RESUMO O presente trabalho apresenta a aplicação da metodologia da Matriz GUT (Gravidade, Urgência, Tendência) na análise das manifestações patológicas em edificações, tomando como exemplares, três construções históricas do centro histórico de Sobral, Ceará, Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido com inspeções in situ, registro fotográfico, elaboração dos mapas de danos e aplicação do método, do qual foram gerados os gráficos de prioridades que representam a ordem para o tratamento de cada dano em cada edificação. Assim, foi possível concluir que o método aqui aplicado, pode ser utilizado como uma importante ferramenta de gestão da manutenção de edificações através da priorização da resolução dos problemas mais graves e também, contribui diretamente para a preservação e segurança do patrimônio histórico edificado.

ABSTRACT The present paper presents the application of GUT (Gravity, Urgency, Tendency) Matrix methodology as a tool in the assessment of pathological manifestations in buildings. Three heritage constructions of the historic center of Sobral, Ceará, Brazil were studied through in situ inspections, photographic records and elaboration of the damage map. The GUT Matrix was used as a tool to rank, in each building, priority levels for each damage in order to define their order of treatment. Thus, it was possible to conclude that the applied method can be used as a useful tool to manage the maintenance of buildings through prioritization of the most significant problems and, to contribute directly to the preservation and safety of the built historical heritage.

RESUMEN Este trabajo presenta la aplicación de la metodología de la Matriz GUT (Gravedad, Urgencia, Tendencia) en el análisis de las manifestaciones patológicas en edificaciones, teniendo como ejemplos tres construcciones históricas del centro histórico de Sobral, Ceará, Brasil. La investigación fue conducida con inspecciones in situ, registro fotográfico, elaboración de mapas de daños y aplicación del método. Los resultados generaron los gráficos de prioridades que representan el orden para el tratamiento de cada daño en cada edificación. Así, fue posible concluir que el método aplicado puede ser utilizado como una importante herramienta de gestión del mantenimiento de edificaciones a través de la priorización de resolución de los problemas más graves y contribuye directamente a la preservación y seguridad del patrimonio histórico.

We report the first two cases of Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans infections in Latin America. We also conducted a literature review and a microbiological investigation, including that of clinical and environmental isolates. A 30-year-old man with chronic renal failure had disseminated infection after dialysis and a 15-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis (CF) had pulmonary exacerbations with positive respiratory samples. A review of the relevant literature revealed that deep-seated infections were related to immunosuppression or invasive devices, while most of the CF patients showed a decline in lung function after positive cultures. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three distinct circulating genotypes. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis showed similar spectral profiles and correctly identified all strains/isolates. Biofilm production was documented in a bloodstream isolate and biofilm-producing cells showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations against antifungals.

Background: Oral chemotherapy agents offer advantages including cost, patient comfort and potential improvement in quality of life versus intravenous drugs. However ensuring adherence and monitoring adverse effects is more difficult. The aim of this study was to examine the real adherence in patients with oral chemotherapy agents in our hospital, to assess the influence of patient and treatment characteristics, to identify reasons for non adherence, to identify opportunities for improvement pharmaceutical care and to assess the potential relation between adherence and treatment outcomes. Method: observational, prospective study for a period of four month, in the patients who were dispensing oral chemotherapy agents in outpatient setting. The medical prescriptions, medical history and patient interviews were used to collect data. Results: 141 patients were assessing. 72% were considered as fully adherent, while 28% reported some kind of non adherence. Adherence was influenced by time from diagnosis and adverse effects. No relationship between adherence and treatment outcomes was found. Conclusions: Adherence to oral chemotherapy was 72%, identifing opportunities for improvement pharmaceutical care to prevent adverse effects and to improve our patient adherence.

Introducción: Los tratamientos antineoplásicos orales presentan ventajas en cuanto a coste, comodidad y mejora potencial en la calidad de vida respecto al tratamiento endovenoso, pero es más difícil controlar la adherencia y monitorizar los efectos adversos. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la adherencia real en pacientes con antineoplásicos orales en nuestro centro, analizar la influencia de las características del paciente y del tratamiento, identificar motivos de no adherencia, oportunidades de mejora en la atención farmacéutica y evaluar la posible relación adherencia y respuesta al tratamiento. Método: estudio prospectivo observacional de cuatro meses de duración, en los pacientes con tratamiento antineoplásico oral dispensado desde la consulta de farmacia oncológica. Para la recogida de datos se utilizaron: orden médica, historia clínica y visita con entrevistas al paciente. Resultados: Se evaluaron un total de 141 pacientes. Un 72% se consideró totalmente adherente, mientras que en un 28% se detectó algún tipo de no adherencia. El tiempo desde el diagnóstico y la presencia de efectos adversos fueron las variables que afectaron a la adherencia. No se pudo demostrar relación entre adherencia y respuesta al tratamiento. Conclusiones: La adherencia al tratamiento antineoplásico oral en nuestro centro fue del 72%, identificando oportunidades de mejora en la atención farmacéutica dirigidas a prevenir los efectos adversos y a potenciar la adherencia de nuestros pacientes.

