Dynamics of Quality Perception in a Social Network: A Cellular Automaton Based Model in Aesthetics Services

AbstractAn attempt was carried out to simulate interactions between customers and providers, and understand the rationality of a social network using a cellular automata model. A longitudinal research study was conducted, based on a dyadic perspective in aesthetics clinics, approaching clients and service providers. The evolution of opinions regarding the associated service quality was then modeled with a cellular automaton. Based on an existing and valid scale of service quality, six semi-structured interviews with clients and service providers were carried out. The indicators were then refined and two quantitative surveys were performed, with a time interval of four months. A cellular automaton rule was then searched for that could simulate the network rationality between the two surveys. The proposed cellular automaton model achieved an accuracy of 73.80%, a higher value than the ones typically found in linear regression models of the service quality literature. The simulation allowed to understand which behaviours adopted by providers and customers generate an improved perception of service quality. The simulation also identified dissatisfied individuals in the social network and the way they influence the network. These findings may help managers to control employees' conducts and the service performance

Comparação da prova de função pulmonar e da força muscular respiratória entre idosas osteoporóticas com e sem fratura vertebral torácica = Comparation of pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength among older osteoporotic women with and without thoracic vertebral fracture

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone mass, resulting in fractures, which may occur in the thoracic vertebrae, causing changes in respiratory mechanics, impairing lung function. Objectives: To compare the spirometric, respiratory muscle strength and angle of thoracic kyphosis among elderly osteoporotic vertebral fractures with and without chest. Methods: The sample was divided into group A, elderly women with thoracic vertebral fracture (n = 5) and group B, older chest without vertebral fracture (n = 7). All were assessed by spirometry, manometer, and anthropometric measurements of the thoracic curvature. Results: The results showed an increase in thoracic curvature and a decrease in lung function in Group A compared with Group B and respiratory muscle strength deficit in Group A. Conclusion: The thoracic kyphosis deformity, caused by osteoporotic fractures, affects both the respiratory and musculoskeletal system

Fatores de risco para a transmissao vertical do HIV-1 e a influencia da terapia antirretroviral (ARV) no desfecho gestacional

In the absence of intervention, the rate of vertical transmission of HIV can range from 15-45%. With the inclusion of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and the choice of delivery route this amounts to less than 2%. However ARV use during pregnancy has generated several questions regarding the adverse effects of the gestational and neonatal outcome. This study aims to analyze the risk factors for vertical transmission of HIV-1 seropositive pregnant women living in Rio Grande and the influence of the use of ARVs in pregnancy outcome. Among the 262 pregnant women studied the rate of vertical transmission of HIV was found to be 3.8%. Regarding the VT, there was a lower risk of transmission when antiretroviral drugs were used and prenatal care was conducted at the referral service. However, the use of ART did not influence the outcome of pregnancy. However, initiation of prenatal care after the first trimester had an influence on low birth weight, as well as performance of less than six visits increased the risk of prematurity. Therefore, the risk factors analyzed in this study appear to be related to the realization of inadequate pre-natal and maternal behavior.Na ausência de intervenção, as taxas de transmissão vertical do HIV podem variar de 15-45%. Com a inserção dos antirretrovirais durante a gestação e a escolha da via de parto estas taxas chegam a menos de 2%. No entanto o uso de ARV na gestação tem gerado várias duvidas quanto aos efeitos adversos causados ao desfecho gestacional e ao neonato. Este estudo objetiva analisar os fatores de risco da transmissão vertical do HIV-1 em gestantes soropositivas atendidas na cidade do Rio Grande e a influência do uso do ARV no desfecho gestacional. Entre as 262 gestantes estudadas a taxa de transmissão vertical do HIV encontrada foi de 3,8%. Em relação à TV, foi observado menor risco de transmissão quando esta havia feito uso de antirretrovirais e o pré-natal era realizado no serviço de referência. Entretanto, o uso de ARV não influenciou negativamente o desfecho gestacional. No entanto, o inicio do pré-natal após o primeiro trimestre teve influencia sobre o baixo peso ao nascer, assim como a realização de menos de seis consultas aumentou o risco de prematuridade. Portanto, os fatores de risco analisados neste estudo parecem estar relacionados à realização não adequada do pré-natal e ao comportamento materno

Taekwondo athletes have better postural control than handball and american football athletes / Atletas de taekwondon têm melhor controle postural do que atletas de handebol e futebol americano

Introduction: Postural control is an important prerequisite for an athlete’s performance in sport. In addition, the postural control system contributes to injury prevention. Deficits in this system can lead to body instability and overload of musculoskeletal structures generating dysfunction and pain. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate postural control in three different sports modalities: taekwondo, handball, and American football. Methods: All athletes performed a one-legged stance/balance test on a force platform in the right and left lower limbs. Three tests of thirty seconds each were performed with eyes open. The mean of the three tests was used to measure the parameters of postural control, pressure center and velocity of anteroposterior and mediolateral displacements. Results: Significant differences were observed among the three groups in all analyzed parameters (P=<0.04). Post-hoc analysis revealed that taekwondo athletes had better postural control (P=<0.035) of lower limbs compared to the other two modalities. There were no significant differences between handball and American football. Conclusion: Taekwondo athletes have better postural control during the one-legged stance/balance test than handball and American football athletes. Introdução: O controle postural é um pré-requisito importante para o desempenho do atleta no esporte. Além disso, o sistema de controle postural contribui para a prevenção de lesões. Déficits nesse sistema podem levar a instabilidade corporal e sobrecarga das estruturas musculoesqueléticas, gerando disfunção e dor. Objetivos: A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar o controle postural em três diferentes modalidades esportivas: taekwondo, handebol e futebol americano. Métodos: Todos os atletas executaram o teste de equilíbrio unipodal sobre uma plataforma de força nos membros inferiores direito e esquerdo. Foram realizados três testes de trinta segundos cada, com os olhos abertos. A média dos três testes foi utilizada para mensurar os parâmetros de controle postural, centro de pressão e velocidade dos deslocamentos anteroposteriores e mediolaterais. Resultados: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os três grupos em todos os parâmetros analisados (P = <0,04). A análise post hoc revelou que os atletas de taekwondo tiveram melhor controle postural (P = < 0,035) dos membros inferiores em comparação com as outras duas modalidades. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre o handebol e o futebol americano. Conclusão: Os atletas do taekwondo têm melhor controle postural durante o teste de equilíbrio unipodal do que os atletas do handebol e do futebol americano

Avaliação da qualidade dos serviços de transporte público urbano em Cuiabá e Várzea Grande utilizando método servqual / Evaluation of the quality of urban public transport services in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande using servqual method

O transporte público é um dos meios de transporte mais utilizados, sendo responsável pela integração entre as diferentes áreas das cidades, transportando trabalhadores, estudantes e pessoas a passeio, portanto a qualidade neste modelo de serviço é de suma importância, pois está diretamente ligada a vida dos usuários. Partindo deste cenário, esse artigo mostra a aplicação da ferramenta de avaliação de serviços Servqual, utilizando um método descritivo, contendo uma pesquisa bibliográfica e uma abordagem quantitativa, buscando mensurar a qualidade do transporte público. Desta forma o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a percepção dos usuários do transporte coletivo urbano em relação à qualidade dos serviços prestados oferecidos pelas empresas de ônibus presentes nas cidadeslimítrofes de Cuiabá e Várzea Grande no Estado de Mato Grosso. A análise dos resultados mostrou que, a percepção dos usuários é inferior as expectativas em todas as dimensões analisadas, dessa forma todas as dimensões apresentam oportunidades de melhorias

The Impact of Parkinson’s Disease on Postural Control in Older People and How Sex can Mediate These Results: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease is most prevalent among elderly people, 65 years and over, and leads to an alteration in motor control associated with postural instability. Current evidence shows that postural control decreases with the aging process. In addition, postural control is more altered in healthy aged men than in women. Until today, few studies have evaluated the combined impact of Parkinson’s disease and sex on postural control. This review has allowed to evaluate the impact of Parkinson’s disease and sex on postural control measurements in elderly people. Methodology: Studies have been selected from two main databases: PubMed and EBSCO using the keywords “Parkinson”, “postural control OR balance” and “sex”. Articles related to the evaluation of postural control, including men and women with Parkinson’s aged over 65 years old, regardless of stage, were included (n = 179). Articles were excluded if not written in French or English or not presenting original content. Results: Ten (10) studies out of 179 that fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were reported in the final analysis, which cumulates a total of 944 individuals with Parkinson’s (410 women). In general, results show greater postural instability among people with Parkinson’s compared to healthy subjects, and this according to different objective measurements using stabilographic parameters from force platforms. Only two studies out of ten evaluated postural control while briefly considering distinctions between sex, but without showing a significant difference between men and women with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s severity, length of time of Parkinson’s disease and cognitive state of the person are the three variables with a negative impact on postural control. Conclusion: Older people with Parkinson’s disease have greater postural instability. Sex does not seem to influence the postural control of elderly people with Parkinson’s, although more studies are necessary

Transmission electron microscopy for characterization of acrosomal damage after Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized

Characterization of MTAP gene expression in breast cancer patients and cell lines

MTAP is a ubiquitously expressed gene important for adenine and methionine salvage. The gene is located at 9p21, a chromosome region often deleted in breast carcinomas, similar to CDKN2A, a recognized tumor suppressor gene. Several research groups have shown that MTAP acts as a tumor suppressor, and some therapeutic approaches were proposed based on a tumors\ub4 MTAP status. We analyzed MTAP and CDKN2A gene (RT-qPCR) and protein (western-blotting) expression in seven breast cancer cell lines and evaluated their promoter methylation patterns to better characterize the contribution of these genes to breast cancer. Cytotoxicity assays with inhibitors of de novo adenine synthesis (5-FU, AZA and MTX) after MTAP gene knockdown showed an increased sensitivity, mainly to 5-FU. MTAP expression was also evaluated in two groups of samples from breast cancer patients, fresh tumors and paired normal breast tissue, and from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) core breast cancer samples diagnosed as Luminal-A tumors and triple negative breast tumors (TNBC). The difference of MTAP expression between fresh tumors and normal tissues was not statistically significant. However, MTAP expression was significantly higher in Luminal-A breast tumors than in TNBC, suggesting the lack of expression in more aggressive breast tumors and the possibility of using the new approaches based on MTAP status in TNB