Development and application of I_SUM : an index of sustainable urban mobility

This work describes the construction process of an Index of Sustainable Urban Mobility (I_SUM). Important aspects regarding its application as a mobility planning and management supporting tool are also discussed. The index is based on a hierarchy of criteria built essentially with data obtained from planners and technicians of eleven cities, what resulted in eighty-seven Indicators forming thirty-seven Themes, under nine Domains. Weights for the Themes and Domains were obtained through a panel of experts. A viability analysis of the index application was carried out in a city with around 220,000 inhabitants located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The analysis of the results has shown that a significant number of indicators could be calculated in the short term and with good quality data in the studied city. The main conclusion drawn from the application was the confirmation that I_SUM is flexible enough to be applied not only in a developing country medium-sized city, but also in cities with diverse characteristics. It is important to highlight the fact that the tool also gives the opportunity to assess the relative contribution of any specific aspects of mobility to the Social, Economic, and Environmental dimensions of sustainability. That I_SUM feature can be used to help in the formulation of either integrated or stand-alone policies per sector aiming at the development of the sustainable urban mobility. Moreover, it can help in the public participation process due to the possibility of building up scenarios based on hypothetical changes of the indicator values

Sustainable urban mobility: a comparative study and the bases for a management system in Brazil and Portugal

There is a clear need for the implementation of sustainability principles and guidelines in urban areas, as well as for strategies for controlling the elements that shape the urban environment. As a consequence, indicators become essential tools in providing the knowledge and information required for understanding particular aspects and problems of the cities. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to identify indicators that are suitable for monitoring the urban mobility conditions of selected cities in Brazil and Portugal. The first step taken in order to reach that objective was the selection and analysis of mobility indicators extracted from several national and international experiences of sustainability indicators. Those indicators were organized under a framework of Categories and Themes and also submitted to the evaluation of groups of experts in both countries, in order to determine their relative importance for monitoring urban mobility conditions. The final outcome of the analysis was a common set of mobility indicators for Brazilian and Portuguese cities, in addition to a more complete list of indicators that could better serve each country in particular. © 2005 WIT Press.(undefined

The amygdala lesioning due to status epilepticus – Changes in mechanisms controlling chloride homeostasis

Objective: Amygdala has been demonstrated as one of the brain sites involved in the control of cardiorespiratory functioning. The structural and physiological alterations induced by epileptic activity are also present in the amygdala and reflect functional changes that may be directly associated with a sudden unexpected death. Seizures are always associated with neuronal damage and changes in the expression of cation-chloride cotransporters and Na/K pumps. In this study, the authors aimed to investigate if these changes are present in the amygdala after induction of status epilepticus with pilocarpine, which may be directly correlated with Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Methods: Pilocarpine-treated wistar rats 60 days after Status Epilepticus (SE) were compared with control rats. Amygdala nuclei of brain slices immunostained for NKCC1, KCC2 and α1-Na+/K+-ATPase, were quantified by optical densitometry. Results: The amygdaloid complex of the animals submitted to SE had no significant difference in the NKCC1 immunoreactivity, but KCC2 immunoreactivity reduced drastically in the peri-somatic sites and in the dendritic-like processes. The α1-Na+/K+-ATPase peri-somatic immunoreactivity was intense in the rats submitted to pilocarpine SE when compared with control rats. The pilocarpine SE also promoted intense GFAP staining, specifically in the basolateral and baso-medial nuclei with astrogliosis and cellular debris deposition. Interpretation: The findings revealed that SE induces lesion changes in the expression of KCC2 and α1-Na+/K+-ATPase meaning intense change in the chloride regulation in the amygdaloid complex. These changes may contribute to cardiorespiratory dysfunction leading to SUDEP

Herramienta de modelado y análisis estocástico de sistemas biológicos

Los sistemas híbridos cuentan con la atención de gran parte de la comunidad científica por lo atractivo del estudio de sus dinámicas, las continuas y las discretas, y la comprensión de sus interacciones. Entre las más comunes se encuentran aquellas que cambian de estado entre diferentes procesos continuos. También se pueden encontrar formas de interacción que incluyen transiciones discretas supeditadas a evoluciones continuas, u otras como resultados de una decisión, o por la ocurrencia de determinados eventos. El estudio de la distribución probabilísticas de la dinámica discreta y la continua se lleva a cavo por medio del análisis del sistema híbrido estocástico (SHE) que lo modela. Debido a que el modelo numérico, de un SH, es afectado por el problema de la explosión de estados y de ser sumamente exigente en lo que a recursos se refiere, aparece como una opción aceptable la formulación del mismo sistema por medio de un SHP. Estos tipos de sistemas pueden ser analizados por medio de herramientas informáticas con solida base matemática como son los Model Checkers Probabilísticos. Los sistemas biológicos encuadran perfectamente en la clasificación de SHE. En el ámbito de estudio de SB no se cuenta con herramientas que permitan una traducción directa de un SHE, como por ejemplo un sistema de reacciones, a un modelo estocástico factible de ser analizado por herramientas informáticas disponibles en la actualidad como son los model checkers antes mencionados. En nuestra línea de investigación proponemos el estudio de factibilidad y de propuesta de desarrollo de una herramienta de análisis de SB basado en su formulación estocástica. Tenemos como hipótesis de trabajo que el desarrollo de este prototipo de herramienta que permite la obtención de un modelo estocástico a partir de su formulación por medio de reacciones que permitirá analizar el sistema e incrementar la productividad en el estudio de SBs habilitando a su verificación y validación con herramientas novedosas en el área biológica. En una primera etapa se centrará en la obtención de modelos estocásticos de un sistema de reacciones para luego habilitar el análisis basado en probabilidades y en simulaciones probabilísticas basadas en su semántica estocástica.Eje: Innovación en Sistemas de Software.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Transcriptome analysis of Taenia solium cysticerci using Open reading Frame ESTS (ORESTES)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human infection by the pork tapeworm <it>Taenia solium </it>affects more than 50 million people worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Cysticercosis which arises from larval encystation can be life threatening and difficult to treat. Here, we investigate for the first time the transcriptome of the clinically relevant cysticerci larval form.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) produced by the ORESTES method, a total of 1,520 high quality ESTs were generated from 20 ORESTES cDNA mini-libraries and its analysis revealed fragments of genes with promising applications including 51 ESTs matching antigens previously described in other species, as well as 113 sequences representing proteins with potential extracellular localization, with obvious applications for immune-diagnosis or vaccine development.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The set of sequences described here will contribute to deciphering the expression profile of this important parasite and will be informative for the genome assembly and annotation, as well as for studies of intra- and inter-specific sequence variability. Genes of interest for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools are described and discussed.</p

Efeitos da atividade física sobre densidade mineral óssea de mulheres saudáveis na pré-menopausa

Study Design: Sistematic review of literature.Aims: Physical activity is an important stimulus to increase bone mineral density (BMD). Whereby the resistance of the bone is associated with BMD, microstructure and material properties, improvements in bone mass are important to prevent osteoporosis in old ages. Despite many studies on the subject, there is no consensus on what is the best type of exercise, intensity and frequency for improvements in osteogenesis and promotion of BMD gain. This study aimed to investigate the types of physical activities that results in better osteogenic effects on increasing BMD in healthy premenopausal women.Methodology: We searched scientific articles in Pubmed and Science Direct databases published in the last ten years. We selected controlled studies which used high-impact activities or resistance training. We used systematic analysis of the selected articles.Results: Fifteen articles were included in this review, which were separated into two groups according to the type of exercise. We performed a comparative analysis of the methods used and the results achieved. There were more efficient protocols using high impact exercise even if it was a short-term program resulting in increased BMD in the proximal femur (femoral neck and intertrochanteric region).Conclusion: There were fewer studies observing increases in BMD at the lumbar spine when resistance exercise with load or high impact loads were used. Most experimental protocols performed in relatively short-term programs (6 months) demonstrated that exercise programs that were simple, easy to perform, and not using special devices are sufficient to promote bone remodeling at specific sites resulting in increased BMD.in increased BMD.Modelo de estudo: Revisão sistemática da literatura.Objetivo: A atividade física representa um importante estímulo ao aumento da densidade mineral óssea (DMO). Como a resistência dos ossos está associada tanto a DMO, quanto a microestrutura e propriedades do material, melhorias na massa óssea são importantes na prevenção de osteoporose na idade mais avançada. Apesar de muitos estudos sobre o tema, não existe consenso sobre qual seria o melhor tipo de atividade física, intensidade e frequência para melhorias na osteogênese e promoção do ganho de DMO. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os tipos de atividades físicas com melhor efeito osteogênico de aumento da DMO em mulheres saudáveis na pré-menopausa.Metodologia: Realizou-se levantamento bibliográfico de artigos científicos nas bases de dados Pubmed e Direct Science publicados nos últimos dez anos. Foram selecionados estudos controlados com exercícios de alto impacto e resistido. Utilizou-se análise sistematizada dos artigos selecionados.Resultados: Foram incluídos 15 artigos nesta revisão, os quais foram separados em dois grupos, conforme o tipo de exercício. Foi realizada análise comparativa de metodologias utilizadas e resultados alcançados. Constatou-se maior eficiência do protocolo de exercício de alto impacto, mesmo em curtoperíodo de execução para aumento da DMO do fêmur proximal (colo femoral e região intertrocantérica). Em menor frequência, foi observado aumento da DMO na coluna lombar quando exercícios resistidos ou de impactos maiores foram usados.Conclusões: A maioria dos artigos executou protocolo experimental em período relativamente curto (6 meses), demonstrando que programas de exercícios simples, de fácil execução, curto período de aplicação e sem uso de aparelhos específicos são suficientes para promover remodelação óssea emsítios específicos com aumento da DMO

KAOLINITE MICROFLOTATION AND ZETA POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS IN THE PRESENCE OF AMMONIUM QUATERNARY SALTS

ABSTRACT Studies on kaolinite flotation are being driven by Chinese bauxite characteristics, presenting low alumina:silica weight ratios. This paper addresses the effect of the presence of cetyl pyridine chloride (CPC) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) on kaolinite floatability and zeta potential. The reagents were dosed at three concentrations and the best floatability results were achieved at the highest concentration level (1x10 -4 mol/L). Zeta potential determinations showed that both quaternary salts (CPC and CTAB) shift the kaolinite zeta potential to more positive values the specific collectors adsorption onto the mineral surface

Predictors of rescue percutaneous coronary intervention after pharmacoinvasive strategy in women

AbstractBackgroundPharmacoinvasive therapy (PIT) is feasible in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) when timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unavailable. In this study, we compared women who underwent successful reperfusion PIT with those who required rescue PCI, to identify potential predictors of thrombolytic failure.MethodsFrom January 2010 to November 2014, 327 consecutive women with STEMI were referred to a tertiary hospital, 206 after successful thrombolysis (63%) and 121 who required rescue PCI. The groups were compared regarding demographic, clinical and angiographic outcomes, and clinical (TIMI, GRACE, and ZWOLLE CADILLAC) and bleeding (CRUSADE) risk scores. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of thrombolytic failure.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the demographic characteristics or the medical history of the groups. Rescue PCI group had significantly higher values of the evaluated scores. Clinical hospital complications and mortality (2.5% vs. 22.0%; p < 0.0001) were more frequent in rescue PCI group. The independent variables associated with rescue PCI were pain-to-needle time > 3h (OR: 3.07, 95%CI: 1.64 to 5.75; p < 0.0001), ZWOLLE score (OR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.14 to 1.37; p = 0.0001) and creatinine clearance (OR: 1.009, 95%CI: 1.0 to 1.02; p = 0.04).ConclusionsWomen with STEMI who underwent PIT and who required rescue PCI had significantly higher mortality compared to those who achieved initial success of PIT with elective PCI. Pain-to-needle time > 3h, ZWOLLE score and creatinine clearance were independent predictors of the need for rescue PCI