Border trees of complex networks

The comprehensive characterization of the structure of complex networks is essential to understand the dynamical processes which guide their evolution. The discovery of the scale-free distribution and the small world property of real networks were fundamental to stimulate more realistic models and to understand some dynamical processes such as network growth. However, properties related to the network borders (nodes with degree equal to one), one of its most fragile parts, remain little investigated and understood. The border nodes may be involved in the evolution of structures such as geographical networks. Here we analyze complex networks by looking for border trees, which are defined as the subgraphs without cycles connected to the remainder of the network (containing cycles) and terminating into border nodes. In addition to describing an algorithm for identification of such tree subgraphs, we also consider a series of their measurements, including their number of vertices, number of leaves, and depth. We investigate the properties of border trees for several theoretical models as well as real-world networks.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 2 tables. A working manuscript, comments and suggestions welcome

Hybrid carcinoma of the salivary gland: salivary duct adenocarcinoma adenoid cystic carcinoma

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73933/1/j.1365-2559.1999.00761.x.pd

On monotonicity of dispute trees as explanations for case-based reasoning with abstract argumentation

Recent work on explainability raises the question of what different types of explanations actually mean. One idea is that explanations can reveal information about the behaviour of the model on a subset of the input space. When this way of interpreting explanations is thought as an interactive process, inferences from explanations can be seen as a form of reasoning. In the case of case-based reasoning with abstract argumentation (AA-CBR), previous work has used arbitrated dispute trees as a methodology for explanation. Those are dispute trees where nodes are seen as losing or winning depending on the outcome for the new case under consideration. In this work we show how arbitrated dispute trees can be readapted for different inputs, which allows a broader interpretation of them, capturing more of the input-output behaviour of the model. We show this readaptation is correct by construction, and thus the resulting reasoning based on this reuse is monotonic and thus necessarily a faithful explanation

Força e arquitetura muscular em sujeitos com doença arterial periférica dos membros inferiores

Introdução: São conhecidas as alterações da funcionalidade, nomeadamente na marcha e da função da bomba muscular da perna do indivíduo com doença arterial periférica (DAP), pelo que importa aos profissionais de saúde conhecer as alterações funcionais e estruturais associadas a esta condição. Objetivos: Avaliar a relação entre a arquitetura muscular (AM) do gémeo interno (GI), a produção de força dos músculos flexores plantares (MFP) e o índice de oclusão arterial, num grupo com DAP, comparativamente a um grupo controlo (sem DAP). Metodologia: Foram incluídos 25 sujeitos, 13 controlo e 12 com DAP, totalizando 15 pernas avaliadas por grupo, numa única sessão. A força dos MFP e amplitude de movimento da tibiotársica foram avaliadas por dinamometria isocinética (60º/s e 120º/s); a AM do GI por ultrassonografia e o índice tornozelo braço (ITB) por doppler. Foram avaliadas as diferenças entre os grupos com e sem DAP; No grupo com DAP, foram avaliadas as diferenças entre subgrupo com maior e menor severidade de oclusão (ITB<0,7 e ITB≥0,7); e foram estabelecidas correlações entre os dados de dinamometria isocinética com os da AM no grupo com DAP. Resultados: Comparado com o grupo controlo, os MFP do grupo DAP, apresentaram menores valores de momento de força máxima, momento de força máxima por unidade de peso corporal, trabalho total e potência média a 60º/s e 120º/s (P<0,05). Identificou-se, no grupo DAP ITB<0,7 menor momento de força máximo por unidade de peso corporal a 60º/s e 120º/s, comparativamente ao grupo DAP ITB≥0,7. Não se observaram diferenças entre grupo DAP e controlo na AM do GI, nem esta se relacionou com a força dos MFP ou alterada em função da gravidade da DAP. Conclusões: Sujeitos com DAP apresentam menor força dos MFP, que sujeitos sem DAP, que agrava com a severidade da obstrução arterial. Contudo, a AM do GI parece semelhante nos dois grupos, sem ter relação com a força muscular.Abstract: Introduction: The changes in functionality, namely gait and calf muscle pump function of the individual with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are known, so it is important for health professionals to know the functional and structural changes associated with this condition. Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle architecture, isokinetic plantar flexion strength and the lower-extremity arterial occlusion (ABI), in a group with PAD compared to a control group (without PAD). Methods: 25 individuals were included, 13 control and 12 with PAD, comprising 15 legs evaluated in each group, in a single session. Plantar flexion strength and ankle range of motion were evaluated by isokinetic dinamometry (60º/s e 120º/s); GM muscle architecture by ultrassonography and ABI by doppler. Diferences between groups with and without PAD were assessed; In PAD group, the diferences between subgroup with greater and lesser occlusion severity (ABI <0.7 and ABI≥0.7) were evaluated; and correlations were established between isokinetic dynamometry data with muscle architecture in the PAD group. Results: Compared with control group, plantar flexion muscles in PAD group presented a lower peak torque, peak torque to body weight, total work and average power at 60º/s and 120º/s (p<0,05). In a presence of a ABI<0,7, PAD group showed a lower plantar flexion peak torque to body weight for both 60º/s and 120º/s, compared with PAD group with a ABI>0,7. No associations between PAD patients and controls were found for GM architecture and these were not associated with plantar flexion isokinetic strength, or either with lower-extremity arterial haemodynamics. Conclusions: PAD subjects show lower plantar flexion muscle strength than control subjects, aggravated in the most severe cases of arterial obstruction. Nevertheless GM muscle architecture appears to be similar in both groups, with no association for plantar flexion strength or ABI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Macromineral requirements by beef cattle under pasture supplementation.

The objective of this work was to determine macromineral requirements by Zebu steers grazing Brachiaria decumbens supplemented with concentrate. It was used 24 non-castrated steers, at an average age of 7 months and at initial average weight 180 kg. Eight control animals were slaughtered for determining initial body composition. The 16 remaining animals were divided in four four-animal plots, in a complete random design. Each plot received mineral mixture or supplements at the levels 0.75; 1.50 or 2.25 kg/animal/day. The right half-carcass of eight animals, two per group, was dissected in muscle, fat and bones and all body constituents were weighted for determination of empty body weight and body composition. Net requirements of calcium and phosphorus for an animal at 400 kg body weight were 11.13 g and 5.40 g, respectively. To estimate dietary requirements of maintenance and after, sum them to dietary requirements for gain in order to obtain total dietary requirements, it was adopted endogenous losses and bioavailability present in literature for each mineral macroelement. Total dietary requirement for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium for a 400-kg BW animal with 1.0-kg daily weight gain were 34.59; 17.36; 7.82; 5.19 and 41.11 g/day, respectively. Macromineral requirements by beef cattle under pasture supplementation are similar to those recommended by BR-Corte for beef cattle in feedlots

Structures of a sperm-specific solute carrier gated by voltage and cAMP

The newly characterized sperm-specific Na+/H+ exchanger stands out by its unique tripartite domain composition 1,2. It unites a classical solute carrier unit with regulatory domains usually found in ion channels, namely, a voltage-sensing domain and a cyclic-nucleotide binding domain 1,3, which makes it a mechanistic chimera and a secondary-active transporter activated strictly by membrane voltage. Our structures of the sea urchin SpSLC9C1 in the absence and presence of ligands reveal the overall domain arrangement and new structural coupling elements. They allow us to propose a gating model, where movements in the voltage sensor indirectly cause the release of the exchanging unit from a locked state through long-distance allosteric effects transmitted by the newly characterized coupling helices. We further propose that modulation by its ligand cyclic AMP occurs by means of disruption of the cytosolic dimer interface, which lowers the energy barrier for S4 movements in the voltage-sensing domain. As SLC9C1 members have been shown to be essential for male fertility, including in mammals 2,4,5, our structure represents a potential new platform for the development of new on-demand contraceptives.</p

Physical Function and Quality of Life After Resection of Mobile Spine Chondrosarcoma.

Study Design:Retrospective cohort study. Objectives:(1) To assess patient-reported outcomes-physical function, pain, and quality of life-in patients who underwent resection of a mobile spine chondrosarcoma. (2) To assess complications (90 days), readmissions, reoperations, oncological outcomes, and neurologic status. Methods:Thirty-three patients with spinal conventional chondrosarcoma resection between 1984 and 2014 at one hospital were included. The primary outcome measures were-minimally 6 months after surgery-the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ5D), PROMIS-Physical Function, PROMIS-Pain Intensity, and Oswestry (ODI) Disability Index, or Neck (NDI) Disability established in 14 out of 20 alive (70.0%) patients. Complications, readmission, reoperations, oncological outcomes, and neurological status were reported for the complete cohort of 33 patients. Results:After spine chondrosarcoma resection, patients (n = 14) reported worse physical function (median 43, range 22-61, P = .026), worse quality of life (median EQ5D 0.70, range 0.04-1, P = .022), and comparable pain intensity (median 47, range 31-56, P = .362) when compared with US general population values. The median NDI/ODI was 25 (range 0-72) indicating mild to moderate disability. Patients undergoing reoperation had worse patient-reported outcomes than those who did not. Eighteen (55.5%) out of 33 patients suffered complications (90 days), 14 (42.4%) had unplanned readmission, and 13 (39.4%) underwent reoperation. Intralesional resection was associated with increased readmission, reoperation, and recurrence rate. Conclusions:Chondrosarcoma affects quality of life and physical function and its treatment frequently results in complications and reoperations. Our findings can be used to inform future patients about expected outcomes

Myxoid Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma with Multiple Primary Sites

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is one of the most common types of soft tissue sarcomas in adults. The most common location of MFH are the extremities and the trunk, with the most common site for distant metastases being the lung. We describe a case with multiple synchronous sites of myxoid MFH but no lung metastases and presence of abnormalities of 19p13