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We review the theory and phenomenology of isosinglet vector-like quarks (VLQs). In recent years, interest in VLQs has been increasing, due to their contributions to new physics effects that can be tested in experiments at LHC and High-Luminosity LHC. The similarities of models with isosinglet VLQs and the seesaw framework in the leptonic sector are pointed out. The existence of VLQs leads to flavour-changing neutral currents at tree level and deviations from unitarity of the CKM matrix, introducing rich phenomenological implications. These new effects are naturally suppressed by the masses of the new quarks, that are constrained to be above the electroweak scale. In addition, striking new effects can be achieved with the inclusion of an extra complex scalar singlet. Such a minimal extension of the SM can give rise to new sources of CP violation with profound theoretical implications, allowing for a solution to the strong CP problem and a possible explanation for the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. We list and explain strong motivations to consider this class of models. We also briefly review how models with VLQs can be matched to the SM effective field theory (SMEFT). A detailed analysis of flavour observables that can be affected by the presence of VLQs is presented. Current bounds from collider searches of VLQs are summarized. We point out that the discovery of VLQs can be within the reach of present or future colliders being planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the evident socioecological importance, knowledge of olfactory communication in Neotropical primates is in its infancy. Thus, to aid our understanding, we report on and describe olfactory communication behavior in Endangered Coimbra-Filho's titi monkey (Callicebus coimbrai) in two Atlantic Forest fragments in northeastern Brazil. We discuss our data using intragroup (communication and sexual attraction) and intergroup (territoriality) contexts. We systematically observed two titi monkey groups, one at Fazenda Trapsa (21 mo: 1513 h) and another at Mata do Junco (11 mo: 683 h). We recorded data on olfactory signals via all-occurrence sampling. We registered 14 olfaction-linked events in which the titi monkey pressed the right hand against the gular and sternal body regions and then wiped the palm repeatedly on the nearby branch. Adult males performed 11 events, whereas adult females performed the remaining 3. Most events associated with intragroup encounters had a sexual context. The events related to intergroup encounters appeared to be related to territorial defense. Our study provides the first evidence that Coimbra-Filho's titi monkey uses olfactory communication for both intragroup and intergroup communication. Dominance, mate attraction, and territorial defense functions shown by Coimbra-Filho titi monkeys in their olfactory behaviors provide new insights into the socioecology of Callicebusand potential themes for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multi-Higgs-doublet models, requiring simultaneously that (i) CP violation only arises spontaneously, (ii) tree level scalar flavour changing couplings are absent and (iii) the fermion mixing matrix is CP violating, can only be achieved in a very specific manner. A general approach with new clarifying insights on the question is presented. Considering the quark sector, that peculiar possibility is not viable on phenomenological grounds. We show that, considering the lepton sector, it is highly interesting and leads to viable models with μ - τ symmetric PMNS matrices. Phenomenological implications of the models, both for Dirac and Majorana (in a type I seesaw scenario) neutrinos, are analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel hybrid approach for the computational modeling of cardiac perfusion, combining a discrete model of the coronary arterial tree with a continuous porous-media flow model of the myocardium. The constructive constrained optimization (CCO) algorithm captures the detailed topology and geometry of the coronary arterial tree network, while Poiseuille's law governs blood flow within this network. Contrast agent dynamics, crucial for cardiac MRI perfusion assessment, are modeled using reaction–advection–diffusion equations within the porous-media framework. The model incorporates fibrosis–contrast agent interactions and considers contrast agent recirculation to simulate myocardial infarction and Gadolinium-based late-enhancement MRI findings. Numerical experiments simulate various scenarios, including normal perfusion, endocardial ischemia resulting from stenosis, and myocardial infarction. The results demonstrate the model's efficacy in establishing the relationship between blood flow and stenosis in the coronary arterial tree and contrast agent dynamics and perfusion in the myocardial tissue. The hybrid model enables the integration of information from two different exams: computational fractional flow reserve (cFFR) measurements of the heart coronaries obtained from CT scans and heart perfusion and anatomy derived from MRI scans. The cFFR data can be integrated with the discrete arterial tree, while cardiac perfusion MRI data can be incorporated into the continuum part of the model. This integration enhances clinical understanding and treatment strategies for managing cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The close contact between patients and community pharmacists, along with the extensive geographical distribution of pharmacies in Portugal, offer exceptional conditions to detect and report adverse drug reactions (ADR). This study aimed to evaluate the motivation and knowledge of spontaneous reporting of ADR by community pharmacists of Porto, Portugal. Secondly, we aimed to generate real-world evidence on the main factors determining ADR report and at raising potential alternatives to the current reporting procedure in community pharmacy. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, anonymous web survey-based study. Between April and July 2021, a web survey was implemented, targeting community pharmacists in the Porto district, Portugal. We validated 217 surveys from pharmacists. Regular notifiers seem to be more familiarised than non-regular notifiers with the Portuguese Pharmacovigilance System (PPS), with the Portal RAM for reporting suspected ADR, and with the update of the concept of ADR. Moreover, regular notifiers seem to be more proactive with their care in questioning patients about ADR and have more self-knowledge to identify suspected ADR. Conversely, non-regular notifiers, seem to be more reluctant to be judged by their ADR reporting activities. Respondents suggested to simplify and optimise the reporting process (31% of the suggestions), or to integrate a reporting platform into the pharmacy's software (27%). This study identified opportunities to promote the ADR reporting process by community pharmacists, namely receiving feedback from the PPS on the reported case and its regulatory implications, implementing training programs in pharmacovigilance, and creating solutions to simplify the reporting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the teachinglearning experience in the Communication in Healthcare class among students, teaching assistants, and health professionals, as well as its applications to professional practice. Methods: This is a qualitative study with a theoretical approach based on Gadamer's Philosophical Hermeneutics and a methodological framework based on Minayo and Bardin's thematic content analysis. Communication in Healthcare is an elective multiprofessional class, which lasts one semester and is offered regularly. All former students (n = 368) were invited to participate by email, and 30 participated in these focus groups (13 students, 8 teaching assistants, and 9 health professionals). The online focus groups took place on an online platform, and they were video-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Through cross-sectional and vertical analysis, the main themes were identified. Results: The Communication in Healthcare class was an important step for personal, professional, and interprofessional formation and development of communication competence. The following dominant themes were identified: 1) motivation for signing up, 2) prior expectations, 3) meaning of the experience and shaping moments, 4) how the teaching-learning experience was retained and what was retained, 5) repercussions in relation to self, others, and professional life, and 6) reflections about the curriculum, interprofessional dialogue, and formation. Conclusions: The teaching-learning experience was important for the formation of communicational competence. This research contributes to medical education and opens teaching-learning paths for communication skills, empathy, dialogue, and interprofessionalism. Future studies with a philosophical hermeneutic framework and online focus groups are indicated for the comprehension of educational interventions in health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a strategic resource for mining, especially in the processing of ores. Thus, the best use of this resource, including its reuse, is paramount given its scarcity and environmental restrictions. However, the reuse of water, mainly in flotation, can reduce its efficiency, due to the presence of ions dissolved in it. In this sense, the aim was to obtain better quality water through coagulation, flocculation and dissolved air flotation (DAF), in order to enable its reuse. To develop this work, a factorial design was carried out to evaluate the treatment of reuse water, with this, a better quality treated water was obtained, which could be used in apatite flotation. As a result, 66.4% of calcium (Ca2+) and 91.6% of magnesium (Mg2+) were removed, making it a technical solution for treating this effluent, whether for reuse in apatite flotation or for the return to the sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Internet addiction results in intense and frequent use. There is a gap in the literature in relation to the unawareness of problematic Internet use (PIU) in predicting Internet use time (IUT). Objective: To identify sociodemographic/psychological variables contributing and moderating IUT. Participants: 1,270 participants of the European Social Survey (EES), Round 8. Instruments: EES variables assessing Internet use (IU), health perception, well-being, social life, and sociodemographic variables, underlying the construct. Results: Age, education, sources of household income, social activities compared to others of the same age and subjective general health explain IU per day; and age, years of education, domicile and socially meeting with other people with whom to discuss intimate matters explain IU per week. Education was found to be a significant moderator in the relationship between subjective general health and IU per week; and in the relationship between socially meeting with other people and IU per day. Discussion: Maladaptive IU, when the perception of health is worse, and adaptive IU, when the perception of social life is better, are both suggested, depending on education. Conclusions: These findings point to the need to study IUT involving educational level, keeping in mind that what may be PIU at one educational level may not be the case at another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To perform the initial psychometric evaluation of the Portuguese version of the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI). ANIMALS A total of 100 dogs, 50 with bilateral hip osteoarthritis and 50 unaffected dogs. PROCEDURES The 2 groups of dogs were assessed using the CBPI. The English version of the CBPI (divided into a pain severity score and a pain interference score) was translated into Portuguese, and a copy of the translated version was completed by native Portuguese speakers' canine handlers. The results from the 2 groups were compared, and psychometric properties were evaluated. Construct validity was evaluated by assessing differences between animals with osteoarthritis and unaffected animals with the Mann-Whitney test. Further evaluation was performed with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olin measure of sampling adequacy, Eigenvalue, and scree-plot analysis. Internal consistency was tested with Cronbach α. RESULTS A significant difference was observed between dogs with osteoarthritis and unaffected dogs in pain severity and pain interference scores (P < .01 for both), one indication of construct validity. Cronbach α was 0.99, and a high interitem correlation was observed, showing strong internal consistency. One factor accounted for 92.3% of the total variance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE We presented the initial validation of the Portuguese version of the CBPI and its validity in the Portuguese language. It is an essential step in providing a valid tool for clinicians to assess pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. Further studies are required to determine if the present results can be replicated across samples with different characteristics and evaluate response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To describe the effect of a mesotherapy protocol in dogs with osteoarthritis. ANIMALS 30 dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs were randomly assigned to a control (CG; n = 10) or a mesotherapy group (MG; 20). CG received meloxicam for 70 days. MG was treated with a combination of lidocaine, piroxicam, and thiocolchicoside, injected in intradermal points. Seven treatment sessions were conducted. Response to treatment was measured with different instruments: the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (divided into Pain Interference Score [PIS] and Pain Severity Score [PSS]), Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD), and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI; divided into function, gait, stiffness, and quality of life), at time 0 (T0), +15 days, +30 days, +60 days, and +90 days after T0. At each time point, the results of the 2 groups with each instrument were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P < .05. Kaplan-Meier estimators were compared with the Breslow test. RESULTS Dogs had a mean age of 6.9 ± 2.7 years and a body weight of 31.0 ± 6.4 kg. Hip osteoarthritis was classified as mild (n = 9), moderate (17), or severe (4). No differences were found at T0. Better results were observed in MG at +15 days (P < .01 for PSS and PIS, P = .03 for function), +30 days (P = .01 for PIS and LOAD, P = .03 for PSS, and P = .04 for function, gait, and COI), +60 days (P < .01 for PSS and PIS, P = .01 for LOAD, and P = .02 for function), and +90 days (P = .01 for PSS and PIS, P = .03 for LOAD, and P = .04 for function). Kaplan-Meier estimators showed MG had longer periods with better results than CG in various scores. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This mesotherapy protocol reduced pain scores and other clinical metrology instrument scores lasting for longer periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bactrocera oleae is the main pest in olive groves, and its management requires a sustainable perspective to reduce the use of chemical products. Landscape context is being considered as an important driver of pest reduction, but results on B. oleae show inconsistency to date. Most of landscape-pest control studies focus on the dynamics of the pests within the focal crop, ignoring these dynamics in other land uses. Here we present a study in which we analyze the seasonal population dynamics of the olive pest B. oleae in the most important land uses of a typical olive landscape in Portugal. We found that B. oleae is present in all the land uses and the dynamics are very similar to those in the olive groves. However, the presence of these land uses in the landscape did not display any increase in B. oleae abundance within the olive groves. In contrast, a landscape mainly composed by olive groves increased the abundance of this pest. Importantly, more diverse landscapes surrounding olive groves reduce the abundance of the olive fly. Based on these findings, we can conclude that B. oleae is present in all the land uses of the studied landscape but that this presence does not imply an increase of B. oleae in olive groves. Indeed, other land uses can promote landscape diversification which is a driver of the reduction of B. oleae populations in olive groves. We thus encourage olive stakeholders to increase landscape diversification around their farms by promoting/restoring other crops/habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a fast SIMD Hilbert space-filling curve generator, which supports a new cache-oblivious blocking-scheme technique applied to the out-of-place transposition of general matrices. Matrix operations found in high performance computing libraries are usually parameterized based on host microprocessor specifications to minimize data movement within the different levels of memory hierarchy. The performance of cache-oblivious algorithms does not rely on such parameterizations. This type of algorithm provides an elegant and portable solution to address the lack of standardization in modern-day processors. Our solution consists in an iterative blocking scheme that takes advantage of the locality-preserving properties of Hilbert space-filling curves to minimize data movement in any memory hierarchy. This scheme traverses the input matrix, in O(nm) time and space, improving the behavior of matrix algorithms that inherently present poor memory locality. The application of this technique to the problem of out-of-place matrix transposition achieved competitive results when compared to state-of-the-art approaches. The performance of our solution surpassed Intel MKL version after employing standard software prefetching techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Between 2001 and 2020, 54 LGV cases were diagnosed in a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Lisbon, most in men who have sex with men (87%), HIV negative (63%), from the anorectal mucosa (72.2%). Cases among heterosexuals were also identified (13%). Surveillance programs irrespective of sexual orientation and HIV status are needed to avoid the morbidity associated with LGV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Osteoarthritis is a very common joint disease in dogs. For that reason, it is important to have validated owner questionnaires to assess patients and response to eventual treatments. For dogs, several questionnaires exist, with a growing interest on their validation. We aimed to evaluate four of them and determine their ability to evaluate pain and patient outcome. The questionnaires we evaluated can be used for the evaluation of osteoarthritis and response to treatment in dogs. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly diagnosed joint disease in companion animals, and proper tools are necessary to assess patients and response to treatment. We aimed to perform the psychometric evaluation of several clinical metrology instruments (CMI), developed to evaluate pain and assess outcome. Fifty police working dogs with bilateral hip OA were assessed in a prospective, randomised, double-blinded study. Patients were evaluated using a stance analyser in six different moments divided over a 180-day period. Pedometer step count, weight-bearing symmetry index and deviation from normal weight-bearing were calculated and used for criterion validity. In each evaluation moment, a copy of the Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS), Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) and Canine Orthopaedic Index (COI) were completed by the dogs' handlers. Correlations between CMIs were evaluated as construct validity. Further evaluation was performed with the Kaiser–Meyer–Olin measure of sampling adequacy, Eigenvalue and scree-plot analysis. Internal consistency was tested with Cronbach's α. Significant weak correlation was found between all CMIs and stance analysis symmetry index measure and deviation, indicating criterion validity. Significant weak correlation was also found between pedometer count and LOAD plus COI. Cronbach's α was 0.80 for HVAS, 0.98 for CBPI, 0.97 for LOAD and 0.98 for COI. Significant strong correlation was observed between CMIs, indicating construct validity. We present criterion and construct validity of these CMIs, which are able to capture various dimensions of OA. They can be used for the evaluation of osteoarthritis and response to treatment in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The androecium of Melastomataceae presents notable modifications in its merosity, morphology between whorls and in prolonged connectives and appendages. We carried out a comparative study of six Melastomataceae species to shed light on the developmental processes that originate such stamen diversity. The development of stamens was studied using scanning electron microscopy and histological observations. The stamens of all species studied have a curved shape because they emerge on a plane displaced by the perigynous hypanthium. They are the last flower organs to initiate and therefore their growth is inwards and towards the floral center. Despite the temporal inversion between carpels and stamens in Melastomataceae, the androecium maintains the centripetal pattern of development, the antepetalous stamens emerging after antesepalous stamens. The isomerous androecium can be the result of abortion of the antepetalous stamens, whereas heterostemony seems to be caused by differences in position and the stamen development time. Pedoconnectives and ventral appendages originate from the basal expansion of the anther late in floral development. The delay in stamen development may be a consequence of their dependence on the formation of a previous space so that they can grow. Most of the stamen diversity is explained by the formation of the connectives and their appendages. The formation of a basal-ventral anther prolongation, which culminates in the development of the pedoconnective, does not differ from other types of sectorial growth of the connective, which form shorter structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis. ANIMALS 20 dogs. PROCEDURES Forty joints were assigned to a control group (CG; n = 20) or treatment group (photobiomodulation therapy [PBMT]; 20). CG received a 21-day course of meloxicam, and PBMT received treatment with a Class IV therapeutic laser over 3 weeks. Joint range of motion, thigh girth, the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (divided into pain interference score [PIS] and pain severity score [PSS]), Hudson Visual Analogue Scale, Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs, and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI; divided into function, gait, stiffness, and quality of life) were evaluated before treatment, +8, +15, +30, +60, and +90 days after initial treatment. Results were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA or Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P < 0.05. Kaplan-Meier estimators were compared with the Breslow test. RESULTS Patients had a mean age of 8.3 ± 1.9 years and body weight of 65.7 ± 12.1lb. Osteoarthritis was classified as moderate (n = 26) and severe (14). No differences were found at time 0. Better results were observed in PBMT at +8 days (P = 0.01 for PSS, P = 0.04 for function and COI), +15 days (P = 0.01 for PSS and function, P = 0.02 for PIS and function, P = 0.03 for COI and P = 0.04 for Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs [LOAD]) and +30 days (P = 0.01 for function and gait, P = 0.02 for COI, and P = 0.04 for PIS, PSS, and LOAD). Joint range of motion improved in PBMT from +15 to 90 days. Kaplan-Meier estimators showed that PBMT produced longer periods with better results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE PBMT reduced pain levels and improved clinical findings in dogs with hip osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental control of the vector inside and around households, as a fundamental strategy for the prevention of arboviruses such as dengue, zika and chikungunya, demands an uninterrupted involvement of the population. The pandemic context of Covid-19, and consequently the social isolation has reduced professional surveillance in the households, making the performance of the population even more necessary. Studies that seek to understand the involvement of communities in the implementation of preventive actions have been almost exclusively local. This article reports an intervention research based on workshops on preventive practices carried out before social isolation, in 16 municipalities in the five Brazilian regions and involved 379 participants. Our results show the preventive actions recommended by campaigns that are the most commonly understood and performed by the population; situations that hinder execution; preventive practices of citizens' own initiative; and practices based on popular knowledge. It became evident that information to communities cannot be restricted to mass campaigns, and that it is necessary to invest in educational actions adequate to the variety of national contexts, seeking collective and intersectoral constructions of strategies to confront arboviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In seasonal environments, while some primates change their behavioural patterns according to the total food available, others associate it with plant-specific food availability. We recorded behavioural and ecological data from one marmoset group at the edge of a 522-ha Atlantic Forest fragment in order to verify the seasonal and between-year patterns. We collected behavioural and diet data via scan sampling for 9 months (3 months/season), and estimated the fruiting source density. Fruit resources were significantly more available in the 2012 dry season than the 2012 rainy and 2013 dry seasons. Overall, foraging and moving were the main activities, and fruits and exudates were the principal food items consumed. During the rainy season, the common marmosets devoted more time to eating fruits, increased the niche breadth and food source revisitation frequency, and used the forest's middle-strata more often. When we compared between-year data, we found that common marmosets rested more frequently, fed more often on invertebrates and had a broader niche breadth in the 2012 dry season than in the 2013 dry season. The availability of specific fruit resources and invertebrates appeared to influence study group activity budget and diet. Variation in food availability may have reduced diet niche breadth and stratum use. Our study confirms the well-established flexibility of common marmosets, and demonstrates key aspects of their foraging strategy to survive in modified habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daniel 11 is the core of the last prophecy that starts in chapter 10 and finishes in chapter 12. It is an oral didactic prophecy given directly by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Daniel and constitutes the most detailed prophecy in the book of Daniel. Scholars recognize that Daniel 11 is one of the most challenging passages of biblical apocalyptical literature. There is considerable diversity in the interpretation of the last three chapters of Daniel, especially chapter 11. One of the aspects involves the delimitation of the literary unities that composes chapter 11, which is essential for interpreting the prophecy details. In this context, there is a highlight on the reference to the “vile person” in verse 21, identified by different lines of interpretation as Antiochus iv Epiphanes and other historicists as the roman emperor Tiberius. This article has the objective to offer an alternate option, even though it is not original, based on the literary structure of chapter 11, in the expressions used by the prophet to characterize the actions of the “evil” one, and in the structural and linguistic connections between the chapter 8 and 11. The analysis allows the conclusion that the “evil” one is the equivalent of the “little horn” mentioned in chapter 8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working dogs are at an increased risk of developing an orthopedic disease compared to companion dogs. This study aimed to evaluate functional and orthopedic index fitness in a Portuguese population of police working dogs. In an observational, prospective study, information on 165 dogs was collected. The age, sex, breed, specific work, and history of previous diagnosis of orthopedic disease were recorded for each patient. A copy of the Canine Orthopedic Index (COI), Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS), and Functional Assessment (FA) was collected for all dogs. COI, HVAS, and FA scores between breeds, work, age, sex, and history of a previous diagnosis of orthopedic disease were compared. Multiple regression was run to predict COI, HVAS, and FA scores from breeds, work, age, sex, and history of orthopedic disease. Correlations between items were determined with Pearson's correlation. A p < 0.05 was set. Results: The sample was composed of 92 males and 73 females, with a mean age of 5.2 ± 3.2 years. Four main dog breeds were represented, 60 Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs, 52 German Shepherd Dogs, 29 Labrador Retrievers, and 14 Dutch Shepherd Dog. A prevalence of diarrhea of 10.6% was determined, with 4% of dogs having liquid diarrhea. German Shepherd Dogs had significantly higher FA scores (p = 0.03). Dogs with a history of previous veterinary assistance due to orthopedic issues had significantly lower HVAS scores and higher scores with all remaining questionnaires (p < 0.01 for all). No differences were found between sexes or specific work. Age and a history of orthopedic disease contributed to the prediction of all scores. FA scores had a good correlation with COI and HVAS. Conclusion: This population of police working dogs has a good to excellent level of physical fitness. There was a relationship between increasing age, history of orthopedic disease, and worse scores with all questionnaires. All considered questionnaires could differentiate between animals with a previous history of orthopedic disease and sound dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• More than half of sexually active individuals become infected by HPV during their lifetime. • Genital wards, despite being benign, are associated with significant disease burden and reduced quality of life, due to lack of effective treatment. • Prophylactic vaccines of HPV infection that target the most common high- and low-risk have been included in Portuguese National Immunization Program in 2008. • This study shows that public HPV vaccination program was effective in significantly reducing the prevalence of GWs among vaccine-eligible patients in Portugal. The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was introduced in the Portuguese National Immunization Program in October 2008, targeting 13-year-old girls. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of HPV vaccination on the epidemiology of genital warts (GWs) in Portugal. Observational, retrospective chart review study conducted at two free-of-charge walk-in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics in Lisbon region. The medical records of all patients attending a first STD consultation at the study centers between May 2006 and December 2017 (observation period) were reviewed. The number of patients diagnosed with GWs and/or chlamydial infection at each year was documented and used to determine yearly prevalence of both conditions throughout the observation period. We broke down the observation period into pre-vaccination (May 2006 to December 2008) and vaccination (January 2009 to December 2017) periods. Most patients were male (69.5%) and aged ≥ 25 years (78.1%). The majority of male patients were men who have sex with women (62.0%). Marked decreases in the prevalence of GWs between the last year of the pre-vaccination period (2008) and the last year of the observation period (2017) were found for female patients aged ≤ 19 and 20–24 years (86.8% and 77.4%, respectively). Lower decreases were observed for male patients of the same age groups (38.5% and 19.3%, respectively). GWs prevalence increased among patients ≥ 25 years (9.7% and 14.7% among female and male patients, respectively). Overall prevalence of chlamydial infection increased by 75.9% between 2008 and 2017. This study contributes to the body of evidence showing that public HPV vaccination programs are effective in reducing the prevalence of GWs among vaccine-eligible patients. HPV vaccination program may significantly reduce the burden associated with GWs in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moreover, the existence of several drugs initiated prior to the dermatosis and the clinical improvement after discontinuation of some of them also favor an LDE. However, this disease typically affects children and presents clinically as nonpruriginous erythematous or hypopigmented small papules.16 Histopathology shows typical aspects of a lichenoid dermatosis, but a peri-appendageal infiltrate, particularly with peri-eccrine gland involvement, is considered a helpful diagnostic feature of LS16, and this was absent in our patient. These findings were consistent with a lichenoid dermatosis, possibly in relation with a drug eruption. Keywords: blaschkoid; drug eruption; lichenoid; linear dermatosis EN blaschkoid drug eruption lichenoid linear dermatosis 1 6 6 12/06/21 20220101 NES 220101 INTRODUCTION Lichenoid dermatoses are a heterogenous group of diseases with varying clinical presentations, characterized on histopathology by a dense, band-like lymphocytic infiltrate near the dermal-epidermal junction and keratinocyte apoptosis with destruction of the basal cell layer.1 The prototype of these dermatoses is lichen planus (LP), a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous and nail disease characterized by violaceous, polygonal, pruritic, flat-topped papules that favors the extremities.2 Blaschkoid LP, one rare variant of LP, is characterized by typical LP lesions following the lines of Blaschko.3 Other lichenoid dermatoses include lichenoid drug eruption (LDE), lichen striatus (LS) and keratosis lichenoides chronica (KLC), to mention some, which can be difficult to distinguish from idiopathic LP, even in histopathology.4 Herein, we report a case of a unilateral lichenoid dermatosis along the lines of Blaschko, that we believe to be a LDE. [Extracted from the article]

We propose to analyze how the work and educational policy for secondary education in the amazon have been developed, through the understanding of social and educational indicators in the state of amapá. the data were analyzed qualitatively, correlating them to obtain the necessary syntheses. based on the distortions in the hdi-e and between the educational indexes of schools in the countryside and in the city, we reveal that secondary education in amapá is marked by contradictions that deepen the dual condition and educational inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syagrus coronata, a palm tree found in northeastern Brazil, popularly known as licuri, has socioeconomic importance for the production of vegetable oil rich in fatty acids with nutritional and pharmacological effects. Licuri oil is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, wound healing, mycosis, back discomfort, eye irritation, and other conditions. The study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects of treatment with Syagrus coronata fixed oil (ScFO), as well as to determine the safety of use in mice. Initially, the chemical characterization was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Acute single-dose oral toxicity was evaluated in mice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through abdominal writhing, formalin, and tail dipping tests, and the anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through the model of acute inflammation of ear edema, peritonitis, and fever at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg from ScFO. In the chemical analysis of ScFO, lauric (43.64%), caprylic (11.7%), and capric (7.2%) acids were detected as major. No mortality or behavioral abnormalities in the mice were evidenced over the 14 days of observation in the acute toxicity test. ScFO treatment decreased abdominal writhing by 27.07, 28.23, and 51.78% at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. ScFO demonstrated central and peripheral action in the formalin test, possibly via opioidergic and muscarinic systems. In the tail dipping test, ScFO showed action from the first hour after treatment at all concentrations. ScFO (100 mg/kg) reduced ear edema by 63.76% and leukocyte and neutrophil migration and IL-1β and TNF-α production in the peritonitis test. Mice treated with ScFO had a reduction in fever after 60 min at all concentrations regardless of dose. Therefore, the fixed oil of S. coronata has the potential for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and fever. [Display omitted] • Brazilian palm tree Syagrus coronata oil offers therapeutic and nutritional benefits. • ScFO shows antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects in mice. • ScFO exhibits no toxicity or abnormal behavior in acute oral toxicity tests. • New pharmaceutical formulations for pain, inflammation, and fever may use ScFO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding phylogenetic relationships within the family Culicidae informs mosquito evolution and may have public health implications as this family includes numerous species of medical and veterinary importance. We investigated the mitochondrial genomes of 102 mosquitoes, including six newly sequenced species, representing 21 genera with an emphasis on the Neotropical region. We estimated divergence times based on sequence data and three fossil calibration points, using Bayesian relaxed clock methods. Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on the DNA sequences of 13 PCGs of the 102 species provided robust support for the monophyly of the subfamily Anophelinae and the tribes Aedini, Culicini, Mansoniini and Sabethini. Despite the current genera of Anophelinae being consistently recovered as monophyletic, relationships among them proved to be quite variable depending on the method used (concatenated or partitioned) and the number of taxa sampled. Molecular divergence time estimates revealed that the two mosquito subfamilies, Anophelinae and Culicinae, diverged in the early Jurassic (approximately 197.5 Mya). However, most major lineages of these groups arose after the Cretaceous, coincident with the emergence of angiosperms and the expansion of mammals and birds. The diversification and worldwide distribution of Culicidae may also be determined in part by geographic isolation as a result of continental drift during the Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality control procedures are essential in many industrial production pipelines. These repetitive and precise tasks are frequently complex, including several steps that must be performed correctly by different operators. To facilitate these, quality control tests are often documented with static media like video recordings, photos, or diagrams. However, the need for the operator to divide attention between the visual instructions and the task, and the lack of feedback lead to slow processes, with potential for improvement. By using augmented reality (AR), operators can focus on the task at hand while receiving visual feedback where it is needed. Nevertheless, existing prototypes are still at early stages, being tested only in laboratory conditions, far from mimicking real scenarios. The major contributions of this work are twofold: first, we present an AR-based quality control system capable of generating virtual content to guide operators by overlaying information in a video stream while performing real-time validation. The system evaluates the current status of the procedure to ensure the automatic progression to the next phase. Second, an evaluation was conducted in an industrial shop floor during 1 week, with seven operators to verify if the system was robust and understand possible efficiency gains when compared to the alternative, i.e., video instructions. Results showed that AR had a significant impact in procedures' execution time (reduction of 36%), while reducing the risk of human errors, which means AR technologies may represent a profitable and sustainable solution when applied to real-world industrial scenarios, in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A study investigated the effects of applying fast-acting insulin directly to surgical wounds in cats. The aim was to see if insulin could speed up the healing process. Sixty healthy female cats undergoing spaying were used in the study. Each surgical site was split into two sections: one receiving insulin treatment and the other serving as a control. The results showed that wounds treated with insulin healed faster, with fewer complications such as liquid buildup and stitch removal. The insulin promoted early infiltration of healing cells, leading to quicker wound closure. This study suggests that applying insulin directly to surgical wounds in cats can improve healing and represents a novel approach in veterinary medicine. Wound healing is a complex biological process involving a coordinated sequence of events aimed at restoring tissue integrity and function. Recent advancements in wound care have introduced novel therapies, with topical insulin application emerging as a promising strategy for promoting tissue healing. This study, involving 60 female cats (n = 60) undergoing elective spaying, aimed to evaluate the effects of topical fast-acting insulin on the healing process of surgical wounds. Each surgical suture was divided into two regions: the control zone (Zcr) without insulin application and the study zone (Zst), where insulin was applied topically for 10 min every 24 h over eight consecutive days. Assessment of suture healing was conducted using an adapted scale at two time points post-surgery: T1 (day 2) and T2 (day 8). Statistically significant differences were registered in the final healing scale scores between Zcr and Zst (p < 0.022), as well as for the parameter of regional fluid (p-value = 0.017). Additionally, at T2, all Zst regions exhibited wound closure, whereas Zcr did not, although not in a statistically significant manner. The observed discrepancy at T2 between the Zcr and Zst regions may suggest a potential benefit of utilizing insulin. No side effects resulting from the insulin topical application performed by the tutors were recorded in the Zst suture group. This study represents the first exploration of the benefits of topical insulin application for surgical wound healing in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) represents a significant burden to societies, as it affects quality of life and performance and implies a large cost in terms of health care. Autologous platelets are a regenerative treatment modality for OA that are thought to be a potential stimulation of the natural healing cascade. Purpose: To describe the effect of the platelet concentrate V-PET in the management of OA in a naturally occurring canine model, using several outcome assessment modalities. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 40 joints of active working police dogs with hip OA were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) and a platelet concentrate group (PCG; treatment) and evaluated. At treatment day (T0) and 8, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days after treatment, weight distribution, joint range of motion at flexion and extension, thigh girth, digital thermography, radiographic signs, 4 clinical metrology instruments, and synovial fluid interleukin 1 and C-reactive protein levels were recorded. Results were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance with a Huynh-Feldt correction, paired-samples t test, or Wilcoxon signed rank test, with P <.05. Results: Dogs were 6.5 ± 2.4 years old (mean ± SD) and had a body weight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. At T0, 32 (80%) joints were graded as having mild OA, 6 (15%) as moderate, and 2 (5%) as severe. No differences were found between groups at T0. Between the PCG and CG, the symmetry index showed significant improvements in the PCG from 8 days (P =.01) to 180 days (P =.01). Joint flexion also improved in the PCG up to 90 days (P <.05) and extension improved up to 180 days (P <.01). Several clinical metrology instrument scores also improved up to 90 to 180 days after treatment. In the CG, radiographic signs progressed, while the PCG showed some improved signs. In both groups, increasing body weight and age corresponded with worse clinical and laboratory findings. Conclusion: A single injection of platelet concentrate had a positive effect, lasting up to 6 months, on several clinical, imaging, and laboratory signs in a naturally occurring canine OA model. Clinical Relevance: We characterized the effects of this platelet concentrate in dogs, considered the gold standard of the study of OA, with a group of working animals with similar high demands as athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is wide variability in primate behavior and ecology. Understanding how frugivorous primates behave under different habitat fragmentation levels is key for effective conservation and management of species and their habitats. We evaluated the seasonality in activity budget, diet, and ranging behavior of two groups of Endangered Coimbra‐Filho's titi monkeys (Callicebus coimbrai). One group inhabited a 14‐ha forest fragment, whereas the other lived in a 522‐ha fragment. We measured the monthly density of trees and lianas available as food sources over 8 months. We also collected behavioral and group location data every 5 min, from dawn to dusk, using the scan sampling method. The two forest fragments differed seasonally in the number of fruiting food‐resource available. In the 14‐ha fragment, we found that the time spent by titi monkeys feeding, foraging, resting, and traveling differed seasonally. In the 522‐ha fragment, titi monkeys exhibited seasonal differences in time spent sleeping, socializing, foraging, and revisiting food sources. In both titi monkey groups, diets varied seasonally. Our findings indicate that Coimbra‐Filho's titi monkeys can exhibit behavioral flexibility in their activity budgets, diets, and movement patterns. Such flexibility is important for this species to survive in fragmented habitats and may be linked to three key factors: species‐specific resource availability, plant species diversity, and the vegetation structure of each forest fragment. Research Highlights: Coimbra‐Filho's titi monkeys demonstrate high ability to survival in fragmented habitatsThe monkeys appeared to modify their foraging‐time and resource‐choice strategies to maximize resource consumption [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an intra-articular (IA) administration of triamcinolone hexacetonide, compared with saline. Patients and methods: Forty (N = 40) hip joints were randomly assigned to a treatment group (THG, n = 20, receiving IA triamcinolone hexacetonide) and a control group (CG, n = 20, receiving IA saline). On treatment day (T0), and at 8, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days post-treatment, weight distribution, joint range of motion, thigh girth, digital thermography, radiographic signs, synovial fluid interleukin-1 and C-reactive protein levels were evaluated. Data from four Clinical Metrology Instruments was also gathered. Results were compared Repeated Measures ANOVA, with a Huynh-Feldt correction, Paired Samples T-Test or Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. A Kaplan-Meier test was performed to compare both groups, with p<0.05. Results: Joints were graded as mild (65%), moderate (20%) and severe (15%). Patients of both sexes, with a mean age of 6.5±2.4 years and bodyweight of 26.7±5.2kg, were included. No differences were found between groups at T0. Comparing THG to CG, weight distribution showed significant improvements in THG from 8 (p = 0.05) up to 90 days (p = 0.01). THG showed lower values during thermographic evaluation in the Lt view (p<0.01). Pain and function scores also improved from 30 to 180 days. Increasing body weight, age, and presence of caudolateral curvilinear osteophyte corresponded to worse response to treatment. Results of the Kaplan Meier test showed significant differences between groups, with THG performing better considering several evaluations and scores. Conclusion: THG recorded significant improvements in weight-bearing and in with the considered CMIs, particularly pain scores. Lower thermographic values were registered in THG up to the last evaluation day. Age, sex, and radiographic findings did significantly influenced response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titi monkeys (Callicebus , Cheracebus , and Plecturocebus) comprise the most species-rich group of primates in South America. Thirty-six currently recognized species composing this group inhabit a multitude of habitats across most of South America. While field-based and laboratory research has provided insights into the behavior, ecology, and physiology of some titis, multiple knowledge gaps regarding their biodiversity patterns persist. Here, we provide an overview of titi research and identify their biodiversity knowledge shortfalls. Using online databases, we collated the literature of all titi studies published up to December 31, 2021. We compiled 521 publications, with 48 % representing in situ field studies of the monkeys. The majority of field-based publications focused on studies conducted in Brazil and Peru. We found that research efforts have increased in recent decades, as indicated by the increased number of publications on titis. However, given the large number of species and their wide distribution across South America, there is limited information about most of these species and their geographic ranges. By highlighting the focal points where conservation-related data are still required, our findings demonstrate the importance of expanding research efforts and investment on the full extent of titi species and their entire geographic regions; doing so will help fill the knowledge shortfalls rather than solely advancing the study of a restricted range of topics in one or two habitats or countries. These advances will contribute to fill knowledge gaps through the creation/expansion of data repositories, citizen science programs, and increased financial support to maintain long-term data collection. • Titi monkey knowledge shortfalls persist • Targeted studies can reduce shortfalls • Research diversity enhances conservation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital thermal imaging is a physiologic, non-invasive, contactless, and non-radiating diagnostic tool that can assess a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Fifty police working dogs were evaluated to compare the dorsoventral (DV) and lateral (LT) thermographic images in dogs with naturally occurring bilateral HOA. A DV, and left and right lateral LT images were obtained for each animal in six different moments. They were positioned standing in a symmetrical upright position for the DV view. Each image included the area from the last lumbar to the first coccygeal vertebrae. Each LT view was set with the greater trochanter in the centre of the image. Images were taken with a thermographic camera from a distance of 60 cm. Mean and maximal temperatures were recorded, analyzed with ANOVA, dependent samples t-test, and Spearman correlation, with P < 0.05. Results: Nine hundred images were considered, collected from 30 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.2 years and bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.3 kg. The overall value recorded on the DV view was 25.3º ± 9.1 and 28.4º ± 2.8 on the lateral view. These were significantly different (P < 0.01) and with a low correlation (r = 0.10, P = 0.03). German Shepard dogs showed significantly lower values on all views than other breeds (P < 0.01), and heavier dogs had higher values on the lateral view. Conclusions: This is the first study that describes digital thermography's diagnostic use to evaluate working dogs with naturally occurring HOA, comparing two different views. Future studies should address each one's value in the diagnosis and response to treatment of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the relations between society and nature is a fundamental aspect to understand the evolutionary dynamics of the environment and society for the time scene of many conflicts. This work aimed to verify relationships that exist between the Ecological Station, located in the municipality of Serra Negra do Norte-RN, and residents in its surrounding zone. For the study, a questionnaire was used with structured and semi-structured questions for the resident population and technical staff of the conservation unit. The interviewees were chosen randomly, in the surrounding zone, rural area. In the analysis of the interviews, basic statistic and content analysis were used, which were grouped into categories of responses. It was possible to perceive that there is an understanding of the population regarding aspects related to the importance and conservation of nature. As for the relationship of the residents with the surrounding zone, the non-existence and the nonknowledge of the residents about this area is identified. Regarding the season, the analysis of the answers reveals that there are administrative problems and also lack of financial and human resources, but good practices have already existed with the residents of the surrounding area, which, together with the current perception of the interviewees, creates a favorable environment to changes that bring development and improvements in the relations of the conservation unit with the population and the environment and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conjecture the existence of a relation between elementary scalars and fermions, making it plausible the existence of three Higgs doublets. We introduce a Trinity Principle (TP) which, given the fact that there are no massless quarks, requires the existence of a minimum of three Higgs doublets. The TP states that each row of the mass matrix of a quark of a given charge should receive the contribution from one and only one scalar doublet and furthermore a given scalar doublet should contribute to one and only one row of the mass matrix of a quark of a given charge. This principle is analogous to the Natural Flavour Conservation (NFC) of Glashow and Weinberg with the key distinction that NFC required the introduction of a flavour blind symmetry, while the TP requires a flavoured symmetry, to be implemented in a natural way. We provide two examples which satisfy the Trinity Principle based on Z 3 and Z 2 × Z 2 ′ flavoured symmetries, and show that they are the minimal multi-Higgs extensions of the Standard Model where CP can be imposed as a symmetry of the full Lagrangian and broken by the vacuum, without requiring soft-breaking terms. We show that the vacuum phases are sufficient to generate a complex CKM matrix, in agreement with experiment. The above mentioned flavoured symmetries lead to a strong reduction in the number of parameters in the Yukawa interactions, enabling a control of the Scalar Flavour Changing Neutral Couplings (SFCNC). We analyse some of the other physical implications of the two models, including an estimate of the enhancement of the Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe provided by the new sources of CP violation, and a discussion of the strength of their tree-level SFCNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report fur-rubbing behavior of brown titi monkeys, Plecturocebus brunneus, using chewed leaves from (Fabaceae) and Piper tuberculatum (Piperaceae). These reports were obtained during systematic monitoring of titi monkeys from May until December 2019 (218 h) in an urban fragment forest in the Brazilian Amazon. Both plant species contain chemical substances in their leaves that potentially repel ectoparasites. The genus Piper is known for its repelling action due to the presence of amides, alkaloids and benzoic acid. The presence of dogs, cats and human settlements may contribute to an increase of ectoparasites, making a potential self-medication function of fur rubbing in this primate species plausible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Moraceae, the well-known mulberry or fig family, displays small, inconspicuous, diclinous flowers that are very different from many other rosids. One remarkable condition is the gynoecium that is unilocular and uniovulate but composed of two carpels, characterizing a type of pseudomonomery. The pathways that lead to the formation of such a pseudomonomerous gynoecium are insufficiently known. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the developmental pathways of this intriguing type of gynoecium in six species representing six of seven tribes recognized in Moraceae: Brosimum gaudichaudii , Castilla elastica , Clarisia ilicifolia , Ficus citrifolia , Maclura tinctoria , and Morus nigra. Methodology. Buds at different stages of development and flowers were processed for surface and anatomical studies. Pivotal results. The gynoecium meristem forms at first a single protuberance in the center of the flower, which then divides, originating two carpels that elongate asymmetrically, but only one initiates an ovule. After elongation of the young carpels, significant differences are found: (1) the two carpels take part in ovary, style, and stigma formation, although only one initiates an ovule in the ovary, and (2) the longer carpel contains an ovule, whereas the smaller carpel is simply a component of the ovary (M. tinctoria). The developed ovary of all species is vascularized by two dorsal traces, attesting to the participation of two carpels. All species except M. tinctoria have two stigmatic branches that, at the time of receptivity, may differ in length. Conclusions. The formation of a pseudomonomerous gynoecium in Moraceae is a condition of carpel dimorphism that manifests itself along an ontogenetic gradient. Such a gradient is evident in the stigma formation, which may involve both carpels, ovulate or not, resulting in symmetrical stigmatic branches or in asymmetrical stigmatic branches, with the shortening or complete absence of one branch. The structure of the pseudomonomerous gynoecium may be the reflection of a balance between the decrease in the number of ovules and the increase and/or maintenance of the equivalent stigmatic surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For arboreal primates, ground use may increase dispersal opportunities, tolerance to habitat change, access to ground-based resources, and resilience to human disturbances, and so has conservation implications. We collated published and unpublished data from 86 studies across 65 localities to assess titi monkey (Callicebinae) terrestriality. We examined whether the frequency of terrestrial activity correlated with study duration (a proxy for sampling effort), rainfall level (a proxy for food availability seasonality), and forest height (a proxy for vertical niche dimension). Terrestrial activity was recorded frequently for Callicebus and Plecturocebus spp., but rarely for Cheracebus spp. Terrestrial resting, anti-predator behavior, geophagy, and playing frequencies in Callicebus and Plecturocebus spp., but feeding and moving differed. Callicebus spp. often ate or searched for new leaves terrestrially. Plecturocebus spp. descended primarily to ingest terrestrial invertebrates and soil. Study duration correlated positively and rainfall level negatively with terrestrial activity. Though differences in sampling effort and methods limited comparisons and interpretation, overall, titi monkeys commonly engaged in a variety of terrestrial activities. Terrestrial behavior in Callicebus and Plecturocebus capacities may bolster resistance to habitat fragmentation. However, it is uncertain if the low frequency of terrestriality recorded for Cheracebus spp. is a genus-specific trait associated with a more basal phylogenetic position, or because studies of this genus occurred in pristine habitats. Observations of terrestrial behavior increased with increasing sampling effort and decreasing food availability. Overall, we found a high frequency of terrestrial behavior in titi monkeys, unlike that observed in other pitheciids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document introduces a special issue of the International Journal of Primatology that focuses on the conservation ecology of Titi monkeys, a primate species found in South America. Titi monkeys face challenges due to their geographic isolation and human activities. The special issue aims to fill knowledge gaps and contribute to the conservation of these monkeys and their habitats. The document provides a historical overview of studies on Titi monkeys, highlighting important findings on their behavior, ecology, and taxonomy from the 1960s to the 2010s. The special issue includes nine articles that cover various topics such as reproductive biology, activity patterns, feeding ecology, ranging behavior, predation events, adoption, infanticide, and habitat use. These studies emphasize the need for further research to better understand Titi monkey biology and to develop effective conservation and management strategies for these endangered species. [Extracted from the article]

Primate population density often varies considerably between sites, reflecting differences in site conditions and resource availability. Understanding these differences may provide important insights for habitat management. We identified environmental variables that affect the population density of Callicebus coimbrai in forest patches throughout its geographic distribution in northeastern Brazil. We sampled the vegetation structure of 19 forest patches and assessed the composition of the surrounding landscape and the resistance of the surrounding matrix to the movement of C. coimbrai. We used the number of responses of C. coimbrai to playback to estimate the species density in each patch. The density of C. coimbrai was positively related to understory vegetation density, and tree diameter and density, but not to the surrounding landscape composition. The sites with the highest densities were concentrated in the center of the species geographic range and only one of the forest patches may be large enough to host a viable population of C. coimbrai over the long term. Denser understories and larger and closed-spaced trees were related to food availability, and possibly also to predator avoidance, although most predators were extirpated from the region. C. coimbrai tolerate and may even benefit from forest disturbance, depending on how the process has changed the vegetation structure. Our results emphasize the need to enhance the connectivity of the forest patches, particularly in the central portion of the species distribution. Our findings suggest that a whole-range approach is effective to identify the drivers of species density, and priority areas and conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadvertent or intentional introductions of species in non-native habitats are forcing them to adapt quickly, resulting in evolutionarily significant changes in their ecology and social organisation. Understanding how these species are adapting in non-native areas will elucidate evolutionary aspects of migration and adaptation skills of exotic species in general. Thus, we investigated how Amazonian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) have adjusted their behavioural ecology and call propagation in an Atlantic forest fragment in north-eastern Brazil. Behavioural ecology data were obtained via instantaneous scan and ad libitum sampling methods. Call propagation data were obtained through playback experiments conducted in the Atlantic and Amazon forests. Atlantic forest squirrel monkey diet was found to be composed, primarily, of fruits considered "exotic" to the region. There was no variation between dry and wet months in food-resource exploitation except for flowers. Squirrel monkeys spent most of their time engaged in locomotion and foraging activities and had a preference for the Atlantic forest mid-strata. Nevertheless, resting, locomotion and social activities were most frequently demonstrated in the dry months, whereas foraging behaviours were mostly performed in the wet months. We found no variation between dry and wet months in the vertical use of the stratum, daily path length or home range size. The propagation of squirrel monkey isolation calls was more efficient in the Amazon compared with the Atlantic forest, with call acoustic parameters degrading faster in the Atlantic forest. Our results indicate that exotic squirrel monkeys have adjusted their activity pattern and diet in the Atlantic forest, resulting in behavioural variations consistent with the existing resources. Vocalisations, however, despite not being fully adapted for propagation in the Atlantic forest, do not appear to interfere in the occupation success of the species in the Atlantic forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A closed-loop process to recover Li and Co compounds and to resynthesize LiCoO 2 was developed. • Li was recovered as Li 2 CO 3 by an original, simple and non-precipitation method. • Co was obtained as Co 3 O 4 by calcination of cobalt oxalate precipitate. • Stoichiometric and ordered LiCoO 2 was resynthesized from these Co and Li compounds. • Green reactants were employed. Volatile hazardous reaction byproducts could be trapped or neutralized. Abstract In the last decades, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been growing fast to attend the markets of electric and hybrid vehicles and of electric portable devices. As scarce metals like cobalt and lithium are employed in their manufacturing the recycling of spent LIBs is a strategic solution for the sustainability of these minerals and also the maintenance of the LIBs production. Therefore, efforts should be driven to produce low cost, environment-friendly and industrially scalable recycling processes. In this study, a closed-loop process with these characteristics was developed to recover cobalt and lithium compounds from LiCoO 2 cathodes of spent cell phone lithium-ion batteries. The process employs citric acid as green leaching agent to recover cobalt as CoC 2 O 4.2H 2 O and Co 3 O 4 and lithium as Li 2 CO 3. Lithium compound was recovered from a proposed new and original method based on simple chemical procedures as evaporation-calcination and water dissolution. The developed process also allows the resynthesis of LiCoO 2 as a stoichiometric, well crystallized and structurally ordered compound from the recovered Co and Li compounds, in a closed-loop recycling process. The obtained results indicate that the developed process has great potential to be scaled up to a recycling industrial plant of spent lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of two well-defined tidal tails emerging from the Hyades star cluster. The tails were detected in Gaia DR2 data by selecting cluster members in the 3D galactocentric cylindrical velocity space. The robustness of our member selection is reinforced by the fact that the sources depict an almost noiseless, coeval stellar main sequence in the observational Hertzsprung-Russel diagram. The spatial arrangement of the selected members represents a highly flattened shape with respect to the direction of movement along the clusters' orbit in the Galaxy. The size of the entire structure, within the limits of the observations, measures about 200 pc in its largest extent, while being only about 25 pc thick. This translates into an on-sky extent of well beyond 100 deg. Intriguingly, a top-down view on the spatial distribution reveals a distinct S-shape, reminiscent of tidal tails that have been observed for globular clusters and also of tails that were modeled for star clusters bound to the Galactic disk. Even more remarkable, the spatial arrangement as well as the velocity dispersion of our source selection is in excellent agreement with previously published theoretical predictions for the tidal tails of the Hyades. An investigation into observed signatures of equipartition of kinetic energy, that is, mass segregation, remains unsuccessful, most likely because of the sensitivity limit for radial velocity measurements with Gaia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioecological studies related to food-sharing behaviours in titi monkeys are scarce, with no such reports for the Endangered Coimbra-Filho's titi monkey, Callicebus coimbrai. We aimed to describe the pattern of food-sharing behaviours during monitoring (444 h) of a wild group of Coimbra-Filho's titi monkeys inhabiting a fragment of Atlantic forest in Northeast Brazil. We reported 43 food-sharing events (23 food-begging and 20 transfer attempt events). For the food-begging events, infants were the main beggars (74 %) while adult males were the main possessors (48 %). High-quality foods were more shared between related and unrelated individuals. Infants were the most successful beggars, receiving most of the high-quality food. Coimbra-Filho's titi monkeys did not require any special skills to access the high-quality or easy-to-process food items related to the food-sharing events, suggesting that food sharing in these monkeys is linked to the kin selection and sharing-under-pressure hypotheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the Gaia DR2 distances of about 700 mid-infrared selected young stellar objects in the benchmark giant molecular cloud Orion A to infer its 3D shape and orientation. We find that Orion A is not the fairly straight filamentary cloud that we see in (2D) projection, but instead a cometary-like cloud oriented toward the Galactic plane, with two distinct components: a denser and enhanced star-forming (bent) Head, and a lower density and star-formation quieter ∼75 pc long Tail. The true extent of Orion A is not the projected ∼40 pc but ∼90 pc, making it by far the largest molecular cloud in the local neighborhood. Its aspect ratio (∼30:1) and high column-density fraction (∼45%) make it similar to large-scale Milky Way filaments ("bones"), despite its distance to the galactic mid-plane being an order of magnitude larger than typically found for these structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family farming features the management of shared resources, the source of income, productive diversity, workplaces and farmers dwellings, thus develop socio-productive bring progress for the economy, mainly by promoting entrepreneurship among the associations. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the panorama of associations of family agriculture in the municipalities of Abaetetuba, Ananindeua, Barcarena, Belém and Santa Izabel, in order to identify demands and propose socio-productive actions management and accounting, promoting the development of Social Entrepreneurship in the Amazon region. To this end, a research Participant of qualitative and exploratory objective to identify the local demands of the associations surveyed was carried out. The results show that when identifying the demands and consequently perform the socio-productive actions, the members showed more participatives, developing entrepreneurial actions, have improved the deal and the responsibility of the financial budget familiar, presented more interest in developing entrepreneurial actions among the joins that consequently qualified for obtaining public calls, thus contributing to local sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This work aims to obtain knowledge about the zinc properties in the synaptic cleft. • The action of zinc at the different binding sites depends on its concentration and zinc affinity. • The relevance of the zinc binding processes will decrease at higher concentrations. • The relative contribution of zinc effluxes depends on the balance between zinc blocking effect and the properties of the zinc currents. • The zinc uptake process and its homeostasis is determinant for the dynamics of zinc in the synaptic cleft. Zinc is a transition metal that is particularly abundant in the mossy fibers of the hippocampal CA3 area. Despite the large number of studies about the zinc role in mossy fibers, the action of zinc in synaptic mechanisms is only partly known. The use of computational models can be a useful tool for this study. In a previous work, a model was developed to evaluate zinc dynamics at the mossy fiber synaptic cleft, following weak stimulation, insufficient to evoke zinc entry into postsynaptic neurons. For intense stimulation, cleft zinc effluxes must be considered. Therefore, the initial model was extended to include postsynaptic zinc effluxes based on the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz current equation combined with Hodgkin and Huxley conductance changes. These effluxes occur through different postsynaptic escape routes, namely L- and N-types voltage-dependent calcium channels and NMDA receptors. For that purpose, various stimulations were assumed to induce high concentrations of cleft free zinc, named as intense (10 μM), very intense (100 μM) and extreme (500 μM). It was observed that the main postsynaptic escape routes of cleft zinc are the L-type calcium channels, followed by the NMDA receptor channels and by N-type calcium channels. However, their relative contribution for cleft zinc clearance was relatively small and decreased for higher amounts of zinc, most likely due to the blockade action of zinc in postsynaptic receptors and channels. Therefore, it can be concluded that the larger the zinc release, the more predominant the zinc uptake process will be in the cleft zinc clearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]