms and 0-100ms, the RFD at the conditions with stretching was similar to the RFD without stretching (p > 0.05). At intervals of 0-150ms and 0-200ms, the RFD obtained at the contraction without stretching was significantly higher that that obtained at the contraction with stretching (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the static stretching, performed with duration of 600 s diminish isometric PT, maximal RFD and RFD measured at late phase (> 100 ms) of muscle contraction.

Efeitos do treinamento isocinético e isométrico sobre a taxa de desenvolvimento de força máxima

The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of a high speed isokinetic training (180°.s-1) and an isometric training (75°) on the maximum rate of force development (RFDmax) measured in the isokinetic and isometric modes. Twenty seven male non active subjects participated of this study (Mean + SD = body mass 78.6 + 14.1 kg; stature 175.1 + 8.9 cm; age 22.6 + 3.8 years). They were randomly divided into three groups: Control (GC); Isokinetic training (GISOC) and; Isometric training (GISOM). The subjects were submitted in different days to the following pre training protocols: 1) Familiarization to the isokinetic dynamometer tests; 2) Five maximum concentric isokinetic contractions of the knee extensors (180°.s-1) to access the maximum concentric torque (TMC) and the concentric RFDmax; 3) Two maximum isometric contractions of the knee extensors (75°) to access the maximum isometric torque (TMI) and the isometric RFDmax. The same tests were repeated after the training period, but without the familiarization session. Eighteen training sessions were performed (3 times per week). The GISOC performed the entire training whit concentric isokinetic contractions whit the speed of 180°.s-1. The GISOM performed the entire training whit isometric contractions whit the angle between the thigh end the leg being 75° (0° = full knee extension). TMI, TMC, concentric RFDmax, isometric RFDmax values of the GC was not different between pre and post training. GISOM increased only the TMI and the GSIOC increased the TMC, concentric RFDmax and isometric RFDmax. Furthermore, the GISOC had a higher percentage increase of the isometric RFDmax than the isokinetic RFDmax. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the increase in maximum strength corresponded to the training specificity theory, unlike to the RFDmax. Thus the use of isometric contraction ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Efeito da idade e de diferentes intensidades sobre o desempenho muscular de membros superiores e inferiores em mulheres

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

Treinamento de força unilateral: efeitos sobre a taxa de desenvolvimento de força do membro contralateral

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of unilateral isokinetic strength training at high speed (180°.s-1) of the dominant leg on the rate of force development (RFD) of the contralateral limb. The study included 18 male individuals, apparently healthy, with an average of 23 years, and without regular practice of physical activities. The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: control group (GC) and isokinetic group (GISOC). Assessments were made of the values of peak isometric torque (PT isom) and RFD of both lower limbs in the pre-training. So, the GISOC underwent an isokinetic strength training with high speed (180°.s-1) for 6 weeks, with the dominant leg only and then reassessed. It was found that there was no significant improvement in value of PT isom (p> 0.05), and the RFD for the dominant limb had a significant improvement (p< 0.05) compared to the pre-training and that there was no transfer of values to the contralateral side (p> 0.05). It can be concluded that the isokinetic training at high speed was not enough for significant cross education

Relação entre a disparidade de força entre membros inferiores e estabilidade postural em atletas de voleibol

Volleyball is a sport in which the laterality dominant limb shows superior strength and coordination because of its preferential use. Asymmetrical tendencies during the landing after the jump when striking or blocking actions are predominant for most part of game (ARRUDA; EDUARDO, 2008). Adaptations include imbalance of forces in static and dynamic motions at the knee joint, which increases risk for injury. Also, asymmetries in balance control during jumping and landing associate with a general postural instability that can be observed during static balance tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between unequal lower limb strength (muscle imbalance) and postural stability levels in volleyball athletes and non-athletes. Nine female volleyball athletes and 10 active non-athletes participated in this study. Four encouters with participants were scheduled: three encounters in the bodybuilding gymnasium to collect anthropometric measures (weight, height for BMI, thigh circumference, which provided an initial diagnosis about asymmetry), and to perform the isometric strength test (i.e., leg press using a load cell and a force transducer to calculate uni an bilateral strength). The last encounter was in the laboratory where a balance test on a force platform was administered under five test conditions, with three repetitions each: baseline (natural standing position), one-leg standing, right side, with full vision (D_CV), and blindfolded (D_SV), one-leg standing, left side, with full vision (E_CV), and blindfolded (E_SV). The stability levels were evaluated using the path length parameters which was based on the total displacement of the center of pressure (DTCP). . Both groups shows asymmetric strength levels between legs, with better performance for the right leg. An ANOVA three way using the DTCP for the CV condition, legs (D x E), trials (3) with repeated measures for the first two factors and with a between (three)...

Piezoresponse force microscopy behaviour of Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics with various excess bismuth

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

Effect of oxidizing and reducing atmospheres on Ba(Ti0.90 Zr0.10)O3:2V ceramics as characterized by piezoresponse force microscopy

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

In vitro comparison of the force degradation of orthodontic intraoral elastics from different compositions

The synthetic intermaxillary elastic emerged as an alternative for clinical use in patients with latex sensitivity. However, there are disagreements about this elastic protocol use according to the force degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the forces generated by latex and synthetic elastics over time. Material and methods: Sample size of 840 elastics were used (420 latex and 420 synthetic), delivering medium strength (Dental Morelli®) with internal diameter of 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" and 5/16". The elastics were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the time of the force measuring and immersed into distilled water at 37°C. To measure the force in each group, the elastics were stretched in six progressive increases of 100% of its internal diameter with the aid of a testing machine Emic and measured up to 72 hours. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Immediate force level of synthetic elastics was statistically higher than latex elastics in all strains, for the same size. However, the latex elastics mean forceslightly decreased over time, while the synthetic elastics presented an abrupt decrease. Conclusion: In view of these findings, Sudanese homemade alcoholic beverages cause oral epithelial atypical changes, which lead to oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. OEFC is a useful procedure for detection and assessment of oral ET.

In vitro comparison of the force degradation of orthodontic intramural elastic from different compositions

Introduction and Objective: The synthetic intermaxillary elastic emerged as an alternative for clinical use in patients with latex sensitivity. However, there are disagreements about this elastic protocol use according to the force degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the forces generated by latex and synthetic elastics over time. Material and methods: Sample size of 840 elastics were used (420 latex and 420 synthetic), delivering medium strength (Dental Morelli®) with internal diameter of 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4” and 5/16”. The elastics were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the time of the force measuring and immersed into distilled water at 37°C. To measure the force in each group, the elastics were stretched in six progressive increases of 100% of its internal diameter with the aid of a testing machine Emic and measured up to 72 hours. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Immediate force level of synthetic elastics was statistically higher than latex elastics in all strains, for the same size. However, the latex elastics mean force slightly decreased over time, while the synthetic elastics presented an abrupt decrease. Conclusion: The synthetic elastic presented severe force degradation, jeopardizing the cost-benefit ratio, which indicates a higher replacement frequency. The latex elastic showed better mechanical performance in comparison to synthetic ones.

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of the spleen in healthy dogs of different ages

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

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of prostate and testes of healthy dogs: preliminary results

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

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography of the spleen in healthy adult cats - a preliminary study

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