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Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is capable of eliciting changes in cortical neuroplasticity. Increasing duration or repetition of tDCS during the after-effects of a first stimulation has been hypothesized to enhance efficacy. Computational models suggest sequential stimulation patterns with changing polarities to further enhance effects. Lasting tDCS effects on neural plasticity are of great importance for clinical applications. Objective The study systematically examined the influence of different tDCS paradigms on long term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity in humans, focusing on stimulation duration, repetition frequency and sequential combinations of changing polarities as the underlying characteristics. Methods Amplitude changes of motor evoked potentials (MEP) were measured in response to paired associative stimulation (PAS) 6 h after application of different tDCS protocols. In total, 36 healthy participants completed the study, randomised into three groups with different stimulation protocols (N = 12 each). Results tDCS was able to display lasting modulatory effects on the inducibility of LTP-like plasticity in the human motor cortex 6 h after stimulation. TDCS with the anode on primary motor cortex significantly increased MEP amplitudes following PAS induction. Further analyses highlighted single stimulation block duration to be of higher importance than repetitive protocols for efficacy of effects. Conclusions tDCS is capable of inducing lasting changes in the brain’s capability to interact with future stimuli. Especially, effects on the inducibility of LTP-like plasticity might only be detectable with specific tests such as PAS and might otherwise be overlooked. Refined tDCS protocols should focus on higher current and duration of single stimulations instead of implementing complex repetitive schedules.

Abstract Travel times between different locations form the basis for most contemporary measures of spatial accessibility. Travel times allow to estimate the potential for interaction between people and places, and is therefore a vital measure for understanding the functioning, sustainability, and equity of cities. Here, we provide an open travel time matrix dataset that describes travel times between the centroids of all cells in a grid (N = 13,132) covering the metropolitan area of Helsinki, Finland. The travel times recorded in the dataset follow a door-to-door approach that provides comparable travel times for walking, cycling, public transport and car journeys, including all legs of each trip by each mode, such as the walk to a bus stop, or the search for a parking spot. We used the r5py Python package, that we developed specifically for this computation. The data are sensitive to diurnal variations and to variations between people (e.g. slow and fast walking speed). We validated the data against the Google Directions API and present use cases from a planning practice. The five key principles that guided the data set design and production – comparability, simplicity, reproducibility, transferability, and sensitivity to temporal and interpersonal variations – ensure that urban and transport planners, business and researchers alike can use the data in a wide range of applications.

Abstract Background Clinical practice guidelines are crucial for enhancing healthcare quality and patient outcomes. Yet, their implementation remains inconsistent across various professions and disciplines. Previous findings on the implementation of the German guideline for schizophrenia (2019) revealed low adherence rates among healthcare professionals. Barriers to guideline adherence are multifaceted, influenced by individual, contextual, and guideline-related factors. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a digital guideline version compared to print/PDF formats in enhancing guideline adherence. Methods A multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in South Bavaria, Germany, involving psychologists and physicians. Participants were divided into two groups: implementation of the guideline using a digital online version via the MAGICapp platform and the other using the traditional print/PDF version. The study included a baseline assessment and a post-intervention assessment following a 6-month intervention phase. The primary outcome was guideline knowledge, which was assessed using a guideline knowledge questionnaire. Results The study included 217 participants at baseline and 120 at post-intervention. Both groups showed significant improvements in guideline knowledge; however, no notable difference was found between both study groups regarding guideline knowledge at either time points. At baseline, 43.6% in the control group (CG) and 52.5% of the interventional group (IG) met the criterion. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the two groups at either time point (T0: Chi2 (1) = 1.65, p = 0.199, T1: Chi2 (1) = 0.34, p = 0.561). At post-intervention, both groups improved, with 58.2% in the CG and 63.5% in the IG meeting this criterion. Conclusions While the study did not include a control group without any implementation strategy, the overall improvement in guideline knowledge following an implementation strategy, independent of the format, was confirmed. The digital guideline version, while not superior in enhancing knowledge, showed potential benefits in shared decision-making skills. However, familiarity with traditional formats and various barriers to digital application may have influenced these results. The study highlights the importance of tailored implementation strategies, especially for younger healthcare providers. Trial registration https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00028895

Abstract Muscle synergy analyses are used to enhance our understanding of motor control. Spatially fixed synergy weights coordinate multiple co-active muscles through activation commands, known as activation coefficients. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of motor learning, it is essential to understand how activation coefficients vary during a learning task and at different levels of movement proficiency. Participants walked on a line, a beam, and learned to walk on a tightrope—tasks that represent different levels of proficiency. Muscle synergies were extracted from electromyography signals across all conditions and the number of synergies was determined by the knee-point of the total variance accounted for (tVAF) curve. The results indicated that the tVAF of one synergy decreased with task proficiency, with the tightrope task resulting in the highest tVAF compared to the line and beam tasks. Furthermore, with increasing proficiency and after a learning process, trial-to-trial similarity increased and temporal overlap of synergy activation coefficients decreased. Consequently, we propose that precise adjustment and refinement of synergy activation coefficients play a pivotal role in motor learning.

This study investigated EFL instructors’ beliefs about teaching listening integrated with speaking skills at Hawassa University, Ethiopia through a mixed-methods approach. A comprehensive sampling technique identified survey respondents whereas a purposive sampling technique selected participants for qualitative data. Employing a 5-point Likert scale questionnaires were framed to analyze input and method domains. Conversely, utilizing semi-structured interviews (four themes) and observations (seven themes) were categorized using NVIVO 12 Pro. Descriptive statistics illustrated the importance of input domains (familiar topics, feedback, knowledge elements, authentic materials, technology integration) and method domains (pre-, while and post-listening phases, and task-based instruction). However, qualitative findings showed inconsistencies between beliefs and practices indicating a need for more effective lesson planning, authentic materials, technology integration, and effective implementation of listening phases. Inferential statistics revealed a strong positive relationship between dependent and independent variables, which showed a significant impact. Consequently, a balanced approach to these domains is crucial for effective integration requiring professional development programs to address the finding’s disparities. The study recommends practical training, authentic material design, technology integration, and progressive assessment with an emphasis on lesson planning. It further suggests exploring practical interventions, comparative studies, longitudinal studies, and student focused studies to enhance the quality of these findings.

AbstractThis research examined the impact of explicit reading strategy training on Ethiopian university students’ reading strategy use and critical reading ability in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. Two intact classes, a control group (n = 35) and an experimental group (n = 45), participated in the study. The experimental group received 12 weeks of reading strategy training integrated into their English reading skills I classes. A mixed-method quasi-experimental design was employed, using a reading strategy questionnaire, a critical reading ability test, and a think-aloud technique for data collection. Students who received reading strategy instruction demonstrated notable improvements in reading strategy use and critical reading ability. The independent sample t-test and a paired sample t-test showed significant differences in both areas. Qualitative data highlighted compensation and memory strategies, which were not captured quantitatively. The think-aloud data revealed the predominant use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies, along with affective, social, memory, and compensation strategies. Cognitive strategies deepen understanding, and metacognitive techniques enhance interpretation in reading. These findings shed light on the responses of Ethiopian university students to explicit reading strategy training, emphasizing its significance in improving reading strategy use and critical reading ability in an EFL context.

Pathologic lesions of the orbitozygomaticomaxillary complex (OZMC) and caudal oral cavity can be a challenge in veterinary oromaxillofacial surgery. Neoplastic lesions that are in close proximity to or invading the orbit may result in significant loss of structural integrity after curative intent surgery. This in turn may alter the topography of the bulbous oculi (globe) with resultant enophthalmos, diplopia, and entropion. Historically, orbital exenterations have been deemed a suitable option to avoid these complications. However, lesions that do not include the globe in the surgical margin may be overtreated by irreversible orbital exenterations. Orbital reconstruction methods that ameliorate these consequences could be advantageous. A novel approach to reconstruct the orbit with a titanium mesh implant is described and the clinical and ophthalmic outcomes reported.

O artigo tem como objetivo analisar elementos históricos e teológicos na excomunhão de Lutero, perguntando sobre o sentido da sua continuidade hoje. Mostra que as controvérsias sobre as indulgências eram apenas o pano de fundo no qual Lutero propôs reformas na Igreja do seu tempo, o que não foi acatado e levou Leão X a excomungá-lo. Com o método da pesquisa de análise qualitativa da bibliografia sobre o tema proposto, o estudo aponta caminhos para uma revisão da excomunhão hoje. A conclusão é que os atuais progressos nas pesquisas históricas e teológicas, bem como no diálogo ecumênico, indicam possibilidades de reconhecer elementos da fé católica em Lutero e da fé de Lutero no documento papal que o excomunga, a Exsurge Domine. Muito da Reforma pode ser acolhida como herança comum para católicos e protestantes, possibilitando hoje um melhor entendimento da pessoa de Lutero e de suas Teses, o que cria bases para uma revisão e mesmo de declaração de nulidade da excomunhão para os dias atuais.

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a photothermal material modified with carbonization and ZnCl2 impregnation and supported by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for water purification using the waste coffee grounds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the prepared material revealed that a significant surface modification was achieved due to the carbonization and ZnCl2 impregnation. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) pattern of the samples showed two broad peaks at 18.4° and 22.2°, this is due to the crystal planes of β-crystal phase structure, which indicates the existence of strong hydrogen bonds between the micro-structures and therefore less suspectable to chemical attack. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) result suggests a slight mass reduction between the temperature range of 65–75 °C implying the thermal stability of the prepared material. The produced modified material had a photothermal conversion efficiency of 74% and could produce vapor at a rate of 1.12 kg/m2h under 980 W/m2 irradiation at 1 sun. A significant reduction in Cu2+ ion concentration (83%), turbidity (91%), total dissolved solids (TDS) (61%), microbial load (95.6%), and total hardness (41.2%) were achieved. Therefore, waste coffee grounds can be considered as a future eco-friendly and low-cost candidate for water purification.

Introduction & Purpose During training and competition, athletes must cope with numerous demands that can influence their performance. These include physiological and mental fatigue, psychological stress, and the ability to adapt quickly to varying situations. Controlling the high number of degrees of freedom with which the musculoskeletal system can produce movements is challenging for the central nervous system CNS (Bernstein, 1967), even without the context of a sporting setting. One common theory in the field of motor control posits the existence of muscle synergies (Turpin et al., 2021). These are constituted of synergy vectors within the spinal cord that comprise the relative weightings of different co-active muscles. Synergy vectors are activated by time-varying activation coefficients, which correspond to the central commands from supraspinal areas. Consequently, the CNS is not required to individually time and scale the activation of each muscle independently; rather, it only regulates the activation of a limited number of synergies (Turpin et al., 2021). This simplification strategy has been extensively studied in a variety of settings, including locomotion (Boccia et al., 2018; McGowan et al., 2010) and reaching movements (Scano et al., 2019). However, muscle synergies were rarely studied in sport-like settings which demands fall beyond daily tasks. In this light, we conducted several studies in order to build a deeper understanding of motor control in movements with high demands. This abstract presents a summary of the main findings of four studies. Specifically, SKATE, examining the complex movements of skateboard tricks; LEARN, demonstrating modifications as participants learned to walk on a tightrope; STRESS, investigating alterations under psychological stress during treadmill walking; and FATIGUE, exploring the fatigue strategies of climbers during overhead hanging tasks. The overarching aim of these studies was to enhance our understanding of motor control and adaptation in movements of a high-demand nature. Methods To study muscle synergies, surface electromyography signals from multiple muscles were recorded, filtered, rectified, amplitude- and time-normalised, and concatenated across captured trials. Subsequently, factorisation algorithms were employed to extract the spatial synergy vectors and time-varying activation coefficients for each participant. The required number of synergies to perform the movement was then determined by the total variance accounted for by a given number of synergies (Turpin et al., 2021). SKATE Seven recreational skateboarders performed three tricks (Ollie, Kickflip, 360°-flip), which involved different rotations of the board in the air. Each participant was required to land the Ollie, Kickflip and 360°-flip successfully six times. Muscle activity of eight muscles per leg was collected and used to extract muscle synergies of each trick during the take-off phase. The degree of similarity between synergy vectors among tricks was quantified by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient. Synergies were identified as similar if the correlation exceeded a threshold of 0.623 (Kaufmann et al., 2024). LEARN Ten participants were required to walk over a line taped on the floor, a beam, and learn to walk over a tightrope, all within one single data collection session. Muscle activity of thirteen muscles of the right leg was collected for several trials of each walking task and used to extract muscle synergies. The temporal overlap between different synergies within one trial and the trial-to-trial similarity between different trials within one synergy were determined through the Pearson correlation of the activation coefficients (Figure 1A). STRESS Eight participants walked on a treadmill at a self-selected, constant velocity under two conditions in a random order. Once walking during a psychological stress condition, induced by the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (Gronwall, 1977), and once without stress. The stress level was measured through the tonic skin conductance, and force insoles were used to determine foot contacts. Muscle activity of four to seven muscles on each leg was collected for all steps and used to extract muscle synergies. The trial-to-trial similarity of the activation coefficients was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient (Figure 1A). The coefficient of variation among steps was employed to quantify the trial-to-trial similarity of the participants’ stance-phase to gait-cycle ratio as a temporal-spatial gait parameter. FATIGUE Eleven climbers performed sustained isometric finger hangings until failure. Muscle activity of six arm and trunk muscles per limb was recorded throughout the hang and used to extract muscle synergies. Subsequently, similar synergy vectors among participants were clustered. The mean activation from the activation coefficients of synergies within the same cluster was compared between the first and last 20% of the hang in order to identify changes between a non-fatigued and a fatigued stage. Results SKATE Three to six synergies were required among participants and tricks. At least one similar synergy vector was identified for each pair of trick comparisons. Furthermore, one consistent synergy vector was observed in all three tricks. This synergy vector was primarily formed by the quadriceps muscles and was activated during the initial third of the take-off phase, thereby being responsible for the fundamental task of jumping. LEARN Across participants, four to eight synergies were required to complete all walking tasks. Statistical analyses revealed a significantly higher trial-to-trial similarity (p < 0.05) alongside a lower temporal overlap of activation coefficients during walking on a line compared to walking over the beam or the tightrope and during beam walking compared to tightrope walking. Furthermore, trial-to-trial similarity was higher and overlap was lower at the end of the learning process compared to the beginning. STRESS Three to seven synergies were required to walk on the treadmill. During the stress condition, participants exhibited higher stress levels (p < 0.01) and a lower trial-to-trial similarity of the stance-phase to gait-cycle ratio (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found regarding the trial-to-trial similarity of activation coefficients. FATIGUE Participants required two or three synergies to perform the hanging task. Consequently, synergies were identified into two clusters (Figure 1B). The first cluster, which was mainly comprised of forearm muscles, demonstrated no difference in the activation coefficient recruitment between the first and last 20% of the hang. In contrast, the second cluster, which was mainly comprised of more postural muscles such as the trapezius and biceps, exhibited a higher activation during the fatigued stage (p < 0.001). Discussion In light of the findings of the presented studies, three major points warrant discussion. Firstly, similar synergy vectors were present in movements with a high level of complexity, such as skateboard tricks. This result is similar to findings in daily tasks and supports the theory that movements with similar subtasks recruit similar synergy vectors (Boccia et al., 2018; Kaufmann et al., 2024; Scano et al., 2019). We propose that, if fundamental subtasks such as a jump are shared between movements, similar synergies are recruited, even in movements with high technical demands. Secondly, the fine-tuning of time-varying activation coefficients is a key factor for learning and to quickly adapt to changing demands. In particular, the trial-to-trial similarity of activation coefficients increased and temporal overlap decreased with increasing movement proficiency. Additionally, the LEARN study revealed that the amount of activation of different synergies varies in relation to the surface on which the participants walked (Kaufmann et al., 2023). Similarly, the amount of activation of a synergy formed by postural muscles changed throughout fatigue during overhead hangs. Consequently, these findings indicate that activation coefficients adapt to changing demands. This is also evidenced by a simulation study, which demonstrated that solely by scaling the magnitude of activation coefficients, walking was possible with changing mechanical demands, such as weight support, added weight, or added mass (McGowan et al., 2010). Thirdly, it was observed that psychological stress had an effect on temporal-spatial gait parameters, but not on synergies. One possible explanation for this is that even in situations without stress, activation coefficients are recruited flexible across trials. This flexibility is not further increased with the presence of psychological stress. In light of the optimal feedback control theory (Todorov & Jordan, 2002), the flexibility and fine-tuning of the activation coefficients can be elucidated as an update mechanism of the CNS based on permanent feedback, which enables adaptation to task demands and maintains task performance. Conclusion The results of these studies allow us to draw the following conclusions: fundamental subtasks share similar muscle synergies, and fine-tuning as well as flexibility of the temporal activation coefficients is crucial to adapt to varying demands. We demonstrated that sport-like settings can be used to enhance our understanding of human motor control. References Bernstein, N. (1967). The coordination and regulation of movements. Perganmon Press. Boccia, G., Zoppirolli, C., Bortolan, L., Schena, F., & Pellegrini, B. (2018). Shared and task‐specific muscle synergies of Nordic walking and conventional walking. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 28(3), 905-918. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12992 Gronwall, D. M. (1977). Paced auditory serial-addition task: A measure of recovery from concussion. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 44(2), 367-373. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1977.44.2.367 Kaufmann, P., Koller, W., Wallnöfer, E., Goncalves, B., Baca, A., & Kainz, H. (2023). Trial-to-trial similarity and distinctness of muscle synergy activation coefficients increases during learning and with a higher level of movement proficiency. bioRxiv, 2023.2009.2019.558460. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.09.19.558460 Kaufmann, P., Zweier, L., Baca, A., & Kainz, H. (2024). Muscle synergies are shared across fundamental subtasks in complex movements of skateboarding. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 12860. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63640-5 McGowan, C. P., Neptune, R. R., Clark, D. J., & Kautz, S. A. (2010). Modular control of human walking: Adaptations to altered mechanical demands. Journal of Biomechanics, 43(3), 412-419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.10.009 Scano, A., Dardari, L., Molteni, F., Giberti, H., Tosatti, L. M., & d’Avella, A. (2019). A comprehensive spatial mapping of muscle synergies in highly variable upper-limb movements of healthy subjects. Frontiers in Physiology, 10, Article 1231. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.01231 Todorov, E., & Jordan, M. I. (2002). Optimal feedback control as a theory of motor coordination. Nature Neuroscience, 5, 1226-1235. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn963 Turpin, N. A., Uriac, S., & Dalleau, G. (2021). How to improve the muscle synergy analysis methodology? European Journal of Applied Physiology, 121, 1009-1025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04604-9

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of multiple intelligence-based tasks (MIBT) in improving university students reading skills and achievements. It employed a quasi-experimental design that primarily relies on a quantitative approach. Accordingly, a total of 60 students, who were selected purposefully, participated in the study as treatment and comparison groups. The experimental process was carried out with reading tasks that were designed in light of a model for teaching the skills using multiple intelligence-driven tasks. The treatment was provided for 12 weeks, in which three lessons were conducted per week. For similar weeks, the comparison group also attended lessons but followed the conventional approach of teaching reading skills. Quantitative methods were employed to analyze the data collected through tests. Specifically, T-tests were used to generate the output for the findings. Prior to analysis, a data normality check was carried out using Shapiro-Wilk tests, and a p value of .05 was used to determine the level of significance. It was found that multiple intelligence-based reading tasks brought a significant difference in the students’ higher and lower levels of reading achievements compared to the conventional methods, with the effect size value ranging from moderate for reading aspects (i.e., reading for main ideas and understanding references) to strong for reading aspects (i.e., reading for details, guessing vocabulary, and inferring meanings from a text). The findings suggest that university teachers should use multiple intelligence-driven reading tasks to raise the comprehension levels of struggling readers in the context of the study.

Abstract Excessive loads at lower limb joints can lead to pain and degenerative diseases. Altering joint loads with muscle coordination retraining might help to treat or prevent clinical symptoms in a non-invasive way. Knowing how much muscle coordination retraining can reduce joint loads and which muscles have the biggest impact on joint loads is crucial for personalized gait retraining. We introduced a simulation framework to quantify the potential of muscle coordination retraining to reduce joint loads for an individuum. Furthermore, the proposed framework enables to pinpoint muscles, which alterations have the highest likelihood to reduce joint loads. Simulations were performed based on three-dimensional motion capture data of five healthy adolescents (femoral torsion 10°–29°, tibial torsion 19°–38°) and five patients with idiopathic torsional deformities at the femur and/or tibia (femoral torsion 18°–52°, tibial torsion 3°–50°). For each participant, a musculoskeletal model was modified to match the femoral and tibial geometry obtained from magnetic resonance images. Each participant’s model and the corresponding motion capture data were used as input for a Monte Carlo analysis to investigate how different muscle coordination strategies influence joint loads. OpenSim was used to run 10,000 simulations for each participant. Root-mean-square of muscle forces and peak joint contact forces were compared between simulations. Depending on the participant, altering muscle coordination led to a maximum reduction in hip, knee, patellofemoral and ankle joint loads between 5 and 18%, 4% and 45%, 16% and 36%, and 2% and 6%, respectively. In some but not all participants reducing joint loads at one joint increased joint loads at other joints. The required alteration in muscle forces to achieve a reduction in joint loads showed a large variability between participants. The potential of muscle coordination retraining to reduce joint loads depends on the person’s musculoskeletal geometry and gait pattern and therefore showed a large variability between participants, which highlights the usefulness and importance of the proposed framework to personalize gait retraining.

This Data in Brief (DiB) article presents the differences in cycling behaviors related to violations, errors, and positive behaviors by region. The study data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire applied to a full sample of 7,001 participants from 19 countries, distributed over 5 continents. This paper proposes descriptive statistics, as well as common statistical tests. The aim is to enable authors to make their own analyses, not to provide precise interpretations. For further information about the macro project supporting the collection of these data, it is advised to refer to the paper titled “Cross-culturally approaching the cycling behavior questionnaire (CBQ): Evidence from 19 countries”, published in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior.

El magisterio del papa Francisco fortalece la recepción del Concilio Vaticano II por iniciativas de reforma en la Iglesia, la afirmación de la sinodalidad, el redimensionamiento de la mentalidad teológica y la apertura a una nueva forma de ejercer el ministerio petrino, entre otras. Tal es la Iglesia «en salida», en diálogo con las culturas, iglesias y religiones. El objetivo de este artículo es verificar las implicaciones ecuménicas de este proceso y la contribución de Francisco para convergencias y consensos en la fe cristiana entre las diferentes Iglesias. El método es el análisis cualitativo de documentos y pronunciamientos en los que el papa expresa la convicción ecuménica conciliar. La conclusión es que el ecumenismo es una opción clara en el magisterio de Francisco. Si bien no ha trabajado, por el momento, los temas doctrinales desde una perspectiva ecuménica, el crea una situación eclesial favorable al diálogo doctrinal entre diferentes Iglesias.

ObjectiveThis study aims to report the surgical and medical management of generalized chronic maxillofacial infection with multiple intra- and extraoral draining tracts in a dog.Case summaryA 6 years-old, male neutered pit bull terrier dog underwent a staged procedure. First, a diagnostic work-up including hematologic and biochemical analysis, conventional computed tomography (CT) with contrast of the skull, and a rhinoscopic evaluation of the draining tracts was performed. Samples were obtained for histopathological, microbial, and fungal testing. Second, a 4 week course of antimicrobials based on culture and sensitivity results was administered. Third, an extraoral approach to soft tissue reconstruction was accomplished as a first stage in the repair process. Finally, an intraoral approach to repair the oronasal fistulous draining tracts was performed. A 6 months follow-up skull CT revealed various stages of repair and remodeling and adequate soft tissue healing.Clinical relevanceA staged procedure is a suitable option to treat chronic and generalized frontal and maxillary infection with multiple intra- and extraoral fistulous draining tracts in dogs.

O artigo tem como objetivo realçar a importância das dimensões de decolonialidade, pluralidade e ecumenicidade para o processo de aprofundamento da teologia latino-americana, em sua perspectiva libertadora, tendo em vista o desenvolvimento do potencial crítico-libertador das religiões e das espiritualidades do continente latino-americano. Utilizando o método da análise qualitativa da bibliografia referente a tais temas, o estudo parte de uma apresentação das categorias decolonialidade, pluralidade e ecumenicidade, e faz, em seguida, uma abordagem descritiva e sumária da diversidade religiosa na América Latina e sua relação com questões socioculturais do continente, numa análise da questão religiosa latino-americana no contexto atual de globalização. Na sequência, numa perspectiva hermenêutica, explora aspectos da teologia latino-americana que impulsionam as dimensões decolonial, pluralista e ecumênica. A pesquisa conclui que as dimensões de decolonialidade, pluralidade e ecumenicidade são fundamentais para os processos de afirmação da identidade sociocultural e religiosa dos povos latino-americanos, ressignificando conteúdos de suas fés e suas crenças e explicitando suas especificidades contextuais. Isso potencializa as religiões no continente para ações construtoras da justiça social, a promoção da vida humana e a defesa da criação e abre novos desafios para a teologia latino-americana. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Religiões. Sociedades latino-americanas. Decolonialidade. Princípio pluralista. Ecumenicidade.

O objetivo desta pesquisa é apontar caminhos para uma teologia ecumênica decolonial na América Latina. Não obstante ser positiva a acolhida da teologia ecumênica de outras latitudes, é necessário desenvolver uma justificativa teológica da causa ecumênica no continente, identificando seus desafios, possibilidades, sujeitos e perspectivas de compreensão do ecumenismo. O pensar ecumênico sofre processos colonizadores se não for contextualizado nas realidades sociais e religiosas locais. O método da pesquisa é a análise qualitativa da bibliografia ecumênica do continente, dialogando com a teologia de outras regiões. A conclusão é que a compreensão de ecumenismo na América Latina requer uma estrutura epistêmica própria, com revisão de categorias, linguagens e dos tratados teológicos nucleares da fé cristã, em relação com o pluralismo de culturas e credos existentes no continente.

A hydrogen reduction-based method for additive manufacturing of carbon steels from low cost and stable oxide powders is presented. This method uses materials extrusion processes to extrude inks composed of oxide powders, plastic binders, and solvents. Oxide powders are synthesized into viscous inks and extruded under ambient conditions into three-dimensional architectures. The three-dimensional printed green bodies are reduced at elevated temperatures in hydrogen-rich environments to burn off the polymer binder and reduce the oxide powders, yielding metal alloys with controlled compositions. While this approach has been demonstrated in previous publications for various alloys, the addition of carbon, an important element in most industrial steels, has been a persistent challenge. This paper demonstrates an approach to introduce carbon during the reduction process, resulting in through-thickness carburization of the final parts.

ABSTRACTMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is enzootic in dromedary camels and causes zoonotic infection and disease in humans. Although over 80% of the global population of infected dromedary camels are found in Africa, zoonotic disease had only been reported in the Arabia Peninsula and travel-associated disease has been reported elsewhere. In this study, genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of MERS-CoV in dromedary camels in Ethiopia were investigated during 2017–2020. Of 1766 nasal swab samples collected, 61 (3.5%) were detected positive for MERS-CoV RNA. Of 484 turbinate swab samples collected, 10 (2.1%) were detected positive for MERS-CoV RNA. Twenty-five whole genome sequences were obtained from these MERS-CoV positive samples. Phylogenetically, these Ethiopian camel-originated MERS-CoV belonged to clade C2, clustering with other East African camel strains. Virus sequences from camel herds clustered geographically while in an abattoir, two distinct phylogenetic clusters of MERS-CoVs were observed in two sequential sampling collections, which indicates the greater genetic diversity of MERS-CoV in abattoirs. In contrast to clade A and B viruses from the Arabian Peninsula, clade C camel-originated MERS-CoV from Ethiopia had various nucleotide insertions and deletions in non-structural gene nsp3, accessory genes ORF3 and ORF5 and structural gene N. This study demonstrates the genetic instability of MERS-CoV in dromedaries in East Africa, which indicates that the virus is still actively adapting to its camel host. The impact of the observed nucleotide insertions and deletions on virus evolution, viral fitness, and zoonotic potential deserves further study.

YgfB regulates β-lactam resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in part by interacting with the programmed cell death pathway regulator, AlpA, and repressing expression of the amidase, AmpDh3.

Abstract Urban travel exposes people to a range of environmental qualities with significant health and wellbeing impacts. Nevertheless, the understanding of travel-related environmental exposure has remained limited. Here, we present a novel approach for population-level assessment of multiple environmental exposure for active travel. It enables analyses of (1) urban scale exposure variation, (2) alternative routes’ potential to improve exposure levels per exposure type, and (3) by combining multiple exposures. We demonstrate the approach’s feasibility by analysing cyclists’ air pollution, noise, and greenery exposure in Helsinki, Finland. We apply an in-house developed route-planning and exposure assessment software and integrate to the analysis 3.1 million cycling trips from the local bike-sharing system. We show that especially noise exposure from cycling exceeds healthy thresholds, but that cyclists can influence their exposure by route choice. The proposed approach enables planners and individual citizens to identify (un)healthy travel environments from the exposure perspective, and to compare areas in respect to how well their environmental quality supports active travel. Transferable open tools and data further support the implementation of the approach in other cities.