Gerontechnology for Fall Prevention, Detection, and Monitoring: Examining the Diffusion of Technology Among Older Adults for Aging-in-Place

Gerontechnology has been studied and developed to support older adults' desire of aging-in-place, providing independence, autonomy, quality of life, and also by reducing costs with health services. Over recent years a number of gerontechnologies for fall prevention, fall detection, and fall monitoring have emerged to promote aging-in-place at home. However, the literature does not make clear what influence older adults to adopt or reject the use of such devices. The purpose of this study was to examine the diffusion of gerontechnologies for fall prevention, detection, and monitoring among older adults for aging-in-place based on the five stages of the innovation-decision process. The predictors of the first three stages -- knowledge, persuasion, and decision -- were examined and a theoretical framework was developed with the main stages from the original model (knowledge, persuasion, and decision) and variables related to older adults' characteristics, relationship with technology, aging-in-place, and fall concerns were included in the model. A self-administered survey was conducted with 331 older adults in the state of Oklahoma. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: talking about yourself, talking about your home, and talking about technology, respectively. Path analysis through multiple regression was used to test the proposed model with 15 hypotheses organized in eight groups. The main path of the model (knowledge, persuasion, and decision stages) appeared to have the most significant relationships, while the variables that influence the main path would vary from type to type of fall-related gerontechnology. Among the variables around the main path, technology readiness was significant at least in one stage of the innovation-decision process for fall prevention, detection, and monitoring gerontechnologies. In addition, sources of information were correlated to the different stages of the process, however, it had the highest significance to the persuasion stage. This study contributes to the literature on interior design by addressing the issue of falls in the home environment, emphasizing older adults' desire for aging-in-place, and by investigating the diffusion of gerontechnology that could help older adults to overcome fall concerns, attaining aging-in-place for longer. In addition, interior designers should consider the inclusion of gerontechnology when designing residences for older adults to promote aging-in-place.Human Science

Atuação da equipe multiprofissional nos grupos de convivência para a pessoa idosa: a experiência num Centro de Referência de Assistência Social no interior do Tocantins

The purpose of this study is to understand the work of the multiprofessional team in the Elderly Living Groups in a Reference Center for Social Assistance (CRAS) located in the interior of Tocantins, with the general objective of analyzing the centrality of this space in the aging process. As specific objectives we seek to contextualize and identify the professional work in groups in the Service of Coexistence and Strengthening of Bonds from the perception of the elderly and professionals linked to CRAS. Through bibliographic research, we seek to highlight the discussion of human aging, based on critical and specialized literature and demographic data. In this regard, a historic rescue of the Federal Constitution of 1988 was carried out, regarding the struggles and achievements of the working class in the regulation of social policies, highlighting the formation of Social Assistance in Brazil, to then make visible the consequences of the Reform. Social Security for the elderly population. The research is due to the insertion in the Supervised Internship in Social Work and its contributions to the professional formation, providing theoretical and critical support for analysis and interpretation of the data collected in the research, in order to know in more depth the performance of the interdisciplinary team regarding refers to working conditions and relationships. Supported by the categories of the critical dialectical method, we used the observation techniques, semistructured interview and evaluation questionnaire for the elderly participants of CRAS. We also point out the importance of the performance of the technical team for the realization of social rights in the aging process of the elderly in Brazil.O presente estudo tem como finalidade compreender o trabalho da equipe multiprofissional nos grupos de Convivência voltados a pessoa idosa num Centro de Referência de Assistência Social (CRAS) localizado no interior do Tocantins, com objetivo geral de analisar a centralidade deste espaço no processo de envelhecimento, Como objetivos específicos buscamos contextualizar e identificar o trabalho multiprofissional nos grupos no Serviço de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos a partir da percepção das idosas e dos profissionais vinculados ao CRAS. Com a pesquisa bibliográfica, buscamos evidenciar a discussão do envelhecimento humano, com base na literatura crítica e especializada e nos dados demográficos. Neste aspecto, realizou-se um o resgate histórico da Constituição Federal de 1988, no que tange as lutas e conquistas da classe trabalhadora na regulamentação das políticas sociais, destacando a formação da Assistência Social no Brasil, para em seguida, visibilizar as consequências da Reforma da Previdência para a população idosa. A pesquisa é devedora da inserção no Estágio Supervisionado em Serviço Social e suas contribuições para a formação profissional, oportunizando subsídio teórico e crítico para análise e interpretação dos dados colhidos na pesquisa, afim de conhecer de forma mais aprofundada a atuação da equipe interdisciplinar no que se refere as condições e relações de trabalho. Sustentadas pelas categorias do método dialético crítico, utilizamos as técnicas da observação, entrevista semiestruturada e questionário de avaliação para as idosas participantes do CRAS. Apontamos também a importância da atuação da equipe técnica para a efetivação dos direitos sociais no processo de envelhecimento da pessoa idosa no Brasil

ANÁLISE MERCADOLÓGICA DO SEGMENTO PET: ESTUDO DE CASO UTILIZANDO APRENDIZADO DE MÁQUINA

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a aplicação do Aprendizado de Máquina nas vendas anuais de um pet shop, com o objetivo de reconhecer os padrões na descrição das mesmas, como data, tipo de produto, cliente e valor de venda. Objetivou-se, com o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, desenvolver uma análise estratégica para melhor posicionar a empresa perante a disponibilidade de produtos e para utilizá-la como ferramenta de alcance de novos clientes. Para este objetivo, a pesquisa contou com os dados coletados de acordo com a aplicação de um software de planejamento de recursos da empresa (ERP) e por pesquisa documental, para o conhecimento do cenário do setor e para o entendimento do ferramental. Foi sugerido o uso das metodologias Floresta de Caminhos Ótimos (OPF) e K-means para entendimento dos agrupamentos de uma grande quantidade de dados que demonstrassem relação. A quantificação ocorreu com os dados de vendas, diferenciados quanto ao sexo dos clientes, o produto comprado com a respectiva quantidade e o dia de sua comercialização. O trabalho de pesquisa teve a intenção de correlacionar os dados das vendas para auxiliar nas decisões de reabastecimento dos produtos da loja, assim como, o reconhecimento dos padrões de visitas e comportamento dos clientes, para prever quais produtos e qual a quantidade deles que podem ser procurados no mês seguinte, além de arriscar a época em que o cliente poderá retornar para consumi-lo novamente. Por fim, testou-se a execução do OPF e do K-means como ferramentas de gestão empresarial estratégicas em um pet shop sem ter a necessidade de um gerenciamento de estoques e previsão de vendas. Como resultado, foram identificadas as categorias dos produtos que mais são vendidos, a dispersão das vendas nos meses em estudo, as mulheres como maiores clientes não considerando os clientes não cadastrados, os tipos de produtos que compensam ser vendidos separadamente, e foi demonstrado, através da aplicação do OPF que os medicamentos e vacinas são vendidos para atendimento de diferentes classes sociais que frequentam a loja. Entretanto, a aplicação do K-means resultou em limitações quanto ao reconhecimento de padrões

New Insights on Innate Immune Response by Blood Macrophages and Liver Kupffer Cells to Leishmania infantum Parasites

Funding Information: Funding: This study was supported by FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., through research grant PTDC/CVT-CVT/28908/2017 and PTDC/CVT-CVT/0228/2020, and by national funds within the scope of Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA, UIDB/00276/2020) and Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM, UID/04413/2020). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.L. infantum is the aetiological agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL), a disease that affects humans and dogs. Leishmania parasites are well adapted to aggressive conditions inside the phagolysosome and can control the immune activation of macrophages (MØs). Although MØs are highly active phagocytic cells with the capacity to destroy pathogens, they additionally comprise the host cells for Leishmania infection, replication, and stable establishment in the mammal host. The present study compares, for the first time, the innate immune response to L. infantum infection of two different macrophage lineages: the blood macrophages and the liver macrophages (Kupffer cells, KC). Our findings showed that L. infantum takes advantage of the natural predisposition of blood-MØs to phagocyte pathogens. However, parasites rapidly subvert the mechanisms of MØs immune activation. On the other hand, KCs, which are primed for immune tolerance, are not extensively activated and can overcome the dormancy induced by the parasite, exhibiting a selection of immune mechanisms, such as extracellular trap formation. Altogether, KCs reveal a different pattern of response in contrast with blood-MØs when confronting L. infantum parasites. In addition, KCs response appears to be more efficient in managing parasite infection, thus contributing to the ability of the liver to naturally restrain Leishmania dissemination.publishersversionpublishe

Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood, lymph node, and bone marrow T lymphocytes during canine leishmaniosis and the impact of antileishmanial chemotherapy

Dogs are a major reservoir of Leishmania infantum, etiological agent of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) a zoonotic visceral disease of worldwide concern. Therapeutic protocols based on antileishmanial drugs are commonly used to treat sick dogs and improve their clinical condition. To better understand the impact of Leishmania infection and antileishmanial drugs on the dog's immune response, this study investigates the profile of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in peripheral blood, lymph node, and bone marrow of sick dogs and after two different CanL treatments. Two CanL groups of six dogs each were treated with either miltefosine or meglumine antimoniate combined with allopurinol. Another group of 10 clinically healthy dogs was used as control. Upon diagnosis and during the following 3 months of treatment, peripheral blood, popliteal lymph node, and bone marrow mononuclear cells were collected, labeled for surface markers CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, and intracellular nuclear factor FoxP3, and T lymphocyte subpopulations were immunophenotyped by flow cytometry. CanL dogs presented an overall increased frequency of CD8+ and CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells in all tissues and a decreased frequency of CD4+ T cells in the blood. Furthermore, there was a higher frequency of CD8+ T cells expressing CD25+FoxP3+ in the blood and bone marrow. During treatment, these subsets recovered to levels similar to those of healthy dogs. Nevertheless, antileishmanial therapy caused an increase of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells in all tissues, associated with the decrease of CD8+CD25−FoxP3− T cell percentages. These findings may support previous studies that indicate that L. infantum manipulates the dog's immune system to avoid the development of a protective response, ensuring the parasite's survival and the conditions that allow the completion of Leishmania life cycle. Both treatments used appear to have an effect on the dog's immune response, proving to be effective in promoting the normalization of T cell subsets.publishersversionpublishe

EVIDENCIA ADICIONAL DE VALIDEZ DE LA ESCALA DE ANSIEDAD POR CORONAVIRUS (CAS) EN UNA MUESTRA DE MUJERES BRASILEÑAS

Em 2020, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) declarou a pandemia da COVID-19 e trabalhadores ajustaram as atividades laborais para a forma remota. O excesso de informações sobre a COVID-19 e a intensa exposição a situações de sofrimentos podem provocar o aumento da ansiedade. Diante disso, urge identificar grupos de alto risco de impactos psicológicos, tais como as mulheres, a fim de direcionar tratamentos. Logo, objetivou-se buscar evidências adicionais de validade da escala, consistência interna e correlação com outras variáveis, da Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS-BR) em mulheres brasileiras. As correlações foram verificadas entre a ansiedade frente à COVID-19 e o estresse percebido, mesurado pela Escala de Estresse Percebido, e a resiliência, avaliada pela Escala Breve de Coping Resiliente. Participaram deste estudo 203 mulheres brasileiras com idades entre 23 e 59 anos, majoritariamente da região sudeste (61,1% de Minas Gerais, 17,7% do Rio de Janeiro). Realizou-se a análise fatorial confirmatória, através da modelagem de equações estruturais, utilizando-se o software MPLUS. A escala apresentou bons índices de ajustes (x² =12,909 (5); CFI =0,997 TLI = 0.994; RMSEA = 0,088). As cargas fatoriais foram excelentes e variaram de 0,84 a 0,91, enquanto a consistência interna do instrumento avaliada pelo Alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,91. Conclui-se que a escala tem propriedades psicométricas adequadas e sugere-se o seu uso para avaliar os níveis de ansiedade frente ao coronavírus de mulheres no território brasileiro.In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic and workers adjusted their work activities to the remote form. Excessive information about COVID-19 and intense exposure to situations of suffering can lead to increased anxiety. Therefore, it is urgent to identify groups at high risk of psychological impacts, such as women, in order to target treatments. Therefore, the objective was to seek additional evidence of scale validity, internal consistency and correlation with other variables of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS-BR) in the Brazilian mothers. Correlations were verified between anxiety regarding COVID-19 and perceived stress, measured by the Perceived Stress Scale, and resilience, assessed by the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. 203 Brazilian women aged between 23 and 59 years, mostly from the Southeast region (61.1% from Minas Gerais, 17.7% from Rio de Janeiro) participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out through structural equation modeling, using the MPLUS software. The scale showed good fit indices (x² =12.909 (5); CFI =0.997 TLI = 0.994; RMSEA = 0.088). The factor loading were excellent and ranged from 0.84 to 0.91, while the instrument's internal consistency assessed by Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. It is concluded that the scale has adequate psychometric properties, and its use is suggested to assess the levels of anxiety regarding the coronavirus of women in Brazilian territory.En 2020, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) declaró la pandemia de COVID-19 y los trabajadores ajustaron sus actividades laborales a la forma remota. La información excesiva sobre COVID-19 y la exposición intensa a situaciones de sufrimiento pueden provocar un aumento de la ansiedad. Por lo tanto, es urgente identificar a los grupos con alto riesgo de impactos psicológicos, como las mujeres, para orientar los tratamientos. Por lo tanto, el objetivo fue buscar evidencia adicional de validez de escala, consistencia interna y correlación con otras variables de la Escala de Ansiedad por Coronavirus (CAS-BR) en madres brasileñas. Se verificaron correlaciones entre la ansiedad respecto al COVID-19 y el estrés percibido, medido por la Escala de Estrés Percibido, y la resiliencia, evaluada por la Escala Breve de Afrontamiento Resiliente. Participaron en este estudio un total de 203 mujeres brasileñas de entre 23 y 59 años, en su mayoría de la región Sudeste (61,1% de Minas Gerais, 17,7% de Rio de Janeiro). El análisis factorial confirmatorio se realizó mediante el modelado de ecuaciones estructurales, utilizando el software MPLUS. La escala mostró índices de buen ajuste (x² = 12,909 (5); CFI = 0,997 TLI = 0,994; RMSEA = 0,088). Las cargas factoriales fueron excelentes y variaron de 0,84 a 0,91, mientras que la consistencia interna del instrumento evaluada por el alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,91. Se concluye que la escala tiene propiedades psicométricas adecuadas y se sugiere su uso para evaluar los niveles de ansiedad ante el coronavirus de mujeres en territorio brasileño

Building an ambient room to foster the teaching/learning of anatomy and physiology of the human digestive system

The current teaching model has been characterized by activities distant from the student’s reality and mainly based on memorization. Since it is assumed that unconventional teaching strategies may foster  the knowledge of the syllabus contents, this paper aims to present the construction of an ambient room simulating the human digestive system to provide high school students an experience of its physiological processes. The room  was built in a government school with different materials, such as nonwoven fabric, PVC pipes, mortar and PET bottles. Visiting the ambient room, monitored by their teacher, the students were able to simulate the experience of each stage of the digestive process, allowing one to believe that the ambient room can be an effective playful approach activity, enabling students to construct meaningful learning on subjects which otherwise they may see as too theoretical and of difficult comprehensio

Insights on Host–Parasite Immunomodulation Mediated by Extracellular Vesicles of Cutaneous Leishmania shawi and Leishmania guyanensis

Funding Information: This study was supported by FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., through research grant PTDC/CVT-CVT/28908/2017 and PTDC/CVT-CVT/0228/2020 and by national funds within the scope of Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA, UIDB/00276/2020) and Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM, UID/04413/2020). Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by different species of Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of sand flies vector. Macrophages (MΦ), the target cells of Leishmania parasites, are phagocytes that play a crucial role in the innate immune microbial defense and are antigen-presenting cells driving the activation of the acquired immune response. Exploring parasite–host communication may be key in restraining parasite dissemination in the host. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) constitute a group of heterogenous cell-derived membranous structures, naturally produced by all cells and with immunomodulatory potential over target cells. This study examined the immunogenic potential of EVs shed by L. shawi and L. guyanensis in MΦ activation by analyzing the dynamics of major histocompatibility complex (MHC), innate immune receptors, and cytokine generation. L. shawi and L. guyanensis EVs were incorporated by MΦ and modulated innate immune receptors, indicating that EVs cargo can be recognized by MΦ sensors. Moreover, EVs induced MΦ to generate a mix of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and favored the expression of MHCI molecules, suggesting that EVs antigens can be present to T cells, activating the acquired immune response of the host. Since nano-sized vesicles can be used as vehicles of immune mediators or immunomodulatory drugs, parasitic EVs can be exploited by bioengineering approaches for the development of efficient prophylactic or therapeutic tools for leishmaniasis.publishersversionpublishe

Most popular posts about suicide in blogs

This study reviewed suicide-related posts in blogs with Portuguese languages. Qualitative study conducted on Tumblr platform by searching the word “suicide”, the first 250 posts in Portuguese ranked as “most popular” were selected and submitted to Thematic Analysis. “Suffering and dissatisfaction with life” was the main theme. The painful relationships and suffering reinforced each other and both increased the expectation that death could be beneficial and eliminate problems and pain. The unsatisfactory relationships and social pressures of “being well” made it difficult to express suffering and seek help. Self-harm represented both delay and preparation for suicide. The “suicide prevention” was approached in the minority of the posts and it was related with criticisms, depreciation, and objection to suicide. Online and offline suicidal behavior prevention actions need to address the perspective on life and death, interpersonal relationships, self-mutilation, coping strategies, and solicitation / offer of help.Este estudo analisou os temas relacionados ao suicídio em postagens de blogs com língua portuguesa. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado na plataforma Tumblr. Através da busca da palavra “suicídio”, Foram selecionadas as 250 primeiras postagens de texto em língua portuguesa classificadas como “mais populares” e submetidas à Análise Temática. Após a análise, algumas categorias surgiram: “O sofrimento e a insatisfação com a vida” foi o principal tema abordado; Os relacionamentos dolorosos e o sofrimento reforçaram-se mutuamente e ambos intensificavam a expectativa de que a morte poderia ser benéfica e eliminar problemas e sofrimentos; os relacionamentos insatisfatórios e pressões sociais de “estar bem” dificultavam a expressão do sofrimento e busca por ajuda. A Automutilação representou a materialização da dor e apresentou relação ambígua com o suicídio. O tema “prevenção do suicídio” foi retratado na minoria das postagens e esteve relacionado principalmente à manifestação de críticas, depreciação, oposição ao suicídio e ao comportamento suicidário. As ações de prevenção do comportamento suicida online e off-line precisam abordar a perspectiva sobre a vida e morte, os relacionamentos interpessoais, a automutilação, as estratégias de enfrentamento e pedido/oferta de ajuda.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

immune activation of canine hepatic spheroids exposed to leishmania infantum

The application of innovative three-dimensional (3D) spheroids cell culture strategy to Parasitology offers the opportunity to closely explore host–parasite interactions. Here we present a first report on the application of 3D hepatic spheroids to unravel the immune response of canine hepatocytes exposed to Leishmania infantum. The liver, usually considered a major metabolic organ, also performs several important immunological functions and constitutes a target organ for L. infantum infection, the etiological agent of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), and a parasitic disease of major veterinary and public health concern. 3D hepatic spheroids were able to sense and immunologically react to L. infantum parasites, generating an innate immune response by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production and enhancing toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and interleukin-10 gene expression. The immune response orchestrated by canine hepatocytes also lead to the impairment of several cytochrome P450 (CYP450) with possible implications for liver natural xenobiotic metabolization capacity. The application of meglumine antimoniate (MgA) increased the inflammatory response of 3D hepatic spheroids by inducing the expression of Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors 1 and NOD2 and TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 and enhancing gene expression of tumour necrosis factor α. It is therefore suggested that hepatocytes are key effector cells and can activate and orchestrate the immune response to L. infantum parasites.publishersversionpublishe