���It came from outer space���: jogos de computador invadem programa����o e servi��os de televis��o digital

A converg��ncia da televis��o digital com os jogos de computador �� cada vez mais uma realidade. Neste artigo ser��o apresentadas tr��s vertentes desta converg��ncia: ��� a oferta de jogos pelos operadores de televis��o digital e pelos canais de televis��o; ��� a oferta de programa����o baseada em jogos de computador pelos canais de televis��o; ��� a oferta de jogos com interac����o via SMS pelo operadores de televis��o digital e pelos canais de televis��o, Em conclus��o, s��o apresentadas duas linhas de evolu����o desta converg��ncia no curto-m��dio prazo: 1) o lan��amento de novos formatos de entretenimento, que conjugam diferentes meios (TV, Telem��vel, PC, PDA, etc) na defini����o de uma experi��ncia de jogo acess��vel a qualquer hora e em qualquer lugar, 2) o lan��amento de novos aparelhos que aliam as funcionalidades de uma consola de jogos �� de uma set-top box avan��ada de televis��o digital.

Vector competence experiments with Rocio virus and three mosquito species from the epidemic zone in Brazil

First-generation progeny of field-collected Psorophora ferox, Aedes scapularis, and Aedes serratus from the Rocio encephalitis epidemic zone in S.Paulo State, Brazil, were tested for vector competency in the laboratory. Psorophora ferox and Ae. scapularis are susceptible to per os infection with Rocio virus and can transmit the virus by bite following a suitable incubation period. Oral ID50S for the two species (10(4.1) and 10(4.3) Vero cell plaque forming units, respectively) did not differ significantly. Infection rates in Ae. serratus never exceeded 36%, and, consequently, an ID50 could not be calculated for this species. It is unlikely that Ae. serratus is an epidemiologically important vector of Rocio virus. The utility of an in vitro feeding technique for demonstrating virus transmission by infected mosquitoes and difficulties encountered in working with uncolonized progeny of field-collected mosquitoes are discussed.

Studies in search of a suitable experimental insect model for xenodiagnosis of hosts with Chagas' disease: 3 - On the interaction of vector species and parasite strain in the reaction of bugs to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

The reaction of nine vector species of Chagas' disease to infection by seven different Trypanosoma cruzi strains; Berenice, Y, FL, CL, S. Felipe, Colombiana and G��vea, are examined and compared. On the basis of the insects' ability to establish and maintain the infection, vector species could be divided into two distinct groups which differ in their reaction to an acute infection by T. cruzi. While the proportion of positive bugs was found to be low in Triatoma infestans and Triatoma dimidiata it was high, ranging from 96.9% to 100% in the group of wild (Rhodnius neglectus, Triatoma rubrovaria)and essentially sylvatic vectors in process of adaptation to human dwellings, maintained under control following successful insecticidal elimination of Triatoma infestans (Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma sordida and Triatoma pseudomaculata). An intermediate position is held by Triatoma brasiliensis and Rhodnius prolixus. This latter has been found to interchange between domestic and sylvatic environments. The most important finding is the strikingly good reaction between each species of the sylvatic bugs and practically all T. cruzi strains herein studied, thus indicating that the factors responsible for the excellent reaction of P.megistus to infection by Y strain, as previously reported also come into operation in the reaction of the same vector species to acute infections by five of the remaining T.cruzi strains. Comparison or data reported by other investigators with those herein described form the basis of the discussion of Dipetalogaster maximus as regards its superiority as a xenodiagnostic agent.

Studies in search of a suitable experimental insect model for xenodiagnosis of hosts with Chagas' disease: 4 - The reflection of parasite stock in the responsiveness of different vector species to chronic infection with different Trypanosoma cruzi stocks

