Perception of occupational stress by military firefighters from a city in the countryside of Minas Gerais

Objective: to identify the factors those predispose the military fireman to develop occupational stress. Method: this was a descriptive study, with quantitative and qualitative approach. 32 interviews were conducted using a semistructured questionnaire and an interview recorded with guiding questions. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 version and for the interviews was used content analysis. Results: Seven categories namely: understanding stress, stress in daily work; factors stressors and emotional damage due to stress. Conclusion: It was noticed in this study the difficulty of theoretical science on this subject. Moreover, we can infer that concern firefighters, feel and express stress in different ways and thus to realize when they are under job stress

Short-term amiodarone therapy after reversion of persistent atrial fibrillation reduces recurrences at 18 months

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of 3 months vs. 18 months of amiodarone treatment after atrial fibrillation (AF) conversion in patients who experienced the first episode of persistent AF. Methods: We included 51 patients who experienced the first episode of persistent AF receiving amiodarone (600 mg) daily for 4–6 weeks. If AF persisted, electrical cardioversion (ECV) was performed. All patients received amiodarone (200 mg daily) for 3 months and then were randomized to amiodarone (Group I) or placebo (Group II) and followed for 15 months. The control group comprised 9 untreated patients undergoing ECV. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using a Bayesian model. Results: Eighteen months after AF reversion, 22 (81.5%) patients in Group I, 13 (54.2%) patients in Group II, and 1 (11.1%) patient in the control group remained in sinus rhythm. No differences were found between Group I patients who required ECV and Group II patients. Sinus rhythm was preserved in all Group I patients when it was achieved during amiodarone administration. Limiting adverse effects occurred in 3 (11.1%) patients in Group I. Conclusions: In patients regaining sinus rhythm after the first episode of persistent AF, a 3-month amiodarone treatment after reversion is a reasonable option for rhythm control.

The VINEYARD Approach: Versatile, Integrated, Accelerator-Based, Heterogeneous Data Centres.

Emerging web applications like cloud computing, Big Data and social networks have created the need for powerful centres hosting hundreds of thousands of servers. Currently, the data centres are based on general purpose processors that provide high flexibility buts lack the energy efficiency of customized accelerators. VINEYARD aims to develop an integrated platform for energy-efficient data centres based on new servers with novel, coarse-grain and fine-grain, programmable hardware accelerators. It will, also, build a high-level programming framework for allowing end-users to seamlessly utilize these accelerators in heterogeneous computing systems by employing typical data-centre programming frameworks (e.g. MapReduce, Storm, Spark, etc.). This programming framework will, further, allow the hardware accelerators to be swapped in and out of the heterogeneous infrastructure so as to offer high flexibility and energy efficiency. VINEYARD will foster the expansion of the soft-IP core industry, currently limited in the embedded systems, to the data-centre market. VINEYARD plans to demonstrate the advantages of its approach in three real use-cases (a) a bio-informatics application for high-accuracy brain modeling, (b) two critical financial applications, and (c) a big-data analysis application

Características, benefícios e consequências dos algoritmos de minimizaçao da estimulaçao do ventrículo direito por dispositivos de estimulaçao cardíaca artificial

Os dispositivos implantáveis de estimulaçao cardíaca artificial (marcapasso definitivo, cardiodesfibrilador e terapia de estimulaçao multissítio para ressincronizaçao cardíaca) têm benefícios bem estabelecidos e indicaçoes em expansao. Diversos estudos e publicaçoes têm demonstrado que a estimulaçao cardíaca artificial convencional nao é isenta de efeitos adversos (dissincronia ventricular, risco de insuficiência cardíaca e mortalidade). O progresso tecnológico da eletroterapia cardíaca trouxe novos algoritmos e estratégias de programaçao dos dispositivos, particularmente os que minimizam a estimulaçao do ventrículo direito por programaçao do intervalo atrioventricular. Atualmente, tanto para portadores de marcapasso definitivo como, particularmente, para portadores de cardiodesfibrilador implantável, sao recomendadas estratégias que explorem ao máximo a conduçao atrioventricular intrínseca, quando esta é confiável, com o objetivo de produzir complexos com QRS estreito, evitando as potenciais consequências deletérias da ativaçao artificial do ventrículo direito. Esta revisao aborda as diferenças entre sequência atrioventricular e sincronia atrioventricular produzidas por esses algoritmos, e o surgimento de um outro virtual conflito de paradigmas: permitir intervalos atrioventriculares nao fisiológicos, gerando potencialmente dissincronia atrioventricular mas com QRS estreito, ou estimular artificialmente o ventrículo direito com intervalo atrioventricular fisiológico e QRS largo

Características, benefícios e consequências dos algoritmos de minimizaçao da estimulaçao do ventrículo direito por dispositivos de estimulaçao cardíaca artificial

Os dispositivos implantáveis de estimulaçao cardíaca artificial (marcapasso definitivo, cardiodesfibrilador e terapia de estimulaçao multissítio para ressincronizaçao cardíaca) têm benefícios bem estabelecidos e indicaçoes em expansao. Diversos estudos e publicaçoes têm demonstrado que a estimulaçao cardíaca artificial convencional nao é isenta de efeitos adversos (dissincronia ventricular, risco de insuficiência cardíaca e mortalidade). O progresso tecnológico da eletroterapia cardíaca trouxe novos algoritmos e estratégias de programaçao dos dispositivos, particularmente os que minimizam a estimulaçao do ventrículo direito por programaçao do intervalo atrioventricular. Atualmente, tanto para portadores de marcapasso definitivo como, particularmente, para portadores de cardiodesfibrilador implantável, sao recomendadas estratégias que explorem ao máximo a conduçao atrioventricular intrínseca, quando esta é confiável, com o objetivo de produzir complexos com QRS estreito, evitando as potenciais consequências deletérias da ativaçao artificial do ventrículo direito. Esta revisao aborda as diferenças entre sequência atrioventricular e sincronia atrioventricular produzidas por esses algoritmos, e o surgimento de um outro virtual conflito de paradigmas: permitir intervalos atrioventriculares nao fisiológicos, gerando potencialmente dissincronia atrioventricular mas com QRS estreito, ou estimular artificialmente o ventrículo direito com intervalo atrioventricular fisiológico e QRS largo

Cytokine Production but Lack of Proliferation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Chronic Chagas' Disease Cardiomyopathy Patients in Response to T. cruzi Ribosomal P Proteins

Background:Trypanosoma cruzi ribosomal P proteins, P2β and P0, induce high levels of antibodies in patients with chronic Chagas' disease Cardiomyopathy (CCC). It is well known that these antibodies alter the beating rate of cardiomyocytes and provoke apoptosis by their interaction with β1-adrenergic and M2-muscarinic cardiac receptors. Based on these findings, we decided to study the cellular immune response to these proteins in CCC patients compared to non-infected individuals.Methodology/Principal findings:We evaluated proliferation, presence of surface activation markers and cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with P2β, the C-terminal portion of P0 (CP0) proteins and T. cruzi lysate from CCC patients predominantly infected with TcVI lineage. PBMC from CCC patients cultured with P2β or CP0 proteins, failed to proliferate and express CD25 and HLA-DR on T cell populations. However, multiplex cytokine assays showed that these antigens triggered higher secretion of IL-10, TNF-α and GM-CSF by PBMC as well as both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells subsets of CCC subjects. Upon T. cruzi lysate stimulation, PBMC from CCC patients not only proliferated but also became activated within the context of Th1 response. Interestingly, T. cruzi lysate was also able to induce the secretion of GM-CSF by CD4+ or CD8+ T cells.Conclusions/Significance:Our results showed that although the lack of PBMC proliferation in CCC patients in response to ribosomal P proteins, the detection of IL-10, TNF-α and GM-CSF suggests that specific T cells could have both immunoregulatory and pro-inflammatory potential, which might modulate the immune response in Chagas' disease. Furthermore, it was possible to demonstrate for the first time that GM-CSF was produced by PBMC of CCC patients in response not only to recombinant ribosomal P proteins but also to parasite lysate, suggesting the value of this cytokine to evaluate T cells responses in T. cruzi infection.Fil: Longhi, Silvia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Atienza, Augusto. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Perez Prados, Graciela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Buying, Alcinette. Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies; Estados UnidosFil: Balouz, Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Buscaglia, Carlos Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Radleigh. Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies; Estados UnidosFil: Tasso, Laura Mónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Bonato, Ricardo. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Chiale, Pablo. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Pinilla, Clemencia. Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies; Estados UnidosFil: Judkowski, Valeria A.. Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies; Estados UnidosFil: Gomez, Karina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentin

Micropapillary carcinoma in a dog: case report

Mammary neoplasms in female dogs present a high incidence. Several histological types are observed, among them, micropapillary carcinoma is considered one of the most aggressive because it is related to vascular invasion, metastases and low survival time. Aimed to describe a case of micropapillary breast carcinoma, with cutaneous metastasis, in a dog. A canine, female, 14 years old, 8kg, not defined breed, uncastrated, nulliparous, with pseudocyesis and no contraceptives administration history was attended at the Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics Service from "Governador Laudo Natel” Hospital, FCAV, UNESP, Jaboticabal, presenting a breast ulcerated nodule, with one month estimated evolution. After stabilization and preoperative exams, radical unilateral mastectomy and ipsilateral axillary and inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed. Histopathologic diagnosis revealed micropapillary carcinoma and free surgical margins from neoplasm, however, there were metastasis in both lymph nodes. The tutors did not adhere to antineoplastic chemotherapy. In 60th post-surgical day, there was inflammatory reaction in the surgical scar region, with small cutaneous ulceration, where the elastogram  revealed  rigidity and shear velocity of 7.84m/s. Skin biopsy revealed metastasis of micropapillary breast carcinoma. There was progression of ulcerations, compromising animal’s welfare and its physiological activities, when on the 110th post-surgical day, it was decided to euthanize the patient.  The correct diagnosis and knowledge of tumor biological behavior are importants points to choose the correct treatment. The adjuvant chemotherapy treatment can impact on average survival time and ARFI elastography is an accurate predictor of rapid and non-invasive diagnosis of micropapillary carcinoma recurrence.Mammary neoplasms in female dogs have a high incidence. Among the several histological types observed, micropapillary carcinoma is considered one of the most aggressive due to vascular invasion, metastases, and short survival time. The present objective was to describe a case of mammary gland micropapillary carcinoma, with cutaneous metastasis, in a dog. A 14-year-old intact nulliparous mixed-breed bitch, weighing 8kg, with a history of pseudocyesis and no history of contraceptive administration, presented to the Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics Service from "Governador Laudo Natel” Hospital, FCAV, UNESP, Jaboticabal, with an ulcerated nodule in the mammary gland for approximately one month. After stabilization of clinical parameters and preoperative exams, a radical unilateral mastectomy and ipsilateral axillary and inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed. Histopathology revealed micropapillary carcinoma with clear surgical margins, however, there were metastases in both lymph nodes. Antineoplastic chemotherapy was refused by the owners. On the 60th day after surgery, there was an inflammatory reaction in the surgical scar region, with a small cutaneous ulceration, where elastography showed rigidity and shear velocity of 7.84m/s. Skin biopsy revealed metastasis of the micropapillary carcinoma. Even with continued treatment since the patient was first examined, the ulcerations progressed, compromising the animal’s welfare and physiological activities, and on the 110th day after surgery, euthanasia was decided on. A correct diagnosis and knowledge of tumor biological behavior are important points for choosing the correct treatment. Acoustic Radiation Force Image (ARFI) elastography has been shown to be a fast and non-invasive diagnostic method for detection of recurrent micropapillary carcinoma

Exploring Cosmic Origins with CORE: Cosmological Parameters

We forecast the main cosmological parameter constraints achievable with theCORE space mission which is dedicated to mapping the polarisation of the CosmicMicrowave Background (CMB). CORE was recently submitted in response to ESA'sfifth call for medium-sized mission proposals (M5). Here we report the resultsfrom our pre-submission study of the impact of various instrumental options, inparticular the telescope size and sensitivity level, and review the great,transformative potential of the mission as proposed. Specifically, we assessthe impact on a broad range of fundamental parameters of our Universe as afunction of the expected CMB characteristics, with other papers in the seriesfocusing on controlling astrophysical and instrumental residual systematics. Inthis paper, we assume that only a few central CORE frequency channels areusable for our purpose, all others being devoted to the cleaning ofastrophysical contaminants. On the theoretical side, we assume LCDM as ourgeneral framework and quantify the improvement provided by CORE over thecurrent constraints from the Planck 2015 release. We also study the jointsensitivity of CORE and of future Baryon Acoustic Oscillation and Large ScaleStructure experiments like DESI and Euclid. Specific constraints on the physicsof inflation are presented in another paper of the series. In addition to thesix parameters of the base LCDM, which describe the matter content of aspatially flat universe with adiabatic and scalar primordial fluctuations frominflation, we derive the precision achievable on parameters like thosedescribing curvature, neutrino physics, extra light relics, primordial heliumabundance, dark matter annihilation, recombination physics, variation offundamental constants, dark energy, modified gravity, reionization and cosmicbirefringence. (ABRIDGED

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI