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The metabolic energy rate of individual muscles is impossible to measure without invasive procedures. Prior studies have produced models to predict metabolic rates based on experimental observations of isolated muscle contraction from various species. Such models can provide reliable predictions of metabolic rates in humans if muscle properties and control are accurately modeled. This study aimed to examine how muscle-tendon model individualization and metabolic energy models influenced estimation of muscle-tendon states and time-series metabolic rates, to evaluate the agreement with empirical data, and to provide predictions of the metabolic rate of muscle groups and gait phases across walking speeds. Three-dimensional musculoskeletal simulations with prescribed kinematics and dynamics were performed. An optimal control formulation was used to compute muscle-tendon states with four levels of individualization, ranging from a scaled generic model and muscle controls based on minimal activations, inclusion of calibrated muscle passive forces, personalization of Achilles and quadriceps tendon stiffnesses, to finally informing muscle controls with electromyography. We computed metabolic rates based on existing models. Simulations with calibrated passive forces and personalized tendon stiffness most accurately estimate muscle excitations and fiber lengths. Interestingly, the inclusion of electromyography did not improve our estimates. The whole-body average metabolic cost was better estimated with a subset of metabolic energy models. We estimated metabolic rate peaks near early stance, pre-swing, and initial swing at all walking speeds. Plantarflexors accounted for the highest cost among muscle groups at the preferred speed and were similar to the cost of hip adductors and abductors combined. Also, the swing phase accounted for slightly more than one-quarter of the total cost in a gait cycle, and its relative cost decreased with walking speed. Our prediction might inform the design of assistive devices and rehabilitation treatment. The code and experimental data are available online. more...

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the early and late results of surgical treatment of patients with bronchiectasis, comparing the Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) vs. the open thoracotomy (OT). Methods: Observational retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for bronchiectasis. Patients were divided into two groups according to surgical access OT/VATS. Variables collected included gender, age, preoperative symptoms, etiology, segments involved, FVC and FEV1, type of surgical resection, complications, mortality, and length of hospital stay. Late surgical results were classified as excellent, complete remission of symptoms; good, significative improvement; and poor, little/no improvement. Results: 108 surgical resections (103 patients). OT group 54 patients (52.4%) vs. VATS 49 (47.6%). A high percentage of complications was observed, but no difference between the OT (29.6%) and VATS (24.5%) groups was found. Post-operative hospital stay was shorter in the VATS group (5.4 days) vs. the OT group (8.7 days (p=0.029). 75% of the patients had a late follow-up; the results were considered excellent in 71.4%, good in 26%, and poor in 2.6%. Regarding bronchiectasis distribution, an excellent percentage was obtained at 82.1% in patients with localized bronchiectasis and 47.5% with non-localized bronchiectasis, p=0.003. Conclusions: VATS leads to similar results regarding morbidity, compared to OT. However, VATS was related to shorter hospital stays, reflecting the early recovery. Late results were excellent in most patients, being better in patients with localized bronchiectasis. VATS should be considered a preferable approach for bronchiectasis lung resection whenever possible. more...

Abstract Background In the phase 3 EMPOWER‐Cervical 1/GOG‐3016/ENGOT‐cx9 study, cemiplimab significantly improved overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who progressed after first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy. We present a post hoc subgroup analysis of patients enrolled in Japan. Methods Patients were enrolled regardless of programmed cell death‐ligand 1 status and randomized 1:1 to cemiplimab 350 mg intravenously every 3 weeks or investigator's choice single‐agent chemotherapy for up to 96 weeks. Primary endpoint was OS. Key secondary endpoints were progression‐free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR). Results Overall, 608 patients were randomized, of whom 56 (9.2%) were in Japan (cemiplimab, n = 29; chemotherapy, n = 27). The median (range) duration of follow‐up was 13.6 (6.0–25.3) versus 18.2 (6.0–38.2) months for patients in Japan and for the overall population, respectively. Median OS (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 8.4 (7.0‐not evaluable) and 9.4 (5.4–14.9) months for cemiplimab versus chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.43–1.68). Median PFS (95% CI) was 4.0 (1.4–8.2) versus 3.7 (1.8–4.2) months with cemiplimab and chemotherapy (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.50–1.61), respectively. ORR was 17.2% for cemiplimab and 7.4% for chemotherapy (odds ratio, 2.47; 95% CI, 0.44–13.99). Incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events at any grade was 79.3% for cemiplimab and 100% for chemotherapy. Grade ≥3 adverse events were 37.9% versus 66.7% with cemiplimab and chemotherapy, respectively. Discussion While acknowledging limitations inherent to a small subgroup analysis, the HR of 0.86 observed in Japanese patients suggests an emerging survival benefit despite a 4.6‐month shorter median duration of follow‐up versus the overall study population. more...

RESUMO: Atualmente o crescimento da população e a forte industrialização, contribuíram para o rápido aumento de resíduos sólidos, acelerando o processo contínuo de deterioração ambiental que gera sérias implicações na qualidade de vida da sociedade. No Brasil, é recente a preocupação com o gerenciamento adequado, tratamento e disposição final dos resíduos sólidos urbanos. O atual sistema de coleta e disposição final de resíduos da cidade de Riacho Frio - PI vem funcionando com dificuldade operacional, onde pode classificar o local de depósito como lixão a céu aberto. Desta forma, é necessário que os municípios brasileiros busquem a adequação às normativas vigentes dos sistemas de coleta, transporte, tratamento e disposição final dos resíduos, viabilizando a sustentabilidade ambiental urbana. O estudo teve como objetivo, aplicar o índice de qualidade de aterro de resíduo - (IQR) para avaliar o sistema de disposição final do município de Riacho Frio - PI, a fim de aprimorar os mecanismos de controle sanitário ambiental. Para tanto, são apresentadas as atividades de concepção metodológica, levantamentos de dados, sistematização de informações, conforme proposta pela CETESB (Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo) nas quais atendem as condições mínimas ambientais e de operacionalização como: distância de corpos hídricos e áreas residenciais, cercamento e vias de acesso. O valor do IQR obtido foi de 1,84 mostrando que as condições da área são inadequadas, em razão do valor ser menor que 6,0. Isto revela que a área não atende de forma satisfatória muitos itens dentro das características locais, infraestrutura e condições operacionais. Palavras-Chave: Índice de qualidade de resíduos; disposição final dos resíduos sólido; lixão. ABSTRACT: Currently population growth and strong industrialization, contributed to the rapid increase in solid waste, accelerating the ongoing process of environmental degradation that create serious implications for the quality of life of society. In Brazil, recent concern for the proper management, treatment and disposal of municipal solid waste. The current collection system and final disposal of waste in the city of Riacho Frio - PI has worked with operational difficulty, where you can sort the storage area to dump the open. Thus, it is necessary that municipalities seek adaptation to current regulations of collection systems, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, enabling the urban environmental sustainability. The study aimed to apply the waste landfill quality index - (IQR) to evaluate the final disposal system Riacho Frio municipality - PI in order to improve the mechanisms of environmental health control. Therefore, the activities of methodological design are presented, data surveys, systematization of information, as proposed by CETESB (Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo) in which meet the environmental and operational minimum conditions such as distance from water bodies and areas residential, fencing and access roads. The value obtained IQR was 1.84 showing that area conditions are inadequate, because the value is less than 6.0. This shows that the area does not meet the satisfaction of many items within the local characteristics, infrastructure and operational conditions. KEYWORDS: Index of quality waste; disposal end waste solid; dumping ground. more...

RESUMO: Para a expansão dos aglomerados urbanos, é necessária a retirada da cobertura vegetal para pavimentação de ruas, construções e edificações, ocasionando em sérios impactos ambientais, como a impermeabilização do solo que minimiza a infiltração e aumenta o escoamento superficial, e assim, a população fica sujeita a possíveis riscos de inundações. Neste contexto, é necessário um sistema de drenagem bem projetado, para evitar possíveis transtornos e melhorar as condições estruturais da cidade bem como melhoria de vida da população. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo fazer o levantamento dos dispositivos do sistema de drenagem urbana do município de Riacho frio-PI, analisando as condições estruturais, disposição, deficiência e eficiências dos mesmos e propor medidas de controle. Para execução deste trabalho foi feito um levantamento de campo, com visita no local, utilizando câmara fotográfica, GPS, material para anotações e posteriormente identificar os dispositivos do sistema de drenagem analisando os possíveis problemas com os mesmos. Após o levantamento de campo foi possível identificar que o município de Riacho Frio possui deficiência na quantidade e condições sanitárias dos dispositivos de drenagem, pois em toda a cidade apenas 2 ruas possuem bocas-de-lobo e galerias de águas pluviais. Constatou também, a presença de resíduos nas galerias e bocas-de-lobo podendo ocorrer o entupimento e comprometer o funcionamento das mesmas, bem como o lançamento de efluentes na rede de drenagem motivo explicado pela falta de tratamento de esgoto e conhecimento da população. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Impermeabilização, Inundações, Planejamento urbano, Saneamento. ABSTRACT: For the expansion of urban areas, it is necessary to remove the vegetation for paving streets, buildings and buildings, resulting in serious environmental impacts such as soil sealing that reduces infiltration and increases runoff, and thus the population is subject to possible risks of flooding. In this context, a drainage system and designed it is necessary to avoid possible disorders and improving the structural conditions of the city and improvement of people's living. Thus, this study aimed to survey the devices of the urban drainage system of the city of Riacho Frio-PI, analyzing the structural conditions, disposition, disability and efficiencies thereof and propose control measures. For the implementation of this work was made a field survey, with on-site visit, using camera, GPS, material for notes and later identify the drainage system devices analyzing the possible problems with them. After the field survey it was possible to identify the Riacho Frio municipality has low and poor sanitary conditions of drainage devices because throughout the city just 2 streets have mouths-of-wolf and storm sewer. It also found the presence of residues in galleries and mouths-of-wolf may occur clogging and compromising their operation and the effluent discharge to sewer reason explained by the lack of sewage treatment and knowledge of the population. KEYWORDS: waterproofing, Flooding, urban planning, Sanitation. more...

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is highly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and frequently imported to Europe. Male urogenital manifestations are often neglected. We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of genitourinary clinical signs and symptoms among long-term African migrants in a non-endemic European country using a serology test. Methods We carried out a prospective, community-based cross-sectional study of adult male migrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in Spain. Schistosoma serology tests and microscopic urine examinations were carried out, and clinical data were obtained from an electronic medical record search and a structured questionnaire. Results We included 388 adult males, mean age 43.5 years [Standard Deviation (SD) = 12.0, range: 18–76]. The median time since migration to the European Union was 17 [Interquartile range (IQR): 11–21] years. The most frequent country of origin was Senegal (N = 179, 46.1%). Of the 338, 147 (37.6%) tested positive for Schistosoma. Parasite eggs were present in the urine of only 1.3%. Nine genitourinary clinical items were significantly associated with positive Schistosoma serology results: pelvic pain (45.2%; OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.0–2.4), pain on ejaculation (14.5%; OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.0–3.5), dyspareunia (12.4%; OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.2–5.2), erectile dysfunction (9.5%; OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.3–7.6), self-reported episodes of infertility (32.1%; OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.0–2.8), haematuria (55.2%; OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.5–3.6), dysuria (52.1%; OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.3–3.1), undiagnosed syndromic STIs (5.4%), and orchitis (20.7%; OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.0–3.1). Clinical signs tended to cluster. Conclusions Urogenital clinical signs and symptoms are prevalent among male African long-term migrants with a positive Schistosoma serology results. Genital involvement can be frequent even among those with long periods of non-residence in their sub-Saharan African countries of origin. Further research is needed to develop diagnostic tools and validate therapeutic approaches to chronic schistosomiasis. Graphical Abstract more...

La enseñanza-aprendizaje de la Física en la Educación de Adultos presenta insuficiencias relacionadas con el aprendizaje de los contenidos y su aplicación en la solución de problemas de la ciencia, la tecnología y el entorno de los estudiantes en general. Esto provoca una contradicción con las exigencias actuales que la sociedad demanda a la Educación cubana en el contexto del III perfeccionamiento. El objetivo de esta investigación es proponer un procedimiento general para seleccionar los contenidos interdisciplinarios que sustentan la elaboración de una metodología para favorecer la enseñanza aprendizaje de la Física de la Educación de Adultos. Desde un enfoque mixto de la investigación se utilizaron métodos tales como: histórico-lógico, analítico-sintético, inductivo-deductivo, modelación, sistémico, observación a clases, estudio de documentos, encuestas, entrevistas, prueba pedagógica y el pre-experimento. Como resultado se determinaron los procedimientos que permiten seleccionar los contenidos interdisciplinarios para la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la Física en la Educación de Adultos. more...

Future intelligent transportation systems will require complex networking infrastructures with communication among a huge number of vehicles and roadside nodes to support services such as autonomous driving. However, the deployment and operation of such a large number of roadside nodes is expensive due to either the cost of battery replacement or the maintenance of a continuous energy supply in long highways or rural areas. In this work, we evaluate the feasibility of a roadside unit harvesting energy from radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted by a nearby moving vehicle, with the incentive of using a part of the harvested energy to transmit small amounts of data to the vehicle. We consider a realistic model with the timing elements related to the movement of the vehicle, beam tracking errors, a non-linear model for energy harvesting, and potential line-of-sight obstructions in multi-vehicle scenarios. Results show that, with typical off-the-shelf components, it is feasible to use the RF harvested energy to transmit between a few hundred and several thousand bytes, depending on the speed of vehicles and the frequency of operation for energy harvesting, among other parameters. more...

Yellow Sigatoka, caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora musae, represents one of the most challenging diseases in bananas, which is aggravated due to the genetic variability of this pathogen. The main objective of this study was to characterize the infection process of P. musae in two banana cultivars with different levels of resistance and to quantify the expression of resistance genes. Inoculated and non-inoculated leaf samples of the two cultivars, Yangambi km 5—resistant and Grande Naine—susceptible, were investigated by light microscopy, histochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and RT-qPCR. The cultivar Grande Naine showed early signs of P. musae infection, including the production of lipophilic substances and phenolic compounds, while the cultivar Yangambi km 5 was not affected. In the Grande Naine cultivar, the protein kinase gene was upregulated, while in the Yangambi km 5, it was repressed. The WAK2 gene was initially upregulated in both cultivars; however, in Grande Naine, it was subsequently repressed, while in Yangambi km 5, it remained downregulated. These findings have the potential to contribute to more effective management strategies in the control of yellow Sigatoka and the development of banana varieties resistant to yellow Sigatoka. more...

Background: Disinfection by-products used to obtain drinking water, including halomethanes (HMs) such as CH2Cl2, CHCl3, and BrCHCl2, induce cytotoxicity and hyperproliferation in human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) modulate these damages through their biotransformation processes, potentially generating toxic metabolites. However, the role of the oxidative stress response in cellular hyperproliferation, modulated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), remains unclear. Methods: In this study, MRC-5 cells were treated with these compounds to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, phospho-NF-κB/p65 (Ser536) levels, and the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx. Additionally, the interactions between HMs and ROS with the IκBα/NF-κB/p65 complex were analyzed using molecular docking. Results: Correlation analysis among biomarkers revealed positive relationships between pro-oxidant damage and antioxidant responses, particularly in cells treated with CH2Cl2 and BrCHCl2. Conversely, negative relationships were observed between ROS levels and NF-κB/p65 levels in cells treated with CH2Cl2 and CHCl3. The estimated relative free energy of binding using thermodynamic integration with the p65 subunit of NF-κB was −3.3 kcal/mol for BrCHCl2, −3.5 kcal/mol for both CHCl3 and O2•, and −3.6 kcal/mol for H2O2. Conclusions: Chloride and bromide atoms were found in close contact with IPT domain residues, particularly in the RHD region involved in DNA binding. Ser281 is located within this domain, facilitating the phosphorylation of this protein. Similarly, both ROS interacted with the IPT domain in the RHD region, with H2O2 forming a side-chain oxygen interaction with Leu280 adjacent to the phosphorylation site of p65. However, the negative correlation between ROS and phospho-NF-κB/p65 suggests that steric hindrance by ROS on the C-terminal domain of NF-κB/p65 may play a role in the antioxidant response. more...

SFEs are co-led by the NWS/Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and OAR/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and aim to accelerate research-to-operations (R2O) by testing new prediction capabilities, studying how end users apply and interpret severe weather guidance, and conducting numerous model evaluation activities. Keywords: Ensembles; Forecasting techniques; Numerical weather prediction/forecasting; Operational forecasting; Short-range prediction EN Ensembles Forecasting techniques Numerical weather prediction/forecasting Operational forecasting Short-range prediction E456 E458 3 03/28/23 20230201 NES 230201 The 2022 NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Forecasting Experiment What: Over 165 forecasters and researchers engaged in real-time, experimental severe weather forecasting activities, and evaluated convection-allowing models, including 1) several Unified Forecast System prototypes, 2) the Warn-on-Forecast System, and 3) innovative postprocessing strategies. Other model evaluations studied machine learning applications for severe weather, mesoscale analyses, NSSL's Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS), and calibrated severe weather guidance from operational global and regional ensembles. [Extracted from the article] more...

RESUMO Neste trabalho, investigou-se a variação da densidade básica, dos constituintes químicos e das características anatômicas em função da classe de diâmetro (superior, mediana e inferior) e posição radial nas árvores de uma população de Eucalyptus umbra, de 25 anos de idade. Apenas o comprimento das fibras variou entre as classes de diâmetro. Fibras mais longas ocorreram na classe superior e fibras mais curtas, na classe inferior. Os resultados mostram a homogeneidade da madeira entre as classes de diâmetro. A largura e a frequência de raio, bem como o teor de lignina, não foram influenciadas significativamente pela posição radial. O comprimento de fibras e os elementos de vaso, assim como o diâmetro dos vasos, aumentaram significativamente no sentido medula-casca. A partir das análises de regressão, concluiu-se que a variação radial é decorrente da maturação do câmbio vascular e da transição de lenho juvenil para lenho adulto. more...

Intensive use of water, growing cities, and lack of wastewater treatment are some factors increasing hydric stress worldwide. Coagulation/flocculation is one of the preferred treatments for wastewater. However, aluminum salts are traditionally used in this process. This coagulant has a high environmental footprint and residual aluminum in wastewater is a public health concern. The preparation and use of chitosan as a coagulant aid in coagulation/flocculation with aluminum sulfate were investigated. The effect of the order of addition of coagulants (aluminum sulfate followed by chitosan, or chitosan followed by aluminum sulfate), dose of the coagulants, pH, and slow mixing velocity for flocculation were studied. It was found that the removal of total suspended solids (TSS) with aluminum sulfate was relatively unaffected by pH (aluminum sulfate dose of 100 mg L-1 at pH of 5 units achieved 94% removal of TSS and at pH of 8.2 units 89% removal of TSS), whereas with chitosan was highly affected (chitosan dose of 180 mg L-1 at pH of 4 units achieved 96% removal of TSS and at pH of 8.2 units 25% removal of TSS). In the coagulation/flocculation experiments where both coagulants were used, it was found that the order of coagulant addition and pH of wastewater have a statistically significant effect (P-value < 0.05) on the removal of TSS. Higher removal of TSS was achieved when aluminum sulfate was added followed by chitosan at a wastewater pH of 5 units. Chitosan can be effectively used to reduce the use of aluminum salts in wastewater treatment. However, it is necessary to optimize the preparation of this coagulant and investigate other factors, such as variation in the wastewater quality, that can affect the robustness of the process. more...

El estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar las experiencias y percepciones de los estudiantes de 5º año de la carrera de Pedagogía en Educación Física en relación con su interacción y trabajo con personas transgénero durante su práctica profesional de una universidad de Santiago de Chile. Metodología: La investigación posee un enfoque cualitativo en donde la técnica de recolección de datos fue a través de un grupo focal constituido por 6 estudiantes de Pedagogía en Educación Física que tenían experiencia trabajando con personas transgénero en su práctica profesional. Las preguntas fueron divididas en cinco dimensiones de contextualización, experiencias directas, adaptaciones y estrategias, Feedback de estudiantes transgénero y mejores prácticas cada una de ellas con un máximo de hasta dos preguntas. Resultados: los profesores en formación no presentan mayores dificultades o problemáticas al realizar clases con estudiantes transgénero, ya que se integran como uno más en las actividades. Por otro lado, los participantes mencionan que el conocimiento lo obtienen a través de sus experiencias personales y profesionales. En conclusión, los profesores en formación expresan que no existe diferencia entre los estudiantes y que no aplican metodologías diferentes al ser personas transgénero. Finalmente, se sugiere realizar actividades mixtas en las clases de educación física e intentar utilizar un lenguaje neutro para fomentar una educación más inclusiva. Palabras claves: Experiencias, transgénero, educación física, profesores en formación, inclusión. Abstract. The study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of 5th-year students in the Physical Education Pedagogy program regarding their interaction and work with transgender individuals during their professional practice at a university in Santiago, Chile. Methodology: The research adopts a qualitative approach, with data collection conducted through a focus group consisting of 6 Physical Education Pedagogy students with experience working with transgender individuals in their professional practice. The questions were divided into five dimensions: contextualization, direct experiences, adaptations and strategies, feedback from transgender students, and best practices, each with a maximum of up to two questions. Results: Prospective teachers encounter no significant difficulties or issues when conducting classes with transgender students, as they seamlessly integrate into activities. Additionally, participants note that their knowledge is acquired through personal and professional experiences. In conclusion, prospective teachers express that there is no difference among students and that they do not employ different methodologies for transgender individuals. Finally, it is suggested to incorporate mixed activities in physical education classes and strive to use gender-neutral language to promote a more inclusive education. Keywords: Experiences, transgender, physical education, teachers in training, inclusion. more...

Water-soluble Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) featured with blue fluorescence were prepared by electrochemical synthesis at room temperature using carbon electrodes as a carbon source and encapsulated in liposomes of DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn‑glycero-3-phosphocholine) in a single quick step. The system liposome-CQDs was characterized by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. Electrochemical studies, such as cyclic voltammetry and impedance, have corroborated that electrosynthesis occurs at a voltage of -300 mV to form the hybrid system. The analysis includes the evaluation of variables with effect on the synthetic process of CQDs: voltage and reaction time. The results revealed that liposomes labeled with the CQDs are suitable for optical characterization by conventional and epifluorescence microscopies. In summary, this research involved the synthesis of water-soluble CQDs and their encapsulation in phospholipid vesicles in one pot, their characterization using various analytical techniques, the investigation of crucial synthesis variables, and particularly for visualization purposes in microscopy. Due to the rapidity and simplicity of the synthesis method, this work could have potential applications in analytical chemistry, biology, materials science, and related fields. more...