13,323 research outputs found
Sustainable forest management of miombo woodlands in Niassa National Reserve, northern Mozambique: a multidisciplinary approach of fire resistance analysis.
Poster presented at XIII World Forestry Congress. Buenos Aires (Argentina). 18 - 23 Oct 2009
Equipamentos alternativos na obtenção de farinha de resÃduos de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum).
O tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) é o segundo maior peixe de escama da América, superado apenas pelo pirarucu. Nativo da bacia Amazônica, atualmente vem ganhando destaque na aquicultura familiar da Região Norte, como no Estado do Pará, onde seu consumo vem aumentando gradativamente, principalmente na forma de filés. No entanto, o processo de filetamento de pescado gera um volume de resÃduos superior a 50%, que pode se tornar um importante poluente se não tiver um manuseio adequado. Estes resÃduos possuem alto teor de proteÃna e de outros nutrientes que tem grande demanda em outros setores, como na elaboração de farinhas para ração animal, por exemplo. Contudo, as instalações iniciais para o processamento de farinhas é um tanto quanto oneroso. O objetivo deste foi, através da adaptação de utensÃlios e equipamentos, elaborar um processo em escala piloto para aproveitamento de resÃduos de tambaqui que pode ser realizado por pequenos e médios produtores, para produção de farinha e consequente incorporação em suas rações. Com teor de 8% de lipÃdios e 61% de proteÃna, o produto elaborado em pequena escala enquadrouse nos padrões de farinhas da RIISPOA e ANFAR
Temperature effect on (2+1) experimental Kardar-Parisi-Zhang growth
We report on the effect of substrate temperature (T) on both local structure
and long-wavelength fluctuations of polycrystalline CdTe thin films deposited
on Si(001). A strong T-dependent mound evolution is observed and explained in
terms of the energy barrier to inter-grain diffusion at grain boundaries, as
corroborated by Monte Carlo simulations. This leads to transitions from
uncorrelated growth to a crossover from random-to-correlated growth and
transient anomalous scaling as T increases. Due to these finite-time effects,
we were not able to determine the universality class of the system through the
critical exponents. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that this can be circumvented
by analyzing height, roughness and maximal height distributions, which allow us
to prove that CdTe grows asymptotically according to the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang
(KPZ) equation in a broad range of T. More important, one finds positive
(negative) velocity excess in the growth at low (high) T, indicating that it is
possible to control the KPZ non-linearity by adjusting the temperature.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
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Ionising radiation exposure from medical imaging – A review of Patient's (un) awareness
Introduction: Medical imaging is the main source of artificial radiation exposure. Evidence, however, suggests that patients are poorly informed about radiation exposure when attending diagnostic scans. This review provides an overview of published literature with a focus on nuclear medicine patients on the level of awareness of radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging. Methods: A review of available literature on awareness, knowledge and perception of ionising radiation in medical imaging was conducted. Articles that met the inclusion criteria were subjected to critical appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: 140 articles identified and screened for eligibility, 24 critically assessed and 4 studies included in synthesis. All studies demonstrated that patients were generally lacking awareness about radiation exposure and highlighted a lack of communication between healthcare professionals and patients with respect to radiation exposure. Conclusion: Studies demonstrate a need to better inform patients about their radiation exposure, and further studies focusing on nuclear medicine patients are particularly warranted. Implications for practice: Adequate and accurate information is crucial to ensure the principle of informed consent is present
AUTOMATED COLLECTION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE DATA: TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE DISEASES
AUTOMATED COLLECTION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE DATA: TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE DISEASES
Claúdia Ribeiro1,2,3, Augusta Silveira4,3, Isabel Silva4, Catarina Ribeiro4, Carlos Vasconcelos2,3
1UCP, 2HSA/CHP, 3ICBAS/UP, 4UFP e 5HSMF.
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Porto.
Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HSA/CHP), Porto.
Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto (ICBAS/UP), Porto.
Universidade Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Porto.
Hospital Santa Maria da Feira (HSMF), Porto.
Background
The increase of technological knowledge and methodology has allowed the practice of redirecting epidemiological research, particularly in the field of chronic disease. Although capable of controlling the accumulation of events and constraints imposed by the treatment can lead to a drastic change in quality of life (QoL) of subjects progressed to varying degrees of disability and death. In this perspective the Quality of Life Related to Health (HRQOL) has taken a leading role and its evaluation is indispensable in Medicine.
Aim
The aims of this study were (1) analyze the importance of HRQOL assessment as a tool for health promotion and a way of measuring the effectiveness of interventions in daily practice in patients with coexisting chronic immune system (PCSI), (2) evaluation of alternative methods for the automated collection of data on HRQOL and development of an electronic interface in sample of 320 patients, (3) creating a database to ascertain the epidemiological profile of PCSI, and identification of socio-economic, demographic and clinical data of these individuals, (4) using the QoL indicator as a predictor in decision treatment and use the preferences of patients.
Methods
A total of 473 patients with chronic diseases of the immune system, which were applied Graffar Index, SF-36v2, a demographic questionnaire and identification of clinical variables.
Results
The results of this investigation suggest that the demographic, socio-economic and clinics are associated with significant differences in QoL cumulative and chronic complications associated with different pathologies. The results verified the existence of significant correlations between the different diagnoses, duration of disease and therapy. In general, patients who have chronic diseases of the immune system such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Bechet's disease, Sjögren's syndrome or infection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 or 2 showed a worse QoL than the general population. The derivations of preferences from the SF-36v2 exhibit strong correlations with the preferences measured with the SF-6D.
Conclusions
This suggests that both the application of the SF-36v2 as the SF-6D can be important sources of preferences to implement measures in economic evaluation in healthcare. HRQL can and should be integrated into immune clinical practice. The translation of graphical results given to the clinician at the beginning of the consultation, favors the rapid analysis of global values of the patient's HRQL. This assessment can be an excellent diagnostic tool to be used routinely in clinical practice or assisting in disease management and therapeutic decision making.
Apresentador:
Cláudia Ribeiro, Médica Dentista. Doutoranda, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
HEALTH-STATE UTILITIES IN CHRONIC IMMUNE DISEASES: PILOT STUDY
HEALTH-STATE UTILITIES IN CHRONIC IMMUNE DISEASES: PILOT STUDY
Claúdia Ribeiro1,2,3, Augusta Silveira4,3, Augusta Marques5, Catarina Ribeiro4, Isabel Santos6,2,3, Carlos Vasconcelos2,3
1UCP, 2HSA/CHP, 3ICBAS/UP, 4UFP, 5HPA e 6HSMF.
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Porto
Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HSA/CHP), Porto.
Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto (ICBAS/UP), Porto.
Universidade Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Porto.
Hospital Privado da Arrábida (HPA), Porto.
Hospital Santa Maria da Feira (HSMF), Porto.
Background
Utility scores are used to estimate Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), applied in determining the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions. In studies where no preference based measures are collected, indirect methods have been developed to estimate utilities from clinical instruments.
Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate a published method of estimating the Short Form-6D (SF-6D) (preference based) in patients with chronic immune diseases from Unidade de Imunologia ClÃnica do Hospital de Santo António - Centro Hospitalar do Porto and evaluate the impact of socio demographics economics and clinical characteristics on quality of life (QoL) and potential predictors for QoL improvements.
Methods
We enrolled 320 patients with chronic immune diseases (104 men and 226 women with a mean age: 45.21; 84 people living with HIV and 236 with chronic autoimmune diseases. All responders to the Portuguese SF-36 version 2.0 questionnaire can be assigned an SF-6D score provided the 11 items used in the SF-6D have been completed using a computerized administration. To assess socioeconomic status, we use the Graffer’s scale, clinical and demographic variables were assessed by a questionnaire specifically designed for the present study.
Results
The mean utility value was .595. Male, gender, young, single, individuals with high educational attainment level and Graffer’s scale Class high reported higher utility levels. As expected, those who takes therapeutics’ or have a higher length disease reported lower mean utility levels than those who were in a less severe stadium of the disease or without therapeutic.
Conclusion
This paper provides the first utilities obtained from a populations leave with chronic immune diseases. The preference-based measures used in this study distinguish patient groups with chronic immune diseases’ in terms of socio-demographics characteristics and clinical groups. The normative values can be used economic evaluation and clinical studies as they incorporate patient’s preferences and translate the value attribute to patients´ health state.
Apresentador:
Cláudia Ribeiro, Médica Dentista. Doutoranda, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
AUTOMATED COLLECTION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE DATA: TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE DISEASES
AUTOMATED COLLECTION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE DATA: TOUCH-SCREEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN PATIENTS WITH IMMUNE DISEASES
Claúdia Ribeiro1,2,3, Augusta Silveira4,3, Isabel Silva4, Catarina Ribeiro4, Carlos Vasconcelos2,3
1UCP, 2HSA/CHP, 3ICBAS/UP, 4UFP e 5HSMF.
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), Porto.
Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto (HSA/CHP), Porto.
Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto (ICBAS/UP), Porto.
Universidade Fernando Pessoa (UFP), Porto.
Hospital Santa Maria da Feira (HSMF), Porto.
Background
The increase of technological knowledge and methodology has allowed the practice of redirecting epidemiological research, particularly in the field of chronic disease. Although capable of controlling the accumulation of events and constraints imposed by the treatment can lead to a drastic change in quality of life (QoL) of subjects progressed to varying degrees of disability and death. In this perspective the Quality of Life Related to Health (HRQOL) has taken a leading role and its evaluation is indispensable in Medicine.
Aim
The aims of this study were (1) analyze the importance of HRQOL assessment as a tool for health promotion and a way of measuring the effectiveness of interventions in daily practice in patients with coexisting chronic immune system (PCSI), (2) evaluation of alternative methods for the automated collection of data on HRQOL and development of an electronic interface in sample of 320 patients, (3) creating a database to ascertain the epidemiological profile of PCSI, and identification of socio-economic, demographic and clinical data of these individuals, (4) using the QoL indicator as a predictor in decision treatment and use the preferences of patients.
Methods
A total of 473 patients with chronic diseases of the immune system, which were applied Graffar Index, SF-36v2, a demographic questionnaire and identification of clinical variables.
Results
The results of this investigation suggest that the demographic, socio-economic and clinics are associated with significant differences in QoL cumulative and chronic complications associated with different pathologies. The results verified the existence of significant correlations between the different diagnoses, duration of disease and therapy. In general, patients who have chronic diseases of the immune system such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, Bechet's disease, Sjögren's syndrome or infection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 or 2 showed a worse QoL than the general population. The derivations of preferences from the SF-36v2 exhibit strong correlations with the preferences measured with the SF-6D.
Conclusions
This suggests that both the application of the SF-36v2 as the SF-6D can be important sources of preferences to implement measures in economic evaluation in healthcare. HRQL can and should be integrated into immune clinical practice. The translation of graphical results given to the clinician at the beginning of the consultation, favors the rapid analysis of global values of the patient's HRQL. This assessment can be an excellent diagnostic tool to be used routinely in clinical practice or assisting in disease management and therapeutic decision making.
Apresentador:
Cláudia Ribeiro, Médica Dentista. Doutoranda, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
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Radiation exposure awareness from patients undergoing nuclear medicine diagnostic 99mTc-MDP bone scans and 2-deoxy-2-(18F) fluoro-D-glucose PET/computed tomography scans
INTRODUCTION: Medical imaging is on average the largest source of artificial radiation exposure worldwide. This study seeks to understand patient's awareness of radiation exposure derived from nuclear medicine diagnostic scans and assess if current information provided by leaflets is adequate.
METHODS: Single-centre cross-sectional questionnaire study applied to bone scan and FDG PET/computed tomography patients, at a nuclear medicine and PET/computed tomography department over a 15-week period in 2018. Questionnaires on dose comparators were designed in collaboration with patients, public, and experts in radiation exposure. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and quantitative data using SPSS (V. 24).
RESULTS: A total of 102 questionnaires were completed (bone scan = 50; FDG PET/computed tomography = 52). Across both groups, 33/102 (32.4%) patients reported having a reasonable understanding of nuclear medicine and 21/102 (20.6%) reported a reasonable knowledge of ionising radiations. When asked to compare the exposure dose of respective scans with common comparators 8/50 (16%) of bone scan patients and 11/52 (21.2%) FDG PET/computed tomography answered correctly. On leaflet information, 15/85 (17.6%) patients reported the leaflets do not provide enough information on radiation exposure and of these 10/15 (66.7%) commented the leaflets should incorporate more information on radiation exposure dose.
CONCLUSION: More observational and qualitative studies in collaboration with patients are warranted to evaluate patients' understanding and preferences in communication of radiation exposure from nuclear medicine imaging. This will ensure communication tools and guidelines developed to comply with ionising radiation (medical exposure) regulation 2017 are according to patients needs and preferences
Characterization of the primary matabolome of Brachystegia boehmii and Colophospermum mopane under different fire regimes in Miombo and Mopane African woodlands
Original ResearchMiombo and Mopane are ecological and economic important woodlands from Africa,
highly affected by a combination of climate change factors, and anthropogenic fires.
Although most species of these ecosystems are fire tolerant, the mechanisms that
lead to adaptive responses (metabolic reconfiguration) are unknown. In this context,
the aim of this study was to characterize the primary metabolite composition of
typical legume trees from these ecosystems, namely, Brachystegia boehmii (Miombo)
and Colophospermum mopane (Mopane) subjected to different fire regimes. Fresh
leaves from each species were collected in management units and landscapes across
varied fire frequencies in the Niassa National Reserve (NNR) and Limpopo National
Park (LNP) in Mozambique. Primary metabolites were extracted and analyzed with a
well-established gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry metabolomics
platform (GC-TOF-MS). In B. boehmii, 39 primary metabolites were identified from which
seven amino acids, two organic acids and two sugars increased significantly, whereas
in C. mopane, 41 primary metabolites were identified from which eight amino acids, one
sugar and two organic acids significantly increased with increasing fire frequency. The
observed changes in the pool of metabolites of C. mopane might be related to high
glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) rate, which provided increased levels of amino
acids and energy yield. In B. boehmii, the high levels of amino acids might be due
to inhibition of protein biosynthesis. The osmoprotectant and reactive oxygen species
(ROS) scavenging properties of accumulated metabolites in parallel with a high-energy
yield might support plants survival under fire stressinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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