Gender gaps in Mathematics and Language: The bias of competitive achievement tests.

This research paper examines the extent to which high-stakes competitive tests affect gender gaps in standardized tests of Mathematics and Language. To this end, we estimate models that predict students' results in two national standardized tests: a test that does not affect students' educational trajectory, and a second test that determines access to the most selective universities in Chile. We used data from different gender twins who took these tests.

Neural Networks to Recognize Patterns in Topographic Images of Cortical Electrical Activity of Patients with Neurological Diseases.

Software such as EEGLab has enabled the treatment and visualization of the tracing and cortical topography of the electroencephalography (EEG) signals. In particular, the topography of the cortical electrical activity is represented by colors, which make it possible to identify functional differences between cortical areas and to associate them with various diseases. The use of cortical topography with EEG origin in the investigation of diseases is often not used due to the representation of colors making it difficult to classify the disease.

Percolation theory for the recognition of patterns in topographic images of the cortical activity.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the mechanisms used to collect complex data. Its use includes evaluating neurological disorders, investigating brain function and correlations between EEG signals and real or imagined movements. The Topographic Image of Cortical Activity (TICA) records obtained by the EEG make it possible to observe, through color discrimination, the cortical areas that represent greater or lesser activity.

Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Pain Display Enhanced Alpha Power Density at Rest.

Patients with chronic pain due to neuropathy or musculoskeletal injury frequently exhibit reduced alpha and increased theta power densities. However, little is known about electrical brain activity and chronic pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For this purpose, we evaluated power densities of spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) band frequencies (delta, theta, alpha, and beta) in females with persistent pain due to RA.

From Reduction to Apocope: Final Poststressed Vowel Devoicing in Brazilian Portuguese.

This is a study of final poststressed vowel devoicing following /s/ in Brazilian Portuguese. We contradict the literature describing it as deletion by arguing, first, that the vowel is not deleted, but overlapped and devoiced by the /s/, and, second, that gradient reduction with devoicing may lead to apocope diachronically. The following results support our view: (1) partially devoiced vowels are centralized; (2) centralization is inversely proportional to duration; (3) total devoicing is accompanied by lowering of the /s/ centroid; (4) the /s/ noise seems to be lengthened when the vowel is totally devoiced; (5) aerodynamic tests reveal that lengthened /s/ has a final vowel-like portion, too short to be voiced; (6) lengthened /s/ favors vowel recovery in perceptual tests.

Analgesic effect of cathodal transcranial current stimulation over right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in subjects with muscular temporomandibular disorders: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders are a group of orofacial pain conditions that are commonly identified in the general population. Like many other chronic pain conditions, they can be associated with anxiety/depression, which can be related to changes in the activity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Some studies have demonstrated clinical improvement in subjects with chronic pain who are given therapeutic neuromodulation.

Gender and mortality in sepsis: do sex hormones impact the outcome?

Objective: Comparative assessment of the mortality rates of two septic patients' ages and/or gender subgroups, admitted to the intensive care unit of a university hospital.

Methods: From December 2005 to April 2008, from a total of 628 patients, 133 were admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis and included into two age subgroups: (G1) 14 - 40 years old and (G2) more than 50 years old. Patients aged between 41 and 50 years old (n = 8) were excluded.

End of life and palliative care in intensive care unit.

The objective of this review was to evaluate current knowledge regarding terminal illness and palliative care in the intensive care unit, to identify the major challenges involved and propose a research agenda on these issues The Brazilian Critical Care Association organized a specific forum on terminally ill patients, to which were invited experienced and skilled professionals on critical care. These professionals were divided in three groups: communication in the intensive care unit, the decision making process when faced with a terminally ill patient and palliative actions and care in the intensive care unit. Data and bibliographic references were stored in a restricted website.

Characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus admitted to the intensive care unit in a brazilian teaching hospital.

Objectives: Due to the high incidence in our service, we did object on this study describe the features and outcome of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) admitted to the intensive care unit of Walter Cantídio University Hospital

Methods: Patients were restrospectively characterized according to demography parameters, time of diagnosis of SLE, organ dysfunction and laboratorial parameters at admission, supportive therapies during their stay, length of stay in the hospital before admission, length of stay in the unit, readmission to the unit and outcome. We also evaluated Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity (SLEDAI) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, expected mortality and standardized mortality ratio.

Results: From November 2003 to October 2006, 1,052 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit.

Validation of an early warning score in pre-intensive care unit.

Background And Objectives: Prognosis of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has a relation with their severity just before admission. The Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) was used to evaluate the severe condition of patients 12, 24 and 72 hours before admission in the ICU, assess the most prevalent parameters and correlate the MEWS before ICU with the outcome (survival versus death).

Methods: Retrospective analyses of 65 patients consecutively admitted to the ICU from July to October, 2006 evaluating the physiological parameters 72 hours prior to admission.

[Base deficit at intensive care unit admission: an early mortality indicator].

Background And Objectives: Base deficit is considered an indicator of tissue injury, shock and resuscitation. The objective of this study was to establish an association between base deficit obtained on the admission of patients in intensive care unit (ICU) and their prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective study with analysis of 110 patients admitted consecutively in the ICU, during the period of June to December 2006.

[Morbidity and mortality of elderly patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital in Fortaleza].

Background And Objectives: To identify the severity of elderly patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital, relating it to the in-ICU mortality.

Methods: Retrospective study, with analysis of 130 patients admitted to ICU from March 2004 to July 2005.

Results: Of the 130 patients, there was a predominance of women, and mean 72.

[Severity of patients admitted to a Brazilian teaching hospital Intensive Care Unit].

Background And Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the morbidity and the mortality of critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit in a teaching hospital, using the APACHE II score.

Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study, with analysis of 300 patients admitted to ICU from March 2004 to July 2005.

Results: Of the 300 patients admitted to ICU, 51.