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The structural and dielectric properties of BaMoO4 - CaTiO3 advanced ceramics in the Radio Frequency (RF) region (< 300 MHz) were studied in the present work. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement showed no evidence of secondary phases, indicating no reaction between the BaMoO4 (BMO) and CaTiO3 (CTO) phases. Complex Impedance Spectroscopy (CIS) analysis demonstrated that BMO presents greater permittivity than composites can be explained by the low densification of the composites. Nyquist diagrams were fitted employing an equivalent circuit with two associations of R-CPE (constant phase element) related to the grain and the grain boundary effects. The composites showed a decrease in the values of Temperature Capacitance Coefficient (TCC) with CTO (CaTiO3) content increase, whereas composites BMO20 and BMO40 showed TCC values equal to zero at 1 MHz. Moreover, as obtained by CIS analysis, the activation energy of thermo-activated processes decreases with CTO concentration increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the dielectric properties of the ceramic CaMoO4 (CMO) with additions of 0, 8, 12, and 20% by mass (wt %) of TiO2 in the radiofrequency (RF) region were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that no secondary phases formed after the addition of TiO2. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyse the effects on the morphology of the CMO. Complex Impedance Spectroscopy (CIS) was performed to evaluate the electrical properties of the materials, while temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) analysis showed that at 10 kHz, CMO12 (CMO with 12 wt % TiO2) presented a TCC equal to zero, demonstrating that this material is thermally stable at this frequency. The activation energy (Ea) was calculated by AC conductivity and imaginary part of the electric modulus (M″) at different temperatures. The Ea values were close, indicating that the thermally activated conduction process is the same. Moreover, the addition of TiO2 resulted in a decrease in the Ea, implying an increased conductivity of the material. The results obtained show that the materials evaluated would be interesting candidates for application in electronic circuits that operate in the radiofrequency region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chimeric antigen-receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) is characterised by early phase data at the time of registration, high upfront cost and a complex manufacturing and administration process compared with standard therapies. Our objective was to compare the performance of different models to assess the cost effectiveness of CAR-T using a state-transition model (STM), partitioned survival model (PSM) and discrete event simulation (DES). Methods: Individual data for tisagenlecleucel for the treatment of young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were used to populate the models. Costs and benefits were measured over a lifetime to generate a cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Model performance was compared quantitatively on the outcomes generated and a checklist developed summarising the components captured by each model type relevant to assessing cost effectiveness of CAR-T. Results: Models generated similar results with base-case analyses ranging from an incremental cost per QALY of $96,074–$99,625. DES was the only model to specifically capture CAR-T wait time, demonstrating a substantial loss of benefit of CAR-T with increased wait time. Conclusion: Although model type did not meaningfully impact base-case results, the ability to incorporate an outcome-based payment arrangement (OBA) and wait time are important elements to consider when selecting a model for CAR-T. DES provided greater flexibility compared with STM and PSM approaches to deal with the complex manufacturing and administration process that can lead to extended wait times and substantially reduce the benefit of CAR-T. This is an important consideration when selecting a model type for CAR-T, so major drivers of uncertainty are considered in funding decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the vast majority of all diagnosed lung cancers. According to their histology, most NSCLCs are considered non-squamous cell carcinoma (NSCC), and up to 85% of the latter may lack either one of the two main actionable oncogenic drivers (i.e., EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements). Objective: Our analysis aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Spanish patients suffering from NSCC with no actionable oncogenic driver in daily clinical practice. Design: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive analysis. Methods: We analyzed the records of all Spanish patients with advanced NSCC diagnosed between January 2011 and January 2020 and included in the Spanish Thoracic Tumor Registry database. We evaluated the presence of metastasis and molecular profiling at the time of diagnosis and treatments received. We also assessed overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) according to first-line treatment. Results: One thousand seven hundred ninety-seven Spanish patients with NSCC were included. They were mainly men (73.2%), smokers (current [44.4%] and former [44.4%]) and presented adenocarcinoma histology (97.6%). Most patients had at least one comorbidity (80.4%) and one metastatic site (96.8%), and a non-negligible number of those tested were PD-L1 positive (35.2%). Notably, the presence of liver metastasis indicated a shorter median OS and PFS than metastasis in other locations (p < 0.001). Chemotherapy was more often prescribed than immunotherapy as first-, second-, and third-line treatment in that period. In first-line, the OS rates were similar in patients receiving either regimen, but PFS rates significantly better in patients treated with immunotherapy (p = 0.026). Also, a high number of patients did not reach second- and third-line treatment, suggesting the failure of current early diagnostic measures and therapies. Conclusions: This analysis of the most lethal tumor in Spain could highlight the strengths and the weaknesses of its clinical management and set the ground for further advances and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: SUMOylation of SLR1 at K2 protects productivity under salt stress, possibly by modulation of SLR1 interactome. DELLA proteins modulate GA signaling and are major regulators of plant plasticity to endure stress. DELLAs are mostly regulated at the post-translational level, and their activity relies on the interaction with upstream regulators and transcription factors (TFs). SUMOylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) capable of changing protein interaction and has been found to influence DELLA activity in Arabidopsis. We determined that SUMOylation of the single rice DELLA, SLENDER RICE1 (SLR1), occurs in a lysine residue different from the one identified in Arabidopsis REPRESSOR OF GA (RGA). Artificially increasing the SUMOylated SLR1 levels attenuated the penalty of salt stress on rice yield. Gene expression analysis revealed that the overexpression of SUMOylated SLR1 can regulate GA biosynthesis, which could partially explain the sustained productivity upon salt stress imposition. Furthermore, SLR1 SUMOylation blocked the interaction with the growth regulator YAB4, which may fine-tune GA20ox2 expression. We also identified novel SLR1 interactors: bZIP23, bHLH089, bHLH094, and OSH1. All those interactions were impaired in the presence of SUMOylated SLR1. Mechanistically, we propose that SUMOylation of SLR1 disrupts its interaction with several transcription factors implicated in GA-dependent growth and ABA-dependent salinity tolerance to modulate downstream gene expression. We found that SLR1 SUMOylation represents a novel mechanism modulating DELLA activity, which attenuates the impact of stress on plant performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software is developed using programming languages whose choice is made based on a wide range of criteria, but it should be noted that the programming language selected can affect the quality of the software product. In this paper, we focus on analysing the differences in energy consumption when running certain algorithms that have been developed using different programming languages. Therefore, we focus on the software quality from the perspective of greenability, in concrete in the aspects related to energy efficiency. For this purpose, this study has conducted an empirical investigation about the most suitable programming languages from an energy efficiency perspective using a hardware-based consumption measurement instrument that obtains real data about energy consumption. The study builds upon a previous study in which energy efficiency of PL were ranked using a software-based approach where the energy consumption is an estimation. As a result, no significant differences are obtained between two approaches, in terms of ranking the PL. However, if it is required to have a more realistic knowledge of consumption, it is necessary to use hardware approaches. Furthermore, the hardware approach provides information about the energy consumption of specific DUT hardware components, such as, HDD, graphics card, and processor, and a ranking for each of component is elaborated. This can provide useful information to make a more informed decision on the choice of a PL, depending on several factors, such as the type of algorithms to be implemented, or the effects on power consumption not only in overall, but also depending on specific DUT hardware components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of soil moisture, texture and organic matter content on the edaphic microbiological, dehydrogenase, urease and acid phosphatase activity of the Mapire floodplain, State of Anzoátegui, Venezuela, which is located in an igapó. The wetland in question was segmented into three sectors according to the flood condition of each one, namely zone of maximum, medium and minimum flooding. The results suggest that dehydrogenase activity increases with waterlogging time and soil humidity, that the absence of oxygen promotes acid phosphatase activity when samples come from the zone of maximum flooding, that the zones of medium and maximum flooding could constitute suitable environments for the proliferation of anaerobic microbial life, and that acetate consumption reaches the highest values in this last area, which would be linked to methanogenic bacterial activity. Urease and acid phosphatase activity seem to have a positive relationship with organic matter content in the period of low soil humidity. Microbial activity, estimated by fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, is maximum in the medium flood zone during edaphic low humidity season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to report clinicopathologic and imaging features of odontogenic myxomas (OM), highlighting uncommon findings. Methods: Clinicopathologic and imaging data of OMs diagnosed in the five Brazilian diagnostic pathology centers were collected and analyzed. Results: The series comprised 42 females (68.9%) and 19 males (31.1%), with a 2.2:1 female-to-male ratio and a mean age of 34.5±15.4 years (range: 4-80). Clinically, most OMs presented as painless intraoral swelling (n = 36; 70.6%) in the mandible (n=37; 59.7%). Multilocular lesions (n=30; 83.3%) were more common than unilocular lesions (n=6; 16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference between the average size of unilocular and multilocular OMs (p=0.2431). The borders of OMs were mainly well-defined (n=24; 66.7%) with different degrees of cortication. Only seven tumors caused tooth resorption (15.9%), while 24 (54.5%) caused tooth displacement. Cortical bone perforation was observed in 12 (38.7%) cases. Morphologically, OMs were characterized mainly by stellate or spindle-shaped cells in a myxoid background (n=53; 85.5%). Surgical resection was the most common treatment modality (n=15; 65.2%), followed by conservative surgery (n=8; 34.8%). Outcomes were available in 20 cases (32.3%). Seven of these patients had local recurrence (35%). Enucleation was the treatment with the highest recurrence rate (4/7; 57.1%). Conclusions: OM has a predilection for the posterior region of the jaws of female adults. Despite their bland morphological appearance, they displayed diverse imaging features. Clinicians must include the OM in the differential diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the jaws. A long follow-up is needed to monitor possible recurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of a synthesized carbon xerogel (RFX) for the adsorptive removal from water of ciprofloxacin (CPX), a widely used fluoroquinolones-group antibiotic for humans and animals, has been reported in this work. The carbon xerogel was characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, TPD studies, elemental analysis, determination of isoelectric point (pHIEP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CPX adsorption experiments were conducted in batch mode, using results obtained with F400 commercial activated carbon for comparison purposes. CPX adsorption kinetics were well-described by the pseudo-second-order model for both adsorbents and by the Elovich model in the case of F400 activated carbon. Therefore, CPX equilibrium adsorption capacity values were of 457 and 72 mg g−1 for RFX xerogel and F400 activated carbon, respectively. This significant difference can be attributed to the higher specific surface area and micropores volume values of F400 carbon; in this sense, this material led to a slower CPX kinetic adsorption. Also, the Dual-site Langmuir model best-described the experimental CPX adsorption isotherms in both cases. By the adsorption studies at different solution pH, it could be concluded that several mechanisms, e.g., hydrophobic and π-π interactions, and electrostatic forces highly influenced CPX adsorption capacity. Furthermore, adsorption tests using several environmentally relevant aqueous matrices have been accomplished. In this case, a competitive effect between the natural organic matter (NOM) and the target pollutant occurred in all the tested real matrices, decreasing CPX adsorption capacity, especially remarkable for F400 activated carbon. Finally, Density Functional Theory (DFT) has been used to elucidate the interactions between CPX and adsorbents, finding a high relevance of the π-π electron donor–acceptor interactions in which CPX acts as an acceptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDK4/6 inhibition in combination with endocrine therapy is the standard of care for estrogen receptor (ER+) breast cancer, and although cytostasis is frequently observed, new treatment strategies that enhance efficacy are required. Here, we perform two independent genome-wide CRISPR screens to identify genetic determinants of CDK4/6 and endocrine therapy sensitivity. Genes involved in oxidative stress and ferroptosis modulate sensitivity, with GPX4 as the top sensitiser in both screens. Depletion or inhibition of GPX4 increases sensitivity to palbociclib and giredestrant, and their combination, in ER+ breast cancer models, with GPX4 null xenografts being highly sensitive to palbociclib. GPX4 perturbation additionally sensitises triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) models to palbociclib. Palbociclib and giredestrant induced oxidative stress and disordered lipid metabolism, leading to a ferroptosis-sensitive state. Lipid peroxidation is promoted by a peroxisome AGPAT3-dependent pathway in ER+ breast cancer models, rather than the classical ACSL4 pathway. Our data demonstrate that CDK4/6 and ER inhibition creates vulnerability to ferroptosis induction, that could be exploited through combination with GPX4 inhibitors, to enhance sensitivity to the current therapies in breast cancer.While CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have improved outcomes for breast cancer patients, estrogen receptor (ER +) breast cancers often develop resistance, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) show poor sensitivity. Here, the authors identify a vulnerability of CDK4/6i treated ER+ and TNBC on ferroptosis and identify the combination of CDK4/6i and GPX4 inhibition as synergistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we consider the nonlinear dynamics and computational aspects for non-negative solutions of one-dimensional doubly nonlocal fractional conservation laws ∂ t u + ∂ x [ u Λ α - 1 (κ (x) H u) ] = 0 and ∂ t u - ∂ x [ u Λ α - 1 (κ (x) H u) ] = 0 , where Λ α - 1 denotes the fractional Riesz transform, H denotes the Hilbert transform, and κ (x) denotes the spatial variability of the permeability coefficient in a porous medium. We construct an unconventional Lagrangian–Eulerian scheme, based on the concept of no-flow curves, to handle the doubly nonlocal term, under a weak CFL stability condition, which avoids the computation of the derivative of the nonlocal flux function. Primarily, we develop a feasible computational method and derive error estimates of the approximations of the Riesz potential operator Λ α - 1 . Secondly, we undertake a formal numerical-analytical study of initial value problems associated with such doubly nonlocal models to add insights into the role of nonlinearity and coefficient κ (x) in the composition between the Hilbert transform and the fractional Riesz potential. Numerical experiments are presented to show the performance of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the standard of care for diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD); however, vision gains and anatomical improvements are not sustained over longer periods of treatment, suggesting other relevant targets may be needed to optimize treatments. Additionally, frequent intravitreal injections can prove a burden for patients and caregivers. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) has been explored as an additional therapeutic target, due to the involvement of Ang-2 in DME and nAMD pathogenesis. Recent evidence supports the hypothesis that targeting both VEGF and Ang-2 may improve clinical outcomes in DME and nAMD compared with targeting VEGF alone by enhancing vascular stability, resulting in reduced macular leakage, prevention of neovascularization, and diminished inflammation. Faricimab, a novel bispecific antibody that targets VEGF-A and Ang-2, has been evaluated in clinical trials for DME (YOSEMITE/RHINE) and nAMD (TENAYA/LUCERNE). These trials evaluated faricimab against the anti-VEGFA/B and anti–placental growth factor fusion protein aflibercept, both administered by intravitreal injection. In addition to faricimab efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics, durability was evaluated during the trials using a treat-and-extend regimen. At 1 year, faricimab demonstrated non-inferior vision gains versus aflibercept across YOSEMITE/RHINE and TENAYA/LUCERNE. In YOSEMITE/RHINE, faricimab improved anatomic parameters versus aflibercept. Reduction of central subfield thickness (CST), and absence of both DME and intraretinal fluid were greater in faricimab- versus aflibercept-treated eyes. In TENAYA/LUCERNE, CST reductions were greater for faricimab than aflibercept at the end of the head-to-head phase (0–12 weeks), and were comparable with aflibercept at year 1, but with less frequent dosing. CST and vision gains were maintained during year 2 of both YOSEMITE/RHINE and TENAYA/LUCERNE. These findings suggest that dual Ang-2/VEGF-A pathway inhibition may result in greater disease control versus anti-VEGF alone, potentially addressing the unmet needs and reducing treatment burden, and improving real-world outcomes and compliance in retinal vascular diseases. Long-term extension studies (RHONE-X, AVONELLE-X) are ongoing. Current evidence suggests that dual inhibition with faricimab heralds the beginning of multitargeted treatment strategies inhibiting multiple, independent components of retinal pathology, with faricimab providing opportunities to reduce treatment burden and improve outcomes compared with anti-VEGF monotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended as a palliative treatment for patients of the B stage of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification. Aims: To identify clinical, biological, and radiological predictors of survival in patients undergoing TACE and develop a pre-therapeutic prognostic score. Methods: 191 adult cirrhotic patients treated for HCC with TACE at the University Hospital (UH) of Clermont-Ferrand (France) from 2007–2017 were retrospectively included. We investigated the impact of baseline liver function, patient characteristics, and tumor burden on overall survival and developed a prognostic score. Results: Patients had a median age of 66 years and 126 patients were Child A. The AFP-DIAM score distinguishes two groups with a significant difference in survival time (median OS 28.3 months in patients with a score = 0 versus 17.7 months in patients with a score > 0). AFP-DIAM was validated on an external cohort, is well calibrated, and has the best discrimination capacity (C-index) as compared to NIACE, HAP, STATE, and SIX TO TWELVE. AFP-DIAM and SIX TO TWELVE are the more easy-to-use scores. When AFP-DIAM and the SIX TO TWELVE scores were tested in the same statistical model, results confirmed a better AFP-DIAM performance. Conclusions: The AFP-DIAM is an easy-to-use score which allows to distinguish two groups with different prognosis before the first TACE session. Its use could provide further support to BCLC system to guide the therapeutic strategy of patients with HCC. An easy-to-use score allows to distinguish two groups with a different median survival. Patient with a high score could receive immunotherapy as first-line treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many classrooms across the globe, students are expected to comprehend and produce handwritten and computer-generated texts as soon as they start school. As we progress towards digitalisation in education, it has become necessary to understand the effects of writing modality on students' literacy performance and development. The current meta-analysis integrates findings from 22 international studies involving 6168 participants, comparing the effects of handwriting and keyboarding on the writing and reading performance of primary-aged students. Moderator analyses were executed to determine if grade level, keyboarding experience, timed measurement of letter writing, types of tasks measuring letter writing fluency, and study design moderated modality effects on writing outcomes. Results revealed a significant effect size when comparing writing quality between handwriting and keyboarding, with students producing better quality passages via handwriting than keyboarding (ES = 0.53). Results also revealed that only grade level significantly moderated the effect size for letter writing fluency and written word production. Findings indicated that handwriting and keyboarding practices are associated with improvements on specific reading skills in primary education, with no clear superiority of modality. We discuss implications for literacy research and teaching both locally and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the observation of top-quark pair production in proton-lead collisions in the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement is performed using 165 nb−1 of p+Pb data collected at s NN = 8.16 TeV in 2016. Events are categorised in two analysis channels, consisting of either events with exactly one lepton (electron or muon) and at least four jets, or events with two opposite-charge leptons and at least two jets. In both channels at least one b-tagged jet is also required. Top-quark pair production is observed with a significance over five standard deviations in each channel. The top-quark pair production cross-section is measured to be σ t t ¯ = 58.1 ± 2.0 stat. − 4.4 + 4.8 syst. nb, with a total uncertainty of 9%. In addition, the nuclear modification factor is measured to be R p A = 1.090 ± 0.039 stat. − 0.087 + 0.094 syst. . The measurements are found to be in good agreement with theory predictions involving nuclear parton distribution functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the relationship between the aerobic transformation of organic matter (OM) and the bioavailability of lead to plants may allow the safe application of organic fertilizers (OF) in agriculture. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship of different OM structures with Pb, revealing the action of OF (poultry litter) on Pb dynamics, presenting the effects of OM transformations on bioavailability and transfer to vegetables produced in tropical mountain agroecosystems (TMA). The association of Pb with hydrophilic structures (CAlk–O and CAlk–di–O) during the aerobic transformation of poultry litter (PL) contributes to the increase in the water-soluble form of this metal (3.17–15.30%). The structural changes promoted by the transformation of OM, in addition to reducing the adsorption capacity of Pb in PL (Kd reduction from 1135.50 to 87.49), favor the formation of outer-sphere complexes. PL that have a more labile structure, i.e., those that are less humified, have greater affinity for Pb. The greater affinity of Pb for labile structures that are preserved in PL during OM transformations contributed to its increase and transport to edible plant parts. Considering the edible parts of vegetables grown in TMA and fertilized with fresh PL, 100% of broccoli, 91.78% of cabbage, 80.00% of tomato, 65.96% of parsley, 49.19% of lettuce, and 32.88% of cauliflower showed Pb contamination that exceeded the permitted level. Therefore, OF contributes to lead contamination of food produced in TMA, representing a risk to human health. Studies are needed to propose additional treatments for this residue before its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of the Higgs boson production times decay rates and differential cross-sections have recently been performed by the ATLAS experiment in several decay channels using up to 139 fb−1 of proton-proton collision data at s = 13 TeV recorded at the Large Hadron Collider. This paper presents multiple interpretations of these Higgs boson measurements. Measurements of production-mode cross-sections, simplified template cross-sections and fiducial differential cross-sections in different decay channels are reparameterised in terms of the impact of Standard Model effective field theory operators, and constraints are reported on the corresponding Wilson coefficients. Production and decay rate measurements are interpreted in UV-complete extensions of the Standard Model, namely the two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM) near the alignment limit and the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) for various MSSM benchmark scenarios. The constraints on the 2HDM parameters (cos(β − α), tanβ) and the MSSM parameters (mA, tanβ) are complementary to those obtained from direct searches for additional Higgs bosons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A search for the resonant production of a heavy scalar X decaying into a Higgs boson and a new lighter scalar S, through the process X → S(→ b b ¯ )H(→γγ), where the two photons are consistent with the Higgs boson decay, is performed. The search is conducted using an integrated luminosity of 140 fb−1 of proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search is performed over the mass range 170 ≤ mX ≤ 1000 GeV and 15 ≤ mS ≤ 500 GeV. Parameterised neural networks are used to enhance the signal purity and to achieve continuous sensitivity in a domain of the (mX, mS) plane. No significant excess above the expected background is found and 95% CL upper limits are set on the cross section times branching ratio, ranging from 39 fb to 0.09 fb. The largest deviation from the background-only expectation occurs for (mX, mS) = (575, 200) GeV with a local (global) significance of 3.5 (2.0) standard deviations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A search for neutral long-lived particles (LLPs) decaying in the ATLAS hadronic calorimeter using 140 fb−1 of proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV delivered by the LHC is presented. The analysis is composed of three channels. The first targets pair-produced LLPs, where at least one LLP is produced with sufficiently low boost that its decay products can be resolved as separate jets. The second and third channels target LLPs respectively produced in association with a W or Z boson that decays leptonically. In each channel, different search regions target different kinematic regimes, to cover a broad range of LLP mass hypotheses and models. No excesses of events relative to the background predictions are observed. Higgs boson branching fractions to pairs of hadronically decaying neutral LLPs larger than 1% are excluded at 95% confidence level for proper decay lengths in the range of 30 cm to 4.5 m depending on the LLP mass, a factor of three improvement on previous searches in the hadronic calorimeter. The production of long-lived dark photons in association with a Z boson with cross-sections above 0.1 pb is excluded for dark photon mean proper decay lengths in the range of 20 cm to 50 m, improving previous ATLAS results by an order of magnitude. Finally, long-lived photo-phobic axion-like particle models are probed for the first time by ATLAS, with production cross-sections above 0.1 pb excluded in the 0.1 mm to 10 m range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase of mercury (Hg) concentrations in abiotic and biotic compartments of aquatic ecosystems following the river impoundment for building a hydroelectric reservoir is one of many environmental and social impacts that the construction of hydroelectric plants can trigger. Yet, long-term studies in Amazon reservoirs are still scarce. The present study aimed to understand the effects of dam impoundment in THg concentrations in an Amazon reservoir up to 35 years of its creation. On March 2019 (35th year after filling), samples of fish, soil, and sediments were collected in the Tucuruí reservoir. Total mercury (THg) concentrations were determinate in those samples and compared with data extract from previous studies referring to the 6th, 16th and 18th years after the reservoir filling. Fish from different guilds at the 6th year after filling the Tucuruí reservoir had high THg concentrations, and those decreased in the 16th and 18th years, then the concentrations increased again in the 35th year after filling. For soils and sediments, a decline in THg concentrations was observed. These results differ from previous studies that predicted that Hg concentrations in fish would return to natural concentrations within 30 years in temperate zones and no decline of THg concentrations would be observed for Amazonian reservoirs. The Tocantins river drainage basin has been subjected to multiple anthropic disturbances and land use changes over the past decades, such as the implementation of new hydroelectric plants, deforestation, and fires, which can explain our observations. This study contributes valuable long-term insights into the dynamics of Hg concentrations in an Amazonian reservoir, highlighting the complex interactions between environmental changes and Hg accumulation over decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular and renal complications. While glycemic control remains essential, newer therapeutic options, such as SGLT2 inhibitors, offer additional benefits beyond glucose reduction. This review delves into the mechanisms underlying the cardio-renal protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitors. By inducing relative hypoglycemia, these agents promote ketogenesis, optimize myocardial energy metabolism, and reduce lipotoxicity. Additionally, SGLT2 inhibitors exert renoprotective actions by enhancing renal perfusion, attenuating inflammation, and improving iron metabolism. These pleiotropic effects, including modulation of blood pressure, reduction of uric acid, and improved endothelial function, collectively contribute to the cardiovascular and renal benefits observed with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy. This review will provide clinicians with essential knowledge, understanding, and a clear recollection of this pharmacological group's mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liriomyza sativae infestations pose a threat to horticultural crops like melon and tomato, causing economic losses of up to 30%, typically managed through insecticide applications. Despite the inherent risk of resistance development in populations, reported cases are still relatively low that may be associated with the practicality of the existing bioassay methods. To address the resistance phenomenon in a species, a practical and reliable method to generate susceptibility data should be used. This study aimed to refine existing bioassay method(s) for Liriomyza against different modes of action and set up the susceptibility status of field populations to cyantraniliprole and spinetoram in Brazil. Using the leaf disc immersion method, individual larvae on leaf discs were transferred to both bioassay trays and acrylic Petri dishes after treating them, and mortality was assessed 48 and 72 h after exposure. Susceptibility parameters varied with arena type, exposure duration, and insecticide. Bioassay tray arenas showed consistency of response compared to acrylic dishes and improved parameters at 72 h exposure among the modes of action assessed. Thus, survey of populations against cyantraniliprole and spinetoram using Bioassay tray arenas showed to be consistent and data suggested resistance evidence in L. sativae populations. Resistance ratio varied from 1.2- (MSR4) to 4.2- (BRN1) and from 1.6- (MSR5) to 7.9-fold (MSR2) for cyantraniliprole and spinetoram, respectively. Diagnostic concentration (10 mg/L) for both insecticides showed survival up to 10% (spinetoram) and 2% (cyantraniliprole). The bioassay tray method may be an alternative to existing methods for toxicological assessments and detection/documenting resistance to insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residual intake and gain (RIG) aims to select animals that present low feed intake in relation to the expected. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of selection for RIG with performance and carcass traits in Nellore cattle. Initially, residual feed intake (RFI) and residual gain (RG) were determined. From this, the RIG was calculated, and the animals were classified as efficient and inefficient for RIG. The efficient animals for RIG showed higher daily weight gain (DWG), Longissimus muscle area (LMA), and mid-test metabolic body weight (MMBW) than the inefficient ones. No significant correlations were found between subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), marbling (MAR), LMA, MMBW, and the RIG. Thus, it’s concluded that the RIG is a measure that can be used to identify and select animals with higher rates of DWG and LMA without changes in the dry matter intake (DMI), SFT, and MAR. However, this index should still be observed with caution, as it may be dependent on body size. Based on the findings, the selection of animals according to the RIG can be an important factor to generate phenotypic evolution in characteristics such as weight gain and rib eye area without adverse effects on the carcass fat deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Inherited retinal disease (IRD) causes progressive loss of visual function, degenerating towards complete blindness. Economic evaluation of gene therapies for rare forms of genetic IRDs have had to rely on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) estimates from other diseases because there is limited data available for such a rare condition. This study aimed to estimate Australian societal-based utility values for IRD health states that can be used in cost-utility analyses (CUA) using a time trade-off (TTO) protocol adapted from a UK study. Methods: The EuroQol Valuation Technology (EQVT) protocol composite TTO (cTTO) framework was followed, which includes worse-than-death (WTD) states and quality control (QC) measures. Preferences were collected from a general population sample of 110 Australian adult participants. Five health state vignettes from the UK study which had been validated with patients and clinicians were presented randomly to participants during videoconferencing (VC) interviews with one of four interviewers. Technical and protocol feasibility were assessed in a pilot of 10 interviews. QC measures were used to monitor interviewers' performance during the study. Results: One participant withdrew consent. The final analysis was conducted on 109 respondents (including 4 non-traders). The average time to complete the interview was 44.2 minutes (SD 8.7). Participants reported mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores between 63.15 for 'moderate impairment' and 17.98 for 'hand motion' to 'no light perception'. Mean health state utilities (HSU) varied between 0.76 (SD 0.26) in 'moderate impairment', and 0.20 (SD 0.58) in 'hand motion' to 'no light perception'. Of all HSU evaluations, 14% were considered WTD which most commonly occurred in the most severe visually impaired health state. Conclusion: This study provides valuable information on HSUs across a range of IRD health states from the Australian general population perspective. The utilities obtained in this study can be used as inputs into CUA of IRD therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is increasingly viable for the high-volume production of complex parts due to material and time savings, weight reduction, design optimization, and the development of new materials. Laser metal deposition (LMD), a specific AM process, offers high build rates and larger deposition volumes, making it cost-effective for industries such as aerospace and defense, which benefit from increased productivity and the ability to repair large components. Martensitic stainless steels are valued for their mechanical properties in these sectors, despite the challenges