Resumo Objetivos Validar o construto e o critério do Questionário para Avaliação da Sexualidade Feminina após a Menopausa (QSFM). Métodos Estudo metodológico de validação de questionário incluiu mulheres na pósmenopausa. A validade de construto foi testada pormeio da análise fatorial e a validade de critério foi realizada por meio da correlação entre o QSFM e o Índice de Função Sexual Feminina (FSFI). A Curva ROC foi utilizada para verificar sensibilidade, especificidade e determinar o ponto de corte do QSFM. Resultados Foram avaliadas 181 mulheres, com idade média de 56,4 ± 5,7 anos. A análise fatorial exploratória mostrou que o QSFM apresentou teste de Kaiser = 0,88 e χ2 = 3293,7 (p < 0,001), comunalidades ≥ 0,5 com extração de nove fatores com autovalor ≥ 1; explicando 66,3% da variância total. O QSFM apresentou cargas fatoriais entre 0,4 e 0,8. Uma forte correlação entre os dois questionários (r = 0,79; p = 0,000) foi demonstrada. O ponto de corte do QSFM foi ≤ 55,5, assumindo sensibilidade de 87,9% e especificidade de 78,9% (p < 0,001). Conclusão Como o QSFM demonstrou uma forte concordância com o questionário FSFI, ele apresentou boas propriedades psicométricas para avaliar a sexualidade em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Com base nesses resultados, o QSFM pode ser amplamente utilizado como um instrumento específico para examinar a função sexual em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Estudos futuros são necessários para examinar o instrumento QSFM em diferentes populações.

Abstract Objective To assess the construct and criterion validity of the Postmenopause Sexuality Questionnaire (PMSQ). Methods The present methodological questionnaire validation study included postmenopausal women. The construct validity was tested by factor analysis and the criterion validity was performed using the correlation between the PMSQ and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The ROC curve was used to verify sensitivity, specificity and to determine the cutoff point of the PMSQ. Results A total of 181 women with amean age of 56.4 ± 5.7 years old were evaluated. The exploratory factor analysis showed that the PMSQ presented Kaiser test = 0.88 and χ2 = 3293.7 (p < 0.001), commonalities ≥ 0.5, and extraction of 9 factors with eigenvalue ≥ 1; explaining 66.3% of the total variance. The PMSQ presented factor loadings between 0.4 and 0.8. A strong correlation between the 2 questionnaires (r = 0.79; p = 0.000) was shown. The cutoff point of the PMSQ was ≤ 55.5, assuming 87.9% sensitivity and 78.9% specificity (p < 0.001). Conclusion Since the PMSQ showed a strong correlation with the FSFI questionnaire, it presented good psychometric properties to assess the sexuality in postmenopausal women. Based on these results, the PMSQ could be widely tested as a specific instrument to examine the sexual function in postmenopausal women. Future studies, designed to examine the PMSQ instrument in different populations, are needed.

Mechanical alloying (MA) can be highlighted among the various methods and powder processing forms, which consists of producing homogeneous materials from elementary powders. This process is of paramount importance as it has the ability to reduce the particle size of the powders and can often promote bonding between elements which have low interaction and wettability. This method is usually used in the route of powder metallurgy, and generally improves the sinterability and mechanical properties of the materials. In this context, the objective of this work was to analyze the evolution of mixtures of Al2O3-5wt%-Ni and Al2O3-5wt%-Nb powders submitted to the mechanical alloying process in a planetary ball mill for up to 40h. The morphological evolution was observed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (Field Emission Gun, SEM-FEG), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDAX) phases and particle sizes by Particulometry. It was observed that a significant micro structural change occurred in both compositions, indicating the formation of composite powders. This behavior was more intensely observed with the increase in the grinding time, obtaining composite powders with a more homogeneous and uniform structure with the time of 40 hours of MA.