Previous studies (1982,1987) have emphasized the superiority of sylvatic vector species over domestic species as xenodiagnostic agents in testing hosts with acute or chronic infections by T. cruzi "Y" stock. The present study, which is unique in that it contains data on both infectivity rates produced by the same stock in 11 different vector species and also the reaction of the same vector species to seven different parasite stocks, establishes the general validity of linking efficiency of xenodiagnosis to the biotope of its agent. For example, infectivity rates produced by "S��o Felipe" stock varied from 82.5% to 98.3% in sylvatic vectors but decreased to 42.5% to 71.3% in domestic species. "Colombiana" stock produced in the same sylvatic vectors infectivity rates ranging from 12.5% to 45%. These shrank to 5%-22.5% in domestic bugs. The functional role of the biotope in the vector-parasite interaction has not been eluddated. But since this phenomenon has been observed to be stable and easy to reproduce, it leads us to believe that the results obtained are valid. Data presented also provide increasing evidence that the infectivity rates exhibited by bugs from xenodiagnosis in chronic hosts, are parasite stock specific. For example, infectivity rates produced by "Berenice", "Y", "FL" and "CL" varied in R. neglectus from 26.3% to 75%; in P. megistus from 56.3% to 83.8%; in T. sordida from 28.8% to 58.8% in T. pseudomaculata from 41.3% to 66.3% and in T. rubrovaria from 48.8% to 85%. Data from xenodiagnosis in the same hosts, carrying acute infections by the same parasite stocks, gave the five sylvatic vectors a positive rating of approximately 100%, thus suggesting that the heavy loads of parasites circulating in the acute hosts obscured the characteristic interspecific differences for the parasite stock. Nonetheless these latter were revealed in the same hosts with chronic infections stimulated by very low numbers of the same parasite stocks. Certain observations here described lead us to speculate as to the possibility of further results from other parasite stocks, allowing the association of the infectivity rates produced in bugs by different parasite stocks with the isoenzymic patterns revealed by these stocks.

Evaluation of organophosphorus and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides against six vector mosquitoe species

Three organophosphorus compounds- malathion, folithion and temephos- and two synthetic pyrethroids- alphamethrin and deltamethrin- were used for monitoring the susceptibility status of larvae and adults of six vector mosquitoe species: Culex quinquefasciatus (Filariasis) and Aedes albopictus (Dengue) (both laboratory and field strains); laboratory strains of Aedes aegypti (Dengue), Anopheles slephensi and Anopheles culicifacies (Malaria), and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Japanese encephalitis) in India. From the LC50 values obtained for these insecticides, it was found that all mosquito species including the field strains of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. albopictus were highly susceptible Except for Cx. quinquefasciatus (field strain) against malathion, 100% mortality was observed at the discriminating dosages recommended by World Health Organization. The residual effect of alphamethrin, deltamethrin, malathion and folithion at 25 mg (ai)/m�� on different surfaces against six species of vector mosquitoes showed that alphamethrin was the most effective on all four treated surfaces (mud, plywood, cement and thatch). Nevertheless, residual efficacy lasted longer on thatch than on the other surfaces. Therefore, synthetic pyrethroids such as alphamethrin can be effectively employed in integrated vector control operations.

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropic environment: 9- Synanthropy and epidemiological vector role of Aedes scapularis in South-Eastern Brazil

Behaviour comparisons of Aedes scapularis and Ae. serratus are presented. Results were obtained by sampling Aedes adult mosquitoes at several places in the rural anthropic environment in the Ribeira Valley region of S. Paulo State, Brazil. Aedes dominance was shared by those two species, but Ae. scapularis Sshowed a clear tendency to frequent the modified environment, while Ae. serratus was to be found in the more preserved ones, here represented by the vestigial patchy forests. Regarding the open cultivated land and the dwelling environments, Ae. scapularis preponderates. Considering the regional developmental phases, this mosquito showed a remarkable increase in the modified environment differently from Ae. serratus that underwent a considerable decrease in migrating from the forest to the anthropic environment. As a consequence of these results it is reasonable to conclude that Ae. scapularis may be considered as an epidemiologically efficient vector and that it quite probably played this role in the Rocio encephalitis and other arbovirus epidemics.

The use of wide-mesh gauze impregnated with lambda-cyhalothrin covering wall openings in huts as a vector control method in Suriname

An alternative vector control method, using lambda-cyhalothrin impregnated wide-mesh gauze covering openings in the walls of the houses was developed in an area in the Eastern part of the interior of Suriname. Experimental hut observations showed that Anopheles darlingi greatly reduced their biting activity (99-100%) during the first 5 months after impregnation. A model assay showed high mortality both of mosquitoes repelled by the gauze as well as of those that succeeded in getting through it. A field application test in 270 huts showed good acceptance by the population and good durability of the applied gauze. After introducing the method in the entire working area, replacing DDT residual housespraying, the malaria prevalence, of 25-37% before application dropped and stabilized at between 5 and 10% within one year. The operational costs were less than those of the previously used DDT housespraying program, due to a 50% reduction in the cost of materials used. The method using widemesh gauze impregnated with lambdacyhalothrin strongly affects the behavior of An. darlingi. It is important to examine the effect of the method on malaria transmission further, since data indirectly obtained suggest substantial positive results.

Survey of cyclopids (Crustacea, Copepoda) in Brazil and preliminary screening of their potential as dengue vector predators

INTRODUCTION: Cyclopid copepods are known to be good mosquito controllers, specially as regards the larvae of the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The objective of the study was to survey the local copepod fauna and search for new strains of M. longisetus var. longisetus, comparing the potential of the samples found with the current strain ML-01 against Ae. albopictus larvae, under laboratory conditions. Eleven bodies of water in Campinas, SP, Brazil, were screened for copepods by collecting 1.5 l of water from each of then. The predatory potential of adults copepods was evaluated over 24 h, in the laboratory, for groups of 5 individuals preying upon 30 first instar Ae. albopictus larvae. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The following cyclopid species were found: Metacyclops mendocinus, Tropocyclops prasinus, Eucyclops sp, Eucyclops serrulatus, Eucyclops solitarius, Eucyclops ensifer, Macrocyclops albidus var. albidus and Mesocyclops longisetus var. longisetus. The predatory potential of these copepods ranged from nil to 97.3%. A sample collected in the field containing only M. longisetus var. longisetus showed the best control efficiency with no significant difference from a three-year old laboratory culture (ML-01) of the same species evaluated for comparison. The sample with few M. albidus var. albidus was ranked in second place showing an average 25.9% efficiency. The use of copepods in trap tires as dengue vector controllers is discussed.

Learning techniques for automatic email message tagging

A organiza����o autom��tica de mensagens de correio electr��nico �� um desafio actual na ��rea da aprendizagem autom��tica. O n��mero excessivo de mensagens afecta cada vez mais utilizadores, especialmente os que usam o correio electr��nico como ferramenta de comunica����o e trabalho. Esta tese aborda o problema da organiza����o autom��tica de mensagens de correio electr��nico propondo uma solu����o que tem como objectivo a etiquetagem autom��tica de mensagens. A etiquetagem autom��tica �� feita com recurso ��s pastas de correio electr��nico anteriormente criadas pelos utilizadores, tratando-as como etiquetas, e �� sugest��o de m��ltiplas etiquetas para cada mensagem (top-N). S��o estudadas v��rias t��cnicas de aprendizagem e os v��rios campos que comp��e uma mensagem de correio electr��nico s��o analisados de forma a determinar a sua adequa����o como elementos de classifica����o. O foco deste trabalho recai sobre os campos textuais (o assunto e o corpo das mensagens), estudando-se diferentes formas de representa����o, selec����o de caracter��sticas e algoritmos de classifica����o. �� ainda efectuada a avalia����o dos campos de participantes atrav��s de algoritmos de classifica����o que os representam usando o modelo vectorial ou como um grafo. Os v��rios campos s��o combinados para classifica����o utilizando a t��cnica de combina����o de classificadores Vota����o por Maioria. Os testes s��o efectuados com um subconjunto de mensagens de correio electr��nico da Enron e um conjunto de dados privados disponibilizados pelo Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication (INSTICC). Estes conjuntos s��o analisados de forma a perceber as caracter��sticas dos dados. A avalia����o do sistema �� realizada atrav��s da percentagem de acerto dos classificadores. Os resultados obtidos apresentam melhorias significativas em compara����o com os trabalhos relacionados.

Receptor MIMO em FPGA baseado no esquema de Alamouti

A oferta de servi��os baseados em comunica����es sem fios tem vindo a crescer exponencialmente na ��ltima d��cada. Cada vez mais s��o exigidas maiores taxas de transmiss��o assim como uma melhor QoS, sem comprometer a pot��ncia de transmiss��o ou argura de banda dispon��vel. A tecnologia MIMO consegue oferecer um aumento da capacidade destes sistemas sem requerer aumento da largura de banda ou da pot��ncia transmitida. O trabalho desenvolvido nesta disserta����o consistiu no estudo dos sistemas MIMO, caracterizados pela utiliza����o de m��ltiplas antenas para transmitir e receber a informa����o. Com um sistema deste tipo consegue-se obter um ganho de diversidade espacial utilizando c��digos espa��o-temporais, que exploram simultaneamente o dom��nio espacial e o dom��nio do tempo. Nesta disserta����o �� dado especial ��nfase �� codifica����o por blocos no espa��o-tempo de Alamouti, a qual ser�� implementada em FPGA, nomeadamente a parte de recep����o. Esta implementa����o �� efectuada para uma configura����o de antenas 2x1, utilizando v��rgula flutuante e para tr��s tipos de modula����o: BPSK, QPSK e 16-QAM. Por fim ser�� analisada a rela����o entre a precis��o alcan��ada na representa����o num��rica dos resultados e os recursos consumidos pela FPGA. Com a arquitectura adoptada conseguem se obter taxas de transfer��ncia na ordem dos 29,141 Msimb/s (sem pipelines) a 262,674 Msimb/s (com pipelines), para a modula����o BPSK.

