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The adoption of simulation models as Digital Twins (DTs) has been standing out in recent years and represents a revolution in decision-making. In this context, we note increasingly faster and more efficient decisions by mirroring the behaviour of physical systems. On the other hand, we highlight the challenges to ensure the simulation models validity over time since traditional validation approaches have limitations when we consider the periodic update of the model. Thus, the present work proposes an approach based on the constant assessment of these models through Machine Learning and control charts. To this end, we suggest a monitoring tool using the K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) classifier, combined with a p-control chart, to periodically assess the validity of DT simulation models. The proposed approach was tested in several theoretical cases and also implemented in a real case study. The findings suggest that the proposed tool can monitor the DT functioning and identify possible special causes that could compromise its results. Finally, we highlight the wide applicability of the proposed tool, which can be used in different DT models, including near/real-time models with different characteristics regarding connection, integration, and complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tillandsia recurvata is an epiphytic plant commonly found in tropical regions and colonizes tree trunks, fences, and power wires. This plant plays an important role in interacting with trees, sharing microorganisms, and performing specific functions in the process of tree colonization. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the microbiomes of T. recurvata collected from two different locations (trees and fences) and two plant tissues (leaves and roots). The hypothesis of this study was that the microbiome of T. recurvata is composed of microorganisms that would provide nutritional support to compensate for the lack of nutrients in a particular growth support. The results showed significant differences in microbial diversity between trees and fences, with trees exhibiting higher richness and more complex microbial networks. Proteobacteria was the most prevalent bacterial phylum, with Actinobacteria and Sphingomonas also playing key roles in nitrogen fixation and plant growth. Fungal communities were similar across locations, with Ascomycota and Basidiomycota being predominant, but Paraconiothyrium and Nigrospora showed significant differences in abundance between trees and fences. Functional analysis indicated similar metabolic profiles across leaf and root samples, with key functions for T. recurvata including carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, stress control, and biofertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soybean is a significant export product for several countries, including the United States and Brazil. There are numerous varieties of soybean. Among them, a genetically modified type known as INTACTA RR2 PRO™ has been designed to demonstrate resistance to glyphosate and to produce toxins that are lethal to several species of caterpillars. Limited information is available on the use of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis to promote plant growth and their impact on the plant microbiome. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these microorganisms on this soybean cultivar by analyzing parameters, such as root and shoot dry matter, nutritional status, and root and soil microbial diversity. Results: The results indicated that treatments with B. subtilis alone or in combination with T. harzianum as seed or seed and soil applications significantly enhanced plant height and biomass compared to the other treatments and the control. No significant differences in phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were detected across treatments, although some treatments showed close correlations with these nutrients. Microbial inoculations slightly influenced the soil and root microbiomes, with significant beta diversity differences between soil and root environments, but had a limited overall impact on community composition. Discussion: The combined application of B. subtilis and T. harzianum particularly enhanced plant growth and promoted plant-associated microbial groups, such as Rhizobiaceae, optimizing plant-microbe interactions. Furthermore, the treatments resulted in a slight reduction in fungal richness and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is an economically important crop for animal and human nutrition. Currently, there is a lack of information on the effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Purpureocillum lilacinum on INTACTA RR PRO transgenic soybean plants. The present study evaluated the application of T. harzianum and P. lilacinum under field conditions. The results revealed a significant increase in soybean yield at 423 kg ha−1 in response to the application of P. lilacinum compared with the control treatment. In addition, the application of P. lilacinum promoted a significant increase in phosphorus levels in the plant leaves, and there were significant correlations between the increase in taxon abundance for the genus Erwinia and productivity and the average phosphorus and nitrogen content for the plant leaves, for the taxon Bacillus and nitrogen content and productivity, and for the taxon Sphingomonas and nitrogen content. The Bradyrhizobium taxon was identified in the P. lilacinum treatment as a taxon linking two different networks of taxa and is an important taxon in the microbiota. The results show that the application of the fungus P. lilacinum can increase the productivity of soybean INTACTA RR PRO and that this increase in productivity may be a function of the modulation of the microbiota composition of the plant leaves by the P. lilacinum effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amazonas was one of the most impacted Brazilian states by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mortality rates were high, and the health systems collapsed. It is important