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Purpose The aim of the present study was to analyse the within-week variations according to the internal (rate of perceived exertion [RPE], and session-RPE) and external (jump height average, minimum jump, maximal jump, range of jump, number of jumps and density) intensity. Methods Twelve male elite/international volleyball athletes from the Portuguese 1st division (age: 21.7 ± 4.19 years of age; experience: 6.2 ± 3.8 years; body mass: 85.7 ± 8.69 kg; height: 192.4 ± 6.25 cm; body mass index: 23.1 ± 1.40 kg/m 2 ) participated in this study. The players were monitored over 26 microcycles, 101 training sessions, and 20 matches. To assess the workload, the CR10 Borg scale and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) were used. Results According to the internal workload, RPE revealed significant differences between MD-4 and MD-2, MD-4 and MD1, MD-3 and MD-1, and MD-2 and MD-1 ( p < 0.05). In the same line, session RPE showed significant differences between MD-4 and MD-2, MD-4 and MD-1, MD-3 and MD-2, MD-3 and MD-1, and MD-2 and MD-1 ( p < 0.05). On the other hand, the external load demands revealed statistical differences regarding the number of jumps (MD-4 and MD-2, MD-4 and MD-1, MD-3 and MD-1, and MD-2 and MD-1) and the density of the training sessions (MD-4 and MD-1, and MD-2 and MD-1). Conclusions The primary findings of this study suggest that higher-intensity training sessions tend to occur during the middle of the week, with a tapering effect observed as the competition date approaches.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to use an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to analyze variations in the jump outcomes concerning weekly training days, and the dependencies between the number of jumps per minute and the jump height. An experimental research design was adopted across three weeks of the final play-off of a volleyball championship. Through an IMU, the external load of seven male elite volleyball athletes of a top rating team from Portuguese 1st Division (age: 30.5 ± 3.5 years; height: 200.2 ± 6.3 cm; body mass: 93.0 ± 8.1 kg; BMI: 23.1 ± 2.3 kg/m2) was monitored. Repeated measures ANOVA was executed to compare the outcomes between training days. It was observed a similar density of jumps during the week. However, when comparing MD-1 to MD-2, a more significant average number of jumps per minute was observed in MD-1 (1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2). Additionally, a positive, large and significant correlation was registered between the number of jumps and the height of the jump. Those results highlight the benefits of the specific training, leading to greater stimulation and improvement, in a game-like context, of the stretching-shortening cycle, observed in every jump action in volleyball.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of exercise order in multicomponent training (MCT) on the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of older women. A total of 91 older women, ranging in age from 60 to 85 years, were randomly assigned to either Group A or Group B. Group A performed a warm up followed by aerobic training and resistance training, whereas Group B followed a warm up followed by resistance training and aerobic training. A control group (CG) did not engage in any exercise interventions. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA for between-group comparisons, and ANOVA was used for repeated measures. The results revealed that Group A demonstrated significant increases in MVC for knee extensors (KEs) between M1 and M3 (p < 0.001) and between M2 and M3 (p < 0.001). Similarly, Group A exhibited significant increases in MVC for knee flexors (KFs) between M1 and M3 (p = 0.001) and between M2 and M3 (p < 0.001). Both Group A and Group B demonstrated significant increases in MVC for elbow flexors (EFs) between M1 and M3 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Group B showed a significant increase in hand grip strength (HGS) between M1 and M3 (p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that initiating MCT with aerobic training followed by resistance training is the most effective approach for improving muscle strength in older women.

O trabalho tem com o objetivo apresentar uma narrativa histórica a respeito da implantação do Programa Conhecimento na Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras (AMAN). A grande rotatividade - turnover - dos militares que integram a AMAN requer que se faça a Gestão do Conhecimento do Capital Intelectual disponível, capturando e registrando, em estruturas estáveis de significação, as iniciativas e contribuições desses militares no desempenho de suas funções. A narrativa é registrada pelos próprios gerentes do Programa e dos Projetos Estruturantes. A documentação institucional que referencia e embasa a narrativa está registrada ao longo do texto. Os militares que participaram dos eventos externos, bem como aqueles que realizaram cursos de curta duração, cursos de Pós-Graduação Lato e Stricto Sensu patrocinados pelo Programa, nas diversas áreas de interesse da AMAN representam a capacidade que o Programa entregou para a Instituição até o momento. O registro dessa narrativa permite à AMAN ampliar o acervo histórico das suas realizações, tanto no âmbito interno, junto aos escalões superiores, quanto perante a comunidade acadêmica

Background: The extraction of impacted mandibular third molars is a frequent dental surgery, interfering with patients’ quality of life. Ultrasonic surgery is an alternative to osteotomy with conventional rotary instruments. This study compares postoperative signals and symptoms after extracting impacted mandibular third molars using ultrasonic surgery or conventional rotary osteotomy. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted. Thirty patients were randomly divided into the test group (ultrasonic technique) and a control group (conventional rotatory technique). All surgeries were timed. Swelling parameters, trismus and paraesthesia were evaluated on the day of surgery and the third, fifth and seventh postoperative days. Intraoperative bleeding was evaluated during surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated daily by the patient through a visual analogue scale and the number of ingested analgesics. Results: Pain, swelling and trismus present beneficial results with the ultrasonic technique but without statistical significance. Intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower with ultrasonic surgery (t(28) = 3.258; p = 0.003). Operating time was significantly higher in extractions involving osteotomy and cutting crown and roots either with the conventional technique (p = 0.020) or ultrasonic technique (p = 0.039). Regardless of the surgical difficulty, no statistically significant results were detected between techniques regarding the procedure duration. Conclusions: The beneficial postoperative signs and symptoms make ultrasonic surgery a favourable therapeutic option, especially when the integrity of noble anatomical structures is the most important risk factor. Further studies with larger samples are needed to support the use of piezosurgery as a valid option for impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

Background and objectives: Starting the multicomponent training sessions with aerobic-based exercises or resistance-based exercises may have different effects on functional fitness and body composition. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of the order of exercises in elderly women’s physical fitness and body composition by multicomponent training. Materials and Methods: A sample of 91 elderly females, aged between 60 and 81, were randomly divided into three groups (A, B, C). Each group performed the following order of exercises: Group A consisted of warm-up followed by aerobic training, strength training, stretching and cool down; Group B consisted of warm-up followed by strength training, aerobic training, stretching and cool down; while the control group (C) did not perform any exercise. Functional fitness and body composition were assessed at 3 moments of the 32 weeks (baseline and after each 16-week) intervention. One-way ANOVA for comparison between groups, ANOVA for repeated measures and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the functional fitness and body composition varied over the 32 weeks of multicomponent training. However, group A seems to show higher improvements in more variables. Conclusion: In the current study, group A obtained better results in most of the evaluated parameters. Thus, to improve functional fitness, warm-up, followed by aerobic training, strength training and relaxation may be the most suitable training for elderly women.

Background and Objectives: Peri-implantitis treatment is still undefined. Regenerative treatment is expensive and technically demanding due to the need to handle biomaterials, membranes and different methodologies of decontamination. Resective treatment and implantoplasty might be a viable solution. This case series presents a 24 month retrospective observational study of 10 peri-implantitis patients treated with implantoplasty. Materials and Methods: In the present case series, 10 peri-implantitis patients (20 implants) were treated with a resective approach and implantoplasty. Previous to implantoplasty, all patients underwent non-surgical treatment. This surgery consisted in a full-thickness flap and implant surface exposure. The exposed non-osseointegrated implant body was submitted to implantoplasty. The flap was apically repositioned and sutured. Patients were accompanied for 24 months. Results: The mean initial probing depth (PD) (PD = 5.37 ± 0.86 mm), bleeding on probing (BoP = 0.12 ± 0.06%) and suppuration (Sup = 0.01 ± 0.01%) decreased significantly at the 12 month evaluation (PD = 2.90 ± 0.39 mm; BoP = 0.01 ± 0.01% and Sup = 0.00 ± 0.00%). Between the 12 and 24 month evaluations, there were no significant clinical changes (PD = 2.85 ± 0.45 mm; BoP = 0.01 ± 0.01% and Sup = 0.00 ± 0.00%). Mucosal recession (MR) had a significant increase between the baseline and the first 12 months (0.69 ± 0.99 mm vs. 1.96 ± 1.33 mm), but there were no significant changes between the 12th and 24th month (1.94 ± 1.48 mm). The success rate was 100% without implant fracture or loss. Conclusions: Resective surgery and implantoplasty might be a valid option in some specific peri-implantitis cases. Properly designed clinical trials are needed to confirm this possibility.

Abstract The need to efficiently find and extract information from the continuously growing biomedical literature has led to the development of various annotation tools aimed at identifying mentions of entities and relations. Many of these tools have been integrated in user-friendly applications facilitating their use by non-expert text miners and database curators. In this paper we describe the latest version of Neji, a web-services ready text processing and annotation framework. The modular and flexible architecture facilitates adaptation to different annotation requirements, while the built-in web services allow its integration in external tools and text mining pipelines. The evaluation of the web annotation server on the technical interoperability and performance of annotation servers track of BioCreative V.5 further illustrates the flexibility and applicability of this framework.

The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between variables related to the internal and external loads of training and competition races as well as to athletes’ perceptions of well-being measured throughout the course of a 4-week mesocycle. It also aimed to analyze the intra- and inter-week variations in terms of training load and well-being. The study included the participation of 47 male recreational athletes competing in the national championships of trail running in Portugal (age: 34.85 ± 8.88 years; height: 1.77 ± 0.58 m; body mass: 65.89 ± 3.17 kg). During the 4 weeks, subjective perception of effort (RPE), training time (min), session-RPE (sRPE), distance covered (km), and perception of well-being (Hooper’s questionnaire) were monitored. Weekly RPE was greater in week 1 than in week 3 (p = 0.001; d = 0.563, small effect). Moreover, weekly sRPE was greater in week 1 than in week 2 (p = 0.001; d = 0.441, small effect). The correlations between the well-being variables and RPE that were found to be significant with small magnitudes are those between sleep and RPE (r = 0.287; p = 0.001), stress and RPE (r = 0.217; p = 0.001), fatigue and RPE (r = 0.191; p = 0.001), muscle soreness and RPE (r = 0.240; p = 0.001), and Hooper’s index and RPE (r = 0.279; p = 0.001). Among the variables of the Cooper test and the competition race load, it was verified that VO2max had a negative correlation of an average magnitude with pace (r = −0.396, p = 0.015). The findings of the study suggest that small variations in training stimulus during the period of analysis and increases in maximal oxygen uptake result in improvements in the performance of trail running athletes when considering the running speed in the race.

The purpose of this study was to compare the external load, internal load, and technical efficacy between the first and the second matches (M1 and M2) occurring in congested fixtures (two matches in two days) using the number of sets as a moderating factor. An observational analytic research design was adopted. Data from official volleyball matches were collected during the first competitive period of the championship, comprising 14 competitive games within 10 weeks. Ten male elite volleyball athletes (age: 21.7 ± 4.19 years of age; experience: 6.2 ± 3.8 years; body mass: 85.7 ± 8.69 kg; height: 192.4 ± 6.25 cm; BMI: 23.1 ± 1.40 kg/m2) participated in this study. Players were monitored for external load (number of jumps and height of jumps) and internal load (using the rate of perceived exertion—RPE). Additionally, notational analysis collected information about attack efficacy and receptions made during matches. The mixed ANOVA revealed no significant interaction between time (M1 vs. M2) and number of sets for number of jumps per minute (p = 0.235; ηp2 = 0.114), mean jump height (p = 0.076; ηp2 = 0.193), RPE (p = 0.261; ηp2 = 0.106), attack efficacy (p = 0.346; ηp2 = 0.085), Positive reception (p = 0.980; ηp2 = 0.002) and Perfect reception (p = 0.762; ηp2 = 0.022). In conclusion, congested fixtures do not seem to affect the performance of volleyball players negatively.

Sources that generate symbolic sequences with algorithmic nature may differ in statistical complexity because they create structures that follow algorithmic schemes, rather than generating symbols from a probabilistic function assuming independence. In the case of Turing machines, this means that machines with the same algorithmic complexity can create tapes with different statistical complexity. In this paper, we use a compression-based approach to measure global and local statistical complexity of specific Turing machine tapes with the same number of states and alphabet. Both measures are estimated using the best-order Markov model. For the global measure, we use the Normalized Compression (NC), while, for the local measures, we define and use normal and dynamic complexity profiles to quantify and localize lower and higher regions of statistical complexity. We assessed the validity of our methodology on synthetic and real genomic data showing that it is tolerant to increasing rates of editions and block permutations. Regarding the analysis of the tapes, we localize patterns of higher statistical complexity in two regions, for a different number of machine states. We show that these patterns are generated by a decrease of the tape’s amplitude, given the setting of small rule cycles. Additionally, we performed a comparison with a measure that uses both algorithmic and statistical approaches (BDM) for analysis of the tapes. Naturally, BDM is efficient given the algorithmic nature of the tapes. However, for a higher number of states, BDM is progressively approximated by our methodology. Finally, we provide a simple algorithm to increase the statistical complexity of a Turing machine tape while retaining the same algorithmic complexity. We supply a publicly available implementation of the algorithm in C++ language under the GPLv3 license. All results can be reproduced in full with scripts provided at the repository.

The fast increasing amount of articles published in the biomedical field is creating difficulties in the way this wealth of information can be efficiently exploited by researchers. As a way of overcoming these limitations and potentiating a more efficient use of the literature, we propose an approach for structuring the results of a literature search based on the latent semantic information extracted from a corpus. Moreover, we show how the results of the Latent Semantic Analysis method can be adapted so as to evidence differences between results of different searches. We also propose different visualization techniques that can be applied to explore these results. Used in combination, these techniques could empower users with tools for literature guided knowledge exploration and discovery.

The fast increasing amount of articles published in the biomedical field is creating difficulties in the way this wealth of information can be efficiently exploited by researchers. As a way of overcoming these limitations and potentiating a more efficient use of the literature, we propose an approach for structuring the results of a literature search based on the latent semantic information extracted from a corpus. Moreover, we show how the results of the Latent Semantic Analysis method can be adapted so as to evidence differences between results of different searches. We also propose different visualization techniques that can be applied to explore these results. Used in combination, these techniques could empower users with tools for literature guided knowledge exploration and discovery.

With the proliferation of social networks and blogs, the Internet is increasingly being used to disseminate personal health information rather than just as a source of information. In this paper we exploit the wealth of user-generated data, available through the micro-blogging service Twitter, to estimate and track the incidence of health conditions in society. The method is based on two stages: we start by extracting possibly relevant tweets using a set of specially crafted regular expressions, and then classify these initial messages using machine learning methods. Furthermore, we selected relevant features to improve the results and the execution times. To test the method, we considered four health states or conditions, namely flu, depression, pregnancy and eating disorders, and two locations, Portugal and Spain. We present the results obtained and demonstrate that the detection results and the performance of the method are improved after feature selection. The results are promising, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve between 0.7 and 0.9, and f-measure values around 0.8 and 0.9. This fact indicates that such approach provides a feasible solution for measuring and tracking the evolution of health states within the society.

O objetivo do artigo é organizar as tendências da produção brasileira sobre redes e comparar com estudos anteriores. A partir de um conjunto de sinais que inclui a presença de artigos em jornais qualificados e o surgimento de trilhas específicas de discussão sobre redes nos congressos, criou-se a proposição orientadora, afirmando-se que após duas décadas de investigação mais intensa, a pesquisa sobre redes no Brasil está construindo seu caminho de dominância conceitual e metodológica, tal como ocorre em outros centros de excelência no mundo. Para realizar a tarefa foram analisados artigos de revistas classificadas como A2 no sistema WEbQualis, no período de 2006 a 2016, com a palavra chave rede (s) e network (s). Foram encontrados 95 artigos. A análise temática dos conteúdos, considerando a teoria utilizada, a metodologia da pesquisa, as formas de coleta e as formas de análises não sustentou a afirmativa. A produção brasileira sobre redes continua utilizando um extenso leque de conceitos e metodologias que indicam um desenvolvimento inicial do conhecimento, com descrições de casos, entrevistas e análise documental. Considerando as características especificas de redes em regiões do Brasil, como no Sul, com os pequenos agricultores, como no Nordeste, com os programas solidários e no Sudeste, com as centenas de redes informais com as mais variadas tarefas, entende-se existirem as condições de evidências e de modelos explicativos de apoio para o desenvolvimento de uma marca da produção brasileira, reconhecida e difundida no meio acadêmico internacional. Um dos caminhos sugeridos para mudar essa posição é que a produção que apresente avanços teóricos seja dirigida essencialmente para jornais internacionais, que valorizam a inovação em teoria.

Introduction: Baroreflex function is an independent marker of prognosis in heart failure (HF). However, little is known about its relation to response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study is to assess arterial baroreflex function in HF patients who are candidates for CRT. Methods: The study population consisted of 25 patients with indication for CRT, aged 65±10 years, NYHA functional class ≥III in 52%, QRS width 159±15 ms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 29±5%, left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) 150±48 ml, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) 357±270 pg/ml, and peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) 18.4±5.0 ml/kg/min. An orthostatic tilt test was performed to assess the baroreflex effectiveness index (BEI) by the sequence method. This group was compared with 15 age-matched healthy individuals. Results: HF patients showed a significantly depressed BEI during tilt (31±12% vs. 49±18%, p=0.001). A lower BEI was associated with higher BNP (p=0.038), lower peak VO2 (p=0.048), and higher LVESV (p=0.031). By applying a cut-off value of 25% for BEI, two clusters of patients were identified: lower risk cluster (BEI >25%) QRS 153 ms, LVESV 129 ml, BNP 146 pg/ml, peak VO2 19.0 ml/kg/min; and higher risk cluster (IEB ≤25%) QRS 167 ms, LVESV 189 ml, BNP 590 pg/ml, peak VO2 16.2 ml/kg/min. Conclusions: Candidates for CRT show depressed arterial baroreflex function. Lower BEI was observed in high-risk HF patients. Baroreflex function correlated closely with other clinical HF parameters. Therefore, BEI may improve risk stratification in HF patients undergoing CRT. Resumo: Introdução: O barorreflexo arterial é comprovadamente um marcador independente de prognóstico na IC. Contudo, pouco se sabe sobre a relação entre a função do barorreflexo e a resposta à TRC. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a função barorreflexa em doentes com IC candidatos a TRC. Métodos: A população deste estudo prospetivo consistiu em 25 doentes com 65±10 anos, classe NYHA ≥III em 52%, QRS 159±15 ms, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) 29±5%, volume telessistólico do ventrículo esquerdo (VTSVE) 150±48 mL, péptido natriurético tipo-B (BNP) 357±270 pg/ml, consumo máximo de oxigénio (VO2 max) 18,4±5,0 ml/kg/min. Foi implementado um teste de ortostatismo passivo para avaliar o índice de eficácia do barorreflexo (IEB), através do método sequencial. O grupo controlo foi constituído por 15 indivíduos saudáveis emparelhados para a idade. Resultados: Os doentes com IC apresentaram um IEB significativamente reduzido durante o tilt (31±12% versus 49±18%, p=0,001). Um IEB diminuído associou-se a um BNP elevado (p=0,038), a um VO2 diminuído (p=0,048) e a um VTSVE aumentado (p=0,031). Aplicando um cut-off 25% para o IEB, foram identificados dois clusters de doentes: cluster de risco menor risco (IEB>25%) QRS 153 ms, VTSVE 129 mL, BNP 146 pg/mL, VO2 max 19,0 mL/kg/min; cluster de maior risco (IEB≤25%) QRS 167 ms, VTSVE 189 mL, BNP 590 pg/mL, VO2 max 16,2 mL/kg/min. Conclusões: Doentes candidatos a TRC apresentam barorreflexo deprimido. O BEI diminuído foi observado nos doentes de maior risco. O barorreflexo correlacionou-se bem com outros parâmetros de gravidade de IC. Desta forma, o BEI pode contribuir para a estratificação de risco dos doentes com IC submetidos a TRC. Keywords: Heart failure, Cardiac resynchronization therapy, Arterial baroreflex, Palavras-chave: Insuficiência cardíaca, Ressincronização cardíaca, Reflexo barorrecetor arterial