Kinetic growth walks on complex networks

Kinetically grown self-avoiding walks on various types of generalized random networks have been studied. Networks with short- and long-tailed degree distributions $P(k)$ were considered ($k$, degree or connectivity), including scale-free networks with $P(k) \sim k^{-\gamma}$. The long-range behaviour of self-avoiding walks on random networks is found to be determined by finite-size effects. The mean self-intersection length of non-reversal random walks, , scales as a power of the system size $N$: $ \sim N^{\beta}$, with an exponent $\beta = 0.5$ for short-tailed degree distributions and $\beta < 0.5$ for scale-free networks with $\gamma < 3$. The mean attrition length of kinetic growth walks, , scales as $\sim N^{\alpha}$, with an exponent $\alpha$ which depends on the lowest degree in the network. Results of approximate probabilistic calculations are supported by those derived from simulations of various kinds of networks. The efficiency of kinetic growth walks to explore networks is largely reduced by inhomogeneity in the degree distribution, as happens for scale-free networks.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Perfil epidemiológico dos nascidos vivos em Tangaráda Serra-MT durante osurto do vírus Zika em 2016

Introdução: Em 2015, o vírus Zika (ZIKV) ocasionou surto de infecção em grandes proporções no Brasil, iniciando no nordeste e espalhando-se para 18 estados brasileiros até o final do mesmo ano. Apesar de descrita como uma doença aguda com sintomatologia leve, em março de 2016 foi comprovada como a causa de danos cerebrais e microcefalia em recém-nascidos de mães expostas ao vírus durante a gestação. No inicio de 2016 foi descrita a Síndrome Congênita por Vírus Zika. Mas muitas questões ainda permanecem abertas, por exemplo, se existem diferenças geográficas no risco de desenvolvimento de microcefalia em mulheres expostas bem como fatores sociais e genéticos envolvidos. O Centro-Oeste brasileiro, apesar de atingido fortemente pelo surto pelo ZIKV foi menos estudado comparativamente ao Nordeste e até o momento poucos estudos com populações definidas e inteiramente cobertas foram realizados. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico das crianças expostas ao ZIKV no período gestacional materno em Tangará da Serra, MT. Métodos: Estudo transversal, observacional, com base nos dados do SINASC (Sistema de informação sobre nascidos vivos), SINAN (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação) e do RESP (Registro de Eventos em Saúde Pública). Realizado no município de Tangará da Serra, localizado a cerca de 240 km da capital do estado, Cuiabá. Foram avaliados todos os nascidos vivos residentes em Tangará da Serra, entre 01 de janeiro e 31 de dezembro de 2016. Estes nascidos foram categorizados em dois grupos: grupo exposto e grupo sem história de exposição. Foram extraídos do SINASC os dados de condições sócio demográficas, do parto e do nascimento. A microcefalia foi investigada inicialmente ao nascimento e após 48 horas de vida a partir da medida do perímetro cefálico (PC), de acordo com os critérios do Ministério da Saúde. Os exames laboratoriais de RT-PCR para ZIKV foram realizados a partir de coleta de sangue periférico nas gestantes sintomáticas no dia da suspeita da doença. Os locais de moradia das mães durante a gravidez foram georreferenciadas a partir de coordenadas geográficas de latitude e longitude. Resultados: No ano de 2016, em que dentre os 1.441 nascidos vivos de residentes de Tangará da Serra, 106 (7,3%) foram de mães com exposição ao ZIKV. Cinco nascidos vivos apresentaram microcefalia devido à exposição ao ZIKV, assim, a prevalência de microcefalia atribuível à infecção congênita foi de 34,7/10.000. Comparativamente, no grupo não exposto, houve dois casos de 9 microcefalia (1,5/10.000). A macrocefalia também foi mais prevalente nas pessoas expostas ao ZIKV, assim como a morte neonatal. As variáveis sociodemográficas e geográficas, com exceção da cor da pele autorreferida, não diferiram entre crianças expostas e presumivelmente não expostas. A maior ocorrência dos nascimentos de crianças em que as mães foram expostas ao ZIKV ocorreu entre março e julho de 2016, o que coincide com o período de maior circulação do vírus no município. A observação geográfica e a análise de Hot Spot relacionando nascidos vivos, nascidos vivos expostos ao ZIKV, e microcefálicos, não indicam regiões de maior risco para nascimentos com a SCZ em Tangará da Serra (p = 0,6). Conclusão: Este é o primeiro estudo de base populacional realizado em um espaço geográfico definido que investiga a prevalência de microcefalia congênita decorrente do ZIKV após um surto desta infecção.Introduction: In 2015, the Zika virus (ZIKV) caused a major outbreak of infection in Brazil, starting in the northeast and spreading to 18 Brazilian states by the end of the same year. Although described as an acute disease with mild symptomatology, in March 2016 it was proven to cause microcephaly in newborns of mothers exposed to the virus during pregnancy and Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome was soon described. But many questions remain open, for example, whether there are geographical differences in the risk of developing microcephaly in exposed women as well as the social and genetic factors involved. The Brazilian Midwest, despite being hit hard by the Zika virus outbreak, has been less studied compared to the Northeast and so far few studies with defined and fully covered populations have been conducted. Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of children exposed to the ZIKV in the maternal gestational period in Tangará da Serra, MT. Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study, based on data from SINASC (Information System on live births), SINAN (Information System for Notifiable Diseases) and RESP (Public Health Events Register). Held in the municipality of Tangará da Serra, located about 240 km from the state capital, Cuiabá. All live births residing in Tangará da Serra, between January 1 and December 31, 2016, were evaluated. These births were categorized into two groups: exposed group and group with no history of exposure. Data on socio-demographic conditions, childbirth and birth were extracted from SINASC. Microcephaly was initially investigated at birth and after 48 hours of life from the measurement of the head circumference (CP), according to the criteria of the Ministry of Health. Laboratory tests of RT-PCR for ZIKV were performed based on peripheral blood in symptomatic pregnant women on the day of suspected disease. The mothers' places of residence during pregnancy were georeferenced from geographic coordinates of latit The mothers' places of residence during pregnancy were georeferenced from geographic coordinates of latitude and longitude. Results: In 2016, among the 1,441 live births of residents of Tangará da Serra, 106 (7.3%) were mothers with exposure to ZIKV. Five live births showed microcephaly due to exposure to ZIKV, thus the prevalence of microcephaly attributable to congenital infection was 34.7 / 10,000. Comparatively, in the unexposed group, there were two cases of microcephaly (1.5 / 10,000). Macrocephaly was also more prevalent in people exposed to ZIKV, as well as neonatal death. Sociodemographic and geographic variables, with the exception of self-reported skin color, did not differ between exposed and presumably unexposed children. The highest occurrence of childbirths in which mothers were exposed to ZIKV occurred between March and July 2016, which coincides with the period of greatest virus circulation in the municipality. Geographic observation and Hot Spot analysis relating live births, live births exposed to ZIKV, and microcephalics, do not indicate regions of higher risk for births with SCZ in Tangará da Serra (p = 0.6). Conclusion: This is the first population-based study carried out in a defined geographical space that investigates the prevalence of congenital microcephaly due to ZIKV after an outbreak of this infection

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las enfermedades de transición cervicotorácica

OBJETIVO: avaliar o resultado do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes portadores de doenças na transição cervicotorácica da coluna vertebral. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados, retrospectivamente, 20 pacientes: nove (45%) apresentavam lesões traumáticas, sete (35%) lesões neoplásicas e quatro (20%) doenças degenerativas. No grupo de pacientes com lesões traumáticas, foi realizada fixação posterior em cinco deles (55,5%), fixação anterior em um (11,1%) e abordagem combinada (anterior e posterior) em três (33,3%). Dos sete pacientes com lesões tumorais, quatro (57,1%) foram submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico pela abordagem combinada e três (42,8%) pela abordagem posterior isolada. No grupo de pacientes com doenças degenerativas da coluna vertebral, três (75%) foram tratados pela abordagem posterior e um (25%) de forma combinada. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados por meio de parâmetros clínicos (dor e déficit neurológico), radiológicos (manutenção da redução, soltura ou quebra dos implantes) e funcionais (SF-36, escala de dor e trabalho de Denis). RESULTADOS: os 20 pacientes foram seguidos por um período que variou de seis meses a 11 anos (média de 44,6 meses ± 29,02). Dos 13 pacientes que apresentavam déficit neurológico, oito apresentaram melhora do nível na escala de Frankel (61,5%) e cinco pacientes (38,4%) permaneceram com o quadro inalterado. Como complicações um paciente (5%) apresentou soltura do implante e quatro pacientes evoluíram com infecção pós-operatória (20%). Segundo as escalas de dor e trabalho de Denis, 80% dos pacientes apresentavam pouca ou nenhuma dor (P1 e P2) e 70% dos pacientes tinham retornado ao trabalho (W1, W2 e W3). Os pacientes que não apresentavam déficit neurológico (Frankel E) obtiveram escores mais altos de qualidade de vida pelo questionário SF-36, quando comparados aos escores dos pacientes que mantinham alterações neurológicas (Frankel A-D). CONCLUSÃO: o tratamento das doenças da transição cervicotorácica da coluna vertebral apresenta detalhes adicionais aos demais segmentos da coluna vertebral. Na vigência de tratamento cirúrgico, existem pontos a serem respeitados como a anatomia relacionada ao acesso cirúrgico, as características anatômicas peculiares das vértebras e a biomecânica singular desse segmento da coluna vertebral.OBJECTIVE: to assess the results of the surgical treatment of patients with disease in the cervicothoracic junction of the spine. METHODS: twenty patients were retrospectively evaluated. Nine patients (45%) had traumatic lesions, seven (35%) neoplasic lesions and four (20%) degenerative arthropathies. In the group of patients with traumatic lesions it has been accomplished the posterior fixation in five patients (55.5%), anterior fixation in one patient (11.1%) and the combined approach (anterior and posterior) in three patients (33.3%). In the seven patients with neoplasic lesions, four (57.1%) underwent to the surgical treatment through the combined approach and 3 (42.8%) through the posterior approach. In the group of patients with spinal degenerative disease, three (75%) were treated through the posterior approach and one (25%) in a combined way. The patients were evaluated on the basis of clinical (pain and neurological deficit), radiological (reduction maintenance and implant loosening or break) and functional parameters (SF-36, Denis scale of work and pain). RESULTS: twenty patients were followed-up for a period of time ranging from six months to 11 years (44.6 months ± 29.02). From 13 patients which presented neurological deficit, eight patients presented improvement in Frankel scale level (61.5%) and five patients (38.5%) remained with the same level. As complications, one patient (5%) presented implant loosening and four patients presented postoperative infection (20%). In pain and work assessment, 80% of the patients presented few or no pain (P1 and P2) through Denis scale of pain, and 70% of the patients had returned to work (W1, W2 and W3) through Denis scale of work. The patients without neurological deficit (Frankel E) presented higher scores of life quality through the SF-36 questionnaire compared to the patients who had neurological deficit (Frankel A-D). CONCLUSION: the treatment of the diseases of the cervicothoracic junction of the spine presents additional details compared to the others segments of the spine. The surgical treatment has aspects to be respected as the anatomy related to the surgical access, the peculiar anatomic characteristics of the vertebrae and the unique biomechanics of this spinal segment.OBJETIVO: evaluar el resultado del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes portadores de enfermedades de transición cervicotorácica de la columna vertebral. MÉTODOS: fueron retrospectivamente evaluados veinte pacientes. Nueve pacientes (45%) presentaron lesiones traumáticas, 7 (35%) lesiones neoplásicas y 4 enfermedades degenerativas (20%). En el grupo de pacientes con lesiones traumáticas fue realizada una fijación posterior en 5 pacientes (55.5%), una fijación anterior en 1 paciente (11,1%) y abordaje combinado (anterior y posterior) en 3 pacientes (33.3%). De los 7 pacientes con lesiones tumorales, cuatro (57.1%) fueron sometidos al tratamiento quirúrgico por abordaje combinado y 3 (42.8%) por abordaje posterior aislado. En el grupo de pacientes con enfermedades degenerativas de la columna vertebral, tres (75%) fueron tratados por abordaje posterior y uno de forma combinada (25%). Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados por medio de parámetros clínicos (dolor y déficit neurológico), radiológicos (mantenimiento de la reducción, soltura o quiebra de los implantes) y funcionales (SF-36, escala de dolor y trabajo de Denis). RESULTADOS: los veinte pacientes fueron seguidos por um periodo que varió de 6 meses a 11 años (promedio de 44.6 meses ± 29.02). De los 13 pacientes que presentaron déficit neurológico, ocho presentaron una mejora en el nivel de la escala de Frankel (61.5%) y cinco pacientes (38.4%) permanecieron con un cuadro inalterado. Como complicaciones un paciente (5%) presentó soltura del implante y cuatro pacientes evolucionaron con infección postoperatoria (20%). Según las escalas de dolor y el trabajo de Denis, el 80% de los pacientes presentaron poco o nada de dolor (P1 y P2) y el 70% de los pacientes regresaron al trabajo (W1, W2 y W3). Los pacientes que no presentaron déficit neurológico (Frankel E) tuvieron escores mas altos de calidad de vida por el cuestionario SF-36, cuando comparados con los pacientes con alteraciones neurológicas (Frankel A-D). CONCLUSIÓN: el tratamiento de las enfermedades de la transición cervicotorácica de la columna vertebral presenta detalles adicionales a los demás segmentos de la columna vertebral. En la vigencia al acceso quirúrgico existen puntos a ser respetados como la anatomía relacionada al acceso quirúrgico, las características anatómicas peculiares de las vértebras y biomecánica singular de ese segmento de la columna vertebral

Characterization of the biology and infectivity of Leishmania infantum viscerotropic and dermotropic strains isolated from HIV+ and HIV- patients in the murine model of visceral leishmaniasis

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases with a variety of clinical manifestations. The form of the disease is highly dependent on the infective Leishmania species and the immunological status of the host. The infectivity of the parasite strain also plays an important role in the progression of the infection. The aim of this work is to understand the influence of the natural infectivity of Leishmania strains in the outcome of visceral leishmaniasis. METHODS: In this study we have characterized four strains of L. infantum in terms of molecular typing, in vitro cultivation and differentiation. Two strains were isolated from HIV+ patients with visceral leishmaniasis (Bibiano and E390M), one strain was isolated from a cutaneous lesion in an immunocompetent patient (HL) and another internal reference strain causative of visceral leishmaniasis (ST) also from an immunocompetent patient was used for comparison. For this objective, we have compared their virulence by in vitro and in vivo infectivity in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis. RESULTS: Molecular typing unraveled a new k26 sequence attributed to MON-284 zymodeme and allowed the generation of a molecular signature for the identification of each strain. In vitro cultivation enabled the production of promastigotes with comparable growth curves and metacyclogenesis development. The HL strain was the most infective, showing the highest parasite loads in vitro that were corroborated with the in vivo assays, 6 weeks post-infection in BALB/c mice. The two strains isolated from HIV+ patients, both belonging to two different zymodemes, revealed different kinetics of infection. CONCLUSION: Differences in in vitro and in vivo infectivity found in the murine model were then attributed to intrinsic characteristics of each strain. This work is supported by other studies that present the parasite's inherent features as factors for the multiplicity of clinical manifestations and severity of leishmaniasis.This work was supported by FCT project number PTDC/BIA‒MIC/11866/2011, FEDER Ciência 2010 project number PTDC/SAU‒FCF/101017/2008 and MICINN project number PIM2010‒ENI00627. JC was supported by fellowship from FCT code SFRH/BD/48626/2008 and CS by Contratos de Técnicos de apoyo a la investigación en el SNS code AES-FIS-2011.S

Journey in teaching, as a teaching initiative in Architecture

In this paper, thanks to the experience of travel in the context of the Master of Conservation, is to analyze the figure of the student, as a traveler and not as a tourist, so this active travel is involved and how they may impact on improving his training as an architect. This remote mere spectator role also favors making efforts to know, identify, reflect, drawing, photograph or analyze what has been visited from a personal point of view and no doubt much more critical and free.En el presente trabajo, gracias a la experiencia del viaje en el contexto del Máster de Conservación, se propone analizar la figura del estudiante, en tanto que viajero y no turista, de modo que este participa activamente del viaje y cómo puede repercutir en la mejora de su formación como arquitecto. Este papel alejado del mero espectador, favorece también la realización de actividades encaminadas a conocer, identificar, reflexionar, dibujar, fotografiar o analizar aquello que se ha visitado desde un punto de vista personal y sin lugar a duda mucho más crítico y libre

Functional and radiographic comparison of anterior and posterior instrumentation for the correction of adolescent thoracic idiopathic scoliosis

OBJETIVO: Estudo retrospectivo comparando resultados da IA e da IP em pacientes operados com o diagnóstico de EIA (tipo 1 de Lenke). MÉTODOS: Os resultados de 24 pacientes com idade de 11 a 18 anos com EIA tipo Lenke I e submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico por meio da abordagem anterior (12 pacientes) ou posterior (12 pacientes) foram comparados. Todos os pacientes foram operados pelo mesmo cirurgião e seguidos por um período mínimo de cinco anos. As variáveis de comparação incluíram: correção sagital e coronal, distância da vértebra apical a linha média, rotação da vértebra apical, número de vértebras instrumentadas e variáveis funcionais por meio do questionário SRS-22. Os dados obtidos foram analisados com a versão 9 do programa SAS. Os dois grupos foram comparados com o teste t de Student com um nível de significância de 5% (0,05). RESULTADOS: A correção da curva no plano frontal no pós-operatório imediato (p = 0,031), tardio (p = 0,043) e também a rotação da vértebra apical no pós-operatório imediato (p = 0,002) e tardio (p = 0,021) no grupo de pacientes submetidos à correção por meio da abordagem anterior. O número de vértebras instrumentadas foi 7,69 ± 1,38 no grupo de pacientes submetidos a IA e 11,38 ± 2,92 na IP (p = 0,021). A avaliação funcional (SRS-22) não demonstrou diferença significativa (p > 0,05) entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo de pacientes submetidos à correção da escoliose por instrumentação anterior apresentou maior correção no plano frontal, maior derrotação da vértebra apical e menor número de vértebras artrodesadas.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the results of AI and PI in patients diagnosed with Lenke type I curves who were treated surgically. METHODS: The results of 24 patients aged 11 to 18 years with Lenke type I idiopathic scoliosis who underwent surgery with anterior (12 patients) or posterior (12 patients) instrumentation were compared. All patients were operated by the same surgeon and were followed up for a minimum period of five years. Variables for comparison include: coronal and sagittal correction, distance from apical vertebra to midline, apical vertebral rotation, number of instrumented vertebrae and functional variables by means of the SRS-22 questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed with the SAS program, version 9. The two groups were compared with a 2-tailed Student's t-test with a level of significance set at 5% (0.05). RESULTS: The correction of the curve on the frontal plane was higher at immediate (p=0.031) and late postoperative (p=0.043) as well the apical vertebral rotation during immediate (p=0.002) and late (p=0.019) evaluation in the anterior spinal fusion group. The number of instrumented vertebrae was 7.69±1.38 in the anterior spinal fusion patients and 11.38±2.92 in the posterior spine fusion patients (p=0.021). Functional assessment (SRS-22) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Anterior spine fusion patients presented greater scoliosis correction on frontal plane, greater derotation of apical vertebrae and smaller number of fused vertebrae

Ultrasonic pilot-scale reactor for enzymatic bleaching of cotton fabrics

The potential of ultrasound-assisted technology has been demonstrated by several laboratory scale studies. However, their successful industrial scaling-up is still a challenge due to the limited pilot and commercial sonochemical reactors. In this work, a pilot reactor for laccase-hydrogen peroxide cotton bleaching assisted by ultrasound was scaled-up. For this purpose, an existing dyeing machine was transformed and adapted by including piezoelectric ultrasonic devices. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that both low frequency, high power (22 kHz, 2100 W) and high frequency, low power ultrasounds (850 kHz, 400 W) were required to achieve satisfactory results. Standard half (4 g/L H2O2 at 90 ºC for 60 min.) and optical (8 g/L H2O2 at 103 ºC for 40 min.) cotton bleaching processes were used as references. Two sequential stages were established for cotton bleaching: (1) laccase pretreatment assisted by high frequency ultrasound (850 kHz, 400 W) and (2) bleaching using high power ultrasound (22 kHz, 2100 W). When compared with conventional methods, combined laccase-hydrogen peroxide cotton bleaching with ultrasound energy improved the whitening effectiveness. Subsequently, less energy (temperature) and chemicals (hydrogen peroxide) were needed for cotton bleaching thus resulting in costs reduction. This technology allowed the combination of enzyme and hydrogen peroxide treatment in a continuous process. The developed pilot-scale reactor offers an enhancement of the cotton bleaching process with lower environmental impact as well as a better performance of further finishing operations.The author Idalina Goncalves would like to acknowledge the Cottonbleach Project (FP7-SME-2008-2; 243529-2-cottonbleach) for the funding. This work was partly supported by FEDER through POFC-COMPETE and by Portuguese funds from FCT- Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through the project PEst-OE/BIA/ Ul4050/2014. The author Carla Silva would like to acknowledge FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia for the Grant SFRH/ BPD/46515/2008

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation: a case report

A luxação traumática atlanto-occipital é lesão rara, de incidência desconhecida e está associada a elevada taxa de mortalidade. Os autores relatam o diagnóstico, tratamento e seguimento de dois anos de uma paciente de 25 anos de idade, vítima de acidente automobilístico e luxação atlanto-occipital traumática confirmada por exames de imagem.Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation is a rare lesion whose incidence is not know, and which is associated to a high rate of mortality. The authors report the diagnosis, treatment, and two-year follow-up of a 25 year-old patient who had had an automobile accident with imaging-confirmed traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation

Altered circadian rhythm and metabolic gene profile in rats subjected to advanced light phase shifts

The circadian clock regulates metabolic homeostasis and its disruption predisposes to obesity and other metabolic diseases. However, the effect of phase shifts on metabolism is not completely understood. We examined whether alterations in the circadian rhythm caused by phase shifts induce metabolic changes in crucial genes that would predispose to obesity. Three-month-old rats were maintained on a standard diet under lighting conditions with chronic phase shifts consisting of advances, delays or advances plus delays. Serum leptin, insulin and glucose levels decreased only in rats subjected to advances. The expression of the clock gene Bmal 1 increased in the hypothalamus, white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver of the advanced group compared to control rats. The advanced group showed an increase in hypothalamic AgRP and NPY mRNA, and their lipid metabolism gene profile was altered in liver, WAT and BAT. WAT showed an increase in inflammation and ER stress and brown adipocytes suffered a brown-to-white transformation and decreased UCP-1 expression. Our results indicate that chronic phase advances lead to significant changes in neuropeptides, lipid metabolism, inflammation and ER stress gene profile in metabolically relevant tissues such as the hypothalamus, liver, WAT and BAT. This highlights a link between alteration of the circadian rhythm and metabolism at the transcriptional level