RESUMO Introdução As doenças do foro cardiovascular são a principal causa de morte em Portugal e os Scores de Risco Cardiovascular são muito úteis na prevenção primária destas patologias. A prevenção do desenvolvimento e/ou progressão de patologias com elevada morbilidade e mortalidade para os trabalhadores pode estar incluída nas atividades desenvolvidas pela Saúde Ocupacional, no sentido de preservar a saúde e bem-estar dos trabalhadores. Objetivos O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o Risco Cardiovascular dos trabalhadores de um Centro Hospitalar no intervalo de tempo entre 2011 e 2021. Metodologia O Risco Cardiovascular foi avaliado através do SCORE-2. Foram selecionados os trabalhadores que mantiveram funções laborais no Centro Hospitalar durante todo o período em análise. Os critérios de exclusão do SCORE-2 incluem patologia cardiovascular prévia, Diabetes mellitus, idade inferior a 40 anos ou superior a 69 anos. O SCORE-2 usa informações de pressão arterial, perfil lipídico, sexo, idade e hábitos alcoólicos. Resultados Selecionaram-se 345 trabalhadores. O valor mediano do risco cardiovascular dos trabalhadores em 2021 (Mediana=2,215%; IQR - InterQuartile Range/Amplitude Interquartil=3,0%) foi significativamente superior ao de 2011 (M=1,273%; IQR=1,8%). O risco cardiovascular em 2021 dos trabalhadores do Departamento de Gestão (M=3.173%; IQR=4.6%) foi superior ao dos trabalhadores do Departamento Médico (M=1.958%; IQR=1.9%). Não se encontraram diferenças significativas do risco cardiovascular dos trabalhadores segundo o seu grupo profissional, em 2011 [X2(7)=7,580; p>0,05] e em 2021 [X2(7)=7,427; p>0,05]. Não se encontraram diferenças significativas do risco cardiovascular dos trabalhadores segundo as suas habilitações literárias, em 2011 [X2(5)=3,412; p>0,05] e em 2021 [X2(5)=2,895; p>0,05]. Conclusões O conhecimento das características da população trabalhadora permite o desenvolvimento de planos personalizados, tendo em conta estilos de vida saudáveis, a fim de diminuir o Risco Cardiovascular destes trabalhadores. Com estes planos orientados para a diminuição do Risco Cardiovascular global da população de trabalhadores e das suas consequências na sua saúde, prevê-se uma redução do absentismo por doença, uma melhoria da qualidade de vida dos trabalhadores, um incremento na sua produtividade e consequente melhoria dos serviços prestados pela entidade empregadora.

ABSTRACT Introduction The cardiovascular diseases are the main death cause in Portugal and Cardiovascular Risk Scores are very useful to the primary prevention of these diseases. Prevention of the development and progression of diseases with high morbidity and mortality to the workers can be work out by Occupational Health, in the sense of preserving workers’ health and wellbeing. Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the Cardiovascular Risk of the workers of a Hospital Centre in the interval between 2011 till 2021. Methods The Cardiovascular Risk was evaluated by using SCORE-2. Workers were selected only if they worked through the entirety of this interval in this Hospital Centre. The SCORE-2’s exclusion criteria include previous cardiovascular disease, Diabetes mellitus, age lower than 40 years or higher than 69 years. SCORE-2 uses data from blood pressure, lipid panel, sex, age and tobacco use. Results There were selected 345 workers. The median cardiovascular risk of the workers in 2021 (Median=2,215%; InterQuartile Range=3,0%) was significatively higher than the cardiovascular risk of 2011 (M=1,273%; IQR=1,8%). The cardiovascular risk in 2021 of the workers from Administrative Department (M=3.173%; IQR=4.6%) was significatively higher than workers from Medical Department (M=1.958%; IQR=1.9%). There were no significant differences found of the workers’ cardiovascular risk among the professional group in 2011 [X2(7)=7,580; p>0,05] and in 2021 [X2(7)=7,427; p>0,05]. There were no significant differences found of the workers’ cardiovascular risk among the educational background in 2011 [X2(5)=3,412; p>0,05] and in 2021 [X2(5)=2,895; p>0,05]. Conclusions Knowledge about the working population characteristics allows the development of personalized planning regarding healthy lifestyles, to reduce the Cardiovascular Risk of these workers. With these plans designed to reduce the global Cardiovascular Risk of the working population and its consequences on their health, is predicted a reduction in sickness absenteeism, an improvement in the workers’ quality of life, better performance and consequently better services provided by the employer.

Abstract Nanostructured crystalline composite (activated carbon) was synthesized from residual ashes of the burning process of the sludge generated in the flotation step of a poultry slaughterhouse and was used for Allura red dye adsorption. The ashes were chemically activated using two types of reagents, H2O2 and H3PO4, and the structure, morphology, and surface of the adsorbents were characterized by different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method and Barret-Joyner-Hallenda (BJH) method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (MID/FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the point of zero charge (PZC). The adsorbent synthesized with H3PO4 at 400 ºC displayed the best performance in removing dye molecules in 10 mg.L-1 solution, with a removal rate of approximately 100% when using a concentration of 2 g.L-1 in particle size of 0.42 mm. Besides that, the adsorbent synthesized with H3PO4 had a particle diameter of approximately 15 Å, a size corresponding to the nanometer range, presented a crystallinity structure with well-defined phases such as quartz and the major elements in the composition were carbon and silicon. The surface area of the ashes enlarged from 14.71 to 448.1 m2.g-1 when H3PO4 was used as an activator, producing a high-quality adsorbent, with an excellent cost-benefit, being it possible to be produced for a price of 9.35 USD.kg-1, a price lower than the commercial activated carbon, making it a promising candidate for application in an industrial environment.

Resumo Nesse sentido objetivou-se avaliar os níveis de intoxicação por agrotóxicos em agricultores rurais de São Sebastião e Pé Leve - AL, utilizando as enzimas acetilcolinesterase Eritrocitária e Plasmática, como indicador biológico de intoxicação. Trata - se de um estudo prospectivo, transversal e descritivo cujas variáveis analisadas foram: ano, sexo, faixa etária, escolaridade, local, circunstância, via de exposição. Os dados foram adquiridos através da coleta das amostras de sangue e das informações sócio demográficas dos agricultores. Foi posto como fator determinante o tipo de cultivo convencional e orgânico, e os períodos de estiagem e chuvoso. Foram analisados 56 voluntários. As análises foram realizadas no analisador automático de bioquímica Cobas Integra® 400 plus. De acordo com os resultados das análises, percebeu-se maior número de indivíduos com valores diminuídos da colinesterase, especificamente no grupo de cultivo convencional, o período de maior índice de alteração foi na época chuvosa, onde a atividade da AChE, apresentou valores expressivos na cidade de São Sebastião, com resultado de 80% de intoxicados, na cidade do Pé – Leve, obteve-se 21,73% no mesmo período. Na análise da AChP, São Sebastião obteve maior número de contaminados com 18,75% e 30% respectivamente, já no Distrito Pé Leve ficou entre 10 e 21,73% de níveis diminuídos da colinesterase. Isso define o sistema orgânico de cultivo, como a melhor alternativa para prevenção de futuras patologias, além de trazer qualidade de vida para os trabalhadores rurais, como também para os consumidores.

