Investigação da memória autobiográfica em idosos com demência de Alzheimer nas fases leve e moderada

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Impacto da cárie precoce severa na infância na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal de pré-escolares sob privação social

Early childhood caries, especially in its severe form, which is characterized by an acute and aggressive nature, can have negative impacts on thequality of life of a child, due to effects such as difficulty in chewing, decreased appetite, weight loss, insomnia, changes in behavior and a decreased performance in school, among others. Moreover, the quality of life of the child`s family can also be affected, as the pain and discomfort caused by this type of caries result in loss of working days of parents, spending on dental treatments, changes in sleep patterns and stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of severe early childhood caries in the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of public daycares`s preschool children through the Escala de Impacto da Saúde Bucal na Primeira Infância, a Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). A single calibrated examiner (kappa=1.0) evaluated, through the dmfs index, the oral health of 116 children aged between 3 and 5, which were included in one of three study groups: "caries-free", "not-severe early childhood caries" and "severe early childhood caries". The parents responded to ECOHIS, to assess their perception regarding the OHRQoL of their children, and a questionnaire on socioeconomic conditions. The OHRQoL was measured through the total scores and domains of ECOHIS. Descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test and Poisson multiple regression with robust variance were used. Among the children observed, 38.8% were caries-free, 27.6% showed not-severe early childhood caries and 33.6% showed severe early childhood caries. Regarding the total score of ECOHIS, severe early childhood caries had a greater negative impact on OHRQoL, compared to caries-free and not-severe early childhood caries groups (p <0.001). Regarding the child subscale, there was significant difference between the "severe early childhood caries" group and the other groups in all domains, except for theone of self-image / social interaction. In the family subscale domains, there was statistical significance between the severe early childhood caries and the caries-free groups in all domains (p <0.001), whereas between the "severe early childhood caries and not-severe early childhood caries groups there was a statistically significant difference only in the domain of parental anguish (p <0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that early childhood caries and the parent`s age were significantly associated to OHRQoL (p <0.05), independently of the other variables in the model. The presence of severe early childhood caries resulted in greater negative impact on OHRQoL (AdjPR= 6.016; 95%CI = 3.12 11.56; p<0.001), while older parents reported better OHRQoL (AdjPR = 0.603; 95%CI = 0.428 - 0.850; p = 0.004). The presence of severe early childhood caries had a negative impact on OHRQoL of preschool children and their families.

Avaliação clínica da resposta do tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico (Full mouth desinfection) de pacientes diabéticos e não diabéticos

Tem sido demonstrado que o diabetes influencia no desenvolvimento e progressão da doença periodontal. Acredita-se ainda que há uma relação bi-direcional entre o Diabetes Mellito e a Doença Periodontal. Por isso, o tratamento periodontal pode responder de forma diferente em pacientes com e sem o quadro de diabetes. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar clinicamente o efeito da terapia periodontal não cirúrgica em pacientes com periodontite e diabetes mellito (grupo teste) e sem o quadro de diabetes (grupo controle). Para isso, realizou-se o tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico FMSRP (Full mouth Scalling and Root Planing) e verificou-se os parâmetro clínicos periodontais (profundidade de sondagem, nível clínico de inserção, mobilidade, índice gengival e índice de placa) no início do estudo e após 3 meses. Na análise estatística, o paciente foi considerado como unidade de análise (p<0,05). Para as variáveis categóricas utilizou-se o teste de Fisher. Nas comparações inter-grupo, foi utilizado o Mann-Whitney Test e para comparações intra-grupo (baseline e três meses) utilizou-se o Teste de Wilcoxon. Participaram 26 pacientes no grupo controle e 14 no grupo teste. O índice de placa era 71,20% no início do estudo para o grupo teste e ficou 47,12% no fim; já no controle, os valores eram de 48,52% passando para 37,50%. E o índice gengival no grupo teste no baseline era 42,67 diminuindo para 26,81 e no grupo controle diminuiu de 41,36 para 30,62. A profundidade de sondagem foi no grupo teste 2,71mm passando para 2,40mm; já no controle, os valores foram de 2,84mm diminuindo para 2,55mm. O grupo controle ganhou 0,34 mm de inserção e o grupo teste perdeu 0,44mm de inserção. A recessão gengival aumentou 0,33mm no grupo teste e 0,04mm no grupo controle após os 3 meses. Houve diferença significativa inter-grupo para o índice de placa e gengival no baseline, também foi encontrado na recessão após 3 meses; já intra-grupo verificou-se diferença significativa para todas as variáveis, exceto para o nível clinico de inserção e mobilidade. Quando se categorizou a profundidade de sondagem em ≤3mm, >3 e≤6mm e >6mm, não foi encontrado diferença entre os grupos, mas verificou-se diferença significativa entre os períodos tanto para o grupo teste como para o controle. A hemoglobina glicada no grupo controle foi de 5,90% e no teste aumentou de 7,79% para 8,10%. Portanto, verifica-se que há uma melhora dos parâmetros clínicos periodontais em ambos os grupos, contudo não se verificou uma diferença significativa entre eles. Não obstante, o FMSRP promove um efeito benéfico em relação à condição de saúde periodontal, melhora dos parâmetros clínicos periodontais, em curto prazo (3 meses) tanto em indivíduos diabéticos como em não diabéticos, não sendo possível observar um melhor quadro glicêmico nos diabéticos

Influência da técnica de fabricação e dos materiais sobre o ajuste da interface pilar/implante em infraestruturas implantossuportadas

The aim of this study was to compare the misfit vertical, horizontal and passivity of zirconia and cobalt-chromium frameworks fabricated for CAD / CAM technology and conventional method of casting. Sixteen frameworks in one-piece, were obtained from a metallic matrix containing three Brånemark compatible implants with regular platform (Titamax Cortical Ti, Neodent). Eight frameworks were fabricated by CAD / CAM system (NeoShape, Neodent): four in zirconia (ZirCAD) and four cobalt-chromium (CoCrcad). Eight other frameworks were obtained by conventional casting method: four cobalt-chromium with UCLA abutment premachined Co-Cr (CoCrUCci) and four cobalt-chromium with UCLA abutment castable (CoCrUCc). The fit vertical, horizontal and passivity by one-screw test were measured using scanning electron microscopy with magnification of 250x. Initially evaluated the passivity by one-screw test and subsequently to assess the vertical and horizontal misfit, tightened all the screws with a torque of 20 Ncm. Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values were calculated for each group. Measurements of horizontal misfit were transformed into cumulative frequency for categorization of the variable and the group later comparison groups. To evaluate the existence of quantitative differences between the groups tested for vertical misfit and passivity, we used the Kruskal-Wallis test. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare group to group statistical differences (p <0.05). Were observed the respective mean and standard deviation for vertical misfit and passivity in micrometers: ZirCAD (5.9 ± 3.6, 107.2 ± 36), CoCrcad (1.2 ± 2.2, 107.5 ± 26 ), CoCrUCci (11.8 ± 9.8, 124.7 ± 74), CoCrUCc (12.9 ± 11.0, 108.8 ± 85). There were statistical differences in measures of vertical misfit (p = 0.000). The Mann-Whitney test revealed statistical differences (p <0.05) between all groups except between CoCrUCci and CoCrUCc (p = 0.619). No statistical difference was observed for the passivity. In relation to the horizontal misfit groups ZirCAD and CoCrcad did not show best values in relation to CoCrUCci and CoCrUCc. Based on the results it can be concluded that frameworks fabricated by CAD / CAM technology had better values of vertical fit than those manufactured by the casting method, nevertheless, the passivity was not influenced by manufacturing technique and material used. The horizontal fit obtained by frameworks manufactured by CAD / CAM was not superior to those manufactured by casting. A lower variability in vertical adjustment and passivity was observed when frameworks were fabricated by CAD / CAM technology

Qualidade de vida de pacientes com deformidade dentofacial

In the last decade, an increasing number of studies focusing on the impact of oral deformities on quality of life have been published. However, the evaluation of patients at different phases of the treatment has not been performed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact that dentofacial deformities have on patients` quality of life, as well as the influence exerted by social, economic, demographic and orthodontic factors, type and severity of malocclusion. A bicentric study - of the cross-sectional type of repeated panels - involving two cities - Natal and Rio de Janeiro - was carried out. A total of 227 patients participated in the study: 71 patients in the initial phase of the treatment (before any orthosurgical procedure), 115 patients in the pre-surgical (with braces) phase and 41 patients in the postoperative phase. The quality of life was measured using the Orthognatic Quality of Life Questionnnaire - OQLQ, translated and validated into Portuguese. The normative and aesthetic need for treatment was assessed with the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI); the social, economic and demographic factors, the type of service and malocclusion were also assessed. The data were analyzed through χ2/ Fisher`s exact test to seek the association between the nominal categorical variables in the three phases of treatment, Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test for gauging the existence of significant differences between two and three groups regarding each domain of OQLQ, respectively. For all tests, it was adopted a significance level of 5%. There was a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) in the general scores of OQLQ and in the domains of social aspects, facial aesthetics and oral function, when the "postoperative group" was compared to the "initial" and "orthodontic preparation" groups. Women, single, aged between 31 and 59 and living in Natal had the greatest impact on quality of life among patients in the "orthodontic preparation" group. Only the variable "income" (2 to 3 minimum wages), for the "initial" group, and gender (female) for the "postoperative" group, showed significant association with quality of life. The normative variable IOTN (DHC and AC) showed significant association with the OQLQ for the "initial" group, and the IOTN-AC-auto in the group of orthodontic preparation, being less important to women. We conclude that the ortho-surgical therapy has positive effects on quality of life after orthognathic surgery

Influência da laserterapia na proliferação de células-tronco do ligamento periodontal humano

Low level laser irradiation (LLLI) has been used in Dentistry to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. The literature shows a positive effect of LLLI on cell proliferation, but little is known about their effectiveness in promoting stem cells proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LLLI on the proliferative rate of human periodontal ligament stem cells. Extracts of periodontal ligament were isolated from two third molars removed by surgical and/or orthodontic indication. After enzymatic digestion, the cells were grown in α-MEM culture medium supplemented with antibiotics and 15% fetal bovine serum. On the third subculture, the cells were irradiated with a InGaAlP-diode laser, using two different energy densities (0,5J/cm 2 - 16 seconds and 1,0J/cm² - 33 seconds), with wavelength of 660nm and output power of 30mW. A new irradiation, using the same parameters, was performed 48h after the first. A control group (non irradiated) was kept under the same experimental culture conditions. The Trypan blue exclusion test and the mitochondrial activity of the cells measured by MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] essay were performed to assess the cell proliferation in the intervals of 0, 24, 48 e 72 h after irradiation. The data of cell counts were submitted to nonparametrical statistical tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney), considering a confidence interval of 95%. DAPI (4 -6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining of the cells was performed at 72h interval to evaluate possible nuclear morphological changes induced by LLLI. The results of this study show that the energy density of 1,0 J/cm² promoted greater cell proliferation compared to the other groups (control and 0,5 J/cm²) at intervals of 48 and 72h. The mitochondrial activity measured by MTT essay showed similar results to the Trypan blue cell counting test. The group irradiated with 1,0J/cm² exhibited a significantly higher MTT activity in the intervals of 48 and 72h, when compared to the group irradiated with 0,5J/cm². No nuclear morphological change was observed in the cells from the three groups studied. It is concluded that LLLI has stimulatory effects on the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells. Therefore, the use of laser irradiation in this cell type may be important to promote future advances in periodontal regeneration

PERFIS ESTRATÉGICOS E PERCEPÇÃO DA QUALIDADE: um estudo nos restaurantes da rota turística de Natal-RN

This work is a study of strategic management of catering establishments in the tourist route from Natal, through the study of the strategic profile of the manager and the level of satisfaction with the quality of services offered. Identifies the strategic profile prevalent in the studied sector, measures the level of customer satisfaction with services and associate the two constructs to distinguish the services of strategic profile. Uses population of 33 restaurants, built for convenience, from a list composed establishments associated with the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants - ABRASEL, Veja magazine Christmas food and drink 2011/2012 and information from the natives. It presents statistical methodology used for descriptive bivariate analysis complemented by quantitative data. The quantitative characteristics of the population shows non-normality checked by the Shapiro-Wilks. Used the Kruskal-Wallis test for the realization of the association of variables and the Mann-Whitney test to perform post-test. It shows the strategic profile prevalent in the sector of restoration in Natal is the analyzer, although other types were detected. Notes that the level of satisfaction with the quality of service is getting a high score approximately 5 points in a 6-point Likert scale. Demonstrates that the client can tell the quality of services between the different strategic profiles. Identifies distinction between services provided by prospector profile compared to other profiles, indicating the size as the tangible aspects that presents noticeable difference. Certifies that these variables affect the environment of the restaurant in the building of strategic profile and reflect on the service provided. Concludes that the quality of services provided by catering establishments is influenced by the type of establishment and strategic profile of the study of this relation to establishments offering development opportunities and improving the quality of their services

Nursing Activities Score: avaliação da carga de trabalho de enfermagem em unidade de terapia intensiva adulto

The sizing of nursing human resources is an essential management tool to meet the needs of the patients and the institution. Regarding to the Intensive Care Unit, where the most critical patients are treated and the most advanced life-support equipments are used, requiring a high number of skilled workers, the use of specific indicators to measure the workload of the team becomes necessary. The Nursing Activities Score is a validated instrument for measuring nursing workload in the Intensive Care Unit that has demonstrated effectiveness. It is a cross-sectional study with the primary objective of assessing the workload of nursing staff in an adult Intensive Care Unit through the application of the Nursing Activities Score. The study was conducted in a private hospital specialized in the treatment of patients with cancer, which is located in the city of Natal (Rio Grande do Norte – Brazil). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the hospital (Protocol number 558.799; CAAE 24966013.7.0000.5293). For data collection, a form of sociodemographic characteristics of the patients was used; the Nursing Activities Score was used to identify the workload of nursing staff; and the instrument of Perroca, which classifies patients and provides data related to the their need for nursing care, was also used. The collected data were analyzed using a statistical package. The categorical variables were described by absolute and relative frequency, while the number by median and interquartile range. Considering the inferential approach, the Spearman test, the Wald chi-square, Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney test were used. The statistically significant variables were those with p values <0.05. The evaluation of the overall averages of NAS, considering the first 15 days of hospitalization, was performed by the analysis of Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), with adjust for the variable length of hospitalization. The sample consisted of 40 patients, in the period of June to August 2014. The results showed a mean age of 62,1 years (±23,4) with a female predominance (57,5%). The most frequent type of treatment was clinical (60,0%), observing an average stay of 6,9 days (±6,5). Considering the origin, most patients (35%) came from the Surgical Center. There was a mortality rate of 27,5%. 277 measures of NAS score and Perroca were performed, and the averages of 69,8% (±24,1) and 22,7% (±4.2) were obtained, respectively. There was an association between clinical outcome and value of the Nursing Activities Score in 24 hours (p <0.001), and between the degree of dependency of patients and nursing workload (rp 0,653, p<0,001). The achieved workload of the nursing staff, in the analyzed period, was presented high, showing that hospitalized patients required a high demand for care. These findings create subsidies for sizing of staff and allocation of human resources in the sector, in order to achieve greater safety and patient satisfaction as a result of intensive care, as well as an environment conducive to quality of life for the professionals

Análise comparativa da imunoexpressão do IMP-3 e Ki-67 em queilites actínicas e carcinoma epidermóide de lábio inferior

Epithelial changes observed in actinic cheilitis (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip (LLSCC) are mainly caused by chronic exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV) and are studied using different immunohistochemical markers trying to evaluate the process of carcinogenesis. The objective of this study was to comparatively evaluate the expression of Ki-67 proteins and IMP-3 in AC and LLSCC to contribute with additional information on carcinogenesis in lower lip. A total of 33 cases of AC and 33 cases of LLSCC were studied, analyzed the clinical and pathological features and immunostaining of Ki-67 and IMP-3. Immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67 was made through the determination of the proliferation index (PI) and subsequent classification of the cases according to the scores: 0 (0% positive cells) +1 (≤30%) + 2 (> 30% and ≤60%) and +3 (> 60%). For statistical tests cases were classified as unmarked (score 0), low expression (score +1) and high expression (scores +2 and +3). For the expression of IMP-3, the percentage of immunostained epithelial cells was established, and assigned scores: 0 (corresponding to 0%), +1 (up to 30% of positive cells); +2 (From 30% to 60% of immunostained cells) and +3 (over 60% of positive cells). Statistical tests chi-square test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon were used. The significance level was 5%. Most AC chaos was male (78.8%) with mean age of 50 years and cases of LLSCC also were male (69.89%) with an average of 62 years. The Ki-67 was expressed in all cases of AC and in cases of LLSCC, predominantly in the two injuries the score 2, corresponding to 81.8% of cases in ACs and 54.5% in the CELI. The expression of IMP-3 in ACs occurred in 72.7% of cases, predominantly in 36.3% of LLSCC cases score 1. Already in the IMP-3 was expressed in 60.6% of cases, especially in 27.3% of the score of the cases 3. These results allow us to conclude that the expression of IMP3 and proliferative activity are early events in carcinogenesis independently lower lip state of change.

