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Abstract In this study, friction stir processing (FSP) parameters were optimized using the response surface method (RSM) to enhance hardness, reduce the friction coefficient and minimize the corrosion rate in cast Al12Si and Al14Si alloys. The FSP tool, made of AISI H13 tool steel, features a concave shoulder and conical pin designed to induce severe plastic deformation. Microstructural analysis was performed via optical microscopy and SEM–EDS, and the particle size and distribution were assessed via ImageJ software. Microhardness profiles were measured across the Nugget, TMAZ, HAZ, and substrate zones. The corrosion resistance was evaluated using an AutoLab potentiostat/galvanostat following ASTM G59-97 standards, whereas the wear performance was assessed using a reciprocating linear tribometer (ASTM G133). FSP led to the fragmentation and uniform distribution of silicon and Fe-rich intermetallic phases within the aluminum matrix. The multiresponse optimization identified the optimal FSP parameters for Al12Si alloys at a tool rotation speed of 1100 rpm and a travel speed of 16 mm/min. Under these conditions, the Al12Si samples presented the highest microhardness (93 Hv), significant fragmentation of silicon particles (2.82 μm) and Fe-rich intermetallic phases (2.07 μm), reduced friction coefficient (0.60) and low corrosion rate (1.28 × 10⁻4 mm/y). The proposed model offers a reliable method to optimize FSP, leading to aluminum surfaces with superior microstructure, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

Introdução: O envelhecimento populacional é um fenômeno de abrangência mundial. O aumento do número de idosos eleva as possibilidades de aparecimento das doenças crônico-degenerativas, com consequente perda da funcionalidade e imobilidade. As causas da imobilidade são multifatoriais, predominando as neurológicas e musculoesqueléticas. Objetivo: Estimar a frequência da síndrome da imobilidade na enfermaria de geriatria do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual. Materiais e métodos: Durante o período de 24 de agosto a 24 de setembro de 2009 foram avaliados todos os pacientes internados na enfermaria de geriatria, a fim de identificar quais preenchiam critérios diagnósticos para síndrome da imobilidade. Resultados: De 47 pacientes, doze (12/25,53 %) preencheram critérios para síndrome da imobilidade, sendo onze (11/91,6%) do sexo feminino, com uma média de idade de 85,3 anos. Em relação ao motivo que levou esses pacientes à internação hospitalar, a maioria, 75% dos casos, foi em decorrência de causas infecciosas: broncopneumonia (5/41,66%) e infecção urinária (4/33%). Conclusão: Comparando a população de pacientes com síndrome de imobilidade e a população geral da enfermaria de geriatria, observou-se pouca diferença quanto à idade, 85,3 e 83,1 anos, e ao tempo de internação, 12,08 e 12,47 dias, respectivamente. Em relação à mortalidade, observaram-se 50% para aqueles portadores de síndrome de imobilidade e 25% para a população em geral. Novos estudos abordando essa temática são de suma importância para eleger prioridades, gerando menor taxa de iatrogenia, promovendo melhorias na abordagem clínica e familiar desses pacientes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the evidence of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem cells therapy (SCT) and Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWL) for the treatment of Peyronies disease (PD), including information from the main urological society guidelines. Materials and Methods: A literature review of PubMed articles published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted, utilizing keywords such as "Peyronie's Disease", "Penile curvature", "Platelet Rich Plasma", "Stem cells", and "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy". Only full-text articles in English were included, excluding case reports and opinions. Results: A considerable number of clinical trials were conducted using PRP penile injections for therapy of PD, showing reduction of curvature, plaque size and improvement in quality of life. Preclinical studies in rats have shown the potential benefit of adipose-derived stem cells, with improvements in erectile function and fibrosis. Human studies with mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated promising results, with reduction of curvature and plaque size. ESWL effects on PD were investigated in randomized clinical trials and demonstrated no significant impact in curvature or plaque size, but reasonable effect on pain control. Conclusion: Restorative therapies has emerged as an innovative treatment option for PD and the results from current studies appear to be promising and demonstrated good safety profile. Unfortunately, due to scarce evidence, PRP and SCT are still considered experimental by American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. ESWT is recommended, by the same guidelines, for pain control only. More high-quality studies with long-term follow-up outcomes are needed to evaluate efficacy and reproducibility of those therapies.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although nerves and vessels of the penis play important role in erection, there are few studies on their development in human fetus. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to analyze, quantitatively, in the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, the development of the nerves and vessels in the fetal penis at different gestational ages. Material and Methods: Fifty-six fresh, macroscopically normal human fetuses aged from 13 to 36 weeks post-conception (WPC) were used. Gestational age was determined by the foot length criterion. Penises were immediately fixed in 10% formalin, and routinely processed for paraffin embedding, after which tissue sections from the mid-shaft were obtained. We used immunohistochemical staining to analyze the nerves and vessels in the corpus cavernous and in the corpus spongiosum. These elements were identified and quantified as percentage by using the Image-J software. Results: The quantitative analysis showed that the percentage of nerves varied from 3.03% to 20.35% in the corpora cavernosa and from 1.89% to 23.88% in the corpus spongiosum. The linear regression analysis indicated that nerves growth (incidence) in the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum correlated significantly and positively with fetal age (r2=0.9421, p

The work by Hassabis and Jumper on protein structure prediction together with Baker’s supremacy in de novo protein design set the stage for a future where AI not only deciphers biology at the atomic level but also designs new molecules for biotechnology, medicine, and beyond. I provide an overview of the recent past, the present, and the future of AI in structural biology, from how it all started with the Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP) experiments and a protein engineering lab, to how the field could further evolve with AI models that eventually “understand” biology holistically.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on clinical and surgical practice, educational activities, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urology residents after 1 year of socio-economic restrictions. Materials and Methods: An electronic survey was e-mailed to all postgraduate (PG) students registered by the Brazilian Society of Urology. The survey included an assessment of socio-demographic, clinical practice, educational, health-related and behavior parameters. We also evaluated which subareas of urology were predominantly affected. A similar survey was adapted and sent to the directors of all urology residency programs. Results: COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the clinical, surgical, and educational activities of urology residents in Brazil. Urology residents reported >50% decrease in multiple surgical modalities. We highlight kidney transplantation surgeries (66.2%), minor surgeries (62.3%), endoscopic surgeries (42.6%) and reconstructive surgeries (38.8%). This could represent a critical skills gap that residents may face beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, PG students faced stressful situations that caused worsening of mental and physical health, such as getting redirected to assistance of COVID-19 patients (66.9%), and high rate of infection by SARS-CoV-2 (58.2%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the clinical, surgical, and educational activities of urology residents in Brazil. This could represent a critical skills gap that residents may face beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. PG students faced stressful situations that caused worsening of mental and physical health such as redirection to assistance of COVID-19 patients, concern about their own contamination and of family members.

ABSTRACT Purpose: The gubernaculum seems to be the most important anatomical structure in the testicular migration process. The objective of this paper is to review current literature regarding the role of gubernaculum testis nerves in testicular migration. We conducted a comprehensive literature review about the gubernaculum testis innervation. A PubMed database search was performed in April 2024, focusing on gubernaculum testis and cryptorchidism and genitofemoral nerve (GFN) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) gene. The gubernaculum has its own nerve supply, the GFN, descending on the anteromedial surface of the psoas muscle from L1-L2 segments. The second phase of testicular descent is regulated by androgens and CGRP, released from the sensory nucleus of the GFN. The GFN doesn't directly play a role in testicular migration but there is a theory that shows a regulatory function of this nerve in hormonal action during this process. The gubernaculum testis has important structural alterations during the testicular migration and the genitofemoral nerve and CGRP gene are of great importance in this process. The genitofemoral nerve provides motor innervation to the cremaster muscle and gubernaculum, which helps regulate the position of the testes within the scrotum.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the morphological and stereological parameters of the testicles in mice exposed to bisphenol S and/or high-fat diet-induced obesity. Material and Methods Forty adult male C57BL/6 mice were fed a standard diet (SC) or high-fat diet (HF) for a total of 12 weeks. The sample was randomly divided into 4 experimental groups with 10 mices as follows: a) SC - animals fed a standard diet; b) SC-B - animals fed a standard diet and administration of BPS (25 μg/kg of body mass/day) in drinking water; c) HF: animals fed a high-fat diet; d) HF-B - animals fed a high-fat diet and administration of BPS (25 μg/Kg of body mass/day) in drinking water. BPS administration lasted 12 weeks, following exposure to the SC and HF diets. BPS was diluted in absolute ethanol (0.1%) and added to drinking water (concentration of 25 μg/kg body weight/day). The animals were euthanized, and the testes were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for morphometric and stereological parameters, including density of seminiferous tubules per area, length density and total length of seminiferous tubules, height of the tunica albuginea and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. The images were captured with an Olympus BX51 microscope and Olympus DP70 camera. The stereological analysis was done with the Image Pro and Image J programs. Means were statistically compared using ANOVA and the Holm-Sidak post-test (p

The introduction of advanced driver assistance systems has significantly reduced vehicle accidents by providing crucial support for high-speed driving and alerting drivers to imminent dangers. Despite these advancements, current systems still depend on the driver’s ability to respond to warnings effectively. To address this limitation, this research focused on developing a neural network model for the automatic detection and classification of objects in front of a vehicle, including pedestrians and other vehicles, using radar technology. Radar sensors were employed to detect objects by measuring the distance to the object and analyzing the power of the reflected signals to determine the type of object detected. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the radar-based system under various driving conditions, assessing its accuracy in detecting and classifying different objects. The proposed neural network model achieved a high accuracy rate, correctly identifying approximately 91% of objects in the test scenarios. The results demonstrate that this model can be used to inform drivers of potential hazards or to initiate autonomous braking and steering maneuvers to prevent collisions. This research contributes to the development of more effective safety features for vehicles, enhancing the overall effectiveness of driver assistance systems and paving the way for future advancements in autonomous driving technology.

This study explores the role of local authorities in achieving net zero emissions in the context of the climate crisis, with a particular focus on the freight transport sector. The study identifies the challenges of decarbonising urban freight transport and highlights the need for planning frameworks to facilitate this transition. The authors examine freight innovation ecosystems and the various actors involved in designing public policies that incentivise the creation or enhancement of these ecosystems. Through a systematic literature review, bibliometric analysis, and content analysis, this study identifies a lack of connection between the literature on these topics. However, it also highlights the potential for lessons to be learned from successful incentive frameworks in the four clusters identified. The authors propose a comprehensive incentives framework that includes both direct and indirect incentives aimed at the ecosystem and the public sector, respectively, as well as city conditions that can facilitate systemic change. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable transport and achieve net zero emissions.

Abstract Protein design and engineering are evolving at an unprecedented pace leveraging the advances in deep learning. Current models nonetheless cannot natively consider non-protein entities within the design process. Here, we introduce a deep learning approach based solely on a geometric transformer of atomic coordinates and element names that predicts protein sequences from backbone scaffolds aware of the restraints imposed by diverse molecular environments. To validate the method, we show that it can produce highly thermostable, catalytically active enzymes with high success rates. This concept is anticipated to improve the versatility of protein design pipelines for crafting desired functions.

Parasites can impact tadpole survival in both lethal and sublethal ways. Sublethal effects include alterations in morphology and behavior, reduced competitive ability, and increased vulnerability to predation, while lethal effects result in direct mortality. These impacts can have significant consequences at both individual and population levels, especially given that amphibians host various parasites and pathogens, which may contribute to population declines. This study investigated the influence of digenetic trematodes, specifically Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. and Echinostomatidae metacercariae – larval stages found in second intermediate hosts, on the development and behavior of Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles. Behavioral experiments assessed tadpole activity (time and movement number), water column use, and food consumption rates using video recordings and image analysis. Swimming performance was evaluated through predation simulations, and tadpole morphology (i.e. body size and mass) was measured post-experimentally. Infections by these digenetic trematodes resulted in a notable reduction in tadpole activity. A negative correlation was observed between Lophosicyadiplostomum sp. parasite load and both tadpole activity duration and movement frequency, indicating a common response to trematode infection. This study underscores the need for further research on digenetic trematodes to determine whether these behavioral modifications represent host manipulation by the parasites, potentially optimizing their transmission to the final host.

Abstract Subantarctic Nothofagus forests are the southernmost forests in the world, with negligible atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Most paradigms about the role of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in N cycling and plant N uptake at high latitudes have been tested in boreal coniferous forests, while in the southern hemisphere, ECM hosts are primarily angiosperms. Using ITS1 meta‐barcoding, we characterized ECM and saprotrophic fungal communities in evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus forests forming monodominant and mixed stands in the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (Chile and Argentina). We assessed the N economy of Nothofagus by correlating host species with fungal relative abundances, edaphic variables, net N mineralization, microbial biomass N and the activity of eight extracellular soil enzymes activities. The N economy of deciduous N. pumilio forests was strikingly similar to boreal coniferous forests, with the lowest inorganic N availability and net N mineralization, in correlation to higher relative abundances of ECM fungi with enzymatic capacity for organic N mobilization (genus Cortinarius). In contrast, the N economy of evergreen N. betuloides forests was predominantly inorganic and correlated with ECM lineages from the family Clavulinaceae, in acidic soils with poor drainage. Grassy understory vegetation in deciduous N. antarctica forests likely promoted saprotrophic fungi (i.e., genus Mortierella) in correlation with higher activities of carbon‐degrading enzymes. Differences between Nothofagus hosts did not persist in mixed forests, illustrating the range of soil fertility of these ECM angiosperms and the underlying effects of soil and climate on Nothofagus distribution and N cycling in southern Patagonia.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The superiority of the functional results of robot-assisted radical prostatectomyis still controversial. Despite this, it is known that minimally invasive surgery obtains better results when analyzing blood loss, blood transfusion and length of stay, for example. Several studies have analyzed the impact of the resident physician's involvement on the results of urological surgeries. The simple learning curve for robot-assisted radical prostate surgery is estimated to be around 10 to 12 cases. Learning curve data for robotic surgeons is heterogeneous, making it difficult to analyze. Rare studies compare the results of a radical prostatectomy of an inexperienced surgeon starting his training in open surgery, with the results of the same surgeon, a few years later, starting training in robotic surgery. Objective: to analyze the results of open radical prostatectomy surgeries (ORP) performed by urology residents, comparing them to the results of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), performed by these same surgeons, after completing their training in urology. Materials and methods: a retrospective analysis of the cases of only 3 surgeons was performed. 50 patients underwent ORP (group A). The surgeons who operated on the ORP patients were in the 3rd and final year of the urology residency program and beginners in ORP surgery, but with at least 4 years of experience in open surgery. The same surgeons, already trained urologists, began their training in robotic surgery and performed 56 RARP surgeries (group B). For the comparative analysis, data were collected on age, number of lymph nodes removed, surgery time, hospitalization time, drain volume, drain permanence time, indwelling bladdercateter (IBC) permanence time, positive surgical margin, biochemical recurrence, risk classification (ISUP), intra and postoperative complications, urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED). The console used was the Da Vinci Si, from Intuitive®. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk test verified that the data did not follow normality, the Levene test guaranteed homogeneity, and the Mann-Whitney test performed the comparative analysis of the quantitative data. For the analysis of qualitative data, the Chi-square test was used for nominal variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for ordinal variables. Additionally, the Friedman test analyzed whether there was an improvement in the perception of UI or ED over the months, for each group individually (without comparing them), and the post-hoc Durbin-Conover test, for the results with statistically significant difference. We used a p-value < 0.05, and the Jamovi® program (Version 2.0). Results: there was no statistically significant difference between the groups for age, number of lymph nodes removed, positive surgical margin, biochemical recurrence, risk classification and urinary incontinence. Additionally, we observed that the surgical time was longer in group B. On the other hand, the length of stay, drain volume, drain time, IBC time, complication rate and levels of erectile dysfunction in the third and sixth months were higher in group A, when compared to group B. We also observed that there was no evolutionary improvement in ED over the months in both groups, and that there was a perception of improvement in UI from the 1st to the 3rd month in group A, and from the 1st to the 6th month, and from the 3rd to the 12th month, in group B. Conclusion: the learning curve of RARP is equivalent to the curve of ORP. In general, the results for the robotic group were better, however, the functional results were similar between the groups, with a slight tendency of advantage for the robotic arm.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the current state of research funding in Brazil. Materials and Methods: This study is based on the most recent edition of the course Funding for Research and Innovation in the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine which was a three-day course with 12 hours of instruction. The course brought together leading experts in the field to comprehensively discuss the current state of research funding in Brazil. Each speaker provided a presentation on a specific topic related to research funding. After the workshop, speakers assembled relevant topics in this manuscript. Results: collaborative research is critical for securing research funding. It optimizes proposal competitiveness, amplifies societal impact, and manages risks effectively. As such, fostering and supporting these collaborations is paramount for both researchers and funding agencies. To maintain the highest integrity in research, investigators involved in these collaborations must disclose any relationships that could potentially influence the outcomes or interpretation of their projects. Conclusions: In Brazil, the mainstay of research funding stems from public entities, with agencies such as CNPq, CAPES, and state bodies like FAPESP, FAPERJ, FAPEMIG and others at the forefront. Concurrently, industry funding offers viable pathways, especially through industry-sponsored studies, investigator-led projects, and collaborative initiatives. The Brazilian funding landscape is further enriched by innovative platforms, including crowdfunding and the contributions of institutions like the Serrapilheira Institute. Internationally, esteemed organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stand out as potential funders.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the surgical anatomy of the kidney collecting system through a narrative review of the literature, highlighting its importance during diagnosis and its approach during surgical procedures for the treatment of renal stones. Material and Methods: We carried out a review about the anatomy of the kidney collecting system. We analyzed papers published in the past 40 years in the databases Pubmed, Embase and Scielo, and we included only papers in English and excluded case reports, editorials and opinions of specialists. Results: Renal collecting system could be divided in four groups: A1 – kidney midzone (KM), drained by minor calyx that are dependent on the superior or the inferior caliceal groups; A2 – KM drained by crossed calyx, one draining into the superior caliceal group and another draining into the inferior caliceal group; B1 – KM drained by a major caliceal group independent of both the superior and inferior groups; and B2 – KM drained by minor calyx entering directly into the renal pelvis. Some details and anatomic variations of the collecting system are related to clinical and radiological aspects, particularly perpendicular calyces, interpyelocalyx space, position of calyces in relation to renal border, classification of the renal collecting system, infundibular diameter and the angle between the lower infundibulum and renal pelvis. Conclusion: The knowledge of intra-renal collecting system divisions and variations as the angle between the renal pelvis and lower infundibula, position of the calices in relationship with renal edge and the diameter and position of the calyces are important for the planning of minimally invasive renal surgeries.

Abstract Background Pediatric cardiomyopathies (CMP) can be familial or idiopathic with increasing detection of genetic mutations. The study is a retrospective single-center review of cardiomyopathy patients from January 2011 to May 2020. Results of the genetic study, as well as the outcome, were reported. Patients were divided according to the type of CMP, age of presentation, and EF at presentation. Univariate and multivariate analysis and ROC and survival curves were done. Results We reported 229 patients under 14 years of age with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, most commonly DCM (160 patients (70%)) followed by HCM (26.2%). 52% presented at 6 months of age or less and 119 (52%) required ICU admission at presentation. The genetic and or metabolic disorder was confirmed in 21.4% of patients, most commonly VLCAD defect (16, 7%) and ELAC2 gene defect (10, 4.4%). During the disease course, 88 patients (38.4%) died (48 with DCM, 39 with HCM, and 1 with RCM). An EF of 20% or less at presentation and presentation at 6 months of age or less carries a risk for mortality in patients with DCM and HCM, respectively (RR 3.88 and 2.06 and OR of 11.09 and 4.35, respectively). Death was more common among HCM patients especially patients with positive genetic abnormality compared with patients with DCM. Conclusions The mortality for CMP in children reaches up to 40%, (30% in DCM and 65% in HCM patients). Mortality was higher in those with HCM, DCM with EF of 20% or less, and HCM presented at 6 months of age or less. Whole-exome and/or whole-genome sequencing is advised for all patients of CMP and at-risk family members.

Digital twins are evermore adopted for planning activities in smart city and industrial contexts, thus requiring platforms able to handle their complexity, continuously adapting and improving data flow business logic behind to the user needs. To respond to such needs microservice architecture paradigm and business logic scripting solutions can be exploited. They should include facilities for data ingestion, transformation, visualization & event driven user interaction, formal definition of functional aspects, exploitation and management of data analytics and simulation, interoperability with external services of any kind, etc. To provide an easy and quick development tools, a large number of microservice has been formalized in a suite of new Nodes for the Node-RED framework and distributed in terms of Libraries via JS Foundation. The proposed suites of nodes (e.g., Snap4City libraries on Node-RED) are widely adopted by academic and industrial groups and fully integrated into Snap4City, an open-source platform for digital twins realization which can be used on cloud and on premise.

ABSTRACT Objective Determining the etiology of hyperprolactinemia is fundamental for selecting the most appropriate treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and accuracy of prolactin levels in predicting the etiology of nonphysiological hyperprolactinemia. Subjects and methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of patients with nonphysiological hyperprolactinemia seen at two neuroendocrine reference centers located in Recife, Brazil, from January 2000 to December 2019. Results The study included 770 patients aged 12-73 years (65% female). The three most frequent etiologies of hyperprolactinemia were prolactinomas (n = 263; 34.2%), drug-induced hyperprolactinemia (n = 160; 20.8%), and macroprolactinemia (n = 120; 15.6%). The highest mean prolactin levels were observed in cases of prolactinomas and idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Most patients with hyperprolactinemia due to other etiologies had prolactin levels < 100 ng/mL, but these levels were also found in 16.5% of patients with microproplactinomas and in 20% of those with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Likewise, prolactin levels largely overlapped among patients with microprolactinomas, macroprolactinemia, and drug-induced hyperprolactinemia. Notably, prolactin levels > 250 ng/mL enabled a clear distinction between the etiologies of macroprolactinoma and nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma. Moreover, prolactin levels > 500 ng/mL were highly suggestive of macroprolactinomas, although they were also found in very few patients ( 250 ng/mL allowed a clear distinction between macroprolactinomas and nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Furthermore, prolactin levels > 500 ng/mL were almost exclusively found in patients with prolactinomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Measuring pain is complex due to its various components, including the subjective aspect. Establishing an effective and safe method for assessing orofacial pain (OFP) is extremely important. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to verify whether Infrared Thermography (IT) can be used as a substitute for other methods of evaluating the intensity of neuropathic or musculoskeletal OFP. CONTENTS: Five databases were searched: Pubmed, Scielo, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. The PECO question was used to guide the definition of eligibility criteria used to select the articles. The risk of bias was analyzed using the Joanna Briggs scale. Five studies met the eligibility criteria. Of the five eligible studies, four reported an association between orofacial pain intensity and temperature. Of these, one article showed that patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and pain showed an increase in temperature when compared with individuals without pain. The other three articles showed a decrease in temperature with increasing pain intensity. In only one study pain intensity was not significantly associated with temperature. CONCLUSION: IT does not replace other pain intensity assessment methods, but it is an important ally for complementing diagnostic procedures. Additional investigations are necessary to find a standardized method for obtaining and analyzing orofacial infrared images.

Digital banking services are embedded in people's daily lives. Despite this, these services are not accessible to everyone for various reasons, especially for people with low literacy. The objective of this work was to develop a method of accessibility inspection in mobile banking and banking chatbots, and the examination was directed toward the public mentioned before. For this reason, two inspection sequences were carried out on five Brazilian banking applications, mediated by accessibility considerations based on literature and case studies applied in the contexts of a riverside community and around elderly people with less experience in digital technology, as well as the mapping of design considerations with the Brazilian technical standard aimed at mobile applications and the investigation of banking chatbots made available by these applications. The results found in the inspections indicate how much the design considerations are satisfied, not satisfied and partially satisfied in the inspected applications and the comparison of the two inspections carried out. Additionally, it was possible to review and evaluate design considerations and propose improvements aimed at professionals who intend to develop accessible mobile bankings, as well as the importance of making banking chatbots.

The popularization of the smartphone has generated new financial technology opportunities for our society. In Brazil, with the emergence of Pix in 2020, several people are migrating to this tool to obtain new payment and income acquisition forms. However, the social characteristics of people facing longitudinal barriers, access to formal education, and computational systems must be considered to improve digital and financial access. We aim to provide a web platform, called Inclue Platform to help software developers design and evaluate their real-time payment systems promoting emergent user inclusion. The research combined a set of methodological procedures: literature review, questionnaires, interviews, two case studies and a viability test. Software development professionals, a riverside community, and residents of an Amazonian city engaged in this study. The communicability assessment method was used in the case studies. The Include Platform viability test results suggest that it can be an effective support tool for software development professionals, although its content could still be improved.

The Neotropical freshwater stingrays of Potamotrygon genus present a unique and complex natural history and biogeographical pattern that can be traced to a marine origin and the colonization of the continental environment during the Miocene. During the evolution of potamotrygonids, several species of the parasitic fauna coevolved and co-opted concomitantly to their hosts during the colonization of the new environments. One striking example can be observed during the colonization of the upper Paraná River region. However, few studies explored the ecological and taxonomic aspects of potamotrygonid parasites. In this work, we investigate aspects of the ecology and taxonomy of the species of Monogenea and Cestoda that are parasites the species of freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon in the upper Paraná River. Our results indicate that at least six species of parasites are present in potamotrygonids in the region. Two of the observed parasites are putative new species and three of the parasitic species were identified for the first time in the region, hence expanding their geographic distributions. We quantified ecological aspects at different levels of communities for the collected parasite species. We compared the diversity in different locations and hosts and performed an exploratory analysis to investigate the differences in parasite abundance. Additionally, an identification key for the Monogenea and Cestoda species of the sampled region is provided.

En este artículo reconstruimos las realidades de los clubes de fútbol infantil barrial en la ciudad de Bariloche en la segunda mitad de la década de 1990 y hasta la crisis del 2001. Desde un abordaje de la historia social, analizamos el devenir de dichas instituciones, considerando sus problemáticas y las estrategias de subsistencia de los sectores populares en los años de hegemonía neoliberal. Las asociaciones futbolísticas se vieron afectadas por las políticas económicas de esta etapa y por los procesos de desestructuración social. Ante esto, promovieron diversas acciones y la construcción de redes institucionales para poder sobrevivir. Los resultados de sus estrategias fueron diversos debido a la diferente fortaleza de cada entidad. Luego, la crisis del 2001 habilitó una revitalización de los clubes como espacios participativos que promovieron acciones solidarias. El periodo estudiado estuvo atravesado por una contradicción entre las fuerzas de desintegración social y la construcción de iniciativas colectivas.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the histology and distribution of abdominal testicular vessels in human fetuses Patients and Methods: We studied 19 fetuses (34 testes) ranging in age from 12 to 19 weeks post-conception. The fetuses were evaluated regarding crown-rump length (CRL), total length (TL) and body weight immediately before dissection. Each testis was dissected and embedded in paraffin, from which 5 µm thick sections were obtained and stained with Masson's trichrome and Anti-CD31 antibody to quantify the vessels. The stereological analysis was carried out with the Image Pro and Image J programs, using a grid to determine volumetric densities (Vv). Means were statistically compared using the unpaired T-test (p

In this work, Friction Stir Welding (FSW) of magnesium alloy ME21 in a T-profile is performed with a relatively higher welding speed than usual in this material. The FSW process parameters, i.e., rotational speed and welding speed, are investigated focused within its inherent microstructural and mechanical properties on the stir zones of the welded joints. The concept of a Stribeck Curve in tribological systems, is transferred to FSW to explain the transition between insufficient and full plasticization of the material. The stir zone presented a strong grain refinement due to the activation of dynamic recrystallization along with a completely changed crystallographic texture and orientation due to FSW. The hardness is overall improved, while the ductility and tensile strength were reduced. The microstructure and texture in the stir zone were not strongly influenced by changes in the welding parameters.

Abstract Twisted testicular appendages had difficult differential diagnosis with testicular torsion. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the number, shape, size and determine the laterality pattern of the testicular and epididymal hydatids and evaluate the correlations between the length and width of the testicular and epididymal hydatids with testicular measurements. We analyzed 60 fixed cadavers and 16 patients with prostate cancer without previous hormonal treatment undergoing bilateral orchiectomy, totalizing 76 units and 152 testicles. In relation to the testicular appendices, we analyzed the following situations: absence of testicular and epididymis appendages, presence of a testicular appendix, presence of epididymis appendix, and presence of testicular and epididymis appendix. We measured the length, width and thickness of the testis and classified the appendages as sessile or pedicled. Chi-square test was used to verify associations between categorical variables. McNemar Test was used to verify differences between the percentages of right and left appendages. Correlations between quantitative measures were evaluated using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (p

Abstract Background The objective of the present study was to evaluate in vitro the cytotoxicity and bioactivity of various endodontic sealers (CeraSeal, BioRoot™ and AH Plus®) in pre-osteoblast mouse cells (MC3T3 cells). Methods MC3T3 cells (ATCC CRL-2594) were plated in 1 × 104 cells/well in 96-well plates in contact with endodontic sealers at concentrations of 1:10 and 1:100. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay after 24 and 48 h. In addition, sealer bioactivity was measured by RT-PCR for mediator of inflammation (Tnf, Ptgs2) and mineralization (Runx2, Msx1, Ssp1 and Dmp1) after 24 h and by Alizarin Red S Assay of mineralization after 28 days. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey’s post-test at a significance level of 5%. Results BioRoot™ presented 24-hour cytotoxicity (p 0.05). TNF-α gene expression was induced by AH Plus® (p 0.05). Conclusion CeraSeal, BioRoot™ and AH Plus® sealers were not cytotoxic to MC3T3 cells within 48 h, but differentially induced the expression of genes related to inflammation and mineralization without impacting biomineralization by the cells.

This article presents an original method for the spatial resolution enhancement of satellite hyperspectral (HS) data by means of the Sentinel-2 visible and near infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared bands at 10 and 20 m spatial resolution. Presently, HS data are available from PRISMA (Italian acronym for HS precursor of the application mission) and Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP): both map the spectral interval of the solar radiation onto 240 and 224 bands, respectively, with 10 and 6.5/10 nm widths. A 5 m × 5 m panchromatic (PAN) band is also acquired by PRISMA. When the PAN band is unavailable, or better, the higher spatial resolution sharpening band is not unique, advantage can be taken from the hypersharpening protocol. First, the 20-m bands of Sentinel-2 are hypersharpened to 10 m by means of the four 10-m VNIR bands of the same instrument. Then, the 10-m hypersharpened bands of Sentinel-2 are used to sharpen the 30-m bands of PRISMA at 10 m as well, still according to the hypersharpening protocol. Eventually, the 10- m hypersharpened bands are pansharpened at 5 m by means of the PAN image, if available. Results show that for PRISMA the nested hypersharpening followed by pansharpening is better than plain HS pansharpening, both visually and according to full-scale indexes of spectral and spatial consistence. For EnMAP data, in which the PAN image is missing, the improvement of the fused data with respect to the original EnMAP and Sentinel-2 data has been quantified by means of two novel statistical indexes capable of measuring the spatial and intersensor consistencies between sharpened and sharpening data.

This study employs an unsupervised procedure to spatially decorrelate fully-developed speckle in single-look complex (SLC) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The goal is evaluating the extent to which the spatial correlation of the noise induced by the SAR processor affects the detection accuracy of temporal variations of land-cover between two one-look images of the same landscape acquired on different dates. To simulate the scenario, we have spatially correlated a synthetic map of white complex circular symmetric Gaussian noise by using a two-dimensional separable Hamming window in the Fourier domain. The correlated complex speckle field has been modulated by a noise-free optical view, to simulate an SLC SAR image. Subsequently, we have reduced the correlation of the SLC image through a whitening process and calculated the modulus of the complex image. We have applied various methods of statistical change detection for real-valued SAR data, and compared the accuracy of change maps in the following cases: i) ideally uncorrelated noise, ii) correlated noise, iii) correlated noise that has been decorrelated. The study considers three change detection algorithms, ranging from the basic Log-Ratio operator preceded by despeckling to advanced parametric and nonparametric methods based on Kullback-Leibler distance and mean-shift clustering of bivariate scatterplots of local means. Simulation results demonstrate consistent performance improvements, in terms of both geometric accuracy and reduced number of false alarms.

The beneficial effect of milk kefir on respiratory heath has been previously demonstrated; however, water kefir and kefiran in the context of respiratory viral infections have not been investigated. Water kefir and kefiran could be alternatives to milk kefir for their application in persons with lactose intolerance or milk allergy and could be incorporated into vegan diets. Using mice models, this work demonstrated that the oral administration of water kefir or kefiran can modulate the respiratory Toll-like receptor (TLR3)-mediated innate antiviral immunity and improve the resistance to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The treatment of mice with water kefir or kefiran for 6 days improved the production of interferons (IFN-β and IFN-γ) and antiviral factors (Mx2, OAS1, RNAseL, and IFITM3) in the respiratory tract after the activation of the TLR3 signaling pathway, differentially modulated the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, reduced RSV replication, and diminished lung tissue damage. Maintaining a proper balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mediators is vital for ensuring an effective and safe antiviral immune response, and the results of this work show that water kefir and kefiran would help to maintain that balance promoting a controlled inflammatory response that defends against infection while minimizing tissue damage.

The search for bioactive compounds for the treatment of several diseases has led to the study of endophytic fungi. Neoplastic diseases are among the most significant health concerns due to their high mortality rate, and there is a dearth of efficacious pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of cancer. Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and is among those with the highest mortality rates in Brazil. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify compounds with cytotoxic activity from the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Trichoderma sp. Isolation of the chemical compounds was conducted using chromatographic methods, while structural elucidation was achieved through the application of spectroscopic (NMR and UV) and spectrometric (MS) techniques. The fungus Trichoderma sp. was found to produce five distinct koninginins (A, B, C, E, and J). The organic phases of the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic potentials, respectively, through microdilution testing and the MTT method. In the cytotoxicity assay, both the AF extract and koninginin A demonstrated favorable outcomes, indicating their potential as promising anticancer therapeutic agents.

O presente artigo se propõe a apresentar, de forma sintética e didática, a Teoria Geral de Keynes, contextualizando-a dentro da trajetória de vida do autor, bem como apresentar como esta obra foi sendo absorvida dentro do debate acadêmico nos anos subsequentes à publicação. O objetivo é tornar tal arcabouço analítico mais acessível para estudantes a nível de graduação. Assim, é exposto o contexto no qual o autor elaborou sua obra, bem como alguns dos principais elementos dela, em especial aqueles que implicam a determinação dos níveis de produto (em geral) abaixo do pleno emprego, justificando a adoção de políticas econômicas a fim de preencher eventuais insuficiências de demanda. Por fim, também são apresentadas algumas interpretações que se seguiram à publicação da principal obra de Keynes e que acabaram por remoldar a formulação original, no que ficou conhecido como “Síntese Neoclássica”.

The treatment of laboratory waste containing arsenic compounds should be part of the chemical analysis protocol in educational and research institutions. An alternative procedure for the treatment of these residues is proposed for the development of a didactic analytical route in the detection of As3+, As5+, MMA (monomethylarsonic acid) and DMA (dimethylarsinic acid). The treatment is based on the coprecipitation of inorganic arsenic species with a quaternary ammonium salt (tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate) in suspension. Detection occurred by controlling the hydride generation reactions and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The methylated species MMA and DMA remain in the supernatant and can be monitored by adjusting the pH, concentration of the borohydride reducer, and the use of auxiliary reducers (hydroxylamine hydrochloride and KI). Satisfactory selective detectability was obtained for each arsenic species present in the waste sample. This work contributes to the development of experiments to be implemented in Qualitative Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis classes. The results allow to approach the chemical vapor generation, which is generally not well explored in undergraduate classes. Discussion of this procedure is supported by a teaching proposal based on the theory of nascent hydrogen for inorganic arsenic species and the nucleophilic performance of the hydride ion for methylated species. This approach allows the student to contextualize important concepts such as Lewis structure, oxidation state and kinetics of arsenic hydride generation reactions. This interdisciplinary contextualization forms a common theoretical basis, preparing and enabling the student to research speciation analysis by hydride generation and to understand the most accepted theories.

Habitat fragmentation can negatively impact wildlife populations by simplification of ecological interactions, but little is known about how these impacts extend to host-associated symbiotic communities. The symbiotic communities of amphibians play important roles in anti-pathogen defences, particularly against the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). In this study, we analyse the role of macroparasitic helminth communities in concert with microbial communities in defending the host against Bd infection within the context of forest fragmentation. We found that skin microbial and helminth communities are disrupted at fragmented habitats, while gut microbiomes appear more resilient to environmental change. We also detected potential protective roles of helminth diversity and anti-pathogen microbial function in limiting Bd infection. Microbial network analysis revealed strong patterns of structure in both skin and gut communities, with helminths playing central roles in these networks. We reveal consistent roles of microbial and helminth diversity in driving host–pathogen interactions and the potential implications of fragmentation on host fitness.