Real-time depth sectioning: Isolating the effect of stress on structure development in pressure-driven flow

Transient structure development at a specific distance from the channel wall in a pressure-driven flow is obtained from a set of real-time measurements that integrate contributions throughout the thickness of a rectangular channel. This “depth sectioning method” retains the advantages of pressure-driven flow while revealing flow-induced structures as a function of stress. The method is illustrated by applying it to isothermal shear-induced crystallization of an isotactic polypropylene using both synchrotron x-ray scattering and optical retardance. Real-time, depth-resolved information about the development of oriented precursors reveals features that cannot be extracted from ex-situ observation of the final morphology and that are obscured in the depth-averaged in-situ measurements. For example, at 137 °C and at the highest shear stress examined (65 kPa), oriented thread-like nuclei formed rapidly, saturated within the first 7 s of flow, developed significant crystalline overgrowth during flow and did not relax after cessation of shear. At lower stresses, threads formed later and increased at a slower rate. The depth sectioning method can be applied to the flow-induced structure development in diverse complex fluids, including block copolymers, colloidal systems, and liquid-crystalline polymers

Online Coloring of Bipartite Graphs with and without Advice

In the online version of the well-known graph coloring problem, the vertices appear one after the other together with the edges to the already known vertices and have to be irrevocably colored immediately after their appearance. We consider this problem on bipartite, i.e., two-colorable graphs. We prove that at least ⌊1.13746⋅log2(n)−0.49887⌋ colors are necessary for any deterministic online algorithm to be able to color any given bipartite graph on n vertices, thus improving on the previously known lower bound of ⌊log2 n⌋+1 for sufficiently large n. Recently, the advice complexity was introduced as a method for a fine-grained analysis of the hardness of online problems. We apply this method to the online coloring problem and prove (almost) tight linear upper and lower bounds on the advice complexity of coloring a bipartite graph online optimally or using 3 colors. Moreover, we prove that $O(\sqrt{n})$ advice bits are sufficient for coloring any bipartite graph on n vertices with at most ⌈log2 n⌉ colors

La Cognición Social en la Esclerosis Múltiple Temprana: Enfoque neuropsicológico y anatómico

Cognitive impairment and deficits in social cognition (SC) are frequent in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present work is to study SC in patients with early MS and to analyze its neuroanatomical correlation. Thirty-four patients with relapsing remitting MS, with ≤ 2 years of disease progression and EDSS and ≤2, and 30 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and educational level were recruited. Subjects performed a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (Rao BRB). SC was assessed using the International Affective Picture System IAPS, The Eyes in the Mind Test, the Empathy Quotient, and the Faux Pas Test. The anatomical correlation of patients with deficits in social cognition was studied through brain MRI and voxel-based morphometric for which cortical reconstruction and volumetric segmentation were performed using Freesurfer processing software. Patients showed significant deficits in executive functions, verbal memory and language tests. SC assessment showed that patients presented greater difficulties in the Faux Pas Test (p = 0.023), The Mind in the Eyes Test (p = 0.014), and presented a positive bias in the interpretation of neutral images of the IAPS (P = 0.023). Furthermore, patients with CS deficits presented less cortical thickness in areas of the right supramarginal gyrus, pars opercularis, and anterior cingulum

Characterization of micro-RNA in women with different ovarian reserve

Women undergoing infertility treatment are routinely subjected to one or more tests of ovarian reserve. Therefore, an adequate assessment of the ovarian reserve is necessary for the treatment. In this study, we aimed to characterize the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for women with different ovarian reserves. A total of 159 women were recruited in the study and classified according to their anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level into three groups: (1) low ovarian reserve (LAMH, n = 39), (2) normal ovarian reserve (NAMH, n = 80), and (3) high ovarian reserve (HAMH, n = 40). SurePrint Human miRNA array screening and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were respectively employed to screen and validate the miRNA abundance level in the three tested groups. Compared with NAMH, the abundance level of 34 and 98 miRNAs was found to be significantly altered in LAMH and HAMH, respectively. The abundance level of miRNAs was further validated by RT-qPCR in both, the screening samples as well as in an independent set of validation samples. The abundance levels of the validated miRNAs were significantly correlated with the AMH level. The best AUC value for the prediction of the increase and decrease in the AMH level was obtained for the miR-100-5p and miR-21-5p, respectively. The level of miRNAs abundance correlates with the level of AMH, which may serve as a tool for identifying women with a different ovarian reserve and may help to lay the ground for the development of novel diagnostic approaches

Investigação da anosognosia pós acidente vascular cerebral em participantes de um grupo de reabilitação

Stroke is a decrease or suspension of blood supply to the brain. Anosognosia after stroke is frequent in the acute and rare chronic phase. It represents asso in way to the perception of the existence or extension of its difficulties, interfering negatively in the rehabilitation. This study evaluated anosognosia after stroke in patients of a physiotherapeutic group rehabilitation program in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. A quantitative, descriptive exploratory and cross-sectional study was carried out with 11 patients, mean age of 62.73 ± 8.09 and their families, was not from June to October 2017. The Patient Competence Rating Scale (PCRS) - Brazilian version for patients and caregivers was answered an Anamnese. We observed a discrepancy in the results of the self-perception of the patient and the perception of the children in the family, being 9.45 ± 6.80 in the PCRS. This can negatively influence a recovery. We observed a moderate negative correlation between a current age and a discrepancy of the PCRS for family and patients. Older patients had better self-perception of difficulties, this may be a result of neuroplasticity, in which they adapted to health conditions. Although not observed without study, we believe that group physical activity improving physical and psychic, which can help in the prevention of anosognosia.O Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) é uma diminuição ou suspensão do aporte sanguíneo para o cérebro. A anosognosia representa as alterações em indivíduos quanto à percepção da existência ou extensão de suas dificuldades, interferindo negativamente na reabilitação. A anosognosia pós AVC é frequente na fase aguda e rara na fase crônica. Este estudo avaliou a anosognosia pós AVC em pacientes de um programa de reabilitação fisioterapêutica em grupo no interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Foi realizado um estudo com abordagem quantitativa, com caráter descritivo exploratório e de desenho transversal com 11 pacientes, com média de idade de 62,73±8,09 e seus respectivos familiares, no período de junho a outubro de 2017. Foi respondida a Anamnese e o Mini exame do estado mental com os pacientes e para avaliar a anosognosia foi respondida o The Patient Competency Rating Scale Versão brasileira (PCRS) - para pacientes e PCRS para familiares. Observou-se discrepância nos resultados da autopercepção do paciente e a percepção dos respectivos familiares, sendo de 9,45±6,80 na PCRS. Isso pode influenciar negativamente para a recuperação. Observamos correlação moderada negativa entre a idade atual e a discrepância da PCRS para familiares e pacientes. Os pacientes mais velhos tiveram melhor auto percepção das dificuldades, isso pode ser resultado da neuroplasticidade, em que se adaptaram às condições de saúde. Apesar de não abordarmos no estudo, acreditamos que a atividade física em grupo melhora os aspectos físicos e psíquicos, o que pode ajudar na prevenção da anosognosia

STEP: the VST survey of the SMC and the Magellanic Bridge - I : Overview and first results

STEP (the SMC in Time: Evolution of a Prototype interacting late-type dwarf galaxy) is a Guaranteed Time Observation survey being performed at the VST (the ESO VLT Survey Telescope). STEP will image an area of 74 sq. deg. covering the main body of the Small Magellanic Cloud (32 sq. deg.), the Bridge that connects it to the Large Magellanic Cloud (30 sq. deg.) and a small part of the Magellanic Stream (2 sq. deg.). Our g, r, i, Hα photometry is able to resolve individual stars down to magnitudes well below the main-sequence turn-off of the oldest populations. In this first paper, we describe the observing strategy, the photometric techniques and the upcoming data products of the survey. We also present preliminary results for the first two fields for which data acquisition is completed, including some detailed analysis of the two stellar clusters IC 1624 and NGC 419.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

ANÁLISE NUTRICIONAL DO ALMOÇO CONSUMIDO POR IDOSAS INSTITUCIONALIZADAS

O envelhecimento implica alterações anatômicas e funcionais, repercutindo nas condições de saúde e nutrição do idoso. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a composição nutricional do almoço consumido em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos, de Belo Horizonte/MG, em dois períodos distintos. Durante sete dias consecutivos os alimentos utilizados nas preparações foram pesados obtendo-se o peso líquido dos ingredientes. Após a cocção e distribuição, as sobras foram mensuradas para apuração do consumo médio das preparações. Utilizaram-se as recomendações dos percentuais dos macronutrientes propostas pela Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges e para o ferro, sódio, vitamina A, C e fibra a Estimated Average Requeriment e Adequate Intake. No primeiro período P(1) o consumo médio da refeição servida foi de 499,57 g (valor energético de 489,11 kcal), e no segundo período P(2) foi superior (539,03 g) representando 639,47 kcal. O valor energético, de carboidrato e lipídeos foi adequado e maior no P(2), resultados estatisticamente significativos. O mesmo foi observado para proteínas e fibras. Os teores médios de ferro nas preparações nos dois períodos analisados foram o dobro da quantidade recomendada, já os de sódio apresentaram valores bem acima do adequado para uma refeição. O consumo de vitamina A foi adequado somente em P1 e de vitamina C extrapolou os valores de adequação nos dois períodos. É necessário realizar pequenas intervenções na alimentação consumida pelas residentes para otimizar a ingestão de vitaminas e sais minerais, visando a promoção de condições adequadas de saúde.