In the present work, the sol-gel synthesis method was employed as strategy to obtain a magnetic and mesoporous silica-niobia material. The planned synthesis was based on the hetero-condensation of niobium and silicon alkoxide precursors, in the presence of spherical magnetite particles. The resulting material presented interesting characteristics such as magnetism, large mesopores, in the range from 20 to 50 nm, and 68 m2 g-1 of surface area. These features allowed its use as modifier of carbon paste electrode for p-nitrophenol determination, since niobia has never been used in electrochemical sensors for the determination of nitrophenol compounds. By using differential pulse voltammetry technique, the electrode can be applied in a wide range of p-nitrophenol concentration, from 10 to 490 μmol L-1, with a limit of detection of 1.2 µmol L-1 and sensitivity up to 0.60 µA L µmol-1. The proposed electrode presented good sensitivity and selectivity and it was applied in real water samples.

ABSTRACT Ti-6Al-4V was plasma nitrided using several N2/H2 ratios and substrate temperatures. In order to investigate the combined influence of these parameters on phase composition and thickness of the coatings, the phases in the as received, annealed, and nitrided Ti-6Al-4V samples were identified with Rietveld refinement. In the as-received and annealed samples the structure parameters of α-Ti and β-Ti were slightly changed, due to the substitution of titanium atoms by Al or V in the α-and β-Ti unit cells. A combination of multiple angle grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, nuclear reaction analysis and cross sectional micrographs showed compound layers consisting of an outer layer of stoichiometric ẟ-TiN over a phase mixture of ẟ-TiN and ɛ-Ti2N, formed on top of a nitrogen diffusion region in the alloy. Higher nitriding temperatures induced thicker compound layers, and higher nitrogen content of the plasma induced thicker fine-grained ẟ-TiN top layers.

A gray cast iron disc, which had been submitted to a heavy duty automotive brake test, was examined with energy filtered transmission electron microscopy. A graphite flake in a convenient angular position showed the shear interaction of graphite layers with the iron matrix in nano-scale resolution. Atomic layers of graphite were wedged into the ferritic bulk, allowing the entrance of oxygen and the subsequent formation of magnetite. The exfoliated few-layer graphene batches deformed heavily when forced into the matrix. When Raman spectra from the disc surface, which show distinctive carbonaceous bands, were compared with Raman spectra from graphite subjected to deformation in a shaker mill with different milling times, it could be seen that the shear stress on the brake surface was much more effective to induce disorder than the milling, where compressive and impact forces had been additionally exerted on the sample. During shear load the high anisotropy of elastic modulus in the graphite crystalline structure and the low adhesion between graphite basal planes allowed the exfoliation of wrinkled few-layer grapheme batches, causing the formation of more defect related Raman bands than the mechanical stress during high-energy milling.

As intensidades de emissão das espécies N2+, H, C, NH, N2, Ar e CN do plasma de carbonitretação (usando os gases Ar+N2+CH4) foram medidas por espectroscopia de emissão óptica (OES) em pressão e temperatura constantes (2mbar e 500 °C) variando o fluxo de CH4. Em seguida, amostras de Ti comercialmente puro (Ti CP) foram carbonitretadas em plasma nas mesmas condições do estudo por OES. O objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar a influência das espécies presentes no plasma, detectadas por seus padrões de emissão, na composição de fases superficiais, nas características topográficas e no perfil de microdureza do revestimento de TiCN. Foi observado que o aumento da concentração de CH4 no plasma gerou as espécies H (dissociado do CH4) N2+, C, NH e CN. A evolução contínua de CN e uma queda progressiva na espécie N2+ influenciaram a composição da superfície e as propriedades aqui avaliadas. A análise de difração de raios X em ângulo rasante revelou a presença de nitreto e carbonitreto de titânio na superfície com composição química correlacionada com as alterações das intensidades de emissão das espécies CN e N2+. As topografias das amostras, avaliadas por microscopia de força atômica, apresentaram aumento nos parâmetros de rugosidade comparados com a amostra padrão. A rugosidade Ra aumentou com o aumento da intensidade de emissão óptica de CN e redução de N2+. Com auxílio da espectroscopia micro-Raman foi encontrado carbono não reagido com o titânio na forma de um filme que se desenvolveu com o aumento da intensidade da linha de emissão do CN. Este filme pode, hipoteticamente, ter sido o responsável pela queda progressiva da dureza superficial do revestimento.

The optical emission intensities of the species N2+, H, C, NH, N2, Ar e CN in a carbonitriding plasma (using Ar+N2+CH4 gases) were studied with optical emission spectroscopy in an atmosphere of constant pressure and temperature, changing the CH4 flow. Afterwards a commercially pure Ti was exposed to a carbonitriding plasma in similar conditions. The objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of the gaseous species on the superficial properties (chemical composition, topography, and microhardness profile) of the TiCN layer. When the CH4 flow was increased, the species H, N2+, C, NH, and CN were observed. The continuous increase of CN and a progressive reduction of N2+were detected. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction revealed titanium nitride and carbonitride with variable chemical compositions, related to the changes observed in the emission patterns of the species CN and N2+. The topography, evaluated by atomic force microscopy, showed that the roughness increased when CN increased and N2+ decreased. Micro-Raman spectroscopy showed unreacted carbon on the surface that developed with de increase of the CN emission. This carbon film may be responsible for the progressive decrease of surface hardness.

Este trabalho contribui para consolidar a pesquisa acadêmica em capacidade de inovação. Para o desenvolvimento deste estudo, aplicou-se uma metodologia sistemática para revisão da literatura desde 1991. A bibliografia recuperada foi analisada e sintetizada em uma estrutura multidimensional composta de sete fatores determinantes da capacidade de inovação ─ liderança transformadora; intenção estratégica de inovar; gestão de pessoas para inovação; conhecimento do cliente e do mercado; gestão estratégica da tecnologia; organicidade da estrutura organizacional; e gestão de projetos ─ que resultam no desempenho em inovação de produtos e processos. Adicionalmente, fez-se um levantamento das práticas de gestão que caracterizam e embasam os fatores citados. A estrutura de fatores e a de lista de práticas de gestão podem ser utilizadas como base para futuras pesquisas empíricas ou como um guia para melhoria da capacidade da inovação da firma.

This work contributes to consolidate academic research on innovation capacity. A systematic methodology was applied to review the literature since 1991. The recovered literature was analyzed and synthesized into a multidimensional framework composed of 7 determinants of innovation capability - transformational leadership; strategic intent to innovate; personnel management innovation; customer and market knowledge; strategic management of technology; organicity of the organizational structure; and project management that results in performance innovation in products and processes. Additionally, an inventory of management practices that characterize and underpin the aforementioned factors was conducted and presented. The framework and the list of management practices can be used as a basis for future empirical research or as a guide for improving firms' innovation capabilities.

The use of digital images in many areas of society is an activity that has reached a remarkable growth in recent years mainly due to the great development that has occurred in technology around the world. These images have a great use in many branches of medicine because they facilitate the diagnosis by specialists and thus help patients to be diagnosed long before symptoms of the disease begin to manifest. For Ophthalmology, one of the most used images are the digital retinography, If it is used properly will allow the occurrence of eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. One of the main elements shown on retinal images are the optic disc, the location and detection is of vital importance for working with different parts of the structure of the eye. This paper proposes two techniques for locating the optic disc in retinal images based on the combination of multiple filters and applying logical operators. To test the algorithms diaretDB0v11 and DRIVE database were used , as a result of the tests are correctly located the 99.091 % of the images from both repositories, and were successfully detected 85 % and 87.143 % of images of DRIVE database and diaretDB0v11 respectively.

