AGM-Like Paraconsistent Belief Change

Two systems of belief change based on paraconsistent logics are introduced in this article by means of AGM-like postulates. The first one, AGMp, is defined over any paraconsistent logic which extends classical logic such that the law of excluded middle holds w.r.t. the paraconsistent negation. The second one, AGMo , is specifically designed for paraconsistent logics known as Logics of Formal Inconsistency (LFIs), which have a formal consistency operator that allows to recover all the classical inferences. Besides the three usual operations over belief sets, namely expansion, contraction and revision (which is obtained from contraction by the Levi identity), the underlying paraconsistent logic allows us to define additional operations involving (non-explosive) contradictions. Thus, it is defined external revision (which is obtained from contraction by the reverse Levi identity), consolidation and semi-revision, all of them over belief sets. It is worth noting that the latter operations, introduced by S. Hansson, involve the temporary acceptance of contradictory beliefs, and so they were originally defined only for belief bases. Unlike to previous proposals in the literature, only defined for specific paraconsistent logics, the present approach can be applied to a general class of paraconsistent logics which are supraclassical, thus preserving the spirit of AGM. Moreover, representation theorems w.r.t. constructions based on selection functions are obtained for all the operations

Northeast Portuguese propolis protects against neurotoxic events in cerebral cortical neurons

Propolis is a sticky substance that honeybees manufacture by mixing secreted substances from their metabolism with plant exudates, pollen and waxes. This product has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Currently, it is extensively used in foods and beverages and is claimed to improve human health. Propolis is known to have a wide range of biological properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral and antioxidative activities [1]. Indeed, oxidative stress and apoptosis has been implicated in both aging and several neurodegenerative disorders. The chemical composition of propolis is very complex, varies with geographic origin, depending on the local flora and typically contains resin composed of flavonoids and related phenolic acids (50%), beeswax (30%), essential oils (10%), pollen (5%) and other organic compounds (5%). Recently, the phenolic profile of propolis from the Northeast of Portugal has been described [2]. Accordingly to this study, its phenolic composition fits well with that of propolis from temperat

The amplitude of the kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations in 4U 1636-53 in the frequency-energy space

We present for the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636$-$53, and for the first time for any source of kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs), the two-dimensional behaviour of the fractional rms amplitude of the kHz QPOs in the parameter space defined by QPO frequency and photon energy. We find that the rms amplitude of the lower kHz QPO increases with energy up to $\sim12$ keV and then decreases at higher energies, while the rms amplitude of the upper kHz QPO either continues increasing or levels off at high energies. The rms amplitude of the lower kHz QPO increases and then decreases with frequency, peaking at $\sim 760$ Hz, while the amplitude of the upper kHz QPO decreases with frequency, with a local maximum at around $\sim 770$ Hz, and is consistent with becoming zero at the same QPO frequency, $\sim1400$ Hz, in all energy bands, thus constraining the neutron-star mass at $M_{NS} \leq 1.6 M_{\odot}$, under the assumption that this QPO reflects the Keplerian frequency at the inner edge of the accretion disc. We show that the slope of the rms energy spectrum is connected to the changing properties of the kHz QPOs in different energy bands as its frequencies change. Finally, we discuss a possible mechanism responsible for the radiative properties of the kHz QPOs and, based on a model in which the QPO arises from oscillations in a Comptonising cloud of hot electrons, we show that the properties of the kHz QPOs can constrain the thermodynamic properties of the inner accretion flow

Insulin resistance and carotid intima-media thickness mediate the association between resting-state heart rate variability and executive function: A path modelling study

Background: Research has linked high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) to cognitive function. The present study adopts a modern path modelling approach to understand potential causal pathways that may underpin this relationship. Methods: Here we examine the association between resting-state HF-HRV and executive function in a large sample of civil servants from Brazil (N = 8114) recruited for the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). HF-HRV was calculated from 10-min resting-state electrocardiograms. Executive function was assessed using the trail-making test (version B). Results and conclusions: Insulin resistance (a marker of type 2 diabetes mellitus) and carotid intima-media thickness (subclinical atherosclerosis) mediated the relationship between HRV and executive function in seriatim. A limitation of the present study is its cross-sectional design; therefore, conclusions must be confirmed in longitudinal study. Nevertheless, findings support that possibility that HRV provides a 'spark' that initiates a cascade of adverse downstream effects that subsequently leads to cognitive impairment.Fil: Kemp, Andrew H.. University of Sydney; Australia. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rodríguez López, Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad; Argentina. University of Sydney; Australia. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Passos, Valeria M. A.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Bittencourt, Marcio S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Dantas, Eduardo M.. University of Vale do São Francisco; BrasilFil: Mill, José G.. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; BrasilFil: Ribeiro, Antonio L. P.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Thayer, Julian F.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Bensenor, Isabela M.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Lotufo, Paulo A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Genomic variations in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and karyotypes without numerical or structural changes

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is an onco-hematologic disease with distinct levels of peripheral blood cytopenias, dysplasias in cell differentiation and various forms of chromosomal and cytogenomic alterations. In this study, the Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) was performed in patients with primary MDS without numerical and/or structural chromosomal alterations in karyotypes. A total of 17 patients was evaluated by GTG banding and eight patients showed no numerical and/or structural alterations. Then, the CMA was carried out and identified gains and losses CNVs and long continuous stretches of homozygosity (LCSHs). They were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, X, and Y. Ninety-one genes that have already been implicated in molecular pathways important for cell viability were selected and in-silico expression analyses demonstrated 28 genes differentially expressed in mesenchymal stromal cells of patients. Alterations in these genes may be related to the inactivation of suppressor genes or the activation of oncogenes contributing to the evolution and malignization of MDS. CMA provided additional information in patients without visible changes in the karyotype and our findings could contribute with additional information to improve the prognostic and personalized stratification for patients

Safety and Immunogenicity of an In Vivo Muscle Electroporation Delivery System for DNA-hsp65 Tuberculosis Vaccine in Cynomolgus Monkeys

A Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is still the only licensed vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis, providing limited protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in adulthood. New advances in the delivery of DNA vaccines by electroporation have been made in the past decade. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the DNA-hsp65 vaccine administered by intramuscular electroporation (EP) in cynomolgus macaques. Animals received three doses of DNA-hsp65 at 30-day intervals. We demonstrated that intramuscular electroporated DNA-hsp65 vaccine immunization of cynomolgus macaques was safe, and there were no vaccine-related effects on hematological, renal, or hepatic profiles, compared to the pre-vaccination parameters. No tuberculin skin test conversion nor lung X-ray alteration was identified. Further, low and transient peripheral cellular immune response and cytokine expression were observed, primarily after the third dose of the DNA-hsp65 vaccine. Electroporated DNA-hsp65 vaccination is safe but provides limited enhancement of peripheral cellular immune responses. Preclinical vaccine trials with DNA-hsp65 delivered via EP may include a combination of plasmid cytokine adjuvant and/or protein prime–boost regimen, to help the induction of a stronger cellular immune response

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry identification of mycobacterium bovis in bovinae

In this study, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was used to identify Mycobacterium bovis from cattle and buffalo tissue isolates from the North and South regions of Brazil, grown in solid medium and previously identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based on Region of Difference 4 (RD4), sequencing and spoligotyping. For this purpose, the protein extraction protocol and the mass spectra reference database were optimized for the identification of 80 clinical isolates of mycobacteria. As a result of this optimization, it was possible to identify and differentiate M. bovis from other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with 100% specificity, 90.91% sensitivity and 91.25% reliability. MALDI-TOF MS methodology described herein provides successful identification of M. bovis within bovine/bubaline clinical samples, demonstrating its usefulness for bovine tuberculosis diagnosis in the future.Instituto de BiotecnologíaFil: Bacanelli, Gisele. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. Biotechnology and Biodiversity of the Central Western Region Postgraduate Program; BrasilFil: Olarte, Larissa C. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Multicentric Postgraduate Program; BrasilFil: Silva, Marcio Roberto. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa). Gado de Leite; BrasilFil: Rodrigues, Rudielle A. Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary Sciences Postgraduate Program; BrasilFil: Carneiro, Paulo A. M. Michigan State University. Center for Comparative Epidemiology; Estados UnidosFil: Kannene, John B. Michigan State University. Center for Comparative Epidemiology; Estados UnidosFil: Pasquatti, Taynara N. Dom Bosco Catholic University; BrasilFil: Takatani, Haruo. Agricultural Defense Agency of Amazonas; BrasilFil: Zumarraga, Martin Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Etges, Rodrigo N. Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation; BrasilFil: Araujo, Flabio Ribeiro de. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa). Gado de Corte; BrasilFil: Verbisck, Newton V. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa). Gado de Corte; Brasi

Utilização de uma malha estruturada na análise do aerofólio s809

A análise numérica tem se tornado uma ferramenta essencial nas etapas do desenvolvimento de um projeto devido a sua capacidade de solução para fenômenos físicos descritos por leis de difícil solução analítica, economizando tempo e dinheiro, uma vez que um número muito menor de protótipos será construído até a obtenção do resultado final. Para tanto, deve-se encontrar uma malha ideal de forma que esta possibilite o resultado mais próximo possível da realidade, com o mínimo de esforço computacional. O objetivo é o estudo do aerofólio S809 bastante empregado em aerogeradores. A metodologia empregada será a determinação de uma malha estruturada ideal para simulações em diversas condições de operação dos rotores desses equipamentos. Será observado alguns aspectos importantes, como o número mínimo de elementos necessários, o refinamento próximo à superfície do aerofólio, isto é, o tamanho inicial e a relação de crescimento dos elementos nesta região, de maneira a obter a melhor representação dos efeitos de camada limite e o fenômeno da turbulência, assim como, o tamanho mínimo necessário do domínio a ser discretizado, de forma que este não influencie nos resultados das simulações. Desta forma, aplicando-se o aumento gradativo do número de elementos bem como a diminuição da relação de crescimento destes ao redor do aerofólio nas malhas construídas pelo software ICEM® e realizando simulações através do FLUENT®, espera-se a convergência dos resultados obtidos para os coeficientes de arrasto e de sustentação a partir de um determinado número de elementos da malha, sendo desnecessário qualquer tipo de acréscimo no refinamento local ou global, uma vez que isto apenas aumentaria o esforço computacional e não mais influenciaria nos resultados. Além disso, deve ser observado que as equações de momento, energia e da continuidade devem atender ao erro mínimo exigido. Assim, esta malha representaria o caso ideal desejadoUniversidade Federal de Viçosa//UFV/BrasilFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais//FAPEMIG/BrasilUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ingeniería::Instituto Investigaciones en Ingeniería (INII