Number Of Daily Hours Research Articles

Índice de Temperatura e Umidade (ITU) ao longo do verão de 2021/2022 e estimativas dos impactos na bovinocultura de leite no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract This study aimed to calculate the temperature and humidity indexes (THIs) derived from extremely high air temperatures during the months of December 2021, January, and February 2022 in Rio Grande do Sul. The main goal was to characterize and regionalize potential impacts on dairy production. We used hourly measurements of temperature and relative humidity from 28 meteorological stations of the INMET/SIMAGRO/SEAPI network. These data cover ten ecoclimatic regions of the state. THI and Estimated Milk Loss (EML) were calculated, with the daily number of hours classified under each THI category during the trimester by municipality and region. The effects of region and month on THI and EML were evaluated through analysis of variance at a 5% significance level. Differences between means were compared using the Tukey HSD test (P<0.05). The probability of each daily hour having a THI in thermal discomfort (THI>70) was determined through analysis of variance for binomial variables by region, with the observed effect of time (P<0.05), and means were compared using the non-parametric Bonferroni test at 5%. To group these data, we applied the ScottKnott test. The Baixo Vale do Uruguai stood out in the trimester with the highest THI values, indicating thermal discomfort. Conversely, no heat stress was indicated in the Serra do Nordeste. In all regions, the most frequent daily classification of thermal discomfort ranged from attention to alert, with January being particularly significant. The highest EML estimates for most of the eight production levels were recorded in January. High estimates of productivity loss occurred in cows with higher milk production potential.

Association of eating behavior with body mass index and waist circumference in university students

Abstract Background University students often change their eating habits in favor of snacking and intake of calorie-dense food while studying. This study aimed to examine whether the consumption of specific foods is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Methods This research was conducted at the University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia, from November 2018 to March 2019. In this cross-section study participants completed a socio-demographic and behavioral questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). All students were measured for body weight, height, and waist circumference. A linear regression model was adjusted for age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, number of daily hours spent sitting, having chronic diseases, PSS, BAI and BDI. Results The study sample consisted of 534 students. Overall, the average BMI was 23.7 ± 4.5. The adjusted model showed that neither the number of fruit and vegetable portions nor the frequency of eating meat, fish and seafood were associated with a lower BMI. The same model confirmed that neither the number of fruit and vegetable portions per day nor the frequency of eating meat, fish and seafood were associated with a lower waist circumference. However, a regular intake of breakfast was associated with a lower waist circumference (B -1.882; 95% confidence interval -3.59, -0.17; p = 0.031). Conclusions Regular intake of breakfast is associated with a lower waist circumference among health sciences students in Northern Kosovo. Providing opportunities for breakfast intake on the school campus should be one of the main goals of the school authorities. Key messages • Regular intake of breakfast may help health sciences students have a lower waist circumference. • Prioritizing breakfast intake can be beneficial for students’ health.

Impact of electronic devices used at an early age on language

The acquisition of language in infants is largely the result of the process of brain maturation, as well as environmental stimulation. Currently, society is in an era of technology and use of electronic devices from an early age. The aim of this study was to demonstrate if the amount of time of use of electronic devices in children under 5 years of age affects language development. An observational, comparative, survey-type study was carried out in 269 infants of both sexes, with an age range of 6 to <60 months. The language development section of the Child Development Scale (EDI) was used. A logistic regression was performed to determine the strength of association between the factors to be studied. 269 participants were included, of which 224 (83.2%) presented their level of neurological maturation, 44 infants (16.4%) presented laged development and one (0.4%) was classified as having developmental delay. It was found that the number of daily hours that an electronic device is used behaved as a risk factor by increasing the risk of delayed language development by 1.37 times for each hour of exposure (OR: 1.37, CI95%: 1.15-1.62). It was shown that a greater number of hours of use of electronic devices is a risk factor for delayed language development in children under 5 years of age. Therefore, it is vital to limit its use in this population.

Divergent reactions to COVID‐19 exhibited in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism

AbstractGrandiosity and vulnerability are distinct dimensions of narcissism that may exhibit differences regarding compliance with COVID‐19 regulations and policies. Although both dimensions reflect entitlement and self‐importance, motivational tendencies diverge. Narcissistic grandiosity reflects bold expressions consistent with approach motivation, whereas vulnerable narcissism reflects reactive expressions consistent with avoidance motivation. Therefore, the present cross‐sectional investigation explored these relations between November 2020 and April 2021. Undergraduates (N = 487, Mage = 19.79, 87.1% women) completed online surveys that assessed grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, perceived severity of and susceptibility to COVID, attitudes and reactions toward COVID policies, as well as self‐reported behavioral data including number of daily hours out in public, indoor bar/restaurant attendance, and whether they had ever received a positive COVID diagnosis. Consistent with theoretical distinctions between the two narcissistic dimensions, grandiosity generally predicted reduced behavioral compliance and extraverted tendencies that put them at risk for COVID exposure; however, both grandiosity and vulnerability predicted worse reactions and attitudes toward COVID‐19 policies.

Risk factors differ for viable and low viable crushed piglets in free farrowing pens.

Newborn piglets have a high risk of being crushed by the sow, and this risk implies welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of differentiating between low viable (secondary crushing losses) and viable crushed (primary crushing losses) piglets for the evaluation of risk factors for crushing related to characteristics of the sow, the litter, and the environment. Eleven Swiss farmers recorded sows' production data (parity class, gestation length, numbers of live-born and stillborn piglets), data (age, sex, weight, cause of death, and signs of weakness) for every live-born piglet that died in the first week after birth (piglet loss), and ambient temperature. Piglet losses were assigned to five categorical events: piglet loss, subdivided into not crushed and crushed, the latter being further subdivided into low viable crushed and viable crushed. Piglets recorded by the farmer as crushed were assigned to the events low viable crushed and viable crushed based on the piglet's body weight and signs of weakness (diseases, malformations). Data of 9,543 live-born piglets from 740 litters were eventually used to statistically model the hazard of dying at any given time in the first week after birth due to one of these events (mixed-effects Cox model). Five potential risk factors were analyzed as co-variates: parity class, gestation length, number of live-born piglets, number of stillborn piglets, and daily number of hours with ambient temperature >30°C. We identified two risk factors for dying from the event viable crushed that were not identified as risk factors for low viable crushed, namely shorter gestation length and higher daily number of hours with ambient temperature > 30°C. Vice-versa, we identified additional live-born piglets in the litter as risk factor for low viable crushed, but not for viable crushed. Our results show the importance of differentiating between low viable and viable crushed piglets for the interpretation of risk factors for crushing losses. Therefore, we suggest that for breeding purposes and in research, this differentiation should be made.

Effect of facemasks on the tear film during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of wearing facemasks on dry eye symptoms and on the tear film while comparing surgical face masks to N95 particulate respirators.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted at Ain Shams University Hospitals in the period from September 2020 to January 2021. Two hundred volunteers were recruited, and the daily number of hours spent by each participant wearing a facemask was recorded. Recruits were divided into two groups: 100 volunteers were allocated to Group A to use the surgical mask, and 100 participants to Group B to use the N95 particulate respirator. The tear film parameters were assessed at baseline by answering the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and performing tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, and Schirmer-I test Subjects then wore a facemask for 60 min and then the tear film parameters were reassessed by repeating TBUT, corneal staining and Schirmer-I testResultsFacemask use for 60 min significantly worsened all tear film parameters in both groups (P-value <0.0001). The deterioration was significantly larger in Group A subjects (P < 0.0001). The daily number of hours spent wearing a facemask correlated strongly with the OSDI and corneal staining. There was a strong negative correlation between the daily number of hours spent wearing a facemask and Schirmer test, and a weak negative correlation with TBUT.ConclusionsWearing facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic is a risk factor for worsening tear film parameters. This deterioration is significantly greater with surgical masks than with N95 particulate respirators and increases with the duration of facemask use.

Prospective Associations between Physical Activity and Memory in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: Examining Social Determinants.

ObjectivesTo examine associations between physical activity (PA) and prospectively assessed memory in a cohort of cognitively healthy adults, after accounting for understudied social determinants.MethodsWe used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). PA (exposure) and memory (outcome) were assessed using validated measures in 2013–2015 and 2015–2018, respectively. Respondents reported their daily number of hours spent engaging in five different PAs. We conducted multiple imputation and used linear regression (n = 41,394), adjusting for five categories of covariates: demographics, sensory health characteristics, health behaviors, health status, and social determinants (sex/gender, education, income, social support, perceived social standing, race, and sexual orientation).ResultsIn crude models, nearly every intensity and duration of PA was associated with better memory. In fully adjusted models, protective associations were attenuated; however, some associations held: all durations of walking, most durations of light activities, moderate activities for ≥1 hour, and strenuous activities for 1 to <2 hours.DiscussionSome forms of PA may be associated with better memory. The benefits of higher intensity PA may only be realized after social determinants are addressed.

Correlates of Early Adolescents' Social Media Engagement: The Role of Pubertal Status and Social Goals.

Specific social media behaviors have been found to be differentially associated with adjustment outcomes; however, the extant research has yet to consider the motivations behind why adolescents engage in these specific behaviors. This study examined the role of two developmentally relevant motivational correlates (social goals and pubertal status) on four social media behaviors (self-disclosure, self-presentation, social monitoring, and lurking) and two time-based measures of social media use (daily number of hours on social media and frequency of social media use). Self-report data were collected from 426 middle-school students (54.2% female, 73.6% White, 11.5% Black, 4.8% Hispanic, 10.1% other ethnicity, and mean age = 12.91). Social goals and pubertal status were distinctly associated with different social media behaviors, with some relevant sex differences. Popularity goal was positively associated with all six measures of social media engagement, although the associations for self-presentation and social monitoring were stronger for girls. Sex differences in lurking followed the same pattern but did not reach significance. Acceptance goal was associated with fewer hours spent on social media for girls only. Early developers reported more self-disclosure and lurking behaviors, and marginally more social monitoring (girls only). These findings indicate the importance of identifying motivational factors, especially social goals, when considering early adolescents' social media behaviors.

Comparative analysis of online fresh food shopping behavior during normal and COVID-19 crisis periods

PurposeOnline fresh food shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Online fresh food shopping provides consumers with an alternative to shopping in a traditional market, while also enabling procurement of such goods at a reduced risk of infection. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether online fresh food shopping behaviors change during public health emergency periods.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through a web-based survey (508 respondents in China). Descriptive analysis, ordinal logistic regression analysis, and the Apriori algorithm were employed to explore what characteristics influence purchase frequency as well as food and delivery time preferences among different customer groups.FindingsBased on the survey data, this study found that purchase frequency grew 71.2% during the COVID-19 crisis. City type and online shopping frequency of respondents are positively correlated with purchase frequency in normal and COVID-19 crisis periods. Number of daily hours worked by respondents only showed a significant impact for the normal period. People perceiving the risk of infection from going out are more willing to purchase fresh food online.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore and compare online fresh food shopping behaviors during normal and COVID-19 crisis periods with a sample from China. The findings indicate a key role that online fresh food shopping can perform during a crisis and contribute to our understanding of fresh food online shopping behaviors during other possible public health emergency scenarios.

Health higher education and the use of technology during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Brazil

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational institutions worldwide. The objective of this study is to present changes during the pandemic regarding the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) by Brazilian faculty, undergraduate and graduate students in the field of health. A convergent mixed methods study (QUAN+QUAL) with cross-sectional data collection was carried out in 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (QUAN) and thematic analysis (QUAL). This study had 1172 participants, comprising 533 undergraduate students, 257 graduate students and 382 lecturers. During the pandemic, the average number of daily hours of ICT use for academic activities increased from 5.90 hours in 2019 to 7.18 hours in 2020 (+21.7%). Virtual learning environments were the most used technology, but technologies that showed largest significant increase in use were videoconference and virtual simulation. Five main themes emerged from the analysis of participants' perceptions: use of ICT for educational activities; comparison and preference of participants regarding teaching modality; changes in education; institutional support for the use of ICT in education; and problems to access the Internet. Some recommendations based on this research include emergency training for the academic community in online teaching; maintenance of online education; inclusion of more interactive technological tools in virtual learning environments; actions to improve Internet connection and access to equipment; and review of the load of academic activities.

Association of the length of time using computers and mobile devices with low back, neck and mid-back pains: findings from a birth cohort

ObjectivesNeck and low back pains are the leading causes of years lived with disability, and using computers or mobile devices in excess could be risk factors for back pain. Our aim was to evaluate the association of the length of time using computers and mobile devices with neck, mid-back and low back pains and the number of regions with pain. Study designCross-sectional study nested in the 1993 Pelotas birth cohort with young adults aged 22 years. MethodsOutcomes analyzed were neck, mid-back and low back pains and the number of regions with pain. Exposures were the number of daily hours using computers and mobile devices. Crude and adjusted analyses were performed to estimate prevalence ratios using Poisson regression. ResultsAlmost half of the sample reported having back pain, the low back pain being the most prevalent. Compared with individuals using mobile devices for less than one hour, the prevalence of neck pain was 1.41 and 1.81 times higher among individuals using mobile devices from three to seven hours and for seven or more hours per day, respectively. Neck pain prevalence was 1.47 times higher among individuals using computers for more than two hours than among those not using computers. Using mobile devices for seven hours or more was associated to 1.19 times higher prevalence of low back pain. ConclusionUsing mobile devices in excess was associated to neck and low back pains, while the use of computers in excess was associated only to neck pain. It is important that guidelines are developed to recommend the adequate length of time that computers and mobile devices should be used to prevent back pain.

Adjustment Correlates of Social Media Engagement Among Early Adolescents.

Social media engagement is common among adolescents, yet not all adolescents use social media in the same ways or experience the same adjustment correlates. This study examined four social media behaviors (self-disclosure, self-presentation, lurking, and social monitoring) and two time-based measures of social media use (daily number of hours on social media and frequency of social media use) on three developmentally relevant adjustment correlates (internalizing problems, prosocial support, and online peer victimization). Self-report data were collected from 426 middle-school students (54.2% female, 73.6% Caucasian, 11.5% Black, 4.8% Hispanic, 10.1% other ethnicity, mean age = 12.91). The findings showed distinct adjustment patterns among the social media engagement indices, as well as sex and age differences. Neither the number of hours on social media nor social monitoring were associated with any adjustment correlates; however, the frequency of social media use was associated with positive adjustment (less internalizing problems and more prosocial support), primarily for older adolescents. Self-disclosure was positively associated with online peer victimization (girls only) and prosocial support. Self-presentation was associated with higher levels of internalizing problems and online peer victimization, as well as less prosocial support for younger adolescents and boys. Lurking was positively associated with internalizing problems. The findings suggest the need to consider specific types of social media engagement when creating prevention and intervention programs to address adolescent maladjustment.

\u201cIt started 30\u2009years ago, and it still haunts me\u201d: an exploratory investigation of Territorians\u2019 gambling behaviours, harm, and help-seeking for gambling issues in an Australian jurisdiction

BackgroundThere is a lack of qualitative gambling research on lived experience, help-seeking, and gamblers and affected others’ views on the regulatory environment in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. This study provides 1) lived experience of individuals who reported experiencing harms from gambling, 2) insights into help-seeking for gambling issues, 3) and people’s views on current legislation on gambling in the NT. The results of this study begin to establish an evidence base that could be used to inform targeted interventions for people experiencing harms from gambling in the NT.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with a targeted selection of respondents from the 2015 and 2018 NT Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Surveys. The sample (n = 27; age 18+ years; Aboriginal (The term of ‘Aboriginal’ has used been used throughout the manuscript to reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, or First Nations people for purposes of brevity. We respect the diversity among these populations.) and Non-Aboriginal) included weekly (online and venue-based electronic gambling machine (EGM)) gamblers, non-regular gamblers, and those negatively affected by others’ gambling. A Framework Analysis approach was used for data analysis. Appropriate ethics approval was obtained.ResultsNegative impacts and harms from gambling were experienced by both gamblers and non-gamblers. These included monetary losses, relationship conflicts, emotional distress, and decrements to health. A lack of self-realisation of gambling issues and awareness of the available services, shame, and embarrassment, were reported as the main barriers to help-seeking. Where help was sought, it was primarily informal (e.g., family) and was rarely preventive. In many instances, self-help strategies were successful in controlling one’s own gambling. Gamblers suggested regulations should set limits on the daily number of hours of playing, the bet size, and reduced access to EGM. The need for strengthening the existing awareness and education interventions was emphasised.ConclusionsViewing the findings from a public health lens, targeted approaches based on specific circumstances may have the potential to minimise harms from gambling, but only for those already experiencing harms. The treatment, policy, and regulatory approaches need to be tailored to address the causes and impacts of harms experienced by people.

Decision Trees to Forecast Risks of Strawberry Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera aphanis

Powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) is a major disease in day-neutral strawberry. Up to 30% yield losses have been observed in Eastern Canada. Currently, management of powdery mildew is mostly based on fungicide applications without consideration of risk. The objective of this study is to use P. aphanis inoculum, host ontogenic resistance, and weather predictors to forecast the risk of strawberry powdery mildew using CART models (classification trees). The data used to build the trees were collected in 2006, 2007, and 2008 at one experimental farm and six commercial farms located in two main strawberry-production areas, while external validation data were collected at the same experimental farm in 2015, 2016, and 2018. Data on proportion of leaf area diseased (PLAD) were grouped into four severity classes (1: PLAD = 0; 2: PLAD &gt; 0 and &lt;5%; 3: &gt;5% and &lt;15%; and 4: PLAD &gt; 15%) for a total of 681 and 136 cases for training and external validation, respectively. From the initial 92 weather variables, 21 were selected following clustering. The tree with the best balance between the number of predictors and highest accuracy was built with: airborne inoculum concentration and number of susceptible leaves on the day of sampling, and mean relative humidity, mean daily number of hours at temperature between 18 and 30 °C, and mean daily number of hours at saturation vapor pressure between 10 and 25 mmHg during the previous 6 days. For training, internal validation, and external validation datasets, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy ranged from 0.70 to 0.90, 0.87 to 0.98, and 0.82 to 0.97, respectively. The classification rules to estimate strawberry powdery mildew risk can be easily implemented into disease decision support systems and used to treat only when necessary and thus avoid preventable yield losses and unnecessary treatments.

Spinal pain syndromes among video game players

Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to assess the occurrence of spinal pain syndromes among video game players. Material and methods: 550 persons took part in the survey, including 494 (89.8%) men and 56 (10.2%) women playing video games. The study was conducted using an online questionnaire created using Google Forms. The questionnaire contained 27 questions, including questions about time spent in sitting position, occurrence of spinal pain, ways of dealing with pain and knowledge of the principles of spinal pain prophylaxis. Results: 70% of respondents play on the computer seven days a week, about 3–4 hours a day. Half of the surveyed players devoted one to two hours a day to physical exercise, one third of the study subjects less than an hour, while every third video game player performed physical activity 3–4 times a week. When pain comes, almost 70% of respondents wait for it to subside, every fourth person treats themselves and the rest seeks help of a doctor or physiotherapist. Conclusions: There was no correlation between the number of years spent on playing video games and the occurrence of spinal pain as well as between the daily number of hours spent on playing video games and the occurrence of spinal pain.

Social Networking Exposure and Academic Performance of Secondary Students in Kabankalan City, Philippines

This study determines the relationship between the social networking exposure and the academic performance of the second-year high school students in selected schools in Kabankalan City. It aims to assess the respondents’ visited networking sites, the purpose and importance of visits, frequency of visits, the number of hours spent on each visit, their demographic profile, as to gender and school classification, and their academic performance. This study utilized the descriptive correlational design to determine and discuss the quality and characteristics of the variables on students’ demographic data, their social networking exposure, and their academic performance. There were 286 respondents who were enrolled as second-year high school from three private and three public schools in Kabankalan City and who had been internet users for at least about a year. Findings show that there is no significant difference in students’ academic performance when grouped according to the networking sites visited and the number of daily hours spent during visit. The data further revealed that neither gender nor school classification have any correlation with the social networking sites that students choose to visit. A significant correlation was noted between students’ school classification and the number of hours they spend on daily visits. Finally, this study found that students’ school classification did not have any correlation with their purposes for visit, leading to the conclusion that being enrolled in a public or private high school does not have any relationship with students’ utilization of the SNS

Penile traction therapy with the new device 'Penimaster PRO' is effective and safe in the stable phase of Peyronie's disease: a controlled multicentre study.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new penile traction device (PTD), 'Penimaster PRO', in a group of patients with stable Peyronie's disease (PD) compared with a non-intervention group in a multicentre study. A total of 93 patients with chronic stable PD (without erectile dysfunction, with no significant pain, and with a unidirectional curvature of at least 45° being stable for > 3months) were recruited and followed for a 12-week period. Of these patients, 47 were randomly assigned to the Penimaster PRO group (PG) and 46 to the non-intervention group (NIG). Patients were asked to apply the PTD 3-8h a day for 12 consecutive weeks, with specific instructions regarding the progressive increase of traction force applied to the penis over time. The primary outcome of the study was the change in the degree of curvature measured in the fully erect state after intracavernosal injection of alprostadil at baseline, 1, 2 and 3months. Other variables, such as the type of curvature, stretched penile length (SPL), Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) scores, erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile function (IIEF-EF) score and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed in each visit. Forty-one patients in the PG and 39 in the NIG completed the study. There was an overall reduction in curvature of 31.2° (P < 0.001) at 12weeks compared to baseline in the PG, representing a 41.1% improvement from baseline, which significantly correlated with the number of daily hours the device was applied in a dose-dependent manner. Those patients using the device < 4h/day experienced a reduction of 15°-25° (mean 19.7°, 28.8% improvement; P < 0.05), while patients using the device > 6h/day experienced greater curvature reduction, ranging from 20° to 50° (mean of 38.4°, 51.4% improvement; P < 0.001). In contrast, no significant changes in curvature were observed in the NIG. Furthermore, SPL increased significantly in the PG compared to baseline and compared with the NIG, ranging from 0.5 to 3.0cm (mean 1.8cm; P < 0.05). The IIEF-EF score also improved in patients in the PG (by a mean of 5 points). Mild AEs occurred in 43% of patients, such as local discomfort and glans numbness. The use of the Penimaster PRO PTD, a non-invasive treatment, should be offered to patients with stable PD for 3 consecutive months before performing any corrective surgery, as this provided a significant reduction in the curvature, an increase in penile length and a significant improvement of the symptoms and bother induced by PD.

Carga de cuidado en cuidadores de personas con enfermedad crónica pertenecientes a un programa de hospitalización en casa (Manizales, Colombia)

Objetivo: describir la carga de cuidado de los cuidadores principales de personas con enfermedad crónica pertenecientes a un programa de hospitalización en casa de la ciudad de Manizales (Colombia). Materiales y métodos: estudio cuantitativo y observacional de corte transversal, cuya muestra estuvo constituida por 76 cuidadores principales de personas con enfermedad crónica que recibían servicios de salud por medio de un programa de atención domiciliaria. Para la recolección de los datos se aplicó el cuestionario de Zarit. Resultados: el 85,5% de los cuidadores eran mujeres. El 34,6% tenía más de 60 años, el 36,8% eran casados y con nivel de escolaridad técnico, tecnólogo o universitario en el 57,9%. El cuestionario de Zarit reportó sobre carga leve para el 22,4% y sobrecarga intensa en el 21,1%. En este grupo de cuidadores las subescalas que mostraron mayores promedios se relacionan con, el impacto del cuidado, la carga interpersonal y la indecisión sobre el cuidado. Solo se encontró asociación leve entre el número de horas diarias dedicadas al cuidado y la carga del cuidado (p=0,033), mostrando nivel de sobrecarga intensa en aquellos que dedicaban más de 15 horas diarias al cuidado. Conclusiones: el 43,5% de los cuidadores presentaba algún nivel de sobrecarga. Para estos cuidadores los mayores promedios se ubicaron en las subescalas relacionadas con el impacto del cuidado, carga interpersonal e indecisión sobre el cuidado. Es importante realizar otros estudios en los que se pueda analizar los predictores multidimensionales que generan la sobrecarga.

A system to map the risk of infection by &lt;i&gt;Puccinia kuehnii&lt;/i&gt; in Brazil

Orange rust caused by the fungus Puccinia kuehnii greatly affects sugarcane and causes millions of tons of losses in production. This condition was first reported in Brazil at the end of 2009. The disease is currently present in most of the countries that produce this crop. The aim of this research was to develop risk maps of P. kuehnii infection using temperature and relative humidity data, provided by 389 automatic weather stations throughout the country. A spatial distribution analysis was carried out to assess the number of daily hours of favorable conditions for spore germination in each region. In the central-south region, where the main sugarcane producing states are concentrated, two distinct periods were observed during the three years studied. Higher favorability occurred from October to April, and lower favorability occurred from May to September. The opposite relation was observed on the coast of the north-eastern region, where conditions were more favorable to the disease from May to September. The validation data were confirmed by the results of Pearson’s correlation between sugarcane orange rust infection under field conditions and the proposed maps. In conclusion, risk maps obtained using data from automatic weather stations could contribute to the monitoring of the risk of infection by sugarcane orange rust.

Utilización de la prótesis en amputados de miembro inferior

IntroductionThe process of fitting a prosthesis in a lower limb amputee is a challenge for physiatrists due to the complexity of prosthetic management. The purpose of this study was to determine the actual time of usage of lower limb prostheses in our hospital and to identify the factors that can influence adherence to use. Methods and materialsWe conducted an observational study of all patients fitted with a lower limb prosthesis in our hospital during the last 3 years. We gathered demographic data and the characteristics of the amputations. The Houghton scale was used to the classify walking ability of the amputees in our study. To evaluate the level of independence, comorbidities and quality of life, we used the Barthel Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index and the SF-12 questionnaire, respectively. ResultsThe sample consisted of 30 patients with a mean age of 60 years. Amputations were transtibial in 22 and transfemoral in 8. The rehabilitation process was considered satisfactory (at least 9 points in the Houghton scale) in 73% of the patients. The level of independence achieved was high, with a mean of 87.82 in the Barthel Index. We found a moderate negative correlation (−0.41) between the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the daily number of hours of prosthesis use. Quality of life was higher in patients with transtibial amputations. ConclusionsIn our centre, lower limb prostheses were used for an adequate amount of time. A limiting factor for the number of hours of use was associated comorbidity.