Speech Quality Classifier Model based on DBN that Considers Atmospheric Phenomena

Current implementations of 5G networks consider higher frequency range of operation than previous telecommunication networks, and it is possible to offer higher data rates for different applications. On the other hand, atmospheric phenomena could have a more negative impact on the transmission quality. Thus, the study of the transmitted signal quality at high frequencies is relevant to guaranty the user ́s quality of experience. In this research, the recommendations ITU-R P.838-3 and ITU-R P.676-11 are implemented in a network scenario, which are methodologies to estimate the signal degradations originated by rainfall and atmospheric gases, respectively. Thus, speech signals are encoded by the AMR-WB codec, transmitted and the perceptual speech quality is evaluated using the algorithm described in ITU-T Rec. P.863, mostly known as POLQA. The novelty of this work is to propose a non-intrusive speech quality classifier that considers atmospheric phenomena. This classifier is based on Deep Belief Networks (DBN) that uses Support Vector Machine (SVM) with radial basis function kernel (RBF-SVM) as classifier, to identify five predefined speech quality classes. Experimental Results show that the proposed speech quality classifier reached an accuracy between 92% and 95% for each quality class overcoming the results obtained by the sole non-intrusive standard described in ITU-T Recommendation P.563. Furthermore, subjective tests are carried out to validate the proposed classifier performance, and it reached an accuracy of 94.8%

Integralidade do cuidado na oferta e utilização de serviços da Atenção Primária à Saúde

Aim: To analyze the prevalence and associated factors of integrality care perceived by adults in primary health care services of the 32 municipalities that make up the 4th Regional Health Coordination of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (4th CRS/RS). Methods: This is a multilevel cross-sectional study. The sample size calculation was for representativeness of the 4th CRS/RS and reached a minimum sample of 1,076 individuals. Data collection took place between January and August 2015. The contextual level data sources were taken from the Ministry of Health and the individual level variables aredata from the PCATooL adult version instrument. To explain the relationships between the variables, a theoretical model was elaborated, organizing the dimensions and levels. Data were analyzed using Stata 11 software. Results: We found an association of integrality with variables of both individual and contextual levels. Conclusion: It can be evidenced that the overall prevalence of integralityin the evaluated services was relatively low (16.9%). It is understood that further longitudinal studies and evaluative research are needed incorporating contextual factors regarding health services.Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade dos serviços ofertados pela Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) à população negra. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal com abordagem quantitativa, realizado nos serviços da APS de um município do oeste de Santa Catarina. Os participantes foram 88 usuários dos serviços que se autodeclararam negros. Para coleta de dados, aplicou-se um questionário de caracterização e o Instrumento de Avaliação da Atenção Primária, PCATool-Brasil, versão adulto reduzida, no período de junho a outubro de 2021. Os dados foram submetidos à análise descritiva e analítica. Os participantes avaliaram os atributos da APS aquém do ideal, com médias de 5,91 no Escore Geral, 6,04 no Escore Essencial e 5,01 no Escore Derivado. Apenas o Acesso de primeiro contato – utilização e Longitudinalidade e a variável Grau de Afiliação atingiram médias consideradas satisfatórias. Ter algum problema de saúde apresentou relação significativa nas melhores avaliações do escore geral (6,43; p=0,004) e essencial (6,57; p=0,006), apesar de insatisfatórias. Conclui-se a necessidade de melhoria dos serviços da APS para a população negra, especialmente na ruptura das barreiras de acesso e acolhimento integral, visando à diminuição das iniquidades étnico-raciais em saúde de forma a mitigar o racismo institucional

Synaptic GluN2B/CaMKII-α signaling induces synapto-nuclear transport of ERK and Jacob

