Asynchronous spiking neurons, the natural key to exploit temporal sparsity

Inference of Deep Neural Networks for stream signal (Video/Audio) processing in edge devices is still challenging. Unlike the most state of the art inference engines which are efficient for static signals, our brain is optimized for real-time dynamic signal processing. We believe one important feature of the brain (asynchronous state-full processing) is the key to its excellence in this domain. In this work, we show how asynchronous processing with state-full neurons allows exploitation of the existing sparsity in natural signals. This paper explains three different types of sparsity and proposes an inference algorithm which exploits all types of sparsities in the execution of already trained networks. Our experiments in three different applications (Handwritten digit recognition, Autonomous Steering and Hand-Gesture recognition) show that this model of inference reduces the number of required operations for sparse input data by a factor of one to two orders of magnitudes. Additionally, due to fully asynchronous processing this type of inference can be run on fully distributed and scalable neuromorphic hardware platforms

Dysautonomia in a Bitch with Hypothyroidism

Background: Thyroid hormones have important effects on the cardiovascular system, of which the main ones are the increase in the heart response to the autonomic sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate variability is a non-invasive method of assessing autonomic heart modulation, thus being an important form of evaluation in patients with thyroid dysfunctions. This study aimed to report electrocardiographic and heart rate variability data of a dog with hypothyroidism that presented a parasympathetic dysfunction.Case: A 7-year-old female Dalmatian dog was admitted for clinical evaluation in Fortaleza, Brazil. According to the owner, she had been apathetic for a year, had gained weight, always had a sad expression, and her hair was generally brittle and opaque. On physical examination, skin lesions were observed at the end of the spine, extending to the tail region, with the latter showing total alopecia. Low T4 levels confirmed the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Then, a 24-h Holter monitoring was performed, which showed that the animal had sinus arrhythmia associated with moments of second-degree sinoatrial block and rare moments of sinus tachycardia. In addition, moments of premature multifocal ventricular extrasystoles and 1st-degree atrioventricular block were observed. Based on the Holter results, heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated. Regarding the HRV in the frequency domain, 32.16 was obtained in the low frequency (LF) band, 67.84 in the high frequency (HF) band, and the LF / HF ratio was 0.46, with a total power of 5205. As for the HRV in the time domain, RMSSD was 117, pNN50 was 62.64 and SDNN was 384. This showed an increase in the parasympathetic activity of the heart and, due to this increased activity, a second-degree sinoatrial block occurred, which is a sinus function disturbance resulting from the exacerbated parasympathetic activity.Discussion: Beta-adrenergic receptors have their expression and activity altered by thyroid hormones. The sympathetic stimulation on the heart through the activation of these receptors originates a positive inotropic, lusitropic, dromotropic and chronotropic effect. Therefore, in the absence of thyroid hormones, there is a decrease in this stimulation, thus allowing a preponderant parasympathetic tone. In the present report, the increase in the parasympathetic tonus, observed in hypothyroidism, resulted in a reduction in the frequency of sinus firing, slowing of intranodal and sinoatrial conduction, and shortening of the effective refractory period, a combination of factors that led to decreased HR observed in the Holter monitoring. Previous studies have shown that thyroid hormones increase sympathetic activity, mainly in the heart, since they do not act by increasing the production or release of catecholamines, but rather increasing catecholamine response on the heart, due to a positive regulation of Ca2+-ATPase channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and beta1-adrenergic receptors. Thus, the observed result was already expected, because in hypothyroidism there is a decrease in these hormones that increase the sympathetic activity on the heart and so, the parasympathetic tone was very evident. The study of heart rate variability allows the simple assessment of the autonomic nervous system imbalance, and may be extremely important in the follow-up of diseases that affect this balance, such as hypothyroidism. Hence, more studies are required to verify the effect of such diseases on heart rate variability, aiming to define associations between the diseases and the alterations, as well as to define parameters of normality for such examinations

Rentabilidade e crise: estudo nas empresas de consumo cíclico / Profitability and crisis: study in cyclic consumer companies

Objetiva-se investigar possíveis alterações nos indicadores de rentabilidade das empresas listadas na B3 e pertencentes ao setor de consumo cíclico decorrentes da crise de 2014. A relevância da pesquisa é entender os efeitos que a crise de 2014 provocou nos indicadores de rentabilidade do setor de consumo cíclico. Inova-se em relação aos estudos anteriores ao realizar uma análise individual de firmas e a utilização de uma quantidade considerável de anos. Foram utilizados os indicadores de onze companhias do setor consumo cíclico listadas na B3 durante os anos de 2010 a 2018, para a comparação dos indicadores antes e depois do início da crise foi utilizado o teste U de Mann- Whitney. Os resultados revelaram que depois do início da crise algumas empresas apresentaram redução em seus indicadores de rentabilidade, mas na maior parte das empresas analisadas os indicadores permaneceram estatisticamente iguais nos período antes e depois início da crise

USO DO PROTOCOLO DE SAÚDE DA MULHER NA PREVENÇÃO DO CÂNCER DE COLO DO ÚTERO

Objetivo: analisar o uso do protocolo de saúde da mulher na prevenção do câncer de colo do útero por enfermeiros na Atenção Básica. Método: estudo de caso, exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa. Os participantes foram enfermeiros da Estratégia Saúde da Família. Utilizou-se como técnica de coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada, analisada pela Análise de Conteúdo do tipo categorial temática. Resultados: o enfermeiro realiza o acolhimento limitado à queixa da mulher motivada por demanda espontânea e apresenta autonomia para a realização do citopatológico, embora nem todos realizem avaliação do resultado desse exame. Conclusão: a análise do uso do protocolo de saúde da mulher permitiu constatar-se uma discrepância entre as ações realizadas por enfermeiros na Atenção Básica, que ora estavam de acordo com o Protocolo de Atenção Básica, ora divergiam de suas normativas.Descritores: Atenção Primária à Saúde. Saúde da Mulher. Câncer de Colo do Útero. Prevenção Primária. Protocolos Clínicos

Heavy Metal Poisoning in a Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Background: In recent decades the demand for unconventional pets has been relatively increasing, a situation that increasingly causes veterinarians to encounter these animals in medical and surgical practice. Of these animals, the birds stand out. Animals of the order Psittaciform are known as very curious and active creatures that have the tendency to chew objectsin their environment. Among the several occurrences that lead this animal to attend the veterinary clinic, we highlight the poisoning by heavy metals, especially lead poisoning (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The objective of this work was to report a case of heavy metal intoxication in cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).Case: A cockatiel was taken to the veterinarian with a history of apathy, motor incoordination, exacerbated water consumption and regurgitation. Complete anamnesis was instrumental in directing suspected heavy metal intoxication. Radiopaque particles were visualized through radiographic examination, suggesting heavy metal intoxication. The diagnosis wasconcluded through complementary examinations since the clinical symptoms are nonspecific. The treatment was intended to provide emergency intervention, avoid further absorption, use of antidotes, provide supportive measures and provide guidance to the owner. It can be concluded that the diagnosis and treatment were successful.Discussion: Metal poisoning can kill birds. The veterinarian should always seek the literature in order to perform the best support and treatment. For this, detailed history and detailed medical history must be taken into account, since the time of ingestion and the type of metal interfere with the therapeutic conduct. The use of imaging tests such as x-rays andultrasound are essential to assist the clinician, especially in cases where the tutor does not know whether or not the animal has ingested an object. In the radiographic examination, the heavy metal has the characteristic of having high radiopacity, which was evidenced in the case in question. Radiographic positions should be considered in order to avoid false negatives. In the literature, the treatment of chelation therapy is prioritized to remove the circulating heavy metal and thus act on the cause of the problem. In the case in question calcium EDTA was used intramuscularly, which showed clinical improvement in the animal after the second application. Calcium EDTA binds to metals and facilitates their transport and excretion. The use of fluid therapy is necessary as a supportive treatment to prevent kidney damage, since heavy metals are highlyharmful to nephrons. Especially in cases where the animal stops feeding and ingesting water. The use of antibiotics is essential because in many cases the animal, in addition to not feeding, becomes prone to infections due to metal toxicity, therefore, prophylactic use is essential for a better prognosis. In the case in question, the use of enrofloxacin was effective,as reported in the literature. It is recommended that the diagnosis of serum lead and zinc dosage should be made, however, due to the difficulties of obtaining the samples, and since other metals may also cause intoxication, in the case in question the treatment was started without these results. According to the results obtained in this work, the treatment described in the literature is effective and can be performed immediately to save animal life without subsequent sequelae.Keywords: bird, lead, zinc, calcium EDTA

Asynchronous Spiking Neurons, the Natural Key to Exploit Temporal Sparsity

Inference of Deep Neural Networks for stream signal (Video/Audio) processing in edge devices is still challenging. Unlike the most state of the art inference engines which are efficient for static signals, our brain is optimized for real-time dynamic signal processing. We believe one important feature of the brain (asynchronous state-full processing) is the key to its excellence in this domain. In this work, we show how asynchronous processing with state-full neurons allows exploitation of the existing sparsity in natural signals. This paper explains three different types of sparsity and proposes an inference algorithm which exploits all types of sparsities in the execution of already trained networks. Our experiments in three different applications (Handwritten digit recognition, Autonomous Steering and Hand-Gesture recognition) show that this model of inference reduces the number of required operations for sparse input data by a factor of one to two orders of magnitudes. Additionally, due to fully asynchronous processing this type of inference can be run on fully distributed and scalable neuromorphic hardware platforms.European Union's Horizon 2020 No 687299 NeuRAMEuropean Union's Horizon 2020 No 824164 HERMESMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2015-63884-C2-1-

Quality of life of men with AIDS and the model of social determinants of health

OBJETIVO: analizar la calidad de vida (CV) de hombres con Sida bajo la perspectiva del modelo de la determinación social de la salud (MDSS). MÉTODO: estudio transversal, realizado en ambulatorio de enfermedades infecciosas de un hospital universitario en Brasil, durante un año, con una muestra de 138 pacientes. Para recolección de datos se utilizaron el formulario de caracterización sociodemográfica basado en el MDSS, conteniendo los determinantes individuales, proximales, intermediarios y la influencia de las redes sociales, además del instrumento de evaluación de la CV de personas con HIV/Sida. Proyecto aprobado por el comité de ética con el protocolo n° 040.06.12. RESULTADOS: según el MDSS, la mayoría de los hombres con Sida se encontraba en el intervalo etario de 30 a 49 años (68,1%), color parda (59,4%), heterosexuales (46,4%), solteros (64,5%), católicos (68,8%), nivel superior (39,2%), sin hijos (61,6%) y con vínculo de empleo (71,0%). La percepción de la CV fue intermedia en los dominios: físico, nivel de independencia, medio ambiente y espiritualidad, y para los dominios psicológicos y relaciones sociales, fue superior. Hubo menor percepción de la CV para homosexuales (p=0,037), casados (p=0,077) y con renta menor que un salario mínimo (p=0,042). Hubo mayor percepción de la CV para personas sin religión (p=0,005), que vivían con compañero (p=0,049) y con vínculo de empleo (p=0,045). CONCLUSIÓN: los determinantes sociales influencian la CV de hombres con Sida.OBJETIVO: analisar a qualidade de vida (QV) de homens com AIDS, na perspectiva do modelo da determinação social da saúde (MDSS). MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, realizado em ambulatório de infectologia de um hospital universitário no Brasil durante um ano, com amostra de 138 pacientes. Para coleta de dados, utilizaram-se o formulário de caracterização sociodemográfica baseado no MDSS, envolvendo os determinantes individuais, proximais, intermediários e influência das redes sociais, além do instrumento de avaliação da QV de pessoas com HIV/AIDS. Projeto aprovado pelo comitê de ética sob protocolo no 040.06.12. RESULTADOS: segundo o MDSS, a maioria dos homens com AIDS possuíam faixa etária de 30-49 anos (68,1%), cor parda (59,4%), heterossexuais (46,4%), solteiros (64,5%), católicos (68,8%), nível superior (39,2%), sem filhos (61,6%) e com vínculo empregatício (71,0%). A percepção da QV foi intermediária nos domínios físico, nível de independência, meio ambiente e espiritualidade, e para domínios psicológico e relações sociais, foi superior. Houve menor percepção da QV para homossexuais (p=0,037), casados (p=0,077) e com renda menor que um salário mínimo (p=0,042). Houve maior percepção da QV para pessoas sem religião (p=0,005), que moravam com parceiro (p=0,049) e com vínculo empregatício (p=0,045). CONCLUSÃO: os determinantes sociais influenciam na QV de homens com AIDS.OBJECTIVE: to analyze the quality of life (QoL) of men with AIDS from the perspective of the model of social determinants of health (MSDH). METHOD: cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient infectious diseases clinic from a Brazilian university hospital over the course of one year with a sample of 138 patients. A form based on the MSDH was used to collect sociodemographic data addressing individual, proximal, intermediate determinants and the influence of social networks together with an instrument used to assess the QoL of people with HIV/AIDS. The project was approved by the Institutional Review Board (Protocol No. 040.06.12). RESULTS: according to MSDH, most men with AIDS were between 30 and 49 years old (68.1%), mixed race (59.4%), heterosexual (46.4%), single (64.5%), Catholic (68.8%), had a bachelor's degree (39.2%), had no children (61.6%), and had a formal job (71.0%). The perception of QoL in the physical, level of independence, environment, and spirituality domains was intermediate, while QoL was perceived to be superior in the domains of psychological and social relationship. A perception of lower QoL was presented by homosexual (p=0.037) and married men (p=0.077), and those with income below one times the minimum wage (p=0.042). A perception of greater QoL was presented by those without a religion (p=0.005), living with a partner (p=0.049), and those who had a formal job (p=0.045). CONCLUSION: social determinants influence the QoL of men with AIDS

ASPECTOS ANATÔMICOS E FISIOLÓGICOS RELACIONADOS AO JOGO DE BASQUETEBOL AQUÁTICO: A EXPERIÊNCIA DE UM WORKSHOP

Um jogo de basquetebol apresenta diferentes demandas fisiológicas e partes anatômicas envolvidas nas complexas situações de jogo. Quando realizada no meio aquático, suas características são diferentes do jogo no meio terrestre, aliando elementos da natação para fins de deslocamentos, por exemplo

Hermafroditismo verdadeiro na espécie canina

Background: Hermaphroditism or intersex is a general term that includes various congenital anomalies of the genital system which is used to define animals with ambiguous sexual characteristics. It occurs in domestic animals, more commonly in pigs and goats, and rarely in horses, dogs, sheep, and cattle. The prevalence of hermaphroditism varies a lot among breeds and species and is higher in groups with a high degree of consanguinity. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe a case of canine hermaphroditism in a dog with male phenotype, as well as the anatomical and hormonal findings, and classification of the hermaphroditism exhibited by the animal studied.Case: A 1-year-old, mongrel, 5 kg dog was referred to the UHV-UECE due to the presence of a slit on the lower quadrant of the abdomen, caudal to the umbilical scar. At examination, the animal exhibited normal rectal temperature, no alterations of palpable lymph nodes, and a satisfactory body condition score. The pubic area had 2 testicles, each one in a different scrotum, 1 to the right and 1 to the left of the slit. A prepuce with no apparent function was present cranially to the slit, closer to the umbilical scar. At the other extremity of the slit, on the pubic region, there was a flaccid structure similar to a penis (micropenis) with no penile bone and no function. The slit was open until the area ventral to the anus, where the urethra was detected. The animal exhibited a behavior of territory demarcation with urine typically seen in male dogs. Orchiectomy and slit correction surgery were performed. Pre-surgical exams included: complete blood count and hormonal doses of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone. Abdominal ultrasound was performed to assess presence of sexual glands and gonads. The hormonal exam revealed: estradiol 56.39 pg/mL; testosterone 127.9 ng/mL; progesterone 0.892 ng/mL. A uterus was not detected on ultrasound examination. Ovaries were seen on their typical anatomical position; they were symmetrical and had normal sizes. There was a normal size prostate in the pelvic area, exhibiting normal texture and echogenicity. No other abnormalities were seen and the owner opted for no further surgical intervention.Discussion: Testosterone predominance explains the male behavior and appearance, demonstrating that the testis were prevalent over the ovaries. The occurrence of XX males has been reported. The genetic cause is the absence of the SRY chromosome, which has a fundamental role on activation of the SOX gene, which is responsible for sex determination. Clinically, a true hermaphrodite can exhibit different degrees of genital ambiguity; they can be diagnosed during puberty with the emergence of heterosexual characteristics, or as an adult, with infertility or gonadal neoplasia. True hermaphrodites are individuals with testicular and ovarian tissues, either combined in one gonad (ovotestis) or present as two separate gonads. The presence of ovaries and testicles can be confirmed by histology, which was not performed in this study. However, ultrasound findings (prostate and ovaries), and the presence of normal testis and external genitalia without a defined penis or vulva are in accordance with the description of a true hermaphrodite

Chemical composition, cytotoxicity and larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti of essential oils from Vitex gardineriana Schauer

Vitex gardneriana Schauer (Lamiaceae) popularly known as “jaramataia”, is a shrub commonly found in caatinga biome located in Northeast Brazil. In folk medicine, its leaves have been used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. The chemical composition of the essential oil from leaves obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed and identified by GC-MS and GC-FID and showing a total of 26 constituents (95.9%) being 2 monoterpenes (0.4%) and 24 sesquiterpenes (95.4%). The main constituents identified were cis-calamenene (29.7%), 6,9-guaiadiene (14.5%) and caryophyllene oxide (14.0%). The essential oil has been demonstrated high larvicidal activity againstAedes aegypti (LC50 = 28.0 μg/mL). In the evaluation of the bioassay with Artemia salina the essential oil showed LC50 = 98.11 μg/mL. Inaddition, the essential oil did not show cytotoxicity (IC50 > 2.50 mg/mL) by the hemolysis assay