Finite-time blowup for a complex Ginzburg-Landau equation with linear driving

In this paper, we consider the complex Ginzburg--Landau equation $u_t = e^{i\theta} [\Delta u + |u|^\alpha u] + \gamma u$ on ${\mathbb R}^N$, where $\alpha >0$, $\gamma \in \R$ and $-\pi /2<\theta <\pi /2$. By convexity arguments we prove that, under certain conditions on $\alpha ,\theta ,\gamma$, a class of solutions with negative initial energy blows up in finite time

Torquetenovirus viral load is associated with anti-spike antibody response in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccinated kidney transplant patients

Introduction: Kidney transplant patients (KT) are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and presented attenuated antibody responses to vaccination when compared to immunocompetent individuals. Torquetenovirus (TTV) has recently gained attention as a potential surrogate marker of the net state of immunosuppression. We evaluated the association between pre-vaccination TTV viral load and anti-spike total antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in KT. Material and Methods: The 114 adult KT recipients enrolled in this prospective single-center cohort study received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Serum samples were collected immediately before vaccination at the days when patients received both the first (T0) and the second dose (T1) and 16–45 days after the second dose (T2). Primary endpoint was the development of anti-spike total antibodies after vaccination. Demographic, clinical, and laboratorial parameters were compared between patients with and without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at T2. Results: Ninety-nine patients (86.8%) were naïve for SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination. Fifty-six (56.6%) patients developed anti-spike total antibodies at T2. The use of mTOR inhibitors was associated with a favorable response (p =.005); conversely, mycophenolic acid (MPA) was associated with a negative response (p =.006). In a multivariable model, the presence of TTV at T0 ≥ 3.36 log10 cp/ml was associated with unfavorable vaccine response (OR: 5.40; 95% CI: 1.47–19.80; p =.011), after adjusting for age and eGFR at T0. Conclusions: Higher TTV viral loads before vaccination are associated with reduced anti-spike total antibody response in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccinated KT patients. The association between TTV viral load and vaccine response may be an added-value in the optimization of vaccination regimens in KT.publishersversionpublishe

Relação entre género ao nível da motivação para a prática das atividades desportivas

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram analisar a motivação para a prática de ativi dades desportivas entre homens e mulheres e fatores que conduzem ao envolvi mento nas atividades. Participaram no estudo 20 homens (34.55±16.30 anos de idade) e 20 mulheres (30.05±12.70 anos de idade). Foi utilizado o Questionário de Motivação para as Atividades Desportivas (QMAD) (Serpa & Frias,1990). Com posto por 30 perguntas de preenchimento através de escala likert de 1 a 5, em que 1 corresponde a “nada importante” e 5 a “totalmente importante”. Os 30 itens foram também agrupados em 6 fatores (Realização/Estatuto; Objetivos Desporti vos; Orientação para o Grupo; Excitação; Divertimento; Influência Social). O presente estudo permitiu concluir que as motivações para envolvimento em ativi dades desportivas não diferem em muitos aspetos entre homens e mulheres. No nosso entendimento, estas diferenças na motivação ao nível do género têm vindo a diminuir o que tem conduzido a evidências como o cada vez maior envolvimento do género feminino em atividades desportivas. É fundamental decorrer investiga ção neste domínio da motivação no sentido de a oferta ser adequada à procura, com o desígnio de em Portugal o nível de envolvimento em atividades desportivas se aproximar de médias europeias.The aims of the present study were to analyze the motivation for the practice of sports activities between men and women and factors that lead to the involvementin the activities. Twenty men (34.55 ± 16.30 years) and 20 women (30.05 ± 12.70 years) participated in the study. The Motivation Questionnaire for Sports Activi ties was used (QMAD) (Serpa & Frias, 1990). Composed by 30 fill-in questions through the likert scale from 1 to 5, where 1 corresponds to "nothing important" and 5 to "totally important". The 30 items were also grouped into 6 factors (Reali zation/Statute; Sports Objectives; Group Orientation; Excitement; Fun; Social Influence). The present study allowed to conclude that the motivations for in volvement in sports activities do not differ in many aspects between men and women. In our understanding, these differences in motivation at the gender level have been diminishing what has led to evidence such as the increasing involve ment of the female gender in sports activities. It is fundamental to carry out re search in this field of motivation in the sense of the supply being adequate to the demand, with the intention of in Portugal the level of involvement in sports activi ties approaches european averages.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influenza severe cases in hospitals, between 2014 and 2016 in Portugal

Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da GripeBackground: Since 2009, the Portuguese Laboratory Network (PLNID) for Influenza Diagnosis has integrated 15 Laboratories in mainland and Atlantic Islands of Azores and Madeira. This PLNID added an important contribute to the National Influenza Surveillance Program regarding severe and hospitalized influenza cases. The present study aims to describe influenza viruses detected in influenza like illness (ILI) cases: outpatients (Outp), hospitalized (Hosp), and intensive care units (ICU), between 2014 and 2016. Methods: The PLNID performs influenza virus diagnosis by biomolecular methodologies. Weekly reports to the National Influenza Reference Laboratory ILI cases tested for influenza. Reports include data on detecting viruses, hospital assistance, antiviral therapeutics, and information on death outcome. Were reported during two winter seasons 8059 ILI cases,being 3560 cases in 2014/15 (1024 in Outp, 1750 Hosp, and 606 in ICU) and 4499 cases in 2015/2016 (1933 in Outp, 1826 Hosp, and 740 in ICU). Results: The higher percentage of influenza positive cases were detected in Outp in both seasons, 18% during 2014/15 and 20% in 2015/16. In 2014/15,influenza cases were more frequent in individuals older than 65 years old and these required more hospitalizations,even in ICU. In 2015/16,the influenza cases were mainly detected in individuals between 15-64 years old. A higher proportion of influenza positive cases with hospitalization in ICU were observed in adults between 45-64 years old.During the study period,the predominant circulating influenza viruses were different in the two seasons: influenza B and A(H3) co-circulated in 2014/15,and influenza A(H1)pdm09 was predominant during 2015/16. Even when influenza A is notthe dominant virus, A(H3) and A(H1)pdm09 subtypes correlate with higher detection rate in hospitalized cases (Hosp and UCI), with higher frequencies in adults older than 45. Influenza B,detected in higher proportion in outpatients, was frequently relatedwith influenza cases in younger age groups: 0-4 and 5-14 years old. Conclusions: This study highlights the correlation of theinfluenza virus type/subtype that circulates in each season with the possible need for hospitalization and intensive care in special groups of the population. Circulation of influenza A subtypes can cause more frequentdisease in individuals older than 45, with need of hospitalization including intensive care. On the other hand, influenza B is more frequently associated with less severe cases and with infection in children and younger adults. Influenza B circulation might predict lower number of hospitalizations.The identification of influenza type in circulation,byPLNID ineach season, could guide action planning measures in population health care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio