Adaptive walking in alzheimer's disease

The aim of this study is to analyze dual-task effects on free and adaptive gait in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Nineteen elders with AD participated in the study. A veteran neuropsychiatrist established the degree of AD in the sample. To determine dual-task effects on free and adaptive gait, patients performed five trials for each experimental condition: free and adaptive gait with and without a dual-task (regressive countdown). Spatial and temporal parameters were collected through an optoelectronic tridimensional system. The central stride was analyzed in free gait, and the steps immediately before (approaching phase) and during the obstacle crossing were analyzed in adaptive gait. Results indicated that AD patients walked more slowly during adaptive gait and free gait, using conservative strategies when confronted either with an obstacle or a secondary task. Furthermore, patients sought for stability to perform the tasks, particularly for adaptive gait with dual task, who used anticipatory and online adjustments to perform the task. Therefore, the increase of task complexity enhances cognitive load and risk of falls for AD patients. © 2012 Diego Orcioli-Silva et al.

An analog model for quantum lightcone fluctuations in nonlinear optics

We propose an analog model for quantum gravity effects using nonlinear dielectrics. Fluctuations of the spacetime lightcone are expected in quantum gravity, leading to variations in the flight times of pulses. This effect can also arise in a nonlinear material. We propose a model in which fluctuations of a background electric field, such as that produced by a squeezed photon state, can cause fluctuations in the effective lightcone for probe pulses. This leads to a variation in flight times analogous to that in quantum gravity. We make some numerical estimates which suggest that the effect might be large enough to be observable. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Dengue Virus Type 3 Adaptive Changes during Epidemics in Sao Jose de Rio Preto, Brazil, 2006-2007

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Pattern recognition issues on anisotropic smoothed particle hydrodynamics

This is a preliminary theoretical discussion on the computational requirements of the state of the art smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) from the optics of pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. It is pointed out in the present paper that, when including anisotropy detection to improve resolution on shock layer, SPH is a very peculiar case of unsupervised machine learning. On the other hand, the free particle nature of SPH opens an opportunity for artificial intelligence to study particles as agents acting in a collaborative framework in which the timed outcomes of a fluid simulation forms a large knowledge base, which might be very attractive in computational astrophysics phenomenological problems like self-propagating star formation.

Modulation of cell proliferation, survival and gene expression by RAGE and TLR signaling in cells of the innate and adaptive immune response: role of p38 MAPK and NF-KB

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Adaptive morphology of the heart of Southern-Fur-Seal (Arctocephalus australis - Zimmermamm, 1783)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A Reference Architecture based on Reflection for Self-adaptive Software

Self-adaptive Software (SaS) presents specific characteristics compared to traditional ones, as it makes possible adaptations to be incorporated at runtime. These adaptations, when manually performed, normally become an onerous, error-prone activity. In this scenario, automated approaches have been proposed to support such adaptations; however, the development of SaS is not a trivial task. In parallel, reference architectures are reusable artifacts that aggregate the knowledge of architectures of software systems in specific domains. They have facilitated the development, standardization, and evolution of systems of those domains. In spite of their relevance, in the SaS domain, reference architectures that could support a more systematic development of SaS are not found yet. Considering this context, the main contribution of this paper is to present a reference architecture based on reflection for SaS, named RA4SaS (Reference Architecture for SaS). Its main purpose is to support the development of SaS that presents adaptations at runtime. To show the viability of this reference architecture, a case study is presented. As result, it has been observed that RA4SaS has presented good perspective to efficiently contribute to the area of SaS.

Effects of potassium and sodium supply on drought-adaptive mechanisms in Eucalyptus grandis plantations

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Adaptive Visual Re-Weighting in Children's Postural Control

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fast fault section estimation in distribution control centers using adaptive genetic algorithm

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of sublethal doses of the insecticide imidacloprid on adaptive traits of Drosophila melanogaster: Response to treatment over and after 15 consecutive generations

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Identification of the notothenioid sister lineage illuminates the biogeographic history of an Antarctic adaptive radiation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Chemotactic signal transduction and phosphate metabolism as adaptive strategies during citrus canker induction by Xanthomonas citri

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Planet formation in a triple stellar system: implications of the third star's orbital inclination

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Numerical tests of an adaptive sectioned airfoil actuated by shape memory alloys

The main objective of this work is to illustrate an application of angular active control in a sectioned airfoil using shape memory alloys. In the proposed model, one wants to establish the shape of the airfoil profile based on the determination of an angle between its two sections. This angle is obtained by the effect of the shape memory of the alloy by passing an electric current that modifies the temperature of the wire through the Joule effect, changing the shape of the alloy. This material is capable of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy and once permanently deformed, the material can return to its original shape by heating. Due to the presence of nonlinear effects, especially in the mathematical model of the alloy, this work proposes the application of a control system based on fuzzy logic. Through numerical tests, the performance of the fuzzy controller is compared with an on-off controller applied in a sectioned airfoil model.