Cooperative Object Manipulation in Immersive Virtual Environments

MÁRCIO S. PINHO,DOUG A. BOWMAN,CARLA M.D.S. FREITAS 한국HCI학회 2003 한국HCI학회 학술대회 Vol.2003 No.2

Renal denervation: back on track

Márcio Galindo Kiuchi 대한신장학회 2018 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.37 No.4

Hypertension is a common cause as well as one of the main consequences of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In 2000, it was projected that more than 25% of the world’s adult population had hypertension, two-thirds of them in developing countries. It is predicted that this amount will rise by ~60% to 1.56 billion in 2025 [1], becoming one of the most critical public health problems in the world. Hypertension control is poor in the presence of CKD, as show in the “Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP),” in which only 13.2% of participants achieved good blood pressure control [2].

The effect of the physical activity on polymorphic premature ventricular complexes in chronic kidney disease

( Márcio G. Kiuchi ),( Shaojie Chen ) 대한신장학회 2017 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.36 No.2

Background: Polymorphic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are very common, appearing most frequently in patients with hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, and structural heart disease. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a critical role in the development, maintenance, and aggravation of ventricular arrhythmias. Endurance exercise training clearly lowers sympathetic activity in sympatho-excitatory disease states and may be tolerated by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We assessed 40 CKD patients with hypertension with polymorphic PVCs. Patients underwent a complete medical history and physical examination. We evaluated the effectiveness of β blocker only or β blocker + exercise during 12 months of follow-up regarding the changes of the numbers of PVCs and mean heart rate (HR) by 24-hour-Holter. Results: We observed in the β blocker group a significant decrease in the number of polymorphic PVCs from baseline 36,515 ± 3,518 to 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-up, 28,314 ± 2,938, 23,709 ± 1,846, 22,564 ± 1,673, and 22,725 ± 1,415, respectively (P < 0.001). In the β blocker + exercise group a significant decrease in the number of polymorphic PVCs also occurred from baseline 36,091 ± 3,327 to 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-up, 29,252 ± 3,211, 20,948 ± 2,386, 14,238 ± 3,338, and 6,225 ± 2,319, respectively (P < 0.001). Comparisons between the two groups at the same time point showed differences from the sixth month onwards: the 6th (Δ = -2,761, P = 0.045), 9th (Δ = -8,325, P < 0.001) and 12th (Δ = -16,500, P < 0.001) months. There was an improvement during the 12 months of follow-up vs. baseline, after the β blocker or β blocker + exercise in mean 24-hour HR Holter monitoring, creatinine values, eGFR, and ACR. Conclusion: Polymorphic PVCs may be modifiable by physical activity in CKD patients with hypertension without structural heart disease.

A CoAP Based Control Plane for Software Defined Wireless Sensor Networks

Márcio L. F. Miguel,Manoel C. Penna,Edgard Jamhour,Marcelo E. Pellenz 한국통신학회 2017 Journal of communications and networks Vol.19 No.6

WSN have limitations that make them difficult to applyin critical and large-scale scenarios. The main identified barriersare the difficulty of building the management system, and theirlack of flexibility to adapt to policy changes. Software defined networking(SDN) is a viable alternative to solve these limitations. Besides,SDN can bring several other benefits to WSN, allowing, forexample, complex network applications to run on the controller. A new approach called software-defined wireless sensor network(SDWSN) is increasing in interest by the research community, andin this paper, we propose a new SDWSN control plane based on theconstrained application protocol (CoAP). We provide a comprehensivespecification for the control plane, including the communicationinfrastructure, the control plane protocol, and the basicnetworking functions in controllers (topology discovery and flowcontrol). We show how the proposed control plan can be implementedin the Contiki operating system and present a preliminaryperformance evaluation of the overhead introduced by the controlplane protocol.

The effects of different physical activities on atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease

( Márcio Galindo Kiuchi ),( Shaojie Chen ),( Neil Alexander Hoye ) 대한신장학회 2017 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.36 No.3

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly common, and is most frequently observed in individuals with hypertension and structural cardiac disease. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a fundamental role in the progression, maintenance and aggravation of arrhythmia. Endurance exercise training clearly lowers sympathetic activity in sympathoexcitatory disease states, and is well-tolerated by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We assessed 50 CKD patients with hypertension. Each patient provided a complete medical history and underwent a physical examination. We used an implantable cardiac monitor over a 3-year follow-up period to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate exercise (ModEx) physical activity protocols on AF occurrence, and determined the effectiveness of these protocols in improving renal function. Subjects were followed up every 6 months after the beginning of the intervention. Results: During the 3-year follow-up, AF onset was higher in CKD patients who engaged in HIIT (72%) than in those who engaged in ModEx (24%) (hazard ratio, 3.847; 95% confidence interval, 1.694-8.740, P = 0.0013 by log-rank test). Both groups exhibited significant intra-group changes in the mean systolic 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) between baseline and 12, 24, and 36 months. There were also significant differences in the mean systolic 24-hour ABPM between the groups at the same time points. Conclusion: In CKD patients with hypertension, improvements in AF onset, renal function and some echocardiographic parameters were more evident in subjects who engaged in ModEx than in those who engaged in HIIT during 3 years of follow-up.

Biochemical Characterization of Esterase from Soybean (Glycine max L.)

Márcio de Barros,Gabriela Alves Macedo 한국식품과학회 2011 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.20 No.5

Esterases are enzymes that present good potential in industrial application, and soybean seed can represent an alternative source for this enzyme. The extraction and esterase activity of Brazilian soybean seeds (Glycine max L.) were evaluated. Esterase activity was found in both the germinated and non-germinated seeds at 2.90 and 1.70 U/mg, respectively, with a concentration in the powdered extract (freeze dried) of 100 mg/mL. The enzyme showed a preference for the hydrolysis of short chain fatty acids (120.02 U/mL) and optimum pH for activity was pH 8.0 with optimum temperatures of 40 and 80ºC. The enzyme showed stability at 70ºC showing 60%of residual activity and activity increased with the addition of the following salts: NaNO_3, K_2SO_4, and Na_2SO_4 in the reaction medium.

Influence of category−heifers, primiparous and multiparous lactating cows−in a large-scale resynchronization fixed-time artificial insemination program

Márcio de Oliveira Marques,Fábio Morotti,Camila Bizarro da Silva,Mario Ribeiro Júnior,Rubens César Pinto da Silva,Pietro Sampaio Baruselli,Marcelo Marcondes Seneda 대한수의학회 2015 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.16 No.3

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of category (heifers, primiparous or multiparous cows) on pregnancy rates in a large scaleresynchronization ovulation program. Nelore heifers (n = 903), primiparous lactating cows (n = 338) and multiparous lactating cows (n =1,223) were synchronized using a conventional protocol of estradiol/P4-based fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Thirty days afterultrasonography, females who failed the first FTAI were resynchronized with the same hormonal protocol prior to a second FTAI. Thepregnancy status of each cohort was evaluated by ultrasonography 30 days after each FTAI. The average conception rate after the first FTAIand resynchronization was 80.5%. Heifers had a higher conception rate (85%) than primiparous (76%) or multiparous cows (78%; p = 0.0001). The conception rate after the first FTAI was similar among heifers (57%), primiparous cows (51%) and multiparous cows (56%; p = 0.193). After the second FTAI, heifers exhibited a higher conception rate (66%) than primiparous or multiparous cows (51%; p = 0.0001). These resultsdemonstrate the feasibility of resynchronization in large beef herds for providing consistent pregnancy rates in a short period of time. We alsodemonstrated that ovulation resynchronization 30 days after FTAI is particularly effective for heifers, providing a conception rate of up to66%.

THE RR LYRAE VARIABLES AND HORIZONTAL BRANCH OF NGC 6656 (M22)^,

Kunder, Andrea,Stetson, Peter B.,Cassisi, Santi,Layden, Andrew,Bono, Giuseppe,Catelan, Má,rcio,Walker, Alistair R.,Paredes Alvarez, Leonardo,Clem, James L.,Matsunaga, Noriyuki,Salaris, Maurizio American Institute of Physics 2013 The Astronomical journal Vol.146 No.5

<P>The first calibrated broadband UBVI time-series photometry is presented for the RR Lyrae variable stars in NGC 6656 (M22), with observations spanning a range of 22 years. We have also redetermined the variability types and periods for the RR Lyrae stars identified previously by photographic observations, revising the number of fundamental-mode RR Lyrae variables (RR0) to 10 and the number of first-overtone variables (RR1) to 16. The mean periods of the RR0 and RR1 variables are ⟨P⟩<SUB>RR0</SUB> = 0.66 ± 0.02 days and ⟨P⟩<SUB>RR1</SUB> = 0.33 ± 0.01 days, respectively, supporting an Oosterhoff II classification for the cluster. The number ratio of RR1-type to all RR-type variables is N<SUB>1</SUB>/N<SUB>RR</SUB> = 0.61, also consistent with an Oosterhoff II designation. Both the RR Lyrae stars' minimum light colors and the blue edge of the RR Lyrae instability strip suggest E( B – – V) = 0.36 ± 0.02 mag toward M22. Regarding the HB morphology of M22, we find (B-R)/(B+V+R) = +0.97 ± 0.1 and at least one 'gap' located in an unusual part of the blue HB, in the middle of the so-called hot HB stars.</P>

Mass Separation and in vitro Immunological Activity of Membranefractionated Polysaccharides from Fruiting Body and Mycelium of Agaricus subrufescens

Douglas Bardini Silveira,Álvaro José Celmer,Carla Maísa Camelini,Márcio José Rossi,José Carlos Cunha Petrus,Margarida Matos de Mendonça,Aguinaldo Roberto Pinto,Carlos Roberto Zanetti 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.4

Membrane technology has been applied to separate polysaccharides from Agaricus subrufescens (ASPs). The membrane-retained fractions and unfractionated preparations have been tested for in vitro immunological activity. Both the microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF1) membranes were able to separate high-molecular weight polysaccharides from fruiting body (ASP-FB) and submerge-fermented mycelium (ASP-SmF) extracts. All fractions showed immunostimulatory effects on RAW 264.7macrophages, measured by TNF-α, iNOs gene expression,and NO production. In contrast, antibody and proliferation levels in B lymphoblastoid SKW 6.4 cells were significantly increased after treatment with ASP-FB, but did not with ASP-SmF preparations. The ASPs- and LPS-induced stimulation could be differentiated by the finding that polymyxin B, a specific inhibitor of LPS, did not significantly affect the immunoactivating response and proliferation activity of ASPs on macrophages and B cells, respectively. Furthermore, the ASP-FB treatment was unable to induce IL-6 production by B cells unlike LPS activation, sustaining distinct signaling pathways for ASP-FB and LPS. The overall results provided additional information about the action of ASPs on the immune system and support the membrane method to separate and concentrate highmolecular weight ASPs for immunopharmacological and biotechnological applications.

Sedoanalgesia With Midazolam and Fentanyl Citrate Controls Probe Pain During Prostate Biopsy by Transrectal Ultrasound

Fábio Hissachi Tsuji,Renato Caretta Chambó,Aparecido Donizeti Agostinho,José Carlos Souza Trindade Filho,Carlos Márcio Nóbrega de Jesus 대한비뇨의학회 2014 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.55 No.2

Purpose: To assess the pain intensity of patients administered midazolam and fentanylcitrate before undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods: This was a study in patients with different indications for prostatebiopsy in whom 5 mg of midazolam and 50 μg of fentanyl citrate was administeredintravenously 3 minutes before the procedure. After biopsy, pain was assessed by useof a visual analogue scale (VAS) in three stages: VAS 1, during probe introduction; VAS2, during needle penetration into prostate tissue; and VAS 3, in the weeks followingthe exam. Pain intensity at these different times was tested with stratification by age,race, education, prostate volume, rebiopsy, and anxiety before biopsy. Pain was rankedaccording to the following scores: 0 (no pain), 1–3 (mild pain), 4–7 (moderate pain), and8–10 (severe pain). Statistical analysis was performed by using Kruskal-Wallis andWilcoxon two-tailed tests with a significance of 5%. Results: Pain intensity was not influenced by any risk factors. The mean VAS 1 scorewas 1.95±1.98, the mean VAS 2 score was 2.73±2.55, and the mean VAS 3 score was0.3±0.9, showing greater pain at the time of needle penetration than in other situations(VAS 2>VAS 1>VAS 3, p=0.0013, p=0.0001, respectively). Seventy-five percent of patientsreported a VAS pain scale of less than 3.1 or mild pain. Conclusions: Intravenous sedation and analgesia with midazolam and fentanyl citrateis a good method for reducing pain caused by prostate biopsy, even during probeinsertion.