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Background: Over the years, poor medical documentation is a well known phenomenon in medical practice but the magnitude of the problem in our setting has not been defined. Objective: To assess the overall frequency of missed detection of anomalies of external genitalia following the routine newborn physical examination and to describe the general pattern of its documentation. Methods: In this hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study, 915 full-term newborn infants in an open population survey were systematically screened for anomalies of the external genitalia, using a checklist derived by modifying parameters in the Prader scoring system and the External masculinization score charts. The pattern of documentation was assessed in 915 case files. The findings of the researchers were then compared to those previously documented by the attending physician/midwife. The study was conducted in two Nigerian hospitals (University of Benin Teaching Hospital and St Philomena Catholic Hospital) in Benin City. All members of staff of the two hospitals were blinded to the fact that the previous examination findings documented in the case files were being assessed during this study. Results: Of the 915 infants, 19 (2.1%; 95% CI= 1.2-3.0) had anomaly of the external genitalia at birth. The overall frequency of missed diagnosis of external genital anomalies was 68.4% with undescended testes (UDT) being the most frequently missed. The level of documentation of the findings of the external genital examination was poor in both hospitals. Combining the two hospitals, the external genital examination findings were not documented in 76.1% of case files. Conclusions: The routine newborn examination as currently practiced in the two hospitals was weak in detecting external genital anomalies. Poor documentation of the external genital findings is a common occurrence in the setting where we practice, irrespective of whether the health institution is tertiary or secondary.

The neurophysiological mechanisms in the human amygdala that underlie post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain poorly understood. In a first-of-its-kind pilot study, we recorded intracranial electroencephalographic data longitudinally (over one year) in two male individuals with amygdala electrodes implanted for the management of treatment-resistant PTSD (TR-PTSD) under clinical trial NCT04152993. To determine electrophysiological signatures related to emotionally aversive and clinically relevant states (trial primary endpoint), we characterized neural activity during unpleasant portions of three separate paradigms (negative emotional image viewing, listening to recordings of participant-specific trauma-related memories, and at-home-periods of symptom exacerbation). We found selective increases in amygdala theta (5-9 Hz) bandpower across all three negative experiences. Subsequent use of elevations in low-frequency amygdala bandpower as a trigger for closed-loop neuromodulation led to significant reductions in TR-PTSD symptoms (trial secondary endpoint) following one year of treatment as well as reductions in aversive-related amygdala theta activity. Altogether, our findings provide early evidence that elevated amygdala theta activity across a range of negative-related behavioral states may be a promising target for future closed-loop neuromodulation therapies in PTSD.

A sobressemeadura de forrageiras hibernais sobre espécies perenes estivais é uma prática comum nos ambientes pastoris de clima subtropical. Entretanto, a competição entre as espécies pode limitar o pleno estabelecimento das culturas de inverno. Uma maneira para contornar este problema pode ser o uso estratégico de herbicidas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar uma dose do herbicida glifosato que limite o desenvolvimento do Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) durante o outono/inverno, sem comprometer a retomada do seu desenvolvimento na primavera seguinte. Os tratamentos compreenderam cinco dosagens de glifosato, sendo a dose 2,77Kg ha-1 considerada com dose integral (100%) e os quatro demais tratamentos corresponderam a 75, 50, 25 e 0% da dose completa. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições por tratamento. A utilização de até 25% da dose completa (0,69Kg ha-1 de glifosato) não aumenta a incidência de plantas daninhas em relação ao tratamento com ausência de aplicação de herbicida. Doses de até 1,39Kg ha-1 de glifosato não comprometem a retomada do perfilhamento do Tifton 85 na primavera quando comparadas ao tratamento controle.

Em regiões de clima subtropical, como o Sul do Brasil, é bastante comum em sistemas de produção animal à base de pastagens a adoção de cultivares perenes de verão. Dentre as características desejáveis para estes cultivares, é fundamental que apresentem tolerância ao frio, o que garante a perenidade da espécie na área. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar quais cultivares ou espécies forrageiras perenes de verão toleram melhor as condições de inverno em uma região de clima subtropical. Dez cultivares forrageiras foram avaliadas quanto ao dano da geada nas folhas e o percentual de retorno dos perfilhos em 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após a última geada. As espécies dos gêneros Megathyrsus (Syn. Panicum) e Urochloa (Syn. Brachiaria) apresentaram os maiores percentuais de danos pela ação da geada, enquanto a espécie de missioneira-gigante e os cultivares Prima e Tifton 85 apresentaram o menor percentual de dano. Os cultivares Braúna e Mavuno não apresentaram retorno do perfilhamento após o período frio. Apesar de algumas espécies serem consideradas como “tolerantes ao frio”, a ausência de experimentos em locais específicos, pode incorrer no estabelecimento de cultivares em regiões nas quais a presença de geada pode comprometer a perenidade.

This paper significantly extends investigations into internal damping ratios in both undamaged and damaged conditions for normal-strength concretes (NSCs) and high-strength concretes (HSCs). This study examines concretes with compressive strengths ranging from 42 to 83 MPa. Cyclic loads were applied using a servo-controlled hydraulic testing machine, and for each cyclic step, the dynamic elastic modulus (Ed) and internal damping ratio (ξ) were determined through acoustic tests. The results show that the normal-strength concretes (fc=42 MPa) exhibited an undamaged internal damping ratio of ξ=0.5%, reaching a maximum of ξ=2.5% at a damage index of 0.8. Conversely, the high-strength concrete mixtures (fc=83 MPa) showed an undamaged internal damping ratio of ξ=0.29%, with a peak value of ξ=0.93% at a damage index of 0.32. The initial internal damping values are influenced by porosity and transition zones, which affect the material behavior under cyclic loads. Progressive damage leads to increased Coulomb damping due the cracking process. Few studies have quantified and comprehended the internal damping ratio under cyclic loading-induced damage, and this research advances our understanding of NSC and HSC behavior under dynamic excitation and damage evolution, especially in impact scenarios.

ABSTRACT This study presents a new orchid species of the genus Catasetum belonging to the group of species with symmetrical and parallel antennae. It was found in terra-firme and floodplain forests in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará. We provide a formal description of the new species, images, and notes on distribution, habitat, phenology, flower visitors and preliminary conservation status. We compare it with C. cristatum and C. barbatum, both sympatric and morphologically most similar to the new species. It was preliminarily classified in the Endangered (EN) category according to IUCN criteria based on the extent of occurrence, area of occupation, number of occurrence locations and the risks that the known populations are exposed to (deforestation and predatory collection).

Die komplexe Akutschmerztherapie ist eine therapeutische Maßnahme zur speziellen Schmerztherapie und Symptomkontrolle bei Patient:innen mit schweren akuten Schmerzzuständen. Diese schweren akuten Schmerzen können bspw. nach Operationen, Unfällen oder auch bei schweren, exazerbierten Tumoren auftreten. Kodiert wird die komplexe Akutschmerztherapie mithilfe des Operationen- und Prozedurschlüssels (OPS) 8-919 (DIMDI, 2023). Im Jahr 2021 gab es in Deutschland insgesamt über 16,6 Millionen Krankenhausfälle, und bei mehr als 200.000 Patient:innen dieser Fälle wurde eine komplexe Akutschmerzbehandlung verordnet (InEK, 2023). Basierend auf Krankenhausdiagnosen ist unter anderem für osteoporotische Frakturen sowie Krankenhaussterbefälle nach femoraler Fraktur und die Herzinsuffizienz bekannt, dass es regionale Unterschiede in Deutschland gibt (Möckel, 2022; Möckel et al., 2020, 2023; Wachter et al., 2015). Eine Studie von Hoffmann et al. (2020) konnte zusätzlich zeigen, dass bei der Verschreibung des Schmerzmittels Metamizol regionale Unterschiede in Deutschland bestehen. So war in dieser Analyse die Nutzungsprävalenz in Sachsen mit 7,0% am geringsten und in Schleswig-Holstein mit 11,1% am höchsten (Hoffmann et al., 2020). Anzumerken ist hier auch, dass zwischen 1998 und 2008–2011 die Nutzung von Schmerzmitteln in Deutschland von 19% auf 21% anstieg. Dieser Anstieg ist in erster Linie durch die freiverkäuflichen Schmerzmittel (10.0% auf 12.2%) begründet, wohingegen die Verwendung von verschreibungspflichtigen Schmerzmitteln konstant blieb (Sarganas et al., 2015). In der Studie von Sarganas et al. (2015) zeigten weibliche Personen, ansteigendes Lebensalter, adipöse Personen sowie Rauchende die höhere Chance zur Einnahme von verschreibungspflichtigen Schmerzmitteln. Im Gegensatz dazu waren ein höherer sozioökonomischer Status sowie mehr sportliche Aktivität pro Woche mit einer geringeren Chance assoziiert (Sarganas et al., 2015).

Steel structures are prone to corrosion, a chemical reaction between steel and the atmosphere that gradually weakens the material. Over time, this reaction can significantly reduce the structural integrity and lifespan of steel elements. Without intervention, corrosion can cause structures to fail, leading to financial, environmental, and potential human losses. Enhancing steel’s corrosion resistance is crucial, and one method involves adding niobium (Nb). Niobium microalloyed steels are known for their increased strength, and some research indicates that Nb may also improve corrosion resistance by making the grain structure of the steel finer. However, the complete potential of Nb in corrosion prevention remains underexplored, with significant research gaps across various scales, from microstructural impacts on durability to macroscopic effects on mechanical properties. The research community has utilized numerous experimental approaches to test corrosion resistance under different conditions, but there is a lack of comprehensive studies that aggregate and analyze these findings. This paper seeks to fill that void by reviewing the impact of Nb on the strength and corrosion resistance of structural steels, examining how steel beams’ ultimate capacity degrades over time and identifying key areas where further research is needed to understand Nb’s role in mitigating corrosion.

Abstract The neurophysiological mechanisms in the human amygdala that underlie post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain poorly understood. In a first-of-its-kind pilot study, we recorded intracranial electroencephalographic data longitudinally (over one year) in two male individuals with amygdala electrodes implanted for the management of treatment-resistant PTSD (TR-PTSD) under clinical trial NCT04152993. To determine electrophysiological signatures related to emotionally aversive and clinically relevant states (trial primary endpoint), we characterized neural activity during unpleasant portions of three separate paradigms (negative emotional image viewing, listening to recordings of participant-specific trauma-related memories, and at-home-periods of symptom exacerbation). We found selective increases in amygdala theta (5–9 Hz) bandpower across all three negative experiences. Subsequent use of elevations in low-frequency amygdala bandpower as a trigger for closed-loop neuromodulation led to significant reductions in TR-PTSD symptoms (trial secondary endpoint) following one year of treatment as well as reductions in aversive-related amygdala theta activity. Altogether, our findings provide early evidence that elevated amygdala theta activity across a range of negative-related behavioral states may be a promising target for future closed-loop neuromodulation therapies in PTSD.

Abstract In the present study we propose a new Catasetum taxon belonging to the group of species with symmetrical and converging antennae. It was found in a vegetation of “terra firme” and “campinarana” in the central Brazilian Amazon. A detailed description of the taxon is given as well as a photograph plate and comments relating to distribution, habitat, phenology and conservation status. It is compared to C. rivularium and C. barbatum which are sympatric species and somewhat similar to the new taxon. Furthermore, we present a key to Catasetum species with symmetrical and convergent antennae occurring in the Brazilian Amazon.