The use of niobium containing materials' has gained much attention of the scientific community in the late years due its various applications in diverse fields. NbC is a highly versatile material. Copper addition may alter several of its properties, such as morphology, crystal structure etc. as well as enhance its catalytic behavior. Nanostructured NbC with copper addition synthesis' presented here had the precursor [(NH4)3[NbO(C2O4)3]xH2O] as starting material, which was doped with Cu(NO3)2 at 5% and 10% (molar) ratios. Doped NbC was obtained via gas solid reaction in fixed bed reactor at lower temperature (980°C) and with shorter reaction time (2h) than traditional methods. Reaction products' were characterized by XRD, crystal sizes were estimated according to HWL method, and SEM, XRF, BET and laser particle size analysis were performed. XRD indicated the formation of NbC and Cu phases with cubic crystal structure of ~20nm. SEM showed slight morphological change upon increasing copper content, indicating a less porous structure, which is consistent with BET data (43.7m2/g for 5%Cu-NbC and 37m 2/g for the 10% Cu-NbC). Crystal size calculations showed that increasing dopant content particle sizes were also increased, probably due to the presence of the dopant, in some extent, in the crystal structure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of ischemic stroke on health-related quality of life (QoL) and associate this event with individuals’ clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: We investigated the clinical and demographic aspects of stroke patients. The Modified Rankin Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL) were used for correlation analysis. RESULTS: Among 131 patients with ischemic stroke, 53.4% of patients presented with moderate to severe disability on the Rankin Scale. According to the SS-QoL, several QoL domains were compromised. QoL was significantly negatively correlated with the values of the Rankin and NIHSS scales, indicating lower QoL among people with worse functional status and greater clinical severity of stroke (p<0.001). The use of orthosis and total anterior circulation infarct subtype of stroke led to a more marked reduction in QoL. CONCLUSION: The present study described an inversely proportional relationship between the severity of stroke, disability and QoL. The use of orthosis also had a negative impact on QoL. Early identification of these factors could promote better interventions for individuals with ischemic stroke, minimizing disabilities and improving QoL.

The objective of this work is obtaining W-30 wt% Cu composite powder from ammonium paratungstate hydrated (APT) and hydrated copper nitrate and investigating the influence of some production process parameters of W- 30 wt% Cu in particles form which results in high sinterability and densification of W-30 wt% Cu composite. To achieve this objective, the powder was obtained by manually mixing the APT and copper nitrate and reducing under a hydrogen atmosphere at 800 °C and then compacting at 500 MPa and sintering in a tubular furnace at 1200 °C for 60 minutes. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, particle size analysis, density and microhardness measurements. The composite powder showed a good homogenization of Cu in W with very fine and agglomerated particles and a mean crystallite size of 25.64 nm. SEM coupled with EDS with mapping analysis revealed a homogeneous distribution of Cu and W in the sintered sample. The composite had a relative density of 96.77% and a microhardness of 523.66 HV. Therefore the method of obtaining the composite powder is feasible to sinter W-30 wt% Cu powder due to a greater dispersion and homogenization of phases and the average particle size.

The present paper's objective was to synthesize and characterize both the oxalic niobium precursor (NH4)3NbO(C2O4)3.H2O, and the product of its doping with Cu and calcining, CuNb2O6. In order to obtain the niobium precursor, commercially available niobium oxide (Nb2O5) was subject to fusion with potassium bisulfate (KHSO4). Once leached with water, the powder was complexed with oxalic acid and ammonium oxalate. The as produced material was manually mixed with copper nitrate Cu(NO3)2.2H2O (25% Cu molar) and calcined at 1000°C in a muffle furnace. CuNb2O6 was then obtained. The precursor was characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XRF, TG/DTG. The calcination product was characterized by XRD, XRF and SEM. Results show that single phase CuNb2O6 could be obtained by this method without Nb2O5 contamination.

Com o objetivo de desenvolver uma análise sobre a percepção de psicólogos em relação à sua competência para trabalhar em instituições que atendem à população que vive em condição de risco, esta pesquisa voltou-se para esse contexto, explorando os recursos desenvolvidos, seus aspectos facilitadores e dificultadores, assim como a compreensão que esses profissionais têm de sua ação, considerando as facetas dos aspectos psicoterapêutico e social. A pesquisa é qualitativa, de nível exploratório descritivo, e fez uso de um questionário de caracterização do participante e da técnica do grupo focal. Os participantes foram psicólogos que atuam em instituições que atendem a população que vive em risco social, em São José dos Campos/SP. A análise do material obtido no grupo baseou-se em algumas ferramentas qualitativas do método de análise de conteúdo. Para a fase de interpretação, foram utilizadas as contribuições teóricas do pensamento sistêmico novo paradigmático. Os resultados apontam a percepção de um lugar em construção, o do psicólogo institucional, em busca de identidade e valorização, assim como da necessidade da criação de competências para o trabalho nesse contexto. Os participantes percebem suas ações como não clínicas e buscam seu lugar na área social, dadas as atuais demandas de maior comprometimento em contextos de maior vulnerabilidade.

Aiming to develop an analysis of the psychologists’ perception about their ability to work in institutions that serve the population who lives in conditions of risk, this research was directed to this context, exploiting the resources developed, their advantages and constraints as well as the way these professionals see their action, considering psychotherapy and the social aspects. This is a qualitative research of exploratory and descriptive level, and it made use of a questionnaire and focus on group technique. The participants were psychologists who worked in institutions that serve the population who live in social risk, in São José dos Campos/SP. The analysis of the material obtained in the group was based on qualitative tools of the content analysis method. For the interpretation phase, we used the theoretical contributions of the new paradigm system. The results point to the perception of a place in construction, the institutional psychologist in search of identity and enhancement, as well as the need to develop skills to work in that context. The participants perceive their actions as non-clinical and seek their place in social work, given the current demands for greater involvement in contexts of vulnerability.

Con el objetivo de desarrollar un análisis sobre la percepción de psicólogos en relación a su competencia para trabajar en instituciones que atienden a la población que vive en condición de riesgo, esta pesquisa se volcó hacia ese contexto, explorando los recursos desarrollados, sus aspectos facilitadores y dificultadores, así como la comprensión que esos profesionales tienen de su acción, considerando las facetas de los aspectos psicoterapéutico y social. La pesquisa es cualitativa, de nivel exploratorio descriptivo, e hizo uso de un cuestionario de caracterización del participante y de la técnica del grupo focal. Los participantes fueron psicólogos que actúan en instituciones que atienden a la población que vive en riesgo social, en São José dos Campos/SP. El análisis del material obtenido en el grupo se basó en algunas herramientas cualitativas del método de análisis de contenido. Para la fase de interpretación, fueron utilizadas las contribuciones teóricas del nuevo pensamiento sistémico paradigmático. Los resultados apuntan la percepción de un lugar en construcción, el del psicólogo institucional, en busca de identidad y valorización, así como de la necesidad de la creación de competencias para el trabajo en ese contexto. Los participantes perciben sus acciones como no clínicas y buscan su lugar en el área social, dadas las actuales demandas de mayor comprometimiento en contextos de mayor vulnerabilidad.

Este trabalho apresenta um instrumento, o QUASI - Perfil de Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde de Idosos Independentes, para a medição da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de idosos que freqüentam programas ambulatoriais, a partir da adaptação de quatro instrumentos amplamente validados: Short-Form Health Survey, Duke-UNC Health Profile, Sickness Impact Profile e Nottingham Health Profile. Além disso, avalia a confiabilidade, considerando a sua utilização por dois entrevistadores, em intervalo de 15 dias. O instrumento contempla cinco dimensões: Percepção de Saúde, Sintomas, Função Física, Função Psicológica e Função Social e envolve 45 itens. A avaliação da confiabilidade foi realizada a partir das entrevistas de 142 idosos, inscritos em programas ambulatoriais no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, com base na apreciação da estatística kappa, ajustada por prevalência, para cada um dos 45 itens incluídos, e na correlação dos escores geral e por dimensão. Na avaliação da confiabilidade, 39 dos 45 itens apresentaram kappa superior a 0,60.

This study presents an instrument, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) profile for independent elderly, to measure the health-related quality of life of the functionally independent elderly assisted in the outpatient setting, based on the adaptation of four validated scales: Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Duke-UNC Health Profile (DUHP), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). The study also evaluates the instrument's reliability based on its use by two different observers with a 15-day interval. The instrument includes five dimensions (health perception, symptoms, physical function, psychological function, and social function) and 45 items. Reliability evaluation of the QUASI instrument was based on interviews with 142 elderly outpatients in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Prevalence-adjusted kappa statistic was used to assess all 45 items. Correlation was also calculated between overall scores and scores on individual dimensions. In the reliability evaluation, 39 of the 45 items showed prevalence-adjusted kappa greater than 0.60.

Este trabalho apresenta um instrumento, o QUASI - Perfil de Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde de Idosos Independentes, para a medição da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de idosos que freqüentam programas ambulatoriais, a partir da adaptação de quatro instrumentos amplamente validados: Short-Form Health Survey, Duke-UNC Health Profile, Sickness Impact Profile e Nottingham Health Profile. Além disso, avalia a confiabilidade, considerando a sua utilização por dois entrevistadores, em intervalo de 15 dias. O instrumento contempla cinco dimensões: Percepção de Saúde, Sintomas, Função Física, Função Psicológica e Função Social e envolve 45 itens. A avaliação da confiabilidade foi realizada a partir das entrevistas de 142 idosos, inscritos em programas ambulatoriais no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, com base na apreciação da estatística kappa, ajustada por prevalência, para cada um dos 45 itens incluídos, e na correlação dos escores geral e por dimensão. Na avaliação da confiabilidade, 39 dos 45 itens apresentaram kappa superior a 0,60.

