Efeito agudo das correntes Russa e Aussie na força muscular de flexores de punho e dedos / Acute effect of the use of Russian and Aussie currents on the muscular strength of fist and finger flexors

Introdução: As alterações motoras e sensoriais da mão diminuem a força dos músculos que compõe esse segmento e pode repercutir na qualidade de vida do indivíduo. No campo da Fisioterapia, a diminuição da força muscular é frequentemente tratada com o emprego de correntes excitomotoras, dentre aquelas comumente empregadas, as correntes russas e Aussie destacam-se por serem de média frequência e promoverem estimulação sensorial confortável. Objetivo: Identificar os efeitos agudos do uso das correntes Aussie e russa sobre a força muscular de flexores de punho e dedos. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de caráter experimental, no qual se avaliou a força de preensão palmar antes e após a aplicação de correntes excitomotoras (Aussie e russa). Os voluntários foram divididos em dois grupos, GR, os quais foram submetidos a terapia com corrente russa, e GA, que recebeu a terapia usando a corrente Aussie. A estimulação utilizando a corrente russa foi efetuada com frequência portadora de 2500 Hz com burst de 10 ms, frequência de estimulação de 50 Hz, tempo On 5 segundos e tempo Off 15 segundos e modulação de 20%. Já a estimulação com a corrente Aussie foi realizada com frequência portadora de 1000 Hz com burst de 2 ms, frequência de modulação a 50 Hz, tempo On em 5 segundos, tempo Off 15 segundos, Rampas de subida e descidas fixadas em 2 segundos. Em ambas as estimulações, a intensidade da corrente foi ajustada de acordo com a tolerância do participante, buscando desencadear contração muscular visível, e o tempo total de aplicação foi de 10 minutos. Resultados: As alterações na goniometria e dinamometria foram analisadas por meio de uma ANOVA de dois fatores. Ao analisar os efeitos principais dos dados da goniometria, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos [F(2,114) = 2,662; p=0,074] e entre os momentos [F(1,114)= 2,893; p=0,092]. Os dados da dinamometria também não apresentaram efeito principal para os momentos [F(1,114) = 0,392; p=0,533]. No entanto, observou-se efeito principal para grupos com [F(2,114) = 3,119; p=0,048]. Assim, o presente estudo não encontrou diferenças estatísticas significativas no ganho de força de preensão palmar como resultado de uma única aplicação das correntes estudadas. Conclusão: Sugere-se a realização de estudos adicionais utilizando eletroestimulação, buscando estabelecer parâmetros mais indicados para promover maiores ganhos de força muscular e benefícios terapêuticos. (AU)

Introduction: The motor and sensorial changes of the strength decrease of the muscles hand can affect the quality of life. In the field of Physical Therapy, the decrease of muscle strength is often treated with the use of excitomotor currents. Among those commonly used, the Russian and Aussie currents stand out because they are of medium frequency and promote comfortable sensory stimulation. Objective: To identify the acute effects of the use of Aussie and Russian currents on the muscular strength of wrist and finger flexors. Methods: An experimental study was carried out, in which the palmar grip strength was evaluated before and after the application of excitomotor currents (Aussie and Russian). The volunteers were divided into two groups, GR, using the Russian current therapy, and GA, who received the Aussie current. The stimulation using the Russian current was performed with carrier frequency of 2500 Hz with burst of 10 ms, stimulation frequency of 50 Hz, time On 5 seconds, time Off 15 seconds and modulation of 20%. The Aussie current stimulation was performed with a frequency of 1000 Hz with a burst of 2 ms, modulation frequency at 50 Hz, time On in 5 seconds, time Off 15 seconds, ramps up and down fixed in 2 seconds. In both stimulations, the intensity of the current was adjusted according to the tolerance of the participant, seeking to trigger visible muscle contraction, and the total time of application was 10 minutes. Results: Changes in goniometry and dynamometry were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. When analyzing the main effects of the goniometry data, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups [F (2,114) = 2,662; p = 0.074] and between the moments [F (1.114) = 2.893; p = 0.092]. The dynamometry data also did not present main effect for the moments [F (1,114) = 0.392; p = 0.533]. However, a major effect was observed for groups with [F (2,114) = 3.119; p = 0.048]. Thus, the present study did not find statistically significant differences in palmar grip strength gain as a result of a single application of the currents studied. Conclusion: We suggested to perform additional studies using electrical stimulation, seeking to establish parameters more indicated to promote greater muscle strength gains and therapeutic benefits. (AU)

Association between Down Syndrome and Disorders of Sex Development: Report of Three Cases and Review of 188 Cases in the Literature.

In this study, we present 3 cases of Down syndrome (DS) associated with disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) and review the literature on this topic. Case 1: 1-year-old child with male genitalia and DS phenotype, 47,XX,+21 karyotype and testicular DSD. Case 2: 11-month-old child with male genitalia and few DS dysmorphisms, 45,X/47,XY,+21 karyotype, and mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Case 3: 4-month-old child with female genitalia and DS phenotype, 47,XY,+21 karyotype and XY complete gonadal dysgenesis. In the literature, among 188 patients, 107 (57%) had Klinefelter syndrome and 61 (33%) Turner syndrome, 12 (6%) had mixed gonadal dysgenesis, 2 (1%) had partial androgen insensitivity, 2 (1%) ovotesticular DSD, and the others had congenital adrenal hyperplasia, XY partial gonadal dysgenesis, XY complete gonadal dysgenesis, and complete androgen insensitivity (1 case each). A typical DS phenotype was found in all individuals of the revision, with the exception of one case, but DSD features were not always reported. In conclusion, the association of DS with sex chromosome DSD is the most frequently observed, whereas associations with 46,XX and 46,XY DSD is extremely rare.

Charge Transfer from Carbon Nanotubes to Silicon in Flexible Carbon Nanotube/Silicon Solar Cells.

Mechanical fragility and insufficient light absorption are two major challenges for thin flexible crystalline Si-based solar cells. Flexible hybrid single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/Si solar cells are demonstrated by applying scalable room-temperature processes for the fabrication of solar-cell components (e.g., preparation of SWNT thin films and SWNT/Si p-n junctions). The flexible SWNT/Si solar cells present an intrinsic efficiency ≈7.5% without any additional light-trapping structures. By using these solar cells as model systems, the charge transport mechanisms at the SWNT/Si interface are investigated using femtosecond transient absorption. Although primary photon absorption occurs in Si, transient absorption measurements show that SWNTs also generate and inject excited charge carriers to Si. Such effects can be tuned by controlling the thickness of the SWNTs. Findings from this study could open a new pathway for designing and improving the efficiency of photocarrier generation and absorption for high-performance ultrathin hybrid SWNT/Si solar cells.

Structurally Deformed MoS2 for Electrochemically Stable, Thermally Resistant, and Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The emerging molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) offers intriguing possibilities for realizing a transformative new catalyst for driving the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the trade-off between catalytic activity and long-term stability represents a formidable challenge and has not been extensively addressed. This study reports that metastable and temperature-sensitive chemically exfoliated MoS2 (ce-MoS2 ) can be made into electrochemically stable (5000 cycles), and thermally robust (300 °C) while maintaining synthetic scalability and excellent catalytic activity through physical-transformation into 3D structurally deformed nanostructures. The dimensional transition enabled by a high throughput electrohydrodynamic process provides highly accessible, and electrochemically active surface area and facilitates efficient transport across various interfaces. Meanwhile, the hierarchically strained morphology is found to improve electronic coupling between active sites and current collecting substrates without the need for selective engineering the electronically heterogeneous interfaces. Specifically, the synergistic combination of high strain load stemmed from capillarity-induced-self-crumpling and sulfur (S) vacancies intrinsic to chemical exfoliation enables simultaneous modulation of active site density and intrinsic HER activity regardless of continuous operation or elevated temperature. These results provide new insights into how catalytic activity, electrochemical-, and thermal stability can be concurrently enhanced through the physical transformation that is reminiscent of nature, in which properties of biological materials emerge from evolved dimensional transitions.

Solution-processed titanium carbide MXene films examined as highly transparent conductors.

MXenes, a new family of two-dimensional structures, have recently gained significant attention due to their unique physical properties suitable for a wide range of potential applications. Here we introduce Ti3C2Tx delaminated monolayers as ultrathin transparent conductors with properties exceeding comparable reduced graphene oxide films. Solution processed Ti3C2Tx films exhibit sheet resistances as low as 437 Ω sq-1 with 77% transmittance at 550 nm. Field effect transistor measurements confirm that these films have a metallic nature, which makes them suitable as electrodes. We show using Kelvin Probe Atomic Force Microscopy that the work function of delaminated Ti3C2Tx flakes (with OH terminal groups) is 5.28 ± 0.03 eV. These results demonstrate that solution-processed Ti3C2Tx conducting films could open up a new direction for the next generation of transparent conductive electrodes.

Intermittent chaos for ergodic light trapping in a photonic fiber plate.

Extracting the light trapped in a waveguide, or the opposite effect of trapping light in a thin region and guiding it perpendicular to its incident propagation direction, is essential for optimal energetic performance in illumination, display or light harvesting devices. Here we demonstrate that the paradoxical goal of letting as much light in or out while maintaining the wave effectively trapped can be achieved with a periodic array of interpenetrated fibers forming a photonic fiber plate. Photons entering perpendicular to that plate may be trapped in an intermittent chaotic trajectory, leading to an optically ergodic system. We fabricated such a photonic fiber plate and showed that for a solar cell incorporated on one of the plate surfaces, light absorption is greatly enhanced. Confirming this, we found the unexpected result that a more chaotic photon trajectory reduces the production of photon scattering entropy.

Representations of tattoo and piercing use / Representações do uso de tatuagem e piercing / Representaciones del uso de tatuaje y piercing

The present study has investigated several tattoo and piercing identity representations for their users, as well as prejudices related to them. We have interviewed 10 individuals with such ornaments. The results showed three different categories of representations for people with ornaments: aesthetic, predetermined design significance and permanent mark of a significant moment in life. Divergences in representations of these types of ornaments are responsible for generating prejudiced attitudes towards those who have them. Even facing discrimination and stigmatized character brought by ornaments, the interviewers reported they had not regret by opting for their use, which can be considered an identity factor, either personal or group.

O presente estudo investigou diversas representações identitárias da tatuagem e do piercing para seus usuários, bem como os preconceitos relacionados a esses. Para isso, foram entrevistados 10 sujeitos portadores de tais adornos. Os resultados apontaram três diferentes categorias de representações para os portadores de adornos: complemento estético, significação pré-estabelecida do desenho e marca permanente de um momento significativo na vida. Divergências nas representações desses tipos de enfeites são responsáveis por gerar atitudes preconceituosas para com aqueles que os possuem. Mesmo frente à discriminação e ao caráter estigmatizado trazido pelos adornos, os entrevistados relataram não terem se arrependido por optar pelo seu uso, o que pode ser considerado um fator constituinte da identidade, seja essa pessoal ou grupal.

El presente estudio investigó diversas representaciones de identidad a través del tatuaje y del piercing para sus usuarios, así como los preconceptos relacionados a éstos. Para eso, fueron entrevistados 10 sujetos portadores de tales adornos. Los resultados apuntaron tres diferentes categorías de representaciones para los portadores de adornos: complemento estético, significación pre-establecida del dibujo y marca permanente de un momento significativo en la vida. Divergencias en las representaciones de estos tipos de adereces son responsables de generar actitudes prejuiciosas para con aquéllos que les poseen. Mismo frente a la discriminación y al carácter estigmatizado traído por los adornos, los entrevistados relataron no haber arrepentimiento por optaren por su uso, lo que puede ser considerado un factor constituyente de la identidad, sea esta personal o grupal.

Corpo e movimento: produzindo diferenças de gênero na educação infantil / Body and movement: making difference of the gender in the early childhood education

Este artigo analisa as relações entre gênero e movimento na Educação Infantil a partir de duas pesquisas realizadas em instituições desse nível de educação em cidades distintas do estado de São Paulo. Em ambas foram feitas observações etnográficas e entrevistas, sendo que uma delas, realizada na cidade de Campinas, investigou como o corpo e o movimento eram tratados dentro da rotina escolar, enquanto a segunda, realizada em Vinhedo, problematizou as relações de gênero dentro de aulas de Educação Física. Analisamos aqui como as diferentes formas de intervenção de professores e professoras produziam relações e significados de gênero distintos durante suas aulas. Concluímos que diferentes formas de intervenção podem estimular ou não a segregação de meninos e meninas nesse espaço

This paper analyzes the relations between gender and movement in the early childhood education through of two researches realized in institutions of early childhood education of distinct São Paulo cities State. At both it was done look out ethnographical and interview. The first, realized at Campinas city, search into how the body and movement`s child was deal during at scholar routine. The second, realized at Vinhedo city, searched the gender`s relationship in the physical education classes. We analyzing here, how the contrast interventions form of the teachers, fetch differents gender relationship during their classes. We conclude that different forms or intervention can incite or not the segregation between girls and boys this places

Large optical-frequency shift of molecular radiation via coherent coupling to an off-resonance plasmon.

We demonstrate coherent optical coupling between molecular and plasmon resonances that are well separated in energy. In the presence of metallic nanoparticles, the second harmonic spectrum of organic dyes no longer peaks at the absorption wavelength but is instead blueshifted by 25 nm towards the localized plasmon resonance. The phase of the light generated by the dyes displays a large modulation across the plasmon resonance and no change across the molecular one. The second harmonic signal contributed by the nanoparticles, which is peaked at the plasmon frequency when no molecules are present, similarly displays a shift towards the molecular resonance in their presence. A model based on the interplay of the nonlinear optical near fields is able to account for these observations.

Measurement of the dispersion of air and of refractive index anomalies by wavelength-dependent nonlinear interferometry.

We carry out wavelength-dependent second harmonic interference experiments using thin films of an organic dye as nonlinear optical sources. While the measured difference of refractive index between the fundamental and second harmonic wavelengths follows the theoretical expectation for air in a wide spectral region, anomalous dispersion is observed when the second harmonic light lies in the absorption band of the dye. The sensitivity of the technique to small refractive index variations may prove useful for sensing applications as well as for testing models of light dispersion in weakly dispersing and absorbing media.

Antroduodenojejunal motor activity in untreated and treated celiac disease patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with celiac disease may present with abnormal upper gut motor activity. However, it is not known if these abnormalities persist after the introduction of a gluten-free diet. The present study aimed to compare antroduodenojejunal motor variables recorded in untreated celiac patients with those of celiac patients given a gluten-free diet and healthy volunteers. METHODS: Eleven untreated celiac disease patients, 12 age- and sex-matched celiac patients on a gluten-free diet (at least 12 months), and 33 controls entered the study. Antroduodenojejunal motility was recorded for 6 h during fasting and for 3 h after a standard meal by means of a perfused, multiple lumen catheter. RESULTS: More than 80% of untreated celiac patients had discrete motor abnormalities of the upper gut, in both fasting and fed recordings, compared to the other subjects. Patients on a gluten-free diet also showed motor abnormalities, albeit to a lesser extent. In these patients histological evaluation showed the persistence of mild mucosal abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Upper gut motor abnormalities are frequent in patients with celiac disease, even in those on a gluten-free diet. In the latter group, these abnormalities may suggest an incomplete adherence to the dietary regimen.

Colonic neuropathological aspects in patients with intractable constipation due to obstructed defecation.

One of the most frequent subtypes of constipation is represented by obstructed defecation, and it has recently been reported that these patients may have colonic motor abnormalities in addition to alterations of the anorectal area. However, it is unknown whether these patients display abnormalities of the enteric nervous system, as reported in other groups of constipated subjects. For this reason, we evaluated the neuropathologic aspects of the enteric nervous system in a homogeneous group of patients with obstructed defecation. Colonic specimens from 11 patients (nine women, age range 39-66 years) undergoing surgery for symptoms refractory to any therapeutic measure, including biofeedback training, were obtained and examined by means of conventional histological methods and immunohistochemistry (NSE, S100, c-Kit, formamide-mAb, Bcl-2, CD34, alfa-actin). Analysis of the specimens showed that the enteric neurons were significantly decreased only in the submucosal plexus of patients (P<0.0001 vs controls), whereas the enteric glial cells of constipated patients were reduced in both the myenteric (P=0.018 vs controls) and the submucosal plexus (P=0.004 vs controls). No difference between patients and controls were found concerning c-Kit and CD34 expression, and the number of apoptotic neurons. These findings support the concept that at least a subgroup of patients with obstructed defecation and severe, intractable symptoms display abnormalities of the enteric nervous system, mostly related to the enteric glial cells. These findings might explain some of the pathophysiological abnormalities, and help to better understand this condition.