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Model-based optimization of simulated moving bed reactors (SMBRs) requires efficient solvers and significant computational power. Over the past years, surrogate models have been considered for such computationally demanding optimization problems. In this sense, artificial neural networks─ANNs─have found applications for modeling the simulated moving bed (SMB) unit but not yet been reported for the reactive SMB (SMBR). Despite ANNs’ high accuracy, it is essential to assess its capacity to represent the optimization landscape well. However, a consistent method for optimality assessment using surrogate models is still an open issue in the literature. As such, two main contributions can be highlighted: the SMBR optimization based on deep recurrent neural networks (DRNNs) and the characterization of the feasible operation region. This is done by recycling the data points from a metaheuristic technique─optimality assessment. The results demonstrate that the DRNN-based optimization can address such complex optimization while meeting optimality.

This article presents a double-sided injection lap riveting process for fixing two overlapped sheets with tubular rivets at room temperature. The rivets are injected by compression into the dovetail ring holes that are previously machined in both sheets, and, in contrast to other joining by plastic deformation processes making use of auxiliary elements, the resulting joints are hidden inside the sheets without material protrusions above or below their surfaces. The new process is applied in the fabrication of aluminum busbar joints for energy distribution systems, and comparisons are made against conventional bolted joints that were fabricated for reference purposes. The work combines experimentation and finite element modelling, and results allow concluding that, in addition to invisibility and savings in assembly space, there are important gains in the thermo-electrical performance of the new joints that are of paramount importance for electric distribution applications.

This study applies random field theory to simulate the spatial variability of the ground where a tunnel was excavated in a granitic soil mass, in the city of Porto (Portugal). Numerical analyses are performed using the finite-element method combined with random field theory to simulate tunnel excavation. A parametric study to analyse the influence of the correlation coefficient is performed. The results are compared with the measured values and the values obtained with the deterministic computation. The performance of the models is evaluated using two measures of error: root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute deviation (MAD). With the random fields approach (correlation length equal to 0.5) values of MAD equal to 2.18 and RMSE equal to 4.16 were obtained, whereas with the deterministic approach values of MAD equal to 2.29 and RMSE equal to 4.26 were obtained. Furthermore, the performance of the models improves as far as the correlation coefficient increases. Therefore, it is concluded that the results obtained using random fields are better than those obtained using the deterministic analysis.

From June 2013 to January 2014, blood sera samples and ticks were collected from domestic dogs and wild small mammals, and ticks from the vegetation in a preservation area of the Atlantic Forest biome (Turvo State Park), and the rural area surrounding the Park in Derrubadas municipality, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Dogs were infested by Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma aureolatum adult ticks, whereas small mammals were infested by immature stages of A. ovale, Amblyomma yucumense, Amblyomma brasiliense, Ixodes loricatus, and adults of I. loricatus. Ticks collected on vegetation were A. brasiliense, A. ovale, A. yucumense, Amblyomma incisum, and Haemaphysalis juxtakochi. Three Rickettsia species were molecularly detected in ticks: Rickettsia bellii in I. loricatus (also isolated through cell culture inoculation), Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. brasiliense, and Rickettsia rhipicephali in A. yucumense. The latter two are tick-rickettsia associations reported for the first time. Seroreactivity to Rickettsia antigens were detected in 33.5% (55/164) small mammals and 8.3% (3/36) canine sera. The present study reveals a richness of ticks and associated-rickettsiae in the largest Atlantic Forest Reserve of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is characterized by a rich fauna of wild mammals, typical of more preserved areas of this biome. Noteworthy, none of the detected Rickettsia species have been associated to human or animal diseases. This result contrasts to other areas of this biome in Brazil, which are endemic for tick-borne spotted fever caused by Rickettsia rickettsii or Rickettsia parkeri.

Background: Chitinases are plant defense-related proteins with a high biotechnological potential to be applied in agriculture. Objectives: This study aimed to purify a chitinase from the latex of Ficus benjamina. Methods: An antifungal class I chitinase, named FbLx-Chi-1, was purified from the latex of Ficus benjamina after precipitation with 30-60% ammonium sulfate and affinity chromatography on a chitin column and antifungal potential assay against phytopathogenic fungi important to agriculture. Results: FbLx-Chi-1 has 30 kDa molecular mass, as estimated by SDS-PAGE and the optimal pH and temperature for full chitinolytic activity were 5.5 and 60 ºC, respectively. FbLx-Chi-1 is a high pH-, ion-tolerant and thermostable protein. Importantly, FbLx-Chi-1 hindered the growth of the phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium pallidoroseum, and Fusarium oxysporum. The action mode of FbLx-Chi-1 to hamper F. pallidoroseum growth seems to be correlated with alterations in the morphology of the hyphal cell wall, increased plasma membrane permeability, and overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of FbLx-Chi-1 to control important phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture. In addition, FbLx-Chi-1 could be further explored to be used in industrial processes such as the large-scale environmentally friendly enzymatic hydrolysis of chitin to produce its monomer N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine, which is employed for bioethanol production, in cosmetics, in medicine, and for other multiple applications.

Semaglutide (GLP-1 agonist) was approved for treating obesity. Although the effects on weight loss and metabolism are known, the responses of adipocytes to semaglutide are yet limited. C57BL/6 male mice (n = 20/group) were fed a control diet (C) or a high-fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks and then separated into four groups (n = 10/group) for an additional four weeks: C, C diet and semaglutide, HF, and HF diet and semaglutide. Epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) fat pads were studied with biochemistry, immunohistochemistry/fluorescence, stereology, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In obese mice, semaglutide reduced the fat pad masses (eWAT, -55%; sWAT, -40%), plasmatic cytokines, and proinflammatory gene expressions: tumor necrosis factor-alpha (-60%); interleukin (IL)-6 (-55%); IL-1 beta (-40%); monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (-90%); and leptin (-80%). Semaglutide also lessened endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes of activating transcription factor-4 (-85%), CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (-55%), and growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 45 (-45%). The obese mice's adipocyte hypertrophy and macrophage infiltration were equally reduced by semaglutide. Semaglutide enhanced multiloculation and uncoupled protein 1 (UCP1) labeling in obese mice: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (+560%) and gamma (+150%), fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (+215%), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha coactivator (+110%), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (+260%), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (+120%). Semaglutide also increased thermogenetic gene expressions for the browning phenotype maintenance: beta-3 adrenergic receptor (+520%), PR domain containing 16 (+90%), and Ucp1 (+110%). In conclusion, semaglutide showed significant beneficial effects beyond weight loss, directly on fat pads and adipocytes of obese mice, remarkably anti-inflammatory, and reduced adipocyte size and ER stress. Besides, semaglutide activated adipocyte browning, improving UCP1, mitochondrial biogenesis, and thermogenic marker expressions help weight loss.

The main quality parameters of melon are related to sucrose accumulation and soluble solids content. Understanding the genetic control of these traits is essential to help breeders in the selection process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inheritance of sucrose accumulation and soluble solids content in melon. A randomized block design with three replicates was used to evaluate AC-16 and Vedrantais parents, and F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations. We verified that sucrose is the main factor which is related to genetic and environmental variability observed in sugar content between parents. The inheritance of sucrose content involves a major effect gene with additive and dominance effects associated with polygenes with additive effects. The inheritance of soluble solids involves a major gene with additive and dominance effects associated with polygenes, with additive effects, and the presence of epistasis. RESUMO Os principais parâmetros de qualidade do fruto de melão relacionam-se com o acúmulo de sacarose e o teor de sólidos solúveis. O conhecimento do controle genético desses caracteres é fundamental para auxiliar o melhorista no processo seletivo. Objetivou-se com este trabalho estudar a herança do acúmulo de sacarose e do teor de sólidos solúveis em melão. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com três repetições para avaliar os genitores AC-16 e Vedrantais, e as gerações F1, F2, RC1 e RC2. Verificou-se que a sacarose é o principal fator que confere a variabilidade genética e ambiental observada no teor de açúcar entre os genitores. A herança do teor de sacarose envolve um gene de efeito maior com efeitos aditivos e de dominância associado aos poligenes com efeitos aditivos. A herança de sólidos solúveis envolve um gene maior com efeitos aditivos e de dominância associado aos poligenes com efeitos aditivos e a presença de epistasia.

Propentofylline (PROP) is a methylated xanthine compound that diminishes the activation of microglial cells and astrocytes, which are neuronal cells strongly associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Based on previously observed remyelination and neuroprotective effects, PROP has also been proposed to increment antioxidant defenses and to prevent oxidative damage in neural tissues. Since most neurodegenerative processes have free radicals as molecular pathological agents, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of 12.5 mg·kg−1·day−1 PROP in plasma and the brainstem of Wistar rats exposed to the gliotoxic agent 0.1% ethidium bromide (EB) for 7–31 days. The bulk of the data here demonstrates that, after 7 days of EB treatment, TBARS levels were 2-fold higher in the rat CNS than in control, reaching a maximum of 2.4-fold within 15 days. After 31 days of EB treatment, lipoperoxidation in CNS was still 65% higher than that in the control. Clearly, PROP treatment limited the progression of lipoperoxidation in EB-oxidized CNS: it was, for example, 76% lower than in the EB-treated group after 15 days. Most of these effects were associated with PROP-induced activity of glutathione reductase in the brainstem: the EB + PROP group showed 59% higher GR activity than that of the EB or control groups within 7 days. In summary, aligning with previous studies from our group and with literature about MTXs, we observed that propentofylline (PROP) improved the thiol-based antioxidant defenses in the rat brainstem by the induction of the enzymatic activity of glutathione reductase (GR), which diminished lipid oxidation progression and rebalanced the redox status in the CNS.