Effectiveness of intensive physiotherapy for gait improvement in stroke: systematic review

Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of functional disability worldwide. Approximately 80% of post-stroke subjects have motor changes. Improvement of gait pattern is one of the main objectives of physiotherapists intervention in these cases. The real challenge in the recovery of gait after stroke is to understand how the remaining neural networks can be modified, to be able to provide response strategies that compensate for the function of the affected structures. There is evidence that intensive training, including physiotherapy, positively influences neuroplasticity, improving mobility, pattern and gait velocity in post-stroke recovery. Objectives: Review and analyze in a systematic way the experimental studies (RCT) that evaluate the effects of Intensive Physiotherapy on gait improvement in poststroke subjects. Methodology: Were only included all RCT performed in humans, without any specific age, that had a clinical diagnosis of stroke at any stage of evolution, with sensorimotor deficits and functional gait changes. The databases used were: Pubmed, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) and CENTRAL (Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials). Results: After the application of the criteria, there were 4 final studies that were included in the systematic review. 3 of the studies obtained a score of 8 on the PEDro scale and 1 obtained a score of 4. The fact that there is clinical and methodological heterogeneity in the studies evaluated, supports the realization of the current systematic narrative review, without meta-analysis. Discussion: Although the results obtained in the 4 studies are promising, it is important to note that the significant improvements that have been found, should be carefully considered since pilot studies with small samples, such as these, are not designed to test differences between groups, in terms of the effectiveness of the intervention applied. Conclusion: Intensive Physiotherapy seems to be safe and applicable in post-stroke subjects and there are indications that it is effective in improving gait, namely speed, travelled distance and spatiotemporal parameters. However, there is a need to develop more RCTs with larger samples and that evaluate the longterm resultsN/

From quantum gravity to gravitational waves through cosmic strings

New physics beyond the Standard Model can give rise to stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds, for example through cosmic strings. In this way, gravitational-wave searches with pulsar-timing arrays as well as existing and future laser interferometers may provide information on particle physics beyond the Standard Model. Here, we take one additional step and link particle physics beyond the Standard Model to quantum gravity. We investigate whether particle physics models that may give rise to cosmic strings can be embedded into an asymptotically safe theory of quantum gravity and matter. We focus on models where cosmic strings arise from U(1)-symmetry-breaking in an extended Yukawa-Abelian-Higgs sector that may be part of a dark sector. We find a negative answer for the simplest model that can give rise to cosmic strings and also find constraints on an extended model. We tentatively conclude that cosmic strings are difficult to accommodate in asymptotically safe models. This fits well with the latest 15-year dataset and search for new physics from the NANOGrav collaboration, which disfavors a stable-cosmic-string interpretation. In that sense, the recent data provide an indirect, albeit at present rather tentative, hint about the quantum theory of gravity.Comment: 14 pages + Appendixes. It matches the published versio

A construção do pensamento complexo num grupo de pesquisa em educação: primeiros passos

O presente trabalho busca analisar a constituição e dinâmica de dois grupos de pesquisa da UFSCar/CNPq- “Formação de Professores, Ambientalização Curricular e Educação em Ciências” e “Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Educação Científica” - à luz da teoria dos grupos operativos de Pichon-Rivière e da teoria da complexidade. Para isso foram realizadas análises qualitativas das gravações em áudio dos encontros dos grupos e dos resumos das atividades dos mesmos. A partir das análises observaram- se aproximações entre a dinâmica do grupo de pesquisa com algumas características específicasdos grupos operativos na perspectiva Pichoniana. Na relação com o paradigma da complexidade, a principal dificuldade do grupo foi o rompimento com paradigmas anteriores, porém também pode-se observar aproximações e avanços do grupo com a construção do pensamento complexo

A major QTL corresponding to the Rk locus for resistance to root-knot nematodes in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.).

Key messageGenome resolution of a major QTL associated with the Rk locus in cowpea for resistance to root-knot nematodes has significance for plant breeding programs and R gene characterization. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is a susceptible host of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) (RKN), major plant-parasitic pests in global agriculture. To date, breeding for host resistance in cowpea has relied on phenotypic selection which requires time-consuming and expensive controlled infection assays. To facilitate marker-based selection, we aimed to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring the resistance trait. One recombinant inbred line (RIL) and two F2:3 populations, each derived from a cross between a susceptible and a resistant parent, were genotyped with genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The populations were screened in the field for root-galling symptoms and/or under growth-chamber conditions for nematode reproduction levels using M. incognita and M. javanica biotypes. One major QTL was mapped consistently on linkage group VuLG11 of each population. By genotyping additional cowpea lines and near-isogenic lines derived from conventional backcrossing, we confirmed that the detected QTL co-localized with the genome region associated with the Rk locus for RKN resistance that has been used in conventional breeding for many decades. This chromosomal location defined with flanking markers will be a valuable target in marker-assisted breeding and for positional cloning of genes controlling RKN resistance

Desenvolvimento de um dispositivo de administração de insulina para crianças diabéticas

Este projeto visou o desenvolvimento de um dispositivo deadministração de insulina para crianças diabéticas que permitisse aumentar aqualidade de vida do doente através de um produto discreto e inovador. Assim,foi estudado o histórico da doença, identificado os dispositivos existentes nomercado, levantadas as novas tecnologias no tratamento da doença e asnecessidades do utilizador. O fator motivador para o desenvolvimento desteprojeto foi dado pela inexistência de um dispositivo de administração de insulinaexclusivo para crianças e adolescentes diabéticos. O conceito do dispositivo foibaseado em uma órtese umbilical, tornando o dispositivo imperceptível no corpodo diabético em sua vida diária. Além disso, aplicação tecnológica do dispositivopermite a conexão dos dados referentes a administração de insulina viabluetooth com medidores de glicemia, telemóveis, smartphones e tablets

Electrical Characterization of Thin-Film Transistors Based on Solution-Processed Metal Oxides

This chapter provides a brief introduction to thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on transparent semiconducting metal oxides (SMOs) with a focus on solution-processed devices. The electrical properties of TFTs comprising different active layer compositions (zinc oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide and indium-zinc oxide) produced by spin-coating and spray-pyrolysis deposition are presented and compared. The electrical performance of TFTs is evaluated from parameters as the saturation mobility (μsat), the TFT threshold voltage (Vth) and the on/off current (Ion/Ioff) ratio to demonstrate the dependence on the composition of the device-active layer and on ambient characterization conditions (exposure to UV radiation and to air)

UFPR-Periocular: A Periocular Dataset Collected by Mobile Devices in Unconstrained Scenarios

Recently, ocular biometrics in unconstrained environments using images obtained at visible wavelength have gained the researchers' attention, especially with images captured by mobile devices. Periocular recognition has been demonstrated to be an alternative when the iris trait is not available due to occlusions or low image resolution. However, the periocular trait does not have the high uniqueness presented in the iris trait. Thus, the use of datasets containing many subjects is essential to assess biometric systems' capacity to extract discriminating information from the periocular region. Also, to address the within-class variability caused by lighting and attributes in the periocular region, it is of paramount importance to use datasets with images of the same subject captured in distinct sessions. As the datasets available in the literature do not present all these factors, in this work, we present a new periocular dataset containing samples from 1,122 subjects, acquired in 3 sessions by 196 different mobile devices. The images were captured under unconstrained environments with just a single instruction to the participants: to place their eyes on a region of interest. We also performed an extensive benchmark with several Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures and models that have been employed in state-of-the-art approaches based on Multi-class Classification, Multitask Learning, Pairwise Filters Network, and Siamese Network. The results achieved in the closed- and open-world protocol, considering the identification and verification tasks, show that this area still needs research and development

Weight Trajectories from Birth and Bone Mineralization at 7 Years of Age

Objective: To assess whether different trajectories of weight gain since birth influence bone mineral content (BMC) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at 7 years of age. Study design: We studied a subsample of 1889 children from the Generation XXI birth cohort who underwent whole-body dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry. Weight trajectories identified through normal mixture modeling for model-based clustering and labeled “normal weight gain,” “weight gain during infancy,” “weight gain during childhood,” and “persistent weight gain” were used. Differences in subtotal BMC, aBMD, and size-corrected BMC (scBMC) at age 7 years according to weight trajectories were estimated through analysis of covariance. Results: Compared with the “normal weight gain” trajectory, children in the remaining trajectories had significantly greater BMC, aBMD, and scBMC at age 7 years, with the strongest associations for “persistent weight gain” (girls [BMC: 674.0 vs 559.8 g, aBMD: 0.677 vs 0.588 g/cm2, scBMC: 640.7 vs 577.4 g], boys [BMC: 689.4 vs 580.8 g, aBMD: 0.682 vs 0.611 g/cm2, scBMC: 633.0 vs 595.6 g]). After adjustment for current weight, and alternatively for fat and lean mass, children with a “weight gain during childhood” trajectory had greater BMC and aBMD than those with a “normal weight gain” trajectory, although significant differences were restricted to girls (BMC: 601.4 vs 589.2 g, aBMD: 0.618 vs 0.609 g/cm2). Conclusion: Overall, children following a trajectory of persistent weight gain since birth had clearly increased bone mass at 7 years, but weight gain seemed slightly more beneficial when it occurred later rather than on a normal trajectory during the first 7 years of life

A Sustainable Approach to Selective Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Esters and Aldehydes with Ruthenium Catalysts

The reduction of esters and aldehydes to alcohols is an important reaction in the chemical industry to produce a wide range of bulk and fine chemicals. Herein, the unexpected behavior of three state-of-the-art, commercially available Ru-catalysts for the hydrogenation of these feedstocks is reported. For ester and aldehydes containing a C=C bond, it was possible to carry out the selective hydrogenation of the ester or aldehyde functionality while keeping the C=C double-bond essentially untouched. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that these substrates can be reduced under very mild reaction conditions (as low as 40 °C and 5 bar of H2) and that anisole, a solvent with a high sustainability rank, is suitable for these catalytic hydrogenations

Cabernet Sauvignon in tropical semi-arid climate (Pernambuco - Brasil): adaptation of some clones and their affinity to different rootstocks.

The variety Cabemet Sauvignon has revealed in the São Francisco Valley (9°02' S; 40°11' W) a high potential of quality, but with some limitations on its adaptation to this "terroir". The rootstocks with effective aftinity are yet unknown and the material with many virus infections makes difficult its culture, particularly in terms ofyield, which generally is very low. With the objective to maximize the behaviour ofthis variety in this terroir, a field trial was installed in Vinibrasil - Vinhos do Brasil, SA to compare the relations "variety x rootstock", with 5 clones (15, 169, 191,337 and 685) combined with 6 rootstocks (IAC-313, IAC-572, 1103-P, 420-A, 101-14 e S04). After seven harvests (two per year) consistent differences in yield were observed, mainly due to the rootstock. These disparities are due to the number of clusters and their medium weight. Autochthonous rootstocks (obtained at the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas), were those that generated the highest yield, with the IAC-313 the most productive. With regard to rootstocks commonly used in temperate climates, the 1103-P was one that showed behaviour closer to the Brazilian rootstock. The rootstocks with lower yields were generally the 101-14 Mgt and 420-A. At the qualitative level, we found only minor differences and not always in the same direction between the different rootstocks. There were no significant differences in average yield or quality among the different clones. Overall, the sensory analysis of wines produced from the clones, indicates the clones 337 and 685 as being the most agreeable, especially in the parameters of the aroma. The colour intensity is another parameter where those two clones have higher comparative values. In another way, the clone with lower colour intensity is the 191, which shows the lower content of red anthocyanins. These results show the possibility to growth C. Sauvignon in tropical semi-arid climate, with acceptable yields and high quality. On the another hand, in the establishment of new vineyards it is essential to choose the correct combination (clone x rootstock) and especially the appropriate rootstock