Quantifying usability of domain-specific languages: An empirical study on software maintenance

A domain-specific language (DSL) aims to support software development by offering abstractions to a particular domain. It is expected that DSLs improve the maintainability of artifacts otherwise produced with general-purpose languages. However, the maintainability of the DSL artifacts and, hence, their adoption in mainstream development, is largely dependent on the usability of the language itself. Unfortunately, it is often hard to identify their usability strengths and weaknesses early, as there is no guidance on how to objectively reveal them. Usability is a multi-faceted quality characteristic, which is challenging to quantify beforehand by DSL stakeholders. There is even less support on how to quantitatively evaluate the usability of DSLs used in maintenance tasks. In this context, this paper reports a study to compare the usability of textual DSLs under the perspective of software maintenance. A usability measurement framework was developed based on the cognitive dimensions of notations. The framework was evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively using two DSLs in the context of two evolving object-oriented systems. The results suggested that the proposed metrics were useful: (1) to early identify DSL usability limitations, (2) to reveal specific DSL features favoring maintenance tasks, and (3) to successfully analyze eight critical DSL usability dimensions.This work was funded by B. Cafeo CAPES PhD Scholarship, and CNPq scholarship grant number 141688/2013-0; A. Garcia FAPERJ - distinguished scientist grant (number E-26/102.211/2009), CNPq - productivity grants (number 305526/2009-0 and 308490/2012-6), Universal project grants (number 483882/2009-7 and 485348/2011-0), and PUC-Rio (productivity grant).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aplicação da cristalização sensitiva na determinação da qualidade da bebida de café

The sensitive crystallization method was applied in an attempt to differentiate coffee beverages quality. Fifty crystallization series were done, with 9 different relative concentrations of extract and copper chloride and 4 beverages types. The main conclusion is that it was not possible to differentiate the coffee types by means of the crystallization patterns. Both the extract and the salt were shown to be the most important factor in determining the crystallization models.O método da cristalização sensitiva é aplicado na tentativa de determinar a qualidade da bebida de café. Foram efetuadas 50 séries de cristalização, com 3 repetições, envolvendo 9 diferentes concentrações relativas do extrato e do cloreto e 4 tipos de bebida, duas do tipo mole e duas do tipo rio. A conclusão principal é que os resultados obtidos não permitem a identificação do tipo de bebida através do modelo de cristalização. As concentrações do extrato e do cloreto são os fatores mais importantes na variação de um modelo para outro

Disparities in early death and survival in children, adolescents, and young adults with acute promyelocytic leukemia in California.

BACKGROUND: Findings from clinical trials and population-based studies have differed with regard to whether mortality within 30 days of diagnosis (early death) of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has decreased in the era of all-trans retinoic acid and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Using data from the California Cancer Registry, the authors investigated 7-day and 30-day mortality and survival in 772 patients who were aged birth to 39 years when they were diagnosed with APL during 1988 to 2011. Logistic regression and Cox proportional models were used to examine the association of early death and survival, respectively, with sociodemographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality decreased significantly over time, from 26% (1988-1995) to 14% (2004-2011) (P =.004). On multivariable analysis, the odds of 30-day mortality were 3 times as high during 1988 through 1995 than 2004 through 2011 (P =.001). However, 7-day mortality did not improve over time (P =.229). When patients who died within 7 days of diagnosis were excluded, the 30-day mortality during 1996 to 2011 was 3% to 8%, which is similar to levels reported in clinical trials. Higher early death and lower survival were associated with a lack of health insurance (1996-2011) (early death odds ratio, 2.67; P =.031) and Hispanic race/ethnicity (early death odds ratio, 2.13; P =.014). Early death was not found to be associated with age, sex, socioeconomic status, or hospital type. Black patients also experienced worse survival. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study revealed a decreased 30-day mortality during the all-trans retinoic acid era, but 7-day mortality remained high. Efforts to achieve equal outcomes in young patients with APL should focus on improving access to effective treatment, mainly among uninsured patients and those of Hispanic and black race/ethnicity

Efeito de lisina no hábito de cristalização do cloreto de cobre

This paper deals with the crystallization habit of copper chloride obtained from the evaporation of an aqueous solution containing lysin. The 30 concentrations studied were the result of combining 6 concentration of lysin (0,005, 0,001, 0,005, 0,01, 0,05 and 0,1 g/plate) to 5 concentrations of copper chloride (0,125, 0,25, 0,5, 0,75 and 1,0 g/plate). The main conclusion is that the crystallization pattern is characteristic and can be recognized in crystals obtained from extracts in which the crystallogenetie effect of the aminoacid is dominant. The best concentrations were those combining 0,25 to 0,5 g/plate of copper chloride with 0,005 to 0,1 g/plate of lysin.Estuda-se o hábito de cristalização do cloreto de cobre a partir da evaporação de soluções aquosas contendo lisina. São pesquisadas, com 3 repetições cada uma, 30 concentrações diferentes de lisina e cloreto de cobre, sendo 6 de lisina (0,0005, 0,0001, 0,005, 0,01, 0,05 e 0,1 g por placa) combinadas a 5 do sal (0,125, 0,25, 0,5, 0,75 e 1,0 g por placa). Conclui-se que o modelo de cristalização é característico e pode ser reconhecido em extratos em que o efeito cristalogenético do aminoácido seja dominante. As melhores concentrações são as que combinam 0,25 a 0,50 g por placa de cloreto de cobre com 0,005 a 0,1 g por placa de lisina

Avaliação da carga física de trabalho na produção de café: aspectos biomecânicos e fisiológicos

The main objective of this research was the assessment of the physical workload of farm coffee workers from southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Twelve workers were reconded and their heart rate monitored during one hour execution of five different tasks, both on flat and sloping ground. The assessment of body postures adopted and the actions performed were achieved through the “Captiv” software. We attempted to correlate the results of the assessments and interpret them in the light of the observation of the activities of the workers. The most significant cardiovascular demands occurred in subtasks of foliar and manual fertilization, classifying them as moderate work. Harvesting and thinning were the subtasks that appeared to have the greatest variability of postural combinations: the harvest due to the variety of operating actions; the thinning, although only one relevant operational action, due to the very nature of the task. Either the cardiovascular or the biomechanical indicators revealed no statistically significant differences between the subtasks carried by workers in conditions of flat and sloping ground.Objetivou-se, nesta pesquisa, avaliar a carga física do trabalho na cafeicultura do sul de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Doze trabalhadores foram filmados e sua frequência cardíaca foi monitorada durante uma hora na execução de cinco diferentes tarefas, ambas em condições de terreno plano e em declive. Foram avaliadas as combinações posturais adotadas através do software “Captiv”. Buscou-se correlacionar os resultados das avaliações e interpretá-los à luz da observação das atividades dos trabalhadores. As cargas cardiovasculares mais elevadas ocorreram nas subtarefas de adubação foliar e adubação a lanço, classificando-as como trabalho moderado. A colheita e a desbrota foram as subtarefas que apresentaram maior variabilidade de combinações posturais: a colheita devido à variedade de ações operacionais; a desbrota, apesar de uma única ação operacional relevante, por conta da própria natureza da tarefa. Tanto os indicadores cardiovasculares, como os biomecânicos não revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre as subtarefas desenvolvidas pelos trabalhadores, em condições de terreno plano e em declive

Domestic violence as a risk factor in the screening of for post-partum depression

PURPOSE: to assess the prevalence of the risk of post-partum depression in women in the post-natal ward of a hospital in São Paulo city, in the southeastern region of Brazil, and analyze the associated factors, including domestic violence (DV). METHODS: this was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The participants were 133 women with at least 20 weeks of gestation age, who delivered their babies from August to September 2005 in a tertiary maternity in the city of São Paulo (Brazil). They were interviewed using the Portuguese version of the Abuse Assessment Screen for the diagnosis of violence and filled out a self-evaluation questionnaire for post-partum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Variables were presented as absolute and relative frequencies. The chi2 or Fisher exact tests were used to analyze possible associations between the variables of interest and post-partum depression. The value of 5% was considered significant. RESULTS: risk for post-partum depression was detected in 24 women (18%). A total of 38.3% of the participants interviewed had a history of abuse. There was an association between DV after they were 15 years old and risk of depression (p=0.036). The prevalence of abuse in the group of women at risk for post-partum depression was 58.3% and this was significantly higher than the 33.9% observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: the probability of presenting depression was high among the post-partum women attended at a tertiary maternity in the southeast of Brazil. The DV after they were 15 years old was significantly associated with risk of post-partum depression.OBJETIVO: apurar a freqüência de risco para depressão pós-parto (DP) em puérperas de hospital de São Paulo, região Sudeste do Brasil, e determinar fatores associados - entre eles a violência doméstica (VD). MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo, tipo corte transversal. Participaram 133 mulheres, que tiveram partos com idade gestacional de 20 semanas ou mais, no período de agosto a setembro de 2005, em maternidade terciária em São Paulo (Brasil). Foram entrevistadas empregando-se a versão em português do Abuse Assessment Screen para o diagnóstico de violência e responderam questionário de auto-avaliação do risco de DP (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). As variáveis foram representadas por freqüências absoluta e relativa. A associação entre as variáveis de interesse e DP foi avaliada pelo teste do chi2 ou exato de Fisher. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: o risco de DP foi identificado em 24 puérperas (18%). Das mulheres entrevistadas, 38,3% referiram história de abusos. Observou-se associação entre a ocorrência de VD após os 15 anos de idade e o risco de depressão (p=0,03). A ocorrência de abusos no grupo de mulheres com probabilidade de apresentar DP foi de 58,3%, proporção significativamente maior do que a observada no grupo controle com 33,9%. CONCLUSÕES: a probabilidade de apresentar depressão foi alta entre as puérperas assistidas em maternidade terciária da região Sudeste do Brasil. A VD sofrida após os 15 anos de idade esteve estatisticamente associada ao risco de DP.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de ObstetríciaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de EnfermagemUniversidade de Santo AmaroUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual 'Francisco Morato de Oliveira'Universidade Metropolitana de Santos Departamento de ObstetríciaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de ObstetríciaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de EnfermagemUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Ergonomic work analyses method in fresh tomato packing houses: manual material handling

The manual material handling (MMH) is the most frequent labor activity in tomato packing houses. The main goal of this paper was to analyze, under an ergonomic point of view, the MMH tasks in six fresh tomato packing houses. The ergonomic work analyses method was applied for an overall approach of work activities. The NIOSH equation was applied to calculate the recommended weight limit and a Body Discomfort Diagram was used to identify the painful body workers areas. In all cases, the actual load overcame the recommended weight limits by NIOSH.A movimentação manual de cargas (MMC) nas unidades de beneficiamento de tomates (UB) é a atividade laboral mais freqüente nas etapas do processo de beneficiamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar, sob a ótica da ergonomia, as tarefas de MMC em seis UB de tomate de mesa do Estado de São Paulo. Foi aplicado o método da análise ergonômica do trabalho (AET) para conhecimento dos problemas associados à carga laboral. Nos postos de trabalho onde a MMC foi predominante, aplicou-se o método da equação do National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) para determinar o Limite de Peso Recomendado e o método do Diagrama das Áreas Dolorosas para identificar as áreas do corpo dos trabalhadores que apresentam desconforto. Em todas os casos estudados, o peso real da carga movimentada manualmente superou o limite de peso recomendado pelo NIOSH.10731079Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Balance assessment in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis

INTRODUCTION: A good rating of the device in people with HTLV-1 in this population is essential for accuracy in prescribing data (walking). Thus, this study aimed to analyze the counterpart assessment methods that are best suited to patients with human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-1 associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). METHODS: This cross-sectional study related stabilometric and kinematic variables of postural oscillations with Berg’s balance scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) in subjects with HAM/TSP compared to asymptomatic subjects. To assess the posterior and lateral postural projection, baropodometry and the Footwork® system was used, and the CVMob system was applied to kinematic parameters. The means comparison tests and correlations were applied with an alpha of 5%. RESULTS: Thirty-nine subjects (predominantly female) made up the sample. There was an increase in barodopometric oscillations, in the total oscillation area (p = 0.004), in the anteroposterior oscillation in the left (p = 0.015) and right views (p = 0.036), and in the lateral oscillation (p = 0.039) in the HAM/TSP group. Moderate correlations were found between oscillation baropodometry and the angular variation of the ankle, as well as with the BBS in the three angles and the TUG for lateral oscillation (p = 0.406). CONCLUSIONS: Each method has advantages and disadvantages, including cost accuracy. The best resources available at no additional cost for outpatient to use are the kinematic evaluation using a simple smartphone camera and free analysis software, and the TUG.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Compostos bioativos em café integral e descafeinado e qualidade sensorial da bebida

The aims of this study were to determine the sensorial quality of both decaffeinated and whole coffee (Coffea arabica), the levels of bioactive compounds, before and after toasting, and bioactive compound stability after beverage extraction. The sensorial analysis was accomplished according to the official Brazilian method for coffee classification. The analyses of caffeine, trigonelline and chlorogenic acid were performed by high performance liquid chromatography. The experimental design was completely randomized with split plot using four types of coffee, five times of analyses and three replicates for each treatment. In the sensorial analysis, it was observed that the sensorial characteristics present in the whole sample were lost after the decaffeination process. For trigonelline, no significant differences were found among the whole and decaffeinated samples. For the samples of toasted whole and green decaffeinated coffee, trigonelline did not vary until 4 hours after the extraction. There was a significant reduction in the concentration of chlorogenic acid after toasting, after the decaffeination process, and over the extraction time. For caffeine, there were no significant differences after toasting or even with the time after extraction. Decaffeination and toasting processes affected the sensorial quality of coffee and altered the concentration of bioactive compounds.O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a qualidade sensorial de café (Coffea arabica) descafeinado e integral, os níveis de compostos bioativos, antes e após a torração, e a estabilidade destes após a extração da bebida. A análise sensorial foi realizada por meio do método oficial brasileiro de classificação do café. As análises de cafeína, trigonelina e ácido clorogênico foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas com quatro tipos de café, cinco tempos de análise e três repetições. Na análise sensorial, foi observado que as características sensoriais, presentes na amostra integral, foram perdidas após o processo de descafeinação. Na variável concentração de trigonelina, não houve diferença significativa entre as amostras integrais e descafeinadas. As concentrações para as amostras de café descafeinado verde e integral torrado não foram alteradas após 4 horas de extração. Houve redução significativa na concentração do ácido clorogênico após a torração, após o processo de descafeinação, e com o decorrer do tempo de extração. Quanto à cafeína, não houve diferença significativa após a torração e nem com o passar do tempo após a extração. A descafeinação e a torração afetaram a qualidade sensorial do café e alteraram a concentração dos compostos bioativos

Adherence to a Neonatal Hearing Screening Program

Neonatal hearing screening programs have been developed worldwide. Since 2002, the newborns from the Center for Integral Assistance to Women's Health at UNICAMP have been referred to hearing screening at the Center for Studies and Research on Rehabilitation Prof. Dr. Gabriel Porto. Nevertheless, not all newborns come to the screening and others drop out before the procedures are completed. The goal of this research was to characterize the newborns' adherence rates to the Neonatal Hearing Screening Program. A retrospective investigation was carried out, collecting data on the records of all cases screened from February to November of 2007. A total of 2107 infants were referred to hearing screening and 1310 actually came. Among those who failed the test (92 infants), 73 returned for the retest with the use of BAEP. The adherence rate in the first stage of the screening was 62.17% and, in the second, 79.34%. These rates are bellow the ones recommended by the JCIH as well as bellow those reached by hearing screening programs of some developed countries. However, they are similar to other Brazilian experiences of neonatal hearing screening programs. A close follow up of the families of those infants who failed the first stage of the screening, as well as the orientation given to them about early detection of hearing loss and its consequences, may have contributed to the increase in the adherence rate in the second stage of the screening.A Triagem Auditiva Neonatal tem se efetivado mundialmente como meio para detecção precoce da surdez. Na Unicamp, desde 2002, os recém-nascidos na maternidade do Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher são agendados para a triagem auditiva no Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas em Reabilitação Prof. Dr. Gabriel Porto. No entanto, nem todos vêm para a triagem e alguns abandonam o processo de avaliação antes do diagnóstico. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar as taxas de adesão de lactentes ao Programa de Triagem Auditiva Neonatal. Tratou-se de pesquisa que utilizou dados contidos nos prontuários dos lactentes que efetuaram a triagem no período de fevereiro a novembro de 2007. Permaneceram no alojamento conjunto do CAISM 2107 lactentes e vieram para a triagem 1310. Dentre aqueles que não passaram na triagem (92 lactentes), realizaram o exame de PEATE-A 73 lactentes. A adesão na primeira etapa da triagem foi de 62,17%, e na segunda, 79,34%. As taxas de adesão são inferiores às preconizadas pelo Joint Comittee on Infant Hearing e encontradas em alguns países desenvolvidos. No entanto, aproximam-se de outras experiências brasileiras de programas de triagem auditiva neonatal. O acompanhamento sistemático às famílias dos lactentes que não passaram na primeira avaliação e a conscientização destas sobre a detecção precoce da perda auditiva e suas consequências podem ter contribuído para o aumento da taxa de adesão na segunda etapa da triagem.Fundação do Desenvolvimento Administrativo (FUNDAP)Unicamp Faculdade de Ciências MédicasUniversidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita FilhoUnicamp Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas em Reabilitação Prof. Dr. Gabriel PortoUNIFESPUNIFESPSciEL