Análise de parâmetros da função reprodutiva masculina após perda ponderal induzida pela cirurgia bariátrica

Introdução: A obesidade e suas formas extremas como a forma mórbida, vem assumindo preocupação nos sistemas de saúde pública e é atualmente considerado um dos mais importantes agravos de saúde no mundo desenvolvido. Acarreta repercussões em várias partes do corpo, com potencial para interferir negativamente também na função reprodutiva, recentemente sendo mais estudado na população masculina. Objetivo: avaliar parâmetros hormonais e seminais da função reprodutiva em um grupo de homens obesos mórbidos, antes e após 6 meses da perda de peso induzida pela cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos: Inicialmente, de uma amostra de 36 pacientes com idade entre 18 e 40 anos e índice de massa corporal (IMC) ≥40 Kg/m2, apenas 1 caso foi excluído por ser portador de hiperprolactinoma e outros 24 pacientes não completaram todo o protocolo de avaliação laboratorial solicitada. Um total de apenas 11 pacientes completou o protocolo. Todos foram previamente avaliados por uma equipe multidisciplinar. O grupo selecionado foi submetido a avaliação seminal e dosagens hormonais de testosterona total(TT), FSH e LH. Os parâmetros foram reavaliados após 6 meses de realização da cirurgia pela técnica de Y-em-Roux, para análise dos efeitos da perda de peso sobre os parâmetros da função reprodutiva. Resultados: No grupo selecionado ao estudo, os exames pré-operatórios mostraram um grupo heterogêneo de resultados. Após seis meses do tratamento cirúrgico, a perda ponderal foi significativa no grupo analisado, com redução do IMC de mediana 46 Kg/m2para mediana de 36 Kg/m2(p=0,03). Em relação ao perfil hormonal, houve elevação significativa do nível sérico de TT com mediana de 187ng/ml no período pré-operatório para 457 ng/ml (p=0,02) no período pós-operatório. Entre os períodos pré e pós-operatório, não foram observadas alterações significantes do FSH (2,70 mIU/ml para 3,31 mIU/ml, p=0,79), LH (4,82 mIU/ml para 3,00mIU/ml, p=0,39), concentração espermática (38milhões/ml para 31milhões/ml, p=0,88) e motilidade A+B (50% para 50%, p=0,89).Conclusão: A redução ponderal decorrente da cirurgia em obesos mórbidos parece levar a uma elevação dos níveis de testosterona total, sem alterações nas demais provas de avaliação reprodutiva. Estudos adicionais com casuística maior e múltiplos parâmetros são necessários para esclarecimento definitivo do impacto da obesidade e da perda de peso induzida pela cirurgia sobre a função reprodutiva masculina

Estudo do perfil térmico de fornos do tipo "caipira" utilizados pelo setor de cerâmica vermelha em parelhas na região Seridó-RN

The present study aimed to characterize the thermal profile of wood fired oven used by the red ceramic industry in Parelhas, in the Seridó region/RN, aiming to propose structural interventions that can contribute to increasing productivity and product quality, optimize wood consumption and mitigate existing losses during the burning process. The study was conducted at Cerâmica Esperança in the city of Parelhas -RN, Brazil, during the period from August 2012 to September 2013. Four treatments were performed with three replicates, ie, with, a total of 12 experimental units (burnings). In the first stage 4 treatments were performed with three replicates, totaling 12 experimental units (firings). In the second stage 2 treatments were performed with three replications, totaling 6 experimental units (firings). The physical characteristics of the wood were analyzed using standard NBR 11941 and NBR 7190 for basic density and moisture, respectively. The clay was used as a reference parameter for distinguishing treatments. For both the analysis and characterization was carried out using techniques of fluorescence X (XRF) rays, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, particle size analysis (FA). In the first and second stages were monitored: the time during the firing process, the amount of wood used at each firing, the number of parts enfornadas for subsequent determination of the percentages of losses, but also product quality. To characterize the thermal profile of the oven, we measured the temperature at 15 points scored in the surface charge put into the oven. Measurements were taken every 30 minutes from preheat until the end of burning, using a pyrometer laser sight sighting from preheating until the end of burning. In the second step 12 metal cylinders distributed on the oven walls, and the cylinder end walls 8 of the furnace 2 and rollers on each side walls are installed equidistant to 17 cm from the soil and the surface 30 of the wall are installed. The cylinders distributed on the front were placed 50 cm above the furnace, and the base of the oven 20 cm distant from the ground. 10 also thermocouples were installed, and five thermocouples distributed 1.77 cm above the combustion chambers, and one thermocouple on each side, and three thermocouples in front of the oven. We carried out the measurements of the temperatures every 1 hour during the burning two hours in cooling the cylinders with a pyrometer and thermocouples for dattaloger. These were fixed with depth of 30 cm from the wall. After statistical analysis it was found that: the thermal profile of the furnace surface and at different heights was heterogeneous; and the ranges of density and moisture content of wood are within recommended for use as an energy source standards. We conclude that even at low temperatures reached during firing there was a significant production of good quality products, this is due to high concentrations of iron oxide and potassium oxide found in clay, which lowers the melting point of the piece. The average burn time for each step varied 650-2100 minutes wood consumption was on average 20 m3, product quality was on average 16% of first quality, 70% second, third and 5% to 10% loss . The distance between the wire and the surface of the oven was a significant parameter for all treatments, but with different variations, meaning that the wire should not be so generic and unique form, used as a criterion for completion of the burn process. The central part of the furnace was the area that reached higher temperature, and in a unified manner, with the highest concentration of top quality products. The ideal temperature curve, which provided the highest quality of ceramic products was achieved in the central part of the furnace

Biologia populacional comparada de duas espécies de heliconius (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) em um ambiente sazonal de floresta atlântica do nordeste brasileiro

Tropical environments often face strong seasonal variations in climate, such as alternate periods of dry and rain, that may often be important influence in the annual X the organisms lives. Here we assess how population dynamics of two butterfly species (Heliconius erato and Heliconius mepomene) respond to environmental and seasonal variations. A mark-release-recapture study carried out in an Atlantic forest reserve, 15 Km from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, for 3 years, during the dry and rainy season, with three visits weekly done. Information such as species, wing lenght, site of capture, pollen load and phenotype (number of spots) (in H. erato only) were noted for each capture. Seasonal variation exists in capture rates of the two species, with great capture rates during the rainy season. Despite finding differences in the mean density of individuals of the two species among the different collection areas, this difference was only significant between floodplain and central areas, and no influence of seasonality was observed in the mean density between the areas. Seasonality in wing size was only observed for H. erato, with larger wings during the rainy season. Females carried larger pollen loads than males both species, but species were similar. Only males differed seasonally, with larger pollen loads during the rainy season. The distribution of the number of wing spots did not vary between the dry and rainy seasons, and the number of spots in males and females was similar. Therefore, we conclude that there was a strong influence of seasonal variation in the population dynamic of the two Heliconius species, as well as in several aspects of their biology

A perda de grupos funcionais em comunidades virtuais: efeito das interações entre espécies e grupos funcionais

High levels of local, regional, and global extinctions has progressively simplified communities in terms of both species and ecosystem functioning. Theoretical models demonstrated that the degree of functional redundancy determines the rates of functional group loss in response to species extinctions. Here, we improve the theoretical predictions by incorporating in the model interactions between species and between functional groups. In this study, we tested the effect of different scenarios of interspecific interactions and effects between functional groups on the resistance to loss of community functional groups. Virtual communities have been built with different distribution patterns of species in functional groups, both with high and low evenness. A matrix A was created to represent the net effect of interspecific interactions among all species, representing nesting patterns, modularity, sensitive species, and dominant species. Moreover, a second matrix B was created to represent the interactions between functional groups, also exhibiting different patterns. The extinction probability of each species was calculated based on community species richness and by the intensity of the interspecific interactions that act upon it and group to which it belongs. In the model, successive extinctions decrease the community species richness, the degree of functional redundancy and, consequently, the number of functional groups that remain in the system. For each scenario of functional redundancy, A, and B, we ran 1000 simulations to generate an average functional extinction curve. Different model assumptions were able to generate remarkable variation on functional extinction curves. More extreme variations occurred when the matrix A and B caused a higher heterogeneity in the species extinction probability. Scenarios with sensitive species, positive or negative, showed a greater variation than the scenarios with dominant species. Nested interactions showed greater variation than scenarios where the interactions were in modules. Communities with maximal functional evenness can only be destabilized by the interactions between species and functional groups. In contrast, communities with low functional evenness can have its resistance either increased or decreased by the interactions. The concentration of positive interactions in low redundancy groups or negative interactions in high redundancy groups was able to decrease the functional extinction rates. In contrast, the concentration of negative interactions in low redundancy groups or positive interactions in high redundancy groups was able to increase the functional extinction rates. This model shows results that are relevant for species priorization in ecosystem conservation and restoration

Análise da resiliência sócio-ecológica em unidades de conservação de uso sustentável: subsídios para o manejo da pesca artesanal no Brasil

O uso da biodiversidade pelo homem leva a alterações no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, podendo ainda levar a perda de resiliência. Pode-se definir resiliência como a capacidade de um sistema absorver um distúrbio e reorganizar-se, enquanto submetido a mudanças, mantendo a mesma estrutura e funcionamento. Em um sistema social, entende-se como a capacidade dos usuários de recursos naturais de enfrentar e adaptar-se as mudanças nas regras que regem o uso e acesso a estes. Alterações na resiliência, tanto ecológica quanto social, podem ser resultantes das ações de exploração e manejo destes recursos. Assim, torna-se essencial compreender como funcionam as estratégias de manejo e sua interação com a resiliência sócio-ecológica, permitindo a auto-avaliação das ações e possíveis modificações das mesmas. Neste projeto, propõe-se comparar a resiliência sócio-ecológica de três Unidades de Conservação (UCs) de uso sustentável: Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (RDS) Ponta do Tubarão, localizada no estado do Rio Grande do Norte; e as Reservas Extrativistas do Batoque e Prainha do Canto Verde, ambas localizadas no estado do Ceará. Em cada área de estudo serão escolhidas comunidades pesqueiras, permitindo a comparação entre elas. A partir destas comunidades, alguns aspectos relacionados ao uso dos recursos serão analisados, como atividade pesqueira, dieta e modo de vida. Os dados serão coletados através de questionários semi-estruturados, contendo questões baseadas em aspectos sociais, econômicos e ecológicos. Os resultados obtidos servirão de indicadores para a resiliência ecológica (informações obtidas com base na atividade pesqueira) e social (informações obtidas com base no acompanhamento da dieta e análise do modo de vida). Apesar da similaridade ecológica entre as áreas de estudo, algumas estratégias de manejo distintas em função da categoria da UC podem apresentar diferentes resultados sobre a resiliência sócio-ecológica. Desta forma, compreender como a resiliência sócio-ecológica se comporta, dentro dos sistemas de manejo estudados, permitirá avaliar a influência destes dois tipos de UCs (RDS e RESEX) na promoção da sustentabilidade ecológica e/ou social

Carga de trabalho de enfermagem e infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde na unidade de terapia intensiva

In recent decades, the search for quality care has been widely discussed by the institutions and health professionals. In this context, it is the nurse coordinator of the process of providing nursing staff, reflecting the commitment to quality of care. In this process, it is the appearance of Infections Related to health care and its potential association with the workload in nursing as a valuable indicator of quality of care. Thus, this research contributes to studies to characterize the demand of nursing work to promote a safe healthcare practice. This study aimed to identify the association of nursing workload with the number of cases of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, urinary tract infection and central venous catheter infection in the intensive care unit. This is a quantitative research approach, descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective, held at Unimed Hospital in Natal-RN. The study population consisted of all patients treated in the Intensive Care Unit, Hospital for a period of 90 consecutive days in 2011. The convenience sample was compostapelos patients admitted to the ICU during the period of data collection, a total sample of 286 patients. To perform the data analysis software were used: Statistica 6.0, SPPS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 17.0 (2004) and Excel 2007. In the descriptive analysis, we used Measures of Central Tendency and Measures of Dispersion or Variability and the use of nonparametric tests. Of the 286 patients, 88 were from the ICU and 198 ICU II II. Males predominated in the ICU I (51.1%) and female ICU II (57.6%) patients in the ICU I were aged 61-80 years (39.8%) followed by greater than 80 years (39.8%). In the ICU II, most of the patients were aged 61-80 years (38.9%) and then from 41 to 60 years (24.2%). In relation to the class of TISS inlet predominant class II in the two ICUs (59.1%), followed by Class III also in the two units (34.6%). Most patients (70.6%) out of the ICUs belonging to class II TISS. In the ICU I, the average number of forms of the TISS 28 was 6, has in ICU II this value drops to 3.2 forms. The overall mean was 19.9 TISS points in ICU patients I and ICU II.the 17 points in the average hours required to provide adequate nursing care to patients in the ICU I found that is 10 , 7 hours, and the ICU II 9.2 hours. It was found that the time provided by the nursing staff were higher in ICU II, with an average of 19 hours available for nurses in this sector. In the ICU I, which showed higher need of available hours, it was found that the mean value of 12.7 available hours. It was found that only 2.4% of patients had these units Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, 1.0% were infected central venous catheter and 1.4% of patients had urinary tract infection. Infection associated with health care occurs, on average, on the tenth day of hospitalization. In the ICU II, this average value extends to the twelfth day with an excess of 2.7 hours of nursing care while in ICU I value decays to the ninth day of hospitalization with a deficiency of 12-hour assistance. It is concluded that patients generally showed a need for classification of semi-intensive care and has been assisted in their need to load. As for his association with the Related Infections Health will assist this analysis could not be performed due to the small number of notifications in this period. It is suggested further study how other factors related to infections me a longer period of analysis

Estudo do comportamento no estado fresco e endurecido do concreto com incorporação de resíduo de corte de botão

This works aims at investigating the effects of adding waste from RCBP-polyester button manufacturing to Portland cement concrete, particularly regarding its consistency and mechanic strength. The RCBP used came from a button factory located in Parnamirim, RN, Brazil. The waste was added to the concrete on different ratios: 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % of the total cement mass. A sample of concrete without the RCBP was used as reference, 1:1,33:2,45:0,50. For the mechanic strength test four samples were tested with different ages (3, 7 and 28 days old) and mixtures. Furthermore, a Slump Test was also conducted in order to verify the concrete s consistency. A tendency to a reduction in the compression resistance was noticed for all samples. For the samples with 5 % and 10 %, there was also an increase in the traction resistance during inflexion, regarding the reference concrete. In the microstructural analysis, the RBCP was observed to show an irregular and porous surface, thus explaining the consistency decrease

Avaliação do uso do DCP em areias para controle da capacidade de carga em fundações diretas e controle de compactação de aterros

This work presents results of field and laboratory tests using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, DCP. The tests were performed in order to evaluate the use of the equipment in sand for the control of bearing capacity of shallow foundations and fill compaction. For shallow foundations, the laboratory tests were conducted on sand placed in a metallic mould by the method of sand pluviation. Although the results show the inability to reproduce field conditions in the laboratory it was possible to verify the ability of the DCP to identify less resistant soil layers. The DCP tests for the analysis of compaction control were performed in a strong box with inside dimensions of 1,40 m x 1,40 m and 0,70 m in height. The soil layers were compacted with different densities though the use of a vibrating plate in order to obtain correlations between penetration index, DPI, and soil relative density. Other tests were also conducted to assess the influence of soil moisture on tests results. Among other findings, the results showed the great potential for the use of DCP to control the compaction of sand fills

Provas de carga estática com carregamento lateral em estacas escavadas hélice contínua e cravadas metálicas em areia

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the behavior of continuous flight auger (cfa) bored piles and metalic driven H-section piles under lateral loading in cohesionless soils. The piles were tested in two different areas at the same site. Both areas consisted of a 3-m thick compacted superficial fill of pure fine sand, underlain by layers of naturally occurring pure fine-thick sand. Fills are differentiated by the relative densities which were compressed, 45% e 70%, respectively. Each area received one identical pair of cfa piles and two identical pairs of H-piles. A static lateral loading test was performed in each pair of piles. In this work, the pile load test results are reported and interpreted. The horizontal coefficient of subgrade reaction was determined from the results of the loading tests and compared with values determined by correlations based on penetration resistance index of SPT tests (NSPT). p-y formulations describing the static behavior of the piles were applied to the problem under evaluation. Back Analyses were made through theoretical and experimental p-y curves for obtaining input parameters for the analytic models, among which the coefficient of horizontal reaction. The soil pile system horizontal loading at rupture was determined by the theoretical methods and the results were compared with the experimental results, checking its validity

Algoritmos de otimização para decisões de localização de facilidades e distribuição em sistemas multiníveis de transporte rodoviário de carga

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Proposição de um modelo para análise de fluxo de carga, curto-circuito e simulação de relés de produção

The objective of the present work is develop a model to simulate electrical energy networks in transient and stead states, using the software ATP (Alternative Transient Program), able to be a way to join two distinct themes, present in classical methodology planning networks: short circuit analysis and load flow theory. Beyond that, using a tool for relay simulation, this paper intend to use the new developed model to investigate the influence of transient phenomenon in operation of protection relays, and calibrate the enterprise's protections relays. For testing the model, some relays, actually, installed at COSERN were used

Implementação de um algoritmo para a análise de curtos-circuitos de alta impedância baseado no fluxo de carga soma de potências

This work has as main objective to show all the particularities regarding the Three-phase Power Summation Method, used for load flow calculation, in what it says respect to the influence of the magnetic coupling among the phases, as well as to the losses presented in all the existent transformers in the feeder to be analyzed. Besides, its application is detailed in the study of the short-circuits, that happen in the presence of high impedance values, which possess a problem, that is its difficult detection and consequent elimination on the part of common devices of protection. That happens due to the characteristic presented by the current of short¬ circuit, in being generally of the same order of greatness that the load currents. Results of simulations accomplished in several situations will be shown, objectifying a complete analysis of the behavior of the proposed method in several types of short-circuits. Confront of the results obtained by the method with results of another works will be presented to verify its effectiveness

Modelagem e medições de ondas de rádio para predição de perda de propagação em ambientes urbanos

In this dissertation new models of propagation path loss predictions are proposed by from techniques of optimization recent and measures of power levels for the urban and suburban areas of Natal, city of Brazilian northeast. These new proposed models are: (i) a statistical model that was implemented based in the addition of second-order statistics for the power and the altimetry of the relief in model of linear losses; (ii) a artificial neural networks model used the training of the algorithm backpropagation, in order to get the equation of propagation losses; (iii) a model based on the technique of the random walker, that considers the random of the absorption and the chaos of the environment and than its unknown parameters for the equation of propagation losses are determined through of a neural network. The digitalization of the relief for the urban and suburban areas of Natal were carried through of the development of specific computational programs and had been used available maps in the Statistics and Geography Brazilian Institute. The validations of the proposed propagation models had been carried through comparisons with measures and propagation classic models, and numerical good agreements were observed. These new considered models could be applied to any urban and suburban scenes with characteristic similar architectural to the city of Natal

Otimização de modelos de predição da perda de propagação aplicáveis em 3,5GHZ utilizando algoritmos genéticos

The telecommunications industry has experienced recent changes, due to increasing quest for access to digital services for data, video and multimedia, especially using the mobile phone networks. Recently in Brazil, mobile operators are upgrading their networks to third generations systems (3G) providing to users broadband services such as video conferencing, Internet, digital TV and more. These new networks that provides mobility and high data rates has allowed the development of new market concepts. Currently the market is focused on the expansion of WiMAX technology, which is gaining increasingly the market for mobile voice and data. In Brazil, the commercial interest for this technology appears to the first award of licenses in the 3.5 GHz band. In February 2003 ANATEL held the 003/2002/SPV-ANATEL bidding, where it offered blocks of frequencies in the range of 3.5 GHz. The enterprises who purchased blocks of frequency were: Embratel, Brazil Telecom (Vant), Grupo Sinos, Neovia and WKVE, each one with operations spread in some regions of Brazil. For this and other wireless communications systems are implemented effectively, many efforts have been invested in attempts to developing simulation methods for coverage prediction that is close to reality as much as possible so that they may become believers and indispensable tools to design wireless communications systems. In this work wasm developed a genetic algorithm (GA's) that is able to optimize the models for predicting propagation loss at applicable frequency range of 3.5 GHz, thus enabling an estimate of the signal closer to reality to avoid significant errors in planning and implementation a system of wireless communication

Caracterização do efluente líquido no processo de beneficiamento do índigo têxtil

The great diversity of the textile industries activities causes the formation of wastewaters with high complex characteristics during the productive process, according to the industrial process used. The principal aim of the present work is the characterization of the wastewater from the textile industry that process the indigo, located in the Industrial District of Natal-RN, to know the contaminante load of each stage of the process and the framing of the wastewater with the standards of act of receiving of the System of Treatment of Wastewater of the Industrial District of Natal-RN SITEL-DIN, operated for the Company of Waters and Sewers of the RN CAERN. It was analyzed the following properties and pollutants agents: temperature; pH; alcalinity; color; COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand); total and suspended solids; heavy metals, thermotolerants coliformes, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity. As conclusion it is distinguished that the wastewater did not get resulted satisfactory, according to comparisons with other sources, in only three parameters: turbidity, dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity, however none of these parameters is criteria of acts of receiving of the SITEL-DIN,therefore the wastewater if finds inside of normality. After the analysis of the obtained results it was verified that SITEL-DIN is indispensable for completing the wastewater treatment