Organizações positivas: análise de três escolas da ilha de São Miguel

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão de Empresas/MBA, 30 de Janeiro de 2014, Universidade dos Açores.Este estudo foi efetuado numa época de crise na qual é necessário inovar para que se obtenham melhores resultados e uma maior competitividade. Usando como exemplo organizações consideradas as melhores para trabalhar, decidimos efetuar um estudo em 3 escolas de Ponta Delgada para verificar a positividade das mesmas e a influência que as características das organizações autentizóticas têm nas emoções, bem-estar e significado do trabalho para os colaboradores destas instituições. Este estudo foi efetuado através de um questionário anteriormente validado e testado (Cunha, Rego, Lopes e Ceitil, 2008). Neste questionário foram agrupados 4 questionários dos autores, ao qual inserimos a parte identificativa. Tendo em consideração que utilizamos questionários de outros autores, para além da análise estatística efetuada em SPSS, foi efetuada a análise proposta pelos autores com base nas médias globais (todas as escolas) e individuais (cada escola). Verificou-se que obtivemos uma taxa de participação muito inferior ao inicialmente desejado, dos 800 inquéritos que seriam necessários para as 3 escolas apenas 214 estavam válidos para análise no SPSS e 227 puderam ser utilizados na análise proposta pelos autores. Verificou-se que existem diferenças na positividade encontrada em cada escola e que cada escola apresenta diferentes resultados em termos de emoções, bem-estar e significado do trabalho. Por outro lado também foi possível verificar que as variáveis idade, sexo, habilitações literárias e estado civil de modo geral não influenciam a forma como os colaboradores respondem aos diferentes grupos do questionário.ABSTRACT: This study was conducted at a time of crisis in which it is necessary to innovate in order to obtain better results and greater competitiveness. Using examples of organizations considered the best for work, we decided to perform a study in three schools in Ponta Delgada to check the positivity of the same influences and that the characteristics of Positive Organizations have in the individual emotions, well-being and meaning of work for the employees of these institutions. This study was conducted through a questionnaire previously validated and tested (Cunha Rego, Lopes and Ceitil, 2008). In this questionnaire were grouped four questionnaires of the authors, which we have inserted the identifying part. Considering that we used questionnaires of other authors, besides the statistical analysis performed in SPSS, we performed the analysis proposed by the authors based on global averages (all schools) and individual (each school). It was found that we achieved a participation rate much lower than desired, the 800 surveys that would be required for the 3 schools. Only 214 were valid for analysis in SPSS and only 227 could be used in the analysis proposed by the authors. It was found that there are differences in the positivity found in each school and each school has different results in terms of emotions, well-being and meaning of the work. On the other hand it was also possible to verify that the variables age, sex, educational level, and marital status generally did not influence how employees respond to the different groups of the questionnaire

On the nonextensive character of some magnetic systems

During the past few years, nonextensive statistics has been successfully applied to explain many different kinds of systems. Through these studies some interpretations of the entropic parameter q, which has major role in this statistics, in terms of physical quantities have been obtained. The aim of the present work is to yield an overview of the applications of nonextensive statistics to complex problems such as inhomogeneous magnetic systems.Comment: to appear in the Proceedings of the conference CTNEXT07, Complexity, Metastability and Nonextensivity, Catania, Italy, 1-5 July 2007, Eds. S. Abe, H.J. Herrmann, P. Quarati, A. Rapisarda and C. Tsallis (American Institute of Physics, 2007) in pres

FasL Expression in Articular Discs of Human Temporomandibular Joint and Association with Osteoarthrosis

Background Apoptosis is a programme of cell death which does not induce an inflammatory response. Recent previous research has suggested a correlation between temporomandibular internal derangement and apoptosis. Fas ligand (FasL) is an apoptosis‐inducing factor, known to trigger apoptosis through distinct signal pathways. This study aims to examine, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of FasL in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articular discs of patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR) and without reduction (ADDwoR) in patients with and without osteoarthrosis (OA). Methods Forty‐two (n = 42) TMJ articular discs were divided into two cut‐offs: (i) 8 control, 17 ADDwR, 17 ADDwoR, and (ii) without OA (n = 25) and with OA (n = 17). The area of immunostaining was compared statistically between groups (P \u3c 0.05). Results Statistically significant differences were found in the expression of FasL in TMJ discs between the three groups (P = 0.001). ADDwR presented significant higher FasL expression when compared with ADDwoR (P \u3c 0.001). Significant higher FasL expression was observed in the group without OA (P = 0.001). All patients without OA presented ADDwR, while all the patients with OA presented ADDwoR. Conclusion A higher area of in situ immunostaining of FasL was found in temporomandibular discs with reduction, which is the less severe condition. Moreover, a reduced expression of FasL in the discs of patients with osteoarthrosis was found, suggesting that some aspects of apoptosis might underlie the progression of TMJ disorders

Wnt/beta-catenin signaling controls development of the blood–brain barrier

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is confined to the endothelium of brain capillaries and is indispensable for fluid homeostasis and neuronal function. In this study, we show that endothelial Wnt/beta-catenin (beta-cat) signaling regulates induction and maintenance of BBB characteristics during embryonic and postnatal development. Endothelial specific stabilization of beta-cat in vivo enhances barrier maturation, whereas inactivation of beta-cat causes significant down-regulation of claudin3 (Cldn3), up-regulation of plamalemma vesicle-associated protein, and BBB breakdown. Stabilization of beta-cat in primary brain endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro by N-terminal truncation or Wnt3a treatment increases Cldn3 expression, BBB-type tight junction formation, and a BBB characteristic gene signature. Loss of beta-cat or inhibition of its signaling abrogates this effect. Furthermore, stabilization of beta-cat also increased Cldn3 and barrier properties in nonbrain-derived ECs. These findings may open new therapeutic avenues to modulate endothelial barrier function and to limit the devastating effects of BBB breakdown

Adsorption and recovery of phosphate from aqueous solution by the construction and demolition wastes sludge and its potential use as phosphate-based fertiliser

This study aimed to investigate phosphate removal from aqueous effluents by an inorganic sludge from the inert part of construction and demolition wastes (CSW) as adsorbent. It is also discussed the application of the loaded P adsorbent as potential fertiliser. The CSW was also thermally treated at 800¿°C for 2¿h (CSW-T), and its influence in the P removal was also investigated. The characterisation techniques highlighted low porosity on CSW and CSW-T adsorbents and that they are mainly formed by oxides which could enhance the P uptake and recovery. In pH experiments, P adsorption increased as initial pH increased, at pH higher than 7.8 the P removal sharply increased due to the formation of calcium phosphate precipitate. The mechanism of the P adsorption onto CSW indicated that the process was mainly controlled by chemical bonding or chemisorption. The results showed that CSW-T was more effective for P removal in comparison to CSW based on the Liu isotherm, the maximum sorption capacity attained was 24.04 (CSW) and 57.64¿mg¿g-1 (CSW-T). Based on the Avrami’s kinetic models, the time for attaining 95% of saturation was 212.6 (CSW), and 136.6¿min (CSW-T). CSW and CSW-T showed the highest phosphate-removal performance among many adsorbents found in the literature; therefore, this kind of waste can be used widely as an inexpensive phosphate-recovery adsorbent. Besides, the P loaded adsorbents could be used as potential fertilisers which could be an interesting and efficient way of reuse for this waste.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Different infective forms trigger distinct immune response in experimental Chagas disease.

Although metacyclic and blood trypomastigotes are completely functional in relation to parasite-host interaction and/or target cell invasion, they differ in the molecules present on the surface. Thus, aspects related to the variability that the forms of T. cruzi interacts with host cells may lead to fundamental implications on the immune response against this parasite and, consequently, the clinical evolution of Chagas disease. We have shown that BT infected mice presented higher levels of parasitemia during all the acute phase of infection. Moreover, the infection with either MT or BT forms resulted in increased levels of total leukocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes, specifically later for MT and earlier for BT. The infection with BT forms presented earlier production of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and later of IFN-γ by both T cells subpopulations. This event was accompanied by an early cardiac inflammation with an exacerbation of this process at the end of the acute phase. On the other hand, infection with MT forms result in an early production of IFN-γ, with subsequent control in the production of this cytokine by IL-10, which provided to these animals an immunomodulatory profile in the end of the acute phase. These results are in agreement with what was found for cardiac inflammation where animals infected with MT forms showed intense cardiac inflammation later at infection, with a decrease in the same at the end of this phase. In summary, our findings emphasize the importance of taking into account the inoculums source of T. cruzi, since vectorial or transfusional routes of T. cruzi infection may trigger distinct parasite-host interactions during the acute phase that may influence relevant biological aspects of chronic Chagas disease

A new model of laryngitis: neuropeptide, cyclooxygenase, and cytokine profile

Objectives/Hypothesis: To develop and characterize a new model of laryngeal inflammation by analyzing the presence of neurogenic peptides and expression of cyclooxygenases (COX) and cytokines in the mucosa.Study Design: Laryngitis induced by nasogastric intubation (NGI) was evaluated by histopathologic changes of the mucosa, alterations in calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) neuropeptides in sensory fibers, and COX-1,2, and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) expression in the laryngeal mucosa.Methods: Rats submitted to NGI for 1 to 5 weeks were compared with controls. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for stereologic analysis of SP and CGRP fiber density and number of mucosal cells expressing COX-2. Alterations in inflammatory mediators were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Results: NGI induced metaplasia of the epithelium and narrowing of the laryngeal lumen because of hypertrophy of laryngeal glandules and edema. An initial decrease in CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive fibers in the laryngeal mucosa (1-3 wk) was reverted with time (5 wk). COX-2 expression in mucosal cells increased progressively, reaching a maximum level at 5 weeks, and was observed in mononuclear immune cells, which is indicative of a chronic inflammatory process. In regard to mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, TNF-alpha was increased during the 5 week NGI, and IL-10 decreased during the 5 weeks,whereas IL-beta, IL-6, and COX-2 increased in the first 1 to 2 weeks and returned to baseline at 5 weeks.Conclusions: This NGI model results in laryngeal chronic inflammation without direct mechanical aggression of the mucosa and may contribute to the study of future therapeutic approaches to this pathology.FEDERFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTI/NSE/46399/2002Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian - projecto nº 7455

The selective COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib reduces acute inflammatory markers in a model of neurogenic laryngitis but loses its efficacy with prolonged treatment

The selective COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib reduces acute inflammatory markers in a model of neurogenic laryngitis but loses its efficacy with prolonged treatment.OBJECTIVE: A randomised experimental study was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor in neurogenic laryngitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar Han rats were subjected to the nasogastric intubation model (NGI) of laryngitis for 1 and 2 weeks. The NGI animals were divided into three groups: (1) treated with COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib, (2) vehicle and (3) non-intubated animals. A fourth group of animals was submitted to NGI only. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) fibre-immunoreactivity (IR) and quantification of COX-2 positive cells through stereological analysis. The expression of COX-2, interleukins IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined by quantitative real time QRT-PCR. TREATMENT: Etoricoxib (6 mg/kg/day) was prepared in 0.9% sterile saline with 5% glucose (vehicle) and administered daily during 1 or 2 weeks. RESULTS: Treatment for 1 week with Etoricoxib attenuated the CGRP-IR fibre depletion, the COX-2-IR increased cell number and the TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA increased levels induced by NGI. Two weeks of treatment had no beneficial effect. CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib is effective in neurogenic laryngitis for limited periods of administration, indicating that selective COX-2 inhibitors should be evaluated in the future.This study was supported by Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian Project No 74551 and Fundacao Grunenthal (Portugal)

Evaluating resin-enamel bonds by microshear and microtensile bond strength tests: effects of composite resin

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of resin composite (Filtek Z250 and Filtek Flow Z350) and adhesive system [(Solobond Plus, Futurabond NR (VOCO) and Adper Single Bond (3M ESPE)] on the microtensile (&#956;TBS) and microshear bond strength (&#956;SBS) tests on enamel, and to correlate the bond strength means between them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six extracted human molars were sectioned to obtain two tooth halves: one for &#956;TBS and the other one for &#956;SBS. Adhesive systems and resin composites were applied to the enamel ground surfaces and light-cured. After storage (37(0)C/24 h) specimens were stressed (0.5 mm/min). Fracture modes were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (&#945;=0.05). RESULTS: The correlation between tests was estimated with Pearson's product-moment correlation statistics (&#945; =0.05). For both tests only the main factor resin composite was statistically significant (p<0.05). The correlation test detected a positive (r=0.91) and significant (p=0.01) correlation between the tests. CONCLUSIONS: The results were more influenced by the resin type than by the adhesives. Both microbond tests seem to be positive and linearly correlated and can therefore lead to similar conclusions.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq