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Abstract In complex systems, the system’s self-regulation processes can transition between states of equilibrium and disequilibrium, leading to changes in the distribution of players within the playing space. Actions that are surprising, rare, or out of the ordinary tend to be valued for their potential to destabilize the opposing defensive structure, altering player dispersion, and creating fragile spaces for the attack. With advancements in understanding the influence of the environment on players’ affordances, the tactical consequences from individuals’ solutions to various scenarios and their impact on the game context becomes a rich area for investigation. This study compared defensive dispersion in the moments preceding and following original actions in small-sided games. The original actions were obtained using the Creative Behavior Assessment in Team Sports (CBATS) observational matrix. At the same time, defensive dispersion was derived from positional data collected via GPS and processed using dedicated routines in MATLAB to obtain variables such as Stretch Index, Surface Area, Team Width, Team Length, and Individual Player Area. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was employed for normality, and the General Linear Model with Repeated Measures was used to compare pre-and post-action moments across different action classifications (pass and shot) and game configurations (SSG4v4 − Small, SSG4v4 − Large, SSG5v5 − Small, and SSG5v5 − Large). Differences were found in the Stretch Index, Surface Area, and Team Width variables in SSG4v4 − Small and Surface Area in SSG5v5 − Small (p

This study delves into the complex connection between digital technologies and environmental sustainability in the face of the worsening climate crisis. It presents two different stories: one praises digitalization for its improved efficiency and less waste, while the other cautions about the environmental impact of energy-consuming data centers and growing electronic waste. As temperatures increase worldwide, the need for immediate action becomes more pressing. Despite being seen as abstract, digital technologies depend greatly on physical infrastructures, which have a substantial impact on the environment. Thinkers such as Guillaume Pitron, Kate Crawford, and Benedetta Brevini question the positive perceptions of technology by exposing how misinformation conceals its impact on the environment. The paper underscores the importance of informed public discussion and working together to tackle the environmental challenges of digitalization, highlighting the significance of evaluating the ecological effects of digital technologies for a truly sustainable tomorrow.

Abstract Background Pathogenic infections pose a significant threat to global health, affecting millions of people every year and presenting substantial challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Efficient and timely testing plays a critical role in disease control and transmission prevention. Group testing is a well-established method for reducing the number of tests needed to screen large populations when the disease prevalence is low. However, it does not fully utilize the quantitative information provided by qPCR methods, nor is it able to accommodate a wide range of pathogen loads. Results To address these issues, we introduce a novel adaptive semi-quantitative group testing (SQGT) scheme to efficiently screen populations via two-stage qPCR testing. The SQGT method quantizes cycle threshold (Ct) values into multiple bins, leveraging the information from the first stage of screening to improve the detection sensitivity. Dynamic Ct threshold adjustments mitigate dilution effects and enhance test accuracy. Comparisons with traditional binary outcome GT methods show that SQGT reduces the number of tests by 24% on the only complete real-world qPCR group testing dataset from Israel, while maintaining a negligible false negative rate. Conclusion In conclusion, our adaptive SQGT approach, utilizing qPCR data and dynamic threshold adjustments, offers a promising solution for efficient population screening. With a reduction in the number of tests and minimal false negatives, SQGT holds potential to enhance disease control and testing strategies on a global scale.

This study compared the most common absolute sprint threshold (> 25.2 km/h) with relative and individualized thresholds (> 70%, > 75%, > 80%, > 85% and > 90% of peak match speed). Twenty elite soccer players, competing in the first division of the Portuguese League, were monitored using GNSS equipment during thirty-four official matches. Peak match speed was retrieved as the individual maximal speed reached during the full season. Distances were registered when speed overcame the absolute and the relative thresholds. Mean±SD of peak speeds and distances covered were calculated, and Pearson correlation ( r ) and mean paired differences were performed to analyze relationships and differences between thresholds. The peak match speed was 32.9±1.4 km/h. Correlations between distances covered using the absolute and relative thresholds varied from very strong (> 70%: r = 0.84, p 75%: r = 0.89, p 80%: r = 0.88, p 85%: r = 0.79, p 90%: r = 0.59, p 75% (ES: 0.23 [95% CI: 0.16, 0.31]) and the > 90% (ES: -1.65 [95%CI: -1.85, -1.48]) relative thresholds presented the smallest and largest differences, respectively, with the absolute threshold. Differences were also found when considering the playing positions. While the distances covered by central midfielders were similar between the absolute and > 80% thresholds (-0.03 [-0.16, 0.10]), fullbacks covered largely more distance -1.88 [-2.42 -1.50]) in the absolute threshold than in the > 80% threshold. The distances covered by players varied based on the selected threshold, affecting the distances covered by different playing positions. Being the highest speed threshold within displacements thresholds, the absolute sprint threshold showed greater similarity to lower rather than higher relative thresholds.

Abstract Background Peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) are a group of neoplasms originating from Schwann cells or pluripotent cell of the neural crest. Therapeutic options and prognosis are influenced by their degree of malignancy and location. Hypothesis/Objectives Identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features predictive of PNST histologic grade. Animals Forty‐four dogs with histopathological diagnosis of spinal PNSTs and previous MRI investigation. Methods A multicenter retrospective study including cases with (a) histopathologic diagnosis of PNST and (b) MRI studies available for review. Histologic slides were reviewed and graded by a board‐certified pathologist according to a modified French system (FNCLCC) for grading soft tissue sarcomas. The MRI studies were reviewed by 2 board‐certified radiologists blinded to the grade of the tumor and the final decision on the imaging characteristics was reached by consensus. Relationships between tumor grade and histological and MRI findings were assessed using statistical analysis. Results Forty‐four cases met inclusion criteria; 16 patients were PNSTs Grade 1 (low‐grade), 19 were PNSTs Grade 2 (medium‐grade), and 9 were PNSTs Grade 3 (high‐grade). Large volume (P = .03) and severe peripheral contrast enhancement (P = .04) were significantly associated with high tumor grade. Degree of muscle atrophy, heterogeneous signal and tumor growth into the vertebral canal were not associated with grade. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Grade of malignancy was difficult to identify based on diagnostic imaging alone. However, some MRI features were predictive of high‐grade PNSTs including tumor size and peripheral contrast enhancement.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has become a popular material in microfluidic and macroscale in vitro models due to its elastomeric properties and versatility. PDMS-based biomodels are widely used in blood flow studies, offering a platform for improving flow models and validating numerical simulations. This review highlights recent advances in bioflow studies conducted using both PDMS microfluidic devices and macroscale biomodels, particularly in replicating physiological environments. PDMS microchannels are used in studies of blood cell deformation under confined conditions, demonstrating the potential to distinguish between healthy and diseased cells. PDMS also plays a critical role in fabricating arterial models from real medical images, including pathological conditions such as aneurysms. Cutting-edge applications, such as nanofluid hemodynamic studies and nanoparticle drug delivery in organ-on-a-chip platforms, represent the latest developments in PDMS research. In addition to these applications, this review critically discusses PDMS properties, fabrication methods, and its expanding role in micro- and nanoscale flow studies.

A Resolução nº 03/78 do Conselho Federal de Educação, que instituiu o Currículo Mínimo para o Curso de Comunicação Social, em substituição à legislação vigente ( a qual data de 1968 ), previu sua entrada em vigor para o ano de 1979.

Esteticamente considera-se "moderna” a arte que está vivamente relacionada com as estruturas psicológicas e sociais do tempo em que é produzida. participando e comprometendo-se na proposição e na criação dessas estruturas.

O fim a que se propõe o artista é criar beleza. Contudo, se entendo que a beleza está na coisa, e não em minha apreciação, o que significa que a beleza tem caráter objetivo; em outros termos, as coisas não são belas porque me agradam, senão que me agradam porque são belas, ou melhor ainda, há uma vivência do belo, mas o belo não é uma vivência, de que modo cria o artista o belo ? Como ele concebe a beleza ?

O que realmente caracteriza a filosofia de Augusto Comte é a sua preocupação de se orientar pela moral, que nasce da fraternidade universal.

O tema, a propósito do qual pretendo concentrar-me, refere-se ao ócio. Trata-se não só de uma questão importante do ponto de vista especulativo, como de problema de grande atualidade e de significação para o futuro.

A História cria o Mito, e o Mito, por sua vez, pode criar a História. A Revolução francesa não terminou ao iniciar.se o século XIX. Vive ainda na consciência humana como a mais profunda e eficiente de todas as crises sociais e políticas. Na realidade, nenhum outro acontecimento dominou e domina os séculos XIX e XX, de uma maneira tão decidida. Duzentos anos depois, seus ideais ainda têm plena vigência e seu lema continua sendo grito de combate: Liberdade, Igualdade, Fraternidade. Ideias susceptíveis de seduzir povos destituídos de convicções precisas e sujeitos ao despotismo dos seus senhores.

Olhando para as coisas em conjunto. o movimento positivista, que se pretendeu inovador, impregnou todo o ambiente cultural do século XIX, universalizando a experiência e resolvendo nela toda realidade.

3D concrete printing (3DCP) requires precise adjustments to parameters to ensure accurate and high-quality prints. However, despite technological advancements, manual intervention still plays a prominent role in this process, leading to errors and inconsistencies in the final printed part. To address this issue, machine learning vision models have been developed and utilized to analyze captured images and videos of the printing process, detecting defects and deviations. The data collected enable automatic adjustments to print settings, improving quality without the need for human intervention. This work first examines various techniques for real-time and offline corrections. It then introduces a specialized computer vision setup designed for real-time control in robotic 3DCP. Our main focus is on a specific aspect of machine learning (ML) within this system, called speed control, which regulates layer width by adjusting the robot motion speed or material flow rate. The proposed framework consists of three main elements: (1) a data acquisition and processing pipeline for extracting printing parameters and constructing a synthetic training dataset, (2) a real-time ML model for parameter optimization, and (3) a depth camera installed on a customized 3D-printed rotary mechanism for close-range monitoring of the printed layer.

The evolution in the biomedical engineering field boosts innovative technologies, with microfluidic systems standing out as transformative tools in disease diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Numerical simulation has emerged as a tool of increasing importance for better understanding and predicting fluid-flow behavior in microscale devices. This review explores fabrication techniques and common materials of microfluidic devices, focusing on soft lithography and additive manufacturing. Microfluidic systems applications, including nucleic acid amplification and protein synthesis, as well as point-of-care diagnostics, DNA analysis, cell cultures, and organ-on-a-chip models (e.g., lung-, brain-, liver-, and tumor-on-a-chip), are discussed. Recent studies have applied computational tools such as ANSYS Fluent 2024 software to numerically simulate the flow behavior. Outside of the study cases, this work reports fundamental aspects of microfluidic simulations, including fluid flow, mass transport, mixing, and diffusion, and highlights the emergent field of organ-on-a-chip simulations. Additionally, it takes into account the application of geometries to improve the mixing of samples, as well as surface wettability modification. In conclusion, the present review summarizes the most relevant contributions of microfluidic systems and their numerical modeling to biomedical engineering.

O século XIX marca não só o triunfo do Liberalismo europeu, com sua expressiva fé nas possibilidades da espontaneidade individual, ligado ao Direito Natural, que considera a essência profunda e imutável da natureza humana como base da lei natural, vendo nesta a realidade que a lei deve ter em conta. e os fundamentos de que parte a razão para o esclarecimento da verdade; como também, do Naturalismo Cientificista, que reconhece que “não há qualquer irredutibilidade entre as normas e os ideais, de um lado, e o mundo dos fatos de outro; uma só natureza engloba e explica os dois planos, numa rejeição decidida de dualismos ou pluralismos. tenham os nomes que tiverem. O mundo humano, os valores espirituais, a consciência, são apenas fenômenos mais complicados que os da pura ordem física, mas não de outra natureza”.

The term “planetary turn” was coined in 2015 to describe a significant and ongoing shift in the relationship between humans and the Earth, which has been unfolding since the late 20th century. Despite its profound significance, this transformative process lacks a comprehensive theoretical framework, necessitating the development of a new perspective. The planetary turn has brought about substantial changes in our connection with the Earth, particularly in terms of our existence and our efforts to understand it from a planetary standpoint. Addressing the challenges posed by planetary issues requires a distinct mode of thinking. This article begins by offering a concise explanation of the concept of the “planetary turn,” followed by an exploration of a significant consequence of this shift: a profound transformation in the human condition. Additionally, an argument is presented, asserting that this transformation unfolds within the crucial context of liminality characterizing the Anthropocene era. The final section delves into Chakrabarty’s ideas on the development of planetary thinking, that can provide guidance as we navigate the transition from the Anthropocene to the post-Anthropocene era, aiming to surpass the current state of liminality in the human condition.

Abstract Background The standard configuration’s set of twelve electrocardiogram (ECG) leads is optimal for the medical diagnosis of diverse cardiac conditions. However, it requires ten electrodes on the patient’s limbs and chest, which is uncomfortable and cumbersome. Interlead conversion methods can reconstruct missing leads and enable more comfortable acquisitions, including in wearable devices, while still allowing for adequate diagnoses. Currently, methodologies for interlead ECG conversion either require multiple reference (input) leads and/or require input signals to be temporally aligned considering the ECG landmarks. Methods Unlike the methods in the literature, this paper studies the possibility of converting ECG signals into all twelve standard configuration leads using signal segments from only one reference lead, without temporal alignment (blindly-segmented). The proposed methodology is based on a deep learning encoder-decoder U-Net architecture, which is compared with adaptations based on convolutional autoencoders and label refinement networks. Moreover, the method is explored for conversion with one single shared encoder or multiple individual encoders for each lead. Results Despite the more challenging settings, the proposed methodology was able to attain state-of-the-art level performance in multiple target leads, and both lead I and lead II seem especially suitable to convert certain sets of leads. In cross-database tests, the methodology offered promising results despite acquisition setup differences. Furthermore, results show that the presence of medical conditions does not have a considerable effect on the method’s performance. Conclusions This study shows the feasibility of converting ECG signals using single-lead blindly-segmented inputs. Although the results are promising, further efforts should be devoted towards the improvement of the methodologies, especially the robustness to diverse acquisition setups, in order to be applicable to cardiac health monitoring in wearable devices and less obtrusive clinical scenarios.

Knowledge and knowledge transfer are often viewed in unitary and hierarchical terms, where a linear transaction exists between an individual possessing a body of knowledge and a person needing that knowledge. Although this traditional view of knowledge transfer is common within the sports domain, it is problematic because knowledge is treated as a self-contained entity. The overarching purpose of this study is to explore the ecological role of knowledge, underpinning performance preparation processes in an international coaching setting. Specifically, we investigated how bi-directional self-organising (coordination) tendencies (coach and athlete-led) can be exploited to facilitate the formation of attacking synergies within the team sport of wheelchair rugby league. A mixed-method case study approach was employed to collect data, involving semi-structured interviews, reflexive observations and field notes, and notational analysis. Results from the study described the transitional process of positioning an ecological view of knowledge transfer as a guiding principle to enhance athlete and practitioner collaboration. This reciprocal relationship provided documented opportunities to enhance on- and off-field team synergies. The pedagogical experiences we describe emerged throughout periods of uncertainty, requiring effortful interactions, forged on the continuous coupling of key agents (individuals), content, and context, enabling application, refinement, and opportunities for team synergies to evolve in performance preparation. Results suggested that the challenge of understanding and facilitating knowledge transfer could be embedded within the ecology of a complex adaptive system, sustained as a contextualised activity reciprocally constructed through on-going correspondence between athletes, scientists, practitioners, and the competitive performance context.

IntroductionPhysical trainers (PTs) are integral for managing load, reducing injury and optimizing performance in professional soccer. However, little is known about how this practitioners operate in the applied setting and how some of the nuances experienced influence practice.MethodsThis study explored the contemporary practices of PTs in professional soccer. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight PTs from different professional teams in European and South American leagues. Interview questions were designed to extract information on the evaluation of physical abilities, monitoring and control of training and injury prevention. Subsequently, the interviews were video-recorded, transcribed, translated and analyzed using a content analysis approach.ResultsThe results suggest that the evaluation of physical capacities is carried out by PTs at the beginning of the preseason. It also appears that it is attempted that this process of regular testing is applied during the competitive period, with most participants conducting partial physiological and physical evaluations at different stages throughout the competitive season. In relation to the monitoring and control of training, subjective feedback scales are used to estimate the internal load, and the use of GPS devices is common to quantify external loads. Injury prevention programmes were implemented by all participants and were generally in a multi-component format focused on preventing or optimizing physical capabilities.DiscussionThese insights can be used as a scientific reference point to inform applied practice in professional soccer, especially for practitioners that are inexperienced and aspiring to enhance how they operate in the field. Future investigations should explore the practices of PTs in detail and across a wider network in order to gain deeper and comprehensive insights into the applied soccer environment.

The increasing demand for highly pure biopharmaceuticals has put significant pressure on the biotechnological industry to innovate in production and purification processes. Nucleic acid purification, crucial for gene therapy and vaccine production, presents challenges due to the unique physical and chemical properties of these molecules. Meeting regulatory standards necessitates large quantities of biotherapeutic agents of high purity. While conventional chromatography offers versatility and efficiency, it suffers from drawbacks like low flow rates and binding capacity, as well as high mass transfer resistance. Recent advancements in continuous beds, including monoliths and cryogel-based systems, have emerged as promising solutions to overcome these limitations. This review explores and evaluates the latest progress in chromatography utilizing monolithic and cryogenic supports for nucleic acid purification.

Dapagliflozin, a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), has shown demonstrated benefits for renal and cardiovascular outcomes in large clinical trials. However, short-term concerns regarding its impact on renal function and electrolyte balance exist. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of dapagliflozin on renal function and electrolyte balance in patients newly prescribed the medication. A retrospective analysis of 246 patients who initiated dapagliflozin therapy was conducted. Serum creatinine, sodium, and potassium levels were measured at baseline (before dapagliflozin) and 5–8 days after initiation (endpoint). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson’s chi-square test, and Fischer’s exact test were used for the data analysis. Glycemia and sodium levels were significantly higher at the baseline compared to the endpoint (p < 0.001). Conversely, creatinine and potassium levels were significantly higher at the endpoint than at the baseline (p < 0.001). The prevalence of hyponatremia and hyperkalemia were increased at the endpoint (17.5% vs. 10.2% and 16.7% vs. 8.9%, respectively). Although not statistically significant, a trend towards increased hyponatremia with the co-administration of furosemide was observed (p = 0.089). No significant association was found between potassium-sparing medications (p > 0.05) and hyperkalemia, except for angiotensin receptor blockers (p = 0.017). The combination of dapagliflozin and furosemide significantly increased the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) at the endpoint (p = 0.006). Age, gender, and chronic kidney disease status did not significantly influence the occurrence of AKI, hyponatremia, or hyperkalemia (p > 0.05). These findings emphasize the importance of the close monitoring of renal function and electrolyte balance, particularly in the early stages of dapagliflozin therapy, especially in patients receiving diuretics or renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors.

Nowadays, despite the evolution of personal protective equipment (PPE), the number of firefighters injured and burned during fire extinguishing operations is still very high, leading in some cases to loss of life. Therefore, the research and development of new solutions to minimize firefighters’ heat load and skin burns, with consecutive improvements of commercial firefighters’ suits, is of extreme importance. The integration of phase change materials (PCMs) in a protective clothing system has been used to significantly reduce the incoming heat flux from the fire environment. This study consists in the development of a protective clothing system composed by a vest, specially designed to protect the torso (back, chest and abdomen) with a layer of PCM pouches, to be worn over a fire-resistant jacket – selection and design based on numerical models’ predictions. Therefore, several mockups were made, varying the number of PCM pouches and their distribution in the vest, allowing the creation of air ducts to increase the breathability of the vest. The most promising solutions are being evaluated in a real controlled environment, at a Portuguese National School of Firefighters (ENB) simulation site, using a fire manikin and thermocouples to monitor vest temperature during heat and flame exposure, and consequently to verify PCMs influence in heat protection. Results regarding the development of a PCM vest will be presented, focusing on the integration of PCM pouches and the thermal performance of the most promising solutions.

Este trabalho é um estudo de natureza bibliográfica que versa sobre a formação docente e competência digital no contexto do ensino remoto. O presente trabalho visa desenvolver uma pesquisa sobre formação docente para competência digital para o ensino remoto, examinando os documentos selecionados a partir de um estudo bibliográfico, desse modo, uma análise sobre as competências digitais no ensino remoto, em artigos nacionais. Nos procedimentos metodológicos, foi realizado uma pesquisa de literatura no período de 2013 a 2021 no Portal de Periódicos da CAPES e no Google Acadêmico. Após o levantamento dos dados foi possível identificar 116 artigos para análise dos títulos, resumo e das palavras-chave, e apenas 10 artigos foram selecionados para análise. Os estudos apresentaram como resultado, uma leve melhoria da prática docente no uso das tecnologias digitais, todavia, os professores precisam avançar no quesito criação e construção de suas próprias tecnologias.

This study aimed to quantify the relationships among internal training load, wellness, physiological, isokinetic profile, and technical performance and assessed changes before and after a six-week pre-season structured combining physical fitness, small-sided-game and skill-based training program in young soccer players. Forty-five national-level young male soccer players (16.8 ± 0.9 years) were evaluated. There were no significant correlations between the wellness index and the physiological, isokinetic, or specific soccer skill parameters. Moderate correlations were observed between fatigue and stress (r = 0.47, moderate, p < 0.01), fatigue and average muscle soreness (r = 0.38, moderate, p = 0.01), and a large correlation between average stress and muscle soreness (r = 0.53, large, p < 0.01) were presented. All physiological, isokinetic, and technical parameters improved after a six-week pre-season training program (0.1 to −61.0%). Significant alterations in the physiological domain were observed after a six-week period, particularly in the fatigue index of the Bangsbo sprint test, YO-YO IR1 performance, and YO-YO peak La- (p < 0.01; −61.0%, 25.3%, and −19.8%, respectively). As such, the implementation of structured training and the monitoring of stress responses can lead to appropriate adaptation and balancing in the psychological and physical well-being of young national-level soccer players, particularly in the pre-season period.

Diphallia or penile duplication is a rare anomaly, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in every 5.5 million live births. It may present alone or associated with other penile or abdominal malformations, such as renal and anorectal anomalies. At the genetic level, defects in the homeobox genes may be involved. We report a case of a 4-year-old boy, born at term, with adequate for gestational age anthropometrics, after a medically supervised pregnancy with normal prenatal ultrasounds. He exhibited two completely developed and structurally normal penile glands with urinary emission from the ventral penis, a right gluteus hypertrophy with a left side deviation of the internal groove with a well-positioned anus. Follow-up exams confirmed the presence of two complete penises (complete diphalia), a normal sized single bladder connected with two urethras (only one of which was working), and no valves or vesicoureteral reflux. The 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy showed two kidneys, with a left uptake of 94.41%. The karyotype was normal and no cytogenetic test was conducted yet at the parents’ request. During these 4 years no urinary infection was reported and normal kidney function was confirmed in the last analytical panel. He also exhibits a global developmental delay, mostly in the language area, and is currently not enrolled in kindergarten. The surgical approach consisted on the excision of the accessory penis (with no functional urethra) and was conducted without complications. We describe a rare case of a complex polymalformative syndrome, where early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment are a major challenge and depend on the commitment of a multidisciplinary team. One has to ensure normal urinary and reproductive functions, while balancing the psychological impact, as the child gets older and more aware of physical differences.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been a promising material for microfluidic, particularly in lab-on-chip. Due to the panoply of good physical, mechanical and chemical properties, namely, viscosity, modulus of elasticity, colour, thermal conductivity, thermal coefficient of expansion, its application has been increasingly requested in quite different areas. Despite such characteristics, there are also some drawbacks associated, and to overcome them, several strategies have been developed to modify PDMS. Given the great variety of relevant conducted research in this field, the present work aims to gather the most relevant information, the advantages and disadvantages of some of the techniques used, and also identify potential gaps and challenges in it. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted by collecting data from four different databases, Science Direct, American Chemical Society, Scopus, and Springer. Two authors independently screened the references, extracted the key information, and assessed the quality of the included studies. After the analysis of the collected data, 25 studies were selected that addressed the various mechanical properties of PDMS and how to modify them in order to suit a particular application.

Cytospins are important for evaluating fluids with very low cellularity such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The aim of this study was to compare the CSF cytospin preparations obtained from automated and manual cytocentrifugation methods. A prospective case series was performed to analyze canine CSF samples using both centrifugation methods. The cytospins were processed within 30–60 min and prepared simultaneously in a conventional automated cytocentrifuge and in an in-house manual cytocentrifuge, using a fixed volume of CSF fluid. The cellularity, differential cell count and the proportion of cell artifacts (pseudopods and vacuolization) were blindly assessed in the cytospin preparations obtained using the two methods. The agreement and correlation between both methods were analyzed. There were 55 dogs enrolled (48 prospectively and 7 retrospectively) in the study. 38 dogs had normal total nucleated cell counts, while 17 had pleocytosis. Automated and manual cytocentrifugation had similar cell yields, and no significant differences in differential cell counts or the presence of artifacts existed between both methods. In cases with pleocytosis, the cytologic diagnosis obtained using each method was similar. Manual cytocentrifugation of CSF is a reliable and economic method designed for routine clinical practice. Its use reduces the specimen deterioration related to processing and analysis delays when samples are transported to external laboratories for evaluation.

Considering the high level of heat and flame exposure firefighters encounter while performing their work activities, personal protective equipment (PPE) is of the utmost importance to enhance their safety. Phase change materials (PCMs) are known as advanced materials able to absorb high amounts of thermal energy, with the potential to increase the thermal performance of protective clothing. In this work, a PCM-vest was developed for the first time, and its thermal performance was evaluated. A three-stage approach was followed: (1) at a small scale in the laboratory, the effect of different encapsulated PCMs on a multilayer assembly performance was evaluated; (2) in the laboratory, the essential requirements of heat and flame tests were assessed; and (3) in a simulated urban fire, the thermal performance of three different PCM-vests (different textiles and designs) was studied. As the main conclusions, the PCMs significantly affected the heating rate of the multilayer assembly, particularly when a PCM with higher latent heat was used. In some cases, the heat transfer index (HTI) doubled by comparison with the sample without PCMs. As a drawback and as expected, the cooling time was increased. The PCM-vest sample ensured the requirements of the heat and flame tests. Through this study, the positive impact of using PCMs to enhance the heat protection of conventional PPE can be highlighted.

This multicentric retrospective study describes the clinical and MRI features and pathological studies of spinal lymphoma in 27 cats. MRI characteristics and their possible correlations with histopathological findings were studied. The most frequent neurological signs were rapidly progressive paraparesis (62.9%) or paraplegia (22.2%). Bimodal age distribution was found with 40.7% of cats aged ≤2.5 years (63.6% of them FeLV positive), and 44.4% of cats aged ≥8 years (16.7% of them FeLV positive). Spinal lymphoma was generally presented on MRI as an ill-defined epidural focal lesion with moderate to severe spinal cord compression, expanding more than one vertebral body. MRI lesions were typically localized in the lumbar vertebral segment (p = 0.01), circumferential to the spinal cord (p = 0.04), hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences (p = 4.3e-06), and isointense on T1-weighted sequences (p = 8.9e-07). The degree and pattern of contrast enhancement were variable. Other morphological patterns included paravertebral masses with extension into the vertebral canal and lesions centered in the spinal nerve roots. Involvement of vertebrae and adjacent spinal soft tissues was present in 74% of cases when present vertebral involvement was characterized by cortical sparing. When follow-up MRI studies (n = 4) were performed after treatment new lesions of similar nature but different localizations and extension were observed. Confirmation of spinal lymphoma was performed by CSF analysis in 4/27 (14.8%) of cases, by FNA in 6/27 (22.2%) of cases, by surgical biopsy in 10/27 (37%) of cases, by FNA and surgical biopsy in 1/27 (3.7%) of cases, by CSF, FNA, surgical biopsy and postmorten examination in 1/27 (3.7%) of cases, and postmorten studies in 5/27 (18.5%) of cases. Antemortem diagnosis was achieved in 22/27 (81.5%) cats. The presence of necrosis in histopathological studies as an unfavorable prognostic indicator of survival was significantly more probable when lesions were not hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences (p = 0.017). Spinal lymphoma in cats is a complex entity with heterogeneous imaging and histopathological appearance. However, certain MRI features may support a tentative diagnosis, which in a group of cases can be confirmed when combined with the CSF findings. For the rest of the cases, tissue sampling assisted by imaging findings remains necessary for definitive diagnosis.

We construct non-malleable codes in the split-state model with codeword length m + 3λ or m + 5λ, where m is the message size and λ is the security parameter, depending on how conservative one is. Our scheme is very simple and involves a single call to a block cipher meeting a new security notion which we dub entropic fixed-related-key security, which essentially means that the block cipher behaves like a pseudorandom permutation when queried upon inputs sampled from a distribution with sufficient min-entropy, even under related-key attacks with respect to an arbitrary but fixed key relation. Importantly, indistinguishability only holds with respect to the original secret key (and not with respect to the tampered secret key). In a previous work, Fehr, Karpman, and Mennink (ToSC 2018) used a related assumption (where the block cipher inputs can be chosen by the adversary, and where indistinguishability holds even with respect to the tampered key) to construct a nonmalleable code in the split-state model with codeword length m + 2λ. Unfortunately, no block cipher (even an ideal one) satisfies their assumption when the tampering function is allowed to be cipher-dependent. In contrast, we are able to show that entropic fixed-related-key security holds in the ideal cipher model with respect to a large class of cipher-dependent tampering attacks (including those which break the assumption of Fehr, Karpman, and Mennink).

Abstract Biometric recognition and presentation attack detection (PAD) methods strongly rely on deep learning algorithms. Though often more accurate, these models operate as complex black boxes. Interpretability tools are now being used to delve deeper into the operation of these methods, which is why this work advocates their integration in the PAD scenario. Building upon previous work, a face PAD model based on convolutional neural networks was implemented and evaluated both through traditional PAD metrics and with interpretability tools. An evaluation on the stability of the explanations obtained from testing models with attacks known and unknown in the learning step is made. To overcome the limitations of direct comparison, a suitable representation of the explanations is constructed to quantify how much two explanations differ from each other. From the point of view of interpretability, the results obtained in intra and inter class comparisons led to the conclusion that the presence of more attacks during training has a positive effect in the generalisation and robustness of the models. This is an exploratory study that confirms the urge to establish new approaches in biometrics that incorporate interpretability tools. Moreover, there is a need for methodologies to assess and compare the quality of explanations.

Summary: Background: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p

Encontra-se em curso, sensivelmente no último meio século, a finalização de um processo de planetarização da Tecnologia, que, na ordem das causas, terá sido mais proximamente determinado pela Globalização político-económica urdida e imposta pelo Neoliberalismo e mais remotamente influenciado por sucessivas revoluções industriais, desde o século XVIII. Ele implicou uma transformação na própria natureza da Tecnologia, fazendo com que deixasse de ser mero meio (utensílio, ferramenta, instrumento) para determinados fins e se tivesse tornado num ambiente vital e existencial. Günther Anders foi um atento e perspicaz observador e crítico desse fenómeno, que, no seu jargão, concebeu como o do advento de um “Dispositivo universal” (Universalapparat). Dedica-se a primeira parte deste artigo à releitura da interpretação que esse filósofo alemão fez da sua suposta génese e evolução. Na segunda parte, analisa-se esse conceito. Explora-se, na terceira parte, duas consequências filosóficas maiores desse fenómeno.

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We examined the effect of physiological workload on gaze behaviour during defensive performance in 2 vs. 1 +goalkeeper game situations in football. Twenty-two players were assigned to either a high- or low-performing group based on a validated measure of tactical performance. A total of 12 game sequences (trials) were presented under high- and low-workload conditions. At the end of each sequence, participants were asked to indicate their perceived exertion using the Rating Scale of Mental Effort and the Borg Scale. The low- and high-workload conditions were defined when the players achieved 60 and 90% of their maximal heart rate, respectively, as per their performance in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. Visual search behaviours were recorded using Tobii Pro eye-movement registration glasses. Players reported higher rates of perceived exertion on the high- compared to low-workload condition. Participants in the low-performing group increased their average fixation duration and decreased the number of fixations and number of fixation locations from the low- to high-workload conditions. The low- and high-performing groups displayed different visual search strategies with regards the areas of interest fixated upon. Participants in the high-performing group focused on the SpaceFrontPlayer, followed by Ball, and AnotherOpponent. The low-performing group spent more time focusing on the SpaceFrontPlayer and SpacePlayer than Ball and AnotherOpponent. It appears that physiological workload and tactical expertise interact in constraining visual search behaviours in football players. Coaches and practitioners should consider ways to manipulate individual and task constraints while attending to the close interplay between physiological workload, visual behaviour, and tactical performance during practise.

Cystic adventitial disease is a condition where mucinous cyst(s) develop within the adventitia of blood vessels, especially arteries. The most affected vessel is the popliteal artery while the upper limb vasculature is seldom involved. To our knowledge, there are only 2 articles reporting this disease in the ulnar artery. We present a case of a 52-year-old female patient, a manual worker in a clothing factory, with a month history of increasing pain in her right wrist and gradual weakness that incapacitated her for work activities. She was finally treated surgically and an adventitial cyst of the ulnar artery compressing the ulnar nerve was diagnosed.

The paper discusses the process of expanding higher education and financing in the institutions that make up the Federal Network for Professional, Scientific and Technological Education and its challenges due to limitations in financial resources. The analysis was developed based on official documents, particularly the federal government’s budget execution reports (2013-2018 period) and the Higher Education Census (2008; 2013 and 2018). The paper points out that the Federal Institutes and Centers of Professional and Technological Education hadsignificant expansion of enrollments in higher education, however, from 2013 to 2018, the financing of costing and investment expenses suffered relevant cuts that conditioned the hiring staff and the maintaining theseinstitutions. Such cuts were expandedas result of Constitutional Amendment nº. 95/2016.

Background: Prescription drug use and the consumption of substances to enhance college students' cognitive performance, described as pharmacological cognitive enhancement (PCE), is a known phenomenon potentially impacting individuals' health. University and college students are two specific subpopulations noted to use PCE (up to 17%, on average). To our knowledge, no data have been published on the use of PCE drugs among university students at a national level in Portugal and the factors that might be associated with this usage. Objective: The main objective was to estimate the prevalence of PCE use by Portuguese university students and to identify the PCE substances commonly used by university students, i.e., those classified as prescription drugs and other legal and nonprescribed substances, including food supplements. Methods: The study followed a cross-sectional exploratory, descriptive design and pursued a convenience sample of students from Portuguese public and private universities (22 higher education institutions). Results: From a sample of 745 university students, 32% indicated the use of prescribed and nonprescribed substances. The most consumed substances were food supplements with CNS stimulants being the most frequent prescription-only drugs but not necessarily accessed through a medical prescription. A significant statistical association was found between substance consumption and the field of study. Health science students reported more food supplements and drug intake, allegedly under prescribed regimens, compared to humanities and exact sciences students. The study discusses the need to better understand the competitive societies that produce and support young students' outputs and the perceived ‘need’ for performance-enhancing substances. Conclusions: One-third of the university students aimed to improve their performance by pharmacological cognitive enhancement, with a preference for food supplements dispensed in pharmacies. PCE substance consumption in higher education is thus non-negligible. The study suggests the need to improve regulations on potential inequalities in academic rankings and success and an observant attitude concerning implications that negatively affect health in the long run.

This study characterised the sport participation patterns of 546 male youth team sport players. A retrospective questionnaire was used to identify the sport starting age (general sports and main sport) and the quantity and type of sports undertaken during the early years of development. A mixed-ANOVA and Chi-square tests were implemented. All participants started involvement in sports at the same age (~5 years) and participated in the same number of sports during their early years (1 to 2 sports). However, football players started participating mainly in team games (football, futsal) and water polo players in CGS sports (swimming). Participants reported different ages for initial participation in: (i) main sport (football players started participating earlier, around 5–6 years), (ii) onset of specialisation (football players specialised earlier, around 7 or 8 years), (iii) types of sports engaged in (football players were involved in more team games and water polo in more CGS sports), and (iv) variations in weekly training hours (water polo reported more hours of training). This study provided empirical evidence for understanding the effects of different sporting pathways on long-term athlete development. Some key incongruities between contemporary knowledge and practice are acknowledged. Further investigations should be developed by examining the trajectories in different sports, countries, genders, and cultural contexts.

According to the Quality Education and Gender Equality ambitions established at the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, we aimed to test the feasibility of a flexible planning and assessment process, using ongoing, bidirectional feedback between planning and assessment. Eighteen players (11.5 ± 0.5 years of age) from a U13 female volleyball team were randomized into an experimental group (in which the plan could be changed daily) or a contrast group (pre-defined planning, adjusted monthly). The pedagogical intervention lasted three months. Besides ongoing daily assessments from the training practices, the Game Performance Assessment Instrument was adopted as a starting point for the weekly assessments in 4 vs. 4 game-forms (i.e., the instrument was modified monthly based on feedback from the training process). Information from daily and weekly formal assessment was used in the planning of the experimental group, and monthly in the contrast group. Data suggested that pre-established and strict planning (even updated monthly) failed to fit current learner needs. Over 12 weeks, the pre-established planning suffered regular modifications in the experimental group, and the assessment tool changed monthly. In conclusion, both planning and assessment should be open and flexible to exchange information mutually, and support the design of tailor-made learning environments.

Introduction: Severe ilio-femoral occlusive disease can limit the endovascular treatment of aorto-iliac aneurysms. In high surgical risk patients, inventive and staged hybrid interventions can be the answer to achieve definitive treatment. Clinical Case: A 68-year-old male, with multiple comorbidities, presented with simultaneous occurrence of bilateral common iliac aneurysms and severe ilio-femoral occlusive disease associated with right critical limb-threatening ischemia. In order to exclude the iliac aneurysms, preserve pelvic flow and revascularize the threatened limb we decided for a three-staged hybrid intervention. First, we began with a right external iliac angioplasty with femoral endarterectomy to create adequate arterial access. In a second intervention, we implanted a bifurcated aortoiliac endograft through this access. In order to prevent pelvic ischemia, contralateral leg outflow was directed to the left internal iliac artery with a combination of self-expandable and balloon-expandable covered stents. Finally, a right femoro-posterior tibial artery bypass completed the revascularization. At 1,5-year follow-up, no complications are reported and the patient is asymptomatic. Conclusion: In patients with poor medical condition and complex aorto-iliac aneurysmal and occlusive disease, a staged hybrid approach like the one described in this case-report can be feasible and associated with durable midterm patency and excellent clinical outcome.

Pseudoaneurysms after gastro-intestinal tract surgery are rare. Most of them occur after biliary tract and pancreatic surgery. They can lead to potentially serious consequences, such as rupture, hemorrhage and death. For these reasons, pseudoaneurysms should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Abstract Hereditary angioedema is an autosomal dominant disorder, presenting as sudden and recurring episodes of variable severity of subcutaneous and mucosa edema that may occur spontaneously or in response to triggers. There are three knwon types of hereditary angioedema. The disorder is caused by decrease in the plasma level or change in the functional capacity of C1 inhibitor, with increase in bradykinin and in vascular permeability, and consequent edema. Several measures are required in the perioperative period in order to avoid an acute attack. Prophylaxis should be carried out throughout pregnancy before any surgical procedure, before dental procedures, upon airway handling, on patients with previous episodes of angioedema, and when there are significant changes in volemia. The literature is scarce in regard to the association between hereditary angioedema and pregnancy. We describe a successful case of a pregnant patient with type I hereditary angioedema submitted to a C-section.

At the end of 2019, the coronavirus appeared and spread extremely rapidly, causing millions of infections and deaths worldwide, and becoming a global pandemic. For this reason, it became urgent and essential to find adequate tests for an accurate and fast diagnosis of this disease. In the present study, a systematic review was performed in order to provide an overview of the COVID-19 diagnosis methods and tests already available, as well as their evolution in recent months. For this purpose, the Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus databases were used to collect the data and three authors independently screened the references, extracted the main information, and assessed the quality of the included studies. After the analysis of the collected data, 34 studies reporting new methods to diagnose COVID-19 were selected. Although RT-PCR is the gold-standard method for COVID-19 diagnosis, it cannot fulfill all the requirements of this pandemic, being limited by the need for highly specialized equipment and personnel to perform the assays, as well as the long time to get the test results. To fulfill the limitations of this method, other alternatives, including biological and imaging analysis methods, also became commonly reported. The comparison of the different diagnosis tests allowed to understand the importance and potential of combining different techniques, not only to improve diagnosis but also for a further understanding of the virus, the disease, and their implications in humans.

In this work, we carried out a comparison between the dry machining of an aluminum block with conventional cutting oil and a block with vegetable oil. The two oils had different flow rates. Using the Taguchi method, it was possible to determine the matrices for optimizing the best parameters for each group of tests. Then, we studied the utility of using vegetable oil as a cutting lubricant. We found that the vegetable oil studied in this work had good properties in terms of reducing cutting temperatures but was less effective than conventional cutting oil in reducing the surface roughness of the machined part. Tribological tests were carried out to understand the influence of the selected lubricants in reducing friction and wear. After the sliding experiments, which were performed without lubrication in the presence of the same lubricants that were used in the machining tests and in the presence of distilled water, we concluded that vegetable oil has satisfactory lubricating properties that are similar to those of the conventional cutting fluid, indicating a potential for consideration as an effective alternative to the conventional cutting fluid, with economic, environmental, and health advantages.

The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of highly skilled and less skilled volleyball players about the influences that parents, coaches, and peers had on their sport development and performance achievement. Highly skilled (n = 30) and less skilled (n = 30) volleyball players participated in semi-structured retrospective interviews to explain how parents, coaches and peers may have influenced their sport participation. Data was analyzed through a process of content analysis. Results indicated that parents, coaches, and peers had an important influence in player's sport development but differing according to players' expertise level. Concerning to parental influences, tangible support during the early years of development was mentioned by all players. However, parents' level of involvement and parenting styles revealed interesting differences between highly skilled and less skilled players. Highly skilled players perceived a moderate parental involvement and an autonomy-supportive parenting style, while less skilled players referred a excessive parental involvement in players' sport participation. Coaches influences showed to have some similarities in the early years with all players mentioning coaches as caring and recognizing their value as an athlete. However, highly skilled players described a different training environment characterized by a demanding coach, individualized instruction, and specific goal setting. Regarding peers' influence, all players recognized that friends were not only one of the main reasons to start playing volleyball, but also an important source of support to remain engaged and staying motivated to do sport. Highly skilled players, however, mentioned the importance of teammates' positive push and critiques during practice for enhancing their motivation, team cohesion and friendship. They also highlighted the importance of friends outside of sport in the later years of their career by acting as an escape from all the pressure that emerged from volleyball training and competition demands. Overall, these findings highlight different social influences according to the players' expertise level suggesting the need to examine more extensively the nature of significant others' support on athlete and talent development.

Adventitial cystic disease (ACD) is a rare condition. It affects mostly the popliteal artery, with few cases reported affecting the radial artery. This condition is characterized by accumulation of mucinous content at the adventitious layer.

Introduction: Post-implantation syndrome (PIS) is the clinical and biochemical expression of an inflammatory response following endovascular repair of an aortic aneurysm (EVAR). The reported incidence in literature varies from 14-60%. Recentently, a study has demonstrated that red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is an independent biomarker predictor of the PIS in patients submitted to EVAR in the early postoperative period. Methods: Retrospective institutional review of consecutive patients submitted to elective EVAR (January 2015- April 2020). The primary outcome was to evaluate the incidence of PIS, defined as fever (>38ºC) and leukocytosis (>12000/μL), excluding infection complication. The secondary outcomes were to identify the potential role of clinical and biomarker parameters to predict the risk of developing PIS after EVAR. Results and conclusion: According to the inclusion criteria, 107 patients were identified. The median age was 75 years old (93.5% men). Comorbidities presented: hypertension (75%), smoking (66%), hypercholesterolemia (59%), coronary artery disease (32%), chronic kidney disease (30%), and diabetes mellitus (DM) (18%). The incidence of PIS was 10,2%. Age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors were found to be similar in both groups (P>0.05). Regarding the procedure approach, the majority of patients were treated with percutaneous access (72%) (P=0,49). In both groups (PIS vs. no PIS), the hemoglobin values significantly decreased (P=0,04) after surgery by approximately 14%. The same trend was observed for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (P=0.032), which reflected the increasing of the RDW although not reaching statistical significance. Although delta variation of hemoglobin and delta RDW did not reach statistical significance comparing both groups (P=0,53 and P= 0,07 respectively), delta MCV was found to be significantly lower in the group with PIS (P=0.012). The importance of having a biomarker which measurement allows the prediction of patients who have more risk to develop PIS, may help with the early management of this condition.

Turner syndrome (TS) is a disorder of female development with cardinal features of short stature and congenital cardiovascular defects. Congenital or acquired cardiological problems occur commonly in TS, being potentially progressive and responsible for severe complications, such as aortic dissection in young women. Accordingly, we describe a case of type A aortic dissection occurring in a woman with TS, highlighting the need to prioritize investigation in those patients to avoid a catastrophic aortic scenario.