260 research outputs found

    Algumas reações fisiológicas de vacas holandesas ao clima de Jaboticabal, São Paulo

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    Observations of the effect of air temperature and humidity on rectal temperature, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and haematocrit of Holstein cows were made in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil. The data were collected twice daily (7 a.m. and 2 p.m), two days per week, from March until May 1978, in normal management and feeding conditions. The results indicated that red-spotted Holstein cows had higher increases in respiratory rata, and their rectal temperatures were lower than that of black-spotted cows. Pulse rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature showed positive correlations with air temperature, but negative correlations with air humidity. The red-spotted cows presented also higher haematocrit values, probably due to their higher sweating rate.Foram feitas observações sobre a influência da temperatura e umidade do ar, nos períodos da manhã (7 h) e da tarde (14 h), duas vezes por semana, de março a maio de 1978, sobre os movimentos respiratórios, temperatura retal, pulso e hematócrito de bovinos da raça Holandesa das variedades malhado de preto e malhado de vermelho, em condições normais de manejo e alimentação. Verificou-se que nos períodos de temperaturas mais elevadas houve um aumento significativo nos valores do pulso, frequência respiratória e temperatura retal enquanto que os valores do hematócrito foram menores. Não foi observada correlação com a umidade do ar. Os animais malhados de vermelho utilizaram com maior intensidade o ritmo respiratório como meio de dissipação de calor corporal, pois nas horas mais quentes do dia o número de seus movimentos respiratórios foi superior aos dos animais malhados de preto, enquanto que sua temperatura retal foi inferior

    Neuroimaging adolescents with depression in a middle-income country : feasibility of an fMRI protocol and preliminary results

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    Objective: To test the feasibility and to present preliminary results of a neuroimaging protocol to evaluate adolescent depression in a middle-income setting. Methods: We assessed psychotropic medication-free adolescents (age range 14-16 years) with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Participants underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation and both structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In this pilot study, a preliminary single-group analysis of resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data was performed, with a focus on the default mode network (DMN), cognitive control network (CCN), and salience network (SN). Results: The sample included 29 adolescents with MDD (mean age 16.01, SD 0.78) who completed the protocol. Only two participants were excluded due to MRI quality issues (head movement), and were not included in the analyses. The scans showed significant connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex (DMN), the ACC and anterior insula (SN), and the lateral prefrontal cortex and dorsal parietal cortex (CCN). Conclusion: We demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a complex neuroimaging protocol in a middle-income country. Further, our preliminary rs-fMRI data revealed patterns of resting-state connectivity consistent with prior research performed in adolescents from high-income countries

    Impacto financiero por la presencia de inversionistas institucionales en las empresas que cotizan en el mercado integrado latinoamericano - MILA

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    El presente trabajo investiga la participaci?n de los inversionistas institucionales independientes en empresas seleccionadas dentro del mercado MILA, para validar el impacto en indicadores financieros como el rendimiento operativo (ROA) y el nivel de endeudamiento. El an?lisis se realiza entre los a?os 2010 -2019 para las diez empresas m?s l?quidas, no financieras, que conforman el principal ?ndice de liquidez de cada una de las bolsas integrantes del MILA. Este inversionista institucional participa en la estructura de propiedad de la empresa e interviene en ella de manera independiente y ajeno a la presi?n. Por lo que los resultados son notables y confirman su impacto de manera positiva en los indicadores mencionados. Si bien las variables explicativas consideradas (ROA- Endeudamiento) han permitido inferir un resultado, se ha encontrado literatura con postulados, an?lisis, resultados y opiniones con diferentes puntos de vista. En ese sentido, lo que funciona en un mercado no necesariamente se puede generalizar. En cada uno de ellos, hay situaciones y problem?tica interna y externa que debe ser considerada. Todo ello deja abierta la posibilidad de continuar investigando para tener mayor evidencia sobre las afirmaciones realizadas en esta investigaci?n

    Anti-Proliferative Activity of Meroditerpenoids Isolated from the Brown Alga Stypopodium flabelliforme against Several Cancer Cell Lines

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    The sea constitutes one of the most promising sources of novel compounds with potential application in human therapeutics. In particular, algae have proved to be an interesting source of new bioactive compounds. In this work, six meroditerpenoids (epitaondiol, epitaondiol diacetate, epitaondiol monoacetate, stypotriol triacetate, 14-ketostypodiol diacetate and stypodiol) isolated from the brown alga Stypopodium flabelliforme were tested for their cell proliferation inhibitory activity in five cell lines. Cell lines tested included human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3), murine macrophages (RAW.267) and Chinese hamster fibroblasts (V79). Antimicrobial activity of the compounds was also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis and Micrococcus luteus. Overall, the compounds showed good activity against all cell lines, with SH-SY5Y and RAW.267 being the most susceptible. Antimicrobial capacity was observed for epitaondiol monoacetate, stypotriol triacetate and stypodiol, with the first being the most active. The results suggest that these molecules deserve further studies in order to evaluate their potential as therapeutic agents

    Deep Reinforcement Learning Mechanism for Dynamic Access Control in Wireless Networks Handling mMTC

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    [EN] One important issue that needs to be addressed in order to provide effective massive deployments of IoT devices is access control. In 5G cellular networks, the Access Class Barring (ACB) method aims at increasing the total successful access probability by delaying randomly access requests. This mechanism can be controlled through the barring rate, which can be easily adapted in networks where Human-to-Human (H2H) communications are prevalent. However, in scenarios with massive deployments such as those found in IoT applications, it is not evident how this parameter should be set, and how it should adapt to dynamic traffic conditions. We propose a double deep reinforcement learning mechanism to adapt the barring rate of ACB under dynamic conditions. The algorithm is trained with simultaneous H2H and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) traffic, but we perform a separate performance evaluation for each type of traffic. The results show that our proposed mechanism is able to reach a successful access rate of 100 % for both H2H and M2M UEs and reduce the mean number of preamble transmissions while slightly affecting the mean access delay, even for scenarios with very high load. Also, its performance remains stable under the variation of different parameters. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The research of D. Pacheco-Paramo was supported by Universidad Sergio Arboleda, P.t. Tecnologias para la inclusion social y la competitividad economica. 0.E.6. The research of L Tello-Oquendo was conducted under project CONV.2018-ING010. Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. The research of V. Pla and J. Martinez-Bauset was supported by Grant PGC2018-094151-B-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER,UE).Pacheco-Paramo, DF.; Tello-Oquendo, L.; Pla, V.; Martínez Bauset, J. (2019). Deep Reinforcement Learning Mechanism for Dynamic Access Control in Wireless Networks Handling mMTC. Ad Hoc Networks. 94:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adhoc.2019.101939S1149

    Analysis of labour market needs for engineers with enhanced knowledge in renewable energy in some European and Latin-American Countries

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    One of the main challenges related to the renewable energy labour market is that of human capital and as a consequence the educational profile of future employees is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, the skill level gained at University does not always fit with the practical needs of industry thus reducing the benefit-cost ratio of new employees and slowing down the transition to a green economy. Within this context, ‘The Crux’ project co-funded by EU under the framework of the Erasmus + programme aims at improving the renewable energy engineering curriculum at different university levels in several Universities of Latin America and Europe. In order to better appreciate the potential impact of the project, a survey on the labour market need for specialists with enhanced knowledge and skills in renewable and sustainable energy technologies has been conducted in the related EU and Latin America countries. More precisely, 60 organizations have been interviewed and almost 70% of them are interested in employing engineers with enhanced knowledge on renewable energy in the next three years. The analysis has shown significant discrepancies between EU and Latin American organizations. In fact, while future employees in EU countries will be mainly related to solar energy and management, the former together with wind and biomass will represent the main renewable energy working sector in Latin American countries. Moreover, MSc level will be the most demanded in EU while bachelor education seems to satisfy the future industry requirements in Latin America. Despite each country having its own needs, the research carried out under this EU project confirms the potential of renewable energy education on the global labour market in the near future

    Respiratory viruses detected in Mexican children younger than 5 years old with community-acquired pneumonia: a national multicenter study

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    Background: Acute respiratory infections are the leading cause of mortality in children worldwide, especially in developing countries. Pneumonia accounts for 16% of all deaths of children under 5 years of age and was the cause of death of 935 000 children in 2015. Despite its frequency and severity, information regarding its etiology is limited. The aim of this study was to identify respiratory viruses associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children younger than 5 years old. Methods: One thousand four hundred and four children younger than 5 years of age with a clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of CAP in 11 hospitals in Mexico were included. Nasal washes were collected, placed in viral medium, and frozen at �70 C until processing. The first 832 samples were processed using the multiplex Bio-Plex/Luminex system and the remaining 572 samples using the Anyplex multiplex RT-PCR. Clinical data regarding diagnosis, clinical signs and symptoms, radiographic pattern, and risk factors were obtained and recorded. Results: Of the samples tested, 81.6% were positive for viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (types A and B) was found in 23.7%, human enterovirus/rhinovirus in 16.6%, metapneumovirus in 5.7%, parainfluenza virus (types 1–4) in 5.5%, influenza virus (types A and B) in 3.6%, adenovirus in 2.2%, coronavirus (NL63, OC43, 229E, and HKU1) in 2.2%, and bocavirus in 0.4%. Co-infection with two or more viruses was present in 22.1%; 18.4% of the samples were negative. Using biomass for cooking, daycare attendance, absence of breastfeeding, and co-infections were found to be statistically significant risk factors for the presence of severe pneumonia. Conclusions: Respiratory syncytial virus (types A and B), human enterovirus/rhinovirus, and metapneumovirus were the respiratory viruses identified most frequently in children younger than 5 years old with CAP. Co-infection was present in an important proportion of the children

    Third brazilian consensus for autoantIbodies screening in HEp-2 Cells : historical perspectve, quality control and clinical associatons

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    O III Consenso Brasileiro para Pesquisa de Autoanticorpos em Células HEp-2 (FAN) objetivou discutir estratégias para controlar a qualidade do ensaio, promover a atualização das associações clínicas dos diversos padrões e avaliar as difculdades de implantação do II Consenso ocorrido no ano de 2002. Métodos: Nos dias 13 e 14 de abril de 2007 participaram do encontro em Goiânia pesquisadores e especialistas de diversos centros universitários e laboratórios clínicos de diferentes regiões do Brasil, com o propósito de discutir e aprovar as recomendações que visam a melhores padronização, interpretação e utilização do ensaio pelos clínicos. Foram convidados como ouvintes representantes comerciais de diferentes empresas produtoras de insumos para realização do teste de FAN. Resultados e conclusão: Dada a heterogeneidade de microscópios e reagentes disponíveis no mercado, o III Consenso enfatizou a necessidade do controle de qualidade em ensaios de imunofuorescência indireta. Foram também feitas algumas adequações na terminologia utilizada para classifcar os diferentes padrões. Finalmente, foi realizada uma atualização das associações clínicas com fnalidade de facilitar cada vez mais o melhor uso do ensaio pelos clínicos. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe Third Brazilian Consensus for Autoantibodies Screening in HEp-2 Cells (ANA) had as purpose the evaluation of diffculties in the accomplishment of the 2nd Consensus recommendations that took place in the year of 2002, the discussion of strategies for quality control of the assay and the discussion of an update of the clinical associations of the several immunofuorescent patterns. Methods: Several ANA experts from university centers and private laboratories in different areas in Brazil joined the workshop in Goiânia on 2007 April 13 and 14 with the purpose of discussing and approving the recommendations for standardization, interpretation and use of the test by physicians. Commercial representatives of different ANA slide brands were also invited as listeners to the workshop. Results and conclusion: The 3rd ANA Consensus emphasized the need for quality control in indirect immunofuorescent assays since there is a considerable heterogeneity of available microscopes and reagents. It also promoted adaptations in the previously approved terminology used to classify the different patterns and fnally updated the clinical associations of the several patterns with the purpose of providing guidance for interpretation of the assay by clinical pathologists and assistant physicians

    Third Brazilian consensus for autoantibodies screening in HEp-2 cells (ANA) : recommendations for standardization of autoantibodies screening trial in HEp-2 cells, quality control and clinical associations

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    Objetivo: O 3º Consenso Brasileiro para pesquisa de autoanticorpos em Células HEp-2 (FAN) teve como propósito avaliar as dificuldades de implantação do 2º Consenso ocorrido no ano de 2002, discutir estratégias para controlar a qualidade do ensaio e promover a atualização das associações clínicas dos diversos padrões. Métodos: Participaram do encontro em Goiânia nos dias 13 e 14 de abril de 2008 pesquisadores e especialistas de diversos centros universitários e laboratórios clínicos de diferentes regiões do Brasil, com o propósito de discutir e aprovar as recomendações que visam à melhor padronização, interpretação e utilização do ensaio pelos clínicos. Representantes comerciais de diferentes empresas produtoras de insumos para realização do teste de FAN foram convidados como ouvintes. Resultados e Conclusões: O 3º Consenso enfatizou a necessidade do controle de qualidade em imunofluorescência dada a heterogeneidade de microscópios e reagentes disponíveis no mercado, promoveu adequações na terminologia utilizada para classificar os diferentes padrões e, finalmente, atualizou as associações clínicas com finalidade de facilitar cada vez mais o melhor uso do ensaio pelos clínicos. ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTObjective: The Third Brazilian Consensus for autoantibodies Screening in HEp-2 cells had as purpose the evaluation of difficulties in the accomplishment of the 2nd Consensus recommendations that took place in the year of 2002, the discussion of strategies for quality control of the assay and the promotion of an update of the clinical associations of the several immunofluorescent patterns. Methods: Several ANA experts from university centers and private laboratories in different areas in Brazil joined the workshop in Goiânia on 2008 April 13 and 14 with the purpose of discussing and approving the recommendations for standardization, interpretation and use of the test by physicians. Commercial representatives of different ANA slide brands were also invited as listeners to the workshop. Results and Conclusions: The 3rd Consensus emphasized the need for quality control in indirect immunofluorescent since there is a considerable heterogeneity of available microscopes and reagents. It also promoted adaptations in the previously approved terminology used to classify the different patterns and finally updated the clinical associations of the several patterns with the purpose of providing guidance for interpretation of the assay by clinical pathologists and assistant physicians

    In silico Analyses of Immune System Protein Interactome Network, Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Human Tissues, and Artificial Neural Networks Reveal Potential Therapeutic Targets for Drug Repurposing Against COVID-19

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    Background: There is pressing urgency to identify therapeutic targets and drugs that allow treating COVID-19 patients effectively.Methods: We performed in silico analyses of immune system protein interactome network, single-cell RNA sequencing of human tissues, and artificial neural networks to reveal potential therapeutic targets for drug repurposing against COVID-19.Results: We screened 1,584 high-confidence immune system proteins in ACE2 and TMPRSS2 co-expressing cells, finding 25 potential therapeutic targets significantly overexpressed in nasal goblet secretory cells, lung type II pneumocytes, and ileal absorptive enterocytes of patients with several immunopathologies. Then, we performed fully connected deep neural networks to find the best multitask classification model to predict the activity of 10,672 drugs, obtaining several approved drugs, compounds under investigation, and experimental compounds with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristics.Conclusion: After being effectively analyzed in clinical trials, these drugs can be considered for treatment of severe COVID-19 patients. Scripts can be downloaded at
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