Topological Homogeneity for Electron Microscopy Images

In this paper, the concept of homogeneity is defined, from a topological perspective, in order to analyze how uniform is the material composition in 2D electron microscopy images. Topological multiresolution parameters are taken into account to obtain better results than classical techniques.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MTM2016-81030-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-0

Numerical analysis of truss systems with stiffened flattened end-bars.

Circular hollow sections are usually used in long-span roof truss systems. One of the typology for connecting elements in such structures involves the flattening of bar ends. This article presents the numerical analysis of a plane truss composed of circular hollow sections, in which diagonal bars have flattened ends. In this sense, a new flattening typology called stiffened flattening is proposed, characterized by a non-flat geometry, with the creation of stiffeners in the lateral edges of the diagonal flattened ends. The diagonal connecting system with the chord members uses connecting plates. The plates are welded to the chords and the diagonals are connected to latter through a single bolt. The numerical analysis using finite elements method was developed in two stages through ANSYS software with the Parametric Design Language (APDL), in which parameters such as geometry, materials, element types, boundary conditions and loads are specified. A non-linear analysis was performed using shell elements on the chords, diagonals, plates and welds, and contact elements between the diagonals with stiffened flattened ends and the connecting plates. Initially, a numerical study of the connecting node and the stiffened flattened end was performed, and the results directed the modeling of the plane truss. The numerical results were calibrated with the experimental truss results in full scale. The numerical result of the plane truss was also compared to a theoretical study, considering the axial load eccentricity applied in the diagonal with stiffened flattened ends. The study was based on the consideration of combined effects of axial force and bending moment provided by the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 8800:2008. The final results indicate that the numerical model proposed is efficient and has good correlation with the experimental and theoretical results

Speech therapy in food transition from probe to breast in newborn in kangaroo method

Objetivo: Verificar a relação entre idade gestacional e tempo de intervenção fonoaudiológica para início da alimentação via oral, quando utilizada a técnica de transição alimentar da sonda direta para o peito. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo do prontuário médico/fonoaudiológico de 38 recém-nascidos de risco em Unidade Canguru. Foram coletados os seguintes dados: idade gestacional ao nascimento e corrigida, dias de vida, peso ao nascimento e atual, tipo e duração da intervenção fonoaudiológica, volume de dieta por sonda. Utilizou-se o tempo de uso de antibióticos e o suporte ventilatório como critérios de divisão dos recém-nascidos em dois grupos (G1 e G2). Na análise estatística, aplicou-se o teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Resultados: O tempo de intervenção para os recém-nascidos que receberem alta fonoaudiológica não apresentou resultados significativos entre os grupos (G1= 9,35 dias e G2= 10,12 dias), embora a hipótese inicial deste estudo fosse a de que os recém-nascidos do G1 necessitariam de menor período de atendimento fonoaudiológico que os do G2. Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa para o peso ao nascimento, entre G1 (1563,53 g) e G2 (1409,62 g). Conclusão: Quando utilizada a técnica de transição alimentar da sonda direta para o peito, em recém-nascidos de risco com média de idade gestacional semelhante e mesmo tempo de intervenção fonoaudiológica, os bebês demonstraram aptidão para coordenar os movimentos de sucção/respiração/deglutição, e consequentemente, a amamentação efetiva em seio materno exclusivo. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: Purpose: Verify the relationship between gestational age and duration of speech therapy to start oral feeding, when used the technique of feeding transition of the probe directly to the chest. Methods: This is a study of newborn medical/speech records of 38 risk in Kangaroo unit. Were collected: gestational age at birth and corrected days of life, birth weight and current, type and duration of speech therapy, enteral feeding volume. We used time use of antibiotics and ventilatory support as criteria for division of newborns into two groups (G1 and G2). At the statistical analysis was applied the nonparametric test of Mann-Whitney and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Intervention time for newborns were discharged speech showed no significant results between groups (G1 = 9.35 days and G2 = 10.12 days), although the initial hypothesis of this study was that the newborn G1 would require fewer days of speech therapy than the G2. There was statistically significant difference in birth weight between G1 (1563.53 g) and G2 (1409.62 g). Conclusion: It was observed that both groups started speech therapy and oral feeding practically medium of similar gestational ages and both speech intervention, demonstrating ability to coordinate sucking movements/breathing/swallowing, and consequently the effective and exclusive breastfeeding

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated factors among adults in Southern Brazil: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is associated with several upper gastrointestinal disorders. Local data on the epidemiology of the infection are scarce in Brazil. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence rate and to explore the associated factors among the adult population living in Pelotas, a southern Brazilin city. METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Through a multi-stage sampling method all individuals 20 years and over living at the selected households at the urban area of the city were interviewed regarding past and current socio-economic indicators; demographic characteristics; nutritional and behavioural habits; and history of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.Hp infection was ascertained through the (13)C-UBT. Due to the high prevalence, data were analysed through robust Poisson regression. All analyses took into account the family clustering of the data. RESULTS: Among 563 eligible individuals, 363 agreed to perform the (13)C-UBT (refusal rate of 35.5%). Refusals were associated with female sex, consumption of mate drinking, and presence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection was 63.4% (95%CI 59.3%–69.3%). In crude analyses, prevalence was associated with increasing age, non-white skin colour, lower current family income, lower education level, higher size of the family, low socio-economic conditions in childhood, higher number of siblings and attendance to day-care centres in childhood, and presence of dyspeptic symptoms. In adjusted analysis the level of education of the father was inversely associated with the infection, whereas number of siblings and attendance to day-care centre in childhood were directly associated with it. Non-white skin colour remained significantly associated with increased prevalence even after allowing for past and current socio-economic characteristics, age and sex. Compared to non-symptomatic individuals, those reporting dyspeptic symptoms presented a higher prevalence of the infection even after allowing for current and past socio-economic conditions, ethnicity, age, and sex. CONCLUSION: Hp infection is as common among adults in southern Brazil as it is in other developing countries. Socio-economic conditions in childhood besides ethnicity and presence of dyspeptic symptoms were the factors significantly associated with the infection