Integrated feature selection and classification algorithm in the prediction of work-related accidents in the retail sector: a comparative study

Assessing the different factors that contribute to accidents in the workplace is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of employees. Given the importance of risk identification in hazard prediction, this work proposes a comparative study between different feature selection techniques (χ2 test and Forward Feature Selection) combined with learning algorithms (Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Naive Bayes), both applied to a database of a leading company in the retail sector, in Portugal. The goal is to conclude which factors of each database have the most significant impact on the occurrence of accidents. Initial databases include accident records, ergonomic workplace analysis, hazard intervention and risk assessment, climate databases, and holiday records. Each method was evaluated based on its accuracy in the forecast of the occurrence of the accident. The results showed that the Forward Feature Selection-Random Forest pair performed better among the assessed combinations, considering the case study database. In addition, data from accident records and ergonomic workplace analysis have the largest number of features with the most significant predictive impact on accident prediction. Future studies will be carried out to evaluate factors from other databases that may have meaningful information for predicting accidents.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CeDRI (UIDB/05757/2020 and UIDP/05757/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021). This work has been supported by NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-072598 iSafety: Intelligent system for occupational safety and well-being in the retail sector. Inˆes Sena was supported by FCT PhD grant UI/BD/153348/2022.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The microbial culture collections of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) and the new consortium towards the establishment of BRC-UFPE

The UFPE from Recife in Brazil hosts a bacterial (UFPEDA) and a fungal (URM) collections since 1951 and 1954, respectively. The UFPEDA was established by Prof. Oswaldo Gonçalves de Lima and is register in WDCM as 114. It is hosted at Antibiotic Department (DA) of UFPE and started out with 200 species mainly of the genus Streptomyces. Nowadays this collection holds 4000 strains of actinomycetes isolated from all the Brazilian places and from the International Streptomyces Project (ISP). The URM – University of Recife Mycology was established by Prof. Augusto Chaves Batista and is register in WDCM as 604. Actual it holds 9000 identified species including 1400 yeasts and 7600 filamentous fungi. All major fungal taxonomic groups are cover by this collection. The collections preserve each strain at least by two different techniques. Water and mineral oil storage were used for long operation time while freeze-drying and freezing at -80 ºC become the main techniques used at this stage. Special care is taken to test whether cultures recovered from preserved material conform to the original deposit. These collections have a range of services which are acceptance of free and confidential deposits, supply strains for academia, industry and services, support research and education (graduate and post-graduate students, as well as advanced training courses), identification services and confidential contracts (e.g. fungal medical diagnosis, starters for agro-industry companies, etc.). The OECD initiative related to guidance for the operation of Biological Resource Centres (BRC) is now a key reference for these collections. The right management of biological resources and their associate information including quality control are perused by these collections. The recent national projects, with reasonable budgets to support their activities, either on networking activities or requalification and management create a new breath and responsibilities to these collections. Taking advantage of good and well equipped premises of LIKA these collections are now open new avenues working in consortium to improve the quality control of their holdings using new tools from molecular biology and spectral analysis (MALDI-TOF) to achieve in the future a certified BRC for the UFPE microbial culture collections

Evaluation of toxic/protective effects of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis on freshly isolated rat hepatocytes

For this study the essential oil (EO) of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) was isolated from air-dried vegetative aerial parts of the plants by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC-MS. A total yield of 12.07 mg of EO per g of plant dry mass was obtained and more than 50 compounds identified. The major compounds were cis-thujone (17.4 %), alpha-humulene (13.3 %), 1,8-cineole (12.7 %), E-caryophyllene (8.5 %) and borneol (8.3 %). The EO fraction of sage tea was also isolated by partition with pentane and the respective components identified. The toxic and antioxidant protective effects of S. officinalis EO were evaluated on freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Cell viability (LDH leakage), lipid peroxidation and glutathione status were measured in experiments undertaken with cells (suspensions of 1x106 cells per millilitre) exposed to EO alone (toxicity of the EO; t-BHP as positive control); and with cells exposed to EO and an oxidative compound (t-BHP) together (in EO protection evaluation; quercetin as positive control) for 30 min. The results show that the EO is not toxic when present at concentrations below 200 nl/ml; it was only at 2000 nl EO/ml that a significant LDH leakage and GSH decrease were observed indicating cell damage. In the range of concentrations tested, the EO did not show protective effects against t-BHP-induced toxicity.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/6942/2001, POCTI/AGR/43482/2001

Hepatotoxicity of an essential oil of Salvia officinalis L.: an in vitro study using freshly isolated rat hepatocytes

Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is a popular Mediterranean aromatic herb that is cultivated worldwide. It is used since ancient times as a medicinal herb for treating a variety of ailments and has a reputation for memory enhancement [1,2]. It is also commonly used for flavouring and seasoning of foods, most of their properties being due to essential oils [1,3]. Sage extracts have also been reported to have an antioxidant effects and excellent properties in inhibiting lipid peroxidation [1]. Sage derivatives continue to be important components of contemporary phytopharmaceuticals, although their potentially toxic effects have not received much attention. In this study, the hepatotoxicity of an essential oil obtained by hydrodistilled aerial parts of Salvia officinalis L. plants (12 mg/g dry weight) harvested in April 2000, cultivated in Arouca experimental farms in northern Portugal, was investigated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. The studied concentrations (0 microL/ml, 0.08 microL/ml, 0.4 microL/ml, 2 microL/ml, and 10 microL/ml) did not induce lipid peroxidation measured by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. However, it was observed a concentration dependent increase of lactate dehydrogenase leakage of 30 min of incubation with the essential oil (18.1%, 21.4%, 28.0%, 29.4%, and 51.6%). Values of reduced and oxidized glutathione will also be discussed. Tert-butylhydroperoxide (1.0 mM, 30 min), a well-known toxic compound, was used as positive control for cell damage. Our results show that care should be taken when applying essential oils in the food industry or as alternative medicines because of their potentially toxic effects on the liver

Sintomas do modo de vida burguês no Vale do Paraíba, Séc.XIX: fazenda São Fernando, Vassouras, RJ Exploração arqueológica e museológica

In the scope of an archaeological project that deals with the arising of a boufgeois way of life, which carne before the establishment of the bourgeoisie itself, cottee plantations from middle 19th century in the Vale do Paraíba are being investigated. The Fazenda São Femando, locatea in Massambará, county of Vassouras, RJ, as one of the most conspicuous examples of the rise and fali process of the monoculture in the valley, has been worked out to become one of the places to disclose such past. Archaeology and Museology acting in concert, are displa'y,'ing and retuming to the community ali data recovered through sistematic diggings, thus assuring the preservation of the valley's memory.No âmbito de um projeto voltado para investigar arqueologicamente o surgimento do modo de vida burguês, que antecede a instalação da Durguesia propriamente dita no país, vêm sendo pesquisadas unidades de produção de café implantadas em meados do século passado no Vale do Paraíba Fluminense. A Fazenda São Fernando, situada no município de Vassouras RJ, na condição de um dos mais notáveis exemplos do processo de expansão, apogeu e decadência desta monocultura na região, foi trabalhada com vistas a se tornar um dos espaços destinados ao connecimento e divulgação desse passado. A Arqueologia e a Museologia, operando em fina sintonia, estão expondo e restituindo à comunidade as informações recuperadas em escavações sistemáticas na área e desta forma garantindo a preservação da sua memória

TEMÁTICA SEGURANÇA DO PACIENTE NAS MATRIZES CURRICULARES DE ESCOLAS DE GRADUAÇÃO EM ENFERMAGEM E OBSTETRÍCIA

Objetivos: categorizar a temática segurança do paciente nas matrizes curriculares de cursos de graduação em enfermagem e obstetrícia. Método: Estudo documental, desenvolvido em nove universidades no período de junho de 2013 a março de 2014. Foram elencadas 16 palavras-chave diretas e 12 indiretas e categorizadas conforme o Patient safety curriculum guide: multi-professional edition.  Resultados: As palavras-chave diretas e indiretas foram encontradas em 168 disciplinas, sendo Segurança do Paciente (20,4%) e Lei do Exercício Profissional (13,7%) as diretas mais frequentes, enquanto que as indiretas foram Sistematização da Assistência em Enfermagem (42,1%) e Biossegurança (10,0%). Conclusão: A temática segurança do paciente foi encontrada nos conteúdos programáticos analisados, porém de maneira desarticulada; tornando-se imperativo buscar estratégias de ensino, que repercutam na formação do estudante. Descritores: Segurança do paciente; Currículo; Enfermagem; Obstetrizes

Pickles of fruits and flavored vinegars: new products development in the UIIPS-ESAS vinegar technology project

A aptidão tecnológica do vinagre permite desenvolver múltiplos produtos. Neste projecto (2009 -) criaram-se processos de aromatização múltipla e de conservação ácida de frutos doces em vinagre, incomuns na indústria vinagreira. Articulando ensaios tecnológicos, analíticos e provas sensoriais, desenvolveram-se dois vinagres vínicos com adições (com mirtilo e com mel e especiarias), dois vinagretes aromatizados (de laranja, de physalis) e por tecnologia de piclagem fresh pack (não fermentativa), dez pickles agridoces: pêra-abacaxi, pêra “bêbeda” (cinco variantes), com physalis (simples, com murta ou mirtilo) e de abóbora com pêra e pequenos frutos. Todos os protótipos cumprem os requisitos de estabilidade. Possuem, em comum, inovação e conveniência: novos produtos, com longo tempo de vida de prateleira, são alternativas para a preservação de frutos caros/sazonais/excedentários.Vinegar technological ability enables the development of multiple products. In this project (2009 -) were developed unusual processes in vinegar industry, such as multiple flavoring, and acid preserving of sweet fruits in vinegar. Articulating technological, laboratory and sensory tests, two wine vinegars with additions (with blueberries and with honey and spices) and two flavored vinaigrettes (with orange or physalis) were developed. Ten sweet and sour pickles were also developed by fresh pack pickling technology (without fermentation): pear-pineapple, "drunk" pear (five versions), with physalis (simple and mixed with myrtle or blueberry), and last, pumpkin with pear and berries. The prototypes fulfill the stability requirements and were designed to provide innovation and convenience: new products with long shelf life, aims the preservation of expensive/seasonal/surplus fruit.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Economic impact of treatment for surgical site infections in cases of total knee arthroplasty in a tertiary public hospital in Brazil

The aim of this study was to estimate the additional cost of treatment of a group of nosocomial infections in a tertiary public hospital. A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted by means of analyzing the medical records of 34 patients with infection after total knee arthroplasty, diagnosed in 2006 and 2007, who met the criteria for nosocomial infection according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To estimate the direct costs of treatment for these patients, the following data were gathered: length of hospital stay, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, and surgical procedures performed. Their costs were estimated from the minimum values according to the Brazilian Medical Association. The estimated cost of the antibiotics used was also obtained. The total length of stay in the ward was 976 days, at a cost of US$18,994.63, and, in the intensive care unit, it was 34 days at a cost of US$ 5,031.37. Forty-two debridement procedures were performed, at a cost of US$5,798.06, and 1965 tests (laboratory and imaging) were also performed, at a cost of US$ 15,359.25. US$20,845.01 was spent on antibiotics and US$ 1,735.16 on vacuum assisted closure therapy, microsurgical flaps, implant removal, spacer use, and surgical revision. The total additional cost of these cases of hospital infection in 2006 and 2007 was of US$ 91,843.75. Based on that, we demonstrate that the high cost of treatment for hospital infections emphasizes the importance of taking measures to prevent and control hospital infection

Migration routes and non-breeding areas of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from the Azores

We describe the migration routes and non-breeding areas of Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) from the Azores Archipelago, based on ringing (banding) recoveries and tracking of three birds using geolocators. Over 20 years, there have been 55 transatlantic recoveries of Common Terns from the Azores population: six from Argentina and 49 from Brazil. The three tracked birds migrated south in different months (August, September, November), but the northern migration was more synchronous, with all leaving in April. The birds were tracked to three areas of the South American coast: the male spent November–April on the northern Brazilian coast (13°N–2°S), whereas the two females first spent some time off central-eastern Brazil (4–16°S; one for 1 week, the other for 3 months) and then moved south to the coast of south-eastern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina (24–39°S). Although caution is needed given the small sample size and errors associated with geolocation, the three tracked terns potentially travelled a total of ~23 200 km to and returning from their non-breeding areas, representing an average movement of ~500 km day–1. With the exception of Belém, in northern Brazil, and Lagoa do Peixe, in southern Brazil, the coastal areas used by the tracked birds were also those with concentrations of ringing recoveries, confirming their importance as non-breeding areas for birds from the Azores

Electrocardiogram sensitivity in left ventricular hypertrophy according to gender and cardiac mass

BACKGROUND: Several factors are known to interfere with electrocardiogram (ECG) sensitivity when diagnosing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), with gender and cardiac mass being two of the most important ones OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of gender on the sensitivity of some of the criteria used to detect LVH, according to the progression of ventricular hypertrophy degree. METHODS: According to gender and the degree of LVH at the echocardiogram, the patients were divided in three groups: mild, moderate and severe LVH. ECG sensitivity to detect LVH was assessed between men and women, according to the LVH degree. RESULTS: Of the 874 patients, 265 were males (30.3%) and 609, females (69.7%). The [(S + R) X QRS], Sokolow-Lyon, Romhilt-Estes, Perugia and strain criteria showed high discriminatory power in the diagnosis of LVH between men and women in the three groups with LVH, with a superior performance in the male population and highlighting the importance of the [(S + R) X QRS] and Perugia scores. Conclusion: The diagnostic sensitivity of the ECG increases with the cardiac mass. The examination is more sensitive in men, highlighting the importance of the [(S + R) X QRS] and Perugia scores. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic sensitivity of the ECG increases with the cardiac mass. The examination is more sensitive in men, highlighting the importance of the [(S + R) X QRS] and Perugia scores.FUNDAMENTO: Sabe-se que vários fatores interferem na sensibilidade do Eletrocardiograma (ECG) no diagnóstico da Hipertrofia Ventricular Esquerda (HVE), sendo o gênero e a massa cardíaca alguns dos principais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do sexo na sensibilidade de alguns dos critérios utilizados para a detecção de HVE, de acordo com a progressão do grau de hipertrofia ventricular. MÉTODOS: De acordo com o gênero e com o grau de HVE ao ecocardiograma, os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos: HVE leve, moderada e severa. Avaliou-se a sensibilidade do ECG para detectar HVE entre homens e mulheres, conforme o grau de HVE. RESULTADOS: Dos 874 pacientes, 265 eram homens (30,3%) e 609, mulheres (69,7%). Os critérios [(S + R) X QRS], Sokolow-Lyon, Romhilt-Estes, Perúgia e padrão strain mostraram alto poder discriminatório no diagnóstico de HVE entre homens e mulheres nos três grupos de HVE, com desempenho superior na população masculina e destaque para os escores [(S + R) X QRS] e Perúgia. CONCLUSÃO: A sensibilidade diagnóstica do ECG é maior com o aumento da massa cardíaca. O exame é mais sensível entre homens, destacando-se os escores [(S + R) X QRS] e Perúgia.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL