Is There Sufficient Training of Health Care Staff on Noise Reduction in Neonatal Intensive Care Units? a Pilot Study From NeoNoise Project

Evidence indicates that exposure to high levels of noise adversely affects human health, and these effects are dependent upon various factors. In hospitals, there are many sources of noise, and high levels exert an impact on patients and staff, increasing both recovery time and stress, respectively. The goal of this pilot study was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a training program (TP) on noise reduction in a Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) by comparing the noise levels before and after the implementation of the program. A total of 79 health professionals participated in the study. The measurements of sound pressure levels took into account the layout of the unit and location of the main sources of noise. General results indicated that LAeq levels before implementation of the training program were often excessive, ranging from 48.7 ± 2.94 dBA to 71.7 ± 4.74 dBA, exceeding international guidelines. Similarly following implementation of the training program noise levels remained unchanged (54.5 ± 0.49 dBA to 63.9 ± 4.37 dBA), despite a decrease in some locations. There was no significant difference before and after the implementation of TP. However a significant difference was found for Lp, Cpeak, before and after training staff, suggesting greater care by healthcare professionals performing their tasks. Even recognizing that a TP is quite important to change behaviors, this needs to be considered in a broader context to effectively control noise in the NICU

Noise in neonatal intensive care units: a short review

Prematurity and low birth weight of newborns lead to the need of a special care in neonatal units, and their permanence in these places can be extended for a long period. Indoor environmental conditions, such noise levels above the recommended, may induce some risks, not only for the newborns development, but also for health care staff. This literature review aims to examine the studies related to noise in neonatal intensive care units to understand the sources and effects of noise, as well as some strategies to reduce noise exposure. The search strategy included an electronic search in databases (ISI Web of Knowledge and PubMed) of scientific articles published in English/Portuguese between 2000-2017. Studies providing data on noise levels found in the neonatal units, the effects on health of newborns and staff and the measures to minimize these effects were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: duplicate printings; nonEnglish/Portuguese language; editorials, letters, patents, errata, meeting abstracts and conference papers. PRISMA methodology was followed to perform the review. Twenty-two articles were considered for full analysis. It is important to note that some potentially relevant studies were rejected due to language criteria. It was found that the noise levels to which the newborns and staff are exposed in NICU, often exceeds the recommended levels for these spaces. Evidence also shows several adverse health effects for newborns and health care staff perceptions of noise. There is no consensus regarding the best intervention to reduce noise levels.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF Conyza canadensis (L.), IN MIXTURES OF HERBICIDES WITH GLYPHOSATE IN COFFEE CROP

The plants invasion of Conyza genus has occurred in several regions in Brazil and in the world, due to the selection caused by the continuous use of herbicides with the same active, causing losses in production. This work aims to evaluate the association of herbicides in the control of C. canadensis. The trial was carried out on a farm, in MG, in a Mundo Novo coffee plantation, in a randomized block design (RBD), with 7 treatments and 4 replications, totalizing 28 plots. The treatments were composed by CTU (no application), Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1, Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1 + Ethyl Chlorimuron 25g i.a ha-1, Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1 + Methyl Metsulfuron 6g i.a ha-1, Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1 + Flumioxazine 100g i.a ha-1, Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1 + Ethyl Carfentrazone 32g i.a ha-1, Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1 + Saflufenacil 56g i.a ha-1. In all treatments, non-ionic Dash adjuvant was used in the proportion of 1% of the application volume. Ten evaluations were carried out using the scores criterion, where 1 means efficiency between 0 and 20%; 2 from 21 to 40%; 3 from 41 to 60%; 4 from 61 to 80%; 5 from 81 and 100%. It is concluded the treatment Glyphosate 1440g i.a ha-1 + Saflufenacil 56g i.a ha-1 presented superior results from the first evaluation, evolving until the conclusion of this experiment

Analytical and subjective interpretation of thermal comfort in hospitals: A case study in two sterilization services

Hospital facilities are normally very complex, which combined with patient requirements promote conditions for potential development of uncomfortable working conditions. Thermal discomfort is one such example. This study aimed to determine levels of thermal comfort, sensations, and preferences, from a field investigation conducted in two sterilization services (SS) of two hospitals from Porto and Aveiro, Portugal. The analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort was based upon assumptions of ISO 7726:1998 and ISO 7730:2005. The predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfaction (PPD) indices were obtained by measurement and estimation of environmental and personal variables, respectively, and calculated according to ISO 7730 equations. The subjective variables were obtained from thermal sensation (subjective PMV) and affective assessment (subjective PPD), reported by a questionnaire based upon ISO 10551:1995. Both approaches confirmed thermal discomfort in both SS (codified as SS1 and SS2). For all areas, PMV and PPD exceeded in all periods of the day the recommended range of -0.5 to +0.5 and <10%, respectively. No significant differences were found between day periods. The questionnaire results showed that SS2 workers reported a higher level of thermal discomfort. There were no significant differences between PMV and thermal sensations, as well as between PPD and affective assessment. The PMV/PPD model was found suitable to predict thermal sensations of occupants in hospital SS located in areas with a mild climate in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

GÊNERO E VIOLÊNCIA: PORNOGRAFIA DA VINGANÇA E O CRIME DE IMPORTUNAÇÃO SEXUAL

A violência de gênero no Brasil possui dados estatísticos extremamente preocupantes. As mulheres têm sido vítimas de atrocidades propagadas por companheiros, ex-companheiros, namorados, dentre outros, como um traço cultural do processo de construção social do papel da mulher iniciado na infância, conforme nos relata Simone de Beauvoir. Com o advento da internet, o sexo feminino também passou a ser vítima de humilhação virtual por meio da divulgação de sua intimidade, como forma de prejudicá-la, fato esse conhecido como pornografia da vingança. Além disso, outro ato muito comum e que causa indignação é a importunação sexual, algo vivenciado diariamente pelas mulheres, seja no ônibus, no metrô ou na rua. Diante disso, como forma de punição, também como instrumento para coibir e prevenir tais atentados à dignidade sexual da mulher, foi promulgada a Lei nº 13.718/2018. Destarte, o presente artigo possui como propósito promover a discussão acerca da violência direcionada ao sexo feminino por meio da pornografia da vingança e importunação sexual, suscitando uma análise que visa compreender a evolução legislativa direcionada às mulheres, mas também analisar o rompimento do silêncio das mulheres como forma de combater o machismo e uma cultura sexista que deve ser repensada. Diante disso, deve-se promover a construção de uma sociedade que respeita as diferenças, onde as condutas discriminatórias e ofensivas às mulheres sejam coibidas e que seja fomentado o respeito à condição de mulher, com suas idiossincrasias, diferenças e, com isto, respeite-se a dignidade da pessoa humana, desconstruindo a cultura machista, sexista e misógina que promove a violência de gênero

Preparation of infant formula in hospitals: evaluation of the degree of hygiene and utensils, surfaces and equipment

Poster apresentado em 2010 na conferência anual EFFoST Annual Meetin

Newborns Safety at Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Are they Exposed to Excessive Noise during Routine Health Care Procedures?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) noise may be stressful to preterm infants. This research evaluated the newborns exposure to noise during several health care activities of two NICU. The measurements of the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level and peak sound pressure level were carried were performed with a sound level meter, as close as possible of the newborn. The results showed that sound pressure levels were excessive in all the evaluated tasks, exceeding international guidelines. The levels ranged between 46.6 dBA to 74.6 dBA. There is a need for more research in order to verify the effectiveness of specific strategies to reduce the impact of noise in NICU.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment and characterization of sound pressure levels in Portuguese neonatal intensive care units

In NICU, systematic exposure to sound pressure levels above the recommended can affect both neonates and staff. This study aimed to evaluate the sound pressure levels in three Portuguese NICU and the noise perception of staff. The measurements were performed with a sound level meter, considering the location of the main sources of noise and the layout of the units. A questionnaire was applied to assess noise perception of professionals. The staff classified the environment (regarding noise) as ―slightly uncomfortable‖ (41.1%) and 48.4% considered it as ―acceptable‖. In addition, the majority (55.5%) considered ―equipment‖ as the most annoying source of noise. The results showed that noise levels were excessive in all the evaluated areas of the NICUs, exceeding international guidelines, with the levels ranging between 48.7 dBA to 71.7 dBA. Overall, there is a need for more research in order to verify the effectiveness of some actions and strategies to reduce the impact of noise in NICU.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Contextualização do ensino de química através de temas sobre reciclagem e reaproveitamento / Contextualizing the teaching of chemistry through themes of recycling and reuse

O presente trabalho visou permitir que alunos conseguissem compreender melhor alguns conceitos relacionados a educação ambiental, tais como reaproveitamento de água, óleo de cozinha, reciclagem de papel, alumínio, dentre outros. Também teve como objetivo avaliar a compreensão dos mesmos sobre o tema escolhido e a razão da escolha do tema. Também foi avaliado se os alunos conseguiam associar o tema escolhido a conceitos já aprendidos, previamente, de química. A maior parte dos alunos tinha pouco ou conhecimento médio sobre o tema escolhido (aproximadamente 82%) e a maior parte entendeu não ser relevante associar conhecimentos do dia a dia com a química antes de responder o questionário (cerca de 74%). Após a pesquisa ser respondida e o novo questionário aplicado percebeu-se uma melhora no nível de conhecimento adquirido e também na percepção do aluno em associar a química com o cotidiano. Dessa forma, entende-se que objetivo de melhorar a compreensão do aluno acerca de temas importantes

Aplicação da análise de imagem digital como ferramenta no ensino de química analítica / Application of digital image analysis as a tool for teaching analytical chemistry

A proposta deste trabalho foi demonstrar como uma técnica alternativa que é rápida e barata pode ser usada para fins de ensino de química analítica seja em cursos de graduação ou técnicos na área de química ou afins. Tal proposta se baseou no uso da análise de imagem digital usando o pacote EBImage disponível no software R. Tal pacote permite a decomposição de uma imagem no sistema de cores RGB (vermelho, verde e azul) para fins de quantificação. Para aplicação da metodologia, se trabalhou com a determinação do teor de quercetina em amostras de chá verde. A curva analítica teve a concentração de quercetina variando de 0 – 90 mg/L e o produto colorido formado da reação da quercetina com solução metanólica de cloreto de alumínio foi analisado por meio de aquisição de imagens que foram posteriormente tratadas no software R. Tal proposta também permitiu reforçar ou introduzir novos conceitos seja de química analítica e/ou de quimiometria