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Many experiments at radioactive ion beam (RIB) facilities suffer from isobaric contamination, i.e. unwanted ions of similar mass. During the last decade, Multi-Reflection Time-of-Flight (MR-ToF) devices have gained remarkable attention for mass separation of short-lived, low-intensity beams of radionuclides at RIB facilities throughout the world. They exceed mass resolving powers m/Δm of 105 within a processing time of some (tens of) milliseconds. Due to space-charge effects, however, the mass separation remains an experimental challenge when many ions are simultaneously confined in the MR-ToF device. This limits the wider application of MR-ToF mass separators at RIB facilities. By performing ion-optical simulations including space-charge effects, we investigate different schemes of ion preparation in a Paul trap upstream of the MR-ToF device as well as MR-ToF operation and study their influence on mass separation and maximal ion flux. The validity of these simulations are benchmarked by time-of-flight and collision-induced fluorescence measurements with a 1.5 keV MR-ToF device. More advanced ion-beam preparation techniques such as the use of laser cooling, buffer-gas cooling at cryogenic temperatures or specific electric-field parameters for ion trapping and ejection from the Paul trap can significantly reduce the processing time needed to reach a given mass resolving power. However, the simulations of these methods also indicate that space-charge effects in the MR-ToF device become relevant at lower ion numbers compared to ’standard’ ion preparation. Thus, the overall amount of mass separated ions per unit of time remains essentially the same. In contrast, the simulations suggest that increasing the kinetic energy of typically just a few kiloelectronvolts in present MR-ToF instruments to 30 keV results in a significant increase of the attainable maximal ion flux.

Apresentação - v. 9, n. 2, nov. 2024

O presente artigo tematiza o ensino e a aprendizagem da escrita pela reescrita no Ensino Médio. O estudo tem por objetivo (a) apresentar a utilização de roteiro de reescrita enquanto instrumento orientador do trabalho de reelaboração textual colaborativa por estudantes e (b) discutir as potencialidades desse instrumento no trabalho de ensino e de aprendizagem da escrita. Para tanto, são analisadas versões de textos produzidos por dois estudantes de uma turma de estudantes do 2º ano do curso Técnico em Administração Integrado ao Ensino Médio de um Instituto Federal, engajados na atividade de (re)escrita colaborativa de uma resenha. Os dados foram gerados no âmbito de uma pesquisa-ação de cunho qualitativo e interpretativo. A análise de dados demonstra que a mobilização de roteiro orientador de reescrita, elaborado conjuntamente com os estudantes a partir do estudo do gênero resenha, pode promover uma reescrita, de fato, informada por critérios discursivos. Seu uso enquanto recurso didático pode orientar o trabalho de reelaboração de textos por estudantes e otimizar o trabalho docente de produção de feedback com encaminhamentos de reescrita para a elaboração de novas versões para as produções textuais, garantindo que uma interlocução pedagógica com vistas ao aprimoramento da escrita pela reescrita se estabeleça entre os participantes por meio desse instrumento. Além disso, o presente estudo lança luz sobre a importância de um trabalho paralelo e sistemático de leitura para que o trabalho com (re)escrita alcance êxito.

The development of genome-wide analysis tools has prompted global investigation of the gene expression program, revealing highly coordinated control mechanisms that ensure proper spatiotemporal activity of a cell’s macromolecular components. With respect to the regulation of RNA transcripts, the concept of RNA regulons, which – by analogy with DNA regulons in bacteria – refers to the coordinated control of functionally related RNA molecules, has emerged as a unifying theory that describes the logic of regulatory RNA-protein interactions in eukaryotes. Hundreds of RNA-binding proteins and small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, bind to distinct elements in target RNAs, thereby exerting specific and concerted control over posttranscriptional events. In this review, we discuss recent reports committed to systematically explore the RNA-protein interaction network and outline some of the principles and recurring features of RNA regulons: the coordination of functionally related mRNAs through RNA-binding proteins or non-coding RNAs, the modular structure of its components, and the dynamic rewiring of RNA-protein interactions upon exposure to internal or external stimuli. We also summarize evidence for robust combinatorial control of mRNAs, which could determine the ultimate fate of each mRNA molecule in a cell. Finally, the compilation and integration of global protein-RNA interaction data has yielded first insights into network structures and provided the hypothesis that RNA regulons may, in part, constitute noise ‘buffers’ to handle stochasticity in cellular transcription.

Abstract Aging involves physical and cognitive deterioration in older adults. Detecting predictors of dementia early is crucial to identify its onset. This study aimed to associate physical and psychological determinants with cognitive performance in older adults. Observational study with 221 older adults, classified according to cognitive impairment. We evaluated cognitive function by Mini-Mental State Examination. Physical determinants encompassed muscle strength, functional mobility, and cardiorespiratory fitness, while psychological consisted of quality of life and activities of daily living. Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate this relationship. Physical and psychological determinants were significantly linked to cognitive impairment, including lower muscle strength, reduced functional mobility and of cardiorespiratory fitness. The influence of environment, autonomy, and engagement in daily activities on cognitive impairment was also observed. The analysis of physical and psychological determinants could help to aid in distinguishing individuals with cognitive impairment.

Background RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is a widely used technique in many scientific studies. Given the plethora of models and software packages that have been developed for processing and analyzing RNA-seq datasets, choosing the most appropriate ones is a time-consuming process that requires an in-depth understanding of the data, as well as of the principles and parameters of each tool. In addition, packages designed for individual tasks are developed in different programming languages and have dependencies of various degrees of complexity, which renders their installation and execution challenging for users with limited computational expertise. Workflow languages and execution engines with support for virtualization and encapsulation options such as containers and Conda environments facilitate these tasks considerably. The resulting computational workflows can then be reliably shared with the scientific community, enhancing reusability and the reproducibility of results as individual analysis steps are becoming more transparent and portable. Methods Here we present ZARP, a general purpose RNA-seq analysis workflow that builds on state-of-the-art software in the field to facilitate the analysis of RNA-seq datasets. ZARP is developed in the Snakemake workflow language and can run locally or in a cluster environment, generating extensive reports not only of the data but also of the options utilized. It is built using modern technologies with the ultimate goal to reduce the hands-on time for bioinformaticians and non-expert users and serve as a template for future workflow development. To this end, we also provide ZARP-cli, a dedicated command-line interface that may make running ZARP on an RNA-seq library of interest as easy as executing a single two-word command. Conclusions ZARP is a powerful RNA-seq analysis workflow that is easy to use even for beginners, built using best software development practices, available under a permissive Open Source license and open to contributions by the scientific community.

Background: The closure of schools in response to COVID-19 compromised access to essential meals for many students. The Emergency Meals-to-You program, a public/private partnership, was set up to address this challenge. More than 38.7 million meals were delivered between April and August 2020. This study explores lessons learned and identifies strategies for strengthening food access and security at schools and beyond. Methods: Qualitative research methods were used. This included interviews and focus groups with participants involved in setting up and delivering the Emergency Meals-to-You program. Data were thematically analyzed using key phrases, ideas, and concepts, and interpreted. Results: The program leveraged a multisectoral approach. Components relied on each other and included: schools, public/private partnership, eligibility, relationships, experience, centralized communication, food quality and branding, logistics, and transport. Strategies identified to strengthen food access focused on integration with emergency management structures, understanding food needs at the school level, building a fully procurable menu, and allowing distribution to be rapidly scaled. Conclusions: The lessons identified and strategies recommended provide a framework for working across the emergency management spectrum (school to national level) to strengthen food access and availability for students and their families affected by a pandemic, disaster, or crisis situation.

The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) aims to accelerate biomedical advances by enabling the responsible sharing of clinical and genomic data through both harmonized data aggregation and federated approaches. The decreasing cost of genomic sequencing (along with other genome-wide molecular assays) and increasing evidence of its clinical utility will soon drive the generation of sequence data from tens of millions of humans, with increasing levels of diversity. In this perspective, we present the GA4GH strategies for addressing the major challenges of this data revolution. We describe the GA4GH organization, which is fueled by the development efforts of eight Work Streams and informed by the needs of 24 Driver Projects and other key stakeholders. We present the GA4GH suite of secure, interoperable technical standards and policy frameworks and review the current status of standards, their relevance to key domains of research and clinical care, and future plans of GA4GH. Broad international participation in building, adopting, and deploying GA4GH standards and frameworks will catalyze an unprecedented effort in data sharing that will be critical to advancing genomic medicine and ensuring that all populations can access its benefits.

