A three-phase tessellation: solution and effective properties

Two-dimensional, doubly periodic, three-phase structures are considered in the situation where mean fluxes are applied across the structure. The approach is to use complex variables, and to use a mapping that reduces the doubly periodic problem to a much simpler one involving joined sectors. This is a model composite structure in electrostatics (and mathematically analogous areas such as porous media, anti-plane elasticity, heat conduction), and we find various effective parameters and investigate limiting cases. The structure is also amenable to asymptotic methods in the case of highly varying composition and we provide these solutions, partly as a check upon our analysis, and partly as they are useful in their own right

The Homogeneous Multiplexed System-a New Method for Autoantibody Profile in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-systemic autoimmune disease leading to immunological aberrations and excessive multiple autoantibody production. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of multiple autoantibodies in SLE patients utilizing the multiplex system method

NEFROPATIA ISQUÊMICA

O presente artigo aborda a nefropatia isquêmica – entidade cada vez mais reconhecida como causa importante de insuficiência renal crônica, principalmente em populações com alto risco cardiovascular – e atualiza conhecimentos sobre epidemiologia, etiologia, fisiopatologia, manifestações clínicas e tratamento da referida entidade. Uma abordagem sistemática do assunto é proposta. Unitermos: Nefropatia isquêmica, estenose de artéria renal, insuficiência renal crônica, aterosclerose, hipertensão renovascular

Uma análise sobre o aumento da prevalência do Transtorno do Espectro Autista em crianças

O Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (TEA) é um distúrbio do desenvolvimento neurológico caracterizado por anormalidades nas relações sociais e padrões comportamentais repetitivos ou restritos. A descrição das principais características do transtorno está relacionada a déficits de comunicação social e comportamentos repetitivos e incomuns não mudou substancialmente desde o seu delineamento original. O aumento da prevalência ao longo do tempo gerou preocupações sobre uma epidemia de autismo impulsionada por mudanças nos fatores ambientais

Polarized Deformed Nuclei Studied via Coincidence Polarized Electron Scattering: The case of 21 Ne

Coincidence reactions of the type \svec{A}(\svec{e},e'N)B involving the scattering of polarized electrons from deformed polarized targets are discussed within the context of the plane--wave impulse approximation. A general expression for the polarized spectral function for transitions leaving the residual nucleus in discrete states is presented. General properties and angular symmetries exhibited by the polarization observables are discussed in detail. Results for unpolarized cross sections as well as for polarization ratios (asymmetries) are obtained for typical quasi--free kinematics. The dependences of the polarization observables on the bound neutron momentum, target polarization orientation, nuclear deformation and value of the momentum transfer $q$ are discussed in detail for various different kinematical situations.Comment: 37 pages in Plain TeX, MIT-CTP-209

High-frequency homogenization for periodic media

This article is available open access through the publisher’s website at the link below. Copyright @ 2010 The Royal Society.An asymptotic procedure based upon a two-scale approach is developed for wave propagation in a doubly periodic inhomogeneous medium with a characteristic length scale of microstructure far less than that of the macrostructure. In periodic media, there are frequencies for which standing waves, periodic with the period or double period of the cell, on the microscale emerge. These frequencies do not belong to the low-frequency range of validity covered by the classical homogenization theory, which motivates our use of the term ‘high-frequency homogenization’ when perturbing about these standing waves. The resulting long-wave equations are deduced only explicitly dependent upon the macroscale, with the microscale represented by integral quantities. These equations accurately reproduce the behaviour of the Bloch mode spectrum near the edges of the Brillouin zone, hence yielding an explicit way for homogenizing periodic media in the vicinity of ‘cell resonances’. The similarity of such model equations to high-frequency long wavelength asymptotics, for homogeneous acoustic and elastic waveguides, valid in the vicinities of thickness resonances is emphasized. Several illustrative examples are considered and show the efficacy of the developed techniques.NSERC (Canada) and the EPSRC

Extrarenal Pelvis in a Cat - Diagnosis by Scintigraphy

Background: In people, extrarenal pelvis is a normal anatomical variant, characterized by the protusion of the pelvis out of the renal hilum, which can be associated with other anomalies, or predispose to stasis or infection. While other diagnostic imaging methods provide anatomical and morphological information about the kidney, scintigraphy allows to determine the renal function and has greater sensitivity in the detection of functional alterations. The aim of this work is to report the case of an asymptomatic cat diagnosed with extrarenal pelvis detected by scintigraphy, which presented alterations in laboratory and renal imaging tests, and absence of associated obstructive process. Case: A 7-year-old mixed-breed female cat was evaluated for a routine health assessment at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (HCV-UFRGS). When performing the imaging and laboratory tests, renal alterations compatible with chronic kidney disease were found in the abdominal ultrasonography examination and in serum creatinine levels. Therefore, it was decided to perform scintigraphy evaluation to better assess renal function. Dynamic renal scintigraphy with 99mTcDTPA revealed an evident concentration of the radiotracer in the left kidney with effective elimination only after the diuretic stimulus. The right kidney exhibited less concentration of the radiotracer but showed effective elimination before the diuretic stimulus. Image analysis suggested the presence of an extrarenal pelvis on the left side. The relative renal uptake was 68% for the left kidney and 32% for the right kidney. The glomerular filtration rate was 1.65 mL/min/kg. Static renal scintigraphy with 99mTcDMSA revealed irregularity in the distribution of the radiotracer in both kidneys, showing less activity in the caudal pole of the left kidney. The right kidney was apparently reduced and with less activity, especially in the medial portion. The relative renal uptake was 65% for the left kidney and 35% for right kidney, while the absolute renal uptake of the left kidney was 33% and that of the right kidney was 17%. The alteration described in the left kidney, in correlation with dynamic renal scintigraphy, suggested an aspect of lower activity in the caudal pole due to the presence of activity in the extrarenal pelvis. The left kidney was classified as presenting normal renal function and there was moderate to severe deficit of renal function on the right side. Discussion: Chronic kidney disease may be present before clinical signs and biochemical abnormalities are identified. In this report, the animal was referred for a routine evaluation and showed no clinical signs nor alterations on physical examination. However, as renal morphological alterations were seen on ultrasonography and the cat presented mild azotemia, it was decided to perform two renal scintigraphy exams. Despite the radiotracer elimination from the left kidney was seen only after the diuretic stimulus, dynamic renal scintigraphy did not show any obstructive process. This delay on elimination was probably a result of the anatomical variant called extrarenal pelvis. In the static renal scintigraphy, it was possible to evaluate morphological changes in the kidneys and suggest less activity in the caudal pole of the left kidney, due to the presence of activity in the extrarenal pelvis, apparently causing the mentioned defect. The correct diagnosis of morphological changes is essential and for this purpose the best combination of imaging tests is necessary. Renal scintigraphy was fundamental, in this case, for the diagnosis of extrarenal pelvis in one of the kidneys, an abnormality not reported in the feline species within the literature researched by the authors. In addition, renal scintigraphy helped to guide the clinical management of the patient described in this report. Keywords: renal scintigraphy, chronic kidney disease, ultrasonography, nuclear medicine. Título: Pelve extrarrenal em uma gata - diagnóstico por cintilografia. Descritores: cintilografia renal, doença renal crônica, ultrassonografia, medicina nuclear

Depressão pós-parto: importância de falar sobre

A revisão integrativa destaca a elevada prevalência da depressão pós-parto, afetando entre 15% e 29% das mulheres durante a gestação e puerpério, com uma incidência de uma em cada oito mulheres após o parto. No Brasil, essa taxa é ainda mais significativa, atingindo uma em cada cinco parturientes. Fatores como baixo nível socioeconômico, história de doença psiquiátrica, tristeza pós-parto e ansiedade pré-natal estão associados à depressão. O apoio social, otimismo e boa relação conjugal são considerados protetores. A relação mãe-bebê, incluindo a amamentação, é afetada, podendo influenciar o desenvolvimento cognitivo da criança. O tratamento, principalmente com antidepressivos, é desafiador devido aos riscos para o recém-nascido. A genotipagem pode ser uma abordagem promissora. Em conclusão, a detecção precoce, associada a fatores sociodemográficos, é crucial para um tratamento eficaz e aprimoramento das políticas de saúde pública

Saúde mental de discentes dos cursos de pós-graduação stricto sensu

Reconhece-se a saúde mental em estudantes de pós-graduação uma questão urgente, embora menos pesquisada. Em vista disso, objetivou-se mapear evidências científicas sobre saúde mental de estudantes de pós-graduação, no contexto dos cursos stricto sensu. Para tanto, considerou-se pertinente a realização de uma revisão de escopo, nas bases de dados LILACS, SCIELO e MEDLINE. As evidências mapeadas demonstraram que na última década, o número de programas de pós-graduação, em nível de mestrado e doutorado, vem crescendo de forma constante no cenário mundial e nacional e, concomitantemente, o número de discentes inseridos em tais programas. Por conseguinte, pesquisas publicadas no período de 2018 a 2023 passaram a investigar o adoecimento psíquico na vida acadêmica, evidenciando taxas variando de 15,9 a 78% de ansiedade, 13 a 89% de depressão, 0,99 a 31% de insônia, 5,5% de pânico e 27,4% ideação suicida passiva e 16,5% ideação suicida ativa. Nas amostras dos estudos analisados, cuja quantidade variou de 90 a 5.985 pós-graduandos, houve predomínio do sexo feminino e adultos jovens, com idade média de 30 anos. Foram apontados como fatores que afetam a saúde mental em discentes de pós-graduação de cursos stricto sensu os seguintes: relações deficientes e/ou conflituosas entre orientador e orientando, estresse financeiro, excesso de atividades, competitividade acadêmica e falta de equilíbrio entre vida acadêmica, pessoal e profissional