Abstract In this sense the objective of assessing the levels of pesticide poisoning in rural farmers of San Sebastian and take AL, using acetylcholinesterase enzymes Erythrocyte and plasma as biological indicator of intoxication. This is a prospective, transversal and descriptive variables analyzed were: year whose, sex, age group, education, location, condition, route of exposure. The data were acquired by collecting blood samples and socio demographic information of farmers. Was put as the determining factor the type of conventional and organic farming, and periods of drought and rainy. 56 volunteers were analyzed. The analyses were performed in the automatic biochemical Analyzer Cobas Integra 400 plus®. According to the results of the analyses, it was the largest number of individuals with reduced values of cholinesterase, specifically the Group of conventional farming, the period of greatest change index was in the rainy season, where the activity of AChE, expressive values presented in the city of São Sebastião, with 80% result of intoxicated, in the city of the foot – take, 21.73% over the same period. On analysis of the AChP, São Sebastião has obtained the highest number of contaminated with 18.75% and 30% respectively, in the District Take Foot stood between 10 and 21.73% of reduced levels of cholinesterase. This sets the organic system of cultivation, as the best alternative for prevention of future diseases, in addition to bringing quality of life for rural workers, as well as for consumers.

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has attracted interest for sensory applications due to its high surface area and the high density of active adsorption sites. This review shows the effect of the nanostructure, synthesis technique, operating temperature, target gas, and the impact of incorporating metallic elements on the detection properties of TiO2. The studies showed that the TiO2 gas detection process is closely related to surface reactions. Therefore, sensing properties, such as sensitivity, response time, and recovery, vary with factors that influence the surface reactions, such as chemical elements, morphology, microstructure of the depletion layer, and operating temperature.

RESUMO Introdução A diabetes mellitus é uma doença crónica com elevada e crescente prevalência, nomeadamente entre a população mais jovem. O aumento da doença entre a população ativa pode originar um maior risco de incapacidade para o trabalho e de uma taxa mais elevada de absentismo. Métodos Este estudo consiste numa revisão integrativa da literatura. Após o estabelecimento dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão e análise dos investigadores foram selecionados quatro estudos transversais. Resultados Embora não exista evidência suficiente, parece existir uma tendência para níveis de glicemia mais elevados nos trabalhadores diabéticos e não diabéticos que fazem trabalho noturno. Os estudos evidenciaram que os trabalhadores noturnos têm mais fatores de risco cardiovascular, o que pode influenciar o controlo glicémico e vem ao encontro com estudos que associam o trabalho por turnos noturnos a um aumento da prevalência da síndrome metabólica, que consistem na junção da alteração lipídica (diminuição do bom colesterol ou HDL e aumento os triglicerídeos), aumento da tensão arterial, obesidade abdominal e glicemia alterada. Discussão/Conclusão Existe necessidade de desenvolver estudos controlados randomizados. Não obstante, o controlo mais agressivo da glicemia nos trabalhadores noturnos pode ser importante para evitar as complicações da doença. Há necessidade de investir em programas de prevenção da diabetes junto dos trabalhadores nos serviços de Saúde Ocupacional e desenvolver/ implementar intervenções direcionadas e eficazes para ajudar os trabalhadores a gerir melhor sua doença, uma vez que a prevalência de diabetes tipo 2 na população em idade laboral continua a aumentar. Pode ser necessário adequar o regime terapêutico e alimentar aos trabalhadores diabéticos que trabalham em regime noturno.

ABSTRACT Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with a high and growing prevalence, particularly among the younger population. The increase in disease among the active population can lead to a greater risk of incapacity for work and a high rate of absenteeism. Methods This study consists of an integrative literature review. After establishing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, four cross-sectional studies were selected. Results Although there is not enough evidence, there seems to be a trend towards higher blood glucose levels in diabetic and non-diabetic workers who do night work. Studies have shown that night workers have more cardiovascular risk factors, which can influence glycemic control and is in line with studies that associate night shift work with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome, which consists of the junction of lipid alteration (decreased good cholesterol or HDL and increased triglycerides), increased blood pressure, abdominal obesity and altered blood glucose. Discussion / Conclusion There is a need to develop randomized controlled studies. However, more aggressive glycemic control in night workers can be important to avoid complications of the disease. There is a need to invest in diabetes prevention programs with workers in Occupational Health services and develop/ implement targeted and effective interventions to help workers better manage their disease, since the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the working age population continues to increase. It may be necessary to adapt the therapeutic and dietary regime to diabetic workers who work at night.

