Fully automated countrywide monitoring of fuel break maintenance operations

PTDC/CCI-COM/30344/2017 PCIF/SSI/0102/2017 UIDB/00239/2020 UIDB/00066/2020Fuel break (FB) networks are strategic locations for fire control and suppression. In order to be effective for wildfire control, they need to be maintained through regular interventions to reduce fuel loads. In this paper, we describe a monitoring system relying on Earth observations to detect fuel reduction inside the FB network being implemented in Portugal. Two fast automated pixel-based methodologies for monthly monitoring of fuel removals in FB are developed and compared. The first method (M1) is a classical supervised classification using the difference and postdisturbance image of monthly image composites. To take into account the impact of different land cover and phenology in the detection of fuel treatments, a second method (M2) based on an innovative statistical change detection approach was developed. M2 explores time series of vegetation indices and does not require training data or user-defined thresholds. The two algorithms were applied to Sentinel-2 10 m bands and fully processed in the cloud-based platform Google Earth Engine. Overall, the unsupervised M2, which is based on a Welch t-test of two moving window averages, gives better results than the supervised M1 and is suitable for an automated countrywide fuel treatment detection. For both methods, two vegetation indices, the Modified Excess of Green and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, were compared and exhibited similar performances.publishersversionpublishe

Deviant behavior variety scale: Development and validation with a sample of portuguese adolescents

This study presents the development and analysis of the psychometric properties of the Deviant Behavior Variety Scale (DBVS). Participants were 861 Portuguese adolescents (54 % female), aged between 12 and 19 years old. Two alternative models were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Although both models showed good fit indexes, the two-factor model didn’t presented discriminant validity. Further results provided evidence for the factorial and the convergent validity of the single-factor structure of the DVBS, which has also shown good internal consistency. Criterion validity was evaluated through the association with related variables, such as age and school failure, as well as the scale’s ability to capture group differences, namely between genders and school retentions, and finally by comparing a sub-group of convicted adolescents with a group of non-convicted ones regarding their engagement in delinquent activities. Overall, the scale presented good psychometric properties, with results supporting that the DBVS is a valid and reliable self-reported measure to evaluate adolescents’ involvement in deviance.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Active regulatory T-cells contribute to broadened T-cell repertoire diversity in ivIg-treated SLE patients

Octapharma

Role of body mass and physical activity in autonomic function modulation on Post-COVID-19 condition: an observational subanalysis of Fit-COVID study

The harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken, and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in the post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p = 0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p < 0.05). Physically inactive subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in the control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in the control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by overweight/obesity and physical activity levels.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE ESTROGÊNICA EM EFLUENTE DA PECUÁRIA LEITEIRA: FASE SÓLIDA E LÍQUIDA

O efluente de dejetos em sistemas de confinamento animal pode ser responsável por um impacto ambiental, uma vez que, além desse efluente conter alta carga orgânica e nutrientes, ele pode apresentar micropoluentes como os Desreguladores Endócrinos. Essas substâncias são capazes de interagir com o sistema endócrino de seres humanos e animais, causando danos de diferentes magnitudes. Assim, este trabalho busca caracterizar as fases sólida e líquida do efluente da pecuária leiteira quanto à presença desses compostos e sua remoção no sistema de tratamento. O efluente analisado provém da fazenda experimental Embrapa Gado de Leite, localizada em Coronel Pacheco – MG, o qual foi submetido à um tratamento com biodigestor, seguido de lagoa de estabilização, sendo este recirculado para a limpeza da instalação. Foram realizadas 10 amostragens no período de Setembro de 2017 à Setembro de 2018 da fração liquida e sólida do efluente bruto e tratado. Para a quantificação da atividade estrogênica, foi utilizado o ensaio Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES). Verificou-se concentrações elevadas de estrogenicidade nos efluentes bruto e tratado, tanto da fase líquida quanto da fase sólida. Portanto, deve-se ter cautela no manejo desses efluentes necessitando de mais estudos para avaliar o potencial de contaminação do ambiente

An experience of vascular access for hemodialysis in Brazil

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud The analysis of hemodialysis services is relevant for the quality of life of patient. In this study we investigated the profile of vascular access used for hemodialysis patients in our Unit.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud We evaluated 219 patients of both genders aged over 18 years old who have undergone implant or manufacture of vascular hemodialysis access. We excluded patients on renal replacement therapy by peritoneal dialysis.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud Associated diseases were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. 161 had arteriovenous fistula, with 153 held by the same dialysis and nine of them were still maturing. 27 patients on dialysis used central venous catheter. 148 were indigenous and five were made using polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis (PTFE). Among the 27 patients with central venous catheters, ten used short-term catheter and 17 used long-term catheter. The most frequent type of fistula use was on the radio distal cephalic, in 85 patients (52.5%), followed by radio cephalic proximal in 26 patients (16%). The number of fistulas in dialysis patients conducted by this kind of therapy ranged from one to ten and in 64 patients (41.83%) fistula was the first and only to be made. Among the fistula for dialysis patients, the highest prevalence was radio cephalic fistula in 111 patients (72.5%) and mean duration of use was 48.1 months, ranging from two months to 17 years.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud Our Unit of hemodialysis is above the limits established by international norms

Role of Body Mass and Physical Activity in Autonomic Function Modulation on Post-COVID-19 Condition: An Observational Subanalysis of Fit-COVID Study

The harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken, and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in the post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p = 0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p \u3c 0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p \u3c 0.05). Physically inactive subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in the control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in the control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p \u3c 0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by overweight/obesity and physical activity levels

Broadened T-cell Repertoire Diversity in ivIg-treated SLE Patients is Also Related to the Individual Status of Regulatory T-cells

Intravenous IgG (ivIg) is a therapeutic alternative for lupus erythematosus, the mechanism of which remains to be fully understood. Here we investigated whether ivIg affects two established sub-phenotypes of SLE, namely relative oligoclonality of circulating T-cells and reduced activity of CD4 + Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) reflected by lower CD25 surface density.Octapharma research funding; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia postdoctoral fellowships: (SFRH/BPD/20806/2004, SFRH/BPD/34648/2007); FCT Programa Pessoa travel grant

OS BENEFÍCIOS DA ATIVIDADE FÍSICA PARA O TRATAMENTO DO TRANSTORNO DE ANSIEDADE GENERALIZADA E DEPRESSÃO EM PACIENTES ADULTOS: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Identificar na literatura científica as características benefícas dos impactos da atividade física para o processo de controle e tratamento do Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada em pacientes adultos. Método: revisão integrativa, cujos critérios de elegibilidade dos artigos foram: corresponder aos descritores “Transtorno de ansiedade”; “Ansiedade” e “Atividade física”, ser artigo de pesquisa; estar nos idioma português, inglês e espanhol; estar disponível eletronicamente nas bases de dados BVS (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde) e as fontes de dados Scientific Eletronic Library onLine (SciELO) e Brazilian Journal of Health Review (BJHR), ano de publicação referente ao período de 2013 a 2023. Resultados: encontraram-se 08 publicações expressivas. A análise ocorreu mediante leituras analíticas e interpretativas. Considerações finais: A importância da atividade física para o tratamento da TAB são promissoras e acenam para a utilização de exercícios físicos aeróbios como auxiliares das terapêuticas tradicionais.https://revistaft.com.br/os-beneficios-da-atividade-fisica-para-o-tratamento-do-transtorno-de-ansiedade-generalizada-e-depressao-em-pacientes-adultos-uma-revisao-integrativa