Deductive Diagnosis of Digital Circuits

In this paper we present an efficient deductive method for addressing combina- tional circuit diagnosis problems. The method resorts to bottom-up dependen- cies propagation, where truth-values are annotated with sets of faults. We com- pare it with several other logic programming techniques, starting with a naïve generate-and-test algorithm, and proceeding with a simple Prolog backtracking search. An approach using tabling is also studied, based on an abductive approach. For the sake of completeness, we also address the same problem with Answer Set Programming. Our tests recur to the ISCAS85 circuit bench- marks suite, although the technique is generalized to systems modelled by a set of propositional rules. The dependency-directed method outperforms others by orders of magnitude.authorsversionpublishe

HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis among transgender women from Brazil: Assessing different methods to adjust infection rates of a hard-to-reach, sparse population.

Different sampling strategies, analytic alternatives, and estimators have been proposed to better assess the characteristics of different hard-to-reach populations and their respective infection rates (as well as their sociodemographic characteristics, associated harms, and needs) in the context of studies based on respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Despite several methodological advances and hundreds of empirical studies implemented worldwide, some inchoate findings and methodological challenges remain. The in-depth assessment of the local structure of networks and the performance of the available estimators are particularly relevant when the target populations are sparse and highly stigmatized. In such populations, bottlenecks as well as other sources of biases (for instance, due to homophily and/or too sparse or fragmented groups of individuals) may be frequent, affecting the estimates.In the present study, data were derived from a cross-sectional, multicity RDS study, carried out in 12 Brazilian cities with transgender women (TGW). Overall, infection rates for HIV and syphilis were very high, with some variation between different cities. Notwithstanding, findings are of great concern, considering the fact that female TGW are not only very hard-to-reach but also face deeply-entrenched prejudice and have been out of the reach of most therapeutic and preventive programs and projects.We cross-compared findings adjusted using 2 estimators (the classic estimator usually known as estimator II, originally proposed by Volz and Heckathorn) and a brand new strategy to adjust data generated by RDS, partially based on Bayesian statistics, called for the sake of this paper, the RDS-B estimator. Adjusted prevalence was cross-compared with estimates generated by non-weighted analyses, using what has been called by us a naïve estimator or rough estimates

Management and treatment of decompensated hepatic fibrosis and severe refractory Schistosoma mansoni ascites with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

This study aimed to report the first case of a patient with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni, refractory ascites and portal vein thrombosis treated with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), at the Instituto de Radiologia, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. After the procedure, the patient recovered favorably and progressed with portal pressure reduction and no deterioration of the liver function. Endovascular shunt modification is a conservative medical approach that often helps in reducing symptoms significantly, making it a less invasive and a safer alternative to liver transplantation for the treatment of schistosomiasis with portal hypertension

Construcción y Validación de un Instrumento Sobre el Uso de Anticonceptivos Hormonales Orales

Abstract  Introduction: Oral hormonal contraceptives are among the contraceptive methods most used by women, when used correctly, it is highly effective, but for proper use, it is essential that they have adequate knowledge and attitudes about them. Objective: To build and validate an inquiry to assess knowledge, attitudes and practice on or use of oral hormonal contraceptive. Methods: Methodological study, which took place in two stages: construction of the survey and validation by expert judges. The content validity analysis was performed using the Content Validity Index (CVI). The judges evaluated each item individually, with respect to language clarity, practical relevance and theoretical relevance. The Research Ethics Committee approved the research. Results: In the integrative literature review, 34 publications were selected and their analysis allowed the identification of the three categories: knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding the use of oral hormonal contraceptives, which led to the construction of the survey with 34 questions. As for the CVI, most of the questions had a value greater than 0.8 (80.0%), which was used as a parameter. Regarding the total CVI per judge, 10 (83.3%) of them also had a value higher than 0.8. The total CVI of the survey was 0.86. Conclusions: The constructed survey proved to be a valid instrument for obtaining a situational diagnosis of the levels of knowledge, attitudes and practice of a given population that uses oral contraceptives. How to cite this article: Santos, Francisco de Assis Viana dos; Ventura, Alice de Sousa; Castro, Amanda Bastos de; Furtado, Angelina Monteiro; Nogueira, Jéssica de Menezes; Penha, Jardeliny Corrêa da. Construção e Validação de Instrumento sobre o uso de Anticoncepcional Hormonal Oral. Revista Cuidarte. 2020;12(3):e1970. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1970Resumo  Introdução: Os anticoncepcionais hormonais orais estão entre os métodos contraceptivos mais utilizados pelas mulheres, quando usado corretamente apresenta grande eficácia, mas para o uso adequado é fundamental que elas tenham conhecimentos e atitudes adequadas sobre eles. Objetivo: Construir e validar um inquérito para avaliar os conhecimentos, atitudes e prática sobre o uso de anticoncepcional hormonal oral. Métodos: Estudo metodológico, que aconteceu em duas etapas: construção do inquérito e validação por juízes especialistas. A análise da validade de conteúdo foi realizada por meio do Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC). Os juízes avaliaram cada item individualmente, com relação à clareza da linguagem, à pertinência prática e à relevância teórica. A pesquisa foi aprovada por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: Na revisão integrativa da literatura, 34 publicações foram selecionadas e a análise delas permitiu a identificação das três categorias: conhecimentos, atitudes e prática quanto ao uso de anticoncepcionais hormonais orais, o que levou à construção do inquérito com 34 questões. Quanto ao IVC, grande parte das questões obteve valor superior a 0,8 (80,0%), o qual foi utilizado como parâmetro. Sobre o IVC total por juiz, em 10 (83,3%) deles se observou também valor superior a 0,8. Já o IVC total do inquérito foi de 0,86. Conclusões: O inquérito construído mostrou-se ser um instrumento válido para se obter um diagnóstico situacional dos níveis de conhecimentos, de atitudes e prática de uma dada população que faz uso de anticoncepcionais orais. Como citar este artigo: Santos, Francisco de Assis Viana dos; Ventura, Alice de Sousa; Castro, Amanda Bastos de; Furtado, Angelina Monteiro; Nogueira, Jéssica de Menezes; Penha, Jardeliny Corrêa da. Construção e Validação de Instrumento sobre o uso de Anticoncepcional Hormonal Oral. Revista Cuidarte. 2020;12(3):e1970. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1970  Resumen  Introducción: Anticonceptivos hormonales orales se encuentran entre los métodos anticonceptivos más utilizados por las mujeres, cuando se usan correctamente es altamente efectivo, pero para su uso adecuado es fundamental que tengan los conocimientos y actitudes adecuados. Objetivo: Construir y validar una encuesta para evaluar conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas con respecto al uso de anticonceptivos hormonales orales. Métodos: Estudio metodológico, que se desarrolló en dos etapas: construcción de la encuesta y validación por jueces expertos. Análisis de validez de contenido se realizó mediante el Índice de Validez de Contenido (IVC). Jueces evaluaron cada ítem individualmente, con respecto a la claridad del lenguaje, relevancia práctica y relevancia teórica. La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética en Investigación. Resultados: En la revisión integradora de la literatura se seleccionaron 34 publicaciones y su análisis permitió identificar las tres categorías: conocimientos, actitudes y práctica en relación al uso de anticonceptivos hormonales orales, lo que llevó a la construcción de la encuesta con 34 preguntas. La mayoría de las preguntas tuvo un IVC superior a 0,8 (80,0%), que se utilizó como parámetro. En cuanto al IVC total por juez, 10 (83,3%) de ellos también tenían un valor superior a 0,8. El CVI total de la encuesta fue de 0,86. Conclusiones: La encuesta construida resultó ser un instrumento válido para obtener un diagnóstico situacional de los niveles de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de una determinada población que usa anticonceptivos orales. Como citar este artículo: Santos, Francisco de Assis Viana dos; Ventura, Alice de Sousa; Castro, Amanda Bastos de; Furtado, Angelina Monteiro; Nogueira, Jéssica de Menezes; Penha, Jardeliny Corrêa da. Construção e Validação de Instrumento sobre o uso de Anticoncepcional Hormonal Oral. Revista Cuidarte. 2020;12(3):e1970. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.197

Encontro de Aedes albopictus no Estado do Pará, Brasil

It is first reported the detection of Aedes (Stg) albopictus mosquitoes in state of Pará, Brazil, in the urban area of Medicilândia, a municipality far 90 km from Altamira, where 42 adult mosquitoes were baited using human attraction. All mosquitoes were pooled and inoculated into C6/36 and suckling mice in attempts for virus isolation. No virus was isolated. The occurrence of Aedes albopictus in urban areas of the Amazon region is of concern since dengue and yellow fever viruses are endemic in the Amazon and thus there is a potential risk for this mosquito species to become infected with both viruses.Pela primeira vez é registrada a presença do Aedes (Stg) albopictus no Estado do Pará, Brasil, em área urbana no município de Medicilândia distante cerca de 90 km de Altamira, onde foram capturados por meio de isca humana 42 exemplares de mosquitos adultos. Estes foram inoculados em C6/36 e em camundongos recém-nascidos na tentativa de isolamento viral, não tendo sido isolado nenhum vírus. A presença de Aedes albopictus em áreas da Amazônia onde circulam os vírus de dengue e de febre amarela é preocupante e representa um risco potencial desta espécie de mosquito se tornar infectada com tais vírus

Primeiro registro de Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus no Estado do Ceará, Brasil

For the first time, the occurrence of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus in an urban area of the city of Fortaleza, Northeastern, Brazil, is reported. From January to July 2005, ovitraps were used to collect eggs from Aedes spp., which were kept under laboratory conditions to develop into the adult phase. The resultant mosquitoes were identified and subjected to dengue virus isolation tests. Thirteen specimens of Aedes albopictus, all females, were identified. No dengue virus was isolated in any of the mosquito pools. Even though Aedes albopictus has not been incriminated in Brazilian dengue outbreaks, the possibility of dengue virus transmission by these mosquitoes cannot be dismissed.Pela primeira vez é registrada a ocorrência de Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus em área urbana da cidade de Fortaleza, no Estado do Ceará, Brasil. De janeiro a julho de 2005 foram utilizadas ovitrampas para a coleta de ovos de Aedes spp., os quais foram mantidos em laboratório para desenvolvimento até a fase adulta. Os mosquitos resultantes foram identificados e submetidos a testes para o isolamento dos vírus da dengue. Foram identificados 13 espécimes de Aedes albopictus, todos fêmeas. Não foi isolado vírus da dengue em nenhum dos pools de mosquitos. Apesar de o Aedes albopictus não ter sido incriminado por surtos de dengue no Brasil, não se pode descartar a possibilidade da transmissão dos vírus da dengue por tais mosquitos

Variações metabólicas e endócrinas de cachaços híbridos (Landrace x Large White) durante o primeiro ano de vida e sua relação com o estabelecimento da puberdade