of maintaining these properties during LMD deposition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deposition parameters for laser cladding using LMD with AISI 431 martensitic stainless steel powder and to analyze the morphological aspects. Microstructural evolution was assessed using optical and electron microscopy, with samples produced by varying laser power (800, 1000, 1400, 1600 W) and scanning speed (9, 14, 16 mm/s). The results showed dilution values between 10 and 27% for power values of 1400 and 1600 W for all laser beam velocities tested. Microstructural characterization revealed martensite and ferrite phases in the deposits. Increasing the scanning speed resulted in higher dilution and wettability and decreased the height/width ratio of the deposits. The laser deposition parameters also affected the solidification parameters (G/R) and the cooling rate (G × R), which are critical for understanding the resulting microstructure and hardness of the deposits. This study highlights the importance of considering geometric and microstructural aspects in LMD for AISI 431 steel to ensure high productivity and optimal performance and demonstrates the potential of the LMD process for the deposition of martensitic stainless steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inoculation of forest species with plant growth-promoting bacteria has grown and is increasingly sought to reduce the use of synthetic products. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of the interaction between endophytic bacteria and synthetic indole butyric acid (IBA) on the initial development of Corymbia citriodora x Corymbia torelliana (CcCt) plants. The treatments were established by factorial (6 × 2) + 1, in which the mini-cuttings were inoculated with Pantoea vagans strains 7URP1-6 (B07) and 45URP4-1 (B45), Priestia megaterium (B11), Exiguobacterium sibiricum (B19), Bacillus sp. (B58) and a control treatment with the inoculation vehicle only, followed by immersion in 0 or 1,000 mg kg− 1 of synthetic IBA, plus an additional control not inoculated and treated with 2,000 mg kg− 1 of IBA. In relation to the cuttings treated only with 2,000 mg kg− 1 of IBA, cuttings inoculated with bacteria B07, B11, B19, and B58 had a similar survival rate, an increase of 29–36% in the percentage of rooting and of 27–34% in plant height, produced rooted cuttings with larger collar diameters and greater dry mass of roots and shoots, and a greater number of colony forming units of bacteria in the rhizosphere and in root and shoot tissues. The inoculation of mini-cuttings of CcCt with B07, B11, B19 and B58, followed by immersion in 1,000 mg kg− 1 of IBA improved the development of rooted cuttings relative to inoculated cuttings without IBA treatment, although it is not known if the effect is directly attributable to these bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Composite Abuse Scale (Revised) – Short Form (CASR-SF) was developed to provide a brief, reliable, and valid self-report measure that could adequately capture the complexity of intimate partner violence (IPV). Unlike many commonly used IPV instruments, it is a multidimensional measure that is appropriate for diverse groups and contexts and can be easily incorporated in population-based surveys or studies with multiple scales. Despite these benefits, however, there is limited evidence regarding its psychometric properties. Thus, the current study aimed to perform a broad cross-validation study of a new Spanish-language version of the CASR-SF. Methods: A large community sample of adults residing in the Dominican Republic (n = 1,117) responded to measures of IPV, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The analyses included assessments of content validity, dimensionality (exploratory graph analysis), factor structure (exploratory structural equation modeling), measurement invariance (multiple indicators multiple causes modeling), criterion validity (structural equation modeling), and reliability. Results: the Spanish-language CASR-SF emerged as a valid, measurement invariant, and reliable measure of the four core dimensions of IPV: sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and stalking, the latter a novel finding of this study. The analyses also revealed several at-risk populations for IPV, including females, sexual minorities (lesbian/gay/bisexual), and those with lower economic and education levels. Psychological abuse emerged as the IPV dimension most consistently and uniquely related with negative mental health outcomes. Conclusions: The Spanish CASR-SF is an excellent tool for the research of IPV victimization across Spanish-speaking groups and cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Nucala Effectiveness Study (NEST) assessed the effectiveness of mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma (SA) in countries previously underrepresented in real-world studies. Methods: A multi-country, bi-directional, self-controlled, observational cohort study conducted in Colombia, Chile, India, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Historical and/or prospective data from patients with SA were assessed 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab initiation. Primary endpoint: incident rate ratio (IRR) of clinically significant exacerbations (CSEs). Key secondary endpoints: healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU), oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, lung function and symptom control (Asthma Control Test [ACT] scores). Results: Overall, 525 patients with SA burden pre-initiation (geometric mean blood eosinophil count [BEC] 490.7 cells/µl; 31.4% prior biologic use; 37.3% obese) received at least one dose of mepolizumab 100 mg subcutaneously. Post-initiation, a significant reduction in CSEs was observed (76% [p < 0.001]; IRR [95% confidence interval] 0.24 [0.19–0.30]); 72.0% of patients had no CSEs. Mepolizumab treatment led to a reduction in OCS use (52.8% pre-initiation vs. 16.6% post-initiation) and a mean (standard deviation [SD]) change in OCS dose of − 18.1 (20.7) mg post-initiation; 36.1% of patients became OCS-free. Fewer patients were hospitalised post-initiation (22.5% pre-initiation vs. 6.9% post-initiation). Improvements in mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (62.8 [20.2]% pre-initiation vs. 73.0 [22.7]% post-initiation) and ACT scores (15.0% pre-initiation vs. 64.5% of patients post-initiation with well-controlled asthma) were observed. Proportion of patients with BEC ≥ 500 cells/µl decreased from 84.4% pre-initiation to 18.1% post-initiation. Conclusion: Mepolizumab was effective in reducing the burden of SA by significantly reducing CSEs, reducing OCS use and HCRU, and improving lung function and asthma control, which could translate to improvements in health-related quality of life in patients with SA and high OCS dependency in the countries studied. A graphical abstract is available with this article. Plain Language Summary: Severe asthma occurs when asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled despite optimised treatment. In many low-middle income countries, and in some countries in the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Arab Gulf, the management and treatment of patients with severe asthma remain poor, with many patients having unscheduled hospital visits or admission, and use of steroids for a prolonged period. Mepolizumab is an injectable monoclonal antibody approved as an add-on treatment for severe asthma in patients ≥ 6 years of age. In clinical trials, mepolizumab has demonstrated reductions in the risk of clinically significant exacerbations (CSE; an asthma exacerbation that requires systemic corticosteroids and/or an emergency room visit and/or hospitalisation) and the need for oral corticosteroid (OCS) treatment in patients with severe asthma by reducing inflammation caused by eosinophil (a type of white blood cell) production. The Nucala Effectiveness Study (NEST) was performed to observe the effectiveness of mepolizumab in people with severe asthma in Colombia, Chile, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. The frequency of CSEs and other outcomes was compared 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab initiation. Post-initiation, the risk of CSEs was significantly reduced by 76% (p < 0.001), and 72% of patients had no CSEs. Fewer patients were dependent on OCS, with 36.1% of patients not using OCS at all, and fewer patients were hospitalised. Lung function and asthma control also improved. NEST shows that mepolizumab could benefit people with severe asthma living in countries where disease-related burden and OCS use remain high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) scale assesses the severity of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), yet a European Portuguese translation is lacking. Objectives: To translate, cross-culturally adapt and to examine the psychometric properties (construct validity and reliability) of the TMJ scale. Methods: Translation and cultural adaptation were carried out according to international recommendations, including initial translation, evaluation of this translation and cultural adaptation by a panel of experts, and back translation. The final Portuguese version was used to examine the reliability and validity, and participants with TMD were recruited from a Portuguese outpatient clinic. Reliability measures included internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1). The Spearman correlation comparing the TMJ scale with the Fonseca and Helkimo indexes was used to assess the construct validity. Results: A total of 63 participants (23 ± 2 years; 61,9% female) were included. Similar internal consistency was observed between the two moments of application (0.921 and 0.918), and test-retest reliability was excellent, with an ICC2,1 = 0.998 (95%CI: 0.988–0.999). Robust positive correlations (rho 0.554–0.611, p < 0.001) were found between the TMJ scale and Fonseca and Helkimo indexes. Conclusion: The European Portuguese version of TMJ scale is now available to improve the assessment of severity of TMD in routine clinical practice. This version is also reliable and valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promising routes of metallic additive manufacturing favor the fabrication of refined functional components. Nonetheless, dealing with the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) parameters and costs for making the most of this technology is still an issue. The challenge gets bigger when considering less explored parameters, such as the process atmosphere and build location. So, this study aimed to address the main differences in microstructure, crystallography, mechanical properties, and surface finishing of maraging steel components manufactured under two different atmospheres (N2 and a mixture of 75%Ar-25%He atmospheres) and three build locations arranged along the gas flow direction. Based on experimental characterizations, the porosity fraction, microstructural constituents and metallurgical flaws, phase composition and martensite matrix crystallographic parameters, macrotexture, mechanical properties, roughness, and surface residual stress were investigated and compared for the different manufacturing conditions. The porosity fraction had the most expressive changes with the gas type and the build location, reaching a 53% overall reduction under N2 and a 112 to 302% rise for the front located sample compared to the others. The underlying mechanisms involved in the observed results, mainly related to process by-products behavior, were discussed. Broadly, the N2 atmosphere stands out over the analyzed properties. These findings underscore the role of atmospheric selection in the LPBF process, considering the overall quality and performance of the fabricated material and the possibility of cost reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) and dental caries, considering muscle mass (MM), bone mineral density (BMD), and oral hygiene habits (OHH) as mediators. This study has an analytical cross-sectional design with 2,515 adolescents (18–19 years). The main exposure – the UPF intake ratio – was established using the food frequency questionnaire. The outcome was the number of decayed teeth, according to the DMFT index. The model adjustment included socio-economic status (SES), frequency of physical activity, and concurrent risk habits (CRH) as potential confounders. Three latent variables were considered: SES (family income, economic class, household head, and adolescent education), OHH (gingival bleeding on probing index and visible plaque index), and CRH (alcohol and tobacco dependence). The analyses used structural equation modeling, estimating the standardized coefficient (SC) in three models: lumbar BMD(1), femoral BMD(2), and total BMD(3). UPF consumption had a direct (SCmodel1=0.071, SCmodel2=0.072, SCmodel3=0.071; p < 0.05) and total (SCmodel1=0.067, SCmodel2=0.068, SCmodel3=0.068; p < 0.05) effect on the number of decayed teeth. BMD and MM did not mediate the association between UPF and dental caries, but the indirect association mediated by OHH was significant in all analyses (p < 0.05). Dental Caries was explained in other specific pathways: SES→UPF→Dental Caries (SCmodel1 = 0.009, SCmodel2 = 0.008, SCmodel3 = 0.009); SES→OHH→Dental Caries (SCmodel1 = 0.033, SCmodel2 = 0.033, SCmodel3 = 0.034); CRH→UPF→Dental Caries (SCmodel1 = 0.009, SCmodel2 = 0.008, SCmodel3 = 0.008); CRH→OHH→Dental Caries (SCmodel1 = 0.029, SCmodel2 = 0.027, SCmodel3 = 0.027). Dental caries prevention should include encouraging good OHH, healthy eating, and developing equitable public policies in middle and low-income countries like Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micromagnetic simulations are used to study a spin-torque vortex oscillator excited by an out-of-plane dc current. The vortex core gyration amplitude is confined between two orbits due to periodical vortex core polarity reversals. The upper limit corresponds to the orbit where the vortex core reaches its critical velocity triggering the first polarity reversal which is immediately followed by a second one. After this double polarity reversal, the vortex core is on a smaller orbit that defines the lower limit of the vortex core gyration amplitude. This double reversal process is a periodic phenomenon and its frequency, as well as the upper and lower limit of the vortex core gyration, is controlled by the input current density while the vortex chirality determines the apparition of this confinement regime. In this non-linear regime, the vortex core never reaches a stable orbit and thus, it can be of interest for neuromorphic application as a leaky integrate-and-fire neuron for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant global health threat, with uncertainties persisting regarding the factors determining whether individuals experience mild symptoms, severe conditions, or succumb to the disease. This study presents an NMR metabolomics-based approach, analysing 80 serum and urine samples from COVID-19 patients (34 intensive care patients and 46 hospitalized patients) and 32 from healthy controls. Our research identifies discriminant metabolites and clinical variables relevant to COVID-19 diagnosis and severity. These discriminant metabolites play a role in specific pathways, mainly "Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis", "Phenylalanine metabolism", "Glycerolipid metabolism" and "Arginine and proline metabolism". We propose a three-metabolite diagnostic panel—comprising isoleucine, TMAO, and glucose—that effectively discriminates COVID-19 patients from healthy individuals, achieving high efficiency. Furthermore, we found an optimal biomarker panel capable of efficiently classify disease severity considering both clinical characteristics (obesity/overweight, dyslipidemia, and lymphocyte count) together with metabolites content (ethanol, TMAO, tyrosine and betaine). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adjoint method is a popular method used for seismic (full-waveform) inversion today. The method is considered to give more realistic and detailed images of the interior of the Earth by the use of more realistic physics. It relies on the definition of an adjoint wavefield (hence its name) that is the time-reversed synthetics that satisfy the original equations of motion. The physical justification of the nature of the adjoint wavefield is, however, commonly done by brute force with ad hoc assumptions and/or relying on the existence of Green's functions, the representation theorem and/or the Born approximation. Using variational principles only, and without these mentioned assumptions and/or additional mathematical tools, we show that the time-reversed adjoint wavefield should be defined as a premise that leads to the correct adjoint equations. This allows us to clarify mathematical inconsistencies found in previous seminal works when dealing with viscoelastic attenuation and/or odd-order derivative terms in the equation of motion. We then discuss some methodologies for the numerical implementation of the method in the time domain and to present a variational formulation for the construction of different misfit functions. We here define a new misfit travel-time function that allows us to find consensus for the longstanding debate on the zero sensitivity along the ray path that cross-correlation travel-time measurements show. In fact, we prove that the zero sensitivity along the ray path appears as a consequence of the assumption on the similarity between data and synthetics required to perform cross-correlation travel-time measurements. When no assumption between data and synthetics is preconceived, travel-time Fréchet kernels show an extremum along the ray path as one intuitively would expect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Simulation and video-based assessment (VBA) offer residents the opportunity to develop operative skills while ensuring patient safety. This study aims to determine whether simulation training can predict residents' operative performance, focusing on the gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomosis during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy. Methods: Twenty-seven general surgery residents completed simulated robotic GJ drills and subsequently performed GJs in the operating room (OR). Both simulated and intraoperative performances were video recorded and retrospectively assessed by two blinded graders using the Objective Structural Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) scale, time to completion, and occurrence of errors. Intraoperative GJ OSATS scores were compared in cases with and without Clinically Relevant Delayed Gastric Emptying (CRDGE). Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's rho, Chi-square, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: For simulated GJs, the median OSATS score was 29 (IQR 27–33), time to completion was 30 min (IQR 27–35), and 11 cases had at least one error. Intraoperative GJs had a median OSATS of 30 (IQR 27–31), time to completion of 41 min (IQR 36–51), and errors occurred in nine cases. The OSATS score on the simulated GJs demonstrated a significant positive correlation to the OSATS score on the operative GJs (r = 0.74; p < 0.001) and less time to completion (r = − 0.68; p < 0.001). A shorter simulated GJ completion time significantly correlated with a higher intraoperative OSATS score (r = − 0.52; p < 0.01). Residents with at least one error in the simulated GJs had lower OSATS scores and higher times intraoperatively. Those cases with CRDGE had significantly lower intraoperative OSATS scores than those without CRDGE. Conclusion: Performance on a simulated robotic GJ environment is a robust predictor of OR GJ performance, demonstrating predictive validity. VBA of residents' operative GJ performance is associated with the presentation of CRDGE. Simulation-based training may be crucial to optimizing surgical outcomes before operating on patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to review the proposed methodologies and reported performances of automated algorithms for seizure forecast. A systematic review was conducted on studies reported up to May 10, 2024. Four databases and registers were searched, and studies were included when they proposed an original algorithm for automatic human epileptic seizure forecast that was patient specific, based on intraindividual cyclic distribution of events and/or surrogate measures of the preictal state and provided an evaluation of the performance. Two meta-analyses were performed, one evaluating area under the ROC curve (AUC) and another Brier Skill Score (BSS). Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria, totaling 43 included algorithms. A total of 419 patients participated in the studies, and 19442 seizures were reported across studies. Of the analyzed algorithms, 23 were eligible for the meta-analysis with AUC and 12 with BSS. The overall mean AUC was 0.71, which was similar between the studies that relied solely on surrogate measures of the preictal state, on cyclic distributions of events, and on a combination of these. BSS was also similar for the three types of input data, with an overall mean BSS of 0.13. This study provides a characterization of the state of the art in seizure forecast algorithms along with their performances, setting a benchmark for future developments. It identified a considerable lack of standardization across study design and evaluation, leading to the proposal of guidelines for the design of seizure forecast solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the impact of various green light photoperiods from LED lamps on water quality, microorganism community, antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and growth performance in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in a BFT system. The study was conducted indoors in 150-L tanks using shrimp with an initial weight of 0.48 g at a stocking density of 500 shrimp m−3 for 61 days. The experiment was designed with four treatments with four replicates each, with different green light photoperiods: 1) 16 h L/8 h D, 2) 12 h L/12 h D (control), 3) 8 h L/16 h D and 4) 4 h L/20 h D. No significant differences were found in water quality parameters following trial completion (p > 0.05). However, there were significant differences in the bacterial abundance of coccoids, free filamentous, attached filamentous, vibrios, and bacilli (p < 0.05) and in protozoa including flagellates, ciliates, rotifers, nematodes, and amebae (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences in lipid peroxidation, with lower lipid peroxidation in the 12 h L/12 h D, 8 h L/16 h D, and 4 h L/20 h D treatments and higher antioxidant capacity in the hepatopancreas and muscle in the 8 h L/16 h D treatment (p < 0.05). Shrimp from the 8 h L/16 h D treatment showed a higher final weight than those from the 12 h L/12 h D control treatment (p < 0.05). Thus, a photoperiod of 8 h of light and 16 h of darkness with green LED light is suggested for rearing L. vannamei in biofloc systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observation of the electroweak production of a W boson and a photon in association with two jets, using pp collision data at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre of mass energy of s = 13 TeV, is reported. The data were recorded by the ATLAS experiment from 2015 to 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb - 1 . This process is sensitive to the quartic gauge boson couplings via the vector boson scattering mechanism and provides a stringent test of the electroweak sector of the Standard Model. Events are selected if they contain one electron or muon, missing transverse momentum, at least one photon, and two jets. Multivariate techniques are used to distinguish the electroweak W γ j j process from irreducible background processes. The observed significance of the electroweak W γ j j process is well above six standard deviations, compared to an expected significance of 6.3 standard deviations. Fiducial and differential cross sections are measured in a fiducial phase space close to the detector acceptance, which are in reasonable agreement with leading order Standard Model predictions from MadGraph5+Pythia8 and Sherpa. The results are used to constrain new physics effects in the context of an effective field theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppose I assert "Jim is rich". According to negotiated contextualism, my assertion should be understood as a proposal to adopt a standard of wealth such that Jim counts as "rich" by that standard. Furthermore, according to negotiated contextualism, this is so in virtue of the semantic properties of the word "rich". Defenders of negotiated contextualism (Khoo & Knobe in Noûs 52(1):109–143, 2016; Khoo in Philos. Phenomenol. Res. 100(1):26–53, 2020) claim that this view is uniquely well-placed to account for certain disagreement data; for example, that if your standard for the application of the word "rich" is more constraining than mine, you can sensibly assert "no, Jim is not rich" without thereby making an incompatible claim. This paper outlines a simpler explanation of the data: speakers can sensibly reject a given assertion provided that they think that the asserted sentence is false in the context which they take to be relevant to that sentence's interpretation. I argue that, combined with standard semantic tools, this explanation can account for the original data and for new empirical results. Along the way, I present new empirical data to argue against negotiated contextualism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections, especially pulmonary aspergillosis, mucormycosis, and invasive candidiasis, have emerged as a significant health concern. Beyond Candida albicans, the most common cause of invasive candidiasis, other rare ascomycetous yeast species have been described in tertiary care units, potentially posing a broader health threat. We have isolated, from September 2020 to June 2021, nine Diutina catenulata strains from urine samples of six patients. This was intriguing as this fungus had not been previously identified in our institution, nor after June 2021. Therefore, we decided to outline the clinical features of the patients with this rare pathogen, to describe phenotypic characteristics, including antifungal susceptibility profiles, of this yeast species and to identify the genetic makeup through whole-genome sequencing analysis to evaluate if this was a cluster of genetically similar D. catenulata isolates in our institution. The strains were identified through MALDI-TOF MS analyses and Sanger sequencing of two rDNA regions. All patients yielding D. catenulata from urine samples needed ventilator support and used urinary catheters during hospitalization for treatment of COVID-19. None of them had received COVID-19 vaccines. Morphological and biochemical profiles of the nine strains were largely consistent, although fluconazole susceptibility varied, ranging from 4 to 32 μg/mL. Phylogenomic analysis revealed minimal genetic variation among the isolates, with low intrapopulation variation, supported by the identification of only 84 SNPs across all strains. Therefore, we propose that the yeast strains isolated were part of a cluster of D. catenulata funguria in the context of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the broader issue of invasive species management, particularly within the context of highly biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems such as the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Effective management strategies are paramount to mitigate the ecological impact of invasive species on native ecosystems. Using the case of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), a tree native to Southeast Asia that has become invasive in some urban tropical forests in Brazil, we developed a management approach based on the tree's life cycle and vital rates. Our disturbance analysis showed that a management strategy focused on the survival and growth of JUVENILES 1 and ADULTS 1 would be effective in reducing the population growth rate (λ). Elasticity analyses, on the other hand, indicate that the best management options are those based on the survival rates of JUVENILES 1, ADULTS 1, and ADULTS 2. To reduce the population's λ, our management simulations suggest that small interventions are sufficient, targeting a reduction of up to 5% in survival rates, particularly in the reproductive classes. In contrast, our simulations highlight that interventions involving the removal of 30% of the population or more per year have a minimal effect on reducing the population growth rate, while gradual, long-term management is more effective. Excessive management, defined as large-scale interventions that can open large gaps in the forest (e. g. exceeding 70% removal per year), would be unnecessary, could result in the waste of financial resources, and could hinder native species' ability to colonize the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Ammonium Tutton salts have been widely studied in recent years due to their thermostructural properties, which make them promising compounds for application in thermochemical energy storage devices. In this work, a detailed experimental study of the Tutton salt with the formula (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2(H2O)6 is carried out. Its structural, vibrational, and thermal properties are analyzed and discussed. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies confirm that the compound crystallizes in a structure of a Tutton salt, with monoclinic symmetry and P21/a space group. The Hirshfeld surface analysis results indicate that the main contacts stabilizing the material crystal lattice are H···O/O···H, H···H, and O···O. In addition, a typical behavior of an insulating material is confirmed based on the electronic bandgap calculated from the band structure and experimental absorption coefficient. The Raman and infrared spectra calculated using DFT are in a good agreement with the respective experimental spectroscopic results. Thermal analysis in the range from 300 to 773 K reveals one exothermic and several endothermic events that are investigated using PXRD measurements as a function of temperature. With increasing temperature, two new structural phases are identified, one of which is resolved using the Le Bail method. Our findings suggest that the salt (NH4)2Zn(SO4)2(H2O)6 is a promising thermochemical material suitable for the development of heat storage systems, due to its low dehydration temperature (≈ 330 K), high enthalpy of dehydration (122.43 kJ/mol of H2O), and hydration after 24 h. Methods: Computational studies using Hirshfeld surfaces and void analysis are conducted to identify and quantify the intermolecular contacts occurring in the crystal structure. Furthermore, geometry optimization calculations are performed based on density functional theory (DFT) using the PBE functional and norm-conserving pseudopotentials implemented in the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP). The primitive unit cell optimization was conducted using the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) algorithm. The electronic properties of band structure and density of states, and vibrational modes of the optimized crystal lattice are calculated and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the choroidal status of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and OCT-Angiography. Methods: SLE patients with disease duration < 10 years, no disease activity and no ocular involvement were recruited and cross-sectionally evaluated. A demographically similar cohort of healthy subjects was used for comparison. The main outcome is choroidal vascularity index (CVI). As secondary outcomes, choriocapillaris parameters and choroidal thickness (CT) were evaluated. Results: Forty eyes of 40 subjects (20 SLE patients and 20 healthy subjects) were studied with a mean ± SD age of 36.7 ± 9.9 years. In the SLE group, the mean ± SD duration of disease was 7.35 ± 2.21 years. Increased CVI was found in the SLE group (p = 0.022). Considering the choriocapillaris, SLE patients presented a lower number (p = 0.037) and a smaller total area (p = 0.041) of signal voids. No differences between groups were found in CT. For SLE patients, CT at subfoveal, temporal and inferior locations presented a negative moderate correlation with disease duration. A strong correlation between choriocapillaris parameters and age was demonstrated for both groups. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of subclinical choroidal changes in adult SLE patients with inactive disease and no overt ocular manifestation. Increased CVI and fewer and smaller flow voids in choriocapillaris with normal CT suggest increased choroidal vascularity in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guanabara Bay hydrographic region (GBHR) has served as a central hub for human settlement and resource utilization throughout Brazil's history. However, the region's high population density and intense industrial activity have come at a cost, leading to a significant decline in water quality. This work aimed to identify homogeneous regions in GBHR according to water quality parameters in dry and rainy periods. The following water quality monitoring variables were monitored at 49 gauge stations: total phosphorus (TP), nitrate (NO3−), dissolved oxygen (DO), hydrogenionic potential (pH), turbidity (Turb), thermotolerant coliforms (TCol), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), water temperature (Tw), and air temperature (Ta). The statistical analysis consisted of determining principal components, cluster analysis, seasonal differences, and Spearman's correlation. The water quality parameter correlations were not expressively influenced by seasonality, but there are differences in the concentrations of these parameters in the dry and rainy periods. In the dry period, urban pressure on water quality is mainly due to fecal coliforms. The resulting clusters delimited areas under urban, agricultural, and forestry influence. Clusters located in areas with high demographic density showed high concentrations of TCol and TP, while clusters influenced by forestry and agriculture had better water quality. In the rainy season, clusters with urban influence showed problems with TCol and TP, in addition to some characteristics in each group, such as high TDS, NO3−, and BOD. Forested areas showed high DO, and clusters under agricultural influence had higher concentrations of TCol, BOD, and NO3− concerning forested regions. The troubling state of sanitation in GBHR occurs in metropolitan regions due to lack of a formal sanitation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nut-enriched diets are related to improve lipid and inflammatory biomarkers in meta-analyses in the context of primary cardiovascular prevention. However, primary studies on secondary cardiovascular prevention are scarce and controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of nut supplementation on lipid and inflammatory profiles in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and the frequency of adverse events. Methods: Six databases were used for research: PubMed, EMBASE, BVS, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov, until February 2023, with no language restrictions. We performed random-effects meta-analyses to compare nut-enriched diets vs. control diets for pre-post intervention changes. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system assessed the evidence's certainty. Results: From the 5187 records identified, eight publications containing data referring to five randomized clinical trials involving 439 participants were included in the final analyses. The nuts evaluated were almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, and mixed nuts, with doses ranging between 5 g and 85 g (median: 30 g/day). The intervention time varied between 6 and 12 weeks. Compared to nut-free diets, nut intake did not have a statistically significant effect on lipid profile biomarkers, except on the atherogenic index (MD: -0.32 [95% CI -0.58 to -0.06], I2 = 0% - moderate certainty of the evidence). Similarly, there was no effect of nuts on inflammatory profile biomarkers. It was not possible to aggregate data on adverse events. Conclusions: Nut supplementation did not change lipid and inflammatory profiles in the secondary cardiovascular prevention setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of toxic metals (TM) were analyzed in 498 samples of agricultural soils used for intensive vegetable cultivation in the watershed of Barracão dos Mendes, Brazil. The goal of this study was to characterize the distribution of these elements and the main natural and anthropogenic factors affecting their accumulation. In general, the average concentrations of TM were higher than the reference quality values for cultivated soils in the region, with the exception of Cr, Co, Ni and Mn, and the average concentration of Cd was ten times greater. Three sources of variation in the distribution of TM concentrations were identified: one related to topographic relief, another related to lithology, and one related to the massive use of agrochemicals. These factors contributed to TM accumulation in the soil; moreover, the transport of toxic metal-enriched clay by runoff resulted in higher concentrations of these elements in the lower parts of the slope. The long-term application of massive amounts of fertilizers and pesticides resulted in the accumulation of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd in the vegetable cultivation soils and promoted the enrichment of macronutrients, mainly P and K. Moreover, the spatial distribution of TM in the agricultural soils of this mountain agroecosystem was affected by intensive vegetable cultivation, which altered the natural TM distribution dynamics determined by variations in topographic relief and lithology. In intensive cultivation areas, the TM distribution was also influenced by soil management practices such as tillage along the slope direction and massive mineral and organic fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]