Diffusive majority-vote model.

We define a stochastic reaction-diffusion process that describes a consensus formation in a nonsedentary population. The process is a diffusive version of the majority-vote model, where the state update follows two stages: In the first stage, spins are allowed to jump to a random neighbor node with probabilities D_{+} and D_{-} for the respective spin orientations, and in the second stage, the spins in the same node can change its values according to the majority-vote update rule. The model presents a consensus formation phase when the concentration is greater than a threshold value and a paramagnetic phase on the converse for equal diffusion probabilities, i.e., maintaining the inversion symmetry. Setting unequal diffusion probabilities for the respective spin orientations is the same as applying an external magnetic field. The system undergoes a discontinuous phase transition for concentrations higher than the critical threshold on the external field. The individuals that diffuse more dominate the stationary collective opinion.

Are experienced and high-level race walking athletes able to match pre-programmed with executed pacing?

The objective of this study was to verify the agreement between pre-programmed and executed pacing during race walking and whether level of the athletes experience and performance influenced this relationship. Twenty-nine national and international race walkers participated in this study (14 males, 24.0±7.1 years old, and 15 females, 23.3±7.3 years old). Pre-programmed pacing for 10- and 20-km official walking races was self-selected via demonstrative pacing charts prior to races, while executed pacing was analyzed by a specialist investigator via an individual plot of current velocity versus distance. There was no agreement between pre-programmed and executed pacing (P=0.674). There was no association between the ability to match the pre-programmed pace with the executed pace and race walking experience or level of performance. Low- and high-performance athletes pre-programmed a similar pacing profile (P=0.635); however, high-performance athletes generally executed an even pacing strategy, while low-performance athletes generally adopted a positive pacing strategy (P=0.013). Race walkers did not faithfully match their pre-programmed with their executed pacing, and this seemed to be independent of previous experience and level of performance. High-performance athletes, however, tended to execute an even pacing strategy, even though this had not been pre-programmed.

Are experienced and high-level race walking athletes able to match pre-programmed with executed pacing?

The objective of this study was to verify the agreement between pre-programmed and executed pacing during race walking and whether level of the athletes experience and performance influenced this relationship. Twenty-nine national and international race walkers participated in this study (14 males, 24.0±7.1 years old, and 15 females, 23.3±7.3 years old). Pre-programmed pacing for 10- and 20-km official walking races was self-selected via demonstrative pacing charts prior to races, while executed pacing was analyzed by a specialist investigator via an individual plot of current velocity versus distance. There was no agreement between pre-programmed and executed pacing (P=0.674). There was no association between the ability to match the pre-programmed pace with the executed pace and race walking experience or level of performance. Low- and high-performance athletes pre-programmed a similar pacing profile (P=0.635); however, high-performance athletes generally executed an even pacing strategy, while low-performance athletes generally adopted a positive pacing strategy (P=0.013). Race walkers did not faithfully match their pre-programmed with their executed pacing, and this seemed to be independent of previous experience and level of performance. High-performance athletes, however, tended to execute an even pacing strategy, even though this had not been pre-programmed.

Cardiac autonomic responses at onset of exercise: effects of aerobic fitness.

Analyzes of cardiac autonomic responses at the initial transient of exercise have been used for the investigation of the cardiovascular health. We evaluated the influence of aerobic fitness on HR and HRV responses at the onset of exercise. 25 male subjects (22.3±2.4 years) were divided into 2 groups: 'low aerobic fitness' (36.2±2.6ml.kg(-1).min(-1); n=10) and 'high aerobic fitness' (46.4±5.0ml.kg(-1).min(-1); n=15). The experimental session consisted of assessing the beat-to-beat HR at rest and during submaximal exercise. The autonomic responses at the onset of exercise were calculated by fitting the HR and HRV (rMSSD-index) curves during the initial 300s of exercise into a first-order exponential equation. The time constant of HR and of the rMSSD index (τonHR and τonrMSSD) were calculated for analysis. We observed lower values of τonrMSSD in the high aerobic fitness group compared to the low aerobic fitness group (26.8±5s vs. 38.0±18s, respectively; p=0.02). The τonHR (42.0±15 vs. 49.3±26s, p=0.38) for the groups showed no difference. Aerobic fitness partially influenced the autonomic responses during exercise, since individuals with higher fitness showed faster decreases in beat-to-beat HRV at the onset of exercise.

Masticatory efficiency in complete denture wearers with reduced dental arches--a randomised cross-over study.

One obstacle to placing artificial posterior teeth in manufacturing complete dentures is a reduction of the space between the maxilla and the mandible. Occasionally, second molar placement is not performed, as it does not affect aesthetics, phonetics or comfort. The aim of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency between patients wearing maxillary and mandibular complete dentures with reduced dental arches (without second molars) (WSM) and with full dental arches (FDA). Twenty subjects were divided into two groups and randomly received new complete dentures. Patients in Group 1 were given dentures WSM, and those in Group 2 were given dentures with FDA. After the post-placement visits, an initial masticatory efficiency test was performed with Optocal, an artificial test food. Fifteen days later, second molars were placed in Group 1 and removed from Group 2, and a new test was performed. Comminuted material was treated and sieved under vibration. The mean and standard deviation of masticatory efficiency with FDA were 10.4 and 8.1, respectively. In the tests WSM, the mean and standard deviation were 8.4 and 3.3, respectively. After removing the second molars in Group 2 and adding them in Group 1, the mean and standard deviation were 15.7 and 14.7 for Group 1 and 12.5 and 10.4 for Group 2, respectively. Within the limitations of this study, placing artificial teeth up to the first molars can be performed when needed without compromising masticatory efficiency.

24-h cardiac autonomic profile after exercise in sedentary subjects.

Most studies regarding the impact of exercise intensity on cardiac autonomic regulation were conducted with athletes and used exercise intensities exceeding those recommended by position stands. We evaluated the influence of exercise intensity in a typical ACSM-aerobic session on 24-h cardiac autonomic modulation in sedentary subjects. Ten healthy sedentary subjects participated in the 3-day study. On 2 days, subjects performed a moderate- or high-intensity aerobic exercise session (MI, HI). The post-exercise protocol consisted of a continuous electrocardiographic recording for 1 h at the laboratory plus 23 h under ambulatory conditions. On the third day 24-h electrocardiographic recording was done without prior exercise (NPE). Heart rate (HR) and frequency-domain parameters (LF, HF) of heart rate variability were evaluated during the entire recovery period. Higher values of HR and lower values of HF and LF were observed throughout the first hour after the HI compared with the MI session. This difference was not observed after in ambulatory awake condition, but reappeared during sleep, when HF values after HI were lower compared with the NPE and MI (p<0.05). Even within the submaximal intensity-range of a typical exercise session, the intensity of exercise influences the post-exercise cardiac autonomic modulation in sedentary subjects.

Controle estatístico de processo univariado: monitoramento da produção de comprimidos de dipirona / Univariate Statistical Process Control: monitoring the production of dipyrone tablets

Investigou-se, através de histogramas e cartas de controle X e S, a ferramenta do Controle Estatístico de Processo (CEP) univariado e os parâmetros físicos dureza, peso médio e friabilidade da produção de dez lotes de dipirona sódica comprimidos. Por sua complexidade e influência no processo, a etapa de granulação de cada lote foi concomitantemente caracterizada através de determinações de densidade bruta, densidade compactada, índice de compressibilidade e fator de Hausner, além dos ângulos de repouso, tempos de escoamento e repartições granulométricas. As caracterizações dos granulados serviram como base na investigação da possível influência da etapa de granulação como uma das prováveis causas que poderiam levar o processo a se apresentar fora de controle estatístico. Os resultados da caracterização indicaram certa uniformidade entre os granulados, o que pode significar que não há ligação aparente entre a etapa de granulação e a falta de controle estatístico do processo, demonstrada na avaliação das cartas de controle. Na medida em que permitiu uma maior compreensão do processo, o CEP univariado mostrou sua importância no monitoramento da produção de comprimidos.

In this study, by means of histograms and and s control charts, the production control tool, univariate Statistical Process Control (SPC), was assessed for monitoring the physical variables hardness, weight and friability during the production of ten batches of sodium dipyrone tablets. In view of its complexity and influence on the process, the granulation step was concurrently characterized by determining the gross density, compacted density, compressibility index and Hausner factor, plus the angle of repose, flow time and particle size distributions of each batch. The properties of the granules were used as a basis for testing the hypothesis that the granulation step is probably the cause when the process runs out of statistical control. The results of the characterization indicated a degree of uniformity among the granules, which may mean that the lack of statistical process control demonstrated in the control charts does not arise from the granulation step. To the extent that it enabled a greater understanding of the process, univariate SCP proved its importance in the monitoring of tablet production.

Early determination of the reproductive number for vector-borne diseases: the case of dengue in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new method of deriving the reproductive number for vector-borne diseases from the early epidemic curves for vector-borne diseases with incubations in the vectors and in the hosts. METHOD: We applied the model to several dengue epidemics in different climatic regions of Brazil: Brasilia, Belém, Fortaleza, Boa Vista. RESULTS: The new method leads to higher estimates of the reproductive number than previous models. CONCLUSION: At present, Aedes aegypti densities, the meeting of more compatible strains of viruses and mosquitoes, may lead to re-emergence of urban yellow fever epidemics.

Aplicação do controle estatístico de processo na indústria farmacêutica / The application of statistical process control to the pharmaceutical industry

O controle estatístico de processo (CEP) é uma das mais poderosas metodologias desenvolvidas visando auxiliar no controle eficaz da qualidade. Através das cartas ou gráficos de controle, podem-se detectar desvios de parâmetros representativos do processo, reduzindo a quantidade de produtos fora de especificações e com isso os custos da produção. O controle estatístico de processo embora pouco utilizado na indústria farmacêutica, é uma ferramenta de grande utilidade, pois incorpora também o conceito de boas práticas de fabricação, além de fornecer informações imprescindíveis para a validação de processos, uma vez que permitem a investigação detalhada de todos os pontos críticos de controle, diagnosticando as possíveis não conformidades em todas as etapas do processo, além de sinalizar as possíveis fontes desses desvios de qualidade possibilitando correções e interações com o processo. Apesar de não existir muitas publicações do CEP na indústria farmacêutica, os exemplos de aplicações desta ferramenta provam sua grande importância para a compreensão dos processos que envolvem a obtenção de medicamentos

Oligoidramnia: diagnostico ultra-sonografico. / Oligohydramnios: ultrasonographic diagnosis

A oligoidramnia e sinal importante de insuficiencia placentaria. Demais, deixa o cordao umbilical vulneravel a compressao o que agrava o sofrimento fetal ja suscitado pela insuficiencia da placenta. Os autores propoem criterios ultra-sonograficos qualitativos para avaliacao do volume do liquido amniotico (LA): normaidramnia - LA disperso pela cavidade uterina e oligoidramnia - a necessidade de procurar o bolsao amniotico. Ate 40-41 semanas de gravidez, a oligoidramnia foi subdividida em: moderada - bolsao > igual 1 cm e acentuada bolsao < 1 cm. A partir de 41-42 semanas da gravidez, e em virtude da reducao fisiologica do LA, so foi considerado oligoidramnia o achado de bolsao < 1 cm

Cardiotocografia anteparto. X. Cardiotocografia basal: significado das hipoaceleracoes. / Antepartum cardiotocography. X. Baseline cardiotocography: significance of the hypoaccelerations

Em 76 pacientes de alto risco obtivemos 93 tracados de cardiotocografia (CTG) basal apresentando apenas hipoaceleracoes (< 15 bpm) ao movimento fetal. Utilizamos nesses casos o teste acustico que foi positivo (aceleracao) em 70% das vezes e negativo nos restantes 30%. No primeiro grupo apenas 6% dos recem-nascidos foram deprimidos e no segundo 40% (p < 0,005). Levando em consideracao que fetos normais e anormais apresentam hipoaceleracao ha que discriminar melhor esses casos pelo emprego do teste acustico. Em consequencia, o tracado reativo a CTG basal passa a ser agora caracterizado por uma aceleracao ao movimento fetal, de amplitude > ou + 15 bpm

Emprego do ultra-som na doenca hemolitica perinatal. / Use of ultrasound in hemolytic perinatal disease

O ultra-som tem hoje utilizacao importante na doenca hemolitica perinatal (DHPN). Indispensavel para a feitura da amniocentese o diagnostico da hidropisia do concepto e da placenta, da polidramnia e a avaliacao da vitabilidade fetal (perfil biofisico).Sob o aspecto terapeutico da DHPN o ultra-som substitui com vantagens os raios X na conducao da transfusao intra-uterina (TIU

Cardiotocografia anteparto XI. Um novo cardiotocografo controlado por microprocessador, empregando Doppler pulsatil-direcional e analise do sinal por autocorrelacao (HP8040A). / Antepartum cardiotocography XI.A new cardiotocography controlled by microprocessor, using pulsed directional Doppler and signal autocorrelation analysis (HP8040A)

Os autores apresentam seus resultados iniciais com o cardiotocografo Hewlett-Packard 8040A, controlado por micropocessador, que emprega Doppler pulsatildirecional e analise do sinal cardiaco por autocorrelacao. Os registros foram de excelente qualidade e podem ser obtidos a partir de 16 semanas da prenhez.Em face da fidedignidade do senotransdutor conseguiu-se individualizar com precisao o padrao oscilatorio

A placenta sonolucente: significado clinico. / The sonolucent placenta: clinical significance

E placenta sonolucente (Grau III) aquela caracterizada ao ultra-som por exibir areas arredondadas, anecoicas, delimitadas por septos lineares ecogenicos, placa corial bastante irregular e proxima a ela areas amplas, de grande densidade sonica, com capacidade de produzir "sombras" acusticas. A placenta sonolucente (Grau III) nao e achado trivial na gravidez, mesmo no termo (7 a 30%). A literatura e conflitante em aponta-la como indice de maturidade fetal (58 a 100%). Quando visualizada antes de 36 semanas de gestacao, particularmente se associada a oligoidramnia, e sinal sugestivo de insuficiencia placentaria, com possiveis repercussoes na vitabilidade fetal (80%)

Cardiotocografia anteparto VIII. Cardiotocografia basal:utilizacao do ECG abdominal. / Antepartum cardiotocography VIII Baseline cardiotocography: use of abdominal ECG

O trabalho mostra a tecnica utilizada para se obter o ECG abdominal quando da feitura da cardiotocografia (CTG) basal. Foi empregado o cardiotocografo Hewlett Packard 8030 A, com um eletrodo referencia (15270 a) fixado na coxa materna e dois eletrodos abdominais, de succao. O ECG abdominal esta indicado, particularmente a partir de 34 semanas da gestacao, nos casos em que a CTG basal fornece tracado nao reativo [sem aceleracao a movimentacao fetal (AFM)]. Individualizando melhor o tipo de oscilacao, e possivel classificar com mais apuro o tracado nao-reativo e possivel classificar com mais apuro o tracado nao-reatico em suspeito ou terminal [oscilacao lisa (5< bpm)], reconhecidamente de valor prognostico distintos

Prenhez tubaria: dificuldades diagnosticas. / Tubal pregnancy: diagnostic difficulties

O trabalho apos tecer consideracoes sobre a patologia e o quadro clinico da prenhez tubaria, acentua as dificuldades do seu diagnostico. A moderna propedeutica para o diagnostico da prenhez tubaria inclui: a determinacao radio-imunologica do hCG-beta, a ultra-sonografia e a laparoscopia. Sao feitos comentarios sobre o hCG-beta e principalmente sobre os achados ultra-sonograficos na prenhez tubaria