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IMPORTANCE: Patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse headaches (CM-MOH) represent a particularly burdened subpopulation. This trial provides first, to our knowledge, American Academy of Neurology class I evidence for a preventive therapy in CM-MOH. OBJECTIVE: To assess erenumab efficacy and safety in patients with nonopioid CM-MOH. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS: This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial took place at 67 centers in North America, Europe, and Australia from October 7, 2019, to November 2, 2022. This report reflects the primary analysis conducted in January 2023, using a database snapshot from December 1, 2022, which contains the complete dataset of the double-blind treatment period (DBTP). Participants included adults with CM-MOH who had 1 or more preventive treatment failure(s). There were 992 participants screened and 620 participants enrolled (584 in nonopioid cohort and 36 in opioid cohort) INTERVENTIONS: Erenumab, 70 mg, 140 mg, or placebo, once monthly for 24 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was MOH remission at month 6. Secondary end points included change from baseline in mean monthly acute headache medication days (AHMD) at month 6 and sustained MOH remission throughout the DBTP. Safety end points were adverse events and changes in vital signs. RESULTS: The primary analysis population included 584 participants in the nonopioid-treated cohort with a mean age of 44 years and 482 participants were female (82.5%). Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were balanced across groups. At month 6, 134 participants in the erenumab, 140 mg group (69.1%) (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.33-3.05; P < .001 vs placebo) and 117 in the erenumab, 70 mg group (60.3%) (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.92-2.05; P = .13 vs placebo) achieved MOH remission vs 102 participants in the placebo group (52.6%). AHMD use was also reduced in the erenumab groups vs placebo. Least squares mean (standard error) change from baseline in average monthly AHMD was –9.4 (0.4) days in the erenumab, 140 mg group (difference from placebo, –2.7; 95% CI, –3.9 to –1.6; P < .001) and –7.8 (0.4) days in the erenumab, 70 mg group (difference from placebo, –1.2; 95% CI, –2.4 to –0.1; P = .03), vs –6.6 (0.4) days in the placebo group. MOH remission throughout the DBTP was sustained in 119 participants (61.3%,) 96 participants (49.5%), and 73 participants (37.6%) in the erenumab, 140 mg, 70 mg, and placebo groups, respectively. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of erenumab. Treatment-emergent adverse events incidence in the combined erenumab group was 66.8% (259 participants; constipation 15.2% (59 participants) and COVID-19 13.9% (54 participants) were most common. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study, monthly, 140 mg, erenumab injections safely and effectively achieved MOH remission in patients with nonopioid CM-MOH within 6 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03971071

The study of nanoparticles has generated great interest in recent years in several areas of research. For example, in multiferroic composite materials, the combination of ferroelectric materials and ferrimagnetic materials like the ferrites, may lead to the magnetoelectric effect. In particular, CoFe2O4 and NiFe2O4 as magnetic phases are interesting since these materials are electrical isolating oxides with high magnetic transition temperatures and high saturation magnetization. In this work, the effective magnetic anisotropy was studied as a function of the temperature for nanocrystalline nickel doped cobalt ferrite (CFO) samples NixCo1-xFe2O4, ( ${x} =0$ , 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1).

ABSTRACTIn recent decades, the health sector has witnessed the emergence of social movements of patients aimed at redefining public policies on access to and provision of medical care. These changes are reflected in the conceptual models of patient-centred care, developed to guide medical practice towards patients’ expectations and wishes. However, different patient-centred models remain eminently focused on the dimension of solicitudewhen attending to patients’ specific needs: interpersonal relations based on the caregiver’s attention to the patient’s singularity. Namely, patients can express other moral references concerning their experiences in clinical contexts. That is the case with hospitality. Based on a Portuguese research project focused on the clinical experience of ART beneficiaries, this article aims to analyse hospitality as a moral orientation with specific proprieties associated with attending to patients’ singularity, thus aiming to contribute to the ongoing discussion and revision of the conceptual models of patient-centred care.

ABSTRACTBrain oxygen deprivation causes morphological damage involved in the formation of serious pathological conditions such as stroke and cerebral palsy. Therapeutic methods for post-hypoxia/anoxia injuries are limited and still have deficiencies in terms of safety and efficacy. Recently, clinical studies of stroke have reported the use of drugs containing riboflavin for post-injury clinical rehabilitation, however, the effects of vitamin B2 on exposure to cerebral oxygen deprivation are not completely elucidated. This review aimed to investigate the potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of riboflavin in cerebral hypoxia/anoxia. After a systematic search, 21 articles were selected, 8 preclinical and 12 clinical studies, and 1 translational study. Most preclinical studies used B2 alone in models of hypoxia in rodents, with doses of 1–20 mg/kg (in vivo) and 0.5–5 µM (in vitro). Together, these works suggested greater regulation of lipid peroxidation and apoptosis and an increase in neurotrophins, locomotion, and cognition after treatment. In contrast, several human studies have administered riboflavin (5 mg) in combination with other Krebs cycle metabolites, except one study, which used only B2 (20 mg). A reduction in lactic acidosis and recovery of sensorimotor functions was observed in children after treatment with B2, while adults and the elderly showed a reduction in infarct volume and cognitive rehabilitation. Based on findings from preclinical and clinical studies, we conclude that the use of riboflavin alone or in combination acts beneficially in correcting the underlying brain damage caused by hypoxia/anoxia and its inflammatory, oxidative, and behavioral impairments.

There is currently interest in the development new Cu–Fe alloys with higher Fe content (>5 wt%), a low-cost element. In order to improve electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, there is a need to decrease the size of the Fe-rich phase and improve its distribution, whose possibilities rely on adding alloying third elements and heat treatments. However, the prospect of controlling the size of the phase through dendritic spacing control by means of rapid solidification processes may be feasible and deserves to be explored, as is the case in the present study. The following methods were employed to evaluate the round stepped cast samples of the Cu-20 wt% Fe alloy: centrifugal casting in a Cu mold, optical microscopy, CALPHAD, Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Vickers hardness, and compressive tests, in samples corresponding to different coarsening microstructures. Finally, dendritic growth is modelled using the Kirkwood equation. The results demonstrate a promising processing route with control of the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS), whose methodology and modeling can serve as a basis for other alternative processes with the Cu–Fe alloys, allowing suitable size and distribution of Fe phase to be attained. It is further demonstrated that the Kirkwood model is able to match experimental SDAS in both slowly and rapidly solidified Cu–Fe samples. While Fe (BCC) is expected to increase strength, this is only slightly observed in the hardness results for smaller SDAS, as the loads are more superficial. In the case of compressive yield strength, SDAS in the observed range (1.4 μm–2.2 μm) is found to have no effect.

Hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons regulate fertility and integrate hormonal status with environmental cues to ensure reproductive success. Here we show that GnRH neurons in the olfactory bulb (GnRHOB) of adult mice can mediate social recognition. Specifically, we show that GnRHOBneurons extend neurites into the vomeronasal organ and olfactory epithelium and project to the median eminence. GnRHOBneurons in males express vomeronasal and olfactory receptors, are activated by female odors and mediate gonadotropin release in response to female urine. Male preference for female odors required the presence and activation of GnRHOBneurons, was impaired after genetic inhibition or ablation of these cells and relied on GnRH signaling in the posterodorsal medial amygdala. GnRH receptor expression in amygdala kisspeptin neurons appear to be required for GnRHOBneurons’ actions on male mounting behavior. Taken together, these results establish GnRHOBneurons as regulating fertility, sex recognition and mating in male mice.

The telecommunications industry is particularly competitive and characterized by very high churn rates. The literature on the topic is vast, but studies on the determinants of churn behavior are dispersed, failing to provide a comprehensive view of the state of the art. Based on this research gap, this article aims to contribute to developing the literature on customer churn in the telecommunications sector by summarizing the current state of research, and identifying the main determinants of churn and switching intentions. It provides a systematic literature review (SLR) of 37 articles on the topic published between 1999 and 2022. The results reveal the existence of two research streams. The first, in which the studies are based on surveys examining the alleged intentions of subscribers to change operators, with criteria such as satisfaction and attitudes as predictors, and the second, dealing with subscribers’ actual switching behavior and relating this to behaviors and characteristics extracted from internal customer management systems. All independent variables used to explain switching intention or real churn were mapped. It was found that age, gender, satisfaction, switching costs and barriers, and service quality are the most important determinants highlighted by the literature. Our study also outlines some insightful practical implications, which could be extended to other service sectors. The paper ends with a research agenda for future studies according to the gaps detected by the study’s results. Among its limitations, this research excludes papers related to predictive models and studies not in English.

Mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureusis a worldwide problem in dairy farms, in part because of the pathogenicity of the bacteria, biofilm formation, and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance that make the disease difficult to diagnose and treat, which is typically done with the use of beta-lactam antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to determine the virulence and resistance factors of S. aureusisolates from subclinical mastitis, blaZ+ /mecA− /mecC− , resistant and sensitive to oxacillin. All isolates were classified as CC97 by MLST analysis, a clonal complex well adapted to the mammary gland and although STAU23 and STAU73 were resistant to oxacillin while STAU32 and STAU78 were sensitive, the genomic analysis identified only the blaZ operon corresponding to resistance to beta-lactams. However, the presence of the sdrCgene was revealed exclusively in resistant isolates, an important adhesin in the colonization process that potentiates pathogenicity in S. aureus. In addition, resistance islands (REIs) were identified in these isolates, suggesting more conserved REIs. In the analysis of SNPs throughout the genome, mutations were found in the trmBand smpBgenes of the resistant isolates and in the murDand rimMgenes of the sensitive isolates. This study highlights the potential benefit of genome-wide characterization tools to identify molecular mechanisms of S. aureusin bovine mastitis.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, where they act as primary vectors in transmission of infectious agents. In Peru, 182 culicid species have been identified and several species of the genus Culexare known to transmit arboviruses. However, knowledge of mosquito diversity and distribution remains limited, with many studies focusing on specific regions only. Here, we describe a new morphological variation of Cx.(Culex) coronatorDyar and Knab, 1906, and report the presence of Culex(Carrollia) bonneiDyar, 1921 in the central region of Peru, Huanuco. Specimens were obtained through larvae collections and identified through morphologic characterization, including dissection of male genitalia, and molecular analyses. In total, 17 mosquitoes were analyzed, and the genitalia of the male specimens allowed the identification of Cx. coronatorand Cx. bonnei. Partial sequences of the CoxIgene corresponding to these two species were obtained (N= 10). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences of Cx. coronatorgrouped in a monophyletic clade with sequences ascribed to other species corresponding to the subgenus Carrollia, while Cx. bonneispecimens formed a monophyletic clade with homologous sequences from GenBank. This study underscores the importance of continued efforts to study the diversity and distribution of mosquitoes in Peru, including their potential role as vectors of human pathogens, to underpin effective disease control and prevention strategies, highlighting the importance of a complemented morphological and molecular analysis.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, an additive manufacturing technique, is increasingly used in the field of tissue engineering. The ability to create complex structures with high precision makes the 3D printing of this material a preferred method for constructing personalized and functional materials. However, the challenge lies in developing affordable and accessible materials with the desired physiochemical and biological properties. In this study, we used eggshell microparticles (ESPs), an example of bioceramic and unconventional biomaterials, to reinforce thermoplastic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds via extrusion-based 3D printing. The goal was to conceive a sustainable, affordable, and unique personalized medicine approach. The scaffolds were fabricated with varying concentrations of eggshells, ranging from 0 to 50% (w/w) in the PCL scaffolds. To assess the physicochemical properties, we employed scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Mechanical properties were evaluated through compression testing, and degradation kinetics were studied through accelerated degradation with the remaining mass ranging between 89.4 and 28.3%. In vitro, we evaluated the characteristics of the scaffolds using the MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts over a 14 day period. In vitro characterization involved the use of the Alamar blue assay, confocal imaging, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of 3D printed biocomposite scaffolds, consisting of thermoplastic PCL reinforced with ESPs, as a promising alternative for bone-graft applications.

Two different types of electrolytes (co-solvent and multi-salt) are tested for use in high voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4||Si/graphite full cells and compared against a carbonate-based standard LiPF6containing electrolyte (baseline). Ex situ postmortem XPS analysis on both anodes and cathodes over the life span of the cells reveals a continuously growing SEI and CEI for the baseline electrolyte. The cells cycled in the co-solvent electrolyte exhibited a relatively thick and long-term stable CEI (on LNMO), while a slowly growing SEI was determined to form on the Si/graphite. The multi-salt electrolyte offers more inorganic-rich SEI/CEI while also forming the thinnest SEI/CEI observed in this study. Cross-talk is identified in the baseline electrolyte cell, where Si is detected on the cathode, and Mn is detected on the anode. Both the multi-salt and co-solvent electrolytes are observed to substantially reduce this cross-talk, where the co-solvent is found to be the most effective. In addition, Al corrosion is detected for the multi-salt electrolyte mainly at its end-of-life stage, where Al can be found on both the anode and cathode. Although the co-solvent electrolyte offers superior interface properties in terms of the limitation of cross-talk, the multi-salt electrolyte offers the best overall performance, suggesting that interface thickness plays a superior role compared to cross-talk. Together with their electrochemical cycling performance, the results suggest that multi-salt electrolyte provides a better long-term passivation of the electrodes for high-voltage cells.

The use of Meliponini for crop pollination in protected environments is practically non-existent. One of the reasons is the difficulty of acclimatizing Meliponini to the temperature and light conditions inside greenhouses. We investigated how covering materials used in greenhouses, which filter different intensities of ultraviolet (UV) light, affect the foraging behaviors, flight orientation, attraction to walls and ceilings, and mortality of Scaptotrigonacf. postica(Letreille), Frieseomelitta varia(Lepeletier), and Melipona quadrifasciata(Lepeletier). The experiments were conducted in 5.3 m3arenas covered with four types of plastic films that do not polarize sunlight, with UV transmittance levels ranging from 0.1 to 54%, compared to a transparent glass control. The temperature inside the arenas varied between treatments, from 27 ± 3°C to 31 ± 2°C. All three species collected resources and returned to the colony, regardless of the covering material. However, the proportion of this behavior, the number of bees attracted to the ceiling and wall, and mortality varied among treatments and/or throughout the confinement days for each species. Melipona quadrifasciataand F. variaacclimatized better to the confined environments than S.cf. posticaand showed consistent resource collection behavior throughout the confinement days in all tested materials, except for the one that filtered around 90% of UV. In all three species, the mortality gradually decreased throughout the confinement days. The results indicate that the choice of covering material, considering its optical characteristics, can be crucial to ensure greater effectiveness of the pollination services provided by stingless bees in protected systems.

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the effect of Cr supplementation on morphological changes and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus and on developmental parameters. Methods:Male Wistar rat pups were submitted to an experimental model of CP. Cr was administered via gavage from the 21st to the 28th postnatal day, and in water after the 28th, until the end of the experiment. Body weight (BW), food consumption (FC), muscle strength, and locomotion were evaluated. Expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were assessed in the hippocampus by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Iba1 immunoreactivity was assessed by immunocytochemistry in the hippocampal hilus. Results:Experimental CP caused increased density and activation of microglial cells, and overexpression of IL-6. The rats with CP also presented abnormal BW development and impairment of strength and locomotion. Cr supplementation was able to reverse the overexpression of IL-6 in the hippocampus and mitigate the impairments observed in BW, strength, and locomotion. Discussion:Future studies should evaluate other neurobiological characteristics, including changes in neural precursor cells and other cytokines, both pro- and anti-inflammatory.

IMPORTANCE: Patients with migraine often cycle through multiple nonspecific preventive medications due to poor tolerability and/or inadequate efficacy leading to low adherence and increased disease burden. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, tolerability, patient adherence, and patient satisfaction between erenumab and nonspecific oral migraine preventive medications (OMPMs) in patients with episodic migraine (EM) who had previously failed 1 or 2 preventive treatments. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The 12-month prospective, interventional, global, multicenter, active-controlled, randomized clinical trial comparing sustained benefit of 2 treatment paradigms (erenumab qm vs oral prophylactics) in adult episodic migraine patients (APPRAISE) trial was a 12-month open-label, multicenter, active-controlled, phase 4 randomized clinical trial conducted from May 15, 2019, to October 1, 2021. This pragmatic trial was conducted at 84 centers across 17 countries. Overall, participants 18 years or older with a 12-month or longer history of migraine, and 4 or more but fewer than 15 monthly migraine days (MMDs) were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive erenumab or OMPMs. Dose adjustment was permitted (label dependent). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was the proportion of patients completing 1 year of the initially assigned treatment and achieving a reduction of 50% or greater from baseline in MMDs at month 12. Secondary end points included the cumulative mean change from baseline in MMDs during the treatment period and the proportion of responders according to the Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale at month 12 for patients taking the initially assigned treatment. RESULTS: A total of 866 patients were screened, of whom 245 failed the screening and 621 completed the screening and baseline period. Of the 621 randomized patients (mean [SD] age, 41.3 [11.2] years; 545 female [87.8%]; 413 [66.5%] in the erenumab group; 208 [33.5%] in the OMPM group), 523 (84.2%) completed the treatment phase, and 98 (15.8%) discontinued the study. At month 12, significantly more patients assigned to erenumab vs OMPM achieved the primary end point (232 of 413 [56.2%] vs 35 of 208 [16.8%]; odds ratio [OR], 6.48; 95% CI, 4.28-9.82; P <.001). Compared with OMPMs, treatment with erenumab showed higher responder rate (314 of 413 [76.0%] vs 39 of 208 [18.8%]; OR, 13.75; 95% CI, 9.08-20.83; P <.001) on the PGIC scale (≥5 at month 12). Significant reduction in cumulative average MMDs was reported with erenumab treatment vs OMPM treatment (−4.32 vs −2.65; treatment difference [SE]: −1.67 [0.35] days; P < .001). Substantially fewer patients in the erenumab arm compared with the OMPM arm switched medication (9 of 413 [2.2%] vs 72 of 208 [34.6%]) and discontinued treatment due to adverse events (12 of 408 [2.9%] vs 48 of 206 [23.3%]). No new safety signals were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this randomized clinical trial demonstrated that earlier use of erenumab in patients with EM who failed 1 or 2 previous preventive treatments provided greater and sustained efficacy, safety, and adherence than continuous OMPM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03927144

Novel deep brain stimulation devices can record local field potentials (LFPs), which represent the synchronous synaptic activity of neuronal populations. The clinical relevance of LFPs in patients with dystonia remains unclear.

Narrative review evaluating the use of dietary supplements by children and adolescents.

Recently, radar systems have been widely explored as a remote way to monitor vital signs. The potential of such technology may increase with the ability to be fully embedded in customized applications, providing a low-profile appearance. Thus, it is possible to streamline the industrialization process and simultaneously guarantee the comfort of the subject being monitored. In this work, the ability to fully integrate a bioradar system in a car seat, aiming to monitor the respiratory signal of the driver, is studied. For this purpose, textile antennas were developed to be embedded into the upholstery, using a new approach to wirelessly acquire vital signs by positioning the antennas in the side lumbar support of the car seat. Considering the final aspect of the prototype and its performance, alternative options for the antenna feeding were explored, and an electromagnetic insulation solution was implemented. Finally, the vital signs of six subjects were acquired with the final prototype. The obtained results were compared with certified measuring equipment, demonstrating the prototype effectiveness.

BackgroundAnti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies (anti-CGRP MAbs) are approved and available treatments for migraine prevention. Patients do not respond alike and many countries have reimbursement policies, which hinder treatments to those who might respond. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with good and excellent response to anti-CGRP MAbs at 6 months.MethodsEuropean multicentre, prospective, real-world study, including high-frequency episodic or chronic migraine (CM) patients treated since March 2018 with anti-CGRP MAbs. We defined good and excellent responses as ≥50% and ≥75% reduction in monthly headache days (MHD) at 6 months, respectively. Generalised mixed-effect regression models (GLMMs) were used to identify variables independently associated with treatment response.ResultsOf the 5818 included patients, 82.3% were females and the median age was 48.0 (40.0–55.0) years. At baseline, the median of MHD was 20.0 (14.0–28.0) days/months and 72.2% had a diagnosis of CM. At 6 months (n=4963), 56.5% (2804/4963) were good responders and 26.7% (1324/4963) were excellent responders. In the GLMM model, older age (1.08 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.15), p=0.016), the presence of unilateral pain (1.39 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.60), p<0.001), the absence of depression (0.840 (95% CI 0.731 to 0.966), p=0.014), less monthly migraine days (0.923 (95% CI 0.862 to 0.989), p=0.023) and lower Migraine Disability Assessment at baseline (0.874 (95% CI 0.819 to 0.932), p<0.001) were predictors of good response (AUC of 0.648 (95% CI 0.616 to 0.680)). These variables were also significant predictors of excellent response (AUC of 0.691 (95% CI 0.651 to 0.731)). Sex was not significant in the GLMM models.ConclusionsThis is the largest real-world study of migraine patients treated with anti-CGRP MAbs. It provides evidence that higher migraine frequency and greater disability at baseline reduce the likelihood of responding to anti-CGRP MAbs, informing physicians and policy-makers on the need for an earlier treatment in order to offer the best chance of treatment success.

Introduction:Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes 25% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases worldwide, a major cause of morbimortality even after sustained virologic response (SVR). Universal screening to all patients with advanced liver fibrosis is currently recommended. A risk-based strategy could improve the detection rate of early HCC and diminish the surveillance burden. Although several risk prediction models exist, exclusion of a subgroup of patients from surveillance has not yet been recommended. The objective of this study was the comparison of the predictive accuracy of transient elastography, FIB-4, and aMAP for HCC in HCV patients after SVR in Portugal. Methods:This was a multicentric retrospective study including patients with HCV after SVR. Comparative, univariate, multivariate, area under the ROC (receiver-operating characteristic) curve (AUC), and Youden’s J-statistic analysis were performed. Results:HCC incidence was 4.2% (1.3/100 patient-years) after a median follow-up of 31 months with inclusion of 337 patients. All patients had a liver stiffness measurement (LSM) before SVR (considered the baseline), but only 148 (43.9%) had a transient elastography after SVR. FIB-4 and aMAP post-SVR were calculated in all patients. Multiple parameters positively correlated with HCC, but only age and baseline transient elastography remained as independent predictors in the multivariate analysis. The optimal cutoffs for prediction of HCC were baseline transient elastography 13.7 kPa, post-SVR transient elastography 16.5 and 15.8 kPa (first and last measurements, respectively), FIB-4 1.6, and aMAP 58. Baseline transient elastography revealed a fair accuracy in predicting HCC (AUC 0.776, p< 0.001), with the cutoff of 13.7 kPa presenting a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 69%. Regarding patients who were F3–4 at baseline (n= 162), almost one-third had a baseline LSM ≤13.7 kPa (n= 51, 31.5%), an FIB-4 ≤1.6 (n= 50, 30.9%), and an aMAP score ≤58 (n= 48, 29.6%), and these cutoffs presented an NPV of 98%, 94%, and 96%, respectively, when considering HCC development. Conclusion:Transient elastography (FibroScan) before SVR was a fair predictor of HCC, being more accurate than FIB-4 and aMAP. Transient elastography values ≤13.7 kPa at baseline, FIB-4 ≤1.6 and aMAP ≤58 were the cutoffs considered of low risk for HCC in a Portuguese cohort of HCV patients after SVR with advanced fibrosis. aMAP score is a risk-based surveillance tool that could improve the current HCC screening strategy, but further validation is needed.

Adolescence has been considered a critical time for the development of body image-related difficulties and disordered eating behaviours, especially in females. Although adherence to eating rules has been linked to disordered eating, literature has not yet explored how the inflexible subscription to those rules impacts on eating psychopathology. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore whether inflexible eating impacts on the relationships between weight and body image-related variables, and disordered eating. Participated in this study are 497 female adolescents from the community, aged between 14 and 18 years old, who completed self-report measures. Results revealed that the majority of the participants were dissatisfied with their weight and body shape. Moreover, 6.64 % of the participants demonstrated severe eating psychopathology. A path analysis revealed that BMI, body dissatisfaction and social comparisons based on physical appearance impact on disordered eating behaviours, through the mechanism of inflexible adherence to eating rules. This model explained 52 % of eating psychopathology’s variance. Findings highlight the relevance of body image-related difficulties in adolescence and additionally they emphasise the importance of promoting more flexible attitudes towards eating in prevention and intervention programmes with female adolescents.

Grape downy mildew, caused by the oomycete Plasmopara viticola, is a major threat to Vitis viniferagrape production. Several breeding programs rely on resistance factors (Rpvs) from American and Asian Vitisspecies to confer resistance to P. viticola. Although the use of these crossing hybrids offers a promising strategy for disease control, variants capable of overcoming host resistance are emerging. A thorough characterization of these isolates is needed to define new strategies for breeding programs. The investigation of varying aggressiveness of two P. viticolapathotypes was investigated. One pathotype is unable to overcome Rpv3.1based resistance and another pathotype was isolated from a grapevine carrying the Rpv3.1locus. Their aggressiveness was evaluated on five grapevine genotypes harboring distinct combinations of Rpv loci. Macroscopic and microscopic development of the pathogen was characterised throughout its colonization of grapevine leaves. Our findings demonstrate that the P. viticolaisolate NW-10/16 is not only capable of overcoming Rpv3-based resistance but also exhibited a faster growth, increased sporulation, and a denser mycelial colonization within the plant mesophyll when compared with the avRpv3 + isolate in susceptible plants. The identification and characterization of new, more aggressive, P. viticolapathotypes is crucial to promote durable management of the resistant grapevine hybrids and to mitigate the threat of downy mildew.

In the evolving landscape of power transformers, the integration of advanced technologies, such as high-performance polymers obtained by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is crucial. This study investigates the compatibility and performance of various 3D-printed polymer materials—Biofila, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyphenylene Sulfone (PPSU), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (ULTEM 1010), and polyetheretherketone reinforced with 20% glass fiber (PEEK-GF20) for use in power transformer components. Through oil compatibility, dielectric strength, and kerosene compatibility evaluations, the study gauges their suitability for this application. The results reveal that PPSU, PEEK, and ULTEM 1010 exhibit promising characteristics, specifically in regard to dielectric breakdown voltage and kerosene and insulating oil compatibility. In contrast, Biofila presented severe cracking when exposed to the mineral oil and PVDF and PEEK-GF20 fall short in terms of dielectric strength, rendering them unsuitable. Kerosene compatibility assessments show minimal material changes, confirming that all studied materials have good resistance to this drying agent, commonly used on power transformers. This research aims to provides essential insights into material selection for a new generation of power transformer parts.

The use of imagery collected from small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in turfgrass breeding has rapidly increased, as has the demand to develop drought‐resistant cultivars. However, prior to adopting UAVs to help guide turfgrass selection under drought stress conditions, a clear understanding of the value and predictive ability of imagery‐based turfgrass characterization is required. In St. Augustinegrass, a major warm‐season turfgrass species grown in the Southeastern United States, limited research has been published about characterizing drought stress using aerial imagery. Specifically, no efforts have compared the various vegetation indices (VIs) commonly used to evaluate vegetative health in other species and sought to identify the most useful index for phenotyping drought stress traits in St. Augustinegrass. In this study, traditional ground‐based approaches for measuring percent green cover (PGC) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were compared against their UAV‐derived counterparts as well as 13 VIs under drought and non‐drought conditions, and broad‐sense heritability (H2) was calculated. A population of 115 genotypes from a ‘‘Raleigh’’ × ‘‘Seville’’ cross were analyzed at two environmentally distinct field sites in North Carolina. At both sites, a significant relationship between ground‐based and UAV‐derived measurements for PGC and NDVI was observed before and during drought (r= 0.82 to 0.95) and suggests a clear advantage to using UAVs for phenotyping drought traits given the reduced time and labor costs compared to on‐ground efforts. Among all VIs compared, UAV‐derived NDVI (NDVI‐U) showed strong correlation with the PGC taken on the ground (r> 0.85), a similar trend over time, and a higher H2estimate under drought conditions, suggesting that NDVI‐U has the potential to assist in the selection of St. Augustinegrass genotypes with the best phenotypic response to drought. Implementing UAV imagery‐based high‐throughput methods will allow breeders to evaluate germplasm with unbiased quantitative consistency, quickly and thoroughly, and with increased frequency—all without sacrificing the response to selection potential. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) estimates of percent green cover (PGC) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in St. Augustinegrass are significantly correlated with ground estimates.Broad‐sense heritability is a useful metric for comparing UAV‐based vegetation indices to select the best one for breeding applications.UAV‐based NDVI may be more desirable than ground‐based PGC for selection under drought and non‐drought conditions.

The Benefit-of-the-Doubt is one of the most popular methods for constructing composite indicators, with the main characteristic being the endogenous and individualized weighting of sub-indicators, which minimizes conflicts related to this definition. Greater weights are assigned to sub-indicators with the highest value, and smaller weights are assigned to sub-indicators with the lowest value. On the one hand, this unique mathematical property is very appropriate for studies with a geographical perspective as it operationalizes the spatial heterogeneity concept, in which the influence of the sub-indicator on the composite indicator varies from one geographic area to another. On the other hand, the weighting of sub-indicators is aimed at maximizing the scores of the composite indicator, reducing the explanatory and discriminative power of the composite indicator. This research introduces a framework that minimizes the problem of low discriminative and explanatory power of composite indicators constructed by the Benefit-of-the-Doubt. Another novelty of the research is the possibility of considering sub-indicators with greater conceptual importance, balancing the influence of dimensions on the composite indicator, and an approach to measuring the composite indicator’s spatial heterogeneity degree. These innovations present high levels of originality and applicability, contributing to the dissemination of the Benefit-of-the-Doubt in constructing composite indicators and developing public policies based on geographical representations with adequate explanatory and discriminatory power.

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Untargeted metabolomics is an analytical approach with numerous applications serving as an effective metabolic phenotyping platform to characterize small molecules within a biological system. Data quality can be challenging to evaluate and demonstrate in metabolomics experiments. This has driven the use of pooled quality control (QC) samples for monitoring and, if necessary, correcting for analytical variance introduced during sample preparation and data acquisition stages. Described herein is a scoping literature review detailing the use of pooled QC samples in published untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based metabolomics studies. A literature query was performed, the list of papers was filtered, and suitable articles were randomly sampled. In total, 109 papers were each reviewed by at least five reviewers, answering predefined questions surrounding the use of pooled quality control samples. The results of the review indicate that use of pooled QC samples has been relatively widely adopted by the metabolomics community and that it is used at a similar frequency across biological taxa and sample types in both small- and large-scale studies. However, while many studies generated and analyzed pooled QC samples, relatively few reported the use of pooled QC samples to improve data quality. This demonstrates a clear opportunity for the field to more frequently utilize pooled QC samples for quality reporting, feature filtering, analytical drift correction, and metabolite annotation. Additionally, our survey approach enabled us to assess the ambiguity in the reporting of the methods used to describe the generation and use of pooled QC samples. This analysis indicates that many details of the QC framework are missing or unclear, limiting the reader’s ability to determine which QC steps have been taken. Collectively, these results capture the current state of pooled QC sample usage and highlight existing strengths and deficiencies as they are applied in untargeted LC-MS metabolomics.

Purpose: To report a case of a patient with a large thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) extent V treated with a custom-made fenestrated and branched endovascular repair (F/B-EVAR) after a failed and incomplete attempt of a Sandwich repair technique.Report: An 83-year-old patient was referred to our department after a failed attempt at endovascular repair of type V TAAA with a sandwich technique. The celiac trunk was inadvertently covered with the first endograft and a covered long superior mesenteric artery stent was placed and left facing upward inside the aorta. We performed a staged repair, by first catheterizing and stenting the celiac trunk and bringing it under and inside the main aortic endograft. In interval, a F/B-EVAR was performed using a bimodular custom-made device (CMD) with a proximal 2 branch module for the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery and distal module with fenestrations for both renal arteries. The intervention was successful, and the follow-up was uneventful at 6 months.Conclusions: Re-intervention after failed endovascular attempts of TAAA repair are technically challenging and require advanced endovascular techniques. The ability to construct CMDs allowed to extend repair to our patient which had severe anatomical constraints for other techniques.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) and phenobarbital (PHB) are commonly used antiepileptic medications. Due to their accessibility and narrow therapeutic range, many cases of poisoning cases involving these substances have been reported, whether intentional or unintentional. In managing cases of CBZ and PHB poisoning, monitoring plasma levels are important to choose the best treatment for the patient and staging intoxication cases. The use of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) has proven to be a good approach for toxicological analysis in biological samples and is increasingly used in the clinical-forensic scenario. This study aims to develop a simple method using DLLME and HPLC-UV for the quantification of CBZ and PHB in plasma samples from poisoning cases. The main variables involved in the DLLME were optimized using multivariate experiments. The procedure is based on plasma deproteinization using a dispersive solvent with subsequent extraction with the extractor solvent. The bioanalytical method was fully validated. The lower limits of quantification were 2μg/mL for CBZ and 10μg/mL for PHB and the calibration curve was linear (r2>0.99) for both analytes. The RSD% in within-run precision varied from 3.2% to 8.7% and between-run precision varied from 3.4% to 8.4%. Accuracy ranged from 85.4% to 105.0%. Normalized matrix factor (NMF%) ranged from 96.1% to 101.2% and the obtained recovery extraction was from 33.9% to 41.5%. The method was successfully applied to 42 plasma samples from suspected poisoning cases. All samples were positive for at least CBZ and/or PHB. The developed and validated method proved to be efficient, easy to execute, and implement, helping in the diagnosis of poisoning.

Indicator traits of sexual precocity are widely used as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of beef cattle; however, the impact of selection for these traits on resistance to endoparasites and ectoparasites is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters for indicator traits of sexual precocity and parasite resistance in Nellore cattle. The sexual precocity traits evaluated were probability of first calving (PFC) and scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 months of age (SC12 and SC18). The resistance-related traits included tick (TC), gastrointestinal nematode egg (NEC), and Eimeriaspp. oocyst (EOC) counts. (Co)variance components were estimated by Bayesian inference using multitrait animal models. The mean heritabilities for PFC, SC12, SC18, TC, NEC, and EOC were 0.23, 0.38, 0.42, 0.14, 0.16, and 0.06, respectively, and suggest that selection will change the mean values of these traits over time. The genetic and phenotypic correlations for most pairs formed by a precocity and a resistance trait were not different from zero, suggesting that selection for sexual precocity traits will not result in changes in resistance traits. Thus, selection for indicator traits of sexual precocity does not elicit unfavorable correlated responses in resistance to endoparasites and ectoparasites, and joint selection aimed at improving these traits can be performed using multitrait selection methods, when necessary.

Health research on ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is sparse in Latin America, despite the high prevalence of NO2-associated respiratory diseases in the region. This study describes within-city distributions of ambient NO2concentrations at high spatial resolution and urban characteristics associated with neighbourhood ambient NO2in 326 Latin American cities.

This work presents the development of a self-supporting aerial cable containing 144 optical fibers for 200 m spans using flexible ribbon technology fully developed in Brazil. As part of the development, standards and testing requirements were defined to adapt these cables to the Brazilian reality. Relevant information about cable design, fabrication and results of laboratory tests will also be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTUnder the topics of climate change and sustainable transitions, the importance of policy mix understanding and energy poverty is simultaneously discussed. Both concepts do not have universal definitions, and literature focuses on building the different fragments of each one to design new ways to understand, analyze and develop policies. Energy poverty is complex and has a multitude of drivers, such as income, energy prices, and buildings/energy efficiency are examples of how different policies are required to erase this problem. Understanding how those policies work together and should be evaluated challenges new perspectives between different fields. Framed in this subject matter, and after an overview of its state of the art, a flexible and systemic framework for policy mix analysis is proposed considering five steps: definition of objectives, instrument selection, single instrument analysis, instruments interaction analysis, and evaluation. The major contribution of the proposed framework is a clear yet adaptable criterion for instruments interaction analysis. Energy poverty literature is reviewed in the optic of how policy mix can help develop and analyze policies for its erasing, and specific criteria for its instruments analysis are suggested.

This article consists in an analysis of different training methodologies obtained through research and evaluating the main methodologies in use in the field of steel structures. It starts with a state-of-the-art of to the cutting-edge digital teaching and learning techniques and tools for delivering innovative higher education and training in steel structures. A balance analysis was performed, with pros and cons being considered, to select the best methodologies for microlearning. It is also aim of this task to evaluate the requirements on digital tools and digital training methodologies in the field of steel structures. Also, it aims at collecting feedback on expectations and future career perspectives from teachers and trainers on the possible improvements they can get with the application of Digital Training Methodologies. To start, it is important to understand which tools are the most relevant to give high quality digital teaching. For almost all teachers and trainers the presentation instruments and online communication tools are considered the most important tools. In term of the topics that are important to address in terms of digital training the results have indicated the following: the identification of online fake content and information as well as cybersecurity matters, the ability to respect the others in a “always connected environment”, creation of digital content and the use of digital tools to solve the problems. Additionally, to the previous identified topics, and in order to improve the learning process and making it faster it is important to understand what makes online learning resources and content useful, for that, and through the analysis of the questionnaires results, it was observed that having interactive resources, easy to use, with high quality and relevant contents, that are designed to address the needs of the learners, it can be obtain a better learning process. The analysis of research carried out for this article, allowed to conclude that having interactive resources, easy to use, with high quality and relevant contents, that are designed to address the needs of the learners, it can be obtain a better and fast learning process.

Education and Training represent the principal means through which individuals acquire skills and competences. And it is through participation in continuous professional development and learning that adults will access, on an ongoing basis, the upskilling and reskilling necessary to adapt to the continuous changes. The paper analyses the gathered information (Delphi analysis using specific surveys) that is necessary for the harmonization of the knowledge involved in the transition to the digital and green manufacturing. The analysis was applied to information received from specialists in fabrication from 5 EU countries, with different levels of industrial development: Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia. According to the analysis, the majority of the responders (75%) did not receive training in digital and green activities in the past 6 months, 69% have participated in digital training. The companies which started the transformation to digital fabrication, use CAD-CAM followed by Enterprise resource planning (ERP), Production and Quality Management systems, communications tools and in a minor scale Robotic production technology, simulation tools and virtual programming digital monitoring. One of the problems identified with this survey was related to lack of digital skills experienced by the surveyed participant (44%) and lack of knowledge in digital training on the part of withe and blue co-workers (almost 80% in total). In terms of the use different digital technologies for the part of the companies it is equilibrated in terms of social media and Collaborative Technologies (30%); Data and Analytics (26%); Mobile Technologies (27%) and Cloud Computing Services (17%). The second part of the Delphi analysis was related on how to engage learners and help them to meet course and programme learning outcomes. Engagement entails includes mindfulness, intrinsic motivation, cognitive effort, and attention. To start with it was important to understand the way teaching/learning should be carried out, and the majority of the participants believed that Hybrid, online and face to face combined lectures are the best learning method, in terms of type of lesson, the short courses between 30-45 min were the most voted option (55%), followed by traditional 45 min lessons (30%).

The research for this article consists in analysis of some questionnaire distributed among different higher education institutions and VET centers in the different EU countries. First, it was made a characterization of the target group involved in the questionnaires, which is important to evaluate the real situation of the teachers and trainer and to understand what can be done in terms of teaching and training in the future. The study consists in analysis of the main characteristics of the participants, namely country, type of organization, position and age of the participants. To understand the major needs and expectation of digital education, and particularly in what micro-learning is concerns, as it was verified that the Lack of time is one of the main obstacles to learning and training. Other questions aimed at having a broader overview of the expectations and needs in terms of digital Learning in Europe. Based on the analysis of these results it was verified that, as in most of the fields, socio-economic inequalities between learners continue to be the biggest challenge, followed by the lack of plan and vision for integrating digital technologies in education and training in terms of Digital Learning in Europe; Lack of European high-quality online learning content and lack of availability of suitable digital tools and technologies.

ABSTRACTThis study analysed the performance of Chinese Under-23 soccer players during ball possession Small-Sided Games (SSGs), compared to foreign players. Unbalanced number formats (4v2, 4v4 and 4v6) were performed on a 30 × 25 m playing area, 4 sets of 4 min each with 4 min of active recovery between bouts, under opposition- and cooperation-based perspectives. Data were collected on External Workload (Walking, Running, Sprinting, Max speed and Sprint number), Internal Load of Perceptions (Rating of Perceived Exertion, RPE) and Tactical Individual Actions (Max passing speed, Passing number and with Dominant and Non-dominant foot). An Independent Samples T-Test and Cohen’s d Effect Sizes were conducted to compare both groups. A higher number of differences were observed on the cooperation-based perspective. Generally, foreign players performed more tactical individual actions and intensive external workload. In contrast, Chinese players walked more and scored higher RPE. On this basis, it appears that foreign players have a better team-play experience and ability to adapt to game constraints more easily. This investigation provides insight information about players’ development and to understand the evolution of Chinese soccer that coaches should consider before working on this specific environment.