Questões de Inglês

    The vibration device created by Hiroshima
University researchers can be slipped onto any
surgical tool and vibrate against the surgeon’s palm,
improving the ability to sense the details of a patient’s
[5] internal tissues and organs. The PZT Actuator may
improve patient outcomes by allowing surgeons
to better understand their patients’ bodies during
minimally invasive surgeries.
    A small vibrating device added to surgical tools
[10] could improve surgeons’ sensitivity to different shapes
and textures inside their patients’ bodies. Engineers
from Hiroshima University have designed the small
vibrating device to attach to any existing hand-held
surgical tool and be used instantly, without requiring
[15] extra training for doctors.
    During minimally invasive surgeries, surgeons
rely on long, thin, metal tools to explore their patients’
bodies. Such laparoscopic surgeries benefit patients
by reducing the size of surgical cuts and minimizing
[20] scarring. On the other hand, surgeons can no longer
use their fingers to directly touch patients to sense
essential information about their organs.
    “We started this work six years ago, trying to
enhance human fingertip sensitivity, but in 2012 I had
[25] the idea that increased sensitivity could be valuable
during minimally invasive surgeries. Typical medical
tools obtain information about the patient’s condition.
There are very few devices that aim to enhance the
doctor’s skill”, said Yuichi Kurita, Ph.D., lead author
[30] of the study and Associate Professor at Hiroshima
University.
    The vibrator, called PZT Actuator, attaches to a
surgeon’s favorite surgical tool and vibrates in the
surgeon’s palm at a constant rate. The vibrations
[35] are so subtle they cannot be sensed. However, this
constant, uniform vibration enhances the surgeon’s
sensitivity to other, irregular sensations. The natural
variations of touching different tissues with a metal
tool may normally be too subtle for the surgeon to
[40] detect, but the constant vibrations supplied by the PZT
Actuator boost the sensation to a noticeable level.
    Volunteers were blindfolded and asked to use
surgical forceps with the PZT Actuator attached to
the handle to identify different textures of sandpaper
[45] and find a small Styrofoam ball inside a cup filled with
silicone. These tests mimic detecting tissue texture
and identifying a solid tumor.
    The results of these tests and other analyses
revealed that there is a range of vibration intensity that
[50] significantly improves anyone’s sensitivity. The tool
does not need to be fine-tuned to each user’s unique

sense of touch, meaning the PZT Actuator should be
robust and simple to use.
    The PZT Actuator remains safe for patients
[55]because the device is only on the handles of the
surgeon’s tools, not inside the patient’s body. The
vibrations are so subtle that they do not shake the
tool. The electrical power supply is also safe for
doctors and patients.
[60]     “Our next set of experiments will confirm the
usefulness of the PZT Actuator in surgical situations.
Before we can give this tool to surgeons, we must also
develop a method to maintain good hygiene of the
device so it is always safe for patients,” said Kurita.
[65]     The research team responsible for the PZT
Actuator includes mathematical and medical
engineers. Researchers first tested the device through
mathematical modeling using calculations of four
types neurons and their response to different levels
[70] of mechanical stimulation. The mathematical term
describing the phenomena of a constant undetectable
signal enhancing a simultaneous irregular signal is
called the stochastic resonance effect.

Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/ 08/160801092956.htm. Retrieved on: Aug. 21st, 2016. Adapted.

In the fragment “A small vibrating device added to surgical tools could improve surgeons’ sensitivity to different shapes and textures inside their patients’ bodies” (lines 9-11), the modal verb could conveys an idea of

