Surviving opinions in Sznajd models on complex networks

The Sznajd model has been largely applied to simulate many sociophysical phenomena. In this paper we applied the Sznajd model with more than two opinions on three different network topologies and observed the evolution of surviving opinions after many interactions among the nodes. As result, we obtained a scaling law which depends of the network size and the number of possible opinions. We also observed that this scaling law is not the same for all network topologies, being quite similar between scale-free networks and Sznajd networks but different for random networks.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Serum serotonin levels and bone in rheumatoid arthritis patients

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by bone loss, increased levels of serotonin have been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for circulating serotonin as a regulator of osteoblastogenesis, inhibiting bone formation. Thus, we measured serum serotonin levels (SSL) in a Portuguese sample of 205 RA patients and related these to anthropometric variables, disease parameters, serum bone biomarkers, and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at several sites (total proximal femur, lumbar spine, left hand, and left second proximal phalange). SSL were inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in RA women (r = − 0.218; p = 0.005), independent of exposure to biologics and/or bisphosphonates. Among biologic naïves, there was an inverse association between SSL and osteoprotegerin in RA women (r = − 0.260; p = 0.022). Serum β-CTX and dickkopf-1 were strongly associated with SSL in RA men not treated with bisphosphonates (r = 0.590; p < 0.001/r = 0.387; p = 0.031, respectively). There was also an inverse association between SSL and sclerostin in RA men (r = − 0.374; p < 0.05), stronger among biologic naïve or bisphosphonates-unexposed RA men. In crude models, SSL presented as a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD in RA women as well as in postmenopausal RA women. After adjustment for BMI, disease duration, and years of menopause, SSL remained a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD only in postmenopausal RA women. Our data reinforce a role, despite weak, for circulating serotonin in regulating bone mass in RA patients, with some differences in terms of gender and anatomical sites.Associação Nacional de Reumatologia, the study sponsor, had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication

Synergism of Chemical and Microbial Additives on Sugarcane (\u3ci\u3eSaccharum Officinaruml.\u3c/i\u3e) Silage Fermentation

Sugarcane has a high productive potential (30 t DM/year) and it is commonly used in its fresh form. The ensiling of sugarcane is increasing but little research has been carried out to reduce nutrient losses during fermentation

Microbial Changes and Aerobic Stability in High Moisture Maize Silages Inoculated with \u3cem\u3eLactobacillus Buchneri\u3c/em\u3e

Oxygen exposure changes microbial and chemical profiles of silages after silo opening. Yeast and fungi are the main active microorganisms responsible by consumption of nutrients and fermentative residual products, which increases temperature in the ensilaged mass. The Lactobacillus buchneri (L. buchneri) has been considered an aerobic stability controller. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of L. buchneri in ensilage process of high moisture maize

Sustentabilidade de sistemas orgânicos com plantas de cobertura na cultura do arroz, por meio de alterações físicas do solo.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes plantas de cobertura de solo sobre os atributos físicos de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em sistema de produção orgânico, com preparo convencional. O trabalho foi conduzido, por dois anos, na área experimental da Embrapa Arroz e Feijão, em Santo Antônio de Goiás, GO, em um sistema de sucessão de plantas de cobertura-arroz, no qual as plantas de cobertura eram semeadas no outono/inverno e a cultura subsequente, o arroz, cultivar Aimoré, semeada no verão. Foram utilizadas as seguintes plantas de cobertura: mucuna preta (Mucuna aterrima), crotalária (Crotalaria juncea), guandu-anão (Cajanus cajan), sorgo vassoura (Sorghum technicum) e pousio com vegetação espontânea. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram coletadas, no segundo ano de experimentação (2005), amostras de solo, nas parcelas e em mata próxima, nas profundidades de 0,00-0,10 m; 0,10-0,20 m; e 0,20-0,30 m, para determinação do teor de matéria orgânica (MO), atributos físicos, índice S e estado de agregação do solo. O manejo das plantas de cobertura de solo foi efetuado por ocasião do florescimento. A biomassa foi incorporada ao perfil por meio de aração. Para a porosidade total, microporosidade e densidade do solo, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as profundidades, para as diferentes plantas de cobertura do solo. Para o índice S, observou-se, para todos os tratamentos, na camada 0-10 m de profundidade, valores entre 0,020 e 0,035, que caracterizam solos com qualidade física intermediária. A porcentagem de agregados com diâmetro maior que 2 mm e o diâmetro médio ponderado dos agregados foram maiores, independentemente de cobertura de solo, na camada 0,10-0,20 m de profundidade. Também, independentemente da cobertura de solo, o conteúdo de matéria orgânica decresceu com a profundidade do solo

Structural changes in intestinal enteroendocrine cells after ileal interposition in normal rats

INTRODUCTION: No therapeutic approach has significantly impacted the progression of diabetes. As early improvement of glicaemic control is observed after bariatric surgeries, there is currently a search for surgical procedures that can promote euglycemia also in non-obese patients. Glicaemic control can be achieved by increasing the blood concentration of GLP-1, a hormone produced by L cells that are more densely concentrated in the terminal ileum. The interposition of ileal segment to a more anterior region (proximal jejunum) can promote a greater stimulation of the L cells by poorly digested food, increasing the production of GLP-1 and reflecting on glicaemic control.&#xd;&#xa;AIMS: To investigate long-term histological modifications of intestinal mucosa of rats submitted to interposition of ileum segment to a proximal region (jejunum).&#xd;&#xa;METHODS: Forty 8-week old male Wistar-EPM1 rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were randomly distributed into 3 groups: the Interposition Group (IG) was subjected to ileal interposition, the Sham Group (SG) was subjected to sham operations, and the Control Group (CG) was not subjected to surgery. All animals were followed until the 60th postoperative day (8 postoperative week) when they were euthanized. Segments of jejunum and ileum from all groups were collected and analyzed by optical microscopy and immunohistochemistry.&#xd;&#xa;RESULTS: No structural nor histological changes in intestinal L cells in the interposed intestinal segment and other intestinal segments were noted after ileal interposition surgery. &#xd;&#xa;CONCLUSION: As L cells endocrine characteristics were likely maintained, the use of metabolic surgical techniques for the treatment of metabolic diseases, especially diabetes, seems to be justified