to identify possible intermediate reservoirs to avoid animal-to-human contamination. Several tropical fish are of commercial interest and are sold in large open-air markets in the region, representing a large economic and dietary importance. Objectives: This study aimed to verify if fish species of commercial importance, aerosols, and fish wastewater in local open-air markets, at a major capital city in the western Brazilian Amazon, are contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. Methods: 488 fish, 50 aerosol, and 45 wastewater samples were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. The samples were subjected to extraction using the BIOGENE Viral DNA/RNA Extraction kit, and the molecular diagnosis was tested for SARS-CoV-2 using the Bio-Manguinhos SARS-CoV-2 (EDx) Molecular Kit. Results: It was not possible to detect the virus (Ct≤40, for Gene E) in these samples, however, in 181 samples of fish it was possible to detect the human RP gene (Ct≤35, for the RP Gene), indicating human contact. There was a high number of COVID-19 diagnoses in all city districts in which the samples were collected, showing that SARS-CoV-2 was circulating. Conclusion: This study indicates that fish of local commercial importance do not carry SARS-CoV-2 viral particles, despite circulation of SARS-CoV-2, and are not an important source of animal-to-human contamination. Despite these results, the human RP gene was found detectable in fish, air, and fish wastewater, showing that such places may carry human pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rupture of the Fundão dam (Brazil) spread tailings contaminated with sodium and ether-amine into the Doce River Basin. Aiming at rehabilitating a contaminated riparian site, phytoremediation with native species of the Atlantic Forest was performed under four treatments: ES-1: physical remediation (sediment scraping) + chemical remediation (organic matter) + bioremediation (double inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizophagus irregularis and the plant growth-promoting bacteria Bacillus subtilis); ES-2: chemical remediation + bioremediation; ES-3: physical remediation + chemical remediation; ES-4: chemical remediation. Ether-amine and sodium contents, plant growth and, soil quality parameters were compared among treatments and relative to preserved and degraded sites. Two years after planting, the outstanding plant growth was attributed to the phytoremediation of ether-amine and ammonium, followed by a significant increase in soil microbial biomass (Phospholipid fatty acids-PLFAs), particularly the Gram+ bacteria and total fungi but not AMF, whose response was independent of the inoculation. While sodium and ether-amine declined, soil K, P, NO3− contents, dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil aggregation increased, especially in ES-1. Thus, such remediation procedures are recommended for the restoration of riparian areas affected by the Fundão tailings, ultimately improving sediment fertility, aggregation and stabilization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only successful example of fragment of riparian Atlantic Forest successfully rehabilitated using native trees from the Atlantic Forest in the riparian zone affected by the contaminated Fundão dam tailings. For that, phytoremediation and bioremediation procedures were adopted to alleviate etheramine and sodium toxicity, resulting in the amelioration of soil fertility and particularly the stabilization of such highly disaggregated sediments, ultimately protecting the Doce river basin against these contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of simulation to support decision-making in productive processes (goods and services) is already an established research field. However, with the availability of solutions and technologies, simulation is no longer a tool with limited scope and analysis. In this case, the integration of simulation with physical systems is considered to allow virtual models to be sensitive to physical changes and aligned with the current state of processes, forming the so-called Digital Twin. Therefore, the main purpose of this article is to present a systematic literature review of the use of simulation as Digital Twin to support decision-making. We considered studies published in scientific journals and conference proceedings that include the use of Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and/or Agent-Based Simulation (ABS). Although the Digital Twin concept has appeared in recent years, we noted that its principle has been used for decades when it comes to decision-making through simulation. Moreover, there are still many discussions and uncertainties regarding the simulation model in this research field, such as the degree of autonomy, synchronisation, and connection. These and other key issues are discussed and some research opportunities are highlighted, such as the need for constant model validation and integration between various models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the contributions of inquiry-based teaching (IBT) and didactic models (traditional, technological, spontaneous, alternative/investigative) in initial teacher training, discussed in Emergency Remote Teaching, we carried out this qualitative descriptive research, in two aspects: i) analysis of lesson plans and investigative didactic sequences developed in the disciplines of Ecology of a course in Biological Sciences; ii) diagnosis of which didactic models the undergraduates intend to experience in their future teaching practice. We registered a predominance of IBT with a structured approach (8), which allows limited student protagonism in relation to semi-structured (2) and open (1). We found agreement with constructivist models, but traditional/technical elements were also pointed out, revealing didactic model hybrid and inconsistent because it has antagonistic conceptions. We conclude that it is necessary to expand the spaces for discussion of IBT linked to the assumptions of didactic models to avoid the hybridity of dissonant models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]