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The study aims to estimate the environmental critical thresholds using statistical approaches to understand the landslide conditioning factors that can trigger landslides in the Continental Basaltic Provinces a landslide-prone area, using as reference the landslides that occurred in an extreme rainfall event. The study area is a region that was the scene of an extreme hydrological event in January 2017, with an accumulated volume of rain of 163.9 mm in 8 hours, causing a widespread event of shallow planar landslides with more than 400 scars detected. Hydrological, anthropic, geological, geomorphological, and topographical features of this region were analyzed considering landslides and non-landslides samples set, and their influence in the event was carried out using the Frequency Ratio method, followed by Pearson's Linear Correlation Coefficient and Linear Regression. The results showed that this process helped us to understand environmental critical thresholds based on classes of conditioning factors that have a greater influence on rainfall-triggered landslide occurrences and, consequently, higher predictive capacity in the landslide susceptibility models with the same geoenvironmental parameters which is a valuable insight for risk management.

Abstract Evolution of the Pd active centers in size and spatial distribution leads to an irreversible deactivation in many high-temperature catalytic processes. This research demonstrates the use of a defective alumina (Al2O3-x) as catalyst support to anchor Pd atoms and suppress the growth of Pd clusters in catalytic methane oxidation. A combination of operando spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide insights into the evolution of Pd species and reveals distinct catalytic methane oxidation mechanisms on Pd single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles (NPs). Among these Pd species, the cluster active centers are found to be the most favorable participants in methane oxidation due to their high dispersion, high content of Pd2+ oxidation state, and resistance to deactivation by carbonates, bicarbonates, and water. The Pd/Al2O3-x catalyst shows increased stability with respect to a Pd/Al2O3 counterpart during simulated aging in alternating reducing and oxidizing conditions due to stronger interactions with the support. This study demonstrates that defect engineering of non-reducible supports can constrain the evolution of active centers, which holds promising potential for widespread utilization across diverse industrial catalytic processes, including various hydrogenation and oxidation reactions.

Abstract Ionic transport through porous membranes and porous materials has received enormous attention due to its importance to many applications. An innovative methodology is proposed to study ion diffusion and ion sieving through mesoporous silica membranes (shells). The mobility of fluorescently labeled core particles within a hollow porous shell, filled with an index‐matched electrolyte solution, is observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The core motion range, i.e., the area explored by the core within the hollow compartment, sensitively changed depending on the local ionic concentration. Monitoring transitions in the core motion range is a practical way to detect which ions can migrate through the shells and on what timescale. For instance, lithium and chloride ions easily diffused through the porous silica shells, resulting in a core motion range that changed relatively quickly upon change of the ion concentrations outside of the shell. However, the motion range changed significantly slower upon changing to a bigger cation (tetraoctylammonium ion). This proof of principle experiment can be explained by the Gibbs‐Donnan effect, revealing that the detection of core motion ranges is a good probe to measure both ion diffusion and ion sieving through porous membranes.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measures, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope and others) among the T2DM population based on glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c). Material and Methods: The present study comprised a cross-sectional design, with two groups, based on HbA1c values (≤7 and ≥7.1). Laboratory samples were taken to evaluate glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose (FBS). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to calculate various fitness-related parameters. Data analysis: An independent t-test was used to analyse the outcomes in the two groups. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Linear regression was used to examine the influence of predictor variables on dependent variables. Results: A total of 70 patients agreed to participate in the study, with 19 females and 51 males. The mean (standard deviation) BMI (body mass index) of all participants was 29.7(5.2), the mean (SD) weight was 84.4 (18.9) kg, and the mean height was 167.4 (23) cm. The average age of the individuals was 52 ± 8 years. The independent t-test revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of CRF measures. Conclusions: The current research identified the presence of poor glycaemic control and cardiorespiratory fitness measures among the Brazilian population with T2DM. HBA1c, duration of diabetes, age, and BMI can be employed to predict the ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2 max.

Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvida uma estação meteorológica automática e de baixo custo utilizando materiais reaproveitados e sensores de baixo custo, conectada ao site de visualização e gerenciamento de dados Ubidots. A estação conta com sensores de temperatura (AHT10), umidade (AHT10), pressão (BMP180), radiação solar (LDR), um pluviômetro e um anemômetro digital, ambos feitos com materiais reaproveitados e de fácil acesso, tendo sido o anemômetro desenvolvido com uma ventoinha (sensor hall) e o pluviômetro baseado num sensor magnético reed switch. Todo o sistema é conectado à placa de prototipagem eletrônica ESP8266, a qual já possui um módulo que permite a conexão com a internet. Todo o dispositivo foi custeado com cerca de 50 reais. Os sensores de temperatura, umidade e o anemômetro foram calibrados utilizando sensores padrão para garantir uma medição precisa. Os valores de umidade e temperatura foram então comparados aos dados obtidos por uma estação profissional próxima. O pluviômetro também passou por uma calibração para medir a quantidade de chuva em milímetros. Além disso, foram implementadas previsões baseadas em modelos para estimar o ponto de orvalho, pressão de vapor d’água, água precipitável e sensação térmica, fornecendo informações adicionais sobre as condições do tempo local.

ABSTRACT: Dental abscess in ruminants is an acute polymicrobial infection, usually resulting from periodontal disease or endodontic infection, with consequences for animal health and welfare. The present study aimed to describe the bacterial microbiota of dental abscesses in Blastocerus dichotomus. Biological material from mandibular dental abscesses, punctured with a sterile syringe and needle during routine veterinary curative procedures or necropsies, was collected from three ex-situ marsh deer. Bacteria were identified using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The three specimens had the presence of facial bulging, and two died because of severe emaciation with a history of progressive weight loss. Bacteroides (38.6%), Fusobacterium (36.65%), and Porphyromonas (7.49%) represented the most abundant genera and Fusobacterium necrophorum (35.69%), Porphyromonas levii (3.12%) and Porphyromonas gulae (1.78%) were among the ten most represented species in the microbiota of mandibular abscess in Blastocerus dichotomus. These molecular findings demonstrate a broader diversity of species in the polymicrobial nature of dental abscesses in B. dichotomus than was previously reported when culture-dependent methods were used in the diagnosis.

ABSTRACTResearch on gender differences in adolescents’ life satisfaction has reported inconsistent findings to date. The present study aimed to (a) ascertain whether a gender gap in life satisfaction exists in Luxembourg, (b) estimate the predictive power of gender when controlling for well-identified predictors of life satisfaction, and (c) assess potential gender differences in our predictors’ influence on life satisfaction. We used data from 2006 to 2022 pertaining to nationally representative samples of school attendees in Luxembourg (n = 46,937) to achieve our first research goal. We relied on data collected in 2022 (n = 9,432) to achieve our two other research goals. We found boys to consistently report higher life satisfaction than girls over time. However, gender did not predict life satisfaction when controlling for our other predictors. Moreover, the influence of most of the examined factors on life satisfaction did not vary with gender.

ABSTRACT: Dental and periodontal affections consist of health concerns of great importance in sheep flocks, as they affect the health and welfare of animals and represent one of the main causes of premature slaughter. Studies on the occurrence of these conditions in sheep are scarce in Brazil. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal diseases and tooth wear in sheep flocks in the State of Goiás. For this, a clinical oral examination was conducted on 325 sheep from seven farms in six municipalities of the State. Periodontal lesions, characterized by gingival recession in at least one incisor tooth, were observed in 48.3% (157/325) of the sheep, while in cheek teeth it occurred in 13.2% (43/325) of the evaluated sheep. Dental wear on cheek teeth was identified in 69.2% (255/325) of the sheep, and 10.7% (35/325) of the ovines showed dental wear on incisor teeth. Sheep older than 36 months had an increase in the frequency of tooth wear. A total of 171 (52.62%) out of the 325 examined sheep had signs of bleeding on probing, which is compatible with gingivitis, and 69 (40.36%) were older than 36 months. Thirty-eight (11.69%) out of the 325 evaluated ovines had gingivitis in all teeth, among which 21 (55.26%) were older than 36 months. Logistic regression analysis allowed the observation that age was associated with the occurrence of gingivitis. Less frequent changes such as periodontal pockets and loss of at least one tooth were also observed in 4.9% (16/325) and 17.8% (58/325) of the sheep, respectively. It indicates that the presence of periodontal diseases and tooth wear is a common occurrence in the evaluated flocks. Therefore, there is a need to include the oral health of sheep in the routine of the farm as an essential preventive measure to improve the quality of life, animal welfare, and zootechnical indices.

Dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS) corresponds to the increase in iron stores associated with components of metabolic syndrome (MtS) and in the absence of an identifiable cause of iron excess. The objective of this work was to review the main aspects of DIOS. PUBMED and EMBASE were consulted, and PRISMA guidelines were followed. DIOS is usually asymptomatic and can be diagnosed by investigating MtS and steatosis. About 50% of the patients present altered hepatic biochemical tests (increased levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase itself or associated with increased levels of alanine aminotransferase). The liver may present parenchymal and mesenchymal iron overload, but the excess of iron is commonly mild. Steatosis or steatohepatitis is observed in half of the patients. Fibrosis is observed in about 15% of patients. Hyperferritinemia may damage the myocardium, liver, and several other tissues, increasing morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, DIOS is closely related to oxidative stress, which is closely associated with several pathological conditions such as inflammatory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and cancer. DIOS is becoming a relevant finding in the general population and can be associated with high morbidity/mortality. For these reasons, investigation of this condition could be an additional requirement for the early prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The result of the movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was an impromptu and abrupt switch from in-person to online teaching. Most focus has been on the perception and experience of students during the process. The aim of this international survey is to assess staffs' perspectives and challenges of online teaching during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cross-sectional research using a validated online survey was carried out in seven countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, India, the United Kingdom, and Egypt) between the months of December 2021 and August 2022, to explore the status of online teaching among faculty members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Variables and response are presented as percentages while logistic regression was used to assess the factors that predict levels of satisfaction and the challenges associated with online instruction. A total of 721 response were received from mainly male (53%) staffs. Most respondents are from Brazil (59%), hold a Doctorate degree (70%) and have over 10 years of working experience (62%). Although, 67% and 79% have relevant tools and received training for online teaching respectively, 44% report that online teaching required more preparation time than face-to-face. Although 41% of respondents were uncertain about the outcome of online teaching, 49% were satisfied with the process. Also, poor internet bandwidth (51%), inability to track students' engagement (18%) and Lack of technical skills (11.5%) were the three main observed limitations. Having little or no prior experience of online teaching before the COVID-19 pandemic [OR, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.35–1.85)], and not supporting the move to online teaching mode [OR, 0.56 (95% CI,0.48–0.64)] were two main factors independently linked with dissatisfaction with online teaching. While staffs who support the move to online teaching were twice likely to report no barriers [OR, 2.15 (95% CI, 1.61–2.86)]. Although, relevant tools and training were provided to support the move to online teaching during COVID-19 lockdown, barriers such as poor internet bandwidth, inability to track students’ engagement and lack of technical skills were main limitations observed internationally by teaching staffs. Addressing these barriers should be the focus of higher education institution in preparation for future disruptions to traditional teaching modes.

In 2020, only 0.9% of buses running in European Union countries were electric, with 93.5% still being diesel-powered. The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy set out by the European Commission targets a reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2023 and the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050. These targets will only be met by a shift to sustainable mobility, which comprises the introduction of electric vehicles in cities and the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEV) for urban public transport. Thus, a literature review on “electrification of bus fleets” was conducted, focusing on the practices adopted for the replacement of polluting buses with electric-powered ones. A total of 62 documents were included in the final investigation, and their results were used to conduct a SWOT analysis. It is possible to conclude that BEBs are an important asset for cities to decarbonize the transport sector and that they are more cost-effective than diesel buses. On the other hand, some attention needs to be given to the generation of energy that will feed the charging of batteries because the use of fossil fuel energy sources can jeopardize the environmental benefits of BEBs.

Background Chagas disease (CD) presents an ominous prognosis. The predictive value of biomarkers and new echocardiogram parameters in adjusted models have not been well studied. Methods and Results There were 361 patients with chronic CD (57.6% men, 61±11 years of age, clinical forms: indeterminate 27.1%, cardiac 56.6%, digestive 3.6%, cardiodigestive 12.7%) included in this single‐center, observational, prospective longitudinal study. Echocardiographic evaluation included strain analyses of left atrial, left ventricular (LV), and right ventricular and 3‐dimensional analyses of left atrial and LV volumes. Biomarkers included cardiac troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, transforming growth factor β1, tumor necrosis factor, matrix metalloproteinases, and Trypanosoma cruzi polymerase chain reaction. The studied end point was a composite of CD‐related mortality, heart transplant, hospital admission due to worsening heart failure, or new cardiac device insertion. Event‐free survival was analyzed by multivariable regression analyses adjusted for competing risks. P values

Abstract Nanoscale gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) is a promising nanomaterial with unique physicochemical properties that finds various applications ranging from biomedicine to catalysis. The preparation of highly porous Gd2O3 nanofoam greatly increases its surface area thereby boosting its potential for functional use in applications such as water purification processes and in catalytic applications. By using the combustion synthesis method, a strong exothermic redox reaction between gadolinium nitrate hexahydrate and glycine causes the formation of crystalline nanoporous Gd2O3. In this study, the synthesis of Gd2O3 nanofoam is achieved with combustion synthesis at large scale (grams). Its nanoscale porosity is investigated by nitrogen physisorption and its nanoscale 3D structure by electron tomography, and the formation process is investigated as well by means of in situ heating inside the transmission electron microscope. The bulk nanofoam product is highly crystalline and porous with a surface area of 67 m2 g−1 as measured by physisorption, in good agreement with the electron tomographic 3D reconstructions showing an intricate interconnected pore network with pore sizes varying from 2 to 3 nm to tens of nanometers. In situ heating experiments point to many possibilities for tuning the porosity of the Gd2O3 nanofoam by varying the experimental synthesis conditions.

