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Controlled studies demonstrate that it is possible to improve muscle strength in people of all ages, including older populations. Clinically, it is relevant to establish whether a resistance training program (26 sessions of 60 minutes of aerobic workout plus 30 minutes of circuit training for muscular strength) leads to comparable strength gains in overweight/obese persons of different ages. The purpose of this study was to show the effects of a structured, supervised exercise intervention program on muscle strength, flexibility, and other health-related measures (anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure and cardiometabolic risk) in 181 overweight/obese people ages 19–74 years old (young, 19–48 years; middle aged, 49–59 years; and older 60–74 years). We studied changes in muscular strength, anthropometric measures, body composition, basal blood pressure, and cardio metabolic risk. An increase in the dynamic muscular strength of the muscular groups evaluated (p

Background Genome skimming is a popular method in plant phylogenomics that do not include a biased enrichment step, relying on random shallow sequencing of total genomic DNA. From these data the plastome is usually readily assembled and constitutes the bulk of phylogenetic information generated in these studies. Despite a few attempts to use genome skims to recover low copy nuclear loci for direct phylogenetic use, such endeavor remains neglected. Causes might include the trade-off between libraries with few reads and species with large genomes (i.e., missing data caused by low coverage), but also might relate to the lack of pipelines for data assembling. Methods A pipeline and its companion R package designed to automate the recovery of low copy nuclear markers from genome skimming libraries are presented. Additionally, a series of analyses aiming to evaluate the impact of key assembling parameters, reference selection and missing data are presented. Results A substantial amount of putative low copy nuclear loci was assembled and proved useful to base phylogenetic inference across the libraries tested (4 to 11 times more data than previously assembled plastomes from the same libraries). Discussion Critical aspects of assembling low copy nuclear markers from genome skims include the minimum coverage and depth of a sequence to be used. More stringent values of these parameters reduces the amount of assembled data and increases the relative amount of missing data, which can compromise phylogenetic inference, in turn relaxing the same parameters might increase sequence error. These issues are discussed in the text, and parameter tuning through multiple comparisons tracking their effects on support and congruence is highly recommended when using this pipeline. The skimmingLoci pipeline (https://github.com/mreginato/skimmingLoci) might stimulate the use of genome skims to recover nuclear loci for direct phylogenetic use, increasing the power of genome skimming data to resolve phylogenetic relationships, while reducing the amount of sequenced DNA that is commonly wasted.

Este artigo apresenta as contribuições do Grupo de Pesquisa em Educação e Arte (GEARTE) junto à trajetória formativa da pesquisadora. Ao resgatar parte do trabalho constituído durante as pesquisas das quais fez parte como bolsista de Iniciação Científica, a autora evidencia uma caminhada que abrangeu experiências de aprendizagem investigando as relações entre educação e arte, leitura de produções audiovisuais, semiótica discursiva, macro e micronarrativas. As relações estabelecidas enfatizam a importância dos grupos pesquisadores nos percursos de formação de professores e o papel da pesquisa como lugar de potência da qualificação profissional.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, mainly causes respiratory and intestinal symptoms and changes in the microbiota of patients. We performed a systematic search in major databases using “Bifidobacterium” and “COVID-19” or “SARS-CoV-2” as key terms to assess the relationship of the genus to COVID-19. After the selection steps, 25 articles were analyzed. Of these, eighteen were observational, and seven were interventional articles that evaluated the use of Bifidobacterium alone or in mix as probiotics for additional treatment of patients with COVID-19. All stages and severities were contemplated, including post-COVID-19 patients. Overall, Bifidobacterium was associated with both protective effects and reduced abundance in relation to the disease. The genus has been found to be abundant in some cases and linked to disease severity. The studies evaluating the use of Bifidobacterium as probiotics have demonstrated the potential of this genus in reducing symptoms, improving pulmonary function, reducing inflammatory markers, alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, and even contributing to better control of mortality. In summary, Bifidobacterium may offer protection against COVID-19 through its ability to modulate the immune response, reduce inflammation, compete with pathogenic microbes, and maintain gut barrier function. The findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between the disease and the genus Bifidobacterium, highlighting the potential of microbiota modulation in the treatment of COVID-19.

Abstract Background For horses requiring prolonged daily cephalic intravenous regional limb perfusion (IVRLP), the use of a totally implantable catheter (TIC) could be indicated to reduce complications associated with frequent venipuncture or external catheterization. This study aims to evaluate the implantation technique of the TIC in the cephalic vein of horses for IVRLP, describe the complications associated with the device’s placement and use, and assess its viability up to 60 days after implantation. Totally implantable catheters, cut to 15 cm (n = 5) and 46 cm (n = 5) in length, were implanted into one cephalic vein in ten adult horses (n = 10). Twenty-four hours following placement, IVRLP with contrast was performed via the TIC and evaluated with radiography. Physical examinations, lameness evaluation, hematologic assessment, and the catheter patency tests were performed at scheduled intervals for the duration of catheterization (7–60 days). Results Catheters were implanted without difficulty and allowed for IVRLP 24 h post implantation. Complications resulted in removal of the catheters, with four maintained for 7 days, three in place for 15 days, and three catheters maintained for 60 days. Complications included lameness, limb swelling, catheter kinking, and venous thrombosis. Conclusions The implantation technique of the TIC in the cephalic vein of horses is feasible and requires minimal technical effort. Although TIC allows venous access without the need for repeated venipuncture, its long-term use presents complications. For horses requiring prolonged daily cephalic IVRLP, the use of a TIC could be indicated. However, the high incidence of venous thrombosis may limit clinical application.

Geochemical negative emissions technologies (NETs) comprise a set of approaches to climate change mitigation that make use of alkaline minerals to remove and/or permanently store carbon dioxide (CO2) as solid carbonate minerals or dissolved ocean bicarbonate ions. This roadmap accompanies the comprehensive review of geochemical NETs by the same authors and offers guidance for the development and deployment of geochemical NETs at gigaton per year (Gt yr.−1) scale. We lay out needs and high-priority initiatives across six key elements required for the responsible and effective deployment of geochemical NETs: (i) technical readiness, (ii) social license, (iii) demand, (iv) supply chains, (v) human capital, and (vi) infrastructure. We put forward proposals for: specific initiatives to be undertaken; their approximate costs and timelines; and the roles that various actors could play in undertaking them. Our intent is to progress toward a working consensus among researchers, practitioners, and key players about initiatives that merit resourcing and action, primarily focusing on the near-term.

Non-linear finite element analysis (NLFEA) has been frequently used to assess the ultimate capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) structures under the most complex conditions. Nevertheless, the guidelines using such methods to evaluate RC corbels are limited. In addition, the influence of material modeling options regarding the behavior of such members was not investigated until now. This paper proposes to present a framework for the NLFEAs of RC corbels using the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model. the influence of several modeling choices related to this constitutive model also is discussed in detail, including the assumed stress–strain behavior in compression and tension and the parameters related to the yield criterion and flow rule. For this, a first set of test results was used to validate the proposed approach to the NLFEA. Afterwards, the sensibility of the numerical results for several modeling choices was investigated. In the end, the proposed framework for the NLFEA was checked against a database of 36 test results from the literature. The mean ratio between the predicted and experimental test results was 1.015 with a coefficient of variation of only 8.57%. The governing failure mechanism of the tests was predicted correctly in approximately 88% of the simulations. In summary, the proposed approach allows for predicting the ultimate capacity and failure mechanism of RC corbels accurately.

Advanced production methods utilize complex fluid iteration mechanisms to provide benefits in their implementation. However, modeling these effects with efficiency or accuracy is always a challenge. Machine Learning (ML) applications, which are fundamentally data-driven, can play a crucial role in this context. Therefore, in this study, we applied a Hybrid Machine Learning (HML) solution to predict petrophysical behaviors during Engineered Water Injection (EWI). This hybrid approach utilizes K-Means and Artificial Neural Network algorithms to predict petrophysical behaviors during EWI. In addition, we applied an optimization process to maximize the Net Present Value (NPV) of a case study, and the results demonstrate that the HML approach outperforms conventional methods by increasing oil production (7.3%) while decreasing the amount of water injected and produced (by 28% and 40%, respectively). Even when the injection price is higher, this method remains profitable. Therefore, our study highlights the potential benefits of utilizing HML solutions for predicting petrophysical behaviors during EWI. This approach can significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of modeling advanced production methods, which may help the profitability of new and mature oil fields.

Solution-processed organic phototransistors show the best of their potential in multilayer device architectures where each layer is devoted to a specific function, i.e. field-effect charge transport and light sensing. However, the optimization of the multilayer stack is often under-performed, due to limitations posed by the solution processing to avoid mutual dissolution of the underneath layers, and due to the lack of simple screening methods capable to assess the performance of the devices. In this work, figures of merit such as sensitivity and photo-gain of fully solution-processed multilayer organic phototransistors are optimized by studying in hole-only and electron-only diodes the space-charge limited current behaviour of different bulk heterojunctions, which constitute the photoactive layers of the phototransistors. The different bulk heterojunctions, based on two different fullerene derivatives (acceptors) and two different processing solvents/co-solvents, show different electrical behaviours depending on the bulk-heterojunction morphological characteristics. The proposed approach, which simplifies the study and allows the optimization of the functional and structural characteristics of the photoactive layer, allowed to increase the overall sensitivity of the multilayer phototransistor by 6 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and aims - We tested the integrity of Rhynchospora sect. Pleurostachys, understand its evolution and origins, and test the phylogenetic separation of three morphologically distinct taxa. Material and methods - We used the chloroplast marker trnL-F and the two nuclear markers nrETS and nrITS in our phylogenetic analysis. Key results - We demonstrated that R. sect. Pleurostachys is monophyletic and that the section is divided into two large clades with the early divergent species in each clade occurring outside the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The molecular analysis also confirmed the distinctness of the three species new to science. Conclusions - Rhynchospora sect. Pleurostachys probably originated outside the Atlantic Forest but diversified there. The three taxa are described as species new to science: Rhynchospora barbosae, R. hamadryadis, and R. eremica, from the tropical semi-deciduous and deciduous forests of Bahia and Espírito Santo, Brazil, are illustrated and compared to other related species of the section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aimed to analyse the characteristics and in‐hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) with co‐morbid systemic sclerosis (SSc) and compare them to those without SSc, using data from the National Inpatient Sample from years 2016 to 2019. Methods and results: International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes were used to identify hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of HF and secondary diagnoses of SSc from the National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and without a secondary diagnosis of SSc. Baseline characteristics including demographics and co‐morbidities, outcomes of mortality, length of stay (LOS), and costs were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounders and assess the impact of SSc on in‐hospital mortality, cost, and LOS. A total of 4 709 724 hospitalizations for HF were identified, with 8150 (0.17%) having a secondary diagnosis of SSc. These patients were predominantly female (82.3% vs. 47.8%; P = 0.01), younger (mean age of 67.4 vs. 71.4; P < 0.01), and had significantly lower rates of traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as coronary artery disease (35.8% vs. 50.6%; P < 0.01), hyperlipidaemia (39.1% vs. 52.9%; P < 0.01), diabetes (22.5% vs. 49.1%; P < 0.01), obesity (13.2% vs. 25.0%; P < 0.01), and hypertension (20.2% vs. 23.8%; P < 0.01). Higher rates of co‐morbid pulmonary disease in the form of interstitial lung disease (23.1% vs. 2.0%; P < 0.01) and pulmonary hypertension (36.6% vs. 12.7%; P < 0.01) were noted in the SSc cohort. Unadjusted in‐hospital mortality was significantly higher in the HF with SSc group [5.1% vs. 2.6%; odds ratio: 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60–2.48; P < 0.001]. Unadjusted mortality was also higher among female (86.7% vs. 47.0%; P < 0.01), Black (15.7% vs. 13.0%; P < 0.01), and Hispanic (13.3% vs. 6.9%; P < 0.01) patients in the SSc cohort. After adjusting for potential confounders, SSc remained independently associated with higher in‐hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.44–2.28; P < 0.001). Patients with HF and SSc also had longer LOS (6.4 vs. 5.4; adjusted mean difference [AMD]: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.05–0.68; P = 0.02) and higher hospitalization costs ($67 363 vs. $57 128; AMD: 198.9; 95% CI: −4780 to 5178; P = 0.93). Conclusions: In patients hospitalized for HF, those with SSc were noted to have higher odds of in‐hospital mortality than those without SSc. Patients with HF and SSc were more likely to be younger, female, and have higher rates of co‐morbid interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension at baseline with fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]