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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Evaluation of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after AF ablation has been validated by routine ECG and ambulatory 24-h Holter monitoring after a 3-month blanking period. However, assessment of heart rhythm after AF ablation, conducted with the use of intermittent or continuous recording systems, has shown that early recurrences are common, often asymptomatic, and may predict late AF recurrences. The E-Patch (Bio Tel Heart) is an innovative thin, single-use adhesive electrode with extended continuous ECG monitoring for up to 120 hours. Aim To describe and characterize predictors of early AF recurrence based on the very- early blanking period after AF ablation. Methods Single-centre, prospective, longitudinal study, including consecutive patients (P), 24 hours after AF ablation, monitored with the E- patch. Baseline characteristics at the time of AF ablation as well as the effectiveness of the device in continuously recording within 5 days after ablation were analyzed. A logistic regression model was used to derive predictors of very-early AF recurrence. Results A total of 40P were included (60% male, 62±9 years). AF ablation was performed with radiofrequency energy in 23P and with cryoballoon in 17P. All P were in sinus rhythm at the beginning of the E- patch recording. The mean number of hours of recording was 113±18. During E-patch recording 11P (27.5%) presented AF (AF burden 27.4% of the recording, IQR 5.5-32.3%) and 7P (18%) had sinus pauses. In a multivariate logistic regression model, a higher CHADS2VAS2C index and a higher average heart were associated with an OR 3.0 (95% CI 1.13-8.1, p = 0.027) and OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.02-1.48, p = 0.025) for AF recurrence, respectively. No significant differences were found between ablation modalities. There were no complaints about discomfort in the use of the device, and there were no artefacts compromising the quality or the interpretation. Conclusions The use of the E-patch recording very-early after AF ablation is effective for AF detection. A higher CHADS2VAS2C index and average heart appear to be significantly predictive of very-early AF recurrence post-ablation.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background An ablation catheter in conjunction with a circular mapping catheter (CMC) requiring a double transeptal puncture (TSP) for left atrial access is conventionally used for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in the majority of centers. In the recent years, different operators have combined a single transseptal puncture technique with 3D high-density mapping catheters for pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) in AF patients. Objective The aim of this analysis is to compare two different strategies, single versus double TSP, regarding duration of the procedure, radiation dose, complications and long-term outcomes. Methods Retrospective analysis of an AF large cohort of consecutive patients that underwent PVI with radiofrequency energy (RF) using a 3D mapping system, either with single or double TSP, from 2016 to 2020. Results We included 341 patients (female 35,8 %, paroxysmal AF 64,2 %) who underwent catheter ablation with RF. At the time of the ablation, age was 59,1 ± 11,8 years old, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 1,6 ± 1,3. All patients were taking oral anticoagulation. Single TSP was performed in 165 (48,4%%) patients and double TSP in 176 (51,6%) patients. In 56 (16,4%) cases (50 [30,3%] in the single TSP and 6 [3,4%] in the double TSP), the procedure was a repeat ablation after AF recurrence. Operator experience (defined as ≥5 years of AF ablation procedures) was equally distributed between the two groups. The average procedure time single (129 ± 33,2 minutes vs. 122 ± 34,9 minutes, for single and double TSP, respectively) did not reach statistical difference between the two groups (p = 0,55), but there was a significant difference regarding fluoroscopy time (13 ± 6,3 vs. 19 ± 9,1, for single and double TSP, respectively; p < 0,001). Acute complications were less frequent in the single TSP approach (5,6 % vs. 9,7 %, for single and double TSP, respectively), but did not reach statistical significance. At 2-year follow-up, sinus rhythm maintenance rate was similar in both groups (77% vs. 78%, p=0,85). At 2 and 4 year follow-up, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed no difference in time to AF recurrence between the two groups (log- rank p = 0,974 and p = 0,965). However, further analysis of subgroups according to type of AF revealed a significant difference among the subgroup with persistent AF submitted to double TSP (log rank p = 0,007) during a total of follow-up of 4 years. Conclusion A simplified single-TSP technique using high-density multi-electrode 3D mapping is a safe and highly successful approach for AF ablation. This approach yields a substantial reduction in fluoroscopy time, with the potential to avoid acute complications when compared to a conventional double-TSP strategy.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a procedure that causes significant atrial tissue lesions, with transient, albeit significant tissue oedema and inflammation. These mechanisms may trigger early rhythm abnormalities that do not necessarily correlate with future arrhythmias, and, therefore, evaluation of AF recurrence is currently validated by routine ECG and ambulatory 24h Holter monitoring, only after a 3-month blanking period. However, recent data have shown that AF episodes occurring during the blanking period are common and may predict late AF recurrences. The E-Patch (Bio Tel Heart) is an innovative, thin single-use adhesive electrode with extended continuous ECG monitoring for up to 120h. Aim To assess if continuous extended monitoring in the very-early blanking period can be associated with event recorder data performed in the late blanking period after AF ablation. Methods Single-centre, prospective, longitudinal study, including consecutive patients (P) 24h after AF ablation, monitored with the E-patch. The effectiveness of the device in continuously recording within 5 days after ablation was analyzed, as well as the occurrence of AF episodes during an external 7- day loop-recorder, obtained in the 2nd-month post-ablation. Results A total of 30P were included (57% male, 63±8 years). AF ablation was performed with radiofrequency (RF) energy in 14P and with a balloon of cryoenergy in 16P. All P were in sinus rhythm at the beginning of the recording. The mean number of hours of recording was 113±16, with no discomfort complaints in the use of the device or interpretation artefacts. During the E-patch monitoring, a total of 10P (33%) presented AF (AF burden 6.8% of the recording, IQR 3.0-20%). All 30P underwent an external loop recorder for 7 days 2 months post-ablation, with 40% showing AF periods (> 30 seconds duration). All 10P that had AF detection in the very-early E-patch recording had also recurrence in the 2 nd month of extended 7-day continuous recording. Very- early AF detection had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 100% to detect late blanking period AF (ROC 0.916±0.06; 95%CI 080-1.0). Conclusions The use of the E-patch very-early after AF ablation is effective for AF detection and is highly predictive of AF recurrence in the late blanking period. These findings require validation in larger studies to assess the potential of very-early assessment in the determination of a higher risk for AF recurrence.

Purpose Eyewitness testimony can determine the outcome of criminal investigations. The cognitive interview (CI) has been widely used to collect informative and accurate accounts. However, face-to-face interviews have been restricted during the current pandemic, raising the need for using video-conferencing. The authors tested whether virtual interviews could produce elaborate accounts from eyewitnesses and if the CI superiority effect against a structured interview (SI) could be fully replicated online. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a 2 × 2 factorial design with interview condition (CI vs SI) and environment (face-to-face vs virtual) manipulated between-subjects. A total of 88 participants were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions. Participants watched a mock robbery and were interviewed 48 h later using either the SI or the CI. Both interviews contained the same structure and interview phases but only the CI included its key cognitive mnemonics/ instructions. Both sessions were either face-to-face or online. Findings Participants interviewed with the CI recalled more information than participants interviewed with the SI, regardless of the interview environment. Both environments produced a comparable amount of recall. Report accuracy was high for all groups. Practical implications This can be crucial to inform police practices and research in this field by suggesting investigative interviews can be conducted virtually in situations such as the current pandemic or when time and resources do not allow for face-to-face interviewing. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study showing that the CI superiority effect can be replicated online and that a fully remote CI can produce elaborate accounts.

A colina é classificada como uma vitamina hidrossolúvel, mesmo diferindo em sua função no organismo das demais vitaminas hidrossolúveis, que em geral atuam como cofatores enzimáticos no metabolismo animal. Essa classificação é bastante criticada, pois a colina atua como precursora da lecitina (metabolismo de lipídios no fígado e parte estrutural dos fosfolipídios da célula animal), acetilcolina (neurotransmissor) e na doação de grupos metil, o que interfere diretamente no metabolismo da metionina no organismo. Os requerimentos de colina no organismo são bastante superiores, o que corrobora para a não classificação dela como uma vitamina, além de ser produzida pelo organismo dos animais, sendo essa produção deficitária em aves jovens, e por isso ocorre essa suplementação em frangos de corte. Além dessa diferença nos níveis de suplementação, a colina tem uma ligação intima com a metionina, sendo essa relação objeto de estudos de diversos pesquisadores. Outro objeto de estudos acerca da colina são as fontes de colina, em especial fontes vegetais alternativa ao uso do cloreto de colina, principal fonte desse nutriente adicionado nas dietas, mas com problemas de manipulação que dificultam o armazenamento, e com baixa biodisponibilidade da colina. As fontes vegetais vêm ganhando destaque, por não terem os mesmos problemas de manipulação e armazenamento e nas pesquisas vêm demonstrando grande eficiência, já que demonstram os mesmos resultados que o cloreto de colina, e utilização menor.