This work presents an evaluation of a small UAV-RPAS-PPK to be used in the generation of digital surface models (DSM), without the need for control points, having as main application the monitoring of disaster risk areas (landslide and flooding). The areas to be measured are difficult to access, which prevents or makes access to the land difficult. In this evaluation, a study area of approximately 13 km2 was flown over, an average pixel of 11.6 cm and a total of 417 photos. The equipment used to acquire the images was a SenseFly eBee X, equipped with GNSS PPK for Direct Georeferencing (DG) and a camera model S.O.D.A. In all, 42 ground checkpoints were measured using a dual-frequency GNSS receiver. For both the measurement of the checkpoints and for the Direct Georeferencing (DG) base of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), a relative processing was performed, using the Brazilian Network for Continuous Monitoring (RBMC) as a reference. With this evaluation, it was possible to achieve a result (RMSE) for phototriangulation better than 1.2 pixels for horizontal and 1.5 pixels for vertical, without the need to measure any control points on the ground.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with disruption in autonomic nervous control of the heart rhythm. We present here quantitative evidence of the reduction in HRV measures as well as the challenges to clinical application of HRV in COPD clinics.MethodFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we search in June 2022 Medline and Embase databases for studies reporting HRV in COPD patients using relevant medical subject headings (MeSH) terms. The quality of included studies was assessed using the modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Descriptive data were extracted, while standardized mean difference was computed for changes in HRV due to COPD. Leave-one-out sensitivity test was performed to assess exaggerated effect size and funnel plots to assess publication bias.ResultsThe databases search yielded 512 studies, of which we included 27 that met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies (73%) had a low risk of bias and included a total of 839 COPD patients. Although there were high between-studies heterogeneity, HRV time and frequency domains were significantly reduced in COPD patients compared with controls. Sensitivity test showed no exaggerated effect sizes and the funnel plot showed general low publication bias.ConclusionCOPD is associated with autonomic nervous dysfunction as measured by HRV. Both sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac modulation were decreased, but there is still a predominance of sympathetic activity. There is high variability in the HRV measurement methodology, which affects clinical applicability.

Abstract Our aim was to evaluate: (1) the prevalence of coexistence of heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the studied patients; (2) the impact of HF + COPD on exercise performance and contrasting exercise responses in patients with only a diagnosis of HF or COPD; and (3) the relationship between clinical characteristics and measures of cardiorespiratory fitness; (4) verify the occurrence of cardiopulmonary events in the follow-up period of up to 24 months years. The current study included 124 patients (HF: 46, COPD: 53 and HF + COPD: 25) that performed advanced pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, analysis of body composition by bioimpedance and symptom-limited incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a cycle ergometer. Key CPET variables were calculated for all patients as previously described. The $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ E/ $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ CO2 slope was obtained through linear regression analysis. Additionally, the linear relationship between oxygen uptake and the log transformation of $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ E (OUES) was calculated using the following equation: $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ O2 = a log $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ E + b, with the constant ‘a’ referring to the rate of increase of $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ O2. Circulatory power (CP) was obtained through the product of peak $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ O2 and peak systolic blood pressure and Ventilatory Power (VP) was calculated by dividing peak systolic blood pressure by the $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ E/ $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ CO2 slope. After the CPET, all patients were contacted by telephone every 6 months (6, 12, 18, 24) and questioned about exacerbations, hospitalizations for cardiopulmonary causes and death. We found a 20% prevalence of HF + COPD overlap in the studied patients. The COPD and HF + COPD groups were older (HF: 60 ± 8, COPD: 65 ± 7, HF + COPD: 68 ± 7). In relation to cardiac function, as expected, patients with COPD presented preserved ejection fraction (HF: 40 ± 7, COPD: 70 ± 8, HF + COPD: 38 ± 8) while in the HF and HF + COPD demonstrated similar levels of systolic dysfunction. The COPD and HF + COPD patients showed evidence of an obstructive ventilatory disorder confirmed by the value of %FEV1 (HF: 84 ± 20, COPD: 54 ± 21, HF + COPD: 65 ± 25). Patients with HF + COPD demonstrated a lower work rate (WR), peak oxygen uptake ( $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ O2), rate pressure product (RPP), CP and VP compared to those only diagnosed with HF and COPD. In addition, significant correlations were observed between lean mass and peak $${\dot{\text{V}}}$$ V ˙ O2 (r: 0.56 p

CRIg is expressed on liver macrophages and binds Gram-positive bacteria to mediate phagocytosis, but it is not clear how its phagocytic functions contribute to liver homeostasis or disease. Here the authors report that ethanol impairs hepatic clearance of translocated pathobionts, via decreased hepatic CRIg, which facilitates progression of alcoholic liver disease.

Abstract Morphological characteristics of pequi fruits (Caryocar brasiliense) allows us to obtain information for the conservation, breeding, and detect genetic variability. Thus, the aims of this research were to characterize the genetic diversity of Caryocar brasiliense that produce fruits with and without thorn at the endocarp; determine the important characters in the study of genetic diversity, and to estimate phenotypic and genotypic correlations. 80 fruits with thorns and 90 fruits without thorns were evaluated. Data were used for analysis: Euclidian distance as a measure of dissimilarity and the Tocher method for delimitation of groups; Principal Component Analysis, and genotypic and phenotypic correlations. Genetic dissimilarity of C. brasiliense ranged from 0.066 (B6-D6) to 0.908 (A14-B3). Tocher method allowed dividing the matrices into three groups, the dendrogram into five groups, and the principal components allowed the distribution in 8 groups. We observed 15 significant correlations for characters of fruit with thorns and 31 correlations for characters of fruit without thorns. The weight of the fruit (with thorns) and the pyrene yield (without thorns) are relevant correlations for production. The groupings generated allowed the classification of the matrices into distinct sets. Allowed the identification of potential producers plants that could be used in breeding programs.

Abstract Genetically modified plants are one of the tactics used in integrated pest management - IPM. There is great concern about the impact of these plants on non-target organisms. On the other hand, there is little information in the literature on the effects of transgenics (Bacillus thuringiensis) Bt on populations of phytophagous mites, and the physiological responses that this attack promotes on plants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the biology of the T. ludeni mite in Bt cotton, expressing the Cry1F and Cry1Ac proteins. To evaluate the behavior of food and oviposition preference of the T. ludeni with Bt cotton and isohybrid. Verify if the physiological stress caused by T. ludeni’s attack is differentiated in Bt cotton. The mites were reared in Bt cotton and isohybrid, in a total of 40 replicates in the completely randomized design and the biological cycle was evaluated. The food preference and oviposition analysis were done with 10 replicates, with choice. The physiological stress was evaluated through chlorophyll fluorescence, under greenhouse conditions. The data of the T. ludeni biology were analyzed by Student's t-test, for food and oviposition preference the chi-square test was performed. Regression models were fitted for the fluorescence parameters. The model identity test was used to evaluate the differences between Bt and isohybrid treatments. Cry1F and Cry1Ac proteins have not affected the biology of T. ludeni. The photosynthetic parameters in Bt cotton plants were less influenced by T. ludeni infestation.

Ecological and safe packaging solutions arise as pivotal points in the development of an integrated system for sustainable meat production. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a combined chitosan (Ch) + green tea extract (GTE) + essential oil (thyme oil, TO; flaxseed oil, FO; or oregano oil, OO) coating on the safety and quality of vacuum-packaged beef during storage at 4 °C. An optimized bio-based coating formulation was selected (2% Ch + 2% GTE + 0.1% FO) to be applied to three fresh beef cuts (shoulder, Sh; knuckle, Kn; Striploin, St) based on its pH (5.8 ± 0.1), contact angle (22.3 ± 0.4°) and rheological parameters (viscosity = 0.05 Pa.s at shear rate > 20 s−1). Shelf-life analysis showed that the Ch–GTE–FO coating delayed lipid oxidation and reduced total viable counts (TVC) and Enterobacteriaceae growth compared with uncoated beef samples over five days. In addition, Ch–GTE–FO coating decreased total color changes of beef samples (e.g., ∆E* = 9.84 and 3.94, for non-coated and coated Kn samples, respectively) for up to five days. The original textural parameters (hardness, adhesiveness and springiness) of beef cuts were maintained during storage when Ch–GTE–FO coating was applied. Based on the physicochemical and microbial characterization results, the combination of the Ch–GTE–FO coating developed was effective in preserving the quality of fresh beef cuts during refrigerated storage along with vacuum packaging.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders (such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, asbestosis, and pneumonitis) characterized by lung parenchymal impairment, inflammation, and fibrosis. The shortness of breath (i.e., dyspnea) is a hallmark and disabling symptom of ILDs. Patients with ILDs may also exhibit skeletal muscle dysfunction, oxygen desaturation, abnormal respiratory patterns, pulmonary hypertension, and decreased cardiac function, contributing to exercise intolerance and limitation of day-to-day activities. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) including physical exercise is an evidence-based approach to benefit functional capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life in ILD patients. However, despite recent advances and similarities with other lung diseases, the field of PR for patients with ILD requires further evidence. This mini-review aims to explore the exercise-based PR delivered around the world and evidence supporting prescription modes, considering type, intensity, and frequency components, as well as efficacy and safety of exercise training in ILDs. This review will be able to strengthen the rationale for exercise training recommendations as a core component of the PR for ILD patients.

Abstract In recent years, two‐dimensional (2D) materials have attracted a lot of research interest as they exhibit several fascinating properties. However, outside of 2D materials derived from van der Waals layered bulk materials only a few other such materials are realized, and it remains difficult to confirm their 2D freestanding structure. Despite that, many metals are predicted to exist as 2D systems. In this review, the authors summarize the recent progress made in the synthesis and characterization of these 2D metals, so called metallenes, and their oxide forms, metallene oxides as free standing 2D structures formed in situ through the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning TEM (STEM) to synthesize these materials. Two primary approaches for forming freestanding monoatomic metallic membranes are identified. In the first, graphene pores as a means to suspend the metallene or metallene oxide and in the second, electron‐beam sputtering for the selective etching of metal alloys or thick complex initial materials is employed to obtain freestanding single‐atom‐thick 2D metal. The data show a growing number of 2D metals/metallenes and 2D metal/ metallene oxides having been confirmed and point to a bright future for further discoveries of these 2D materials.

Among the most prevalent multimorbidities that accompany the aging process, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) stand out, representing the main causes of hospital admissions in the world. The prevalence of COPD coexistence in patients with CHF is higher than in control subjects, given the common risk factors associated with a complex process of chronic diseases developing in the aging process. COPD-CHF coexistence confers a marked negative impact on mechanical-ventilatory, cardiocirculatory, autonomic, gas exchange, muscular, ventilatory, and cerebral blood flow, further impairing the reduced exercise capacity and health status of either condition alone. In this context, integrated approach to the cardiopulmonary based on pharmacological optimization and non-pharmacological treatment (i.e., exercise-based cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation) can be emphatically encouraged by health professionals as they are safe and well-tolerated, reducing hospital readmissions, morbidity, and mortality. This review aims to explore aerobic exercise, the cornerstone of cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation, resistance and inspiratory muscle training and exercise-based rehabilitation delivery models in patients with COPD-CHF multimorbidities across the continuum of the disease. In addition, the review address the importance of adjuncts to enhance exercise capacity in these patients, which may be used to optimize the gains obtained in these programs.

Abstract We review the physics opportunities of the Future Circular Collider, covering its e+e-, pp, ep and heavy ion programmes. We describe the measurement capabilities of each FCC component, addressing the study of electroweak, Higgs and strong interactions, the top quark and flavour, as well as phenomena beyond the Standard Model. We highlight the synergy and complementarity of the different colliders, which will contribute to a uniquely coherent and ambitious research programme, providing an unmatchable combination of precision and sensitivity to new physics.

Currently on the world market there are several models and manufacturers of RPAS-UAV. This equipment made it possible to complete the entire flow of the photogrammetric mapping process in teaching for the students of the Cartographic Engineering course. In the Institute of Geosciences, this course already counted on the photogrammetric stations, equipped with hardware for 3D visualization (graphic card, high-speed monitors and stereoscopic vision glasses), photogrammetric software for data processing, and equipment for geodetic measurement control points. Before the acquisition of the RPAS, for the accomplishment of the academic works, it was necessary to buy or to look for in donations from companies of aerial photographs, that did not always correspond to an area of scientific interest. In addition, the scenes in the photos were not current, and it was impossible to have control points that were pre-signalized. From the availability of the RPAS in the University, the students began to have more interest by Photogrammetry in their professional end of coursework and throughout the disciplines. It became possible to carry out in practice all the processes involved in the mapping of nearby areas of interest, from the planning to the generation of photogrammetric products, such as the generation of DTM (Digital Terrain Model), DEM (Digital Elevation Model), orthophotomaps and extraction of features. In addition to products related to the 3D mapping of terrains, mainly through the RPAS of rotating wings, there was also the possibility of mapping and reconstructing 3D structures, such as buildings of historical monuments.

Region-based classification of PolSAR data can be effectively performed by seeking for the assignment that minimizes a distance between prototypes and segments. Silva et al. [“Classification of segments in PolSAR imagery by minimum stochastic distances between wishart distributions.” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing 6 (3): 1263–1273] used stochastic distances between complex multivariate Wishart models which, differently from other measures, are computationally tractable. In this work we assess the robustness of such approach with respect to errors in the training stage, and propose an extension that alleviates such problems. We introduce robustness in the process by incorporating a combination of radial basis kernel functions and stochastic distances with Support Vector Machines (SVM). We consider several stochastic distances between Wishart: Bhatacharyya, Kullback-Leibler, Chi-Square, Rényi, and Hellinger. We perform two case studies with PolSAR images, both simulated and from actual sensors, and different classification scenarios to compare the performance of Minimum Distance and SVM classification frameworks. With this, we model the situation of imperfect training samples. We show that SVM with the proposed kernel functions achieves better performance with respect to Minimum Distance, at the expense of more computational resources and the need of parameter tuning. Code and data are provided for reproducibility.

Non-native fish (NNF) can threaten megadiverse aquatic ecosystems throughout the planet, but limited information is available for the Amazon Region. In this study we review NNF data in the Amazonian macroregion using spatiotemporal records on the occurrence and the richness of NNF from a collaborative network of 35 regional experts, establishing the Amazon NNF database (ANNF). The NNF species richness was analyzed by river basin and by country, as well as the policies for each geopolitical division for the Amazon. The analysis included six countries (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia), together comprising more than 80% of the Amazon Region. A total of 1314 NNF occurrence records were gathered. The first record of NNF in this region was in 1939 and there has been a marked increase in the last 20 years (2000–2020), during which 75% of the records were observed. The highest number of localities with NNF occurrence records was observed for Colombia, followed by Brazil and Bolivia. The NNF records include 9 orders, 17 families and 41 species. Most of the NNF species are also used in aquaculture (12 species) and in the aquarium trade (12 species). The most frequent NNF detected were Arapaima gigas, Poecilia reticulata and Oreochromis niloticus. The current data highlight that there are few documented cases on NNF in the Amazon, their negative impacts and management strategies adopted. The occurrence of NNF in the Amazon Region represents a threat to native biodiversity that has been increasing “silently” due to the difficulties of large-scale sampling and low number of NNF species reported when compared to other South American regions. The adoption of effective management measures by decision-makers is urgently needed and their enforcement needed to change this alarming trend and help protect the Amazon’s native fish diversity.

The transport sector accounts for around one-quarter of the GHG emissions in Europe, and, in Portugal, it represents almost one-third of the total emissions to the atmosphere. Unfortunately, these emissions have increased in recent years. Hence, cities and countries need plans to decarbonize their public transport fleets, and, more specifically, to replace fossil-fueled buses with electric buses that produce zero CO2 emissions. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to present a method to decarbonize the bus fleet in Portugal by a scheduled replacement of the current fleet, which is fueled by fossil fuels, with a completely electric fleet, in fourteen years. The study shows that it is possible to replace all Portuguese urban bus fleets with electric vehicles considering that all vehicles will be replaced when reaching the age of 14 years. Replacing the urban bus fleet with zero-emission buses would aid policymakers and bus companies to reduce the GHGs, and therefore contribute to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, namely, Goal 13—take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Brazil has been the benchmark for volleyball performance for at least two decades, providing a unique context to examine expertise development. This study examined the variation in body size, functional capacities, motivation for achievement, competitiveness, and deliberate practice of youth volleyball players associated with differences in biological maturity status, chronological age, and accumulated deliberate volleyball practice, adopting a Bayesian multilevel modeling approach. We considered 68 female and 94 male adolescent players (14.2 years, 90% confidence interval: 12.7 to 16.0). Players were grouped by the onset of deliberate volleyball practice as related to biologic maturation milestones [pre-puberty deliberate practice onset (12% of the sample), mid-puberty deliberate practice onset (51% of the sample), and late-puberty deliberate practice onset (37% of the sample). There was substantial variation in body dimensions and functional performance by gender. There was no variation by gender for motivation for deliberate practice and motivation for achievement and competitiveness. The young volleyball players appeared to be highly motivated and committed to deliberate practice, achievement, and competitiveness. Alignment of chronological age, biological maturation, and accumulated training experience allow more in-depth insights into young volleyball players' development, providing sounder support for coaches´ decisions.

An Amazonian savanna in northern Brazil known as the Cerrado of Amapá is under imminent threat from poor land-use planning, the expansion of large-scale agriculture and other anthropogenic pressures. These savannas house a rich and unique flora and fauna, including endemic plants and animals. However, the area remains under-sampled for most taxa, and better sampling may uncover new species. We estimate that only ~9.16% of these habitats have any kind of protection, and legislative changes threaten to further weaken or remove this protection. Here we present the status of knowledge concerning the biodiversity of the Cerrado of Amapá, its conservation status, and the main threats to the conservation of this Amazonian savanna. To secure the future of these unique and imperilled habitats, we suggest urgent expansion of protected areas, as well as measures that would promote less-damaging land uses to support the local population.

Introduction. Central pontine myelinolysis is characterized by the occurrence of acute demyelinating lesions of cells in the pons secondary to abrupt oscillations of serum osmolarity. Its exact incidence is not well defined, but studies show a prevalence of 0.25 to 0.5% in the general population, 2.5% in the intensive care unit, and up to 10% in patients with risk factors, such as chronic liver disease and hepatic transplantation, alcoholism, malnutrition, diuretic therapy, electrolyte imbalance, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. Case Report. A 70-year-old white female with extranodal diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (extensive mass on the left anterior chest wall), stage IVA, developed pontine myelinolysis secondary to hypovolemic acute hypernatremia, which occurred due to diarrhea caused by chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine). Discussion. Pontine myelinolysis occurs most often due to the rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia. But here, we describe a case of the disease secondary to the occurrence of hypovolemic acute hypernatremia in a patient with a hematological malignancy under treatment, who was on chronic treatment with thiazide diuretics and who presented with other electrolyte disturbances as risk factors for the development of pontine myelinolysis.

The present study examined the changes in developmental assets among young basketball players during a 4-month competitive period, accounting for variation by age group. Additionally, we examined the age-related variation on developmental assets. Sixty-five adolescent basketball players aged between 9.5 to 17.3 years were considered. We used the Portuguese version of the Developmental Assets Profile Questionnaire. Multilevel modeling was used to estimate the magnitude of changes on developmental assets across the 4-month competitive season, as well as aligning assets scores by chronological age. Positive values and positive identity scores were substantially increased after the 4-month competitive sample. The other assets scores showed no variation across the competitive 4-month competitive season, independent of age group. There was a trend of linear decrease in developmental assets as the adolescent players got older. For positive values, there was a non-linear trend with a higher decrease rate between about 10 to 14 years, levelling off thereafter. Developmental assets did not appear to be influenced by exposure to a period of organized training and competition among adolescent basketball players. Hence, the observed decrease on developmental assets when aligning by age may reflect the influence of contextual and cultural environments of practice. This is of particularly interest for positive values, which refer to school engagement or and social justice, qualities that are not sport-specific but assume a key and importance position in sport participation for a positive role in youth development.

O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar as associações entre os escores de desempenho dos atletas no Pre-Draft Combine da NBA. Foram examinados os desempenhos de 480 atletas nas avaliações do Pre-draft Combine da NBA de 2010 a 2017. Os testes do Draft Combine considerados incluíram o Shuttle Run Test, o Lane Agility Test, o Sprint Test e o Jump Test (salto vertical em pé). Correlações de ordem zero foram calculadas para examinar as associações entre os testes de desempenho através da adequação de modelos de regressão linear Bayesiana. Entre os testes de corrida, tanto o teste Shuttle Run (r = 0,45, intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% 0,34 a 0,56) e teste de Sprint (r = 0,45, IC 95% 0,37 a 0,54) foram moderadamente associados com o Teste Lane Agility. A associação entre o Sprint Test e o Shuttle Run Test foi de moderada para alta (r = 0,27, IC 95% 0,16 a 0,38). As correlações entre o Teste de Salto e os testes de corrida foram de moderada a grande, variando de -0,51 a -0,19 (Lane Agility Test: r = -0,33, IC 95% -0,42 a -0,24; Teste Shuttle Run: r = -0,19, IC 95% -0,31 a -0,07; Teste de Sprint: r = -0,51, IC 95% -0,59 a -0,43). Assim, foi verificado uma correlação de moderada a grande entre o desempenho dos testes do Draft Combine da NBA, o que indica que os procedimentos gerais podem fornecer, parcialmente, informações sobrepostas sobre o desempenho máximo de curto prazo do basquetebol.

In this study, we examined the probability of coaches’ survival in the top Brazilian professional football championship considering variation across the competitive seasons between 2012 and 2017, considering a multilevel framework. We also considered whether previous coaching experience in the top Brazilian professional football championship would change the probability of coaches’ survival across the season. The data considered 4,560 games from the top professional Brazilian football league (Campeonato Brasileiro Série A) between the 2012 and 2017 seasons. At the start of each season, the coach from each team was followed, being recorded at the time the event occurred, i.e., the coach being sacked. A total survival of 120 coaches was considered between the seasons of 2012 and 2017, i.e., 20 coaches at the beginning of each season. Coaches were assigned as novice (no previous experience as head coach in the top Brazilian championship) or experienced (with at least some previous experience as head coach in the top Brazilian championship). Data were available and extracted from the official website of the Brazilian Football Confederation1. On average and considering un-pooled observations, the median life of a coach was about 16.5 rounds. Considering variation between 2012 and 2017 seasons, only about 26.3% (95% CI: 18.2–36.1) of the coaches ended a season without being sacked. By mid-season, at round 19, the probability of coaches’ survival was 0.42 (95% CI: 0.32–0.53). Variation between season on survival estimates per round was substantial (between-season standard deviation = 0.48, 95% credible intervals: 0.25–0.95; corresponding to an inverse logit = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.56–0.72). There was no substantial variation between novice and experienced coaches’ survival probability. The present results expose the vulnerability of the coaching context in Brazilian football, potentially highlighting an excessive emphasis on short-term results to mediate club management decisions.

Precise control of the growth of transition metal dichalcogenides layers in atomically thin van der Waals heterostructures has gained significant attention. Here, the authors report 100% overlapped vertical ReS2/WS2heterostructures by utilizing the twinned growth behaviour of two-dimensional materials.

Red wines have been shown to protect the vascular system by increasing the endothelial formation of nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated the vasoactive properties of an alcohol-free Cabernet-Sauvignon northeastern Brazilian red wine – RIOSOL (RSCS) extract. The polyphenolic-rich RSCS contained 4.2 mg GAE/L of polyphenols, and its major compounds included quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol. In normotensive conscious rats, RSCS produced hypotension and tachycardia, which were attenuated by the endothelial NO synthase inhibitor (eNOS), L-NAME. In addition, after 2 weeks of oral treatment, RSCS reduced arterial pressure in L-NAME-treated hypertensive rats. RSCS caused NO-mediated relaxations in phenylephrine contracted mesenteric artery rings, and induced the formation of NO and superoxide anions and a redox-sensitive phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in cultured endothelial cells. In conclusion, the findings indicate that an alcohol-free lyophilized RSCS induced hypotension and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation as a consequence of the activation of the Akt-eNOS-NO pathway in a redox-sensitive manner.

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) have been implicated in Chagas disease pathophysiology and may correlate with left ventricular (LV) function. OBJECTIVES We determined whether TGF-β1 and TNF serum levels correlate with LV systolic and diastolic functions and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) serum levels in chronic Chagas disease. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 152 patients with Chagas disease (43% men; 57 ± 12 years old), classified as 53 patients with indeterminate form and 99 patients with cardiac form (stage A: 24, stage B: 25, stage C: 44, stage D: 6). TGF-β1, TNF, and BNP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Echocardiogram was used to determine left atrial and LV diameters, as well as LV ejection fraction and diastolic function. FINDINGS TGF-b1 serum levels were lower in stages B, C, and D, while TNF serum levels were higher in stages C and D of the cardiac form. TGF-β1 presented a weak correlation with LV diastolic function and LV ejection fraction. TNF presented a weak correlation with left atrial and LV diameters and LV ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS TNF is increased, while TGF-β1 is decreased in the cardiac form of chronic Chagas disease. TNF and TGF-β1 serum levels present a weak correlation with LV systolic and diastolic function in Chagas disease patients.