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With global wind energy capacity ramping up, accurately predicting damage equivalent loads (DELs) and fatigue across wind turbine populations is critical, not only for ensuring the longevity of existing wind farms but also for the design of new farms. However, the estimation of such quantities of interests is hampered by the inherent complexity in modeling critical underlying processes, such as the aerodynamic wake interactions between turbines that increase mechanical stress and reduce useful lifetime. While high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and aeroelastic models can capture these effects, their computational requirements limits real-world usage. Recently, fast machine learning-based surrogates which emulate more complex simulations have emerged as a promising solution. Yet, most surrogates are task-specific and lack flexibility for varying turbine layouts and types. This study explores the use of graph neural networks (GNNs) to create a robust, generalizable flow and DEL prediction platform. By conceptualizing wind turbine populations as graphs, GNNs effectively capture farm layout-dependent relational data, allowing extrapolation to novel configurations. We train a GNN surrogate on a large database of PyWake simulations of random wind farm layouts to learn basic wake physics, then fine-tune the model on limited data for a specific unseen layout simulated in HAWC2Farm for accurate adapted predictions. This transfer learning approach circumvents data scarcity limitations and leverages fundamental physics knowledge from the source low-resolution data. The proposed platform aims to match simulator accuracy, while enabling efficient adaptation to new higher-fidelity domains, providing a flexible blueprint for wake load forecasting across varying farm configurations.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of films based on chitosan and rosemary extract on the physicochemical, microbiological, and oxidative characteristics of beef. Refrigerated steaks of Longissimus dorsi were distributed in a factorial arrangement (4 × 4) into four treatments consisting of four edible films (control; chitosan; chitosan + 4% rosemary extract; and chitosan + 8% rosemary extract) and four days of aging (0, 2, 4, and 8 days). Incorporating 4% or 8% rosemary extract into the chitosan film improved the characteristics of the films in terms of moisture absorption and elasticity. The edible coatings with chitosan and rosemary extract and the different days of aging increased the tenderness and decreased the lipid oxidation of beef. In addition, the chitosan films containing rosemary extract increased the water-holding capacity and decreased the cooking losses of beef. The films containing 4% and 8% rosemary extract decreased the development of mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria and Staphylococcus ssp. in beef. We recommend incorporating 4% rosemary extract into chitosan-based coatings to preserve the quality of refrigerated beef.

Abstract Aims Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves functional capacity in heart failure patients, a blunted heart rate (HR) response remains after treatment. So we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the physiological pacing rate (PPR) in CRT patients. Methods A cohort of 30 clinical mildly symptomatic CRT patients underwent the six‐minute walk test (6MWT). During the 6MWT, HR, blood pressure, and maximum walking distance were assessed. The measurements were obtained in a pre to post manner, with CRT at nominal settings and with the physiological phase (CRT PPR), in which HR was increased by 10% above the maximum HR achieved previously. The CRT cohort also comprised a matched control group (CRT CG). In the CRT CG, the 6MWT was repeated after the standard evaluation with no PPR. The evaluations were blinded for patients and for the 6MWT evaluator. Results During the 6MWT, CRT PPR led to an increase in walking distance of 40.5 m (9.2%; P

This paper documents the 16th data release (DR16) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS), the fourth and penultimate from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). This is the first release of data from the Southern Hemisphere survey of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2); new data from APOGEE-2 North are also included. DR16 is also notable as the final data release for the main cosmological program of the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), and all raw and reduced spectra from that project are released here. DR16 also includes all the data from the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey and new data from the SPectroscopic IDentification of ERosita Survey programs, both of which were co-observed on eBOSS plates. DR16 has no new data from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey (or the MaNGA Stellar Library "MaStar"). We also preview future SDSS-V operations (due to start in 2020), and summarize plans for the final SDSS-IV data release (DR17).

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and represents an important global public health issue. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and INDELs are common genetic variations that can be located in genes associated with immune response and, therefore, they may have direct implications over the phenotype of susceptibility to infections like tuberculosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between the 17 genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to tuberculosis in a Brazilian population. Methods This case-control study enrolled 283 individuals with active tuberculosis and 145 health care workers. Four INDELs and 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms and were genotyped using Multiplex PCR method and TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Group comparisons for categorical variables were performed using the chi-squared test, whilst the t-Student test was used to analyze the continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was assessed using chi-squared tests with Bonferroni correction. The results were analyzed comparing the genotypic distributions adopting the dominant model and the estimated values ​​of p corrected for multiple tests through FDR (False Discovery Rate) test. Results The HWE test confirmed that the genotypic frequencies for polymorphisms were balanced. The frequency of Del allele was 73 and 75%, in cases and controls respectively. Frequency of Del allele was significantly higher in the control group than TB group. The homozygous Del/Del genotype was present in 51.6% of cases and 58.6% of controls. The rare Ins/Ins genotype was present in only 7.6% of controls and 6% of cases. The ACE Del/Del genotype was significantly higher in the cases than in controls revealing significant protection for TB in the domain model (OR = 0.465; p

The use of vegetable fibers in the modern engineering industry represents a worldwide need for sustainable low-cost materials with desirable mechanical characteristics, such as high strength, modulus of elasticity and strain capacity. In order to be used as a reinforcement in composite systems, the Curauá fibers' durability and interface characteristics with the different matrices should be improved. The present work aims to characterize and compare the behavior of curauá filaments both in natural and treated conditions focusing on increasing their durability and bond performance. To minimize the degradation and high water absorption, two types of polymeric coatings were impregnated in the fibers: aluminum oxide and sand. Direct tensile tests were performed and correlated to the morphological observations of the fiber structure by SEM images. The adhesion between matrix and fiber was evaluated by pull-out tests. Volumetric changes due to the wetting and drying of the fibers were also analyzed. The results indicated an improvement of the fiber-matrix bond, fiber tensile strength and stiffness after the surface treatments. Additionally, the coating had a positive effect on the hydrophilic nature of the fiber, decreasing its water absorption capacity.

Aim: To investigate the effects of bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide on the structure of tooth enamel and the role of two remineralizing agents for their potential to remineralize any damaged regions of enamel. Materials and Methods: Freshly extracted 32 mature permanent central incisors were selected and sectioned at the level of the cemento-enamel junction. The teeth were divided into four groups consisting of eight teeth each: No bleaching (control) [Group 1], bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide [Group 2], bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide followed by application of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride paste [Group 3], and bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide followed by application of xylitol-coated calcium phosphate fluoride varnish [Group 4]. The enamel surfaces were analyzed under the scanning electron microscope and quantitative energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Results: Results were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's posthoc test. Group 2 revealed changes in enamel surface morphology and a statistically significant decrease in mineral content. Groups 3 and 4 showed statistically significant remineralization potential. Intergroup comparison showed that samples in Group 4 had a higher mineral content compared to Group 3. Conclusions: The application of the tested remineralizing agents following bleaching was effective in repairing the enamel surface morphology with higher efficacy for the fluoride varnish product. Since bleaching regimes with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide adversely affect the enamel surface, these findings can translate to clinical practice to reduce the long-term damaging effects of tooth bleaching.

This paper presents a new method for voltage analysis for islanded microgrids using the energy function method and a new technique based on an auxiliary function to allocate intermittent sources. The energy function allows the direct stability evaluation of the system operating points, taking into account the variation of loads, the intermittence of the photovoltaic, and the charging/discharging of energy storage systems under pre-defined conditions. The auxiliary function is applied as a planning tool, defining the weak system areas, where photovoltaics and energy storage systems can be allocated. The results show the voltage stability assessment's effectiveness using the energy function and the improvement of the system stability condition when allocating the intermittent sources in the microgrid area indicated by the auxiliary function technique.

This work presents a quasi-dynamic approach to an absorption refrigeration system that uses NH3/LiNO3 as the working fluid. The goal is linked to the development and validation of a mathematical model, based on the characteristic equation method, to simulate the quasi-dynamic behavior of absorption chillers. The mathematical model was developed using the first law of thermodynamics through the conservation of mass and energy and the integration of the characteristic equation method, considering external parameters such as temperatures and flow rates of hot, cold, and chilled water circuits as the global heat transfer coefficients. The computational model was built using the F-Chart EES® software, the initial part, to facilitate the resolution of the equations (characteristic equation method). Finally, MATLAB software was used to perform the simulation with the characteristic equation and the transient model. The comparison between the experimental results found in the literature and those obtained by the developed model showed good agreement with relative errors lower than 5% within the values found in the measurement uncertainties. A sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the dynamic behavior of the absorption chiller, considering the activation, cooling, and thermal load temperatures and the products of the global heat transfer coefficients, checking the temperature, pressure, profiles, heat fluxes, and the COP of the chiller. The results showed a coherent behavior when the system was disturbed by varying activation, cooling, and chilled water temperature.

This study aims to identify the temporal variation and the spatial dependence structure of the hospitalization rate for falls in the elderly residing in Brazil in the period between 2010 and 2021. This ecological study employs secondary data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health about the fall-related hospitalization of people aged 60 years old and over. A time-series analysis was carried out, employing the joinpoint model. For the spatial analysis, the Moran autocorrelation technique was employed. In Brazil, between 2010 and 2021, there were 1,270,341 hospitalizations for falls recorded among the elderly in the Brazilian Hospitalization System. There was a continuous upward trend between 2010 and 2019 for all age groups, female and male, and all Brazilian regions. The trend stabilized between 2019 to 2021. The North and Northeast regions had faster upward trends among all Brazilian regions, and there was also a faster upward trend among women compared to men. A high-high pattern in hospitalization incidence was noticed from 2011 to 2019 in the states of São Paulo, Minhas Gerais, Paraná, and Mato Grosso do Sul. The results of this study provide subsidies for Brazilian health authorities to implement more efficient public policies to improve the quality of life of elderly people.

This article presents a versatile neurostimulation platform featuring a fully implantable multi-channel neural stimulator for chronic experimental studies with freely moving large animal models involving peripheral nerves. The implant is hermetically sealed in a ceramic enclosure and encapsulated in medical grade silicone rubber, and then underwent active tests at accelerated aging conditions at 100°C for 15 consecutive days. The stimulator microelectronics are implemented in a 0.6-μm CMOS technology, with a crosstalk reduction scheme to minimize cross-channel interference, and high-speed power and data telemetry for battery-less operation. A wearable transmitter equipped with a Bluetooth Low Energy radio link, and a custom graphical user interface provide real-time, remotely controlled stimulation. Three parallel stimulators provide independent stimulation on three channels, where each stimulator supports six stimulating sites and two return sites through multiplexing, hence the implant can facilitate stimulation at up to 36 different electrode pairs. The design of the electronics, method of hermetic packaging and electrical performance as well as in vitro testing with electrodes in saline are presented.

ABSTRACT The selection of the type of fuzzy systems pertinence curve allows a better representation of the mathematical model and a smaller simulation error. We aimed to study the effect of pertinence curves in fuzzy modeling of broiler performance, created in different production systems. For the development and testing of fuzzy models, three commercial aviaries (conventional, tunnel with negative pressure, and dark house) were evaluated over one year, totaling six lots per system. For the development of the model, the input variables were enthalpy in each rearing phase (initial: phases 1, 2, and 3; growth: phase 4; and final: phase 5) and the output variables were feed intake (FE), weight gain (GP), feed conversion (FE), and the productive efficiency index (PEI). Triangular, trapezoidal, and Gaussian pertinence curves were combined and applied to represent the input and output fuzzy sets, totaling nine fuzzy models for each output variable. The combinations of pertinence curves provided adequate responses for the prediction of AL, GP, RC, and PEI. However, the selection of the types of curves should be studied on a case-by-case basis, so that the smallest possible simulation errors are obtained.

ABSTRACT Broiler chickens are homoeothermic animals, i.e., animals capable of maintaining their body temperature within quite narrow limits; therefore, climate change poses a great challenge to poultry. With this in mind, this research aims to evaluate the performance of broilers submitted to different commercial production systems and exposed to different future scenarios, taking into account the climate change trends. To achieve this objective, we developed and validated a fuzzy model able to predict the performance of a broiler as a function of enthalpy along its life stages. This model was developed and validated in part I of this article based on experimental data collected for one year in three aviaries: conventional, negative pressure, and dark house systems. A Mann-Kendall nonparametric test and linear regression analysis were applied to the enthalpy values, which were calculated as a function of the ambient air temperature and relative humidity in order to study the climate change trends. Later, simulations were performed using the fuzzy model for 2025, 2050, 2075, and 2100 future scenarios. Specific improvements were observed when the heating trends coincided with the initial stages of breeding; however, in general, the productive responses of broilers in the different evaluated systems worsened with the climate change trends. Faced with the climate change trends, the responses improved in the order dark house aviary > negative pressure aviary> conventional aviary.

ABSTRACT Broiler chickens are classified as homoeothermic animals and require a production environment within well-defined thermal comfort intervals. Therefore, the development of algorithms (mathematical models) to control the environment that can be embedded in microcontrollers becomes necessary. Hence, this work aimed to develop a fuzzy model for predicting the productive performance of broiler chickens as a function of the thermal environment during the various breeding phases. The Mamdani inference and defuzzification methods were used, by means of the gravity center, to develop the fuzzy model. Two hundred and forty-three rules with weighting factors of 1.0 each were elaborated. Three commercial warehouses (conventional system, wind tunnel with negative pressure and dark house) were evaluated for testing of the model. We recorded the thermal environment (dry bulb temperature - tdb and relative humidity - RH) and productivity data (feed intake - FI, weight gain - WG, feed conversion - FC and productive efficiency index - PEI) over six lots in each aviary. The resulting fuzzy model was capable of forecasting FI, WG, FC, and PEI, with standard deviations and mean percentage errors of 4.16 g and 5.05%, 146.53 g and 8.04%, 0.06 g g−1 and 4.96%, and 24.51 g and 12.29%, respectively.

Objective-To determine whether older adults with diabetes are at increased risk of an injurious fall requiring hospitalization. Research design and methods-The longitudinal Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study included 3,075 adults aged 70-79 years at