This study presents an instrument, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) profile for independent elderly, to measure the health-related quality of life of the functionally independent elderly assisted in the outpatient setting, based on the adaptation of four validated scales: Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Duke-UNC Health Profile (DUHP), Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). The study also evaluates the instrument's reliability based on its use by two different observers with a 15-day interval. The instrument includes five dimensions (health perception, symptoms, physical function, psychological function, and social function) and 45 items. Reliability evaluation of the QUASI instrument was based on interviews with 142 elderly outpatients in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Prevalence-adjusted kappa statistic was used to assess all 45 items. Correlation was also calculated between overall scores and scores on individual dimensions. In the reliability evaluation, 39 of the 45 items showed prevalence-adjusted kappa greater than 0.60.

A finalidade deste estudo foi desenvolver reflexão crítica sobre a experiência de enfermeiros plantonistas. Os objetivos foram: apreender como os enfermeiros plantonistas descrevem e interpretam seus conhecimentos e experiências sobre esta realidade; e refletir sobre possíveis caminhos para a superação dos problemas identificados. Este estudo foi qualitativo, utilizando-se a técnica de grupo focal. O grupo foi formado por treze enfermeiros plantonistas. O referencial metodológico foi o do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Foram identificadas importantes dificuldades para a construção do trabalho coletivo e solidário: incompreensões entre o pessoal de enfermagem; entre enfermagem e outros profissionais que atuam no hospital; falta ou inadequação de materiais para a prestação de assistência; e ausência de apoio, dentre outras. Verificou-se a pertinência da criação de espaços comunicativos e de reflexão, visando o fortalecimento do coletivo profissional e a redução das angústias no trabalho do enfermeiro plantonista.

The aim of this study was to critically reflect on the experiences of duty nurses. The objectives were: to learn how duty nurses described and interpreted their knowledge and experiences about this reality; and to reflect about possible ways to overcome the identified problems. This is a qualitative study using the focal-group technique. The group consisted of thirteen duty nurses. The methodological framework was that of the Collective Subject's Discourse. Important difficulties were identified for both collective and solitary work: incomprehension among staff members; between nursing staff and other professionals working in the hospital; lack or inadequacy of materials for care provision; and perceived absence of support, among others. The relevance of creating opportunities for communication and reflection with the purpose of strengthening collective professional practice and reducing duty nurses' afflictions in the workplace was observed.

La finalidad de este estudio fue generar una reflexión crítica sobre la experiencia de enfermeros de guardia. Los objetivos fueron: aprender cómo los enfermeros de guardia describen e interpretan sus conocimientos y experiencias sobre tal realidad y hacer consideraciones sobre los posibles caminos para la superación de los problemas identificados. Este estudio fue cualitativo, utilizándose la técnica del grupo focal. El grupo fue formado por trece enfermeros de guardia. El referencial metodológico fue el del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Fueron identificadas importantes dificultades para la contrucción del trabajo colectivo y solidario: incomprensiones enre el personal de enfermeria, entre enfermeros y otros profesionales que actúan en los hospitales, falta de materiales o carencia de aquellos adecuados para la correcta prestación de asistencia hospitalaria, ausencia de respaldo, entre otras. Se verificó la importancia de la creación de espacios para la comunicación y la reflexión, pretendiéndose el fortalecimiento del plantel profesional y la reducción de las angustias en el trabajo del enfermero de guardia.

The aim of this study was to critically reflect on the experiences of duty nurses. The objectives were: to learn how duty nurses described and interpreted their knowledge and experiences about this reality; and to reflect about possible ways to overcome the identified problems. This is a qualitative study using the focal-group technique. The group consisted of thirteen duty nurses. The methodological framework was that of the Collective Subject's Discourse. Important difficulties were identified for both collective and solitary work: incomprehension among staff members; between nursing staff and other professionals working in the hospital; lack or inadequacy of materials for care provision; and perceived absence of support, among others. The relevance of creating opportunities for communication and reflection with the purpose of strengthening collective professional practice and reducing duty nurses' afflictions in the workplace was observed.

