Statistical Signs of Social Influence on Suicides

Certain currents in sociology consider society as being composed of autonomous individuals with independent psychologies. Others, however, deem our actions as strongly influenced by the accepted standards of social behavior. The later view was central to the positivist conception of society when in 1887 \'Emile Durkheim published his monograph Suicide (Durkheim, 1897). By treating the suicide as a social fact, Durkheim envisaged that suicide rates should be determined by the connections (or the lack of them) between people and society. Under the same framework, Durkheim considered that crime is bound up with the fundamental conditions of all social life and serves a social function. In this sense, and regardless of its extremely deviant nature, crime events are somehow capable to release certain social tensions and so have a purging effect in society. The social effect on the occurrence of homicides has been previously substantiated (Bettencourt et al., 2007; Alves et al., 2013), and confirmed here, in terms of a superlinear scaling relation: by doubling the population of a Brazilian city results in an average increment of 135 % in the number of homicides, rather than the expected isometric increase of 100 %, as found, for example, for the mortality due to car crashes. Here we present statistical signs of the social influence on the suicide occurrence in cities. Differently from homicides (superlinear) and fatal events in car crashes (isometric), we find sublinear scaling behavior between the number of suicides and city population, with allometric power-law exponents, $\beta = 0.836 \pm 0.009$ and $0.870 \pm 0.002$, for all cities in Brazil and US, respectively. The fact that the frequency of suicides is disproportionately small for larger cities reveals a surprisingly beneficial aspect of living and interacting in larger and more complex social networks.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Scatter search based met heuristic for robust optimization of the deploying of "DWDM" technology on optical networks with survivability

In this paper we discuss the application of a met heuristic approach based on the Scatter Search to deal with robust optimization of the planning problem in the deploying of the Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology on an existing optical fiber network taking into account, in addition to the forecasted demands, the uncertainty in the survivability requirements

Some aspects of the synchronization in coupled maps

Through numerical simulations we analyze the synchronization time and the Lyapunov dimension of a coupled map lattice consisting of a chain of chaotic logistic maps exhibiting power law interactions. From the observed behaviors we find a lower bound for the size $N$ of the lattice, independent of the range and strength of the interaction, which imposes a practical lower bound in numerical simulations for the system to be considered in the thermodynamic limit. We also observe the existence of a strong correlation between the averaged synchronization time and the Lyapunov dimension. This is an interesting result because it allows an analytical estimation of the synchronization time, which otherwise requires numerical simulations.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Electrochemical and positron annihilation studies of semicarbazones and thiosemicarbazones derived from ferrocene

A series of six ferrocene derivatives containing a semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone side chain was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and positron annihilation lifetime measurements. Both the redox and the electron capture processes took place on the Fe atom. Correlations between the two methods were proposed, taking into account the substituents on the side chain of the compounds, their redox potentials and the probabilities of o-positronium (o-Ps).formation.Uma série de seis derivados de ferroceno contendo uma cadeia lateral de semicarbazona ou tiossemicarbazona foi investigada por voltametria cíclica e estudos utilizando medidas de tempo de vida de pósitrons. Ambos os fenômenos, tanto o processo redox como o de captura de elétrons, ocorreram no átomo de ferro. Foram propostas correlações entre os dois métodos, levando em conta os substituintes na cadeia lateral dos compostos, os potenciais redox e as probabilidades de formação de o-positrônio (o-Ps)

Diferencias en la respuesta espectral entre repeticiones de un ensayo de soja mediante índices de vegetación obtenidos por un vehículo aéreo no tripulado (VANT)

El fenotipado de plantas es una actividad que se inserta en la unión entre la biología, genética e informática, y que busca resolver los problemas de una estimación rápida y precisa del fenotipo de las plantas. La teledetección, principalmente aérea y terrestre, juega un papel importante en esta actividad. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el comportamiento espectral por medio de índices de vegetación, de una variedad de soja en el gradiente ambiental que determinó el diseño y ubicación de tres repeticiones de correspondientes a un diseño en bloques incompletos aleatorizados, mediante el empleo de un drone equipado con una cámara multiespectral. El estudio se llevó cabo en un ensayo de tolerancia a herbicidas (3 dosis) para 6 variedades de soja (Glicine max L.), el cual se voló con un drone eBee SQ. Los resultados indican que el NDVI no es sensible a diferencias en el gradiente del suelo en una sequía severa, que originalmente motivó la orientación de bloques y repeticiones, y el diseño en sí del experimento. El NDRE muestra diferencias significativas solo entre las dos repeticiones extremas. Estos resultados estarían indicando que la ubicación y/o la orientación del ensayo no estarían dando cuenta del gradiente supuesto a priori en cuanto a las condiciones edáficas. El uso de la banda borde rojo podría ser una ventaja para las determinaciones fenotípicas finas, debido a su sensibilidad a los cambios de clorofila causados por factores abióticos, bióticos y/o genéticosFil: Batista, José A. . Universidad Nacional de RosarioFil: Di Leo, Néstor. Universidad Nacional de Rosari

ESTIMACIÓN DE LA DEMANDA: UN ANÁLISIS DE MÉTODOS Y SUS APLICACIONES

The estimation of demand is an essential element for the proper functioning of a company. Numerous qualitative and quantitative methods have been developed that allow an adequate forecast of the demand, which together with the analysis of the market where the company operates, allows a good estimate of this. The most used qualitative methods and time series models for quantitative forecasting are explained. An example of application of the TS is shown using the Minitab 15 statistical package.La estimación de la demanda es un elemento esencial para el buen funcionamiento de una empresa. Se han desarrollado numerosos métodos cualitativos y cuantitativos que permiten un adecuado pronóstico de la demanda, que unido al análisis del mercado donde opera la empresa, permite una buena estimación de esta. Se explican los métodos cualitativos más utilizados y los modelos de series de tiempo para el pronóstico cuantitativo. Se muestra un ejemplo de aplicación de la Serie de Tiempo (ST) utilizando el paquete estadístico Minitab 15

Human Microbiota and Breast Cancer—Is There Any Relevant Link?—A Literature Review and New Horizons Toward Personalised Medicine

Breast cancer; Personalized medicine; PharmacomicrobiomicsCáncer de mama; Medicina personalizada; FarmacomicrobiómicaCàncer de mama; Medicina personalitzada; FarmacomicrobiòmicaBreast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and the second cause of cancer-specific death in women from high-income countries. Recently, gut microbiota dysbiosis emerged as a key player that may directly and/or indirectly influence development, treatment, and prognosis of BC through diverse biological processes: host cell proliferation and death, immune system function, chronic inflammation, oncogenic signalling, hormonal and detoxification pathways. Gut colonisation occurs during the prenatal period and is later diversified over distinct phases throughout life. In newly diagnosed postmenopausal BC patients, an altered faecal microbiota composition has been observed compared with healthy controls. Particularly, β-glucuronidase bacteria seem to modulate the enterohepatic circulation of oestrogens and their resorption, increasing the risk of hormone-dependent BC. Moreover, active phytoestrogens, short-chain fatty acids, lithocholic acid, and cadaverine have been identified as bacterial metabolites influencing the risk and prognosis of BC. As in gut, links are also being made with local microbiota of tumoural and healthy breast tissues. In breast microbiota, different microbial signatures have been reported, with distinct patterns per stage and biological subtype. Total bacterial DNA load was lower in tumour tissue and advanced-stage BC when compared with healthy tissue and early stage BC, respectively. Hypothetically, these findings reflect local dysbiosis, potentially creating an environment that favours breast tumour carcinogenesis (oncogenic trigger), or the natural selection of microorganisms adapted to a specific microenvironment. In this review, we discuss the origin, composition, and dynamic evolution of human microbiota, the links between gut/breast microbiota and BC, and explore the potential implications of metabolomics and pharmacomicrobiomics that might impact BC development and treatment choices toward a more personalised medicine. Finally, we put in perspective the potential limitations and biases regarding the current microbiota research and provide new horizons for stronger accurate translational and clinical studies that are needed to better elucidate the complex network of interactions between host, microorganisms, and drugs in the field of BC

Estudio comparativo entre levobupivacaína a 0,5% y bupivacaína racémica a 0,5% asociadas al sufentanil en la anestesia peridural para cesáre

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the widespread use of local anesthetics in surgery and obstetrics, racemic bupivacaine is associated to potentially fatal cardiotoxicity. Data suggest that levobupivacaine has local anesthetic effects similar to racemic bupivacaine with the advantage of less central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity. Studies have shown that epidural anesthesia with racemic bupivacaine and sufentanil for cesarean sections results in a better quality of anesthesia. This study aimed at comparing the efficacy of 0.5% racemic bupivacaine and 0.5% levobupivacaine, both associated to sufentanil, for epidural anesthesia in parturients undergoing cesarean delivery. METHODS: Participated in this double-blind study 52 obstetric patients submitted to elective cesarean delivery under epidural anesthesia. Patients were randomized to receive 27 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine and 30 µg sufentanil (Group I n=26) or 27 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 30 µg sufentanil (Group II n=26). Characteristics of sensory and motor block, time for analgesics request in the postoperative period and the incidence of side effects were investigated. RESULTS: Sensory and motor block, time for analgesics request and adverse effects did not differ between groups. However, motor block was significantly longer with levobupivacaine as compared to racemic bupivacaine (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although a longer motor block duration with 0.5% epidural levobupivacaine associated to sufentanil, the efficacy of both local anesthetics associated to sufentanil for cesarean delivery was similar.JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: A pesar del uso frecuente de anestésicos locales en procedimientos quirúrgicos y obstétricos, la bupivacaína racémica es asociada a la cardiotoxicidad potencialmente fatal. Estudios sugieren que la levobupivacaína presenta acción anestésica local semejante a la bupivacaína racémica, con la ventaja de menor toxicidad tanto en el sistema nervioso central como cardiovascular. Los trabajos han demostrado mejor calidad anestésica con el uso de bupivacaína racémica asociada al sufentanil, vía peridural para cesárea. El presente estudio compara la eficacia de la bupivacaína racémica 0,5% con levobupivacaína 0,5%, ambas asociadas al sufentanil, vía peridural, en parturientas sometidas a cesárea. MÉTODO: Fueron investigadas 52 mujeres embarazadas, sometidas a anestesia peridural para cesárea electiva. En este estudio duplamente encubierto, las pacientes fueron distribuidas aleatoriamente en dos grupos: Grupo I (n = 26): recibieron 27 ml de levobupivacaína 0,5% y 30 µg de sufentanil, Grupo II (n = 26) recibieran 27 ml de bupivacaína 0,5% y 30 µg de sufentanil. Fueron evaluadas las características de los bloqueos motor y sensorial, el tiempo necesario para solicitación de analgésicos y la incidencia de efectos adversos en el período pós-operatorio. RESULTADOS: Los bloqueos motor y sensorial, el tiempo para solicitación de analgésicos y los efectos adversos no divergieron entre los grupos. Entretanto, cuando se comparó la duración del bloqueo motor de la levobupivacaína con el de la bupivacaína racémica, se observó duración significantemente prolongada para levobupivacaína (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de la duración del bloqueo motor ser más prolongado para la levobupivacaína asociada al sufentanil, la eficacia anestésica de ambos anestésicos locales investigados, asociados al sufentanil en cesárea por vía peridural, fueron iguales.JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Apesar do uso freqüente de anestésicos locais em procedimentos cirúrgicos e obstétricos, a bupivacaína racêmica é associada à cardiotoxicidade potencialmente fatal. Estudos sugerem que a levobupivacaína apresenta ação anestésica local semelhante à bupivacaína racêmica, com a vantagem de menor toxicidade tanto no sistema nervoso central como cardiovascular. Os trabalhos têm demonstrado melhor qualidade anestésica com uso de bupivacaína racêmica associada à sufentanil, via peridural para cesariana. O presente estudo compara a eficácia da bupivacaína racêmica 0,5% com levobupivacaína 0,5%, ambas associadas o sufentanil, via peridural, em parturientes submetidas a cesariana. MÉTODO: Foram investigadas 52 gestantes, submetidas à anestesia peridural para cesariana eletiva. Neste estudo duplamente encoberto, as pacientes foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Grupo I (n = 26): receberam 27 ml de levobupivacaína 0,5% e 30 µg de sufentanil, Grupo II (n = 26) receberam 27 ml de bupivacaína 0,5% e 30 µg de sufentanil. Foram avaliados as características dos bloqueios motor e sensorial, o tempo necessário para solicitação de analgésicos e a incidência de efeitos adversos no período pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os bloqueios motor e sensorial, o tempo para solicitação de analgésicos e os efeitos adversos não diferiram entre os grupos. Entretanto, quando se comparou a duração do bloqueio motor da levobupivacaína com da bupivacaína racêmica, observou-se duração significantemente prolongada para levobupivacaína (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da duração do bloqueio motor ser mais prolongado para a levobupivacaína associada ao sufentanil, a eficácia anestésica de ambos os anestésicos locais investigados associados ao sufentanil em cesariana por via peridural, foram iguais.UFMAUFMA Hospital Universitário Materno InfantilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Small but strong: Socioeconomic and ecological resilience of a small European fishing community affected by a submarine volcanic eruption

[Abstract] Small-scale coastal fishing communities are facing many new challenges, such as rapid ecological changes created by anthropogenic and natural events like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. This paper explores how a coastal population has responded to such an event and highlights the diverse coping strategies used to tackle it. This research was conducted on the island of El Hierro (Spain), where a submarine volcanic eruption occurred in 2011, affecting a multiple-use Marine Protected Area (MPA) and the nearby fishing community of La Restinga. Our study illustrates how the local population coped with this situation by combining multiple monetary and non-monetary activities (e.g., informal exchanges) as well as the role of institutions in increasing local resilience by supporting fishers' demands and allowing their participation in the decision-making process in the immediate wake of a catastrophic event. Local families also exploited various natural resources in and near the MPA, thus ensuring access to crucial marine resources and continued recreational/cultural services. The results suggest that collective action played a key role in the recovery process after the eruption, creating some advantages for different local groups despite the hazardous nature of the event.This was supported by the Cajacanarias Foundation and Fundación Bancaria “La Caixa'' [grant number 2017REC23], and the Ramón Areces Foundation through the XVII Call for Social Research Grant [grant number CISP17A5887]. Some specific research activities were also supported by the INTURMAR project supported by the ‘Smart Specialization Strategy of the Canary Islands RIS-3 co-financed by the Operational Program FEDER Canarias 2014–2020’ [grant number ProID2017010128]. RCM, JPF, JAG and AST would also like to acknowledge the Macarofood project (Interreg-MAC/2.3d/015), with the support of the European Regional Development Fund. CPC and RBL received funding from Xunta de Galicia (Axudas para a consolidación e estruturación de unidades de investigación competitivas do SUG, grants ED431D 2017/20, ED431B 2018/49). CPC received financial support from Xunta de Galicia “Axudas de apoio á etapa de formación posdoutoral” (grant ED481B-2021/095). We acknowledge the collaboration of the Network of Marine Reserves of the General Secretary of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment of Spain, as well as the participation of several families and small-scale fishers from La Restinga in this study. We also thank Inés Chinea-Mederos, Jeramin Herra and Alejandro Rodríguez-Pais for their collaboration during the fieldwork and data voids, also Eilyn Pérez-Amores and Nemesio Pérez in preparing some figuresFundación CajaCanarias; 2017REC23Fundación Bancaria "la Caixa"; 2017REC23Fundación Ramón Areces; CISP17A5887Xunta de Galicia; ED431D 2017/20Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 2018/49Xunta de Galicia; ED481B-2021/09