Abstract Background The program to eradicate malaria is at a critical juncture as a new wave of insecticides for mosquito control enter their final stages of development. Previous insecticides have been deployed one-at-a-time until their utility was compromised, without the strategic management of resistance. Recent investment has led to the near-synchronous development of new insecticides, and with it the current opportunity to build resistance management into mosquito-control methods to maximize the chance of eradicating malaria. Methods Here, building on the parameter framework of an existing mathematical model, resistance-management strategies using multiple insecticides are compared to suggest how to deploy combinations of available and new insecticides on bed nets to achieve maximum impact. Results Although results support the use of different strategies in different settings, deploying new insecticides ideally together in (or at least as a part of) a mixture is shown to be a robust strategy across most settings. Conclusions Substantially building on previous works, alternative solutions for the resistance management of new insecticides to be used in bed nets for malaria vector control are found. The results support a mixture product concept as the most robust way to deploy new insecticides, even if they are mixed with a pyrethroid that has lower effectiveness due to pre-existing resistance. This can help deciding on deployment strategies and policies around the sustainable use of these new anti-malaria tools.

Recording the provenance of scientific computation results is key to the support of traceability, reproducibility and quality assessment of data products. Several data models have been explored to address this need, providing representations of workflow plans and their executions as well as means of packaging the resulting information for archiving and sharing. However, existing approaches tend to lack interoperable adoption across workflow management systems. In this work we present Workflow Run RO-Crate, an extension of RO-Crate (Research Object Crate) and Schema.org to capture the provenance of the execution of computational workflows at different levels of granularity and bundle together all their associated objects (inputs, outputs, code, etc.). The model is supported by a diverse, open community that runs regular meetings, discussing development, maintenance and adoption aspects. Workflow Run RO-Crate is already implemented by several workflow management systems, allowing interoperable comparisons between workflow runs from heterogeneous systems. We describe the model, its alignment to standards such as W3C PROV, and its implementation in six workflow systems. Finally, we illustrate the application of Workflow Run RO-Crate in two use cases of machine learning in the digital image analysis domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of top-down digital change initiatives in higher education institutions (HEIs) largely depends on the support of professors as change recipients and catalysts within their departments. For effectively managing change, a better understanding of how process factors under management control (i.e., vision communication, change facilitation, participation opportunities, change coordination) simultaneously relate to professors' cognitive and behavioral change support is crucial. Moreover, we examine how department-level IT resources as a context factor shape process–reaction relationships. Based on data from 1,400 professors nested in 258 departments within German HEIs, multilevel regression analyses support the relevance of vision communication, change facilitation, and participation opportunities — but not of change coordination. As department-level IT resources increase, vision communication more strongly relates to cognitive change support, pointing to unexplored higher-level boundary conditions of vision communication. Our study advances knowledge about mobilizing change support and managing top-down change with limited top-down influence to impose change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We performed untargeted profiling of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in a well characterized cohort of older adults to verify associations of health and disease-related biomarkers with systemic miRNA expression. Differential expression analysis revealed 30 miRNAs that significantly differed between healthy active, healthy sedentary and sedentary cardiovascular risk patients. Increased expression of miRNAs miR-193b-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-885-3p, miR-193a-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-505-3p, miR-194-5p, miR-27b-3p, miR-885-5p, miR-23b-5b, miR-365a-3p, miR-365b-3p, miR-22-5p was associated with a higher metabolic risk profile, unfavourable macro- and microvascular health, lower physical activity (PA) as well as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels. Increased expression of miR-342-3p, miR-1-3p, miR-92b-5p, miR-454-3p, miR-190a-5p and miR-375-3p was associated with a lower metabolic risk profile, favourable macro- and microvascular health as well as higher PA and CRF. Of note, the first two principal components explained as much as 20% and 11% of the data variance. miRNAs and their potential target genes appear to mediate disease- and health-related physiological and pathophysiological adaptations that need to be validated and supported by further downstream analysis in future studies. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02796976 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02796976 ).

The European Space Agency (ESA) Earth Explorer satellite Aeolus provides continuous profiles of the horizontal line-of-sight wind component globally from space. It was successfully launched in August 2018 with the goal to improve numerical weather prediction (NWP). Aeolus data have already been successfully assimilated into several NWP models and have already helped to significantly improve the quality of weather forecasts. To achieve this major milestone the identification and correction of several systematic error sources were necessary. One of them is related to small fluctuations of the temperatures across the 1.5 m diameter primary mirror of the telescope which cause varying wind biases along the orbit of up to 8 m s−1. This paper presents a detailed overview of the influence of the telescope temperature variations on the Aeolus wind products and describes the approach to correct for this systematic error source in the operational near-real-time (NRT) processing. It was shown that the telescope temperature variations along the orbit are due to changes in the top-of-atmosphere reflected shortwave and outgoing longwave radiation of the Earth and the related response of the telescope's thermal control system. To correct for this effect ECMWF model-equivalent winds are used as a reference to describe the wind bias in a multiple linear regression model as a function of various temperature sensors located on the primary telescope mirror. This correction scheme has been in operational use at ECMWF since April 2020 and is capable of reducing a large part of the telescope-induced wind bias. In cases where the influence of the temperature variations is particularly strong it was shown that the bias correction can improve the orbital bias variation by up to 53 %. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the approach of using ECMWF model-equivalent winds is justified by the fact that the global bias of model u-component winds with respect to radiosondes is smaller than 0.3 m s−1. Furthermore, this paper presents the alternative of using Aeolus ground return winds which serve as a zero-wind reference in the multiple linear regression model. The results show that the approach based on ground return winds only performs 10.8 % worse than the ECMWF model-based approach and thus has a good potential for future applications for upcoming reprocessing campaigns or even in the NRT processing of Aeolus wind products.

Early-life adversity may have programming effects on the psychological and physiological development of offspring. Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) are an excellent model species for studying these effects because of their many physiological similarities to humans. Piglets from 10 sows were subjected to daily 2-h maternal deprivation on postnatal days (PND) 2–15 alone (DA) or in a group of littermates (DG). Control piglets (C) from 10 sows stayed with their mothers. Mother-offspring interaction, milk oxytocin, and cortisol were analyzed. An open-field/novel-object (OF/NO) test was performed with piglets on PNDs 16 and 40. Plasma cortisol and immune parameters were determined on PND 5 and 16. Two piglets from each group and sow were sacrificed on PND 20 and stress-related gene expression in the limbic system and prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as splenic lymphocyte proliferative abilities, were examined. The milk cortisol of sows increased during the first separation of mother and offspring on the second day of lactation, whereas milk oxytocin did not change. The increase in cortisol by the OF/NO test on PND 16 was greater in C piglets than in DA and DG ones. DA piglets showed less agitated behavior than DG and C piglets in the OF/NO test at PND 16, but appeared more fearful. On PND 40, DA piglets showed more arousal than DG and C piglets in the OF/NO test. Neither plasma IgA nor N/L ratios in blood nor mitogen-induced proliferation of spleen lymphocytes were affected by deprivation. We found a higher mRNA expression of CRHR1 in the hypothalamus and a higher expression of MR in the hippocampus in DA piglets than in DG ones. The expression of GR, MR, and CRHR1 genes in the PFC was reduced by maternal deprivation, however, the expression of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin receptors was not affected. Repeated maternal deprivation induces sustained effects on stress reactivity and behavior of domestic piglets. Some of these effects were buffered by the presence of littermates. In addition, we found sex-specific differences in behavior and gene expression.

Abstract Aim: To compare blood pressure (BP) responses among the different orders of execution of concurrent exercise (CE) sessions in controlled hypertensive older men. Methods: Fifteen older men (64 ± 5 years) participated in three randomized crossover sessions: control session (C), CE in aerobic-resistance order (AR), and resistance-aerobic order (RA). The CE was performed for 1 h, in which 30 min were for the resistance exercise with 5 exercises at 70% of 1RM and 30 min for the aerobic exercise on a treadmill with intensity corresponding to the first ventilatory threshold. Clinical systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean blood pressure (MBP) were measured at rest and over 2 h and 24 h after the session. For analysis, the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) test was used with Bonferroni's complimentary test (α = 0.05). Results: The SBP decreased by 30 min after AR, while after RA we obtained reductions during 1 h after a session concerning rest. Between sessions, we found lower values in both CE compared to the C at 30 min, 45 min, and 90 min. In the RA there was a lower pressure in relation to the C at minute 60. The DBP reduced 30 min after the AR regarding the pre-session, however with no difference between sessions. The MBP was lower in relation to 30 min rest after AR. Among sessions, a pressure drop was observed in the AR compared to the C at 30 min and 45 min. Conclusion: We can conclude that the CE was effective in generating post-exercise hypotension regardless of the order in controlled hypertensive older men.

Artificial intelligence (AI) models are increasingly adopted as tools to enhance change management processes. Although many change managers are excited about AI's potential, others worry that their contributions may become obsolete. We explore the tension between job augmentation and automation and how it affects change management professionals. We argue that change managers need to approach their profession as a context-sensitive craft. We highlight elements that are likely to become increasingly central for change managers' success: (a) high-level skills —relational mastery and systems thinking—and (b) the continued development of specific attitudes —authentic dedication and communal co-presence. In contrast, other tasks that change managers were previously engaged with (e.g., routine communication, reporting) will play a smaller role in the future. We advocate for approaching change work as an AI-augmented craft and call for a critical reflection of the skills and attitudes necessary to effectively diagnose, envision, and mobilize change in the age of AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aim: Assess the effect of the performance order in the Concurrent Training (CT), Aerobic-Strength (AS), and Strength-Aerobic (SA), in the static balance, dynamic balance, and muscle strength in elderly people. Methods: The study involved 38 elderly people (men and women) aged 60 to 75 years old, divided into SA (n = 19) and AS (n = 19). Within 12 weeks, the aerobic training consisted of walking with intensity prescribed by the Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion (6-20) and the strength training consisted of six exercises, with intensity controlled by Repetition Maximum training zones. Static balance (plantar pressure center area and displacement in bipedal support with eyes closed and open), dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go and Tandem Gait), and maximum dynamic strength of knee extension and bench press have been evaluated. For data analysis, Generalized Estimating Equations with Bonferroni's complimentary test have been used (α = 0.05). Results: For static and dynamic balance there hasn't been an effect on the 12 weeks of combined training, regardless of the performance order. Both groups maintained the balance variables within the intervention period. When it comes to strength, there has been a noticeable improvement in lower limbs (SA: 16%; AS: 11%; p < 0,001) and upper (SA: 22.0%; AS: 8.7%; p < 0.001), without any differences between the groups. Conclusion: So there is no difference between the order of performance of the CT in the variables of static and dynamic balance and strength of upper and lower limbs. Furthermore, after training, there have been significant improvements in the variables of strength and maintenance of static and dynamic balance.

Purpose: To compare the effects of three water-based resistance trainings on neuromuscular parameters of older women. Method: Thirty-six women were randomized to groups: simple set of 30 seconds (1 × 30 s, 66.41 ± 4.71 years, n = 12), multiple sets of 10 seconds (3 × 10 s, 66.50 ± 4.74 years, n = 11), and simple set of 10 seconds (1 × 10 s, 65.23 ± 3.93 years, n = 13). Maximal isometric strength concomitantly with neuromuscular activity during extension and flexion knee was evaluated. In the same exercises, rate of force development at different time intervals was measured. Finally, functional capacity was assessed. Results: All trainings promoted similar improvements in the rate of force development of extension (effect size RFD 50 ms: 1 × 30 s 0.49, 3 × 10 s 0.67, 1 × 10 s 0.65; ES RFD 100 ms: 1 × 30 s 0.76, 3 × 10 s 0.80, 1 × 10 s 0.63; ES RFD 250 ms: 1 × 30 s 0.31, 3 × 10 s 0.49, 1 × 10 s 0.37) and flexion knee (ES RFD 50 ms: 1 × 30 s 0.59, 3 × 10 s 0.31, 1 × 10 s 0.48; ES RFD 100 ms: 1 × 30 s 0.41, 3 × 10 s 0.44, 1 × 10 s 0.42; ES RFD 250 ms: 1 × 30 s 0.57, 3 × 10 s 0.36, 1 × 10 s 0.43; ES RFD maximal: 1 × 30 s 0.63, 3 × 10 s 0.23, 1 × 10 s 0.26), however only the 3 × 10 s group improved the performance in the 8-foot up-and-go test (ES 3 × 10 s: 0.93, 1 × 30: 0.39, 1 × 10 s: 0.23). There was a maintenance of the isometric force and neuromuscular activity, except for the activity of the rectus femoris that showed an increase after training in all groups (ES 3 × 10 s: 0.04, 1 × 30: 0.36, 1 × 10 s: 0.50). Conclusion: Water-based resistance training using simple or multiple sets promotes the same gains in rapid strength, however only multiple sets induced improvement on functional capacity.

Evolutionary rescue occurs when the genetic evolution of adaptation saves a population from decline or extinction after environmental change. The evolution of resistance to pesticides is a special scenario of abrupt environmental change, where rescue occurs under (very) strong selection for one or a few de novo resistance mutations of large effect. Here, a population genetic model of evolutionary rescue with density-dependent population change is developed, with a focus on deriving results that are important to resistance management. Massive stochastic simulations are used to generate observations, which are accurately predicted using analytical approximations. Key results include the probability density function for the time to resistance and the probability of population extinction. The distribution of resistance times shows a lag period, a narrow peak and a long tail. Surprisingly, the mean time to resistance can increase with the strength of selection because, if a mutation does not occur early on, then its emergence is delayed by the pesticide reducing the population size. The probability of population extinction shows a sharp transition, in that when extinction is possible, it is also highly likely. Consequently, population suppression and (local) eradication can be theoretically achievable goals, as novel strategies to delay resistance evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is used as an indicator of long-term stress or pathologies in humans and increasingly in animals. Although the main mechanism for the incorporation of cortisol into the hair shaft is by diffusion from blood, cortisol may also be incorporated from external sources by contamination of the hair surface. In farm animals under conventional husbandry conditions and trapped animals, contamination of hair with cortisol-containing body fluids, especially with urine, was shown to be a considerable confounding factor when studying HCCs. We recently found that cattle and pigs exhibit elevated HCCs in distal hair segments and assume that the incorporation of external cortisol is facilitated in these older hair segments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of urine contamination on HCC in different hair segments of pigs and cattle, and to determine whether different cleaning protocols can prevent contamination effects. In an in vivo experiment in pigs (n = 18) and an in vitro experiment in cattle (n = 12), hairs were repeatedly contaminated with urine of the respective species and then shaved or cut in segments. Cortisol concentrations in hair segments were analysed by enzyme immunoassay after washing with isopropanol and extraction with methanol. Results were compared with HCCs in untreated hairs or hairs treated with water. Moreover, additional bovine hair samples contaminated with urine were subjected to two further cleaning procedures. Contamination with urine generally increased HCCs, and it was demonstrated for the first time that this effect is more pronounced in distal compared to proximal hair segments in both species. The immersion of bovine hair in vitro in water caused a washout of cortisol, which was also more pronounced in distal hair segments. In general, the different cleaning protocols for cattle hair did not prevent contamination effects, so we assume that external cortisol not only adheres but is incorporated into the hair shaft. Structural damage of older, distal hair segments may facilitate permeability of the hair matrix and diffusion of cortisol from and into aqueous solutions. Thus, the validity of HCC as a marker of stress is compromised in animals where soiling of hair with body fluids is a risk factor. Therefore, hair samples should be collected from clean body regions and, if possible, using proximal hair segments.

ABSTRACT: The feather corticosterone concentration (fCORT) is increasingly used to assess long-term stress in birds as this indicator provides the potential to retrospectively evaluate the adrenocortical activity of a bird during the growth period of a feather over several weeks in one sample. However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning external factors which can potentially influence fCORT in birds. The aim of the present study was to determine whether fCORT in laying hens is affected by previous fecal contamination of the plumage. Fully grown primaries 5 (P5s) of laying hens (n = 40) were used for the study. To test the effects of fecal contamination on fCORT, freshly defecated droppings from laying hens were collected and mixed manually. In order to simulate practical and at the same time standardized contamination, the upper surface of the previously determined middle third of the right P5 of each hen then was evenly coated with the paste prepared from fresh feces. The treated feathers were stored for 24 h protected from light at room temperature under a film cover to prevent evaporation. Thereafter, the applied layer of excreta was removed manually. Contralateral P5s of the same individuals were stored under identical conditions and served as controls. Both treatment and control feathers were washed in an aqueous soap solution, rinsed several times in pure water and air-dried subsequently. After pulverization and methanolic extraction, fCORT was analyzed by ELISA. The mean fCORT of treatment P5s (reference ‘feather length’: 12.88 ± 3.16 pg/mm; reference ‘feather weight’: 7.81 pg/mg ± 1.86 pg/mg) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those of control P5s (reference ‘feather length’: 9.76 ± 2.42 pg/mm; reference ‘feather weight’: 5.93 ± 1.44 pg/mg). Our results show that previous contamination with excreta can increase fCORT, which was detectable even after a washing procedure prior to analysis. In conclusion, fecal contamination of feathers is a significant influencing factor that has to be considered when applying fCORT measurements.

A presente narrativa apresenta uma proposta de trabalho interdisciplinar executada com duas turmas do 1º ano do curso Técnico em Agropecuária Integrado ao Ensino Médio que envolveu o ensino e a aprendizagem da escrita para fins acadêmicos. O trabalho buscou integrar o ensino de dois componentes da matriz curricular do curso: Língua Portuguesa, do núcleo de base comum, e Fitossanidade, do núcleo de base profissionalizante. A proposta culminou na elaboração de um trabalho final escrito, intitulado Doença de Estimação, em que os estudantes sistematizaram e incorporaram em um texto de caráter acadêmico os seus conhecimentos técnicos construídos ao longo de um semestre acerca de tópicos em Fitossanidade. A execução da proposta envolveu uma série de etapas articuladas, organizadas em torno de atividades de planejamento, de ensino e de avaliação. A experiência aponta para a importância de atividades interdisciplinares na construção de uma aprendizagem significativa, especialmente para a produção escrita.

Summary: The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) aims to accelerate biomedical advances by enabling the responsible sharing of clinical and genomic data through both harmonized data aggregation and federated approaches. The decreasing cost of genomic sequencing (along with other genome-wide molecular assays) and increasing evidence of its clinical utility will soon drive the generation of sequence data from tens of millions of humans, with increasing levels of diversity. In this perspective, we present the GA4GH strategies for addressing the major challenges of this data revolution. We describe the GA4GH organization, which is fueled by the development efforts of eight Work Streams and informed by the needs of 24 Driver Projects and other key stakeholders. We present the GA4GH suite of secure, interoperable technical standards and policy frameworks and review the current status of standards, their relevance to key domains of research and clinical care, and future plans of GA4GH. Broad international participation in building, adopting, and deploying GA4GH standards and frameworks will catalyze an unprecedented effort in data sharing that will be critical to advancing genomic medicine and ensuring that all populations can access its benefits.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of water-based aerobic exercises on the performance of water-based resistance exercises by assessing kinematic parameters during protocols and neuromuscular responses after them. Method: Ten women performed 2 water-based protocols (i.e., resistance and concurrent water-based exercises) on separate days. We evaluated isometric force and electromyographic signal (sEMG) before and after protocols and analyzed kinematic parameters during a water-based resistance exercise. Results: There was no significant difference between knee extension force production and sEMG from the vastus lateralis during the maximal voluntary contraction performed before and after the protocols. However, sEMG from the rectus femoris presented a significant difference between pretest and posttest measurements in both water-based protocols with greater values in the measurement after the end of the protocol (p = 0.046). The peak angular velocity of knee extension and mean angular velocity of knee extension and flexion showed similar values among the sets, with no difference between protocols. The peak angular velocity of knee flexion presented greater values in the water-based resistance exercises compared with the water-based concurrent protocol in the last set (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The main impairment induced by the water-based concurrent exercises was the lower peak angular velocity in the knee flexors compared with water-based resistance exercises alone.

At radioactive ion beam (RIB) facilities, ions of short-lived radionuclides are cooled and bunched in buffer-gas-filled Paul traps to improve the ion-beam quality for subsequent experiments. To deliver even colder ions, beneficial to RIB experiments' sensitivity or accuracy, we employ Doppler and sympathetic cooling in a Paul trap cooler-buncher. The improved emittance of Mg^{+}, K^{+}, and O_{2}^{+} ion beams is demonstrated by a reduced time-of-flight spread of the extracted ion bunches with respect to room-temperature buffer-gas cooling. Cooling externally-produced hot ions with energies of at least 7 eV down to a few Kelvin is achieved in a timescale of O(100 ms) by combining a low-pressure helium background gas with laser cooling. This is sufficiently short to cool short-lived radioactive ions. As an example of this technique's use for RIB research, the mass-resolving power in a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer is shown to increase by up to a factor of 4.6 with respect to buffer-gas cooling. Simulations show good agreement with the experimental results and guide further improvements and applications. These results open a path to a significant emittance improvement and, thus, unprecedented ion-beam qualities at RIB facilities, achievable with standard equipment readily available. The same method provides opportunities for future high-precision experiments with radioactive cold trapped ions.