El uso de las imágenes digitales en numerosas esferas de la sociedad es una actividad que ha alcanzado un auge notable en los últimos años debido fundamentalmente al gran desarrollo que ha ocurrido en la tecnología a nivel mundial. En la actualidad este tipo de imágenes tienen un gran uso en muchas de las ramas de la medicina pues facilitan el diagnóstico por parte de los especialistas y de esta manera contribuyen a que los pacientes sean diagnosticados mucho antes de que los síntomas de las enfermedades comiencen a manifestarse. En el caso de la Oftalmología una de las imágenes más usadas son las retinografías digitales, las cuales si son utilizadas correctamente le permiten al oftalmólogo detectar la aparición de enfermedades como la glaucoma y la retinopatía diabética. Uno de los elementos que se puede apreciar en estas es el disco óptico o papila óptica, cuya localización y detección tiene vital importancia para trabajar con diferentes partes de la estructura del ojo. En este trabajo se proponen dos técnicas para la localización del disco óptico en retinografías digitales que se basan en la combinación de varios filtros y la aplicación de operaciones lógicas. Para realizar la prueba de los algoritmos se utilizaron las bases de datos DRIVE database y diaretDB0v11; como resultado de las pruebas se localizaron correctamente el 99,091% de las imágenes de ambos repositorios en total, además se detectaron satisfactoriamente el 85% y el 87,143% de las imágenes de DRIVE database y diaretDB0v11 respectivamente.

A competitividade das nações é assunto relevante aos tomadores de decisão quando se trata da escolha do país que poderá render melhores resultados aos investimentos. Nessa linha, busca-se analisar a métrica de competitividade dos países utilizando conceitos da estatística multivariada, a fim de simplificar e evitar resultados dúbios quanto ao tema. Para isso, utilizaram-se as bases de dados de 2010 publicadas pelo World Economic Forum (WEF), que utiliza 12 pilares para estabelecer a condição competitiva de 133 países. Verificou-se que a métrica utilizada pelo WEF é redundante, já que utiliza pilares que representam o mesmo constructo. Verificou-se, ainda, que a prontidão tecnológica explica a competitividade do país em 86,5% e que a combinação entre estabilidade macroeconômica, qualidade do ensino superior e sofisticação dos negócios eleva esse percentual para 95,7%.

The competitiveness of nations is a relevant matter to decision makers when it comes to choose the country which may yield better results on investment. In this trend, this study seeks to analyze the metrics of competitiveness of countries using multivariate statistical concepts in order to simplify and avoid mixed results on the subject. With such a purpose, we used the databases published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2010, which uses twelve pillars to establish the competitive position of 133 countries. It was found that the metric used by the WEF is redundant since it relies on pillars that represent the same construct. It was found that Technology Readiness explains the country's competitiveness in 86.5% and that the combination of Macroeconomic Stability, Quality of Higher Education and Business Sophistication rises this percentage to 95.7%.

La competitividad de las naciones es un asunto relevante para los tomadores de decisión cuando se trata de la elección del país que podrá rendir mejores resultados para las inversiones. En esa línea, se busca analizar la métrica de competitividad de los países utilizando conceptos de la estadística multivariada, a fin de simplificar y evitar resultados dudosos respecto al tema. Para eso, se utilizaron las bases de datos de 2010 publicadas por el World Economic Forum (WEF), que utiliza 12 pilares para establecer la condición competitiva de 133 países. Se verificó que la métrica utilizada por el WEF es redundante, ya que utiliza pilares que representan el mismo constructo. También se verificó que la prontitud tecnológica explica la competitividad del país en 86,5% y que la combinación entre estabilidad macroeconómica, calidad de la enseñanza superior y sofisticación de los negocios eleva ese porcentual a 95,7%.

O Brasil tem o terceiro maior contingente de pacientes em hemodiálise (HD) no mundo. Todavia, pouco conhece-se sobre a taxa de sobrevida e os preditores do risco de mortalidade nessa população, que são os objetivos deste estudo. Um total de 3.082 pacientes incidentes em HD, de 2000 a 2004, em 25 unidades de diálise distribuídas por 7 dos 26 estados do Brasil, foi acompanhado até 2009. Os pacientes tinham entre 52 ± 16 anos de idade, 57,8% eram homens e 20,4%, diabéticos. O desfecho primário foi de mortalidade por todas as causas. Os dados foram censurados aos cinco anos de seguimento. A taxa global de sobrevida em cinco anos foi de 58,2%. No modelo proporcional de Cox, as variáveis associadas ao risco de óbito foram: a idade (risco relativo - RR = 1,44 por década; p < 0,0001), diabetes (RR = 1,51; p < 0,0001), albumina sérica (RR = 0,76 por g/dL; p = 0,001), creatinina (RR = 0,92 por mg/dL; p < 0,0001) e fósforo (RR = 1,06 por mg/dL; p = 0,04). Os resultados mostram que a taxa de mortalidade em HD nesta coorte brasileira foi relativamente baixa, mas a população é mais jovem e com prevalência de diabetes mais baixa do que aquela descrita nos países desenvolvidos.

Brazil has the third largest contingent of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) worldwide. However, little is known regarding survival rate and predictors of mortality risk in that population, which are the purposes of this study. A total of 3,082 patients incident on HD, from 2000 to 2004, at 25 dialysis facilities distributed among 7 out of 26 states of Brazil were followed-up until 2009. Patients were 52 ± 16 years-old, 57.8% men, and 20.4%, diabetics. The primary outcome was all causes of mortality. Data were censored at five years of follow-up. The global five-year survival rate was 58.2%. In the Cox proportional model, variables associated with risk of death were: age (hazard ratio - HR = 1.44 per decade, p < 0.0001), diabetes (HR = 1.51, p < 0.0001), serum albumin (HR = 0.76 per g/dL, p = 0.001), creatinine (HR = 0.92 per mg/dL, p < 0.0001), and phosphorus (HR = 1.06 per mg/dL, p = 0.04). The present results show that the mortality rate on HD in this Brazilian cohort was relatively low, but the population is younger and with a lower prevalence of diabetes than the ones reported for developed countries.

Conduziu-se experimento em casa de vegetação com objetivo de caracterizar sintomas visuais de deficiências de macronutrientes e de B em folhas e frutos de maracujazeiro-doce cultivados em caixas com areia lavada e irrigados com solução nutritiva. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com oito tratamentos (solução completa, -N, -P, -K, -Ca, -Mg, -S e -B), com quatro repetições. Os sintomas de deficiência observados, entre 85 e 240 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos, foram: -N: clorose generalizada e queda prematura das folhas e frutos com cor verde- amarelada e aspecto translúcido; -P: folhas velhas com coloração verde-escura brilhante que, com progressão da deficiência, ficavam mais claras; -K: clorose e posterior necrose na porção basal da nervura central das folhas velhas que progrediam para as bordas e queda das folhas e frutos com enrugamento do epicarpo; -Ca: deformação e necrose nas bordas das folhas novas e frutos com rachaduras no epicarpo e no mesocarpo, além de podridão apical; -Mg: folhas velhas com clorose internerval; -S: clorose das folhas novas com pequenas manchas mais claras e -B: folhas novas com aspecto coriáceo e ondulação nos bordos e frutos com faixas marrons de cortiça na casca.

The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse aiming to characterize visual symptoms of macronutrients and B deficiency in leaves and fruits of sweet passion fruit plants cultivated in box with sand and irrigated with nutrient solutions. It was used eight treatments in a complete randomized block design, as follow (complete nutrient solution, -N, -P, -K, -Ca,-Mg, -S and -B), with four replicates. Symptoms of deficiency were observed between 85 and 240 days after the application of the treatments, - N: uniform chlorosis and premature fall of leaves and yellowish green color fruits and translucent aspect; - P: old leaves with dark green color and, later, white spots on the surface of the leaves; - K: chlorosis and subsequent necrosis of the basal portion of the central rib of old leaves that progressed to the borders, and fall of the leaves and fruits wrinkling of the epicarp with consequent wilting of the fruit; -Ca: deformation and necrosis of the borders of new leaves and fruits cracks in the epicarp and in the mesocarp and apical rot of the fruits; - Mg: old leaves with internerval chlorosis; - S: chlorosis of new leaves with small colorless spots and; - B: new leaves with coriaceous aspect and undulation in the boards and fruits with brown bands of cork on the peel.

Titanium nitride films were formed on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V discs by plasma nitriding (glow discharge) in different N2:H2 atmospheres at several substrate temperatures. In this study the influence of the process parameters on dynamic micro-hardness were investigated. Grain sizes of the nitride films, determined with X-Ray Diffraction, were related to the nitriding parameters. TiNx stoichiometry was determined with Nuclear Reaction Analysis and showed a correlation to substrate temperature during the nitriding process. Micro-hardness measurements were taken on the nitrided surfaces. Grain sizes increased for a particular gas composition of 60%N2+40%H2 where hardness was lowest.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prescritibilidade (eficácia terapêutica e biosegurança) da Ciclosporina microemulsão genérica. MÉTODO: Casuística: 20 transplantados cardíacos, sendo 13 homens e sete mulheres, com idade média de 49,62 anos, iniciaram o tratamento tríplice imunossupressor, com Ciclosporina microemulsão genérica ou Sigmasporin Microral®. A condição para inclusão era ter um seguimento mínimo de três meses. Procedimentos: avaliação clínica, biópsias endomiocárdicas, dosagem de ciclosporina, exames de rotina de bioquímica e hematologia. RESULTADOS: O período de observação médio foi de 10 meses e máximo de 16 meses. Foram avaliadas 151 biópsias, sendo 31,7% - grau 0, 43,7% - Ia e 23,1% - Ib. Obtivemos uma rejeição clínica confirmada com biópsia III a e uma mediastinite, ambas com boa evolução. A ciclosporinemia média foi de 303 ng/ml. A evolução destes pacientes transcorreu sem outros problemas. CONCLUSÃO: A Ciclosporina microemulsão genérica demonstrou excelente eficácia terapêutica e biosegurança, sendo portanto considerada prescritível.

OBJECT: This paper aims to define the prescribility (therapeutic efficacy and bio-safety) of generic microemulsion Cyclosporin (Sigmasporin Microral®). METHOD: Casuistic: Twenty heart transplantation patients, 13 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 49.6 years, began immunosuppression treatment with generic microemulsion cyclosporin (Sigmasporin Microral®). They underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation during a minimum of three months. Procedures included clinic evaluation with electro and echocardiogram, endomyocardial biopsy, routine biochemical and hematological tests. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10 months with a maximum of 16 months. A total of 151 endomyocardial biopsies were evaluated: 31.7% were degree 0, 43.7% 1a and 23.1% 1b. We had only one case of acute clinical rejection confirmed by biopsy as IIIa, and one patient with mediastinitis, both of whom had a good evolution. The mean cyclosporin blood level was 303 Ng/mL. All other parameters also showed a good evolution. CONCLUSION: Generic microemulsion cyclosporin (Sigmasporin Microral®) shows therapeutic efficacy and an excellent bio-safety profile. Its Prescribility is confirmed.

Complex polymetamorphic granulites have been dated in the Santa Catarina granulite complex of southern Brazil through SHRIMP study of zircon. This complex is dominated by intermediate-acid plutonic rocks and contains small volumes of mafic and ultramafic rocks, and minor quartzite and banded iron formation. Porphyroblasts of orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase in mafic and acid rocks are interpreted as magmatic remnants in a volumetrically dominant granoblastic aggregate (M1) of the same minerals and hornblende. Hornblende formed during a later M2 metamorphic event constitutes rims around pyroxene, but the hornblende is also rimmed by granoblastic simplectites of orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, hornblende and plagioclase in a second granulite facies event (M3). Chlorite and epidote occur in shear zones (M4). This granulite terrain is part of a Neoproterozoic craton, because it was little affected by the Brasiliano Cycle. The two granulite-facies events (M1 and M3) are dated by U/Pb zircon SHRIMP at about 2.68 and 2.17 Ga, while the magmatic protoliths formed at about 2.72 Ga. The amphibolite facies event (M2) probably occurred close to the 2.17 Ga granulitic metamorphism.