Poços de Caldas é um importante centro hidrotermomineral do Brasil, o qual apresenta depósitos de argilas não plásticas para as quais não há registros significativos a respeito da caracterização direcionada destes materiais, o que prejudica estudos de aplicação industrial. Estas argilas não plásticas, não aproveitadas, vêm sendo armazenadas em galpões ou a céu aberto, o que gera um elevado custo para a indústria, além de transformar-se em um passivo ambiental. No presente trabalho realizou-se o estudo químico-mineralógico de seis amostras de argilas de baixa plasticidade, além da caracterização preliminar destas amostras quanto à granulometria, plasticidade e propriedades cerâmicas básicas, visando ampliar os horizontes das investigações destes materiais. Este estudo preliminar mostrou que, de maneira geral, as amostras são compostas por minerais refratários como caulinita e gibbsita, apresentando teores menos significativos de outras fases, como quartzo, vermiculita e illita. Juntamente às análises químicas, estes dados permitiram o agrupamento das matérias-primas em dois grupos em função de sua refratariedade, norteando assim, a caracterização posterior. Dentre as amostras, há material com potencial uso na formulação de massas de porcelanato, além de uma amostra turfosa, cuja aplicação está relacionada à correção de solos.

Poços de Caldas is an important "hydro-thermo-mineral" center in Brazil, where non-plastic clays deposits can be found with no significant records about their characterization, impeding the studies of industrial application. These non-plastic clays, not used, have been stored in sheds or open, which creates a high cost to the industry, and become an environmental liability. In the present work, the chemical-mineralogical study of six samples of non-plastic clays was realized, and also the preliminary characterization of these samples about the grain size, plasticity and basic ceramic properties, to expand the horizons of researches about such materials. This preliminary study showed that, overall, the samples are composed of refractory minerals such as kaolinite and gibbsite, with less significant amounts of other phases such as quartz, illite and vermiculite. The chemical analysis permitted the grouping of raw materials into two groups according to their refractory properties, guiding to the subsequent characterization. Among the samples, there is material with potential use in porcelain formulation, and also a peat sample, which implementation is related to soil correction.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients on hospital admission, identify the length of hospital stay and identify the parameters of nutritional assessment that are most closely related with the length of stay (LOS). Methods: A cross-sectional study of 278 hospitalized patients evaluated patients´ nutritional status in the 48 hours after admission and their LOS after discharge. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, related to nutrition status were analyzed, such as: weight, height, arm circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), mild arm muscle circumference (MAMC), albumin (Alb) and hemoglobin (HB). Body mass index (BMI) was used to classify the nutritional status. All the nutritional factors except type of disease, gender and age were associated with LOS. The chi-square, Student-t, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and binary logistic multivariate tests were used in the statistical analyses. Results: The majority of patients was male (53%), elderly (56%) and had neoplasm (19.4%). Undernutrition was higher in the elderly (p < 0.05) and neoplasm patients (p < 0.05), overweight or obese patients were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases (p = 0.001). Average LOS was 14.7 days (± 12.5), longer in neoplasm patients (p < 0.05) and in elderly ones (p < 0.05), and also was 3 times longer in males (p < 0.0001). Among the nutritional parameters, patients with AC under 25 cm had higher LOS (p < 0.05), but only in women could it be considered a marker, increasing LOS 2.8 times. BMI less than 20 kg/m² increased LOS 2.1 times, and biochemical data (Alb and HB) do not contribute. In the multivariate analyses, male gender and TST depletion were the significant factors, which together best explained the lengths of hospital stay. Conclusion: LOS was associated with disease, gender, age and nutritional status. We can highlight two anthropometric analyses: first, AC can be used in women as a marker of longer LOS and second TST is the best overall predictor of longer hospital stay.

Objetivo: Evaluar el estado nutricional de los pacientes ingresados en el hospital, identificar la duración de la estancia hospitalaria e identificar los parámetros de la evaluación nutricional que se relacionen más estrechamente con la duración de la estancia (DE). Métodos: Se evaluó en un estudio transversal con 278 pacientes hospitalizados el estado nutricional en las 48 horas siguientes al ingreso y su DE tras el alta. Se analizaron los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos en relación con el estado nutricional, tales como: peso, talla, circunferencia del brazo (CB), circunferencia de la cintura (CC), el grosor del pliegue cutáneo tricipital (GPT), la circunferencia de la musculatura del brazo (CMB), la albúmina (Alb) y la hemoglobina (HB). Se empleó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) para clasificar el estado nutricional. Todos los factores nutricionales salvo el tipo de enfermedad, el sexo y la edad se relacionaron con la DE. Se utilizaron las pruebas de chi cuadrado, t de Student, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis tests multivariados logísticos binarios para los análisis estadísticos. Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes eran hombres (53%), ancianos (56%) y tenían neoplasias (19,4%). La desnutrición fue mayor en los ancianos (p < 0,05) y en los pacientes neoplásicos (p < 0,05); los pacientes con sobrepeso tenían una mayor probabilidad de padecer enfermedades cardiovasculares (p = 0,001). La DE promedio fue de 14,7 días (± 12,5), fue superior en pacientes con neoplasias (p < 0,05) y en los ancianos (p < 0,05), y también fue 3 veces superior en los hombres (p < 0,0001). De entre los parámetros nutricionales, los pacientes con CB menor de 25 cm tuvieron una mayor DE (p < 0,05), pero sólo en las mujeres se pudo considerar como un marcador, incrementando la DE 2,8 veces. Un IMC menor de 20 kg/m² aumentaba la DE en 2,1 veces, mientras que los datos bioquímicos (Alb y HB) no contribuyeron. En los análisis multivariados, el sexo masculino y la reducción del GPT fueron factores significativos que, combinados, explicaban la duración de la estancia hospitalaria. Conclusión: la DE se asoció con la enfermedad, el sexo y el estado nutricional. Podemos destacar dos análisis antropométricos: primero, la CB puede usarse en mujeres como marcador de una DE prolongada y, segundo, el GPT es el mejor predictor global de una mayor estancia hospitalaria.

Patients with heart failure who have undergone partial left ventriculotomy improve resting left ventricular systolic function, but have limited functional capacity. We studied systolic and diastolic left ventricular function at rest and during submaximal exercise in patients with previous partial left ventriculotomy and in patients with heart failure who had not been operated, matched for maximal and submaximal exercise capacity. Nine patients with heart failure previously submitted to partial left ventriculotomy were compared with 9 patients with heart failure who had not been operated. All patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test with measurement of peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold. Radionuclide left ventriculography was performed to analyze ejection fraction and peak filling rate at rest and during exercise at the intensity corresponding to the anaerobic threshold. Groups presented similar exercise capacity evaluated by peak oxygen uptake and at anaerobic threshold. Maximal heart rate was lower in the partial ventriculotomy group compared to the heart failure group (119 ± 20 vs 149 ± 21 bpm; P < 0.05). Ejection fraction at rest was higher in the partial ventriculotomy group as compared to the heart failure group (41 ± 12 vs 32 ± 9%; P < 0.0125); however, ejection fraction increased from rest to anaerobic threshold only in the heart failure group (partial ventriculotomy = 44 ± 17%; P = non-significant vs rest; heart failure = 39 ± 11%; P < 0.0125 vs rest; P < 0.0125 vs change in the partial ventriculotomy group). Peak filling rate was similar at rest and increased similarly in both groups at the anaerobic threshold intensity (partial ventriculotomy = 2.28 ± 0.55 EDV/s; heart failure = 2.52 ± 1.07 EDV/s; P < 0.0125; P > 0.05 vs change in partial ventriculotomy group). The abnormal responses demonstrated here may contribute to the limited exercise capacity of patients with partial left ventriculotomy despite the improvement in resting left ventricular systolic function.

We have been able to label the excretory system of cercariae and all forms of schistosomula, immature and adult worms with the highly fluorescent dye resorufin. We have shown that the accumulation of the resorufin into the excretory tubules and collecting ducts of the male adult worm depends on the presence of extracellular calcium and phosphate ions. In the adult male worms, praziquantel (PZQ) prevents this accumulation in RPMI medium and disperses resorufin from tubules which have been prelabelled. Female worms and all other developmental stages are much less affected either by the presence of calcium and phosphate ions, or the disruption caused by PZQ. The male can inhibit the excretory system in paired female. Fluorescent PZQ localises in the posterior gut (intestine) region of the male adult worm, but not in the excretory system, except for the anionic carboxy fluorescein derivative of PZQ, which may be excreted by this route. All stages of the parasite can recover from damage by PZQ treatment in vitro. The excretory system is highly sensitive to damage to the surface membrane and may be involved in vesicle movement and damage repair processes. In vivo the adult parasite does not recover from PZQ treatment, but what is inhibiting recovery is unknown, but likely to be related to immune effector molecules.

