Encaminhamento com QoS para redes Ad Hoc com rotas estáveis

Devido às características próprias das redes móveis ad hoc (Mobile Ad hoc Network - MANET), dotar este tipo de redes de garantias de qualidade de serviço (QoS) no tráfego fim a fim torna-se um desafio. Este artigo apresenta um protocolo de encaminhamento com QoS para redes ad hoc, que se designa por Ad hoc QoS Multipath Routing with Route Stability (QMRS), que tem como objectivo suportar aplicações com requisitos de qualidade de serviço, nomeadamente requisitos no atraso fim a fim. Este protocolo tem a possibilidade de encontrar até três rotas de nós disjuntos que cumpram o requisito de QoS. Adicionalmente e com o objectivo de garantir a estabilidade do processo de encaminhamento, usa a potência de sinal das ligações entre nós vizinhos para eleger a rota mais estável, rota essa que passa a ser usada para o reenvio do tráfego. Quando se verifica a existência de rotas com uma estabilidade idêntica, dá-se preferência à rota com menor atraso fim a fim. O protocolo detém também um mecanismo de manutenção, recuperação e verificação de incumprimento do requisito de QoS nos caminhos encontrados. Os resultados obtidos na simulação realizada permitem verificar, que o protocolo QMRS implementado, reduz o atraso fim a fim e aumenta a taxa de entrega de pacotes no destino, comparativamente com protocolo Adhoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Pectus Carinatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PCEQ): a novel tool to improve the follow-up in patients treated with brace compression

A questionnaire (Pectus Carinatum Evaluation Questionnaire, PCEQ) was developed to be applied in follow-up of patients with Pectus Carinatum (PC). After validation of the PCEQ, we aimed to quantify the compliance to brace compression and to assess factors that could influence this treatment in patients with PC. From July 2008 to July 2014, 56 patients with PC were treated with the Calgary Protocol of compressive bracing at Paediatric Surgery Department of Hospital So Joo. Forty patients (71%) completed the questionnaire. The PCEQ was divided into four sections: (i) compliance; (ii) symptoms; (iii) social influence; (iv) activities. For the validation process of the PCEQ, principal components analysis (PCA), orthogonal varimax or oblimin rotation and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used. To evaluate the association between compliance and other sections of the questionnaire, we estimated the Pearson's correlation between compliance factor scores ('Compliance Days' and 'Compliance Hours') and the final score of each new questionnaire component identified by PCA ('Chest Pain', 'Dyspnoea', 'Back Pain', 'Parents' Influence', 'Friends' Influence', 'Activities', 'Time To Compliance'). For the sections 'Symptoms', 'Social Influence' and 'Activities', we estimated final scores as the sum of the questions that constitute each component. For the section 'Compliance', the factor scores were estimated by the regression method. After PCA analysis, the PCEQ found nine different components with high reliability. When analysing the compliance of our study group, the final score for 'Activities' revealed a significant correlation with the factor score for 'Compliance Hours' (r = 0.382, P = 0.015). The final score for 'Time To Compliance' showed a significant correlation with both factor scores for 'Compliance Hours' (r = -0.765, P < 0.001) and 'Compliance Days' (r = -0.345, P < 0.029). The PCEQ seems to be an important tool to follow up patients with PC treated by brace compression. Practical steps, such as developing a tight schedule in the early follow-up period or applying the PCEQ in first visits after initiating brace therapy, can be taken in order to increase compliance with brace therapy and improve the quality of life.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Preliminary attempt to develop a path-flow analysis model for swimming performance in children

The aim of this research was to develop a path-flow analysis model from age-group swimmer’s performance based on biomechanical and energetic parameters. Twenty two young male age-group swimmers with several competitive levels volunteered to serve as subjects. It was assessed swim velocity, stroke length, stroke frequency, stroke index, propulsive efficiency, critical velocity and 200 m freestyle event performance. To verify the quality of the model, root mean square residuals (RMSR) was computed. The confirmatory model explained 54% of swimming performance. RMSR was 0.064. As a conclusion, the model based in biomechanical and energetic variables, according to the relationships suggested is appropriated to explain performance in age-group swimmers

Preliminary attempt to develop a path-flow analysis model for swimming performance in children

The goal of competitive swimming is to travel the event distance as fast as possible. The identification of the parameters that predict swimming performances is one of the main aims of the swimming “science” community. Indeed, it is consensual that biomechanical and energetic variables are determinant for performance in this sport. Several research groups dedicate their attention to the relationships establish between biomechanical and energetic variables on adult swimmers, with special emphasis on elite adult swimmers

Sparing internal thoracic vessels in thoracoscopic or submuscular correction of pectus carinatum: a porcine model study

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at http://dx. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2015.07.023.Background: External compression is used for pectus carinatum (PC) treatment, but many patients are noncompliant. Costal cartilage resection (CCR) has been described as an alternative, but these approaches sacrifice the internal thoracic arteries (ITA). We aim to assess the feasibility of CCR sparing ITA comparing thoracoscopic and subcutaneous endoscopic approaches. Methods: Twelve pigs were used as models for surgical PC correction and randomized for 2 groups: thoracoscopy (T) and subcutaneous (subpectoralis) endoscopy (SP). In both groups, CCR from 3rd 4th and 5th ribs was performed avoiding ITA damage. ITA preservation was confirmed by Doppler-ultrasound as well as postmortem injection of methylene blue. Four persons evaluated the procedures being difficult, using a 6-item modified validated scale. Results: In both techniques, the procedure was accomplished in all animals sparing ITAs. CCR was faster in T than in SP (49 +/- 5 vs. 65 +/- 16 minutes, p < 0.05). T was classified as easier than SP (p < 0.001) with a significantly higher score for all items, especially better image and tissue handling. Discussion: Sparing the ITAs during CCR for correction of PC is feasible in a porcine model and might be a goal in humans. The thoracoscopic approach allows for a faster and easier procedure.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Path-flow analysis model for anthropometric, hydrodynamic and biomechanical variables in age-group swimmers

The goal of competitive swimming is to travel the event distance as fast as possible. The identification of the parameters that predict swimming performances is one of the main aims of the swimming “science” community

Path-flow analysis model for anthropometric, hydrodynamic and biomechanical variables in age-group swimmers

The aim of this research was to develop a path-flow analysis model for age-group swimmer’s speed based on anthropomeric, hydrodynamic and biomechanical determinants

A relevância da conferência familiar em contexto hospitalar - revisão integrativa

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Xanthohumol-supplemented beer modulates angiogenesis and inflammation in a skin wound healing model. Involvement of local adipocytes

Angiogenesis and inflammation are two intermingled processes that play a role in wound healing. Nevertheless, whenever exacerbated, these processes result in nonhealing wounds. Xanthohumol (XN), a beer-derived polyphenol, inhibits these processes in many physiopathological situations. This study aimed at examining whether XN ingestion affects wound healing. Wistar rats drinking water, 5% ethanol, stout beer (SB) or stout beer supplemented with 10 mg/L XN (Suppl SB) for 4 weeks, were subjected to a 1.5 cm full skin-thickness longitudinal incision, and further maintained under the same beverage conditions for another week. No differences in beverage consumption or body weight were found throughout the study but food intake decreased in every group relative to controls. Consumption of Suppl SB resulted in decreased serum VEGF levels (18.42%), N-acetylglucosaminidase activity (27.77%), IL1β concentration (9.07%), and NO released (77.06%), accompanied by a reduced redox state as observed by increased GSH/GSSG ratio (to 198.80%). Also, the number of blood vessels within the wound granulation tissue seems to reduce in animals drinking Suppl SB (23.08%). Interestingly, SB and primarily Suppl SB showed a tendency to increase adipocyte number (to 194.26% and 156.68%, respectively) and reduce adipocyte size (4.60% and 24.64%, respectively) within the granuloma. Liver function and metabolism did not change among the animal groups as analyzed by plasma biochemical parameters, indicating no beverage toxicity. This study shows that XN intake in its natural beer context reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis, ameliorating the wound healing process, suggesting that this polyphenol may exert beneficial effect as a nutritional supplement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação do sistema nervoso autônomo de pacientes portadores de doença renal crônica em tratamento conservador

-Objetivo: Comparar a modulação autonômica cardíaca de pacientes renais crônicos (R) em tratamento conservador com a de pessoas saudáveis (S). Métodos: Foram avaliados 25 pacientes e 14 voluntários saudáveis com médias de idade respectivamente iguais a de 56,5 ± 12,5 anos e 54,5 ± 10,3 anos. Os procedimentos incluíram a realização de Holter de arritmia por 20 min em repouso deitado e por 20 min após inclinação postural passiva (Tilt Test). A variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca foi avaliada pela análise espectral usando-se a transformada rápida de Fourier. Foram utilizadas as variáveis LFnu (low frequency) e HFnu (high frequency) indicativas, respectivamente, da modulação simpática e parassimpática. Além disso, foi avaliada a razão LF/HF, indicadora do balanço simpático-vagal. Estas variáveis foram comparadas nos dois grupos nos estágios pré-inclinado e inclinado. Resultados: A comparação das variáveis LFnu e HFnu entre os grupos R e S no estágio inicial (pré-inclinado) não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante. Por outro lado, a razão LF/HF foi 1,51 vezes maior no grupo S em relação ao R no estágio pré-inclinado (p = 0,361) e 2,38 vezes maior no grupo S em relação ao grupo R no estágio inclinado (p = 0,001) Conclusão: Pacientes renais crônicos em tratamento conservador, quando submetidos ao estresse postural passivo, apresentam menor ativação do sistema nervoso autônomo que o grupo controle, indicando alterações na modulação autonômica cardíaca. A disautonomia observada nos renais crônicos em período pré-dialítico pode estar implicada na alta mortalidade cardiovascular observada neste grupo de pacientes, incluindo morte súbita. Isto implica numa melhor abordagem na fase precoce da DRC, no sentido de estratificar o grupo de pacientes com alto risco de mortalidade cardiovascular