Convex hull estimation of mammalian body segment parameters

Obtaining accurate values for body segment parameters (BSPs) is fundamental in many biomechanical studies, particularly for gait analysis. Convex hulling, where the smallest-possible convex object that surrounds a set of points is calculated, has been suggested as an effective and time-efficient method to estimate these parameters in extinct animals, where soft tissues are rarely preserved. We investigated the effectiveness of convex hull BSP estimation in a range of extant mammals, to inform the potential future usage of this technique with extinct taxa. Computed tomography scans of both the skeleton and skin of every species investigated were virtually segmented. BSPs (the mass, position of the centre of mass and inertial tensors of each segment) were calculated from the resultant soft tissue segments, while the bone segments were used as the basis for convex hull reconstructions. We performed phylogenetic generalized least squares and ordinary least squares regressions to compare the BSPs calculated from soft tissue segments with those estimated using convex hulls, finding consistent predictive relationships for each body segment. The resultant regression equations can, therefore, be used with confidence in future volumetric reconstruction and biomechanical analyses of mammals, in both extinct and extant species where such data may not be available

Comparison of German and Japanese general practitioners' awareness of suicide and attitudes toward patients with suicidal ideation.

The authors designed a questionnaire to investigate the differences in German and Japanese general practitioners? (GP) awareness of suicide and attitudes toward patients with suicidal ideation in their respective societies. The purpose of this study was to obtain insights leading to a better means of suicide prevention in primary care in Japan. The background for conducting the study was declining suicides in the past 20 years and the lower suicide rate in Germany compared with the present situation in Japan, where the number of suicides has in recent years continued to exceed 30,000, resulting in a suicide rate approximately 2 times higher than that in Germany. The questionnaire was randomly mailed to GPs in Okayama-Prefecture (western Japan) and Hamburg-State (northern Germany) and was collected in the same way. The patterns of answers were compared between the 2 countries, and the differences were statistically analyzed. Japanese GPs seem to have a lower will to prevent suicide in daily practice compared to German GPs and a great lack of knowledge about treatment of suicidal patients. These observations suggest that improving GPs? interest in the problem of suicide and providing training programs for the treatment of patients with suicidal intentions might be a means of achieving better suicide prevention in Japan

Valor nutritivo de algumas dietas artificiais para Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Valor nutritivo de algumas dietas artificias para Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera, Tephritidae). Algumas dietas artificias, em diferentes concentrações, foram testadas e sua eficiência foi calculada a partir do peso das pupas, do tempo para apupar e da porcentagem de empupação. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com fermento 4,5 g/ 150 ml de dieta; os outros produtos testados foram: germe de trigo, feijão soja, leite em pó e aveia

Reconhecimento de Pessoas em Florestas utilizando monitoramento de imagens em tempo real e métodos inteligentes

A Visão Computacional é uma ferramenta muito útil para o monitoramento e reconhecimento de pessoas em uma cena. Essa tarefa é realizada por meio da análise automática e inteligente de imagens. Para isso utiliza o Processamento Digital de Imagens para a extração dos objetos de interesse na cena, além de métodos de Aprendizado de Máquina, que torna possível detectar a invasão de pessoas na cena. Este trabalho propõe o experimento entre métodos existentes nestas áreas de estudo

Insuficiência cardíaca: expressões do conhecimento das pessoas sobre a doença

This qualitative study characterized individuals with heart failure (HF) according to their sociodemographic, health, and treatment profiles and analyzed their knowledge on the disease and its treatment. A total of 42 volunteers with HF were interviewed at a cardiology hospital in São Paulo using a semi-structured questionnaire; the data were subjected to content analysis. The sample comprised mostly males and individuals older than 45 years old; the sample was classified as functional class II with associated comorbidities and was subjected to pharmacological treatment. The type of knowledge exhibited by the sample was illustrative, diagnostic, and explanatory, and many different meanings were attributed to the disease. Most volunteers did not know the names, doses, or frequencies of use of their medications. Non-pharmacological treatment was identified as related to the information provided by the healthcare professionals about nutrition and salt and water intake. The results pave the road for systematic educational interventions that can improve the coping with and management of this disease.Investigación de naturaleza cualitativa que tuvo como objetivos caracterizar personas con Insuficiencia Cardiaca (IC), según el perfil sociodemográfico, de salud y de tratamiento; así como, analizar el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad y el tratamiento. Fueron entrevistados 42 pacientes con IC, en un hospital de cardiología de Sao Paulo, se utilizó un cuestionario semiestructurado, cuyos datos fueron tratados por el análisis del contenido. Predominó el sexo masculino, edad mayor a 45 años, clase funcional II, con enfermedades asociadas y tratamiento farmacológico. Del análisis del contenido surgieron las categorías: conocimiento sobre la enfermedad y conocimiento sobre el tratamiento. El conocimiento es ilustrativo, diagnóstico y explicativo, atribuyéndose muchos significados a la enfermedad. La mayoría desconoce el nombre, la dosis y la frecuencia del uso de los medicamentos. El tratamiento no farmacológico se relaciona con las orientaciones de los profesionales de salud sobre alimentación, sal e ingestión hídrica. Los resultados revelan perspectivas para intervenciones educativas sistematizadas que puedan contribuir a un mejor enfrentamiento y manejo de la enfermedad.Pesquisa de natureza qualitativa que teve como objetivos caracterizar pessoas com Insuficiência Cardíaca (IC) segundo perfil sócio-demográfico, de saúde e de tratamento e analisar o conhecimento sobre a doença e tratamento. Foram entrevistados 42 pacientes com IC, em um hospital de cardiologia de São Paulo, foi utilizado questionário semiestruturado e análise de conteúdo dos dados. Predominou sexo masculino, idade maior que 45 anos, classe funcional II, comorbidades associadas e tratamento farmacológico. Da análise de conteúdo emergiram as categorias: conhecimento sobre a doença e conhecimento do tratamento. O conhecimento é ilustrativo, diagnóstico e explicativo, sendo atribuídos muitos significados à doença. A maioria desconhece nome, dose e frequência de uso dos medicamentos. O tratamento não farmacológico está relacionado às orientações dos profissionais de saúde sobre alimentação, sal e ingesta hídrica. Os resultados abrem perspectivas para intervenções educativas sistematizadas que possam contribuir para um melhor enfrentamento e manejo da doença