16,152 research outputs found
Healthcare Services and Formal Caregiver’s Psychosocial Risk Factors: An Observational Study
The prevention and management of chronic disease primarily requires risk reduction
measures, through strategic coordination across various government areas. Recognizing that health
workers and the public health workforce are integral to building strong and resilient health, the
present study analyses the relation between Psychosocial Risk Factors (PRFs, to which formal caregivers
are exposed in the healthcare settings), and the work system related elements of the Systems
Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS 3.0) framework. An empirical study was carried
out, involving 333 formal caregivers of healthcare services. A total of 31 PRFs were assessed (using
the COPSOQ III), making it possible to find a relationship between the PRFs analyzed with three
elements of the work system, namely Task (5 PRFs), Organizational factors (17 PRFs), and Individual
(9 PRFs). The present work contributes not only in terms of outcomes that allow the development of
mental illness prevention and mental health promotion actions for healthcare formal caregivers, but
also in terms of the relevance that these factors can have on the quality of health services, as well as
their users (patients), in line with SEIPS 3.0 model
Geomorphological frameworks in Portugal - a contribution for the characterzation of the geological heritage
Portugal presents a rich geodiversity in spite of its reduced area. Along 92 152 km2, the last 1000 Ma are recorded on
different types of rocks. This lithological diversity together with major tectonic structures and specific Quaternary climatic
conditions had developed several geomorphological features with high scientific, didactic, and aesthetic values. The concept
of Geomorphological Heritage, part of what is considered Geological Heritage, has been developed by many authors during
the last decade. The present work constitutes the first attempt for the definition of Portuguese geomorphological
frameworks with national relevance, according to the objectives of the IAG's Geomorphological Sites Working Group and
ProGEO. The emphasis is given to major landforms, with landscape value. Minor landforms and features shall be
considered in the scope of a following detailed inventory and characterisation. The proposed frameworks cover all the
Portuguese territory including Azores and Madeira archipelagos. For each framework some representative geosites were
selected, based upon the spectacularity of the landforms, its rareness (in the Portuguese context), and essentially on its
scientific and didactic values.
The proposed frameworks include: i) granite landforms (Gerês and Estrela mountains); ii) carbonate and evaporite
landforms (Aire and Candeeiros karsts); iii) volcanic landforms (Azores and Madeira Archipelagos); iv) residual landforms
(Monsanto inselberg); v) tectonic landforms (Vilariça valley); vi) fluvial landforms as canyons (Douro) and alluvial plains
(Lower Tejo); vii) coastal landforms like beaches (Quiaios-Aveiro), dunes (Porto Santo), lagoons (Obidos), estuaries (Tejo
estuary), cliffs (Alentejo SW coast), and coastal platforms (Aveiro region); viii) glacial and periglacial landforms (cirques,
glacial troughs, grooves, moraines and others in Estrela and Gerês mountains). Cultural landscapes are also considered, as
the Alto Douro Wine Region and the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (respectively, inscribed and submitted to the World
Heritage List). These examples are only indicative due to space restrictions.
Until the present moment about sixty sites and areas with high geomorphological interest were considered. A significant
number of those are included in protected areas, having therefore some kind of protection. Nevertheless, many others
should be considered in geoconservation strategies to be implemented by Portuguese authorities
ECG wave detector and delineation with wavelets
Proceedings of the International Conference on Computational Intelligence in Medicine Healthcare, CIMED 2005, Costa da Caparica, June 29 - July 1, 2005Efficient R wave detection is a crucial preprocessing step of most of the ECG signal analysis . Likewis e, ECG delineation comprising P wave and QRS complex, is
required for ECG processing, namely in High-
Resolution Electrocardiography (HR-ECG). We have performed R wave detection using the Mexican Hat wavelet and achieved a sensibility Se=97.77 % and a positive prediction P+=99.46%. Our data is HR-ECG
and the delineation process occurs in two steps: wavelet detection and application of the Task Force (Breithardt et al.)1 detection rules
Incorporation of proteins and enzymes at different stages of the preparation of calcium phosphate coatings on a degradable substrate by a biomimetic methodology
In this work, the possibility of incorporating proteins into calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coatings, prepared on the surface of starch
polymeric biomaterials by means of a biomimetic route, was investigated. The morphology, chemical composition and crystallinity of Ca-P coatings was assessed and related to the incorporation of the studied biomolecules. For that, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and aamylase were added in concentrations of 1 mg/ml to simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions, being both added at the nucleation or growth stages of the biomimetic coating process. A biodegradable blend of corn starch/ethylene vinyl alcohol (SEVA-C) was used as substrate and bioactive glass (45S5 BioglassR) was used as the nucleating agent. The obtained Ca-P coatings were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using an attenuated
reflectance device (FTIR-ATR) and thin-film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD). Additionally, to evaluate the activity of the incorporated
enzyme and the stability of the Ca-P films, coated samples were immersed in an SBF solution for different periods of time. The enzyme activity was measured and the morphology of the coating examined by SEM. The results obtained showed that the presence of protein molecules, at the nucleation or growth stages, lead to the formation of a dense Ca-P film presenting different morphologies that were
different of the selected coating conditions. FTIR-ATR analysis detected the presence of carbonate and phosphate groups on the Ca-P
layer, indicating the formation of a coating similar to the mineral component of vertebrates bone tissue. When proteins were added, amide I and amide II bands, characteristic groups of protein molecules, were also detected, revealing the efficient incorporation of these biomolecules into the Ca-P coatings.
Ca-P coatings, with a-amylase incorporated at the nucleation stage, showed no degradation of the film after incubation in SBF for 28 days. The release of increasing concentration of reducing sugars with degradation time revealed that a-amylase was efficiently incorporated in the coating remaining active throughout the coating preparation. This can be a strategy that will allow, in addition of conferring osteoconductive properties to biodegradable polymers, also simultaneously tailoring their degradation kinetics.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
Effects of protein incorporation on calcium phosphate coating
The incorporation of proteins into calcium phosphate (Ca–P) coatings is expected to alter their properties. The aim of this work is, therefore, to study the effect of protein concentration on the formation of Ca–P film. A biodegradable blend of corn starch/ethylene vinyl alcohol (SEVA-C) was used as substrate and bioactive glass (45S5 Bioglass®) was used as a nucleating agent. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and α-amylase were added, separately, at a concentration of 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/mLto simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions, at the nucleation stage.
The incorporation of protein molecules was shown to affect the properties of Ca–P coatings in terms of morphology, composition and crystallinity. Both proteins seem to inhibit in some extent and/or retard the growth of Ca–P nuclei at 0.5 and 5 mg/mL concentrations. FTIR analyses revealed the presence of phosphate and carbonate groups, confiming the formation of a Ca–P layer. The characteristic groups of protein molecules were also detected on the IR spectra, which indicate the efficient incorporation of the proteins into the coatings. When α-amylase was added to the SBF solution the production of reducing sugars was detected, proving the retention of enzyme activity. These results suggest the carrier potential of Ca–P coatings for the sustained delivery of other biologically active proteins and consequently with a strong potential for inducing bone tissue regeneration.This work was partially supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and was performed within the framework of the project BIOLEARN (POCTI/CTM/38803/2001) through funds from the POCH and/or FEDER Programmes. 1. B. Leonor thanks FCT for providing her a PhD scholarship (SFRH/BD/9031/2002)
- …