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Disturbances in the circadian rhythms are generally present in adults subjects with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, may present in children with the same clinical condition. Poor sleep quality interferes with neural inputs and outputs in areas that are fundamental in neurobiological aspects, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which can affect circadian rhythm, cognition, emotional and social control. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is an area involved in executive functions and sleep–wake regulation and is underactivated in subjects Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which may be one of the main causes of alterations in the circadian cycle. Currently, studies with non-invasive therapeutic methods for adult populations and children with these disorders remain scarce, revealing a significant gap in understanding and treatment. In this context, the aim is investigate the potential effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as alternative non-invasive treatment of these disorders. In the present study, it is suggested that use excitatory currents from 10 Hz to 20 Hz in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex leads to an improvement in the circadian rhythm mechanism. This is because the excitatory current will promote an increase in dopamine (a neurotransmitter that regulates the circadian cycle) and an increase in glutamate and glutamine concentrations to restore homeostasis in brain regions linked to the sleep–wake cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies indicate that the assessment of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) responses and emotional factors can provide important information regarding chronification mechanisms, choices for more efficient therapeutic strategies, and clinical variables supporting a therapeutic prognosis. To investigate the impact of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) on CPM and psychosocial factors in individuals with NSCLBP compared with healthy controls. Case-control study. Eighteen patients with NSCLBP and 18 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Pain intensity and affective-emotional aspects of pain, functional disability, kinesiophobia, depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing pain were obtained using a questionnaire. A CPM protocol was established to assess the functioning of the descending inhibitory system, with a cold pressor test as a conditioning stimulus and pressure pain threshold as a test stimulus. The maximal isometric strength of the trunk extensors also was evaluated. Healthy participants demonstrated a greater CPM response than those with NSCLBP. Patients with NSCLBP exhibited significantly lower pressure pain threshold than healthy subjects. Moreover, patients with NSCLBP presented with a considerable exacerbation of cognitive-behavioral changes. NSCLBP patients showed diminished maximal isometric strength of the trunk extensor compared to healthy subjects. The endogenous pain inhibition system is reduced in patients with NSCLBP, with significant cognitive-behavioral changes indicated by high levels of anxiety and moderate pain intensity. Clinical School of Physical Therapy of the Federal University of Delta of Parnaíba, Piauí - Brazil. 36 subjects with and without NSCLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Monte Carlo simulations combined with first-principles calculations were carried out to investigate the structure and electronic properties of amorphous carbon nanoparticles containing between 287 and 467 atoms, isolated and in an aqueous environment. Carbon interactions were described in terms of the semiemperical Tersoff potential and the interactions of the nanoparticles with water were described by an all-atom Lennard–Jones potential. The nanostructures were generated from low mass density amorphous carbon phases simulated under ambient conditions. Our study has indicated that the formation energy of these nanomaterials is slightly affected by the initial configuration of the amorphous phase. The large number of dangling bonds present in the nanostructures leads to huge magnetic moments, in a 31–42μB range, calculated for the amorphous nanostructures containing distinct sp 2/sp 3 ratios. Also, these nanoparticles exhibit strong interaction energies with the aqueous environment, which are in agreement with the high reactivity expected for these amorphous systems. Most importantly, the calculated magnetism appears to be reduced between 1% and 14% in the presence of water, depending on both the nanoparticle density and surface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, biochar and bio-oil were produced from the sewage sludge of cosmetics industry effluent treatment plant via pyrolysis under N 2 atmosphere, at 500 and 600 °C and 30 and 60 min. The biochar presented micrometric particles with a porous structure, with a surface area between 203 and 231 m2 g–1 and amorphous aspect containing crystalline quartz structures. The superior calorific power (SCP) for different biochar was 5.9–7.6 MJ kg−1. Bio-oils presented fatty acids, alcohols and esters with long aliphatic chains as main constituents. The SCP of these materials showed a high value (41 MJ kg−1), with the possibility to be used as a precursor for the biofuels production. The biochar, was applied as an adsorbent for the methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous system. The adsorption parameters such as contact time (0–120 min), adsorbent dosage (0.25–1.0 g L−1) and initial pH (5–9.5) were studied. Kinetics and adsorption isotherm studies were also carried out. Pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm models fit the data better, showing adsorption maximum amount of 51 mg g−1 at 45 °C. The MB removal by biochar is an endothermic process and the material can be reactivated and reused. From the results, it can be concluded that the sludge from the cosmetic industry can be used as raw material to obtain new products with added value, such as biochar and bio-oil. [Display omitted] • Sustainable management of sludge from effluent treatment of the cosmetics industry. • Value-added materials such as bio-oil and biochar were obtained. • Biochar obtention with specific surface area greater than 203 mg g−1. • Biochar used as biosorbent in methylene blue removal from water (q max = 51 mg g−1). • Bio-oil obtention with Superior Calorific Power of 41 MJ kg−1 with fuel potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent and a common locomotory disorder in the elderly. The treatments aim improves the quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical ozonated oil in relieving pain in patients with osteoarthritis. A placebo-controlled, triple-blind, randomised controlled trial including osteoarthritis patients older than 50 years. Eighty patients were randomly divided into two groups: treatment (ozonated oil) and placebo (non-ozonated oil). The oils were used twice a day for 60 days. Evaluations were performed using WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) and VAS (visual analogue scale) and laboratory analysis. Pain relief was observed in all groups except in the placebo group where patients are diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis (degree 4) (p-value treatment and placebo group: 0.021 and 0.345, respectively). For the first time, the pain relief in patients with severe osteoarthritis was demonstrated by the use of topical ozonated oil. • We performed a triple-blinded, controlled placebo, clinical trial with topical ozonated oil in the osteoarthritis. • Ozonated oil had a significant effect in reducing pain, including severe osteoarthritis. • The effect of ozonated oil on severe osteoarthritis is promising because it's cheap, easy to use, and non-invasive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in higher education institutions is present in all courses, and academic instruction in research methodology is vital, with educational technologies being an essential component of this process. With the Covid-19 pandemic, there were changes in teaching, learning, and in performing scientific research in undergraduate courses. Among the technologies, the Mendeley reference management tool has become increasingly helpful in these contexts. Therefore, this manuscript is an account of workshop experiences for the use of the Mendeley tool in the teaching of Research Methodology and Scientific Methodology offered in the distance education modality in undergraduate courses at the Universidade do Contestado, Brazil. After basic instruction on Mendeley, students participating in the workshops were guided to apply the tool using Bardin's content analysis technique. This technique is usually laborious and seldom involved in literature reviews by undergraduate students; Mendeley technology makes it more accessible. From experiences with the 2020 and 2021 workshops, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is suggested that the content analysis method combined with the Mendeley technology can help students present better literature reviews, especially for final graduation projects such as course completion monographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]