Resumo Um compósito mulita/fase vítrea foi preparado por sinterização reativa de uma mistura argila caulinítica/resíduo de caulim rico em mica com 25% em massa de resíduo. A composição de fase, microestrutura, propriedades dielétricas e elétricas do compósito sinterizado a 1400 °C foram avaliadas por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia de impedância (entre 25 e 600 °C em ar). A caracterização microestrutural mostrou a obtenção de amostras densas compostas de mulita acicular (ortorrômbica, 47,6% em massa), fase vítrea (50,1% em massa) e quartzo residual (2,3% em massa). Os resultados de condutividade elétrica (1,9.10-8 S/cm a 300 °C), constante dielétrica (6,7 a 1 MHz, 25 °C) e perda dielétrica (0,024 a 1 MHz, 25 °C) evidenciaram que o compósito mulita/fase vítrea é um material de baixo custo promissor para uso comercial em aplicações relacionadas à eletrônica.

Abstract A mullite/glass composite has been prepared by reactive sintering of a kaolinite clay/mica-rich kaolin waste mixture with 25 wt% waste. Phase composition, microstructure, dielectric and electrical properties of the composite fired at 1400 °C were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy (between 25 and 600 °C in air). The microstructural characterization showed the attainment of dense samples composed of acicular (orthorhombic) mullite (47.6 wt%), glassy phase (50.1 wt%), and residual quartz (2.3 wt%). Electrical conductivity (1.9x10-8 S/cm at 300 °C), dielectric constant (6.7 at 1 MHz, 25 °C) and dielectric loss (0.024 at 1 MHz, 25 °C) results gave evidence that the mullite/glass composite is a promising low-cost material for commercial use in electronics-related applications.

Since the beginning of the century in various countries, investigations to determine the anthropometric characteristics of a population were carried out. The issue of miscegenation in Brazil is of great importance in this study to define a population representative data on the cranial anthropometry. The large size of Brazil, with 8.514.876 km2 leads to an investigation between the two extreme regions of the country: North and South, because of the ethnic composition of their colonizers. This study aims to investigate, compare and rank possible differences in cephalic index of the populations from these regions of Brazil. Therefore, an anthropometric study was performed at the School of Aeronautics Expert (single training center for graduates of Brazilian Air Force), measurements were performed in 110 male students, divided by regions, and also the parents of these students who came from the same region of Brazil. The average width of the head shown in the Northern region is 15.80 ± 0.69 and 15.75 ± 0.53 in the Southern region, with significant difference (P <0.05). The average length of the head lodged in the Northern region is 19.54 ± 0.61 and 19.94 and in the South ± 0.67, significant difference (P <0.05). With respect to the cephalic index the average in the North is 80.93 ± 3.84 and in the South 79.06 ± 3.60, significant difference (P <0.05). In the Northern region, for the classification, mesocephalic is predominant, but with a tendency to brachycephalic and hyperbrachycephalic, dolichocephalic type was rare in the South and the opposite occurs with respect to the rare type, the classification is to mesocephalic predominantly the second type is also brachycephalic, dolichocephalic but it is the third most common, often presented as the brachycephalic type.

Desde el comienzo del siglo en varios países, se llevaron a cabo investigaciones para determinar las características antropométricas de la población. El tema del mestizaje en Brasil es de gran importancia en este estudio para definir una base de datos representativa de la población en la antropometría craneal. El gran tamaño de Brasil, con 8.514.876 km2 nos lleva a realizar una investigación en individuos pertenecientes a las dos regiones extremas del país: Norte y Sur, debido a la composición étnica de sus colonizadores. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar, comparar y clasificar las posibles diferencias en el índice cefálico de las poblaciones de estas regiones de Brasil. Por anterior, se llevó a cabo un estudio antropométrico en la Escuela de Aeronáutica de expertos (centro de entrenamiento único para los graduados de la Fuerza Aérea de Brasil). Las mediciones se realizaron en 110 estudiantes de sexo masculino, divididos por regiones, y también en los padres de estos estudiantes que vinieron de la misma región de Brasil. El ancho medio de la cabeza en los individuos de la región Norte fue 15,80 ± 0,69 cm y 15,75 ± 0.53 cm en la Región Sur, con diferencias significativas (P <0,05). La longitud media de la cabeza en los individuos de la Región Norte fue 19,54 ± 0,61cm y 19,94 ± 0,67 cm en los individuos del Sur, diferencia significativa (P <0,05). Con respecto al índice cefálico en el Norte fue 80,93 ± 3,84 y emn el Sur 79,06 ± 3,60, diferencia significativa (P <0,05). En la región Norte, la mesocefalia es predominante, pero con tendencia a la braquicefalia y hiperbraquicefalia. El tipo mesocefálico predominaba en los individuos del Sur pero con distribución más hacia la braquicefalia que hacia la dolicocefalia.

The effect of physical exercise on the treatment of depressive elderly adults has not been investigated thus far in terms of changes in cortical hemispheric activity. The objective of the present study was to identify changes in depressive symptoms, quality of life, and cortical asymmetry produced by aerobic activity. Elderly subjects with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (DSM-IV) were included. Twenty patients (70% females, 71 ± 3 years) were divided into an exercise group (pharmacological treatment plus aerobic training) and a control group (undergoing pharmacological treatment) in a quasi-experimental design. Pharmacological treatment was maintained stable throughout the study (antidepressants and anxiolytics). Subjects were evaluated by depression scales (Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale) and the Short Form Health Survey-36, and electroencephalographic measurements (frontal and parietal alpha asymmetry) before and after 1 year of treatment. After 1 year, the control group showed a decrease in cortical activity on the right hemisphere (increase of alpha power), which was not observed in the exercise group. The exercise group showed a significant decrease of depressive symptoms, which was not observed in the control group. This result was also accompanied by improved treatment response and remission rate after 1 year of aerobic exercise associated with treatment. This study provides support for the effect of aerobic training on alpha activity and on depressive symptoms in elderly patients. Exercise facilitates the treatment of depressive elderly adults, leading to clinical and physical improvement and protecting against a decrease in cortical activity.

Um método para avaliar a dureza e o rendimento na moagem de matérias-primas para a fabricação de revestimentos cerâmicos por via seca foi o objetivo deste trabalho. A avaliação do potencial de uso de uma dada matéria-prima argilosa para a indústria de revestimentos cerâmicos por via seca não costuma contemplar características como a dureza e o rendimento na moagem, mas estas características afetam a durabilidade e o desempenho dos moinhos de martelos e pendulares nas indústrias, além da produtividade do processo de fabricação. Seis amostras industriais foram caracterizadas quanto à distribuição granulométrica antes e após a moagem em moinho de martelos de laboratório, sob duas condições iniciais de distribuição. As avaliações consideraram as alterações nos coeficientes de distribuição n e nos teores de material mais fino do que malha 45 (355 µm). A metodologia proposta mostrou-se útil para caracterizar as matérias-primas quanto à dureza e o rendimento na moagem.

A method to evaluate the hardness and milling yield of raw materials to dry route ceramic tiles industry was the goal of this work. Evaluation of the potential of a clayish raw material to dry route ceramic tiles industry does not cover characteristics such as hardness and milling yield, but these characteristics also affect, besides durability and performance of hammer and pendular industrial mills, the productive process. Six industrial samples were characterized to grain size distribution before and after being milled in a laboratorial hammer mill, under two initial size distributions. The evaluations considered the changes in distribution coefficient modulus n and in the fractions smaller than sieve 45 (355 µm). Proposed methodology proved to be useful to characterize raw materials according to its hardness and milling yield.

