Energy criterion to select the behavior of dynamical masses in technicolor models

We propose a quite general ansatz for the dynamical mass in technicolor models. We impose on this ansatz the condition that it should lead to the deepest minimum of energy. This criterion selects a particular form of the technifermion self energy. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Probing neutrino mass with multilepton production at the Tevatron in the simplest R-parity violation model

We analyse the production of multileptons in the simplest supergravity model with bilinear violation of R parity at the Fermilab Tevatron. Despite the small .R-parity violating couplings needed to generate the neutrino masses indicated by current atmospheric neutrino data, the lightest supersymmetric particle is unstable and can decay inside the detector. This leads to a phenomenology quite distinct from that of the R-parity conserving scenario. We quantify by how much the supersymmetric multilepton signals differ from the R-parity conserving expectations, displaying our results in the m0 ⊙ m1/2 plane. We show that the presence of bilinear R-parity violating interactions enhances the supersymmetric multilepton signals over most of the parameter space, specially at moderate and large m0. © SISSA/ISAS 2003.

Stressful life events and occupational accidents

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between stressful life events and occupational accidents. Methods: This was a population-based case-control study, carried out in the city of Botucatu, in southeast Brazil. The cases consisted of 108 workers who had recently experienced occupational accidents. Each case was matched with three controls. The cases and controls answered a questionnaire about recent exposure to stressful life events. Results: Reporting of environmental problems, being a victim of assault, not having enough food at home and nonoccupational fatigue were found to be risk factors for work-related accidents with estimated incidence rate ratios of 1.4 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-1.7], 1.3 (95% CI 1.1 1-1.7), 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.6), and 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.7) respectively. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggested that nonwork variables contribute to occupational accidents, thus broadening the understanding of these phenomena, which can support new approaches to the prevention of occupational accidents.

Life with a hemodialysis machine

The aim of the present study was to describe the experience of patients undergoing haemodialysis starting from their own perception. A qualitative perspective using Merleau Ponty's Existential Phenomenology was considered to be the most appropriate methodology for this study. Fifteen patients were interviewed in a haemodialysis unit at a Brazilian teaching hospital. Interviews were based on the question 'What does the experience of living with a haemodialysis machine mean?' Convergences in speeches were grouped into three categories: the machine, improvement in quality of life, reflection on patients' experience. These findings show the existential reality patients experience. A haemodialysis machine dictates their lives: they have to accept strict rules controlled by a team of healthcare providers. They realize it has to be so and there is no way out. It is the only way to get some relief from the symptoms of the disease. The feeling is mostly acceptance of the condition. Healthcare providers' dedication is recognized. Some participants complain bout painful procedures, others deny them, others fantasize the reality. An essential piece of information is the lack of future perspectives; few patients mentioned the possibility of a transplant or the possibility of carrying out their own care. The study may contribute in outlining new perspectives for nurses to understand the needs of patients undergoing haemodialysis. An approach accepting patients' views will probably bring awareness to patients as to the possibilities of helping with their own treatment.

Transtorno bipolar do humor e gênero

Although the bipolar disorder (BD) occurs almost with the same frequency in both genders, the phenomenology and the outcome of the illness differ between them. Nevertheless, there is evidence that women with BD show, more than men, delayed beginning, especially in their fifth decade, more rapid cycling outcome, more depressive episodes, more dysphoric mania, more mixed states and more BD type II. Even so, the findings are not always consistent. Although the risk of comorbidities in BD includes, for both the sorts, excessive alcoholic consumption and drugs, bipolar men would have greater probability of being alcohol dependent, of not seeking treatment and of committing suicide. Suggested hypotheses to explain such differences vary from those centered in cultural or psychological aspects to those that focus on the steroids hormones, and other hormones such as cortisol, thyroid hormones and even on the cerebral anatomy. The reproductive cycle (menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause) influences on the BD phenomenology and its relevance to the therapeutical options in the treatment of the BD in women are presented in the last part of this review. Further investigations must to be done in order to clarify this controversy. However, up to now the data indicate that estrogen therapy is not to be primarily indicated to prevent depression, Alzheimer disease or cognition impairment.

A identidade do agente comunitário de saúde: Uma abordagem fenomenológica

The structure of Brazil's National Health System (SUS) is being firmed up through programs adding a new element to its multi-professional healthcare teams: Community Healthcare Agents. This study examines psycho-social factors that are significant for the construction of this identity, from the standpoint of these Community Healthcare Agents, using the hermeneutic phenomenology of Paul Ricoeur as its reference methodology. The subjects of this survey were seven Community Healthcare Agents who were asked during interviews (with informed consent and after approval by the Research Ethics Committee) to: 'Tell me about your experience as Community Healthcare Agent'. The analysis of their replies indicated the following topics: previous experience; capacity-building for the job; bonding; building up expertise; gratifying experience; feelings of power(lessness); communications; daily work routines, personal growth; criticisms of the institution; user-agent experiences; and insertion into the social reality. The overall analysis disclosed the phenomenon through the convergence and divergence of the grouping of these topics, viewed from the standpoint of these Community Healthcare Agents and the psycho-social aspects constructing their identity.

Nurse-patient communication while performing home dialysis: The patients' perceptions

This study aimed at describing patients' perception of their communication with nurses when performing home dialysis. Data were collected from interviews guided by the question: What is communication like, between you and nurses, during home dialysis treatment? Results show participants' perception of treatment during home peritoneal dialysis [Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)]; relationship with nurses and family and the effects of treatment on one's existence. Patients can be self-caring and they learn to value the autonomy in their own care. However, some are unable to assume the responsibility for self-care. It was discovered that the connotation of inspection that some participants attributed to the nurse's visits, led to an alienation from the education process in the CAPD education. Findings suggest that effective communication and the development of the relationship of a working partnership with patients is crucial. Improvement in the nurses' communication, aiming at adapting it to the characteristics, limitations and specific needs of each patient, is significant for achieving better outcomes. © 2010 European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association.

Charmonium and D mesons in hadronic matter

We discuss two aspects of charmonium in medium. First, we present results of a recent study that compares the phenomenology of charmonium spectroscopy using smooth and sudden string breaking potentials. Next, we present results of a study that explores the possibility that J/ψ might be bound in a large nucleus through the excitation of a color singlet intermediate states of D and D* mesons with density masses. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.

A Pesquisa sobre o ensino de probabilidade e estatística no Brasil: Um exercício de metacompreensão

This article presents an exercise in meta-comprehension of what has been researched on teaching probability and statistics in Brazil. This research was based on the work on this subject presented in the third International Symposium for Research in Mathematics Education (III SIPEM). Articles were selected from the proceedings of the event analyzed hermeneuticly according to the procedures of phenomenology. We observed no evidence of clustering of research on this topic in terms of region or institutions, and we also emphasize that research on the teaching of Probability and Statistics needs to advance toward a theoretical discussion that transcends the subjects being studied and makes broader and deeper links between theory and practice. Findings also indicate that this sub-area of research in mathematics education is in the process of constituting itself.

Um Exerci{dotless acute}cio Filosófico sobre a Pesquisa em Educação Matemática no Brasil

In this research we present a meta-comprehension about the research on Mathematics Education developed in Brazil through an hermeneutical analysis of the texts presented and discussed on the III SIPEM - International Seminar on Mathematics Education occurred on 2006. We present the trends that were identified in the research and emphasize the interrogations, questions and problems they address as well as their scientific, philosophical, and methodological rigor. We present the nucleus of ideas present in Mathematics Education research in Brazil as we transcend the individual production of research, focusing on the references of national and international authors. We conclude that the research analyzed has been clearly designed, introducing conceptions of and ways of working with Mathematics that address issues related to education, society, culture, teaching, learning, and history of Mathematics Education.

A Hermenêutica no Campo Organizacional: Duas possibilidades interpretativistas de pesquisa

The present text has the objective of presenting theoretical considerations regarding two types of strategy of research: phenomenology and ethnography. Based on a hermeneutic approach, the two conceptual propositions are presented, the first being dealt with in the sociological context, and the second presented as an anthropological basis. Their similar uses in an organizational context - as well as their differences - are highligthed according to the theoretical contributions of authors belonging to the qualitative universe of organizational research. The text reveals, by the presentations of reported theoretical assumptions, the relevance of the interpretative perspective for the conduction of research that has the organization as object of study, in the pursuit of the identification of ways of constructing the social reality that is the result of the analysis of meanings and experiences lived by the participants, highlighting the importance of the bond between researcher and the research object The theoretical discussion regarding the two perspectives allows to observe the competence of the phenomenological and ethnographic research practice within the field of organizational studies, showing their methodological possibilities to identify dynamics that relate to the experience of life, favoring the analysis of the human being as a phenomenon of interpretation. © FECAP.

Caring for heart transplant recipients: The lived experience of primary caregivers

Objective: To understand the experience of primary caregivers of heart transplant recipients. Methods: A phenomenological approach was used to understand the caregivers' experience of caring for a heart transplant patient. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 caregivers, in a Brazilian hospital, from December 2008 to March 2009. Results: Following the transplant, caregivers' lives change drastically; their priority becomes providing care for their relative. Despite successful transplant results, the uncertainty about future remains, generating permanent distress. Anxiety is exacerbated by familial or economic problems and, consequently, many participants turn to their local communities for support. Some caregivers learn from the experience and plan return to regular activities. Others feel helpless, unable to overcome personal losses and difficulties. Conclusions: Nurses are ideally placed to lead the way by providing family-centered support and education for caregivers of heart recipients. Listening to the concerns of family caregivers seems to be an essential aspect of effective interventions. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Symptom dimensions, clinical course and comorbidity in men and women with obsessive-compulsive disorder

The study aimed to compare male and female patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across symptom dimensions, clinical course and comorbidity. A cross-sectional study was undertaken with 858 adult OCD patients (DSM-IV) from the Brazilian Research Consortium on Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. Patients were evaluated using structured interviews, including the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-I). The sample was composed of 504 women (58.7%) and 354 men (41.3%) with a mean age of 35.4 years-old (range: 18-77). Men were younger, more frequently single and presented more tics, social phobia and alcohol use disorders. Among men, symptom interference occurred earlier and symptoms of the sexual/religious dimension were more common and more severe. Conversely, women were more likely to present symptoms of the aggressive, contamination/cleaning and hoarding dimension and comorbidity with specific phobias, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, trichotillomania, skin picking and compulsive buying. In the logistic regression, female gender remained independently associated with the aggressive and contamination/cleaning dimensions. In both genders the aggressive dimension remained associated with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder, the sexual/religious dimension with major depression and the hoarding dimension with tic disorders. Gender seems to be relevant in the determination of OCD clinical presentation and course and should be considered an important aspect when defining more homogeneous OCD subgroups. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Vivências de adolescentes anoréxicas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comunicação midiática nas (arqui)dioceses do Brasil: possibilidades para ser igreja virtual

Pós-graduação em Comunicação - FAAC