Coherent properties and Rabi oscillations in two-level donor systems, under terahertz excitation, are theoretically investigated. Here we are concerned with donor states in bulk GaAs and GaAs - (Ga, Al)As quantum dots. We study confinement effects, in the presence of an applied magnetic field, on the electronic and on-center donor states in GaAs - (Ga, Al)As dots, as compared to the situation in bulk GaAs, and estimate some of the associated decay rate parameters. Using the optical Bloch equations with damping, we study the time evolution of the 1s and 2p+ states in the presence of an applied magnetic field and of a terahertz laser. We also discuss the role played by the distinct dephasing rates on the photocurrent and calculate the electric dipole transition moment. Results indicate that the Rabi oscillations are more robust as the total dephasing rate diminishes, corresponding to a favorable coherence time.

A zircônia (ZrO2) tem mostrado grande destaque entre as cerâmicas avançadas, atraindo muito o interesse de pesquisadores em seus vários campos de atuação. A zircônia apresenta elevada resistência quando na fase tetragonal, mas a fase estável a temperatura ambiente é a monoclínica, sendo necessário o uso de estabilizantes para a fase tetragonal. Neste trabalho propomos a sinterização rápida da zircônia parcialmente estabilizada com óxidos de terras raras (ZrO2-OTR), mediante o emprego da alta pressão de 5 GPa. As condições de sinterização realizadas neste trabalho são inovadoras, haja visto que utilizou-se de tecnologia alternativa para processar a ZrO2-OTR, chamada de altas temperaturas e altas pressões (HPHT). Foi utilizada uma pressão de 5 GPa, temperaturas de 1100, 1200 e 1300 ºC nos tempos de 2 e 5 min. O melhor resultado foi obtido nas amostras sinterizadas a 5 GPa/1300 ºC/5 min, onde apresentaram microdureza média de 488,73 kgf/mm², para uma tenacidade à fratura de 5,33 MPa.m½, as quais apresentaram densidade da ordem de 97,88% da teórica, e 88% em volume de fase tetragonal retida à temperatura ambiente.

Zirconia (ZrO2) has shown great projection among the advanced ceramics, attracting the interest of researchers in its various fields of application. Tetragonal zirconia presents high mechanical strength, but the room temperature stable phase is the monoclinic, being necessary the use of stabilizers for obtaining the tetragonal phase. In this work the rapid sintering of zirconia partially stabilized with rare earth oxides (ZrO2-OTR), via 5 GPa high pressure is proposed. The sintering conditions employed in this work are innovative, due to the use of an alternative technology to process ZrO2-OTR, so called high temperature - high pressure (HPHT). A pressure of 5 GPa and temperatures of 1100, 1200 and 1300 ºC for times of 2 and 5 min were used. The best results were obtained for samples sintered at 5 GPa at 1300 ºC/5 min., where a micro-hardness of 488,73 kgf/mm², a fracture toughness of 5,33 MPa.m½, a density of 97,88%, and a 88vol.% of tetragonal phase retained at room temperature were achieved.

The flow of Bingham liquids through porous media has been studied. Experiments have been performed to determine the flow rate / pressure drop relationship for the flow of a grease of Binghamian rheological behavior through an array of rods of circular cross section. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of the grease have been determined with the aid of a controlled stress rotational rheometer. To investigate a wider range of the flow parameters, the mass and momentum conservation equations have been solved numerically, in conjunction with the generalized Newtonian constitutive law and the bi-viscosity model. The finite volume method has been employed to obtain the numerical solution. These numerical results also yielded a flow rate / pressure drop relationship, which is in very good agreement with the experimental results. A capillaric theory has been developed to determine an analytical relationship between the flow rate and pressure drop for flows of Bingham liquids through porous media. It is shown that the predictions of this theory are in good agreement with the experimental and numerical results.

Accidental transmission of Chagas' disease to man by blood transfusion is a serious problem in Latin-America. This paper describes the testing of several synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural compounds for their activity against blood trypomastigotes in vitro at 4-C. The compounds embody several types of chemical structures: benzoquinone, naphthoquinone, anthracenequinone, phenanthrenequinone, imidazole, piperazine, quinoline, xanthene, and simple benzenic and naphthalenic derivates. Some of them are for the first time tested against Trypanosoma cruzi. The toxic effect these compounds on this parasite was done by two quite distinct sets of experiments. In one set, the compounds were added to infected blood as ethanolic solution. In this situation the most active one was a furan-1, 2-naphthoquinone, in the same range as gentian violet, a new fact to be considered in the assessment of structure-activity relationships in this class of compounds. In other set, we tentatively evaluated the biological activity of water insoluble compounds by adding them in a pure form without solvent into infected blood. In this way some appear to be very active and it was postulated that the effectiveness of such compounds must result from interactions between them and specific blood components.