Tensile strain hardening of a metakaolin based fibre reinforced composite

Portland cement concrete is the most used building material in the world. However, its manufacture is energy-intensive and it is susceptible to harsh environments. Alternative binder systems without ordinary Portland cement, such as geopolymers or alkali-activated materials, are recently new in the Civil Engineered world. These alternative binder systems seek, among other characteristics, improved durability and environmental efficiency. The attaining of strain hardening and multiple cracking typical of Strain Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCC) using these alternative binder systems is very attractive from a conceptual point of view, since additional endurance to certain harsh or extreme environments, as well as enhanced durability, are usually expected as two of the main outcomes. In the present work, the behaviour of two different composites was studied: an existing Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) and a new composite based on an alternative binder prepared with metakaolin. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres were used in both materials. A series of experiments, including compressive and direct tensile testing were carried out to characterize and compare the mechanical properties of both materials. The results showed that the alternative binder composite, when subjected to uniaxial tension, developed multiple cracks at steadily increasing tensile stress and strain, which is also typical of ECCs showing strain hardening behaviour. The development of fibre reinforced geopolymer or alkali-activated materials showing strain hardening ability in tension may still be considered as a novel research topic, with great potential for creating new and interesting developments for Civil Engineering and structural applications, particularly the ones subjected to harsh environments

Há relação entre distúrbios metabólicos e alterações vestibulococleares? / Is there a relationship between metabolic disorders and vestibulocochlear dysfunctions?

Os distúrbios vestibulococleares são de ordem multifatorial e possuem distintos fatores agravantes à sua condição, sendo de grande importância a discussão dessa temática para adequada abordagem do paciente com referido distúrbio. A orelha interna despende muita energia para seu adequado funcionamento, especialmente a estria vascular, cuja energia é oriunda da circulação sanguínea através da captação tecidual de oxigênio e glicose. Baseado na premissa de que distúrbios metabólicos podem afetar o ambiente da orelha interna, este trabalho tem por objetivo identificar correlação entre distúrbios metabólicos e disfunções vestibulococleares.  Fora realizada uma busca a partir de fontes secundárias de dezesseis artigos nos bancos de dados Scielo, Medline e PubMed em junho de 2020 e, um livro referência da área otorrinolaringológica. A análise dos artigos evidenciou que os distúrbios metabólicos podem afetar diretamente o sistema vestibular e coclear, causando sintomatologia como vertigem, tontura e zumbido; assim como podem interferir de forma secundária na patologia pré-existente, funcionando como fator agravante vestibulococlear. Hipercolesterolemia, hipertrigliceridemia e distúrbios no metabolismo da glicose, despontam como os mais frequentes distúrbios geradores de disfunção vestibulococlear. Essa pesquisa apontou que a redução, ou remissão, das queixas otoneurológicas pelos pacientes acometidos por distúrbios metabólicos, esteve intimamente relacionada ao tratamento da doença base metabólica, seja com dietas restritivas ou tratamento medicamentoso. É imperativo o correto rastreio metabólico frente às queixas vestibulococleares para otimização terapêutica. 

COMPLICAÇÕES DE DEISCÊNCIA DOS TECIDOS MOLES PERI-IMPLANTARES: UMA REVISÃO DOS FATORES ASSOCIADOS E FREQUÊNCIA DE OCORRÊNCIA.

  Given the importance of associated factors and the need for appropriate preventive strategies, this study aims to review the existing literature on complications of peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence, analyzing the associated factors and frequency of occurrence. From this review, we intend to provide a solid scientific basis for the implementation of clinical practices that minimize the incidence of this complication and improve the results of treatments with dental implants. The results of this review emphasize the importance of a multifaceted approach to preventing and managing peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence. The quality of the gingival tissues, the surgical technique, the type and positioning of the implant, the patient's oral hygiene, and rigorous post-operative care are crucial determinants. Furthermore, systemic and environmental factors, the biocompatibility of implant materials, and the surgeon's experience play significant roles. Multidisciplinary collaboration and technological advances emerge as important allies to improve clinical results. Therefore, careful assessment and detailed planning are essential to reduce complications and ensure the long-term success of dental implants, promoting a better quality of life for patients.Diante da importância dos fatores associados e da necessidade de estratégias preventivas adequadas, este estudo tem como objetivo revisar a literatura existente sobre as complicações de deiscência dos tecidos moles peri-implantares, analisando os fatores associados e a frequência de ocorrência. A partir dessa revisão, pretende-se fornecer uma base científica sólida para a implementação de práticas clínicas que minimizem a incidência dessa complicação e melhorem os resultados dos tratamentos com implantes dentários. Os resultados desta revisão enfatizam a importância de uma abordagem multifacetada para prevenir e gerenciar a deiscência dos tecidos moles peri-implantares. A qualidade dos tecidos gengivais, a técnica cirúrgica, o tipo e o posicionamento do implante, a higiene bucal do paciente, e os cuidados pós-operatórios rigorosos são determinantes cruciais. Além disso, fatores sistêmicos e ambientais, a biocompatibilidade dos materiais dos implantes, e a experiência do cirurgião desempenham papéis significativos. A colaboração multidisciplinar e os avanços tecnológicos emergem como aliados importantes para melhorar os resultados clínicos. Portanto, uma avaliação cuidadosa e um planejamento detalhado são essenciais para reduzir as complicações e garantir o sucesso a longo prazo dos implantes dentários, promovendo uma melhor qualidade de vida para os pacientes

Frequency and Burden of Neurological Manifestations Upon Hospital Presentation in COVID-19 Patients: Findings From a Large Brazilian Cohort

BACKGROUND: Scientific data regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 neurological manifestations and prognosis in Latin America countries is still lacking. Therefore, the study aims to understand neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV 2 infection and outcomes in the Brazilian population. METHODS: This study is part of the Brazilian COVID-19 Registry, a multicentric cohort, including data from 37 hospitals. For the present analysis, patients were grouped according to the presence of reported symptoms (i.e., headache; anosmia and ageusia; syncope and dizziness) vs. clinically-diagnosed neurological manifestations (clinically-defined neurological syndrome: neurological signs or diagnoses captured by clinical evaluation) and matched with patients without neurological manifestations by age, sex, number of comorbidities, hospital of admission, and whether or not patients had underlying neurological disease. RESULTS: From 6,635 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 30.8% presented reported neurological manifestations, 10.3% were diagnosed with a neurological syndrome and 60.1% did not show any neurological manifestations. In patients with reported symptoms, the most common ones were headache (20.7%), ageusia (11.1%) and anosmia (8.0%). In patients with neurological syndromes, acute encephalopathy was the most common diagnosis (9.7%). In the matched analysis, patients with neurological syndromes presented more cases of septic shock (17.0 vs. 13.0%, p = 0.045), intensive care unit admission (45.3 vs. 38.9%, p = 0.023), and mortality (38.7 vs. 32.6%, p = 0.026; and 39.2 vs. 30.3%, p \u3c 0.001) when compared to controls. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 in-hospital patients with clinically defined neurological syndromes presented a higher incidence of septic shock, ICU admission and death when compared to controls

