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Though performed almost effortlessly by humans, segmenting 2D gray-scale or color images in terms of their constituent regions of interest (e.g.~background, objects or portions of objects) constitutes one of the greatest challenges in science and technology as a consequence of the involved dimensionality reduction(3D to 2D), noise, reflections, shades, and occlusions, among many other possible effects. While a large number of interesting approaches have been respectively suggested along the last decades, it was mainly with the more recent development of deep learning that more effective and general solutions have been obtained, currently constituting the basic comparison reference for this type of operation. Also developed recently, a multiset-based methodology has been described that is capable of encouraging performance that combines spatial accuracy, stability, and robustness while requiring minimal computational resources (hardware and/or training and recognition time). The interesting features of the latter methodology mostly follow from the enhanced selectivity and sensitivity, as well as good robustness to data perturbations and outliers, allowed by the coincidence similarity index on which the multiset approach to supervised image segmentation is based. After describing the deep learning and multiset approaches, the present work develops two comparison experiments between them which are primarily aimed at illustrating their respective main interesting features when applied to the adopted specific type of data and parameter configurations. While the deep learning approach confirmed its potential for performing image segmentation, the alternative multiset methodology allowed for encouraging accuracy while requiring little computational resources., 37 pages, 18 figures

In addition to being intrinsically interesting, calculus of variations constitutes an area that has been extensively considered in both theoretic and applied areas, underlying a large number of structures and phenomena, including the stationary action principle in physics. Basically, given a functional expressing some measurement to be optimized (minimized or maximized), as well as respective boundary conditions, calculus of variations allows the determination of the respective optimal solution, be it a function, a curve, surface, as well as a large range of mathematical structures. The present work aims at developing an introduction to variational calculus which could be hopefully accessible to readers with some background in multivariate calculus. After defining the problem, and presenting some brief historic remarks, we proceed to present a motivational example of calculus of variations respective to a specific type of variation function, namely second-order polynomials adhering to the boundary conditions. In addition to illustrating several concepts related to calculus of variations, this approach also allowed the visualization of the aimed functional behavior as a function of the variation parameter. Next, the Euler-Lagrange equation for functions of one variable was informally derived, and then illustrates its application respectively to the minimum arc-length and soap surface minimization. The interesting possibility of numerical approaches to calculus of variations is also briefly described and illustrated respectively to Euler's direct method. Appendices providing a brief presentation of the chain rule, integration by parts, multivariate derivatives, as well as the multivariate, multiconstraint Lagrange multipliers method are also provided for quick reference.

Knowledge networks have become increasingly important as a changing repository of data which can be represented, studied and modeled by using complex networks concepts and methodologies. Here we report a study of knowledge networks corresponding to the areas of Physics and Theology, obtained from the Wikipedia and taken at two different dates separated by 4 years. The respective two versions of these networks were characterized in terms of their respective cross-relation signatures, being summarized in terms of modification indices obtained for each of the nodes that are preserved among the two versions. The proposed methodology is first evaluated on Erdos-Renyi (ER) and Barabasi-Albert model (BA) networks, before being tested on the knowledge networks obtained from the Wikipedia respectively to the areas of Physics and Theology. In the former study, it has been observed that the nodes at the core and periphery of both types of theoretical models yielded similar modification indices within these two groups of nodes, but with distinct values when taken across these two groups. The study of the Physics and Theology networks indicated that these two networks have signatures respectively similar to those of the BA and ER models, as well as that higher modification values being obtained for the periphery nodes, as compared to the respective core nodes., 23 pages, 15 figures

Astrocytes are intimately linked with brain vessels, a relationship that is critical for neuronal health and function. However, astroglial factors driving these physical and functional associations during postnatal brain development have yet to be identified. We characterized structural and transcriptional changes in mouse cortical astrocytes and microvessels during the first two postnatal weeks and found that high-mobility group box 1 (Hmgb1), normally upregulated with injury and involved in adult cerebrovascular repair, was highly expressed in astrocytes at birth and then decreased rapidly. Astrocyte-selective ablation ofHmgb1at birth affected astrocyte morphology and endfoot placement, altered distribution of endfoot proteins connexin43 and aquaporin-4, induced transcriptional changes in astrocytes related to cytoskeleton remodeling, and profoundly disrupted endothelial ultrastructure. While lack of astroglialHmgb1did not affect the blood-brain barrier or angiogenesis postnatally, it impaired neurovascular coupling and behavior in adult mice. These findings identify astroglialHmgb1as a key player in postnatal gliovascular maturation.

A partir da descoberta do fogo e do calor, várias civilizações passaram a desenvolver uma habilidade essencialmente humana: cozinhar. Não seria exagero dizer que cozinhar mudou o curso da história da humanidade, marcando o momento em que nos tornamos seres culturais. O ato de cultivar, coletar os alimentos e prepará-los traz à tona quem nós somos, memórias afetivas, sentimento de pertencimento e coletividade, práticas passadas de geração em geração, uma forma de ser, estar e de ver o mundo, associados com elementos que compõem aquilo que se entende por cultura. Pode-se dizer que, a maneira como várias culturas se relacionam com a alimentação vai muito além das necessidades fisiológicas, nutricionais e de sobrevivência. A comida nos conecta com o outro e com o mundo, é fio que tece nossas conexões humanas com nossas identidades, ancestralidades, culturas, crenças e histórias. Nenhum hábito alimentar é neutro, e a ele podemos associar aspectos culturais, de distinção social, de pertencimento econômico, de crenças e ideais.

The present work reports a comparative performance of artificial neurons obtained in terms of the real-valued Jaccard and coincidence similarity indices and respectively derived functionals. The interiority index and classic cross-correlation are also included for comparison purposes. After presenting the basic concepts related to real-valued multisets and the adopted similarity metrics, including the generalization of the real-valued Jaccard and coincidence indices to higher orders, we proceed to studying the response of a single neuron, not taking into account the output non-linearity (e.g.~sigmoid), respectively to the detection of gaussian two-dimensional stimulus in presence of displacement, magnification, intensity variation, noise and interference from additional patterns. It is shown that the real-valued Jaccard and coincidence approaches are substantially more robust and effective than the interiority index and the classic cross-correlation. The coincidence-based neurons are shown to have the best overall performance respectively to the considered type of data and perturbations. The potential of the multiset neurons is further illustrated with respect to the challenging problem of image segmentation, leading to impressive cost/benefit performance. The reported concepts, methods, and results, have substantial implications not only for pattern recognition and machine learning, but also regarding neurobiology and neuroscience., 21 pages, 32 figures. A preprint of a work submitted to a scientific journal (first revision)

Complex networks have certain properties that distinguish them from their respective uniform or regular counterparts. One of these properties is the variation of topological properties along different hierarchical levels. In this work, we study how networks that are constructed by repeatedly incorporating a given motif exhibit this property. A motif is henceforth understood as a small subgraph with a reference node where the incorporation respectively occurs. We generate fractal networks using different motifs and observe how their topology changes depending along the growth stages. Two regimes are respectively identified: transient and equilibrium. The former is characterized by significant topological changes that depend on the motif topology, while the equilibrium regime shows more stable, parallel trajectories. A more systematic analysis revealed that the betweenness centrality and the average shortest path lengths were the main topological properties that change along the network growth., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures

We aimed to evaluate characteristics associated with acute-phase response (APR) following first zoledronic acid infusion in a Brazilian cohort. This retrospective cohort study enrolled all adults with osteoporosis who underwent a first zoledronic acid infusion at our centre between June 2015 and June 2019. Clinical demographics (age, sex, diabetes, smoking, body mass index, and previous oral bisphosphonate use) and laboratory data (calcium, parathyroid hormone, renal function, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and carboxy-terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type 1 collagen [CTX], both before and after infusion) were compared between patients with and without APR. We evaluated association magnitude between the presence of APR and clinical variables through logistic regression. This study enrolled 400 patients (women, 80%). APR was observed in 24.5% (n = 98) of patients. The mean symptom duration in days was 3.5 ± 2.8. Patients with APR were younger (67 ± 12 vs. 71 ± 11 years; p = 0.001 ), used oral bisphosphonates less frequently (34% × 50%; p = 0.005 ), and had greater baseline CTX (0.535 ng/mL [0.375, 0.697] × 0.430 [0.249, 0.681]; p = 0.03 ) and ΔCTX (−69 [−76; −50] × −54 [−72; −23]; p = 0.002 ) than those without APR. The other variables were similar between the groups. Only ΔCTX was associated (OR, 0.62; 95% CI 0.41–0.98) with APR after accounting for age and bisphosphonate use. APR occurred in 24.5% of the cohort. Younger age and absence of prior oral bisphosphonate use were associated with APR following first zoledronic acid infusion. APR was associated with ΔCTX (but no other variables) after adjusting for these factors.

The process of nutrient acquisition by Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites is an attractive target for developing and designing drugs against toxoplasmosis, however, just recently it was revealed to be an important process to be understood. The present work helps address the lack of information about the exact sites where nutrient uptake in T. gondii. The endocytosis of proteins by tachyzoites of T. gondii was measured using both fluid-phase and receptor-mediated endocytic tracers. Quantitative analysis by flow cytometry revealed important differences in the percentage of labeled parasites, incubated with BSA, dextran, or transferrin. The analysis by confocal microscopy showed that the anterior portion of the conoid is one preferential site for binding BSA and transferrin to the tachyzoite, later localized within elongated structures present in the anterior region of the parasite. The ultrastructural analysis of multiple ultrathin sections displayed the endocytic markers at the following: (i) conoid, within rhoptries, (ii) in cup-shaped invagination of the parasite membrane (micropore) and, (iii) posterior pore. The present study brings data revealing three possible nutrient uptake portals in Toxoplasma tachyzoites that may contribute in the future to a therapeutic design with a view to treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Bauhinia andrade-limae A.C.B. Santos & Vaz, sp. nov. Type: — BRAZIL. Pernambuco: S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç„o Ecológica de Tapacurá, Mata do Toró, Cl„ do lagoa, 8º03’35.9”S 35º10’40.4”W, 16 July 2021 [fl., fr.], A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 76 (holotype PEUFR!, isotypes EAC!, CEPEC!, HCDAL!, HST!, HUEFS!, IPA!, K!, MAC!, P!, RB!, UFP!). Figures 1, 2. Diagnosis: — Bauhinia andrade-limae is similar to Bauhinia membranacea, both sharing largely ovate bilobed leaves with obtuse apex, usually with nine main veins and almost glabrous lenticulate stems, but differing by the chartaceous leaves in B. andrade-limae (vs. membranaceous leaves in B. membranacea), cordate base (vs. truncated to subtruncated), lobes congested in at least 1/3 of the total length (vs. lobes congested in more than 2/3 of total length), open and curved lobes (vs. parallel lobes), upper and lower surface glabrous (vs. upper surface hairy on the central margin and lower surface pubescent with sparse and appressed glandular trichomes), petiole glabrous (vs. petiole pubescent), flower buds up to 5.3 cm long at anthesis (vs. flower buds ca. 9.5 cm at anthesis), glabrous and reticulate legume with woody valves (vs. tomentose or villous-tomentose to sparsely villous legume with sometimes canescent indumentum). Description:—Shrub or small tree 2–5 m tall with lenticulate and glabrous stems. Distal internode (1.3–) 3–4 (–7.5) cm long. Leaves bilobed, blade (9–) 10–14.5 (–20) × (7–) 9–12.5 (–13.5) cm, chartaceous, base cordate, 7–9- nerved, marginal vein inconspicuous, lobes congested in at least 1/3 of the total length, reaching up to 1/2 of the leaf blade, lobes open and curved, largely ovate to ovate-oblong, apex obtuse to slightly acute; glabrous upper surface with imperceptible primary, secondary and tertiary veins, glabrous lower surface with prominent primary vein, slightly prominent reticulate secondary veins and slightly depressed tertiary veins, glandular trichomes absent. Petiole (2.5–) 3–4 (–6.2) cm long, thin, and glabrous. Stipules 1–3 × 1 mm long, chartaceous and glabrous; extrafloral nectaries present at the base of the petiole. Inflorescence terminal pseudoraceme, (5.6–) 8–19.5 cm long, pedunculated; peduncle (0.5–) 1.5–3 cm long, slender; partial inflorescences 2-flowered; reduced to pairs of foliaceous bracts 1–2 × 1 mm long, arranged alternately at the base of the pedicel; pedicel 6–11 mm long. Flower buds up to 5.3 cm long at anthesis, linear, 5-sided, minutely tomentose with numerous short ferruginous glandular trichomes. Flowers pedicellate, pedicel 6–11 mm long, hypanthium cylindrical to urceolate, ca. 1 cm long, internally black and glabrous and externally with ferruginous trichomes; sepals not seen; petals linear, white, 1.8–2.5 × ca 0.2 cm, externally glabrous; stamens 10, fertile, heterodynamous, filament 7–25 mm long, fused at the base in a hairy staminal column 3–7 mm long, anthers 5–8 × 2 mm, dorsifixed, longitudinal dehiscence; gynoecium 19–40 mm long, stipe 7–20 mm long, ovary compressed 6–10 × 1–2 mm, tomentulose with yellowish trichomes, style 8–17 mm long, stigma bifid, glabrous, black. Legume elastically dehiscent 9.5–16.7 × 1–1.7 cm, linear, apex acuminate and base cuneate, stipe 1.3–2.7 cm long, 12–15 seeds per valve; valves woody, glabrous and reticulate, dark brown. Seeds 5–8 × 5–6 mm, compressed, testa dark brown, smooth, and bony. Distribution and habitat: — Bauhinia andrade-limae is endemic to northeastern Brazil, restricted to the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco (Figure 3). This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest domain, in rainforest (Chagas-Mota et al. 3740, MAC; G.L. Esteves & O. Viégas 365, MAC), lowland seasonal semideciduous forest (E. G. dos Santos 11, IPA) and dense shrubby vegetation (M. Oliveira & A.A. Grillo 1025, MAC), at elevations of 166 m (A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 76, HCDAL). The states where the new species occurs have a rich biodiversity, with several recently described endemic taxa, such as: Pleurophora pulchra Siqueira, Cotarelli, Pastore & Cavalc. (2015: 185), Amorimia pellegrinii Almeida (2016: 14), Hymenaea cangaceira Pinto, Mansano & Azevedo (2017: 42), Erythroxylum pyan Costa-Lima (2018: 225), Orthophytum alagoanum Leme & Fontana (2020: 180), Megascops alagoensis Dantas (2021: 401), Aspidosperma dardanoanum Alves-Silva (2021: 271), Trogon muriciensis Dickens (2021: 499), Waltheria marielleae Coutinho & Alves (2022: 353) and Phyllopezus selmae Dubeux (2022: 345). Phenology: —The species was collected with flowers from June to September, with only one collection each recorded in January, March, May and November; fruits were collected from June to November with only one collection each in January, March and May. Conservation status: —According to the IUCN criteria (2012) and based on area of occupancy (AOO of 60 km 2) and extent of occurrence (EOO of 10426.9 km 2), Bauhinia andrade-limae is assessed as threatened EN B2b(i, ii, iii). The Atlantic Forest domain is highly fragmented with isolated areas and irregularly shaped patches, which can lead to population isolation (Trindade et al. 2008) and a decrease in the persistence of many species (Scarano & Ceotto 2015). Some populations are within protected areas, such as the Tapacurá Ecological Station (Pernambuco) and the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve (Alagoas), but other populations were recorded mainly on farms, old mills, and montane areas. Etymology: —The epithet “andrade-limae” is a tribute to professor Dandano de Andrade-Lima, a researcher at Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuária – IPA, who contributed to the improvement and organization of botanical collections in the northeast. He was responsible for creating the first Botany graduate course in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, and took part in scientific expeditions promoted by foreign and national institutions, having a deep knowledge of the northeastern flora. Vernacular name: —Mororó (B. Pickel 221, IPA). Taxonomic notes: —Among the species of Bauhinia ser. Cansenia, B. andrade-limae is similar to B. membranacea as both share largely ovate bilobed leaves with an obtuse apex and nine prominent primary veins on the underside and an imprinted midrib on the upper side. However, B. andrade-limae presents chartaceous leaves with cordate base, glabrous upper and lower sides, and congested lobes in at least 1/3 of the total length, while B. membranacea has membranaceous leaves with truncated base, hairy upper surface and lower surface puberulous with adpressed and sparse glandular trichomes (Vaz & Tozzi 2003a). Bauhinia andrade-limae is restricted to areas of Atlantic forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, while Bauhinia membranacea occurs in the states of Bahia, Góias, Piauí and Tocantins, inhabiting areas of cerrado and humid forest, as well as in foothills, higher elevation deciduous forest, on borders of altered mesophyllous forest and in secondary semideciduous forest (Vaz & Tozzi, 2003a). Of the species of Bauhinia ser. Cansenia recorded in the Atlantic Forest in the northeast, B. andrade-limae shares with B. corifolia Queiroz (2020: 294) leaves with a glabrous upper surface, cordate base and 7–9 prominent primary veins in the lower part of the blade, but B. andrade-limae has chartaceous bilobed leaves, with obtuse to acute apex and congested lobes in at least 1/3 of the total length, while B. corifolia has rigid leathery leaves with a blunt apex, and short sinuses between the lobes, when present (Queiroz et al. 2020). Compared to Bauhinia arleneae Santos & Queiroz (2022: 213), B. andrade-limae shares the shrubby or small tree habit with chartaceous leaves glabrous on both sides and with prominent primary veins on the underside, but differs by having a largely ovate bilobed leaf blade with 7–9 primary veins, cordate base and obtuse apex, while B. arleneae has an elliptical, entire blade with 3–5 primary veins, with obtuse base and acuminate apex (Santos et al. 2022). Most of the collections recorded in Pernambuco come from the Tapacurá Ecological Station, a wildlife refuge in Mata do Toró intended for the development of research on the conservation of forest resources and the Atlantic Forest fauna through the graduate program in biodiversity from Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE. The new species occurs in a species-rich area, where Leguminosae is the most representative family, with 68 of the 479 total species recorded (Pereira-Silva et al. 2022). The records of the new species in Alagoas mostly come from collections by Chagas-Mota during the 2009–2011 period. Field characters of Bauhinia andrade-limae include discolored leaves (M. Oliveira & A.A. Grillo 1025, MAC) with a reddish green underside (A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 76, HCDAL). The ripe fruits have smooth, reticulated brown valves (E. G. dos Santos 11, IPA). The flower buds have lilac streaks (K. Almeida & T.M.C. da Silva 170, PEUFR). Additional Specimens Examined: — BRAZIL. Alagoas: Boca da Mata, Serra da Nascéia, 26 September 2009 [fr.], Chagas-Mota 5735 (MAC!); Ch „ Preta, Serra Lisa, 16 October 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota & J.M. Ferreira 9042 (MAC!); Flexeiras, Águas Belas, 06 August 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota et al. 7916 (MAC!); Ibateguara, Akidaban, borda da trilha, interior da mata, 08 August 2002 [fl., fr.], M. Oliveira & A.A. Grillo 1025 (IPA!, MAC!, HUEFS!); Ibateguara, Coimbra, 27 October 2003 [fr.], M. Oliveira & Bráulio 1432 (IPA!, MAC!); Ibateguara, Coimbra, Grota da Burra, 29 March 2011 [fr.], Chagas-Mota 10699 (MAC!); Joaquim Gomes, AL-3F, 9º02’42”S 35º49’12”W, 4 July 2016 [fl.], A.A.S. Mascarenhas s.n. (RB!, MAC); Mar Vermelho, Fazenda Canadá, 08 May 2009, Chagas-Mota et al. 3740 (MAC!); Messias, Engenho Oriente, Serra da Cachoeira, 11 June 1980 [fr.], C.V. Lima et al. 07 (IPA!, RB!, HCDAL!); Messias, Engenho Horizonte, Serra da Cachoeira, 11 June 1980 [fl., fr.], G.L. Esteves & O. Viégas 365 (MAC!); Murici, Fazenda Pedra Branca, próximo à Cachoeira, 16 September 2004 [fl.], E. Cardoso 39 (MAC!); Quebrangulo, ReBio Pedra Talhada, Trilha principal, interior da mata, 9º15’16”S 36º25’50”W, 05 September 2012 [fr.], B.S. Amorim et al. 1646 (MAC!, NY, JPB); Teotônio Vilela, Fazenda Brejo, Próximo a BR-101, 18 November 2008 [fl., fr.], E.B. Jesus 08 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 28 January 2010 [fl.], Chagas-Mota 7251 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 23 September 2010 [fl.], Chagas-Mota et al. 8661 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 23 September 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota et al. 8662 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 25 November 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota & J.M. Ferreira 9625 (MAC!); Pernambuco: Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Margem direita do Rio Gurjaú, parte mais baixa da mata, 14 May 1952 [fl., fr.], A. Ducke & D. Andrade-Lima 107 (IPA!, IAN, SP); Quipapá, Engenho Brejinho, 16 June 1972 [fl., fr.], D. Andrade-Lima 6908 (IPA!, HCDAL!, RB!); Quipapá, Engenho Brejinho, 15 September 1972 [fl., fr.], D. Andrade-Lima 7021 (IPA!); Quipapá, Engenho Brejinho, 15 September 1972 [fl.], D. Andrade-Lima 6993 (IPA!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Tapera, S„o Bento, campo à beira dos caminhos, March 1919 [fl., fr.], B. Pickel 221 (IPA!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Mata do Toró, 26 August 1980 [fl., fr.], A. Bocage & D. Andrade-Lima 18 (IPA!, HCDAL!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Mata do Toró, 26 August 1980 [fr.], A. Bocage & D. Andrade-Lima 10 (IPA!, HCDAL!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Refúgio da Vida Silvestre Mata do Toró, interior da mata do Toró, 31 January 2016 [fr.], E. G. dos Santos 11 (IPA!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica do Tapacurá, 8º00’46”S 34º57’01”W, 21 July 2000 [fr.], K. Almeida & T.M.C. da Silva 59 (PEUFR!, RB!, JPB); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica do Tapacurá, 21 August 2003 [fl.], M.S. Sobrinho 310 (UFP); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica de Tapacurá, 8º00’46”S 34º57’01”W, 19 July 2001 [fl., fr.], K. Almeida & T.M.C. da Silva 170 (IPA!, RB!, PEUFR!, JPB); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica de Tapacurá, Mata do Toró, 8º03’36”S 35º10’40”W, 16 July 2021 [fr.], A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 78 (HCDAL!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica de Tapacurá, Mata do Toró, 8º03’36”S 35º10’40”W, 16 July 2021 [fl.], A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 77 (HCDAL!); August 1937 [fr.], Vasconcellos Sobrinho 498 (IPA!).

Bauhinia andrade-limae is a new species of Leguminosae endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain, occurring in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. The new species is morphologically similar to Bauhinia membranacea, both sharing largely ovate bilobed leaves with an obtuse apex, generally with nine main veins and lenticulate stems. B. andrade-limae differs from B. membranacea by the chartaceous leaves with a cordate base and congested lobes in at least 1/3 of the total length, upper and lower sides glabrous; flower buds up to 5.3 cm long in anthesis and glabrous, reticulate legume with woody valves. A detailed description with distribution, photographs and an illustration of the new species is provided.

Bauhinia andrade-limae A.C.B. Santos & Vaz, sp. nov. Type: — BRAZIL. Pernambuco: S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç„o Ecológica de Tapacurá, Mata do Toró, Cl„ do lagoa, 8º03’35.9”S 35º10’40.4”W, 16 July 2021 [fl., fr.], A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 76 (holotype PEUFR!, isotypes EAC!, CEPEC!, HCDAL!, HST!, HUEFS!, IPA!, K!, MAC!, P!, RB!, UFP!). Figures 1, 2. Diagnosis: — Bauhinia andrade-limae is similar to Bauhinia membranacea, both sharing largely ovate bilobed leaves with obtuse apex, usually with nine main veins and almost glabrous lenticulate stems, but differing by the chartaceous leaves in B. andrade-limae (vs. membranaceous leaves in B. membranacea), cordate base (vs. truncated to subtruncated), lobes congested in at least 1/3 of the total length (vs. lobes congested in more than 2/3 of total length), open and curved lobes (vs. parallel lobes), upper and lower surface glabrous (vs. upper surface hairy on the central margin and lower surface pubescent with sparse and appressed glandular trichomes), petiole glabrous (vs. petiole pubescent), flower buds up to 5.3 cm long at anthesis (vs. flower buds ca. 9.5 cm at anthesis), glabrous and reticulate legume with woody valves (vs. tomentose or villous-tomentose to sparsely villous legume with sometimes canescent indumentum). Description:—Shrub or small tree 2–5 m tall with lenticulate and glabrous stems. Distal internode (1.3–) 3–4 (–7.5) cm long. Leaves bilobed, blade (9–) 10–14.5 (–20) × (7–) 9–12.5 (–13.5) cm, chartaceous, base cordate, 7–9- nerved, marginal vein inconspicuous, lobes congested in at least 1/3 of the total length, reaching up to 1/2 of the leaf blade, lobes open and curved, largely ovate to ovate-oblong, apex obtuse to slightly acute; glabrous upper surface with imperceptible primary, secondary and tertiary veins, glabrous lower surface with prominent primary vein, slightly prominent reticulate secondary veins and slightly depressed tertiary veins, glandular trichomes absent. Petiole (2.5–) 3–4 (–6.2) cm long, thin, and glabrous. Stipules 1–3 × 1 mm long, chartaceous and glabrous; extrafloral nectaries present at the base of the petiole. Inflorescence terminal pseudoraceme, (5.6–) 8–19.5 cm long, pedunculated; peduncle (0.5–) 1.5–3 cm long, slender; partial inflorescences 2-flowered; reduced to pairs of foliaceous bracts 1–2 × 1 mm long, arranged alternately at the base of the pedicel; pedicel 6–11 mm long. Flower buds up to 5.3 cm long at anthesis, linear, 5-sided, minutely tomentose with numerous short ferruginous glandular trichomes. Flowers pedicellate, pedicel 6–11 mm long, hypanthium cylindrical to urceolate, ca. 1 cm long, internally black and glabrous and externally with ferruginous trichomes; sepals not seen; petals linear, white, 1.8–2.5 × ca 0.2 cm, externally glabrous; stamens 10, fertile, heterodynamous, filament 7–25 mm long, fused at the base in a hairy staminal column 3–7 mm long, anthers 5–8 × 2 mm, dorsifixed, longitudinal dehiscence; gynoecium 19–40 mm long, stipe 7–20 mm long, ovary compressed 6–10 × 1–2 mm, tomentulose with yellowish trichomes, style 8–17 mm long, stigma bifid, glabrous, black. Legume elastically dehiscent 9.5–16.7 × 1–1.7 cm, linear, apex acuminate and base cuneate, stipe 1.3–2.7 cm long, 12–15 seeds per valve; valves woody, glabrous and reticulate, dark brown. Seeds 5–8 × 5–6 mm, compressed, testa dark brown, smooth, and bony. Distribution and habitat: — Bauhinia andrade-limae is endemic to northeastern Brazil, restricted to the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco (Figure 3). This species occurs in the Atlantic Forest domain, in rainforest (Chagas-Mota et al. 3740, MAC; G.L. Esteves & O. Viégas 365, MAC), lowland seasonal semideciduous forest (E. G. dos Santos 11, IPA) and dense shrubby vegetation (M. Oliveira & A.A. Grillo 1025, MAC), at elevations of 166 m (A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 76, HCDAL). The states where the new species occurs have a rich biodiversity, with several recently described endemic taxa, such as: Pleurophora pulchra Siqueira, Cotarelli, Pastore & Cavalc. (2015: 185), Amorimia pellegrinii Almeida (2016: 14), Hymenaea cangaceira Pinto, Mansano & Azevedo (2017: 42), Erythroxylum pyan Costa-Lima (2018: 225), Orthophytum alagoanum Leme & Fontana (2020: 180), Megascops alagoensis Dantas (2021: 401), Aspidosperma dardanoanum Alves-Silva (2021: 271), Trogon muriciensis Dickens (2021: 499), Waltheria marielleae Coutinho & Alves (2022: 353) and Phyllopezus selmae Dubeux (2022: 345). Phenology: —The species was collected with flowers from June to September, with only one collection each recorded in January, March, May and November; fruits were collected from June to November with only one collection each in January, March and May. Conservation status: —According to the IUCN criteria (2012) and based on area of occupancy (AOO of 60 km 2) and extent of occurrence (EOO of 10426.9 km 2), Bauhinia andrade-limae is assessed as threatened EN B2b(i, ii, iii). The Atlantic Forest domain is highly fragmented with isolated areas and irregularly shaped patches, which can lead to population isolation (Trindade et al. 2008) and a decrease in the persistence of many species (Scarano & Ceotto 2015). Some populations are within protected areas, such as the Tapacurá Ecological Station (Pernambuco) and the Pedra Talhada Biological Reserve (Alagoas), but other populations were recorded mainly on farms, old mills, and montane areas. Etymology: —The epithet “andrade-limae” is a tribute to professor Dandano de Andrade-Lima, a researcher at Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuária – IPA, who contributed to the improvement and organization of botanical collections in the northeast. He was responsible for creating the first Botany graduate course in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, and took part in scientific expeditions promoted by foreign and national institutions, having a deep knowledge of the northeastern flora. Vernacular name: —Mororó (B. Pickel 221, IPA). Taxonomic notes: —Among the species of Bauhinia ser. Cansenia, B. andrade-limae is similar to B. membranacea as both share largely ovate bilobed leaves with an obtuse apex and nine prominent primary veins on the underside and an imprinted midrib on the upper side. However, B. andrade-limae presents chartaceous leaves with cordate base, glabrous upper and lower sides, and congested lobes in at least 1/3 of the total length, while B. membranacea has membranaceous leaves with truncated base, hairy upper surface and lower surface puberulous with adpressed and sparse glandular trichomes (Vaz & Tozzi 2003a). Bauhinia andrade-limae is restricted to areas of Atlantic forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, while Bauhinia membranacea occurs in the states of Bahia, Góias, Piauí and Tocantins, inhabiting areas of cerrado and humid forest, as well as in foothills, higher elevation deciduous forest, on borders of altered mesophyllous forest and in secondary semideciduous forest (Vaz & Tozzi, 2003a). Of the species of Bauhinia ser. Cansenia recorded in the Atlantic Forest in the northeast, B. andrade-limae shares with B. corifolia Queiroz (2020: 294) leaves with a glabrous upper surface, cordate base and 7–9 prominent primary veins in the lower part of the blade, but B. andrade-limae has chartaceous bilobed leaves, with obtuse to acute apex and congested lobes in at least 1/3 of the total length, while B. corifolia has rigid leathery leaves with a blunt apex, and short sinuses between the lobes, when present (Queiroz et al. 2020). Compared to Bauhinia arleneae Santos & Queiroz (2022: 213), B. andrade-limae shares the shrubby or small tree habit with chartaceous leaves glabrous on both sides and with prominent primary veins on the underside, but differs by having a largely ovate bilobed leaf blade with 7–9 primary veins, cordate base and obtuse apex, while B. arleneae has an elliptical, entire blade with 3–5 primary veins, with obtuse base and acuminate apex (Santos et al. 2022). Most of the collections recorded in Pernambuco come from the Tapacurá Ecological Station, a wildlife refuge in Mata do Toró intended for the development of research on the conservation of forest resources and the Atlantic Forest fauna through the graduate program in biodiversity from Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE. The new species occurs in a species-rich area, where Leguminosae is the most representative family, with 68 of the 479 total species recorded (Pereira-Silva et al. 2022). The records of the new species in Alagoas mostly come from collections by Chagas-Mota during the 2009–2011 period. Field characters of Bauhinia andrade-limae include discolored leaves (M. Oliveira & A.A. Grillo 1025, MAC) with a reddish green underside (A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 76, HCDAL). The ripe fruits have smooth, reticulated brown valves (E. G. dos Santos 11, IPA). The flower buds have lilac streaks (K. Almeida & T.M.C. da Silva 170, PEUFR). Additional Specimens Examined: — BRAZIL. Alagoas: Boca da Mata, Serra da Nascéia, 26 September 2009 [fr.], Chagas-Mota 5735 (MAC!); Ch „ Preta, Serra Lisa, 16 October 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota & J.M. Ferreira 9042 (MAC!); Flexeiras, Águas Belas, 06 August 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota et al. 7916 (MAC!); Ibateguara, Akidaban, borda da trilha, interior da mata, 08 August 2002 [fl., fr.], M. Oliveira & A.A. Grillo 1025 (IPA!, MAC!, HUEFS!); Ibateguara, Coimbra, 27 October 2003 [fr.], M. Oliveira & Bráulio 1432 (IPA!, MAC!); Ibateguara, Coimbra, Grota da Burra, 29 March 2011 [fr.], Chagas-Mota 10699 (MAC!); Joaquim Gomes, AL-3F, 9º02’42”S 35º49’12”W, 4 July 2016 [fl.], A.A.S. Mascarenhas s.n. (RB!, MAC); Mar Vermelho, Fazenda Canadá, 08 May 2009, Chagas-Mota et al. 3740 (MAC!); Messias, Engenho Oriente, Serra da Cachoeira, 11 June 1980 [fr.], C.V. Lima et al. 07 (IPA!, RB!, HCDAL!); Messias, Engenho Horizonte, Serra da Cachoeira, 11 June 1980 [fl., fr.], G.L. Esteves & O. Viégas 365 (MAC!); Murici, Fazenda Pedra Branca, próximo à Cachoeira, 16 September 2004 [fl.], E. Cardoso 39 (MAC!); Quebrangulo, ReBio Pedra Talhada, Trilha principal, interior da mata, 9º15’16”S 36º25’50”W, 05 September 2012 [fr.], B.S. Amorim et al. 1646 (MAC!, NY, JPB); Teotônio Vilela, Fazenda Brejo, Próximo a BR-101, 18 November 2008 [fl., fr.], E.B. Jesus 08 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 28 January 2010 [fl.], Chagas-Mota 7251 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 23 September 2010 [fl.], Chagas-Mota et al. 8661 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 23 September 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota et al. 8662 (MAC!); Viçosa, Fazenda Jussara, 25 November 2010 [fr.], Chagas-Mota & J.M. Ferreira 9625 (MAC!); Pernambuco: Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Margem direita do Rio Gurjaú, parte mais baixa da mata, 14 May 1952 [fl., fr.], A. Ducke & D. Andrade-Lima 107 (IPA!, IAN, SP); Quipapá, Engenho Brejinho, 16 June 1972 [fl., fr.], D. Andrade-Lima 6908 (IPA!, HCDAL!, RB!); Quipapá, Engenho Brejinho, 15 September 1972 [fl., fr.], D. Andrade-Lima 7021 (IPA!); Quipapá, Engenho Brejinho, 15 September 1972 [fl.], D. Andrade-Lima 6993 (IPA!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Tapera, S„o Bento, campo à beira dos caminhos, March 1919 [fl., fr.], B. Pickel 221 (IPA!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Mata do Toró, 26 August 1980 [fl., fr.], A. Bocage & D. Andrade-Lima 18 (IPA!, HCDAL!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Mata do Toró, 26 August 1980 [fr.], A. Bocage & D. Andrade-Lima 10 (IPA!, HCDAL!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Refúgio da Vida Silvestre Mata do Toró, interior da mata do Toró, 31 January 2016 [fr.], E. G. dos Santos 11 (IPA!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica do Tapacurá, 8º00’46”S 34º57’01”W, 21 July 2000 [fr.], K. Almeida & T.M.C. da Silva 59 (PEUFR!, RB!, JPB); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica do Tapacurá, 21 August 2003 [fl.], M.S. Sobrinho 310 (UFP); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica de Tapacurá, 8º00’46”S 34º57’01”W, 19 July 2001 [fl., fr.], K. Almeida & T.M.C. da Silva 170 (IPA!, RB!, PEUFR!, JPB); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica de Tapacurá, Mata do Toró, 8º03’36”S 35º10’40”W, 16 July 2021 [fr.], A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 78 (HCDAL!); S„o Lourenço da Mata, Estaç „o Ecológica de Tapacurá, Mata do Toró, 8º03’36”S 35º10’40”W, 16 July 2021 [fl.], A.C. B. dos Santos et al. 77 (HCDAL!); August 1937 [fr.], Vasconcellos Sobrinho 498 (IPA!)., Published as part of Dos Santos, Antonio C. B., Vaz, Angela M. Studart Da F., Da Silva, Maria A. P., Paula, Antonio P. O., Feitoza, Lidiane De L. & Carvalho, Reginaldo De, 2022, A new species of Bauhinia (Cercidoideae, Leguminosae) from the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas, Brazil, pp. 289-296 in Phytotaxa 576 (3) on pages 290-293, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.576.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7471647, {"references":["Almeida, R. F. de, Van Den Berg, C. & Amorim, A. M. A. (2016) Untangling the Amorimia rigida complex, a puzzling group of lianescent Malpighiaceae from Eastern Brazil. Phytotaxa 284 (1): 1 - 23. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 284.1.1","Costa-Lima, J. L. D. & Chagas, E. C. D. O. (2018) Erythroxylum pyan (Erythroxylaceae), a new species from the Brazilian semiarid region. Phytotaxa 383 (2): 225 - 232. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 383.2.9","Leme, E. M. C., Ribeiro, O. B. C., Souza, F. V. D., Souza, E. H. de, Kollmann, L. J. C. & Fontana, A. P. (2020) Miscellaneous new species in the \" Cryptanthoid complex \" (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Eastern Brazil. Phytotaxa 430 (3): 180 - 182. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 430.3.2","Dantas, S. M., Weckstein, J. D., Bates, J., Oliveira, J. N., Catanach, T. A. & Aleixo, A. (2021) Multi-character taxonomic review, systematics, and biogeography of the Blackcapped / Tawny-bellied Screech Owl (Megascops atricapilla-M. watsonii) complex (Aves: Strigidae). Zootaxa 4949 (3): 401 - 444. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4949.3.1","Alves-Silva, J. W., Pereira, A. S. de S., Coutinho, T. S. & Castello, A. C. D. (2021) Aspidosperma dardanoanum (Apocynaceae), a new species spanning from the Atlantic Forest into the Caatinga (Northeast Region, Brazil). Phytotaxa 491 (4): 271 - 280. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 491.4.2","Dickens, J. K., Bitton, P. P., Bravo, G. A. & Silveira, L. F. (2021) Species limits, patterns of secondary contact and a new species in the Trogon rufus complex (Aves: Trogonidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 193: 499 - 540. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / zoolinnean / zlaa 169","Coutinho, T. S., Sader, M. A., Pedrosa-Harand, A. & Alves, M. (2022) Waltheria marielleae (Byttnerioideae, Malvaceae), a new species from north-eastern Brazil supported by morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Plant Ecology and Evolution 155 (3): 353 - 362. https: // doi. org / 10.5091 / plecevo. 94921","Dubeux, M. J. M., Goncalves, U., Palmeira, C. N. S., Nunes, P. M. S., Cassimiro, J., Gamble, T., Werneck, F. P., Rodrigues, M. T. & Mott, T. (2022) Two new species of geckos of the genus Phyllopezus Peters, 1878 (Squamata: Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae) from northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa 5120 (3): 345 - 372. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 5120.3.3","Trindade, M. B., Lins-e-Silva, A. C. B., Silva, H. P., Figueira, S. B. & Schessl, M. (2008) Fragmentation of the Atlantic Rainforest in the northern coastal region of Pernambuco, Brazil: recent changes and implications for conservation. Bioremediation, Biodiversity and Bioavailability 2: 5 - 13.","Scarano, F. R. & Ceotto, P. (2015) Brazilian Atlantic Forest: impact, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change. Biodiversity and Conservation 24: 2319 - 2331. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10531 - 015 - 0972 - y","Vaz, A. M. S. da F. & Tozzi, A. M. G. A. (2003 a) Bauhinia ser. Cansenia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) no Brasil. Rodriguesia 54: 55 - 143. https: // doi. org / 10.1590 / 2175 - 78602003548305","Queiroz, L. P. de, Oliveira, F. G., Cedraz, B., Melchor-Castro, R. R. & Fernandes, M. F. (2020) A new species of Bauhinia from coastal areas in Northeastern Brazil. Phytotaxa 435 (4): 293 - 300. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 435.4.3","Santos, A. C. B. dos, Queiroz, L. P. de, Paula, A. P. O. & Carvalho, R. de. (2022) A new species of Bauhinia ser. Cansenia (Cercidoideae, Leguminosae) endemic to the Atlantic Forest in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Phytotaxa 568 (2): 213 - 220. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / phytotaxa. 568.2.6","Pereira-Silva, R. A., Gama, B. R. de A., Oliveira, J. C. P. de, Mendes, J. C. R., Barbosa, J. I. de S., Athie-Souza, S. M., Santos, L. L. dos, Sales, M. F. de & Du Bocage, A. L. (2022) Angiosperm diversity in a Lowland Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Biota Neotropica 22 (1): e 20211223. https: // doi. org / 10.1590 / 1676 - 0611 - BN- 2021 - 1223"]}

Characterizing the structure of cities constitutes an important task since the identification of similar cities can promote sharing of respective experiences. In the present work, we consider 20 European cities from 5 respective countries and with comparable populations, each of which characterized in terms of four topological as well as one geometrical feature. These cities are then mapped into respective networks by considering their pairwise similarity as gauged by the coincidence methodology, which consists of combining the Jaccard and interiority indices. The methodology incorporates a parameter alpha that can control the relative contribution of features with the same or opposite signs to the overall similarity. Interestingly, the maximum modularity cities network is obtained for a non-standard parameter configuration, showing that it could not be obtained were not for the adoption of the parameter alpha. The network with maximum modularity presents four communities that can be directly related to four of the five considered countries, corroborating not only the effectiveness of the adopted features and similarity methodology, but also indicating a surprising tendency of the cities from a same country of being similar, while differing from cities from other countries. The coincidence methodology was then applied in order to investigate the effect of several features combinations on the respectively obtained networks, leading to a highly modular features network containing four main communities that can be understood as the main possible models for the considered cities.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the treatment of choice for cholelithiasis. Our objective was to assess the results of LC in comparison with previous data published in 1994.PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1999, 2,300 patients were submitted to surgery at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. The medical records of 1,540 of these patients were assessed retrospectively. The variables evaluated were preoperative diagnosis, duration of hospital stay and of surgery, intra- and postoperative complications, conversion rate to open surgery, and anatomicopathological examination of the gallbladder.RESULTS: The most common preoperative diagnosis was of symptomatic gallstones (92%); the average hospital stay was of 3.6 ± 6 days (median of 2 days); the average duration of surgery was of 89.5 ± 38 minutes; the most frequent intraoperative complications were gallbladder rupture (7.3%), calculi in peritoneum (0.8%), and iatrogenic bile duct injury (0.2%); and the postoperative complications reported were wound infection (1.3%), retained stones (0.6%), and biliary peritonitis (0.5%). The conversion rate to open procedure was of 2.5%, and reoperation was necessary in 1.8% of cases. There was only one death (0.06%).CONCLUSION: In comparison to data from a previous experience, there has been an improvement in LC results, but additional technical improvements can still be made.&nbsp, OBJETIVO: A colecistectomia videolaparoscópica (CVL) é o tratamento preferencial da colelitíase. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar os resultados da CVL comparando com a experiência inicial relatada em 1994.PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: De 1992 a 1999 foram operados 2.300 pacientes no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Deste total foram revisados retrospectivamente 1.540 prontuários. As variáveis analisadas foram a indicação cirúrgica, o tempo de internação hospitalar e cirúrgico, as complicações trans e pós-operatórias, a taxa de conversão para cirurgia aberta e o exame anatomopatológico da vesícula biliar.RESULTADOS: A principal indicação de cirurgia foi a colelitíase sintomática (92%). O tempo de internação hospitalar foi 3,6 ± 6 dias e a mediana de 2 dias e o tempo cirúrgico médio de 89,5 ± 38 minutos. As principais complicações intra-operatórias foram a perfuração da vesícula biliar (7,3%), a queda de cálculos na cavidade (0,8%) e lesão iatrogênica de via biliar (0,2%). No pós-operatório, as complicações mais freqüentes foram a infecção de ferida operatória (1,3%), a coledocolitíase residual (0,6%) e o coleperitônio (0,5%). A taxa de conversão foi de 2,5% e de reoperação de 1,8%. Houve apenas um óbito (0,06%).CONCLUSÕES: Em relação à experiência inicial, a CVL evoluiu muito, mas ainda pode ser aprimorada tecnicamente.&nbsp

The objective of this work was to perform a preliminary economic analysis of the ultrasound-assisted extraction process of olive oil and compare it with the manufacturing costs of the conventional extraction process. The DWSIM software was used for economic modeling considering data found in the literature; the five cost parameters were considered. The results showed a cost of USD 126.50/kg of olive oil in the proposed process. Although expensive, about 54,350 bottles more of oil could be produced due to the higher yield that can be obtained. In parallel, about USD 11,350,000.00 could be earned in one year of operation. In this sense, more research must be done to demonstrate the economic viability of this type of industry, to improve the operations and the costs of manufacturing until the process becomes profitable.

Several real-world and abstract structures and systems are characterized by marked hierarchy to the point of being expressed as trees. Since the study of these entities often involves sampling (or discovering) the tree nodes in a specific order that may not correspond to the original shape of the tree, reconstruction errors can be obtained. The present work addresses this important problem based on two main resources: (i) the adoption of a simple model of trees, involving a single parameter; and (ii) the use of the coincidence similarity as the means to quantify the errors by comparing the original and reconstructed structures considering the effects of hierarchical structure, nodes content, and uncertainty. Several interesting results are described and discussed, including that the accuracy of hierarchical reconstructions is highly dependent on the values of the uncertainty parameter as well as on the types of trees and that changes in the value of the content parameter can affect the accuracy of reconstructing hierarchies.

