Análise da estrutura de uma vegetação ciliar do rio São Francisco no Projeto de Irrigação Bebedouro, Petrolina-PE.

O presente trabalho foi realizado na vegetação ciliar do Rio S ão Francisco, no Projeto de I rrigação Bebedouro, em Petrolina-PE

Seismic performance assessment of a timber log house

The current work presents a full scale shaking table test conducted on a twostoreyed timber log house, designed according to the state of the art on timber engineering. The test was performed within the framework of the SERIES Project “Multi-storey timber buildings” at LNEC, Lisbon, Portugal. Several tests and studies have been carried out by the University of Minho to characterize the behavior of the different components (logs, walls, slabs, connections, etc.) of log houses in the past few years for the European Technical Approval (ETA) of this construction system. The main results of the shaking table test are presented along with the preliminary analysis of the overall behavior of the log house. The analysis was carried out based on the shaking table tests and on a numerical model developed to estimate the main seismic parameters using the data obtained from the different individual studies on each component of the construction system performed within the framework of the ETA

Seismic analysis of a 2-storey log house

The current paper deals with the analysis of the results yielded by a series of tests performed to evaluate the seismic behaviour of a model log construction. The study was based on an experimental investigation performed to improve the existing knowledge on log houses subject to seismic events. The main part of the experimental work is based on a full scale shaking table test, conducted on a two-storey log house designed by the Portuguese company Rusticasa® in compliance with design rules for timber buildings. The test was performed by the University of Minho within the framework of the SERIES Project ‘Multi-storey timber buildings’ and was coordinated by the University of Trento, at LNEC, Lisbon, Portugal. The geometry of the specimen, the design of the test, the setup and the instrumentation layout are first presented in this paper. The test procedure was conducted in stages with maximum accelerations (bi-directional) of 0.07g, 0.28g and 0.5g. The experimental results of each test have been analyzed and the resultant values of inter-storey drift, wall slippage and uplift measurements, shear deformations and hold-down forces measured are presented. Most importantly, the dynamic properties (fundamental period and mode shapes) of the system have been determined

CRIOCIRURGIA NO TRATAMENTO DE CANCRO CUTÂNEO NÃO-MELANOMA PALPEBRAL E PERIOCULAR – ANÁLISE RETROSPETIVA DE 78 CASOS

Introduction: Cryosurgery is a safe and effective treatment modality for non-melanoma skin cancers of the eyelids and periocular area, with a reported 5-year overall cure rate above 95%. Aim: Retrospective characterization of patients with non-melanoma skin cancer of eyelids and periocular regions diagnosed and treated with cryosurgery at our Department, between 1988 and 2004. Material and Methods: Review of the clinical records and statistical analysis of the following variables: age, sex, occupation, skin type, tumour characteristics, treatment modalities, aesthetic and functional outcomes and follow-up. Results: We treated 78 primary malignant neoplasms, in 78 Caucasian patients, 30 men and 48 women with a mean age of 75.5 years. Seventy-six of the seventy-eight tumours (97.4%) were nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) and two were (2.6%) squamous cell carcinomas. More than half of the tumours were loca- ted in the inner canthus. Fractional cryosurgery was used in 52 cases (66.7%), conventional cryosurgery in 17 (21.8%) and segmental cryosurgery in nine (11.5%). The mean follow-up was 5 years with two relapses observed. There were no functional complications and the cosmetic results were excellent. The overall cure rate was of 97.4%. Conclusions: Fractional cryosurgery was the most used procedure. We achieved excellent functional and aesthetic results and a 97% five-year cure rate.KEYWORDS – Eyelid neoplasms; Cryosurgery; Carcinoma, Basal cell; Carcinoma, Squamous cell; Skin neoplasms. Introdução: A criocirurgia é um método seguro e eficaz no tratamento do cancro cutâneo não-melanoma das pálpebras e áreas perioculares, com uma taxa de cura aos 5 anos superior a 95%. Objetivo: Caracterização retrospetiva dos casos de cancro cutâneo não-melanoma palpebrais e perioculares diagnosticados e tratados com a criocirurgia no nosso Serviço, entre 1988 e 2004. Material e Métodos: Revisão dos processos clínicos e análise esta- tística das seguintes variáveis: idade, sexo, profissão, fototipo, características do tumor, modalidades de tratamento, resultados estéticos e funcionais e seguimento. Resultados: Foram tratados 78 neoplasias malignas primárias, em 78 pacientes, sendo 30 homens e 48 mulheres, com idade média de 75,5 anos. Setenta e seis dos tumores (97,4%) eram carcinoma de basocelular e dois (2,6%) carcinomas espinocelular. Mais de metade dos tumores localizava-se no canto interno do olho. A Criocirurgia fracionada foi usada em 52 casos (66,7%), a criocirurgia convencional em 17 (21,8%) e a criocirurgia segmentada em nove (11,5%). A média de seguimento foi de 5 anos, tendo ocorrido com duas recidivas locais. Não houve complicações funcionais e os resultados estéticos foram excelentes. A taxa de cura global foi de 97,4%. Conclusões: A criocirurgia fracionada foi o procedimento mais utilizado. Obtivemos excelentes resultados estéticos e funcionais e uma taxa de cura aos 5 anos de 97% cinco anos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE – Neoplasias das pálpebras; Criocirurgia; Carcinoma basocelular; Carcinoma espinocelular.

Toll-Like Receptors and Cytokines as Surrogate Biomarkers for Evaluating Vaginal Immune Response following Microbicide Administration

Topical microbicides are intended for frequent use by women in reproductive age. Hence, it is essential to evaluate their impact on mucosal immune function in the vagina. In the present study, we evaluated nisin, a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide (AMP), for its efficacy as an intravaginal microbicide. Its effect on the vaginal immune function was determined by localizing Toll-like receptors (TLRs-3, 9) and cytokines (IL-4, 6 , 10 and TNF-α) in the rabbit cervicovaginal epithelium following intravaginal administration of high dose of nisin gel for 14 consecutive days. The results revealed no alteration in the expression of TLRs and cytokines at both protein and mRNA levels. However, in SDS gel-treated group, the levels were significantly upregulated with the induction of NF-κB signalling cascade. Thus, TLRs and cytokines appear as sensitive indicators for screening immunotoxic potential of candidate microbicides

Efficacy Of Electroacupuncture For Myofascial Pain In The Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Case Series.

Electroacupunture (EA) includes the passage of an electrical current through the acupuncture needle and is commonly used for pain relief. To evaluate the EA treatment effects for myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle. Twenty women aged ranging from 18 to 40 years (mean=24.95; SD=5.88 years), with a body mass index ranging from 19 to 25 kg/m2 (mean=22.33; SD=0.56 kg/m2), with regular menstrual cycles controlled by oral contraceptive, local or referred pain for more than six months and at least one myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius participated in this study. The participants received a total of nine EA sessions over five weeks. The needles were inserted at the accupoints GB20, GB21, LV3, LI4, and at ashi points. A mixed current of 2 Hz and 100 Hz was applied alternatively every 5 seconds for 30 minutes. The outcomes were pain intensity measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT) measured by an algometer, electromyography (EMG) and quality of life measured by the SF-36 questionnaire. Inter-occurrences between sessions were monitored. Paired t-test, Wilcoxon test, and repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) having Tukey-Kramer as post-hoc tests were used. Significant improvement in pain intensity and in PPT occurred after treatment (P<0.0001). EMG of the right trapezius during contraction increased significantly, suggesting muscle function enhancement; the quality of life improved, related to physical components of the SF-36 (P<0.05). The EA showed to be a reliable method for myofascial pain relief. Large randomized blinded controlled trials might be carried out to confirm these results. Article registered in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos under number RBR-4hb6f6.15371-

Fast Privacy-Preserving Text Classification based on Secure Multiparty Computation

We propose a privacy-preserving Naive Bayes classifier and apply it to the problem of private text classification. In this setting, a party (Alice) holds a text message, while another party (Bob) holds a classifier. At the end of the protocol, Alice will only learn the result of the classifier applied to her text input and Bob learns nothing. Our solution is based on Secure Multiparty Computation (SMC). Our Rust implementation provides a fast and secure solution for the classification of unstructured text. Applying our solution to the case of spam detection (the solution is generic, and can be used in any other scenario in which the Naive Bayes classifier can be employed), we can classify an SMS as spam or ham in less than 340ms in the case where the dictionary size of Bob's model includes all words (n = 5200) and Alice's SMS has at most m = 160 unigrams. In the case with n = 369 and m = 8 (the average of a spam SMS in the database), our solution takes only 21ms

Nationwide consensus on quality indicators to assess glaucoma care: A modified Delphi approach

Purpose Performance assessments are essential to tracking and improving quality in health care systems. Key aspects of the care process that act as indicators must be measured in order to gain an in-depth understanding of a care unit's operation. Without standardized quality indicators (QIs), it is difficult to characterize and compare the abilities of institutions to achieve excellence. The aim of this study is to reach a consensus among glaucoma specialists concerning the development of a set of QIs to assess the performance of glaucoma care units. Methods A two-round Delphi technique was performed among glaucoma specialists in Portugal, using a 7-point Likert scale. Fifty-three initial statements (comprising process, structure, and outcome indicators) were evaluated and participants had to agree on which ones would be part of the final set of QIs. Results By the end of both rounds, 28 glaucoma specialists reached consensus on 30/53 (57%) statements, including 19 (63%) process indicators (mainly relating to the proper implementation of complementary exams and the setting of follow-up intervals), 6 (20%) structure indicators, and 5 (17%) outcome indicators. Of the indicators that were part of the final list, functional and structural aspects of glaucoma progression and the availability of surgical/laser procedures were the most prevalent. Conclusions A set of 30 QIs for measuring the performance of glaucoma units was developed using a consensus methodology involving experts in the field. Their use as measurement standards would provide important information about unit operations and allow further implementation of quality improvements