Reflective and adaptive middleware for software evolution of information systems

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Informatik, Diss., 2007

Evolution of Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality in the Counties of the State of Rio de Janeiro from 1979 to 2010

Background: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in Brazil. Objective: To estimate total CVD, cerebrovascular disease (CBVD), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality rates in adults in the counties of the state of Rio de Janeiro (SRJ), from 1979 to 2010. Methods: The counties of the SRJ were analysed according to their denominations stablished by the geopolitical structure of 1950, Each new county that have since been created, splitting from their original county, was grouped according to their former origin. Population Data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and data on deaths were obtained from DataSus/MS. Mean CVD, CBVD, and IHD mortality rates were estimated, compensated for deaths from ill-defined causes, and adjusted for age and sex using the direct method for three periods: 1979–1989, 1990–1999, and 2000–2010, Such results were spatially represented in maps. Tables were also constructed showing the mortality rates for each disease and year period. Results: There was a significant reduction in mortality rates across the three disease groups over the the three defined periods in all the county clusters analysed, Despite an initial mortality rate variation among the counties, it was observed a homogenization of such rates at the final period (2000–2010). The drop in CBVD mortality was greater than that in IHD mortality. Conclusion: Mortality due to CVD has steadily decreased in the SRJ in the last three decades. This reduction cannot be explained by greater access to high technology procedures or better control of cardiovascular risk factors as these facts have not occurred or happened in low proportion of cases with the exception of smoking which has decreased significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to seek explanations for this decrease, which may be related to improvements in the socioeconomic conditions of the population.

Genetic and Environmental Effects on the Abdominal Aortic Diameter Development

Abstract Background: Configuration of the abdominal aorta is related to healthy aging and a variety of disorders. Objectives: We aimed to assess heritable and environmental effects on the abdominal aortic diameter. Methods: 114 adult (69 monozygotic, 45 same-sex dizygotic) twin pairs (mean age 43.6 ± 16.3 years) underwent abdominal ultrasound with Esaote MyLab 70X ultrasound machine to visualize the abdominal aorta below the level of the origin of the renal arteries and 1-3 cm above the bifurcation. Results: Age- and sex-adjusted heritability of the abdominal aortic diameter below the level of the origin of the renal arteries was 40% [95% confidence interval (CI), 14 to 67%] and 55% above the aortic bifurcation (95% CI, 45 to 70%). None of the aortic diameters showed common environmental effects, but unshared environmental effects were responsible for 60% and 45% of the traits, respectively. Conclusions: Our analysis documents the moderate heritability and its segment-specific difference of the abdominal aortic diameter. The moderate part of variance was explained by unshared environmental components, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in primary prevention. Further studies in this field may guide future gene-mapping efforts and investigate specific lifestyle factors to prevent abdominal aortic dilatation and its complications.

Mathematical modeling and evolution of signal transduction pathways and networks

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Naturwiss., Diss., 2013

Light-weight composite environmental performance indicators (LWC-EPI)

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Informatik, Diss., 2014

Evolution of neotropical cricetine rodents (Muridae) with special reference to the phyllotine group.

v.46(1962)

The co-evolution of social behavior and cranial morphology in sheep and goats (Bovidae, caprini) [by] William M. Schaffer and Charles A. Reed.

v.61(1971)

Parallelism in the evolution of the Permian reptilian faunas of the Old and New Worlds / Everett C. Olson.

v.37:no.13(1955)

Taxonomy and evolution of the sinica group of macaques : 6. Interspecific comparisons and synthesis / Jack Fooden.

n.s. no.45(1988)

Patterns of snake evolution suggested by their proteins : a contribution in celebration of the distinguished scholarship of Robert F. Inger on the occasion of his sixty-fifth birthday / Herbert C. Dessauer, John E. Cadle, Robin Lawson.

n.s. no.34(1987)

The morphology, systematics, and evolution of the Old World treefrogs (Rhacophoridae and Hyperoliidae)

v.57(1970)

Taxonomy and evolution of the Sinica group of macaques. 5, Overview of natural history / Jack Fooden.

n.s. no.29(1986)