    The vibration device created by Hiroshima
University researchers can be slipped onto any
surgical tool and vibrate against the surgeon’s palm,
improving the ability to sense the details of a patient’s
[5] internal tissues and organs. The PZT Actuator may
improve patient outcomes by allowing surgeons
to better understand their patients’ bodies during
minimally invasive surgeries.
    A small vibrating device added to surgical tools
[10] could improve surgeons’ sensitivity to different shapes
and textures inside their patients’ bodies. Engineers
from Hiroshima University have designed the small
vibrating device to attach to any existing hand-held
surgical tool and be used instantly, without requiring
[15] extra training for doctors.
    During minimally invasive surgeries, surgeons
rely on long, thin, metal tools to explore their patients’
bodies. Such laparoscopic surgeries benefit patients
by reducing the size of surgical cuts and minimizing
[20] scarring. On the other hand, surgeons can no longer
use their fingers to directly touch patients to sense
essential information about their organs.
    “We started this work six years ago, trying to
enhance human fingertip sensitivity, but in 2012 I had
[25] the idea that increased sensitivity could be valuable
during minimally invasive surgeries. Typical medical
tools obtain information about the patient’s condition.
There are very few devices that aim to enhance the
doctor’s skill”, said Yuichi Kurita, Ph.D., lead author
[30] of the study and Associate Professor at Hiroshima
University.
    The vibrator, called PZT Actuator, attaches to a
surgeon’s favorite surgical tool and vibrates in the
surgeon’s palm at a constant rate. The vibrations
[35] are so subtle they cannot be sensed. However, this
constant, uniform vibration enhances the surgeon’s
sensitivity to other, irregular sensations. The natural
variations of touching different tissues with a metal
tool may normally be too subtle for the surgeon to
[40] detect, but the constant vibrations supplied by the PZT
Actuator boost the sensation to a noticeable level.
    Volunteers were blindfolded and asked to use
surgical forceps with the PZT Actuator attached to
the handle to identify different textures of sandpaper
[45] and find a small Styrofoam ball inside a cup filled with
silicone. These tests mimic detecting tissue texture
and identifying a solid tumor.
    The results of these tests and other analyses
revealed that there is a range of vibration intensity that
[50] significantly improves anyone’s sensitivity. The tool
does not need to be fine-tuned to each user’s unique

sense of touch, meaning the PZT Actuator should be
robust and simple to use.
    The PZT Actuator remains safe for patients
[55]because the device is only on the handles of the
surgeon’s tools, not inside the patient’s body. The
vibrations are so subtle that they do not shake the
tool. The electrical power supply is also safe for
doctors and patients.
[60]     “Our next set of experiments will confirm the
usefulness of the PZT Actuator in surgical situations.
Before we can give this tool to surgeons, we must also
develop a method to maintain good hygiene of the
device so it is always safe for patients,” said Kurita.
[65]     The research team responsible for the PZT
Actuator includes mathematical and medical
engineers. Researchers first tested the device through
mathematical modeling using calculations of four
types neurons and their response to different levels
[70] of mechanical stimulation. The mathematical term
describing the phenomena of a constant undetectable
signal enhancing a simultaneous irregular signal is
called the stochastic resonance effect.

Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/ 08/160801092956.htm. Retrieved on: Aug. 21st, 2016. Adapted.

In terms of pronominal reference, their, in the fragment of the text “During minimally invasive surgeries, surgeons rely on long, thin, metal tools to explore their patients’ bodies” (lines 16-18), refers to

    The vibration device created by Hiroshima
University researchers can be slipped onto any
surgical tool and vibrate against the surgeon’s palm,
improving the ability to sense the details of a patient’s
[5] internal tissues and organs. The PZT Actuator may
improve patient outcomes by allowing surgeons
to better understand their patients’ bodies during
minimally invasive surgeries.
    A small vibrating device added to surgical tools
[10] could improve surgeons’ sensitivity to different shapes
and textures inside their patients’ bodies. Engineers
from Hiroshima University have designed the small
vibrating device to attach to any existing hand-held
surgical tool and be used instantly, without requiring
[15] extra training for doctors.
    During minimally invasive surgeries, surgeons
rely on long, thin, metal tools to explore their patients’
bodies. Such laparoscopic surgeries benefit patients
by reducing the size of surgical cuts and minimizing
[20] scarring. On the other hand, surgeons can no longer
use their fingers to directly touch patients to sense
essential information about their organs.
    “We started this work six years ago, trying to
enhance human fingertip sensitivity, but in 2012 I had
[25] the idea that increased sensitivity could be valuable
during minimally invasive surgeries. Typical medical
tools obtain information about the patient’s condition.
There are very few devices that aim to enhance the
doctor’s skill”, said Yuichi Kurita, Ph.D., lead author
[30] of the study and Associate Professor at Hiroshima
University.
    The vibrator, called PZT Actuator, attaches to a
surgeon’s favorite surgical tool and vibrates in the
surgeon’s palm at a constant rate. The vibrations
[35] are so subtle they cannot be sensed. However, this
constant, uniform vibration enhances the surgeon’s
sensitivity to other, irregular sensations. The natural
variations of touching different tissues with a metal
tool may normally be too subtle for the surgeon to
[40] detect, but the constant vibrations supplied by the PZT
Actuator boost the sensation to a noticeable level.
    Volunteers were blindfolded and asked to use
surgical forceps with the PZT Actuator attached to
the handle to identify different textures of sandpaper
[45] and find a small Styrofoam ball inside a cup filled with
silicone. These tests mimic detecting tissue texture
and identifying a solid tumor.
    The results of these tests and other analyses
revealed that there is a range of vibration intensity that
[50] significantly improves anyone’s sensitivity. The tool
does not need to be fine-tuned to each user’s unique

sense of touch, meaning the PZT Actuator should be
robust and simple to use.
    The PZT Actuator remains safe for patients
[55]because the device is only on the handles of the
surgeon’s tools, not inside the patient’s body. The
vibrations are so subtle that they do not shake the
tool. The electrical power supply is also safe for
doctors and patients.
[60]     “Our next set of experiments will confirm the
usefulness of the PZT Actuator in surgical situations.
Before we can give this tool to surgeons, we must also
develop a method to maintain good hygiene of the
device so it is always safe for patients,” said Kurita.
[65]     The research team responsible for the PZT
Actuator includes mathematical and medical
engineers. Researchers first tested the device through
mathematical modeling using calculations of four
types neurons and their response to different levels
[70] of mechanical stimulation. The mathematical term
describing the phenomena of a constant undetectable
signal enhancing a simultaneous irregular signal is
called the stochastic resonance effect.

Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/ 08/160801092956.htm. Retrieved on: Aug. 21st, 2016. Adapted.

The main purpose of the text is to

    The vibration device created by Hiroshima
University researchers can be slipped onto any
surgical tool and vibrate against the surgeon’s palm,
improving the ability to sense the details of a patient’s
[5] internal tissues and organs. The PZT Actuator may
improve patient outcomes by allowing surgeons
to better understand their patients’ bodies during
minimally invasive surgeries.
    A small vibrating device added to surgical tools
[10] could improve surgeons’ sensitivity to different shapes
and textures inside their patients’ bodies. Engineers
from Hiroshima University have designed the small
vibrating device to attach to any existing hand-held
surgical tool and be used instantly, without requiring
[15] extra training for doctors.
    During minimally invasive surgeries, surgeons
rely on long, thin, metal tools to explore their patients’
bodies. Such laparoscopic surgeries benefit patients
by reducing the size of surgical cuts and minimizing
[20] scarring. On the other hand, surgeons can no longer
use their fingers to directly touch patients to sense
essential information about their organs.
    “We started this work six years ago, trying to
enhance human fingertip sensitivity, but in 2012 I had
[25] the idea that increased sensitivity could be valuable
during minimally invasive surgeries. Typical medical
tools obtain information about the patient’s condition.
There are very few devices that aim to enhance the
doctor’s skill”, said Yuichi Kurita, Ph.D., lead author
[30] of the study and Associate Professor at Hiroshima
University.
    The vibrator, called PZT Actuator, attaches to a
surgeon’s favorite surgical tool and vibrates in the
surgeon’s palm at a constant rate. The vibrations
[35] are so subtle they cannot be sensed. However, this
constant, uniform vibration enhances the surgeon’s
sensitivity to other, irregular sensations. The natural
variations of touching different tissues with a metal
tool may normally be too subtle for the surgeon to
[40] detect, but the constant vibrations supplied by the PZT
Actuator boost the sensation to a noticeable level.
    Volunteers were blindfolded and asked to use
surgical forceps with the PZT Actuator attached to
the handle to identify different textures of sandpaper
[45] and find a small Styrofoam ball inside a cup filled with
silicone. These tests mimic detecting tissue texture
and identifying a solid tumor.
    The results of these tests and other analyses
revealed that there is a range of vibration intensity that
[50] significantly improves anyone’s sensitivity. The tool
does not need to be fine-tuned to each user’s unique

