Short-term wind speed forecasting in Uruguay using computational intelligence.

Short-term wind speed forecasting for Colonia Eulacio, Soriano Department, Uruguay, is performed by applying an artificial neural network (ANN) technique to the hourly time series representative of the site. To train the ANN and validate the technique, data for one year are collected by one tower, with anemometers installed at heights of 101.8, 81.8, 25.7, and 10.0 m. Different ANN configurations are applied for each site and height; then, a quantitative analysis is conducted, and the statistical results are evaluated to select the configuration that best predicts the real data. This method has lower computational costs than other techniques, such as numerical modelling. For integrating wind power into existing grid systems, accurate short-term wind speed forecasting is fundamental. Therefore, the proposed short-term wind speed forecasting method is an important scientific contribution for reliable large-scale wind power forecasting and integration in Uruguay. The results of the short-term wind speed forecasting showed good accuracy at all the anemometer heights tested, suggesting that the method is a powerful tool that can help the Administración Nacional de Usinas y Transmissiones Eléctricas manage the national energy supply.

Baseline Basal Cell Hyperplasia Is not Associated With Baseline Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Baseline Clinical Prostatitis or Prostate Cancer in Repeat Biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the presence of basal cell hyperplasia (BCH) in negative biopsies is associated with concurrent lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), clinical prostatitis, and future prostate cancer (PCa) in repeat prostate biopsy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 6471 men, 50-75 years old with prostate-specific antigen between 2.5 and 10 ng/ml and prior negative biopsy who were enrolled in the Reduction by Dutasteride of PCa Events trial and underwent a 2-year repeat biopsy. The association between baseline BCH and risk of PCa, BPH/LUTS and clinical prostatitis measured at baseline were evaluated with logistic regression in uni/multivariable analysis, controlling for baseline patient characteristics. RESULTS: Among 6471 men enrolled, 84 (1.3%) had BCH in the baseline prostate biopsy. BCH was associated less chronic inflammation and more prostate atrophy (P < 0.05) and was unrelated to baseline patient characteristics. In both uni/multivariable analyses, BCH was not associated with PCa in repeat biopsy (univariable odds ratio [OR] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53-1.82, P > 0.05; multivariable OR=1.15, 95% CI = 0.61-2.16, P > 0.05), BPH/LUTS (univariable OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.71-1.81, P > 0.05; multivariable OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.74-1.94, P > 0.05), or clinical prostatitis (univariable OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.18-1.81, P > 0.05; multivariable OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.18-1.83, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among men undergoing repeat prostate biopsy with a baseline negative biopsy, BCH was associated with more histological atrophy and less chronic prostatitis, but was unrelated to LUTS/BPH, clinical prostatitis or future PCa risk.

The association of atrophy in baseline prostate biopsy and lower prostate cancer grade in radical prostatectomy specimens.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate whether the presence of prostate atrophy (P.A.) in negative prostate biopsy is associated with prostate cancer (P.C.a) grade at surgical pathology among men who are ultimately diagnosed with P.C.a and undergo radical prostatectomy (R.P.). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 136 men from the placebo arm of the Reduction by Dutasteride of P.C.a Events (R.E.D.U.C.E.) trial who had a baseline prostate biopsy negative for P.C.a, and were later diagnosed with P.C.a on biopsy and underwent radical prostatectomy over the 4-year study period. The association of baseline P.A. (present/absent) with P.C.a grade (W.H.O./I.S.U.P. grade group 1 or ≥2) at surgical pathology was evaluated with logistic regression in uni- and multivariable analyses, controlling for baseline patient characteristics. RESULTS: P.A. was observed in 74 prostate biopsies (54%). P.A. was not associated with baseline characteristics (age, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen level, prostate volume, race, family history of P.C.a, and digital rectal exam), except for chronic inflammation (p = 0.001). The presence of P.A. in baseline prostate biopsies was associated with lower risk of W.H.O./I.S.U.P. grade group ≥2 P.C.a in R.P. specimens on both univariable (O.R. = 0.39, 95% C.I. = 0.19-0.78, p = 0.008) and multivariable (O.R. = 0.43, 95% C.I. = 0.20-0.92, p = 0.029) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Among men with a baseline prostate biopsy negative for P.C.a who were later found to have P.C.a and underwent R.P., baseline P.A. is independently associated with lower risk of W.H.O./I.S.U.P. grade group ≥2 P.C.a on surgical pathology. P.A. may be used to identify subjects at lower risk for W.H.O./I.S.U.P. ≥ 2 P.C.a and select optimal candidates for active surveillance.

Analysis of the feeding habits of the swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macroura (Gmelin, 1788), in an urban park in southeastern Brazil.

The aim of this work was to observe and describe the feeding habits and available food resources of the swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macroura. The study was carried out in a municipal park located in the city of Taubaté, in the state of São Paulo. The observations took place between December 2003 and October 2004, recording the following variables: 1) the plant species visited for feeding and territorial defense; 2) the kinds of food resources; and 3) the kinds of flight to procure and obtain food. E. macroura visited 12 plant species. For territorial defense, Mangifera indica was the most visited, whereas Malvaviscus arboreus was most visited for feeding. The foliage was the plant part that received the most frequent visits. In order to obtain nectar, the only species visited was M. arboreus; to obtain arthropods, the species most visited were Mangifera indica and Hymenaea stilbocarpa. In the dry season, the hummingbirds visited flowers, whereas in the rainy season they visited leaves to acquire food. The arthropod groups most frequently found on leafy branches were Homoptera and Psocoptera. Finally, the results of the type of flight analysis showed that flight used to capture food was more often observed than were flights to search for food. In conclusion, these observations suggest that E. macroura shows plasticity in feeding behavior, which can help it to persist in urban areas.

Analysis of the feeding habits of the swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macroura (Gmelin, 1788), in an urban park in southeastern Brazil / Análise do comportamento alimentar do beija-flor tesourão, Eupetomena macroura (Gmelin, 1788), em um parque urbano localizado na região sudeste do Brasil

The aim of this work was to observe and describe the feeding habits and available food resources of the swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macroura. The study was carried out in a municipal park located in the city of Taubaté, in the state of São Paulo. The observations took place between December 2003 and October 2004, recording the following variables: 1) the plant species visited for feeding and territorial defense; 2) the kinds of food resources; and 3) the kinds of flight to procure and obtain food. E. macroura visited 12 plant species. For territorial defense, Mangifera indica was the most visited, whereas Malvaviscus arboreus was most visited for feeding. The foliage was the plant part that received the most frequent visits. In order to obtain nectar, the only species visited was M. arboreus; to obtain arthropods, the species most visited were Mangifera indica and Hymenaea stilbocarpa. In the dry season, the hummingbirds visited flowers, whereas in the rainy season they visited leaves to acquire food. The arthropod groups most frequently found on leafy branches were Homoptera and Psocoptera. Finally, the results of the type of flight analysis showed that flight used to capture food was more often observed than were flights to search for food. In conclusion, these observations suggest that E. macroura shows plasticity in feeding behavior, which can help it to persist in urban areas.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi observar e descrever o hábito alimentar do Beija-flor Tesourão, Eupetomena macroura. O estudo foi realizado em um parque municipal, situado na cidade de Taubaté, Estado de São Paulo. As observações ocorreram entre dezembro de 2003 e outubro de 2004, período em que foram observadas as seguintes variáveis: 1) as espécies de plantas visitadas para alimentação e defesa territorial; 2) o tipo de recurso alimentar; e 3) a freqüência de vôo para busca e obtenção de alimento. Foram registradas 12 espécies de plantas visitadas pelo E. macroura, visto que Mangifera indica e Malvaviscus arboreus foram as mais utilizadas para defesa territorial e para alimentação, respectivamente. O maior índice de flores visitadas foi observada para Malvaviscus arboreus. Mangifera indica e Hymenaea stilbocarpa foram as espécies que apresentaram maior freqüência de visita em folhas e ramos. Na estação seca, o beija-flor tesourão visitou flores para obtenção de alimento, já na estação úmida a maior parte do alimento foi adquirida entre folhas e ramos. Quando analisados as folhas e ramos visitados pelos indivíduos quanto à presença de artrópodes, os resultados obtidos indicaram que os grupos mais abundantes foram Homoptera e Psocoptera. Finalmente, pela análise do tipo de vôo, observou-se que o vôo que representa captura de alimento foi mais vezes observado do que aquele que é utilizado para procura de alimento. Os resultados sugerem uma flexibilidade trófica do E. macroura, fato que pode auxiliar na permanência da espécie em áreas urbanas.

The potential role of increased adrenal volume in the pathophysiology of obesity-related type 2 diabetes.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis seems to play an important role in obesity and Type 2 diabetes (DM). The aim of the present study was to determine the adrenal volume in obese patients with DM in comparison to obese non-diabetic patients. Eleven diabetic obese and 19 non-diabetic obese women were sequentially invited to take part in the study. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen was performed to determine adrenal volume, visceral (VF) and sc fat (SCF). Daily urinary free cortisol (UFC) was used as a measure of integrated cortisol production. In the diabetic patients, hemoglobin A1c was measured as an index of metabolic control. Compared to nondiabetic controls, patients with diabetes had a significantly higher total adrenal volume (4.29+/-1.50 vs 2.95+/-1.64; p=0.03). A highly significant correlation was detected between VF and VF/SCF ratio and total adrenal volume in the whole group (r=0.36, p=0.04 and r=0.48, p=0.008, respectively). This study, therefore, suggests an association between abdominal obesity, enlarged adrenals and Type 2 diabetes. These findings support the hypothesis that an increased activity of the HPA axis in obese subjects may be involved in the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes.

[Alzheimer's disease and magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the hippocampus]. / Doença de Alzheimer e espectroscopia por ressonância magnética do hipocampo.

OBJECTIVE: Acquisition of data of magnetic resonance metabolite spectrum of the hippocampal formation (hippocampus-hc) in the elderly, normal and with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHOD: Subjects matched for age: a. normal sample (n=20), CDR=0, and b. AD sample (n=40), CDR 1 and 2. TECHNIQUE: Signa Horizon LX-GE, 1.5T, 1H-MRS with automated software PROBE/SV, VOI: hc (right and left); single voxel (2x2x2cm); TR 1500ms/TE 50ms; PRESS; metabolites: N-acetylaspartate (Naa), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), myo-inositol (mI). RESULTS: The present data relate to the ratios of Naa, Cho and mI, with Cr taken as reference, and the mI/Naa ratio. The study showed reduction of Naa, increase of mI and of the mI/Naa ratio, and not consistent results for Cho. The results of the whole sample of AD patients compared to the pooled normal mean +/- sd were significant for Naa, mI and mI/Naa (p<0.01). Accuracy in relation to the individual values of both samples showed satisfactory levels of sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. CONCLUSION: The present results can be used as a helpful tool to detect pathologic changes of the hippocampus in AD, and allowing greater accuracy and an earlier diagnosis of this disease.

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children evaluated at "Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre", RS, Brazil]. / Prevalência de infecção por, Helicobacter pylori em crianças avaliadas no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in a group of symptomatic patients between 2 and 18 years old who were submitted to gastric biopsy during upper endoscopy done in the period of 1990-97. To correlate the histological findings with clinical and endoscopical data. METHODS: A cross-sectional study done after review of clinical and histopathological data. Histopathological sections were reviewed by a pathologist, who did not know the clinical information and the previous histopathological reports. RESULTS: Among 181 patients evaluated, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 24.86% (45 positive cases). In pathological analysis, gastritis was found in 38/45 of the positive Helicobacter pylori patients and in 45/136 negative Helicobacter pylori. Gastric ulceration was found in 6/45 positive Helicobacter pylori and in 3/136 negative Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSION: This study stated a significative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and pathological abnormalities in children evaluated in the "Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre", RS, Brazil.

[Global aphasia without hemiparesis: case report]. / Afasia global sem hemiparesia: relato de caso.

Symptoms and signs of a stroke indicate which areas of the brain are affected and may also suggest the pathophysiology. We report herein a case of global aphasia without hemiparesis due to embolic infarct. Our case suggests that this situation may be an important sign for embolic cerebral infarction, as reported in literature.

[Neuroradiological features of the brain in subacute combined spinal cord degeneration: case report]. / Alterações neurorradiológicas cerebrais na degeneração combinada de medula: relato de caso.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 may produce neuropsychiatric disturbances. In the CNS the disease affects mainly myelin sheaths, and the spongy degeneration and diffuse demyelination of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord are the classical pathological changes in patients with subacute combined degeneration. Similar changes also occur in cerebral hemispheres and MRI abnormalities in brain of such patients could be expected, but have received little attention. We report a case of pernicious anemia with neurological manifestations and brain MRI abnormalities. We discuss the neuropathological aspects and we suggest that pernicious anemia is a differential diagnosis to consider in central demyelinating lesions at MRI.

Biochemical polymorphisms and phenetic relationships in rodents of the genus Ctenomys from southern Brazil.

Protein variation at 20 loci was analyzed by starch gel electrophoresis in population samples of Ctenomys flamarioni, C. torquatus, C. sp., and C. minutus collected in 25 localities of Southern Brazil. Results show that these four species exhibit higher levels of genetic variability (He = 0.11-0.17) than those reported for most other fossorial rodents. Estimates of similarity coefficients indicate that C. minutus and C. sp. (S = 0.91) are the closest species, while C. flamarioni (S = 0.77) is the most distant from the others. The data presented here support the hypothesis of a relatively recent disjunction of C. minutus from C. sp. Within-species similarity indices are of the same order of magnitude as those found between species. The relatively high levels of heterozygosity observed are not in accordance with the view that subterranean taxa should be less variable than aboveground species due to the uniformity of their environment.

22 new data on the association between the glyoxalase I and haptoglobin loci.

No association between GLO and Hp was found in three Brazilian samples (153 Whites, 216 Blacks from Porto Alegre and 564 mixed individuals from Aracaju). In a sample of 174 Blacks (settled along the Trombetas river) a moderate (p less than 0.02) association was found, but not of the same kind as that observed by other authors. Population stratification instead of interactions in fitness may explain our findings.

Lesoes traumaticas do parenquima pulmonar. Consideracoes radiologicas sobre cinco casos. / Traumatic lesions of pulmonary parenchyma. Radiological considerations on 5 cases

Considerando a frequencia das lesoes parenquimatosas pulmonares pos-traumaticas (contusao, laceracao e hematoma), os autores discutem as diversas formas de apresentacao radiologica e relatam cinco casos clinicos. Reveem a fisiopatologia, os aspectos radiologicos e o diagnostico diferencial, chamando a atencao para a evolucao benigna dessas condicoes, que costumam reabsorver em pouco tempo, sem necessidade de intervencao medica

Disseminacao metastatica do hepatoma (consideracoes radiologicas sobre quatro casos). / Metastatic dissemination of hepatoma (radiologic study of 4 cases)

Quatro casos de hepatoma com disseminacao metastatica sao descritos, dois deles com lesoes pulmonares, e ou outros dois com comprometimento osseo. Os autores discutem as vias preferenciais de disseminacao, assim como os aspectos radiologicos das lesoes observadas, alguns deles bastante atipicos