On (p, q) − equations with concave terms

We consider a (p, q)− equation (1 < q < p, p ≥ 2) with a parametric concave term and a (p − 1)− linear perturbation. We show that the problem have five nontrivial smooth solutions: four of constant sign and the fifth nodal. When q = 2 (i.e., (p, 2) equation) we show that the problem has six nontrivial smooth solutions, but we do not specify the sign of the sixth solution. Our approach uses variational methods, together with truncation and comparison techniques and Morse theory.

Comparison of High Q microresonators operating on a thin plate mode : the Lamé-mode

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Acute Q Fever Presenting with Multi-Organ Failure: Re-Evaluation of the Initial Diagnosis

We present the case of a 48-year-old man admitted to the critical care unit with atrial fibrillation, and acute heart and kidney failure accompanied by coagulopathy and an abnormal liver test. Initially diagnosed as a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, re-evaluation of the case led to the consideration of severe sepsis. Q fever and leptospirosis were the most probable causes and empiric treatment was initiated. A complete recovery was achieved following treatment.

CIL 2.1459 – Dedication to Q. Memmius Quirina Niger

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Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Peroxiredoxin Q beta from Xylella fastidiosa CATALYTIC MECHANISM and HIGH REACTIVITY

The phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is the etiological agent of various plant diseases. To survive under oxidative stress imposed by the host, microorganisms express antioxidant proteins, including cysteine-based peroxidases named peroxiredoxins. This work is a comprehensive analysis of the catalysis performed by PrxQ from X. fastidiosa (XfPrxQ) that belongs to a peroxiredoxin class still poorly characterized and previously considered as moderately reactive toward hydroperoxides. Contrary to these assumptions, our competitive kinetics studies have shown that the second-order rate constants of the peroxidase reactions of XfPrxQ with hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite are in the order of 107 and 106 M(-1) s(-1), respectively, which are as fast as the most efficient peroxidases. The XfPrxQ disulfides were only slightly reducible by dithiothreitol; therefore, the identification of a thioredoxin system as the probable biological reductant of XfPrxQ was a relevant finding. We also showed by site-specific mutagenesis and mass spectrometry that an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys-47 and Cys-83 is generated during the catalytic cycle. Furthermore, we elucidated the crystal structure of XfPrxQ C47S in which Ser-47 and Cys-83 lie similar to 12.3 angstrom apart. Therefore, significant conformational changes are required for disulfide bond formation. In fact, circular dichroism data indicated that there was a significant redox-dependent unfolding of alpha-helices, which is probably triggered by the peroxidatic cysteine oxidation. Finally, we proposed a model that takes data from this work as well data as from the literature into account.

Q certification and tourist satisfaction in the Spanish hotels

Spain has been working on improving the competitiveness of its tourist destinations, focusing on the quality of the service. This paper analyzes whether the efforts made by the tourism establishment to achieve the Q brand are perceived by their guests in a general way or in a particular dimension of the service. Statistical contrasts of mean differences are performed to evaluate if the score of a Q hotel is greater than that of a non-Q hotel. The results show that the Q brand is related to the satisfaction of the customer in a different way according the analyzed dimension.

Lecturas de la prensa popular: Un estudio de recepción del periódico Q'hubo en la localidad de Kennedy en Bogotá

En este trabajo de grado se aborda la relación entre las audiencias y los medios a partir de un estudio de recepción del diario Q’hubo en los sectores populares de Bogotá, específicamente en la localidad de Kennedy de esta ciudad. El estudio reconoce que las formas determinadas de interactuar con los medios están atadas a los contextos, las instituciones y los entornos culturales y sociales desde los que lector construye su realidad y se inserta en la sociedad actual. Por lo mismo, se nutre de estos elementos para entender los procesos de recepción a través de las formas cotidianas de consumo del diario Q’hubo frente al contexto mediático actual. Se sustenta que el Q’hubo se comunica con sus lectores combinando aspectos clásicos de la prensa popular y adaptando aspectos de diseño y lenguaje aportados por los nuevos medios. Lo que a su vez se relaciona con apropiaciones, usos y modos de leer de la audiencia, que reivindica interacciones tradicionales y desarrolla interacciones emergentes gracias a la convergencia de las tecnologías con la cultura letrada, oral y visual.

Láser Q-Switched en el manejo de ocronosis exógena: revisión sistemática de la literatura

Antecedentes: La ocronosis Exógena (OE) es una enfermedad subdiagnosticada y de difícil manejo (1). El láser Q-Switched (QS) surge como una alternativa para el tratamiento de esta (2). Objetivo: Describir las características de los pacientes, del láser QS y los desenlaces en el tratamiento de OE. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en las bases PubMed, Embase, PMC, Scielo, Elselvier, BMJ Case Reports, Journal of Medical Case Reports, Cases Journal e International Medical Case Reports Journal, desde enero del 2000 a marzo del 2016, pacientes con ocronosis exógena, 18 a 70 años, tratados con láser QS. Los artículos fueron evaluados mediante la herramienta de evaluación de validez y valor educativo de reportes de caso descrito por Pierson (3). Resultados: Se encontraron 256 artículos, 63 fueron seleccionados: 28 repetidos y 31 no cumplieron criterios de inclusión. Se escogieron 4 artículos que reportan 12 casos de pacientes con ocronosis exógena diagnosticada mediante estudio histopatológico y tratada con láser QS. Discusión: Hay poca experiencia con el láser QS en OE. En la práctica clínica se usa para tatuajes y patologías pigmentarias dérmicas con resultados satisfactorios. El pigmento dérmico en OE y la corta duración de pulso de láser QS, podrían ser el pilar de tratamiento para OE. Conclusión: El láser QS puede ser útil para el tratamiento en OE, con nivel de evidencia 3 y grado de recomendación D. Se sugiere realizar estudios clínicos con mayor grado de evidencia.

Introduzione alla teoria dei q-analoghi in combinatoria

L'obiettivo di questa tesi è di fornire un'introduzione alla teoria dei q-analoghi in ambito combinatorio e alcune sue applicazioni allo studio di problemi legati a successioni numeriche. Lo scopo di questa teoria è quello di ricavare informazioni e proprietà aggiuntive su alcuni oggetti matematici discreti attraverso una loro generalizzazione di tipo polinomiale. In particolare sono proposti alcuni risultati legati al conteggio delle permutazioni di insiemi e multiinsiemi, delle partizioni di interi e dei cammini di Dyck.

Malignant Transformation Of An Odontogenic Cyst In A Period Of 10 Years.

Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws (PIOSCC) might arise from odontogenic epithelium, more commonly from a previous odontogenic cyst. The aim of this case is to illustrate that the clinician should consider that an apparent benign dentigerous cyst can suffer malignant transformation and that all material removed from a patient must be evaluated histologically. A 44-year-old man presented in a routine periapical X-ray an impacted lower left third molar with radiolucency over its crown. Ten years later, the patient complained of pain in the same region and the tooth was extracted. After one month, the patient still complained of pain and suffered a fracture of the mandible. A biopsy was performed and carcinoma was diagnosed. The patient was treated surgically with adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy and after 8 years, he is well without signs of recurrences. This report describes a central mandibular carcinoma probably developed from a previous dentigerous cyst.

The Value Of The 2005 International Society Of Urological Pathology (isup) Modified Gleason Grading System As A Predictor Of Biochemical Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy.

To compare time and risk to biochemical recurrence (BR) after radical prostatectomy of two chronologically different groups of patients using the standard and the modified Gleason system (MGS). Cohort 1 comprised biopsies of 197 patients graded according to the standard Gleason system (SGS) in the period 1997/2004, and cohort 2, 176 biopsies graded according to the modified system in the period 2005/2011. Time to BR was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier product-limit analysis and prediction of shorter time to recurrence using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Patients in cohort 2 reflected time-related changes: striking increase in clinical stage T1c, systematic use of extended biopsies, and lower percentage of total length of cancer in millimeter in all cores. The MGS used in cohort 2 showed fewer biopsies with Gleason score ≤ 6 and more biopsies of the intermediate Gleason score 7. Time to BR using the Kaplan-Meier curves showed statistical significance using the MGS in cohort 2, but not the SGS in cohort 1. Only the MGS predicted shorter time to BR on univariate analysis and on multivariate analysis was an independent predictor. The results favor that the 2005 International Society of Urological Pathology modified system is a refinement of the Gleason grading and valuable for contemporary clinical practice.

Effects Of Therapeutic Approach On The Neonatal Evolution Of Very Low Birth Weight Infants With Patent Ductus Arteriosus.

To analyze the effects of treatment approach on the outcomes of newborns (birth weight [BW] < 1,000 g) with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), from the Brazilian Neonatal Research Network (BNRN) on: death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH III/IV), retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgical (ROPsur), necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery (NECsur), and death/BPD. This was a multicentric, cohort study, retrospective data collection, including newborns (BW < 1000 g) with gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks and echocardiographic diagnosis of PDA, from 16 neonatal units of the BNRN from January 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2011. Newborns who died or were transferred until the third day of life, and those with presence of congenital malformation or infection were excluded. Groups: G1 - conservative approach (without treatment), G2 - pharmacologic (indomethacin or ibuprofen), G3 - surgical ligation (independent of previous treatment). Factors analyzed: antenatal corticosteroid, cesarean section, BW, GA, 5 min. Apgar score < 4, male gender, Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE II), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), late sepsis (LS), mechanical ventilation (MV), surfactant (< 2 h of life), and time of MV. death, O2 dependence at 36 weeks (BPD36wks), IVH III/IV, ROPsur, NECsur, and death/BPD36wks. Student's t-test, chi-squared test, or Fisher's exact test; Odds ratio (95% CI); logistic binary regression and backward stepwise multiple regression. Software: MedCalc (Medical Calculator) software, version 12.1.4.0. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. 1,097 newborns were selected and 494 newborns were included: G1 - 187 (37.8%), G2 - 205 (41.5%), and G3 - 102 (20.6%). The highest mortality was observed in G1 (51.3%) and the lowest in G3 (14.7%). The highest frequencies of BPD36wks (70.6%) and ROPsur were observed in G3 (23.5%). The lowest occurrence of death/BPD36wks occurred in G2 (58.0%). Pharmacological (OR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14-0.62) and conservative (OR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.79) treatments were protective for the outcome death/BPD36wks. The conservative approach of PDA was associated to high mortality, the surgical approach to the occurrence of BPD36wks and ROPsur, and the pharmacological treatment was protective for the outcome death/BPD36wks.

Development And Characterization Of Microsatellite Loci For Tabebuia Cassinoides (bignoniaceae).

Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC., popularly known as caxeta, is a tree species that belongs to the plant family Bignoniaceae. This species is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and is widely exploited commercially. To date, little is known about its genetic structure, preventing the establishment of adequate management plans for this taxon. The objective of this study was to construct a microsatellite-enriched genomic library for T. cassinoides to select polymorphic loci, and standardize polymerase chain reaction amplification conditions. Of the 15 loci examined, 5 were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean of 4.4. The microsatellite loci described here represent the basis for detailed population genetic studies of this species, which will greatly contribute for the development of better conservation strategies for this taxon.

Ecosystem Engineering Effects On Species Diversity Across Ecosystems: A Meta-analysis.

Ecosystem engineering is increasingly recognized as a relevant ecological driver of diversity and community composition. Although engineering impacts on the biota can vary from negative to positive, and from trivial to enormous, patterns and causes of variation in the magnitude of engineering effects across ecosystems and engineer types remain largely unknown. To elucidate the above patterns, we conducted a meta-analysis of 122 studies which explored effects of animal ecosystem engineers on species richness of other organisms in the community. The analysis revealed that the overall effect of ecosystem engineers on diversity is positive and corresponds to a 25% increase in species richness, indicating that ecosystem engineering is a facilitative process globally. Engineering effects were stronger in the tropics than at higher latitudes, likely because new or modified habitats provided by engineers in the tropics may help minimize competition and predation pressures on resident species. Within aquatic environments, engineering impacts were stronger in marine ecosystems (rocky shores) than in streams. In terrestrial ecosystems, engineers displayed stronger positive effects in arid environments (e.g. deserts). Ecosystem engineers that create new habitats or microhabitats had stronger effects than those that modify habitats or cause bioturbation. Invertebrate engineers and those with lower engineering persistence (<1 year) affected species richness more than vertebrate engineers which persisted for >1 year. Invertebrate species richness was particularly responsive to engineering impacts. This study is the first attempt to build an integrative framework of engineering effects on species diversity; it highlights the importance of considering latitude, habitat, engineering functional group, taxon and persistence of their effects in future theoretical and empirical studies.