Second law and entropy production in a nonextensive system

A model of superconducting vortices under overdamped motion is currently used for describing type-II superconductors. Recently, this model has been identified to a nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation and associated to an entropic form characteristic of nonextensive statistical mechanics, S 2 (t) ≡ S q=2 (t). In the present work, we consider a system of superconducting vortices under overdamped motion, following an irreversible process, so that by using the corresponding nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation, the entropy time rate [dS 2 (t)/dt] is investigated. Both entropy production and entropy flux from the system to its surroundings are analyzed. Molecular dynamics simulations are carried for this process, showing a good agreement between the numerical and analytical results. It is shown that the second law holds within the present framework, and we exhibit the increase of S 2 (t) with time, up to its stationary-state value

\u3cem\u3eTithonia diversifolia\u3c/em\u3e for Ruminant Nutrition

India and Brazil lead the world ranking of livestock enteric methane emissions (FAO 2006). According to FAO (2006), Brazil (9.6 Tg of CH4/year) is the highest emitter of methane from cattle, followed by India (8.6 Tg of CH4/year) and the USA (5.1 Tg of CH4/year). In livestock, methane (CH4) formed from enteric fermentation of carbohydrates is primarily responsible for the emissions in the sector. Regarding livestock methane emission, Delgado et al. (2012) evaluated 20 tree and shrub species using in vitro technique and demonstrated a reducing effect on the amount of methane when Tithonia diversifolia was compared with, for example, Cynodon nlemfuensis grass. Tithonia diversifolia belongs to the division - Sphermatophyta; class - Eudicotiledoneae; sub-class - Metaclamídeas; Order - Campanulate; Family - Asteraceae; Genre - Tithonia, and Species - Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.), Gray (Souza 2008). Tithonia diversifolia can be very useful in animal nutrition (Fig. 1) by increasing the protein content of animal diet at low cost (Murgueitio et al. 2010) as well as in the recovery of degraded soils for it grows in areas with low levels of fertility and has high ability to absorb phosphorus, even if it is unavailable to other forage species (Kwabiah et al. 2003). The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional qualities, including quantification of enteric methane generated during in vitro ruminal fermentation, of Tithonia diversifolia as an alternative forage for ruminant nutrition in the tropics

The Effects of \u3cem\u3eTithonia diversifolia\u3c/em\u3e on Dairy Cow Performance

Southeast, South and Central West are the main milk producing regions in the Brazil. Especially in the states of Minas Gerais, Goias and Sao Paulo, the tropical climate is very characteristic, with hot and rainy summers, and dry winters. Dry winters in these states are characterized by scarcity of pasture herbage mass, which directly influence the volume of milk produced. The high volume of milk produced in summer and low volume of milk produced in winter (i.e. seasonality of production which is about 20% of total milk volume) directly affects dairy farmers by reducing its revenue during dry winters due to a drop in milk yield. In addition, it increases the production costs by offering additional roughage supplements to the cattle (sugarcane fresh plus urea, corn silage or sorghum silage), or by feeding more concentrates and/or greater labour costs. Research evaluating the potential of the Tithonia diversifolia in improving milk yield and quality is extremely limited. This research project seeks to develop tools to understand the potential impact on milk composition and cow performance and to evaluate the significance of its outcomes and to aid in the ongoing development of innovative approaches. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of replacing up to 9.1% of sugarcane fresh and up to 6.3% of concentrates (DM basis) with Tithonia diversifolia fresh fed to lactating dairy cows. It is hypothesized that the initial replacement of a portion of the sugarcane fresh and concentrates (corn grain and soybean meal) with the Tithonia diversifolia fresh would not reduce dairy cow performance

Problem-Based Learning in Pharmaceutical Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. To assess the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on the learning achievements of pharmacy students. Methods. We searched for controlled studies that compared PBL to traditional learning in pharmacy courses (graduate and undergraduate) in the major literature databases up to January 2014. Two independent researchers selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the studies. Meta-analyses of the outcomes were performed using a random effects model. Results. From 1,988 retrieved records, five were included in present review. The studies assessed students' impressions about the PBL method and compared student grades on the midterm and final examinations. PBL students performed better on midterm examinations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; confidence interval [IC] 95%: 1.16, 1.89) and final examinations (OR = 1.60; IC 95%: 1.06, 2.43) compared with students in the traditional learning groups. No difference was found between the groups in the subjective evaluations. Conclusion. pharmacy students' knowledge was improved by the PBL method. Pharmaceutical education courses should consider implementing PBL

Problem-Based Learning in Pharmaceutical Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. To assess the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on the learning achievements of pharmacy students. Methods. We searched for controlled studies that compared PBL to traditional learning in pharmacy courses (graduate and undergraduate) in the major literature databases up to January 2014. Two independent researchers selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the studies. Meta-analyses of the outcomes were performed using a random effects model. Results. From 1,988 retrieved records, five were included in present review. The studies assessed students’ impressions about the PBL method and compared student grades on the midterm and final examinations. PBL students performed better on midterm examinations (odds ratio [OR]=1.46; confidence interval [IC] 95%: 1.16, 1.89) and final examinations (OR=1.60; IC 95%: 1.06, 2.43) compared with students in the traditional learning groups. No difference was found between the groups in the subjective evaluations. Conclusion. pharmacy students’ knowledge was improved by the PBL method. Pharmaceutical education courses should consider implementing PBL

Cellular and humoral immune responses against the Plasmodium vivax MSP-1(19) malaria vaccine candidate in individuals living in an endemic area in north-eastern Amazon region of Brazil

Background: Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) is an antigen considered to be one of the leading malaria vaccine candidates. PvMSP-1 is highly immunogenic and evidences suggest that it is target for protective immunity against asexual blood stages of malaria parasites. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the acquired cellular and antibody immune responses against PvMSP-1 in individuals naturally exposed to malaria infections in a malaria-endemic area in the north-eastern Amazon region of Brazil.Methods: the study was carried out in Paragominas, Para State, in the Brazilian Amazon. Blood samples were collected from 35 individuals with uncomplicated malaria. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and the cellular proliferation and activation was analysed in presence of 19 kDa fragment of MSP-1 (PvMSP-1(19)) and Plasmodium falciparum PSS1 crude antigen. Antibodies IgE, IgM, IgG and IgG subclass and the levels of TNF, IFN-gamma and IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: the prevalence of activated CD4(+) was greater than CD8(+) T cells, in both ex-vivo and in 96 h culture in presence of PvMSP-1(19) and PSS1 antigen. A low proliferative response against PvMSP-1(19) and PSS1 crude antigen after 96 h culture was observed. High plasmatic levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 as well as lower TNF levels were also detected in malaria patients. However, in the 96 h supernatant culture, the dynamics of cytokine responses differed from those depicted on plasma assays; in presence of PvMSP-1(19) stimulus, higher levels of TNF were noted in supernatant 96 h culture of malaria patient's cells while low levels of IFN-gamma and IL-10 were verified. High frequency of malaria patients presenting antibodies against PvMSP-1(19) was evidenced, regardless class or IgG subclass. PvMSP-1(19)-induced antibodies were predominantly on non-cytophilic subclasses.Conclusions: the results presented here shows that PvMSP-1(19) was able to induce a high cellular activation, leading to production of TNF and emphasizes the high immunogenicity of PvMSP-1(19) in naturally exposed individuals and, therefore, its potential as a malaria vaccine candidate.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ, Brazil)Fiocruz MS, Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Pesquisas Malaria, BR-21040900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilFiocruz MS, Ctr Pesquisa Diagnost & Treinamento Malaria CPD M, Reference Ctr Malaria Extra Amazonian Reg Secreta, BR-21040900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilFiocruz MS, Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Biol Mol & Doencas Endem, BR-21040900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Analises Clin & Toxicol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilSVS, Inst Evandro Chagas, Programa Ensaios Clin Malaria, Belem, Para, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Currents issues in cardiorespiratory care of patients with post-polio syndrome

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Most often, polio survivors experience a gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. The actual incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in individuals suffering from PPS is not known. However, there is a reason to suspect that individuals with PPS might be at increased risk. Method: A search for papers was made in the databases Bireme, Scielo and Pubmed with the following keywords: post polio syndrome, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation in English, French and Spanish languages. Although we targeted only seek current studies on the topic in question, only the relevant (double-blind, randomized-controlled and consensus articles) were considered. Results and Discussion: Certain features of PPS such as generalized fatigue, generalized and specific muscle weakness, joint and/or muscle pain may result in physical inactivity deconditioning obesity and dyslipidemia. Respiratory difficulties are common and may result in hypoxemia. Conclusion: Only when evaluated and treated promptly, somE patients can obtain the full benefits of the use of respiratory muscles aids as far as quality of life is concerned.Ctr Univ Augusto Motta, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Reabilitacao, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Fac Med, Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Psiquiatria, Lab Mapeamento Cerebral & EEG, BR-22290140 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Hosp Univ Antonio Pedro, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilInst Fed Educ Ciencia & Tecnol Rio de Janeiro, Curso Fisioterapia, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Piaui, Parnaiba, PI, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc