Cartogramas quantitativos - recursos e restricoes

This paper aims at illustrating the importance of the Thematic Map. Making For the Scientific Areas which are concerned with the issue of spatial representation of the quantified items. At first, the placement of the document definitions such as maps, charts, and cartograms is carried out in order to deal, next, with the fundamental issue for the elaboration of choropleths cartograms what are the determination of the class intervals. A number of criteria have been used for the elaboration of the six choropleths cartograms being making it evident the importance of the criterion to be used in the choice of the class intervals. By considering that there is not a better criterion than another one but, instead, one more adequate for each situation, there becomes evident the need for knowing the resources as well as the restrictions of the various criteria of choice of the class intervals thus avoiding making bad choices or biased ones. -English summary

Dinâmica populacional de Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 (Decapoda: Callianassidae) da Ilha de Maiandeua-PA

Os Thalassinidea são invertebrados marinhos de grande importância na ecologia de ambientes de fundos moles, especialmente dado sua influência nos fluxos de oxigênio, energia e nutrientes e, atividades bioturbadoras. Estes organismos vivem em galerias das quais dependem para diversas necessidades, como proteção, reprodução e alimentação. Em alguns lugares do mundo este grupo tem sido explorado para utilização como isca. A espécie Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 (Crustacea: Callianassidae) ocorre desde a Flórida até o Brasil. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a dinâmica e a estrutura populacional de L. siriboia na ilha de Maiandeua (PA), associando os processos observados com características ambientais ligadas ao sedimento e à água. As coletas ocorreram mensalmente entre junho de 2007 e maio de 2008, sendo os organismos capturados utilizando bomba de sucção. Em laboratório, os animais foram sexados, medidos e pesados. Nas fêmeas ovígeras foi contado o número de ovos aderidos aos pleópodos. O crescimento foi estimado através da equação de crescimento de Von Bertalanffy que estabelece a relação entre o comprimento total (CT) e a idade (t). Foi capturado um total de 1268 indivíduos (753 machos e 515 fêmeas), cujos comprimentos variaram de 0,3 a 1,85 cm e o peso de 0,01 a 3,09 g. Os comprimentos médios mensais das fêmeas foram significantemente maiores do que dos machos (p<0.05) em quase todos os meses do ano. O comprimento da carapaça e o comprimento do propódio para os machos tiveram alta e significante correlação, com crescimento alométrico positivo para ambos os sexos. O tamanho de primeira maturação obtido foi de 0,7 cm para as fêmeas e 0,6 cm para os machos. Os machos foram proporcionalmente mais abundantes, totalizando 59,4% de todos os organismos capturados (proporção sexual de 1,46 machos: 1 fêmea). Houve predomínio significativo de machos nas classes de comprimento entre 0,2 e 1,2 cm e de fêmeas nas classes de comprimento maior/igual a 1,2 cm. Foram registradas 139 fêmeas ovígeras, na qual a maioria (48,2% do total) ocorreu no intervalo de classe 1,1 a 1,2 cm de comprimento da carapaça. A fecundidade absoluta variou de 0 a 1546 ovos/fêmea, com valor médio de 826,25 ovos/fêmea. Observou-se correlação significativa entre o número de ovos, peso e comprimento da carapaça. As fêmeas tiveram crescimento maior que dos machos, sendo observados valores para machos de L_: 1,63 , K: 1, C: 0,2, WP: 0,18 e para fêmeas; L_: 1,68, K: 0,8, C: 0,2 e WP: 0,09. As estimativas de mortalidade dos machos foram maiores que para as fêmeas em todos os métodos utilizados: curva de captura (Z=1,67 e Z=0,11 para machos e fêmeas), Beverton e Holt (Z=1,9 e Z= 1,76 para machos e fêmeas) e Powell–Wetherall (Z/K=3,98 e Z/K= 2,25 para machos e fêmeas). Foram registrados três pulsos principais, sendo um pulso registrado em novembro, um em fevereiro e outro em maio. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir: 1. comprimento médio dos machos é inferior ao das fêmeas ao longo do ano; 2. fêmeas são dominantes nas classes de comprimento superiores (_1,2 cm); 3. a reprodução é contínua com a ocorrência de fêmeas ovígeras ao longo do ano; 4. parâmetros de crescimento estimados foram maiores para as fêmeas do que para machos; 5. Fêmeas tiveram redução da taxa de crescimento em janeiro (WP: 0,09) e machos em fevereiro (WP: 0,18); 6. a mortalidade é maior para os machos; 7. Recrutamento ocorre ao longo do ano com três picos pronunciados em novembro, fevereiro e maio.

