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Trees may help reduce the increasing human thermal stress in cities caused by the Urban Heat Island phenomenon and the multiplication and intensification of heatwaves through the climatic benefits they provide: cast shadows and transpiration. However, the multiplication of droughts may lower the water supply of street trees and impact their development and climatic benefits. The transpiration and radiation interception of two alignments of potted ornamental apple trees (Malus Coccinella ® 'Courtarou') planted in a 1/5 scale street canyon experiencing contrasted water supplies were monitored during an 8-week period of summer 2022. Compared to well-watered trees, the transpiration of water-restricted trees was reduced quickly and strongly by 81 % on average. A noticeable reduction of the leaf area index of the water-restricted trees led to a decrease of their radiation interception which however remained higher than 69 % of the incident radiation measured without trees. No noticeable air temperature difference was measured under the tree crowns of both alignments of trees but the Universal Thermal Climate Index calculated under the water-restricted trees increased by on average 1 °C. Radiation interception appeared to be responsible for the major part of the daily total amount of energy dissipated. A noticeable reduction of the daily total amount of energy dissipated by the WR trees was mostly attributed to the reduction of their transpiration which may explain why both alignments of trees kept providing noticeable climatic benefits. • Water restriction strongly reduced tree transpiration by 81 % on average. • Water restriction reduced the amount of radiation intercepted from 83 % to 76 %. • Water restriction lowered the contribution of transpiration to climatic benefits. • Water restriction had no noticeable impact on air temperature under the trees. • Water restriction increased the UTCI under the tree crowns by on average 1 °C UTCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime transport is an alternative modal logistic in transporting cargo for long distances and in large quantities. However, the logistical planning for this modal becomes costly due to the uncertainties, such as climatic conditions, cargo types, and port characteristics. Therefore, estimating the stay times of ships becomes an essential objective for the planning and scheduling of the waterway modal. Determining the time frame the port has to operate the ship, based on the expected time that ships stay moored, is a challenge for the port management. In the present study, we collected data on the main cargo movements in Brazilian ports in 2018 to develop a model for predicting the stay time of ships, using algorithms based on decision tree models. There are no studies in the literature on models for predicting the stay time of ships, which is the gap to be filled in this research. In addition, an exploratory data analysis was performed to discover the variables that most influence the stay time. This research used several classification machine learning algorithms (support vector machines, gradient boosting, decision tree, random forest, among others) to build stay time prediction. As a result, the best model generated was that of random forests that obtained acceptable performance, with accuracy and f1-score above 73%, and train and test times around 14 s and the most important features to the model involve geographical and cargo characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to use them in real environments to develop logistic planning of the waterway modal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A reaming operation had to be performed within given technological and economical constraints. Process improvement under realistic conditions was the goal of a statistical engineering project, supported by a comprehensive experimental investigation providing detailed information on single and combined effects of several parameters on key responses. Results supported selection of production parameters meeting specified quality and cost targets, as well as substantial improvements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The worldwide diversity of dietary intakes of n--6 and n--3 fatty acids influences tissue compositions of n--3 longchain fatty acids (LCFAs: eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) and risks of cardiovascular and mental illnesses. Objective: We aimed to estimate healthy dietary allowances for n--3 LCFAs that would meet the nutrient requirements of 97-98% of the population. Design: Deficiency in n--3 LCFAs was defined as attributable risk from 13 morbidity and mortality outcomes, including all causes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, homicide, bipolar disorder, and major and postpartum depressions. Dietary availability of n--3 LCFAs from commodities for 38 countries and tissue composition data were correlated by best fit to each illness in deficiency risk models. Results: The potential attributable burden of disease ranged from 20.8% (all-cause mortality in men) to 99.9% (bipolar disorder). n--3 LCFA intake for Japan (0.37% of energy, or 750 mg/d) met criteria for uniformly protecting >98% of the populations worldwide. n--3 LCFA intakes needed to meet a tissue target representative of Japan (60% n--3 in LCFA) ranged from 278 mg/d (Philippines, with intakes of 0.8% of energy as linoleate, 0.08% of energy asα-linolenate, and 0.06% of energy as arachidonic acid) to 3667 mg/d (United States, with 8.91% of energy as linoleate, 1.06% of energy as α- linolenate, and 0.08% of energy as arachidonic acid). Conclusions: With caveats inherent for ecologic, nutrient disappearance analyses, a healthy dietary allowance for n--3 LCFAs for current US diets was estimated at 3.5 g/d for a 2000-kcal diet. This allowance for n--3 LCFAs can likely be reduced to one-tenth of that amount by consuming fewer n--6 fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the implications and predictive value of estradiol concentrations following pituitary down-regulation with gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive technology. Study design: A total of 277 patients undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were enrolled into the study and the patients were divided into four groups according to estradiol levels on the initial day of stimulation of which group-A consisted of the patients who had ≤25 pg/ml (n=90), group-B with levels between 26 and 50 pg/ml (n=104), group-C with levels between 51 and 75 pg/ml (n=67) and group-D with levels ≥76–90 pg/ml (n=16) and the results were compared. The primary outcome measures included ovarian response and the clinical pregnancy rates. Results: The clinical pregnancy rates in groups-A, B, C and D were 33.3% (30/90), 26.0% (27/104), 35.8% (24/67), and 25.0% (4/16), respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.482). The mean number of oocytes retrieved in groups were (9.7±5.8, 10.3±6.5, 11.0±6.8, and 12.1±6.6), respectively (P=0.453) and the fertilization rates in groups-A, B, C and D were found to be similar (75, 80, 73 and 79%, respectively; P=0.658). Conclusion: Complete and deep desensitization obviously seems not to be mandatory for successful stimulation in wassisted reproductive technology cycles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have studied the Ca2+ dynamics of bursting–spiking neurons in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. Neurons in this ganglion undergo spontaneous oscillations in membrane voltage with a period of 1–10 s in situ. We found that neurons isolated from the ganglion and filled with the fluorescent calcium indicator Fluo-4 show simultaneous changes of membrane potential and cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]I). These Ca2+ signals are highly heterogeneous both in terms of amplitude and time constants. They showed variable spatial distributions with the soma exhibiting low and slow signals, and a region in the process with large and fast signals.Ca2+ transients in the processes are dependent on external Ca2+ and can be blocked by Co2+, but not other, more specific Ca2+ current blockers. Rather, nifedipine a known Ca2+ current blocker, affects the distribution of the Ca2+ signal, which suggests a specific localization of Ca2+ channels. Although the signal is not absolutely dependent on action potentials, it is greatly reduced when action potentials are blocked by tetrodotoxin. Termination of the signal depends only slightly on Ca2+ buffering mechanisms such as mitochondria, Ca2+/Na+ and Ca2+/H+ exchangers.We also demonstrate the presence of caffeine-sensitive internal stores in stomatogastric ganglion cells. The store distribution is different but overlaps with the voltage-dependent distribution. The maximal caffeine-activated Ca2+ signal is in the soma and it is smaller in the processes. Unlike the voltage-activated Ca2+ signal this signal is not blocked by Co2+. Nevertheless, the two types of signal interact during caffeine application. This unique spatial separation of two Ca2+ sources may have important functional implication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Over the last years, researchers have been paying particular attention to scheduling problems integrating production environments and distribution systems to adopt more realistic assumptions. This paper aims to present a new biased random key genetic algorithm with an iterated greedy local search procedure (BRKGA-IG) for open shop scheduling with routing by capacitated vehicles. We propose approximation and exact algorithms to obtain high-quality solutions in acceptable computational times. This paper presents a new integer linear programming model. The proposed integer model has not been addressed in the revised literature. The objective function adopted is makespan minimization, and we use the relative deviation as performance criteria. BRKGA-IG has a new decoding scheme for OSSP-VRP solutions, an intensive exploitation mechanism with an iterated greedy local search procedure, and a restart mechanism to reduce premature population convergence. With these new mechanisms, the extensive computational experience carried out shows that the proposed metaheuristic BRKGA-IG is promising in solving large-sized instances for the new proposed problem, outperforming all other tested methods. • We study an integrated open shop scheduling problem with the vehicle routing problem. • This problem is modeled and solved by a MILP and a metaheuristic approach. • The biased random key genetic algorithm and the iterated greedy algorithm are used. • The proposed metaheuristic gets competitive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the adequacy of conservative management during pregnancy and labor in women with an ultrasonographically diagnosed ovarian cystic teratoma.Study Design: Forty-nine women with ultrasonographically diagnosed ovarian cystic teratoma <6 cm were followed for detection of possible complications through pregnancy and labor. Serial ultrasonographic examinations before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after delivery were performed to detect changes in the size of the cystic teratoma.Results: In a group of 49 women with dermoid cysts (mean age, 30 years), 68 pregnancies resulted. Of the 68 pregnancies, 4 ended in miscarriages, 1 was electively terminated, and in the remaining 63 pregnancies, a total of 64 healthy infants were delivered. Five patients needed treatment with assisted reproductive techniques. Fifty-five pregnancies ended in normal vaginal deliveries and 8 were delivered by cesarean (cesarean delivery rate of 16%). None of the classical complications attributed to dermoid cysts such as torsion, dystocia, or rupture occurred in the study group. In a follow-up of 56 dermoid cysts throughout pregnancy, cyst size remained unchanged.Conclusions: Ovarian dermoid cysts <6 cm are not expected to grow during pregnancy or to cause complications in pregnancy and labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous literature examining parent-child aggression (PCA) risk has relied heavily upon mothers, limiting our understanding of paternal risk factors. Moreover, the extent to which factors in the couple relationship work in tandem with personal vulnerabilities to impact PCA risk is unclear. The current study examined whether personal stress and distress predicted PCA risk (child abuse potential, over-reactive discipline style, harsh discipline practices) for fathers as well as mothers and whether couple functioning mediated versus moderated the relation between personal stress and PCA risk in a sample of 81 couples. Additionally, the potential for risk factors in one partner to cross over and affect their partner’s PCA risk was considered. Findings indicated higher personal stress predicted elevated maternal and paternal PCA risk. Better couple functioning did not moderate this relationship but partially mediated stress and PCA risk for both mothers and fathers. In addition, maternal stress evidenced a cross-over effect, wherein mothers’ personal stress linked to fathers’ couple functioning. Findings support the role of stress and couple functioning in maternal and paternal PCA risk, including potential cross-over effects that warrant further inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factors regulating excystment of a toxic dinoflagellate in the genus Alexandrium were investigated in cysts from Puget Sound, Washington State, USA. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory using cysts collected from benthic seedbeds to determine if excystment is controlled by internal or environmental factors. The results suggest that the timing of germination is not tightly controlled by an endogenous clock, though there is a suggestion of a cyclical pattern. This was explored using cysts that had been stored under cold (4 °C), anoxic conditions in the dark and then incubated for 6 weeks at constant favorable environmental conditions. Excystment occurred during all months of the year, with variable excystment success ranging from 31–90%. When cysts were isolated directly from freshly collected sediments every month and incubated at the in situ bottom water temperature, a seasonal pattern in excystment was observed that was independent of temperature. This pattern may be consistent with secondary dormancy, an externally modulated pattern that prevents excystment during periods that are not favorable for sustained vegetative growth. However, observation over more annual cycles is required and the duration of the mandatory dormancy period of these cysts must be determined before the seasonality of germination can be fully characterized in Alexandrium from Puget Sound. Both temperature and light were found to be important environmental factors regulating excystment, with the highest rates of excystment observed for the warmest temperature treatment (20 °C) and in the light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous studies have shown that a recombinant vaccine expressing four highly conserved influenza virus epitopes has a potential for a broad spectrum, cross-reactive vaccine; it induced protection against H1, H2 and H3 influenza strains. Here, we report on the evaluation of an epitope-based vaccine in which six conserved epitopes, common to many influenza virus strains are expressed within a recombinant flagellin that serves as both a carrier and adjuvant. In an HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice model, this vaccine induced both humoral and cellular responses and conferred some protection against lethal challenge with the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain. Hence, it is expected to protect against future strains as well. The data presented, demonstrate the feasibility of using an array of peptides for vaccination, which might pave the way to an advantageous universal influenza virus vaccine that does not require frequent updates and/or annual immunizations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]