Shilnikov problem in Filippov dynamical systems.

In this paper, we introduce the concept of sliding Shilnikov orbits for 3D Filippov systems. In short, such an orbit is a piecewise smooth closed curve, composed by Filippov trajectories, which slides on the switching surface and connects a Filippov equilibrium to itself, namely, a pseudo-saddle-focus. A version of Shilnikov's theorem is provided for such systems.

Periodic solutions of Lienard differential equations via averaging theory of order two.

For ε ≠ 0 sufficiently small we provide sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions for the Lienard differential equations of the form x'' + f ⁢(x)⁢ x' + n2⁢x + g (x) = ε2p1 ⁢(t) + ε3 ⁢p2(t), where n is a positive integer, f : ℝ → ℝ is a C 3 function, g : ℝ → ℝ is a C 4 function, and p i : ℝ → ℝ for i = 1, 2 are continuous 2π-periodic function. The main tool used in this paper is the averaging theory of second order. We also provide one application of the main result obtained.

[Construction of a scale to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews].

The aim of this study was to describe the process of creation and validation of methodology to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews. From the expansion of the scope and addition of new items to the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) instrument evidence of validity and reliability of the new methodology was sought. Firstly, the original scale was translated, adapted, expanded and evaluated by a panel of five experts.

Revisiting the psychometric properties of the Levenson self-report psychopathy scale.

A number of studies have addressed the dimensionality and the measurement invariance of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy scale (LSRP; Levenson, Kiehl, & Fitzpatrick, 1995). However, previous investigations exclusively relied on North American samples and mainly on statistical methods that assume data as normally and continuously distributed. The aim of this study was to further investigate dimensionality and differential item functioning for gender in the 26-item LSRP scale in a Brazilian population-based sample using analytical methods adequate for ordered categorical variables.

Azygos vein lead implantation: a therapeutic option for elevated defibrillation threshold.

The evaluation of the defibrillation threshold (DFT) during the implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is an important stage of the procedure, as a high DFT can be found in up to 16% of patients. We report a patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) submitted to a biventricular ICD implantation. During the procedure, the patient showed a high DFT and showed to be resistant to usual therapeutic modalities.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Brazilian version of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R).

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of the Brazilian version of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R; Cooper, 1994) in a sample of 584 university students. A secondary goal was to investigate the relationships between motives and measures of alcohol use and drinking problems. The DMQ-R assesses four motive dimensions: social, enhancement, coping, and conformity.

Y chromosome comparative analysis of Rondônia with other Brazilian populations.

In the present study, a Brazilian population, located in the Rondônia state, was genetically characterized for a set of Y chromosome specific STRs included in the Applied Biosystems kit (AmpFℓSTR®Yfiler™), which allows the simultaneous amplification of 16 markers: DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a/b, DYS438, DYS439, DYS437, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635 and GATA H4. The studied population from Rondônia state, in the North of Brazil, included individuals with admixed Native American, African and European ancestry. When comparing Rondônia with other Brazilian populations no significant genetic distances were found.

Infectious endocarditis due to Streptococcus bovis in a patient with colon carcinoma.

We report the case of a 66 year-old female patient with infectious endocarditis due to Streptococcus bovis and adenocarcinoma of the colon that developed acute aortic insufficiency. She was submitted to aortic valve replacement surgery and later to tumor resection (right hemicolectomy). It is important to emphasize the need for complementing the study of the colon, even in asymptomatic individuals, when infectious endocarditis due to S.

Postpartum torsades de pointes and long QT syndrome.

This article reports the case of a puerperal patient admitted with diagnosis of urinary tract infection and heart failure. This condition evolved with torsades de pointes ventricular arrhythmias, then, hypokalemia, and use of Ciprofloxacin. Ventricular arrhythmias did not present any improvement after potassium and magnesium replacement, but after implantation of temporary pacemaker, this condition showed signs of improvement.

Myocardial revascularization surgery with regional anesthesia without an endotracheal tube in conscious patients.

Objective: To report initial experience with myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) performed on patients who were totally awake and without an endotracheal tube.

Methods: Between January 1994 and May 2001, 272 patients underwent MRS without extracorporeal circulation. In 24, the operations were performed without the use of an endotracheal tube and with the patients totally awake and breathing normally.