Dimensionamento ótimo do sistema de irrigação e barragens da bacia do rio Acaraú-Ceará

Um correto dimensionamento de um sistema de recursos hídricos, procurando-se otimizar o retorno econômico dos projetos que dele fazem parte, é um aspecto fundamental do planejamento do uso da água em uma bacia hidrográfica. É de interesse para a sociedade uma otimização dos recursos financeiros a serem alocados para uma região. Neste trabalho estuda-se a otimização do dimensionamento de um sistema composto de 7 barragens e 7 sub-projetos de irrigação na bacia do rio Acaraú, no Estado do Ceará. Utiliza-se, para isso, uma formulação matemática que é resolvida por programação linear mista com inteiros, com uma função objetivo de maximização dos benefícios líquidos presentes do sistema, sujeita a restrições de balanço hídrico e de compatibilização entre os projetos. Em seguida é feita uma "sintonia fina" dos resultados por simulação, demonstrando-se a viabilidade do dimensionamento. Comparando-se os resultados obtidos com a solução adotada por estudo recente sobre a bacia, que utiliza abordagens tradicionais, conclui-se ser de fundamental importância a otimização do dimensionamento de um sistema de recursos hídricos, quando obtêm-se um retorno econômico bastante superior

Long-term amphetamine treatment exacerbates inflammatory lung reaction while decreases airway hyper-responsiveness after allergic stimulus in rats

Asthma is an allergic lung disease can be modulated by drugs that modify the activity of central nervous system (CNS) such as amphetamine (AMPH). AMPH is a highly abused drug that exerts potent effects on behavior and immunity. In this study we investigated the mechanism involved in the effects of long-term AMPH treatment on the increased magnitude of allergic lung response. We evaluated mast cells degranulation, cytokines release, airways responsiveness and, expression of adhesion molecules. Male Wistar rats were treated with AMPH or vehicle (PBS) for 21 days and sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) one week after the first injection of vehicle or AMPH. Fourteen days after the sensitization, the rats were challenged with an OVA aerosol, and 24 h later their parameters were analyzed. In allergic rats, the treatment with AMPH exacerbated the lung cell recruitment due increased expression of ICAM-1, PECAM-1 and Mac-1 in granulocytes and macrophages recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage. Elevated levels of IL-4, but decreased levels of IL-10 were also found in samples of lung explants after AMPH treatment. Conversely, the ex-vivo tracheal hyper-responsiveness to methacholine (MCh) was reduced by AMPH treatment, whereas the force contraction of tracheal segments due to in vitro antigen challenge remained unaltered. Our findings suggest that lung inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness due to OVA challenge are under the distinct control of AMPH during long-term treatment. Our data strongly indicate that AMPH positively modulates allergic lung inflammation via the increase of ICAM-1, PECAM-1, Mac-1 and IL-4. AMPH also abrogates the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2007/55631-4, 2009/51886-3, 2009/07208-0, 2008/50766-1]CNPq [300764/2010-3]CAPES [02610/09-4

Hanseníase em menores de 15 anos de idade e cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família, Belém, estado do Pará/ Leprosy in children under 15 years of age and coverage of the Family Health Strategy, Belém, Pará state

Objetivo: Analisar a distribuição da hanseníase em menores de 15 anos, no município de Belém, estado do Pará, no período de 2005 a 2014 e correlacionar com a cobertura da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) do município. Metodologia: Pesquisa quantitativa com desenho de estudo descritivo, transversal, realizado no município de Belém, estado do Pará. A população estudada foi constituída pelos casos de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos de idade, residentes no município de Belém, investigados e notificados pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, no Sistema de Informação e de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Resultados: A maior ocorrência foi no sexo masculino (54,57%) e na cor parda (67,47%). A faixa etária mais acometida foi a de 10 a 14 anos. Houve predomínio das formas tuberculoide e dimorfa. A taxa de detecção apresentou tendência de queda, porém, apesar dessa queda, a detecção encontrada ainda é considerada muito alta pelos parâmetros utilizados pelo Ministério da Saúde. Foram três o número de bairros classificados como hiperendêmicos, sendo um deles com cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) entre 25,18% a 45,91%. Conclusão: A situação identificada proporciona visibilidade das áreas geográficas de maior vulnerabilidade, quer por apresentarem elevadas taxas de detecção, quer por não apresentarem cobertura de ESF adequada, direcionando o planejamento de forma mais assertiva, com implementação de estratégias direcionadas à população com maior risco para o adoecimento

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Blended-Learning Approach in CAAD: Past Experience and Literature Review for RD&T Project Module on Architecture Representation and Communication Focused in Teaching Architecture and Art

This paper is the result of a research project that began in 2007 - 2008 in the Faculty of Architecture of Porto University (FAUP), which had as aim to adopt a blended learning approach integrating the Centre for Spatial Communication and Representation (CCRE) (http://web.ccre.arq.up.pt) for teaching CAAD to students of Architecture Graduation course in the the 3rd year. The objective is first to evaluate critically how the use of the collaborative platform CCRE worked as a catalyst for engaging the students with their own learning process and for approaching the students and teachers.Second, to understand how this technology has helped to create a new teacher/student interaction, making communication much easier and giving to the students a more active role in the learning process. The paper begins with a short introduction of the program and pedagogical strategy in CAAD and then describes the strategy and model applied in the case study for teaching, referring also the type of digital material and learning tools that were used. Finally, the most significant results for each case study are discussed and a set of conclusions will be drawn in the light of last case study.The results, besides other things, highlight how the learning process that rises from the creative use of an open collaborative platform as CCRE and facebook with a blended learning approach strengthens the teacher's capacity to work as a team and helps to open the university to its city and people

Different Cryotherapy Modalities Demonstrate Similar Effects on Muscle Performance, Soreness, and Damage in Healthy Individuals and Athletes: A Systematic Review with Metanalysis

Background: There are extensive studies focusing on non-invasive modalities to recover physiological systems after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) and Partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) have been recommended for recovery after EIMD. However, to date, no systematic reviews have been performed to compare their effects on muscle performance and muscle recovery markers. Methods: This systematic review with metanalysis compared the effects of WBC and PBC on muscle performance, muscle soreness (DOMS), and markers of muscular damage following EIMD. We used Pubmed, Embase, PEDro, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as data sources. Two independent reviewers verified the methodological quality of the studies. The studies were selected if they used WBC and PBC modalities as treatment and included muscle performance and muscle soreness (DOMS) as the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were creatine kinase and heart rate variability. Results: Six studies with a pooled sample of 120 patients were included. The methodological quality of the studies was moderate, with an average of 4.3 on a 0–10 scale (PEDro). Results: Both cryotherapy modalities induce similar effects without difference between them. Conclusion: WBC and PBC modalities have similar global responses on muscle performance, soreness, and markers of muscle damage

Ion levels in the gastrointestinal tract content of freshwater and marine-estuarine teleosts

This study investigated the relationship between ion levels (Na+, Cl−, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) in the fluid phase and total chyme of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract segments of freshwater and marine–estuarine teleosts collected in different salinities (0–34 ppt) in estuarine and freshwater portions of the São Gonçalo channel, southern Brazil. In addition, the relative contribution of feeding and osmoregulation to the ionic content of each portion of the gastrointestinal tract of fishes collected in different ambient salinities was analyzed. There was no relationship between salinity and ion levels in the fluid phase and total chyme of the segments of the gastrointestinal tract when considering all species together. However, there was a significant positive relationship between salinity and ion levels in the fluid phase and total chyme of two fish species (Micropogonias furnieri and Genidens barbus) collected in three or more different salinities. In most species, ion levels in the fluid phase and total chyme changed throughout the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting absorption, but the ionoregulatory mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract seem to vary according to species

Substratos e adubação nitrogenada na produção de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo

The production of yellow passion fruit tree seedlings of high genetic, phytosanitary quality, well nourished and early is very important, both for taking on and for survival in the field. The fast multiplication depends on a few preponderant factors linked specifically to substrates and complementation with fertilizations. To minimize these problems and offer alternatives in the seed propagation of the yellow passion fruit tree, the present experiment was proposed aiming at seedling production in two different substrates with nitrogen topdressing in the form of urea. This work was conducted in the screening of the seedling nursey of the Universidade Federal de Lavras, MG. Five doses of nitrogen (0; 400; 1600; and 3200 mg N dm³ of substrate) and two compositions of substrates: A (Provaso® + sand + subsoil at the ration of 1:1:3 in volume) and B (Plantmax® + sand + subsoil at the ratio of 1:1:3 in volume) were tested. The experimental design utilized was a randomized block with four replicates com treatments disposed in 5 x 2 factorial scheme, and five plants per plot. Past 120 days after sowing, the following characteristics were evaluated: length of the shoot (cm); number of leaves/plant, dry matter of the shoot, of the root and total (g plant-1). The use of nitrogen fertilization in coverage at rates of up to 2000 mg N dm-3 substrate allowed the formation of yellow passion fruit of better quality. The mixtures, A (Provaso® + sand + subsoil) and B (Plantmax® + sand + subsoil) provided similar results however the mixture B stood out for some traits evaluated, providing the best development for yellow passion fruit seedlings.A produção de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo de boa qualidade genética e fitossanitária, bem nutridas e precoces é de suma importância, tanto para pegamento como para sobrevivência no campo. A multiplicação rápida depende de alguns fatores preponderantes, ligados especificamente aos substratos e complementações com adubações. Para tentar minimizar esses problemas e oferecer alternativas na propagação por sementes do maracujazeiro amarelo foi proposto o presente experimento visando à produção de mudas em dois diferentes substratos com adubações nitrogenadas, na forma de uréia, em cobertura. O trabalho foi conduzido no telado do viveiro de formação de mudas da Universidade Federal de Lavras, MG. Foram testadas cinco doses de nitrogênio (0; 400; 800; 1600 e 3200 mg N dm-3 de substrato) e duas composições de substratos: A (Provaso® + areia + terra de subsolo, na proporção de 1:1:3 em volume) e B (Plantmax® + areia + terra de subsolo, na proporção de 1:1:3 em volume ). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, com 4 repetições e cinco plantas por parcela. Decorridos 120 dias após a semeadura foram avaliados o comprimento da parte aérea (cm); número de folhas por planta, massa seca da parte aérea, da raiz e total (g planta-1). A utilização de adubações nitrogenadas em cobertura em doses de até 2000 mg N dm-3 de substrato permitiram a formação de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo de melhor qualidade. As misturas A (Provaso® + areia + terra de subsolo) e B (Plantmax® + areia + solo) proporcionaram resultados semelhantes, entretanto a mistura B se destacou para algumas características avaliadas, proporcionando melhor desenvolvimento às mudas do maracujazeiro amarelo