The thick-thin decomposition and the bilipschitz classification of normal surface singularities

We describe a natural decomposition of a normal complex surface singularity $(X,0)$ into its "thick" and "thin" parts. The former is essentially metrically conical, while the latter shrinks rapidly in thickness as it approaches the origin. The thin part is empty if and only if the singularity is metrically conical; the link of the singularity is then Seifert fibered. In general the thin part will not be empty, in which case it always carries essential topology. Our decomposition has some analogy with the Margulis thick-thin decomposition for a negatively curved manifold. However, the geometric behavior is very different; for example, often most of the topology of a normal surface singularity is concentrated in the thin parts. By refining the thick-thin decomposition, we then give a complete description of the intrinsic bilipschitz geometry of $(X,0)$ in terms of its topology and a finite list of numerical bilipschitz invariants.Comment: Minor corrections. To appear in Acta Mathematic

Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) sacrocolpopexy: feasibility and efficacy of knotless procedure performed with conventional instruments

The aim of this paper was to report a case of a patient with stage IV vaginal vault prolapse treated by laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) sacrocolpopexy using an Alexis retractor and a surgical glove attached to three trocars through a 3.5-cm umbilical incision. Only conventional laparoscopic instruments were used for intrabdominal dissection of vagina and peritoneum. The mesh was fixed to the vaginal fornix and to the sacral periosteum from the promontory using running sutures hold in the extremities by polymer clips. The posterior peritoneum was closed over the mesh. LESS sacrocolpopexy performed with conventional instruments is a difficult but feasible and efficient technique to treat vaginal vault prolapse that respects the principles of conventional laparoscopic or open repairs. Alexis retractor associated with knotless sutures are technical options that simplify LESS reconstructive surgical maneuvers

Teor de macro e micronutrientes em folhas de diferentes idades de algumas essências florestais nativas

Leaves of several tree species (Astronium urindeuva, Aspidosperma ramiflorum Muell, Tabebuia flavescens Grise, Terminalia catappa and Joannesia princeps Veill) have been analysed for N, R, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. Results indicated that the mean concentration of these elements are within the average; range of nutrients concentration determined, by several authors. Nutrients content have no regular variation among leaves of different ages, except for Terminalia catappa. Astronium urundeuva is considered a calcicolous plant and this caracteristic could be inferred by the nutrient contents of its leaves.No presente trabalho, foram determinados os teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu e Mn em folhas de diferentes idades nas espécies: Astronium rurndeuva, Aspidospcrma ramiflorum Muell, Tabcbula flavescens Grise, Terminal ia cutappa e Joannesia princeps Veil. Os teores médios observados encontram-se dentro dos valores considerados médios para outras espécies, quando se adota a amplitude máxima de observações feitas por diversos autores. Com relação aos teores de nutrientes em folhas de idade diferente numa mesma espécie, com exceção de Terminalia catappa, não foram observadas variações regulares para os três níveis de idade fisiológica considerados. Os valores das folhas da espécie Astronium urindeuva evidenciaram suas características de planta calcícola

Lava flow hazard at Fogo Volcano, Cabo Verde, before and after the 2014–2015eruption

Abstract. Lava flow simulations help to better understand volcanic hazards and may assist emergency preparedness at active volcanoes. We demonstrate that at Fogo Volcano, Cabo Verde, such simulations can explain the 2014–2015 lava flow crisis and therefore provide a valuable base to better prepare for the next inevitable eruption. We conducted topographic mapping in the field and a satellite-based remote sensing analysis. We produced the first topographic model of the 2014–2015 lava flow from combined terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and photogrammetric data. This high-resolution topographic information facilitates lava flow volume estimates of 43.7 ± 5.2 × 106 m3 from the vertical difference between pre- and posteruptive topographies. Both the pre-eruptive and updated digital elevation models (DEMs) serve as the fundamental input data for lava flow simulations using the well-established DOWNFLOW algorithm. Based on thousands of simulations, we assess the lava flow hazard before and after the 2014–2015 eruption. We find that, although the lava flow hazard has changed significantly, it remains high at the locations of two villages that were destroyed during this eruption. This result is of particular importance as villagers have already started to rebuild the settlements. We also analysed satellite radar imagery acquired by the German TerraSAR-X (TSX) satellite to map lava flow emplacement over time. We obtain the lava flow boundaries every 6 to 11 days during the eruption, which assists the interpretation and evaluation of the lava flow model performance. Our results highlight the fact that lava flow hazards change as a result of modifications of the local topography due to lava flow emplacement. This implies the need for up-to-date topographic information in order to assess lava flow hazards. We also emphasize that areas that were once overrun by lava flows are not necessarily safer, even if local lava flow thicknesses exceed the average lava flow thickness. Our observations will be important for the next eruption of Fogo Volcano and have implications for future lava flow crises and disaster response efforts at basaltic volcanoes elsewhere in the world

Sobre a ocorrência de istmo tiroídeo em Canis familiaris e em Callus gallus. Estudo comparativo

It is described an abnormal occurrence of thyroideus isthmus in dog (Canis familiaris) and in fowl (Gallus gallus). This observation is verified in 2 dogs between 60 studied and in 3 fowls between 32 studied, respectively. Histological studies of both isthmus have demonstrated the same morphological constitution of the normal thyroideus lobes with morphological vidences of active secretion in parechyma.É descrita uma ocorrência anormal de istmo tiroídeo em cão (Canis familiaris) e em ave (Gallus gallus). Esta observação foi verificada em 2 cães, dentre 60, e em 3 aves, dentre 32, respectivamente estudados. Estudos histológicos de ambos os istmos demonstraram a mesma constituição morfológica que a dos lobos tiroídeos normais, com evidências morfológicas de secreção ativa pelo parênquima

The Red Sea, Coastal Landscapes, and Hominin Dispersals

This chapter provides a critical assessment of environment, landscape and resources in the Red Sea region over the past five million years in relation to archaeological evidence of hominin settlement, and of current hypotheses about the role of the region as a pathway or obstacle to population dispersals between Africa and Asia and the possible significance of coastal colonization. The discussion assesses the impact of factors such as topography and the distribution of resources on land and on the seacoast, taking account of geographical variation and changes in geology, sea levels and palaeoclimate. The merits of northern and southern routes of movement at either end of the Red Sea are compared. All the evidence indicates that there has been no land connection at the southern end since the beginning of the Pliocene period, but that short sea crossings would have been possible at lowest sea-level stands with little or no technical aids. More important than the possibilities of crossing the southern channel is the nature of the resources available in the adjacent coastal zones. There were many climatic episodes wetter than today, and during these periods water draining from the Arabian escarpment provided productive conditions for large mammals and human populations in coastal regions and eastwards into the desert. During drier episodes the coastal region would have provided important refugia both in upland areas and on the emerged shelves exposed by lowered sea level, especially in the southern sector and on both sides of the Red Sea. Marine resources may have offered an added advantage in coastal areas, but evidence for their exploitation is very limited, and their role has been over-exaggerated in hypotheses of coastal colonization

Comparative structural response of two steel bridges constructed 100 years apart

This paper presents a comparative numerical analysis of the structural behaviour and seismic performance of two existing steel bridges, the Infiernillo II Bridge and the Pinhao Bridge, one located in Mexico and the other in Portugal. The two bridges have similar general geometrical characteristics, but were constructed 100 years apart. Three-dimensional structural models of both bridges are developed and analysed for various load cases and several seismic conditions. The results of the comparative analysis between the two bridges are presented in terms of natural frequencies and corresponding vibration modes, maximum stresses in the structural elements and maximum displacements. The study is aimed at determining the influence of a 1 century period in material properties, transverse sections and expected behaviour of two quite similar bridges. In addition, the influence of the bearing conditions in the global response of the Pinhao Bridge was evaluated

Reuma.pt/vasculitis - the Portuguese vasculitis registry

BACKGROUND: The vasculitides are a group of rare diseases with different manifestations and outcomes. New therapeutic options have led to the need for long-term registries. The Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register, Reuma.pt, is a web-based electronic clinical record, created in 2008, which currently includes specific modules for 12 diseases and > 20,000 patients registered from 79 rheumatology centres. On October 2014, a dedicated module for vasculitis was created as part of the European Vasculitis Society collaborative network, enabling prospective collection and central storage of encrypted data from patients with this condition. All Portuguese rheumatology centres were invited to participate. Data regarding demographics, diagnosis, classification criteria, assessment tools, and treatment were collected. We aim to describe the structure of Reuma.pt/vasculitis and characterize the patients registered since its development. RESULTS: A total of 687 patients, with 1945 visits, from 13 centres were registered; mean age was 53.4 ± 19.3 years at last visit and 68.7% were females. The most common diagnoses were Behçet's disease (BD) (42.5%) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) (17.8%). Patients with BD met the International Study Group criteria and the International Criteria for BD in 85.3 and 97.2% of cases, respectively. Within the most common small- and medium-vessel vasculitides registered, median [interquartile range] Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) at first visit was highest in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) (17.0 [12.0]); there were no differences in the proportion of patients with AAV or polyarteritis nodosa who relapsed (BVAS≥1) or had a major relapse (≥1 major BVAS item) during prospective assessment (p = 1.00, p = 0.479). Biologic treatment was prescribed in 0.8% of patients with GCA, 26.7% of patients with AAV, and 7.6% of patients with BD. There were 34 (4.9%) deaths reported. CONCLUSIONS: Reuma.pt/vasculitis is a bespoke web-based registry adapted for routine care of patients with this form of rare and complex diseases, allowing an efficient data-repository at a national level with the potential to link with other international databases. It facilitates research, trials recruitment, service planning and benchmarking.publishersversionpublishe