Productivity analysis and measurement

The state of the art in productivity measurement and analysis shows a gap between simple methods having little relevance in practice and sophisticated mathematical theory which is unwieldy for strategic and tactical planning purposes, -particularly at company level. An extension is made in this thesis to the method of productivity measurement and analysis based on the concept of added value, appropriate to those companies in which the materials, bought-in parts and services change substantially and a number of plants and inter-related units are involved in providing components for final assembly. Reviews and comparisons of productivity measurement dealing with alternative indices and their problems have been made and appropriate solutions put forward to productivity analysis in general and the added value method in particular. Based on this concept and method, three kinds of computerised models two of them deterministic, called sensitivity analysis and deterministic appraisal, and the third one, stochastic, called risk simulation, have been developed to cope with the planning of productivity and productivity growth with reference to the changes in their component variables, ranging from a single value 'to• a class interval of values of a productivity distribution. The models are designed to be flexible and can be adjusted according to the available computer capacity expected accuracy and 'presentation of the output. The stochastic model is based on the assumption of statistical independence between individual variables and the existence of normality in their probability distributions. The component variables have been forecasted using polynomials of degree four. This model is tested by comparisons of its behaviour with that of mathematical model using real historical data from British Leyland, and the results were satisfactory within acceptable levels of accuracy. Modifications to the model and its statistical treatment have been made as required. The results of applying these measurements and planning models to the British motor vehicle manufacturing companies are presented and discussed.

UNIQUENESS AND NONUNIQUENESS RESULTS FOR A CERTAIN CLASS OF ALMOST PERIODIC DISTRIBUTIONS

We consider distributions u is an element of S'(R) of the form u(t) = Sigma(n is an element of N) a(n)e(i lambda nt), where (a(n))(n is an element of N) subset of C and Lambda = (lambda n)(n is an element of N) subset of R have the following properties: (a(n))(n is an element of N) is an element of s', that is, there is a q is an element of N such that (n(-q) a(n))(n is an element of N) is an element of l(1); for the real sequence., there are n(0) is an element of N, C > 0, and alpha > 0 such that n >= n(0) double right arrow vertical bar lambda(n)vertical bar >= Cn(alpha). Let I(epsilon) subset of R be an interval of length epsilon. We prove that for given Lambda, (1) if Lambda = O(n(alpha)) with alpha < 1, then there exists epsilon > 0 such that u vertical bar I(epsilon) = 0 double right arrow u 0; (2) if Lambda = O(n) is uniformly discrete, then there exists epsilon > 0 such that u vertical bar I(epsilon) = 0 double right arrow u 0; (3) if alpha > 1 and. is uniformly discrete, then for all epsilon > 0, u vertical bar I(epsilon) = 0 double right arrow u = 0. Since distributions of the above mentioned form are very common in engineering, as in the case of the modeling of ocean waves, signal processing, and vibrations of beams, plates, and shells, those uniqueness and nonuniqueness results have important consequences for identification problems in the applied sciences. We show an identification method and close this article with a simple example to show that the recovery of geometrical imperfections in a cylindrical shell is possible from a measurement of its dynamics.

Masticatory muscle function three years after surgical correction of class III dentofacial deformity

Individuals with dentofacial deformities have masticatory muscle changes. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of interdisciplinary treatment in patients with dentofacial deformities regarding electromyographic activity (EMG) of masticatory muscles three years after surgical correction. Thirteen patients with class III dentofacial deformities were studied, considered as group PI (before surgery) and group P3 (3 years to 3 years and 8 months after surgery). Fifteen individuals with no changes in facial morphology or dental occlusion were studied as controls. The participants underwent EMG examination of the temporal and masseter muscles during mastication and biting. Evaluation of the amplitude interval of EMG activity revealed a difference between P1 and P3 and no difference between P3 and the control group. In contrast, evaluation of root mean square revealed that, in general, P3 values were higher only when compared with PI and differed from the control group. There was an improvement in the EMG activity of the masticatory muscles, mainly observed in the masseter muscle, with values close to those of the control group in one of the analyses.

Six-year evaluation of the atraumatic restorative treatment approach in permanent-tooth Class III restorations

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the 6-year performance of the ART (atraumatic restorative treatment) approach in Class III restorations in permanent teeth. Materials and Methods: A total of 127 ART Class III restorations, using Ketac-Molar (3M ESPE) ionomer cement, was performed in 58 adult patients by one experienced operator in 1998. After a 6 years, 34 patients and 65 restorations were evaluated according to ART criteria. Two calibrated examiners carried out the evaluation. Data were analyzed by exact 95% Confidence Interval and Survival Analysis using the Jackknife method for standard error determination. Results: Among assessed restorations, 73.8% (95% CI = 61.5% to 86.2%) were in good condition and classified as successful, with a 67.6% (95% CI = 54.4% to 80.7%) cumulative survival rate. Failed restorations included 13.9% completely or partially missing restorations, 9.2% restorations that had been replaced by other treatment, 1.5% restorations with a large defect at the margin, and 1.5% restorations that presented high wear on the surface. No caries was observed even in those teeth in which restorations were absent. Conclusion: The 6-year success rate of the ART approach in anterior permanent teeth (Class III) was considered high.

Association analysis of human leukocyte antigen class II (DRB1) alleles with leprosy in individuals from São Luís, state of Maranhão, Brazil

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the variability of the clinical response to infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae is associated with host genetic factors. The present study investigated the frequency of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II (DRB1) alleles in patients with leprosy from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. A case-control study was performed in 85 individuals with leprosy and 85 healthy subjects. All samples were analysed via polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes. The HLA-DRB1*16 allele showed a higher frequency in the group with leprosy [(9.41% vs. 4.12%) odds ratio (OR) = 2.41 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.96-6.08) p = 0.05], whereas the HLA-DRB1*11 allele was less frequent in the group with leprosy [(6.47% vs. 11.76%) OR = 0.51 95% CI (0.23-1.12) p = 0.09]. The frequency of HLA-DRB1* alleles between the control group and leprosy patient subgroups presenting different forms of the disease showed that the HLA-DRB1*16 (16.13% vs. 8.24%, OR = 4.10, CI = 1.27-13.27, p = 0.010) and HLA-DRB1*14 (5% vs. 3.53%, OR = 4.63, CI = 1.00-21.08, p = 0.032) alleles were significantly more frequent in patients with different clinical subtypes of leprosy. The sample size was a limitation in this study. Nevertheless, the results demonstrated the existence of a genetic susceptibility associated with the clinical forms of leprosy. The low frequency of the HLA-DRB1*11 allele should be further studied to investigate the possible protective effect of this allele.

Natalizumab-related anaphylactoid reactions in MS patients are associated with HLA class II alleles.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate potential associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II alleles and the development of anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with natalizumab. METHODS HLA class I and II genotyping was performed in patients with MS who experienced anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions and in patients who did not develop infusion-related allergic reactions following natalizumab administration. RESULTS A total of 119 patients with MS from 3 different cohorts were included in the study: 54 with natalizumab-related anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions and 65 without allergic reactions. HLA-DRB1*13 and HLA-DRB1*14 alleles were significantly increased in patients who developed anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions (p M-H = 3 × 10(-7); odds ratio [OR]M-H = 8.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.40-23.64), with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 82%. In contrast, the HLA-DRB1*15 allele was significantly more represented in patients who did not develop anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions to natalizumab (p M-H = 6 × 10(-4); ORM-H = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.08-0.50), with a PPV of 81%. CONCLUSIONS HLA-DRB1 genotyping before natalizumab treatment may help neurologists to identify patients with MS at risk for developing serious systemic hypersensitivity reactions associated with natalizumab administration.

