Composition Classification of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays.

The study of cosmic rays remains as one of the most challenging research fields in Physics. From the many questions still open in this area, knowledge of the type of primary for each event remains as one of the most important issues. All of the cosmic rays observatories have been trying to solve this question for at least six decades, but have not yet succeeded. The main obstacle is the impossibility of directly detecting high energy primary events, being necessary to use Monte Carlo models and simulations to characterize generated particles cascades. This work presents the results attained using a simulated dataset that was provided by the Monte Carlo code CORSIKA, which is a simulator of high energy particles interactions with the atmosphere, resulting in a cascade of secondary particles extending for a few kilometers (in diameter) at ground level. Using this simulated data, a set of machine learning classifiers have been designed and trained, and their computational cost and effectiveness compared, when classifying the type of primary under ideal measuring conditions. Additionally, a feature selection algorithm has allowed for identifying the relevance of the considered features. The results confirm the importance of the electromagnetic-muonic component separation from signal data measured for the problem. The obtained results are quite encouraging and open new work lines for future more restrictive simulations.

Photosynthetic activity of indica rice sister lines with contrasting cold tolerance.

Incidence of cold during early stages is an obstacle for the growing progress of rice plants. Cold stress has strong negative effects on photosynthetic activity. Previously, our group evaluated plant survival of 90 indica rice genotypes after cold treatment. Two sister lines were characterized as cold-tolerant and cold-sensitive. Transcriptomic analyses of the same genotypes had indicated differential expression of genes related to photosynthesis. Previous work with japonica rice had suggested that cold sensitivity was more related to photosystem II (PSII) than to photosystem I (PSI). Using our previously identified contrasting genotypes, we investigated the role of specific steps of the photosynthetic process in cold tolerance/sensitivity of indica rice plants during and after (recovery period) cold exposure. During both cold treatment and recovery period, the photochemical activity (including PSII and PSI) presented higher levels in the low temperature-tolerant genotype, when compared with the sensitive one. The higher photochemical efficiency during the cold treatment appears to be related to a lower fraction of reduced QA - in PSII. We also observed lower transpiration rates and higher water use efficiency in the cold-tolerant genotype, due to stomatal closure. After the recovery period, the higher efficiency in the cold-tolerant genotype seems to be related to a lower fraction of reduced QA - and a larger pool of final electron acceptors at the PSI. This work uncovered changes in photosynthetic performance including both photosystems and improved water use efficiency which may be important components of cold tolerance mechanisms in indica rice.

Interviews of Children in a Portuguese Special Judicial Procedure.

Since 2007, alleged victims of child sexual abuse in Portugal have provided evidence in a mandatory "Declarações para Memória Futura" (DMF; English transl. 'Statement for future use') proceeding. In order to protect children from having to testify in court, interviews conducted at the DMF can be used later as trial evidence because the hearings are conducted by judges. The present study examined 137 interviews with 3- to 17-year-olds conducted in several Portuguese criminal courts. Detailed examination of interview transcripts showed that 69% of all questions asked were option-posing questions, 16% were directive questions, 11% were suggestive questions, and only 3% were open-ended prompts. The vast majority of details provided by children were thus obtained using the risky recognition-based prompts (i.e., option posing and suggestive questions) associated with the risks of contaminating and limiting children's informativeness, both potential threats to the credibility of their testimony. There is an urgent need to address this issue and consider the implementation of a scientifically validated structured interview protocol in Portugal. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Elderly patient with acute, left lower abdominal pain: perforated jejunal diverticulitis (2010:7b).

An elderly patient with acute, left, lower abdominal pain is described, for whom the diagnosis of perforated jejunal diverticulitis was established by computed tomography (CT). The presence of a jejunal segmental inflammatory process, with or without abscess or perforation, in the setting of jejunal diverticulosis, is very suggestive of jejunal diverticulitis.

Urachal Tumor: A Case Report of an Extremely Rare Carcinoma.

The urachus is a tubular structure that connects the bladder to the allantois in the embryonic development, involuting after the third trimester. The urachus carcinoma is an extremely rare tumor that accounts for <1% of all bladder cancers. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman, with no past medical history, complaining of hematuria with 6-month duration and a physical exam and an abdominal computed topographic scan revealing an exophytic mass of 6.8 cm longer axis that grew depending on the anterior bladder wall, invading the anterior abdominal wall. Cystoscopy detected mucosal erosion. The biopsy showed structures of adenocarcinoma of enteric type. The surgical specimen showed urachus adenocarcinoma of enteric type with stage IVA in the Sheldon system and stage III in the Mayo system. This case has a 3-year follow-up without disease recurrence.

Influence of time of insemination relative to ovulation and frequency of insemination on gilt fertility.

The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal time of insemination in the pre-ovulatory period (from 32 to 0 h before ovulation) and to evaluate once-daily versus twice-daily inseminations in gilts. In Experiment 1, pre-puberal gilts (n=102) were observed for estrus every 8h and ultrasonography was performed every 8h from the onset of estrus to confirmation of ovulation. The gilts were inseminated once with 4 x 10(9) spermatozoa at various intervals prior to ovulation. Pregnancy detection was conducted 24 days after AI and gilts were slaughtered 4-6 days later. Corpora lutea and the number of viable embryos were counted and the embryo recovery rate was calculated (based on the percentage of corpora lutea). Inseminations performed <24h before ovulation resulted in a higher embryo recovery rate (P=0.02) and produced 2.1 more embryos (P=0.01) than inseminations >or=24h before ovulation. However, the pregnancy rate was reduced when inseminations were performed >16 h before ovulation (P=0.08). In Experiment 2, pre-puberal gilts (n=105) were observed for estrus every 12h and ultrasonography was performed every 12h from the onset of estrus to confirmation of ovulation. Gilts were inseminated (with 4 x 10(9) spermatozoa) 12h after the onset of estrus, with inseminations repeated either every 12h (twice-daily) or 24h (once-daily) during estrus. The gilts were allowed to farrow. There were no differences (between gilts bred twice-daily versus once-daily) for return to estrus rate (P=0.36) and adjusted farrowing rate (P=0.19). However, gilts inseminated once-daily had 1.2 piglets less than those inseminated twice-daily (P=0.09). In conclusion, gilts should be inseminated up to 16 h before ovulation, as intervals >16 h reduced pregnancy rate and litter size.

Ovarian cysts and their consequences on the reproductive performance of swine herds.

The aim of this work was to determine the incidence of ovarian cysts in the breeding herd and their consequences in the reproductive performance of the herd. Data from 1990 cyclic sows from two farms, with 0-12 parities, lactation length between 6 and 47 days and weaning-estrus interval between 0 and 32 days were evaluated by ultrasound examination for cyst incidence. As cyst was considered an anaechoic structure with smooth and thin walls with a diameter larger than 2 cm that remained visible for at least 5 days after estrus onset. Cyst incidence was found to be 2.4%. Sows with ovarian cysts have a greater return to estrus rate (34.0 x 7.7%, P<0.01), and cysts were associated with around 10% of regular and irregular return to estrus patterns on both farms. The adjusted farrowing rate (52.2 x 90.0%, P<0.01) and anestrual sows that were not pregnant (10.6 x 0.6%, P<0.01) were also influenced by the appearance of ovarian cysts, but they did not influence litter size (P>0.05). The incidence of cysts was not influenced by parity (P>0.05). Sows with shorter lactation had a greater incidence of cysts (P<0.05). Sows with a weaning-estrus interval shorter than 3 days had a greater incidence of ovarian cysts (P<0.05). The time of the year had no influence on the incidence of ovarian cysts (P<0.05).

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with cardiac syncope.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an uncommon condition that has rarely been described in association with syncope. We report here 2 cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia in elderly patients. Both were male and underwent temporary pacemaker insertion to prevent syncopal episodes. We discuss the clinical and surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, the role of cardiac stimulation, and the possible physiopathological mechanism of the associated cardiac disturbances.