Relação entre função sexual, sintomatologia depressiva e qualidade de vida em mulheres grávidas

INTRODUCTION: Human sexuality is recognized as one of the pillars of quality of life. In women, sexual function is influenced throughout life by many factors that can lead to the appearance of changes in the cycle of sexual response, and hence the quality of life (QOL). Pregnancy is a period of change, leaving them physically and mentally vulnerable, which may affect sexual function and quality of life during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between sexual function, presence of depressive symptoms and quality of life in pregnant women. METHODS: The study included 207 pregnant women attending prenatal examination of the Maternity Divine Love, Parnamirim / RN and the participants of the Course for Pregnant Women of the Department of Physical Therapy at UFRN (central campus). Initially it was applied, a questionnaire containing questions about sociodemographic, gynecological and obstetric data, as well as body and sexual self-knowledge. Sexual function was assessed using the Sexual Function Index Female (Female Sexual Function Index - FSFI). To assess the quality of life, we used the Quality Index Ferrans Life & Powers mom. The presence of depressive symptoms was verified by applying the Beck Depression Inventory. The Shapiro-Wilk test for normality was carried variables, Mann-Whitney test for carrying out the comparisons and the Wilcoxon test for comparing the monthly sexual frequency before and during pregnancy. Multiple linear regression was used to verify the relationship between sexual function, depressive symptoms and quality of life. We used the Spearman correlation to check correlation between the variables. Ap value <0.05 was adopted. RESULTS: Sexual function and depressive symptoms were related quality of life (R2 = 0.30, p <0.001). Depression had a moderate negative correlation with quality of life (0.53; p <0.001), whereas sexual function showed a positive correlation with low quality of life (0.22; p = 0.001). The planning of pregnancy, education and income shown to influence depression scores. With respect to sexual function, it was seen that during pregnancy, a reduction in the monthly frequency of sexual partner (Z = -10.56; p <0.001). Among the sexual domain, just the pain, showed a statistically significant difference compared between the second and third quarter (Z = -1.91, p <0.05). The score of the quality of life of women with sexual dysfunction was xvii significantly lower than that pregnant women without dysfunction (Z = -2.87, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Sexual function and the presence of depressive symptoms are related to the quality of life of pregnant women.

Alterações de equilíbrio postural e qualidade de vida em mulheres no ciclo gravídico puerperal

INTRODUCTION: The pregnancy and childbirth cause many changes in a woman's life, whether physical, hormonal, emotional or social. Such changes may affect the postural balance and the quality of life of women in pregnancy and may persist after delivery. To analyze changes in postural balance and quality of life in women in pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: This study consisted of 47 women participants of the Course for Pregnant Women of the Department of Physical Therapy at UFRN, evaluated during pregnancy (2° or 3° trimester) and in the period 1-8 months postpartum. In all participants was evaluated the postural balance, the Balance Master® in five specific tests: (1) Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance-MCTSIB; (2) Rhythmic Weight Shift Test - RWS (3) unilateral stance - US, (4) Sit to Stand - STS, and (5) Walk Across - WA. The quality of life (QoL) was assessed by applying the Quality Score of life Ferrans & Powers (IQVFP), both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. For statistical analysis we used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software for Personal Computer- SPSS (version 20.0), applying the tests: Shapiro-Wilk to assess the normality of the data; Chi-square to analyze the frequency of postural balance changes in the two groups of pregnancy and postpartum in both groups; McNemar test to analyze balance disorders frequency of related samples in the two time points; to compare the behavior of postural balance during pregnancy and postpartum, and to compare the QoL between the periods, we used the Wilcoxon test; and yet, the MannWhitney test to compare the QoL scores in the two groups of pregnancy and postpartum in both groups. We adopted p-value <0.05. RESULTS: Comparing the postural balance during pregnancy and postpartum in MSTSIB test has statistical difference in unstable surface with closed eyes (p=0.001) and in the US test, the speed of oscillation with right leg with eyes closed (p=0,03). Quality of life, there was statistical difference between the scores only among postpartum groups, the family domain (p=0.03); and to comparing pregnancy and postpartum in domain health and operation (p=0.02) and the Socioeconomic domain (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the balance changes present during pregnancy persist postpartum, and the quality of life is considered good by women, both during pregnancy and postpartum.

Análise cefalométrica: ortodontistas x radiologistas

Cephalometric analysis is the mensuration of linear and angular measures through demarcation points as distances and lines on teleradiography, and is considered of fundamental importance for diagnosis and orthodontic planning. In this manner, the objective of this research was to compare cephalometric measurements obtained by dentists and radiologists from the analysis of the same radiograph, in a computerized cephalometric analysis program. All research participants marked 18 cephalometric points on a 14-inch notebook computer, as directed by the program itself (Radiocef 2®). From there, they generated 14 cephalometric parameters including skeletal, dental-skeletal, dental and soft tissue. In order to verify the intra-examiner agreement, 10 professionals from each group repeated the marking of the points with a minimum interval of eight days between the two markings. The intra-group variability was calculated based on the coefficients of variation (CV). The comparison between groups was performed using the Student t-test for normally distributed variables, and using the Mann-Whitney test for those with non-normal distribution. In the group of orthodontists, the measurements of Pog and 1-NB, SL, S-Ls Line, S-Li Line and 1.NB showed high internal variability. In the group of radiologists, the same occurred with the values of Pog and 1-NB, S-Ls Line, S-Li Line and 1.NA. In the comparison between groups, all the analyzed linear values and two angular values showed statistically significant differences between radiologists and dentists (p <0.05). According to the results, the interexaminer error in cephalometric analysis requires more attention, but does not come from a specific class of specialists, being either dentists or radiologists.

Análise de métodos para detecção de mudanças estruturais em séries temporais climáticas

The time series analysis has played an increasingly important role in weather and climate studies. The success of these studies depends crucially on the knowledge of the quality of climate data such as, for instance, air temperature and rainfall data. For this reason, one of the main challenges for the researchers in this field is to obtain homogeneous series. A time series of climate data is considered homogeneous when the values of the observed data can change only due to climatic factors, i.e., without any interference from external non-climatic factors. Such non-climatic factors may produce undesirable effects in the time series, as unrealistic homogeneity breaks, trends and jumps. In the present work it was investigated climatic time series for the city of Natal, RN, namely air temperature and rainfall time series, for the period spanning from 1961 to 2012. The main purpose was to carry out an analysis in order to check the occurrence of homogeneity breaks or trends in the series under investigation. To this purpose, it was applied some basic statistical procedures, such as normality and independence tests. The occurrence of trends was investigated by linear regression analysis, as well as by the Spearman and Mann-Kendall tests. The homogeneity was investigated by the SNHT, as well as by the Easterling-Peterson and Mann-Whitney-Pettit tests. Analyzes with respect to normality showed divergence in their results. The von Neumann ratio test showed that in the case of the air temperature series the data are not independent and identically distributed (iid), whereas for the rainfall series the data are iid. According to the applied testings, both series display trends. The mean air temperature series displays an increasing trend, whereas the rainfall series shows an decreasing trend. Finally, the homogeneity tests revealed that all series under investigations present inhomogeneities, although they breaks depend on the applied test. In summary, the results showed that the chosen techniques may be applied in order to verify how well the studied time series are characterized. Therefore, these results should be used as a guide for further investigations about the statistical climatology of Natal or even of any other place.

Normalização de eletromiografia de superfície dos músculos respiratórios em sujeitos saudáveis: contração voluntária máxima máxima isométrica versus pressões respiratórias máximas

Aim : To evaluate and to standardize surface electromyography (sEMG) normalization procedures for respiratory muscles by comparing muscle activation during Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) and Maximal Respiratory Pressures (MIP, MEP and sniff test). Methods: Healthy subjects were evalua ted regarding demographics, spirometry and sEMG during the five maneuvers: sniff test, MIP , MEP and Maximal Voluntary Isometric C ontraction (MVIC) of RA, SCM and SC A . For electrode placement, skin was prepared with abrasion, followed by shaving in the foll owing regions for acquisition of el ectromyographic signals: (1) SC M: lower third of the distance between the mastoid process and t he sternoclavicular joint; (2) SC A : 5 cm to the right from the sternoclavicular joint and at this point, up to 2 cm; and (3 ) RA: the level of umbilicus, 4 cm to the right. In electromyographic variables analysis , the data normality was assessed by Shapiro - Wilk test. Comparisons among studied maneuvers were performed by Friedman Test and Dunn’s post - hoc for multiple comparisons a mong inspiratory maneuvers, and Mann Whitney test for expiratory maneuvers. Subgroups differences between genders were performed by Student's t test or Mann - Whitney test according to data normality. Results: 35 subjects participated in the study, b ut 5 we re excluded (BMI> 25 kg/ m²). Sample consisted of 30 subjects (1 5 women), mean age 27.3±7.43 years, BMI 22.2 ± 1.69 kg/m² and spirometric indices within normal limits. Specific MVIC for SCM, SCA and RA showed the highest RMS. When we grouped sample into gender we found no difference among RMS values for the studied SCM maneuvers, while for SCA, MVIC SCM / SCA was the one with the highest RMS and for RA, MVIC RA in men. Once considering women, MVIC SCM/SCA showed the highest RMS for SCM, SCA and MVIC RA showed t he highest value for RA. Conclusion: MVIC for SCM, SCA and RA muscles showed the highest RMS values. When comparing RMS between the studied groups, there was no significant difference between men and women.

Estimativas, variabilidade e análise de tendência da evapotranspiração de referência em perímetros irrigados, no semiárido do nordeste brasileiro

The variability / climate change has generated great concern worldwide, is one of the major issues as global warming, which can is affecting the availability of water resources in irrigated perimeters. In the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil it is known that there is a predominance of drought, but it is not enough known about trends in climate series of joint water loss by evaporation and transpiration (evapotranspiration). Therefore, this study aimed to analyze whether there is increase and / or decrease evidence in the regime of reference evapotranspiration (ETo), for the monthly, annual and interdecadal scales in irrigated polo towns of Juazeiro, BA (9 ° 24'S, 40 ° 26'W and 375,5m) and Petrolina, PE (09 ° 09'S, 40 ° 22'W and 376m), which is the main analysis objective. The daily meteorological data were provided by EMBRAPA Semiárido for the period from 01.01.1976 to 31.12.2014, estimated the daily ETo using the standard method of Penman-Monteith (EToPM) parameterized by Smith (1991). Other methods of more simplified estimatives were calculated and compared to EToPM, as the ones following: Solar Radiation (EToRS), Linacre (EToL), Hargreaves and Samani (EToHS) and the method of Class A pan (EToTCA). The main statistical analysis were non-parametric tests of homogeneity (Run), trend (Mann-kendall), magnitude of the trend (Sen) and early trend detection (Mann-Whitney). The statistical significance adopted was 5 and / or 1%. The Analysis of Variance - ANOVA was used to detect if there is a significant difference in mean interdecadal mean. For comparison between the methods of ETo, it were used the correlation test (r), the Student t test and Tukey levels of 5% significance. Finally, statistics Willmott et al. (1985) statistics was used to evaluate the concordance index and performance of simplified methods compared to the standard method. It obtained as main results that there was a decrease in the time series of EToPM in irrigated areas of Juazeiro, BA and Petrolina, PE, significant respectively at 1 and 5%, with an annual magnitude of -14.5 mm (Juazeiro) and -7.7 mm (Petrolina) and early trend in 1996. The methods which had better for better agreement with EToPM were EToRS with very good performance, in both locations, followed by the method of EToL with good performance (Juazeiro) and median (Petrolina). EToHS had the worst performance (bad) for both locations. It is suggested that this decrease of EToPM can be associated with the increase in irrigated agricultural areas and the construction of Sobradinho lake upstream of the perimeters.