O gás natural, atualmente, é a principal fonte de geração de energia térmica utilizada pelas indústrias de revestimentos cerâmicos no mundo e também é um dos itens que tem maior participação sobre o custo do produto acabado. Neste trabalho é apresentado um levantamento do consumo de gás natural realizado em uma indústria de via seca do pólo produtivo de Santa Gertrudes - SP, de modo que foi possível determinar o consumo específico de cada equipamento consumidor, bem como, identificar os "gargalos energéticos" do processo produtivo.

The natural gas is the main source of thermic energy generation used by ceramic covering industries around the world and it is also one of the itens which has the biggest weight over the finished product. In this work, it is presented a survey of the consumption of natural gas done in a factory of the productive pole of Santa Gertrudes-SP, which processes its products through a dry way, so that it was possible to determine the specific consumption of each consumer equipment, and also identify the "energetic necks" presented by the same.

Introdução: Estudos recentes corroboram que a resposta virológica obtida à 4ª semana do tratamento da hepatite C crónica, denominada resposta virológica rápida representa o melhor valor preditivo positivo da resposta virológica sustentada (RVS). Objectivos: Caracterizar uma amostra de doentes, que à 4ª semana de tratamento apresentou carga vírica indetectável. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva dos processos clínicos dos doentes que terminaram tratamento num período de 2 anos (2004-2005). Resultados: Foram incluídos 42 doentes, 10 dos quais co-infectados pelo VIH. A maioria possuía genótipo 1 (52,4%), baixa carga vírica VHC basal, ou seja inferior a 800 000 UI/ml (92,9%) e ALT elevada. A RVS foi de 85,7%. Conclusões: A terapêutica deve ser individualizada e a relação custo-benefício deve ser ponderada com avaliação de eventuais efeitos tóxicos decorrentes da manutenção da terapêutica, especialmente nos indivíduos que, presumivelmente, não irão atingir uma RVS.

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that negative HCV-RNA at week 4 of HCV treatment, known as rapid virological response has a high positive predictive value of sustained virological response (SVR). Aim: To describe a group of patients who achieved undetectable levels of HCV-RNA after 4 weeks of HCV treatment. Methods: Retrospective study of patient’s clinical records of patients who have completed HCV treatment during a 2 years period (2004-2005). Results: 42 patients were included, 10 of them co-infected by HIV. The majority of patients had HCV genotype 1 (52,4%), low HCV viral load [≤800 000 IU/ml] (92,9%) and elevated ALT. SVR was 85,7%. Conclusions: Nowadays, an individualization of chronic hepatitis C treatment is required in order to allow those unlikely to achieve a SVR to be spared the expense and potential toxicities of continued therapy.

In this work, we present our preliminary ab initio results for the structural and electronic properties of both Si- and C-terminated SiC (100) surfaces in (2×1) and c(2×2) reconstruction patterns. Based on our results, we found that the Si-terminated surfaces are dominated by weak bonded Si-dimers, which are stabilized only at Si-rich conditions, leading to (3×2) or more complex reconstruction patterns, as verified experimentally. Also, our results show that the C-terminated surfaces is characterized by strong triply-bonded C-dimers, in a c(2×2) reconstruction pattern, which consists of C2 pairs over Si bridge sites, in agreement with experimental results.

In this work, we presented our preliminary ab initio results for the vibrational modes and the phonon frequencies of the SiC (100) surfaces. Our results are in good agreement with the available experimental data whenever this comparison is possible. For the accepted models of the C-terminated surfaces in the c(2×2) reconstruction, while in the bridge-dimer model there is an acetylene-like vibrational A1 mode at 2031 cm-1, which is infrared active, in the staggered-dimer model, there is a Füchs-Kliewer (FK) mode at 1328 cm-1, which is experimentally detected. For Si-terminated surfaces in the p(2×1) reconstruction, instead, no FK was obtained, in contradiction with the HREELS experimental results for the Si-terminated surfaces, but they are in consonance with the fact that this surface should be described by a (3×2) or more complex models.