Gravity with extra dimensions and dark matter interpretation: Phenomenological example via Miyamoto-Nagai galaxy

A configuration whose density profile coincides with the Newtonian potential for spiral galaxies is constructed from a 4D isotropic metric plus extra dimensional components. A Miyamoto-Nagai ansatz is used to solve Einstein equations. The stable rotation curves of such system are computed and, without fitting techniques, we recover with accuracy the observational data for flat or not asymptotically flat galaxy rotation curves. The density profiles are reconstructed and compared to that obtained from the Newtonian potential.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Brazilian Journal of Physic

Development and exploratory cluster-randomised opportunistic trial of a theory-based intervention to enhance physical activity among adolescents

Peer reviewedPostprin

Intravenous immunoglobulin and Sjögren Syndrome

A síndrome de Sjögren (SS) é uma patologia auto-imune com incidência e prevalência importantes, manifestações clínicas variadas e critérios diagnósticos bem definidos. Áreas como os seus mecanismos fisiopatológicos e novas estratégias terapêuticas têm merecido atenção crescente. A imunoglobulina intravenosa (IgIV) está indicada para o tratamento de várias entidades nosológicas, sendo crescente a investigação acerca dos seus mecanismos de acção, nomeadamente sobre a actividade imunitária. O seu espectro de indicações terapêuticas continua altamente controverso mas tem vindo a expandir-se, sobretudo no âmbito da auto-imunidade. Existem apenas alguns casos descritos de utilização da IgIV no tratamento da SS, principalmente quando se apresenta com manifestações neurológicas. Apresentamos uma revisão da indicação do uso da IgIV na SS, fazendo uma análise dos resultados de relatos de casos da sua utilização, entretanto publicados. A IgIV parece ser uma opção terapêutica a ter em conta na SS. Segundo o que se sabe, à data, será uma opção terapêutica, de segunda linha, para os casos com manifestações extraglandulares graves refractários à terapêutica convencional

Oesophageal ulcers in a patient with human immunodeficiency vírus infection

Apresenta-se o caso de um homem de 22 anos com úlceras esofágicas e dermite seborreica, como primeiras manifestações de infecção por vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV). Revê-se a literatura sobre úlceras esofágicas, em doentes com e sem infecção por HIV

Realistic loophole-free Bell test with atom-photon entanglement

The establishment of nonlocal correlations, obtained through the violation of a Bell inequality, is not only important from a fundamental point of view, but constitutes the basis for device-independent quantum information technologies. Although several nonlocality tests have been performed so far, all of them suffered from either the locality or the detection loopholes. Recent studies have suggested that the use of atom-photon entanglement can lead to Bell inequality violations with moderate transmission and detection efficiencies. In this paper we propose an experimental setup realizing a simple atom-photon entangled state that, under realistic experimental parameters available to date, achieves a significant violation of the Clauser-Horn-Shimony-Holt inequality. Most importantly, the violation remains when considering typical detection efficiencies and losses due to required propagation distances.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, 3 table, to appear in Nature Com

Absolutely continuous invariant measures for random non-uniformly expanding maps

We prove existence of (at most denumerable many) absolutely continuous invariant probability measures for random one-dimensional dynamical systems with asymptotic expansion. If the rate of expansion (Lyapunov exponents) is bounded away from zero, we obtain finitely many ergodic absolutely continuous invariant probability measures, describing the asymptotics of almost every point. We also prove a similar result for higher-dimensional random non-uniformly expanding dynamical systems. The results are consequences of the construction of such measures for skew-products with essentially arbitrary base dynamics and asymptotic expansion along the fibers. In both cases our method deals with either critical or singular points for the random maps.Comment: 30 pages; 2 figures. Keywords: non-uniform expansion, random dynamics, slow recurrence, singular and critical set, absolutely continuous invariant measures, skew-product. To appear in Math Z, 201

ATENA–A Novel Rapidly Manufactured Medical Invasive Ventilator Designed as a Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing Protocol, Safety, and Performance Validation

Background: The urgent need for mechanical ventilators to support respiratory insufficiency due to SARS-CoV-2 led to a worldwide effort to develop low-cost, easily assembled, and locally manufactured ventilators. The ATENA ventilator project was developed in a community-based approach targeting the development, prototyping, testing, and decentralized manufacturing of a new mechanical ventilator. Objective: This article aims to demonstrate ATENA's adequate performance and safety for clinical use. Material: ATENA is a low-cost ventilator that can be rapidly manufactured, easily assembled, and locally produced anywhere in the world. It was developed following the guidelines and requirements provided by European and International Regulatory Authorities (MHRA, ISO 86201) and National Authorities (INFARMED). The device was thoroughly tested using laboratory lung simulators and animal models. Results: The device meets all the regulatory requirements for pandemic ventilators. Additionally, the pre-clinical experiences demonstrated security and adequate ventilation and oxygenation, in vivo. Conclusion: The ATENA ventilator had a good performance in required tests in laboratory scenarios and pre-clinical studies. In a pandemic context, ATENA is perfectly suited for safely treating patients in need of mechanical ventilation.Financial support and sponsorship by CEiiA, INOV4COVID program, donations from scientific patronage, and commercial sales

Portuguese-Brazilian Evidence-Based Guideline on the Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: In current management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular and renal prevention have become important targets to be achieved. In this context, a joint panel of four endocrinology societies from Brazil and Portugal was established to develop an evidence-based guideline for treatment of hyperglycemia in T2DM. Methods: MEDLINE (via PubMed) was searched for randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies related to diabetes treatment. When there was insufficient high-quality evidence, expert opinion was sought. Updated positions on treatment of T2DM patients with heart failure (HF), atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and patients with no vascular complications were developed. The degree of recommendation and the level of evidence were determined using predefined criteria. Results and conclusions: In non-pregnant adults, the recommended HbA1c target is below 7%. Higher levels are recommended in frail older adults and patients at higher risk of hypoglycemia. Lifestyle modification is recommended at all phases of treatment. Metformin is the first choice when HbA1c is 6.5-7.5%. When HbA1c is 7.5-9.0%, dual therapy with metformin plus an SGLT2i and/or GLP-1RA (first-line antidiabetic agents, AD1) is recommended due to cardiovascular and renal benefits. If an AD1 is unaffordable, other antidiabetic drugs (AD) may be used. Triple or quadruple therapy should be considered when HbA1c remains above target. In patients with clinical or subclinical atherosclerosis, the combination of one AD1 plus metformin is the recommended first-line therapy to reduce cardiovascular events and improve blood glucose control. In stable heart failure with low ejection fraction ( 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, metformin plus an SGLT-2i is recommended to reduce cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalizations and improve blood glucose control. In patients with diabetes-associated chronic kidney disease (CKD) (eGFR 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or eGFR 30-90 mL/min/1.73 m2 with albuminuria > 30 mg/g), the combination of metformin and an SGLT2i is recommended to attenuate loss of renal function, reduce albuminuria and improve blood glucose control. In patients with severe renal failure, insulin-based therapy is recommended to improve blood glucose control. Alternatively, GLP-1RA, DPP4i, gliclazide MR and pioglitazone may be considered to reduce albuminuria. In conclusion, the current evidence supports individualizing anti-hyperglycemic treatment for T2DM.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Subjectivity and Sexuality Production in Women Living With HIV/Aids: a Sociopoetic Production

The study aims to apprehend the subjectivity production possibilities concerning sexuality in a group of women living with HIV/aids, based on the sociopoetic method. The subjects were nine women with HIV/aids attended at the public referral hospital for infectious diseases in Fortaleza-CE. The results appoint that sexuality appears in several dimensions: in the sexual act, in knowing their own body, in professional accomplishment, in feelings of desire and love, besides the feeling of freedom. We concluded that sexuality is present in the individual's totality; it is not limited to the sexual act, but goes much further and is characterized as a dynamic realityEl objetivo de este estudio fue aprender las posibilidades de producción de subjetividad acerca de la sexualidad en un grupo de mujeres viviendo con el HIV/SIDA, a partir del método de la socio-poética. Los sujetos fueron nueve mujeres con HIV/SIDA asistidas en un hospital público de referencia para enfermedades infecciosas de Fortaleza, CE. Los resultados apuntan que la sexualidad aparece en varias dimensiones: en el acto sexual, en el conocer el propio cuerpo, en la realización profesional, en los sentimientos de deseo y amor, además del sentimiento de libertad. Se concluye que la sexualidad se encuentra en la totalidad del individuo, ella no se limita al acto sexual, va mucho más allá y se configura como realidad dinámica.O objetivo deste estudo foi apreender as possibilidades de produção de subjetividade acerca da sexualidade em um grupo de mulheres vivendo com o HIV/AIDS, a partir do método da sociopoética. Os sujeitos foram nove mulheres com HIV/AIDS assistidas no hospital público de referência para doenças infecciosas de Fortaleza, CE. Os resultados apontam que a sexualidade aparece em várias dimensões: no ato sexual, no conhecer o próprio corpo, na realização profissional, nos sentimentos de desejo e amor, além do sentimento de liberdade. Conclui-se que a sexualidade se encontra na totalidade do indivíduo, ela não se limita à questão do ato sexual, vai muito mais além e se configura como realidade dinâmica