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Biomass energy is gaining attention as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels due to its potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, the storage of fuel-flexible biomass, particularly in environments characterized by fluctuations in temperature and humidity, can lead to the automatic release of pollutants, posing environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of peanut shells, spent coffee grains, and sugarcane leaves as additives for wood pellets to control off-gassing. Results showcased a sigmoidal nature in the generation of CO2and degradation of extractives, indicating autogenous deterioration of the pellets. The Gompertz model effectively captured this behavior, enabling accurate estimation of alpha, beta, and k parameters. The control group exhibited an alpha value of 2995.4 mg kg−1, representing the maximum CO2emissions or extractive degradation without additives. Incorporating peanut shells, spent coffee grains, and sugarcane leaves resulted in reduced alpha values of 2732.1, 2405.2, and 2472.4 mg kg−1, respectively, indicating their capacity to decrease specific CO2emissions and decelerate extractive degradation. These findings suggest the antioxidant potential of the additives in mitigating CO2emissions and extractive degradation processes. Enhancing pellet quality, manufacturing processes, and off-gassing control contribute to the viability of biomass energy as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Our research contributes to sustainable biomass energy by endorsing biogenic additives as a solution to off-gassing. This holistic approach addresses critical environmental concerns while acknowledging the need for ongoing investigation.

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Incineration and landfilling offer possibilities for addressing high-rate management of COVID-waste streams. However, they can be costly and environmentally unsustainable. In addition, they do not allow to convert them to fuels and chemicals as waste-to-energy and waste-to-product technologies. Therefore, we analyzed whether integrating hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and pelletization can allow converting the surgical face mask (SFM) and biomass to composite plastic-fiber fuel (CPFF). We blended the plastic material and corncob, peanut shell, or sugarcane bagasse at the proportion of 50:50 (%, dry mass basis) for HTC. We performed the thermal pretreatment of blends in an autoclaving reactor at 180 °C and 1.5 MPa. Then we pelletized the hydrochars in a presser machine at 200 MPa and 125 °C. By analyzing the evidence from our study, we recognized the viability of combining the SFM and agricultural residues for CPFF from comparable technical features of our products to standards for premium-grade wood pellets. For instance, the elemental composition of their low-meltable ash was not stoichiometrically sufficient to severely produce slagging and fouling in the equipment for thermal conversion. Although they contained synthetic polymers in their structures, such as polyethylene from filter layers and nylon from the earloop, they emitted CO and NOxbelow the critical limits of 200 and 500 mg m−3, respectively, for occupational safety. Therefore, we extended the knowledge on waste-to-energy pathways to transform SFM into high-quality hybrid fuel by carbonization and pelletization. Our framework can provide stakeholders opportunities to address plastic and biogenic waste in the context of a circular economy.

The quantity and quality of spray deposition are fundamental for improving pesticide performance in plant pests. This study evaluated how spray droplet size (1) and spray nozzle type (2) affect the quantity and quality of spray deposition on peanut plants at the vegetative and reproductive growth stages. Two greenhouse experiments were performed on peanut plants at the V1 and R1 growth stages. Experiment 1 treatments included three droplet sizes: medium (flat fan XR 11002), very coarse (TT 11002), and extremely coarse (AIXR 11002). Experiment 2 treatments were five spray nozzles: hollow cone (TXA 8002 VK), twin flat fan (TTJ60 11002), air induction flat fan (AIXR 110025), drift guard twin flat fan (DGTJ60 11002), and extended range flat fan (XR 11003). Spray deposition values were determined using a solution of brilliant blue dye sprayed by a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer. The medium droplet size provided higher spray deposition on peanut plants at the V1 and R1 growth stages. Increasing the droplet size from medium to extremely coarse reduces spray deposition at the V1 growth stage. Spray deposition uniformity increased as droplet size increased at the V1 growth stage. The spray uniformity decreased at the R1 growth stage as the droplet size increased. The flat fan XR 11003 (medium droplet) and hollow cone nozzle TXA 8002 VK (fine droplet) provided a higher spray deposition on peanut plants at both growth stages. The spray nozzles that provide a higher spray deposition did not perform well on spray uniformity.

Achieving the optimum wine style is extremely dependent on the amount of oxygen a wine receives during the winemaking process. (1) In a complex matrix such as wine, oxygen can [...]

Pig production is an agricultural sector of great economic and social relevance to Brazil and global markets. Feed efficiency traits directly influence the sustainability of pig production due to the economic impact of feed costs on the production system and the environmental footprint of the industry. Therefore, breeding for improved feed efficiency has been a target of worldwide pig breeding programs. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) enable the assessment of the genetic background of complex traits, which contributes to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms regulating their phenotypic expression. In this context, the primary objective of this study was to identify and validate genomic regions and candidate genes associated with feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI) in pigs based on a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of GWAS. The METAL software was used to implement the meta-analysis and the Bonferroni multiple testing correction considering a significance threshold 0.05. The significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the meta-analysis were used to identify candidate genes, followed by a functional genomic enrichment analysis. The systematic review identified 13 studies, of which 7 evaluated FCR, 3 evaluated RFI, and 3 studies investigated both traits, with 160 and 96 SNPs identified for FCR and RFI, respectively. After the meta-analysis, 145 markers were significantly associated with FCR and 90 with RFI. The gene annotation process resulted in 105 and 114 genes for FCR and RFI, respectively. The enrichment analysis for FCR resulted in 16 significant gene ontology (GO) terms, while 6 terms were identified for RFI. The main GO terms were actin cytoskeleton (GO_BP:0030036), membrane (GO_CC:0016020), integral components of the peroxisomal membrane (GO_CC:0005779), and carbohydrate-binding (GO_MF:0030246). The main candidate genes identified were MED18, PHACTR4, ABCC2, TRHDE, FRS2, FAR2and FIS1for FCR, and ADGRL2, ASGR1, ASGR2, and MAN2B1 for RFI. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms associated with feed efficiency traits in pigs, providing a foundation for future improvements in pig breeding programs.We identified various candidate genes associated with feed efficiency traits in pigs based on the integration of multiple studies, providing valuable information on the genetic mechanisms regulating these important traits.Pig farming is an activity of great relevance for the Brazilian economy and worldwide food security. Feed efficiency, which is defined as the ability of animals to convert feed into performance outputs (e.g., body weight in pigs), is directly related to the long-term sustainability of the pig industry due to its impact on production costs and the environmental footprints of the industry. Therefore, selective breeding for improved feed efficiency has been a primary goal in the pig industry. In this context, we aimed to identify and validate candidate genes associated with 2 feed efficiency traits in pigs, i.e., feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). We first performed a systematic review to gather published results of genome-wide association studies for FCR and RFI in worldwide pig populations. Subsequently, we identified candidate genes associated with FCR and RFI based on the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Our results highlight the genes MED18, PHACTR4, ABCC2, TRHDE, FRS2, FAR2, and FIS1as strong candidates for FCR, and ADGRL2, ASGR1, ASGR2, and MAN2B1for RFI. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms associated with feed efficiency traits in pigs, providing a foundation for future improvements in pig breeding programs.Graphical Abstract

Genome-based epidemiological surveillance of Streptococcus pyogenes(Lancefield Group A Streptococcus, GAS) infections facilitated the detection of emergent successful lineages, such as the M1UKsublineage. This sublineage dominated the post-COVID-19 upsurge of invasive GAS infections (iGAS) in multiple countries, including Portugal. Here, we characterized the genetic lineages causing iGAS in Portugal during 2016–2019 to evaluate possible temporal trends and compare them with internationally circulating lineages.

Transforming firms towards sustainability is an imperative posed by urgent environmental concerns and governmental regulations, requiring the redesign of traditionally linear and non-transparent value chains. Digital platforms can support the twin transition to digitalization and sustainability, converting the abstract into the tangible (i.e., data flows, information, and knowledge), and providing an industrial testbed to collaborate and challenge the willingness to share data, co-create and deliver value through sustainability-oriented digital services.

The authors present a qualitative study of voluntary career change, which highlighted the importance of positive emotions, unplanned action, and building certainly and perceiving continuity in the realization of change. [...]

WHILE privatization has increased rapidly around the world, the results in many countries have fallen short of initial expectations, particularly of those who imagined instant riches or a fiscal panacea. [...]

Active noise control (ANC) requires a controller with a small delay. However, in most ANC applications, this delay is significant due to the typically low sample rate, the anti-aliasing (AA), and reconstruction filters (RC) of the analog to digital (AD) and digital to analog (DA) converters. This delay can be reduced by increasing the sampling frequency at the expense of a significant increase in computational complexity. Sigma-delta AD and DA converters work at high sampling frequencies, but their use in ANC is limited due to the delay of AA and RC filters. This work proposes removing the AA and RC filters of the sigma-delta converters and using the oversampled signals directly in an ANC system. This proposal allows the ANC system to be implemented at a large sample frequency but using signals with fewer bits per sample (word-length). This is the first short-word length implementation of the least mean squares (LMS) algorithm to the authors’ knowledge. Gains of up to 6 times may be achieved in the computational complexity when compared with a long-word length implementation. Theoretical and simulation results validate the current solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) has been a prominent idea for exploring new worlds beyond the physical, and in recent decades, it has evolved in many aspects. The notion of immersion and the sense of presence in VR gained new definitions as technological advances took place. However, even today, we can question whether the degrees of immersion achieved through this technology are profound and felt. A fundamental aspect is the sense of embodiment in the virtual space. To what extent do we feel embodied in virtual environments? In this publication, the authors present works that challenge and question the embodiment sensation in VR, specifically in the artistic aspect. They present initial reflections about embodiment in virtuality and analyze the technologies adopted in creating interactive artworks prepared for galleries and theater stage, questioning the sensations caused by the visual embodiment in virtual reality under the perspective of both the audience and the performer.

Cork stopper granulates from five geographical origins from Portugal and six from Spain were analyzed regarding polyphenol composition by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS and geographical discrimination studied by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The phenolic composition of the eleven origins ranged from 30 to 52 mg/g cork granulates, with vescavaloninic acid, castalagin, sanguisorbic acid dilactone, vescalagin, castavaloninic acid, dehydrated tergallic-C-Glc, and ellagic acid being the major compounds. NIRS revealed to be a powerful tool to discriminate origins and predict the concentration of polyphenols. However, polyphenols do not fully explain the discrimination of geographical origins. Variability in the polyphenol composition of cork stoppers is not significantly influenced by geographical location but probably may be more related to the plant genetics, tree age, and phytosanitary and edaphoclimatic conditions.

Ellagitannins, condensed tannins, and pectic-derived polysaccharides were removed from natural cork stoppers using hydroalcoholic solution. Two main populations of migrated compounds were determined; the major one with molecular weight (MW) between 0.2 and 1 kDa and the second with 2.1 kDa and polydispersity of 1.3. Two residual populations mainly composed of condensed tannins were also observed between 2.5 and 4.5 kDa and higher than 15 kDa. Simple, C-glycosidic, complex, and oligomeric ellagitannins were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD/ESI-MS). Ellagitannins linked to condensed tannins and some pectic-derived polysaccharides were also tentatively identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS). This preliminary work opens an opportunity for the cork stoppers industry due to the relevance of this type of compounds on the astringency and bitterness of wines.

The essay emphasizes the unsolvable tension between activity and passivity implied in Kierkegaard’s reduplication as an author of authors. To characterize the different approaches to pseudonymity, I will use the term Halvbefaren[the inexperienced seaman] to refer to a reading that appeals only to Kierkegaard’s or to the pseudonyms’ authority over the authorship, and Helbefaren[the experienced seaman] to refer to another interpretation that recognizes that unsolvable tension between them. Recurring to the sailing metaphor implicit in these terms that appear in Climacus’ Postscript, I defend the thesis that the pseudonyms open the authorship from within, overcoming Kierkegaard as a usual author, as the only captain of the entire authorship. The mutiny performed by the pseudonyms cannot be resolved by simply transferring the authority to the pseudonyms themselves, and it creates a subjective space in the authorship so it becomes a matter of the experience of the reader.

AbstractSodium overload during childhood impairs baroreflex sensitivity and increases arterial blood pressure and heart rate in adulthood; these effects persist even after high-salt diet (HSD) withdrawal. However, the literature lacks details on the effects of HSD during postnatal phases on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion responses in adulthood. The current study aimed to elucidate the impact of HSD during infancy adolescence on isolated heart function and cardiac ischemia/reperfusion responses in adulthood. Male 21-day-old Wistar rats were treated for 60 days with hypertonic saline solution (NaCl; 0.3M; experimental group) or tap water (control group). Subsequently, both groups were maintained on a normal sodium diet for 30 days. Subsequently, the rats were euthanized, and their hearts were isolated and perfused according to the Langendorff technique. After 30 min of the basal period, the hearts were subjected to 20 min of anoxia, followed by 20 min of reperfusion. The basal contractile function was unaffected by HSD. However, HSD elevated the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure during reperfusion (23.1 ± 5.2 mmHg vs. 11.6 ± 1.4 mmHg; p< 0.05) and increased ectopic incidence period during reperfusion (208.8 ± 32.9s vs. 75.0 ± 7.8s; p< 0.05). In conclusion, sodium overload compromises cardiac function after reperfusion events, diminishes ventricular relaxation, and increases the severity of arrhythmias, suggesting a possible arrhythmogenic effect of HSD in the postnatal phases.

ABSTRACTOrthogonal frequency division multiple access technique has attracted much attention for broadband wireless access in the fourth generation and fifth generation wireless communication systems. To achieve a high data rate, communication systems require proper resource allocation and subcarrier assignment (RASA). This demands sophisticated signal processing algorithms which are computationally complex. One of the possible solutions to this lies in the parallel processing of computationally intensive algorithms, to speedup the processes. This paper presents a parallel implementation of the Hungarian algorithm for subcarrier assignment and proposes a parallel RASA algorithm for resource and subcarrier assignment problems. The proposed RASA's algorithm implementation demonstrates superior performance in terms of execution time (complexity) and fairness ratio in comparison to Hungarian and amplitude craving greedy algorithms. The complexity in terms of an execution time of Hungarian and RASA algorithms are compared with a single thread and four threads implementation under open multi-processing environment.

The work reported demonstrates an simple method of extracting cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from cellulose microfibers (CMF) obtained from the plant Stipatenacissima. Here, a method for the production of CNF from CMF extracted from Alfa grass by exfoliation in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, is demonstrated. The CMF were produced in powder form and exfoliated in PVA aqueous solution to produce composites with 2, 4, 5 and 10 wt-% of CNF. Scanning Electron Microscopy demonstrated exfoliation of CMF, dispersion of the CNF and wetting by the polymer. The composites were characterised by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and tensile testing. The addition of CNF to PVA reduced the crystallinity degree of PVA. The large increase of the Young's modulus from 38 to 113% (relative to pure PVA) for composites with 2 to 10 wt-% of CNF incorporation is consistent with the extensive exfoliation of CMF into CNF and its excellent interface with PVA.

Age at first calving (AFC) is characterized as a censored trait due to missing values provided by recording mistakes and nonoccurrence or delay in calving communication. In this context, we aimed to compare several statistical methods for genetic evaluation of AFC in Guzerá beef cattle under a Bayesian approach. Seven different methods were used for this purpose. The traditional linear mixed model (LM), which considers only uncensored records; the LM with simulated records (SM), which is based on data augmentation framework; the penalty method, in which a constant of 21 d was added to censored records; the bivariate threshold-linear method considering (TLcens) or not (TLmiss) censored information; and the piecewise Weibull proportional hazards model considering (PWPHcens) or not (PWPH) censored records. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.19 (TLcens) to 0.28 (SM) in nonsurvival approaches; and 0.40 and 0.46 to PWPH and PWPHcens methods, respectively. In general, breeding values correlations between different methods and the percentage of selected bulls in common indicated reranking, with these correlation ranging from −0.28 (between SM and PWPH) to 0.99 (between TLmiss and LM). The traditional LM, which considers only uncensored records, should be preferred due to its robustness and simplicity. Based on cross-validation analyses, we conclude that the TLmiss could be also a suitable alternative for breeding value prediction, and censored methods did not improve the analysis.

Mobile networks rely extensively on multi-input multi-output (MIMO) communications to increase the data rate and improve signal quality. In multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) the signals are steered at the base station, forming multiple beams to the several user terminals (UTs). This is achieved by precoding the signals to be sent to the UTs. In leakage-based precoding, the precoding vectors are selected so that the signal to leakage plus noise ratio is maximized, where leakage is the amount of signal that is meant for a given UT but is received by the other UTs. This technique gives better results than techniques that completely eliminate the interference without regard to the signal or noise level (zero forcing solutions) like the block diagonal (BD) algorithm. However, current leakage-based algorithms are only optimal in the case of single-antenna UTs. In this paper, we propose simplified versions of these algorithms suitable for multiple streams per UTs, and compare its performance with existing solutions. Simulation results show an increase in performance. One of the versions does not require any Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) while the other does SVD of a much smaller matrix. Both still achieve better performance than the competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe objective of this study was to estimate the heritability and genetic, phenotypic, and environmental correlations between 305-day milk yield (305MY), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI) and dry period length (DPL), as well as to compare the productive and reproductive performances of several groups of Girolando cows during their first, second and third parturitions in Brazil. Genetic parameters were estimated using uni- and bi-trait analyses via restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Heritability estimates were similar between uni- and bi-trait analyses and varied from 0.20 to 0.28, 0.00 to 0.08 and 0.07 to 0.14 for 305MY, CI and DPL, respectively, whereas AFC was 0.20. Genetic correlations between 305MY and AFC (–0.49) or DPL (–0.40 to –0.79) show a favourable association. However, an unfavourable genetic association was verified between 305MY and CI (0.59) in the first calving. Environmental and phenotypic correlations between 305MY and CI or DPL showed a favourable association (–0.25 to –0.42 and –0.14 to –0.44). Concerning the cow breed group, a decrease in 305MY was observed as the fraction of the Gyr breed increased, whereas animals from the 1/2 Holstein +1/2 Gyr crossbreeding group yielded better performances for AFC and CI. These results reveal large genetic, phenotypic and environmental variations that could be used in selection programmes.

ABSTRACTWe combined linkage (LA) and linkage disequilibrium (LDA) analyses (emerging the term ‘LALDA’) for genomic selection (GS) purposes. The models were fitted to a simulated dataset and to a real data of feed conversion ratio in pigs. Firstly, the significant QTLs (quantitative trait locus) were identified through LA-based mixed models considering the QTL-genotypes as random effects by means of genotypic identity by descent matrix. This matrix was calculated at the positions of significant QTLs (based on LA) allowing to include the QTL-genotype effects additionally to SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers (based on LDA) and additive polygenic effects in several GS models (Bayesian Ridge Regression – BRR; Bayes A – BA; Bayes B – BB; Bayes C – BC and Bayesian LASSO – BL). These models combing all mentioned effects were denominated LALDA. Goodness-of-fit and predictive ability analyses were performed to evaluate the efficiency of these models. For the real data, although slightly, the superiority of the LALDA models was verified in comparison to traditional LDA models for GS. For the simulated dataset, the models presented similar results. For both LDA and LALDA frameworks, BA showed the best fitting through Deviance Information Criterion and higher predictive ability in the simulated and real datasets.

This paper proposes an iterative Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE)/Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) technique for impulsive noise reduction in telecommunications with Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation (OFDM) modulation, its derivation and connection to previous works. Two versions of the technique are presented and compared with other works using Middleton class A noise and measured power lines noise. The technique starts by making an MMSE or MAP estimation of the received signal in the transform domain, and then it proceeds to make an MMSE estimate of the impulsive noise in the time domain. The estimate of the noise is then used to improve the estimate of the signal and this is done repeatedly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a simple standardized method for the production of analog X-ray images of dolphin teeth, and to explore its potential use as a complementary technique in the evaluation of dental pathology in small cetaceans. We investigated exposure times that produced the best results, and whether radiographs helped in the diagnosis of macroscopic abnormalities. Teeth of six species of dolphins (Delphinidae: Tursiops truncatus, Steno bredanensis, Sotalia guianensis, Delphinus sp., Stenella coeruleoalba, and Stenella frontalis) were X-rayed in an analog dental X-ray machine operating at 70 kVp and 7 mA. Intraoral size 2 standard films were used, and the focus-film distance was standardised at 35 cm. Those species with smaller teeth (total length 12-20 mm) had the best results when exposed for 0.3 seconds, while species with larger teeth (30-45 mm) had to be exposed for 0.4 seconds for their best result. Three independent examiners analysed all the images taken. The average pairwise percent agreement was 73% (Fleiss' Kappa = 0.229), suggesting fair agreement between examiners. Analog X-ray images produced were useful in complementing the diagnosis of dental pathology and abnormalities in dolphins, in addition to allowing the observation of internal details and lesion depths, which would not be possible with conventional macroscopic methods. The use of analog X-ray imaging is easily applicable to the study of dolphin teeth, with low operating costs and simple logistics compared to other non-destructive analytical approaches such as Micro-CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) commonly feed on the skin and blubber of surfacing southern right whales (SRW, Eubalaena australis) in the near shore waters of Península Valdés (PV), Argentina. Mothers and especially calves respond to gull attacks by changing their swimming speeds, resting postures and overall behaviour. Gull-inflicted wounds per calf have increased markedly since the mid-1990s. Unusually high mortality of young calves occurred locally after 2003, and increasing evidence points to gull harassment as a factor contributing to the excess deaths. After leaving PV, calves undertake a long migration with their mothers to summer feeding areas; their health during this strenuous exertion is likely to affect their probabilities of first-year survival. To explore the effects of gull-inflicted wounds on calf survival, we analysed 44 capture–recapture observations between 1974 and 2017, for 597 whales photo-identified in their years of birth between 1974 and 2011. We found a marked decrease in first-year survival associated with an increase in wound severity over time. Our analysis supports recent studies indicating that gull harassment at PV may impact SRW population dynamics.

This paper presents an architecture namely the Mirror MFx (MMFx) for adapting adaptive filtering algorithms for Active Noise Control (ANC) with on-line secondary path modelling. The proposed architecture is used in conjunction with the LMS algorithm, resulting in the MMFxLMS algorithm. A time domain analysis of the algorithm is presented, showing that the algorithm converges regardless of secondary path modeling errors. Simulations of the algorithm in different conditions but with the same parameters result in 100% convergence. The algorithm is especially suited to deal with large and sudden changes in the secondary path when the ANC system is in operation. Comparisons with competing algorithms are made, showing that they do not reach the same performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract.Why do some people work best under pressure? In two studies, we examined whether and how people use anxiety to motivate themselves. As predicted, clarity of feelings moderated the relationship between trait anxiety and the tendency to use this emotion as a source of motivation (i.e., anxiety motivation). Furthermore, anxiety motivation mediated the relationship between trait anxiety and outcomes – including academic achievement (Study 1) as well as persistence and job satisfaction (Study 2). These findings suggest that individuals who are clear about their feelings are more likely to thrive on anxiety and eustress and possibly use these to achieve their goals and find satisfaction at work.

Noise in Power Line Communications is typically impulsive, with impulses being a fraction of the OFDM symbol length. Because of their large duration the impulse can also be called bursts. The short duration of the burst compared with the OFDM symbol length implies that there is a strong correlation between the noise at different carriers, given a determined burst position. The position can be determined using an estimate of the noise after a first demodulation. The high correlation is used to develop demodulators with a reduced bit error rate in comparison with conventional demodulators, so increasing the capacity. The demodulators use a smoothed estimate of the noise signal or a new metric for the distance based on the new correlation matrix. About half of the bit errors can be corrected in this way, corresponding to a 1 dB improvement in Signal Noise Ratio (SNR). How to split the OFDM symbol without increasing the overhead due to the circular prefix is also shown. Noise measurements in power lines are presented. These measurements are used in the simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feedback active noise and vibration control (ANVC) reduces narrowband noise and vibration when there is no reference signal. However, most ANVC algorithms require a secondary path (plant) model and can become unstable when this model is inaccurate. This work proposes an algorithm less sensitive to plant modeling errors and can cope with large and fast plant changes. This is achieved by modeling the plant and the noise using an autoregressive exogenous input (ARX) model. This model allows obtaining the expected values of the future residual noise and determining the optimal control signal. Since the model coefficient uncertainty (variance) is considered when calculating the expected value, the resulting controller is a careful controller. This allows solving problems due to significant model estimation errors when information is insufficient to estimate the full ARX model.

In developed countries elderly people is gradually increasing. Society is abandoning their parents and/or gran-parents, and often are found dead at home without any aid or care. To reduce these problems, a robot was designed to assist the elderly in their homes. ROBIHO is an intelligent robot that has the ability to navigate in homes and monitor human daily routines. This robot is also a companion and enables communication with family, friends, health professionals and authorities. This paper presents the new social robotic system, ROBIHO and its technology.

•We build a model for assessing the sustainability of hydroelectric projects (HPP).•The AHP-based MCA considers environmental, social, and economic criteria.•The model prioritizes indicators that can be found in free public databases.•Three case studies on HPPs in Brazil indicate satisfactory model performance.•The method can describe potential conflicts and impacts during HPP implementation.

Efficient computing techniques allow the estimation of variance components for virtually any traditional dataset. When genomic information is available, variance components can be estimated using genomic REML (GREML). If only a portion of the animals have genotypes, single-step GREML (ssGREML) is the method of choice. The genomic relationship matrix (G) used in both cases is dense, limiting computations depending on the number of genotyped animals. The algorithm for proven and young (APY) can be used to create a sparse inverse of G (GAPY~-1) with close to linear memory and computing requirements. In ssGREML, the inverse of the realized relationship matrix (H−1) also includes the inverse of the pedigree relationship matrix, which can be dense with a long pedigree, but sparser with short. The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether costs of ssGREML can be reduced using APY with truncated pedigree and phenotypes. We also investigated the impact of truncation on variance components estimation when different numbers of core animals are used in APY. Simulations included 150K animals from 10 generations, with selection. Phenotypes (h2= 0.3) were available for all animals in generations 1–9. A total of 30K animals in generations 8 and 9, and 15K validation animals in generation 10 were genotyped for 52,890 SNP. Average information REML and ssGREML with G−1and GAPY~-1using 1K, 5K, 9K, and 14K core animals were compared. Variance components are impacted when the core group in APY represents the number of eigenvalues explaining a small fraction of the total variation in G. The most time-consuming operation was the inversion of G, with more than 50% of the total time. Next, numerical factorization consumed nearly 30% of the total computing time. On average, a 7% decrease in the computing time for ordering was observed by removing each generation of data. APY can be successfully applied to create the inverse of the genomic relationship matrix used in ssGREML for estimating variance components. To ensure reliable variance component estimation, it is important to use a core size that corresponds to the number of largest eigenvalues explaining around 98% of total variation in G. When APY is used, pedigrees can be truncated to increase the sparsity of H and slightly reduce computing time for ordering and symbolic factorization, with no impact on the estimates.The estimation of variance components is computationally expensive under large-scale genetic evaluations due to several inversions of the coefficient matrix. Variance components are used as parameters for estimating breeding values in mixed model equations (MME). However, resulting breeding values are not Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUP) unless the variance components approach the true parameters. The increasing availability of genomic data requires the development of new methods for improving the efficiency of variance component estimations. Therefore, this study aimed to reduce the costs of single-step genomic REML (ssGREML) with the Algorithm for Proven and Young (APY) for estimating variance components with truncated pedigree and phenotypes using simulated data. In addition, we investigated the influence of truncation on variance components and genetic parameter estimates. Under APY, the size of the core group influences the similarity of breeding values and their reliability compared to the full genomic matrix. In this study, we found that to ensure reliable variance component estimation, it is required to consider a core size that corresponds to the number of largest eigenvalues explaining around 98% of the total variation in Gto avoid biased parameters. In terms of costs, the use of APY slightly decreased the time for ordering and symbolic factorization with no impact on estimations.Estimation of variance components is becoming computationally challenging due to the increasing size of genomic information. We investigated the impacts of using the algorithm for proven and young (APY) in genetic evaluations. The use of APY has no impact on variance components and genetic parameters estimation.

Polymer crystalline regions can be characterized by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The in-situ study of isotactic polypropylene with measurement of wide angle and small angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS), at varying distances from the exit of the extruder have been successfully completed using an X-ray system with a standard X-ray source. The processing conditions, used were: 50, 100, 200 and 400m.min-1 for the take up speed, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 cm3min-1hole-1 for the melt flow rates, and a spinning temperature of 220°C. These experimental conditions produced draw down ratios ranging from 33 up to 1058. The X-ray characterization was carried in-situ at 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm from the exit of the spinneret and also ex-situ. The results obtained show the crystallinity index and the crystalline orientation to increase for the higher draw down rates, as expected under draw induced crystallization conditions, and a logarithmic relationship was observed within the experimental conditions used in this work. This communication reports the relationship between the crystallinity, crystalline orientation and lamellar long period and draw down ratio along the spin line.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text

