69 research outputs found

    Modelo de acompanhamento e desenvolvimento profissional como estratégia de retenção de talentos

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    Orientadora: Carolina Valentini Toscani KimMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curso de MBA em Gestão de Talentos e Comportamento HumanoInclui referência

    A novel push-pull central-lever mechanism reduces peak forces and energy-cost compared to hand-rim wheelchair propulsion during a controlled lab-based experiment

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    BACKGROUND: Hand-rim wheelchair propulsion is straining and mechanically inefficient, often leading to upper limb complaints. Previous push–pull lever propulsion mechanisms have shown to perform better or equal in efficiency and physiological strain. Propulsion biomechanics have not been evaluated thus far. A novel push–pull central-lever propulsion mechanism is compared to conventional hand-rim wheelchair propulsion, using both physiological and biomechanical outcomes under low-intensity steady-state conditions on a motor driven treadmill. METHODS: In this 5 day (distributed over a maximum of 21 days) between-group experiment, 30 able-bodied novices performed 60 min (5 × 3 × 4 min) of practice in either the push–pull central lever wheelchair (n = 15) or the hand-rim wheelchair (n = 15). At the first and final sessions cardiopulmonary strain, propulsion kinematics and force production were determined in both instrumented propulsion mechanisms. Repeated measures ANOVA evaluated between (propulsion mechanism type), within (over practice) and interaction effects. RESULTS: Over practice, both groups significantly improved on all outcome measures. After practice the peak forces during the push and pull phase of lever propulsion were considerably lower compared to those in the handrim push phase (42 ± 10 & 46 ± 10 vs 63 ± 21N). Concomitantly, energy expenditure was found to be lower as well (263 ± 45 vs 298 ± 59W), on the other hand gross mechanical efficiency (6.4 ± 1.5 vs 5.9 ± 1.3%), heart-rate (97 ± 10 vs 98 ± 10 bpm) and perceived exertion (9 ± 2 vs 10 ± 1) were not significantly different between modes. CONCLUSION: The current study shows the potential benefits of the newly designed push–pull central-lever propulsion mechanism over regular hand rim wheelchair propulsion. The much lower forces and energy expenditure might help to reduce the strain on the upper extremities and thus prevent the development of overuse injury. This proof of concept in a controlled laboratory experiment warrants continued experimental research in wheelchair-users during daily life

    Climatic characterization of heat waves in Brazil

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    De acordo com a última geração de modelos climáticos, a probabilidade de ocorrência de grandes ondas de calor nas próximas décadas tende a subir de forma significativa. Atualmente existem inúmeros estudos relativos a esta problemática no Hemisfério Norte, particularmente para a Europa e para a América do Norte, devido aos seus impactos significativos em áreas como a saúde, economia e agricultura. Em relação ao Hemisfério Sul e especialmente ao Brasil, este problema apresenta-se como uma questão ainda pouco desenvolvida, apesar da sua enorme área geográfica e população potencialmente afetada. Com este trabalho pretende-se realizar um estudo diagnóstico das ondas de calor observadas em algumas das grandes cidades brasileiras, incluindo a sua frequência, distribuição sazonal e evolução temporal desde a década de 1960. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam a presença de uma tendência positiva na frequência e duração das ondas de calor a partir de 1980, particularmente para as cidades de São Paulo, Manaus e Recife. Brasília registrou maior número de ondas de calor nas últimas décadas, enquanto o Rio de Janeiro apresentou o menor número de eventos. Quanto à variabilidade sazonal os meses de Outono/Inverno foram aqueles em que se verificou maior número de ondas de calor-----------------------------------------------------------Abstract According to the state-of-the-art global and circulation models the probability of occurrence of large heat waves in the following decades will increase significantly. Currently, due to their significant impacts in several socio-economic areas such as public health, energy production and consumption and agriculture, there are numerous studies for the Northern Hemisphere regions evaluating this problem. However, for the southern hemisphere and especially Brazil, a similar analysis is lacking, despite its huge geographical area and large population potentially affected. The main goal of this work is to provide a comprehensive diagnostic study of heat waves observed in several large Brazilian cities, including heat waves frequency, seasonal distribution and temporal evolution since the 1960s decade. In general, results indicate the presence of a positive trend in the frequency and duration of heat waves since the 1980s, with special emphasis to cities like São Paulo, Manaus and Recife. Brasília was the city that in the last decades recorded the highest number of heat waves while Rio de Janeiro was the city with the smallest number recorded. In respect to seasonal variability the Autumn/Winter months were the months with the largest number of heat waves recordedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Compound effects of drought and heat waves on fire incidence over the Amazon

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    Extreme drought events merely are no longer enough to provide the framework that explains exacerbated impacts of atmospheric conditions in vegetation fires. In particular, the coupled effect of Heat Waves (HW) induced by positive feedbacks between soil and atmosphere caused by drought patterns, is shown to be more likely to enhance flammability conditions. Thus, understanding the concurrence of both extreme climatic events (droughts and HWs) is crucial to quantify ecological and socioeconomic impacts of fire related to ecosystem services, human health, climate and conservation. Although these compound events are increasingly being subject of study around the globe, they are poorly explored over South America, in particular over the Amazon.Therefore, our first goal here is to analyze the simultaneous occurrence of heat waves during two major extreme droughts in Amazon rainforest, namely during the outstanding 2005 and 2010 events. Moreover, we aim to quantify the impact of these compound events on fire incidence and intensity. To accomplish these goals, we use meteorological fields from ERA-5 reanalysis, remote sensing platforms and in-situ data. HW events were assessed by analyzing the associated synoptic patterns and heat wave indexes based on temperature data from surface meteorological stations, from 1961 to 2014. The spatial and temporal patterns of fire activity were analyzed between 2003 and 2017, based on information obtained from AQUA MODIS Standard Fire products 1 km collection 6 of active fire (AF) and fire radiative power (FRP) datasets.Results show an increase of HWs during drought periods along with a rise in number of these events over the last two decades at the Amazon, presenting pikes of occurrence and extension on 2005 and 2010. We show that fire occurs more frequently during these compound events than if these events occur independently. Moreover, an enhancement in fire intensity is also verified when HWs and drought occur simultaneously

    Fetal Liver Volume Assessment Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Fetuses With Cytomegalovirus Infection

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    Objective: To assess fetal liver volume (FLV) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected fetuses compared to a group of healthy fetuses. Method: Most infected cases were diagnosed by the evidence of ultrasound abnormalities during routine scans and in some after maternal CMV screening. CMV-infected fetuses were considered severely or mildly affected according to prenatal brain lesions identified by ultrasound (US)/MRI. We assessed FLV, the FLV to abdominal circumference (AC) ratio (FLV/AC-ratio), and the FLV to fetal body volume (FBV) ratio (FLV/FBV-ratio). As controls, we included 33 healthy fetuses. Hepatomegaly was evaluated post-mortem in 11 cases of congenital CMV infection. Parametric trend and intraclass correlation analyses were performed. Results: There were no significant differences in FLV between infected (n = 32) and healthy fetuses. On correcting the FLV for AC and FBV, we observed a significantly higher FLV in CMV-infected fetuses. There were no significant differences in the FLV, or the FLV/AC or FLV/FBV-ratios according to the severity of brain abnormalities. There was excellent concordance between the fetal liver weight estimated by MRI and liver weight obtained post-mortem. Hepatomegaly was not detected in any CMV-infected fetus. Conclusion: In CMV-infected fetuses, FLV corrected for AC and FBV was higher compared to healthy controls, indicating relative hepatomegaly. These parameters could potentially be used as surrogate markers of liver enlargement. Keywords: fetal brain abnormalities; fetal cytomegalovirus infection; fetal liver; magnetic resonance imaging; pregnancy

    [beta Thalassemia Major And Pregnancy During Adolescence: Report Of Two Cases].

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    Beta thalassemia major is a rare hereditary blood disease in which impaired synthesis of beta globin chains causes severe anemia. Medical treatment consists of chronic blood transfusions and iron chelation. We describe two cases of adolescents with beta thalassemia major with unplanned pregnancies and late onset of prenatal care. One had worsening of anemia with increased transfusional requirement, fetal growth restriction, and placental senescence. The other was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism and low maternal weight, and was admitted twice during pregnancy due to dengue shock syndrome and influenza H1N1-associated respiratory infection. She also developed fetal growth restriction and underwent vaginal delivery at term complicated by uterine hypotonia. Both patients required blood transfusions after birth and chose medroxyprogesterone as a contraceptive method afterwards. This report highlights the importance of medical advice on contraceptive methods for these women and the role of a specialized prenatal follow-up in association with a hematologist.37291-29

    The L-shaped mastopexy

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    Introduction: The mastopexy with implants and L-shaped scarring aims to correct grades I to II breast ptosis using implants in retroglandular space and retromuscular dual plane space, at the same surgical time. The objective is to describe the experience with the L-augmentation mastopexy technique, analyzing complications and reoperations. Methods: Retrospective study of 123 patients with mild to moderate breast ptosis, operated using the L-augmentation mastopexy technique from January 2011 to November 2021 Results: The mean age of patients was 35.6 years. The average volume of implants used was 315ml (range 175 to 600ml). The placement of the prosthesis was in retroglandular (46.5%) and dual plane retromuscular space (53.5%). The average operative time was two hours and fifty-four minutes. The main complications presented were superficial dehiscence (7.3%), recurrence of ptosis (7.3%) and unsightly scars (5.7%). Surgical reviews took place in 13 patients (10.5%). Conclusion: Safe and effective mastopexy technique with implant in the treatment of mild to moderate breast ptosis, providing well designed breasts with reduced L-shaped scars

    An Overview of the 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign

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    A major goal of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is to make accurate images with resolutions of tens of milliarcseconds, which at submillimeter (submm) wavelengths requires baselines up to ~15 km. To develop and test this capability, a Long Baseline Campaign (LBC) was carried out from September to late November 2014, culminating in end-to-end observations, calibrations, and imaging of selected Science Verification (SV) targets. This paper presents an overview of the campaign and its main results, including an investigation of the short-term coherence properties and systematic phase errors over the long baselines at the ALMA site, a summary of the SV targets and observations, and recommendations for science observing strategies at long baselines. Deep ALMA images of the quasar 3C138 at 97 and 241 GHz are also compared to VLA 43 GHz results, demonstrating an agreement at a level of a few percent. As a result of the extensive program of LBC testing, the highly successful SV imaging at long baselines achieved angular resolutions as fine as 19 mas at ~350 GHz. Observing with ALMA on baselines of up to 15 km is now possible, and opens up new parameter space for submm astronomy.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters; this version with small changes to affiliation

    Rescuing the Brazilian Agave breeding program: morphophysiological and molecular characterization of a new germplasm

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    Agaves have been a valuable resource in dryland areas for centuries, providing fibers (sisal), food, and beverages. However, the advent of synthetic fibers has led to a decrease in research on Agave, resulting in the cessation of breeding programs in Brazil. With the rise of climate change, there is renewed interest in Agave for its potential as a biofuel feedstock in semiarid regions. Since 2016, we have been collecting Agave accessions throughout the country and retrieving what is left of Brazil’s original breeding program to establish a new germplasm bank. Here, we evaluated 21 of those accessions growing in the field. We used molecular markers and morphophysiological traits to characterize the plants. Based on the Mayahuelin molecular marker, we were able to reconstruct a phylogeny for the Brazilian accessions. The morphophysiological traits explained 34.6% of the phenotypic variation in the dataset, with physiological traits such as leaf water content, effective quantum efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII), and specific leaf mass (SLM) as the most significant traits. Specifically, we evaluated nine Agave species and found that the physiological traits, rather than the morphological ones, were the most significant. Leaf water content was negatively correlated with specific leaf mass, which could be used as a marker for selecting cultivars with higher biomass accumulation. Interestingly, ΦPSII and chlorophyll content were negatively correlated, suggesting photochemical adaptations throughout the rosette. Molecular and phenotypic data suggest that A. amaniensis, which is frequently considered a synonym of A. sisalana, is effectively another species. Overall, this study provides valuable information on the physiological traits of Brazilian Agave accessions and is a starting point for selecting more productive and climate-resilient cultivars for biorenewables production

    New GOLD classification: Longitudinal data on group assignment

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    Rationale: Little is known about the longitudinal changes associated with using the 2013 update of the multidimensional GOLD strategy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: To determine the COPD patient distribution of the new GOLD proposal and evaluate how this classification changes over one year compared with the previous GOLD staging based on spirometry only. Methods: We analyzed data from the CHAIN study, a multicenter observational Spanish cohort of COPD patients who are monitored annually. Categories were defined according to the proposed GOLD: FEV1%, mMRC dyspnea, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), and exacerbations-hospitalizations. One-year follow-up information was available for all variables except CCQ data. Results: At baseline, 828 stable COPD patients were evaluated. On the basis of mMRC dyspnea versus CAT, the patients were distributed as follows: 38.2% vs. 27.2% in group A, 17.6% vs. 28.3% in group B, 15.8% vs. 12.9% in group C, and 28.4% vs. 31.6% in group D. Information was available for 526 patients at one year: 64.2% of patients remained in the same group but groups C and D show different degrees of variability. The annual progression by group was mainly associated with one-year changes in CAT scores (RR, 1.138; 95%CI: 1.074-1.206) and BODE index values (RR, 2.012; 95%CI: 1.487-2.722). Conclusions: In the new GOLD grading classification, the type of tool used to determine the level of symptoms can substantially alter the group assignment. A change in category after one year was associated with longitudinal changes in the CAT and BODE index
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