sense of touch, meaning the PZT Actuator should be
robust and simple to use.
    The PZT Actuator remains safe for patients
[55]because the device is only on the handles of the
surgeon’s tools, not inside the patient’s body. The
vibrations are so subtle that they do not shake the
tool. The electrical power supply is also safe for
doctors and patients.
[60]     “Our next set of experiments will confirm the
usefulness of the PZT Actuator in surgical situations.
Before we can give this tool to surgeons, we must also
develop a method to maintain good hygiene of the
device so it is always safe for patients,” said Kurita.
[65]     The research team responsible for the PZT
Actuator includes mathematical and medical
engineers. Researchers first tested the device through
mathematical modeling using calculations of four
types neurons and their response to different levels
[70] of mechanical stimulation. The mathematical term
describing the phenomena of a constant undetectable
signal enhancing a simultaneous irregular signal is
called the stochastic resonance effect.

Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/ 08/160801092956.htm. Retrieved on: Aug. 21st, 2016. Adapted.

In the fragment of the text “The vibration device created by Hiroshima University researchers can be slipped onto any surgical tool and vibrate against the surgeon’s palm” (lines 1-3), the phrasal verb slipped onto can be replaced, with no change in meaning, by

Read the text below to answer Question.

According to the text, check sentences I to Vand decide if the correct complement is in column A or column B.

The correct sequence of answers is:

Read the text below to answer Question.

 

Explaining the Placebo Effect

 

    ^1. Studies of new drugs traditionally involve at least two groups of people. The people in one of those
groups are given only what they think is the drug. Really they get a placebo - an inactive substance. The drug
is proven effective if it performs better than the placebo.
    ^2. Some researchers do not think drug studies should use placebos. They say it makes more sense to
compare new medicines to drugs already on the market. Then people would know if a new drug is any better.
    ^3. "Placebo" is Latin for "I shall please." It may contain nothing more than sugar.
    ^4. Yet some people who are given a placebo experience improvements in their health. This is called the
placebo effect.
    ^5. Some doctors use the placebo effect in their treatments. An influential study published in nineteen
fifty-five said placebo treatments made patients feel better thirty-five percent of the time.
    ^6. But in two thousand one, Danish researchers reported that they had examined more than one hundred
studies. They found little evidence of healing as a result of placebos.
    ^7. Still, there is continued belief in the placebo effect.
    8^. A Swedish study published last year suggested that a placebo can reduce the emotional effects of
unpleasant experiences. The study involved people who looked at images of dead bodies and other unpleasant
pictures. The findings appeared in the journal Neuron.
    ^9. The researchers said the effects in the brain were similar to those seen when placebos have been used
as a pain treatment. In both cases, they said, expectations of improvement are a major influence.
    ^10. But more than expectations might explain why placebos appear effective sometimes.
    ^11. Researchers led by Scot Simpson at the University of Alberta, in Canada, just had a report published
in the British Medical Journal. They examined twenty-one studies. These compared death rates between
patients who always took their medicine and those who did not.
    ^12. Even patients who took placebos had better results than those who did not follow doctor's orders.
The researchers see this finding as support for the idea of a so-called healthy adherer effect. That is, a person
who takes a drug treatment as directed may also do other things to live a healthy life. 

Source: http://www.manythings.org/voa/medical/5075.html, by Katherine Cole.

In the text Explaining the Placebo Effect, the reason why placebo is apparently effective for some people is: