Evaluation of Road Signs conformity for improving road safety in urban Areas: a Case Study in Guimarães, Portugal

A segurança rodoviária depende da existência de uma rede de sinalética apropriada e de uma correta manutenção dos sinais ao longo do tempo. Os sinais verticais de trânsito, para serem efetivamente funcionais, devem permanecer adequadamente visíveis e percetíveis. Neste artigo apresenta-se uma metodologia para avaliar o nível de conformidade dos sinais, procurando identificar eventuais deficiências funcionais. A metodologia baseia-se numa análise multicritério, onde são considerados dois critérios e oito subcritérios relacionados com as características físicas e operacionais dos sinais. A visibilidade dos sinais foi avaliada através de uma análise em SIG, considerando as distâncias de travagem e de paragem. O nível de intervenção obtido é constituído por quatro níveis, em função da necessidade e da urgência em recuperar a função dos sinais. A metodologia foi aplicada na cidade de Guimarães, Portugal. Os resultados comprovam a funcionalidade da metodologia e revelam que mais de metade dos sinais analisados não estão totalmente em conformidade com as normas, muito por culpa da estrutura urbana compacta e da presença de vegetação nas ruas. Uma vez que, para vários sinais, as distâncias de travagem e de paragem não são adequadas, pode-se concluir que os utilizadores destas ruas estão expostos a riscos que ameaçam a sua segurança.Road safety depends on the existence of an adequate network of signs and an effective management for proper conservation. Vertical traffic signs will only be effectively functional if they still provide adequate visibility and legibility. This paper presents a methodology to evaluate the level of conformity of traffic signs, in order to identify where to improve their functionality. The methodology is based on a multicriteria analysis, using two criteria and eight subcriteria that are related with signs physical and operational attributes. Their visibility was evaluated through a spatial analysis in a geographical information system, taking into account the braking and stopping distances. The intervention level is defined by four levels related with the necessity and urgency in restoring signs functionality. This methodology was applied in the city of Guimarães, Portugal. The results showed the usefulness of the methodology and revealed that more than half of the analyzed signs not fully complied with the norms, mainly due to the compactness of the urban structure e the presence of vegetation in streets. Since the braking and stopping distances of many signs are not adequate, it can be concluded that road users are exposed to risks and their safety can be threated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação da visibilidade de sinais de trânsito com base numa análise multicritério implementada num SIG. Uma aplicação no centro de Guimarães, Portugal

Publicado em "Anais do 7º Congresso Luso-Brasileiro para o Planejamento Urbano, Regional, Integrado e Sustentável"A visibilidade dos sinais de trânsito é fundamental para regular o tráfego rodoviário, auxiliar os condutores e garantir a segurança dos utilizadores das vias. Neste artigo apresenta-se uma metodologia para avaliar a visibilidade dos sinais verticais de trânsito. Com base numa análise multicritério, atribuiram-se pesos a três parâmetros que condicionam a visibilidade dos sinais: a dimensão do sinal, a dimensão do poste e a visibilidade do sinal. A análise da visibilidade foi realizada através do geoprocessamento num SIG a partir da rasterização do terreno. Com a aplicação da análise multicritério obteve-se uma escala de prioridades de intervenção associada à visibilidade dos sinais. Esta metodologia foi aplicada a um conjunto de sinais na cidade de Guimarães, Portugal. Os resultados comprovam a funcionalidade da metodologia e revelam que os sinais na cidade de Guimarães têm problemas de visibilidade resultantes da estrutura urbana compacta e da presença de vegetação nas ruas

Clinical study of a multivitamin and polymineral complex associated with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®)

This study aimed to stablish the efficacy of a multivitamin and polyminerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®) on patients subjected to common physical or mental stress. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical examination. Group A received Natus Gerin® capsules and B placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken daily during meals during four weeks. Mood and physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 176 patients enrolled, 17 were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 81 completed the study in group A and 78 in group B. The treatment with Natus Gerin® increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 and 30 days, group A showed a significant increase in average scoring score from 1.78 to 3.78, and finally 5.32 points. The study has shown that the daily use of Natus Gerin® can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stressColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Remote ischemic preconditioning in myocardial protection in hemodialysis patients

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a procedure that generates a brief period of ischemia followed by reperfusion. The role of RIPC in protecting myocardial ischemia during hemodialysis is not yet established. The aim of the study was to evaluate RIPC myocardial protection as evaluated by ultrasensitive I troponin in hemodialysis outpatients. Patients and methods: A double-blind randomized trial with two groups: intervention submitted to RIPC and control group without RIPC. Intervention group received RIPC in three consecutive hemodialysis sessions. Blood samples were taken before and after each session. Blood urea nitrogen for calculation of single-pool Kt/v and ultrasensitive I troponin were measured to evaluate dialysis adequacy and myocardial injury. Results: A total of 47 patients were randomized. About 60.8% were men and 54% were diabetic. The mean single-pool Kt/v was 1.51 in the intervention group and 1.49 in control. The ultrasensitive troponin I measured no significant change from the time of collection: before or after dialysis. Conclusion: The RIPC applied in three consecutive sessions did not demonstrate superiority to control, therefore another study tested RIPC in 12 consecutive sessions with a positive result in myocardial protection. In our study, more than half of the patients were diabetic. Diabetic patients have a trend to show a lower response to RIPC because of the greater presence of collateral coronary circulation. In summary, in this model there was no interference of RIPC in ultrasensitive troponin I values, but troponin had a high negative predictive value for myocardial infarction in all tested models.ABC, Fac Med, Dept Gen Practice, Av Principe Gales N 821, BR-09060650 Santo Andre, SP, BrazilABC, Fac Med, Dept Cardiol, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilABC, Fac Med, Clin Anal Lab, Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Acute Auditory Stimulation with Different Styles of Music Influences Cardiac Autonomic Regulation in Men

Background: No clear evidence is available in the literature regarding the acute effect of different styles of music on cardiac autonomic control. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of classical baroque and heavy metal musical auditory stimulation on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in healthy men. Patients and Methods: In this study, HRV was analyzed regarding time (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, and pNN50) and frequency domain (LF, HF, and LF / HF) in 12 healthy men. HRV was recorded at seated rest for 10 minutes. Subsequently, the participants were exposed to classical baroque or heavy metal music for five minutes through an earphone at seated rest. After exposure to the first song, they remained at rest for five minutes and they were again exposed to classical baroque or heavy metal music. The music sequence was random for each individual. Standard statistical methods were used for calculation of means and standard deviations. Besides, ANOVA and Friedman test were used for parametric and non-parametric distributions, respectively. Results: While listening to heavy metal music, SDNN was reduced compared to the baseline (P = 0.023). In addition, the LF index (ms2 and nu) was reduced during exposure to both heavy metal and classical baroque musical auditory stimulation compared to the control condition (P = 0.010 and P = 0.048, respectively). However, the HF index (ms2) was reduced only during auditory stimulation with music heavy metal (P = 0.01). The LF/HF ratio on the other hand decreased during auditory stimulation with classical baroque music (P = 0.019). Conclusions: Acute auditory stimulation with the selected heavy metal musical auditory stimulation decreased the sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation on the heart, while exposure to a selected classical baroque music reduced sympathetic regulation on the heart

Clinical study of a multivitamin and polymineral complex associated with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®)

This study aimed to stablish the efficacy of a multivitamin and polyminerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®) on patients subjected to common physical or mental stress. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical examination. Group A received Natus Gerin® capsules and B placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken daily during meals during four weeks. Mood and physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 176 patients enrolled, 17 were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 81 completed the study in group A and 78 in group B. The treatment with Natus Gerin® increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 and 30 days, group A showed a significant increase in average scoring score from 1.78 to 3.78, and finally 5.32 points. The study has shown that the daily use of Natus Gerin® can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stressColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Mild Systemic Oxidative Stress in the Subclinical Stage of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a late-onset, progressive degenerative disorder that affects mainly the judgment, emotional stability, and memory domains. AD is the outcome of a complex interaction among several factors which are not fully understood yet; nevertheless, it is clear that oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways are among these factors. 65 elderly subjects (42 cognitively intact and 23 with probable Alzheimer's disease) were selected for this study. We evaluated erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase as well as plasma levels of total glutathione, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, lycopene, and coenzyme Q10. These antioxidant parameters were confronted with plasmatic levels of protein and lipid oxidation products. Additionally, we measured basal expression of monocyte HLA-DR and CD-11b, as well as monocyte production of cytokines IL1-alpha, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. AD patients presented lower plasmatic levels of alpha-tocopherol when compared to control ones and also higher basal monocyte HLA-DR expression associated with higher IL-1 alpha production when stimulated by LPS. These findings support the inflammatory theory of AD and point out that this disease is associated with a higher basal activation of circulating monocytes that may be a result of alpha-tocopherol stock depletion.Univ São Paulo, Inst Quim, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim Farmaceut, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilFMABC, Dept Hematol & Oncol, BR-09060650 Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med Prevent, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim Farmaceut, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med Prevent, BR-04021001 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Fractional order dynamical systems and its applications

This article illustrates several applications of fractional calculus (FC) in science and engineering. It has been recognized the advantageous use of this mathematical tool in the modeling and control of many dynamical systems. In this perspective, this paper investigates the use of FC in the following fields: Controller tuning; Electrical systems; Traffic systems; Digital circuit synthesis; Evolutionary computing; Redundant robots; Legged robots; Robotic manipulators; Nonlinear friction; Financial modeling.N/

MEDICINES WASTE POLICIES AND THE POPULATION KNOWLEDGE IN BRAZIL

Objective: To investigate the degree of knowledge of the patients enrolled in the Unified Health System of the Medicine School of ABC (Faculdade de Medicina do ABC) regarding the proper use and disposal of medicaments. Methods: Participants were recruited for convenience, during their medical appointments at the clinic of the Medical School of ABC (Santo André, Sao Paulo, Brazil) in the period from 04 August to 30 September 2014. Data collection was conducted through a self-administered poll designed specifically for the purpose of this study, which consisted of 25 questions multiple choice about socioeconomic issues and the subject disposal of drugs, consumption and environmental pollution. Results: We selected the 140 patients’ polls. Most of them is of white ethnicity (58%) and female (58%). Level of education: 31% have completed secondary education (31%) or incomplete graduation (19%). Most of the participants (76%) buy drugs without a prescription, and most families (76%) seek understanding by reading the labels. 71.43% reported knowing that incorrect disposal of drugs could contaminate the environment, but 78% reported never having seen or received information about these. After using, 22.15% maintains the medication at home for future use, 55% of subjects reported improper disposal sites and 13% are delivered in health care institutions. Conclusion: Our study has showed that most participants inappropriately use and dispose of drugs, even though they know they can contaminate the environment