Crystalline (BiO)2CO3 nanosheets were synthesized by a rapid one-step reaction via microwave-assisted hydrothermal method using urea as a morphology mediator and carbon source. The hydrothermal method combined with microwave heating allowed to obtain sheet-like (BiO)2CO3 particles at shorter reaction times when compared to the conventional heating hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the as prepared samples was evaluated towards degradation of Ponceau 4R (C.I. 16255) under artificial UV-Vis light irradiation. The results show that good photocatalytic efficiency can be obtained for powders prepared with reaction times as low as 2 minutes.

Objective: To investigate the influence of hand dominance on the maintenance of gains after home-based modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT). Method: Aprevious randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the addition of trunk restraint to the mCIMT. Twenty-two chronic stroke survivors with mild to moderate motor impairments received individual home-based mCIMT with or without trunk restraints, five times per week, three hours daily over two weeks. In this study, the participants were separated into dominant group, which had their paretic upper limb as dominant before the stroke (n=8), and non-dominant group (n=14) for analyses. The ability to perform unimanual tasks was measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and the Motor Activity Log (MAL), whereas the capacity to perform bimanual tasks was measured using the Bilateral Activity Assessment Scale (BAAS). Results: Analysis revealed significant positive effects on the MAL amount of use and quality of the movement scales, as well as on the BAAS scores after intervention, with no differences between groups. Both groups maintained the bimanual improvements during follow-ups (BAAS-seconds 0.1, 95% CI -10.0 to 10.0), however only the dominant group maintained the unilateral improvements (MAL-amount of use: 1.5, 95% CI 0.7 to 2.3; MAL-quality: 1.3, 95% CI 0.5 to 2.1). Conclusions: Upper limb dominance did not interfere with the acquisition of upper limb skills after mCIMT. However, the participants whose paretic upper limb was dominant demonstrated better abilities to maintain the unilateral gains. The bilateral improvements were maintained, regardless of upper limb dominance.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: O Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) avalia o membro superior (MS) de adultos com hemiparesia combinando medidas de tempo e qualidade de movimento em movimentos isolados e em tarefas funcionais. OBJETIVOS: Traduzir e adaptar para a língua portuguesa o formulário, a escala de habilidade funcional (EHF) e o manual de aplicação do WMFT e avaliar a confiabilidade intra e inter-observadores. MÉTODOS: Participaram 15 indivíduos com média de idade de 57,9±11,1 anos e 68,5±53,5 meses pós acidente vascular encefálico (AVE). O WMFT foi aplicado por um fisioterapeuta utilizando as informações do manual e cotado por dois outros fisioterapeutas independentes pela observação dos vídeos. Foram acrescentadas informações mais detalhadas na EHF sobre a movimentação compensatória em relação à escala original. A confiabilidade intra e interobservadores do desempenho no tempo e da EHF dos itens individuais e do escore total foi avaliada pelo Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (CCI) e pelo método Bland e Altman. Kappa ponderado (Kp) foi utilizado para avaliar a concordância intra e interobservadores da EHF. RESULTADOS: O CCI interobservador do desempenho no tempo foi >0,75 em 13 das 15 tarefas. A EHF apresentou CCI interobservador entre 0,87 e 0,99 em todas as tarefas e Kp entre 0,63 e 0,92. O CCI intraobservador do tempo variou entre 0,99 e 1 e na EHF, entre 0,96 e 1. O Kp intraobservador na EHF nas tarefas variou entre 0,79 e 0,96, sendo 0,93 para o escore total. CONCLUSÃO: A versão brasileira do WMFT demonstrou confiabilidade adequada para avaliar o MS parético pós-AVE.

BACKGROUND: The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) evaluates the upper limb (UL) performance of adults with hemiparesis by combining time and quality of movement measures in both isolated movements and functional tasks. OBJECTIVES: To translate and adapt the WMFT form, functional ability scale (FAS) and manual to Brazilian Portuguese and evaluate the intra and inter-rater reliabilities. METHODS: Fifteen individuals with a mean age of 57.9±11.1 years and a mean time since stroke onset of 68.5±53.5 months participated. The WMFT was administered by one physiotherapist based on information in the manual, and video observations were assessed by two other independent physical therapists. Information regarding compensatory movements was included in the FAS. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated to examine the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for performance time and FAS, whereas weighted kappa (Kp) was used to examine the agreement strength for FAS. RESULTS: The inter-rater ICC values for performance time were above 0.75 in 13 of the 15 tasks. For the FAS, they ranged from 0.87-0.99 for all evaluated tasks, with Kp values ranging from 0.63-0.92. For intra-rater reliability, the ICC ranged from 0.99-1.0 and from 0.96-1.0 for time measurement and FAS, respectively. Kp values ranged from 0.79-0.96 for individual and 0.93 for total scores. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the WMFT showed adequate intra- and inter-rater reliabilities for evaluating the paretic UL of individuals with stroke.