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Qualidade de vida de cuidadores não remunerados de pessoas idosas que vivem com demência: estudo iSupport-Brasil
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Silva, Kethelyn Izabella Almeida
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Monteiro, Diana Quirino
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/5135213835907578
;
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3130-4096
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Gratão , Aline Cristina Martins
Introduction: The prevalence of dementia among the older adults has been rising considerably in recent years. Studies indicate that dementia affects not only themselves and society but also unpaid caregivers, who are frequently exposed to stressors that can contribute to a decline in their Quality of Life (QoL). Objective: To analyze factors related to the quality of life of unpaid caregivers of older adults living with dementia. Method: This was a cross-sectional study with an analytical and quantitative approach, using non-probabilistic, purposive sampling and conducted online. The sample consisted of 61 unpaid caregivers of older adults living with dementia (Ascertain Dementia Interview - AD8 ≥2); participants were aged 18 or older, had been providing care for at least six months at the time of recruitment, and had access to an internet-connected smartphone, computer, or tablet. Data collection took place between January 13, 2023, and October 4, 2023, via an electronic questionnaire made available during that period. The following instruments were used for data collection: Initial Assessment Questionnaire (sociodemographic and caregiving profile); Single-Item Burden Scale (S01) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to assess caregiver burden; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms; and Quality of Life – Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) to assess quality of life. A significance level of 5% was adopted, and all ethical principles were observed. Results: Duration of caregiving, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden were the main factors associated with quality of life. Individuals with less than one year of caregiving experience showed a QoL-AD score 18.4% lower than those with one to three years of experience (p=0.027). Participants with possible or probable depression showed a 23.5% reduction in QoL-AD scores compared to those classified as unlikely to have depression (p<0.001). Regarding caregiver burden, those with mild or moderate levels achieved QoL-AD scores 32% to 33% higher than those with severe burden (p=0.027 and p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the need for strategies aimed at the early screening of depressive symptoms and caregiver burden among those caring for older adults with dementia, as well as the importance of systematic monitoring—especially from the onset of the caregiving experience—through the implementation of targeted interventions in the fields of gerontology and healthcare.
Relações de poder, saber e ética em One Piece: uma análise do personagem Donquixote Doflamingo à luz do pensamento de Michel Foucault
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Santos, Gabrielly Cristine Beserra dos
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Carvalho , Pedro Henrique Varoni de
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/0019513394358070
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1492-4891
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/7698092481343231
This paper analyzes the discourse of the character Donquixote Doflamingo, from Eiichiro Oda's manga and anime One Piece, based on Michel Foucault's theoretical framework on the relations between knowledge, power, and ethics, in dialogue with the character construction techniques proposed by Syd Field in his screenwriting manual. The starting point is the observation that the work allegorizes power relations of the contemporary world, a phenomenon evidenced by its appropriation in real political movements, such as the youth protests in Nepal in 2025. Doflamingo is chosen as a privileged object of analysis due to his narrative singularity: he is the only character who simultaneously occupies the roles of pirate, king, Celestial Dragon, and Navy-affiliated warlord, making him a living map of the multiple forms power assumes when it is not fixed within a single institution. The research also explores the interdiscursive dimension of the character's name, whose sound evokes Don Quixote de la Mancha, by Miguel de Cervantes, establishing a network of meanings between the nobleman who replaces reality with his own fiction and the villain who imposes his "reality" on Dressrosa through absolute control. Methodologically, the work draws on the Foucauldian concepts of discursive practice, enunciative function, and power relations, articulated with the three-act structure (setup, confrontation, and resolution) described by Field, in order to organize the character's arc between the presentation of his power (episodes 151–513), the revelation of his origin (episodes 623–659), and the confrontation in Dressrosa (episodes 659–736). The results indicate that Doflamingo's discourse articulates a conception of justice and morality as historical constructions determined by those who occupy positions of power, a thesis summarized in his famous line during the Battle of Marineford, according to which justice belongs to the victors. The revelation of his family origin, as a descendant of Celestial Dragons who renounced their title, shifts his characterization from an essentially monstrous antagonist to a product of a corrupt system, expanding the discussion on the relational and diffuse character of power in Foucault. Finally, the contrast between Doflamingo and his brother, Donquixote Rosinante, is used as an analytical resource to highlight the possibilities of resistance within the same power relations that produced both characters. It is concluded that the analysis of Doflamingo's discourse contributes to understanding how globally reaching fictions articulate and legitimize discourses on power, justice, and morality, also shedding light on ethical meanings within the social environment that consumes these cultural products.
Perdas de familiares e a vivência do luto na trajetória da formação graduada de estudantes de terapia ocupacional
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Santos, Gabriela Lourenço dos
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Bombarda, Tatiana Barbieri
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/8070700589653226
This study aimed to understand the experiences of loss and grief among undergraduate Occupational Therapy students and how these experiences affect their educational process. This is a descriptive multiple-case study with a qualitative approach. The participants were final-year Occupational Therapy students at the Federal University of São Carlos who had experienced the loss of a family member within the previous five years. Data were collected through individual interviews guided by a semi-structured interview protocol developed based on thanatology literature. The data were summarized on a case-by-case basis and analyzed using Bardin's content analysis. Four female undergraduate students participated in the study. The results showed that the losses were related to the death of elderly family members, and that the grieving process was influenced by the quality of the bond with the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death. The findings revealed unique and multidimensional repercussions of grief, with social support networks emerging as one of the main resources for coping. The study also identified both the impact of grief on professional education and the influence of academic training on the grieving experience. It is concluded that experiences of loss and grief permeate the educational process in health professions, influencing the development of perspectives on care.
Proposta de sistema de medição externa para agvs seguidores de linha com documentação elaborada para preservação de legado
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Sato, Marcelo Itonaga
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Morandin Júnior, Orides
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/4192845106907956
Despite having an MVP of a low cost external measurement system for line follower AGVs, further development of the project wasn’t possible, as it had insufficient documentation which wasn’t up to the laboratory’s standard. As the TEAR laboratory relies on a continuous rotation of undergraduate students every year, the proposed project’s documentation was written from scratch in the form of a Product Requirements Document and a General Architecture Diagram within the SOA architecture, capable of providing a high-level overview of the system and its intended implementation, enabling TEAR members to understand and implement the project. With that documentation, the laboratory’s members were capable of documenting and implementing some of the system’s services while following TEAR’s software development protocol, which resulted in robust services and documentation which will be used by future members of TEAR for its maintenance and updates.
Encontros Nacionais da EJA-EPT (PROEJA) da Rede Federal (2018-2024): desafios e possibilidades para as políticas e a formação de profissionais da educação
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Bernardino, Renata Venturim
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Fernandes, Jarina Rodrigues
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/6612611612919706
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8028-467X
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/4798073343533159
This research investigates the textual and audiovisual productions of the National EJA-EPT (PROEJA) Meetings of the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education (RFEPCT), held between 2018 and 2024, including recordings, abstracts published in digital Proceedings, and final documents. The objective is to analyze these productions in order to understand the challenges and possibilities related to policies and the training of education professionals for EJA-EPT (PROEJA). The critical theoretical framework adopted is grounded in the perspective of historical-dialectical materialism and in the theoretical debate on the integration of Youth and Adult Education (EJA) and Professional and Technological Education (EPT) within the context of the Federal Network, encompassing the historical development of PROEJA as a public policy, EJA-EPT as a theoretical- epistemological and political field, and the integrated curriculum from the perspective of integral human formation. Methodologically, this is a qualitative bibliographic-documentary study, involving the development of analytical categories grounded in the contributions of Laurence Bardin and in the dialogism matrix proposed by Mikhail Bakhtin. The systematization of data, focusing on two central categories (policies and the training of education professionals), resulted in the construction of an integrative synthesis based on the fundamental categories of the dialectical method, aiming to understand the historicity and processual nature of EJA-EPT (PROEJA) within the Federal Network. The results indicate that these national meetings of the Federal Network constitute important (inter)discursive and dialectical spaces, as they reflect a historical period, intersect the political, scientific, and empirical fields, and foster the production of new knowledge and practices. An intercessory spiral with a moving meaning was presented as an analytical device to highlight the complexity of EJA-EPT (PROEJA), which involves the convergence of multiple determinations in the construction of meanings of this integration and its materialization within an internally heterogeneous Federal Network, configuring it as a dynamic and contested field. It was also concluded that the effective implementation of EJA-EPT (PROEJA), from the perspective of integral and integrated human formation, requires enduring policies for initial teacher education across all teacher education programs, as well as policies to promote and support research and continuing education for education professionals to work with EJA-EPT (PROEJA) within the Federal Network. It also requires the ongoing commitment of researchers, administrators, teachers, and other education professionals, in articulation with civil society organizations.
Economia como fio condutor: dos estudos arqueológicos à governamentalidade liberal em Michel Foucault
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Arantes de Souza, Lívia Francisco
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Silveira, Fillipa
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/5054633257502667
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9270-3517
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Moutinho, Luiz Damon Santos
This work investigates Michel Foucault's thought, taking as its guiding thread his approach to economic discourses and practices from the archaeological studies of the 1960s to the courses on governmentality of the late 1970s. It addresses (i) the importance of the economic and social conjuncture for what made possible the fall of the human into objectivity (History of Madness); the relationship of economics with (ii) the epistemological imprisonment of the human within its finitude, and the aspects that mark the discontinuity between the analysis of wealth and political economy (The Order of Things); (iii) economic aspects of the relationship between disciplinary mechanics and the emergence of the human sciences (lectures from the first half of the 1970s); (iv) the importance of the economic grasp of the population for the biopolitical consideration of mass human phenomena, and as an organizing axis in terms of the shift away from what serves as the epistemological foundation for the human sciences (lectures from the late 1970s). In light of these aspects, it is argued that relating Foucault's gesture, in the late 1970s, of granting considerable importance to economic liberalism for his diagnosis of the present with his earlier efforts is a way of making explicit the consistency of his work and of avoiding the pitfalls of commentaries that glimpse in his reading of economic liberalism a sign of admiration and political adherence.
Proteômica subtrativa integrativa baseada no genoma e vacinologia reversa identificam potenciais candidatos a vacinas contra Klebsiella oxytoca
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Sarcinelli, Maria Carolina Francalassi
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Pranchevicius, Maria. Cristina da Silva
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/4772148921558977
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0416-7401
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/6400144868422043
Antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella oxytoca compromises the therapeutic efficacy of available antibiotics and limits treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for effective preventive strategies. This study describes the in silico development of a multi-epitope vaccine against K. oxytoca through an integrated approach combining reverse vaccinology and subtractive proteomics. Analysis of the pan-genome of 34 strains associated with human hosts identified a core proteome composed of 4.201 conserved proteins. The application of criteria related to essentiality, virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and the absence of homology with human and gut microbiota proteins allowed for the identification of 10 surface proteins with high antigenic potential. These proteins were then subjected to immunogenic epitope prediction, resulting in the identification of 11 MHC class I epitopes, five MHC class II epitopes, and five B-cell epitopes. The selected epitopes were subsequently organized into five multi-epitope vaccine constructs (KOV1–KOV5), containing different adjuvants and the PADRE sequence. All constructs exhibited a favorable antigenic profile, absence of allergenic potential, and adequate solubility. Among them, the KOV4 construct, associated with the L7/L12 ribosomal protein adjuvant, stood out for its superior structural parameters and higher binding affinity for the TLR4-MD2 and TLR1-TLR2 complexes in molecular docking analyses. The stability of these complexes was corroborated by normal mode analysis. Furthermore, immunological simulations indicated the induction of robust humoral and cellular responses, characterized by class switching to IgG, expansion of memory B cells, and cytokine production with a predominantly Th1 profile. Codon adaptation demonstrated potential for efficient expression of the KOV4 vaccine in Escherichia coli, with a CAI index of 0.82 and a GC content of 58.69%. Taken together, these findings highlight KOV4 as a promising vaccine candidate against K. oxytoca, although in vivo and in vitro experimental studies will be necessary to validate its immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and biological safety.
Compostos fenólicos como contaminantes ambientais: revisão sobre fontes, preparo de amostras e métodos cromatográficos
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Lopes, Henrique de Andrade
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Urban, Roberta Cerasi
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/7313670290572985
Phenolic compounds represent a relevant class of environmental contaminants due to their wide occurrence, structural diversity and potential impact on ecosystems and human health. Although they may have natural origins, their presence at elevated concentrations in the environment is often associated with anthropogenic activities, such as industrial, agricultural, urban and combustion processes. Due to their physicochemical properties, these compounds can be present in different environmental matrices, such as waters, soils, sediments and the atmosphere, and may also undergo transformations that generate secondary products of environmental interest. In this context, this work presents a literature review on the determination of phenolic compounds in environmental matrices using chromatographic techniques, with a focus on liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. The review addresses the main sources of these compounds, their environmental distribution, their possible impacts and the methodological advances employed in their analysis. Chromatography stands out as an essential tool because it enables the separation and quantification of compounds present in complex samples, especially when associated with sensitive and selective detectors. The studies analyzed indicate that the choice between liquid chromatography and gas chromatography depends on the characteristics of the analytes and the matrix studied. Liquid chromatography is widely applied to more polar and thermally unstable compounds, whereas gas chromatography is more suitable for volatile, semi-volatile or previously derivatized compounds. In both cases, sample preparation is a fundamental step, as it contributes to the removal of interferents, preconcentration of the analytes and the achievement of more reliable results. Overall, there is a growing development of chromatographic methods applied to the monitoring of phenolic compounds in environmental matrices. These advances are important for understanding the occurrence, sources and risks associated with these contaminants, as well as for contributing to strategies for the assessment, control and mitigation of environmental pollution.
Secagem como estratégia para redução de perdas no pós-colheita de frutas e hortaliças: uma revisão
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Pinheiro, Caroline Carvalho
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Consoli, Larissa
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/0760277067023906
Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable due to the continuation of metabolic activity after harvest, particularly cellular respiration, combined with their high water content, factors that contribute to significant postharvest losses. In this context, drying stands out as an important preservation strategy by reducing water activity, increasing the commercial stability of foods, and extending their shelf life. This study aimed to conduct a literature review on the application of drying as a preservation technology to reduce postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables. The review addressed the principles of the drying process, heat and mass transfer mechanisms, drying kinetics, and the different drying techniques used in the food industry, including natural drying, tray drying, drum drying, spray drying, infrared drying, and freeze-drying. Scientific articles, books, dissertations, and theses retrieved from national and international databases were used to develop the study. In addition, case studies related to the different drying techniques were analyzed, highlighting the operating conditions, equipment used, and the main results observed for each process. The analysis demonstrated that the choice of drying technique and operating conditions directly influences the final product quality, stability, and preservation of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, these technologies showed great potential for the valorization of agro-industrial residues and the reduction of food waste. Therefore, drying is an important preservation tool, contributing to the reduction of postharvest losses and to the development of products with greater stability and extended shelf life.
Uso unico - impacto permanente: uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os desafios da reciclagem de plásticos médicos
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Barreto, Lívia Marques Santos
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Urban, Roberta Cerasi
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/7313670290572985
The increasing use of plastics, particularly intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a significant rise in the generation of healthcare waste, highlighting the need for sustainable management practices for these materials. In this context, the recycling of medical plastics faces several challenges, including the diversity of polymers used, which hinders joint recycling due to their different physicochemical properties; the risk of infection associated with contaminated waste, which requires rigorous pre-treatment procedures; pollution resulting from incineration, which releases greenhouse gases and contributes to environmental contamination; the generation of microplastics and nanoplastics, which can persist in ecosystems and be ingested and/or inhaled; the presence of potentially toxic chemical additives that may leach into the environment during waste disposal or processing; and the lack of material identification, which hinders proper segregation and compromises the efficiency of recycling processes. Given this scenario, this study aimed to critically analyze these barriers and discuss possible solutions based on a review of the scientific literature. Finally, sustainable waste management practices were addressed, including appropriate segregation strategies, recycling methods compatible with hospital and industrial settings, and approaches based on circular economy principles, aiming to reduce environmental impacts and promote safer and more efficient management of medical plastic waste.
Entangled states of the light: interference as a symmetry problem
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Micheletti Diniz, Ciro
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Jorge Villas Bôas, Celso
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/5700887540085418
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/3102671365275808
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Hassan Youssef Moussa, Miled
Recently, the interference pattern, first observed by Thomas Young in 1804, has been obtained and understood within the framework of quantum optics through light–matter interactions, in which both light and matter are quantized. To this end, multiple fields interact simultaneously with the same material system, such that the superposition of these interactions gives rise to nontrivial detection outcomes. From this perspective, interference is a collective phenomenon. Based on this premise, this thesis develops a unified formalism that shows how symmetry relations are connected to interference effects. As a motivating and technologically relevant case, we analyze reset dynamics in a generic quantum computing and show that collective effects and symmetry relations can dominate the evolution due to shared couplings. Employing tunable features of the device, time-dependent symmetry relations are engineered to dynamically alter the brightness of collective states, enabling the reset of any initial state. In quantum optics, interference effects can be understood as a symmetry problem between the detectable and undetectable components of the field. For coherent and single-photon multimode fields, we derive phase conditions that distinguish bright and dark states, revealing the predominance of the latter. In diffraction gratings, this accounts for the extent of dark regions, where local phases give rise to dark states (zero intensity), while also explaining the high intensity observed in bright fringes. The same reasoning reinterprets cavity pulses as temporal interference between stationary modes, rather than as energy flow, suggesting new insights into the relationship between field intensity and its energy. By extending the analysis to collective thermal states, it is verified that a significant fraction of the energy can remain in dark modes even after interaction with the other systems. Furthermore, a thought experiment was simulated in order to verify how the breaking of symmetry in the interactions can provide access to the energy stored in dark states. Finally, a more fundamental condition for the emergence of collective effects was discussed. Based on shared interactions, Changes in the dynamics of waves of distinct natures, namely mechanical and electromagnetic, were observed when interactions with a common system were considered, as well as in the dynamics of two non-overlapping electromagnetic waves. Nevertheless, the results obtained were consistent with those of the cases previously studied under more restrictive conditions.
Metabarcoding revela variação na composição da comunidade bentônica do substrato inconsolidado no Arquipélago dos Alcatrazes
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Ferreira, Amanda do Pinho Cândido
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Capel, Kátia Cristina Cruz
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/3091885302037151
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2496-6323
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/1425384949228162
Subtidal marine ecosystems harbor rich biological diversity and play a fundamental role in maintaining global biogeochemical cycles and ocean health. However, monitoring these communities, particularly in unconsolidated substrates, faces the challenges of morphological taxonomic identification. This study used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of the Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene to investigate the fauna of the subtidal unconsolidated substrate at three sites in the Alcatrazes Archipelago (ESEC, Wolverine, and Geladeira) along a distance gradient from the rocky shore, seeking to understand their spatial structuring. Sediment samples were collected in triplicate, total DNA was extracted, and the COI gene was amplified and sequenced on the Illumina platform. Taxonomic assignment was performed by comparison with the MIDORI2 database. The results revealed significant biological heterogeneity among the sampled sites, with ESEC showing greater absolute richness and Wolverine standing out for its taxonomic uniqueness, with 18% to 20% of exclusive taxa. In contrast, the Geladeira site demonstrated a more simplified community structure, suggesting the influence of local environmental filters on species selection. The analysis of indicator taxa demonstrated the presence of ubiquitous genera (such as Margalefidinium) and others found in only one of the sites, such as Pseudoparamoeba at Wolverine. The disparity between observed richness and the Chao1 estimator indicated that the actual biodiversity in these locations remains underestimated. No significant influence of the distance gradient from the rocky shore was observed on community richness and composition, suggesting a homogeneous distribution of the sediment-associated fauna at the analyzed scale. This study expands knowledge about local biodiversity and provides support for the monitoring of this conservation unit.
Estudo computacional de moléculas com potencial inativante do SARS-CoV-2
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Carmo, Paulo Ricardo Leitão do
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Moura, André Farias de
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/0746428641961163
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1974-4803
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/9002227824758684
The 3CL-protease (3CLpro) is a crucial therapeutic target against SARS-CoV-2 because it is a non-structural protein linked to viral replication and highly conserved among coronaviruses. This work evaluated in silico, through 1 microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the inhibitory activity mecha- nisms and molecular recognition of the 3CL homodimer against two classes of lig-ands: coumarin derivatives (esters of 4-esculetinocarboxylic acid) and copper sulfide nanoparticles functionalized with penicillamine. Coumarin bindings alter the enzy-matic structure in distinct ways; Ethyl 5,6-dihydroxy-2-oxo-1a,7b-dihydrooxyrene[2,3- c]chromene-7b-carboxylate promoted asymmetry at the quaternary interface with loss of dimer compaction, while Ethyl 1,1-dichloro-7,8-dihydroxy-2-oxo-1a,7b-dihy- dro-1H-cyclopropa[c]chromene-7b-carboxylate exhibited a larger thermodynamic layer and conformational stability, despite undergoing partial dissociation followed by spontaneous reassociation. However, a hydrogen bond analysis indicated that the coumarin results fluctuate in the structure without a specific layer. In contrast, the nanoparticles showed a specificity of stereoselective chiral recognition at the dimer- ization interface. The nanoparticle with D-penicillamine severely induced and strengthened attractive interactions between monomers, stabilizing the enzyme. On the other hand, the nanoparticle with L-penicillamine caused allosteric destabilization with weakening of intermolecular forces at the dimer interface. The nanoparticle with L-penicillamine distributed significant isolating bonds, consolidating itself as the chiral vector with the greatest efficiency and dynamic biocompatibility. It is concluded that nanoparticles, especially the levorotatory form, exhibit strong allosteric inhibitory po- tential of 3CLpro, validating the robustness of the methodology for replication in otherpathogenic systems.
Níveis de vitamina D e desempenho cognitivo de pessoas idosas cognitivamente saudáveis e com doença de Alzheimer residentes na comunidade: um estudo transversal
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Verzola, Amanda Silva Barison
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Cominetti, Márcia Regina
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/3725318894555272
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6385-7392
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/5043103009367904
In recent years, there has been an increase in studies suggesting a relationship between vitamin D levels and brain health. Both the vitamin D receptor and the enzyme that converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D into its active form are expressed in all organs of the body, including brain regions responsible for cognition, mainly the hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. Some studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and the development of dementias, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). Other evidence indicates that this association is not yet consistent. Objectives: To investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults and in people living with AD dementia. Methods: This is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design. Participants were grouped into two groups: cognitively healthy (n = 147) and with AD (n = 53). The assessment protocol consisted of the following instruments: Sociodemographic questionnaire and health information; Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R); Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); Digit Span Test; Trail Making Test (TMT); Consortium for Establishing a Registry of Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD); Memory Complaints Scale (MCS); Clinical Rating Scale for Dementia (CDR); Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); Katz Scale; and Lawton and Brody Scale. In addition, blood vitamin D levels were assessed in elderly individuals in the cognitively healthy group. Data were analyzed using the R statistical software. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation and median (interquartile range). For comparisons between groups, the chi-square test, Welch's t-test, and Mann-Whitney test were used, depending on the data distribution. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between vitamin D levels and cognitive outcomes (global score and ACE-R), adjusted for age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, and APOEε4 status. Sensitivity analyses included variables related to sun exposure. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation (MICE), and the Benjamin-Hochberg correction was applied for multiple comparisons. The significance level adopted was 5% (p < 0.05). Results: Individuals with dementia were older (79.0 ± 7.7 years), had lower education (7.1 ± 5.2 years), a higher frequency of the APOE ε4 allele (60.4%), and worse performance on all cognitive tests (p < 0.001), with no significant difference in serum vitamin D levels between the groups. In the adjusted models, vitamin D was not associated with global cognitive performance or ACE-R. Conversely, as expected, older age, the presence of the APOEε4 allele, and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer cognition, whereas higher education was associated with better cognitive performance (p < 0.05). The inclusion of variables related to sun exposure did not modify the results. Conclusion: Serum vitamin D levels were not associated with cognitive performance in older adults, regardless of the diagnostic group. On the other hand, factors such as age, education, presence of the APOEε4 allele, and depressive symptoms showed a significant association with cognition. These findings reinforce the multifactorial nature of cognitive aging and suggest that vitamin D may play a limited role when analyzed in isolation.
Avaliação da capacidade de exercício e das variáveis cardiorrespiratórias no teste do degrau de seis minutos por meio de camiseta inteligente, em indivíduos após 24 meses da alta hospitalar por COVID-19
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-06-30)
Santos, Ana Carolina Vaz dos
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Lorenzo, Valéria Amorim Pires Di
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/9071791546812165
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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9804-7445
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/2637535496778659
COVID-19 may lead to persistent effects on exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory responses, particularly in individuals who required hospitalization. Although reduced exercise capacity following the disease has been widely described, gaps remain regarding its long-term progression and, especially, the behavior of cardiorespiratory responses during exercise. Field-based physical tests allow the quantification of performance and exercise tolerance; however, performance analysis alone does not fully characterize the physiological demands imposed by exercise. In this context, the incorporation of wearable technology into the Six-Minute Step Test (6MST) and the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (30CST) makes it possible to associate performance with continuous monitoring of cardiorespiratory responses during exertion. Therefore, this doctoral thesis investigated exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory responses during field-based physical tests in individuals previously hospitalized for COVID-19 through two complementary studies. The first study longitudinally analyzed changes in exercise capacity and cardiorespiratory responses at 30 days and 24 months after hospital discharge, using field-based physical tests combined with continuous physiological monitoring through a smart shirt. After 24 months, exercise capacity improved; however, alterations in cardiovascular and ventilatory responses during exertion persisted. The second study compared individuals previously hospitalized for COVID-19, assessed approximately two years after hospitalization, with individuals without a history of the disease, using the 6MST and 30CST and analyzing performance in relation to Brazilian predictive equations. The post-COVID-19 group exhibited lower exercise capacity in both tests, with some individuals achieving less than 80% of the predicted values on the 6MST. In addition, greater cardiovascular demand during exercise, slower cardiorespiratory recovery, and higher perceived exertion were observed in the post-COVID-19 group. Taken together, the results demonstrate that cardiorespiratory alterations during exercise may persist in the long term after hospitalization for COVID-19 and that recovery of exercise capacity does not necessarily correspond to the normalization of physiological responses to exertion. Thus, this thesis highlights the importance of assessing not only the performance achieved during field-based physical tests but also the cardiorespiratory responses exhibited throughout their execution. Combining these tests with continuous monitoring using wearable technology adds a physiological dimension to the assessment of exercise capacity and may provide complementary information to support the follow-up and development of rehabilitation strategies for individuals previously hospitalized for COVID-19.
Predição de resultados de partidas de profissionais de Counter-Strike 2 com aprendizado de máquina
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-07-01)
Rocha, Gabriel Herdy
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Backes, André Ricardo
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/8590140337571249
This work investigates win prediction in professional Counter-Strike 2 matches using only information available before each match begins. Each observation is represented by differences between the two teams, computed from recent statistics, performance indicators and a pre-match strength measure. The task is framed as binary classification, with the aim of estimating the win probability of the analyzed team. The methodology separates training, selection and evaluation in temporal order: older matches are used for training and internal selection, while the 2026_s1 window is reserved as a later-period holdout evaluation. The experimental evaluation started from 38 pre-match attributes and registered 71 feature sets, 58 possible classifier configurations and 2,582 combinations actually evaluated. The selected solution is an L2-regularized logistic regression with C = 0.3, no artificial class balancing and 11 variables chosen by a univariate selection criterion. On the holdout set, this logistic regression achieved ROC-AUC of 0.6828 and an accuracy of 0.6293. The prospective evaluation over later events was kept as complementary evidence from operational use, without changing the selected model. The contribution is a reproducible workflow for pre-match prediction in Counter-Strike 2, connecting data, variables, training, classifier comparison, interpretation and complementary validation.
Avaliação da nova formulação para capacidade ao cisalhamento diagonal de alvenaria estrutural
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-07-01)
Nascimento, Victor Claro
;
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5939-2032
;
Parsekian, Guilherme Aris
;
http://lattes.cnpq.br/7798651726059215
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/8269009124183283
This study presents a comparative analysis between the shear strength equation included in the proposed revision of the ABNT standard for structural masonry and the methodology currently prescribed by NBR 16868:2020. The study evaluated 147 walls, including a parametric analysis of a generic wall subjected to varying conditions regarding grouting ratio, vertical reinforcement layout, block strength, mortar strength, and pre-compression level. Additionally, walls from three actual structural masonry buildings—provided by a structural design firm—were analyzed. To simplify the comparative analyses, fixed parameters were adopted for certain variables. The results indicated that the NBR 16868:2020 methodology tends, in several instances, to yield higher shear strength values than those obtained via the proposed revision, particularly for walls with little or no grouting. It was found that explicitly accounting for the masonry's contribution, the pre-compression effect, the dowel action of the reinforcement, and the walls' geometric characteristics significantly influences shear strength. Thus, it is concluded that the proposed revision is more sensitive to the underlying resistance mechanisms, leading to more representative estimates of the structural behavior of masonry walls.
Requeijão: tipos e propriedades
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-07-01)
Pereira, Ana Cláudia Conhe
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Consoli, Larissa
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https://lattes.cnpq.br/0760277067023906
Requeijão is a traditional Brazilian processed cheese with significant economic and technological importance due to its widespread consumption and broad range of culinary applications. Its manufacture involves the fusion of curd obtained by acid or enzymatic coagulation, combined with ingredients that determine the product's texture, spreadability, stability, and sensory acceptance. This study aimed to compile and discuss information regarding the different types of requeijão, addressing aspects related to its classification, formulation, processing, rheological properties, quality control, microbiological and physicochemical analyses, as well as the current national and international market. A literature review was conducted based on scientific articles, books, technical documents, and official regulations, emphasizing recent publications and recognized sources in the field of Food Science and Technology. The review demonstrated that formulation composition, fat content, pH, emulsifying salts, processing conditions, and the fusion step directly influence the structural, rheological, and sensory properties of requeijão. Furthermore, the growing demand for reduced-fat, lactose-free, and innovative products has driven the development of new technologies and ingredients for this dairy product. It is concluded that understanding the factors involved in the production and technological properties of requeijão is essential for developing safe, high-quality, and technologically stable products, contributing to innovation and competitiveness in the dairy industry.
Quanto dura uma carreira na NBA? Um estudo estatístico com modelos de sobrevivência
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-07-01)
Cordeiro, Pedro Lana
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Martins Dias, Teresa Cristina
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/0187724276640668
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/6734391547215937
The objective of this study is to investigate the longevity of the careers of National Basketball Association (NBA) players who debuted between 2010 and 2020. A consolidated database for analysis was constructed using publicly available information on performance, individual characteristics, and injury history. Survival analysis methods were applied, initially with non-parametric estimates via Kaplan-Meier, followed by Cox proportional hazards models and extensions of the stratified model. The aim is to understand the factors that increase or decrease the length of time spent in the league, comparing groups of players by position, age at debut, minutes played, advanced statistics, and health history. Thus, the intention is to contribute to the literature on statistics applied to sport and to offer practical decision-making tools for professionals involved in sports management, scouting (the process of systematically observing and evaluating players), and performance analysis.
Transparência em modelos de comitê: aplicação de inteligência artificial explicável em dados do SUS
(Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2026-07-01)
Jesuíno, Bruna Scafutto Campos
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Camargo, Heloisa de Arruda
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/0487231065057783
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5489-7306
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http://lattes.cnpq.br/6127502041565459
Public health increasingly relies on the responsible use of data to support hospital management. In this context, ensemble machine learning models achieve strong predictive performance but often operate as "black boxes," hindering their adoption in sensitive domains. This study investigates the application of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques — specifically SHAP and LIME — to tree-based ensemble models (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost). These models were applied to microdata from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) Hospital Information System regarding hospital admissions in the state of São Paulo between 2024 and 2025. Models were developed to classify hospital length-of-stay ranges and to predict the number of days of hospitalization (regression) — evaluated using metrics appropriate for each task — as well as a model to classify cost ranges. The results indicate that the primary diagnosis, procedure, hospital type, municipality of residence, and secondary diagnosis are the most influential factors in the predictions, showing strong agreement between global (SHAP) and local (LIME) analyses. The study demonstrates how open government datasets can be transparently leveraged through modern computational methods, valuing both model performance and an understanding of the factors influencing their predictions.