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Fabiano Nadson Magacho-Vieira,1,2 Abrahao Osta Vieira,3 Amarilho Soares Jr,4 Hellise Christine Lana Alvarenga,5 Iran Roger Alkimin de Oliveira Junior,6 João Antonio Correa Daher,7 João Vitor Moraes Pithon Napoli,8 Júlia Portocarrero de Almeida Serra,9 Suellen Costa Provázio10 1Magacho Institute for Health Education, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; 2Department of Clinical, Aesthetic and Surgical Dermatology, Batista Memorial Hospital, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; 3Clínica Abrahão Osta, Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brazil; 4Clínica Amarilho Jr, Americana, SP, Brazil; 5Núcleo Lana, Nova Lima, MG, Brazil; 6Iran Alkimin Dermatologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; 7Daher Núcleo de Estética, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; 8Instituto Pithon Napoli, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; 9JS Dermatologia, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; 10Instituto Pedro Miranda, Goiânia, GO, BrazilCorrespondence: Fabiano Nadson Magacho-Vieira, Instituto Magacho de Ensino em Saúde, Avenida Santos Dumont, 5753, Sala 204, Fortaleza, CE, 60175-047, Brazil, Tel +55 85 99788-0002, Email contato@institutomagacho.com.brAbstract: Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) microspheres, marketed globally as Aesthefill® (Regen Biotech, Seoul, South Korea), are recognized for their biocompatible and biostimulatory properties, positioning them as a preferred option in aesthetic medicine. This article presents consensus recommendations from Brazilian experts on the reconstitution and clinical application of PDLLA for facial and non-facial treatments. Developed using a modified Delphi method with contributions from leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons, the consensus outlines protocols for reconstitution, injection techniques, and patient management. Key recommendations include reconstitution with 7– 8 mL of sterile water for injection, the addition of lidocaine to improve patient comfort, and a preference for targeting the superficial subcutaneous layer. Dosing guidelines are specifically tailored to each treatment area and the desired degree of correction, underscoring the importance of personalized treatment plans. Maintenance treatments are advised at biennial intervals or at shorter intervals for patients exhibiting accelerated collagen degradation. The consensus also highlights the need for proper training and patient screening to minimize adverse effects, such as nodules and granulomas. This comprehensive guide aims to standardize the use of PDLLA, prioritizing patient safety and optimizing outcomes. While clinical trials evaluating PDLLA’s aesthetic indications remain limited, these evidence-based guidelines bridge the gap by offering practical protocols grounded in clinical expertise. Further research is encouraged to validate these recommendations and explore new applications for PDLLA in aesthetic medicine.Plain Language Summary: Poly-D, L-lactic acid (PDLLA) microspheres are small particles used in aesthetic medicine to improve skin appearance by stimulating collagen production. This summary outlines expert recommendations from experts on preparing and using PDLLA for facial and body treatments.Why was the study done?The study aimed to create standardized guidelines to help practitioners achieve the best results and ensure patient safety when using PDLLA for cosmetic purposes.What did the researchers do and find?They used a method called the Delphi approach to gather and refine recommendations on the reconstitution and injection of PDLLA. By consensus, the experts who participated in this study recommend using of sterile water for injection to prepare the PDLLA and adding lidocaine to reduce discomfort during injections. Specific techniques, such as linear retrograde and fanning methods, are advised for different areas of the face and body. The experts have also provided dosing guidelines and emphasize the need for individualized treatment plans.What do these results mean?The recommendations help practitioners use PDLLA more effectively and safely, providing better aesthetic outcomes for patients. Regular maintenance treatments are suggested every two years, with more frequent sessions for those with faster collagen loss. Proper training and careful patient screening are essential to avoid complications such as nodules or granulomas.Keywords: poly-D,L-lactic acid, polylactic acid, collagen stimulator, consensus, expert recommendations, filler

Marcos Barbosa Pains,1– 3 Isabel Verlangeiro Vieira,4 Arthur Rollemberg Cruciol Figueiredo,4 Suzaynne Corrêa Bittencourt Diniz,3 Paulo Tadeu Souza Figueiredo4 1School of Public Health of the Federal District, Foundation for Teaching and Research in Health Sciences, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil; 2Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil; 3Health Department of the Federal District, Government of the Federal District, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil; 4Dentistry Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, BrazilCorrespondence: Marcos Barbosa Pains, Email marcospains@yahoo.com.brPurpose: An association between the use of chlorhexidine in mechanically ventilated patients for the purpose of oral hygiene and the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) lacks conclusive evidence in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to assess the clinical impact of such practice. This evaluation will consider that retention factors, infection foci, and oral biofilm will be regularly removed by a dentist.Patients and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, a comparison was made between two groups, one using chlorhexidine and the other using saline solution. Patients from both groups included in this study were admitted between January 2016 to March 2018. Data such as the incidence of VAP, duration of mechanical ventilation (DMV), length of stay (LOS), and mortality rate (MR) were collected and compared between the groups. Only patients aged 18 or older, under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 consecutive hours were included. Were excluded from this study patients with a diagnosis of VAP or other pulmonary infection upon admission or within the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Also not included were those who stayed in the ICU for less than 48 hours. Dental treatment was carried out addressing the regular removal of retention factors, potential oral infection foci, and oral biofilm by a dentist. Additionally, at each appointment, the visible biofilm was removed by the dentist themselves, and the maintenance of oral hygiene was performed daily by the nursing staff. For the statistical analysis the non-parametric Mann–Whitney test was used for comparisons between groups regarding LOS and DMV. Additionally, the associations between groups and VAP, outcomes (discharge or death), and diseases were analyzed using the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. A significance level of 5% was assumed.Results: In both evaluated groups, each consisting of 36 patients, the incidence of VAP was identical at 2.8%. Specifically, the chlorhexidine group had an incidence of 2.105 VAP cases per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation (MV), while the placebo group had 2.865 VAP cases per 1000 days of MV (p = 1.000). No significant difference between groups regarding LOS (p = 0.5694) and DMV (p = 0.1136) was found. There was also no significant association between the MR in the two groups (47.2% chlorhexidine, 36.1% placebo) (p=0.3390).Conclusion: When intensive oral care is performed, the use of chlorhexidine shows no significant change in VAP incidence, MR, LOS, and DMV. Therefore, the dentist, as part of the multiprofessional team, should decide on its use. Keywords: dental care for chronically ill, chlorhexidine, ventilator-associated pneumonia, mortality, long of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation

When inferring the evolution of a gene/gene family, it is advisable to use all available coding sequences (CDS) from as many species genomes as possible in order to infer and date all gene duplications and losses. Nowadays, this means using hundreds or even thousands of CDSs, which makes the inferred phylogenetic trees difficult to visualize and interpret. Therefore, it is useful to have an automated way of collapsing large phylogenetic trees according to a taxonomic term decided by the user (family, class, or order, for instance), in order to highlight the minimal set of sequences that should be used to recapitulate the full history of the gene/gene family being studied at that taxonomic level, that can be refined using additional software. Here we present the Phylogenetic Tree Collapser (PTC) program (https://github.com/pegi3s/phylogenetic-tree-collapser), a flexible tool for automated tree collapsing using taxonomic information, that can be easily used by researchers without a background in informatics, since it only requires the installation of Docker, Podman or Singularity. The utility of PTC is demonstrated by addressing the evolution of the ascorbic acid synthesis pathway in insects. A Docker image is available at Docker Hub (https://hub.docker.com/r/pegi3s/phylogenetic-tree-collapser) with PTC installed and ready-to-run.

A bactéria Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) é uma causa comum de pneumonia adquirida na comunidade em idade escolar, podendo manifestar-se sob variadas formas. Os autores reportam dois casos de infeção por M. pneumoniae. Rapariga 10 anos, clinicamente com febre, cefaleia e tosse seca com quatro dias de evolução. Audíveis crepitações e sibilos inspiratórios no campo pulmonar direito. Imagiologicamente verificou-se hipotransparência na base direita associada a derrame pleural ipsilateral. O painel PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) respiratório foi positivo para M. Pneumoniae. Adolescente 13 anos, asmática, clinicamente com tosse seca e dispneia com uma semana de evolução. Apresentava sinais de dificuldade respiratória, hipoxemia e, sibilos e crepitações bilaterais. Imagiologicamente verificou-se infiltrado bibasal com derrame pleural de pequeno volume. O painel PCR respiratório identificou o M. Pneumoniae. Os dois relatos de caso corroboram diversidade de sintomas e gravidade clínica que a infeção porM. pneumoniae pode manifestar: desde sintomas respiratórios superiores a inferiores ou mesmo sintomas extra-respiratórios como, manifestações mucocutâneas, anemia hemolítica ou alterações neurológicas. Para o diagnóstico estão disponíveis as serologias e a pesquisa por PCR da bactéria nas secreções respiratórias; no entanto, estes exames apresentam baixa sensibilidade e especificidade, respetivamente. Assim, o diagnóstico deve assentar essencialmente na clínica. A terapêutica de primeira linha são os macrólidos. Globalmente, tem-se verificado um aumento das infeções por M. Pneumoniae com crescentes resistências aos macrólidos e formas de apresentação mais graves. Torna-se, portanto, fundamental uma elevada suspeita diagnóstica por forma a realizar o diagnóstico precocemente e instituir atempadamente a terapêutica adequada.

Introdução: A referenciação hospitalar, cumprindo critérios bem estabelecidos e seguindo parâmetros de qualidade, permite uma melhor gestão de recursos humanos e económicos. O nosso objetivo foi caraterizar a referenciação à consulta hospitalar em idade pediátrica de uma Unidade de Saúde Familiar pertencente ao Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde do Grande Porto III, durante o ano de 2019. Material e métodos: Estudo retrospetivo e descritivo que incluiu indivíduos em idade pediátrica, que frequentaram as consultas de Saúde Infantil e Juvenil desta Unidade de Saúde Familiar, durante o ano de 2019 e que foram referenciados a consulta hospitalar via AlertP1®. Resultados: A taxa de referenciação global foi de 11,1%, 40,3% no grupo etário com idade superior a nove anos. As consultas hospitalares mais solicitadas foram as das áreas cirúrgicas/médico--cirúrgicas. 88,9% foram motivadas por patologias do foro somático (vs 11,1% do foro do desenvolvimento). Verificou-se uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre entidade de quem partiu a iniciativa para a necessidade de referenciação e motivo da referenciação, sendo as patologias do desenvolvimento/comportamento maioritariamente sinalizadas pela Escola/Infantário. Quanto à qualidade das referenciações, a maioria foi classificada como “Aceitável”, com uma correlação positiva entre anos de prática clínica e má qualidade das referenciações. Verificamos que mais de 50% das consultas não respeitaram os 120 dias admitidos para uma referenciação de prioridade normal fixados pela portaria que regula a “Consulta a Tempo e Horas”. Conclusão: A nossa taxa de referenciação foi superior à observada por outros autores, com 5,2% dos pedidos a serem recusados.

Danielle Soares Rocha Vieira,1 Cintia Vieira Del Moro,1 Sabrina Leal Pscheidt,1 Maíra Junkes-Cunha,2 Marcio Mesquita Judice,3 Livia Arcencio,1 Abebaw Mengistu Yohannes4,5 1Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Araranguá, Araranguá, SC, Brazil; 2Department of Gymnastics and Health, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; 3Pulmonology Department, Governador Celso Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; 4Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; 5Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USACorrespondence: Abebaw Mengistu Yohannes, 372 School of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA, Tel +1 205 996 1579, Email amyohann@uab.eduBackground: Most instruments available to screen for anxiety in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are not disease specific. Therefore, the Anxiety Inventory for Respiratory Disease (AIR) was developed to measure anxiety for this patient group; however, it requires cross-cultural adaptation for use in non-English speaking countries.Purpose: To carry out cross-cultural adaptation of the AIR scale for Brazilian patients with COPD and to analyze its semantic validity.Patients and Methods: This methodological study followed six stages: 1) Initial translation by two independent translators fluent in English; 2) Synthesis of translations; 3) Back translation by two English first language translators; 4) Expert committee review (eight healthcare professionals, a methodologist, the translators, and back-translators); 5) Pre-final version evaluation with 30 patients with COPD through a cognitive interview; and 6) Submission of documents. Semantic validity was analyzed by agreement rate and content validity index (CVI) for the committee equivalence assessments.Results: 1) Initial translation: the two translated versions presented eight divergences; 2) Synthesis of translations: the differences were discussed to reach consensus; 3) Back-translation: there were no important inconsistencies; 4) Expert Committee: the experts proposed eight and the instrument developer proposed three changes, which were analyzed and voted on, resulting in the pre-final version; 5) Evaluation of the pre-final version: data collection allowed for other changes and the formulation of instructions by applying the adapted instrument in an interview format. Patients rated the questions as clear or very clear; 6) The expert committee and the developer approved the final documents. The agreement rate and CVI were ≥ 0.80 for all items of the scale final version.Conclusion: The process of cross-cultural adaptation followed all necessary stages and the semantic validity results were adequate, providing the Brazilian version of the AIR to assess anxiety symptoms in patients with COPD.Keywords: COPD, AIR scale, surveys and questionnaires, Anxiety

Aim: The purpose of this brief report is to discuss the impact of an oral rinse and spray containing an iron phthalocyanine derivative as an additional therapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Methods: In the first study by this group of authors published on this topic, the clinical status of 22 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized and receiving PDMS (phthalocyanine derivative mouth spray) was assessed using the Karnofsky scale (KS) for thtree days (D0, D2, and D4). In another study, the laboratory data (CBC, D-dimer, Ferritin, and C-reactive protein [CRP]) of 41 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who took part in a randomized clinical trial with an MIPD (mouthwash with iron phthalocyanine derivative) were evaluated retrospectively on the first day of intervention (D1) and 48 hours later (D2). The present study used these data to determine a correlation between clinical symptoms and laboratory data.Results: In individuals receiving PDMS and evaluated using the KS, a statistically significant intra-group difference (p=0.03, Friedman’s test) was identified. The Durbin-Conover test found a significant difference between D0 and D2 (p=0.008). Laboratory data from only 9 patienn the experimental group and 13 patients in the control group were found in the retrospective analysis. There were no statistically significaonfounders in the survival analysis using the Cox regression model. In the descriptive analysis, the intervention group’s CRP was lower than thf the control group.Conclusion: PDMS demonstrated considerable clinical improvement in patients, whereas MIPD appears to lower CRP, an inflammatory marker, in descriptive analysis.

The primary goal of this research is to determine the impact of the efficiency of the tourism sector in the European Union (EU).

The vast amount of genome sequence data that is available, and that is predicted to drastically increase in the near future, can only be efficiently dealt with by building automated pipelines. Indeed, the Earth Biogenome Project will produce high-quality reference genome sequences for all 1.8 million named living eukaryote species, providing unprecedented insight into the evolution of genes and gene families, and thus on biological issues. Here, new modules for gene annotation, further BLAST search algorithms, further multiple sequence alignment methods, the adding of reference sequences, further tree rooting methods, the estimation of rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions, and the identification of positively selected amino acid sites, have been added to auto-phylo (version 2), a recently developed software to address biological problems using phylogenetic inferences. Additionally, we present auto-phylo-pipeliner, a graphical user interface application that further facilitates the creation and running of auto-phylo pipelines. Inferences on S-RNase specificity, are critical for both cross-based breeding and for the establishment of pollination requirements. Therefore, as a test case, we develop an auto-phylo pipeline to identify amino acid sites under positive selection, that are, in principle, those determining S-RNase specificity, starting from both non-annotated Prunus genomes and sequences available in public databases.

Background: This study aims to identify the changes in the fashion industry, during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, within the context of online purchase of fashion products, the use of sportswear, the pondering moments before the purchase, and the importance of sustainability. Furthermore, we also consider sustainability as a fashion strategic factor and its impact in the decision-making process. Purpose: The main purpose is to understand if the type of products and the way they are purchased by the retail consumer have changed, and to assess if the level of importance granted to sustainability is significant, in particular, by evaluating the way COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the online purchase of fashion products, the use of sportswear, the pondering moments before the purchase, and the importance of sustainability. Furthermore, we evaluate if the level of importance granted to sustainability, in the decision-making process, is still the same. Study design/methodology/approach: Quantitative analysis was applied, through an observation data collection technique, using a survey by questionnaire. The sample is non-probabilistic, with the accidental and snowball sampling modalities. Findings/conclusions: the companies must define new strategies to answer their consumers' real needs, because we verify that consumer behaviour changed. It was verified that there was a growth in the amount of online shopping of fashion products, the use of sportswear increased, the level of pondering before buying expanded, and the increasing importance of sustainability became evident. Limitations/future research: A non-probabilistic sample was used, which prevents the possibility of extrapolating general conclusions.

Dermatophytosis is a widespread fungal infection affecting both animals and humans, commonly known as ringworm. Dermatophytosis results in the breakdown of keratin, leading to skin, hair, and claw lesions, and has an important global prevalence that is often underestimated. While typically self-limiting, dermatophytosis can pose a severe risk due to its contagious nature, particularly in shelters. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dermatophytes in the fur of dogs and cats in animal shelters and pet clinics, shedding light on the importance of understanding and managing this infectious disease in both animal and human populations. To better understand the epidemiology of dermatophytes in Portugal, a study was conducted from March to May 2022. The prevalence of dermatophyte isolation in culture was evaluated. A total of 341 animals, 286 (83.9%) dogs and 55 (16.1%) cats were studied, and 45.0% (n=157) of the animals were from shelters, while 54.0% (n=184) were from clinics. Twenty-eight (8.2%) animals had skin lesions, and of these, four (14.3%) tested positive for dermatophytes. Dermatophytes were isolated from 12/341 studied animals. The prevalence of Microsporum canis was 3.2% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.6-5.7%), and the prevalence of Microsporum audouinii was 0.3% (CI 95%: 0.0-1.6%). Healthy dogs and cats without clinical signs were found to carry dermatophytes, stressing the potential for these animals to act as subclinical carriers and emphasizing the importance of pet-owner awareness regarding zoonotic risks and the need for ongoing research and surveillance to mitigate the risks associated with fungal infections.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to undertake an integrative literature review in order to determine the prevalence, etiology, and reactivation of oral HSV infection in patients receiving chemotherapy (CT).Methods: The study was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Virtual Health Library, and Scopus databases, using the descriptors “Herpes Simplex”, “Viral Diseases”, “Mouth”, and “Antineoplastic Agents”.Results: The findings suggest that HSV infection is widespread in this group of patients and can be severe. HSV infection is frequent in CT patients, and treatment should begin as soon as it is feasible, utilizing antivirals to avoid future difficulties, as patients are immunocompromised.Conclusion: It is critical for health professionals to be fully informed on the dangers and treatment choices available, with the most appropriate therapy for each circumstance. Furthermore, more recent research with acceptable methodological rigor is required to better quantify the prevalence of HSV in these patients.

Bursaphelenchus mucronatus was detected in association with the pine sawyer beetle (Monochamus galloprovincialis) during the implementation and testing of cross traps with insect attractants as an efficient tool for detection survey for pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia in 2017 and 2018, respectively. This nematode was characterized by morphological, morphometric and molecular features. This is the first report of B. mucronatus in association with a M. galloprovincialis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Georgia.

Este trabalho parte do pressuposto de que, embora as propostas políticas institucionais de combate à violência contra mulheres tenham avançado no Brasil, sobretudo devido às ações do ativismo e das reflexões produzidas no campo de estudos feministas, há uma lacuna no que se refere às proposições políticas efetivamente elaboradas e os debates produzidos pelos feminismos negros. Neste sentido, a partir da análise de 36 proposições legislativas da Câmara dos Deputados, que foram apresentadas entre 2011 e 2022 e viraram normas jurídicas, observaremos os avanços e as limitações a partir da perspectiva dos feminismos negros. Os resultados evidenciam que, apesar do inequívoco impacto das pautas feministas no Poder Legislativo, o conjunto de leis recentemente elaboradas reflete as demandas dos feminismos liberal e hegemônico, os quais tendem a produzir uma leitura unidimensional das mulheres, desconsiderando os efeitos da indissociável vinculação entre gênero, raça e classe

This study aims to assess the lecturers’ opinions about the use of e-learning tools to support distance and blended learning in higher education in Portugal, evidently reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was based on a qualitative methodology, specifically, a focus group with professors from five higher education institutions from different geographical areas in Portugal. The obtained results were analysed along four main dimensions: (1) the level of knowledge of e-learning tools, (2) the reasons for using or (3) not using them, and, finally, (4) the opinion of lecturers on the student assessment process using these tools. The results showed that in addition to the concerns with smooth running classes and the appropriate delivery of the syllabus, the lecturers considered the transition to the e-learning context to have been easy. They noted a high level of literacy in the used tools, believed in the continued use of e-learning in the post-pandemic context, indicated several advantages for those involved in the e-learning context and a majority of limitations related to the time required for the adoption of more tools; and, finally, underlined the student assessment issue, which was pointed out as the most sensitive topic in the whole e-learning context. The study informed on the lecturers’ perspective on e-learning and the used tools and provided insight into their perceived usefulness and benefits for lecturers and students. An especially strong concern was verified on the part of lecturers to optimise e-learning tools to provide better knowledge delivery to students.

Over the past couple of years, the demand for facial recognition systems has increased in both the public and private sectors to enhance safety and security. Many researchers argue that the irresponsible design and use of facial recognition technologies threaten to violate the right to privacy, freedom of expression, and justice, instead of promoting security. This paper, using the Critical Theory of Technology of Andrew Feenberg, discusses the development of facial recognition systems in Brazil. This work was conceived under the aegis of the Critical social theory that serves as a framework for analyzing and reimagining technological systems considering that technologies are not separate from society but are adapted to their social and political environment. The research has an exploratory nature and a review was conducted to find related papers. Using critical and decolonial theories, the authors revealed otherwise hidden agendas, power, and political assumptions to be deeply considered to understand the harms generated by facial recognition systems in Brazil. This paper’s main contribution is a social critique, whereby the oppositions, conflicts, and contradictions of facial recognition technology are brought to light. This study raises broader questions about the social and political nature of facial recognition development, such as the extent to which hidden agendas and lack of transparency inhibit, repress, and constrain civil society participation.

In order to explore the Leonardo sequence, the process of complex-ification of this sequence is carried out in this work. With this, the Gaussian and octonion numbers of the Leonardo sequence are presented. Also, the recurrence, generating function, Binet’s formula, and matrix form of Leonardo’s Gaussian and octonion numbers are defined. The development of the Gaussian numbers is performed from the insertion of the imaginary component i in the one-dimensional recurrence of the sequence. Regarding the octonions, the terms of the Leonardo sequence are presented in eight dimensions. Furthermore, the generalizations and inherent properties of Leonardo’s Gaussians and octonions are presented.

To make algal biomass a suitable feedstock for fuel and bioproducts, a practical way of dewatering and concentrating algal cells must be devised. In this study, a system comprising microfiltration membranes combined with a flocculant was developed on a low-cost ceramic substrate to harvest Tetradesmus obliquus efficiently. The effects of tannin-based flocculant concentration, microalgal concentration, and pH on microfiltration were studied. Permeate flux was evaluated for 5400 s through experiments to analyze the total resistance and the fouling mechanism. Results show that the cake filtration model best represented the data. The experiments at pH 4 and 0.06 kg/m3 of microalgae (with flocculant) showed improved results with a reduction in the J/J0 (permeate flux/initial flux) ratio of 39%. In addition, the effects of critical flux, transmembrane pressure, and fouling mechanism on microfiltration were investigated under the best conditions studied. Applying the stepping method to the critical flux yielded a permeate flux of 2.2 × 10-5 m3m−2s−1. The 70 kPa condition showed the highest permeate flux (3.0 × 10−5 m3m−2s−1) and a low cake pore blocking coefficient (k) obtained by the modified Hermia model. This study showed that Tanfloc at low pH could maximize microalgal separation in membrane processes.

Organic agricultural waste is successfully used in the production of mushrooms as it promotes the reuse of resources and increases food production. For the formulation of the substrate for Pleurotus spp. production, the availability of nutrients must be rigorously analyzed to assess whether supplementation is necessary. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the agronomic behavior of Pleurotus ostreatus var. Florida when grown on different straws and to analyze nutrient dynamics at the beginning and end of cultivation. Straws of rice, wheat and brachiaria were used as substrates without any supplementation. The yields, biological efficiency, number and weights of mushrooms were evaluated in two crop cycles. Rice straw provided a higher yield, better biological efficiency and a greater number of mushrooms in both cultures. Wheat straw showed intermediate results for the same variables. None of the substrates showed a significant difference for mushroom weight. In the first crop, only Mg and the number of mushrooms exhibited a positive correlation; in the second crop, only K and the yield of the 1st flush showed a positive correlation. With this study, it was possible to demonstrate that agricultural residues with higher levels of K increase P. ostreatus yield, and that Mg management affects the number of mushrooms for harvesting. The results will be a useful guide for efficient and sustainable mineral supplementation of the substrate.

Rita Vieira,1 Ana Marta,1,2 André Ferreira,1,3 Ana Figueiredo,1 Rita Falcão Reis,1 Isabel Sampaio,1 Maria João Menéres1,2 1Ophthalmology Department of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Oporto, Portugal; 2Ophthalmology Teaching Department, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Oporto, Portugal; 3Anamoty Department of Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP), Oporto, PortugalCorrespondence: Rita Vieira, Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo do Prof. Abel Salazar, Porto, 4099-001, Portugal, Tel +351913748812, Email anarita.vieira1693@gmail.comPurpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a modified approach using the Ex-PRESS® implant combined with a scleral pocket in the management of secondary open-angle glaucoma in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) at our department.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis. The primary endpoints included Intraocular pressure (IOP) evaluation (baseline, 1st day, 1st week, 1, 3, 6, 12 months and at last follow-up) and number of hypotensive drugs (baseline, 6th, 12th months and at last follow-up). As secondary endpoints surgical complications, the need for additional glaucoma surgery and LogMAR BCVA were evaluated. Qualified and complete success were defined as ≥ 30% IOP decrease from baseline, with or without additional medications, respectively. The minimum follow-up was 12 months.Results: A total of 32 eyes were included with a mean follow-up of 2.4± 2.9 years. IOP decreased significantly from baseline (27.4± 4.4 mmHg) to 1st day (5.00± 2.9 mmHg), 1st week (6.9± 4.1 mmHg), 1st month (11.7± 7.8 mmHg), 3rd month (11.6± 6.1 mmHg), 6th month (13.1± 6.8 mmHg), 12th month (12.0± 3.5 mmHg) and last visit (11.8± 2.4 mmHg), p< 0.001. There was also a significant reduction in the number of antiglaucoma medications from baseline (3.8± 0.6) and last follow-up (0.4± 0.8), p< 0.001. LogMAR BCVA remained stable (0.25± 0.26 at baseline and 0.25± 0.24 at last follow-up), p=0.767. Transient hypotony occurred in 17 eyes (53.1%), but only 11 (34.4%) exhibited anterior chamber shallowing and needed additional care, namely cycloplegic drops and viscoelastic injection. Complete surgical success was achieved in 22 eyes (68.8%) and qualified success in 6 eyes (18.8%). Four eyes (12.5%) needed additional glaucoma surgery.Conclusion: The modified ExPRESS® technique appears to be effective, especially when low levels of IOP are required. Additionally, fewer anti-glaucoma drugs were necessary. In the other hand, hypotony was a common side effect with this procedure, although all patients were properly handled, preserving the surgical outcomes.Keywords: amyloidosis, FAP glaucoma, hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, hATTR

This study introduces an innovative approach to facilitate navigation within crowded multi-terminal airports using Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology. Existing luminaires serve as transmission points, conveying encoded messages through modulated light signals to provide location-specific guidance to users. Equipped with tetrachromatic LEDs and VLC capabilities, these luminaires efficiently transmit data, demonstrated through coverage map analysis and the implementation of the OOK modulation scheme. A novel mesh cellular hybrid structure is proposed, eliminating traditional gateways and enhancing system flexibility. Integrating VLC into an Edge/Fog architecture leverages VLC’s wireless connectivity and secure line-of-sight communication while utilizing existing lighting infrastructure. This integration enables distributed data processing, storage, and communication at the network edge, thereby improving system performance and responsiveness. The paper presents a detailed airport model generation and analyzes two user categories: pedestrians and luggage/passenger carriers. Users are equipped with PINPIN optical sensors to receive and interpret modulated light signals, facilitating localization and positioning calculations. A communication protocol tailored to VLC specifications is discussed, alongside coding and decoding techniques to ensure reliable transmission. This approach demonstrates the potential of VLC to enhance navigation and user experience in high-density environments like airports.

This paper introduces the use of Visible Light Communication (VLC) to enhance traffic signal efficiency and vehicle trajectory management at urban intersections. By integrating VLC localization with learning-based traffic signal control, a multi-intersection traffic system is proposed. VLC enables communication between connected vehicles and infrastructure through mobile optical receivers. The primary objectives are to reduce waiting times and improve overall traffic safety by accommodating diverse traffic movements during multiple signal phases. Cooperative mechanisms and queue/response interactions balance traffic flow between intersections, enhancing road network performance. A reinforcement learning scheme optimally schedules traffic signals, with agents at each intersection using VLC-enabled vehicle communication to improve traffic flow and overall system optimization. Evaluated using the SUMO urban mobility simulator, the system demonstrates reduced waiting and travel times. The decentralized and scalable nature of this approach highlights its potential applicability in real-world traffic scenarios.

This paper introduces Visible Light Communication (VLC) to enhance traffic signal efficiency and vehicle trajectory management at urban intersections. A multi-intersection traffic control system is proposed, integrating VLC localization services with learning-based traffic signal control. VLC facilitates communication between connected vehicles and infrastructure using headlights, streetlights, and traffic signals to transmit information. By leveraging vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) interactions, joint transmission and data collection are achieved via mobile optical receivers. The system aims to reduce waiting times for pedestrians and vehicles while improving overall traffic safety. It is designed to be flexible and adaptive, accommodating diverse traffic movements during multiple signal phases. VLC cooperative mechanisms, transmission range, relative pose concepts, and queue/request/response interactions help balance traffic flow between intersections, enhancing the overall road network performance.

The tradition of studies involving the combinatorial approach to recurring numerical sequences has accumulated a few decades of tradition, and several problems continue to attract the interest of mathematicians in several countries. This work specifically discusses the Fibonacci, Pell, and Jacobsthal sequences, focusing on Mersenne sequences. The often-used definition of board involves considering how to fill a specific regular surface--the board--with a limited quantity of regularly shaped tiles. On the other hand, an analogous problem can be generalized and exemplifies current research developments. Finally, the examples covered constitute unexpected ways of exploring visualization and other skills in mathematics teachers' learning, consequently inspiring them for their teaching context.

This study aims to evaluate land use and land cover (LULC) changes and associated impacts in the landscape structure and ecosystem services (ES) value in Lousã municipality, in Central Portugal. The results show that significant changes in LULC were recorded over the study period (1974–2018). Agricultural abandonment, expansion of woodland due to the promotion of the eucalyptus (EU) monoculture (chiefly Eucalyptus globulus), the invasion of exotic species (mainly Acacia dealbata) and the increase of built-up areas are the most significant changes that have shaped the landscapes of the study area. The analysis also revealed that the mean patch size has decreased whereas the number of patches increased. The results showed that although the EU and deciduous forest (DF) increased the ES value, the overall total ES value fell around 10% between 1974 and 2018, mainly due to the decrease in the supply of agricultural goods. Studies of this kind on local rural landscapes are vital when it comes to devising appropriate land management policies for the landscape level by considering the interaction between each element for sustainable development.

This qualitative and exploratory study aimed to investigate whether contact with media content related to the Paralympic Games (PG) could affect the perception of disability held by children with disabilities (CWD) and their families. The research featured 12 CWD not involved in sports and 13 of their relatives. It consisted of two sessions, one before and another after participants viewed two videos related to the PG that showed athletes and other people with disabilities (PWD) successfully playing sports and/or performing other activities. In both sections, we asked them to write the first five words that came to mind upon hearing the expression PWD. Next, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews to explore their views on disability. We computed the words mentioned in the first dynamic and conducted an inductive reflexive thematic analysis of the interviews. Before the videos were shown, the words written most were “difficulty,” “problem,” and “limitation.” During the interviews, they focused on impairments and difficulties associated with disability. Following the videos, the most predominant written words were “overcoming” and “capacity.” Throughout the interviews, they focused more on the potential and capabilities of PWD. This study suggests that materials such as those that we used can help CWD and their families develop a more positive view of the potential and capabilities of PWD. These materials might also be used in other contexts (e.g., in schools and community education programs), especially in places where it is still rare to see PWD practicing sports and performing other activities such as those shown in the videos.

Zenith Tropospheric Delays (ZTDs) are used to correct tropospheric effects that cause a delay in the signal measured by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers and obtain accurate measurements. ZTD can be estimated from GNSS processing, which means they may suffer from occasional or systematic errors. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the quality and stability of these data over time, since ZTDs are used in several applications that require centimeter precision. Within this context, this work aims to assess the available ZTD of the whole Geodetic Reference System for the Americas Continuously Operating Network (SIRGAS-CON), consisting of 467 stations, spanning the period from January 2014 to December 2020 using the most recent Numerical Weather Model ERA5 from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and common stations to the International GNSS Service (IGS) for an intercomparison. Results show that 10% of the stations present some instability, such as periods of highly dispersed data or discontinuities, with more occurrence in stations located in Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia. The remaining 90% proved to have stable and reliable ZTD, both in comparison with ERA5 and IGS.

The wet tropospheric correction (WTC) is a required correction to satellite altimetry measurements, mainly due to the atmospheric water vapor delay. On-board microwave radiometers (MWR) provide information for WTC estimation but fail in coastal zones and inland waters. In view to recover the WTC in these areas, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-derived Path Delay Plus (GPD+) method, developed by the University of Porto, uses Zenith Tropospheric Delays from GNSS global and regional networks’ stations combined with other sources of information, providing a WTC solution for all along-track altimeter points. To densify the existing dataset used by GPD+, it is necessary to add new GNSS stations, mainly in the southern hemisphere, in regions such as South America, Africa and Oceania. This work aims to exploit the SIRGAS-CON data and its potential for densification of the GPD+ input dataset in Latin America and to improve GPD+ performance. The results for the three analyzed satellites (Sentinel-3A, Sentinel-3B and CryoSat-2) show that, when compared with the WTC from GNSS and radiosondes, the densified GPD+ WTC leads to a reduction in the RMS of the WTC differences with respect to the non-densified GPD+ solution, up to 2 mm for the whole region and up to 5 mm in some locations.

Background: Regional Development (RD) allows countries to balance regional differences by providing economic and social benefits to communities. This research highlights the importance of logistics activities to regional social development, and a framework to assess these connections is proposed.

Remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) are becoming well-known for monitoring forest restoration (FR). Canopy cover percentage on a restoration site is a major indicator for the early phases of FR. We present a protocol to evaluate canopy cover using low-cost RPA and a friendly computational environment. We tested the protocol in six FR projects in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. After processing the images automatically to generate the digital surface model and the digital terrain model, the canopy cover is measured in QGIS by considering height thresholds in the canopy height model. The results had F1 values higher than 0.9, which confirms a robust methodology that does not require specific computer science or remote sensing skills. Thus, low-cost RPA proved to be accurate and user-friendly in measuring the canopy cover, which improves monitoring during most FR stages. Such finding plays an important role in FR policies and future works must study a user-friendly protocol for measuring tree height via low-cost drones.

Sauertylenchus maximus was discovered during a survey conducted at the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, for the type specimens of Hoplolaimus galeatus. Besides the fresh material, the fixed specimens of S. maximus were also studied by molecular and morphological means. The morphological and morphometric characteristics of the recovered fresh material were consistent with the original and other description(s) of this species. The fixed specimens used in this study were preserved in a 3% formaldehyde and 2% glycerin solution for over 20 yr. Molecular analyses of the fresh and fixed specimens were performed using internal transcribed spacer, D2–D2 expansion segments of 28S large subunits, and 18S small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of S. maximus from Virginia and the first report of a successful DNA extraction from fixed nematode specimens.

Rita Vieira, Ana Marta, Ana Carolina Abreu, Sílvia Monteiro, Maria do Céu Brochado Refractive Surgery Unit of Ophthalmology Department of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto), Oporto, PortugalCorrespondence: Rita Vieira, Tel +351 913748812, Email anarita.vieira1693@gmail.comPurpose: Analyze and compare the quality of vision of Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASER in situ keratomileusis with mechanical microkeratome (LASIK) and femtosecond-assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK) using the double-pass imaging system HD AnalyzerTM®.Setting: Ophthalmology department of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto (CHUPorto).Design: Retrospective, non-randomized, single center study.Methods: Analysis of three equivalent groups of patients submitted to PRK, LASIK and FS-LASIK at our department. The objective quality of vision assessment included the objective scatter index (OSI), the modular transfer function cutoff frequency (MTF) and the predicted visual acuity within the 100% (PVA), 20% (PVA20) and 9% contrast levels (PVA9) that were evaluated at baseline, 1st week, 1 and 6 months after surgery.Results: 118 eyes were included: 40 underwent LASIK, 43 FS-LASIK and 35 PRK. The mean age was 30.6± 4.6 years old and 56% were female. There was a significant impact concerning the type of procedure in the objective quality of vision analysis (Repeated measures ANOVA): the FS-LASIK group showed lower OSI values overtime [F(1,2)=4.566, p=0.012, OSI 0.83± 0.53 (FS-LASIK) vs 0.87± 0.47 (PRK) and 1.21± 1.44 (LASIK)], higher MTF values [F(1,2)=6.569, p=0.002, MTF 40.17± 8.33 vs 32.37± 11.4 (PRK) and 30.26± 10.28 (LASIK)], higher PVA 100% [F(1,2)=10.871, p< 0.001], PVA 20% [F(1,2)=9.737, p< 0.001] and PVA 9% [F(1,2)=6.335), p=0.003].Conclusion: In our study, FS-LASIK showed an excellent optical performance through the HD AnalyzerTM technology, with significantly lower OSI and higher MTF, PVA100, PVA20 and PVA9 values. According to our results, this procedure seems to be superior to PRK and LASIK regarding visual quality objective parameters.Keywords: quality of vision, HD analyzer, LASIK, PRK, femtosecond-assisted LASIK

This study aims to conduct a sustainable comparative analysis of embodied energy between different materials to produce social buildings in Brazil. The study compares structures and enclosure made of glued laminated timber (GLT) and reinforced concrete with enclosure made of ceramic block masonry to produce the same 48m² single-family housing unit following the COHAB MG standard. The accounting of materials used for building production was made through a BIM platform, and subsequently, total embodied energy was calculated, weighted according to the amount of each material used. Results indicates that buildings constructed with GLT in Brazil can achieve up to a 40% reduction in total embodied energy when compared to the traditional construction model of reinforced concrete and red clay blocks.

Since 2022, various foundries are offering the manufacture of integrated photonic structures for the visible spectrum. As this technology continues to enter the market, there will be an increasing demand for accurate optical and dimensional characterization of these structures. To meet this demand, we have developed a highly precise optical characterization system based on the prism coupling technique, also known as m-lines spectroscopy, to investigate the optical properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride planar waveguides deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. In this work, by combining visible spectroscopy with the prism coupling technique to excite modes that propagate resonantly in the waveguide via frustrated total internal reflection, using either parallel or perpendicularly polarized light beams, we were able to analyze the waveguide properties of silicon nitride thin films with an interfacial oxide layer. Furthermore, through numerical simulation of the bilayer structure, we calculate the waveguide’s refractive index and thickness, and determine the characteristics of the interfaces in terms of refractive index and thickness.

Photonic circuits are an enabling technology for the development of novel solutions in different fields such as healthcare, quantum computing, neural networks, communications, and manufacturing. Interconnections between devices and systems require low-loss light coupling strategies. Grating couplers are a promising solution to couple light between photonic circuits and optical fibres due to their off-plane coupling capabilities. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), which can be deposited by PECVD over a substrate of silica or glass, is a suitable low-cost solution for the production of such light coupling devices. In this work we developed, trained and tested a fully connected feedforward neural network for coupling efficiency prediction in a-Si:H grating couplers. The light coupling gratings were simulated by twodimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis and field distributions were analysed with the Finite Element Method (FEM). Simulated gratings include non-apodized, linear and quadratic refractive index variation designs featuring full or partial etching, operating at 1550 nm. Not featuring any type of bottom reflector, the couplers exhibit coupling efficiencies up to about 40 % (~ -4 dB). The neural network multiclass grating coupler efficiency classifier was trained with over 3000 simulation results, reaching an accuracy over 85%, for coupling efficiencies between 0 and 30%+.

Optical fiber sensors have been validated for physiological measurement as a potential device for smart textiles and wearable sensors. Also, developing sensors with Polymeric Optical Fiber (POF) shows promising applications in dynamic and real scenarios, as low-cost alternatives. Furthermore, the functioning of POF sensors can be used in no-skin contact applications, such as in highly skin-sensitive children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during therapies. On the other hand, Dog-Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a stress-reducing method and has been studied to identify its influence on improving therapies and stress-related events. This work presents a case study in three weekly DAT sessions focused on speech therapy in a subject with ASD. A validated low-cost POF sensor was used in this first dynamic physiological measurement scenario. The analysis of five Heart Rate Variability (HRV) variables was made to compare the participant’s physiological status before and during the DAT. The obtained pulse signal showed the dynamic movements affecting the signal but being able to obtain the pulse peaks. The physiological comparison showed a difference in the mean peakto-peak time interval when the child was interacting with the dog than previous to the interaction in Session 1 and Session 2 (p-value

Nowadays is increasing the demand for miniaturized, user-friendly, automated, and portable sensing systems able to provide a fast and reliable response. In this context, colorimetric detection has emerged for its intrinsic advantages, such as simplicity and rapidity, but also for the outstanding development of novel materials, such as plasmonic nanoparticles, and new technologies. Here, the Color Picker system, a system reproducing in the ba has been developed and tested on a plasmonic paper. The aim is to provide a tool for a colorimetric detection that can be successively integrated in next generation diagnostic devices for real world applications.

For the development of more energy-efficient buildings, pursuing comprehensive sustainable solutions can help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and using natural resources sustainably and at low cost are challenging objectives for the achievement of the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals. In this context, the main objective of this research is the evaluation of the energy-efficiency improvement of shallow geothermal systems, based on one case study building located at Aveiro University. The present research undertakes the improvement of several parameters with influence on the shallow geothermal systems efficiency, using as a demonstrator a university building in Aveiro University, the CCCI department building. The performed work was developed in three phases: (i) the acquisition of vertical temperature profiles in 15 exploration boreholes, (ii) the simulation of the buildings’ energy needs using EnergyPlus® software, and (iii) the evaluation of the energy demand of the geothermal system using HYGCHP® software. A sensitivity analysis was carried out with HYGCHP® by changing several parameters (average ground temperature, soil thermal conductivity, pipe radius, and total installation length) to assess the reduction potential of the annual energy consumption. Combining different parameters in the design phase allows a considerable reduction in the annual energy consumption. Two parameters are highlighted with a higher influence: the soil thermal conductivity and the average soil temperature (measured in the boreholes). A synthesis of the simulations carried out will lead to concrete recommendations and guidelines for future planning actions regarding geothermal systems installation to ensure sustainable use conditions, comfort, and health in the campus environment.

The benefits of geosynthetic-reinforced soil systems over conventional earth-retaining structures are now well established. These reinforced systems are often subjected not only to static loads, but also to seismic and/or traffic loads, in which case the effects of repeated loading on soil-geosynthetic interaction characteristics should be properly considered. This study investigates the behaviour of a geogrid typically used for soil reinforcement under cyclic pullout loading through load-controlled laboratory pullout tests. To examine the influence of cyclic loading amplitude, number of cycles and static pullout force acting on the geogrid at the onset of cyclic loading, distinct loading patterns are considered. A well-graded residual soil from granite is used as backfill material. A comparison between the cyclic and monotonic pullout response of the reinforcement is then established in order to identify any potential strength loss attributed to cyclic loading. The experimental results show that the ultimate pullout resistance of the geogrid embedded in medium dense residual soil from granite may be adversely affected by cyclic loading. The cumulative cyclic displacements of the reinforcement are more pronounced during the initial loading cycles, but tend to stabilize with the increasing number of cycles when the soil is densely compacted. In the presence of dense soil, the cyclic strains of the geogrid specimen are particularly significant at the front section and almost negligible towards the back end.

In the present study, we examined 30 individuals of introduced African cichlids, Oreochromis niloticus and Coptodon rendalli, collected in a river spring of the Pardo River, Paranapanema River basin, southeastern Brazil. Based on morphological and molecular analyses of the partial LSU rDNA gene, we identified four species of monogeneans, Cichlidogyrus tilapiae, C. thurstonae, C. mbirizei, and Scutogyrus longicornis on the gills of O. niloticus, whereas individuals of C. rendalli were infested only with C. papernastrema. This is the first record of C. mbirizei and C. papernastrema in tilapias from Brazil. The ecological consequences of the introduction of exotic species of tilapia such as O. niloticus and C. rendalli along with their monogenean parasites in a wild environment represented by a river spring are discussed. Our new molecular data on Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus contribute to the investigation of the phylogenetic interrelationships of these widely distributed genera of monogeneans since their species composition is still unsettled.

The energy dependence of high-yield fission products has been measured using quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams at energies between 5.5 and 11.0 MeV. The absolute number of fissions during the irradiation period was determined via dual-fission ionization chambers, while the fission products were measured via direct g-ray spectroscopy. This paper presents absolute fission product yields from neutron-induced fission of 235U, 238U, and 239Pu isotopes for five incident energies in the second chance fission region.