Seven patients with craniosynostosis (mean age 8 years, Apert syndrome, n = 4, Crouzon's disease, n = 3) underwent lengthening of the skull by gradual bone distraction. Three patients (group A) were treated by coronal craniectomy reaching the orbital fissure and gradual bone distraction. The other four (group B) underwent monobloc craniofacial disjunction and gradual bone distraction. The patients' progress was monitored clinically as well as by radiographs and photographs. The results showed that craniofacial disjunction followed by gradual bone distraction produced complete correction of exophthalmus and an improvement in the functional and aesthetic aspects of the middle third of the face without the need for bone grafts.

ABSTRACTReal-time PCR based on the recNand gyrBgenes was developed to detect four Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinuscomplex (SBEC) subspecies from rectal swab specimens. The overall prevalence was 35.2%: Streptococcus gallolyticussubsp. gallolyticus(11.1%), S. gallolyticussubsp. pasteurianus(13%), Streptococcus infantariussubsp. coli(20.4%), and S. infantariussubsp. infantarius(11.1%). To conclude, these real-time PCR assays provide a reliable molecular method to detect SBEC pathogenic subspecies from rectal swab specimens.

ABSTRACTWe studied 40 strains of the species complex formerly classified as the single species Sporothrix schenckiito identify new species within this complex and evaluate their antifungal susceptibility profiles. Based on phenotypic tests (ability to grow at 37°C, colony diameters, and pigmentation of the colonies, as well as assimilation of sucrose and raffinose) and molecular assays (amplification of a fragment of the calmodulin gene), here we report the identification of S. albicans, S. brasiliensis, S. luriei, and S. schenckii; two isolates of these species were detected as itraconazole-resistant strains.

Most recent studies have focused on bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) regarding the control of follicle development and oocyte quality. The aim of the current study was to investigate the expression pattern of BMP6, BMP15and GDF9during the estrous cycle using real-time PCR in two breeds of pigs. The native Brazilian Piau breed has a lower ovulation rate and a smaller number of piglets (approximately 3) than commercial lines. Moreover, as they never undergone genetics progress they may carry useful genes to assist the improvement of reproductive traits. 20 gilts from commercial line (Landrace X Large White X Pietrain) and native Piau breed were maintained at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Vicosa, MG, Brazil). The onset of estrus was checked twice a day using a mature boar. Gilts (n = 5) were slaughtered on days 0, 4, 10, and 18 of the estrous cycle. Visible ovarian follicles were classified by follicular diameter as small (<3 mm), medium (3-6 mm) and large (≥ 6 mm). Each follicle was aspirated individually and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from each sow were pooled within class and classified as normal/healthy or degenerated/atretic using morphological criteria, and were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen until RNA extraction. Total RNA was isolated using RNeasy Micro Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) and further treated with DNase digestion with the RNase free DNase Set (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). The RNA integrity was verified using Agilent 2100 Bioanalyser Pico Kit (Agilent Technologies, USA) and the reverse transcription were performed with ProtoScript M-MuLV First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (New England, USA). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed using SYBR green fluorescent detection system on ABI Prism 7300 Sequence Detection Systems (Applied Biosystems, USA). The primers were designed from swine sequences available at GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Real time reactions were performed in duplicates using 2X SyBr Green GoTaq qPCR Master Mix (Promega, USA) and melting curve analysis was performed for each reaction in order to validate the absence of non-specific products. The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)was utilized as endogenous control gene. Gene expression data were analyzed using the 2-ΔΔCtmethod. The contrasts of gene expressions of BMP6, BMP15and GDF9among genetic groups according to follicle size in a particular day of the estrous cycle were performed using SAS GLM model.The results showed that BMP6, BMP15and GDF9mRNA expression differ among genetic groups at day 10 and 18. The higher expression in Piau oocytes may play a role in inhibition of luteinization process and potentially affect follicle development and ovulation among breeds. These observations are important because they reinforce the role of these oocyte secreted factors in determining ovulation rate, and helps to elucidate the exact role of these genes in the porcine follicle. Research supported by CNPq, CAPES and FAPEMIG.(poster)