The linewidth enhancement factor of intersubband lasers: from a two-level limit to gain without inversion conditions

The linewidth enhancement (α factor) due to fluctuations in the refractive index induced by carrier fluctuations of intersubband lasers was initially expected to be zero. However, values ranging from -0.5 to 3 have been found experimentally. This paper resolves this controversy showing that counter rotating terms, usually ignored in simulations are the actual fundamental origin of nonzero α at peak gain even without inclusion of nonparabolicity and manybody effects, which are however needed to explain negative values. For laser without inversion conditions, significant as a potential out of the box solution for the elusive room temperature operation of terahertz lasers, α is found to be larger, but still at the same order of magnitude of conventional inverted medium lasers, thus ensuring their applicability to a huge number of spectroscopic applications which require sharp laser linewidths

How to assess and interpret phase angle in cancer : the clinical relevance

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2017It is widely known that nutritional deterioration in cancer patients is a strong predictor of patients’ treatment outcome and survival. To clarify this association, there is an increasing use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to evaluate body composition and phase angle (PhA) in cancer. The aims of this review were: 1) to explore the efficacy of BIA for body composition analysis in cancer; 2) to determine the value of the implementation of BIA for evaluating outcomes in cancer in clinical practice and 3) to evaluate the relevance of assessing phase angle in oncology practice. PubMed, MedLine, CINAHL, EBSCO and Cochrane Library have been searched for relevant publications in English, until March 2017. The keywords used were “cancer”, “phase angle”, “body composition”, “BIA”, “outcomes”. Original research studies were thoroughly reviewed to identify strengths and limitations, to enable a better understanding of the mechanisms and support the use of BIA in the routine evaluation of cancer patients. The use of BIA and its derived parameters, most importantly PhA and body cell mass, provide practitioners with a sensitive, convenient, and non-invasive method for the evaluation of nutritional status, body cell mass and overall health status in cancer patients. BIA can assist practitioners in the evaluation of nutritional deterioration and risk of cachexia. PhA indicates indirectly the integrity of cell membrane, and thus potentially disease progression. The implementation of these parameters given by BIA should be encouraged as they may allow for timely adjustments of treatment regimens, and appropriate nutrition and medical intervention to improve Quality of Life and eventually prognosis.É globalmente conhecido que a deterioração nutricional em doentes oncológicos é um forte preditor do potencial resultado de um tratamento e de sobrevivência. Para clarificar esta associação, existe um incremento no uso da Análise Bioeléctrica por Bioimpedância (ABB) para avaliar a composição corporal e o ângulo de fase (AF) em oncologia. Os objectivos desta revisão são: 1) determinar o valor da implementação da ABB para avaliar o resultado em oncologia e na prática clínica; 2) determinar a relevância de avaliar o AF na prática clínica em oncologia. PubMed, MedLine, CINAHL, EBSCO e Cochrane foram pesquisadas com o propósito de seleccionar publicações relevantes em Inglês e publicadas até Março de 2017. As palavras chave foram “cancro”, “ângulo de fase”, “composição corporal”, “ABB” e “resultados”. Vários artigos científicos foram completamente revistos como intuíto de identificar os pontos fortes e fracos dos mesmos , para permitir assim uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos que possam validar o uso de ABB numa avaliação rotineira de doentes oncológicos. O uso de ABB e seus derivados, principalmente o AF e massa celular, fornece aos clínicos um método sensivel, não-invasivo e conveniente para a avaliação nutricional destes doentes. ABB pode assim apoiar os clínicos numa avaliação de uma possível deterioração nutricional e risco de caquéxia. O AF indica inderectamente a integridade da membrana celular e assim possivelmente a progressão da doença. A implementação destes parâmetros deve ser encorajada pois podem permitir ajustes em regimes terapêuticos e aporte nutricional. Promovendo assim uma possível melhor qualidade de vida e prognóstico

A technique to classify and compare agile methods

This manuscript describes a technique to perform comparisons on agile methods, based on a set of relevant features and attributes. This set includes attributes related to four SWEBOK Knowledge Areas (KAs) and to the Agile Manifesto principles. With this set of attributes, by analyzing the practices proposed by each method, we are able to assess (1) the coverage degree for the considered KAs and (2) the agility degree

Classification and comparison of agile methods

This manuscript describes a technique and its tool support to perform comparisons on agile methods, based on a set of relevant features and attributes. This set includes attributes related to four IEEE’s Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) Knowledge Areas (KAs) and to the agile principles defined in the Agile Manifesto. With this set of attributes, by analysing the practices proposed by each method, we are able to assess (1) the coverage degree for the considered KAs and (2) the agility degree. In this manuscript, the application of the technique is exemplified in comparing eXtreme Programming (XP) and Scrum

Social phobia: a study of the prevalence in two schools in Porto Alegre

Social phobia is frequent among adolescents, and its identification and determination of potential impairments are of great importance. OBJECTIVES: To report the prevalence and impact of social phobia on education in a sample of adolescents. METHODS: The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) was administered to 525 students of primary and high school, of both genders, in one public and one private school in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, but 32 students were excluded from the study due to incomplete answers. A sociodemographic questionnaire were also administered. RESULTS: According to the SPIN, 114 of 493 (23.12%) students obtained scores equal to or greater than 19 points, indicating the presence of symptoms compatible with diagnosis of social phobia. Girls tended to show a greater frequency of social anxiety disorder when compared to boys (p = 0.053). Social phobia was not associated with school repetition. CONCLUSIONS: Social phobia symptoms are common among teenagers and, due to its chronic course, may result in severe impairments. In this study, a correlation between social phobia and school repetition was not found. However, early identification and treatment of such disorder is extremely important.A fobia social é freqüente entre adolescentes, sendo importante a sua identificação e a determinação de potenciais prejuízos. OBJETIVOS: Relatar a prevalência e o impacto na escolaridade da fobia social em uma amostra de adolescentes. MÉTODOS: O inventário de fobia social (SPIN) foi administrado em 525 alunos dos ensinos fundamental e médio, de ambos os sexos, em uma escola pública e em uma particular, na cidade de Porto Alegre, Brasil, porquanto 32 foram excluídos por respostas incompletas. Foi aplicado também um questionário para identificação das características sociodemográficas da amostra. RESULTADOS: De acordo com o SPIN, 114 dos 493 alunos (23,12%) obtiveram escores iguais ou superiores a 19 pontos no referido inventário, indicando a presença de sintomas compatíveis com o diagnóstico de fobia social. As meninas tenderam a apresentar maior freqüência de transtorno de ansiedade social em relação aos meninos (p = 0,053). Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre repetência e fobia social. CONCLUSÕES: Os sintomas compatíveis com o diagnóstico de fobia social são prevalentes em adolescentes e, em virtude de seu curso crônico, podem causar sérios prejuízos nestes indivíduos. Neste estudo, não foi possível correlacionar fobia social com repetência escolar. No entanto, é de fundamental importância a identificação e o tratamento precoce deste transtorno de ansiedade.Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto AlegreCentro de Estudos José de Barros FalcãoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Distribution and abundance of Cladocera (Branchiopoda) in the Paraíba do Sul River estuary, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a comunidade zooplanctônica de cladóceros no estuário do Rio Paraíba do Sul, localizado no município de São João da Barra, RJ. O zooplâncton foi coletado mensalmente de setembro/2002 a agosto/2003 em nove estações através de arrastos subsuperficiais com uma rede de plâncton com abertura de boca de 30 cm e malha de 70 mµ, dotada de fluxômetro mecânico. Foram medidas simultaneamente a salinidade e a temperatura. Foram identificadas dezessete espécies de cladóceros: Pseudoevadne tergestina, Penilia avirostris, Macrothrix triserialis, Moina micrura, Simocephalus Kerhervei, Simocephalus vetalus, Simocephalus latirostris, Simocephalus serrulatus, Alona rectangula, Alona quadrangularis, Bosmina longirostris, Bosminopsis deitersi, Camptocercus dadayi, Ceriodaphnia richardi, Diaphanosoma fluviatile, Kurzia latissima e Pleuroxus similis. As maiores abundâncias de cladóceros ocorreram no mês de abril na zona marinha do estuário. A espécie mais abundante nesse período foi Penilia avirostris. Na zona de mistura e fluvial do estuário, as espécies mais abundantes foram Moina micrura, principalmente durante o mês de janeiro; Simocephalus vetalus e Bosmina longirostris na primavera. Diante desse cenário, pode-se dizer que a comunidade de cladóceros no estuário do Rio Paraíba do Sul apresenta características de ambientes marinhos, estuarinos e limnicos. A salinidade e a temperatura parecem limitar a ocorrência e distribuição dos cladóceros no estuário.To characterize the cladoceran community of the Paraíba do Sul River estuary, located in the district of São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, cladocerans were collected monthly in nine sampling stations from September 2002 until August 2003. Samples were obtained by subsurface tows using a plankton net with a 30 cm opening mouth and 70 micron mesh size, fitted with a mechanical flowmeter. Environmental parameters such as salinity and temperature were also obtained. Seventeen species of Cladocera were identified: Pseudoevadne tergestina, Penilia avirostris, Macrothrix triserialis, Moina micrura, Simocephalus kerhervei, Simocephalus vetalus, Simocephalus latirostris, Simocephalus serrulatus, Alona rectangula, Alona quadrangularis, Bosmina longirostris, Bosminopsis deitersi, Camptocercus dadayi, Ceriodaphnia richardi, Diaphanosoma fluviatile, Kurzia latissima and Pleuroxus similis. The highest total abundance of Cladocera occurred in April in the marine zone of the estuary. The most abundant species during this period was Penilia avirostris. At the mixing and freshwater zones of the estuary, the most abundant species were Moina micrura, mainly in January; and Simocephalus vetalus and Bosmina longirostris during spring. From this scenario, it can be inferred that the cladoceran community of the Paraíba do Sul River estuary presents characteristics of marine, brackish and freshwater environments. Temperature and salinity seem to limit the occurrence and distribution of cladocerans in the estuary

Zooplankton community of the Vitória Bay estuarine system (Southeastern Brazil): Characterization during a three-year study

In order to characterize the zooplankton community at the Vitória Bay estuarine system (Southeastern Brazil), samples were collected in 10 sampling stations during a three-year study (1998-2000), every three months. A total of 64 taxa were identified.Copepoda contributed with the highest species number (49) in the community, especially with Acartia lilljeborgi,Acartia tonsa,Paracalanus parvus,P. quasimodo,Parvocalanus crassirostris,Temora turbinata,Oithona hebes,Oithona oculata and Euterpina acutifrons. Highest abundances occurred in the summer of 2000. Diversity indexes were higher at the estuary mouth. Zooplankton composition was characterized by coastal and estuarine species, their distribution being influenced mainly by the salinity variation in this estuarine system.Com o objetivo de caracterizar a comunidade zooplanctônica no sistema estuarino Baía de Vitória/Canal da Passagem, Vitória, E.S., foram coletadas amostras em dez pontos amostrais, trimestralmente durante três anos (1998-2000). Um total de 64 táxons foram identificados. Copepoda contribuiu com o maior número de espécies (49) na comunidade, destacando-se Acartia lilljeborgi,Acartia tonsa,Paracalanus parvus,Paracalanus quasimodo,Parvocalanus crassirostris,Temora turbinata,Oithona hebes,Oithona oculata e Euterpina acutifrons. A maior abundância ocorreu no verão do ano 2000. Os índices de diversidade foram maiores na entrada do estuário. A composição do zooplâncton se caracterizou por apresentar espécies estuarinas e costeiras, sendo a distribuição destas espécies influenciada principalmente pela variação dos valores de salinidade no estuário

A rare cause of agranulocytosis

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic agent, is useful in the treatment of patients with psychotic symptoms. However, severe adverse effects, such as agranulocytosis, can restrict its indications. We present a case of a 42-year-old Caucasian woman with a 4-year history of persistent delusion disorder, who presented with fatigue and fever and was ultimately diagnosed with agranulocytosis due to clozapine. Clozapine-induced granulocytosis is an uncommon condition, but potentially fatal in consequences. Each patient with an episode of agranulocytosis should be assessed individually, with special attention to risk factors. Upon that, the decision about clozapine rechallenge or withdrawal should be madeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimización de un modelo de cadena de suministro en el sector de hidrocarburos mediante programación líneal estocástica

En el trabajo de grado se lleva a cabo una planeación de una red logística teórica del sector de hidrocarburos haciendo uso de programación lineal estocástica. Se usan algunos datos reales de la industria colombiana como referencia. Específicamente, se usa la metodología bi etapa para dar solución al problema planteado, y se llega a una planeación mensual donde se anuncian cuáles decisiones se deben tomar dentro de las operaciones de la red logística (producción de crudos, transporte, distribución) de manera que se maximice la ganancia esperada de la red. Finalmente, se lleva a cabo una comparación del uso de formulación estocástica versus un enfoque determinístico, de manera que se vislumbren las ganancias de tener en cuenta la aleatoriedad existente en el medio.On this graduation dissertation, a logistics planning is proposed for a theoretical supply chain network from the hydrocarbons sector, using a stochastic linear programming approach. Some real data from the Colombian industry is used as reference. To solve the proposed problem, a twostage methodology is applied, and the output of the analysis is a monthly planning for the supply chain basic operations (production, transportation and distribution) that maximizes the expected profit. Finally, the stochastic approach is compared to the deterministic approach (usually applied in real hydrocarbon companies) in order to visualize the benefits of including randomness to the overall analysis.Ingeniero (a) IndustrialPregrad

Phosphatase activity characterization on the surface of intact bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei

Procyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei possess a phosphatase activity on their external cell surface. This activity, while it dephosphorylates [P-32]phosphocasein, is inhibited weakly by NaF and tartrate but strongly by vanadate. in this work, we describe the presence of an external phosphatase activity in intact bloodstream forms of T brucei. With p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) as substrate, these intact cells produced 3-5 nmol pNP min(-1) mg(-1), linearly for up to at least 30 min. the activity was not significantly increased by Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+ and Co2+, but was inhibited by vanadate, NaF, p-chloromercuribenzoate and Zn2+ and was insensitive to okadaic acid. Membrane-enriched fractions of parasites contained an acid phosphatase activity, with a pH optimum in the range of 4.5-5.5. This activity hydrolyzed phosphotyrosine (40 nmol phosphate min(-1) mg(-1)) better than phosphothreonine or phosphoserine. Partial purification of this phosphatase yielded a single activity band following gel electrophoresis, a K-m value of 0.29 mM with pNPP and was insensitive to the Fe2+/H2O2/ascorbate system. (C) 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, BR-04023900 Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Fac Odontol, Dept Ciencias Biol, Bauru, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Bioquim, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Bioquim, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Bioquim, BR-04023900 Sao Carlos, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc