Haemosporidian parasites prevalence associated with physical conditioning of avian species from the Brazilian Cerrado

Blood parasites can infect myriad avian species and thereby affect the fitness and survival of their hosts. There is wide interspecific variation in parasite prevalence related to biological, ecological, and evolutionary host factors. This study aimed to determine the blood parasite prevalence in avian species from the Brazilian Cerrado and to investigate the associations among biomass, body condition, and blood parasitism. A total of 1,098 blood smears from 549 individuals (56 species) collected in four forest fragments were analyzed. Of these, 109 (19.85%) individuals from 33 species were infected: 13 (2.36%) were positive for Haemoproteus and 103 (18.76%) for Plasmodium. There was co-infection between both genera of parasites in 7 individuals. Among bird species, prevalence ranged from zero to 100%. There were significant positive correlations between prevalence and biomass and the body condition index. Hemosporid vectors track their hosts by carbon dioxide detection. Since large organisms emit more carbon dioxide, our results suggest that larger birds may be more susceptible to hemosporid vectors. Additionally, species with higher body condition indices can be more tolerant to parasites, possibly because they have more energy reserves. This study showed that species with higher biomass and body condition indices were associated with higher blood parasite prevalence, a finding that suggests these factors are efficient predictors to explain the interspecific variations. This information could be important for the understanding parasite-host relationships and useful for bird conservation programs

The Tagus River delta (off Lisbon, Portugal) as a repository of landslides. Implications on trigger mechanisms, tsunami hazard and neotectonics.

The seismic stratigraphy of the Tagus estuary ebb-tidal delta of Lisbon (Portugal) is investigated with the purpose of searching for evidences of possible sedimentary or erosive features associated with landslides or mass wasting deposits (MTD) events. A special attention was given to events that could have been triggered by large earthquakes that are known to have struck the West of Portugal and Spain in historical and pre-historical times. These earthquakes destroyed Lisbon at least twice in the last 500 years, being the 1755 Lisbon earthquake of estimated magnitude >8.5. To investigate these geological features the seismic reflection dataset used in this work consists of Chirp (Lisboa98 dataset), Sparker single channel (PACEMAKER 2011 dataset) and multichannel seismic (MCS) data (TAGUSDELTA 2013 dataset). Cross-lines of MCS data were acquired crossing the core sampling sites done in previous works. Calibration of the seismic lines width the core data led to infer that the Tagus ebb delta started its formation around 17ky BP and it consists of two main stratigraphic units, the younger of which initiated its formation at approximately 13ky BP. The lower deltaic unit contains several MTDs and/or landslides that could not be mapped with the present dataset. In the upper unit we report the existence of a landslide with 10km of length, 4.5km of width and 20m of maximum thickness that accounted for the collapse of half of the Tagus river delta front. The internal structure of the landslide varies laterally. The main different aspects are, as follows, i) the landslide can be dismembered along slope due to stretching parallel associated to differential movement along slope, ii) it can show internal discontinuities that represent mechanical detachments that separate imbricate wedges and iii) distal deposited bodies completely detached from the main landslide body. The age of the landslide is discussed; an estimated age of >8ky BP is proposed by stratigraphic correlation with existent cores in the Tagus pro-delta. The trigger mechanisms are discussed; there appears to be a correlation between large earthquakes and tsunami and onshore/offshore high energy deposits. The non-collapsed half of the delta front contains extensive shallow gas of still unknown origin and nature that was found thanks to the seismic surveys carried out in this study. Further geochemical and isotope studies are needed to investigate the origin of the gas as well as geotechnical studies are needed to investigate the rheology and stability of the delta. The stratigraphic model produced for the study area indicates subsidence of tens of meters from Pliocene times as the post-LGM deposits and possible coastal paleo-scarps fit well with the sea level curve for this interval whilst the Pliocene-Lower Quaternary appear to be tens of meters below the same curve. The estimation of the amount of subsidence needs a good chronostratigraphic control of the external continental shelf bodies

Gamification in stroke rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation aims to improve patients’ abilities to realize daily life activities and, consequently, regain their self-confidence and improve independence and quality of life. Gamification can be defined as the application of game-design elements, dynamics, and principles such as competition, narratives, point-scoring, and awards in non-game contexts, including rehabilitation. It has emerged as a therapeutic alternative or complement to traditional rehabilitation to make motor practice more intense and increase a person’s motivation, interest, and satisfaction by bringing meaningful and intrinsically motivational playful experiences. Compared to the same amount of conventional therapy, gamification can increase the number of movements and involve safe and intensive rehabilitation exercises, essential for a successful rehabilitation process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

332 Predictors and prognostic value of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing primary angioplasty

PurposeContrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after coronariography has been associated to increased morbidity and mortality. Patients submitted to primary angioplasty seem to be at higher risk for CIN development, owing in part to hemodynamic status. We sought to determine the prevalence, predictors and prognostic value of CIN occurrence after primary angioplasty.MethodsA total of 141 patients consecutively submitted to primary angioplasty and admitted to our coronary unit were reviewed. CIN was defined as impairment of renal function occurring within 48 hours after administration of contrast media and manifested by an absolute increase in the serum creatinine level of at least 0.5mg/dl or by a relative increase of at least 25% over the baseline value (in the absence of another cause). The primary end points were in-hospital and six-month mortality.ResultsCIN developed in 18.4% of the patients (n=26). Patients with CIN were older (68±13 vs 61±13 years; p<0.05) and more often had diabetes mellitus (38.5% vs 15.7%; p<0.05). Although statistical significance was not reached, there was a trend for higher prevalence of hypertension (61.5% vs 42.6%; p=0.09), female gender (30.8% vs 18.3%; p=0.18) and Killip class higher than one at admission (26.9% vs 16.3%; p=0.1) among patients with CIN. Patients with CIN had an higher mean time from symptoms to reperfusion (304±192 vs 397±206 minutes; p<0.04). By multivariate analysis, independent correlates of CIN were older age (OR=1.04; 95%CI=1.01 − 1.08) and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.99; 95%CI=1.08 − 8.3). Patients with CIN had higher in-hospital (19.2% vs 0.9%; p<0.05) and 6-month mortality (28.6% vs 4.9%; p<0.05).ConclusionsCIN was a frequent complication of primary angioplasty (18.4% of the patients). Independent predictors of CIN after primary angioplasty were older age and diabetes mellitus. Patients with CIN had a worse prognosis, both during in-hospital stay and at 6 months

Anticipating the location of a waste collection point : an application based on Portugal

We study the optimal location of a waste facility in a horizontally differentiated duopoly where firms choose their location and price. The policymaker decides the location of a waste facility targeting social welfare maximization. Consistent with the observation of the location decisions of waste facilities in Portugal, we show that the optimal location of a waste facility is never in the city center under partial expost regulation. Ex-ante regulation ensures the highest level of social welfare, but from a theoretical point of view, it requires a waste facility located in the city center. A robustness check is then provided to justify that, in actual regulatory practice, a first-mover regulator maximizes social welfare without necessarily imposing the installation of a waste facility in the city center.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Conjunctival bacilloscopy in leprosy diagnosis and follow-up

OBJETIVO: Estudar a presença do Mycobacterium leprae na conjuntiva ocular e validar a baciloscopia de conjuntiva como teste diagnóstico e de acompanhamento da hanseníase. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado raspado de conjuntiva tarsal superior em 52 pacientes portadores de hanseníase recém-diagnosticados (26 multibacilares e 26 paucibacilares) no período de julho a setembro de 2004 na clínica Oculistas Associados de Brasília e foram analisados os resultados da baciloscopia de conjuntiva a fim de compará-la com a baciloscopia da linfa (padrão-ouro). RESULTADOS: A avaliação da correlação entre o índice baciloscópico da conjuntiva (IBC) e índice baciloscópico da linfa (IBL) medida pelo coeficiente de correlação linear de Pearson é 76,3% (p<0,01). O teste qui-quadrado de Pearson também evidenciou associação entre IBL e IBC (p<0,01). O índice k (medida de concordância kappa de Cohen) foi de 0,615 (p<0,01). Dos 26 casos com IBL positivos, 17 tinham IBC positivo, demonstrando uma sensibilidade do IBC de 65,4% (IC 95% - 0,519-0,690). Dos 26 casos de IBL negativo, 25 eram IBC negativo, revelando especificidade de 96,2% (IC 95% - 0,826-0,998). O valor preditivo positivo é de 94,4% e o valor preditivo negativo é de 73,5%. A acurácia do teste é de 80,8%. A razão de verossimilhança é 17. O tempo médio de negativação do bacilo no olho é de 5 meses (IC 95% - 3,57-6,43). CONCLUSÃO: Sugerimos a utilização da combinação de baciloscopia da linfa e baciloscopia de conjuntiva para confirmação do diagnóstico e classificação da hanseníase e da baciloscopia de conjuntiva para acompanhamento do tratamento poliquimioterápico na hanseníase.PURPOSE: To identify Mycobacterium leprae in ocular conjunctivae and evaluate conjunctival bacilloscopy as leprosy diagnosis and follow-up test. METHODS: We used the superior tarsal conjunctiva scraping technique in 52 newly diagnosed leprosy patients between July and September 2004 at the "Oculistas Associados de Brasília", in Brasília, DF, Brazil, and compared the conjunctival bacilloscopy with skin bacilloscopy. RESULTS: Both the conjunctival bacilloscopy index (CBI) and skin bacilloscopy index (SBI) showed correlation since Pearson's r and Cohen kappa measure of agreement were respectively 76.3% (p<0.01) and 0.615 (p<0.01). Pearson chi-square also evidenced the correlation (p<0.01). Comparison of CBI and SBI (17 cases of positive CBI out of 26 SBI) gives a sensitivity of 65.4% (CI95% - 0.519-0.690); 25 cases of positive CBI out of 26 cases of negative SBI give a specificity of 96.2% (CI95% - 0.826-0.998); positive predictive value of 94.4%; negative predictive value of 73.5%, and accuracy of 80.8%. Likelihood ratio was 17. Mean time to eliminate the bacilli from conjunctiva was 5 months (CI95% - 3.57-6.43). CONCLUSION: We suggest the use of conjunctival bacilloscopy in addition with skin bacilloscopy to confirm leprosy diagnosis. Conjunctival bacilloscopy may also be useful for treatment follow-up in leprosy

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO

Energy Estimation of Cosmic Rays with the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is part of the Pierre Auger Observatory and is used to detect the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. These observations are compared to the data of the surface detector stations of the Observatory, which provide well-calibrated information on the cosmic-ray energies and arrival directions. The response of the radio stations in the 30 to 80 MHz regime has been thoroughly calibrated to enable the reconstruction of the incoming electric field. For the latter, the energy deposit per area is determined from the radio pulses at each observer position and is interpolated using a two-dimensional function that takes into account signal asymmetries due to interference between the geomagnetic and charge-excess emission components. The spatial integral over the signal distribution gives a direct measurement of the energy transferred from the primary cosmic ray into radio emission in the AERA frequency range. We measure 15.8 MeV of radiation energy for a 1 EeV air shower arriving perpendicularly to the geomagnetic field. This radiation energy -- corrected for geometrical effects -- is used as a cosmic-ray energy estimator. Performing an absolute energy calibration against the surface-detector information, we observe that this radio-energy estimator scales quadratically with the cosmic-ray energy as expected for coherent emission. We find an energy resolution of the radio reconstruction of 22% for the data set and 17% for a high-quality subset containing only events with at least five radio stations with signal.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO