Distância do domicílio ao local de exercício físico não influenciou a aderência de 796 participantes

FUNDAMENTO: Uma das dificuldades para a manutenção da aderência de longo prazo a exercícios é a distância entre domicílio e local de exercício. OBJETIVO: Determinar, para um programa de exercício físico supervisionado (PES) privado, a influência da distância domicílio-PES sobre a aderência. MÉTODOS: Foram identificados 976 sujeitos e selecionados 796 que atendiam aos critérios de inclusão. A distância domicílio-PES foi obtida pelo Google Maps. A aderência foi determinada em quartis (meses): de 1 a 4, 5 a 12, 13 a 36 e mais de 36. As condições clínicas foram estratificadas como: saudáveis; obesos e/ou hipertensos e/ou dislipidêmicos e/ou diabéticos sem doença coronariana; coronariopatas e outros agravos como câncer, pânico e doenças respiratórias. A distância domicílio-PES foi dividida em (km): até 1, entre 1 e 3, entre 3 e 10, e mais de 10. Para a análise estatística, utilizaram-se a ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis e o quiquadrado. RESULTADOS: Dos participantes, 46% residiam até 3 km, 39% entre 3 e 10 km e cerca de 15% moravam a mais de 10 km do local de realização do PES. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as medianas dos meses de permanência no PES em função da distância domicílio-PES (p = 0,11). CONCLUSÃO: Para um determinado PES privado da cidade do Rio de Janeiro e funcionando de segunda a sábado com livre escolha de horário, a distância domicílio-PES não influenciou na aderência dos participantes. Isso provavelmente se deveu à qualidade do serviço prestado e/ou a ausência de opções mais próximas do local de domicílio dos participantes. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2012; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Survival and Predictive Factors of Lethality in Hemodyalisis: D/I Polymorphism of The Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme and of the Angiotensinogen M235T Genes

Background: End-stage kidney disease patients continue to have markedly increased cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Analysis of genetic factors connected with the renin-angiotensin system that influences the survival of the patients with end-stage kidney disease supports the ongoing search for improved outcomes. Objective: To assess survival and its association with the polymorphism of renin-angiotensin system genes: angiotensin I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion and angiotensinogen M235T in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: Our study was designed to examine the role of renin-angiotensin system genes. It was an observational study. We analyzed 473 chronic hemodialysis patients in four dialysis units in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the differences between the curves were evaluated by Tarone-Ware, Peto-Prentice, and log rank tests. We also used logistic regression analysis and the multinomial model. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The local medical ethics committee gave their approval to this study. Results: The mean age of patients was 45.8 years old. The overall survival rate was 48% at 11 years. The major causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (34%) and infections (15%). Logistic regression analysis found statistical significance for the following variables: age (p = 0.000038), TT angiotensinogen (p = 0.08261), and family income greater than five times the minimum wage (p = 0.03089), the latter being a protective factor. Conclusions: The survival of hemodialysis patients is likely to be influenced by the TT of the angiotensinogen M235T gene.

Experimental study of local heat transfer during quenching of metals by spray and multiple jets

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Verfahrens- und Systemtechnik, Diss., 2011

Metabolic Syndrome and Importance of Associated Variables in Children and Adolescents in Guabiruba - SC, Brazil

Background:The risk factors that characterize metabolic syndrome (MetS) may be present in childhood and adolescence, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.Objective:Evaluate the prevalence of MetS and the importance of its associated variables, including insulin resistance (IR), in children and adolescents in the city of Guabiruba-SC, Brazil.Methods:Cross-sectional study with 1011 students (6–14 years, 52.4% girls, 58.5% children). Blood samples were collected for measurement of biochemical parameters by routine laboratory methods. IR was estimated by the HOMA-IR index, and weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were determined. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between risk variables and MetS.Results:The prevalence of MetS, IR, overweight and obesity in the cohort were 14%, 8.5%, 21% and 13%, respectively. Among students with MetS, 27% had IR, 33% were overweight, 45.5% were obese and 22% were eutrophic. IR was more common in overweight (48%) and obese (41%) students when compared with eutrophic individuals (11%; p = 0.034). The variables with greatest influence on the development of MetS were obesity (OR = 32.7), overweight (OR = 6.1), IR (OR = 4.4; p ≤ 0.0001 for all) and age (OR = 1.15; p = 0.014).Conclusion:There was a high prevalence of MetS in children and adolescents evaluated in this study. Students who were obese, overweight or insulin resistant had higher chances of developing the syndrome.

