Hybrid PSO Algorithm with Iterated Local Search Operator for Equality Constraints Problems

This paper presents a hybrid PSO algorithm (Par-ticle Swarm Optimization) with an ILS (Iterated Local Search) operator for handling equality constraints problems in mono-objective optimization problems. The ILS can be used to locally search around the best solutions in some generations, exploring the attraction basins in small portions of the feasible set. This process can compensate the difficulty of the evolutionary algorithm to generate good solutions in zero-volume regions. The greatest advantage of the operator is the simple implementation. Experiments performed on benchmark problems shows improvement in accuracy, reducing the gap for the tested problems

Digital (hyper)reading and educational book: a philological look at literary reading in Basic Education

This paper aims to present characteristics of literary texts cited by the textbook, from printed and digital media, and their philological implications in the context of (hyper) reading in Portuguese language classes in Basic Education. For this, literary texts present in book of Cereja, Vianna and Codenhoto (2016), Contemporary Portuguese: Dialogue, reflection and use, from the 1st year of High School were analyzed, relating characteristics of these texts in different supports (paper and screen) and philological reading. The theoretical foundation was based onstudies by Chartier (1999; 2001), Lévy (1999), Dionísio (2006), Coscarelli (2009), and Rojo (2012) to analyze the characteristics of texts present in cyberspace, and Santaella (2004) who discuss issues regarding the profile of the (hyper)reader. Regarding the potential of philological reading for reading training at the Basic School, the texts of Petrucci (1992), Chartier (2002), Said (2007) and Borges and Souza (2012), were used as a basis. As a result, it was observed that, when developing reading practices in the Basic School, it is necessary to explore the potential offered by web, from a humanistic and philological perspective, with a focus on the formation of critical readers and in a digital technological society.Este artigo objetiva apresentar as características dos textos literários referenciados pelo livro didático, a partir dos suportes impressos e digitais e suas implicações filológicas no contexto da (hiper)leitura nas aulas de Língua Portuguesa, na Educação Básica. Para isso, analisou-se os textos literários presentes no livro de Cereja, Vianna e Codenhoto (2016), Português Contemporâneo: Diálogo, reflexão e uso, do 1º ano do Ensino Médio, traçando um paralelo entre suas características em diferentes suportes (papel e tela) e a leitura filológica. Como aporte teórico, foram utilizados os estudos de Chartier (1999, 2001), Lévy (1999), Dionísio (2006), Coscarelli (2009), e Rojo (2012) para análise das características dos textos presentes no meio digital e Santaella (2004), que aborda questões sobre o perfil do hiperleitor. Em relação às potencialidades da leitura filológica para a formação leitora na Escola Básica, foram tomados como base Petrucci (1992), Chartier (2002), Said (2007) e Borges e Souza (2012). Como resultado, observou-se que, ao se desenvolver práticas leitoras na Escola Básica, faz-se necessário explorar as potencialidades oferecidas pelo ambiente digital, levando em consideração um olhar humanista e filológico de leitura, com foco na formação de leitores críticos e inseridos em uma sociedade tecnológica digital

Treatment Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Mexican Patients with Endometrial Carcinoma with Emphasis on Patients Receiving Radiotherapy after Surgery: An Institutional Perspective

Aim. To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with endometrial carcinoma treated in a Latin American institute with emphasis in patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods. A total of 412 patients with endometrial carcinoma admitted to our hospital between 1998 and 2008 were evaluated, retrospectively. The mean age was 55 years (28–87). Two hundred seventy patients received RT following surgery. Stage distribution was as follows: 221 patients (54%) stage I, 86 patients (21%) stage II, and 103 patients (24.5%) stage III and 2 patients (0.5%) stage IVA. Results. Overall survival rate was 95% at 2 years, 84% at 5 years, and 79% at 10 years. By the end of followup, 338 patients (82%) were disease-free, and 13 (3%) were alive with disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified age, grade, serosal and adnexial involvement as significant predictors for overall survival. Conclusion. The results of our study suggests that early-stage, low-grade endometrial cancer with no risk factors should not receive external beam radiotherapy, intermediate risk patients should receive only vaginal vault brachytherapy, and the use of chemotherapy with radiotherapy for patients high-risk and advanced-stage carcinoma the addition of radiotherapy is associated with a better survival being an effective therapeutic option

In vitro antimicrobial sensitivity to Staphylococcus spp. isolates from dairy cows with subclinical mastitis

