Andreia Moreira da Silva Santos

Disturbance zonal and vertical plasma drifts in the Peruvian sector during solar minimum phases

In the present work, we investigate the behavior of the equatorial F region zonal plasma drifts over the Peruvian region under magnetically disturbed conditions during two solar minimum epochs, one of them being the recent prolonged solar activity minimum. The study utilizes the vertical and zonal components of the plasma drifts measured by the Jicamarca (11.95°S; 76.87°W) incoherent scatter radar during two events that occurred on 10 April 1997 and 24 June 2008 and model calculation of the zonal drift in a realistic ionosphere simulated by the Sheffield University Plasmasphere-Ionosphere Model-INPE. Two main points are focused: (1) the connection between electric fields and plasma drifts under prompt penetration electric field during a disturbed periods and (2) anomalous behavior of daytime zonal drift in the absence of any magnetic storm. A perfect anticorrelation between vertical and zonal drifts was observed during the night and in the initial and growth phases of the magnetic storm. For the first time, based on a realistic low-latitude ionosphere, we will show, on a detailed quantitative basis, that this anticorrelation is driven mainly by a vertical Hall electric field induced by the primary zonal electric field in the presence of an enhanced nighttime E region ionization. It is shown that an increase in the field line-integrated Hall-to-Pedersen conductivity ratio ∑H∑P, which can arise from precipitation of energetic particles in the region of the South American Magnetic Anomaly, is capable of explaining the observed anticorrelation between the vertical and zonal plasma drifts. Evidence for the particle ionization is provided from the occurrence of anomalous sporadic E layers over the low-latitude station, Cachoeira Paulista (22.67°S; 44.9°W)—Brazil. It will also be shown that the zonal plasma drift reversal to eastward in the afternoon two hours earlier than its reference quiet time pattern is possibly caused by weakening of the zonal wind system during the prolonged solar minimum period.

Use of drugs by truck drivers traveling on highways

Objetivos: Abordar o perfil dos caminhoneiros que trafegam na BR153, o uso de drogas e as principais substâncias psicoativas consumidas por caminhoneiros e relacionar o consumo dessas substâncias aos aspectos de qualidade de vida e sócio demográficos dos motoristas de caminhão. Métodos: Foram abordados 161 motoristas de caminhão nas proximidades da cidade de Anápolis-Goiás na BR-153. Para avaliar os dados sócio demográficos assim como o uso de drogas entre os caminhoneiros, foi utilizado questionário semi estruturado, Teste de Triagem do Envolvimento com Álcool, Cigarro e Outras Drogas (ASSIST) modificado. A análise dos dados foi conduzida pelo programa estatístico SPSS-22. Resultados: A maioria dos caminhoneiros abordados era do sexo masculino (99,4%), autodeclarados brancos (60,9%), do estado de Goiás (43,8%) e percorreram em média 639 km/dia. Sobre o uso de anfetaminas (rebite), 32,9% admitiram terem feito uso dessa droga nos últimos três meses. Sobre a aquisição dessa substância, 38,3% relataram não encontrar dificuldades para adquirir a anfetamina e os postos de gasolina foi o local mais citado de acordo com os participantes. Conclusão: O uso de drogas por caminhoneiros se mostrou bem presente na rodovia BR-153, e isso reflete a falta de fiscalização e conscientização destes profissionais. Além disso, os postos de gasolina, que usualmente são os locais de descanso para essa categoria, se configuram como um dos principais centros para agravar as condições de saúde dos mesmos.

Avaliação da sonolência diurna e qualidade do sono em idosos e sua relação com a qualidade de vida

Objetivo: Avaliar a sonolencia diurna e a qualidade do sono em idosos e sua influencia na qualidade de vida. Metodos: Pesquisa quantitativa, transversal e descritiva. Para avaliacao da sonolencia diurna foi utilizada a Escala de Sonolencia de Epworth (ESE), para avaliacao da qualidade do sono, o Indice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP), e para avaliacao da qualidade de vida o WHOQOL-BREF. Para analise e interpretacao dos resultados os idosos foram divididos em grupos de acordo com a classificacao da ESE e do IQSP. Resultados: Foram avaliados 128 idosos. Ao analisar a ESE, 24,2% dos idosos apresentaram uma pontuacao igual ou maior a 11 pontos, o que indica Sonolencia Diurna Excessiva (SDE). Quando avaliado a qualidade do sono, 69,6% dos idosos apresentaram pontuacao superior a 5 no IQSP, o que indica sono ruim ou de ma qualidade. Ao comparar atraves da ESE o grupo de idosos que nao apresentaram SDE, com os idosos classificados com SDE, observou-se diferenca significativa no dominio psicologico do WHOQOL-BREF, ja ao comparar os idosos atraves do IQPS, houve diferenca significativa para os dominios fisico e ambiental. Conclusao: A ocorrencia de sonolencia diurna excessiva e a ma qualidade do sono podem provocar impacto na qualidade de vida.

Relationship between physical activity and body composition in college students

The role of professional placements in the development of dietetic competencies is widely accepted. There is a surprising lack of scholarship to assess what extent and how practice-based learning exposures contribute to competency accumulation across the different domains of practice. This qualitative study explored the experience of recent dietetic graduates whilst on placements across three domains of nutrition and dietetic practice, including clinical, food service and public health nutrition practice. This investigation focused particularly on the various factors infl uencing competency development in the placement environment. Qualitative interviews (n = 30) were conducted with recent graduates from 3 Universities in Australia, from 2 under-graduate and 1 post-graduate program. A semi structured interview technique was used to explore the experience of students whilst on each placement. These interviews were administered, recorded, and transcribed by a trained interviewer. All members of the research team reviewed the transcripts and compared, clarifi ed and interpreted the key response themes (research triangulation). Students consistently reported that professional placements forced accelerated competency development. Physical (the work environment) and interpersonal factors (such as attributes of the supervisor) were identifi ed as major infl uences on competency development. The following factors were also thematically identified as major contributors to the students learning experience: work space, organisation within departments, orientation to placement, organisational climate, supervisor communication, personality, interpersonal skills and teaching ability. Personal attributes of the student were also found to impact on competency development. These themes were consistent across practice domains. This study provides valuable evidence for academics and practitioners when developing placement programs.Abstract of poster presented at Dietitians Association of Australia 16th International Congress of Dietetics, 5-8 September 2012, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, Australia. Disciplines Arts and Humanities | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details Baker, J., Fish, J., Walton, K. L., McMahon, A., Brewer, C. J., Manning, F., Grafenauer, S., Kennedy, M. A. & Probst, Y. (2012). If a picture tells a thousand words, how useful are they as a teaching tool? Evaluating a digital food photo resource within a first year tertiary nutrition subject. Nutrition and Dietetics, 69 (Suppl. S1), 158-158. Authors Joanna Baker, Janaye Fish, Karen L. Walton, Anne Therese McMahon, Christine J. Brewer, Fiona Manning, Sara Grafenauer, Meredith A. Kennedy, and Yasmine Probst This journal article is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/hbspapers/3193The role of Australian general practitioners (GPs) in providing nutrition care to patients for chronic disease management is currently receiving increased attention. However, limited literature explores the experiences of patients receiving nutrition care in this setting, as well as the nutrition-related expectations placed upon GPs by patients. This study explored the nutrition-related experiences, expectations and satisfaction of individuals diagnosed with Type II Diabetes under the care of an Australian GP. A cross-sectional retrospective online survey was developed using a review of relevant literature and practice guidelines for management of Type II diabetes in general practice to guide specifi c lines of enquiry. The survey was sent to all members of Diabetes Australia, Queensland with a registered author-address. Sixty-three survey items were clustered into fi ve groups, including general and diabetesrelated demographics; nutrition-related self effi cacy; perspectives on ideal GP nutrition care; and refl ections of previous GP nutrition care. Nine hundred and seventeen participants completed the survey (RR = 11%). Despite 81% of participants claiming that receiving nutrition care will be benefi cial to their diabetes management, only 49% of participants state that their GP has provided some nutrition care in relation to their diabetes. Of these participants, 86% are satisfi ed with the nutrition care received; however only 27% of participants believe that the nutrition care they have received from their GP has positively infl uenced their diabetes management. Patients report high levels of satisfaction with nutrition care received by GPs however varied perceptions regarding the effectiveness of this care.