673 research outputs found

    Diffusion Enhancement in Core-softened fluid confined in nanotubes

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    We study the effect of confinement in the dynamical behavior of a core-softened fluid. The fluid is modeled as a two length scales potential. This potential in the bulk reproduces the anomalous behavior observed in the density and in the diffusion of liquid water. A series of NpTNpT Molecular Dynamics simulations for this two length scales fluid confined in a nanotube were performed. We obtain that the diffusion coefficient increases with the increase of the nanotube radius for wide channels as expected for normal fluids. However, for narrow channels, the confinement shows an enhancement in the diffusion coefficient when the nanotube radius decreases. This behavior, observed for water, is explained in the framework of the two length scales potential.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, accept for publication at J. Chem. Phy

    Avaliação da vacina Circovac(r) no controle da síndrome da circovirose suína (SCS) em condições de campo no Brasil.

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    bitstream/item/58046/1/CUsersPiazzonDocuments473.pdfProjeto/Plano de Ação: 03.07.51.900-07

    Genótipos de circovírus suíno tipo 2 e PCV3 em amostras clínicas de suínos no Brasil.

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    Resumo: O Circovírus suíno tipo 2 (PCV2) é um importante patógeno para suínos e causador das doenças associadas a circovirose suína (PCVD). Apesar da PCVD ser controlada pelas vacinas comerciais, a sua apresentação está mudando. Além disso, o PCV2 está evoluindo geneticamente e novos genótipos foram identificados em suínos vacinados e não vacinados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença dos genótipos PCV2a, PCV2b e PCV2d em amostras previamente positivas para PCV2. Além disso, identificar coinfecções entre genótipos de PCV2 e/ou com PCV3, que também podem causar doenças em suínos, utilizando um teste de diagnóstico PCR rápido, eficaz e de baixo custo. Foram analisadas 333 amostras clínicas positivas para PCV2 por qPCR e provenientes de diferentes fases de produção e rebanhos do Brasil. Destas, 266 foram genotipadas, sendo o PCV2b o genótipo mais predominante (56,77% das amostras positivas), principalmente provenientes de animais da creche. O PCV2d também foi detectado em 33,10% das amostras, principalmente em suínos de terminação e porcas reprodutoras. O teste PCR utilizado neste estudo foi comparado a um kit comercial e foi eficaz na genotipagem do PCV2. Este estudo demonstrou a importância da genotipagem do PCV2 e que o PCV2b continua sendo o genótipo predominante responsável pela doença em granjas de suínos no Brasil. O PCV2a, genótipo mais comum utilizado nas vacinas comerciais, não foi detectado em nenhuma amostra analisada. Embora os suínos infectados com outros genótipos de PCV2 possam obter alguma proteção heteróloga das vacinas contra PCV2a, diagnósticos adequados e monitoria da vacina para atualizações devem ser considerados. Abstract: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), an important pathogen in swine, causes PCV disease (PCVD). Although PCVD is effectively controlled using commercial vaccines, its clinical presentation is changing. Moreover, PCV2 is genetically evolving, with new genotypes emerging in vaccinated or unvaccinated pigs. In this study, we aimed to verify the presence of the PCV2a, PCV2b, and PCV2d genotypes in PCV-positive porcine samples. Furthermore, to identify coinfections between the PCV2 genotypes and/or PCV3, which can also induce disease in pigs, we employed a quick, effective, and low-cost PCR diagnostic test. In this study, 333 PCV2 PCR and clinically positive samples from various production stages and herds across Brazil were analyzed. Among these, 266 samples were genotyped, with PCV2b emerging as the most predominant genotype (56.77% of the positive samples), mainly observed in nursery pigs. PCV2d was also identified in 33.10% of the samples, primarily from finishing pigs and breeding sows. The employed PCR test was compared with a commercial kit, proving effective in PCV2 genotyping. This study demonstrates the significance of PCV2 genotyping, showing PCV2b as the most predominant genotype responsible for disease in pig farms in Brazil. PCV2a, the prevalent genotype used in commercial vaccines, was not detected in any of the analyzed samples. While pigs infected with other PCV2 genotypes may receive some heterologous protection from PCV2a vaccines, adequate diagnosis and vaccine monitoring for updates must be considered.Título em inglês: Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Genotypes and PCV3 in Swine Clinical Samples From Brazil

    Integrating health behavior theory and design elements in serious games.

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    Background: Internet interventions for improving health and well-being have the potential to reach many people and fill gaps in service provision. Serious gaming interfaces provide opportunities to optimize user adherence and impact. Health interventions based in theory and evidence and tailored to psychological constructs have been found to be more effective to promote behavior change. Defining the design elements which engage users and help them to meet their goals can contribute to better informed serious games. Objective: To elucidate design elements important in SPARX, a serious game for adolescents with depression, from a user-centered perspective. Methods: We proposed a model based on an established theory of health behavior change and practical features of serious game design to organize ideas and rationale. We analyzed data from 5 studies comprising a total of 22 focus groups and 66 semistructured interviews conducted with youth and families in New Zealand and Australia who had viewed or used SPARX. User perceptions of the game were applied to this framework. Results: A coherent framework was established using the three constructs of self-determination theory (SDT), autonomy, competence, and relatedness, to organize user perceptions and design elements within four areas important in design: computer game, accessibility, working alliance, and learning in immersion. User perceptions mapped well to the framework, which may assist developers in understanding the context of user needs. By mapping these elements against the constructs of SDT, we were able to propose a sound theoretical base for the model. Conclusions: This study’s method allowed for the articulation of design elements in a serious game from a user-centered perspective within a coherent overarching framework. The framework can be used to deliberately incorporate serious game design elements that support a user’s sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, key constructs which have been found to mediate motivation at all stages of the change process. The resulting model introduces promising avenues for future exploration. Involving users in program design remains an imperative if serious games are to be fit for purpose

    Causas infecciosas de problemas reprodutivos na produção de suínos.

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    bitstream/item/57975/1/CUsersPiazzonDocuments498.pd

    Inoculating an agile company with user-centred design: an empirical study

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    We present an empirical study on facilitating the adoption of user-centred design (UCD) in small Agile companies. To this end, we introduced a curated set of qualitative design practices in an Agile organisation, engaging developers in a lightweight series of workshops. Our results suggest that the approach followed enhanced internal communication and promoted a concrete shift towards a more user-centred perspective. However, the presence of a predominant non-Agile customer seems to have limited potential benefits. © The Author(s) 2017
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