Um protocolo de comunicação multicast na camada de aplicação com Consciência de Localização

Internet applications such as media streaming, collaborative computing and massive multiplayer are on the rise,. This leads to the need for multicast communication, but unfortunately group communications support based on IP multicast has not been widely adopted due to a combination of technical and non-technical problems. Therefore, a number of different application-layer multicast schemes have been proposed in recent literature to overcome the drawbacks. In addition, these applications often behave as both providers and clients of services, being called peer-topeer applications, and where participants come and go very dynamically. Thus, servercentric architectures for membership management have well-known problems related to scalability and fault-tolerance, and even peer-to-peer traditional solutions need to have some mechanism that takes into account member's volatility. The idea of location awareness distributes the participants in the overlay network according to their proximity in the underlying network allowing a better performance. Given this context, this thesis proposes an application layer multicast protocol, called LAALM, which takes into account the actual network topology in the assembly process of the overlay network. The membership algorithm uses a new metric, IPXY, to provide location awareness through the processing of local information, and it was implemented using a distributed shared and bi-directional tree. The algorithm also has a sub-optimal heuristic to minimize the cost of membership process. The protocol has been evaluated in two ways. First, through an own simulator developed in this work, where we evaluated the quality of distribution tree by metrics such as outdegree and path length. Second, reallife scenarios were built in the ns-3 network simulator where we evaluated the network protocol performance by metrics such as stress, stretch, time to first packet and reconfiguration group time

Versão breve da social rhythm metric: um instrumento para avaliar ritmo social de pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral

Stroke is a neurological disorder caused by restriction of blood flow to the brain, which generates directly a deficit of functionality that affects the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to establish a short version of the Social Rhythm Scale (SRM), to assess the social rhythm of stroke patients. The sample consisted of 84 patients, of both sexes, with injury time exceeding 6 months. For seven days, patients recorded the time held 17 activities of SRM. Data analysis was performed using a principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation of the full version of SRM in order to determine which activities could compose brief versions of SRM. We then carried out a comparison of hits, the ALI (Level Activity Index) and SRM, between versions, by Kruskal-Walls and the Mann-Whitney test. The Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between the score of the full version of SRM with short versions. It was found that the activities of SRM were distributed in three versions: the first and second with 6 activities and third with 3 activities. Regarding hits, it was found that they ranged from 4.9 to 5.8 on the first version; 2.3 to 3.8 in version 2 and 2.8 to 6.2 in version 3, the first the only version that did not show low values. The analysis of ALI, in version 1, the median was 29, in version 2 was 14 and in version 3 was 18. Significant difference in the values of ALI between versions 1 and 2, between 2 and 3 and between versions 1 and 3. The highest median was found in the first version, formed by activities: out of bed, first contact, drink coffee, watch TV in the evening and go to bed. The lowest median was observed in the second version and this was not what had fewer activities, but which had social activities. The medians of the SRM version 1 was 6, version 2 was 4 and version 3 was 6. Significant difference in the values of SRM between versions 1 and 2 and between 2 and 3, but no significant difference between versions 1 and 3. Through analysis, we found a significant correlation only between the full version and the version 1 (R2 = 0.61) (p <0.05), no correlation was found with version 2 (R2 = 0.007) nor with version 3 (R2 = 0.002), this was finally a factor to consider version 1 as the short brazilian version of the Social Rhythm Metric for stroke patients

Ocorrência da infecção por Toxoplasma gondii e avaliação da imunização em caprinos do sertão do cabugi, Rio Grande do Norte

Toxoplasmosis is one zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii protozoan. Goats, amongst the production animals, are one of the species most susceptible to this parasite, being one them main involved agents in ovine and goat abortions, determining great economic losses and implications for public health, since the presence it parasite in the products of goat origin, consist in one of the main sources of infection for the man. In this study 244 blood samples in 8 farms situated in 4 cities from the Sertão do Cabugi region, Rio Grande do Norte State, northeast of Brazil and, tested by ELISA assay. The results had shown a prevalence of 47.13% for anti- T. gondii antibodies and a significant association between positivity and variable evaluated as age, locality and property. The IgG avidity assay evaluated in 115 positive samples was carried to discriminate acute and chronic infection. Twelve samples (10.4%) had presented antibodies of low avidity while 103 (89.6%) presented high avidity antibodies; indicating that most of the animals was precocious exposure to the parasite. Significant difference was verified only for the variable sex. We also evaluate the capacity of recombinant adenoviruses codifying SAG1, SAG2, SAG3 and CMV in inducing activation of specific immune response in goat. These 109 animals received 109 pfu of the AdSAG1, AdSAG2, AdSAG3, AdCMV or PBS in vaccine protocol with 3 immunizations. Serum samples of the each animal, before and after mmunization, had been submitted to the ELISA. The results demonstrate that the immunizations had induced the production of IgG antibodies specific against T. gondii proteins

Superfícies de titânio modificadas termoquimicamente por plasma : avaliação da resposta biológica

This laboratory study involves the participation of a group with professionals from different areas that had contributed to the construction of a multidisciplinary knowledge, about biological response of titanium surfaces modified through thermochemical treatment by plasma. Thus, the crystalline phase was previously characterized in relation to the topography, roughness, molhability and nitrogen concentration in the samples surface. It s indispensable that materials implanted can influence in a good cellular response as well as promotes a bacteria action. Surfaces modified by plasma were exposed to different cultures such as: cellular (human osteoblastic) and bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC35984 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) in order to evaluate the biological response. It was evaluated the adhesion, proliferation, morphology and cellular preference of human ostheoblastic cells (HOST), as well as the formation of a biofilm and bacteria proliferation. It was still analyzed the bacteria selectivity ability in relation to the surfaces. The software Image Pro Plus was used to the counting of cells and bacteria adhered to the surface of disks. The results were submitted to the variance analysis (ANOVA), and then, by the Kruskal-Wallis test, using GraphPad Instat ® software, version 3.5 to Windows. The nitrided samples in spite of show a higher roughness and molhability showed a smaller bacteria growing and higher cellular proliferation, when compared to non treated samples, indicating that the treated material present a high efficiency to biomedical implants

FERRITINA: intervalos de referência para adultos no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Ferritin is a protein composed of heavy and light chains, non-covalently linked and which accommodates, in its core, thousands of atoms of iron. Furthermore, this protein represents the stock of iron in the body and it is characterized as an acute marker and predictor of diseases, such as iron deficiency anemia, hereditary hemochromatosis and others. Considering the variability of reference values and the analytical methods currently available, the aim of this work was to propose 95% confidence intervals for adults in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, after determining the average concentration of serum ferritin for both sexes, beyond its correlation with the age. We analyzed 385 blood samples, collected by venipuncture from individuals residing in the State, after 12-14 hours of fast. The populational sample had 169 men and 216 women between 18-59 years old, which filled a questionnaire on socioeconomic, food habits and accounts about previous and current diseases. The sample collections were itinerant and the results of erythrogram, fasting glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, urea, creatinine, leukocyte count and platelets, beyond C-reactive protein, were issued to each participant, so that, after selection of the apparently healthy individuals, the dosage of serum ferritin was carried out. Statistical analysis was performed using the softwares SPSS 11.0 Windows version, Epi Info 3.3.2 and Graf instant pad (version 3.02), and the random population sample was single (finite population), for which the test of linear correlation and diagram of dispersion were also made. After selection of individuals and determination of serum ferritin, the most discrepant outliers were disregarded (N = 358, Men = 154/Women = 207) and the average value determined for the masculine sex individuals was 167,18 ng / dL; for the feminine sex individuals, the average value obtained was 81,55 ng / dL. Moreover, we found that 25% of men had values < 90,30 ng / dL; 50% ≤ 156,25 ng / dL and 75% ≤ 229,00 ng / dL. In the group of women, 25% had values < 38,80 ng / dL; 50% ≤ 65,00 ng / dL and 75% ≤ 119,00 ng / dL. Through the correlation coefficient (r = 0,23 with p = 0,003), it is possible to suggest the existence of positive linear correlation between age and serum ferritin for men. The correlation coefficient for women (r = 0,16 with p = 0,025) also confirms the existence of positive linear correlation between serum ferritin and age. Considering the analysis carried out and specific methods corroborating with the proposed benchmarks, we concluded that the average value found for men is higher than that found for women. Furthermore, this scenario rises with age for both sexes, and the 95% confidence intervals obtained were 74 ng/dL ≤ μ ≤ 89 ng/dL and 152ng/dL ≤ μ ≤183ng/dL for the feminine and masculine sex individuals respectively

Fases e criticalidade no modelo ashkin - teller de três cores

The usual Ashkin-Teller (AT) model is obtained as a superposition of two Ising models coupled through a four-spin interaction term. In two dimension the AT model displays a line of fixed points along which the exponents vary continuously. On this line the model becomes soluble via a mapping onto the Baxter model. Such richness of multicritical behavior led Grest and Widom to introduce the N-color Ashkin-Teller model (N-AT). Those authors made an extensive analysis of the model thus introduced both in the isotropic as well as in the anisotropic cases by several analytical and computational methods. In the present work we define a more general version of the 3-color Ashkin-Teller model by introducing a 6-spin interaction term. We investigate the corresponding symmetry structure presented by our model in conjunction with an analysis of possible phase diagrams obtained by real space renormalization group techniques. The phase diagram are obtained at finite temperature in the region where the ferromagnetic behavior is predominant. Through the use of the transmissivities concepts we obtain the recursion relations in some periodical as well as aperiodic hierarchical lattices. In a first analysis we initially consider the two-color Ashkin-Teller model in order to obtain some results with could be used as a guide to our main purpose. In the anisotropic case the model was previously studied on the Wheatstone bridge by Claudionor Bezerra in his Master Degree dissertation. By using more appropriated computational resources we obtained isomorphic critical surfaces described in Bezerra's work but not properly identified. Besides, we also analyzed the isotropic version in an aperiodic hierarchical lattice, and we showed how the geometric fluctuations are affected by such aperiodicity and its consequences in the corresponding critical behavior. Those analysis were carried out by the use of appropriated definitions of transmissivities. Finally, we considered the modified 3-AT model with a 6-spin couplings. With the inclusion of such term the model becomes more attractive from the symmetry point of view. For some hierarchical lattices we derived general recursion relations in the anisotropic version of the model (3-AAT), from which case we can obtain the corresponding equations for the isotropic version (3-IAT). The 3-IAT was studied extensively in the whole region where the ferromagnetic couplings are dominant. The fixed points and the respective critical exponents were determined. By analyzing the attraction basins of such fixed points we were able to find the three-parameter phase diagram (temperature £ 4-spin coupling £ 6-spin coupling). We could identify fixed points corresponding to the universality class of Ising and 4- and 8-state Potts model. We also obtained a fixed point which seems to be a sort of reminiscence of a 6-state Potts fixed point as well as a possible indication of the existence of a Baxter line. Some unstable fixed points which do not belong to any aforementioned q-state Potts universality class was also found

Prevalência de incontinência urinária e fatores associados em idosos institucionalizados

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a geriatric syndrome that is especially prevalent in institutionalized individuals, and that causes economic and social impacts derived from treatment costs and overload of caregiver. UI also entails physical consequences to the health of the elderly, such as urinary tract infections or pressure ulcers, among other health problems. However, the existing national research on this condition is still scarce and comprises serious methodological biases. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated factors in institutionalized elderly. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, conducted between October and December, 2013 and carried out in 10 nursing homes in the city of Natal (Northeast Brazil). UI was verified through the program Minimum Data Set version 3.0, which was also used to assess fecal incontinence, urinary devices and UI control programs. Data collection included sociodemographic information, UI characterization, as well as variables related to the institution itself and to health conditions (comorbidities, medication, pelvic floor surgery, Barthel Index for functional capacity and Pfeiffer test for cognitive status). Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-Square Test (or Fisher̶3;s Exact Test) and the Linear Chi-Square Test, calculating the prevalence ratio with 95% confidence interval. Variables with p value under 0.20 were included in the multivariate analysis, which was performed using the Stepwise Forward logistic regression. The inclusion of variables in the final model depended on the likelihood ratio test, absence of multicollinearity and on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. A statistical significance level of 0.05 was considered. Six (1.8%) hospitalized elderly, one individual in palliative care (0.3%) and one (0.3%) individual under the age of 60 were excluded from the study. The final sample consisted of 321 elderly, mostly females, with a mean age of 81.5 years. The prevalence of UI was 59.43% and the final model revealed statistically a significant association between UI and white race, physical inactivity, stroke, mobility constraints and cognitive decline. The most frequent UI type was functional UI due to physical or cognitive disability, and incontinence control measures were applied only to a minority of residents (approximately 8%). It is concluded that UI is a health issue that affects more than half of the institutionalized elderly, and is associated with white race, physical inactivity, stroke and other geriatric syndromes such as immobility and cognitive disability. Most of these associated factors are modifiable and therefore the findings of this study highlight the importance of UI prevention and treatment in nursing homes, which include general measures, such as physical and psychosocial activities, and specific measures, such as prompted voiding

Parâmetros de fonte de microterremotos em Cascavel-CE

In this dissertation it was studied the rupture characteristic of earthquakes of the Town of Cascavel CE, Northeastern Brazil. Located on the border of the Potiguar Basin, the Town of Cascavel is one of the most seismically active intraplate areas in the country. In this town, on November 20th, 1980 a 5,2mb earthquake occurred. This was the largest earthquake ever reported in Northeast Brazil. Studies of this region using instruments were possible after 1989, with several campaigns being done using seismographic networks. From the beginning of the monitoring to April 2008 more than 55,000 events were recorded. With the data collected by a network with six 3-components digital seismographic stations during the campaigns done from September 29th, 1997 to March 5th, 1998, estimates of source parameters were found fitting the displacement spectra in the frequency domain for each event. From the fitting of the displacement spectra it was possible to obtain the corner frequency ( ) c f and long period amplitude ( ) W0 . Source parameters were determined following Brune (1970) and Madariaga (1976) models. Twenty-one seismic events were analyzed (0.7 £ £ 2.1) b m in order to estimate the source dimension (r ), seismic moment ( ) M0 , static stress drop (Ds ), apparent stress ( ) a s , seismic energy ( ) S E and moment magnitude ( ) W M for each of the events. It was observed that the ratio between radiated seismic energy and moment seismic (apparent stress) increases with increasing moment and hence magnitude at the observed range. As suggested by Abercrombie (1995), also in this work there is a breakdown in the scaling for earthquakes with magnitudes smaller than three ( < 3.0) W M , so that the rupture physics is different for larger events. If this assumption is valid, the earthquakes analyzed in this work are not selfsimilar. Thus, larger events tend to radiated more energy per unit area than smaller ones.