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We investigate in detail the transference of quantum states in a disordered channel. We consider a one-dimensional tight-binding model consisting of a source S connected to a receiver R throughout a disordered channel. The disorder distribution contains a single tunable spatial correlation length. We demonstrate that the disorder correlation length plays a relevant role within the localization properties of the channel. The hopping parameter between the sites S and R and the channel are also adjustable parameters. We investigate the possibility of transference of quantum states along this quantum channel model and describe the optimal conditions for the occurrence of a high fidelity process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the one-electron propagation in a nonlinear chain with electron–lattice interaction. The model contains standard cubic nonlinear terms, and we introduce the coupling between the electron and the lattice through the hopping distribution. We solve the coupled equation set to electron and lattice and calculate the electronic position as a function of time. We provide a detailed investigation of the electron and lattice dynamics for a wide range of electron–lattice coupling intensities. Our results demonstrate that depending on the initial condition we consider and the intensity of the electron–lattice interaction, we can obtain (or not) an electron–phonon pair formation. Our results reveal that, depending on the initial velocity of the lattice and the degree of electron–lattice term, we can observe a repulsion between electron and lattice deformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider a square lattice with correlated random hopping terms under the effect of an external electric field. We analyzed the dynamics of an initially localized electronic wave packet using a Taylor formalism to solve the Schrödinger dynamic equation. Our calculations suggest that the correlated disorder promotes a fast electronic propagation for intermediate times. When we switch on a static electric field, we observe an oscillatory behavior similar to the well-known "Bloch oscillations" phenomenology. We calculate the frequency of these oscillations, and our results are in good agreement with those predicted by the semi-classical approach used in crystalline lattices. Based on the local disorder and in the absence of extended states in our model, we discussed the stability of these apparent "Bloch oscillations". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Alagoas, northeast of Brazil, via an adaptive susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model featuring dynamic recuperation and propagation rates. Input parameters are defined based on data made available by Alagoas Secretary of Health from April 19, 2020 on. We provide with the evolution of the basic reproduction number R 0 and reproduce the historical series of the number of confirmed cases with less than 1 0 % error. We offer predictions, from November 16 forward, over the epidemic situation in the near future and show that it will keep decelerating. Furthermore, the same model can be used to study the epidemic dynamics in other countries with great easiness and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we consider a one-electron moving on a Fermi, Pasta, Ulam disordered chain under effect of electron-phonon interaction and a Gaussian acoustic pulse pumping. We describe electronic dynamics using quantum mechanics formalism and the nonlinear atomic vibrations using standard classical physics. Solving numerical equations related to coupled quantum/classical behavior of this system, we study electronic propagation properties. Our calculations suggest that the acoustic pumping associated with the electron-lattice interaction promote a sub-diffusive electronic dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the influence of electron-lattice interaction on the stability of uniform electronic wavepackets on chains as well as on several types of fullerenes. We will use an effective nonlinear Schrödinger equation to mimic the electron-phonon coupling in these topologies. By numerically solving the nonlinear dynamic equation for an initially uniform electronic wavepacket, we show that the critical nonlinear coupling above which it becomes unstable continuously decreases with the chain size. On the other hand, the critical nonlinear strength saturates on a finite value in large fullerene buckyballs. We also provide analytical arguments to support these findings based on a modulational instability analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the electronic transport properties of methylated deoxyribonucleic-acid (DNA) strands, a biological system in which methyl groups are added to DNA (a major epigenetic modification in gene expression), sandwiched between two metallic platinum electrodes. Our theoretical simulations apply an effective Hamiltonian based on a tight-binding model to obtain current-voltage curves related to the non-methylated/methylated DNA strands. The results suggest potential applications in the development of novel biosensors for molecular diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the question regarding the effect of correlated random spring constants in the one-dimensional harmonic model. We consider all masses to be equal but the spring constants given by a random sequence with long-range correlations. We generate the long-range correlated sequence of spring constants by using a fractional Brownian motion with a power-law spectral density S(κ) = 1/κα. Using an exact diagonalization formalism, we compute the participation moments of eigenmodes within the band of allowed frequencies. We unveil a regime on which all modes below a critical frequency become extended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bose-Einstein condensation of noninteracting particles restricted to move on the sites of hierarchical diamond lattices is investigated. Using a tight-binding single-particle Hamiltonian with properly rescaled hopping amplitudes, we are able to employ an orthogonal basis transformation to exactly map it on a set of decoupled linear chains with sizes and degeneracies written in terms of the network branching parameter q and generation number n. The integrated density of states is shown to have a fractal structure of gaps and degeneracies with a power-law decay at the band bottom. The spectral dimension ds coincides with the network topological dimension df = ln(2q)/ln(2). We perform a finite-size scaling analysis of the fraction of condensed particles and specific heat to characterize the critical behavior of the BEC transition that occurs for q > 2 (ds > 2). The critical exponents are shown to follow those for lattices with a pure power-law spectral density, with non-mean-field values for q < 8 (ds < 4). The transition temperature is shown to grow monotonically with the branching parameter, obeying the relation 1/Tc = a + b/(q-2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the dynamics of a one-electron in a one-dimensional (1d) alloy with a correlated Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) disorder distribution. The model considered here corresponds to an alloy with three types of atoms where the position of each atom is obtained using a stochastic rule based on the OU process. We analyze in detail the effect of this correlated disorder in the optical absorption spectrum and the level spacing statistics near the band center. Our results reveal a new collection of optical absorption peaks. We explain in details the appearance of each peak. Our calculations about the level spacing's distribution reveals a Poisson distribution thus contradicting previous statements about the existence of extended states in ternary electronic models with correlated disorder distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vânia Silva Macedo Orsano,1,2 Wilson Max Almeida Monteiro de Moraes,2 Nuno Manuel Frade de Sousa,3 Felipe Carmo de Moura,2 Ramires Alsamir Tibana,4 Alessandro de Oliveira Silva,5 Silvana Schwerz Funghetto,6 Brad J Schoenfeld,7 Jonato Prestes2 1Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Piaui (UFPI), Piauí, Brazil; 2Post Graduation Program on Physical Education, Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), Brasília, Brazil; 3Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Faculty Estacio of Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil; 4Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Mato Grosso, Brazil; 5Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, University Center of Brasilia (UniCEUB), Brasília, Brazil; 6Graduation Program in Health Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasília, Brazil; 7Department of Health Sciences, CUNY Lehman College, Bronx, NY, USA Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of traditional resistance training (RT) versus high velocity RT (HVRT) on metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological responses in elderly hypertensive women. Methods: Fifteen elderly women (mean age ± standard deviation, 67.1±6.9 years) classified as having hypertension stage 1 or 2 were randomly allocated to complete traditional RT or HVRT; 1 week later, subjects allocated to RT completed the HVRT session and vice-versa. Heart rate, blood pressure, affective response, perceived effort, and blood samples analyzing lactate, nitrate, nitrite, oxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) collected before and after training sessions were assessed. Nutritional counseling was provided regarding nutrients that could affect cardiovascular and nitrate/nitrite analysis. Results: Systolic blood pressure was not statistically different (p>0.05) between conditions at the beginning and during 30 minutes after sessions. Diastolic blood pressure, rate pressure product, and heart rate were not statistically different (p>0.05) between conditions at the beginning and during 45 minutes after sessions. Nitric oxide was significantly higher (p

We study the nature of collective excitations in classical anharmonic lattices with aperiodic and pseudo-random harmonic spring constants. The aperiodicity was introduced in the harmonic potential by using a sinusoidal function whose phase varies as a power-law, ϕ ∝ nν, where n labels the positions along the chain. In the absence of anharmonicity, we numerically demonstrate the existence of extended states and energy propagation for a sufficiently large degree of aperiodicity. Calculations were done by using the transfer matrix formalism (TMF), exact diagonalization and numerical solution of the Hamilton's equations. When nonlinearity is switched on, we numerically obtain a rich framework involving stable and unstable solitons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study the propagation of acoustic waves in a one-dimensional system with nonstationary chaotic elasticity distribution. The elasticity distribution is assumed to have a power spectrum S(f) ~ 1/f(2B-3)/(B-1) for B ≥ 1.5. By using a transfer-matrix method we solve the discrete version of the scalar wave equation and compute the Lyapunov exponent. In addition, we apply a second-order finite-difference method for both the time and spatial variables and study the nature of the waves that propagate in the chain. Our numerical data indicate the presence of weak localized acoustic waves for high degree of correlations (B > 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the effect of an aperiodic hopping distribution on a single electron. The aperiodic sequence of hopping energies was generated by using a sinusoidal function whose phase ϕ varies as a power-law, ϕ ∝ nν, where n labels the positions along the chain. The exponent ν controls the degree of aperiodicity in the sequence hopping terms. Using the transfer matrix method, we compute the localization length within the band of allowed energies. Our numerical calculations indicate that, for an aperiodic sequence of hopping energies with ν < 1, a new phase of extended states appears in this model. For a pseudorandom hopping distribution with ν > 1, all eigenstates remain localized. In addition, we study the electronic dynamics subjected to an electric field. Our numerical calculations reveals perfect Bloch oscillations for ν < 1. The typical frequency of these oscillations agree with the semiclassical predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the nature of the vibrational modes in a two-dimensional harmonic lattice with long-range correlated random masses, with power-law spectral density S(k)∼1/kα. We obtain numerically the scale invariance of the fluctuations of the relative participation number and the local density of states. We find signatures of extended vibrational modes when α>αc and αc depends on the magnitude of disorder. In order to confirm this claim, we also study the time evolution of an initially localized perturbation of the lattice. We show that the second moment of the spatial distribution of the energy displays a ballistic regime when α>αc, in agreement with the occurrence of extended vibrational modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation frequency during pre (105 d from parturition) and postpartum (105 d from parturition) of Nellore primiparous cows on performance and physiological responses. Twenty-five pregnant heifers with an average BW of 408 ± 2 kg and 172 ± 2 d of gestation were used in this trial. Animals were housed in 6 paddocks with full access to water, and stocking rate was defined on the basis of potentially digestible DM availability (DMpd). Evaluated treatments were: control (ad libitum mineral mix); daily supplementation (1.5 kg of concentrate/animal); and supplementation every 3 d (4.5 kg of concentrate/animal). Two 9-d digestibility trials were performed at 55 d before parturition and 55 d after parturition. Plasma concentrations of glucose, IGF-1, NEFA, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were used as indicators of energy state and collected at 27 and 9 d before parturition, on the day of parturition, and 9 and 27 d after parturition. The response variables were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC) assuming a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 2 replicates per treatments. Treatment was considered a fixed effect whereas treatment within paddock was considered random. The DMpd observed during the experiment for pre and postpartum was 4.4 t/ha and 2.9 t/ha, respectively, which corresponded to the momentary mean availability of 78.6 and 52.9 g/kg BW. The DMI was not affected by supplementation frequency during peripartum (P > 0.10) or postpartum (P > 0.10). The supplementation frequency did not affect BW at 10 d before parturition (P > 0.10) or at 105 d after parturition (P > 0.10). Glucose concentration was affected by supplementation frequency (72.27 vs. 65.62 mg/dL for pre and postpartum respectively; P < 0.10). Most likely, daily supplementation reduces oscillation and increases circulating concentrations of glucose. Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 (206 vs. 222 vs. 201 ng/mL for pre and postpartum respectively; P > 0.10), NEFA (0.21 vs. 0.23 vs. 0.18 mmol/L for pre and postpartum respectively; P > 0.10), and BHB (0.45 vs. 0.52 vs. 0.45 mmol/L for pre and postpartum respectively; P > 0.10) did not differ among treatments. The forage availability associated with lack of supplementation frequency effect on intake may have contributed to no changes in performance and physiological responses. These results suggest that when there is non-restriction on forage availability, supplementation frequency during pre and postpartum does not affect performance or physiological responses of primiparous Nellore cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that the ideal Boson gas displays a finite-temperature Bose-Einstein condensation transition in the complex Apollonian network exhibiting scale-free, small-world, and hierarchical properties. The single-particle tight-binding Hamiltonian with properly rescaled hopping amplitudes has a fractal-like energy spectrum. The energy spectrum is analytically demonstrated to be generated by a nonlinear mapping transformation. A finite-size scaling analysis over several orders of magnitudes of network sizes is shown to provide precise estimates for the exponents characterizing the condensed fraction, correlation size, and specific heat. The critical exponents, as well as the power-law behavior of the density of states at the bottom of the band, are similar to those of the ideal Boson gas in lattices with spectral dimension ds=2ln(3)/ln(9/5)≃3.74. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the effects of spatially long-range correlated phase disorder on the Hadamard quantum walk on a line. The shift operator is built to exhibit an intrinsic disorder distribution featuring long-range correlations. To impose such, we resort to fractional Brownian motion with power-law spectrum 1/k2α with α≥0 being the exponent that controls the degree of correlations. We discuss the scaling behavior of the walker's wave packet and report a localization-delocalization transition controlled by α. We unveil two intermediate dynamical regimes between exponential localization and full delocalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider interacting electrons moving in a nonlinear Morse lattice. We set the initial conditions as follows: electrons were initially localized at the center of the chain and a solitonic deformation was produced by an impulse excitation on the center of the chain. By solving quantum and classical equations for this system numerically, we found that a fraction of electronic wave function was trapped by the solitonic excitation, and trapping specificities depend on the degree of interaction among electrons. Also, there is evidence that the effective electron velocity depends on Coulomb interaction and electron-phonon coupling in a nontrivial way. This association is explained in detail along this work. In addition, we briefly discuss the dependence of our results with the type of initial condition we choose for the electrons and lattice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Unified Health System provides universal health care access without regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. We conducted a nationwide study with a cross-sectional design and intentional sampling methods to investigate factors associated with Basic Health Unit (BHU) use by the LGBTQIA+ community. Data were collected via a questionnaire available through social networks. Statistical analysis included Poisson regression with robust variance. A total of 603 LGBTQIA+ community members participated in the study, of whom 417 (69.2%) had visited a BHU in the last year. The factors "transgender woman" and "self-rated health status as very good/good/fair" increased the probability of BHU use in the last year by 10% (PR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.00-1.20) and 9% (PR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.18), respectively. "Not suffering sexual orientation-related discrimination at a BHU" and "Not suffering discrimination by a receptionist or waiting room worker" increased the probability of use by 28% (PR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.22-1.34) and 22% (PR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14-1.30), respectively. Our study supports evidence that access to primary health care services in Brazil can be influenced by the social determinants gender identity and sexual discrimination.

Ruminal tympany (bloat) has long been an issue for large and small livestock operations. Though improvements in feedlot management practices have reduced its occurrence, it is still highly prevalent and is known to detrimentally affect animal performance, welfare, and in many instances, lead to animal death. Current decision support systems and diet formulation software omit the inclusion of bloat prediction based on animal performance. Here, we aim to predict bloat incidence in implanted and non-implanted feedlot steers from performance data comparing linear (LDB) and non-linear decision boundaries. Eighteen crossbred Angus × Hereford steers: BW (491.13 ± 25.78 kg) and age (12 ± 1 mo) were randomly distributed into implanted and non-implanted treatments. All animals were randomly assigned to one of two pens fit with automated monitoring systems for BW, freshwater intake, and water intake behavior: water intake event visit, no water intake event visit (NWIE), and time spent drinking. DM intake (DMI) was individually recorded from all animals through the Calan Gate system for 135 d (30 d adaptation, 105 d experimental diet). Incidences of bloat were recorded as bloat instances regardless of severity to ensure that early onset detection of bloat was recorded and properly identified in predictive models. Logistic regression with a binomial distribution and a logit link function was utilized to predict the incidences of bloat through LDB. Feature selection and penalization of coefficients were explored through L1 (sum of absolute values) and L2 (sum of squares) penalization to avoid overfitting of models. Additional NLDB and a non-parametric LDB are examined for prediction. Accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity were high for the models reported. No significant differences were observed between LDB and NLDB, with the highest specificity (predicting bloat) value of 0.820 for stepwise feature selection algorithms, and a value of 0.832 for the artificial neural network. Highest accuracy was 0.829 for ridge regression, and 0.847 for the random forest with hyperparameter tuning. DM intake, BW, and NWIE were the three most important variables for the prediction of feedlot bloat showing clear drops in DMI and BW and increases in NWIE when animals bloated. The lack of difference in predictive performance between LDB and NLDB highlights the often-overlooked concept that machine learning algorithms are not always the only/best modeling technique. Additionally, the models reported herein carry acceptable predictive performance for inclusion into management decisions that reduce bloat incidences in feedlot cattle., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study presents the development of a simple, fast, and inexpensive approach for the direct analysis of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in seized tablets and blotter paper, with improved sample preservation and increased analytical frequency. Paper triangles were gently rubbed against the surface of the samples containing synthetic drugs and then subjected to analysis by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PS-MS). Seized samples containing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and several other substances from the classes of amphetamines, N -benzyl-substituted phenethylamines, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic cannabinoids, were analysed. Three types of paper were tested (filter paper, blotter paper, and synthetic paper) and several combinations of spray solvents were studied for the optimization. All samples were weighed and photographed before and after sequences of analysis in order to attest to the sample preservation. The results revealed that the approach is excellent for sample preservation, with less than 5% of mass loss even after 27 consecutive analyses. Moreover, no significant signal decreases were observed in mass spectrometry (MS) even after the experiments. It was possible to unequivocally identify illicit substances from seized samples (pills and blotter paper). By overcoming the solubilization and wet extraction process used for sample preparation, the waste was restricted to a volume of only 10 μL of solvent for the PS-MS analysis. The main advantage of our approach over existing methods is the sample preparation, which is simple and quick since the samples are just rubbed against the PS paper. This brings enormous benefits in terms of analytical frequency, economy of time and low consumption of solvents. Another important point is that the sample can remain intact for further analysis, which is crucial in forensic analysis.

Chimarrão is a typical beverage made from the infusion of dried and ground leaves and stems of Ilex paraguariensis (popularly known as Yerba mate or mate herb) which is widely consumed in parts of South America. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the chimarrão against nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by the potassium dichromate (PD) salt in male Wistar rats. The experiment lasted 17 days, and in the first 15 days animals ingested a chimarrão infusion or control drinking water and then submitted to an intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg) of PD (or saline solution) and euthanized after 48 hr at which time animals still received infusion or drinking water. Blood plasma and 24 hr-urine samples were collected to measure creatinine levels as an estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Concomitantly oxidative stress was determined in the kidneys as evidenced by levels of carbonyl groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals. Potassium dichromate induced oxidative stress in the kidneys and reduced GFR. Treatment with chimarrão during the 15 days prior to PD injection reduced PD salt-mediated oxidative stress. Further, treatment with post-injection chimarrão to PD-administered rats improved the GFR. Our findings support that the use of the chimarrão beverage may be considered as an important nephroprotective substance.

This work presents a data survey regarding the qualitative chemical analysis of drugs seized by the Police in the state of Minas Gerais between July 2017 and June 2022, including an evaluation of labeling of 265 samples of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) seized in 2020. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) present in the samples were identified through chemical analysis and classified by system Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) methods. Analysis of the labeling information for 265 samples of AAS followed the guidance of legislation RDC 71 (2009) from ANVISA. For this study 6355 seized pharmaceuticals underwent qualitative chemical analysis that corresponded to 7739 APIs successfully identified and classified. Among the components studied AAS, psychostimulants, anesthetics, and analgesics were the most commonly examined. AAS seized and tested increased by over 100% and for the majority of the samples analyzed were found to not match the labeling on the packaging. In the meantime, anti-obesity drugs presented a prominent increase of 400% from 2020/1 to 2021/2, during covid-19 quarantine. Seized pharmaceuticals and tests can support information in the planning of public health and safety policies., (© 2023 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

Introduction: Non-metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) is an important clinical stage of prostate cancer, prior to morbidity and mortality from clinical metastases. In particular, the introduction of novel androgen-receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSi) has changed the therapeutic landscape in nmCRPC. Given recent developments in this field, we update our recommendations for the management of nmCRPC., Methods: A panel of 51 invited medical oncologists and urologists convened in May of 2021 with the aim of discussing and providing recommendations regarding the most relevant issues concerning staging methods, antineoplastic therapy, osteoclast-targeted therapy, and patient follow-up in nmCRPC. Panel members considered the available evidence and their practical experience to address the 73 multiple-choice questions presented., Results: Key recommendations and findings include the reliance on prostate-specific antigen doubling time for treatment decisions, the absence of a clear preference between conventional and novel (i.e., positron-emission tomography-based) imaging techniques, the increasing role of ARSis in various settings, the general view that ARSis have similar efficacy. Panelists highlighted the slight preference for darolutamide, when safety is of greater concern, and a continued need to develop high-level evidence to guide the intensity of follow-up in this subset of prostate cancer., Discussion: Despite the limitations associated with a consensus panel, the topics addressed are relevant in current practice, and the recommendations can help practicing clinicians to provide state-of-the-art treatment to patients with nmCRPC in Brazil and other countries with similar healthcare settings., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), silver oxide nanoparticles (AgO-NPs), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have healing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, Ag-NPs and ZnO-NPs also have anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we synthesized a nanocomposite using Ag-ZnO and AgO-NPs (Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs). The structural and morphological properties of nanocrystals and nanocomposite were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electronics microscopic. The wurtzite crystalline structure of Ag-ZnO and two morphologies for the nanocomposite (nanorods and nanoplatelets) were determined. Topical treatment with 1% Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs was compared to untreated wounds (control group). Wounds were induced in the dorsal region of BALB/c mice and evaluated after 3, 7, 14, and 21 days of treatment. The nanocomposite demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. In addition, wounds treated with Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs showed accelerated closure, non-cytotoxicity, especially on keratinocytes and collagen deposition, and increased metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activity. The nanocomposite improved healing by reducing the inflammatory process, protecting tissues from damage caused by free radicals, and increasing collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix. These characteristics contributed to the accelerated wound closure process. Thus, Ag-ZnO/AgO NPs show potential for can be a strategy for topical use in formulations of new drugs to treat wounds., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Exploring alternative supplementation sources capable of maximizing feed and water efficiency in nursing Holstein calves is often ignored. The goals herein involve investigating the effects of two isoenergetic supplements on a nonmedicated milk replacer diet on total water intake, milk water intake, fresh water intake, feed intake parameters, and performance of Holstein nursing bull calves. Twenty-three animals (body weight [BW] = 94.67 ± 12.07 kg, age = 67 days old) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments for 68 days: control (CON; ad libitum milk replacer, n = 7), carbohydrate supplement (CHO; corn starch on top of ad libitum milk replacer-based diet, n = 8), or lipid supplement (FAT; menhaden fish oil on top of ad libitum milk replacer-based diet, n = 8). The isoenergetic supplementation consisted of 3% menhaden fish oil addition on DM basis for FAT. This was matched energetically with corn starch for the CHO group resulting in a 7% composition in DM basis. All animals were provided free access to mineral mix and 120 g daily dried microbrewer's spent grains ( BG ). Data were analyzed with the GLMMIX procedure of SAS in a completely randomized design with the diets as a fixed effect. Dry matter intake (DMI) adjusted by average daily gain (ADG; DMI/ADG) resulted in significantly lower values for supplemented groups with CON = 2.48, CHO = 2.38, and FAT = 2.27 kg/kg (ADG) ( P = 0.033). Energy intake values were lower for CON when analyzing metabolizable energy intake ( P < 0.0001), net energy intake for maintenance ( P < 0.0001), and net energy intake for gain ( P < 0.0001), followed by CHO, and then FAT. Total water intake ( P < 0.0001), milk water intake ( P < 0.0001), and fresh water intake ( P < 0.0001) all resulted in CHO consuming 0.5 L or less water than the other two treatments. Energy requirements as digestible energy ( P < 0.0001), metabolizable energy ( P < 0.0001), net energy for maintenance ( P < 0.0001), and net energy for gain ( P < 0.0001) were lower for CHO, followed by CON, and then FAT having the highest requirements. Similar results were observed for residual feed ( RFI ; P = 0.006) and residual water intakes ( RTWI ; P = 0.902). Ultimately, no performance differences were detected with regards to BW (CON = 146.71, CHO = 146.25, and FAT = 150.48 kg; P > 0.1). These results indicate that lipid-based and starch-based supplementation can potentially increase feed efficiency and decrease voluntary water intake without adversely affecting performance., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

We study the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil based on official data available since March 22, 2020. Calculations are done via an adaptive susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model featuring dynamical recuperation and propagation rates. We are able reproduce the number of confirmed cases over time with less than 5% error and also provide with short- and long-term predictions. The model can also be used to account for the epidemic dynamics in other countries with great accuracy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nicotine can produce antinociception in preclinical pain models; however, the ability of nicotine to augment the antinociceptive effects of opioid agonists has not been investigated. The present experiments were conducted to determine how nicotine modifies the effects of opioid agonists differing in efficacy. Male squirrel monkeys responded for the delivery of milk under a fixed ratio 10 schedule of reinforcement. During the 30-second timeout period following each milk delivery, the subject's tail was immersed in 35, 50, 52, or 55°C water, and the latency to remove the tail was recorded. Dose-response functions for tail-withdrawal latency and operant performance were determined for fentanyl, oxycodone, buprenorphine, and nalbuphine alone and after treatment with nicotine. Excepting nalbuphine, all opioids produced dose-related disruptions in food-maintained responding and increases in tail-withdrawal latency at each water temperature. Nicotine did not exacerbate the behaviorally disruptive effects of the μ -opioids on operant performance but produced a significant mecamylamine-sensitive enhancement of the antinociceptive potency of each opioid. Failure of arecoline to augment the antinociceptive effects of oxycodone and antagonism by mecamylamine suggests this nicotine-induced augmentation of prescription opioid antinociception was nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) mediated. This was reflected in leftward shifts in the antinociceptive dose-response curve of each opioid, ranging from 2- to 7-fold increases in the potency of oxycodone across all water temperatures to an approximately 70-fold leftward shift in the antinociceptive dose-response curve of nalbuphine at the lower and intermediate water temperatures. These results suggest that nicotine may enhance μ -opioid antinociceptive effects without concomitantly exacerbating their behaviorally disruptive effects. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Prescription opioids remain the most effective pain-management pharmacotherapeutics but are limited by their adverse effects. The present results indicate that nicotine enhances antinociceptive effects of various opioid agonists in nonhuman primates without increasing their disruptive effects on operant performance. These results suggest that nicotine might function as an opioid adjuvant for pain management by enabling decreased clinically effective analgesic doses of prescription opioids without exacerbating their adverse behavioral effects., (Copyright © 2019 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.)