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations. METHODS The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 cause-of-death analysis estimated mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) from 288 causes of death by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2021. The analysis used 56 604 data sources, including data from vital registration and verbal autopsy as well as surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. As with previous GBD rounds, cause-specific death rates for most causes were estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model-a modelling tool developed for GBD to assess the out-of-sample predictive validity of different statistical models and covariate permutations and combine those results to produce cause-specific mortality estimates-with alternative strategies adapted to model causes with insufficient data, substantial changes in reporting over the study period, or unusual epidemiology. YLLs were computed as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution for each metric. We decomposed life expectancy by cause of death, location, and year to show cause-specific effects on life expectancy from 1990 to 2021. We also used the coefficient of variation and the fraction of population affected by 90% of deaths to highlight concentrations of mortality. Findings are reported in counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2021 include the expansion of under-5-years age group to include four new age groups, enhanced methods to account for stochastic variation of sparse data, and the inclusion of COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality-which includes excess mortality associated with the pandemic, excluding COVID-19, lower respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and pertussis. For this analysis, 199 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 5 country-years of surveillance data, 21 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 94 country-years of other data types were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS The leading causes of age-standardised deaths globally were the same in 2019 as they were in 1990; in descending order, these were, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections. In 2021, however, COVID-19 replaced stroke as the second-leading age-standardised cause of death, with 94·0 deaths (95% UI 89·2-100·0) per 100 000 population. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the rankings of the leading five causes, lowering stroke to the third-leading and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the fourth-leading position. In 2021, the highest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (271·0 deaths [250·1-290·7] per 100 000 population) and Latin America and the Caribbean (195·4 deaths [182·1-211·4] per 100 000 population). The lowest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 were in the high-income super-region (48·1 deaths [47·4-48·8] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (23·2 deaths [16·3-37·2] per 100 000 population). Globally, life expectancy steadily improved between 1990 and 2019 for 18 of the 22 investigated causes. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the positive effect that reductions in deaths from enteric infections, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and neonatal deaths, among others have contributed to improved survival over the study period. However, a net reduction of 1·6 years occurred in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to increased death rates from COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality. Life expectancy was highly variable between super-regions over the study period, with southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania gaining 8·3 years (6·7-9·9) overall, while having the smallest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 (0·4 years). The largest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (3·6 years). Additionally, 53 of the 288 causes of death were highly concentrated in locations with less than 50% of the global population as of 2021, and these causes of death became progressively more concentrated since 1990, when only 44 causes showed this pattern. The concentration phenomenon is discussed heuristically with respect to enteric and lower respiratory infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and measles. INTERPRETATION Long-standing gains in life expectancy and reductions in many of the leading causes of death have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects of which were spread unevenly among populations. Despite the pandemic, there has been continued progress in combatting several notable causes of death, leading to improved global life expectancy over the study period. Each of the seven GBD super-regions showed an overall improvement from 1990 and 2021, obscuring the negative effect in the years of the pandemic. Additionally, our findings regarding regional variation in causes of death driving increases in life expectancy hold clear policy utility. Analyses of shifting mortality trends reveal that several causes, once widespread globally, are now increasingly concentrated geographically. These changes in mortality concentration, alongside further investigation of changing risks, interventions, and relevant policy, present an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of mortality-reduction strategies. Examining patterns in mortality concentration might reveal areas where successful public health interventions have been implemented. Translating these successes to locations where certain causes of death remain entrenched can inform policies that work to improve life expectancy for people everywhere. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Resiliência de estruturas de betão em ambiente marítimo através da inovação microestrutural

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia CivilMarine environment is one of the most challenging environments for concrete structures. Structural concrete exposed to marine environment deserves special attention as the sea salts chemically react with the cement matrix which results in loss of strength, cracking, spalling etc. In the present work, the behaviour of two different composites were study: Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) and another one based on an Alternative Binder System. A series of experiments, including compressive testing and uniaxial tension were carried out to characterize the mechanical properties of both types of materials. The single crack tension test was performed in the ECC compositions to assess the influence of the type of water used in the composition, at the micromechanical level. The most important characteristic of ECC, multicracking behaviour at increasing tensile strains when subject to direct tension, was confirmed in all mixtures and in all types of cures. Self-healing ability was studyed in ECC mixtures and the results showed that is possible verify that the specimens subjected to lower preloading levels and cured in the same water used to prepare the mixtures have almost fully recovered their initial mechanical characteristics. In the metakaolin based geopolymer, as an alternative binder system, the strain hardening behaviour was reached with one mixture. The geopolymer material is a more sustainable option due to the utilization of by-products and / or wastes materials when compared to the cementitious matrix composite.O ambiente marítimo é um dos mais desafiadores para as estruturas de betão. Betão armado exposto, ao ambiente marítimo, merece especial atenção devido á presença de sais do mar que reagem com matriz de cimento o que resulta em perda de resistência, fendas, fragmentação, entre outros problemas. Este trabalho consiste no estudo do comportamento mecânico de dois compósitos diferentes: um compósito de matriz cimentícia com endurecimento em tração e um material alternativo de matriz não cimentícia. Os testes de compressão e tensão uniaxial foram realizados de modo a avaliar as propriedades mecânicas dos dois compósitos. Os resultados demonstraram que é possível o aparecimento de múltiplas fendas com o aumento da carga de tração em todas as misturas e em todos os tipos de curas. A capacidade de self-healing de materiais compósitos com endurecimento em tração foi estudado nos compósitos de matriz comentícia e os resultados mostraram que é possível concluir que as amostras submetidas a baixos níveis de pré-carga, curadas na mesma água utilizada para preparar as misturas, tenham recuperado quase totalmente as suas características mecânicas iniciais. O endurecimento à tração também foi obtido por uma mistura de geopolímero que é um material alternativo ao cimento Portland. O geopolímero é uma opção mais sustentável devido à utilização de sub-produtos e/ou resíduos quando comparado com o compósito de matriz cimentícia

Sistema penitenciário e educação: a situação do presídio regional de Santa Cruz do Sul / The penitentiary system and the education: the situacion in the regional penitentiary of Santa Cruz of the Sul

O presente artigo é um estudo acerca do Sistema Prisional e sua interface com a Educação, onde buscou-se verificar se existe alguma relação entre a escolaridade, e o tipo de delito cometido, tomando-se por base que a falta de escolarização é um dos motivos que influenciam a delinqüência. Para a realização da pesquisa utilizou-se uma metodologia quantitativa, onde foram pesquisados os387 prontuários dos apenados do Presídio Regional de Santa Cruz do Sul, no dia 01 de setembro de 2005. Os resultados nos mostram que a faixa etária com maior incidência é de 18 a 31 anos, os crimes mais cometidos são assaltos e furtos, e a maioria deles possuem ensino fundamental incompleto, não podendo ser constatado, nessa pesquisa, uma relação direta entre o nível de escolaridade e o tipo de delito cometido.Abstract The present article is a study concerning the Prisional System and of the Education, where it searched to verify the relation between the age, the index of escolaridade and, the type of delict. For the accomplishment of the research a quantitative methodology was used, where the 387 handbooks of the imposed a fine on ones had been searched, in day 01 of September of 2005. The results in show them that the etária band with bigger incidence is of 25 the 31 years, the committed crimes more are assaults and roberies, and the majority of them possesss incomplete basic education, not being able to be evidenced, in this research, a direct relation enters the level of escolaridade and the type of delict.</div

SISTEMA PENITENCIÁRIO E EDUCAÇÃO: A SITUAÇÃO DO PRESÍDIO REGIONAL DE SANTA CRUZ DO SUL

The present article is a study concerning the Prisional System and of the Education, where it searched to verify the relation between the age, the index of escolaridade and, the type of delict. For the accomplishment of the research a quantitative methodology was used, where the 387 handbooks of the imposed a fine on ones had been searched, in day 01 of September of 2005. The results in show them that the etária band with bigger incidence is of 25 the 31 years, the committed crimes more are assaults and roberies, and the majority of them possesss incomplete basic education, not being able to be evidenced, in this research, a direct relation enters the level of escolaridade and the type of delict.O presente artigo é um estudo acerca do Sistema Prisional e da Educação, onde buscou-se verificar a relação entre a idade, o índice de escolaridade e, o tipo de delito. Para a realização da pesquisa utilizou-se uma metodologia quantitativa, onde foram pesquisados os 387 prontuários dos apenados do Presídio Regional de Santa Cruz do Sul, no dia 01 de setembro de 2005. Os resultados nos mostram que a faixa etária com maior incidência é de 18 a 31 anos, os crimes mais cometidos são assaltos e furtos, e a maioria deles possuem ensino fundamental incompleto, não podendo ser constatado, nessa pesquisa, uma relação direta entre o nível de escolaridade e o tipo de delito