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Wind field analysis from synthetic aperture radar images allows the estimation of wind direction and speed based on image descriptors. In this paper, we propose a framework to automate wind direction retrieval based on wavelet decomposition associated with spectral processing. We extend existing undecimated wavelet transform approaches, by including à trous with B3 spline scaling function, in addition to other wavelet bases as Gabor and Mexican-hat. The purpose is to extract more reliable directional information, when wind speed values range from 5 to 10 ms−1. Using C-band empirical models, associated with the estimated directional information, we calculate local wind speed values and compare our results with QuikSCAT scatterometer data. The proposed approach has potential application in the evaluation of oil spills and wind farms.

Abstract Background There is no updated national data regarding the real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delaying diagnosis and treatment among patients with lung, and head, and neck cancers in Brazil. This study aimed to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic impact on cancer diagnosis and clinical outcomes among lung, head, and neck cancer patients assisted in a tertiary cancer center in Southeastern Brazil, as well as to analyze these patients’ pretreatment clinical features. Methods Retrospective cohort of patients with lung or head and neck cancer assisted in a tertiary cancer center in southeastern Brazil between January/2019 and December/2021. To assess statistical differences among groups [i.e., cohort 2019 versus (vs.) 2020 and 2019 vs. 2021] chi-square test was used with a 5% significance level and 90% power for sample size calculation. Differences among baseline clinical features and sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated either by T-test for two samples or Fisher’s or Pearson’s chi-square test (for quantitative or qualitative variables). All utilized tests had a 5% significance level. Results Six hundred fifty-two patients were included, 332 with lung and 320 with head and neck cancer; it was observed a significant decrease in oncologic treatment recommendations and increase in palliative care recommendation for patients with lung cancer, despite similar stages at diagnosis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more pain symptoms were reported at the first Oncology assessment for patients with head and neck cancer (p

A partir da compreensão dos conceitos de Cidades Inteligentes e Sustentáveis e de Governança no contexto do Desenvolvimento Sustentável, o estudo tem como objetivo analisar a produção científica sobre a contribuição dos aspectos da governança para o desenvolvimento das Cidades Inteligentes e Sustentáveis. Trata-se de uma Revisão Sistemática de Literatura (RSL) nas bases de dados Scopus e Scielo, resultando em uma amostra de 13 artigos selecionados e submetidos a uma análise bibliométrica e de Conteúdo. “Cidades Inteligentes e Governança” foram os dois conceitos mais utilizados entre os autores, com foco na cidade e seu aspecto regional. As relações de governança são estabelecidas por meio das competências governamentais, individuais e locais com o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) e da governança colaborativa. Ressalta-se o uso da E-comunicação em relação à segurança dos sistemas, políticas públicas e dados públicos. Concluiu-se que os autores exortam para uma governança participativa, em que o cidadão ocupe um papel central e a tecnologia esteja a serviço de maneira a promover qualidade de vida com foco no desenvolvimento sustentável.

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate excessive daytime sleepiness prevalence among nursing technicians and the association with sleep quality and memory. Methods: a cross-sectional, inferential study, carried out in a hospital unit in the state of Goiás between December 2020 and January 2021. Assessments were carried out using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, instruments validated for the Brazilian context. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes were performed. Results: the sample consisted of 189 nursing technicians with a 40.9% excessive daytime sleepiness prevalence. In multivariate models, excessive daytime sleepiness was not associated with sleep quality, however there was a significant association with overall memory failures. Conclusions: study results demonstrate a high excessive daytime sleepiness occurrence, an association with overall memory failures and the need for psychosocial interventions for nursing technicians.

Fundamentally precision oncology illustrates the path in which molecular profiling of tumors can illuminate their biological behavior, diversity, and likely outcomes by identifying distinct genetic mutations, protein levels, and other biomarkers that underpin cancer progression. Next-generation sequencing became an indispensable diagnostic tool for diagnosis and treatment guidance in current clinical practice. Nowadays, tissue analysis benefits from further support through methods like comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsies. However, precision medicine in the field of oncology presents specific hurdles, such as the cost-benefit balance and widespread accessibility, particularly in countries with low- and middle-income. A key issue is how to effectively extend next-generation sequencing to all cancer patients, thus empowering treatment decision-making. Concerns also extend to the quality and preservation of tissue samples, as well as the evaluation of health technologies. Moreover, as technology advances, novel next-generation sequencing assessments are being developed, including the study of Fragmentomics. Therefore, our objective was to delineate the primary uses of next-generation sequencing, discussing its’ applications, limitations, and prospective paths forward in Oncology.

Objetivo: identificar sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em pacientes com câncer e associação com os aspectos clínicos e adesão ao tratamento oncológico. Método: estudo transversal, com amostra de conveniência, realizado entre setembro de 2020 e maio de 2021, incluindo pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer de todas as regiões do Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale e o Teste de Morisky. Análises de regressão logística multivariada foram realizadas para verificar associações. Resultados: amostra incluiu 69 pacientes, dos quais 69,6% apresentaram ansiedade e a mesma proporção apresentou depressão. Ansiedade e depressão simultânea foram de 59,4%. A ansiedade se associou com a presença de fadiga. Depressão se associou com o tempo de diagnóstico, astenia e local de tratamento. Ocorrência simultânea de ansiedade e depressão associou com astenia e local de tratamento. Conclusão: elevados índices de ansiedade e depressão ressaltam a necessidade de implementar ações de apoio psicossocial para pacientes com câncer.

Objective: to identify symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients and their association with clinical aspects and adherence to oncological treatment. Method: a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample conducted between September 2020 and May 2021, including patients diagnosed with cancer from all regions of Brazil. The instruments used were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Morisky Test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to verify associations. Results: the sample included 69 patients, of whom 69.6% presented anxiety, and the same proportion presented depression. Simultaneous anxiety and depression were present in 59.4% of the cases. Anxiety was associated with the presence of fatigue. Depression was associated with the time of diagnosis, asthenia, and treatment location. The simultaneous occurrence of anxiety and depression was associated with asthenia and treatment location. Conclusion: high levels of anxiety and depression underscore the need to implement psychosocial support interventions for cancer patients.

Objetivo: identificar síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en pacientes con cáncer y su asociación con aspectos clínicos y con la adherencia al tratamiento oncológico. Método: estudio transversal, con muestra por conveniencia, realizado entre septiembre de 2020 y mayo de 2021, que incluyó pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de todas las regiones de Brasil. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale y el Test de Morisky. Se realizaron análisis de regresión logística multivariada para comprobar las asociaciones. Resultados: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 69 pacientes, el 69,6% de ellos presentó ansiedad y el mismo porcentaje presentó depresión. Se observó ansiedad y depresión simultáneas en el 59,4%. La ansiedad se asoció con la presencia de fatiga. La depresión se asoció con el tiempo de diagnóstico, la astenia y el lugar del tratamiento. La aparición simultánea de ansiedad y depresión se asoció con la astenia y el lugar del tratamiento. Conclusión: los altos índices de ansiedad y depresión indican que es necesario implementar acciones de apoyo psicosocial a los pacientes con cáncer.

Selenium (Se) is a nutrient whose daily intake is often below the recommended levels in people. Biofortification with Se is a method to increase this intake by raising the Se concentration in tomato fruits, an effect dependent on sources and modes of application. Additionally, Se application can promote the enhancement of other compounds in tomato fruits, altering their metabolism, which may increase the fruit’s shelf life. This study aimed to determine how different strategies of applying a multi-nutrient fertilizer containing Se (SeMNF) can increase the Se content and other bioactive compounds and enhance the shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits. Different foliar fertilization strategies involving the use of SeMNF were evaluated in field trials conducted on commercial tomato crops. Indeterminate-growth tomatoes were used, and different Se doses and application strategies were tested. Harvesting was conducted in three phases according to fruit ripening. Each harvested fruit was assessed for the Se content, macro and micronutrients, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, carotenoids, pH, total titratable acidity, and total soluble solids in tomato fruits. Doses of 15 g ha−1 of Se, split into three applications, increased the Se content in the fruits at 1 and 2 harvests. The application of SeMNF at Se doses above 10 g of Se ha−1 increased firmness, days of ripening, and the nutritional quality of the tomatoes (higher contents of carotenoids (+39%), lycopene (+33%), antioxidant activity (+16%), total phenolic compounds (+38%), and vitamin C (+14%) in a dose-dependent effect of the application strategy used. These results contributed to an increase in the shelf life of tomatoes, consequently reducing food waste.

The mechanism underlying the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia has been extensively studied, mainly the role of TNF‐α in the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. The current concept relies in the fact that TNF‐α stimulates the cascade release of other pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8 (CINC‐1 in rats), triggering the release of the final inflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and sympathetic amines that directly sensitize the nociceptors. However, this may not be the sole mechanism involved as the blockade of TNF‐α synthesis by thalidomide prevents hyperalgesia without interrupting the synthesis of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and CINC‐1. Therefore, we hypothesized that activation of TNF‐α receptor type 1 (TNFR1) by TNF‐α increases nociceptors' susceptibility to the action of PGE2 and dopamine. We have found out that intrathecal administration of oligodeoxynucleotide‐antisense (ODN‐AS) against TNFR1 or thalidomide prevented carrageenan‐induced hyperalgesia. The co‐administration of TNF‐α with a subthreshold dose of PGE2 or dopamine that does not induce hyperalgesia by itself in the hind paw of Wistar rats pretreated with dexamethasone (to prevent the endogenous release of cytokines) induced a robust hyperalgesia that was prevented by intrathecal treatment with ODN‐AS against TNFR1. We consider that the activation of neuronal TNFR1 by TNF‐α decisively increases the susceptibility of the peripheral afferent neuron to the action of final inflammatory mediators – PGE2 and dopamine – that ultimately induce hyperalgesia. This mechanism may also underlie the analgesic action of thalidomide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centennial‐to‐millennial temperature records of the past provide a context for the interpretation of current and future changes in climate. Quaternary climates have been relatively well studied in north‐east North America and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean over the last decades, and new research methods have been developed to improve reconstructions. We present newly inferred reconstructions of sea surface temperature for the north‐western Atlantic region, together with a compilation of published temperature records. The database thus comprises a total of 86 records from both marine and terrestrial sites, including lakes, peatlands, ice and tree rings, each covering at least part of the Holocene. For each record, we present details on seasons covered, chronologies and information on radiocarbon dates and analytical time steps. The 86 records contain a total of 154 reconstructions of temperature and temperature‐related variables. Main proxies include pollen and dinocysts, while summer was the season for which the highest number of reconstructions were available. Many records covered most of the Holocene, but many dinocyst records did not extend to the surface, due to sediment mixing, and dendroclimate records were limited to the last millennium. The database allows for the exploration of linkages between sea ice and climate and may be used in conjunction with other palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental records, such as wildfire records and peatland dynamics. This inventory may also aid the identification of gaps in the geographic distribution of past temperature records thus guiding future research efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Several recent studies have established the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in painful clinical conditions. Diabetic neuropathy (DN) can be related to activating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), such as p38, in the peripheral nerve. MAPK pathway is activated in response to extracellular stimuli, including interleukins TNF-α and IL-1β. We verified the pain relief potential of PBMT in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathic rats and its influence on the MAPK pathway regulation and calcium (Ca2+) dynamics. We then observed that PBMT applied to the L4-L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) region reduced the intensity of hyperalgesia, decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels, and p38-MAPK mRNA expression in DRG of diabetic neuropathic rats. DN induced the activation of phosphorylated p38 (p-38) MAPK co-localized with TRPV1+ neurons; PBMT partially prevented p-38 activation. DN was related to an increase of p38-MAPK expression due to proinflammatory interleukins, and the PBMT (904 nm) treatment counteracted this condition. Also, the sensitization of DRG neurons by the hyperglycemic condition demonstrated during the Ca2+ dynamics was reduced by PBMT, contributing to its anti-hyperalgesic effects.

The soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) is widely used as a tool in geotechnical, geo-environmental, hydrology, and soil science fields for predicting and interpreting hydro-mechanical behaviors of unsaturated soils. Several previous studies focused on investigating the influence of initial water content, stress history, temperature, and salt content on the SWCC behavior. However, there is still limited understanding to be gained from the literature on how we can systematically incorporate the influence of complex thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemo (THMC) effects into interpreting and predicting the behavior of unsaturated soils. To address that knowledge gap, in this study, the coupled influence of temperature, initial stress state, initial density, soil structure, and chemical solution effects was modeled using established SWCC equations from the literature. The methodology for incorporating the coupled effects of these influential factors is presented herein. Furthermore, we evaluated the SWCC models proposed in this study, enabling us to provide a comprehensive discussion of their strengths and limitations, using the published SWCC data from the literature. The developments outlined in this paper contribute toward facilitating a rigorous approach for analyzing the THMC behaviors of unsaturated soils.