O fósforo (P) é armazenado principalmente na forma de fitatos nas sementes das plantas, estando pouco disponível para animais monogástrico, como as aves. Como o fitato é uma molécula polianiônica, possui a capacidade de quelar cátions com carga positiva, especialmente cálcio, ferro e zinco comprometendo também a utilização de outros nutrientes da dieta, incluindo proteínas, amido e lipídios. Devido a eficiência reduzida de utilização de nutrientes pelas aves há necessidade de utilização níveis mais altos de suplementação e aumento da descarga dos nutrientes não digeridos no meio ambiente. A enzima fitase tem como objetivo catalisar a hidrólise gradual do fitato. Como a fitase da mucosa endógena nos animais monogástricos parece incapaz de hidrolisar quantidades suficientes de P e outros nutrientes ligados ao fitato, a suplementação de fitase exógena nas dietas é um método utilizado para aumentar a absorção de minerais e nutrientes. A atividade da fitase varia muito, resultando em diferentes hidrólises de fitato gastrointestinal das aves. Outro ponto de interesse para a avicultura moderna e a utilização da superdose de fitase, na alimentação de frangos de corte como de poedeiras e seus diferentes resultados diante as diferentes espécies. O foco principal desta revisão de literatura e evidenciar o papel do fitato na nutrição de aves, e como a utilização de fitase pode melhorar a utilização de P, e como a utilização da superdosagem de fitase pode apresentar diferentes resultados na mesma espécie, mostrando-se uma alternativa viável a ser utilizada na nutrição de aves.

Com proibição de alguns antibióticos melhoradores de desempenho houve o favorecimento da síndrome disbiose a qual acarretou o na piora de alguns refletindo neste sentido, em redução dos índices de desempenho zootécnico na avicultura comercial. Objetivou-se através do estudo descrever os principais aspectos relevantes em relação às características, à utilização e aos mecanismos de ação dos aditivos equilibradores de microbiota do trato digestório de uso na avicultura com ênfase em probióticos, prebióticos e simbióticos. Os probióticos são microrganismos vivos associados que apresentam efeitos benéficos para animais e seres humanos, que quando administrados em níveis adequados, contribuem para a saúde do hospedeiro. Já o prebiótico é o substrato para espécies de Bifidobacterium e tal assimilação não é possível para espécies enteropatogênicas incluindo Clostridium sp. e Salmonella sp. Na mesma perspectiva o uso conjunto de probióticos e prebióticos forma os simbióticos são capazes de conferir ação benéfica ao hospedeiro por melhorar a sobrevivência e já são elucidados como aditivos moduladores de microbiota intestinal.

O farelo de algodão é o terceiro ingrediente proteico mais produzido no mundo para uso em dietas animais. O farelo de algodão pode substituir o farelo de soja nas dietas, se levar em consideração algumas características básicas desse ingrediente, como o alto teor de fibra bruta, grande variação dos níveis de proteína bruta, menor quantidade de aminoácidos essenciais como a lisina e treonina, e a presença do gossipol. Ao se trabalhar com farelo de algodão para frangos de corte, deve-se se atentar aos níveis de inclusão, em principal nas fases iniciais de vida, e se possível utilizar ferramentas que possibilitem o melhor aproveitamento dos nutrientes, como o uso de enzimas exógenas, em principal as carboidrases e a fitase. Outra técnica que pode auxiliar na maior inclusão de farelo de algodão nas dietas de frangos de corte é a fermentação, que reduz o gossipol livre, melhora a biodisponibilidade de alguns nutrientes e auxilia no desenvolvimento da microbiota intestinal. O uso do farelo de algodão para suínos tem-se maior facilidade, visto a melhor adaptação desses animais a dietas com maiores níveis de fibra. Muitos trabalhos mostram bons resultados com níveis de inclusão superiores aos utilizados em frangos de corte, sem a necessidade do uso de enzimas ou de uma pré fermentação do farelo de algodão. Suplementando aminoácidos essenciais e respeitando os níveis de inclusão para cada espécie e fase de criação, o farelo de algodão mostra-se uma excelente fonte de proteína para aves e principalmente suínos.

Produzir alimentos que atendam um mercado consumidor cada vez mais exigente com qualidade e a preocupação de órgãos públicos quanto a saúde humana, levam pesquisadores e produtores a buscar alternativas que sejam viáveis do ponto de vista prático e econômico e são desafios da avicultura industrial. As aves são criadas em sistemas intensivos, uma ave contaminada com algum patógeno pode rapidamente contaminar todo lote, neste sentido os antibióticos são utilizados em doses subterapêuticas para proteger o sistema imune das aves, são também considerados promotores de crescimento. Devido ao risco de contaminação cruzada e do desenvolvimento de cepas bacterianas resistentes esta utilização está ficando desuso. Os probióticos são microrganismos vivos que auxiliam na melhora da saúde intestinal das aves e resposta do sistema imune e vem sendo utilizados como uma alternativa aos antibióticos, alguns apenas melhoram a saúde intestinal, outros funcionam como antimicrobianos, mas não oferecem risco de criar bactérias resistentes a antibióticos e por isso vem sendo cada vez mais estudados e utilizados na alimentação de frangos de corte e poedeiras. Portanto, objetivou-se com esta revisão de literatura apresentar estudos com a utilização de probióticos na alimentação de frangos de corte e poedeiras .

Introduction In patients (pts) undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) catfheter ablation, up to one third have recurrence of atrial fibrillation after a first ablation. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely related to AF and could play a role in the recurrence of AF after catheter ablation. Objectives To analyze the association between EAT and recurrence of AF in pts submitted to ablation. Methods Single-center retrospective study of consecutive AF pts submitted to ablation between 2011 and 2020, with, at least, one-year follow-up. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, echo and angio-CT related data were retrieved. A standardized protocol for quantification of EAT, thoracic adipose volume (TAV) and left atrium volume (LAV) was performed. After comparison of groups using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney analysis, an appropriate Cut Off of EAT for our population was determined, and Kaplan Meier survival curves were used to estimate the risk of events (recurrence of AF). Results 344 pts (63.1% men) were included, with a mean age of 57.4±10.9 years and a median follow-up time of 22 months. During follow-up, 31.,7% (n=109) of pts had recurrence of AF. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for persistent AF, which was higher in pts with recurrence (25% vs 46%, p=0.011). Recurrence of AF was associated with a higher EAT (p=0.040) and a higher LAV (p Conclusion EAT was predictor of AF recurrence in our population, with pts with a EAT value >151 cm3 presenting a statistically significant lower survival free from recurrence. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

9 Páginas.-- 4 Figuras.-- 1 Tabla, Facilitating the anaerobic degradation of long chain fatty acids (LCFA) is the key to unlock the energy potential of lipids-rich wastewater. In this study, the feasibility of psychrophilic anaerobic treatment of LCFA-containing dairy wastewater was assessed and compared to mesophilic anaerobic treatment. The results showed that psychrophilic treatment at 15 ℃ was feasible for LCFA-containing dairy wastewater, with high removal rates of soluble COD (>90%) and LCFA (∼100%). However, efficient long-term treatment required prior acclimation of the biomass to psychrophilic temperatures. The microbial community analysis revealed that putative syntrophic fatty acid bacteria and Methanocorpusculum played a crucial role in LCFA degradation during both mesophilic and psychrophilic treatments. Additionally, a fungal-bacterial biofilm was found to be important during the psychrophilic treatment. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of psychrophilic anaerobic treatment for industrial wastewaters and highlight the importance of understanding the microbial communities involved in the process., The authors thank Arrabawn Dairies and Dairygold Co-Operative Society for providing the inoculum; Sandra O’Connor, Alison Graham, and Andrew Bartle for assisting reactor operations and Dr Anna Christine Trego for scientific discussions. The authors acknowledge the facilities and scientific and technical assistance of the Centre for Microscopy & Imaging at University of Galway (www.imaging.universityofgalway.ie). This work was supported by the Enterprise Ireland Technology Centres Programme (TC/2014/0016) and Science Foundation Ireland (19/FFP/6746 and 16/RC/3889), as well as the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement N° 101033411

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the mainstay of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). Strategies have been proposed to improve the success rate of CA, such as prophylactic cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation. Despite some studies providing no, or limited, incremental benefit of CTI ablation in patients with AF, it is still frequently performed worldwide. Purpose The aim of this study is to examine whether CTI ablation, combined with PVI, is associated with improvement in recurrence of AF, compared with PVI alone in AF patients with or without atrial flutter (AFL). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of CA for AF performed at a tertiary center between September 2004 and December 2020. The procedures were divided in two groups: "PVI alone" and "PVI plus CTI ablation". Demographic, clinical, and procedure related data was retrieved. Atrial fibrillation recurrence rate at one year was analyzed for both groups and compared using logistic regression. Results A total of 453 procedures were analyzed: PVI alone (n=378; 83.4%) and PVI with CTI ablation (n=75; 16.6%). In the PVI alone group, 12.9% of the patients had concomitant typical AFL and in the PVI plus CTI ablation, 45.8% had typical AFL. Mean age was 57.3±12.1 years, with 63.6% male patients. At one year, AF recurrence rate was higher in the combined PVI with CTI ablation group (30.4%; n=21), compared with the PVI alone group (28.4%; n=97), with no statistical difference between the two groups (Odds Ratio [OD] 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-1.94; p=0.73). In the subgroup analysis, there was no difference in recurrence between patients with AF without AFL (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 0.39-9.36; p=0.43), and in patients with AF with concomitant AFL (OR: 10.0; 95% CI: 0.9-110.3; p=0.06). Conclusion In AF patients, irrespective of the presence of typical AFL, additional CTI ablation, compared with PVI alone, was not associated with improvement in recurrence of AF.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation in patients with typical atrial flutter (AFL) has improved in the past years, especially by the use of threedimensional (3D) electroanatomic mapping systems. These mapping tools contributed to reduce radiation exposure, but most ablation procedures still require varying amounts of fluoroscopy. Purpose We aim to examine whether fluoroless CTI ablation is effective and safe in reducing AFL recurrence, compared with CTI ablation using fluoroscopy and a 3D mapping system. Methods A retrospective analysis of CTI ablation procedures performed at a tertiary center between December 2008 and December 2020 was conducted. Cases were divided in two groups: fluoroless and fluoroscopic, according to the use of radiation. Procedural duration, fluoroscopy time (FT), use of 3D mapping system, complications and recurrence rate at one year were analyzed. Results A total of 324 CTI ablations performed on patients with documented typical AFL were included. Mean age was 62.3±14.0, with 78.1% male patients. Fluoroless ablations were performed based on a 3D mapping system, and all fluoroscopic procedures also used 3D electroanatomic mapping. The FT was zero in the fluoroless group - 31 cases (9.6%), and 7.0±4.4 minutes in the fluoroscopic group - 291 cases (90.4%) (p Conclusion Fluoroless CTI ablation avoids radiation exposure to the patient and operator and can be performed in patients with typical AFL, without compromising duration, safety or efficacy of the procedure.

A alimentação e o processamento dos ingredientes tornam-se fundamental para garantir benefícios e diminuir fatores anti-nutricionais como os encontrados no farelo de soja, consequentemente melhorando o desempenho dos animais monogástricos. Além disto, representa impactos nos custos de produção e quando realizada de forma errônea interfere no desempenho a campo. É necessário conhecer a fisiologia, anatomia e hábitos dos animais para fornecer rações que atendam exatamente as exigências e tenham palatabilidade e aceitabilidade. Utilizar processos físicos e térmicos como o peletização, extrusão e expansão na fabricação de rações visam reduzir o hábito das aves em selecionar alimentos, diminuir o desperdício e aumentar a disponibilidade de nutrientes presentes na ração, além de favorecer a diminuição dos fatores antinutricionais, os quais podem afetar o desempenho zootécnico dos animais. Objetivou-se através desta revisão de literatura mostrar quais são os principais tipos de processamento (peletização, expansão, extrusão e desestruturação) que são utilizados na fabricação de rações para aves e sua influência no desempenho.

A criação de frangos de corte é uma atividade que cresce constantemente, devido aos avanços que estas aves sofreram em sua nutrição, genética e manejo, para continuar tendo índices zootécnicos desejáveis e reduzir o custo de produção, porém com todos estes avanços há necessidade de conhecer quais são os possíveis distúrbios que estas aves serão acometidas devido a sua grande capacidade produtiva. Esta revisão literária tem como objetivo contribuir com informações a respeito da utilização da bioquímica clínica de enzimas sanguínea, hepática e pancreática, como uma ferramenta importantíssima para avaliar o estado fisiológico de aves, incluindo aquelas expostas a diferentes efeitos ambientais relacionados à nutrição e oferta de alimento ou intoxicação e poluentes, como tem sido apontado em diversos estudos.

Background The globalisation of the world economies has increased the need for more global health approaches requiring sophisticated and sustainable Health Information (HI) systems, and the development of new technologies. These new technologies require skilled professionals to manage public health information in most efficient ways. New challenges in Public Health, such as Pandemics, are demanding more skillful people to respond to these challenges. However, currently large inequalities on availability and training of qualified Public Health Information professionals exist in Europe. Methods In order to set up a sustainable European Union HI training program, the 1st European School on Health Information (ESHI2020) was developed, an HI capacity building programme with European Experts. Based on this, PHIRI established Capacity Building as a fundamental arm for the development of health information, from which a set of training, courses and webinars have emerged. Results The ESHI2020 took place online from Oct 1 to Nov 5 2020, and was focused on Health Examination Survey, from data collection to policy-making. The course consisted of 5 sessions, including theoretical and practical classes, group work among trainees and discussion of practical cases and projects on HIS involving trainees and trainers. 20 participants from Europe, and 15 lecturers from European most important public health institutes and Universities contributed to this training. Conclusions There is a need for qualified skilled professionals in HI taking into account a changing global environment. Most of HI capacity building programmes are yet to reach maturity, and the results from the first ESHI2020 led to a new strategy on Health Information in Europe, that with the support of the PHIRI project will give rise to an European and annual program on Health Information.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background During electrophysiology (EP) procedures, fluoroscopy imaging is employed to visualise catheters position in real-time. However, ionizing radiation is a health hazard to both the patient and operator. In recent years, the use of electroanatomical mapping systems and operator adoption of low-fluoro workflows has allowed a reduction of radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of fluoroscopy time (FT) in EP procedures, using conventional technique or an electroanatomical mapping system (EMS). Methods A retrospective analysis of consecutive EP procedures performed at a tertiary centre between September 2018 and October 2020 was conducted. The procedures were divided in 3 tertiles according to date (T1, T2 and T3), with T3 corresponding to the most recent interventions. Procedural duration, FT, use of EMS, radiofrequency time (RT), acute ablation success and procedural complications were examined. Results A total of 615 procedures were analysed: atrioventricular node reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) – n = 144, accessory pathways (AP) – n = 83, typical atrial flutter – n = 106, atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with radiofrequency (RF) – n = 61, AF ablation with cryoballoon – n = 92, ablation of ventricular arrhythmias – n = 53, and 75 miscellaneous procedures (including atrioventricular node ablation, left atrial flutter ablation and cardioneuroablation). Mean age was 54.6 ± 18.2 years with 59.4% male sex patients. An EMS was used in 75% of the procedures, without significant differences between tertiles. A progressive reduction in median FT was observed over the tertiles (T1 6.3 min, interquartile range [IQR] 2.9-13.6; T2 5.4 min, IQR 2.1-12.0, and T3 3.1 min, IQR 1.2-7.2, Figure 1), and a statistical significant difference was found when comparing T1 to T3 (p Conclusion Reduction in radiation exposure can be achieved without compromising duration, safety and effectiveness of the procedure. The commitment of operators to reduce radiation exposure using 3D mapping technology can lead to a significant decrease in the use of fluoroscopy. Abstract Figure. Fluoroscopic time analysis

The East African Rift System (EARS) has played a central role in our understanding of human origins and vertebrate evolution in the late Cenozoic of Africa. However, the distribution of fossil sites along the rift is highly biased towards its northern extent, and the types of paleoenvironments are primarily restricted to fluvial and lacustrine settings. Here we report the discovery of the first fossil sites from the Urema Rift at Gorongosa National Park (central Mozambique) at the southern end of the EARS, and reconstruct environmental contexts of the fossils. In situ and surface fossils from the lower member of the Mazamba Formation, estimated to be of Miocene age, comprise mammals, reptiles, fishes, invertebrates, palms, and dicot trees. Fossil and geological evidence indicates a coastal-plain paleoenvironmental mosaic of riverine forest/woodland and estuarine habitats that represent the first coastal biomes identified in the Neogene EARS context. Receiving continental sediment from source terranes west of today's Urema Graben, estuarine sequences accumulated prior to rifting as compound incised-valley fills on a low-gradient coastal plain following transgression. Modern environmental analogues are extremely productive habitats for marine and terrestrial fauna, including primates. Thus, our discoveries raise the possibility that the Miocene coastal landscapes of Gorongosa were ecologically-favorable habitats for primates, providing relatively stable maritime climate and ecosystem conditions, year-round freshwater availability, and food both from terrestrial and marine sources. The emerging fossil record from Gorongosa is beginning to fill an important gap in the paleobiogeography of Africa as no fossil sites of Neogene age have previously been reported from the southernmost part of the EARS. Furthermore, this unique window into past continental-margin ecosystems of central Mozambique may allow us to test key paleobiogeographic hypotheses during critical periods of primate evolution. National Geographic SocietyNational Geographic Society [GEFNE169-16] John Fell Fund, University of Oxford [153/086] Philip Leverhulme Prize [PLP-2016-114] Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-Portugal) DFGGerman Research Foundation (DFG) [LU 2199/1-1] St. Hugh's College, University of Oxford

High-rate anaerobic digestion (AD) is a reliable, efficient process to treat wastewaters and is often operated at temperatures exceeding 30°C, involving energy consumption of biogas in temperate regions, where wastewaters are often discharged at variable temperatures generally below 20°C. High-rate ambient temperature AD, without temperature control, is an economically attractive alternative that has been proven to be feasible at laboratory-scale. In this study, an ambient temperature pilot scale anaerobic reactor (2 m3) was employed to treat real dairy wastewater in situ at a milk processing plant, at organic loading rates of 1.3 ± 0.6 to 10.6 ± 3.7 kg COD/m3/day and hydraulic retention times (HRT) ranging from 36 to 6 h. Consistent high levels of COD removal efficiencies, ranging from 50 to 70% for total COD removal and 70 to 84% for soluble COD removal, were achieved during the trial. Within the reactor biomass, stable active archaeal populations were observed, consisting mainly of Methanothrix (previously Methanosaeta) species, which represented up to 47% of the relative abundant active species in the reactor. The decrease in HRT, combined with increases in the loading rate had a clear effect on shaping the structure and composition of the bacterial fraction of the microbial community, however, without affecting reactor performance. On the other hand, perturbances in influent pH had a strong impact, especially when pH went higher than 8.5, inducing shifts in the microbial community composition and, in some cases, affecting negatively the performance of the reactor in terms of COD removal and biogas methane content. For example, the main pH shock led to a drop in the methane content to 15%, COD removals decreased to 0%, while the archaeal population decreased to ~11% both at DNA and cDNA levels. Functional redundancy in the microbial community underpinned stable reactor performance and rapid reactor recovery after perturbations.

Methanogens are responsible for the last step in anaerobic digestion (AD), in which methane (a biofuel) is produced. Some methanogens can cometabolize chlorinated pollutants, contributing for their removal during AD. Methanogenic cofactors involved in cometabolic reductive dechlorination, such as F430 and cobalamin, contain metal ions (nickel, cobalt, iron) in their structure. We hypothesized that the supplementation of trace metals could improve methane production and the cometabolic dechlorination of 1,2‐dichloroethene (DCE) by pure cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri. Nickel, cobalt, and iron were added to cultures of M. barkeri growing on methanol and methanol plus DCE. Metal amendment improved DCE dechlorination to vinyl chloride (VC): assays with 20 µM of Fe3+ showed the highest final concentration of VC (5× higher than in controls without Fe3+), but also in assays with 5.5 µM of Co2+ and 5 µM of Ni2+ VC formation was improved (3.5–4× higher than in controls without the respective metals). Dosing of metals could be useful to improve anaerobic removal of chlorinated compounds, and more importantly decrease the detrimental effect of DCE on methane production in anaerobic digesters., Methanosarcina barkeri (DSM800T) is able to cometabolically reduce 1,2‐dichloroethene (DCE) to vinyl chloride (VC) with methanol as electron donor. However, the presence of DCE inhibits methane production by this organism. In this study, we evaluate if the supplementation of cobalt, nickel, and iron (required for methanogenic activity and reductive dechlorination) can improve methane production by M. barkeri in the presence of DCE.

We discuss a new technique to constrain models for the origin of radio relics in galaxy clusters using the correlation between the shock Mach number and the radio power of relics. This analysis is carried out using a sample of relics with information on both the Mach numbers derived from X-ray observation, $\mathcal{M}_X$, and using spectral information from radio observations of the peak and the average values of the spectral index along the relic, $\mathcal{M}_R$. We find that there is a lack of correlation between $\mathcal{M}_X$ and $\mathcal{M}_R$; this result is an indication that the spectral index of the relic is likely not due to the acceleration of particles operated by the shock but it is related to the properties of a fossil electrons population. We also find that the available data on the correlation between the radio power $P_{1.4}$ and Mach numbers ($\mathcal{M}_R$ and $\mathcal{M}_X$) in relics indicate that neither the DSA nor the adiabatic compression can simply reproduce the observed $P_{1.4}-\mathcal{M}$ correlations. Furthermore, we find that the radio power is not correlated with $\mathcal{M}_X$, whereas it is not possible to exclude a correlation with $\mathcal{M}_R$. This also indicates that the relic power is mainly determined by the properties of a fossil electron population rather than by the properties of the shock. Our results require either to consider models of shock (re)acceleration that go beyond the proposed scenarios of DSA and adiabatic compression at shocks, or to reconsider the origin of radio relics in terms of other physical scenarios., 14 pages, 8 figures. MNRAS, in press

The ac-grid power quality can be significantly affected by the impact of many small photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected inverters. There are many ways to improve the system stability, regarding voltage regulation. Some works in literature propose to use the multifunctional PV inverter to support reactive power to the grid. The main drawback of this solution is the increase of losses in the converter during this additional functionality. Therefore, this paper analyzes the power losses and temperature in the PV inverter semiconductors during reactive power injection. This analysis is made using four different IGBTs technologies and one SiC MOSFET. Simulations considering a 5kW three-phase PV inverter are performed with focus in the comparison between these five semiconductor devices.

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb. 2017.01341/full#supplementary-material, Metals play an important role in microbial metabolism by acting as cofactors for many enzymes. Supplementation of biological processes with metals may result in improved performance, but high metal concentrations are often toxic to microorganisms. In this work, methanogenic enrichment cultures growing on H2/CO2 or acetate were supplemented with trace concentrations of nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), but no significant increase in methane production was observed in most of the tested conditions. However, high concentrations of these metals were detrimental to methanogenic activity of the cultures. Cumulative methane production (after 6 days of incubation) from H2/CO2 was 40% lower in the presence of 8 mM of Ni or 30 mM of Co, compared to controls without metal supplementation. When acetate was used as substrate, cumulative methane production was also reduced: by 18% with 8 mM of Ni and by 53% with 30 mM of Co (after 6 days of incubation). Metal precipitation with sulphide was further tested as a possible method to alleviate metal toxicity. Anaerobic sludge was incubated with Co (30 mM) and Ni (8 mM) in the presence of sulphate or sulphide. The addition of sulphide helped to mitigate the toxic effect of the metals. Methane production from H2/CO2 was negatively affected in the presence of sulphate, possibly due to competition of hydrogenotrophic methanogens by sulphate-reducing bacteria. However, in the enrichment cultures growing on acetate, biogenically produced sulphide had a positive effect and more methane was produced in these incubations than in similar assays without sulphate addition. The outcome of competition between methanogens and sulphate-reducing bacteria is a determinant factor for the success of using biogenic sulphide as detoxification method., The research was financially supported by the People Program (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under REA agreement 289193. Research of AS and DS is supported by a ERC grant (project 323009) of the European Union Seventh Framework Program FP7 and a Gravitation grant (project 024.002.002) of the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Netherlands Science Foundation (NWO)., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from diet treated women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDMd) show reduced C/EBP homologous protein 10 (hCHOP)-dependent human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) expression. Some patients wit