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a sensibilidade antimicrobiana in vitro de 291 isolados de Staphylococcus spp. recuperados de amostras de leite de vacas com mastite subclínica, em 15 propriedades rurais localizadas na Região Metropolitana do Recife (A), Agreste (B) e Zona da Mata (C) do estado de Pernambuco. Dos 291 isolados, 170(58,4%) foram classificados como Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (SCN), 84(28,9%) como Staphylococcus aureus e 37(12,7%) como Staphylococcus coagulase positiva (SCP). Para o estudo do perfil de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos empregou-se a técnica de difusão em discos, foram avaliadas 16 drogas antimicrobianas utilizadas no tratamento das mastites. O antibiótico que apresentou melhor eficácia in vitro foi a associação entre neomicina + bacitracina + tetraciclina com percentuais de 98,4%, 99,3%, 89,7% para as regiões A, B e C, respectivamente. O antibiótico menos eficaz foi a ampicilina que apresentou 56,5% de resistência para as amostras da região A, 72,8% para a região B e 71,8% na região C. Os resultados obtidos mostram a necessidade da realização periódica de testes de sensibilidade in vitro, pois existem variações no perfil de sensibilidade e resistência que podem comprometer o tratamento do animal bem como os programas de controle da mastite bovina causada pelo Staphylococcus spp.The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial sensibility of 291 isolates of Staphylococcus spp., taken from the mammary glands of dairy cows with subclinical mastitis in the regions of Metropolitan Recife (A), Agreste (B) and Zona da Mata (C) in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. From the 291 isolates, 170 (58.4%) were identified as negative coagulase Staphylococcus (SCN), 84 (28.9%) as Staphylococcus aureus, and 37 (12.7%) as positive coagulase Staphylococcus (SCP). To study sensitivity to antimicrobials, the diffusion in disks method was used with 16 antimicrobial drugs commonly employed in the treatment of mastitis. The most efficient antibiotic in vitro was the combination of neomicine + bacitracine + tetracycline with percentages of 98.4%, 99.3%, and 89.7% for the A, B, and C regions, respectively. The least efficient was ampicillin, which was resistant to 56.5% of the isolates taken from region A, 72.8% from region B, and 71.8% from region C. These results indicate the need for periodic testing of sensitivity in vitro, as these variations can compromise the treatment of animals as well as control programs for bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus spp

Avaliação do conhecimento do enfermeiro de unidade de terapia intensiva sobre administração de medicamentos por sonda nasogástrica e nasoenteral

This study evaluates the knowledge of nurses working in intensive care units concerning recommendations for the proper administration of medication through nasogastric and enteral tubes. This exploratory-descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out with 49 nurses in an intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. A total of 36.7% of nurses reported they disregard the dosage forms provided by the pharmacy at the time of administering the medication through tubes. Metal, wood, or a plastic mortar is the method most frequently reported (42.86%) for crushing prescribed solid forms; 32.65% leave the drugs in 20ml of water until dissolved; 65.3% place the responsibility for choosing the pharmaceutical formulation and its correlation with the tube site, either into the stomach or into the intestine, on the physician. The results indicate there is a gap between specific literature on medication administered through tubes and knowledge of nurses on the subject.El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar los conocimientos del enfermero de la unidad de cuidados intensivos sobre las recomendaciones para la correcta administración de medicamentos por sonda nasogástrica y nasoentérica. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio-descriptivo y cuantitativo con 49 enfermeros en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de un hospital terciario, en la ciudad de Fortaleza, estado de Ceará, Brasil. 36,7% no prestan atención a las formas disponibles en el sector de farmacia en el momento de su utilización por sonda. El pilón de metal, madera o plástico fue el método más citado (42,86%) para triturar las formas sólidas prescritas. 32,65% dejan los fármacos en 20mL de agua hasta que se disuelvan. 65,3% atribuyen al médico la responsabilidad de decidir sobre la formulación y la correlación con la ubicación de la sonda en el tracto gastrointestinal. Los resultados indican que hay una diferencia entre la literatura para los medicamentos administrados por sonda y el conocimiento de los enfermeros sobre el tema.O estudo objetivou avaliar o conhecimento do enfermeiro de unidade de terapia intensiva sobre as recomendações para a correta administração de medicamentos, por sondas nasogástrica e nasoenteral. Estudo exploratório-descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 49 enfermeiros em uma unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital terciário, localizado na cidade de Fortaleza, no Estado do Ceará, Brasil. Dos enfermeiros, 36,7% relataram não dar atenção às formas farmacêuticas disponibilizadas pelo setor de farmácia na hora da utilização por sonda. O pilão de metal, madeira ou plástico foi o método mais referido (42,86%) para triturar as formas sólidas prescritas. Sendo que 32,65% costuma deixar os fármacos em 20mL de água até dissolver, 65,3% atribuem ao médico a responsabilidade sobre a decisão da formulação farmacêutica e a correlação com a localização da sonda no trato gastrointestinal. Os achados apontam para diferença entre a literatura específica para medicamentos administrados por sonda e o conhecimento de enfermeiros sobre o assunto

Factors associated with thrombocytopenia in severe leptospirosis (Weil's disease)

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate factors associated with thrombocytopenia in a large cohort of patients with leptospirosis in an endemic area. METHODS: This retrospective study included 374 consecutive patients with leptospirosis who were admitted to tertiary hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil. All patients had a diagnosis of severe leptospirosis (Weil's disease). Acute kidney injury was defined according to the RIFLE criteria. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet coun

Patients' characterization in use of vasoactive drugs hospitalized in intensive care unit

Objective: to characterize the patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) in the use of vasoactive drugs (VAD). Method: a retrospective study with a quantitative approach. The sample is comprised by 85 patients admitted to the ICU of a municipal hospital, in Fortaleza, Ceará. Data collection was conducted in March and April 2011 through consultation of the nursing report. Results: prevalence of female patients (55,3%), with age average of 70 years. The most common diagnosis was stroke (29,4%), followed by lung disease (23,5%). It is noteworthy that 89,4% required invasive mechanical ventilation, 98,9% used a nasogastric tube and 92,9% an urinary catheter, 92,9% used central venous access and 90.6% had antibiotic treatments. Regarding blood pressure, only 4,9% showed normal readings; noradrenaline was the most used VAD (67,1%), followed by dopamine (35.3%). Regarding evolution, 64,7% patients died. Conclusion: the patient in severe condition shows specificities in care that require particular knowledge of the nursing staff, in order to achieve a quality assistance

In vitro evaluation of the efficacy of commercial disinfectants used in pre and post-dipping against Staphylococcus spp. isolated from bovine mastitis

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a sensibilidade in vitro de Staphylococcus spp.frente a alguns desinfetantes comerciais utilizados no pré e pós-dipping em vacas leiteiras. Foram testados um total de 60 isolados de Staphylococcus spp. identificados como S. aureus (50) e Staphylococcus coagulase positiva (10) recuperados de glândulas mamárias de vacas com mastite subclínica procedentes das regiões Metropolitana do Recife, Agreste e Zona da Mata do Estado de Pernambuco. O estudo da eficácia dos desinfetantes utilizados no pré e pós-dipping foi realizado utilizando-se os seguintes princípios ativos: cloro (2,5%), iodo (0,57%), clorexidine (2,0%), amônia quaternária (4,0%) e ácido lático (2,0%) em quatro tempos distintos (15", 30", 60" e 300"). Observou-se que 100% de S. aureus foram sensíveis ao iodo, 93,3% sensíveis a clorexidine, 80% sensíveis a amônia, 35,6% sensíveis ao ácido lático e 97,8% resistentes ao cloro no tempo de 60". Com relação a Staphylococcus coagulase positiva (SCP), 100% dos isolados foram sensíveis ao iodo, 81,8% sensíveis a amônia quaternária, 99,9% sensíveis ao ácido lático, 72,7% sensíveis a clorexidine e 100% resistentes ao cloro no tempo de 60". Conclui-se que a maior atividade desinfetante in vitro foi verificada para o iodo e clorexidine frente a S. aureus e do iodo e ácido lático frente aos SCP e que há necessidade de avaliação periódica dos desinfetantes utilizados nas propriedades leiteiras nas regiões estudadas, pois, existem variações no perfil de sensibilidade e resistência aos desinfetantes que podem comprometer os programas de controle da mastite bovina causada por Staphylococcus spp.The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the in vitro sensibility of Staphylococcus spp. to several commercially available disinfectants used for pre and post dipping. A total of 60 isolates of Staphylococcus spp., identified as Staphylococcus aureus (50) and Positive coagulase Staphylococcus (10) were obtained from the mammary glands of dairy cows with subclinical mastitis in the regions of Metropolitan Recife, the Agreste and the Zona da Mata of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. As active ingredients were used a chlorine base (25%), iodine (0.6%), chlorhexidine (2.0%), quaternary ammonium (4.0%), and lactic acid (2.0%) at four specific intervals (15", 30", 60", and 300"). One hundred percent of S. aureus was found to be sensitive to iodine, 93.3% to chlorhexidine, 80% to ammonia, 35.6% to lactic acid, and 97.8% were resistant to chlorine at a 60-minute interval. With respect to the Positive coagulase Staphylococcus (SCP), 100.0% of the isolates were sensitive to iodine, 81.8% to quaternary ammonium, 99.9% to lactic acid, 72.7% to chlorhexidine, and 100% was resistant to chlorine at an interval of 60 minutes. It can be concluded that the highest disinfectant activity in vitro was found to be with iodine and chlorhexidine for S. aureus, and with iodine and lactic acid for SCP. A further conclusion was that it is important to undertake a periodic evaluation of the disinfectants used on the dairy properties in the regions studied, given the variety of sensibilities and resistance to disinfectants used, which may prejudice the control of bovine mastitis caused by Staphylococcus spp

MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF CURD CHESSE SOLD IN THE STATE OF ALAGOAS (BRAZIL)

The present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical quality of curd cheese commercialized in Alagoas (BRAZIL). Thirty samples were collect during a five months period in six points of sale. It was estimated the number of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and coliforms, as well as the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. Regarding physicochemical characteristics, pH, fat content and humidity were evaluated. Among the thirty analyzed samples, 20 (66.6%) were in accordance with Brazilian legislation parameters for coliforms, while 10 (33.3%) surpassed those limits. For coagulase-positive Staphylococcus 15 samples (50%) showed values above the allowed by legislation. None of the samples analyzed harbored Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes. Regarding physicochemical parameters, the average values observed were of 5.89 for pH, 23.6% for fat content and 46.96 g/100 g for humidity. Overall, the results obtained reflect the poor hygienic conditions observed from manufacture to commercialization, pointing towards a potential health risk for curd cheese consumers. Furthermore is necessary to regulate physicochemical standards for curd cheese fabication.