Adherence as a predictor of the development of class-specific resistance mutations: the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence is one of the strongest predictors of therapeutic failure in HIV-positive patients. Virologic failure with subsequent emergence of resistance reduces future treatment options and long-term clinical success. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study including patients starting new class of antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2003 and 2010. Participants were naïve to ART class and completed ≥1 adherence questionnaire prior to resistance testing. Outcomes were development of any IAS-USA, class-specific, or M184V mutations. Associations between adherence and resistance were estimated using logistic regression models stratified by ART class. RESULTS: Of 314 included individuals, 162 started NNRTI and 152 a PI/r regimen. Adherence was similar between groups with 85% reporting adherence ≥95%. Number of new mutations increased with increasing non-adherence. In NNRTI group, multivariable models indicated a significant linear association in odds of developing IAS-USA (odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-2.67) or class-specific (OR 1.65, 95% CI: 1.00-2.70) mutations. Levels of drug resistance were considerably lower in PI/r group and adherence was only significantly associated with M184V mutations (OR 8.38, 95% CI: 1.26-55.70). Adherence was significantly associated with HIV RNA in PI/r but not NNRTI regimens. CONCLUSION: Therapies containing PI/r appear more forgiving to incomplete adherence compared with NNRTI regimens, which allow higher levels of resistance, even with adherence above 95%. However, in failing PI/r regimens good adherence may prevent accumulation of further resistance mutations and therefore help to preserve future drug options. In contrast, adherence levels have little impact on NNRTI treatments once the first mutations have emerged.

Short-term HIIT and Fatmax training increase aerobic and metabolic fitness in men with class II and III obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of two different 2-week-long training modalities [continuous at the intensity eliciting the maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax ) versus high-intensity interval training (HIIT)] in men with class II and III obesity. METHODS: Nineteen men with obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg(.) m(-2) ) were assigned to Fatmax group (GFatmax ) or to HIIT group (GHIIT ). Both groups performed eight cycling sessions matched for mechanical work. Aerobic fitness and fat oxidation rates (FORs) during exercise were assessed prior and following the training. Blood samples were drawn to determine hormones and plasma metabolites levels. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). RESULTS: Aerobic fitness and FORs during exercise were significantly increased in both groups after training (P ≤ 0.001). HOMA2-IR was significantly reduced only for GFatmax (P ≤ 0.001). Resting non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and insulin decreased significantly only in GFatmax (P ≤ 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Two weeks of HIIT and Fatmax training are effective for the improvement of aerobic fitness and FORs during exercise in these classes of obesity. The decreased levels of resting NEFA only in GFatmax may be involved in the decreased insulin resistance only in this group.

Well-posed boundary value problems for integrable evolution equations on a finite interval

We consider boundary value problems posed on an interval [0,L] for an arbitrary linear evolution equation in one space dimension with spatial derivatives of order n. We characterize a class of such problems that admit a unique solution and are well posed in this sense. Such well-posed boundary value problems are obtained by prescribing N conditions at x=0 and n–N conditions at x=L, where N depends on n and on the sign of the highest-degree coefficient n in the dispersion relation of the equation. For the problems in this class, we give a spectrally decomposed integral representation of the solution; moreover, we show that these are the only problems that admit such a representation. These results can be used to establish the well-posedness, at least locally in time, of some physically relevant nonlinear evolution equations in one space dimension.

A fast two-grid and finite section method for a class of integral equations on the real line with application to an acoustic scattering problem in the half-plane

We consider the numerical treatment of second kind integral equations on the real line of the form ∅(s) = ∫_(-∞)^(+∞)▒〖κ(s-t)z(t)ϕ(t)dt,s=R〗 (abbreviated ϕ= ψ+K_z ϕ) in which K ϵ L_1 (R), z ϵ L_∞ (R) and ψ ϵ BC(R), the space of bounded continuous functions on R, are assumed known and ϕ ϵ BC(R) is to be determined. We first derive sharp error estimates for the finite section approximation (reducing the range of integration to [-A, A]) via bounds on (1-K_z )^(-1)as an operator on spaces of weighted continuous functions. Numerical solution by a simple discrete collocation method on a uniform grid on R is then analysed: in the case when z is compactly supported this leads to a coefficient matrix which allows a rapid matrix-vector multiply via the FFT. To utilise this possibility we propose a modified two-grid iteration, a feature of which is that the coarse grid matrix is approximated by a banded matrix, and analyse convergence and computational cost. In cases where z is not compactly supported a combined finite section and two-grid algorithm can be applied and we extend the analysis to this case. As an application we consider acoustic scattering in the half-plane with a Robin or impedance boundary condition which we formulate as a boundary integral equation of the class studied. Our final result is that if z (related to the boundary impedance in the application) takes values in an appropriate compact subset Q of the complex plane, then the difference between ϕ(s)and its finite section approximation computed numerically using the iterative scheme proposed is ≤C_1 [kh log⁡〖(1⁄kh)+(1-Θ)^((-1)⁄2) (kA)^((-1)⁄2) 〗 ] in the interval [-ΘA,ΘA](Θ<1) for kh sufficiently small, where k is the wavenumber and h the grid spacing. Moreover this numerical approximation can be computed in ≤C_2 N log⁡N operations, where N = 2A/h is the number of degrees of freedom. The values of the constants C1 and C2 depend only on the set Q and not on the wavenumber k or the support of z.

A class of hypergeometric polynomials with zeros on the unit circle: Extremal and orthogonal properties and quadrature formulas

The class of hypergeometric polynomials F12(-m,b;b+b̄;1-z) with respect to the parameter b=λ+iη, where λ>0, are known to have all their zeros simple and exactly on the unit circle |z|=1. In this note we look at some of the associated extremal and orthogonal properties on the unit circle and on the interval (-1,1). We also give the associated Gaussian type quadrature formulas. © 2012 IMACS.

Does a mandibular RDP and new maxillary CD improve masticatory efficiency and quality of life in patients with a mandibular Kennedy class I arch?

To evaluate the change in masticatory efficiency and quality of life of patients treated with mandibular Kennedy class I removable partial dentures (RPDs) and maxillary complete dentures at the Department of Dentistry of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. A total of 33 Kennedy class I patients were rehabilitated with maxillary complete dentures, and mandibular RPDs were selected for this non-randomized prospective intervention study. The patients had a mean age of 59.1 years. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated by colorimetric assay using fuchsin capsules. The measurements were conducted at baseline and 2 and 6 months after prosthesis insertion. Quality of life was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) at baseline and 6 months after denture insertion. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test was applied. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. Oral health-related quality of life was compared using the paired t test. There was no statistically significant difference in masticatory efficiency after denture insertion (p = 0.101). Significant differences were found (p = 0.010) for oral health-related quality of life. A significant improvement in psychological discomfort (p < 0.01) and psychological disability (p < 0.01) was observed. Mean difference value (95 % confidence interval) was 6.8 (3.8 to 9.7) points, reflecting a low impact of oral health on quality of life, considering the 0-56 range of variation of the OHIP-14 and a Cohen's d of 1.13. According to the results of the present study, rehabilitation with Kennedy class I RPDs and complete dentures did not influence masticatory efficiency but improved oral health-related quality of life. The association between the patient's quality of life and the masticatory efficiency is important for treatment predictability.