Search

Metrics are key elements that can give us valuable information about the effectiveness of agile software development processes, particularly considering the Scrum environment. This study aims to learn about the metrics adopted to assess agile development processes and explore the impact of how the role performed by each member in Scrum contributed to increasing/reducing the perception of the importance of these metrics. The impact of years of experience in Scrum on this perception was also explored. To this end, a quantitative study was conducted with 191 Scrum professionals in companies based in Portugal. The results show that the Scrum role is not a determining factor, while individuals with more years of experience have a higher perception of the importance of metrics related to team performance. The same conclusion is observed for the business value metric of the product backlog and the percentage of test automation in the testing phase. The findings allow for extending the knowledge about Scrum project management processes and their teams, in addition to offering important insights into the implementation of metrics for software engineering companies that adopt Scrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to identify to what extent and how the principles, guidelines and methods proposed by the Brazilian Psychiatric Reform (BPR) are present in the training of psychiatrists in medical residency programs. This is a qualitative study that investigates contents and experiences promoted during training in psychiatric medical residency programs in Brazil. A total of 16 subjects were interviewed in four public training institutions, two programs centered on school hospitals and two in models integrated with psychosocial care network services. The results of the study allow us to argue that, although all programs refer to BPR principles in their theoretical contents, the services integrated programs seems to promote a closer dialogue with the BPR experience. Among other relevant results, the following stand out: concern with comprehensive care, not focused only on diagnoses and symptoms, but on the singularity and ways of life of the subjects; criticism of medicalization, either in the form of abuse of medication, or as interference in nonspecifically medical demands; relevance of interdisciplinary experiences in multidisciplinary teams and the aim to overcome a manicomial culture that goes beyond the institutionality of services, but that operates in the daily processes of social normalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large gaps in reef distribution may hinder the dispersal of marine organisms, interrupting processes vital to the maintenance of biodiversity. Here we show the presence and location of extensive reef habitats on the continental shelf between the Amazon Reef System (ARS) and the Eastern Brazilian Reef System (ERS), two reef complexes off eastern South America. Formations located 20–50 m deep include both biogenic and geogenic structures. The presence of diverse reef assemblages suggests the widespread occurrence of rocky substrates below 50 m. These habitats represent an expansion of both the ARS and ERS and the closure of the only remaining large-scale gap (~ 1000 km) among West Atlantic reef environments. This indicates that the SW Atlantic harbors a single, yet heterogeneous, reef system that stretches for about 4000 km, and thus, represents one of the largest semi-continuous tropical marine ecosystems in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV-outcome inequities remain prevalent in the U.S. Medical providers (MPs) are gatekeepers of PrEP, and understanding the dynamics of PrEP assessments is of major interest for public health. We analyzed data from Together 5000, an internet-based U.S. national cohort of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals aged 16-49 years and at risk for HIV. Among those eligible for PrEP uptake (n = 6264), we modeled predictors of discussing PrEP with an MP. A third (31%) of participants had spoken to a MP about PrEP. Among those who spoke to a MP, 45% suggested they would initiate PrEP; this outcome was more common among participants older than 24. With a persistent stagnant uptake nationwide, new opportunities to influence PrEP uptake must be explored. An attractive less targeted space is the medical office, specifically ways to support an initial and continued discussion about PrEP between MPs and their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic behavior of a vibrational electromagnetic generator using a magnetic levitation architecture was theoretically and experimentally studied in great detail, when operating under a wide range of three-dimensional excitations. We developed a complete rigorous physical model from first principles based on the theory of electrodynamics of continua, centered on the laws of electrodynamics and balance of mass, linear momentum, angular momentum, energy and entropy. Local electromagnetic and gravitational body forces, couples and powers were considered, and the surface tractions were divided into constraint and friction components, as well as those due to external mechanical energy sources. The balance of linear momentum, angular momentum and circuit equations resulted in up to 13 non-linear differential equations describing the dynamics of the levitating-magnet and container, relating input forces and torques with output displacement, constraint forces and voltage. The balance of energy yielded a consistent equivalence between the time rate of change of the internal kinetic and potential energies of the generator and the output power, associated with the external circuit, Ohmic losses and friction losses, as well as the input mechanical power being supplied to the system by the environment. Both the input and output powers were proven to tend to increase equally when operating the generator under resonant conditions. The levitating generator was shown to be sensitive to axial translational and centrifugal inertial forces, each one effectively resulting in a uni-stable or bi-stable system. The dynamical response yielded multiple initial conditions dependent steady-states, hysteretic frequency output and chaotic characteristics. Relevant guidelines to optimize the energy conversion efficiency of energy harvesters are provided. This model was validated by experimental tests, including general 3D motions combining translations and rotations: cross-correlations exceeding 90% were achieved. Such Newtonian and Langrangian modelling approaches hold great potential to be easily adapted to a wide range of other electromagnetic generators, with multiple degrees-of-freedom and operating under various environments, such that significant advances in energy technologies can be supported. • A complete wide-reaching physical 3D model of electromagnetic generators was developed. • 13 non-linear differential equations were deduced to describe their dynamics. • Cross-correlations exceeding 90% were achieved for general 3D mechanical excitations. • Such model holds great potential to be adapted to a wide range of other generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three composite materials with different CaZrO 3 /MgO fractions (2/3, 1/2, 1/3) and two single-phase materials (CaZrO 3 and MgO) were fabricated and their thermal conductivity was investigated. Complete thermal and mechanical characterizations (thermal expansion coefficient, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, hardness and toughness) of the materials were performed. Values of the thermal conductivity up to 480 °C of the composites were compared with those calculated with the main analytical models. From the real microstructures of the three composites, representative volume elements (RVE) were built and used for finite element modelling (FEM) of thermal conductivity using conductivities of the single-phase materials as inputs. The FEM results showed no differences for the 3 spatial directions of the RVE, nor for the different edge lengths (11, 14 and 17 μm). Results of all analytical models are statistically different from the experimental ones, being those from the Bruggeman model the closest. Results of the proposed FEM are statistically coincident with the experimental ones, showing sensitivity to temperature variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that is highly endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. Symptomatic patients can rapidly progress to severe conditions of hemorrhage, plasma extravasation, and hypovolemic shock, which leads to death. The blood tests of patients with severe dengue typically reveal low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is responsible for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and regulation of the lipid composition in peripheral tissues. It is well known that dengue virus (DENV) depends on membrane cholesterol rafts to infect and to replicate in mammalian cells. Here, we describe the interaction of DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) with apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), which is the major protein component of HDL. NS1 is secreted by infected cells and can be found circulating in the serum of patients with the onset of symptoms. NS1 concentrations in plasma are related to dengue severity, which is attributed to immune evasion and an acute inflammatory response. Our data show that the DENV NS1 protein induces an increase of lipid rafts in noninfected cell membranes and enhances further DENV infection. We also show that ApoA1-mediated lipid raft depletion inhibits DENV attachment to the cell surface. In addition, ApoA1 is able to neutralize NS1-induced cell activation and to prevent NS1-mediated enhancement of DENV infection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the ApoA1 mimetic peptide 4F is also capable of mediating lipid raft depletion to control DENV infection. Taken together, our results suggest the potential of RCT-based therapies for dengue treatment. These results should motivate studies to assess the importance of RCT in DENV infection in vivo. IMPORTANCE DENV is one of the most relevant mosquito-transmitted viruses worldwide, infecting more than 390 million people every year and leading to more than 20 thousand deaths. Although a DENV vaccine has already been approved, its potential side effects have hampered its use in large-scale immunizations. Therefore, new treatment options are urgently needed to prevent disease worsening or to improve current clinical management of severe cases. In this study, we describe a new interaction of the NS1 protein, one of the major viral components, with a key component of HDL, ApoA1. This interaction seems to alter membrane susceptibility to virus infection and modulates the mechanisms triggered by DENV to evade the immune response. We also propose the use of a mimetic peptide named 4F, which was originally developed for atherosclerosis, as a potential therapy for relieving DENV symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to increase uptake and persistence in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in PrEP-eligible candidates. Little is known about the similarities and differences between groups of PrEP-naïve and former users, an important consideration for future interventions. We explored factors associated with being PrEP-naïve in a U.S. national cohort of naïve and former-PrEP users, all of whom met objective criteria for PrEP care at enrollment. Data were derived from the Together 5000 cohort study, an Internet-based U.S. national cohort of cisgender and trans men and trans women who have sex with men. Participants were recruited via ads on men-for-men geosocial networking apps. All participants were not on PrEP at the time of enrollment. We conducted bivariate analysis to explore differences between the two groups and used multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with being PrEP-naïve. Of the 6283 participants, 5383 (85.7%) were PrEP-naïve and 900 (14.3%) were former-PrEP users. There were significant differences between PrEP-naïve and former-PrEP users across multiple demographic variables, in addition to PrEP-related and psychosocial variables. Factors associated with being PrEP-naïve included younger age, sexual identity other than gay/queer, lower perception of candidacy for PrEP care, less willingness to take PrEP, lower access to PrEP care, and individual-level barriers such as health- and provider-related concerns. Programs and policies designed to address uptake and persistence of PrEP should be aware of these differences. Providing care in non-traditional LGBTQ-care settings, home-based PrEP interventions, and provision by healthcare providers other than physicians could improve uptake. Future research should investigate mechanisms that can improve uptake and persistence in communities in need of PrEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from synthetic raw materials (CaZrO 3 and MgO), microstructural and mechanical properties were optimised in order to obtain dense multiphasic ceramic, then finite element method (FEM) of an equimolar (1:1) CaZrO 3 -MgO composite was performed in order to obtain the effective elastic modulus. Composite presents two main phases of orthorhombic CaZrO 3 (81.5 wt.%) and cubic MgO (18.5 wt.%); For 1500 °C, relative density of 99.9%, characteristic strength of 168 MPa, hardness of 7.8 MPa and toughness of 2.5 MPa.m1/2 were obtained. FEM simulation was performed using two representative volume elements (RVE's) with edge lengths of 14 μm (933 grains) and 17 μm (1670 grains), using isotropic elastic model, and anisotropic on specific set of crystallographic planes. The results of FEM using isotropic approach for the two RVE's are perfectly aligned with the experimental (245 GPa), while the anisotropic model shows a difference of 6.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Path analysis allows understanding the direct and indirect effects among traits. Multicollinearity in correlation matrices may cause a bias in path analysis estimates. This study aimed to: a) understand the correlation among soybean traits and estimate their direct and indirect effects on gain oil content; b) verify the efficiency of ridge path analysis and trait culling to overcome colinearity. Three different matrices with different levels of collinearity were obtained by trait culling. Ridge path analysis was performed on matrices with strong collinearity; otherwise, a traditional path analysis was performed. The same analyses were run on a simulated dataset. Trait culling was applied to matrix R originating the matrices R1 and R2. Path analysis for matrices R1 and R2 presented a high determination coefficient (0.856 and 0.832, respectively) and low effect of the residual variable (0.379 and 0.410 respectively). Ridge path analysis presented low determination coefficient (0.657) and no direct effects greater than the effects of the residual variable (0.585). Trait culling was more effective to overcome collinearity. Mass of grains, number of nodes, and number of pods are promising for indirect selection for oil content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work a methodology to reconstruct three-dimensional microstructures, representative of real biphasic ceramics using Neper free software is proposed. Finite element analysis in Ansys was implemented in order to calculate the effective elastic modulus of the simulated microstructures. Fine grained and dense zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) materials with 5 and 40 vol.% of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YTZP) have been chosen to validate the proposed methodology. First, the effects of the size of the representative volume elements (RVEs) and the characteristics of the grain shapes are analysed. Second, the compliance with the isotropic condition is also verified. Agreement between the numerical and experimental values of the elastic modulus of the considered ZTA materials has been found. For these materials, zirconia fractions higher than 10 vol.% lead to bi-continuous microstructures which make the elastic properties deviate from the Voigt limit due to the increased number of contacts between zirconia grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease remains a clinical exercise based on the assessment of motor symptoms, which often results in diagnosis performed in more advanced stages of the disease. The limitations of current diagnostic technologies emphasize the need for the development of sensitive and cost-effective biosensing technologies. In this regard, a comprehensive review of the biosensors developed during the last decade towards biosensing of Parkinson's disease is presented, focusing on the detection of α-synuclein and related species. This review highlights the main advances, challenges and future prospects on the development of electrochemical and optical affinity biosensors where the integration of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and graphene, enabled the design of highly sensitive biosensors with reported detection limits in the sub-picomolar levels. Nonetheless, there is still a major gap in the biosensing field concerning the development of multiplexed platforms capable of addressing the multifactorial nature of this disease. • Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is commonly performed in more advanced stages. • Biosensors offer novel sensing tools for the detection of clinically relevant biomarkers. • Electrochemical and optical biosensors were the most common transducers. • Excellent analytical performance with detection limits in the sub-picomolar levels. • Future biosensing of Parkinson's disease should comprise multiplexed platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged over the past years as a key technology in aircraft structural components' manufacturing. This paper aims to describe the numerical analysis and experimental testing of five wing ribs with different 2D topologies manufactured with polylactic acid (PLA) using the fused deposition modeling technology. The main purpose is to determine the best wing rib topology in terms of strength, stiffness and mass. Design/methodology/approach: Numerical analyses are performed using Ansys Workbench's static structural analysis for two distinct loading cases. In the first loading, the chord-wise distributed load, resulting from wing lift, is replaced by two equivalent concentrated loads at the leading and trailing edges. This simplification allows the numerical results to be experimentally validated. The second loading has distributed loads applied on the upper and on the lower surfaces of the wing rib to produce a more realistic structural response. Experimental tests are performed with the first loading case to determine maximum displacement and failure loads of the wing ribs studied. SEM is used to analyze fracture surfaces. Findings: From the five different PLA printed wing rib topologies studied, it is found that truss type configurations are the more structural efficient, that is, truss topologies exhibit better specific strength and specific stiffness. Additionally, the limiting factor in the design of these wing ribs is stiffness rather than strength. Originality/value: The work identifies the kind of structural topologies that are best suited for 2D wing ribs obtained by AM and leads the way to more complex and more efficient structural layouts to be explored in the future using topology optimization coupled with simple Finite Element Analysis (FEA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Partial diallel analysis is promising for production of second-generation ethanol. • Treatment × environment interaction was observed for all the evaluated traits. • Genetic variability was detected between the lines A and R of biomass sorghum. • The pyramiding of favorable alleles, aim at the development of superior hybrids. Abstract Mutant genotypes of biomass sorghum for low lignin - bmr (brown midrib) and sensitive to photoperiod are interesting for the production of second-generation ethanol. This research aimed to estimate the combining ability between lines A and R of biomass sorghum, both carrying the bmr-6 allele, for bioenergy potential. Three male-sterile lines (A) and ten fertility restorative lines (R) were used, generating 30 hybrids bmr and sensitive to photoperiod. The 30 hybrids, their parents, and six controls were evaluated in a triple lattice design (7 × 7), in two experimental areas of Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, in Sete Lagoas and Nova Porteirinha (Minas Gerais). These lines were crossed in a partial diallel design, based on the Griffing IV model (1956) adapted for partial diallel by Miranda Filho and Geraldi (1984). The evaluated traits were: days to flowering (DTF, days after sowing), plant height (PH, m), fresh biomass yield (FBY, ton.ha−1), dry matter (DM, %), and dry matter yield (DMY, t. ha−1). In addition, the FAI-BLUP selection Index was used to assist the selection of hybrids that simultaneously meet favorable traits. Results revealed that treatments x environment interaction had a significant effect (p < 0.01) for all traits. Moreover, genetic variability was detected between lines A and R, which can be explored by the pyramiding of their favorable alleles, aiming at developing superior hybrids for the production of second-generation bioethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is responsible for increasing survival rates in up to 40%. One-class classifiers can be used for modeling early HCC in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), but demand the specific knowledge pertaining to the set of features that best describes the target class. Although the literature outlines several features for characterizing liver lesions, it is unclear which is most relevant for describing early HCC. In this paper, we introduce an unconstrained GA feature selection algorithm based on a multi-objective Mahalanobis fitness function to improve the classification performance for early HCC. We compared our approach to a constrained Mahalanobis function and two other unconstrained functions using Welch's t-test and Gaussian Data Descriptors. The performance of each fitness function was evaluated by cross-validating a one-class SVM. The results show that the proposed multi-objective Mahalanobis fitness function is capable of significantly reducing data dimensionality (96.4%) and improving one-class classification of early HCC (0.84 AUC). Furthermore, the results provide strong evidence that intensity features extracted at the arterial to portal and arterial to equilibrium phases are important for classifying early HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the bulk hydrogen stable isotope composition (δ2H) of seaweeds. This study investigated the bulk δ2H in several different seaweed species collected from three different beaches in Brazil, Australia, and Argentina. Here, we show that Ulvophyceae (a group of green algae) had lower δ2H values (between −94‰ and −130‰) than red algae (Florideophyceae), brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and species from the class Bryopsidophyceae (another group of green algae). Overall the latter three groups of seaweeds had δ2H values between −50‰ and −90‰. These findings were similar at the three different geographic locations. Observed differences in δ2H values were probably related to differences in hydrogen (H) metabolism among algal groups, also observed in the δ2H values of their lipids. The marked difference between the δ2H values of Ulvophyecae and those of the other groups could be useful to trace the food source of food webs in coastal rocky shores, to assess the impacts of green tides on coastal ecosystems, and to help clarify aspects of their phylogeny. However, reference materials for seaweed δ2H are required before the full potential of using the δ2H of seaweeds for ecological studies can be exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seagrass Halodule emarginata is an endemic tropical species of Brazil, previously found from São Paulo to Bahia. The present study gives more ecological information of this species and report the extension of its northern range where it occurs in an estuarine area of Aquiraz-Ceará, semiarid coast of Brazil. In November 2014, the meadow was discovered, georeferenced and mapped. Five cores were collected for morphometrical analyses of H. emarginata and associated florofaunistic species. Two beds of H. emarginata with areas of 177.8 m2 and 5012.3 m2 were identified in the estuary of the Pacoti River, indicating an extension of its known range by 1500 km to the north. Despite the emarginate apex, morphological patterns revealed that specimens were slightly less developed than previously described in the literature, probably due to estuarine stress. However, algal biodiversity (seven species) in the studied meadows was within the range observed for other estuarine meadows in Brazil, with presence of Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta. The main groups of invertebrate megafauna were present, including 13 taxa mainly of Mollusca, Crustacea and Polychaeta. This meadow will be monitored in order to understand its dynamics and relationships with other florofaunistic species and its responses to environmental variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a highly sensitive label-free immunosensor for detection of the main biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyloid beta 1–42 (Aβ (1–42)), is presented. A gold electrode was modified with a mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer, electrodeposited gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a monoclonal antibody mAb DE2B4 to recognize Aβ; all the relevant experimental variables were optimized. Antibodies were functionalized through chemical modification (thiolation) to promote the antibody immobilization on the AuNPs surface with proper orientation which enabled the direct detection of Aβ(1–42). Scanning electron microscopy, square-wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the construction of the biosensor. Using the proposed immunosensor, Aβ(1–42) was specifically detected within the linear range of 10–1000 pg mL −1 with a 5.2 pg mL −1 and 17.4 pg mL −1 detection and quantification limit, respectively; recovery values for the tested spiking levels ranged from 90.3 to 93.6%. The immunosensor enables rapid, accurate, precise, reproducible and highly sensitive detection (14.6% reduction mL pg −1 ) of Aβ with low-cost and opens the possibilities for diagnostic ex vivo applications and research-based in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation of α-synuclein has been recognized as a critical event in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease whose prevalence is increasing with great socio-economic challenges for future generations. Here, we developed a sensitive and specific electrochemical immunosensor for the detection and quantification of this biomarker, based on the voltammetric study of a redox indicator signal, which decreases upon the analyte recognition by the antibody due to the electronic resistance increase. The proposed immunosensor is based on a screen-printed carbon electrode modified in a layer-by-layer approach, which through extensive characterization led to the successful nanostructuration of the transducer, through the drop-cast of 3.0 μL of a 0.1 mg mL−1 single-walled carbon nanotubes suspension followed by electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles in a 3 mM HAuCl4 solution under a −0.2 V potential for 150 s. Monoclonal antibodies were immobilized on the gold nanoparticles surface through chemical modification at an optimal concentration of 200 μg mL−1. Using the proposed immunosensor, α-synuclein was detected in the range of 0.01–10 ng mL−1 with a 4.1 and 12.6 pg mL−1 limits of detection and quantification, respectively. Recovery values of 96.7, 106.2 and 102.9% were attained for the tested concentrations spiked in fetal bovine serum while also presenting excellent specificity and stability throughout one month. The nanostructured immunosensor provided a great interface for electronic transduction and biological recognition events, which enabled fast, sensitive and specific detection of α-synuclein while being based on a simple and inexpensive technology requiring small sample volumes, crucial characteristics for application in point-of-care testing. [Display omitted] • A simple and effective label-free procedure was developed for α-synuclein detection. • The immunosensor is based on a nanostructured screen-printed carbon electrode. • Nanostructuration of the immunosensor amplified its electrochemical behavior. • Detection and quantification limits of 4.1 and 12.6 pg mL−1 were attained. • The immunosensor enables highly sensitive and specific detection of α-synuclein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle and outer continental shelves of eastern equatorial South America (ESA) are characterized by intense production of carbonate sediments. Qualitative analyses of sediment deposits suggest that the calcareous green alga Halimeda incrassata is among the top CaCO 3 producers. Nevertheless, no study so far has quantified its real contributions. To better understand the sediment dynamic in this area, we measured biomass, growth rates and calcium carbonate production by this alga. The species exhibited high growth rates (3.38 segments.individual −1 .day −1 ), coverage (174 individuals.m −2 ) and biomass (214.02 g.m −2 ). Substitution of segments may allow a sedimentation rate of 1.53 mm.yr −1 and a complete turnover of the population every 60.2 days. The rapid growth indicates that this alga can produce as much CaCO 3 (1.19 kg CaCO 3 .m −2 .year −1 ) as other tropical organisms, such as corals and rhodoliths. In a conservative estimate, 773.500 tonnes of CaCO 3 are produced per year in a 5000 km 2 area off the northern coast of Brazil. Sedimentation rate seems to be higher than that promoted by continental inputs in middle and outer continental shelf. On the other hand, population turnover is twice as slow as in other H. incrassata assemblages, suggesting that South American populations are sensible to physical disturbances. New studies are necessary to accurately estimate H. incrassata coverage along the Brazilian coast and to integrate data on other CaCO 3 producers, such as foraminifera and coralline algae. This would allow a better understanding of the role of South American continental shelf on the global carbon budget. Furthermore, analysis on the health of these organisms is urgent, since a decline in their populations could negatively affect ecosystems functioning and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable features of a carbon fiber paper sensor (CP) were employed for detection of the estrogenic hormone 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), considered a contaminant of emerging concern due to its potential ecotoxicity and widespread in the aquatic ecosystems. In this work, an unpreceded CP pre-treatment study was conducted with the (Il)-hexacyanoferrate(III) ion pair, however a bare sensor without pre-treatment revealed higher efficiency on the oxidation of EE2 compared to a chemical and electrochemical pre-treated CP and a gold nanoparticles modified CP, being thus selected for EE2 determinations. The analytical conditions were thoroughly optimized in terms of electrolyte pH (pH 7), differential pulse voltammetry parameters (modulation time 0.003 s, amplitude 0.09 V, interval time 0.1 s and step potential 0.01 V), and analyte preconcentration potential (0.4 V) and time (180 s). The hormone can be determined by the CP in a wide linear range from 0.1 to 1000 nM, achieving a detection limit of 0.14 ± 0.005 nM and an outstanding sensitivity of 1636 ± 232 μA μM−1 cm−2 in the lowest linear zone (0.1–1 nM). The sensor was validated in river water and fish reaching good recoveries (91.2 ± 4.6 to 109.0 ± 7.1%), reproducibility and repeatability. Moreover, the sensor showed high selectivity to EE2 in the presence of several potential interfering compounds and frequently prescribed drugs, though it could not discriminate the similar hormone, 17β-estradiol, being the total concentration obtained in this case. CP-based sensors emerge as efficient electroanalytical tools, suggesting that modification of the surface may not always be beneficial in terms of sensitivity. [Display omitted] • A simple and effective carbon paper sensor was used for 17α-ethinylestradiol sensing. • The best analytical signal was obtained with an untreated and unmodified carbon paper. • The optimized sensor achieved high sensitivity (1636 μA μM−1 cm−2) and LOD of 0.14 nM. • Application in complex samples of fish resulted in recoveries from 102 to 109%. • Carbon paper sensors can be become valuable tools in the electroanalytical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania braziliensis, presents an exaggerated Th1 response that is associated with ulcer development. Macrophages are the primary cells infected by Leishmania parasites and both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) are important in the control of Leishmania by these cells. The mechanism involved in the killing of L. braziliensis is not well established. In this study, we evaluate the role of ROS and NO in the control of L. braziliensis infection by monocytes from CL patients. After in vitro infection with L. braziliensis, the oxidative burst by monocytes from CL patients was higher when compared to monocytes from healthy subjects (HS). Inhibition of the ROS pathway caused a significant decrease in the oxidative burst in L. braziliensis infected monocytes from both groups. In addition, we evaluated the intracellular expression of ROS and NO in L. braziliensis-infected monocytes. Monocytes from CL patients presented high expression of ROS after infection with L. braziliensis. The expression of NO was higher in monocytes from CL patients as compared to expression in monocytes from HS. A strong positive correlation between NO production and lesion size of CL patients was observed. The inhibition of ROS production in leishmania-infected monocytes from CL patients allowed the growth of viable promastigotes in culture supernatants. Thus, we demonstrate that while production of ROS is involved in L. braziliensis killing, NO alone is not sufficient to control infection and may contribute to the tissue damage observed in human CL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use continues lag estimated need among gay and bisexual men in the United States. Studies report that challenges paying for PrEP may undermine continued use. Our study aimed to measure these challenges over time. Methods: Data were taken from a US national cohort study of cisgender gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals aged 16–49 years. We analyzed data from PrEP-using participants between 2019 and 2021 and observed cost-related and insurance-related challenges participants experienced while on PrEP across time points. We report McNemar and Cochrane Q test statistics to compare differences between groups by year(s). Results: In 2019, 16.5% (n = 828/5013) of participants were on PrEP; by 2020, 21% (n = 995/4727) were on PrEP, and by 2021, 24.5% (n = 1133/4617) were on PrEP. The proportion of those experiencing challenges paying for PrEP care decreased significantly across time points for clinical appointments, laboratory work, and prescriptions. Those experiencing insurance and copay approval issues did not change significantly. Although not statistically significant, the only proportion that increased over time was those reporting PrEP-related insurance approval issues. In a post hoc analysis, we found that those reporting PrEP use in the past year who were not currently on PrEP were significantly more likely to report experiencing most PrEP challenges, when compared with current PrEP users. Discussion: We found significant reductions in insurance and cost-related challenges between 2019 and 2021. However, those who discontinued PrEP within the past year reported greater challenges paying for PrEP, suggesting that cost and insurance issues may undermine PrEP persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic generators are widely used to power both small-scale and large-scale devices. They are suitable to operate as self-powering technologies, allowing customizable upscaling and downscaling, ensuring low production and maintenance costs, and even able to integrate into hybrid solutions. As their architectures are well-suited to power a broad range of multifunctional devices, their performance optimization is a research topic of utmost importance. Their performance, strongly dependent on the frequency and amplitude of mechanical excitations and hysteretic behaviors, still needs to be improved. In this paper, a theoretical and experimental study is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new concept of self-adaptive electromagnetic generator. An instrumented generator using a magnetic levitation architecture was implemented using a stepper motor, an accelerometer and a processing system. Self-adaptability was realized by changing the generator's effective length and resonance frequency as a function of the mechanical excitation characteristics. Considering the power consumption of instrumentation, output power gains around 30% were achieved under conditions of harmonic inputs with time changing frequencies and amplitudes. These are very promising results that highlight the potential of self-adaptive energy harvesting technologies for opening new research directions towards the emerging of a new line of highly sophisticated autonomous generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests a new reflection on the model of role adoptions in organizations, by Katz and Kahn (1987), in a theoretical confrontation this role with pragmatics, especially the Speech Act Theory (AUSTIN, 1990). The study is justified by a lack of works that associate the nature of the speech act with theoretical explorations on organizations. The text presents each theoretical axis of the reflection: the model of roles and pragmatics. It then analyzes the way in which language, within the concept adopted in this study, might contribute to a re-examination of the theory of roles, highlighting the fact that the consideration of language is a healthy complication for the adoption of roles in organizations, as it reveals that the expectation of role is fulfilled only in the speech act, which is imprecise and whose meanings are circumstantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I mainly analyzed the inclusion of environmental budget in climate change models. Considering Kemfert, Lise and Tol (2004)'s approach to show a formal model that puts together economic and climate issues, I analyzed the inclusion of environmental public spending and energy. I tried to show that countries' economic and physical structures establish different public spending, with different environmental impacts and consequences to another nations and that has strong influence on economic models. In relation to public spending, I considered, specifically, the Brazilian federal budget to Environmental Management from 2000 to 2006. In this article, I argue in defense of considering budget for environmental management in the discussion on climate change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Community‐based cohort studies of HIV seroconversion can identify important avenues for enhancing HIV prevention efforts in the era of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Within individuals, one can assess exposure and outcome variables repeatedly and with increased certainty regarding temporal ordering. This cohort study examined the association of several risk factors with subsequent HIV seroconversion. Methods: We report data from a 4‐year study (2017−2022) of 6059 HIV seronegative sexual and gender minority individuals who have sex with men who had indications for‐, but were not using‐, PrEP at enrolment. Participants completed repeat exposure assessments and self‐collection of biospecimens for HIV testing. We examined the roles of race and ethnicity, socio‐economic status, methamphetamine use and PrEP uptake over the course of follow‐up in relation to HIV seroconversion. Results: Over 4 years, 303 of the participants seroconverted across 18,421 person‐years (incidence rate = 1.64 [95% CI: 1.59−1.70] per 100 person‐years). In multivariable discrete‐time survival analysis, factors independently associated with elevated HIV seroconversion risk included being Black/African American (adjusted risk ratio [aRR]: 2.44, 1.79−3.28), Hispanic/Latinx (1.53, 1.19−1.96), housing instability (1.58, 1.22−2.05) and past year methamphetamine use (3.82, 2.74−5.33). Conversely, time since study enrolment (24 vs. 12 months, 0.67, 0.51−0.87; 36 months, 0.60, 0.45−0.80; 48 months, 0.48, 0.35−0.66) and higher education (master's degree or higher vs. less than or equal to high school, 0.36, 0.17−0.66) were associated with reduced seroconversion risk. Compared to non‐PrEP users in the past 2 years without a current clinical indication, those who started PrEP but then discontinued had higher seroconversion risk, irrespective of clinical indication (3.23, 1.74−6.46) or lack thereof (4.30, 1.85−9.88). However, those who initiated PrEP in the past year (0.14, 0.04−0.39) or persistently used PrEP in the past 2 years (0.33, 0.14−0.74) had a lower risk of seroconversion. Of all HIV seroconversions observed during follow‐up assessments (12, 24, 36 and 48 months), methamphetamine was reported in the 12 months prior 128 (42.2%) times (overall). Conclusions: Interventions that acknowledge race and ethnicity, economic variables such as education and housing instability, and methamphetamine use are critically needed. Not only are interventions to engage individuals in PrEP care needed, but those that retain them, and re‐engage those who may fall out of care are essential, given the exceptionally high risk of seroconversion in these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodolith growth and CaCO 3 production remain poorly quantified along the SW Atlantic Ocean, and it is difficult to relate the available measurements with biomass estimates. Suboptimal conditions may clarify how harsh environments influence nodule growth and abundance, elucidating their relationship. Off the energetic South American equatorial coast a rhodolith bed (~65 km2), formed mainly by Mesophyllum sp. and Lithophyllum sp., alters the regional sedimentary pattern and sustains a diverse biota. Its nodules present fast growth rates (2.8 mm year−1), but small biomasses (18 nodules∙m−2 covering 26 ± 3% of the substrate), resulting in a CaCO 3 production of 163.33 g m−2∙year−1. Despite the small biomass, the bed seems stable, with living and dead nodules both on and inside the substrate. And the suboptimal environment apparently affects growth and abundance independently. Therefore, fast growth rates and relevant structural roles are not necessarily associated with dense rhodolith assemblages, and ecological assessments of rhodolith beds should consider the dynamics of both individual nodules and the whole population. • A rhodolith bed under harsh equatorial environmental conditions is investigated. • The bed has a small rhodolith density but exhibits very fast nodule growth rates. • Rhodoliths sustain a rich biota and affect sediment budgets even at low densities. • Stable and productive rhodolith beds may form even under such suboptimal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotype × environment (GE) interaction can difficult soybean breeding programs to achieve the aim of more productive cultivars. Environment stratification is a way to circumvent this problem. However, multiyear data studies are difficult to work with, because they are, usually, unbalanced. GGE Biplot is an efficient method to find mega-environments, however, it allows for, at most, 30% of the unbalanced data. Thinking about how we could resolve this problem we came up with the idea of test a method that englobes GGE Biplot graphs, environment coincidence matrices and networks of environment. Wherefore, this work aimed to gather GGE Biplot graphs of a network of trials unbalance multiyear soybean via matrices of coincidence and networks of environment to optimize environmental stratification. Data from an experimental network of 43 trials was used, these experiments were implanted in 23 municipalities during the crop seasons of 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2015/2016 in Brazil. The trials were implanted under an experimental block design with randomized treatments and approximately 30 genotypes were evaluated, of which most of these genotypes were not repeated between the trials evaluated. The GE interaction were statistically significant for all 43 trials. The step by step of our analyses was: GGE Biplots graphs were obtained; the environment coincidence matrices were calculated; the values of matrices were used to obtain the networks of environmental similarity. The study demonstrated that by the method was possible to identify, using unbalanced multiyear data, four mega-environments. The region under study can be represented by the municipalities of Palotina, Maracaju, Bela Vista do Paraíso and Rolândia. Therefore, integrating GGE Biplot graphs and networks of environmental similarity is an efficient method to optimize a soybean program by environment stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating and largely untreatable condition with subtle onset and slow progression over an extensive period of time, which culminate in increasing levels of disability. As Alzheimer's disease prevalence is expected to grow exponentially in the upcoming decades, there is an urgency to develop analytical technologies for the sensitive, reliable and cost-effective detection of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. Biosensors are powerful analytical devices that translate events of biological recognition on physical or chemical transducers into electrical, thermal or optical signals. The high sensitivity and selectivity of biosensors associated with easy, rapid and low-cost determination of analytes have made this discipline one of the most intensively studied in the past decades. This review centers on recent advances, challenges and trends of Alzheimer's disease biosensing particularly in the effort to combine the unique properties of nanomaterials with biorecognition elements. In the last decade, impressive progresses have been made towards the development of biosensors, mainly electrochemical and optical, for detection of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in the pico- and femto-molar range. Nonetheless, advances in multiplexed detection, robustness, stability and specificity are still necessary to ensure an accurate and differentiated diagnosis of this disease. Image 1 • Biosensors have been developed for detection of the main AD biomarkers. • Electrochemical and optical biosensors are the most sensitive. • Detection limits down to pico- and even femto-molar levels have been reported. • Platforms for multiplexed analysis need to be increasingly developed. • Further advances in biosensors robustness and stability are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electromagnetic energy harvesting holds potential for small and large-scale devices. • Twenty-one designs were found and differentiated in four categories. • Four modelling approaches were distinguished to model the transduction mechanisms. • Electric power densities of up to 8 mW/cm3 (8 kW/m3) were already achieved. • No multivariable performance optimization was already performed. Motion-driven electromagnetic energy harvesters have the ability to provide low-cost and customizable electric powering. They are a well-suited technological solution to autonomously supply a broad range of high-sophisticated devices. This paper presents a detailed review focused on major breakthroughs in the scope of electromagnetic energy harvesting using magnetic levitation architectures. A rigorous analysis of twenty-one design configurations was made to compare their geometric and constructive parameters, optimization methodologies and energy harvesting performances. This review also explores the most relevant models (analytical, semi-analytical, empirical and finite element method) already developed to make intelligible the physical phenomena of their transduction mechanisms. The most relevant approaches to model each physical phenomenon of these transduction mechanisms are highlighted in this paper. Very good agreements were found between experimental and simulation tests with deviations lower than 15%. Moreover, the external motion excitations and electric energy harvesting outputs were also comprehensively compared and critically discussed. Electric power densities up to 8 mW/cm3 (8 kW/m3) have already been achieved; for resistive loads, the maximum voltage and current were 43.4 V and 150 mA, respectively, for volumes up to 235 cm3. Results highlight the potential of these harvesters to convert mechanical energy into electric energy both for large-scale and small-scale applications. Moreover, this paper proposes future research directions towards efficiency maximization and minimization of energy production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable and highly debilitating condition characterized by the progressive degeneration and/or death of nerve cells, which leads to manifestation of disabilities in cognitive functioning. In recent years, the development of biosensors for determination of AD's main biomarkers has made remarkable progress, particularly based on the tremendous advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The unique and outstanding properties of nanomaterials (such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, gold, silver and magnetic nanoparticles, polymers and quantum dots) have been contributing to enhance the electrochemical and optical behavior of transducers while offering a suitable matrix for the immobilization of biological recognition elements. Therefore, optical and electrochemical immuno- and DNA-biosensors with higher sensitivity, selectivity and longer stability have been reported. Nevertheless, strategies based on the detection of multiple analytes still need to be improved, as they will play a crucial role in minimizing misdiagnosis. This review aims to provide insights into the conjugation of nanomaterials with different transducers highlighting their crucial role in the construction of biosensors for detection of AD main biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: We propose an “enviromics” prediction model for recommending cultivars based on thematic maps aimed at decision-makers. Parsimonious methods that capture genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET) are important in breeding programs. Understanding the causes and factors of GEI allows the utilization of genotype adaptations in the target population of environments through environmental features and factor-analytic (FA) models. Here, we present a novel predictive breeding approach called GIS-FA, which integrates geographic information systems (GIS) techniques, FA models, partial least squares (PLS) regression, and enviromics to predict phenotypic performance in untested environments. The GIS-FA approach enables: (i) the prediction of the phenotypic performance of tested genotypes in untested environments, (ii) the selection of the best-ranking genotypes based on their overall performance and stability using the FA selection tools, and (iii) the creation of thematic maps showing overall or pairwise performance and stability for decision-making. We exemplify the usage of the GIS-FA approach using two datasets of rice [Oryza sativa (L.)] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in MET spread over tropical areas. In summary, our novel predictive method allows the identification of new breeding scenarios by pinpointing groups of environments where genotypes demonstrate superior predicted performance. It also facilitates and optimizes cultivar recommendations by utilizing thematic maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to estimate the minimum number of plants required per plot to assess the anthracnose severity by artificial inoculation of V2 stage plants. Seventy-eight carioca common bean cultivars were inoculated in 13 experiments to assess its reaction to races 65, 73, 81, and 89 of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Sample sizes ranged from one to nine plants were adopted to setting the number of plants per plot. A total of 1000 samplings were performed for each sample size. The following parameters were estimated in each sampling: accuracy, coefficient of variation and Pearson's correlation. The mean values of each parameter in the 1000 samplings for each sample size were subjected to quadratic regression with a plateau as a function of sample size for each experiment. Six plants per plot were needed to assess the severity of anthracnose by artificially inoculating the pathogen on common bean plants at the V2 stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receptive anal sex is the primary means through which HIV is transmitted among men who have sex with men (MSM). Recently, researchers have begun investigating the role that rectal douching may play in amplifying risk for transmission. Yet, there is limited research on the frequency with which MSM douche, the products they use, and how this may vary across sociodemographic characteristics. A U.S. national sample of 4745 MSM completed an online survey that assessed their douching behavior, demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and their anal sexual positioning (i.e., top, bottom, versatile). Nearly two-thirds (65.8%) had engaged in rectal douching in the last three months. Among those who douched, water was commonly reported (84.2%) and 20.1% reported using commercial enemas (e.g., Fleet), as well as water and soap (15.0%)—numbers exceed 100% as some participants reported more than one. Men who douched reported significantly more receptive and insertive condomless anal sex acts in the prior 3 months. One-in-ten men reported rectal bleeding after douching. Compared to HIV-negative participants who had not taken PrEP, participants had higher odds of reporting douching in the past 3 months if they were HIV-negative and currently on PrEP (AOR = 1.82), HIV-negative and previously used PrEP (AOR = 1.58), and HIV-positive (AOR = 1.83). Douching was common in this sample. Given that douching could amplify risk for HIV transmission, healthcare providers should discuss douching safety with their patients, with a focus on harm reduction (e.g., reduce risk of bleeding, as opposed to abstinence from douching). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety differences between tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (TAF) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC)-formulated pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) appear to have little clinical significance for most PrEP users. Furthermore, generic TDF-formulated PrEP is projected to decrease the price of PrEP. Thus, efforts to shift PrEP users to TAF-formulated PrEP should be considered in light of their potential to undermine efforts to scale-up PrEP nationally. Data are taken from Together 5,000, a US national cohort study predominantly composed of cisgender gay and bisexual men. In 2019–2020, 5034 participants completed their 24-month assessment, which measured whether participants were switching from TDF (Truvada) to TAF (Descovy) for PrEP, and why. Of those reporting PrEP-use (n = 1009), 277 reported using Descovy for PrEP, and 223 provided a reason for switching to Descovy. A content analysis was used to code participant's reasons for switching. Over half (56%) of participants reported that their doctor recommended switching to Descovy. Without mentioning a provider recommendation, 32% of participants reported that perceived improved safety of Descovy, compared with Truvada, motivated their decision to change their prescription. Other factors cited included the smaller size of the pill and "newness" of Descovy. Further, several participants mentioned negative advertising about Truvada as rationale for switching. Although scientific consensus supports the safety of both TDF/FTC and TAF, our results suggest that current messaging through physicians and other sources have emphasized superior safety of TAF—implying that TDF/FTC may not be safe in the long term. Efforts to shift users onto TAF may undermine public perception of TDF-formulated PrEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate autoinflammatory diseases (AID) according to age at diagnosis and sex, and response to therapy in a large population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study of a Latin American registry using a designed web system for data storage, collected between 2015 and 2018. Any altered findings during follow-up were recorded. The forms were translated into Portuguese and Spanish, including demographic, clinical, laboratory, genetic and treatment characteristics. Results: We included 152 patients, 51.3% male and 75% Caucasian. The median age at disease onset was 2.1 years (0–15.6 years) and median age at diagnosis 6.9 years (0–21.9 years); 111 (73%) were children (0–9 years old), and 41 (27%) were adolescents and young adults (AYA) (10–21 years old). Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) occurred in 46/152 (30%), chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) in 32/152 (21%), and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in 24/152 (15.7%). PFAPA was significantly higher in young children than in AYA (38.7% vs. 7.3%, p<0.001), while CNO were lower (13.5% vs. 41.5%, p<0.001). The frequency of females was significantly higher in CNO (28.4% vs. 14.1%, p=0.031) and lower in FMF (8.1% vs. 23.1%, p=0.011). The most used drugs were glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), and colchicine. Glucocorticoids and colchicine treatment were used in all AID with good to moderate response. However, cryopyrinassociated periodic syndromes (CAPS) seemed unresponsive to glucocorticoids. NSAIDs and methotrexate were the main medications used to treat CNO. Conclusions: Differences among AID patients were observed in the LA population regarding sex and age at disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to estimate genetic parameters, predict genotypic values, and analyze the genotypic divergence in S0 and S1 peach trees evaluated in a subtropical environment by the mixed model methodology. For this, twenty-two clones were evaluated for plant and fruit traits. Genotypic variance among clones was significant. The individual broad-sense heritabilities ranged from 0.11 to 0.84, and the individual repeatability coefficients ranged from 0.15 to 0.89. The genotypic coefficients of variation were higher than 10% for most of the traits. Clustering based on plant and fruit traits led to the formation of two and five mutually exclusive groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis of principal components indicated that some traits could be excluded from genetic evaluation. Considering the yield trait and the selection of five clones, predicted gain from selection was 70%, which shows the possibility of considerable genetic progress from clonal selection in peach trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the article was to examine factors associated with completing enrollment milestones in the Together 5000 cohort of at-risk men (n = 8661), transmen (n = 53), and transwomen (n = 63) who have sex with men.Methods: Between 2017 and 2018, participants completed an online enrollment survey and were offered opportunities to complete an incentivized secondary online survey as well as self-administered at-home HIV testing (OraSure). We explored factors associated with completing each study component.Results: In total, 8777 individuals completed our enrollment survey, 6166 (70.3%) completed the secondary survey, and 5010 returned the at-home HIV test kit that was mailed to them (81.3% of those mailed a kit). In our multivariable models, those who were White, with more years of education, were more likely to complete study components, although the magnitude of these associations was small. For example, 50.9% of those enrolled, 47.9% of those completing the secondary survey, and 46.8% of those completing HIV testing were persons of color-a statistically significant, but meaningfully insignificant decline.Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for researchers to identify barriers that may prevent persons of color and younger individuals from participating in research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plant breeding, several multicategorical variables are evaluated using score scales that are treated as interval scales. However, statistics that use ratio operations, such as the experimental CV and the selection gain, are only appropriate for ratio scales data. Thus, this work aimed to propose strategies to mitigate the inconveniences faced in the data analysis of score scales, especially those involving CV and selection gain obtained from different scales. This work proposes the following strategies: (i) the use of a standard score scale with the properties of a ratio scale (ascending scale with 0 as the point of origin); (ii) the conversion of the scores from different scales into a common ratio scale; (iii) the adjustment of the data from an interval scale to a ratio scale using the Delta Scale (Scale δui), and (iv) the use of unbiased estimator for CV and selection gain in score scales data. The proposed strategies resulted in unbiased estimates of CV and selection gain from data of different score scales. These strategies have the potential to be used in the meta‐analysis of data within and between plant breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study reviews recent research on the South Atlantic Mesophotic ecosystems (MEs) and the pressures threatening them, and offers suggestions for their management and conservation. Location: The South Atlantic Ocean. Methods: A comprehensive compilation of the scientific literature was performed to examine the distribution, human impacts and conservation status of the South Atlantic MEs. Results: Our review indicated that the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) is one of the major MEs areas in the world's oceans. The South Atlantic MEs are composed of a mosaic of distinct seascapes, mainly rhodolith beds, mesophotic reefs (i.e., rocky and biogenic) and marine animal forests (e.g., sponge aggregations, octocoral and black coral forests) that occur along the East South American and West African coasts, seamounts and oceanic islands. Throughout the SAO, the distinct seascapes of MEs are usually formed on the middle and outer continental shelves, shelf‐edge, seamounts, submarine canyons, incised valleys and paleochannels, reef structures and insular shelves. We highlighted sea temperature anomalies, ocean acidification, extreme floods and droughts, fisheries, invasive species, marine debris, mining, and oil and gas exploitation as major threats to these ecosystems. Main conclusions: Given the threats to the South Atlantic MEs, growing human pressures may degrade these ecosystems in the next years and undermine their unique biodiversity as well as their potential to provide connectivity between regions and depths. Our review revealed the existence of some extensive and unprotected formations, which urgently demand in‐depth investigations and conservation action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of inbred lines in advanced endogamous generation is commonly evaluated in successive generations of testing and selection, which we defined as "multistage field trials" (MSFT). MSFT data routinely exhibit heterogeneity of (co)variances at several levels due to genetic and/or statistical imbalance. Nowadays, mixed models have been widely used to deal with unbalanced data. However, few studies on common bean have addressed the use of a mixed model approach with modeling of (co)variance structures for random effects in MSFT. Furthermore, factor analysis and genotype‐ideotype distance (FAI‐BLUP) selection index was originally proposed using best linear unbiased predictions from individual analysis. In this regard, we aimed to study the implications of modeling (co)variance structures for random effects in the estimation of genetic parameters and evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of inbred line selection by the modeled FAI‐BLUP approach. A total of five trials were evaluated from 2018 to 2020. The results revealed that the unstructured covariance matrix fitted better for grain yield, whereas the matrix with uniform correlation and heterogeneity of variances fitted better for grain aspect and plant architecture. The modeled FAI‐BLUP approach increased the values of selection accuracy and selection efficiency. Our results suggest that modeling the different structures of (co)variances and selecting the best‐performing genotypes by modeled FAI‐BLUP approach should be used in common bean assays involving unbalanced data. Core Ideas: Genetic and/or statistical imbalance is a reality of plant breeding programs.Selecting the best fitted (co)variance structure for unbalanced data increased the selection accuracy.Low magnitude estimates of genetic correlation indicated the predominance of the complex part of the G × E interaction.The modeled FAI‐BLUP approach increased the selection efficiency by an average of 13.95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new multitrait index based on factor analysis and ideotype-design ( FAI- BLUP index), and validates its potential on the selection of elephant grass genotypes for energy cogeneration. Factor analysis was carried out, and afterwards, factorial scores of each ideotype were designed according to the desirable and undesirable factors, and the spatial probability was estimated based on genotype-ideotype distance, enabling genotype ranking. In order to quantify the potential of the FAI- BLUP index, genetic gains were predicted and compared with the Smith-Hazel classical index. The FAI- BLUP index allows ranking the genotypes based on multitrait, free from multicollinearity, and it does not require assigning weights, as in the case of the Smith-Hazel classical index and its derived indices. Furthermore, the genetic correlation - positive or negative - within each factor was taken into account, preserving their traits relationship, and giving biological meaning to the ideotypes. The FAI- BLUP index indicated the 15 elephant grass with the highest performance for conversion to bioenergy via combustion, and predicted balanced and desirable genetic gains for all traits. In addition, the FAI- BLUP index predicted gains of approximately 62% of direct selection, simultaneously for all traits that are desired to be increased, and approximately 33% for traits which are desired to be decreased. The genotypes selected by the FAI- BLUP index have potential to improve all traits simultaneously, while the Smith-Hazel classical index predicted gains of 66% for traits that are desired to be increased, and −32% for traits that are desired to be decreased, and it does not have potential to improve all traits simultaneously. The FAI- BLUP index provides an undoubtable selection process and can be used in any breeding programme aiming at selection based on multitrait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tributyltin (TBT) is an obesogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) linked with several metabolic complications. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is the principal site for thermogenesis, making it a potential target for obesity management and metabolic disease. However, few studies have evaluated TBT effect on BAT function. In this investigation, we assessed whether subacute (15 days) and low dose of TBT exposure (100 ng/kg/day) results in abnormal BAT morphophysiology in adult male rats. Body temperature, BAT morphology, inflammation, oxidative stress, collagen deposition and BAT metabolic gene expression markers were assessed in room temperature (Room, ∼24 ºC) and after cold tolerance test (Cold, ∼4 ºC) conditions. A reduction in body temperature was observed in both Room and Cold conditions in TBT rats, suggesting abnormal BAT thermogenic function. Changes in BAT morphology were observed in TBT rats, with an increase in BAT lipid accumulation, an increase in BAT unilocular adipocyte number and a decrease in BAT multilocular adipocyte number in Room condition. All these parameters were opposite in Cold condition TBT rats, leading to a borderline increase in BAT UCP1 protein expression. An increase in BAT mast cell number was observed in TBT rats in Room condition. An increase in ED1 protein expression (macrophage marker) was observed in TBT rats in Cold condition. Oxidative stress and collagen deposition increased in both Room and Cold conditions in TBT rats. TBT exposure caused a borderline increase in BAT COL1A1 protein expression in Cold condition. Further, strong negative correlations were observed between body temperature and BAT lipid accumulation, and BAT lipid accumulation and multilocular adipocyte number. Thus, these data suggest that TBT exposure impaired BAT morphophysiology through impacts on lipid accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis and oxidative stress in male rats. [Display omitted] • TBT exposure impairs thermogenic function. • TBT exposure led to BAT lipid accumulation. • TBT exposure led to BAT inflammation. • TBT exposure led to BAT oxidative stress. • TBT exposure led to BAT fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several perennial grasses have been studied as energetic feedstock due to high lignocellulosic production, making it an alternative bioenergy source. This is the first study to investigate the aptitude of elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), aiming to breed it for bioenergy production via direct combustion of biomass. The evaluation of the aptitude and the estimates of the genotypic values were carried out using the mixed models methodology. The canonical correlation analyses were carried out among morpho-agronomic and biomass quality traits for the groups Napier and Cameroon. Complementarily, it was used path analysis with calorific value as the principle variable. Elephant grass presented 22.59 Mg ha −1 mean biomass production. Cameroon group presents the greatest aptitude to be used as bioenergetic raw material via direct combustion of biomass, with 24.13 Mg ha −1 total dry biomass, and 18.16 MJ kg −1 calorific value. The ash content has high correlation and high direct effect on the calorific value. Genetic breeding for morpho-agronomic traits within the Cameroon group is recommended. The canonical correlation analyses and path analyses indicate that in the initial stages of elephant grass breeding program, there is a possibility of indirect selection via morpho-agronomic traits to obtain genetic gain in calorific value. In this sense, tandem selection within the Cameroon group could be a good option, in which the genotypes with the tallest and the thickest stalk diameter should be selected among the genotypes with the greatest dry matter content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elephantgrass has been a notable option as bioenergy plant. However, for its bioenergetic use, the quantification of genetic diversity based on biomass quality traits has not been commonly reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity among 100 accessions of the Active Elephantgrass Germplasm Bank (BAGCE), by means of morphological (flowering, height, vigor and stalk diameter), agronomic (total dry biomass) and biomass quality traits (dry matter concentration, cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, in vitro digestibility, nitrogen, ash, and calorific value), and the ultimate goal was to use the elephantgrass as a bioenergy feedstock. By using mixed model methodology and genetic diversity analyses, it was found genetic variability between elephantgrass accessions, which is the basic premise to start any breeding program. The BAGCE presented greater genetic variability for the biomass quality traits, when compared with morpho-agronomic traits. The accessions were divided into 6 clusters of genetic similarity, with potential for use in second generation ethanol production and direct biomass combustion, besides forage uses. Furthermore, to potentiate elephantgrass as bioenergetic plant, crosses among divergent individuals from distinct clusters were recommended. Thus, the genetic variability of BAGCE can be exploited to produce superior combinations that can maximize second generation ethanol conversion and biomass direct combustion. In addition, these actions can increase the contribution of elephantgrass for a sustainable energetic matrix diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple human stressors affect tropical intertidal sandstone reefs, but little is known about their biodiversity and the environmental impacts of these stressors. In the present study, multiple anthropogenic pressures were integrated using the relative environmental pressure index (REPI) and related to benthic community structure across an intertidal gradient in five sandstone reefs in the tropical South Atlantic coast. Greater species richness and diversity were noted in the low intertidal zones. There was a negative relationship between REPI and species richness, suggesting that increasing anthropogenic pressure has decreased benthic richness. The factors associated with the loss of richness were jetties built to control erosion, urban areas, beachfront kiosks and restaurants, fish markets, and storm sewers with illegal sewage connections. Our results highlight the need for better infrastructure planning and rigorous monitoring of coastal urban areas, since the large influence of multiple human pressures in these reefs leads to biodiversity losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Automated electromagnetic generators with self-adaptive coil switching are proposed. • A transduction model from first principles was developed and validated. • The generator performance was improved up to 26% using self-adaptation. • Complex dynamics of the resonant non-linear system were investigated. • Promising generator design combining energy transduction and automation engineering. Self-powered electronic devices have been widely sought after in the last few years demanding efficient harvesting of locally available forms of energy. Electromagnetic generators are suitable contenders for powering both small-scale and large-scale devices due to their widespread availability and customizability. New promising magnet levitation architectures for mechanical vibration energy harvesting offer low production and maintenance costs, as well as a wide array of designs. They also exhibit complex non-linear and hysteretic resonant behaviors. Nonetheless, their performance is typically optimized towards external excitations with very specific characteristics. In this study, we theoretically and experimentally prove the concept of an instrumented self-adaptive levitation generator with on/off coil switching employing an accelerometer, transmission gate switches and a processing system. This adaptable system is able to periodically turn off coils not contributing to the generated electromotive forces for certain frequencies and amplitudes of the input excitations. Taking the power consumption of instrumentation into account, power gains up to ≈ 26% were achieved for harmonic inputs with randomly time changing frequencies and amplitudes. Using a prototype generator with 140.7 cm3, output average powers of up to 1.79 W (i.e., 12.7 kW/m3) were extracted for optimal electrical loads under non-linear resonant conditions. Significant increases in electric power efficiencies were achieved as well. These promising results should pave the way towards intelligent self-adapting energy generators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Migration is a natural phenomenon that includes annual movements of many bird species in response to seasonal cycles. With approximately one third of all living bird species, South America has an important avifauna, and many migrants land in Brazil at stopping points and wintering sites. Objective: To identify associations between migrant birds and coastal vegetation, and environmental influence of on migration. Methods: At 10 points along the coast of Piauí State, Brazil, we made visual censuses and mist net captures, between April 2009 and February 2016. Results: We identified 82 migrant bird species (13 orders; 28 families) that represented 41 intracontinental migrating species, 26 northern visiting species, 14 nomad species and one vagrant species. The richness peaks were at the beginning and end of both dry and rainy seasons, matching insolation and atmospheric pressure. There were spatial pattern differences among vegetation complexes. Chrysolampis mosquitus is an indicator of caatinga vegetation, Numenius phaeopus of wetland, Charadrius collaris of non-flooding fields, Rostrhamus sociabilis of forest-grassland transition, and Columbina picui of orchards. Despite differences in number and species composition within vegetation types, the temporal pattern in species richness was similar among flooded fields, non-flooded fields, and transition grassland categories. Conclusions: Migrant birds occupy specific environments during their permanence along the coast of Piauí State, with richness matching insolation and atmospheric pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]