Periodic solutions for nonlinear equations with mean curvature-like operators

AbstractWe give an existence result for a periodic boundary value problem involving mean curvature-like operators in the scalar case. Following [R. Manásevich, J. Mawhin, Periodic solutions for nonlinear systems with p-Laplacian-like operators, J. Differential Equations 145 (1998), 367–393], we use an approach based on the Leray–Schauder degree

p−p-Harmonic functions in the upper half-space

This paper investigates the existence, nonexistence, and qualitative properties of p-harmonic functions in the upper half-space $\mathbb{R}^N_+ \, (N \geq 3)$ satisfying nonlinear boundary conditions for $1<p<N$. Moreover, the symmetry of positive solutions is shown by using the method of moving planes

Impacto das condições clínicas e funcionais na qualidade de vida de idosas com obesidade

A obesidade está associada a incapacidades funcionais e aos prejuízos à qualidade de vida, e muitos fatores interferem nesta associação. Este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar e identificar o impacto de condições clínicas e funcionais na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) em idosas obesas. A QVRS foi avaliada pelos questionários "Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey" (SF-36) e "Impact of Weight on Quality of Life - Lite" (IWQOL-Lite), aplicados a 63 mulheres com índice de massa corporal ≥30 kg/m2. Foram desenvolvidos modelos de regressão para QVRS geral (SF-36) e específica (IWQOL-Lite). Os fatores associados investigados foram: idade, número de medicamentos, número de doenças, sintomas depressivos, índice de massa corporal, força de preensão, nível de atividade física e desempenho funcional. As idosas apresentaram baixo nível de força e atividade física. O desempenho funcional foi de bom a moderado, mas um terço da amostra apresentou déficit de mobilidade. Nível de atividade física e desempenho funcional impactaram de maneira positiva a QVRS geral e número de medicamentos, negativa (R2=0,44). Sintomas depressivos e índice de massa corporal impactaram negativamente a QVRS específica (R2=0,57). O estudo concluiu que idosas obesas com sintomas depressivos, baixos níveis de atividade física e desempenho funcional, fazendo uso de grande número de medicamentos, são mais vulneráveis a apresentarem baixa QVRS. Todos os fatores associados à QVRS são potencialmente modificáveis com medidas de prevenção e promoção de saúde.La obesidad está asociada a incapacidades funcionales y prejuicios a la cualidad de vida, y muchos factores interfieren en esa asociación. Eso estudio tuvo por objetivo caracterizar e identificar el impacto de las condiciones clínicas y funcionales en la cualidad de vida relacionada a la salud (CVRS) en ancianas obesas. La CVRS fue evaluada por los cuestionarios "Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey" (SF-36) e "Impact of Weight on Quality of Life - Lite" (IWQOL-Lite), aplicados a 63 mujeres con índice de masa corporal ≥30 kg/m2. Fueron desarrollados modelos de regresión para la CVRS general (SF-36) y específica (IWQOL-Lite). Los factores asociados investigados fueron: edad, número de medicamentos, número de enfermedades, síntomas depresivos, índice de masa corporal, fuerza de preensión, nivel de actividad física y desempeño funcional. Las ancianas presentaron un bajo nivel de fuerza y actividad física. El desempeño funcional varió del bueno al moderado, pero un tercio de la muestra presentó déficit de movilidad. Lo nivel de actividad física y desempeño funcional tuvieron un impacto positivo en la CVRS general y el número de medicamentos, negativo (R2=0,44). Síntomas depresivos e índice de masa corporal impactaron negativamente en la CVRS específica (R2=0,57). El estudio concluso que ancianas obesas con síntomas depresivos, bajos niveles de actividad física y desempeño funcional, utilizando una gran cuantía de medicamentos, son más vulnerables a presentaren baja CVRS. Todos los factores asociados a la CVRS son potencialmente modificables con medidas de prevención y promoción a la salud.Obesity is associated with functional disabilities and impairments of quality of life, and many factors affect this relationship. This study aimed at characterizing and identifying the impact of clinical and functional conditions on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in obese old women. The HRQoL was assessed by the questionnaires "Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey" (SF-36) and "Impact of Weight on Quality of Life - Lite" (IWQOL - Lite), which were applied to 63 women with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. Regression models were developed for general (SF-36) and specific (IWQOL-Lite) HRQoL. The associated factors investigated were: age, number of medicines, number of diseases, depressive symptoms, body mass index, grip strength, level of physical activity, and functional performance. The old women had a low level of strength and physical activity. Their functional performance was good to moderate, but a third of the sample presented deficit of mobility. The level of physical activity and functional performance had a positive impact on the general HRQoL and number of drugs had a negative one (R2=0.44). Depressive symptoms and body mass index negatively affected the specific HRQoL (R2=0.57). The study concluded that obese old women with depressive symptoms, low levels of physical activity, and functional performance, making use of a great number of drugs, are more vulnerable to experiencing poor HRQoL. All the factors associated with the HRQoL in this study are potentially modifiable with interventions of health prevention and promotion

Thermal treatment of açaí (Euterpe oleracea) fiber for composite reinforcement

This work investigated the effect of thermal treatment in an autoclave on the chemical, physical, and morphological properties of lignocellulosic fibers from açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart), and the behavior of this treated fiber in polypropylene (PP) matrix composites with polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PPgMA) as the coupling agent. The treated and untreated fibers were characterized by chemical composition, x-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and tensile tests were carried out for the composites. The results showed that the thermal treatment modified the hemicellulose and lignin content and increased the fiber surface roughness, without compromising the thermal stability. The composite prepared with thermally treated fibers and PPgMA exhibited an increase in tensile strength but a reduction in tensile modulus. In conclusion, the thermal treatment of vegetable fiber is a promising technique for improving the performance of composites

Soil chemical properties and grapevine yield affected by cover crop management in Serra Gaucha, Southern Brazil

O manejo do solo pode interferir na disponibilidade de nutrientes e na produtividade de frutos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de formas de manejo da fitomassa de diferentes espécies de plantas de cobertura verde sobre características químicas do solo, relacionadas à matéria orgânica e à disponibilidade de nutrientes, e sobre a produtividade de uva. O experimento foi realizado na Embrapa Uva e Vinho, em Bento Gonçalves, RS, sobre um Cambissolo Háplico, num parreiral implantado em 1989, com os cultivares Niágara Branca e Niágara Rosada, no sistema de latada. Os tratamentos testados foram implantados em 2002 e consistiram em três coberturas vegetais: vegetação espontânea, aveia-preta e consórcio de trevo-branco + trevo-vermelho + azevém; e dois sistemas de manejo: dessecado com herbicida e roçado, os quais foram realizados no outono, previamente à ressemeadura das espécies. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com três repetições. Os atributos químicos indicadores da acidez e da disponibilidade de nutrientes no solo foram pouco influenciados pelas espécies de cobertura. A dessecação das plantas aumentou os teores de Ca e Mg trocáveis, P disponível e C orgânico total em relação ao manejo roçado. A produtividade de uva nas safras de 2004 e 2006 foi baixa em relação ao potencial dos cultivares, possivelmente por restrições climáticas, contudo foi maior quando se utilizou a aveia como planta de cobertura do que com o consórcio de plantas.Soil management can have effects on nutrient availability and fruit yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of phytomass management forms of different cover crop species on soil chemical properties related to organic matter, nutrient availability, and on grapevine yields. The experiment was carried out in Embrapa Uva e Vinho, in Bento Gonçalves, RS, in Southern Brazil, on a Haplic Cambissol, in a vineyard established in 1989, using White and Rose Niagara grape in a horizontal overhead trelling system. The treatments established in 2002 were three cover crops: spontaneous native species, black oat (Avena strigosa), and a mixture of white clover (Trifolium repens) + red clover (Trifolium pratense) + annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum); and two management systems: desiccation by herbicide spraying and mechanical mowing, performed each autumn prior to cover crop resowing. The experiment had a completely randomized block design, with three replications. Soil acidity and nutrient contents were little influenced by the plant cover. In comparison with the mowed management, herbicide application increased exchangeable Ca and Mg, extracted P, and organic C levels in the soil. The grape yield in the seasons 2004 and 2006 was low in view to the cultivar potential, probably affect by climatic limitations, but was higher when black oat was used as plant cover instead of the mixture of plant covers

Análise das causas de uma anomalia no processo de fermentação em uma indústria cervejeira / Analysis of the causes of an anomaly in the brewing process in a brewing industry

O objetivo desse trabalho é analisar as possíveis causas de uma anomalia no teor de dióxido de enxofre em um processo químico de fermentação na produção de cerveja. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um estudo de caso em uma indústria cervejeira, e implementado o método de gestão DMAIC, associado à utilização das ferramentas de qualidade para identificar as causas-raízes e propor melhorias no processo. Os resultados confirmaram a existência de uma anomalia na curva de SO2 durante as etapas de fermentação e maturação, até o produto acabado, por meio da rastreabilidade de dados e gráficos de controle associado ao padrão técnico de processo utilizado pela indústria. Por essa razão, foi elaborado um plano de ação de utilizando o 5W1H para propor melhorias no processo. Entre as ações propostas, estão: a implementação de uma folha de verificação; verificação e acompanhamento do procedimento de coleta e análise; revisão do plano de calibração do medidor de SO2; rastrear os indicadores de qualidade da levedura cervejeira; e a utilização de caixa térmica no transporte das amostras. A pesquisa visa contribuir com resultados positivos à manutenção da qualidade sensorial da cerveja, e assim auxiliar no controle de qualidade no processo da Indústria.

Integrating factors associated with complex wound healing into a mobile application: findings from a cohort study

Complex, chronic or hard-to-heal wounds are a prevalent health problem worldwide, with significant physical, psychological and social consequences. This study aims to identify factors associated with the healing process of these wounds and develop a mobile application for wound care that incorporates these factors. A prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted in nine health units in Portugal, involving data collection through a mobile application by nurses from April to October 2022. The study followed 46 patients with 57 wounds for up to 5 weeks, conducting six evaluations. Healing time was the main outcome measure, analysed using the Mann–Whitney test and three Cox regression models to calculate risk ratios. The study sample comprised various wound types, with pressure ulcers being the most common (61.4%), followed by venous leg ulcers (17.5%) and diabetic foot ulcers (8.8%). Factors that were found to impair the wound healing process included chronic kidney disease (U = 13.50; p = 0.046), obesity (U = 18.0; p = 0.021), non-adherence to treatment (U = 1.0; p = 0.029) and interference of the wound with daily routines (U = 11.0; p = 0.028). Risk factors for delayed healing over time were identified as bone involvement (RR 3.91; p < 0.001), presence of odour (RR 3.36; p = 0.007), presence of neuropathy (RR 2.49; p = 0.002), use of anti-inflammatory drugs (RR 2.45; p = 0.011), stalled wound (RR 2.26; p = 0.022), greater width (RR 2.03; p = 0.002), greater depth (RR 1.72; p = 0.036) and a high score on the healing scale (RR 1.21; p = 0.001). Integrating the identified risk factors for delayed healing into the assessment of patients and incorporating them into a mobile application can enhance decision-making in wound care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análisis Sedimentológico y geomorfológico de áreas lacustres en la Península Fildes, Isla Rey Jorge, Antártica Marítima

Geomorphological features and sedimentary characteristics are analized from five sets of shallow sediment cores collected in lakes in the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island. The geomorphology of the area was observed and sediments samples were obtained at field activities during the XXXI Brazilian Antarctic Operation (March-April/2013). Biogeochemical characteristics, physical parameters, mineralogical composition, particle size distribution, macroscopic characteristics of the sediments and satellite images were analized. Preliminary results indicate climatic and environmental changes in north-south transect of the peninsula. The mineralogical composition is associated with geological structure of the area, where basaltic rocks predominate. The particle size variation reflects different sediment source environments. Macroscopic analysis and mineralogical composition variation reflect the action of weathering along the peninsula. The sediments also have potential mineralization and subsequent release of greenhouse gases. A preliminary map of the classification of the lakes is presented. In addition, it was identified that wetland sediment presents methane production rates (CH4) about 40 times larger and more sensitive to the effect of global warming compared to lake sediment. Subpolar aquatic ecosystems sediments from Maritime Antarctica can be a preferential site for the effects of climate variability