Unraveling the barriers to reconceptualization of the problem in chronic pain: The actual and perceived ability of patients and health professionals to understand the neurophysiology

To identify why reconceptualization of the problem is difficult in chronic pain, this study aimed to evaluate whether (1) health professionals and patients can understand currently accurate information about the neurophysiology of pain and (2) health professionals accurately estimate the ability of patients to understand the neurophysiology of pain. Knowledge tests were completed by 276 patients with chronic pain and 288 professionals either before (untrained) or after (trained) education about the neurophysiology of pain. Professionals estimated typical patient performance on the test. Untrained participants performed poorly (mean +/- standard deviation, 55% +/- 19% and 29% +/- 12% for professionals and patients, respectively), compared to their trained counterparts (78% +/- 21% and 61% +/- 19%, respectively). The estimated patient score (46% +/- 18%) was less than the actual patient score (P < .005). The results suggest that professionals and patients can understand the neurophysiology of pain but professionals underestimate patients' ability to understand. The implications are that (1) a poor knowledge of currently accurate information about pain and (2) the underestimation of patients' ability to understand currently accurate information about pain represent barriers to reconceptualization of the problem in chronic pain within the clinical and lay arenas. (C) 2003 by the American Pain Society.

Mid- to Late-Holocene estuarine infilling processes studied by radiocarbon dates, high resolution seismic and biofacies at Vitoria Bay, Espirito Santo, Southeastern Brazil

A Baía de Vitória é um estuário com 20 km de comprimento, morfologicamente estreito, com um regime de micromaré e, como outros estuários modernos, formado durante a última transgressão pós-glacial. A morfologia de fundo do estrato estuarino é caracterizada por um canal natural principal limitado por planícies de maré com manguezais desenvolvidos. Datações de radiocarbono originais foram obtidas para a área. Cinco idades de radiocarbono estendendo-se de 1.010 a 7.240 anos AP foram obtidas através de dois testemunhos de sedimento, representando uma sequência estratigráfica de 5 m de espessura. Os resultados indicam que até aproximadamente 4.000 anos cal. AP, as condições ambientais da Baía de Vitória eram ainda de uma baía aberta, com uma conexão livre e aberta com águas marinhas. Durante os últimos 4.000 anos a baía experimentou uma fase de regressão importante, tornando-se mais restrita em termos de circulação da água do mar e provavelmente aumentando a energia de marés. Três superfícies estratigráficas principais foram reconhecidas, limitando fácies transgressiva, transgressiva/nível de mar alto e regressiva. A morfologia do canal atual representa um diastema de maré, mostrando fácies regressivas truncadas e erodidas. Biofácies de foraminíferos, passando de ambiente marinho para ambiente salobro e de manguezais em planície de maré confirmam a interpretação sismoestratigráfica. A ausência de biofácies de mangue em um dos dois testemunhos é tambémuma indicação de ravinamento de maré atual.

Gravitational waves : a 100-year tool applied to the dark energy problem

Recent observations from type Ia Supernovae and from cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies have revealed that most of the matter of the Universe interacts in a repulsive manner, composing the so-called dark energy constituent of the Universe. Determining the properties of dark energy is one of the most important tasks of modern cosmology and this is the main motivation for this work. The analysis of cosmic gravitational waves (GW) represents, besides the CMB temperature and polarization anisotropies, an additional approach in the determination of parameters that may constrain the dark energy models and their consistence. In recent work, a generalized Chaplygin gas model was considered in a flat universe and the corresponding spectrum of gravitational waves was obtained. In the present work we have added a massless gas component to that model and the new spectrum has been compared to the previous one. The Chaplygin gas is also used to simulate a L-CDM model by means of a particular combination of parameters so that the Chaplygin gas and the L-CDM models can be easily distinguished in the theoretical scenarios here established. We find that the models are strongly degenerated in the range of frequencies studied. This degeneracy is in part expected since the models must converge to each other when some particular combinations of parameters are considered.

Brazil: an emerging military power? The problem of the use of force in Brazilian international relations in the 21st century

The central goal of this paper is thinking about the Brazilian military power and its linking to the international ambitions of the country in the 21st century. After a comparative analysis to other BRICs and with a historical one about Brazil's strategic irrelevance, we aim to establish what the minimum military capacity Brazil would need in order to meet the country's latest international interests. Similarly, it will be discussed if the National Strategy of Defense, approved in 2008, and the recent strategic agreements signed with France represent one more step toward this minimum military capacity.

Forty Years of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 (XXX) on Zionism and Racism: the Brazilian Vote as an instance of United States - Brazil Relations

Abstract In 1975, Brazil voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 3379 (XXX), equating Zionism with a form of racism. Focusing on the decision-making process of president Ernesto Geisel's (1974-1979) foreign policy, "responsible pragmatism", this article discusses how the ultimate decision to vote in favor of resolution was taken taking into account mainly US-Brazil relationship.

Anotação ao Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça (Português), de 25 de Janeiro de 2011 - a resolução e o contrato de franquia

É importante chamar a atenção das possíveis diferenças entre o contrato de franquia e o contrato de agência no que diz respeito também ao problema da resolução em termos mais gerais ou em termos mais concretos; 1 – Sumário do Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, de 25 de Janeiro de 2011; 2 – Texto completo do Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, de 25 de Janeiro de 2011, Juiz Conselheiro Garcia CALEJO (Relator), Juiz Conselheiro Hélder ROQUE e Juiz Conselheiro Sebastião PÓVOAS: cfr. http://www.dgsi.pt , 21 de Abril de 2011; 3 – Anotação; 3.1 – Introdução à anotação; 3.2 – A questão da resolução em termos gerais; 3.3 – A questão da resolução no «contrato atípico de franquia»; 4 – Conclusões; Abstract: is important to draw attention to potential differences between the franchise agreement and agency agreement with regard also to the resolution problem in more general terms or in more concrete terms; 1 - Summary of the Sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice, 25 of January of 2011; 2 - Complete text of the Sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice, 25 of January of 2011, Advising Judge Garcia CALEJO (Reporter), Advising Judge Hélder ROQUE and Advising Juiz Sebastião PÓVOAS: cfr. http://www.dgsi.pt , 21 of April of 2011; 3 - Notation; 3.1 - Introduction to the notation; 3.2 - The question of the resolution in general terms; 3.3 - The question of the resolution in the «atypical contract of franshise»; 4 - Conclusions;

Anotação ao Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça (Português), de 25 de Janeiro de 2011 - a resolução e o contrato de franquia

is important to draw attention to potential differences between the franchise agreement and agency agreement with regard also to the resolution problem in more general terms or in more concrete terms; 1 - Summary of the Sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice, 25 of January of 2011; 2 - Complete text of the Sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice, 25 of January of 2011, Advising Judge Garcia CALEJO (Reporter), Advising Judge Hélder ROQUE and Advising Juiz Sebastião PÓVOAS: cfr. http://www.dgsi.pt , 21 of April of 2011; 3 - Notation; 3.1 - Introduction to the notation; 3.2 - The question of the resolution in general terms; 3.3 - The question of the resolution in the «atypical contract of franshise»; 4 - Conclusions;

Estudo das diferenças de género nas cognições antecipatórias, estratégias de coping e depressão em adultos

RESUMO: A presente dissertação tem o objectivo de estudar a relação das diferenças de género nas cognições antecipatórias, estratégias de coping e depressão. Para o efeito, constituiu-se duas amostras, uma de indivíduos do género feminino (n=224) de 57,9% (com uma média de idades de 36,2 e um DP=10,5), e outra por indivíduos do género masculino (n=163), perfazendo uma percentagem de 42,1% (com uma média de idades de 41,1 e um DP=12,5). Foi elaborado um protocolo de investigação composto por: Questionário de dados sócio-demográficos, Questionário de Cognições Antecipatórias (QCA), de Figueira & Ramos, 1995, o Questionário de Modos de Lidar com os Acontecimentos (QMLA), de J. Pais Ribeiro, C. Santos, 2001 e o Inventário de Avaliação Clínica da Depressão (IACLIDE), de A, Vaz Serra, 1995. Os resultados demonstraram que não existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre géneros nas cognições antecipatórias (p=0,594). Em relação às estratégias de coping, os resultados foram estatisticamente significativos, com as mulheres a recorrerem mais à procura de suporte social (p=0,042) e à fuga-evitamento (p=0,006). O índice de depressão mostra, de forma estatisticamente significativa, que o género feminino apresenta valores mais elevados (p=0,038). A escala de depressão permitiu ainda verificar de forma estatisticamente significativa que as mulheres revelam mais dificuldades no desempenho das tarefas associadas a queixas biológicas e cognitivas (p=0,003), tal como nas dimensões biológica (p=0,002) e de desempenho da tarefa (p=0,007). A relação entre as três variáveis, permite concluir que o índice global da escala de depressão está relacionado positivamente com as Cognições Antecipatórias (p=,000), e nas estratégias de coping, as dimensões fuga-evitamento (p=,002), resolução planeada do problema (p=,000) e a reavaliação positiva (p=,034) também estão relacionadas com esta escala da depressão de forma estatisticamente significativa. ABSTRACT: This dissertation aims to study the relationship of gender differences in anticipatory cognitions, coping strategies and depression. For this purpose, it was constituted two samples, one for female gender (n = 224) 57.9% (with a mean age of 36.2 and a SD=10.5), and other of male gender (n = 163), giving a percentage of 42.1% (with an average age of 41.1 and a SD=12.5). It was prepared a research protocol composed of data questionnaire included social-demographic, Anticipatory Cognitions Questionnaire (QCA), Figueira & Ramos, 1995, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), J. Pais Ribeiro, C. Santos, 2001, and the Inventory and Evaluation of Clinical Depression (IACLIDE) A, Vaz Serra, 1995. The results have shown no statistically significant differences between genders in anticipatory cognitions (p= 0.594). In the coping strategies, the results were statistically significant, with women looking to take more advantage of social support (p= 0.042) and escape-avoidance (p= 0.006). The rate of depression shows a statistically significant with females having higher values (p=0.038). The depression scale allowed us to verify statistically significant that women shows more difficulty in performing tasks associated with biological and cognitive complaints (p=0,003), as in the biological (p=0,002) and task performance (p=0,007). The relationship between the three variables, shows that the overall rate of depression scale is positively related to the Anticipatory Cognitions (p =, 000), and strategies for coping, escape-avoidance dimensions (p =, 002), resolution of the planned problem (p =, 000) and positive reappraisal (p =, 034) are also related to the scale of depression and were also statistically significant.

On the Problem of Balancing the DC Capacitor Voltage Divider in Back-to-Back Multilevel Converters

This paper presents a new generalized solution for DC bus capacitors voltage balancing in back-to-back m level diode-clamped multilevel converters connecting AC networks. The solution is based on the DC bus average power flow and exploits the switching configuration redundancies. The proposed balancing solution is particularized for the back-to-back multilevel structure with m=5 levels. This back-to-back converter is studied working with bidirectional power flow, connecting an induction machine to the power grid.

Formaldehyde in indoor air: a public health problem?

Formaldehyde was the first air pollutant, which already in the 1970s emerged as a specifically non-industrial indoor air quality problem. Yet formaldehyde remained an indoor air quality issue and the formaldehyde level in residential indoor air is among the highest of any indoor air contaminant. Formaldehyde concentrations in 4 different indoor settings (schools, office buildings, new dwellings and occupied dwellings) in Portugal were measured using Photo Ionization Detection (PID) equipment (11,7 eV lamps). All the settings presented results higher than the reference value proposed by Portuguese legislation. Furthermore, occupied dwellings showed 3 units with results above the reference. We could conclude that formaldehyde presence is a reality in monitored indoor settings. Concentration levels are higher than the Portuguese reference value for indoor settings and these can indicate health problems for occupants.

Eliminação do Cr(VI) na fase de neutralização de um efluente industrial proveniente de processos de galvanoplastia

A presente tese teve por base a identificação e resolução de um problema existente no tratamento de efluentes provenientes dos processos de tratamento de superfícies por galvanoplastia, na OGMA – Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal S.A.. Observou-se a ocorrência, esporádica, de crómio hexavalente, (Cr (VI)), em valor superior ao valor limite de emissão (VLE). Os resultados foram monitorizados e os dados recolhidos no decorrer da actividade de tratamento de efluentes, durante o período de, aproximadamente, 5 anos (2006 a 2011). A recolha de resultados decorreu no âmbito da actividade profissional da mestranda, que, para além da responsabilidade técnica dos processos de galvanoplastia na empresa, é também responsável pelo suporte técnico ao processo de tratamento de efluentes resultantes da actividade de tratamento de superficies por processos de galvanoplastia. A empresa OGMA – Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal S.A., é uma empresa de actividade aeronáutica dedicada à Fabricação e Manutenção de aeronaves, nomeadamente a prestação de serviços de Manutenção, Revisão e Modernização de, Aeronaves, Motores e Componentes, bem como Fabricação e Montagem de Aeroestruturas. Integrada na OGMA, S.A. encontra-se a área de tratamentos electroquímicos, onde são realizados processos de tratamento de materiais metálicos por electrodeposição, deposição química e conversão química. Desta actividade resulta uma quantidade considerável de efluentes líquidos que necessitam de tratamento adequado previamente à sua descarga em cursos de água. Devido ao tipo de contaminantes que estes efluentes possuem, o tratamento dos mesmos é realizado em várias etapas, passando pela oxidação de cianetos, a redução de cromatos e a neutralização. Posteriormente segue-se uma sedimentação e a remoção de lamas. De modo a garantir um controlo dos parâmetros de descarga dos efluentes tratados, de acordo com a legislação ambiental em vigor, o efluente obtido é analisado periodicamente em laboratório acreditado. Na perspectiva de solucionar o problema em questão, procedeu-se à realização de ensaios experimentais utilizando os efluentes provenientes dos tanques de reacção da redução de cromatos e da oxidação de cianetos da linha com cádmio, com especial incidência na variação dos intervalos de pH recomendados para cada uma das fases do tratamento de efluentes, e observação do comportamento das misturas em termos de presença de Cr (VI), quando sujeitos a variações de pH. Após análise dos dados disponíveis e realização de todos os ensaios, conclui-se que, o processo de oxidação de cianeto da linha com cádmio e o processo de redução de cromatos na mesma linha estão a funcionar adequadamente. Concluiu-se que o reaparecimento de Cr (VI) ocorre devido à existência de hipoclorito de sódio, em excesso, no tanque de oxidação de cianeto que, quando passa para o tanque de neutralização e entra em contacto com o efluente proveniente do tanque de redução de cromatos, oxida parte do crómio trivalente, (Cr (III)), existente, a Cr (VI). Para impedir a ocorrência deste fenómeno separou-se todo o efluente contendo crómio que passou a ser tratado na linha de tratamento de efluentes isenta de cádmio, não entrando assim em contacto com o efluente que contém hipoclorito não reagido, evitando a oxidação do Cr (III) a Cr (VI).

New p-i-n Si : H imager configuration for spatial resolution improvement

Amorphous glass/ZnO-Al/p(a-Si:H)/i(a-Si:H)/n(a-Si1-xCx:H)/Al imagers with different n-layer resistivities were produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique (PE-CVD). An image is projected onto the sensing element and leads to spatially confined depletion regions that can be readout by scanning the photodiode with a low-power modulated laser beam. The essence of the scheme is the analog readout, and the absence of semiconductor arrays or electrode potential manipulations to transfer the information coming from the transducer. The influence of the intensity of the optical image projected onto the sensor surface is correlated with the sensor output characteristics (sensitivity, linearity blooming, resolution and signal-to-noise ratio) are analysed for different material compositions (0.5 < x < 1). The results show that the responsivity and the spatial resolution are limited by the conductivity of the doped layers. An enhancement of one order of magnitude in the image intensity signal and on the spatial resolution are achieved at 0.2 mW cm(-2) light flux by decreasing the n-layer conductivity by the same amount. A physical model supported by electrical simulation gives insight into the image-sensing technique used.

The problem of estimating the volatility of zero coupon bond interest rate

Financial literature and financial industry use often zero coupon yield curves as input for testing hypotheses, pricing assets or managing risk. They assume this provided data as accurate. We analyse implications of the methodology and of the sample selection criteria used to estimate the zero coupon bond yield term structure on the resulting volatility of spot rates with different maturities. We obtain the volatility term structure using historical volatilities and Egarch volatilities. As input for these volatilities we consider our own spot rates estimation from GovPX bond data and three popular interest rates data sets: from the Federal Reserve Board, from the US Department of the Treasury (H15), and from Bloomberg. We find strong evidence that the resulting zero coupon bond yield volatility estimates as well as the correlation coefficients among spot and forward rates depend significantly on the data set. We observe relevant differences in economic terms when volatilities are used to price derivatives.

Fungal contamination of poultries litter: a public health problem

Exposure to certain fungi can cause human illness. Fungi cause adverse human health effects through three specific mechanisms: generation of a harmful immune response (e.g., allergy or hypersensitivity pneumonitis); direct infection by the fungal organism; by toxic-irritant effects from mold byproducts, such as mycotoxins. In Portugal there is an increasingly industry of large facilities that produce whole chickens for domestic consumption and only few investigations have reported on fungal contamination of the poultry litter. The material used for poultry litter is varied but normally can be constitute by: pine shavings; sawdust of eucalyptus; other types of wood; peanut; coffee; sugar cane; straw; hay; grass; paper processed. Litter is one of the most contributive factors to fungal contamination in poultries. Spreading litter is one of the tasks that normally involve higher exposure of the poultry workers to dust, fungi and their metabolites, such as VOC’s and mycotoxins. After being used and removed from poultries, litter is ploughed into agricultural soils, being this practice potentially dangerous for the soil environment, as well for both humans and animals. The goal of this study was to characterize litter’s fungal contamination and also to report the incidence of keratinophilic and toxigenic fungi.

Structural and Microanalytical Studies of CrO2 Thin Films on c-Sapphire by High Resolution Electron Microscopy Methods

Chromium dioxide (CrO2) has been extensively used in the magnetic recording industry. However, it is its ferromagnetic half-metallic nature that has more recently attracted much attention, primarily for the development of spintronic devices. CrO2 is the only stoichiometric binary oxide theoretically predicted to be fully spin polarized at the Fermi level. It presents a Curie temperature of ∼ 396 K, i.e. well above room temperature, and a magnetic moment of 2 mB per formula unit. However an antiferromagnetic native insulating layer of Cr2O3 is always present on the CrO2 surface which enhances the CrO2 magnetoresistance and might be used as a barrier in magnetic tunnel junctions.