La finalidad de este estudio fue generar una reflexión crítica sobre la experiencia de enfermeros de guardia. Los objetivos fueron: aprender cómo los enfermeros de guardia describen e interpretan sus conocimientos y experiencias sobre tal realidad y hacer consideraciones sobre los posibles caminos para la superación de los problemas identificados. Este estudio fue cualitativo, utilizándose la técnica del grupo focal. El grupo fue formado por trece enfermeros de guardia. El referencial metodológico fue el del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Fueron identificadas importantes dificultades para la contrucción del trabajo colectivo y solidario: incomprensiones enre el personal de enfermeria, entre enfermeros y otros profesionales que actúan en los hospitales, falta de materiales o carencia de aquellos adecuados para la correcta prestación de asistencia hospitalaria, ausencia de respaldo, entre otras. Se verificó la importancia de la creación de espacios para la comunicación y la reflexión, pretendiéndose el fortalecimiento del plantel profesional y la reducción de las angustias en el trabajo del enfermero de guardia.

A finalidade deste estudo foi desenvolver reflexão crítica sobre a experiência de enfermeiros plantonistas. Os objetivos foram: apreender como os enfermeiros plantonistas descrevem e interpretam seus conhecimentos e experiências sobre esta realidade; e refletir sobre possíveis caminhos para a superação dos problemas identificados. Este estudo foi qualitativo, utilizando-se a técnica de grupo focal. O grupo foi formado por treze enfermeiros plantonistas. O referencial metodológico foi o do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Foram identificadas importantes dificuldades para a construção do trabalho coletivo e solidário: incompreensões entre o pessoal de enfermagem; entre enfermagem e outros profissionais que atuam no hospital; falta ou inadequação de materiais para a prestação de assistência; e ausência de apoio, dentre outras. Verificou-se a pertinência da criação de espaços comunicativos e de reflexão, visando o fortalecimento do coletivo profissional e a redução das angústias no trabalho do enfermeiro plantonista.

Investigation of the aetiology of viral meningitis in Brazil is most often restricted to cases that occur in the Southern and Southeastern Regions; therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the viral meningitis cases that occurred in state of Pará, Northern Brazil, from January 2005-December 2006. The detection of enterovirus (EV) in cerebrospinal fluid was performed using cell culture techniques, RT-PCR, nested PCR and nucleotide sequencing. The ages of the 91 patients ranged from < one year old to > 60 years old (median age 15.90 years). Fever (87.1%), headache (77.0%), vomiting (61.5%) and stiffness (61.5%) were the most frequent symptoms. Of 91 samples analyzed, 18 (19.8%) were positive for EV. Twelve were detected only by RT- PCR followed by nested PCR, whereas six were found by both cell culture and RT-PCR. From the last group, five were sequenced and classified as echovirus 30 (Echo 30). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Echo 30 detected in Northern Brazil clustered within a unique group with a bootstrap value of 100% and could constitute a new subgroup (4c) according to the phylogenetic tree described by Oberste et al. (1999). This study described the first molecular characterization of Echo 30 in Brazil and this will certainly contribute to future molecular analyses involving strains detected in other regions of Brazil.

It is a theoretical reflection regarding nursing, resulting from a book and also from a conference about the theme. It is discussed the etymology of the word nursing, going through discussion about the aims of its professionals, necessary requirements to the professional performance, foundations, deviations, up to its esthetic and artistic aspects. Its humanistic concerns are pointed out, considered essential for the development of a client interaction and consequently professional interaction. In fact, it is an invitation to a new reading on nursing.

Esta es una reflexión teórica acerca de la enfermería, fruto de un libro y de una conferencia sobre el tema. Es hecha una dicusión acerca de la etimología del término enfermería, de los objetivos de los profesionales del area, los requisitos necesarios a la atuación profesional, sus fundamentos, meandros y sus aspectos esteticos y artísticos. Son enfatizados los aspectos humanísticos, considerados esenciales al desarollo de la interacción con el cliente y, por consecuencia, de la profesión. En la realidad, es una invitación a una nueva lectura acerca de la enfermería.

Trata-se de uma reflexão teórica a respeito da enfermagem, fruto de um livro e também de uma conferência sobre o tema. Discute-se desde a etimologia do termo enfermagem, passando pela discussão sobre os objetivos dos seus profissionais, os requisitos necessários para a atuação profissional, seus fundamentos, meandros, até seus aspectos estéticos e artísticos. São enfatizados os aspectos humanísticos, considerados essenciais para o desenvolvimento da interação com o cliente e conseqüentemente da profissão. Na realidade é um convite para uma nova leitura acerca da enfermagem.