Acoustic emission applied to mode I fatigue damage monitoring of adhesively bonded joints

The use of adhesively bonded joints has increased considerably due to their lightweight, relevant strength-weight ratio and possibility to join multi-materials. Nevertheless, there are still some challenges in the application of this kind of joints in primary structures, such as guaranteeing their reliability during the components’ useful life. Structural health monitoring methods are suggested to ensure in-service safety and reliability of adhesive joints. The acoustic emission appears promising because it can detect the elastic waves produced within the material when it is under damage or straining. This research focuses on mode I fatigue damage monitoring metallic double cantilever beam adhesively bonded joints using the acoustic emission method. Digital image correlation and visual evaluation were applied during fatigue interruptions to track the crack-tip position within the adhesive and correlate them with the acoustic emission outcomes. The acoustic emission method is susceptible and different kinds of waves (background, friction and damage) can be easily assessed during the tests, producing an immense amount of data. So, unsupervised artificial neural networks for patterning recognition were proposed. Self-organising maps and k-means algorithms were used for data clustering and then classified regarding their sources. Finally, the acoustic emission results, digital image correlation and visual evaluations were compared

Characteristics of the bonding to yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramics

Orientadores: Giselle Maria Marchi Baron, Marcelo GianniniTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: Cerâmicas de zircônia tetragonal policristalina contendo ítrio (Y-TZP) apresentam propriedades mecânicas superiores as das demais cerâmicas odontológicas. No entanto, a técnica de cimentação mais adequada a estes materiais ainda não foi determinada. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) Revisar a literatura a respeito de cerâmicas Y-TZP e seu uso em odontologia; 2) Avaliar o efeito de diferentes intensidades de energia do laser de Er:YAG e do jateamento com partículas de Al2O3 na rugosidade superficial e nas características morfológicas de cerâmicas Y-TZP e 3) Investigar a influência de diferentes tratamentos de superfície e primers para metal na resistência de união de dois cimentos resinosos a cerâmica Y-TZP. A análise da rugosidade superficial e das características morfológicas foi realizada em duas cerâmicas Y-TZP: Cercon Smart Ceramics e Procera Zirconia. Trinta placas de cada cerâmica foram separadas em cinco grupos experimentais de acordo com o tratamento de superfície recebido [nenhum tratamento (Controle), jateamento com partículas de Al2O3 ou irradiação com laser de Er:YAG em diferentes intensidades de energia (200mJ, 400mJ ou 600mJ)]. Após o respectivo tratamento superficial, as placas foram cobertas com ouro e a rugosidade superficial média (Ra, mm) foi mensurada em microscopia confocal. Características morfológicas das superfícies foramobservadas em microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. Os resultados demonstraram que a irradiação com laser nas intensidades de 400mJ e 600mJ promoveu aumento acentuado da rugosidade superficial, além da formação de fendas, perda de massa e alteração de cor. A irradiação com 200mJ de intensidade e o jateamento com partículas de Al2O3 resultaram em alterações superficiais menos agressivas que as altas intensidades do laser. Para a análise da resistência de união, 240 placas de cerâmica (Cercon SmartCeramics) e 240 fragmentos de dentina com extremidade recortada em formato cilíndrico (0,8mm de diâmetro) foram distribuídos em 24 grupos (n=10) de acordo com a combinação entre tratamento de superfície (nenhum, jateamento com partículas de Al2O3 ou irradiação com laser de Er:YAG utilizando 200mJ como intensidade de energia), primer para metal (nenhum, Alloy Primer, Metal Primer II ou Metaltite) e cimento resinoso (Panavia F2.0 ou Calibra). Fragmentos de dentina foram cimentados nas placas de cerâmica, os corpos- eprova foram fixados ao aparato de microcisalhamento e o ensaio foi realizado com velocidade de 1mm/min até a fratura. O jateamento com partículas de Al2O3 resultou em maior resistência de união para ambos os cimentos resinosos. Comparado ao Panavia F2.0, o cimento Calibra apresentou maior resistência de união nos grupos jateados e irradiados. Os dois cimentos demonstraram comportamento semelhante nos grupos sem tratamento de superfície. Os três primers para metal apresentaram resultados semelhantes entre si, independentemente do tratamento da superfície e do cimento resinoso, e a resistência de união da interface cerâmica-dente aumentou com a sua utilização. Pode-se concluir que, apesar da irradiação com 200mJ de intensidade promover alterações superficiais na cerâmica Y-TZP, apenas associação do jateamento com partículas de Al2O3 com a aplicação de primers para metal constitui numa técnica efetiva para união de cimentos resinosos a estas cerâmicasAbstract: Yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramics present superior mechanical properties compared to other dental ceramics. However, the most adequate luting technique for these materials is unknown. The aims of this study were: 1) To review the literature regarding Y-TZP ceramics and their dental application; 2) To evaluate the effect of different energy intensities of the Er:YAG laser and of air abrasion with Al2O3 particles on the surface roughness and morphologic characteristics of Y-TZP ceramics, and 2) To investigate the influence of different surface treatments and metal primers on the bond strength of two resin cements to a Y-TZP ceramic. The surface roughness and morphologic features were tested in two Y-TZP ceramics: Cercon Smart Ceramics and Procera Zirconia. Thirty plates from each ceramic material were allocated into five groups according to the surface treatment received [none (control), air abrasion with Al2O3 particles or irradiation with Er:YAG laser with three different energy intensities (200mJ, 400mJ or 600mJ)]. After the respective surface treatment, ceramic plates were gold-coated and their mean surface roughness (Ra, mm) was measured using confocal microscopy. Morphological characteristics were examined through optical and scanning electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that irradiation with 400mJ or 600mJ increased surface roughness and created cracks, loss of mass and colour changes on ceramic surfaces. Irradiation with 200mJ and air abrasion with Al2O3 particles provide surface alterations less aggressive than the ones caused by higher intensities of the laser. For the bond strength evaluation, 240 plates of ceramic (Cercon Smart Ceramics) and 240 fragments of dentin trimmed into a cylindrical shape (0.8mm diameter) were assigned into 24 groups (n=10) according to the combination of surface treatment (none, air abrasion with Al2O3 particles, or Er:YAG laser irradiation with 200mJ of energy intensity), metal primer (None, Alloy Primer, Metal Primer II or Metaltite), and resin cement (Panavia F2.0 or Calibra). Fragments of dentin were luted to ceramic surfaces, specimens were fixed in th abrasion with Al2O3 particles resulted in increased bond strength for both resin cements. Air abraded and laser irradiated specimens presented higher bond strength with Calibra resin cement than with Panavia F2.0. Both resin cements presented similar behavior on untreated surfaces. The three metal conditioners presented similar results regardless of the surface treatment and resin cement, significantly increasing the bond strength. It could be concluded that, although irradiation with 200mJ of energy intensity promotes superficial alterations on the Y-TZP ceramic, only the association of air abrasion with Al2O3 particles and metal primers application constitutes an effective technique for bonding resin cements to Y-TZP ceramicsDoutoradoDentísticaDoutor em Clínica Odontológic

Conselhos municipais de educação do Alto Tietê: constituição e funcionamento

This dissertation aimed to map the constitution of the Municipal Education Councils (CME) of the Alto Tietê region. A balance of the normative and organizational production of the Collegiate of this region was produced; From the documentary base accessible for 2017-2018, the Suzano City Council was selected and presented the volume of data that best evidenced the performance of its functions, thus allowing a more in-depth study on the participation of civil society in the formulation. of educational policies in this municipality. The constitution of the MEC in most Brazilian municipalities is due to the decentralization policies produced by the State reform, especially since 1990. As a theoretical reference was used the writings of Dropa (2004) and Adrião (2006); to contextualize the course of the Municipal Education Councils, Bordignon (2009), Lagares (2008) and Cury (2000). Fundamental documents for the understanding of educational policy also make up the sources of this research, such as: LDBEN 9394/96, CF 1988, CNE Opinion No. 30/2000 - CEB, among others. The work was developed in four (4) chapters; The first is the State Reform framework as an induction policy for decentralization and creation of Municipal Education Systems; The second chapter covers the democratic management through the bias of the Municipal Education Councils and the particularities of the constitution of the CME of each municipality of the Alto Tietê Region; The third chapter presents, based on the mapping analysis, the municipality with the largest volume of data available for further research; and finally, the fourth chapter shows an initial outline of the handling of the Suzano Municipality CME documents between 2017 and 2018. These data were analyzed in order to answer the following question: What can be verified regarding the participation of society? in the formulation of educational policies for the municipality of Suzano? Therefore, it is understood that the participation of civil society is essential to establish greater assertiveness regarding local educational policies, thus, analyzing how participation is effective in the WEC is essential for the improvement of educational quality and is therefore, the main focus of this dissertation.A presente dissertação teve por objetivo mapear a constituição dos Conselhos Municipais de Educação (CME) da região do Alto Tietê. Produziu-se um balanço da produção normativa e organizacional dos Colegiados dessa região; a partir da base documental acessível para o período de 2017-2018, o Conselho Municipal de Suzano foi selecionado e apresentou o volume de dados que melhor evidenciou a realização de suas funções, permitindo assim o estudo mais aprofundado sobre a participação da sociedade civil na formulação de políticas educacionais nesse município. A constituição de CME na maioria dos municípios brasileiros é decorrente das políticas de descentralização produzidas pela reforma do Estado especialmente a partir de 1990. Como referencial teórico foi utilizado os escritos de Dropa (2004) e Adrião (2006); para contextualizar o percurso dos Conselhos Municipais de Educação, Bordignon (2009), Lagares (2008) e Cury (2000). Documentos fundamentais para a compreensão da política educacional também compõem as fontes desta pesquisa, tais como: LDBEN 9394/96, CF 1988, o Parecer CNE Nº 30/2000 – CEB, entre outros. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em quatro (4) capítulos; o primeiro trata-se do marco da Reforma do Estado como política de indução para a descentralização e criação dos Sistemas Municipais de Ensino; o segundo capítulo abrange a gestão democrática pelo viés dos Conselhos Municipais de Educação e as particularidades da constituição dos CME de cada município da Região do Alto Tietê; o terceiro capítulo apresenta, com base na análise do mapeamento, o município com maior volume de dados disponíveis para aprofundamento da pesquisa; e por fim o quarto capítulo evidencia um esboço inicial do tratamento dos documentos do CME do Município de Suzano entre os anos de 2017 e 2018. Tais dados foram analisados a fim de responder ao seguinte questionamento: O que se pode verificar quanto à participação da sociedade civil na formulação das políticas educacionais para o município de Suzano? Para tanto, entende-se que a participação da sociedade civil é primordial para que se estabeleça maior assertividade quanto às políticas educacionais locais, assim, analisar como a participação se efetiva no CME faz-se imprescindível para a melhoria da qualidade educacional e foi, portanto, o foco principal desta dissertação.Dados abertos - Sucupira - Teses e dissertações (2019

Desenvolvimento de metodologias para implementação de sistemas de gestão da qualidade no serviço de patologia clínica do Hospital Conde de Bertiandos

Trabalho de projeto em Gestão das Organizações: Ramo de Gestão de Unidades de Saúde (parceria com a APNOR) apresentada na Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico de Viana do CasteloA dependência do Hospital Conde de Bertiandos (HCB) ao Hospital Santa Luzia na realização de análises clínicas foi vista como uma barreira, dado que não permite assegurar a conformidade das amostras, gerando variabilidade dos resultados analíticos e aumentando os custos de não qualidade. A investigação constituiu um estudo de caso com o apoio da metodologia PDCA, que após diagnóstico inicial, foi direcionado para o processo de realização das amostras biológicas que continham os parâmetros identificados com qualidade inferior à desejável provenientes de todas as origens do HCB e enviadas para Laboratório de Viana do Castelo (SPC-VC) no período de março - junho de 2011. O objetivo era a melhoria dos processos de modo a garantir a melhor prática, maximização da qualidade e minimização dos custos. A implementação do novo modelo permitiu reduzir o recurso ao SPC-VC para a realização de 6800 análises/mês, estando dependente deste laboratório em apenas 8,5% das análises. Com a extensão do perfil bioquímico, assistiu-se a uma diminuição em 82% das amostras fora do tempo regulado, eliminação do retrabalho efetivo e desperdício. Com a aplicação do novo modelo constatou-se uma redução de 2h09min no tempo médio de preparação e 1h53min no tempo médio de resposta global. No processamento de hemoculturas, eliminaram-se as amostras fora do tempo regulado, verificando-se uma redução de 21h22min no tempo médio de preparação e uma redução do tempo de resposta global. O projeto solucionou o problema da variabilidade analítica associada ao tempo de preparação e às condições de acondicionamento e transporte. A diminuição do recurso ao SPC-VC permitiu reduzir tempo de preparação, diminuindo o tempo de resposta global e contribuindo para o diagnóstico atempado. O modelo desenvolvido foi adotado pelo SPC-PL e o desenvolvimento das metodologias adequadas permitiu preparar o SPC-PL para a obtenção da extensão da Certificação ISO 9001:2008 em novembro de 2011.The dependence of the Hospital Conde Bertiandos (HCB) on Hospital Santa Luzia in clinical analysis was seen as a barrier, as it does not ensure compliance of the samples, generating variability of analytical results and increasing the costs of non-quality. The investigation consisted of a case study with the support of the PDCA methodology, which after initial diagnosis, was directed to the process of realization of biological samples containing the parameters identified with less than desirable quality from all sources of HCB and sent to Laboratory of Viana do Castelo (SPC-VC) in the period March - June 2011. The goal was to improve processes to ensure best practice, maximizing quality and minimizing costs. The implementation of the new model reduced the use of SPC-VC in performing 6800 analysis / month, being dependent on laboratory analyzes of only 8.5%. With the extension of biochemical profile, there was a decrease by 82% of the samples out of the set time, effective elimination of rework and wasted. The application of the new model showed a reduction in average time of 2h09min and 1h53min preparation in average response time overall.In the processing of blood cultures, the samples were removed off time set, by checking a reduction in median time from 21h22min preparation and a reduced overall response time. The project solved the problem of analytical variability associated with the preparation time and the conditions of handling and transport. The decrease in the use of SPC-VC has reduced preparation time, reducing the overall response time and contributing to the timely diagnosis. The developed model was adopted by the SPC-PL and the development of appropriate methodologies prepared the SPC-PL for obtaining the extension of ISO 9001:2008 certification in November 2011

Comparação entre os valores de referência para CVF, VEF1 e relação VEF1/CVF em brasileiros caucasianos adultos e aqueles sugeridos pela Global Lung Function Initiative 2012

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the spirometry values predicted by the 2012 Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) equations, which are recommended for international use, in comparison with those obtained for a sample of White adults used for the establishment of reference equations for spirometry in Brazil.METHODS:The sample comprised 270 and 373 healthy males and females, respectively. The mean differences between the values found in this sample and the predicted values calculated from the GLI equations for FVC, FEV1, and VEF1/FVC, as well as their lower limits, were compared by paired t-test. The predicted values by each pair of equations were compared in various combinations of age and height.RESULTS:For the males in our study sample, the values obtained for all of the variables studied were significantly higher than those predicted by the GLI equations (p < 0.01 for all). These differences become more evident in subjects who were shorter in stature and older. For the females in our study sample, only the lower limit of the FEV1/FVC ratio was significantly higher than that predicted by the GLI equation.CONCLUSIONS:The predicted values suggested by the GLI equations for White adults were significantly lower than those used as reference values for males in Brazil. For both genders, the lower limit of the FEV1/FVC ratio is significantly lower than that predicted by the GLI equations.OBJETIVO:Comparar os valores espirométricos previstos pelas equações da Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) em 2012, sugeridas como de uso internacional, com aqueles obtidos em uma amostra utilizada para derivação de valores de referência em adultos caucasianos brasileiros.MÉTODOS:A amostra utilizada era composta por 270 homens e 373 mulheres saudáveis. As médias das diferenças entre os valores dessa amostra e os valores previstos calculados a partir das equações da GLI para CVF, VEF1 e VEF1/CVF, assim como seus limites inferiores, foram comparados por teste de t pareado. Os valores previstos pelos pares das equações foram comparados em diversas combinações de idade e estatura.RESULTADOS:Nos homens da amostra, os valores obtidos para todas as variáveis estudadas foram significativamente maiores que aqueles previstos pelas equações da GLI (p < 0,01 para todas). Estas diferenças se tornaram mais evidentes em indivíduos com menor estatura e idade mais avançada. Nas mulheres, somente o limite inferior da relação VEF1/CVF foi significativamente maior na amostra brasileira.CONCLUSÕES:Os valores previstos sugeridos pelas equações da GLI para caucasianos são significativamente menores daqueles utilizados como referência para homens brasileiros. Em ambos os sexos, o limite inferior da relação VEF1/CVF é significativamente menor que o previsto pelas equações GLIFederal University of São PauloFederal University of Campina GrandeCentro Diagnóstico BrasilUNIFESPSciEL

Purification of a fragment obtained by autolysis of a PIIIb-SVMP from Bothrops alternatus venom

Snake Venom Metalloproteinases (SVMPs) represent 43.1% of the components in Bothrops alternatus venom and play an important role in envenomation. Disintegrins and disintegrin-like domains are released by proteolytic processing of PII and PIII classes of SVMPs respectively and are potent inhibitors of integrin–ligand interaction. Baltergin is a PIIIb-SVMP isolated from this venom and able to undergo autolysis in vitro, giving rise to a stable disintegrin-like/cystein-rich fragment (baltergin-DC). Conditions of baltergin autolysis were adjusted in order to carry out the purification of baltergin-DC and its effect on cell adhesion was studied. Autolysis was maximal at 37 °C and a pH range of 7.0–8.0. Baltergin-DC amino-terminal sequence begins with IISPPVCGNELLEVGEECDCGTPENCQNECCDAATC, which shows a high degree of homology with other disintegrin-like proteins. Baltergin and purified baltergin-DC were both able to inhibit C2C12 adhesion to fetal bovine serum (FBS) coated plates, indicating that a non-catalytic process is involved, probably mediated by binding to membrane integrins. Baltergin-DC, lacking proteolytic action, becomes an attractive molecule for future studies on blocking integrin–ligand interactions.Fil: Van de Velde, Andrea Carolina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Bioquímica. Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Gay, Claudia Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Bioquímica. Laboratorio de Investigación en Proteínas; ArgentinaFil: Olivera Moritz, Milene Nobrega de. Universidade Federal de São Carlos; BrasilFil: dos Santos, Patty Karina. Universidade Federal de São Carlos; BrasilFil: Bustillo, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Ofelia Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Biscoglio, Mirtha Josefa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Sobreiro Selistre de Araujo, Heloisa. Universidade Federal de São Carlos; BrasilFil: Leiva, Laura Cristina Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura. Instituto de Química Básica y Aplicada del Nordeste Argentino; Argentin

Environmental pH influences Candida albicans biofilms regarding its structure, virulence and susceptibility to fluconazole

Candida albicans colonizes sites with different environmental pH. However, it is unclear how these conditions can interfere on biofilms. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental pH on behavior of C. albicans regarding its structure, virulence and susceptibility to fluconazole (FLZ). Minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal fungicidal concentration and time kill were used to evaluate the susceptibility to FLZ in planktonic cells under three pH values (4.0, 5.5, 7.0). These pH values were used for biofilms analysis. C. albicans ATCC 90028 was developed on poly(-methlymethacrylate) resin for 48 h. Then, 2.56 mu g/mL of FLZ was added to experimental groups for 24 h, and biofilms were analyzed by cell quantification, bioactivity, secretion of proteinases and phospholipases and structure. All data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). For planktonic cells, changes in environmental pH decreased the susceptibility to FLZ. C. albicans biofilms developed at pH 5.5 showed higher cell counts, bioactivity, bio-volume, average thickness and roughness coefficient (p 0.05), but increased secretion of proteinase and phospholipase (p < 0.05). Within the conditions studied, it was shown that environmental pH modulates the structure, virulence and susceptibility of C albicans to FLZ69-703944CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ132399/2012-1; 2006-7/30814