Status of the epidemiological surveillance systems for salt and water fluoridation programs in latin america and the caribbean / Estado de los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica en los programas de fluorización de sal y agua en latinoamérica y el caribe / Status dos sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica para programas de fluoretação de sal e água na américa latina e no caribe

Background: Epidemiological Surveillance Systems are part of public policies to evaluate the impact of prevention interventions or the occurrence of related health events. In Dental Public Health has been valuable the surveillance systems to follow the fluoridation programs, the prevalence of caries or the fluorosis cases. Purpose: Identify and summarize published information regard the status of fluoridation programs and their epidemiological surveillance systems in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Methods: In this narrative literature review, articles searches in Medline and LILACS, in four languages, was carried out. Results: The authors included the analysis of 291 references published by government entities, international agencies, academic institutions and other sources, and summarizing the synthesis of all findings in two tracking matrices to contribute with new knowledge for policy making and program improvement through monitory systems. The results showed 11 active programs, 18 in uncertain status, and one country projecting a future program. Only six countries that started their fluoridation programs in the mid-eighties in the twentieth century have structured or strengthened a surveillance system for their fluoridation programs. Conclusions: The authors recommend a new stage of international accompaniment by several agencies to resume fluoridation programs in countries where structural, economic, or political factors affected the implementation or continuation of fluoridation programs in the 21st century.

Antecedentes: Los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica forman parte de las políticas públicas para evaluar el impacto de intervenciones preventivas o la ocurrencia de eventos relacionados con la salud. En salud pública dental los sistemas de vigilancia para seguir programas de fluorización, prevalencia de caries o casos de fluorosis han sido valiosos. Objetivo: Identificar y resumir la información publicada sobre el estado de los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiológica en los programas de fluorización en América Latina y el Caribe. Métodos: En esta revisión narrativa de la literatura se efectuaron búsquedas de artículos en las bases Medline y LILACS en cuatro idiomas. Resultados: Los autores incluyeron el análisis de 291 referencias publicadas por entidades gubernamentales, agencias internacionales, instituciones académicas y otras fuentes, y resumieron la síntesis de todos los hallazgos en dos matrices de seguimiento para contribuir con nuevo conocimiento para la formulación de políticas y la mejora de programas a través de sistemas de monitoreo. Los resultados mostraron 11 programas activos, 18 en estado incierto y un país proyectando un programa futuro. Solo seis países que comenzaron sus programas de fluorización a mediados de los años ochenta en el siglo veinte han estructurado o fortalecido un sistema de vigilancia para sus programas de fluorización. Conclusiones: Los autores recomiendan una nueva etapa de acompañamiento internacional por parte de varias agencias para reanudar los programas de fluorización en países donde los factores estructurales, económicos o políticos afectaron la implementación o la continuación de los programas de fluorización en el siglo XXI.

Antecedentes: Os Sistemas de Vigilância Epidemiológica fazem parte das políticas públicas para avaliar o impacto das intervenções de prevenção ou a ocorrência de eventos relacionados à saúde. Na saúde pública odontológica tem-se valido os sistemas de vigilância para acompanhar os programas de fluoretação, a prevalência de cárie ou os casos de fluorose. Objetivo: Identificar e resumir informações publicadas sobre a situação dos programas de fluoretação e seus sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica na região da América Latina e Caribe. Métodos: Nesta revisão de literatura narrativa, foram realizadas buscas de artigos em Medline e LILACS, em quatro idiomas. Resultados: Os autores incluíram a análise de 291 referências publicadas por entidades governamentais, agências internacionais, instituições acadêmicas e outras fontes, e resumindo a síntese de todos os resultados em duas matrizes de rastreamento para contribuir com novos conhecimentos para formulação de políticas e melhoria de programas através de sistemas monitorados. Os resultados mostraram 11 programas ativos, 18 em status incerto e um país projetando um programa futuro. Apenas seis países que iniciaram seus programas de fluoração em meados dos anos 80 no século XX estruturaram ou reforçaram um sistema de vigilância para seus programas de fluoretação. Conclusões: Os autores recomendam uma nova etapa de acompanhamento internacional por várias agências para retomar os programas de fluoração em países onde fatores estruturais, econômicos ou políticos afetaram a implementação ou continuação de programas de fluoretação no século XXI.

Investigação de suspeita de abuso sexual infantojuvenil: o Protocolo NICHD / Investigation of suspected child sexual abuse: the NICHD protocol / Investigación de sospecha de abuso sexualinfanto juvenil: el protocolo NICHD

O presente artigo consiste em uma revisão sistemática de literatura que se refere à escuta adequada e às estratégias para investigação da violência sexual infantil, com especial ênfase no Protocolo NICHD (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development), reconhecido pela literatura internacional especializada como um dos instrumentos mais adequados para a entrevista estruturada com crianças vítimas de violência. O procedimento consistiu em verificar nas bases de dados eletrônicas Bireme, INDEXPSI, SciELO, PePSIC, PubMed, Web of Science e PsycINFO, utilizando-se como descritores as palavras NICHD e sexual abuse, para artigos publicados entre os anos de 2000 e 2013. Foram consultados também acervos de livros em universidades. Nas bases de dados relacionadas, foram encontrados 73 artigos, dos quais 47 foram excluídos tendo como critério de exclusão artigos relacionados a outras temáticas de violência que não a sexual, e artigos repetidos, resultando em 26 artigos consultados. Nos acervos de Universidades foram consultados quatro livros nacionais, quatro livros internacionais e uma dissertação de mestrado, resultando em um total de 35 publicações analisadas. O protocolo apresenta-se como um instrumento estruturado, transmitindo informações de qualidade superior àquelas obtidas por entrevistas com menos questões abertas. Como resultado são produzidas respostas mais precisas, com relatos mais detalhados e ricos e com maior número de revelações.

This article consists of a systematic literature review on best practices regarding investigative interviews of child sexual violence, with emphasis on the NICHD Protocol (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development), recognized by the international specialized literature as the most appropriate structured interview for victimized children. The method consisted in checking the electronic databases Bireme, INDEXPSI, SciELO, PePSIC, PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO, using the keywords NICHD and sexual abuse for papers published from 2000 to 2013. Books pertaining to University libraries in Brazil were also consulted. In the database, 73 articles were found, 47 were excluded as they related to other themes other than sexual violence or were repeated, resulting in 26 studies. Four Brazilian books, four North-American ones, and one M.A. thesis were consulted in the University libraries, resulting in a total of 35 publications. The protocol is presented as a structured instrument, which gathers superior information in comparison to interviews with fewer open-ended questions. As a result, more accurate answers are produced, with more detailed and richer accounts providing a higher frequency of disclosures.

Este artículo consiste en una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre la escucha y estrategias adecuadas para la investigación de la violencia sexual infantil, con especial énfasis en el Protocolo NICHD (Instituto Nacional de Salud Infantil y Desarrollo Humano), el cual es reconocido y validado como la herramienta más apropiada que entrevistas estructuradas para niños y niñas víctimas de violencia. El procedimiento consistió en la verificación de las siguientes bases de datos electrónicas INDEXPSI Bireme, SciELO, PePSIC, PubMed, Web of Science y PsycINFO, usando como descriptores abuso NICHD y sexual, de los artículos publicados entre 2000 y 2013. También se fueron consultados colecciones de libros en las universidades. En las bases de datos, se encontraron 73 artículos, de los cuales 47 fueron excluidos por estar relacionados con otros temas de la violencia sin ser la sexual, ser repetidos, dando lugar a 26 artículos encontrados. En las colecciones de la universidad se consultó cuatro libros nacionales, cuatro libros e internacionales y una tesis, lo que resulta en 35 publicaciones analizadas. El protocolo se presenta como un instrumento estructurado y transmite información superior a los obtenidos mediante entrevistas a las preguntas menos abiertas. Como resultado son producidas respuestas por lo tanto más precisas, obteniendo relatos más detalladas y con más riqueza en las revelaciones.

Angioplastia carotídea com reversão do fluxo em octogenários: relato de caso / Carotid angioplasty with flow reversion in octogenarians: a case report

Pacientes octogenários submetidos à angioplastia carotídea apresentam maior incidência de eventos neurológicos quando comparados a grupos de pacientes mais jovens e a grupos da mesma faixa etária submetidos à endarterectomia carotídea. A maior taxa de complicações pode ser explicada por fatores anatômicos e anatomopatológicos que aumentam a dificuldade técnica e o risco de ateroembolismo do procedimento endovascular. O procedimento foi realizado no centro cirúrgico, com o paciente em decúbito dorsal e sob anestesia geral. Realizamos acesso cirúrgico transverso limitado, na base do pescoço à direita, com dissecção, identificação e reparo da artéria carótida comum e veia jugular interna. Foram administradas 10.000 U de heparina e puncionada a carótida comum pela técnica de Seldinger com introdução de bainha 8F em sentido cranial. Na sequência, foi puncionada a veia jugular interna com instalação de bainha 8F em sentido caudal. Em seguida, ambas as bainhas foram conectadas, utilizando-se um segmento de equipo de soro. A carótida comum foi fechada por cadarço duplo de silicone e o fluxo retrógrado pela carótida interna foi estabelecido. Subsequentemente, foi introduzido fio guia 0.014 x 190 cm com cruzamento da lesão, realizando-se angioplastia com balão 5 x 20 mm e em seguida stent (Wallstent® 7 x 50 - Boston Scientific) foi introduzido, posicionado e liberado. A angioplastia carotídea com reversão de fluxo, por via transcervical, constitui estratégia de proteção cerebral custo-eficiente e com menor potencial emboligênico em pacientes octogenários com anatomia desfavorável.

Octogenarian patients submitted to carotid angioplasty present higher incidence of neurological events when compared to younger patients and to patients in this same age submitted to carotid endarterectomy. The higher complication rate could be related to anatomic and anatomopathological factors that increase technical difficulties and atheroembolic risk associated with the endovascular procedure. At the operating room, the patient was in dorsal decubitus position and submitted to general anesthesia. Limited transversal surgical access was carried out on the right neck base, with dissection, identification and restoration of the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein. A 8F sheath was implanted cranially oriented into the common carotid by Seldinger technique after endovenous injection of 10.000 UI of heparin. Another 8F sheath was implanted into the internal jugular vein in caudal orientation. Both sheath were connected by the use of infusion set segment. The common carotid artery was clamped with a silastic double lace, establishing reversion of blood flow in the internal carotid artery. The lesion was crossed by 0.014 x 190 cm wire and the carotid angioplasty was performed employing a 5 x 20 mm ballon and a stent (Wallstent® 7 x 50 - Boston Scientific) was introduced, positioned and released. Carotid angioplasty with transcervical flow reversal is a cost effective brain protection strategy, associated to low embolic potential in octagenarian patients with unfavorable anatomy.

Isolated noncompaction of the myocardium

We report the case of a 42-year-old female with fatigue on exertion and palpitation consequent to the existence of isolated noncompaction of the myocardium. We discuss clinical and familial findings, diagnostic possibilities, and prognostic and therapeutical implications of this rare disorder of endomyocardial morphogenesis.

Desempenho produtivo de leitoas alimentadas com dietas de gestação de baixo ou alto nível de casca de soja / Productive perfomance of gilts fed gestation diets with low or high soybean hulls level

Leitoas foram alimentadas com dietas de gestação com inclusão de 7 por cento (T1) e 35 por cento (T2) de casca de soja, as quais continham níveis de 4,5 e 13,1 por cento de fibra bruta, respectivamente. Após a inseminação, todas as fêmeas receberam 1,8kg da ração T1 (5470Kcal EM dia-1) até os 35 dias de gestação, quando foram separadas em dois grupos que receberam 2,4kg (7294Kcal EM dia-1) da ração T1 (n=108) ou 2,7kg (7249Kcal EM dia-1) da ração T2 (n=99). Aos 90 dias de gestação, as fêmeas T1 e T2 receberam respectivamente 3,0kg (9117Kcal EM dia-1) e 3,4kg (9129Kcal EM dia-1) de ração. As fêmeas T1 foram mais pesadas que as T2 aos 110 dias de gestação e ao parto (P<0,05). No entanto, o consumo diário médio de ração durante a lactação foi 5,3 por cento maior para as fêmeas T2 (P=0,01) do que para as fêmeas T1. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre a produção e composição do leite, a variação de peso das fêmeas durante a lactação e o intervalo desmame-estro (P>0,05). O número de nascidos totais, nascidos vivos, natimortos e mumificados foi semelhante (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. O peso médio ao nascer foi maior (P=0,03) para os leitões das fêmeas T1, mas não houve diferença entre os tratamentos no peso médio da leitegada (P>0,05). O peso e número de leitões ao desmame não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Os dois níveis de inclusão de casca de soja na dieta de gestação de leitoas resultaram em desempenho produtivo semelhante.

Síndrome de imunodeficiência adquirida: análise das complicaçöes neurológicas em 44 casos / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: neurologic complications in 14 cases

De 280 pacientes com anticorpos anti-HIV, 44 apresentaram manifestaçöes neurológicas centrais. O quadro neurológico foi a manifestaçäo inicial da AIDS em 13,5% dos casos. Déficit motor, cefaléia, sinais meníngeos e alteraçöes do comportamento foram as manifestaçöes mais freqüentes. A toxoplasmose cerebral, as meningites criptocócica e tuberculosa representaram 79,4% das complicaçöes observadas. Os achados do líqüido cefalorraquidiano nos pacientes com meningite eram em geral inespecíficos, exceto pelo isolamento do Cryptococcus neoformans no exame direto e/ou cultura. A tomografia computadorizada de crânio comumente revelou lesöes hipodensas, geralmente múltiplas, sem captaçäo ou com captaçäo anelar de contraste, predominando em regiöes hemisféricas profundas. O tempo de doença do SNC foi inferior a 6 meses em 29 casos. Observou-se que 90,4% dos pacientes evoluiram para o óbito e nenhum destes sobreviveu por mais de 12 meses

Neuralgia do glossofaríngeo associada a síncope cardíaca refexa / Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Associated with Cardiac Syncope

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an uncommon condition that has rarely been described in association with syncope. We report here 2 cases of glossopharyngeal neuralgia in elderly patients. Both were male and underwent temporary pacemaker insertion to prevent syncopal episodes. We discuss the clinical and surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, the role of cardiac stimulation, and the possible physiopathological mechanism of the associated cardiac disturbances

Tratamento endovascular da oclusão das artérias ilíacas / Endovascular treatment of iliac arteries occlusion

A oclusão das artérias ilíacas é uma patologia freqüente. Várias opções cirúrgicas existem para o seu tratamento, como a ponte aorto-bifemoral, a ponte femoro-femoral cruzada, o implante de endoprótese e outros. A ponte aorto-bifemoral é considerada o tratamento com melhores resultados. O tratamento endovascular da oclusão das artérias apresenta alta taxa de sucesso e baixo índice de complicações. Realizamos este tratamento em 24 pacientes, com idade média de 61 anos, variando de 39 a 82 anos. A indicação foi claudicação intermitente em 19 pacientes e isquemia crítica em cinco. O fator de risco mais freqüente foi tabagismo em 19 pacientes. A taxa de sucesso técnico na ultrapassagem da lesão foi de 91,7 por cento e a taxa de patência foi de 71 por cento em um ano. Os bons resultados com o tratamento endovascular nas oclusões das artérias ilíacas, com baixas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade, sugerem a inclusão deste procedimento no arsenal terapêutico.