Growing neural gas as a memory mechanism of a heuristic to solve a community detection problem in networks

Iterative heuristics are commonly used to address combinatorial optimization problems. However, to meet both robustness and efficiency with these methods when their iterations are independent, it is necessary to consider a high number of iterations or to include local search-based strategies in them. Both approaches are very time-consuming and, consequently, not efficient for medium and large-scale instances of combinatorial optimization problems. In particular, the community detection problem in networks is well-known due to the instances with hundreds to thousands of vertices. In the literature, the heuristics to detect communities in networks that use a local search are those that achieve the partitions with the best solution values. Nevertheless, they are not suitable to tackle medium to large scale networks. This paper presents an adaptive heuristic, named GNGClus, that uses the neural network Growing Neural Gas to play the role of memory mechanism. The computational experiment with LFR networks indicates that the proposed strategy significantly outperformed the same solution method with no memory mechanism. In addition, GNGClus was very competitive with a version of the heuristic that employs an elite set of solutions to guide the solution search. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Av. Cesare M. G. Lattes, 1201, Eugênio de Mello, São José dos Campos-SP, CEP: 12247-014, BrasilInstituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Av. Cesare M. G. Lattes, 1201, Eugênio de Mello, São José dos Campos-SP, CEP: 12247-014, BrasilWeb of Scienc

Acid Decomposition Of Yerba Mate (ilex Paraguariensis) Using A Reflux System For The Evaluation Of Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb And Zn Contents By Atomic Spectrometric Techniques

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)In the first part of this paper, two acid decomposition procedures for the determination of Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn contents in yerba mate samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) were compared. Using a reflux system, the samples were treated with a mixture of HNO3 and H2O2 for 3 hours at 220 degrees C in the digester block. The results from five commercial yerba mate samples were compared with the results obtained from microwave digestion. Good agreement between the procedures at a 95% confidence level was obtained with relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 10.0%. The accuracy was evaluated using addition and recovery experiments (80.5 to 112.8%). In the second part, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Zn concentrations were evaluated in the yerba mate infusion. The results showed that elements such as Na, K, Mg and Zn are easily transferred to the hot water used for the infusion. For Pb and Cd, the concentrations found in the analyzed samples were lower than the values established by Brazilian legislation.274685693Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) [552197/2011-4]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Habilidades sociales e intergeneracionalidad en las relaciones familiares

Teniendo en cuenta la importancia de los lazos familiares para el aprendizaje y desarrollo de habilidades sociales y el papel de la transmisión de conductas de padres a hijos, el objetivo de este trabajo es presentar dos estudios sobre las relaciones familiares intergeneracionales. El primer estudio evaluó 142 díadas de padres adultos e hijos adolescentes, y los resultados mostraron evidencia de la transmisión intergeneracional de varias clases de habilidades sociales, especialmente entre las madres y sus hijos adolescentes. Además, los datos muestran la influencia de la relación entre padres y adolescentes en el repertorio de habilidades sociales de los niños, lo que sugiere la importancia de esta relación. El segundo estudio investigó 113 díadas de padres mayores e hijos adultos. Se encontraron similitudes para 29 de las 38 habilidades sociales evaluadas, así como entre las puntuaciones generales de las HS para ambos grupos de edad, lo que pone en evidencia la transmisión intergeneracional de las habilidades sociales de los padres ancianos a sus hijos adultos. Además las habilidades sociales y la calidad de la relación se encontraron correlaciones positivas entre las habilidades sociales y la calidad de la relación según la evaluación de los padres y de los hijos. Se discute la evidencia de la transmisión intergeneracional de las habilidades sociales y el impacto en la calidad de las relaciones familiares, así como las implicaciones de estos resultados para la planificación de programas de intervención en habilidades sociales y la calidad de vida.Given the importance of family ties for social skills learning and development, as well as the role of behavior transmission from parent to child, the aim of this paper is to present two studies on intergenerational family relationships. The first study assessed 142 dyads of adult parents and adolescents, and the results showed evidence of intergenerational transmission of various social skills, especially among mothers and their adolescent children. Furthermore, the data show the influence of the relationship between parents and adolescents in the repertoire of social skills of children, suggesting the importance of this relationship. The second study investigated 113 dyads of older parents and adult children. Similarities were found for 29 of the 38 evaluated social skills as well as between the overall scores of social skills for both age groups, which highlights the intergenerational transmission of social skills for elderly parents to their adult children. One has found positive correlations between social skills and relationship quality assessed by parents and children. We discuss the evidence of the intergenerational transmission of social skills and the impact on the quality of family relationships, and the implications of these results for planning intervention programs in social skills and quality of life

Habilidades sociales e intergeneracionalidad en las relaciones familiares

Teniendo en cuenta la importancia de los lazos familiares para el aprendizaje y desarrollo de habilidades sociales y el papel de la transmisión de conductas de padres a hijos, el objetivo de este trabajo es presentar dos estudios sobre las relaciones familiares intergeneracionales. El primer estudio evaluó 142 díadas de padres adultos e hijos adolescentes, y los resultados mostraron evidencia de la transmisión intergeneracional de varias clases de habilidades sociales, especialmente entre las madres y sus hijos adolescentes. Además, los datos muestran la influencia de la relación entre padres y adolescentes en el repertorio de habilidades sociales de los niños, lo que sugiere la importancia de esta relación. El segundo estudio investigó 113 díadas de padres mayores e hijos adultos. Se encontraron similitudes para 29 de las 38 habilidades sociales evaluadas, así como entre las puntuaciones generales de las HS para ambos grupos de edad, lo que pone en evidencia la transmisión intergeneracional de las habilidades sociales de los padres ancianos a sus hijos adultos. Además las habilidades sociales y la calidad de la relación se encontraron correlaciones positivas entre las habilidades sociales y la calidad de la relación según la evaluación de los padres y de los hijos. Se discute la evidencia de la transmisión intergeneracional de las habilidades sociales y el impacto en la calidad de las relaciones familiares, así como las implicaciones de estos resultados para la planificación de programas de intervención en habilidades sociales y la calidad de vida.Given the importance of family ties for social skills learning and development, as well as the role of behavior transmission from parent to child, the aim of this paper is to present two studies on intergenerational family relationships. The first study assessed 142 dyads of adult parents and adolescents, and the results showed evidence of intergenerational transmission of various social skills, especially among mothers and their adolescent children. Furthermore, the data show the influence of the relationship between parents and adolescents in the repertoire of social skills of children, suggesting the importance of this relationship. The second study investigated 113 dyads of older parents and adult children. Similarities were found for 29 of the 38 evaluated social skills as well as between the overall scores of social skills for both age groups, which highlights the intergenerational transmission of social skills for elderly parents to their adult children. One has found positive correlations between social skills and relationship quality assessed by parents and children. We discuss the evidence of the intergenerational transmission of social skills and the impact on the quality of family relationships, and the implications of these results for planning intervention programs in social skills and quality of life

Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes in 3D Collagen I culture: an in vitro physiological environment for the study of extracellular matrix and host cell interactions

Leishmania amazonensis is the causative agent of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, an important neglected tropical disease. Once Leishmania amazonensis is inoculated into the human host, promastigotes are exposed to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the dermis. However, little is known about the interaction between the ECM and Leishmania promastigotes. In this study we established L. amazonensis promastigote culture in a three-dimensional (3D) environment mainly composed of Collagen I (COL I). This 3D culture recreates in vitro some aspects of the human host infection site, enabling the study of the interaction mechanisms of L. amazonensis with the host ECM. Promastigotes exhibited “freeze and run” migration in the 3D COL I matrix, which is completely different from the conventional in vitro swimming mode of migration. Moreover, L. amazonensis promastigotes were able to invade, migrate inside, and remodel the 3D COL I matrix. Promastigote trans-matrix invasion and the freeze and run migration mode were also observed when macrophages were present in the matrix. At least two classes of proteases, metallo- and cysteine proteases, are involved in the 3D COL I matrix degradation caused by Leishmania. Treatment with a mixture of protease inhibitors significantly reduced promastigote invasion and migration through this matrix. Together our results demonstrate that L. amazonensis promastigotes release proteases and actively remodel their 3D environment, facilitating their migration. This raises the possibility that promastigotes actively interact with their 3D environment during the search for their cellular “home”—macrophages. Supporting this hypothesis, promastigotes migrated faster than macrophages in a novel 3D co-culture model

Acaulospora endographis (Glomeromycetes), a new fungus with a complex spore wall

A new acaulosporoid fungal species characterized by glomerospores with a complex ten-layered wall structure and uniquely ornamented fourth layer (outer wall layer OWL4) found in impacted areas of the Amazon Forest and cultivated areas of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil is described as Acaulospora endographis.Fil: Goto, Bruno T.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte; BrasilFil: Pereira, Camilla M. R.. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Nobre, Camila P.. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Zatorre, Natalia P.. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Covacevich, Fernanda. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Berbara, Ricardo L. L.. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Maia, Leonor C.. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Brasi

Acid decomposition of yerba mate (ilex paraguariensis) using a reflux system for the evaluation of Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn contents by atomic spectrometric techniques

In the first part of this paper, two acid decomposition procedures for the determination of Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn contents in yerba mate samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) were compared. Using a reflux system, the samples were treated with a mixture of HNO3 and H2O2 for 3 hours at 220 °C in the digester block. The results from five commercial yerba mate samples were compared with the results obtained from microwave digestion. Good agreement between the procedures at a 95% confidence level was obtained with relative standard deviation (RSD) values lower than 10.0%. The accuracy was evaluated using addition and recovery experiments (80.5 to 112.8%). In the second part, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Pb and Zn concentrations were evaluated in the yerba mate infusion. The results showed that elements such as Na, K, Mg and Zn are easily transferred to the hot water used for the infusion. For Pb and Cd, the concentrations found in the analyzed samples were lower than the values established by Brazilian legislation274685693CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL - FAPERGSSem informação552197/2011-4Sem informaçã

Comportamentos de jovens no trânsito: um inquérito entre acadêmicos de enfermagem

Os acidentes de trânsito (AT) constituem-se em importante problema de saúde pública pela elevada morbi-mortalidade e porocasionarem altos custos sociais e econômicos. Realizou-se, portanto, um estudo epidemiológico e transversal em Goiânia,Goiás, em 2006, que teve por objetivo verificar a freqüência de comportamentos de risco que pudessem contribuir para aocorrência e gravidade de AT entre jovens universitários. A amostra constou de 310 acadêmicos do curso de Enfermagem daUniversidade Católica de Goiás, com mediana de idade de 20 anos, predominantemente do gênero feminino, cor branca e declasse social média. Cerca de 80% dos alunos relataram hábito de dirigir. Destes, 52.2% dirigem sem habilitação. Apenas73.2% responderam que sempre utilizam cinto de segurança como condutores. Aproximadamente 37% relataramenvolvimento em acidentes de trânsito. Falta de atenção (69%), desrespeito à sinalização (27.8%) e excesso de velocidade(27%) foram os fatores que contribuíram para ocorrência ou gravidade do acidente. Um significativo percentual departicipantes dirige na contramão, faz ultrapassagem proibida e ultrapassa o limite de velocidade. Ressalta-se que olevantamento das características comportamentais no trânsito entre indivíduos jovens possibilita a criação e aprimoramentode estratégias que podem reduzir a ocorrência, gravidade e conseqüências deste tipo de acidente