Insights into the Effect of Lithium Doping on the Deep Eutectic Solvent Choline Chloride: Urea

Choline-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are potential candidates to replace flammable organic solvent electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The effect of the addition of a lithium salt on the structure and dynamics of the material needs to be clarified before it enters the battery. Here, the archetypical DES choline chloride:urea at 1:2 mole fraction has been added with lithium chloride at two different concentrations and the effect of the additional cation has been evaluated with respect to the non-doped system via multinuclear NMR techniques. 1H and 7Li spin-lattice relaxation times and diffusion coefficients have been measured between 298 K and 373 K and revealed a decrease in both rotational and translational mobility of the species after LiCl doping at a given temperature. Temperature dependent 35Cl linewidths reflect the viscosity increase upon LiCl addition, yet keep track of the lithium complexation. Quantitative indicators such as correlation times and activation energies give indirect insights into the intermolecular interactions of the mixtures, while lithium single-jump distance and transference number shed light into the lithium transport, being then of help in the design of future DES electrolytes

The Impact of Shift Work on Brazilian Train Drivers with Different Chronotypes: A Comparative Analysis through Objective and Subjective Criteria

Objective: the aim of this study was to compare sleep pattern, tiredness sensation and quality of life between different chronotypes in train drivers from a Brazilian transportation company. Subjects and Methods: Ninety-one train drivers, working a rotary work schedule including night shift, were divided into three groups according to their chronotype (morning types, intermediate or evening types) and were assessed for their sleep and quality of life, as characterized by a subjective questionnaire and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), applied before and immediately after the night shift. the pattern of activity and rest was measured for 10 days by actigraphy, and the chronotype was determined through the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Results: Forty-one (45.1%) individuals were classified as morning type, 44 (48.4%) were classified as intermediate and 6 (6.6%) as evening type. the evening types had a tendency to remain awake for a longer period of time before the night shift (p = 0.05) and scored worse overall for quality of life compared to morning types (p = 0.11). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding variability in the PVT performance, even when covaried by the period of waking time before the test. There was no significant difference either in feelings of fatigue before and after starting the shift. Conclusion: Although the evening type number was small, evening type individuals scored worse relative to sleep and quality of life than morning type individuals. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, BaselFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Centro Multidisciplinar em Sonolencia e Acidentes (CEMSA)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Centro de Estudo em Psicobiologia e Exercicio (CEPE)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, CEMSA, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Fac Ciencias Aplicadas, Limeira, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, CEMSA, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 98/14303-3Web of Scienc

Verbal fluency in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and major depression

OBJECTIVE: To compare verbal fluency among Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and major depression and to assess the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with the disease severity. METHODS: Patients from an outpatient university center with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or major depression were studied. Severity was staged using the Hoehn & Yahr scale, the Hamilton Depression scale and the Clinical Dementia Rating for Parkinson's disease, major depression, and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. All subjects were tested with the Mini-Mental State Examination, the digit span test, and the verbal fluency test (animals). We fit four types of regression models for the count variable: Poisson model, negative binomial model, zero-inflated Poisson model, and zero-inflated negative binomial model. RESULTS: The mean digit span and verbal fluency scores were lower in patients with Alzheimer's disease (n = 34) than in patients with major depression (n = 52) or Parkinson's disease (n = 17) (p<0.001). The average number of words listed was much lower for Alzheimer's disease patients (7.2 words) compared to the patients presenting with major depression (14.6 words) or Parkinson's disease (15.7 words) (KW test = 32.4; p<0.01). Major depression and Parkinson's disease groups listed 44% (ROM = 1.44) and 48% (ROM = 1.48) more words, respectively, compared to those patients with Alzheimer's disease; these results were independent of age, education, disease severity and attention. Independently of diagnosis, age, and education, severe disease showed a 26% (ROM = 0.74) reduction in the number of words listed when compared to mild cases. CONCLUSIONS: Verbal fluency provides a better characterization of Alzheimer's disease, major depression, and Parkinson's disease, even at later stages