A central pathway in synaptic plasticity couples N-Methyl-D-Aspartate-receptor (NMDAR)-signalling to the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) cascade. ERK-dependency has been demonstrated for several forms of synaptic plasticity as well as learning and memory and includes local synaptic processes but also long-distance signalling to the nucleus. It is, however, controversial how NMDAR signals are connected to ERK activation in dendritic spines and nuclear import of ERK. The synapto-nuclear messenger Jacob couples NMDAR-dependent Ca2+-signalling to CREB-mediated gene expression. Protein transport of Jacob from synapse to nucleus essentially requires activation of GluN2B-containing NMDARs. Subsequent phosphorylation and binding of ERK1/2 to and ERK-dependent phosphorylation of serine 180 in Jacob encodes synaptic but not extrasynaptic NMDAR activation. In this study we show that stimulation of synaptic NMDAR in hippocampal primary neurons and induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in acute slices results in GluN2B-dependent activation of CaMKII-α and subsequent nuclear import of active ERK and serine 180 phosphorylated Jacob. On the contrary, no evidence was found that either GluN2A-containing NMDAR or RasGRF2 are upstream of ERK activation and nuclear import of Jacob and ERK

BIOMARCADORES DA DOENÇA DE PARKINSON: UMA META-ANÁLISE BIOMARKERS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A META-ANALYSIS

A doença de Parkinson (DP) é uma encefalopatia neurodegenerativa com forte influência genética e ambiental. Este estudo propõe relacionar  a susceptibilidade da doença com fatores ambientais e diferentes polimorfismos genéticos associados ao gene SNCA, principal gene responsável pela progressão da doença.  Trata-se de um estudo in Silico com os polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNP) do gene SNCA (rs356220, rs2583988, rs356219, rs2736990, rs356182, rs356168, rs11931074, rs3822086). Os dados obtidos com análise do software SNPstats mostram um Desequilíbrio de Ligação (DL), D'> 0,98, entre o SNP rs11931074 e os outros SNP. Os principais fatores ambientais relacionados aos SNP no desenvolvimento da DP são café, pesticida, falta de exercício cognitivo, álcool e fumo. Este estudo sugere que o SNP rs11931074 pode ser utilizado como TAG SNP após análise insilico em uma população hipotética.BIOMARKERS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE: A META-ANALYSISABSTRACTParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative encephalopathy with a strong genetic and environmental influence. The present study proposes to relate the susceptibility of the disease to environmental factors and different geneticpolymorphisms associated with the SNCA gene, the main gene responsible for the progression of the disease. It is an in Silico study with the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the SNCA gene (rs356220, rs2583988, rs356219, rs2736990, rs356182, rs356168, rs11931074, rs3822086). The data obtained with analysis of the SNPstats software show a Link Imbalance (DL), D ‘> 0.98, between the SNP rs11931074 and the other SNP. The main environmental factors related to SNPs in the development of PD are coffee, pesticide, lack of cognitive exercise, alcohol and smoking. This study suggests that SNP rs11931074 can be used as TAG SNP after in silico analysis in a hypothetical population

Atividades antioxidante e inibitória da acetil colinesterase do extrato das folhas de Hymenaea rubriflora / Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhbition activity from Hymenaea rubriflora Ducke (Fabaceae) leaf extract

Hymenaea rubriflora is an endemic and edible plant from tropical weather, especially present in Brazilian flora and have been reported as medicinal plant in ethnobotanical studies. There has been less previous evidence regarding its biological application, therefore, to overcome this problem the present work aimed to evaluate whether the metabolites of Hymenaea rubriflora host antioxidant and anti- acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. To investigate these activities a whole range of different approaches as phytochemical screening, lipidic peroxidation, DPPH scavenging and total antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay were used. The analysis found evidence for the presence of different secondary metabolites, among them: phenolic compounds (at 286.02 ± 1.75 GAE/mg.DW concentration), flavonoids ( at 23.19 ± 2.38 QE/mg.DW concentration), known as natural antioxidants and highlighted its effectiveness as AChE inhibitor, being able to inhibit AChE activity in 96% on 10 mg/mL. In this study we provide insights of H. rubriflora extract as an alternative antioxidant and AchE inhibitor agent, relevant to the context of neurological disorders and cognitive processes.

DISTÚRBIOS NEUROLÓGICOS ASSOCIADOS COM O PÓS-COVID-19 UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA

This review study is important to elucidate the effects of the virus on the central nervous system, allowing greater knowledge about the effect of the virus and how some neurological disorders develop after contamination by Covid-19. Although much research is being done on the current pandemic, there is still much to be studied to ensure the health of the population. Some symptoms of this virus can be confused with other diseases, but their identification is made only by laboratory means. The present study can contribute to research and assist in the process of disseminating knowledge to identify possible pathologies associated with the disease. This work can be deepened, contributing with new research and knowledge about this topic.Este estudio de revisión es importante para dilucidar los efectos del virus en el sistema nervioso central, permitiendo un mayor conocimiento sobre el efecto del virus y cómo se desarrollan algunos trastornos neurológicos después de la contaminación por Covid-19. Aunque se está investigando mucho sobre la pandemia actual, aún queda mucho por estudiar para garantizar la salud de la población. Algunos síntomas de este virus pueden confundirse con otras enfermedades, pero su identificación se realiza únicamente por medios de laboratorio. El presente estudio puede contribuir a la investigación y auxiliar en el proceso de difusión del conocimiento para identificar posibles patologías asociadas a la enfermedad. Este trabajo puede ser profundizado, aportando nuevas investigaciones y conocimientos sobre este tema.Este estudo de revisão é importante para elucidar os efeitos do vírus no sistema nervoso central, possibilitando maior conhecimento sobre o efeito do vírus e como se desenvolve alguns distúrbios neurológicos após a contaminação por Covid-19. Embora muitas pesquisas estejam sendo feitas sobre a atual pandemia, ainda há muito que ser estudado para garantir a saúde da população. Alguns sintomas deste vírus podem ser confundidos com outras doenças, mas sua identificação é feita somente por meios laboratoriais. O presente estudo pode contribuir com pesquisas e auxiliar no processo de disseminação de conhecimentos para identificar possíveis patologias associadas a doença. Este trabalho pode ser aprofundado, contribuindo com novas pesquisas e conhecimentos acerca deste tema. &nbsp

LIBERDADE ACADÊMICA EM TEMPOS DIFÍCEIS: DIÁLOGOS BRASIL E ESTADOS UNIDOS

This paper intends to discuss the academic freedom, its role and its possible limits and borders, from the paradigm of the Democratic Constitutional State, as configured in our constitutional text of October 1988. The discussion focuses on the relationship between the critical and investigative role expected of the Universities and of its members in relation to the so-called legislative proposals of the Escola Sem Partido movement. Hence, it explores if these proposals do not offend the constitutional freedom of professors, students, technicians and researchers, in addition to the higher education institutions themselves, when subjects that gravitate around their roles and responsibilities are taken into account. For this purpose, keeping in mind our own constitutional context, we decided to use Comparative Law, focusing on decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States that deal with the same issue addressed here. The analysis indicates that academic freedom has an essential and constitutionally recognized role in the Constitutional Democracy.O artigo busca trabalhar a liberdade acadêmica, seu papel e seus possíveis limites e fronteiras, a partir do paradigma do Estado Democrático de Direito, como configurado em nosso texto constitucional de outubro de 1988. O enfoque se dá na relação entre o papel crítico e investigativo esperado das Universidades e de seus membros, diante das chamadas propostas legislativas do movimento Escola Sem Partido. Isto é, perguntamos se estas propostas não ofenderiam a liberdade constitucional de professores, alunos, técnicos e pesquisadores, além das próprias instituições de ensino superior, quanto a assuntos que gravitam em torno de suas funções e responsabilidades. Para este fim, sem olvidarmos de nosso próprio contexto constitucional, decidimos dialogar com o direito comparado, principalmente com o cenário estadunidense e certas decisões da Suprema Corte dos Estados Unidos que lidam com a mesma temática aqui abordada. Conclui-se que a liberdade acadêmica tem um papel essencial, constitucionalmente reconhecido, no Estado Democrático de Direito.

The Anxiolytic Activity of <i>Schinus terebinthifolia</i> Leaf Lectin (SteLL) Is Dependent on Monoaminergic Signaling although Independent of the Carbohydrate-Binding Domain of the Lectin

The potential of plant lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins) for the treatment of neurological disorders such as anxiety and depression has started to be reported in the last few years. Schinus terebinthifolia leaves contain a lectin called SteLL, which has displayed antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antitumor, and analgesic activities. However, the effects of SteLL on the Central Nervous System (CNS) have not yet been determined. In this study, we investigated the in vivo anxiolytic effect of SteLL in mice using the open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. In the OF, SteLL (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, i.p.) did not interfere with the number of crossings but significantly reduced the number of rearings. In the EPM, SteLL 4 mg/kg and the combination SteLL (1 mg/kg) plus diazepam (1 mg/kg) significantly increased the time spent in the open arms while reducing the time spent in the closed arms. The anxiolytic effect of SteLL did not seem to be dependent on the carbohydrate-binding domain of the lectin. Nevertheless, the SteLL effect in the EPM was reversed by the pretreatment with the pharmacological antagonists of the α2-adrenoceptor, 5-HT2A/2C serotonin receptor, and the D1 dopamine receptor. Overall, our results suggest that the anxiolytic effect of SteLL is dependent on the monoaminergic signaling cascade

Diminuição dos Níveis Séricos do Receptor Solúvel da Oncostatina M (sOSMR) e Glicoproteína 130 (sgp130) em Pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana

Resumo Fundamento A oncostatina M (OSM) é uma citocina pleiotrópica que, após lesão arterial, demonstra ser expressa rapidamente. Objetivos Correlacionar os níveis séricos da OSM, do receptor solúvel de oncostatina M (sOSMR) e da fração solúvel de glicoproteína 130 (sgp130) em pacientes com doença arterial coronariana (DAC) a parâmetros clínicos. Métodos Os níveis de sOSMR e sgp130 foram avaliados por ELISA, enquanto os de OSM foram avaliados por Western Blot, em pacientes com SCC (n=100), pacientes com SCA (n=70) e 64 voluntários do grupo de controle sem manifestações clínicas da doença. Valores de p <0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados Pacientes com DAC exibiram níveis significativamente mais baixos de sOSMR e sgp130 e níveis mais altos de OSM em comparação ao grupo de controle (ambos p <0,0001). A análise clínica mostrou níveis mais baixos de sOSMR em homens ([OR] = 2,05, p = 0,026), jovens (OR = 1,68, p = 0,0272), hipertensos (OR = 2,19, p = 0,041), fumantes (OR = 2,19, p = 0,017), pacientes que não apresentavam dislipidemia (OR = 2,32, p = 0,013), pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio [IAM] (OR = 3,01, p = 0,001) e pacientes não tratados com estatina (OR = 1,95, p = 0,031), antiplaquetário (OR = 2,46, p = 0,005), inibidores dos canais de cálcio (OR = 3,15, p = 0,028) e antidiabéticos (OR = 2,97, p = 0,005). Os níveis de sOSMR também foram correlacionados a sexo, idade, hipertensão e uso de medicamentos na análise multivariada. Conclusões Nossos dados sugerem que o aumento dos níveis séricos de OSM e a diminuição dos níveis de sOSMR e sGP130 em pacientes com injúria cardíaca podem desempenhar um papel importante no mecanismo fisiopatológico da doença. Além disso, níveis mais baixos de sOSMR foram associados a sexo, idade, hipertensão e uso de medicamentos