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This study aimed to investigate the presence of ectoparasites and the occurrence of natural infection by Rickettsia spp. and Trypanosoma spp. in bats from Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The evaluated animals were obtained from the Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor, sent by the Centro Estadual de Vigilância Sanitária, to carry out rabies diagnostic tests, during the period from 2016 to 2021. The bats came from 34 municipalities in RS. Of the 109 animals surveyed, 35.8% (39/109) had 385 ectoparasites, with an average of 9.9 parasites per animal. Of these bats, all had insectivorous feeding habits, with 35.9% (14/39) females and 64.1% (25/39) males. The co-parasitism of Chirnyssoides sp., Ewingana inaequalis, and Chiroptonyssus robustipes on Molossus currentium (Mammalia, Chiroptera) was recorded for the first time. All bats surveyed were negative for infection by the protozoan and bacteria. Thus, the expansion of the occurrence of these ectoparasites in insectivorous bats in RS was observed. Furthermore, this study corresponds to the first recorded interspecific associations for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to characterize the organizational entrenchment of public servants in a Services Regulatory Agency from the three dimensions of entrenchment reported by Rodrigues and Bastos (2012). Therefore, we sought to investigate how the investments made in the career cause their permanence; to identify emotional aspects related to permanence in the career; and analyze the possible alternatives outside the Regulatory Agency's servants' field of action. The research is characterized as qualitative and descriptive, carried out through semi-structured interviews with 14 public servants of a Regulatory Agency in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The results indicate that civil servants are deeply ingrained at different levels in the three dimensions studied, mainly regarding material losses, in which the abdication of the career is seen to cease the benefits obtained, and dealing with impersonal bureaucratic processes. The research contributes academically to a better understanding of entrenchment in the public service, as it signals to the people management of these organizations the need to seek new ways to motivate their employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Beetroot is a vegetable rich in betalains, which contains colouring and functional properties that can be beneficial in processing dairy products. In order to combine the benefits of yogurt and beetroot, the objective was to elaborate whole yogurts added with beetroot syrup in the following concentrations: 0% (T1), 13% (T2), 17% (T3) and 20% (T4), and to determine its physicochemical characteristics, biological activities and sensory attributes by the Check‐All‐That‐Apply (CATA) method and acceptance by hedonic scale, compared to the control yogurt with the addition of 5% w/w sucrose (T1). The beet syrup had a high content of betacyanins and betaxanthins (491.01 ± 1.67 mg.L−1 and 226.15 ± 0.26 mg. L−1 respectively). There was a progressive increase in the inhibition of ACE, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase and antioxidant activity as the syrup content increased in the formulations (P < 0.05). The sensory attributes 'acid aroma', 'earthy flavour', 'bitter taste' and 'fluid texture' were considered negative preference drivers for T2 and T4, while T3 yogurt was the most appreciated by consumers. Despite showing colour changes during storage, adding beet syrup promoted a naturally attractive colour to the yogurts. The results suggest that the addition of beetroot syrup in yogurts, in addition to being an alternative to using artificial colouring in the industry, can provide health benefits to consumers by forming bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, little is known about climate change impacts on extreme events at local scale. Here, we explored ways of communicating it, in the form of intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves, using the nonstationary equidistant quantile matching (EQMNS) method. EQMNS was applied in two urbanized areas of Brazil: São Paulo and Porto Alegre. This research was conducted using recorded and modeled precipitation data, the latter using the Regional Climate Model Eta. Results indicated an increase in rainfall intensity for rare events, which were intensified under nonstationarity. The use of stationarity misrepresented the trends related to precipitation, being able to mask the direction of change in future conditions. Future IDFs with Eta's 3-hourly resolution appeared to be intensified when compared with those from daily resolution. The increase in rainfall intensity was more significant for short durations than for daily ones, bringing concerns about associated hazards and their impacts on society and urban infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to make a bibliographic analysis regarding construction of institutional memory from archival documents. The search was carried out in the database of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (capes), using the terms: "archive" + "institutional memory"; "archive" + "organizational memory"; "archive" + "corporate memory". The time frame delimited the period between 2009 and 2018 the areas of applied social sciences and humanities and the areas of knowledge of information science, communication and history were selected. From the results found, fifteen papers were selected for reading and analysis, and the result pointed to the matters of dispute and power, memory and forgetfulness, manipulation and ideological impositions that permeate the construction of memory. In addition to the interdisciplinary nature of the research, it was noticed that the archival documents were fundamental for the production of the theses read. However, more studies are still needed to deepen the theme, highlighting the interdisciplinary character of memory. And, moreover for the development of methodologies, that use archival documents as a fundamental part for the construction of institutional memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to describe the process of creating and validating an instrument for detecting the risk of early weaning. Methods: methodological study developed after approval by the Research Ethics Committee for the development of a checklist-type instrument composed of 8 blocks, based on literature review and situational diagnosis of a maternity hospital in Maranhão. The validation occurred according to the Delphi technique, through the evaluation of 9 judges in the first stage and 8 in the second stage. The Content Validity Index for each item and the overall Content Validity Coefficient were considered with minimum values ≥ 0.80, as well as a minimum agreement of 80% for validation. Results: the blocks "Breast milk substitutes" and "Professional guidelines" achieved maximum validation in the first stage. After the adjustments suggested by the judges, validation of the checklist was obtained with a Coefficient of Content Validity value = 0.96 in the overall assessment of the second stage. Conclusion: the instrument was considered valid and will contribute to the improvement of the approach to breastfeeding, directing attention and identifying care needs to detect the risk of early weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the play of children with intellectual disabilities based on the Historical Cultural Theory with the purpose of questioning: the representation of roles; the substitutive use of support objects; and the participation of bodily resources in play. Through microgenetic research, with analysis of an episode that occurred in a Brazilian public school, it was verified that the participants' play involved the assumption of characters and the symbolization of objects to compose fictitious scenarios. These data indicate that this audience has a complex imaginative functioning but marked by specificities that deserve investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing value of industrial collagen by‐products has given rise to interest in extracting them from different species of animals. Intrinsic protein structure variation of collagen sources and its hydrolysis can bring about different bioactivities. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the differences in vitro biological potential of commercial bovine (BH), fish (FH), and porcine hydrolysates (PH) regarding their antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. All samples showed percentages above 90% of protein content, with high levels of amino acids (glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline), responsible for the specific structure of collagen. The BH sample showed a higher degree of hydrolysis (DH) (8.7%) and a higher percentage of smaller than 2 kDa peptides (74.1%). All collagens analyzed in vitro showed inhibition of pancreatic enzymes (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase), with the potential to prevent diabetes mellitus. The PH sample showed higher antioxidant activities measured by ORAC (67.08 ± 4.23 μmol Trolox Eq./g) and ABTS radical scavenging (65.69 ± 3.53 μmol Trolox Eq./g) methods. For the first time, DNA protection was analyzed to hydrolyzed collagen peptides, and the FH sample showed a protective antioxidant action to supercoiled DNA both in the presence (39.51%) and in the absence (96.36%) of AAPH (reagent 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane)). The results confirmed that the source of native collagen reflects on the bioactivity of hydrolyzed collagen peptides, probably due to its amino acid composition. Practical applications: Our data provide new application for collagen hydrolysates with hypoglycemiant and antioxidant activity. These data open discussion for future studies on the additional benefits arising from collagen peptide consumption for the prevention of aging complications or hyperglycemic conditions as observed in chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II (DM 2). The confirmation of these results can open new market areas for the use of collagen with pharmacological applications or to produce new supplements. Furthermore, provides a solution for waste collagen from meat industries and adds value to the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess workers' perception of autonomy, attentional control for multitasking, and well-being. The research is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Administrative technicians in education at the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina responded to the instruments. There is a negative relationship between attentional control for multitasking and well-being at work, that the dimension of autonomous motivation of autonomy is related to well-being and attentional control for multitasking is related to autonomous motivation. The study contributes to advancing the understanding of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional issues in the context of telework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aim is to present an integer linear programming model to the problem of the designation of didactical assignments in a university that maximizes professor's abilities and preferences. To validate and evaluate the effectiveness of the model, a preliminary case study was carried out at the Department of Mathematics of the Federal Technological University of Paraná - Cornélio Procópio Campus. In this context, the results obtained are promising, with improvements in indexes related to satisfaction, skill and teacher workload compared to the manual designation adopted by the department and also with another formulation for the problem presented in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: invasive candidiasis is related to high rates of morbidity and mortality. There are few classes of drugs available for the treatment of this type of infection and the index of resistant strains is increasing. Such circumstances highlight that the search for new pharmacotherapeutic alternatives is increasingly necessary. This study investigated 2-Bromo-N-phenylacetamide, a substance whose antifungal activity has not yet been reported. Objective: to evaluate its activity against invasive candidiasis isolates, by determining the minimum inhibitory and fungicide concentrations. Methodology: molecular docking was performed to investigate the possible mechanism of action of the substance. The substance was also associated with fluconazole, to assess the viability of the combination in clinical practice. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged between 4 to 32 μg/mL, and it acts in a fungicidal way. Results: molecular docking suggests that 2-Bromo-N-phenylacetamide possibly acts on the fungal plasma membrane. And the association of 2-Bromo-N-phenylacetamide with fluconazole against resistant strains showed an indifferent effect. Conclusion: further studies should be carried out to elucidate the potential of this substance, which may become a future drug candidate to treat invasive candidiasis and other fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equestrian sport is recognized worldwide for showcasing athletes with great abilities, and hence why this practice is constantly growing in search of the best animal performance in competitions. Understanding and characterizing the animal's physiological mechanisms are of great importance for assessing its performance. On this basis, the present study was developed to examine the serum biochemical profile of horses subjected to barrel racing competitions. The study involved 15 horses that perform in these events. Three blood samples were collected: the first before the competition; the second immediately after a run, performed at a gallop; and the third 30 min after the end of the stride. In each collection, 2 mL of blood were harvested in a vacuum tube containing EDTA and 2 mL in a tube with fluoride, after local antisepsis, by jugular vein puncture. The material was used for analysis of chloride, total calcium, urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), glucose and lactate. Data were analyzed using the Scott-Knott test for mean comparison. The biochemical indices of urea, creatinine, TP, lactate and glucose increased during physical exercise. Serum concentrations of AST-GOT, CK and total calcium did not differ significantly between the analyzed periods. Chloride concentration decreased significantly at T3. A run of barrel racing causes serum biochemical changes in horses, mainly a significant increase in plasma lactate concentration, but the studied variables showed responses in line with those physiologically expected of the body in response to physical exercise, without harm to the animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with intervention research that took place linked to the supervised internship of Psychology course, from April to September 2019, focusing on a territorial immersion in the district of Rocas, in the city of Natal / RN. The interventions focused on the Rocas Community and Culture Center (CECCO), a mental health device that integrates the Psychosocial Care Network (RAPS). Immersed in the daily life of the device, the interventions sought to strengthen one of the groups that make up the CECCO, focused on craft workshops with women diagnosed with mental disorders. To do so, they supported the values of the solidarity economy, promoting income generation for its members. With the action guided by cartography and the theoretical-methodological framework of institutional analysis, we sought to understand how health production, linked to art and work, influences the condition of a woman artisan and a heterogeneous collective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine alpha herpesvirus-5 (BoAHV-5) is related to the development of meningoencephalitis in cattle. Very little is known about the molecular pathways involved in the central nervous system (CNS) damage associated with inflammation during BoHV-5 infection in mice. To better identify the specific immunological pathways triggered by BoAHV-5 infection in mice, we evaluated the mRNA expression of 84 genes involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. We compared gene expression changes in the cerebrum from noninfected and infected mice with BoHV-5 at a 1 × 107 TCID50. Then, we analyzed the association of these genes with neurological signs, neuropathology, and activation of glial cells in response to BoHV-5 infection. Three days after BoAHV-5 infection, increased expression of TNF, IL-2, CXCL10, CXCR3, CCR4, CCL5, IFN-γ, IL-10, IRF7, STAT1, MX1, GATA 3 C3, LIZ2, caspase-1 and IL-1b was found. We also observed the upregulated expression of the CD8a, TBX21 and CD40LG genes and the downregulated expression of the CD4 gene after BoAHV-5 infection. In addition, BoHV-5-infected animals showed higher levels of all the evaluated inflammatory mediators (TNF, IFN-γ and IL-10) on day 3 postinfection. BoAHV-5-infected animals showed neurological changes along with meningoencephalitis, neuropil vacuolation, hemorrhage and reactive gliosis. Astrogliosis and microgliosis, indicated by increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), were found throughout the neuropil in infected brains. Moreover, cleaved caspase-3 immunopositive glio-inflammatory cells were visualized around some blood vessels in areas of neuroinflammation in the cerebrum. In agreement on that we found higher cleaved caspase-3 and Iba-1 expression evaluated by western blot analysis in the brains of infected mice compared to control mice. In conclusion, our results revealed • Bovine alpha-herpesvirus-5 caused neurological signs. • BoAHV-5infection promoted neuropathological changes. • BoHV-5 BoAHV-5 infection promoted triggers a specific signature of innate and adaptive immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the perceptions of undergraduate nursing students about the use of the reflective portfolio as a teaching, learning and assessment method. Method: Qualitative research, conducted in a class of nursing students, who developed portfolios for the discipline Special Topics of Nursing Care. We used a questionnaire about the students' perception in the portfolio construction with emphasis on positive and negative aspects of the process. Data were categorized by thematic content analysis. Results: The results showed that the use of the portfolio is a tool for overcoming the traditional teaching model, aiming at student reflection in the teaching-learning process. The success of using the portfolio as an active methodology and assessment method depends on the participation and interest of students and teachers. Conclusion: Reflection in the teaching-learning process becomes possible with the use of active methodologies. As implications for nursing practice, the portfolio proved to be an efficient strategy for the expansion of theoretical knowledge, helping in the development of skills and competences of the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the 1910s, São Paulo, Brazil, was undergoing urban and social transformations that influenced the history of health. They were affected by the fear of epidemics spread throughout the country and killed people without any regard to gender, race and class. The study aims to analyze this historical context from the history of a survivor, Esther de Figueiredo. Method and Sources: Analyzed historical traits, consisting of a set of letters, dated between 1905 and 1919, written by a male to his future wife, make one reflect on diseases and social fear. They also triggered an investigation on the representations of tuberculosis through the history of a person who survived. Results: Results go beyond personal history and accesses aspects inherent to the culture of care within the context of the institutionalization of public health in the city of São Paulo. Conclusions: Tuberculosis was one of the diseases that triggered doctors to search for treatment and cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inga edulis is a fruit tree native from Central and South America. Different species of Inga have demonstrated high polyphenolic content and high antioxidant capacity. The oxidative stress significantly contributes to the development of several chronicle diseases, particularly age-related diseases. Therefore, photochemoprevention is an emerging interest in the use of naturally occurring antioxidants for their therapeutic use. A partial purification of the extract was carried out onto macroporous resin and the main components of I. edulis leaf extract and fraction were identified using UPLC-DAD-MS/MS as epicatechin, apigenin C-di-hexoside, myricetin-O-hexose-deoxyhexose, myricetin-O-deoxyhexose and vicenin-2, which was identified for the first time in I. edulis. Both extract and fraction presented high antioxidant capacity, the fraction exhibiting higher polyphenol and flavonoid contents and higher content of vicenin-2, suggesting that the fractioning process effectively resulted in the partial purification of the extract. The cytotoxicity and photostability were assessed in L929 fibroblast cells to evaluate whether I. edulis extract and fraction were suitable for topical application. The UVA and UVB irradiated extract and fraction did not decrease the antioxidant capacity and cell viability of L929 fibroblasts, demonstrating the photostability of the samples. The fractioning process successfully purified and enriched I. edulis extract, and both the extract and fraction are potential candidates to be safely incorporated in topical photochemopreventive formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transpersonal approach in psychotherapy is a controversial field, and there is a lack in scientific information. A search of Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO and SciELO databases using: ["Altered states of consciousness" AND "Psychotherapy"] and ["Transpersonal" AND "Psychotherapy"] in December 2017 was conducted. From 629 articles found, 14 empirical studies were analyzed. Studies were conducted with adults, most of them women. The benefits were improvement in the treatment of substance use disorder; increased sensation of relaxation, relief of physical pain. Future studies should have rigorous experimental designs; define concepts clearly; detail the method used; present clear guidelines for the ethical boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-citronellol (3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol) has been exhibiting a number of pharmacological effects that creates interest about its antimicrobial potential, since several substances of the monoterpene class have already demonstrated to possess activity in this profile. In addition, the emergence of fungal species resistant to current pharmacotherapy poses a serious challenge to health systems, making it necessary to search for new effective therapeutic alternatives to deal with this problem. In this study, the antimicrobial profile of β-citronellol was analyzed. The Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) online software was used to study the antimicrobial activity of the β-citronellol molecule by the use of in silico analysis. In contrast, an in vitro antifungal study of this monoterpene was carried out. For this purpose, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by the microdilution technique in 96-well plates in Saboraud Dextrose Broth/RPMI against sensitive strains of Candida albicans, and this assay was performed in duplicate. In the in silico analysis of the antimicrobial profile, it was revealed that the monoterpene β-citronellol had a diverse antimicrobial bioactivity profile. For the antifungal activity, it presented a percentage value with Pa: 58.4% (predominant) and its MIC of 128 µg/mL, which was equivalent for all strains tested. The in silico study of the β-citronellol molecule allowed us to consider that the monoterpenoid is very likely to be bioactive against agents that cause fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus niger causes infections such as otitis and pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals. Treatment involves voriconazole or amphotericin B, and due to the increase in fungal resistance, the search for new compounds with antifungal activity has intensified. In the development of new drugs, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays are important, as they allow predicting possible damage that a molecule can cause, and in silico studies predict the pharmacokinetic properties. The aim of this study was to verify the antifungal activity and the mechanism of action of the synthetic amide 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide against Aspergillus niger strains and toxicity. 2-Chloro-N-phenylacetamide showed antifungal activity against different strains of Aspergillus niger with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 32 and 256 μg/mL and minimum fungicides between 64 and 1024 μg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration of 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide also inhibited conidia germination. When associated with amphotericin B or voriconazole, 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide had antagonistic effects. Interaction with ergosterol in the plasma membrane is the probable mechanism of action.2-Chloro-N-phenylacetamide has favorable physicochemical parameters, good oral bioavailability and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, crosses the blood-brain barrier and inhibits CYP1A2. At concentrations of 50 to 500 µg/mL, it has little hemolytic effect and a protective effect for type A and O red blood cells, and in the cells of the oral mucosa it promotes little genotoxic change. It is concluded that 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide has promising antifungal potential, favorable pharmacokinetic profile for oral administration and low cytotoxic and genotoxic potential, being a promising candidate for in vivo toxicity studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the objective of analyzing and discussing the possible factors of academic avoidance in undergraduate courses, the case of a degree in Chemistry of a Brazilian Federal University between the years 2016 and 2017 was analyzed. The study counted on the visions and perceptions of the students themselves who gave up the course. A questionnaire was sent to 214 students who dropped out of the course between the first half of 2011 and the first half of 2016. In total 59 participations were obtained. From the analysis of the data, we can observe that several factors have triggered the academic evasion in the course in question, among of them the absence of conditions that guarantee not only its access, but also its permanence in the undergraduate course and in the future profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the greatest difficulties in teaching chemistry is the decontextualized form the content is taught in the classroom. This study aims to use contextualization as a pedagogical tool, presenting different approaches to teaching chemistry by using organic functions applied to pharmaceutical drugs and alerting students about the risks of self-medication, as well as underlining precautions that should be taken when consuming medication. The project was carried out at the Maria Almeida do Nascimento State School, in Coari, Amazonas - Brazil, with high school seniors. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods carried out in six steps: I Application of initial questionnaire; II expository lectures and discussions of clinical cases; III experimentation; IV lecture explaining reactions; V learning assessment; VI application of final questionnaire. Results showed a positive effect on content comprehension. This research demonstrates the importance of contextualizing academic subjects in teaching chemistry and using different methodologies to build scientific and social knowledge. Additionally, it helped bring awareness to the practice of selfmedication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high carbon steels with bainitic constituents present very interesting mechanical characteristics, such as good ductility, high mechanical resistance to fatigue and high fracture toughness. In this work, two cast and hot-formed alloys were studied, varying the silicon contents (1.5% and 2.0%), to verify their effect on the morphology and kinetics of the bainite transformation during austempering heat treatment at 280 °C wth times varying between 1 min and 839h. Temperatures Bs and Ms were determined from thermodynamic simulations. For the morphological and kinetic characterization, the techniques of optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron (SEM) were used, the mechanical properties were determined by tensile and hardness tests. A higher bainitic ferrite volume fraction was detected for the alloy with higher Si content. The average ultimate tensile stress (UTS) ranged from 1200 to 1600 MPa and the yield stress ranged from 1000 to 1200 MPa, with a mean hardness of 50 HRC for the samples in the bainitic reaction stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that tea is the second most consumed drink in the world it is important not to have excess caffeine in its composition since it causes some physiological effects to human health such as diuretic and chemical dependence. The present project had as objective to compare the results obtained from the determination of caffeine in teas from the Camellia sinensis species with those found in the literature. For that, three samples of white tea, three of green tea and three of black tea of the same brand were used. The analyzes were performed in triplicates and caffeine determined by spectrophotometry in the ultraviolet region. Black tea had the highest caffeine content (0.106 mg / g), white tea 0.082 mg / g and green tea the lowest (0.067 mg / g). However, the three types of teas have low concentrations when compared to the literature that presented values between 14.3 and 40.0 mg / g of caffeine of tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are strongly associated with men, and women remain underrepresented in these fields. This article puts forward a relational theoretical model on the main challenges that women face to be better represented with regard to reaching leadership positions in STEM careers. A qualitative analysis was conducted using semi-structured interviews. These interviews were with women engineering students from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Qualitative analysis was used when matching their perceptions with studies identified in the literature. The results indicate that gender stereotypes about the idealization of traditional roles attributed to women, combined with female under-representation in engineering careers, have led to there being an imbalance in their reaching and occupying leadership positions. The results may also imply that these students consider it important for public and organizational policies to be adopted that seek gender parity in the corporate world of STEM. • Women leadership in engineering careers • Women representativeness in workplaces • Women's challenges to reach leadership in engineering • Female engineering students' perceptions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis caused by protozoan species of the genus Leishmania. It generates different clinical manifestations in humans and animals, and it infects multiple hosts. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by sandfly vectors. The main objective of this systematic review was to identify the host, or reservoir animal species, of Leishmania spp., with the exception of domestic dogs, that were recorded in Brazil. This review included identification of diagnostic methods, and the species of protozoan circulating in the country. For this purpose, a literature search was conducted across index journals. This study covered the period from 2001 to 2021, and 124 studies were selected. Eleven orders possible hosts were identified, including 229 mammalian species. Perissodactyla had the highest number of infected individuals (30.69%, 925/3014), with the highest occurrence in horses. In Brazil, the most commonly infected species were found to be: horses, domestic cats, rodents, and marsupials. Bats, that were infected by one or more protozoan species, were identified as potential reservoirs of Leishmania spp. Molecular tests were the most commonly used diagnostic methods (94 studies). Many studies have detected Leishmania spp. (n = 1422): Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (n = 705), Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (n = 319), and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (n = 141). Recognizing the species of animals involved in the epidemiology and biological cycle of the protozoan is important, as this allows for the identification of environmental biomarkers, knowledge of Leishmania species can improve the control zoonotic leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the centuries, the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest became one of the most dramatic events of Antiquity, inspiring many founding myths, and a series of nationalistic and patriotic emotions. Today, however, we know the German victory over Rome can be understood in at least two ways: first, from a historical point of view; and second, from a mythical one. By examining the relationship between historical and imagined past --and the latter's importance for the formation of modern nation states--,this paper seeks to analyze the reception of the Battle of Teutoburg during the German Unification period, in order to understand the mythification processes of the German victory over the Roman Empire, and Arminius' image as a national hero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the female character Steingerd has the opportunity to marry Kormak, the main character of Kormáks saga, she refuses it, even though she has shown she still has feelings for him. This article proposes to understand her refusal based on how female characters are presented in the Norse sagas, and on an analysis of the character's development in the plot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterized by a variety of teaching strategies, the life of the deaf at school has been marked by failure and dropout. Thus, we propose to reflect about the schooling processes of deaf children and adolescents. The data were collected in clinical sessions, structured by a multidisciplinary professional group (a pedagogue, a psychologist and an interpreter), with a group of four deaf people. The narratives of these subjects were focused on pedagogical practices, indicating three categories of analysis: (a) the role of language in the teaching-learning process; (b) the role of the interpreter of sign language in the classroom; and (c) difficulties arising from learning based exclusively on writing and orality. We conclude that it is important to consider the process of inclusion of the deaf based on their bilingual condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work were studied two alloy steel, shaped hot, by varying the manganese content (1.50% and 1.98%) in order to verify its effect on the morphology and the kinetics of incomplete bainite transformation during austempering, performed at 280 ¢XC for times ranging from 1 minute to 839 h. The temperatures Bs and Ms were determined from simulations, using JMat-Pro® software. It was found the presence of retained austenite in the form of films and blocks, associated with the presence of lath bainitic ferrite, as the main products of the bainitic transformation, in both steels. For alloy B, with higher manganese content, the volume fraction of retained austenite are higher than in the league A, regardless of the time of treatment, due to the effect of manganese to stabilize the austenite. The alloy B in the region of stasis of bainitic reaction showed lower volume fraction of the bainitic ferrite (77%) compared to Alloy A (85%); Additionally, the time to reach stasis in Alloy B (36h) was greater when compared to Alloy A (20h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the poetic production by Walther von der Vogelweide, this article discusses the representation of the political theme in the songs of the German troubadour. Therefore, we propose a dialogue between Literature and History, more specifically, among the songs by Walther and the Investiture Controversy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the efficacy of three cell viability assays - Methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium ( MTT), Evans Blue, and Neutral Red - for two freshwater microalgae species, D esmodesmus communis and P ediastrum boryanum (Chlorophyceae), in order to find suitable techniques to detect the levels of pollution in water ecosystems. Following exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide, our results showed that Evans Blue did not adequately measure cell viability in either species, while MTT and Neutral Red were able to detect decreased cellular viability for both algae in response to herbicide exposure. Overall, however, Neutral Red proved to be more sensitive than MTT for these algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present report aims at exposing the activities and field experiences developed by undergraduate students in Social Sciences (UFRN) in the Village of Ponta Negra (Natal/RN). Such activities happened during the first and second semesters in 2010, through Debate-movies in the Neighborhoods project, offered by the course, according to ACC - Activity Curricular in Community subject. So, the construction of a place that made possible to the pupils the realization of the outreach activities was principal directive of the project. Such activities were taken by the students, expectingtouse movies as a means in the construction of youknowleges, adopting f the development of the actions a practice, social and political, of critical dimension and of transformation as important axis. With effect, the the project third edition made such proposals real, making use of movies in an engaged way, tried critically to produce practical alterations in the Village, while they were built, in the learning process. The methodology used by the group focused dialogue and the communication (FREIRE, 1967; 1970) as fundamental slopes of equalities construction, important step for he development actions . In a general way, in whole the process, challenges and social and human realities of transformations difficult, but, truly, overcome were evidenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simulated digestion enhances antioxidant activity of cashew nut flour compounds. • Digested soluble fraction of the cashew nut flour showed DNA protection. • Undigested fraction of the cashew nut flour showed potential prebiotic effect. • Cashew nut flour positively stimulated B. animalis BB-12 proliferation. Cashew nuts are mainly consumed as a roasted and salted snack. Lately, the industry has gained interest in broken kernels because of their added value. In this study, defatted cashew nut flour (DCF) underwent simulated gastrointestinal digestion to obtain a soluble (CDs) and an insoluble (CDi) digested fraction. These fractions, which resulted from the digestion of a complex matrix, were evaluated for antioxidant capacity of bioaccessible compounds (present on the soluble digested fraction, CDs) and their potential prebiotic effect, considering that the insoluble digested fraction (CDi) could be fermented by the microbiota in the gut. The DCF had a high protein content (40.74%), being nutritionally characterized as a balanced source of amino acids, with a predominance of aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine and tyrosine), threonine and histidine. The digested DCF presented 76.90% of the soluble components of low molecular weight (0.1–2 kDa), which is typical of antioxidant peptides. The soluble digested fraction (CDs) significantly increased the antioxidant capacity in relation to flour in the ORAC and ABTS assays and the aqueous extract presented the highest values (526.0 and 76.64 as µmol Trolox Eq./g sample, respectively). The CDs protected 29.03% of the supercoiled DNA band and ratified the potential antioxidant capacity after GID in a physiological assay. In addition, the insoluble digested fraction showed a potential prebiotic effect for Bifdobacterium lactis BB-12. Finally, simulated gastrointestinal digestion improves the bioaccessibility of CDF antioxidant compounds as a complex matrix, containing low molecular weight peptides and phenolic compounds, which become more available to react with reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the potential prebiotic effect of defatted cashew nut flour has yielded a promising solution for the total reuse of broken cashew nut kernel as a functional food ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Five different ways to extract taro mucilage (TM) were investigated. • The different forms of extraction change the chemical and physical structure of TM. • The cold extracted mucilage is considered as purified due to the absence of starch. • The cold extracted TM contains high emulsifying action. The objective of this study was to analyze existing taro mucilage extraction techniques for extraction of a pure product with high emulsifying action to chemically characterize the mucilage. Five taro mucilage extraction techniques were analyzed which used room temperature, 4 °C, or 80 °C, with or without ethanol precipitation. Protein was detected in the mucilage extracted by each method and is ideal for the emulsifying action. Only mucilage extracted at low temperature and precipitated with ethanol did not contain starch, which is considered an impurity in the product. Therefore, from the tested techniques, cold extraction was found to provide mucilage with good emulsion activity and stability, making it possible to be used as a natural emulsifier. This mucilage is primarily formed by arabinogalactans connected to proteins which form AGP glycoprotein, a macro-molecule responsible for the emulsifying action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the theoretical and methodological considerations of Vygotsky's pedological studies, we aimed to discuss the social situation of development in the process of personality constitution, marked by crisis. Taking the case of a three-year-old child considered aggressive, we proceeded to the detailed presentation and transcription of the data, focusing on the intricacies of the social relations waged in the educational context. The analysis explores the relationship between development and personality via signification. It shows that the experience lived by the child in a critical period also felt and signified in a specific context, affects her personality. It allows us to re-dimensioning the idea of the environment as a promoter of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enantiomers (R)-(+)-β-citronellol and (S)-(−)-β-citronellol are present in many medicinal plants, but little is understood about their bioactivity against Candida yeasts. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of positive and negative enantiomers of β-citronellol on strains of Candida albicans and C. tropicalis involved in candidemia. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were determined. The evaluation of growth kinetics, mechanism of action, and association studies with Amphotericin B (AB) using the checkerboard method was also performed. R-(+)-β-citronellol and S-(−)-β-citronellol presented a MIC50% of 64 µg/mL and a MFC50% of 256 µg/mL for C. albicans strains. For C. tropicalis, the isomers exhibited a MIC50% of 256 µg/mL and a MFC50% of 1024 µg/mL. In the mechanism of action assay, both substances displayed an effect on the fungal membrane but not on the fungal cell wall. Synergism and indifference were observed in the association of R-(+)-β-citronellol and AB, while the association between S-(−)-β-citronellol and AB displayed synergism, additivity, and indifference. In conclusion, both isomers of β-citronellol presented a similar profile of antifungal activity. Hence, they can be contemplated in the development of new antifungal drugs providing that further research is conducted about their pharmacology and toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Altered States of Consciousness in Transpersonal Approach Psychotherapy: Systematic Review and Guidelines for Research and Clinical Practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 1990 to 2024, this study presents a groundbreaking bibliometric and sentiment analysis of nanocomposite literature, distinguishing itself from existing reviews through its unique computational methodology. Developed by our research group, this novel approach systematically investigates the evolution of nanocomposites, focusing on microstructural characterization, electrical properties, and mechanical behaviors. By deploying advanced Boolean search strategies within the Scopus database, we achieve a meticulous extraction and in-depth exploration of thematic content, a methodological advancement in the field. Our analysis uniquely identifies critical trends and insights concerning nanocomposite microstructure, electrical attributes, and mechanical performance. The paper goes beyond traditional textual analytics and bibliometric evaluation, offering new interpretations of data and highlighting significant collaborative efforts and influential studies within the nanocomposite domain. Our findings uncover the evolution of research language, thematic shifts, and global contributions, providing a distinct and comprehensive view of the dynamic evolution of nanocomposite research. A critical component of this study is the "State-of-the-Art and Gaps Extracted from Results and Discussions" section, which delves into the latest advancements in nanocomposite research. This section details various nanocomposite types and their properties and introduces novel interpretations of their applications, especially in nanocomposite films. By tracing historical progress and identifying emerging trends, this analysis emphasizes the significance of collaboration and influential studies in molding the field. Moreover, the "Literature Review Guided by Artificial Intelligence" section showcases an innovative AI-guided approach to nanocomposite research, a first in this domain. Focusing on articles from 2023, selected based on citation frequency, this method offers a new perspective on the interplay between nanocomposites and their electrical properties. It highlights the composition, structure, and functionality of various systems, integrating recent findings for a comprehensive overview of current knowledge. The sentiment analysis, with an average score of 0.638771, reflects a positive trend in academic discourse and an increasing recognition of the potential of nanocomposites. Our bibliometric analysis, another methodological novelty, maps the intellectual domain, emphasizing pivotal research themes and the influence of crosslinking time on nanocomposite attributes. While acknowledging its limitations, this study exemplifies the indispensable role of our innovative computational tools in synthesizing and understanding the extensive body of nanocomposite literature. This work not only elucidates prevailing trends but also contributes a unique perspective and novel insights, enhancing our understanding of the nanocomposite research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• cytokine-related polymorphisms are paramount for understanding COVID-19. • An entangled Truesome: genetic Polymorphisms, cytokine storm and SARS. • Genes related to innate antiviral immunity are associated with SARS. • interferon receptor IFNAR2 (chr21q22.1; rs2236757) is associated to severe COVID-19. • severe COVID-19 is associated to high expression of TYK2 janus kinase signaling. An alarming disease caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) named COVID-19 has emerged as an unprecedented public health problem and ignited a world health crisis. As opposed to what was believed at the beginning of the pandemic, the virus has not only spread but persevere causing secondary waves and challenging the concept of herd immunity against viral infections. While the majority of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals may remain asymptomatic, a fraction of individuals may develop low to high-grade severity signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The disease is multifactorial and can progress quickly, leading to severe complications and even death in a few days. Therefore, understanding the pre-existing factors for disease development has never been so pressing. In this scenario, the insights on the mechanisms underlying disease allied to the immune response developed during the viral invasion could shed light on novel predictive factors and prognostic tools for COVID-19 management and interventions. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed several molecules that significantly impacted critically ill COVID-19 patients, leading to the core mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Considering these findings and the fact that ACE-2 polymorphisms alone cannot explain disease progress and severity, this review aims at summarizing the most important and recent findings of the research and expert consensus of possible cytokine-related polymorphisms existing in the differential expression of paramount immune molecules that could be crucial for providing guidelines for decision-making and appropriate clinical management of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivo: A Unidade de terapia intensiva pode gerar um ambiente altamente estressor onde os pacientes vivenciam experiências de desconforto físico e psicológico como, por exemplo, a dor, que quando não tratada pode contribuir para um desfecho desfavorável e aumento da mortalidade. O objetivo deste estudo é Identificar o perfil sociodemográfico/clínico de pacientes em UTI, associar presença de dor com a utilização de analgo-sedação com mortalidade; verificar eficiência do Sequencial Organ Failure Assessment e identificar a vigência de dor como indicador prognóstico. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra de 240 pacientes. A coleta de dados foi realizada através da Escala de sedação e agitação de Richmond (RASS), Escala de dor visual e numérica (EVN) e Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS). Os dados clínicos foram obtidos de prontuário eletrônico e os dados posteriormente foram submetidos à análise de Variância, teste de comparação múltipla de médias de Tukey e Quiquadrado. Resultados: Prevaleceram pacientes não idosos, masculinos, neurológicos, cirúrgicos, com sedação profunda. Houve maior mortalidade em pacientes com sedação profunda, dor intensa, cirúrgicos e idosos e maior tempo de internação naqueles com sedação moderada. A analgo-sedação não suprimiu a dor, mas a controlou sua intensidade. O Fentanil foi a droga mais utilizada. O SOFA não atuou como bom índice prognóstico, já a dor intensa mostrou-se como boa preditora de mortalidade. Conclusão: Conclui-se que a identificação da dor por meio de escalas auxilia nas tomadas de decisão e no manejo da analgo-sedação em unidade de terapia intensiva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of intractable epilepsy in adults. More than 30% of individuals with epilepsy have persistent seizures and have drug-resistant epilepsy. Based on our previous findings, treatment with bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) could interfere with early and chronic phase epilepsy in rats and in clinical settings. In this pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model, animals were randomly assigned to two groups: control (Con) and epileptic pre-treatment (Ep-pre-t). The latter had status epilepticus (SE) induced through pilocarpine intraperitoneal injection. Later, seizure frequency was assessed using a video-monitoring system. Ep-pre-t was further divided into epileptic treated with saline (Ep-Veh) and epileptic treated with BMMC (Ep-BMMC) after an intravenous treatment with BMMC was done on day 22 after SE. Analysis of neurobehavioral parameters revealed that Ep-BMMC had significantly lower frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) in comparison to Ep-pre-t and Ep-Veh groups. Hippocampus-dependent spatial and non-spatial learning and memory were markedly impaired in epileptic rats, a deficit that was robustly recovered by treatment with BMMC. Moreover, long-term potentiation-induced synaptic remodeling present in epileptic rats was restored by BMMC. In addition, BMMC was able to reduce abnormal mossy fiber sprouting in the dentate gyrus. Molecular analysis in hippocampal tissue revealed that BMMC treatment down-regulates the release of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) as well as the Rho subfamily of small GTPases [Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac)]. Collectively, delayed BMMC treatment showed positive effects when intravenously infused into chronic epileptic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Minocycline prevented BCCAo-associated depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. • Minocycline treatment reduced brain pathology in post-stroke mice. • Minocycline ameliorated hippocampal neurodegeneration after brain ischemia. • Minocycline treatment did not alter brain inflammatory and neurotrophic mediators. Depression and anxiety have been reported as the major neuropsychiatric consequences following stroke. Minocycline, a neuroprotective drug has minimized depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorders and anxiety-like symptoms. In addition, minocycline demonstrated efficacy and seemed a promising neuroprotective agent in acute stroke patients. The present studied evaluated the effects of minocycline treatment on the depression and anxiety-like behaviors, brain damage and expression of inflammatory and neuroprotective mediators after transient global cerebral ischemia in C57BL/6 mice. Brain ischemia was induced by bilateral occlusion of the common carotids (BCCAo) for 25 min and subsequent reperfusion. Sham and BCCAo animals received minocycline at a dose of 30 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection during 14 days. The locomotor activity, depression and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by open field, forced swim and elevated plus maze tests, respectively. Then, the brains were removed and processed to evaluate brain damage by histological and morphometric analysis, hippocampal neurodegeneration using Fluoro-Jade C histochemistry, microglial activity using iba-1 immunohistochemistry, brain levels of TNF, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70 and CCL2 by CBA, CX3CL1 and BDNF by ELISA assays. The animals developed depression and anxiety-like behaviors post-stroke and minocycline treatment prevented those neurobehavioral changes. Moreover, minocycline-treated BCCAo animals showed less intense brain damage in the cerebral cortex, brainstem and cerebellum as well as significantly reduced hippocampal neurodegeneration. BCCAo groups exhibited up-regulation of some cytokines at day 14 after ischemia and brain levels of CX3CL1 and BDNF remained unaltered. Our data indicate that the depression and anxiety-like behavioral improvements promoted by minocycline treatment might be related to its neuroprotective effect after brain ischemia in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Dietary patterns have been pointed out as useful diet quality indicators, but evidence about their relationship to metabolic phenotypes is still scarce. Thus, the present study aimed to verify the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic phenotypes in Brazilian adults.Design: Cross-sectional study. A food consumption frequency questionnaire assessed food consumption profiles. Metabolic phenotypes were defined based on the criteria of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: overweight or normal weight and metabolically healthy (MHOW and MHNW) or unhealthy (MUOW and MUNW). Dietary patterns were established through exploratory factor analysis and principal component analysis. The associations were tested using multinomial logistic regression.Setting: Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Participants: Individuals (n 896) aged 20-59 years of both sexes, selected using probabilistic sampling.Results: Three dietary patterns were identified: Unhealthy pattern (alcoholic beverages, oils and fats, condiments, soda and juice, sugars and sweets, snacks, and meat and derivatives), Traditional pattern (culinary preparations, beans, milk and dairy products, and coffee and tea) and Healthy pattern (vegetables and fruits, whole grains, chicken and fish, and skimmed milk). Unhealthy pattern was positively associated with the MHOW and MUOW phenotypes in the fourth quartile (OR = 1·84; 95 % CI 1·06, 3·22) and in the third (OR = 1·94; 95 % CI 1·11, 3·39) and fourth (OR = 2·56; 95 % CI 1·41, 4·64) quartiles of consumption, respectively. Healthy pattern was also associated with these phenotypes.Conclusions: Both the pattern comprising energy-dense foods and the healthier pattern were associated with overweight phenotypes among Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of the samples of milk and water kefir in different substrates. The samples were evaluated from kefir milk and water in different substrates (whole milk, soy plant extract, coconut and rice). The following analyzes were performed: determination of weight, pH, titratable acidity, syneresis and density. All analyzes were performed in triplicate. The data were submitted to the Tukey test at 5% for comparison of averages. It is an experiment in factorial with unfolding for the variables called: factor 1 (milk or water) and factor 2 (whole milk, coconut, rice or soy). The 1 factor interfered in the behavior of the pH, the syneresis, acidity and the weight when used whole milk, coconut, rice or soy, i.e., there was no effect of the interaction between the two factors. As the density, there was no effect of interaction for this variable. The factor 1 showed no significant effect on the density when using the substrates tested. The adaptation of kefir grains in different substrates showed potential for the growth and development of kefir, in particular by physicalchemical characteristics that the same presented in this study. These new studies offer alternatives to the consumption of probiotic products for people with lactose intolerance, consumers allergic to milk and vegan. There is a need for further studies that test more combinations of substrates, thus, help people with dietary needs to find new products to consume with physicochemical properties secure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The objective of this study was to analyze the antifungal activity of citral, selected by screening natural products, against Candida albicans isolates from subjects who use dental prostheses. Methodology. Screening of essential oils, including those from Mentha piperita L. (Briq), Origanum vulgare, and Zingiber officinale L., and the phytoconstituents citral and limonene, to select an appropriate natural product. Citral, which mediated the best antifungal response, was selected for biological assays. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) for citral and nystatin were determined by the microdilution method. Micromorphological analyses, time-kill curve, and modulation tests were performed. Results. The MIC and MFC of citral were established as 32 μg/mL, consistent with fungicidal activity. The clinical strains were resistant to nystatin. Citral caused micromorphological alteration in the strains. In the time-kill curve, the growth of the clinical strain was reduction in growth equal to 3 log10 colony-forming units per milliliter after exposure to the MIC and MIC×2 of citral for 2 h. Citral did not modulate the resistance of the studied strains to nystatin. Conclusion. This study revealed the potential of citral as a fungicidal agent and highlighted the resistance of clinical strains of C. albicans to nystatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]