João Claudio Todorov: sua contribuição para a UnB e para a ciência brasileira

João Claudio Todorov: his contribution to UnB and to Brazilian science, João Claudio Todorov: sua contribuição para a UnB e para a ciência brasileira

Several natural and theoretical networks can be broken down into smaller portions, or subgraphs corresponding to neighborhoods. The more frequent of these neighborhoods can then be understood as motifs of the network, being therefore important for better characterizing and understanding of the overall structure. Several developments in network science have relied on this interesting concept, with ample applications in areas including systems biology, computational neuroscience, economy and ecology. The present work aims at reporting an unsupervised methodology capable of identifying motifs respective to streets networks, the latter corresponding to graphs obtained from city plans by considering street junctions and terminations as nodes while the links are defined by the streets. Remarkable results are described, including the identification of nine stable and informative motifs, which have been allowed by three critically important factors: (i) adoption of five hierarchical measurements to locally characterize the neighborhoods of nodes in the streets networks; (ii) adoption of an effective coincidence methodology for translating datasets into networks; and (iii) definition of the motifs in statistical terms by using community finding methodology. The nine identified motifs are characterized and discussed from several perspective, including their mutual similarity, visualization, histograms of measurements, and geographical adjacency in the original cities. Also presented is the analysis of the effect of the adopted features on the obtained networks as well as a simple supervised learning method capable of assigning reference motifs to cities., 34 pages, 16 figures, 3 tables, preprint

Several real-world and abstract structures and systems are characterized by marked hierarchy to the point of being expressed as trees. Because the study of these entities often involves sampling (or discovering) the tree nodes in a specific order that may not correspond to that originally shaping the tree, reconstruction errors can be obtained. The present work addresses this important problem based on two main resources: (i) the adoption of a simple model of trees, involving a single parameter; and (ii) the use of the coincidence similarity as the means to quantify the errors by comparing the original and reconstructed structures considering diverse sampling error probability and extent. Several interesting results are described and discussed, including the fact that the average and standard deviation values of the reconstruction errors depend only moderately on the extent of the errors as well as on the types of trees. At the same time, it is identified that the relative reconstruction accuracy substantially decreases markedly with the error probability, with larger reconstructions accuracy relative variations being observed for the smallest values of that probability.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and due its popularity, soccer moves billions of euros over the years, in most diverse forms, such as marketing, merchandising, TV quotas and players transfers. As example, in the 2016/2017 season, only England has moved about 1.3 billion of euros only in players transfers. In this work, it is performed a study of the transfer market of players and, to do so, players transfer data were gathered from the website Transfermarkt and transfers were modeled as a graph. In order to perform this study, different Complex Networks techniques were applied, such as Link Prediction, Community Detection and Centrality Analysis. Link Prediction it was possible to conceive a network of a forecast market for the 2022 World Cup using temporal data. Through the generated network it was possible to notice changes of the market and the rise of Asian countries, given a notion of how the market is going to behave in the next years.

Various environmental exposures during pregnancy, like maternal diet, can compromise, at critical periods of development, the neurovascular maturation of the offspring. Foetal exposure to maternal high-fat diet (mHFD), common to Western societies, has been shown to disturb neurovascular development in neonates and long-term permeability of the neurovasculature. Nevertheless, the effects of mHFD on the offspring’s cerebrovascular health remains largely elusive. Here, we sought to address this knowledge gap by using a translational mouse model of mHFD exposure. Three-dimensional and ultrastructure analysis of the neurovascular unit (vasculature and parenchymal cells) in mHFD-exposed offspring revealed major alterations of the neurovascular organization and metabolism. These alterations were accompanied by changes in the expression of genes involved in metabolism and immunity, indicating that neurovascular changes may result from abnormal brain metabolism and immune regulation. In addition, mHFD-exposed offspring showed persisting behavioural alterations reminiscent of neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically an increase in stereotyped and repetitive behaviours into adulthood., In order to advance our understanding of the effects of maternal high-fat diet (mHFD) on the cerebrovascular health of offspring, Bordeleau et al. use a translational mouse model of mHFD exposure. They demonstrate that mHFD induces cerebrovascular and microglial changes in the offspring as well as behavioural alterations that are reminiscent of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with repetitive behaviours at adulthood.

As a consequence of its capability of creating high level abstractions from data, deep learning has been effectively employed in a wide range of applications, including physics. Though deep learning can be, at first and simplistically understood in terms of very large neural networks, it also encompasses new concepts and methods. In order to understand and apply deep learning, it is important to become familiarized with the respective basic concepts. In this text, after briefly revising some works relating to physics and deep learning, we introduce and discuss some of the main principles of deep learning as well as some of its principal models. More specifically, we describe the main elements, their use, as well as several of the possible network architectures. A companion tutorial in Python has been prepared in order to complement our approach.

Several complex systems are characterized by presenting intricate characteristics taking place at several scales of time and space. These multiscale characterizations are used in various applications, including better understanding diseases, characterizing transportation systems, and comparison between cities, among others. In particular, texts are also characterized by a hierarchical structure that can be approached by using multi-scale concepts and methods. The multiscale properties of texts constitute a subject worth further investigation. In addition, more effective approaches to text characterization and analysis can be obtained by emphasizing words with potentially more informational content. The present work aims at developing these possibilities while focusing on mesoscopic representations of networks. More specifically, we adopt an extension to the mesoscopic approach to represent text narratives, in which only the recurrent relationships among tagged parts of speech (subject, verb and direct object) are considered to establish connections among sequential pieces of text (e.g., paragraphs). The characterization of the texts was then achieved by considering scale-dependent complementary methods: accessibility, symmetry and recurrence signatures. In order to evaluate the potential of these concepts and methods, we approached the problem of distinguishing between literary genres (fiction and non-fiction). A set of 300 books organized into the two genres was considered and were compared by using the aforementioned approaches. All the methods were capable of differentiating to some extent between the two genres. The accessibility and symmetry reflected the narrative asymmetries, while the recurrence signature provided a more direct indication about the non-sequential semantic connections taking place along the narrative.

Several natural and theoretical networks can be broken down into smaller portions, henceforth called neighborhoods. The more frequent of these can then be understood as motifs of the network, being therefore important for better characterizing and understanding of its overall structure. Several developments in network science have relied on this interesting concept, with ample applications in areas including systems biology, computational neuroscience, economy and ecology. The present work aims at reporting a methodology capable of automatically identifying motifs respective to streets networks, i.e. graphs obtained from city plans by considering street junctions and terminations as nodes while the links are defined by the streets. Interesting results are described, including the identification of nine characteristic motifs, which have been obtained by three important considerations: (i) adoption of five hierarchical measurements to locally characterize the neighborhoods of nodes in the streets networks; (ii) adoption of an effective coincidence similarity methodology for translating datasets into networks; and (iii) definition of the motifs in statistical terms by using community finding methodology. The nine identified motifs are characterized and discussed from several perspectives, including their mutual similarity, visualization, histograms of measurements, and geographical adjacency in the original cities. Also presented is the analysis of the effect of the adopted features on the obtained networks as well as a simple supervised learning method capable of assigning reference motifs to cities.