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The performance of an Iranian Ta'ziyeh play in the US testifies to the vitality of traditional Persian drama in exile. The exiled director Mohammad Ghaffari staged 'Moses and the Wandering Dervish' in 1988, transforming it to fit a mixed audience which included Iranians. The play is from the 13th century, written by the poet Rumi as a religious drama. Modern scenes were interjected into the play, such as from the Vietnam War.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts on eating habits among adolescents may be more relevant in pediatric patients with immunocompromised chronic diseases. This case-control study conducted between June and October 2020 aimed to: (i) describe dietary patterns of adolescents with chronic conditions compared to healthy controls and (ii) determine associations between food consumption, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (184 immunocompromised and 58 healthy adolescents, aged 14.3 [SD 2.5]) responded to HRQL and sleep validated instruments (PedsQL and PSQI) and three 24 h food recalls via online software. Adjusted linear and logistic regressions were used to assess differences in dietary patterns and associations between food consumption (according to Nova classification) and HRQL and sleep quality. Adolescents with gastrohepatic, rheumatic, and kidney diseases had an improved dietary pattern vs. their healthy peers, showing greater consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods (unstandardized coefficient (b) = 7.35%[95%CI 1.59; 13.1]; b = 15.10%[95%CI 7.00; 23.1]; and b = 11.2%[95%CI 5.68; 16.8]), and lower consumption of ultraprocessed foods (b = −7.53%[95%CI-12.90; −2.18]; b = −11.4%[95%CI-18.90; −3.94]; b = −10.8%[95%CI-16.00; −5.68]). Consumption of culinary ingredients was associated with reduced psychological HRQL in controls (standardized coefficient (β) = −0.26[95%CI-0.52; −0.004]), and processed food consumption was associated with improved sleep latency in immunocompromised participants (β = 0.16[95%CI 0.01; 0.31]). These findings suggest diet quality may play a role in HRQL and sleep quality in this population, and may be relevant for clinical practitioners and policy makers when considering the importance of dietary quality in immunocompromised youths.

Neste comentário é realizada a análise da decisão monocrática proferida no âmbito da ação direta de inconstitucionalidade por omissão com pedido de medida cautelar nº 60 (ADO nº 60) do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF). A importância deste estudo se justifica pelos argumentos fornecidos na decisão como resposta aos requerentes, que postulam o reconhecimento da inconstitucionalidade da conduta da União na condução do Fundo Clima, bem como na adoção de medidas de proteção ambiental pertinentes à mitigação de mudanças climáticas. Isso porque, a despeito da importância do meio ambiente como pressuposto para o desfrute de outros direitos que integram o mínimo existencial, abre-se espaço para que seja discuto, no âmbito do dever estatal de proteção, a necessidade de observância ao direito ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado de forma autônoma e não apenas para assegurar o gozo de outros direitos fundamentais e humanos. Diante disso, considerando o atual contexto, em que o direito ao meio ambiente saudável é protegido com vistas a garantir a efetivação de direitos essenciais para os seres humanos, torna´-se fundamental compreender de que forma a inovadora teoria recepcionada pela jurisprudência brasileira por meio da ADO nº 60 - o direito ao meio ambiente como direito autônomo, com interesse jurídico em si mesmo- pode contribuir para o cenário de proteção ambiental brasileiro.

Introduction: Among healthy adolescents, school closures and home confinement were shown to increase unhealthier eating habits and sedentary behavior. It remains unknown to which extent the pandemic has impacted the lifestyle of adolescents with chronic conditions. Thus, the aim of this study is to report on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on eating habits and sedentary behavior among adolescents with multiple chronic conditions (n = 347) from a tertiary, referral hospital vs. healthy peers.Methods: This observational study was conducted in São Paulo (Brazil) between July and October 2020, period in which a set of social distancing measures to contain the pandemic.Results: The main findings of this study were that adolescents with chronic conditions and health peers showed important changes in eating habits (e.g., more often cooking and eating in front of television than before quarantine). Also, 86.8% of adolescents with chronic conditions and 91.6% of healthy adolescents reported increasing screen time during pandemic. No major differences were observed between patients and controls.Conclusions: Adolescents with chronic conditions and healthy peers exposed to pandemic showed substantial changes in lifestyle, stressing the need for specific care to mitigate poor eating habits and excessive sedentary behavior for patients and healthy adolescents.

Changes in emotional state due to the COVID-19 pandemic may potentially modify eating habits, which may differ as a function of body mass index (BMI). Using a self-reported, questionnaire-based survey we evaluated Brazilian women during the pandemic for: (i) the influence of BMI on changes in eating habits, food choice determinants, and psychological symptoms; (ii) associations between eating habits, food choice determinants and psychological symptoms. General characteristics, anthropometric data, eating habits before and during the pandemic, food choice determinants and psychological symptoms during the pandemic were collected between June and September, 2020. Participants (n = 1,183) were normal weight (60.4%), overweight (26.2%) and obese (13.4%). A higher frequency of “cooking” (72.3–77.6%, p = 0.004) and “use of delivery service” (29.8–48.8%, p < 0.001) was reported during, in comparison to before the pandemic. Additionally, a higher prevalence of “snacking” (57.1–63.8%, p = 0.005) and “eating at table” (78.5–82.7%, p < 0.001) was reported during the pandemic, while the number of participants reporting “dieting” decreased (28.7–20.4%, p < 0.001). “Health”, “natural concerns” and “need and hunger” were less important determinants for participants with overweight/obesity compared to normal weight. Regression analysis indicated that (i) “health”, “natural concerns” and “affect regulation”; (ii) “health”, “pleasure”, “convenience”, and “natural concerns”; and (iii) “visual appeal” and “pleasure” were the food choice determinants more associated with eating habits among women with normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively. In conclusion, eating habits were modified during the pandemic despite BMI, whereas food choice determinants differed between overweight/obesity and normal weight women.

Micromachining allows the production of parts and components on a micro scale with high precision and has become a key process to meet the growing demand for micro parts and micro components. To meet the quality requirements of the generated surfaces and reduce the cutting forces, strategies have been analysed, such as the use of the cutting fluid. Therefore, this research aimed to verify the effect of the frequency of the use of cutting fluid during the micro-milling of the Inconel 718 alloy. For this purpose, an ultra-refined cemented carbide micro end mill coated with (Al, Ti) N and 400 µm in diameter was used. A spindle speed of 20,000 rpm, a cutting speed of 13.8 m/min, a feed per tooth of 5 µm/tooth and an axial depth of cut of 40 µm were used as cutting parameters. Two frequencies of application of the cutting fluid were evaluated, corresponding to the flow rate of 40.7 and 270.0 ml/ h, in addition to the dry test. To measure the cutting forces, a Kistler dynamometer with operating range of -5 kN to +10 kN was used. In addition, the process simulation was performed using the AdvantEdge software by ThirdWave Systems. The results showed that the higher flow of the cutting fluid provided lower cutting forces and that, in dry machining, the cutting force increased significantly during the machining of a slot.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between food consumption and eating habits and food choice determinants in women during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Brazil between June and September, 2020, during which time social distancing measures were in place.Results: Participants (n = 629) were aged 34.0 years and mostly within normal weight according to BMI (60.4%). “Snacking” and “liking” associated with increased energy (β = 164.27 and β = 110.24) and carbohydrate intake (β = 1.97 and β = 1.80), and with reduced protein intake (β = −1.54 and β = −1.18). In contrast, “dieting” and “weight control” associated with reduced energy (β = −162.57 and β = −111.49) and carbohydrate intake (β = −2.78 and β = −2.07), and with increased protein intake (β = 3.78 and β = 1.65). “Dieting” (β = 7.27), “need and hunger” (β = 3.34), and “health” (β = 4.94) associated with an increased consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods, whereas “replacing main meals with snacks” (β = −8.98), “snacking” (β = −6.92) and binge eating symptoms (β = −0.34) associated with reduced consumption of foods within this processing level. In contrast, “use of delivery services” (β = 3.39), “replacing main meals with snacks” (β = 5.49), “visual appeal” (β = 2.17), “social norms” (β = 2.19) and “affect regulation” (β = 2.01) associated with increased ultraprocessed food consumption. Overall, associations were more frequent and pronounced when analyzing food consumption by processing level rather than by macronutrient intake.Conclusion: Some eating habits and food choice determinants (“snacking,” “replacing meals with snacks,” “use of delivery services”) observed during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with an unhealthy diet (high energy and carbohydrate consumption, increased ultraprocessed food consumption and reduced unprocessed/minimally processed foods consumption) in Brazilian women.

O mercado cada vez mais competitivo exige desafios para o aumento da produtividade das empresas, que necessitam de equipamentos com alta disponibilidade e confiabilidade. Isso torna fundamental a implantação do gerenciamento estratégico da manutenção. Os objetivos desse trabalho consistem em analisar a manutenção executada em um moinho de bolas de uma metalúrgica, por meio de indicadores de manutenção: MTBF, MTTR, Disponibilidade, Confiabilidade e Mantenabilidade; identificar, na curva da banheira, o ciclo de vida do moinho, e verificar se a estratégia de manutenção utilizada é a mais indicada. O método de pesquisa utilizado consistiu no estudo de caso. Para a realização das análises, foram colhidos os tempos entre falhas e para reparo do moinho, nos sistemas de informação da empresa, e avaliados por meio do software ProConf 2000. Os resultados mostraram que a implantação da manutenção preditiva não aumentou a disponibilidade operacional. Na curva da banheira tem-se que o ciclo de vida do moinho consiste no envelhecimento, indicando a utilização da manutenção preventiva.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients commonly use a high-frequency chest-wall compression (HFCWC) device for airway clearance that generates oscillatory flow with a sine-wave configuration. Typical HFCWC settings combine a lower Vest inflation pressure setting (eg, 5 on the Vest's arbitrary 1-10 scale for the setting that controls the background pressure of the inflatable vest) with mid-range frequency (14-16 Hz) (lower-pressure/mid-frequency HFCWC). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether HFCWC with higher pressure settings (6-10 on the Hill-Rom Vest's arbitrary 1-10 scale) combined with variable mid-frequencies (8, 9, and 10 Hz, plus 18, 19, and 20 Hz) (higher-pressure/variable-frequency HFCWC) results in greater sputum expectoration than lower-pressure/mid-frequency HFCWC. METHODS: This was a controlled randomized crossover study. Sixteen clinically stable, adult CF patients participated. Patients performed airway clearance with HFCWC, once each with lower-pressure/mid-frequency HFCWC and higher-pressure/variable-frequency HFCWC, on separate occasions. All sputum produced during each session was collected. Patients completed pulmonary function tests before and after each session. RESULTS: Median sputum wet weight was greater with higher-pressure/variable-frequency HFCWC than with lower-pressure/mid-frequency HFCWC (6.4 g, range 0.49 -22.0 g, versus 4.8 g, range 0.24- 15.0 g, P = .02). Dry sputum weight differences did not reach statistical significance (higherpressure/variable-frequency HFCWC 0.20 g, range 0.009-0.62 g, lower-pressure/mid-frequency HFCWC 0.12 g, range 0.0001-1.0 g, P = .23). Higher-pressure/variable-frequency HFCWC and lower-pressure/mid-frequency HFCWC resulted in similar increases in FEV1 (70 mL vs 90 mL, P =.21) and forced vital capacity (80 mL vs 80 mL, P = .94). Post-therapy sputum viscoelastic properties did not differ. Patients perceived the 2 regimens as equally comfortable and effective (P = .35 and P= .35, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In adult CF patients, single-session higherpressure/variable-frequency HFCWC resulted in greater sputum expectoration by wet weight, but not other differences, compared to the commonly used lower-pressure/mid-frequency settings. Longer-term comparisons are needed in a larger, more diverse population to determine whether sustained use of the higher-pressure/variable-frequency settings results in clinically important differences in outcomes. (Clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT00685035). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Insulin and glucose levels in response to premeal insulin lispro or repaglinide were evaluated in adult patients with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) without fasting hyperglycemia.Research Design and Methods: Seven patients with CFRD were fed 1,000-kcal liquid mixed meals. Three study conditions were administered in random order on separate mornings: 1) no premeal diabetes medication, 2) insulin lispro, 0.1 unit/kg body wt premeal and 3) repaglinide 1 mg premeal. Glucose and insulin levels were measured every 20 min for 5 h.Results: Fasting insulin and glucose levels were normal in patients with CFRD, but the peak glucose level was elevated. Insulin lispro significantly decreased the peak glucose level (P = 0.0004) and the 2-h (P = 0.001) and 5-h (P < 0.0001) glucose area under the curve (AUC). Repaglinide significantly decreased the 5-h glucose AUC (P = 0.03). Neither drug completely normalized cystic fibrosis glucose excursion at the doses used for this study. Insulin lispro significantly increased the 5-h insulin AUC (P = 0.04).Conclusions: In response to subcutaneous insulin lispro, postprandial glucose excursion was significantly diminished and insulin secretion was enhanced compared with a control meal in which no medication was given to patients with CFRD. The oral agent repaglinide resulted in lesser corrections in these parameters. Neither drug completely normalized glucose or insulin levels, suggesting that the doses chosen for this study were suboptimal. Placebo-controlled longitudinal studies comparing the effectiveness of repaglinide and insulin on glucose metabolic control as well as overall nutrition and body weight are needed to help determine optimal medical treatment of CFRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are reported to experience chronic protein catabolism. Since diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is common in CF, we hypothesized that their protein catabolic state is related to reduced insulin secretion or reduced insulin action. A total of 12 clinically stable adult CF patients with abnormal glucose tolerance and 12 age-, sex-, and lean body mass-matched healthy control subjects underwent protein turnover studies using L-[1-(13)C]leucine, L-[(15)N]phenylalanine, and L-[(2)H(4)]tyrosine, with and without exogenous insulin infusion. In the baseline fasting state, protein metabolism was entirely normal in CF patients, with no evidence of increased protein catabolism. In contrast, striking abnormalities were seen in CF patients when insulin was infused, since they did not experience normal suppression of the appearance rates of leucine, phenylalanine, or tyrosine (indexes of protein breakdown). At an insulin concentration of 45 +/- 2 microU/ml, normal control subjects suppressed the leucine appearance rate by 19 +/- 5% (P < 0.01), ketoisocaproate appearance rate by 10 +/- 3% (P = 0.03), tyrosine appearance rate by 11 +/- 2% (P = 0.03), and phenylalanine appearance rate by 6 +/- 3% (P = 0.07). Phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine decreased by 22 +/- 7% (P = 0.03). At a similar insulin concentration of 44 +/- 3 microU/ml, normal suppression of amino acid appearance did not occur in CF. The leucine appearance rate decreased by 4 +/- 2% (P = 0.65), ketoisocaproate appearance rate by 1 +/- 2% (P = 0.94), tyrosine appearance rate by 0 +/- 6% (P = 0.56), phenylalanine appearance rate by 5 +/- 6% (P = 0.34), and phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine by 5 +/- 6% (P = 0.95). Poor suppression of the amino acid appearance rate in CF was not related to previously documented glucose tolerance status (IGT or CF-related diabetes without fasting hyperglycemia), fasting insulin levels, the acute insulin response, insulin sensitivity, cytokine or counterregulatory hormone levels, resting energy expenditure, caloric intake, pulmonary function, or clinical status. Protein synthesis was not significantly affected by insulin infusion in either normal control subjects or CF patients. In conclusion, clinically stable adult CF patients have normal indexes of protein breakdown and synthesis in the fasting state. In contrast, elevation of plasma insulin to physiological postprandial levels fails to normally suppress indexes of protein breakdown. It is therefore likely that inability to spare protein during the postprandial state is the cause of protein catabolism in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a profile and interview with Geraldo Andrew Viera, one of the leading designers of the Carnival in Trinidad. Personal background; What gives him the greatest joy in his work; When he started on his job.

Interviews Peter Minshall, a masquerader in Trinidad. How he started his job; What made him want to go to the United Kingdom; His views on the most impressive things about the Carnival. INSETS: River;A family tradition, by Pat Ganase.