A comparison of univariate methods for forecasting electricity demand up to a day ahead

This empirical paper compares the accuracy of six univariate methods for short-term electricity demand forecasting for lead times up to a day ahead. The very short lead times are of particular interest as univariate methods are often replaced by multivariate methods for prediction beyond about six hours ahead. The methods considered include the recently proposed exponential smoothing method for double seasonality and a new method based on principal component analysis (PCA). The methods are compared using a time series of hourly demand for Rio de Janeiro and a series of half-hourly demand for England and Wales. The PCA method performed well, but, overall, the best results were achieved with the exponential smoothing method, leading us to conclude that simpler and more robust methods, which require little domain knowledge, can outperform more complex alternatives

TP53-inducible Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR) Metabolically Reprograms Carcinoma and Stromal Cells in Breast Cancer.

A subgroup of breast cancers has several metabolic compartments. The mechanisms by which metabolic compartmentalization develop in tumors are poorly characterized. TP53 inducible glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) is a bisphosphatase that reduces glycolysis and is highly expressed in carcinoma cells in the majority of human breast cancers. Hence we set out to determine the effects of TIGAR expression on breast carcinoma and fibroblast glycolytic phenotype and tumor growth. The overexpression of this bisphosphatase in carcinoma cells induces expression of enzymes and transporters involved in the catabolism of lactate and glutamine. Carcinoma cells overexpressing TIGAR have higher oxygen consumption rates and ATP levels when exposed to glutamine, lactate, or the combination of glutamine and lactate. Coculture of TIGAR overexpressing carcinoma cells and fibroblasts compared with control cocultures induce more pronounced glycolytic differences between carcinoma and fibroblast cells. Carcinoma cells overexpressing TIGAR have reduced glucose uptake and lactate production. Conversely, fibroblasts in coculture with TIGAR overexpressing carcinoma cells induce HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) activation with increased glucose uptake, increased 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 (PFKFB3), and lactate dehydrogenase-A expression. We also studied the effect of this enzyme on tumor growth. TIGAR overexpression in carcinoma cells increases tumor growth in vivo with increased proliferation rates. However, a catalytically inactive variant of TIGAR did not induce tumor growth. Therefore, TIGAR expression in breast carcinoma cells promotes metabolic compartmentalization and tumor growth with a mitochondrial metabolic phenotype with lactate and glutamine catabolism. Targeting TIGAR warrants consideration as a potential therapy for breast cancer

Comparação da incidência de lesões e dor entre praticantes de CrossFit® e praticantes de treinamento com pesos

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, even with the high demand for activities such as CrossFit®, traditional weight training (WT) is still the most popular method for individuals of all age groups. Although it is an activity with a potential risk of pain and injury, when not properly guided and executed, some professionals believe it to be less harmful or aggressive when compared to CrossFit®, due to the lower impact exercises. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of injuries and pain between individuals practicing CrossFit® and those practicing WT. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, an interview was performed via an online platform, in which 96 individuals who practiced WT and 99 individuals who practiced CrossFit® were evaluated on the modality practiced and history of pain and injuries. Student’s t-test for independent samples was used to investigate a possible difference in incidence rates between the groups.RESULTS: No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was found regarding the presence and/or number of injuries between CrossFit® practitioners and WT practitioners. There was also no difference (p>0.05) between the groups regarding the onset of pain after starting to practice and its intensity, as well as its return, interruption, or reduction.CONCLUSION: This study showed that both individuals practicing CrossFit® and individuals practicing WT have similar injury and pain conditions. Thus, although CrossFit® is considered a high-impact activity practiced at high intensities, it can be practiced safely, provided it is properly monitored.INTRODUÇÃO: Atualmente, mesmo com a alta procura por atividades como o CrossFit®, o treinamento com pesos (TP) tradicional ainda é a metodologia mais procurada por indivíduos de todas as faixas etárias. Embora seja uma atividade com também potencial risco de dor e lesões, quando não bem orientada e executada, alguns profissionais acreditam ser menos lesiva ou agressiva quando comparado ao CrossFit®, devido à realização de exercícios de menor impacto.OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as incidências de lesões e dores entre os indivíduos praticantes de CrossFit® e os indivíduos praticantes de TP. MÉTODOS: Para o presente estudo transversal, uma entrevista foi realizada via plataforma online, onde foram avaliados 96 indivíduos praticantes de TP e 99 praticantes de CrossFit®. sobre a modalidade praticada e histórico de dor e lesões. Teste “t” de Student para amostras independentes foi utilizado para investigar uma possível diferença entre as taxas de incidência entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa (p>0,05) com relação à presença e/ou número de lesões entre os praticantes de CrossFit® e os praticantes de TP. Também não foi encontrada diferença (p>0,05) entre os grupos, em relação ao surgimento de dor após início da prática e sua intensidade, bem como para retorno, interrupção ou redução da mesma.CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo evidenciou que tanto indivíduos praticantes de CrossFit®, como indivíduos praticantes de TP apresentam quadros de lesão e dor semelhantes. Dessa forma, embora seja uma atividade considerada de alto impacto, praticada em elevadas intensidades, o CrossFit® pode ser praticado com segurança, desde que com acompanhamento adequado

Rackham: An Interactive Robot-Guide

International audienceRackham is an interactive robot-guide that has been used in several places and exhibitions. This paper presents its design and reports on results that have been obtained after its deployment in a permanent exhibition. The project is conducted so as to incrementally enhance the robot functional and decisional capabilities based on the observation of the interaction between the public and the robot. Besides robustness and efficiency in the robot navigation abilities in a dynamic environment, our focus was to develop and test a methodology to integrate human-robot interaction abilities in a systematic way. We first present the robot and some of its key design issues. Then, we discuss a number of lessons that we have drawn from its use in interaction with the public and how that will serve to refine our design choices and to enhance robot efficiency and acceptability

Effects of the Kinesio® Taping on the gait of stroke subjects: a systematic review with meta-analysis

El Kinesio® Taping (KT) que esta siendo utilizado en la rehabilitación de pacientes post-accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) y varios estudios recientes tienen investigado sus efectos en la marcha de estes individuos, reportándose resultados promisores. Se investigó por medio de una revisión sistemática de la literatura, los efectos de uso del KT en la marcha de individuos post-ACV. Las búsquedas fueron realizadas en las bases de datos Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, LILACS y PEDro, sin restricción de fecha o lengua de publicación. Los artículos fueron elejidos de forma independiente por dos evaluadores y desacuerdos fueron resueltos por un tercero. La calidad metodológica fue evaluada de acuerdo con la escala PEDro. Cuando posible, las medidas de conclusión fueron analizadas utilizando el programa Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, versión 3.0. Fueron incluidos 15 estudios de calidad metodológica baja a moderada (media de 4,7). Para velocidad de marcha, fueron incluidos en el meta-análisis siete estudios de calidade metodológica baja a moderada que, bajo el modelo de efectos fijos, se observió que el KT aumentó significativamente la velocidad de marcha de los individuos post-ACV en 0,05 m/s (95% IC 0,002 a 0,100; I2=0%; p;0,05). Esta revisión sistemática de la literatura demostró que aun no existan evidencias sobre el uso del KT en la rehabilitación de pacientes post-ACV con el objectivo de mejorar la marcha. Aunque velocidad de marcha, según el meta-análisis, tenga presentado un gano estadisticamente significativo, su valor no pudo ser considerado clinicamente relevante para los pacientes.O Kinesio® Taping (KT) vem sendo utilizado na reabilitação de pacientes pós-acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) e vários estudos recentes têm investigado seus efeitos na marcha destes indivíduos, reportando resultados promissores. Investigou-se, por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, os efeitos do uso do KT na marcha de indivíduos pós-AVE. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, LILACS e PEDro, sem restrição de data ou idioma de publicação. Os artigos foram selecionados de forma independente por dois avaliadores e discordâncias foram resolvidas por um terceiro. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada de acordo com a escala PEDro. Quando possível, as medidas de desfecho foram analisadas utilizando o programa Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, Versão 3.0. Foram incluídos quinze estudos de qualidade metodológica baixa a moderada (média de 4,7). Para velocidade de marcha, foram incluídos na metanálise sete estudos de qualidade metodológica baixa a moderada que, sob o modelo de efeitos fixos, encontrou que o KT aumentou significativamente a velocidade de marcha dos indivíduos pós-AVE em 0,05 m/s (95% IC 0,002 a 0,100; I2 = 0%; p;0,05). Esta revisão sistemática da literatura demonstrou que ainda não existem evidências sobre o uso do KT na reabilitação de pacientes pós-AVE com o objetivo de melhorar a marcha. Embora a velocidade de marcha, segundo a metanálise, tenha apresentado um ganho estatisticamente significativo, seu valor não pode ser considerado clinicamente relevante para os pacientes.Kinesio Taping (KT) has been used in the rehabilitation of post CVA patients and several recent studies have investigated its effects on the gait of these subjects, reporting promising results. We investigated the effects of the use of KT in the gait of stroke subjects through a systematic review of the literature. Searches were conducted on databases Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, LILACS and PEDro, without restrictions of date or language of publication. The articles were screened independently by two evaluators and disagreements were resolved by a third party. Methodological quality was assessed according to PEDro scale. When possible, outcome measures were analyzed using the program Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 3.0. We included 15 studies of low to moderate methodological quality (mean 4.7). For gait speed, we included 7 studies of low to moderate methodological quality in the meta-analysis that, under the model of fixed effects, found that the KT significantly increased the gait speed of post-stroke subjects in 0.05 m/s (95%CI 0.002 to 0.100; I2=0%; p;0.05). This systematic literature review showed there are still no evidence about the use of KT in rehabilitation of post-stroke patients in order to improve the gait. Although gait speed, according to the meta-analysis, have shown a statistically significant gain, its value cannot be considered clinically relevant to patients

Taxa de incontinência urinária em mulheres praticantes de CrossFit, comparada com mulheres praticantes de outras modalidades esportivas e mulheres sedentárias

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of urinary incontinence in women who practice CrossFit, women who practice other sports and sedentary women. METHODS: 232 individuals were interviewed for this cross-sectional observational study, being 72 women practitioners of CrossFit®, 78 women practitioners of other sports, and 82 sedentary women. Online questionnaires were applied, including questions such as: age, height, weight, children and quantity, type of childbirth, previous pelvic surgery, practice of physical activity, modality, and occurrence of frequent urine loss in the last months. ANOVA was used to investigate a possible difference between the rates of urinary incontinence between groups.RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 29 years (SD 10), with a body mass index of 24.8 (SD 5.6), with 75 (32%) of the women having at least one child, and the majority (60%) had a normal childbirth in at least one pregnancy. The rate of urinary incontinence found in the total sample was of 15%. When comparing the rates between the groups, there were no statistically significant differences (p> 0.05), indicating that all women had similar rates of urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: The absence of a significant difference in the rates of urinary incontinence between the groups of women who practice CrossFit®, who practice other sports, and sedentary women show that, apparently, regardless of the practice or not of sports, this aspect does not seem to favor the emergence of urinary incontinence in healthy women.OBJETIVO: Comparar a taxa de incontinência urinária em mulheres praticantes de CrossFit, mulheres praticantes de outras modalidades esportivas e mulheres sedentárias.MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados 232 indivíduos para este estudo observacional transversal, sendo 72 mulheres praticantes de CrossFit®, 78 mulheres praticantes de outras modalidades esportivas, 82 mulheres sedentárias. Foram aplicados questionários online, incluindo perguntas como: idade, estatura e massa corporal (utilizados para cálculo do índice de massa corporal), filhos e quantidade, tipo de parto, realização de cirurgia pélvica prévia, prática de atividade física, a modalidade praticada, e ocorrência de perda de urina frequente nos últimos meses. ANOVA foi utilizada para investigar uma possível diferença entre as taxas de incontinência urinária entre os grupos.RESULTADOS: A idade média das participantes foi de 29 anos (DP 10), com índice de massa corporal médio de 24,8 (DP 5,6), sendo que 75 (32%) das mulheres tiveram, pelo menos, um filho, sendo a maioria (60%) de parto normal em pelo menos uma gestação. Taxa de incontinência urinária encontrada na amostra total foi de 15%. Quando realizada comparação da taxa entre os grupos, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p>0,05), indicando que todos apresentaram taxas de incontinência urinária similares. CONCLUSÃO: A ausência de diferença significativa nas taxas de incontinência urinária entre os grupos de mulheres praticantes de CrossFit®, praticantes de outras modalidades esportivas, e mulheres sedentárias evidenciam que, aparentemente, independente da prática ou não de modalidades esportivas, tal aspecto parece não favorecer o surgimento da incontinência urinária em mulheres saudáveis

Impacto da COVID-19 em desfechos gestacionais e neonatais entre mulheres contaminadas ou não durante a gestação: um estudo transversal

Introduction: Because it is a systemic infectious disease, pregnant women and newborns may be more susceptible to complications after contamination by COVID-19. Objective: To compare gestational and neonatal outcomes among women infected or not by COVID-19 during the pandemic, during pregnancy. Method: An online interview was conducted with 100 women. Data collection consisted of questions about the individuals' personal characteristics (age, date of birth, height, and weight), contamination by COVID-19 and classification of symptoms, in addition to gestational factors (complications during pregnancy after contamination by COVID-19, abortion, duration of pregnancy, type of childbirth and need for postpartum hospitalization) and neonatal (baby survival, weight, size, Apgar and head circumference). Results: The results point to significant differences between the groups for data on the length of stay of the woman after delivery (p=0.003), such as gestational outcome, and size (p=0.035) and head circumference (p=0.009) of the newborn, such as neonatal outcomes. No statistical differences were found for the other variables. Conclusion: Women who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy were hospitalized longer after delivery, and their babies showed a significant reduction in head circumference and size. Future longitudinal studies should confirm whether this relationship is cause/consequence. Key words: COVID-19; Pregnancy; Newborn.Introdução: Por ser uma doença infecciosa sistêmica, gestantes e neonatos podem estar mais susceptíveis a complicações após a contaminação pela COVID-19. Objetivo: Comparar desfechos gestacionais e neonatais entre mulheres contaminadas ou não pela COVID-19 na pandemia, durante a gestação. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma entrevista online com 100 mulheres. A coleta de dados consistiu em perguntas sobre as características pessoais dos indivíduos (idade, data de nascimento, altura e peso), contaminação pela COVID-19 e classificação dos sintomas, além dos fatores gestacionais (complicações durante a gestação pós contaminação por COVID-19, aborto, tempo da gestação, tipo de parto e necessidade de internação pós-parto) e neonatais (sobrevivência do bebê, peso, tamanho, Apgar e circunferência da cabeça). Resultados: Os resultados apontam diferenças significativas entre os grupos para os dados de tempo de internação da mulher após o parto (p=0,003), como desfecho gestacional, e tamanho (p=0,035) e circunferência da cabeça (p=0,009) do neonato, como desfechos neonatais. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas para as demais variáveis. Conclusão: Mulheres que foram contaminadas pela COVID-19 durante a gestação ficaram mais tempo internadas após o parto, e seus bebês apresentaram redução significativa na circunferência da cabeça e tamanho. Estudos futuros longitudinais devem confirmar se esta relação é de causa/consequência. Palavras-chave: COVID-19; Gravidez; Recém-nascido

DYNAMICS AND INTERFACE DEFOLIATION GRAZING: REVIEW

In the last five decades researchers have attempted to explain how adaptations of the morphology of the mouth and digestive tract of large ruminants interact with different food scales in the pasture ecosystem independent of the grazing method, thus understanding the dynamics of defoliation is essential in the analysis of response variations in forage production. A brief review of the literature on the factors related to the animal and plant components, influence of the grazing process and the defoliation dynamics will be presented. Grazing is the fundamental procedure that influences the dynamics and functioning of pasture ecosystems. The structural components of the tiller present in the horizontal plane of the forage canopy are likely to lead to differences in resource exploitation and impacts on vegetation, and many variables should be analyzed to fully understand the defoliation, since variations in canopy architecture are also influenced by the grazing method itself, which modifies the harvest and use of forage. In different grazing methods, it was observed that defoliation behaves in an analogous way among the methods, considering that the only variation was in the number of grazing animals, that is, changes in the stocking rate. The level of defoliation of individual tiller and its respective structural components, coupled with the grazing process, allows us to understand how the management of the pasture by adjusting the animal load influences the choices of the animals during the forage harvesting process.In the last five decades researchers have attempted to explain how adaptations of the morphology of the mouth and digestive tract of large ruminants interact with different food scales in the pasture ecosystem independent of the grazing method, thus understanding the dynamics of defoliation is essential in the analysis of response variations in forage production. A brief review of the literature on the factors related to the animal and plant components, influence of the grazing process and the defoliation dynamics will be presented. Grazing is the fundamental procedure that influences the dynamics and functioning of pasture ecosystems. The structural components of the tiller present in the horizontal plane of the forage canopy are likely to lead to differences in resource exploitation and impacts on vegetation, and many variables should be analyzed to fully understand the defoliation, since variations in canopy architecture are also influenced by the grazing method itself, which modifies the harvest and use of forage. In different grazing methods, it was observed that defoliation behaves in an analogous way among the methods, considering that the only variation was in the number of grazing animals, that is, changes in the stocking rate. The level of defoliation of individual tiller and its respective structural components, coupled with the grazing process, allows us to understand how the management of the pasture by adjusting the animal load influences the choices of the animals during the forage harvesting process

Are female scientists underrepresented in self-retractions for honest error?

Retractions are among the effective measures to strengthen the self-correction of science and the quality of the literature. When it comes to self-retractions for honest errors, exposing one's own failures is not a trivial matter for researchers. However, self-correcting data, results and/or conclusions has increasingly been perceived as a good research practice, although rewarding such practice challenges traditional models of research assessment. In this context, it is timely to investigate who have self-retracted for honest error in terms of country, field, and gender. We show results on these three factors, focusing on gender, as data are scarce on the representation of female scientists in efforts to set the research record straight. We collected 3,822 retraction records, including research articles, review papers, meta-analyses, and letters under the category “error” from the Retraction Watch Database for the 2010–2021 period. We screened the dataset collected for research articles (2,906) and then excluded retractions by publishers, editors, or third parties, and those mentioning any investigation issues. We analyzed the content of each retraction manually to include only those indicating that they were requested by authors and attributed solely to unintended mistakes. We categorized the records according to country, field, and gender, after selecting research articles with a sole corresponding author. Gender was predicted using Genderize, at a 90% probability threshold for the final sample (n = 281). Our results show that female scientists account for 25% of self-retractions for honest error, with the highest share for women affiliated with US institutions

O financiamento dos sistemas universais de saúde e seus impactos na atenção ao usuário idoso. Uma análise à luz da saúde pública / The financing of universal health systems and their impacts on care for the elderly. An analysis in the light of public health

A presente pesquisa trata-se de um estudo no campo da saúde pública, onde abordará questionamentos acerca de acesso, universalidade e economia entre os sistemas universais de saúde. A temática em questão vem sendo pauta de debate e grandes órgãos mundiais, como por exemplo, a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). O estudo possui como questão norteadora: De que forma os países que possuem sistemas universais de saúde lidam com o financiamento da saúde pública dando ênfase à população idosa? Seu objetivo geral é analisar de que forma os países que possuem sistemas universais de saúde lidam com o financiamento da atenção à saúde da população com ênfase à população idosa. O objetivo específico é descrever de que forma os países que possuem sistemas universais de saúde lidam com o financiamento da atenção à saúde pública com enfoque na população idosa. Método: foi realizada uma revisão integrativa. Logo, foram percorridas as seguintes etapas para realização de tal método: 1ª Fase que consiste na elaboração da questão que norteará o estudo. 2ª Fase que realizam busca de amostragem com base nas literaturas. 3ª Fase será a coleta de dados. 4ª Fase consistiu na análise crítica dos estudos selecionados. 5ª Fase foi a discussão dos resultados e a última e 6ª Fase consistirá na apresentação da revisão integrativa. Conclusão: Pôde-se notar, com o resultado trazido pelas discussões da presente pesquisa, que a Organização Mundial de Saúde (ONU) segundo suas prerrogativas legais expõe sobre os direitos de saúde da pessoa idosa e em caso de descumprimento suas penalidades legais. No entanto, apesar das propostas concretizadas a respeito das prioridades assistenciais estreitadas no momento da proposta de sistematização do cuidado universal dos sistemas mundiais de saúde, a saúde da população idosa permanecia oculta nos debates apesar de seus direitos prioritários, como a saúde da gestante e parturiente que teve foco diante aos debates