HIT: a Human-Inspired Trust model

This paper presents a new approach to assign trust levels in ad hoc networks. Our system is inspired by the human concept of trust. The trust level considers the recommendation of trustworthy neighbors and their own experience. For the recommendation computation, we take into account not only the trust level, but also its accuracy and the relationship maturity. We also propose the Recommendation Exchange Protocol (REP), which minimizes the number of exchanged messages. The results show the efficacy of the system and the influence of main parameters.8th IFIP/IEEE International conference on Mobile and Wireless CommunicationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Acumulação de metais pesados pelo uso de insumos agrícolas na microbacia de Caetés, Paty do Alferes, RJ.

O município de Paty do Alferes, localizado na região serrana do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, inserido no bioma Mata Atlântica e com declividade de até 50%, tem exclusivamente a horticultura, com uso intensivo de insumos, como atividade econômica (40% de todo o tomate do estado e um grande percentual de outras hortaliças - repolho, pepino, vagem, pimentão), mas, em função do declínio rápido da produtividade, as áreas estão sendo abandonadas, dando lugar a pastagem com pouco manejo. Diante do diagnóstico do uso excessivo de agroquímicos, este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o seu impacto na contaminação do solo, água, sedimentos e plantas hortícolas por metais pesados na microbacia de Caetés (Paty do Alferes, RJ) e a influência da topografia e do uso agrícola na acumulação de metais pesados. Para tanto selecionaram-se duas toposseqüências de solos representativas da microbacia de Caetés: (a) toposseqüência 1 (T1) apresenta menor declividade e pendente longa, com três formas distintas de uso: capoeira, pasto (antiga área de horticultura) e horticultura atual; (b) na outra (T2), observa-se declividade mais acentuada (45%) e pendente curta, sendo os tipos de uso do solo os mesmos de T1. Notou-se que a contaminação por metais pesados nos solos da microbacia de Caetés concentrou-se onde ocorria a aplicação intensiva de agroquímicos (áreas de horticultura), mas não atingiu os níveis críticos estabelecidos para solos e estava distribuída em formas químicas pouco biodisponíveis (tomate, pimentão, repolho e pepino). A acumulação de metais pesados só não foi maior devido ao terreno ser muito declivoso, o que promoveu um arraste excessivo e contínuo da camada arável, sendo depositado nos córregos pelo uso agrícola inadequado à topografia. Em virtude do processo erosivo, constataram-se nos sedimentos da microbacia de Caetés incrementos nos teores totais de metais pesados de acordo com a posição de coleta na área, todavia esses metais não estavam presentes em formas químicas biodisponíveis. Entretanto, houve contaminação da água do córrego e do açude, que apresentou teor total de Mn e Cd acima dos padrões máximos estabelecidos para água potável.bitstream/item/159432/1/bp05-1998.pdfConvênio Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP), Comunidade Econômica Européia (CEE) e Fundo Nacional de Meio Ambiente (FNMA)

HIT: a Human-Inspired Trust model

This paper presents a new approach to assign trust levels in ad hoc networks. Our system is inspired by the human concept of trust. The trust level considers the recommendation of trustworthy neighbors and their own experience. For the recommendation computation, we take into account not only the trust level, but also its accuracy and the relationship maturity. We also propose the Recommendation Exchange Protocol (REP), which minimizes the number of exchanged messages. The results show the efficacy of the system and the influence of main parameters.8th IFIP/IEEE International conference on Mobile and Wireless CommunicationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Can energy self‑sufficiency be achieved? Case study of Warmińsko‑Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland)

An analysis was carried out to show whether the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland) could become energy selfsufficient. The technical potential of electricity and heat from renewable sources has been calculated. The calculated values are 6.93 TWh/year of electricity and 15.84 PJ/year of heat—these amounts would ensure the energy independence of the Voivodeship. The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship is an example of transformation towards “green” energy, it shows that such transformation is also possible in Poland even in short term. This would reduce air pollution as well as limit the import of energy resources. It is very important, it allows us to think with optimism and implement Poland’s energy transformation towards renewable energy (RE). Additionally, a SWOT analysis of each type of RE in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship was presented. The SWOT analysis makes it possible to identify the strengths, weaknesses, prospects and threats for RE in the Voivodeship and the whole country. It has been found that there is a great interest of investors in RE in the Voivodeship, there is usually a great public support for new energy sources, and the biggest barriers are high investment costs and complicated law in Poland

Topical essential fatty acid oil on wounds: local and systemic effects

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFUNADERM - FUNDO DE APOIO À DERMATOLOGIA DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORBackground The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives is increasing, and approximately one-third of all traditional herbal medicines are intended for wound treatment. Natural products used in these treatments include vegetable oils, which are rich in essential fatty acids. Once in contact with an ulcerative surface, the oil reaches the blood and lymphatic vessels, thus eliciting systemic effects. ObjectiveThis study evaluated the local and possible systemic effects of essential fatty acids (sunflower oil) applied topically to rat wounds. Methods Cutaneous punch wounds (6 mm) were produced on the dorsa of 30 rats. Saline (SS), mineral oil (MO) or essential fatty acid (EFA) solutions were applied topically. Healing was evaluated after 2, 4 and 10 days (n = 5 per group) by visual and histological/morphometric examination, second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, and cytokine and growth factor quantification in the scar tissue (real-time PCR) and in serum (ELISA). Results MO/EFA-treated animals had higher IGF-1, leptin, IL-6 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression and lower serum IL-6 levels than the control (SS/MO) animals. SHG analysis showed no difference in collagen density between the animals treated with MO and EFA. Conclusion EFA treatment induces topical (observed by local IGF-1, leptin, IL-6 and IFN-gamma production) and systemic effects, lowering IL-6 levels in the serum. As the oil is widely used to shorten ulcer healing time, studies are needed to evaluate the treatment safety and possible undesired effects.141115FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFUNADERM - FUNDO DE APOIO À DERMATOLOGIA DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFUNADERM - FUNDO DE APOIO À DERMATOLOGIA DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL E NÍVEL SUPERIOR07/59319-5015/2014043/201601P-04520-201

Анализ конкурентных стратегических альтернатив на основе построения сегментной карты

This study investigated whether subablative-pulsed CO(2) laser (10.6 mu m) irradiation, using fluences lower than 1 J/cm(2), was capable of reducing enamel acid solubility. Fifty-one samples of bovine dental enamel were divided into three groups: control group, which was not irradiated (CG); group laser A (LA) irradiated with 0.3 J/cm ; and group laser B (LB) irradiated with 0.7 J/cm(2). After irradiation, the samples were subjected to demineralization in an acetate buffer solution and were then analyzed by SEM. A finite-element model was used to calculate the temperature increase. The calcium and phosphorous content in the demineralization solution were measured with an ICP-OES. ANOVA and the t-test pairwise comparison (p < 0.016) revealed that LB showed significantly lower mean Ca and P content values in the demineralization solution than other groups. A reduction in the enamel solubility can be obtained with pulsed CO(2) laser irradiation (0.7 J/cm(2), 135 mJ/pulse, 74 Hz, 100 mu s) without any surface photomodification and a less than 2 degrees C temperature increase at a 3-mm depth from the surface

Fyn Mediates Leptin Actions in the Thymus of Rodents

BACKGROUND:Several effects of leptin in the immune system rely on its capacity to modulate cytokine expression and apoptosis in the thymus. Surprisingly, some of these effects are dependent on signal transduction through the IRS1/PI3-kinase, but not on the activation of JAK2. Since all the well known effects of leptin in different cell types and tissues seem to be dependent on JAK2 activation, we hypothesized that, at least for the control of thymic function, another, unknown kinase could mediate the transduction of the leptin signal from the ObR towards the IRS1/PI3-kinase signaling cascade. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Here, by employing immunoblot, real-time PCR and flow citometry we show that the tyrosine kinase, Fyn, is constitutively associated with the ObR in thymic cells. Following a leptin stimulus, Fyn undergoes an activating tyrosine phosphorylation and a transient association with IRS1. All these effects are independent of JAK2 activation and, upon Fyn inhibition, the signal transduction towards IRS1/PI3-kinase is abolished. In addition, the inhibition of Fyn significantly modifies the effects of leptin on thymic cytokine expression. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:Therefore, in the thymus, Fyn acts as a tyrosine kinase that transduces the leptin signal independently of JAK2 activation, and mediates some of the immunomodulatory effects of leptin in this tissue

Detection of epithelial apoptosis in pelvic ileal pouches for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) and for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) with many rectal polyps. Pouchitis is one of the more frequent complications after IPAA in UC patients; however, it is rare in FAP.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Evaluate pro-apoptotic activity in endoscopically and histological normal mucosa of the ileal pouch in patients with UC and FAP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eighteen patients (nine with UC and nine with FAP) with J pouch after total rectocolectomy were studied. Biopsies were obtained from the mucosa of the pouch and from normal ileum. The specimens were snap-frozen and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by immunoblot of protein extracts and by immunohistochemistry analysis. FADD, Caspase-8, APAF-1 and Caspase-9 were evaluated by immunoprecipitation and immunoblot.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients with UC had significantly higher protein levels of Bax and APAF-1, Caspase-9 than patients with FAP, but were similar to controls. The expressions of Bcl-2 and FADD, Caspase-8 were similar in the groups. Immunohistochemistry for Bax showed less intensity of immunoreactions in FAP than in UC and Controls. Bcl-2 immunostaining was similar among the groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with FAP present lower levels of pro-apoptotic proteins in all methods applied, even in the absence of clinical and endoscopic pouchitis and dysplasia in the histological analysis. These findings may explain a tendency of up-regulation of apoptosis in UC patients, resulting in higher rates of progression to pouchitis in these patients, which could correlate with mucosal atrophy that occurs in inflamed tissue. However, FAP patients had low pro-apoptotic activity in the mucosa, and it could explain the tendency to low cell turn over and presence of adenomas in this syndrome.</p