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This study aims to investigate the production of scaffolds by selective laser sintering (SLS) using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer, for in vitro studies, a relatively new and growing area in which scaffolds could be used in the design of three-dimensional models for in vitro disease model or tissue equivalent for safety and effectiveness tests.

The influence of the SLS process parameters laser power, 26 W and 32 W, and number of laser scans, 1, 2, 4 and 6, on the surface microstructure of the samples and on the degree of crystallinity and chemical stability of PVA material, was investigated using powder with particle size of 20-320 µm. Laser sintered PVA samples were subjected to cell culture tests using osteoblastic cells derived from human osteosarcoma (SaOs-2).

The laser power has no significant influence on the microstructure of the laser-sintered samples, however the number of scans has a considerable influence on the sintering degree; the SLS process causes a decrease in the degree of crystallinity and changes the chemical structure of the as-received PVA, especially when using higher laser power and more number of scans. Preliminary in vitro cell culture tests show that the laser-sintered PVA material is biocompatible with SaOs-2 cells.

SLS offers good potential for the fabrication of scaffolds and thus, may be applied as an alternative to conventional scaffold fabrication processes to overcome their limitations.

Lightning discharges are considered to be responsible for a significant amount of interruptions in power distribution systems. Due to the importance of this subject, a research on lightning induced voltages is being developed at the University of São Paulo.

The purpose of this paper is to present a method to analyze the noise in aircraft cabins through the VHF Aeronautical Communication Channel, aimed at examining an environment that has the possibility of communication problems between the aircraft crew and the professionals responsible for the controls on land.

This analysis includes equipment normally used for identification and comparison of electromagnetic noise, the cabin and the environment that are present in an airport, as well as equipment for frequency analysis and intensity of those signals. The analysis is done in a reverse way, eliminating situations that are not common in the examined environment, until the identification of the situation with the irregularity.

According to the results, the implementation of the Fourier transform for noise analysis in the cabin was efficient. These results demonstrate that through this transformation, the noise sources can be identified in the environments in cases where there is much spectrum pollution.

This kind of noise analysis is important, considering the importance of having good accuracy in airport environment analysis.

The paper presents the main trends in the future of aviation communications, and describes the new applications that aim to minimize problems with the current VHF channel.

The objective of this study was to analyze the major challenges and benefits of diversity management in Brazilian companies by assessing the role of human resources.

A total of 15 case studies were carried out on companies that operate in Brazil. Brazil is a country with considerable diversity and multiracial backgrounds.

It was found that diversity management in Brazilian companies is still an emerging issue, and the major challenges are related to discriminatory actions taken by coworkers. Among the 15 companies studied, only four had adopted a consistent set of diversity management and human resources practices. These four companies were the only companies to affirm that diversity management requires the strong support of top management and continuous organization to sustain efforts toward incorporating diversity.

Research studies on diversity management in Brazil are scarce. The findings of this study, however, can be useful to academic professionals and company directors in countries that exhibit similar characteristics to those of Brazil, or to those who are interested in learning more about Brazil.

This article aims to synthesize and integrate current research on customer experience (CX), identifying the intellectual structure of the field, systematizing a conceptual framework and identifying future research opportunities.

To analyze 629 articles published in peer-reviewed journals in almost four decades, this study employs both bibliometric co-keyword and thematic literature analysis in a complementary way.

This article maps the CX literature by describing its intellectual structure in terms of three research domains (customer, organizational and technological), their corresponding most relevant research themes and topics. Moreover, this study develops a conceptual framework and research propositions to summarize and integrate the CX literature. This work recognizes technology as an important driver for the development of CX research. Lastly, this article provides future research opportunities for moving the field forward, considering an integrative view among domains.

This paper complements other reviews on CX by using a novel methodological approach (co-keyword and thematic analysis) that enables the identification and visualization of the CX intellectual structure. In addition, the study explores the increasing connection between technology and CX research, by raising evidence that technology, by continuously modifying services and consequently CX, has become a transversal component in the research field. These outcomes may be useful for academics and practitioners.

This study aims to examine the impact of the servitization on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Brazil.

The study uses data from Brazilian SMEs and applies partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the research hypotheses.

The findings suggest a positive relationship between servitization and SME performance. It is found that the strategy of offering base services does impact SME performance. Furthermore, servitization aims to promote a fit between environmental pressures and SME performance.

SMEs can use servitization to increase their performance in spite of their resources restrictions, size limitation and low level of service revenue. However, the adoption of servitization should be accompanied by managerial adjustments in servitization practices.

This paper is dedicated to investigating the servitization-performance relationship in the context of SMEs, which is not a usual research publication. Moreover, it adds to the servitization theory by demonstrating that it is not necessary to reach a critical mass of services to be profitable and base services may be also a source of revenues and profits.

This paper aims to analyze the visual attention, transparency perception and attitude of Brazilian women from generation Z toward sponsorship disclosures with a different number of text messages used in native advertisements made by a digital influencer.

A quantitative and multi-method experiment was conducted through a within-subjects experimental design with 149 women. The eye-tracker assessed visual attention and questionnaires measured transparency perception of sponsorship and attitude toward native advertisements. To analyze eye-tracking and transparency perception data, Friedman’s analysis of variance was used. Structural equations were modeled for analyzing attitude data.

The quantitative results indicate that disclosures with a single textual message obtain more visual attention than multiple textual messages. However, sponsorship disclosures with multiple textual messages obtain the best transparency perception and generate a better attitude toward native advertisements.

This study extends the theory by investigating the relationship between visual attention to sponsorship disclosure with a different number of textual messages and the target audience's responses to them.

The analysis of Brazilian generation Z women's responses to native ads might contribute to companies, marketing professionals and digital influencers obtaining great visual attention, transparency perception and attitude toward ethical and transparent ads to this audience.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze Brazilian generation Z women's visual attention, transparency perception and attitude toward sponsorship disclosure with single and multiple textual messages in native advertisements.

Family businesses are essential to the global economy but often grapple with family-related issues, especially during succession. This study explores how governance tools like the family protocol (FP) mitigate conflicts by setting standards for family firm management and continuity. Pioneering the use of game theory and adverse selection setups in family business governance, this research uncovers FP determinants.

This research employs game theory and adverse selection setups to delve into the strategic decision-making processes of stakeholders in family firms. The authors break new ground by applying principal–agent theory (PAT) to family business governance structures. This innovative approach uncovers the determinants of the FP, enhancing the authors’ understanding of family firm dynamics.

The authors emphasize the importance of custom governance structures, such as the FP, in managing complex family-business interactions. These structures mitigate conflicts and promote smoother transitions during succession, ensuring family firm continuity. This study identifies key determinants, and these results will aid founders, families and practitioners in achieving smoother transitions, ensuring family firm continuity.

This research pioneers game theory and PAT applications in family business governance, shedding light on the effectiveness of customized governance mechanisms. By identifying FP determinants, the authors contribute to a deeper understanding of family firm dynamics. The findings have practical implications for founders, families, practitioners and consultants, promoting the long-term success and harmony of family firms in the global economy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the perceptions of cleanliness and organization of the point of sale, hygiene and training of those who serve the public (service) and healthiness of the products, constitute a base for the perception of the quality of food sold in the street. Studies about development of street food trade have gained relevance in academic debate because of its social and economic significance. Usually, aspects related to sanitary issues are presented, and the factors that influence consumer perception regarding quality of food consumed are less explored. This was the focus of this work. The relationships among possible predecessors – attendance, cleanliness, organization and healthiness – were tested, all acting together, influencing the variable perception of product quality. Competitive models were tested because of theoretical divergences regarding the relationship between quality and healthiness, not yet totally clear in the literature.

A quantitative survey was carried out in the city of Diadema (SP, Brazil), getting 603 respondents, with data and theoretical models analyzed by structural equation modeling.

Results indicated that organization variable is not significant regarding perception of product quality, while attendance and healthiness directly affect this perception. On the other hand, cleanliness influences perceived healthiness and this, in turn, reinforces perception of product quality.

The focus of street food traders should be on clerk cleanliness and politeness (characteristics related to the service) that end up influencing the perception that the consumer develops regarding healthiness (characteristic related to product quality).

Usually research studies on this theme include only aspects related to sanitary and safety issues, and those which focus on consumer perception of food quality cover conventional outlets such as bars and restaurants. There are few ones performed as in this study that analyze street food consumer behavior regarding his/her perception of quality, cleanliness, care received, among others.