Actividad molusquicida del Paraiso (Melia azedarach L.) (Meliaceae) sobre Lymnaea cubensis, molusco vector de Fasciolosis

INTRODUCCI��N: La Fasciolosis constituye en diversas regiones una fuente importante de p��rdidas econ��micas y cuando se descuidan las medidas de control de sus hospedadores (moluscos), junto a condiciones ecol��gicas favorables, pueden ocurrir casos aislados de Fasciolosis humana. Dentro de los m��todos alternativos para su control est�� el uso de extractos vegetales y se pretendi�� evaluar el probable empleo del jugo extra��do del fruto y semillas del Paraiso (Melia azedarach L.) en el control de Lymnaea cubensis, principal vector de la Fasciolosis en Cuba. MATERIAL Y M��TODO: Diferentes concentraciones del jugo extra��do del fruto y semillas del Paraiso (Melia azedarach L.) fueron testados para determinar las dosis letales media (DL50) y m��xima (DL90) usando un programa computarizado Probit-Log. Siete series experimentales fueron probadas usando 72 moluscos en cada una. Para determinar la influencia sobre la frecuencia card��aca fueron testados tres grupos de 10 moluscos, dos fueron tratados con las DL50=0,88627 y DL90=1,7641, respectivamente, mientras que el tercero fue considerado como testigo. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Se observ�� una marcada influencia de ambas dosis sobre la frecuencia card��aca del molusco estudiado. Estos resultados son alentadores, pues demuestran el potencial empleo de esta planta en el control de moluscos indeseables.

Dynamical behaviour on the parameter space: new populational growth models proportional to beta densities

We present new populational growth models, generalized logistic models which are proportional to beta densities with shape parameters p and 2, where p > 1, with Malthusian parameter r. The complex dynamical behaviour of these models is investigated in the parameter space (r, p), in terms of topological entropy, using explicit methods, when the Malthusian parameter r increases. This parameter space is split into different regions, according to the chaotic behaviour of the models.

Malaria transmission model for different levels of acquired immunity and temperature-dependent parameters (vector)

OBJECTIVE: Describe the overall transmission of malaria through a compartmental model, considering the human host and mosquito vector. METHODS: A mathematical model was developed based on the following parameters: human host immunity, assuming the existence of acquired immunity and immunological memory, which boosts the protective response upon reinfection; mosquito vector, taking into account that the average period of development from egg to adult mosquito and the extrinsic incubation period of parasites (transformation of infected but non-infectious mosquitoes into infectious mosquitoes) are dependent on the ambient temperature. RESULTS: The steady state equilibrium values obtained with the model allowed the calculation of the basic reproduction ratio in terms of the model's parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The model allowed the calculation of the basic reproduction ratio, one of the most important epidemiological variables.

Aedes albopictus may not be vector of dengue virus in human epidemics in Brazil

Over 60,500 dengue cases were reported in the state of Esp��rito Santo (ES), Brazil, between 1995 and 1998. The study's purpose was to identify whether Aedes albopictus was transmitting the dengue virus during an epidemic in the locality of Vila Beth��nia (Viana County),Vit��ria, ES. From April 3 to 9, 1998, blood and serum samples were collected daily for virus isolation and serological testing. Four autochthonous cases were confirmed through DEN 1 virus isolation and two autochthonous cases through MAC ELISA testing. Of 37 Ae. aegypti and 200 Ae. albopictus adult mosquitoes collected and inoculated, DEN1 virus was isolated only from a pool of two Ae. aegypti female mosquitoes. The study results suggest that Ae. albopictus still cannot be considered an inter-human vector in dengue epidemics in Brazil.

IOPT Petri Net State Space Generation Algorithm with Maximal-Step Execution Semantics

This paper presents an algorithm to efficiently generate the state-space of systems specified using the IOPT Petri-net modeling formalism. IOPT nets are a non-autonomous Petri-net class, based on Place-Transition nets with an extended set of features designed to allow the rapid prototyping and synthesis of system controllers through an existing hardware-software co-design framework. To obtain coherent and deterministic operation, IOPT nets use a maximal-step execution semantics where, in a single execution step, all enabled transitions will fire simultaneously. This fact increases the resulting state-space complexity and can cause an arc "explosion" effect. Real-world applications, with several million states, will reach a higher order of magnitude number of arcs, leading to the need for high performance state-space generator algorithms. The proposed algorithm applies a compilation approach to read a PNML file containing one IOPT model and automatically generate an optimized C program to calculate the corresponding state-space.