Ageing at work: capacity for the work of ESTeSC teachers

Introduction: Aging does not necessarily mean a decrease in "ability to work" and that the eventual decline of certain skills related to increasing age are not generalizable, striking, or uniform and can be accelerated or delayed depending on the conditions of work, individuals and, above all, the types of attrition to which the worker is subjected. Objective: To evaluate the work ability index (WAI) of the professors of the School of Technology and Health of Coimbra (ESTeSC). Material and Methods: This study was an analytical observational and prospective cohort study. The respondents answered a questionnaire that assessed the WAI and the quality of life index (QLI). The results were evaluated in the IBM SPSS Statistics program through descriptive character tests and inference tests. Results: It was verified that an average value of 33.63 (7-49 scale) was identified for the work ability in the studied group, being this value belonging to the Moderate category. When correlating the age of workers with WAI and QLI, it was verified that there was no correlation (p> 0.05) between these factors. On the other hand, WAI was related to QLI, in which a correlation was observed (p<0,05), that is, the more satisfied they are with quality of life, the better the capacity for work. Conclusion: It was found that in the present study, aging does not cause a loss of capacity for work, nor does it influence the quality of life of workers. Since teachers' scores for WAI are in the Moderate category, it is necessary to implement health promotion strategies, such as practicing physical exercise or performing work-related gymnastics in the workplace.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Perinatal Outcome and Change in Body Mass Index in Mothers of Dichorionic Twins: a Longitudinal Cohort Study

We used a prospective cohort to analyze the effect of change in BMI rather than change in weight, in mothers carrying dichorionic twins from a population that did not receive any dietary intervention. A total of 269 mothers (150 nulliparas and 119 multiparas) were evaluated. The average change (%) from the pre-gravid BMI was 7.2+/-6.1, 17.4+/-8.2, and 28.7+/-10.8, at 12-14, 22-25, and 30-34 weeks, respectively, without difference between nulliparas and multiparas. The comparison between maternities below or above the average change from the pregravid BMI failed to demonstrate an advantage (in terms of total twin birthweight and gestational age) of an above average change from the pregravid BMI, even when the lower versus upper quartiles were compared. Our observations reached different conclusions regarding the recommended universal dietary intervention in twin gestations. A cautious approach is advocated towards seemingly harmless excess weight gain, as normal weight women may turn overweight, or even obese, by the end of pregnancy, and be exposed to the untoward effects of obesity on future health and body image

Dynamic critical exponents of the Ising model with multispin interactions

We revisit the short-time dynamics of 2D Ising model with three spin interactions in one direction and estimate the critical exponents $z,$ $\theta,$ $\beta$ and $\nu$. Taking properly into account the symmetry of the Hamiltonian we obtain results completely different from those obtained by Wang et al.. For the dynamic exponent $z$ our result coincides with that of the 4-state Potts model in two dimensions. In addition, results for the static exponents $\nu$ and $\beta$ agree with previous estimates obtained from finite size scaling combined with conformal invariance. Finally, for the new dynamic exponent $\theta$ we find a negative and close to zero value, a result also expected for the 4-state Potts model according to Okano et al.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, corrected Abstract mistypes, corrected equation on page 4 (Parameter Q

Software Development Analytics in Practice: A Systematic Literature Review

Context:Software Development Analytics is a research area concerned with providing insights to improve product deliveries and processes. Many types of studies, data sources and mining methods have been used for that purpose. Objective:This systematic literature review aims at providing an aggregate view of the relevant studies on Software Development Analytics in the past decade (2010-2019), with an emphasis on its application in practical settings. Method:Definition and execution of a search string upon several digital libraries, followed by a quality assessment criteria to identify the most relevant papers. On those, we extracted a set of characteristics (study type, data source, study perspective, development life-cycle activities covered, stakeholders, mining methods, and analytics scope) and classified their impact against a taxonomy. Results:Source code repositories, experimental case studies, and developers are the most common data sources, study types, and stakeholders, respectively. Product and project managers are also often present, but less than expected. Mining methods are evolving rapidly and that is reflected in the long list identified. Descriptive statistics are the most usual method followed by correlation analysis. Being software development an important process in every organization, it was unexpected to find that process mining was present in only one study. Most contributions to the software development life cycle were given in the quality dimension. Time management and costs control were lightly debated. The analysis of security aspects suggests it is an increasing topic of concern for practitioners. Risk management contributions are scarce. Conclusions:There is a wide improvement margin for software development analytics in practice. For instance, mining and analyzing the activities performed by software developers in their actual workbench, the IDE

Alteração nas frequências alélicas em ciclos de seleção recorrente como estratégia para identificação de QTLs para tolerância ao Al em milho.

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Serum serotonin levels and bone in rheumatoid arthritis patients

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by bone loss, increased levels of serotonin have been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for circulating serotonin as a regulator of osteoblastogenesis, inhibiting bone formation. Thus, we measured serum serotonin levels (SSL) in a Portuguese sample of 205 RA patients and related these to anthropometric variables, disease parameters, serum bone biomarkers, and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at several sites (total proximal femur, lumbar spine, left hand, and left second proximal phalange). SSL were inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in RA women (r = − 0.218; p = 0.005), independent of exposure to biologics and/or bisphosphonates. Among biologic naïves, there was an inverse association between SSL and osteoprotegerin in RA women (r = − 0.260; p = 0.022). Serum β-CTX and dickkopf-1 were strongly associated with SSL in RA men not treated with bisphosphonates (r = 0.590; p < 0.001/r = 0.387; p = 0.031, respectively). There was also an inverse association between SSL and sclerostin in RA men (r = − 0.374; p < 0.05), stronger among biologic naïve or bisphosphonates-unexposed RA men. In crude models, SSL presented as a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD in RA women as well as in postmenopausal RA women. After adjustment for BMI, disease duration, and years of menopause, SSL remained a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD only in postmenopausal RA women. Our data reinforce a role, despite weak, for circulating serotonin in regulating bone mass in RA patients, with some differences in terms of gender and anatomical sites.Associação Nacional de Reumatologia, the study sponsor, had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication

Telemedicine in COPD: An Overview by Topics

Introduction: COPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and carries a huge and growing economic and social burden. Telemedicine might allow the care of patients with limited access to health services and improve their self-management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient's safety represents one of the main reasons why we might use these tools to manage our patients. The authors conducted a literature search in MEDLINE database. The retrieval form of the Medical Subject Headings (Mesh) was ((Telemedicine OR Tele-rehabilitation OR Telemonitoring OR mHealth OR Ehealth OR Telehealth) AND COPD). We only included systematic reviews, reviews, meta-analysis, clinical trials and randomized-control trials, in the English language, with the selected search items in title or abstract, and published from January 1st 2015 to 31st May 2020 (n = 56). There was a positive tendency toward benefits in tele-rehabilitation, health-education and self-management, early detection of COPD exacerbations, psychosocial support and smoking cessation, but the heterogeneity of clinical trials and reviews limits the extent to which this value can be understood. Telemonitoring interventions and cost-effectiveness had contradictory results. The literature on teleconsultation was scarce during this period. The non-inferiority tendency of telemedicine programmes comparing to conventional COPD management seems an opportunity to deliver quality healthcare to COPD patients, with a guarantee of patient's safety, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Response Regarding: Endoscopic Management of Sigmoid Volvulus in a Debilitated Population: What Relevance?

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Influence of concrete strength and steel fibre geometry on the fibre/matrix interface

The main objective of the research described in this paper was to evaluate how the concrete compressive strength and the geometry of the steel fibres influence the behaviour of the fibre/matrix interface. With this aim, three different concrete matrices were designed with 20, 60 and 100 MPa, and two types of steel fibres were adopted (Dramix® 3D and Dramix® 5D). Specific pull-out specimens were produced and three sets of axial tensile tests were defined with different fibres (3D fibres, and 3D and 5D fibres with trimmed ends). A numerical model was calibrated and used to expand the scope of results obtained from the experimental tests. It can be concluded that the concrete compressive strength strongly influences the fibre/matrix strength. In the set with untrimmed 3D fibres, higher strengths are reached due to the hook shaped endings, for all concrete strengths, varying between 64% and 72% of the total load. For fibres with straight endings, increasing both diameter and length increases lead to higher adhesion and friction strengths.FCT PTDC/ECM/119214/2010, FCT SFRH/BD/84355/2012, FCT SFRH/BD/85922/2012 and FCT SFRH/BPD/102790/2014, ARC DE15010170

Monitorização em contínuo da qualidade microbiológica da água e biofilmes associados utilizando um sistema de células de fluxo

A VIMÁGUA, Empresa de Água e Saneamento de Guimarães e Vizela E.I.M., criada em 19 de Fevereiro de 2002, tem por missão o abastecimento de água para consumo humano. Como tal, a manutenção da qualidade da água potável desde a estação de tratamento de água até aos consumidores é uma das nossas preocupações. Contudo, os sistemas de distribuição de água potável estão continuamente expostos a um fluxo de matéria orgânica biodegradável e de microrganismos. Estes últimos podem formar estruturas nas paredes das condutas – biofilmes – que lhes permite uma maior resistência à desinfecção. Com o propósito de monitorizar a formação de biofilmes e a sua interacção na qualidade da água instalou-se um sistema de amostragem in situ – reactor de células de fluxo - para a monitorização da formação de biofilmes em sistemas de água potável, e testar métodos de detecção de microrganismos patogénicos. Ao longo do tempo foi monitorizado o número de bactérias cultiváveis e totais, assim como parâmetros físico-químicos da água que abastecia o reactor. Em paralelo, foram desenvolvidas sondas de PNA para a detecção rápida de vários microrganismos (Escherichia coli; Helicobacter pylori) e testadas em laboratório, estando já a ser aplicadas no sistema de células de fluxo.Os autores gostariam de agradecer o apoio financeiro concedido pela FCT (Bolsa de doutoramento SFRH/BD/4705/2001) e pelo projecto europeu SAFER (Contrato n°EVK1-CT-200200108).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio