Correr atrás do vento: o trabalho dos mototaxistas de Sobral, Ceará / Chasing the wind: the work of motorcycle taxi drivers from Sobral, Ceará / Perseguir el viento: el trabajo de los mototaxis de Sobral, Ceará

A pesquisa teve como objetivo geral analisar a atividade e o ofício dos mototaxistas de Sobral, Ceará. O objetivo específico foi compreender: a) a atividade exercida e o conceito de real da atividade; b) as prescrições; c) as regras informais; e d) as relações profissionais. A investigação adotou o referencial teórico da Clínica da Atividade, e participaram oito mototaxistas. Inspiradas no método da Instrução ao Sósia, foram realizadas e gravadas entrevistas semiestruturadas. Seu áudio foi transcrito e o conteúdo passou por análise construtivo-interpretativa. Os resultados mostraram que a atividade era regulamentada pela prefeitura e dependia da manutenção dos instrumentos utilizados. O expediente era organizado por uma regra do coletivo de trabalho relacionada ao horário de funcionamento de escolas e universidades. A busca por passageiros variava, sendo possível ficar em pontos fixos ou circular pela cidade. As condições ambientais demandavam cuidados como o uso de protetor solar e hidratação. A autonomia da profissão permitia organizar o próprio expediente e o ganho mensal. Entretanto, houve queixas relativas à falta de direitos previdenciários e ao fato de que a flexibilidade geraria uma sobrecarga de trabalho que poderia trazer prejuízos à saúde. Riscos foram identificados em acidentes de trânsito e violência urbana. Os relatos acerca das relações com os colegas mostraram um ambiente amistoso, e as relações com os passageiros eram definidas por cada situação, abrangendo desde interações objetivas até conversas pessoais.(AU)

The research had as general objective to analyze the activity and the work of motorcycle taxi drivers in Sobral, Ceará. Specific objectives were to understand: (a) the activity performed and the real of activity; (b) the prescriptions; (c) informal rules and (d) professional relationships. The investigation adopted the theoretical framework of the Clinic of Activity. Eight motorcycle taxi drivers participated in the investigation. Inspired by the instruction to the double method, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The audio of the interviews was transcribed and underwent constructive-interpretive analysis. The results showed that the activity was regulated by the city and depended on the maintenance of the instruments used. The working hours were organized by a collective labor rule related to the opening hours of schools and universities. The looking-for for passengers also varied: it was possible to stay at fixed points or move around the city. Environmental conditions required care such as the use of sunscreen and hydration. The profession's autonomy made it possible to organize its own hours and monthly earnings. However, there were complaints regarding the lack of social security rights and that flexibility would create an overload of work that could harm health. Risks have been identified in traffic accidents and urban violence. Reports about relationships with colleagues showed a friendly atmosphere. Relations with passengers were defined by each situation, ranging from objective interactions to personal conversations.(AU)

La investigación tuvo como objetivo general analizar la actividad y el trabajo de los mototaxis en Sobral, Ceará. Los objetivos específicos eran comprender: (a) la actividad realizada y la real de la actividad; (b) las prescripciones; (c) reglas informales y (d) relaciones profesionales. La investigación adoptó el marco teórico de la Clínica de Actividad. En la investigación participaron ocho mototaxis. Inspirándose en el método de instrucción al doble, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas. El audio de las entrevistas fue transcrito y sometido a un análisis constructivo-interpretativo. Los resultados mostraron que la actividad estaba regulada por la prefectura municipal y dependía del mantenimiento de los instrumentos utilizados. Los horarios de trabajo fueron organizados por una norma laboral colectiva relacionada con los horarios de apertura de escuelas y universidades. La búsqueda de pasajeros también variaba: era posible permanecer en puntos fijos o moverse por la ciudad. Las condiciones ambientales requerían cuidados como el uso de protector solar e hidratación. La autonomía de la profesión permitió organizar sus propias horas y ganancias mensuales. Sin embargo, hubo quejas sobre la falta de derechos de seguridad social y que la flexibilidad crearía una sobrecarga de trabajo que podría dañar la salud. Se han identificado riesgos en accidentes de tráfico y violencia urbana. Los informes sobre las relaciones con los colegas mostraron un ambiente agradable. Las relaciones con los pasajeros se definieron por cada situación, desde interacciones objetivas hasta conversaciones personales.(AU)

Is Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) a superior screening tool for heat stress risk than Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index? Eight years of data from the Gothenburg half marathon.

BACKGROUND: The Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is a common tool to screen for heat stress for sporting events. However, the index has a number of limitations. Rational indices, such as the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), are potential alternatives. AIM: To identify the thermal index that best predicts ambulance-required assistances and collapses during a city half marathon. METHODS: Eight years (2010-2017) of meteorological and ambulance transport data, including medical records, from Gothenburg's half-marathon were used to analyse associations between WBGT, PET and UTCI and the rates of ambulance-required assistances and collapses. All associations were evaluated by Monte-Carlo simulations and leave-one-out-cross-validation. RESULTS: The PET index showed the strongest correlation with both the rate of ambulance-required assistances (R2=0.72, p=0.008) and collapses (R2=0.71, p=0.008), followed by the UTCI (R2=0.64, p=0.017; R2=0.64, p=0.017) whereas the WBGT index showed substantially poorer correlations (R2=0.56, p=0.031; R2=0.56, p=0.033). PET stages of stress, match the rates of collapses better that the WBGT flag colour warning. Compared with the PET, the WBGT underestimates heat stress, especially at high radiant heat load. The rate of collapses increases with increasing heat stress; large increase from the day before the race seems to have an impact of the rate of collapses. CONCLUSION: We contend that the PET is a better predictor of collapses during a half marathon than the WBGT. We call for further investigation of PET as a screening tool alongside WBGT.

High temperatures and nephrology: The climate change problem. / Altas temperaturas y nefrología: a propósito del cambio climático.

It is well known that climate change greatly affects human health, even though there are few studies on renal outcomes. Heat waves have been found to increase cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality, as well as the risk of acute renal failure and hospitalisation due to renal diseases, with related mortality. Recurrent dehydration in people regularly exposed to high temperatures seems to be resulting in an unrecognised cause of proteinuric chronic kidney disease, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of which is becoming better understood. However, beyond heat waves and extreme temperatures, there is a seasonal variation in glomerular filtration rate that may contribute to the onset of renal failure and electrolyte disorders during extremely hot periods. Although there are few references in the literature, serum sodium disorders seem to increase. The most vulnerable population to heat-related disease are the elderly, children, chronic patients, bedridden people, disabled people, people living alone or with little social contact, and socioeconomically disadvantaged people.

Estimating the burden of heat illness in England during the 2013 summer heatwave using syndromic surveillance.

BACKGROUND: The burden of heat illness on health systems is not well described in the UK. Although the UK generally experiences mild summers, the frequency and intensity of hot weather is likely to increase due to climate change, particularly in Southern England. We investigated the impact of the moderate heatwave in 2013 on primary care and emergency department (ED) visits using syndromic surveillance data in England. METHODS: General practitioner in hours (GPIH), GP out of hours (GPOOH) and ED syndromic surveillance systems were used to monitor the health impact of heat/sun stroke symptoms (heat illness). Data were stratified by age group and compared between heatwave and non-heatwave years. Incidence rate ratios were calculated for GPIH heat illness consultations. RESULTS: GP consultations and ED attendances for heat illness increased during the heatwave period; GPIH consultations increased across all age groups, but the highest rates were in school children and those aged ≥75 years, with the latter persisting beyond the end of the heatwave. Extrapolating to the English population, we estimated that the number of GPIH consultations for heat illness during the whole summer (May to September) 2013 was 1166 (95% CI 1064 to 1268). This was double the rate observed during non-heatwave years. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the monitoring of heat illness (symptoms of heat/sun stroke) as part of the Heatwave Plan for England, but also suggest that specifically monitoring heat illness in children, especially those of school age, would provide additional early warning of, and situation awareness during heatwaves.

Intra-urban vulnerability to heat-related mortality in New York City, 1997-2006.

The health impacts of exposure to summertime heat are a significant problem in New York City (NYC) and for many cities and are expected to increase with a warming climate. Most studies on heat-related mortality have examined risk factors at the municipal or regional scale and may have missed the intra-urban variation of vulnerability that might inform prevention strategies. We evaluated whether place-based characteristics (socioeconomic/demographic and health factors, as well as the built and biophysical environment) may be associated with greater risk of heat-related mortality for seniors during heat events in NYC. As a measure of relative vulnerability to heat, we used the natural cause mortality rate ratio among those aged 65 and over (MRR65+), comparing extremely hot days (maximum heat index 100°F+) to all warm season days, across 1997-2006 for NYC's 59 Community Districts and 42 United Hospital Fund neighborhoods. Significant positive associations were found between the MRR65+ and neighborhood-level characteristics: poverty, poor housing conditions, lower rates of access to air-conditioning, impervious land cover, surface temperatures aggregated to the area-level, and seniors' hypertension. Percent Black/African American and household poverty were strong negative predictors of seniors' air conditioning access in multivariate regression analysis.

Evaluación de exposición a calor: alcances y limitaciones de los indicadores: su interpretación y correcta aplicación / Heat exposure assessment: scope and limitations of indicators: its interpretation and proper application

Se analizan los fundamentos, alcances y limitaciones de los indicadores TGBH (Temperatura de Globo y Bulbo Húmedo), Tasa Requerida de Evaporación de Sudor y Frecuencia Cardiaca. Se presentan distintos casos experimentales, en los cuales se realiza una evaluación detallada de la exposición a calor utilizando estos estándares.

This paper discusses the foundations, scope and limitations of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) indicators, required rate of sweat evaporation and heart rate. The study presents various experimental cases on which a detailed evaluation of heat exposure using these standards is carried out.

Joint task force "forward care" multicomponent health service support for an Army Reserve separate infantry brigade (mechanized)--Part III.

At the conclusion of 4 years' careful study of the health services support of a separate infantry brigade (mechanized) during the unit's annual training periods, the authors report on the effectiveness of a support team consisting of Army Reserve medical elements, an Active Army field unit, and a Public Health Service Clearing/Staging unit joining forces in a field environment to provide real world medical care to the same unit in a follow-on annual training period. The emphasis of the team created was on validating the forward care concept of field medical support. The result of this effort was "state of the art" medical service to the troops in the most forward areas, and a savings of 0.66 training days per soldier out of 10 days possible field training time. The cross-training of joint elements was enhanced by providing hands-on treatment of soldiers in a tactical environment, training that cannot be adequately replaced by simulated training.

[The early prognostic assessment of heat stroke]. / Evaluación pronóstica precoz del golpe de calor.

We study the clinical characteristics of 21 heat strokes at admittance, to analyze the clinical features in relationship with prognosis. 15 patients (71%) suffered a classical heat stroke and 6 (29%) an active heat stroke. Global mortality was 33%. Sun exposition was more frequent in patients who survived (p less than 0.05), fact that we relate with earlier withdrawal from noxa. Patients with worse prognosis were showing more frequently coma (p less than 0.05); photomotor (p less than 0.01), oculocephalic (p less than 0.01) and corneal (p less than 0.01) reflexes abolition; together with disorders in spontaneous and induced motility of members (p less than 0.05); areflexia (p less than 0.01) and plantar extensor response (p less than 0.05). However the most discriminatory parameter between the two groups was the response to cooling, because the outcome was always fatal when cooling did not take place (p less than 0.01). From the analytical standpoint, serum bicarbonate was lower in the patients who died (p less than 0.05). We insist in the need to start prevention and treatment programs in those communities with high incidence of this syndrome.

Classical heatstroke: clinical and laboratory assessment.

We reviewed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of 34 patients who had classical heatstroke during the Kansas City heat wave of 1980. The patients were elderly, predominantly black, and of low socioeconomic class. Overall mortality was 18%, with 9% of patients exhibiting severe residual neurologic deficit; 73% had full recovery. Patients with coma, temperature greater than or equal to 108 F (42.2 C), severe hypotension, coagulopathy, and need for respiratory assistance were at highest risk of death. Associated disease was common (67%), with hypertension (32%), diabetes (21%), and alcoholism (21%) being most frequent. Medications known to predispose to heatstroke were used by 56% of patients. Hematologic abnormalities were nonspecific, and clinical evidence of renal or hepatic failure was rare. Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia, and elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase and glucose were frequent but did not correlate with outcome. The predominant arterial blood gas abnormality was metabolic acidosis or a combined metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis.

Index for the assessment of heat tolerance.

Heat tolerance was assessed by magnitude of strain induced in the body as a whole by heat load. The strain was represented by a combination of relative water loss, relative rise in rectal temperature and relative salt loss, using those critical values of the three factors which cause heat stroke (40.6 degrees C), water depletion heat exhaustion (7% of body weight) and salt depletion heat exhaustion (0.75 g per kg of body weight). As this numerical heat tolerance index is defined as the degree of disturbance induced by heat exposure concerning thermal regulation, water and electrolyte metabolism, the magnitude of the index is inversely proportional to that of heat tolerance. Our studies showed that adaptive changes in heat tolerance of unacclimatized subjects during short-term heat acclimatization could be followed up by this heat tolerance index and that superior heat tolerance of residents in subtropical zone and athletes could by reasonably evaluated by the index. Thus, it might be said that this numerical heat tolerance index is a reliable index for the assessment of heat tolerance.