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The physiological function of fetal hiccup and its correlation with fetal well-being is a debated topic. We conducted a prospective observational study in a Tertiary care University Hospital to correlate the fetal hiccups with the antepartum computerized cardiotocography parameters. Fifty-one nonlaboring women with a term pregnancy were en-rolled. We collected data regarding maternal perception of fetal hiccups and the computerized cardiotocographic examination. The pregnant were divided into three groups depending on fetal hiccups perception. There was a statistical difference for the number of fetal movements in an hour between the group of daily perception and the group of no perception. Changes in fetal movements frequency are essential to recognize pregnancies at increased risk for adverse fetal outcomes. No one studies in the medical literature utilized the computerized cardiotocographic machine to explore fetal hiccups. Then our study showed that a mother with daily fetal hiccups could be considered a low risk considering the significant numbers of fetal movements revealed by computerized cardiotocography. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials are required to evaluate the fetal hiccups evaluation and its influence on fetal outcomes.

Menopause is a crucial event in women’s health, characterized by the cessation of ovarian function. The estrogens deficiency exposes women to several diseases, including obesity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Menopause-related diseases deeply impact on women’s quality of life and represent a serious public and economic health burden. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) includes Cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1) and Cannabinoid Type 2 (CB2) receptors, endocannabinoids and all the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis and degradation. It plays a significant role in energy balance, bone metabolism, muscular contractility, vascular tone and cancer progression. CB1 activation is responsible for increasing food intake and body weight, stimulating osteoclast activity, inhibiting oxidative stress and preventing cancer progression. Conversely, the stimulation of CB2 induces a reduction in food intake and in body weight, inhibits osteoclast activity, prevents vascular risk and reduces cancer cells proliferation. Moreover, several polymorphic variants of cannabinoid receptors genes are involved into obesity and osteoporosis. In menopause, the alteration of cannabinoid receptors expression and endocannabinoids levels as well as their role in hormone-related pathways could act a leading role in different pathologies (obesity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer). Therefore, ECS could be considered a possible prognostic marker and a therapeutic target to oppose the harmful effects of these menopause-related diseases. In this review we aimed to summarize the current state-of-knowledge concerning the impact of ECS on major health issues of postmenopausal women.

Os Sistemas Agroflorestais (SAFs) têm figurado como alternativa para otimizar o uso das áreas rurais, no sentido de diversificar produção, gerar renda e ainda contribuir com serviços ambientais. Em projetos bem planejados, a diversidade de produtos cultivados em uma mesma área, permite distribuição de mão-de-obra e de produção durante o ano, contribuindo para segurança alimentar e financeira do agricultor, que deixa de depender apenas das flutuações de mercado de um produto. Contudo, ainda não existem respostas contundentes que confirmem a geração de ingressos monetários substanciais de SAFs. Assim, por meio de metodologia participativa aplicada à análise financeira realizada na planilha AmazonSAF 8.1, foram avaliados dois modelos de SAFs. Partindo do pressuposto de que os sistemas analisados deveriam ser produtivos, capazes de passar das fases iniciais e intermediárias, onde os ingressos monetários são dados principalmente por plantas de ciclo curto e semi-perenes, até chegar à fase madura, com receitas advindas das plantas perenes, observa-se que os SAFs-1 e 2 não cumprem as premissas. Problemas advindos desde a incompatibilidade entre propostas dos sistemas, fatores edafoclimáticos e aptidões dos agricultores; escolha de espécies e ausência de manejo; desenho e densidade de plantas contrastantes com os objetivos, foram agentes decisivos no insucesso financeiro temporal dos sistemas. Made available in DSpace on 2020-09-25T09:12:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LUCIANO-Avaliacao-da-eficiencia.pdf: 1251079 bytes, checksum: 25b9d30200c3a6d39845ca9d0daf37db (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

This paper reviews recent advances in integrated waveguide circuits, lithographically fabricated for quantum optics. With the increase in complexity of realizable quantum architectures, the need for stability and high quality nonclassical interference within large optical circuits has become a matter of concern in modern quantum optics. Using integrated waveguide structures, we demonstrate a high performance platform from which to further develop quantum technologies and experimental quantum physics using single photons. We review the performance of directional couplers in Hong-Ou-Mandel experiments, together with inherently stable interferometers with controlled phase shifts for quantum state preparation, manipulation, and measurement as well as demonstrating the first on-chip quantum metrology experiments. These fundamental components of optical quantum circuits are used together to construct integrated linear optical realizations of two-photon quantum controlled logic gates. The high quality quantum mechanical performance observed at the single photon level signifies their central role in future optical quantum technologies.