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar variações em parâmetros metabólicos e endócrinos de suínos machos durante o primeiro ano de vida e sua relação com a puberdade. Foram utilizados seis suínos acompanhados, de 22 a 360 dias de idade, com pesagens corporais e coletas de sangue a cada sete dias para avaliação dos níveis séricos de glicose, insulina, colesterol, albumina, ureia, cálcio, fósforo, aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gama glutariltransferase (GGT), ácidos graxos não esterificados (NEFA) e testosterona. A partir do ganho de peso e níveis de testosterona foram estabelecidos três períodos: pré-puberdade (1-5 meses de idade); puberdade (6-9 meses de idade); pós-puberdade (10-12 meses de idade), em que os níveis de testosterona foram de 0,6 ± 0,1 ng/mL, 1,8 ± 0,2 ng/mL e 1,8 ± 0,2 ng/mL, respectivamente (P < 0,0001). Foi observada correlação positiva entre a testosterona e níveis de albumina, idade e peso corporal, e correlação negativa entre testosterona e os níveis de cálcio, GGT e glicose. Os níveis de glicose diminuíram ao longo do desenvolvimento (P < 0,0001), e os níveis de NEFA foram maiores em pré-púberes (P = 0,01). A enzima GGT teve diminuição dos seus níveis a partir da puberdade (P < 0,0001), e a AST teve seus menores níveis na puberdade (P = 0,0003). A albumina apresentou maiores níveis durante a puberdade (P < 0,0001) e a ureia no período pós-puberdade (P < 0,0001). Os níveis de cálcio e fósforo apresentaram menores níveis no período pós-puberdade (P<0,0001). Assim, a puberdade representa um período de flutuação nos níveis de marcadores metabólicos de suínos machos híbridos, devido ao efeito da testosterona sobre o metabolismo energético, proteico e mineral.The present study aimed to determine changes in endocrine and metabolic parameters in male pigs during the first year of life and its relation with the puberty. Six male pigs of 22 at 360 days of age were used in this study. Body weights and blood collection were performed every seven days for evaluation of serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, albumin, urea, calcium, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and testosterone. From the weight gain and testosterone levels were established three periods: prior to puberty (1-5 months old); puberty (6-9 months old); postpubertal (10-12 months old). During these periods testosterone levels were 0.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL, 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/mL and 1.8 ± 0.2 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.0001). Positive correlation was observed between testosterone levels and albumin levels, age and body weight, and a negative correlation between testosterone levels and calcium, glucose and GGT. Glucose levels decreased throughout development (P < 0.0001) whereas NEFA levels were higher in pre-pubertal (P = 0.01). The enzyme GGT levels had decreased from puberty (P < 0.0001), and AST had their lowest levels at puberty (P = 0.0003). Albumin showed higher levels during puberty (P < 0.0001). The urea values were stable until puberty, and increased post-puberty (P < 0.0001). The levels of calcium and phosphorus levels had lower post-puberty (P < 0.0001). Thus, puberty is a period of fluctuation in the levels of metabolic markers of hybrid male pigs due to the effect of testosterone on energy, protein and mineral metabolism

Basin-wide variation in tree hydraulic safety margins predicts the carbon balance of Amazon forests

ests face increasing climate risk, yet our ability to predict their response to climate change is limited by poor understanding of their resistance to water stress. Although xylem embolism resistance thresholds (for example, Ψ50) and hydraulic safety margins (for example, HSM50) are important predictors of drought-induced mortality risk, little is known about how these vary across Earth’s largest tropical forest. Here, we present a pan-Amazon, fully standardized hydraulic traits dataset and use it to assess regional variation in drought sensitivity and hydraulic trait ability to predict species distributions and long-term forest biomass accumulation. Parameters Ψ50 and HSM50 vary markedly across the Amazon and are related to average long-term rainfall characteristics. Both Ψ50 and HSM50 influence the biogeographical distribution of Amazon tree species. However, HSM50 was the only significant predictor of observed decadal-scale changes in forest biomass. Old-growth forests with wide HSM50 are gaining more biomass than are low HSM50 forests. We propose that this may be associated with a growth–mortality trade-off whereby trees in forests consisting of fast-growing species take greater hydraulic risks and face greater mortality risk. Moreover, in regions of more pronounced climatic change, we find evidence that forests are losing biomass, suggesting that species in these regions may be operating beyond their hydraulic limits. Continued climate change is likely to further reduce HSM50 in the Amazon, with strong implications for the Amazon carbon sink