On Phase Transitions for PP-Adic Potts Model with Competing Interactions on a Cayley Tree

In the paper we considere three state $p$-adic Potts model with competing interactions on a Cayley tree of order two. We reduce a problem of describing of the $p$-adic Gibbs measures to the solution of certain recursive equation, and using it we will prove that a phase transition occurs if and only if $p=3$ for any value (non zero) of interactions. As well, we completely solve the uniqueness problem for the considered model in a $p$-adic context. Namely, if $p\neq 3$ then there is only a unique Gibbs measure the model.Comment: 12 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of the '2nd International Conference on p-Adic Mathematical Physics' (Belgrade, 15-21 September 2005) published by AIP Conference Proceeding

Concordancia entre el decir y el hacer

La autora hace un inteligente planteamiento de la crisis social como repercusión del desplazamiento a la nueva economía mundial. Abre el panorama de los escenarios posibles, sin descuidar el aspecto laboral, tan poco atendido en los tiempos actuales

The re-organization of action in golf putting under different task constraints

Background: The behaviours of golfers could be interpreted as emergent, resulting from the cyclical relations of perception-action couplings established under the interacting constraints of competitive performance environments. Underpinned by an ecological dynamics approach, the aim of this study was to investigate how a simple adaptation of task constraints constrained the (re)organization of putting actions in skilled golfers. Methods: Ten skilled golfers, male and right-handed (42.6 ± 14.4 years old) (average handicap of 2.3 ± 1.7) were investigated when putting at different distances from the hole. Results: Our results have revealed how the coupling of perception and action captures the mutual relationship that emerges between a performance environment and each golfer’s abilities, during task performance. In this sense, the manipulation of distance constraints selectively constrained movement organization variables in specific ways. As distance to the hole increased, there was a clear increment in backswing, downswing and follow-through amplitude, speed of putter impact on the ball and maximum acceleration of the putting movement. Moreover, heart rate (HR) decreased with distance to the hole, which may have indicated that a golfer was adapting to increasing distance constraints, or that a greater distance from the hole may require a greater attentional focus. Conclusions: Underpinned by an ecological dynamics approach, these and other findings in our study suggested some regularities in the behaviour of golfers when environmental constraints (e.g., distance) are manipulated. Thus, golfers’ behaviours can be interpreted as an emergent process resulting from the perception-action coupling relations established during practice and performance

Prevalência de perda auditiva, e fatores associados, em pacientes com doença renal crônica em tratamento conservador

Introduction: Hearing loss is an increasingly condition seen in the population. It is found with greater frequency in some specific groups such as elderly people, people with systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Evidence suggests increased prevalence of hearing loss in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), however studies in the brazilian population with CKD are scarce. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss in a population of patients with chronic kidney disease non dyalitic and associated factors. Material and methods: We used a convenience sample of patients with CKD (n = 159), aged 18 to 65 years in multidisciplinary healthcare service. The auditory acuity was assessed by pure-tone audiometry threshold and by the questionnaire WHO Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol for a Population-Based Survey of Prevalence and Causes of Deafness and Hearing Impairment and other Ear Diseases translated and validated into Portuguese. We collected demographic and clinical data, also carried out otoscopy, and dosage of biochemical markers and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17. Results: In the analyses we checked the prevalence of 25,16% of hearing loss among the participants. In our study we did not find any association between the progression of the stages of CKD and the increase of the prevalence of hearing impairment, nor with its severity. The blood markers analyses, isolated or in association to CKD stages, were not able to establish a relation between the progression of stage of chronic kidney disease and hearing loss. Conclusions: The prevalence of hearing loss in this study is 25,16%. It is recommended that strategies be implemented for the prevention and reversal of this situation in this target group.Introdução: A perda auditiva (PA) é uma condição cada vez mais observada na população. É encontrada com maior frequência em alguns grupos específicos como em idosos, portadores de hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabetes mellitus. Evidências sugerem aumento da prevalência de PA em pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC), entretanto estudos na população brasileira com DRC pré-dialítica são escassos. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de perda auditiva em uma população de pacientes com doença renal crônica não dialítica e fatores associados. Material e métodos: Foi utilizada uma amostra por conveniência de pacientes com DRC não dialítica (n=159), com idade de 18 a 65 anos, em tratamento ambulatorial multidisciplinar. A acuidade auditiva foi avaliada pela audiometria tonal limiar e pelo questionário da WHO (Ear and Hearing Disorders Survey Protocol for a Population-Based Survey of Prevalence and Causes of Deafness and Hearing Impairment and other Ear Diseases) traduzido e validado para o português. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos e clínicos, realizada ainda otoscopia, e dosagem de marcadores bioquímicos e citocinas inflamatórias TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17. Resultados: Nas análises, verificou-se a prevalência de 25,16% de perda auditiva neurossensorial entre os participantes. No estudo, não foi encontrada nenhuma associação entre a progressão dos estágios da DRC e o aumento de prevalência da PA, tampouco com a sua gravidade. Os marcadores sanguíneos avaliados, isoladamente ou associados à progressão do estágio da DRC, não se relacionaram à perda auditiva neurossensorial. Conclusões: Verifica-se que a prevalência de déficit auditivo na população estudada foi de 25,16%. Aconselha-se que estratégias sejam implementadas para prevenção e reversão dessa situação nesta população. &nbsp

Overactive bladder-18 years - Part II

Traditionally, the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome has been based on the use of oral medications with the purpose of reestablishing the detrusor stability. The recent better understanding of the urothelial physiology fostered conceptual changes, and the oral anticholinergics - pillars of the overactive bladder pharmacotherapy - started to be not only recognized for their properties of inhibiting the detrusor contractile activity, but also their action on the bladder afference, and therefore, on the reduction of the symptoms that constitute the syndrome. Beta-adrenergic agonists, which were recently added to the list of drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder, still wait for a definitive positioning - as either a second-line therapy or an adjuvant to oral anticholinergics. Conservative treatment failure, whether due to unsatisfactory results or the presence of adverse side effects, define it as refractory overactive bladder. In this context, the intravesical injection of botulinum toxin type A emerged as an effective option for the existing gap between the primary measures and more complex procedures such as bladder augmentation. Sacral neuromodulation, described three decades ago, had its indication reinforced in this overactive bladder era. Likewise, the electric stimulation of the tibial nerve is now a minimally invasive alternative to treat those with refractory overactive bladder. The results of the systematic literature review on the oral pharmacological treatment and the treatment of refractory overactive bladder gave rise to this second part of the review article Overactive Bladder - 18 years, prepared during the 1st Latin-American Consultation on Overactive Bladder.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Dept Urol, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFac Med ABC, Dept Urol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Los Andes, Dept Urol, Bogota, ColombiaEscuela Med Mil, Dept Urol, Mexico City, DF, MexicoHosp Clin Jose San Martin, Catedra Urol, Buenos Aires, DF, ArgentinaMae de Deus Ctr Hosp, Dept Urol, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Ciencias Saude Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilAC Camargo Hosp, Dept Urol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Clinico Fuerza Area Chile, Santiago, ChileInst Mexicano Seguro Social, Mexico City, DF, MexicoHosp Souza Aguiar, Dept Urol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilComplejo Med Policial Churruca Visca, Serv Urol, Buenos Aires, DF, ArgentinaCtr Policlin Valencia Vina, Valencia, VenezuelaHosp Pablo Tobon Uribe, Medellin, ColombiaClin Indisa, Serv Urol, Providencia, ChileCtr Reabilitacao & Readaptacao Dr Henriqe Santill, Goiania, Go, BrazilHosp Univ Caracas, Serv Urol, Caracas, VenezuelaUniv Fed Ceara, Div Urol, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, EPM, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc