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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a pathological condition that we do not yet have a clear understanding of from an etiological and clinical point of view. The underlying mechanisms of the disorder are still being investigated and the most frequently reported symptoms by patients are malaise, fatigue, headache, arthralgia, insomnia and dermatitis. Although this condition may entail a real risk of the occurrence of adverse reactions following exposure to many substances, often inhaled, or the taking of drugs, medical/scientific literature provides only a little information regarding the safest course of action to be taken when patients affected by MCS need to undergo anesthesia. It is for this reason that an electronic search of existing literature has been made, using PubMed and Scopus as a primary source, in order to find articles about patients affected by MCS and who have undergone anesthesia. The time frame considered was January 2000-December 2022. The research showed only 13 articles that dealt with anesthesia in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity in the years in question. Only 6 works, all case reports, describe the drugs used to perform anesthesia. Five cases were for general anesthesia and one was a case of subarachnoid block. No major complications related to anesthesiological practice were reported in any of the cases. The limited data does not enable the identification of anesthesiological practice and anesthetic drugs that can be used more safely in MCS patients, but the absence of serious adverse reactions in the case reports described, and in the literature in general, is reasonably reassuring about the possibility of anesthesia in MCS patients without causing serious complications by implementing easily achievable measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compatibility between the management of water resources and land use is essential to guarantee quality of life conditions for the current population and future generations. This research aimed to analyze the use and coverage of land and water in a watershed in the State of São Paulo, so as to identify the main consumer sectors and contribute to water management. The mappings were elaborated by means of using images from the Sentinel-2 satellite. Data on water use were also surveyed (means of supply, data on grants and spatial historical evolution of center pivots used for irrigation). The main consumer sector identified is agriculture. However, it is important to highlight the difficulty of acquiring quantitative data on water availability and water demand in the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intubation with a flexible fibrobronchoscope in an awake patient is frequently considered the technique of choice in patients with predicted difficult intubation. There are, however, situations in which the use of the fibrobronchoscope is not applicable, particularly due to problems attributable to the patient or to limited use of the instrument. In such situations, the video laryngoscope can be a useful alternative, as long as it is associated with adequate sedation of the patient. In fact, it ensures excellent viewing of the glottis, allowing for successful orotracheal intubation to be performed even in case of difficult airways, while keeping the patient spontaneously breathing throughout the procedure. From the data present in the literature, this technique seems to ensure a success rate and a safety profile similar to those obtained with the fibrobronchoscope, moreover, with greater ease of use by the anaesthesiologist. The main purpose of this work is to provide a valid and safe alternative to intubation with a fibrobronchoscope while awake in those patients with anticipated difficult airway management and in whom, for different reasons, fibrobronchoscope cannot be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) play an essential role in environmental stability, maintenance of life, protection and conservation of natural resources. Despite the legal protection, the minimum regulated parameters are not observed. Given this context, this study has as main objective to identify and analyze land use conflicts in APP, in the municipality of Presidente Epitácio, state of São Paulo, considering Federal Law nº 12727, of October 17, 2012 as a criterion, which provides for the protection of native vegetation in Brazil, in force. For the development of the research, a bibliographic survey was carried out; land cover and use mapping; identification of land use conflicts in APP using GIS techniques and field work. The results indicated areas that should be destined to APP are occupied by other classes such as pasture; discovered area; temporary and permanent farming; sugar cane farming; forestry; land uses associated with mining and urbanized area. The identified scenario was worrisome, with several watercourses lacking APP, or in insufficient conditions to protect water bodies against erosive processes, silting and contamination, making it difficult to increase the infiltration of rainwater and maintenance and recharge of groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derive an exact formula for the field form factor in the anyonic Lieb–Liniger model, valid for arbitrary values of the interaction c, anyonic parameter κ, and number of particles N. Analogously to the bosonic case, the form factor is expressed in terms of the determinant of an N × N matrix, whose elements are rational functions of the Bethe quasimomenta but explicitly depend on κ. The formula is efficient to evaluate, and provide an essential ingredient for several numerical and analytical calculations. Its derivation consists of three steps. First, we show that the anyonic form factor is equal to the bosonic one between two special off-shell Bethe states, in the standard Lieb–Liniger model. Second, we characterize its analytic properties and provide a set of conditions that uniquely specify it. Finally, we show that our determinant formula satisfies these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to reflect on the geographic scale, analyzing it based on its contributions to the understanding of environmental planning in the current context, and from this perspective, to identify possible scalar articulations within the scope of Geography. As methodological procedures were carried out bibliographical surveys of works and authors that discuss these themes. The results obtained allowed to identify that in the scope of the discussion of environmental planning in the scalar perspective, it is important to emphasize that society and nature have different scalar seizures, resulting from distinct rhythms and dynamics, relating to different territories in the interscalar and multiscalar movement. And the dynamic and reciprocal movement between its concrete and abstract elements, are correlated and interrelated, constituting themselves in different scalar perspectives. In any and all planning, there is always a proposal of intervention/political action that refers to a scalar conception of the social world, not always favorable to every society. This situation can be reversed by ensuring that plans and plans need to be elaborated at local scales and with the participation of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the Hayden-Preskill protocol for black hole evaporation, we consider the dynamics of a quantum many-body qudit system coupled to an external environment, where the time evolution is driven by the continuous limit of certain 2-local random unitary circuits. We study both cases where the unitaries are chosen with and without a conserved U(1) charge and focus on two aspects of the dynamics. First, we study analytically and numerically the growth of the entanglement entropy of the system, showing that two different time scales appear: one is intrinsic to the internal dynamics (the scrambling time), while the other depends on the system-environment coupling. In the presence of a U(1) conserved charge, we show that the entanglement follows a Page-like behavior in time: it begins to decrease in the middle stage of the "evaporation", and decreases monotonically afterwards. Second, we study the time needed to retrieve information initially injected in the system from measurements on the environment qudits. Based on explicit numerical computations, we characterize such time both when the retriever has control over the initial configuration or not, showing that different scales appear in the two cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In different retrospective studies, a protective role of regional anesthetics in reducing cancer recurrence after surgery was indicated. Accordingly, it has been previously demonstrated a protective effect of anesthetics in breast cancer cells and in other types of cancer. On the other hand, how anesthetics influence cancer needs in‐depth investigations. For this purpose, two different human cancer cell lines, MDA‐MB‐231, triple‐negative breast cancer, and A375, melanoma, were used in this study. By means of Western blotting and immunofluorescence and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling analyses, the signal transduction pathways activated by the anesthetics, such as ropivacaine and levobupivacaine, were analyzed. The data obtained demonstrated that both anesthetics are able to counteract cell proliferation by positively modulating cell death signaling and by decreasing cell proliferation and survival pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental impact of production activities are becoming more and more intense, and the environmental is signaling that it may not be able to continue to support this level of impact. It is thus fundamental to adopt new production methods in order to avoid a breakdown from the entire production and environmental system. In this context, the agroforestry system shows itself a viable alternative because it can be so similar to the natural system and allows a better balance between the soil, water, forest, wildlife, microclimate, and humans. This project was developed to education small farmers in Rosana, SP about the production concepts and techniques of an agroforestry system. Dialog between the farmers and researchers was created through a university extension program. Profiles of small farmers and the characteristics of their properties were evaluated so that the properties that would receive an Agroforestry system. After that, the plantation and the monitoring of perennial and annual cultures was accomplished with a production evaluation. It was noticed that, despite the quality of the soil characteristics, the annual species had difficulities with productivity. However, the arboreal species had good development in the four first years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond‐like carbon (DLC) is an amorphous material widely used in industrial applications due to its chemical, mechanical, and tribological properties and, also, for decorative purposes. However, its low adhesion to ferrous alloys reduces its effectiveness in certain applications, necessitating the use of adhesion interlayers to reduce stresses at the interfaces and enhance the density of strong bonds. In this context, the factors that promote good adhesion in this system and specify the parameters must be understood in detail. Thus, the present study aims to assess the influence of the base pressure on the deposition of an amorphous silicon carbide adhesion interlayer between DLC coating and a ferrous alloy substrate. Microstructural, physicochemical, morphological, and mechanotribological analyses were conducted to understand the adhesion behavior in terms of structural and chemical aspects. In addition to the influence of the interlayer thickness, the elemental Si/C ratios and the relative oxygen content have an impact on the maximum load supported by the coatings, as well as the different delamination mechanisms generated in adhesion tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the experience of the librarians at the Simmons College Libraries in Boston, Massachusetts as they integrated active learning strategies into the library instruction program for first year students. Library tour; Game of library jeopardy; Participation in the research process during workshops; Measurement of the success of the program through anecdotal evidence and reviews of student's research paper bibliographies.

The determination of the crop coefficient (Kc) is vital since, although gerbera cultivation is constantly expanding, there is little research on the evapotranspiration of the crop cultivated under a protected environment to obtain the correct irrigation management. The objective of this work was to evaluate the evapotranspiration and crop coefficients of cut gerbera, cultivated in protected environment. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were obtained through the Penman and weighing lysimetry methods, respectively. The experimental design used was completely randomized, consisting of five irrigation treatments (120, 100, 80, 60, and 40% of the water retention capacity), with ten replicates each, totalizing 50 experimental units. The Kc was evaluated using the irrigation lamina that presented the highest production of floral stems among the tested treatments, obtained through the relation between ETc and ETo. The mean of the crop coefficient ranged from 0.72 in vegetative period I, 0.81 in vegetative period II, 0.85 in flowering I, 0.89 in full flowering II, 1.33 in full flowering III, and 1.06 in end of the flowering I. The water consumption for the cut gerbera crop in the treatments with water availability ranged from 225.87 to 523.58 mm. Therefore, the crop coefficients proposed for the different phenological stages of the gerbera were efficient for irrigation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The influence of the gonadal hormones on some aspects of the human physiology has been studied with uncertain results. Still a confusion exists in relation to the real effects of the female hormones on the perception of pain. The existing data refer mainly to experimental studies and have provided results not always useful in the clinical practice. Data source: This study was designed to detect whether there are differences in the perception of the postoperative pain in women, during two clearly defined phases of hormonal asset: luteal and follicular phases. Conclusion: The results of this study have demonstrated that in postoperative female patients pain is perceived significantly more in the luteal phase of the menstrual period, than in the follicular phase. This could suggest that female in child‐bearing age should be scheduled for elective surgery preferentially during the follicular phase, unless differently necessary. It would guarantee a more comfortable postoperative period, with reduced necessity of analgesics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The cannabinoid CB1 receptor is expressed throughout the central nervous system where it functions to regulate neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. While the CB1 receptor has been identified as a target for both natural and synthetic cannabinoids, the specific downstream signaling pathways activated by these various ligands have not been fully described. In this study, we developed a real-time membrane potential fluorescent assay for cannabinoids using pituitary AtT20 cells that endogenously express G protein-gated inward rectifier K+ (GIRK) channels and were stably transfected with the CB1 receptor using a recombinant lentivirus. In whole-cell patch clamp experiments application of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 to AtT20 cells expressing the CB1 receptor (AtT20/CB1) activated GIRK currents that were blocked by BaCl 2. WIN 55,212-2 activation of the GIRK channels was associated with a time- and concentration-dependent (EC 50 = 309 nM) hyperpolarization of the membrane potential in the AtT20/CB1 cells when monitored using a fluorescent membrane potential-sensitive dye. The WIN 55,212-2-induced fluorescent signal was inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with either the GIRK channel blocker tertiapin-Q or the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716. The cannabinoids displayed a response of WIN 55,212-2 ≈ anandamide (AEA) > CP 55,940 > Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) when maximal concentrations of the four ligands were tested in the assay. Thus, the AtT20/CB1 cell fluorescent assay will provide a straightforward and efficient methodology for examining cannabinoid-stimulated G i signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the computation of the Loschmidt echo in interacting integrable spin chains after a quantum quench. We focus on the massless regime of the XXZ spin-1/2 chain and present exact results for the dynamical free energy (Loschmidt echo per site) for a special class of integrable initial states. For the first time we are able to observe and describe points of non-analyticities using exact methods, by following the Loschmidt echo up to large real times. The dynamical free energy is computed as the leading eigenvalue of an appropriate Quantum Transfer Matrix, and the non-analyticities arise from the level crossings of this matrix. Our exact results are expressed in terms of “excited-state” thermodynamic Bethe ansatz equations, whose solutions involve non-trivial Riemann surfaces. By evaluating our formulas, we provide explicit numerical results for the quench from the Néel state, and we determine the first few non-analytic points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on evaluating mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties of polyaramid/vinyl ester composites, as a function of the fiber content. Furthermore, split Hopkinson pressure bar technique and V50 Ballistic limit tests were performed. Composites were prepared by resin transfer molding (RTM) with different fiber content, samples being identified as AD4, AD5 and AD6 (with 4, 5 and 6 polyaramid layers, respectively). Initially, fiber, void and matrix contents were calculated and statistically analyzed, in different regions of the composites. Mechanical and dynamical mechanical properties of the composites were improved by using higher fiber content. For example, impact strength of AD6 composite was 35% higher than AD4. Moreover, increase in the fiber content promoted an increase in tenacity and stress of the composites, in the same strain rate. Velocity limit in AD6 sample was estimated in ballistics tests and it was concluded that the composite obtained could accomplish the level I requisites of ballistic protection with V50 of 304 m.s−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by classical results in integrable boundary quantum field theory, we propose a definition of integrable initial states for quantum quenches in lattice models. They are defined as the states which are annihilated by all local conserved charges that are odd under space reflection. We show that this class includes the states which can be related to integrable boundary conditions in an appropriate rotated channel, in loose analogy with the picture in quantum field theory. Furthermore, we provide an efficient method to test integrability of given initial states. We revisit the recent literature of global quenches in several models and show that, in all of the cases where closed-form analytical results could be obtained, the initial state is integrable according to our definition. In the prototypical example of the XXZ spin- s chains we show that integrable states include two-site product states but also larger families of matrix product states with arbitrary bond dimension. We argue that our results could be practically useful for the study of quantum quenches in generic integrable models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to systematically propose the environmental zoning of the landscapes of the Upper Course of the River Basin Sucuriú based on landscape units for conservation and environmental protection purposes with actions aimed at the management planning of land use. To achieve the goal were executed operating procedures for processing orbital, cadastral and thematic data in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Such procedures were divided into three steps: inventory/diagnosis, correlation and proposals/prognosis. The results from the analysis of the orbital , physiographic and matrices data have showed that there is a need to propose the environmental zoning of the landscapes involved in the preparation of proposals aiming at the control of land the preservation and conservation of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin receptors (IRs) are expressed in discrete neuronal populations in the central nervous system, including the hippocampus. To elucidate the functional role of hippocampal IRs independent of metabolic function, we generated a model of hippocampal-specific insulin resistance using a lentiviral vector expressing an IR antisense sequence (LV-IRAS). LV-IRAS effectively downregulates IR expression in the rat hippocampus without affecting body weight, adiposity, or peripheral glucose homeostasis. Nevertheless, hippocampal neuroplasticity was impaired in LV-IRAS-treated rats. High-frequency stimulation, which evoked robust long-term potentiation (LTP) in brain slices from LV control rats, failed to evoke LTP in LV-IRAS-treated rats. GluN2B subunit levels, as well as the basal level of phosphorylation of GluA1, were reduced in the hippocampus of LV-IRAS rats. Moreover, these deficits in synaptic transmission were associated with impairments in spatial learning. We suggest that alterations in the expression and phosphorylation of glutamate receptor subunits underlie the alterations in LTP and that these changes are responsible for the impairment in hippocampal-dependent learning. Importantly, these learning deficits are strikingly similar to the impairments in complex task performance observed in patients with diabetes, which strengthens the hypothesis that hippocampal insulin resistance is a key mediator of cognitive deficits independent of glycemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first paper that econometrically estimates the impact of rising B ioenergy production on global CO 2 emissions. We apply a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) approach to time series from 1961 to 2009 with annual observation for the world biofuel production and global CO 2 emissions. We find that in the medium- to long-run biofuels significantly reduce global CO 2 emissions: the CO 2 emission elasticities with respect to biofuels range between −0.57 and −0.80. In the short-run, however, biofuels may increase CO 2 emissions temporarily. Our findings complement those of life-cycle assessment and simulation models. However, by employing a more holistic approach and obtaining more robust estimates of environmental impact of biofuels, our results are particularly valuable for policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsaturated polyester resins are widely used in the automotive, construction and naval industries. To further widen their application, they may be combined with clay minerals, which are advantageous due to their thermal, barrier, inflammability and stiffness characteristics. In order to avoid agglomeration and improve the interaction of Cloisite® Na + montmorillonite (Mt) with an unsaturated polyester matrix, this study focused on clay minerals modified with compatible silanes, vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) and γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), and their use in composites in comparison with nanocomposites prepared using commercial clays (Cloisite® 30B and Cloisite® 15A). Functionalization of Cloisite®Na with MPS and VTES was confirmed by the appearance of characteristic infrared bands and the increase in the basal spacing. The nanocomposites containing silane-modified clays prepared in hydro-alcoholic solution showed the best result compared with ethanol solution. The presence of iron changed the color of the CNa and C30B samples and all of those prepared with silane modified Na-Mt-clays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frosts affect negatively the agricultural production and, consequently, the society and economy by decreasing productivity and creasing in food prices. This paper aimed to analyze the effects of the frosts occurred on June 28th and on August 4th, 2011, in the city of Cândido Mota, São Paulo state, by means of vegetation indices, such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). Also, it verifies the influence of altitude in the intensity of this climatic phenomenon and their effects in vegetation cover and some agricultural crops, and evaluates the effectiveness of these indices in detecting changes caused by frosts in vegetation cover. The NDVI and NDWI “difference images" of previous and posterior dates to the first and the second frosts and the zonal analysis pointed out that the main affected crops were: winter corn, barley, wheat and sugarcane. The effect of the frosts was higher in medium altitudes (400 to 500 m). The indices NDVI and NDWI had similar performance in detecting the effect of frosts in vegetation cover, although they have been designed for different purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the 3T3-L1 adipocyte model is routinely used for the study of obesity and diabetes, the mitochondrial respiratory profile in normal versus high glucose has not been examined in detail. We matured adipocytes in normal (5 mM) or high (30 mM) glucose and insulin and examined the mitochondrial bioenergetics. We also assessed the requirement for the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and ER stress under these conditions. Basal respiration was ~ 1.7-fold greater in adipocytes that had matured in 30 mM glucose; however, their ability to increase oxygen consumption in response to stress was impaired. Adipogenesis proceeded in both normal and high glucose with concomitant activation of the UPR, but only high glucose was associated with increased levels of ER stress and mitochondrial stress as observed by parallel increases in CHOP and protein succination. Treatment of adipocytes with sodium phenylbutyrate relieved mitochondrial stress through a reduction in mitochondrial respiration. Our data suggests that mitochondrial stress, protein succination and ER stress are uniquely linked in adipocytes matured in high glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein succination is a stable post-translational modification that occurs when fumarate reacts with cysteine residues to generate 2SC [S-(2-succino)cysteine]. We demonstrate that both a- and β-tubulin are increasingly modified by succination in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in the adipose tissue of db/db mice. Incubation of purified tubulin from porcine brain with fumarate (50 mM) or the pharmacological compound DMF (dimethylfumarate, 500 µM) inhibited polymerization up to 35% and 59% respectively. Using MS we identified Cys347α, Cys376α, Cys12β and Cys303β as sites of succination in porcine brain tubulin and the relative abundance of succination at these cysteine residues increased in association with fumarate concentration. The increase in succination after incubation with fumarate altered tubulin recognition by an anti-atubulin antibody. Succinated tubulin in adipocytes cultured in high glucose compared with normal glucose also had reduced reactivity with the anti-α-tubulin antibody; suggesting that succination may interfere with tubulin-protein interactions. DMF reacted rapidly with 11 of the 20 cysteine residues in the αβ-tubulin dimer, decreased the number of free thiols and inhibited the proliferation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Our data suggest that inhibition of tubulin polymerization is an important undocumented mechanism of action of DMF. Taken together, our results demonstrate that succination is a novel post-translational modification of tubulin and suggest that extensive modification by fumarate, either physiologically or pharmacologically, may alter microtubule dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide variety of environmental factors including physical and biochemical signals are responsible for stem cell behavior and function. In particular, matrix elasticity and cell shape have been shown to determine stem cell function, yet little is known about the interplay between how these physical cues control cell differentiation. For the first time, by using ultraviolet (UV) lithography to pattern poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) hydrogels, it is possible to manufacture microenvironments capable of parsing the effects of matrix elasticity, cell shape, and cell size in order to explore the relationship between matrix elasticity and cell shape in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) lineage commitment. These data show that cells cultured on 1000 μm2 circles, squares, and rectangles are primarily adipogenic lineage regardless of matrix elasticity, while cells cultured on 2500 and 5000 μm2 shapes more heavily depend on shape and elasticity for lineage specification. It is further characterized how modifying the cell cytoskeleton through pharmacological inhibitors can modify cell behavior. By showing MSC lineage commitment relationships due to physical signals, this study highlights the importance of cell shape and matrix elasticity in further understanding stem cell behavior for future tissue engineering strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Stress is a common environmental factor associated with depressive illness and the amygdala is thought to be integral for this association. For example, repeated stress impairs amygdalar neuroplasticity in rodents and these defects parallel amygdalar deficits in depressive illness patients. Because the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate is important in neuroplasticity, we hypothesized that alterations in amygdalar glutamatergic systems may serve as key players in depressive illness. Moreover, restoration of amygdalar glutamatergic systems may serve as important therapeutic targets in the successful management of multiple stress-related mood disorders. To address these hypotheses, we measured glutamate efflux in the basolateral and central amygdalar complexes via in vivo microdialysis, as well as the expression of synaptic proteins that regulate vesicular glutamate packaging and release, in rats subjected to repeated stress and treated daily with saline or the antidepressant tianeptine. Glutamate efflux was significantly reduced in the central amygdalar complex of animals subjected to repeated stress. In addition, repeated stress nearly eliminated amygdalar vGLUT2 expression, thereby proving a potential mechanism through which repeated stress impairs amygdalar glutamate neurochemistry. These stress-induced changes in glutamate efflux and vGLUT2 expression were inhibited by daily tianeptine administration. Moreover, tianeptine administration increased the vesicular localization of SNAP-25, which could account for the ability of tianeptine to modify glutamatergic tone in non-stressed control rats. Collectively, these results demonstrate that repeated stress differentially affects amygdalar glutamate systems and further supports our previous studies indicating that tianeptine''s antidepressant efficacy may involve targeting amygdalar glutatamatergic systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Brazil, family farming is an activity that has emerged during the Portuguese empire, and had a major expansion later, with the arrival of immigrants in the nineteenth century. During the recession caused by the 1929 crisis, which led many farmers to bankruptcy, these immigrants bought small plots of land, thus increasing the number of these establishments. Nevertheless, Brazil still maintains a history of agricultural production on farms. So, historically, family farms got in the background, receiving less encouragement and direction from public policy, which brings about great technological backwardness compared to large producers. In this sense, it is now known that by using rudimentary techniques many small farmers are unable to compete in the market. Thus, this project was proposed in order to meet family farmers seeking for support and instructions for handling their properties economically viable and environmentally sustainable, based on assumptions of precision agriculture. This action also tries to ensure the permanence of these farmers in the field, both for preserving natural resources and also for reducing their spending on inputs by applying appropriate localized doses and preparing soil tillage according to the need. The objective was to create physical and chemical soil maps of their properties, aiming at providing information needed for input and technique applications most appropriately and accurately [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper studies the land use change impacts of fuels and biofuels. We test the theoretical hypothesis, which says that changes in fuel prices cause changes in land use both directly and indirectly and that, because of price inter-dependencies, biofuels reinforce the land use change impacts. We apply time-series analytical mechanisms to five major traded agricultural commodities, the cultivated area of agricultural land and crude oil price. Our data consists of yearly observations extending from 1950 to 2007 for the US. The empirical findings confirm that markets for crude oil and cultivated agricultural land are interdependent: an increase in oil price by 1dollar/barrel increases land use between 54,000 and 68,000ha. We also find that the increase of bioenergy sector accelerates land use change in the US, i.e. food commodities are being substituted for bioenergy crops. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main goal of the present retrospective study is to compare four analgesic methodologies (EMLA cream, propofol, thiopental sodium, sevoflurane) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) oocyte retrieval. We found that most anaesthetic parameters were not significantly different among all treatments. In contrast, significant differences were revealed in all groups for total number of oocytes retrieved per patient, rate of mature oocytes at metaphase II stage (MII) and percentage of fertilization and embryo development. In the EMLA cream and thiopental sodium groups we observed the highest percentage of MII oocytes ( P < 0.001). Fertilization rate in the EMLA and sevoflurane groups were similar but significantly higher than the propofol and thiopental sodium groups ( P < 0.001). The highest rate of anomalous fertilization was observed in the propofol group. Rate of embryo development was similar in all groups but sevoflurane group had a lower percentage of good embryos. In conclusion, by comparing different anaesthetic techniques with different mechanisms of action and administration, potential negative effects of these drugs on the initial stages of human IVF procedure were revealed. Therefore, a local anaesthetic cream is proposed as an acceptable alternative option for anaesthesia during transvaginal oocyte retrieval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Epidemiological studies estimate that greater than 60% of the adult US population may be categorized as either overweight or obese, and there is a growing appreciation that the complications of obesity extend to the central nervous system (CNS). While the vast majority of these studies have focused on the hypothalamus, more recent studies suggest that the complications of obesity may also affect the structural and functional integrity of the hippocampus. A potential contributor to obesity-related CNS abnormalities is the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin. In this regard, decreases in CNS leptin activity may contribute to deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and suggest that leptin resistance, a well-described phenomenon in the hypothalamus, may also be observed in the hippocampus. Unfortunately, the myriad of metabolic and endocrine abnormalities in diabetes/obesity phenotypes makes it challenging to assess the role of leptin in hippocampal neuroplasticity deficits associated with obesity models. To address this question, we examined hippocampal morphological and behavioral plasticity following lentivirus-mediated downregulation of hypothalamic insulin receptors (hypo-IRAS). Hypo-IRAS rats exhibit increases in body weight, adiposity, plasma leptin and triglyceride levels. As such, hypo-IRAS rats develop a phenotype that is consistent with features of the metabolic syndrome. In addition, hippocampal morphological plasticity and performance of hippocampal-dependent tasks are adversely affected in hypo-IRAS rats. Leptin-mediated signaling is also decreased in hypo-IRAS rats. We will discuss these findings in the context of how hyperleptinemia and hypertriglyceridemia may represent mechanistic mediators of the neurological consequences of impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity in obesity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ongoing epidemiological studies estimate that greater than 60% of the adult US population may be categorized as either overweight or obese. There is a growing appreciation that the complications of obesity extend to the central nervous system (CNS) and may result in increased risk for neurological co-morbidities like depressive illness. One potential mechanistic mediator linking obesity and depressive illness is the adipocyte derived hormone leptin. We previously demonstrated that lentivirus-mediated downregulation of hypothalamic insulin receptors increases body weight, adiposity and plasma leptin levels, which is consistent with features of the metabolic syndrome. Using this novel model of obesity, we examined performance in the forced swim test (FST), the sucrose preference test and the elevated plus maze (EPM), approaches that are often used as measures of depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors, in rats that received third ventricular injections of either an insulin receptor antisense lentivirus (hypo-IRAS) or a control lentivirus (hypo-Con). Hypo-IRAS rats exhibited significant increases in immobility time and corresponding decreases in active behaviors in the FST and exhibited anhedonia as measured by decreased sucrose intake compared to hypo-Con rats. Hypo-IRAS rats also exhibited increases in anxiety-like behaviors in the EPM. Plasma, hippocampal and amygdalar brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were reduced in hypo-IRAS rats, suggesting that the obesity/hyperleptinemic phenotype may elicit this behavioral phenotype through modulation of neurotrophic factor expression. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis for an increased risk for mood disorders in obesity, which may be related to decreased expression of hippocampal and amygdalar BDNF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Epidemiological studies estimate that greater than 60% of the adult US population may be categorized as either overweight or obese and there is a growing appreciation that obesity affects the functional integrity of the central nervous system (CNS). We recently developed a lentivirus (LV) vector that produces an insulin receptor (IR) antisense RNA sequence (IRAS) that when injected into the hypothalamus selectively decreases IR signaling in hypothalamus, resulting in increased body weight, peripheral adiposity and plasma leptin levels. To test the hypothesis that this obesity/hyperleptinemic phenotype would impair hippocampal synaptic transmission, we examined short term potentiation (STP) and long term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus of rats that received the LV-IRAS construct or the LV-Control construct in the hypothalamus (hypo-IRAS and hypo-Con, respectively). Stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals elicits STP that develops into LTP in the CA1 region of hypo-Con rats; conversely, hypo-IRAS rats exhibit STP that fails to develop into LTP. To more closely examine the potential role of hyperleptinemia in these electrophysiological deficits, hypo-IRAS were subjected to mild food restriction paradigms that would either: 1) prevent the development of the obesity phenotype; or 2) reverse an established obesity phenotype in hypo-IRAS rats. Both of these paradigms restored LTP in the CA1 region and reversed the decreases in the phosphorylated/total ratio of GluA1 Ser845 AMPA receptor subunit expression observed in the hippocampus of hypo-IRAS rats. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that obesity impairs hippocampal synaptic transmission and support the hypothesis that these deficits are mediated through the impairment of hippocampal leptin activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Technology transfer (TT) brokers are a type of innovation intermediary that is regarded as a facilitator of the interaction between donor and recipient within an innovation process. Yet, little is known about how to analyse their performance and efficiency. This paper aims at modelling a proper production function for the TT brokers, providing insights on how to compare their performance and investigating the influence of external factors on their efficiency, in order to draw useful managerial and policy implications. Data drawn from a survey conducted among the nodes belonging to the technology transfer network IRC (Innovation Relay Centre) have been utilised to investigate how endogenous and exogenous factors may affect brokers' efficiency. Results showed how brokers can pursue more productive and targeted strategy in order to increase their impact and improve their performance (inter alia, by taking into account a 'pull' approach to technology and the need of a long-lasting relationship with the clients - small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular). At the policy level, interesting insights are drawn on how to tune existing innovation support initiatives and design new ones from scratch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the central nervous system (CNS) insulin mediates a variety of effects including feeding, metabolism and cognition. The cognitive enhancing effects of insulin are proposed to be mediated through activation of insulin receptors in the hippocampus, an important integration center for learning and memory in the mammalian brain. Since less is known regarding insulin signaling events in the hippocampus, the aim of the current study was to determine whether insulin stimulates similar signaling cascades and GLUT4 translocation in the rat hippocampus as has been described in peripheral tissues. Intracerebroventricular administration of insulin increases hippocampal insulin levels and also stimulates the phosphorylation of Akt in a time-dependent manner. Insulin also stimulates the translocation of GLUT4 to hippocampal plasma membranes in a time course that mirrors the increases in glucose uptake observed during the performance of hippocampal-dependent tasks. Insulin stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and translocation of GLUT4 were blocked by pretreatment with the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Confocal immunofluorescence determined that insulin stimulated phosphorylation of Akt was localized to neurons and colocalized with the insulin receptor and GLUT4 in the rat hippocampus, thereby identifying the functional anatomical substrates of insulin signaling in the hippocampus. These results demonstrate that insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane in the rat hippocampus occurs via similar mechanisms as described in peripheral tissues and suggests that insulin-mediated translocation of GLUT4 may provide a mechanism through which hippocampal neurons rapidly increase glucose utilization during increases in neuronal activity associated with hippocampal-dependent learning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Si-containing interlayers are commonly used to overcome the low adhesion of DLC films to steel. However, a relatively high deposition temperature of 300 °C is necessary to deposit interlayers that ensure adhesion when tetramethylsilane is used as precursor. Moreover, oxygen impairs the adhesion between thin films and ferrous alloys. This work aims to verify the influence of low background pressure in the deposition of a-SiC x :H interlayers using tetramethylsilane at low deposition temperatures. Also, this letter contains a systematic study of the physicochemical properties of the interlayer and its influence on the film's structure. The results show that a background pressure of 0.8 Pa suits the formation of well-adhered a-C:H thin films even at temperatures as low as 85 °C. Chemical analysis associates this outstanding increase in adhesion with fewer oxygen found within the interlayer and at both interfaces when compared to previous results at high background pressures. • Adhesion of a-C:H films to steel at deposition temperatures as low as 85 °C. • Low background pressures enabling oxygen removal at the a-C:H/a-SiC x :H interface. • Increase in a-C:H adhesion related to background pressure and plasma reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) complications resulting from diabetes is a problem that is gaining more acceptance and attention. Recent evidence suggests morphological, electrophysiological and cognitive changes, often observed in the hippocampus, in diabetic individuals. Many of the CNS changes observed in diabetic patients and animal models of diabetes are reminiscent of the changes seen in normal aging. The central commonalities between diabetes-induced and age-related CNS changes have led to the theory of advanced brain aging in diabetic patients. This review summarizes the findings of the literature as they relate to the relationship between diabetes and dementia and discusses some of the potential contributors to diabetes-induced CNS impairments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Exposure to stress levels of glucocorticoids produces physiological responses that are characteristic of type 2 diabetes, such as peripheral insulin resistance and impairment in insulin-stimulated trafficking of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in muscle and fat. In the central nervous system, stress produces neuroanatomical and neurochemical changes in the hippocampus that are associated with cognitive impairments. Methods: In view of these observations, the current studies examined the effects of short-term (1 week) exposure of stress levels of glucocorticoids upon insulin receptor (IR) expression and signaling, including GLUT4 translocation, in the rat hippocampus. Results: One week of corticosterone (CORT) treatment produced insulin resistance in response to peripheral glucose challenge. In the hippocampus, IR expression was unchanged in CORT-treated rats as compared with vehicle-treated rats. However, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the IR, total Akt levels and total GLUT4 levels were reduced in CORT-treated rats when compared to controls. In addition, insulin-stimulated translocation of hippocampal GLUT4 to the plasma membrane was completely abolished in CORT-treated rats. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that in addition to eliciting peripheral insulin resistance, short-term CORT administration impairs insulin signaling in the rat hippocampus, effects that may contribute to the deleterious consequences of hypercortisolemic/hyperglycemic states observed in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• P value has been criticized for being a source of misinterpretation and deception. • New approaches have been advanced to improve reproducibility of scientific researches. • Lowering p value threshold was proposed to reduce rate of false positives. • The proposal to lower p threshold has unknown impact on evidence based medicine. • Lowering p value threshold to 0.005 has a modest impact on current ESC STEMI guideline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hippocampus, an important integration center for learning and memory in the mammalian brain, undergoes neurological changes in response to a variety of stimuli that are suggestive of ongoing synaptic reorganization. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to identify markers of synaptic plasticity using rapid and reliable techniques such as radioimmunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy, thereby providing a “birds-eye view” of the whole hippocampus under hypercorticosteronemic conditions. The regulation of microtubule-associated protein 2, synaptophysin and postsynaptic density-95 was examined in two different animal models of hypercorticosteronemia: corticosterone administration and streptozotocin-induced diabetes using both a short-term (1 week) and long-term (5 weeks) treatment. Glucocorticoids and/or hyperglycemia increased synaptophysin expression in CA1, CA3 and the dentate gyrus, regions that exhibit synaptic plasticity in response to glucocorticoid exposure. In these models, postsynaptic density-95 expression increased in the CA3 region, particularly in the diabetic rats, while microtubule-associated protein 2 exhibited more selective changes. Fluoro-Jade histochemistry did not detect neuronal damage, suggesting that glucocorticoids and/or hyperglycemia induce plastic and not irreversible neuronal changes at these time points. Collectively, these results demonstrate that changes in the expression and distribution of synaptic proteins provide another measure of synaptic plasticity in the rat hippocampus in response to glucocorticoid exposure, changes that may accompany or contribute to neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and behavioral changes observed in experimental models of type 1 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genetically obese Zucker rat is a widely investigated model of pathological changes associated with type 2 diabetes. To assess cognitive function, obese and lean Zucker rats were tested on a variable-interval delayed alternation test of learning and memory. There were no group differences in learning the alternation rule or at short intervals, but obese rats were impaired at longer intervals where performance is hippocampus dependent. Plasma membrane association of the insulin sensitive glucose transporter, GLUT4, was reduced in the hippocampus of obese rats in the absence of changes in total GLUT4 and insulin receptor expression. These results parallel those of human studies in pointing to the susceptibility of the hippocampus and related structures to the adverse environment of diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease states such as diabetes mellitus are known to impair hippocampal glucoregulatory activities, which may contribute to cognitive deficits observed in diabetic subjects. Stress or exposure to stress levels of glucocorticoids (GCs) are also intimately involved in hippocampal glucoregulatory activities and the actions of GCs are often most evident in hyperglycemic states. Glucose transporter (GLUT) expression, activity and translocation represent components of the glucoregulatory activities of the hippocampus that may be disrupted by diabetes and stress. Accordingly, the current study examined the effects of stress, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and the combined actions of stress and hyperglycemia upon GLUT8 mRNA expression, protein levels and intracellular trafficking in the rat hippocampus. Short-term stress in euglycemic rats had no effect upon GLUT8 mRNA, while restraint stress normalized diabetes mediated increases in GLUT8 mRNA expression in STZ treated rats. Radioimmunocytochemical analysis revealed that total GLUT8 protein levels were not altered by diabetes, short-term stress or the combined actions of hyperglycemia and stress. However, subcellular compartmentalization of GLUT8 was modulated by stress in that hippocampal GLUT8 protein levels were increased in high-density microsomal (HDM) fractions isolated from rats subjected to stress. In contrast, STZ-diabetes decreased GLUT8 protein levels in the HDM fraction, an effect that was potentiated by stress. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the actions of GCs may be dramatically different in euglycemic and hyperglycemic/insulinopenic states, suggesting that stress may increase hippocampal neuronal responsiveness under normal physiological conditions while increasing hippocampal neuronal vulnerability in pathophysiological settings such as in type 1 diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have previously described a sexual dimorphism in oestrogen-induced anterior pituitary tumorigenesis in Fischer 344 rats, with female tumours averaging twice the size of those of males. Neonatal androgenization of female Fischer 344 rats with 100 µg of testosterone propionate reverted that effect, causing a ‘male-like’ phenotype. The peptides galanin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are possible mediators of oestrogen effects on the anterior pituitary, including hyperprolactinemia and lactotroph proliferation. To further extend our previous findings, we investigated the expression of galanin and VIP in the anterior pituitary of control and oestrogenized male, female and neonatally androgenized female Fischer 344 rats. At 3 months of age, rats were deprived of their gonads and divided into control and diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated groups. In the anterior pituitary of control rats, galanin and VIP immunoreactive cells were absent. However, in DES-treated rats, pituitaries from normal ovariectomized females showed higher number of galanin and VIP positive cells than pituitaries from neonatally androgenized ovariectomized females and gonadectomized males. This pattern correlated with changes in anterior pituitary weight and serum prolactin. Our study suggests that sexual differences in oestrogen-induced pituitary tumorigenesis could be due to the differential expression of galanin and VIP. Furthermore, our data support the fact that neonatal exposure to androgens, as in normal males and androgenized females, may condition the response of the pituitary gland to oestrogens in adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress and modulation of anti-oxidant enzymes may contribute to the deleterious consequences of diabetes mellitus and to the effects of chronic (i.e. 21 day) stress in the CNS. We therefore compared the effects of short- and long-term exposure to diabetes-induced hyperglycemia, restraint stress and the combined effects of restraint stress and diabetes upon parameters of oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus. Whereas 7 days of restraint stress or hyperglycemia, or the combination, produced similar increases in oxidative stress markers 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) throughout the hippocampus, 21 days of stress or hyperglycemia did not increase these markers in the dentate gyrus. In contrast, Ammon''s horn still showed elevated levels of these lipid peroxidation products, especially in diabetic rats subjected to 21 days of restraint stress. The expression of two anti-oxidant enzymes, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and manganese SOD, was also differentially regulated by stress and hyperglycemia in a time- and region-specific manner in the rat hippocampus. Although long-term stress decreased both SOD isoforms, diabetes increased Cu/Zn-SOD expression in DG with or without 21 days of repeated stress. These increases may account for the finding that protein-conjugated HNE and MDA levels returned to control levels between 7 days and 21 days of hyperglycemia or the combination of diabetes and stress. These results suggest that while other anti-oxidant pathways may account for decreases in oxidative stress in the long-term stress paradigm, increases in Cu/Zn-SOD expression may contribute to the region-specific attenuation of oxidative stress in the diabetic rat hippocampus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Galanin is a peptide widely distributed in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. In the female rat pituitary, galanin is mainly present in lactotrophs, where it regulates their secretion and proliferation. Galanin expression is increased in oestrogen-induced prolactinomas, and it has been proposed that oestrogen effects on lactotroph function and proliferation could be mediated by galanin. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that the synthetic progestin levonorgestrel antagonizes pituitary tumorigenesis of rats given oestrogen, reducing the number of proliferating cells and increasing cell death by nonapoptotic mechanism(s). To elucidate the role of galanin in levonorgestrel effects on the tumours, we examined galanin and prolactin mRNA and peptide expression in prolactinomas of rats receiving the progestin. Levonorgestrel reduced the pituitary weight and serum prolactin concentrations in oestrogen-treated rats. Galanin mRNA expression (determined by in situ hybridization), and the number of galanin expressing cells (determined by immunocytochemistry) were also reduced by the progestin in tumour-bearing rats. However, neither prolactin mRNA content, nor the number of prolactin-expressing cells, were modified by levonorgestrel treatment of oestrogen-receiving rats. The present study suggests that levonorgestrel controls pituitary growth by diminishing galanin expression. In contrast, changes in serum prolactin concentration seem to be more related to the reduction in tumour size, since the reduction in galanin expression was not large enough to regulate prolactin mRNA expression or the percentage of lactotrophs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female F344 rats treated chronically with diethylstilbestrol (DES) develop prolactin (PRL)-producing pituitary tumors. These tumors are larger in female than in male rats. To investigate gender differences in DES-induced pituitary tumor formation, we employed female and male rats and neonatally androgenized females, which received 100 μg of testosterone propionate (TP) after birth. At 3 months of age, all rats were deprived of their gonads and divided into control and DES-treated groups. Forty days after beginning treatment, control pituitary weight and serum PRL were similar in gonadectomized males (GDX), ovariectomized females (OVX) and androgenized-ovariectomized females (OVX + TP), but weight of DES-induced tumors was 2.5-fold higher and serum PRL 5.6-fold higher in OVX + DES than in GDX + DES or OXV + TP + DES (p < 0.001). At the pituitary level, nuclear estrogen receptors (NE[sub 2] R) amounted to >100 fmol/mg DNA in all rats receiving DES. However, NE[sub 2] R were lower in OVX + DES (101.3 ± 9.0 fmol/mg DNA) than in GDX + DES (174.6 ± 16.8; p < 0.05) and in OXV + DES + TP (150.3 ± 27.7; p < 0.05). A similar profile was found for cytosolic progestin receptors. Using electron microscopy (EM), hyperplasia/hypertrophy of lactotropes was found in all DES-stimulated pituitaries. However, tumors of OVX + DES rats were enriched in hyperstimulated typical lactotropes, i.e., cells with high rate of hormonal synthesis, processing and secretion. Instead, tumors from GDX + DES and OVX + TP + DES rats were a mixture of typical and atypical lactotropes, i.e. a cell subpopulation with refractory secretory response and a few gonadotropes. In agreement with these data, immunoreactive pituitary PRL was lower in OVX + DES than in OVX + TP + DES and GDX + DES groups. Thus, differences in the sensitivity to DES, serum and tumor PRL, NE[sub 2] R and progestin receptors between estrogenized female rats on one side and male and TP-androgenized females on the other, may by due in part to heterogeneity of cell populations. Our data further suggest that neonatal hypothalamic exposure to androgens, as in normal males or androgenized females with masculinization of hypothalamic centers, may condition the response to DES stimulation later in life.Copyright © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This scoping review explores the potential role of cancer-staging chest CT scans in assessing cardiovascular (CV) risk in cancer patients. It aims to evaluate: (1) the correlation between non-gated chest CT and the conventional Agatston score from cardiac CT; (2) the association between coronary calcium scores from non-gated chest CT and CV risk in non-oncological patients; (3) the link between coronary calcium assessed by non-gated chest CT and CV events or endothelial damage in cancer patients. Methods: Three different searches were performed on PubMed, according to the three steps described above. Both original articles and systematic reviews were included. Results: Many studies in the literature have found a strong correlation between coronary calcium scores from non-gated chest CTs and the conventional Agatston scores from gated cardiac CTs. Various methodologies, including Agatston scoring, ordinal scoring, and the "extent" and "length" methods, have been successfully adapted for use with non-gated chest CTs. Studies show that non-gated scans, even those using iodinated contrast, can accurately assess coronary calcification and predict CV risk, with correlations as high as r = 0.94 when compared to cardiac CTs. In oncological settings, studies demonstrated a significant link between coronary calcium levels on non-gated chest CTs and higher CV risk, including MACE and overall mortality. Conclusions: Radiological assessment of coronary calcium on non-gated CT scans shows potential for improving CV risk prediction. Critical relevance statement: Non-gated chest CT scans can detect endothelial damage in cancer patients, highlighting the need for standardized radiological practices to assess CV risks during routine oncological follow-up, thereby enhancing radiology's role in comprehensive cancer care. Key Points: Cancer therapies improve outcomes but increase cardiovascular risk, requiring balanced management. Coronary calcification on non-gated CT correlates with Agatston scores, predicting cardiovascular risk. Routinely performed CTs predict cardiovascular risk, optimizing the management of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce deterministic state-transformation protocols between many-body quantum states that can be implemented by low-depth quantum circuits followed by local operations and classical communication. We show that this gives rise to a classification of phases in which topologically ordered states or other paradigmatic entangled states become trivial. We also investigate how the set of unitary operations is enhanced by local operations and classical communication in this scenario, allowing one to perform certain large-depth quantum circuits in terms of low-depth ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]