Association between Functional Variables and Heart Failure after Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Background: Heart failure prediction after acute myocardial infarction may have important clinical implications. Objective: To analyze the functional echocardiographic variables associated with heart failure in an infarction model in rats. Methods: The animals were divided into two groups: control and infarction. Subsequently, the infarcted animals were divided into groups: with and without heart failure. The predictive values were assessed by logistic regression. The cutoff values predictive of heart failure were determined using ROC curves. Results: Six months after surgery, 88 infarcted animals and 43 control animals were included in the study. Myocardial infarction increased left cavity diameters and the mass and wall thickness of the left ventricle. Additionally, myocardial infarction resulted in systolic and diastolic dysfunction, characterized by lower area variation fraction values, posterior wall shortening velocity, E-wave deceleration time, associated with higher values of E / A ratio and isovolumic relaxation time adjusted by heart rate. Among the infarcted animals, 54 (61%) developed heart failure. Rats with heart failure have higher left cavity mass index and diameter, associated with worsening of functional variables. The area variation fraction, the E/A ratio, E-wave deceleration time and isovolumic relaxation time adjusted by heart rate were functional variables predictors of heart failure. The cutoff values of functional variables associated with heart failure were: area variation fraction < 31.18%; E / A > 3.077; E-wave deceleration time < 42.11 and isovolumic relaxation time adjusted by heart rate < 69.08. Conclusion: In rats followed for 6 months after myocardial infarction, the area variation fraction, E/A ratio, E-wave deceleration time and isovolumic relaxation time adjusted by heart rate are predictors of heart failure onset.

Conversive Hidden non-Markovian models

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Informatik, Diss., 2012

Variables Nanodatenmanagement für eingebettete Systeme

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Informatik, Diss., 2012

Application of Fuzzy Variables for Systems of Management Decision Support

The following article describes an approach covering the variety of opinions and uncertainties of estimates within the chosen technique of decision support. Mathematical operations used for assessment of options are traced to operations of working with functions that are used for assessment of possible options of decision-making. Approach proposed could be used within any technique of decision support based on elementary mathematical operations. In this article the above-mentioned approach is described under analytical hierarchy process.

Fertilizer policy in the developing countries: the case of Brazil

This paper deals initially with the role of mineral fertilizers in increasing agricultural production: the relationship between the two variables is illustrated within global, regional national and local contexts. The pattern and trends in fertilizer usage in Brazil are presented next, namely: increase in consumption in the period 1950/72; regional distribution; consumption as related to crops and cultivated land. It is shown that in less than a quarter or century fertilizer use has increased in the country nearly 12 fold, whereas world consumption was raised 7 fold, thus exceeding estimates based in several criteria. Steps taken to secure the raise in fertilizer consumption above the historical trend are discussed: research experience for outlining fertilization recomendations; the transfer of the knowledge to the farmer by the extension work both official and private; the credit policy and special incentives for the purchase of fertilizer; the national policy for minumum proces of agricultural products; the implantation of a national fertilizer industry. It is considered that the Brazilian experience adapted to similar local conditions in other developing countries, presents a possibility for achieving beneficial results without inflationary reflexes in the economy.

Approximations and asymptotic expansions for sums of heavy-tailed random variables

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Mathematik, Diss., 2015

Influência das características geológicas do local de desova na duração da incubação e no sucesso da eclosão dos ovos de Caretta caretta na praia da Guanabara, Anchieta, Espírito Santo

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar possíveis influências do local da desova no sucesso da eclosão e na duração da incubação de Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) no sul do estado do Espírito Santo. Geomorfologicamente a área da desova na praia da Guanabara, em Anchieta (ES), pode ser dividida em praia aberta e berma. Durante quatro estações reprodutivas foram coletados dados sobre o tamanho dos sedimentos, a altura dos ninhos em relação ao nível do mar, a compartimentação geomorfológica da praia, a data da desova, o número de filhotes vivos e o tamanho da ninhada. Os resultados mostraram variações dos principais parâmetros sedimentológicos entre os anos, indicando que as temporadas reprodutivas devem ser analisadas individualmente. O sucesso da eclosão não foi afetado pelas características geológicas do local da desova. A duração da incubação não variou entre a praia e a berma, apesar das diferenças significativas no tamanho do sedimento, na profundidade dos ninhos e na altura em relação ao nível do mar. A duração da incubação se correlacionou positivamente ao tamanho dos sedimentos, com ninhos em sedimentos mais grossos eclodindo mais cedo que os ninhos localizados em sedimentos mais finos. Como as características dos ninhos influenciam a duração da incubação, recomenda-se que a transferência de ninhos, quando inevitável, respeite as diferenças entre os locais de desova, principalmente, quanto à profundidade da câmara de ovos.

The Macropodoidea (Marsupialia) of the early Pliocene Hamilton local fauna, Victoria, Australia / Timothy F. Flannery --, et al.

n.s. no.25(1992)

Spatial and temporal distribution of Pseudis minuta (Anura, Hylidae, Hylinae) and environmental variables related to its reproductive activity in Reserva Biológica do Lami, southern Brazil

We studied the reproductive biology of a population of Pseudis minuta Günther, 1858 from Reserva Biológica do Lami (30º 15' S; 51º 05' W), Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. We assessed the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals (males, females, juveniles) and explored potential relationships with environmental variables. Field activities encompassed bimonthly surveys in three semi-permanent ponds, each one during approximately two days and two nights, from August 2004 to July 2005. We recorded differences in the sites used by males, females and juveniles, with males occupying deeper and more distant places from the border. The temporal distributions of individuals, calling sites and amplectant pairs indicated that the reproductive activity of P. minuta is related to some of the studied abiotic factors. Calling males presented statistical differences in relation to non-calling males for all daily abiotic variables analyzed (air temperature, water temperature, relative humidity and rainfall), as well as to monthly temperature and rainfall. The number of active males, females and juveniles was influenced by at least one of the daily or monthly environmental variables analyzed. We conclude that the reproduction in this species is seasonal and may be partially determined by abiotic factors.

Global literature of fiddler crabs, genus Uca (Decapoda, Ocypodidae): trends and future directions

Crabs of the genus Uca Leach, 1814 are characterized by having strong sexual dimorphism and a global distribution. Currently, 97 species have been described and analyzed under several aspects, including population ecology, physiology and ethology. However, there is no general summary of the information from the various literatures. The aim of this study is to perform a scientometric analysis of fiddler crab studies. For this we searched papers available in the Thomson ISI database that contained the words "Uca" OR "fiddler* crab*" between the years 1991 and 2007. For each paper, we researched and recorded the following characteristics: publication year; journal of publication; the first author's nationality; the country where the study was conducted; study type; species studied; and the work area. Our results indicated that there was no increase in the number of articles through the years considered. The Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology published most of the articles on Uca, indicating the importance of this group as a model for testing ecological hypotheses using experimental approaches. Our results also showed that United States had the highest number of authors and published studies on Uca, following the overall trend in dominance on scientific research. Furthermore, using models with three variables (per capita income, number of species of Uca and extent of coastal countries) we observed that, according to the Akaike Information Criterion, the per capita income was the most important correlate for the number of articles per country (both the author's country and country of study). Additionally, our results show that the species U. pugilator (distributed on the East Coast of the North American continent) was the species most singularly referenced in the papers considered. Moreover, our results indicate that most studies on Uca use a descriptive and local scale. The majority of papers in our literature search reflect studies in population biology, followed by behavioral and physiological characteristics.