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Abstract Background Animal habitat use can be influenced by a suite of factors including intraspecific interactions and resource availability. The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is the largest crocodylian species distributed in freshwater environments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where it inhabits many types of human-impacted and preserved habitats. Despite their ability to occupy ecologically different water bodies, little is known about their movement patterns and their habitat use. We investigated the variation in movements and space use of adult caimans relative to sex, body condition, and environmental conditions in northeastern Brazil. Methods We conducted long-term capture surveys from 2013 to 2022 and used GPS telemetry from 2021–2022 (n = 12 individuals) to assess movement patterns and home ranges of caimans and their habitat use based on Brownian Bridge Movement Modeling (BBMM) and Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling (GLMM). Results Females ranged farther from reservoir’s forested margins, exploring a greater diversity of habitats during the wet/non-reproductive season. During the dry/reproductive season, females remained close to nesting sites within forest fragments. The body condition of caimans did not change significantly over the wet and dry season, indicating that resources are available year-round. Caimans moved more at night than during daytime, likely due to nocturnal foraging and possibly avoiding periods of increased human activity. Female movement rates were positively associated with rainfall, in a pattern likely linked to nest attendance in the dry season. Male movement was positively correlated with reservoir volume in the wet season, possibly due to increased availability of habitats in comparison to dry periods and to decreased overlap with territories controlled by other males. Home ranges estimated as 95% utilization distributions were relatively small in both sexes, averaging 0.64 km2 (range: 0.001–1.4 km2), as were their core areas estimated as 50% utilization distributions, which averaged 0.12 km2 (range: 0.0003–0.12 km2). Small core areas may indicate that caimans remain most of their time in a specific habitat, suggesting abundant resource availability or territoriality. Conclusions Our work reveals the complexity of social interactions and how caimans select their habitats in a highly altered environment.

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake holds significant historical importance in Portuguese history. The subsequent tsunami resulted in extensive destruction and damage, affecting not only Lisbon but also other regions of Portugal, Spain, and North Africa. This significant and hazardous event led to an increase in awareness about earthquake and tsunami risks, not only within Portugal but throughout Europe. This heightened awareness facilitated advancements in scientific developments, including design codes, standards, and earthquake engineering. However, recent studies focusing on hazard assessment for Lisbon are limited. For this reason, this paper aims to present a comprehensive probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for the Lisbon metropolitan area. The first stage of PSHA involves defining applicable and active seismic source models (area and line sources) within the study area. Subsequently, historical and instrumental earthquake records are collected to build a homogenized earthquake catalog, utilizing both global and local earthquake databases. Following this, the completeness level of the earthquake catalog is tested. By incorporating suitable ground motion models to the region and local soil characteristics, seismic hazard maps for various return periods and hazard curves in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) are developed. The findings based on the area source model agree with existing literature, indicating PGA values ranging from 0.3 g to 0.9 g, 0.2 g to 0.7 g, 0.2 g to 0.5 g, and 0.1 g to 0.3 g for return periods of 2475, 975, 475, and 50 years, respectively.

This cross-sectional study examined the lower limb balance, ankle dorsiflexion, orofacial tissue pressure, and occlusal strength of rugby players. Twenty-six participants were divided into groups: rugby players (n ​= ​13) and healthy sedentary adults (n ​= ​13). Participants underwent an analysis of lower limb balance using a composite score (Y-Balance Test). Ankle dorsiflexion was measured using the Lunge Test. The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument was employed to measure orofacial tissue pressure. Bite force was measured with a dynamometer, and T-Scan assessed occlusal contact distribution. Data were analyzed using the t-test (p ​

The Castle of Lanjarón is a 16th century stronghold located in Andalucía, Spain. After losing its military function, the castle was abandoned, leading to significant decay. Designated a national heritage site in 1985, recent efforts have sought to preserve its historical and cultural value. This study outlines an inspection and diagnosis campaign carried out on the castle. Non-destructive tests (NDTs) were employed to characterize the properties of the masonry, using both mechanical and wave-based methods. Dynamic identification was performed to determine dynamic and modal properties of the structure, which were used to develop and calibrate a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the west wall, based on homogenized masonry material. Limit analysis and non-linear static (pushover) analysis under various boundary conditions were conducted to determine the maximum relative load factor in the out-of-plane direction. The results were compared to the expected peak ground acceleration (PGA) of the area, showing that the maximum load capacity of the wall exceeds local seismic demands with a safety factor of 1.39. The study highlights the efficacy of pairing a homogenized macro-modeling approach with wave-based and dynamic identification methods, particularly for resource efficiency. Finally, recommendations for future conservation efforts have been provided.

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the mechanical properties of lime-based mortar in an acidic environment, employing both experimental analysis and machine learning to model techniques. Despite the extensive use of lime-based mortar in construction, particularly for the strengthening of structures as externally bonded materials, its behavior under acidic conditions remains poorly understood in the literature. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the mechanical performance of lime-based mortar under prolonged exposure to acidic environments, laying the groundwork for further research in this critical area. In the experimental phase, a commercial hydraulic lime-based mortar was subjected to varying environmental conditions, including acidic solution immersion with a pH of 3.0, distilled water immersion, and dry storage. Subsequently, the specimens were tested under flexure following exposure durations of 1000, 3000, and 5000 h. In the modeling phase, the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was deployed to predict the mechanical properties of the lime-based mortar by 1000, 3000, and 5000 h of exposure. Using the experimental data, the machine learning models were trained to capture the complex relationships between the stress-displacement curve (as the output) and various environmental and mechanical properties, including density, corrosion, moisture, and exposure duration (as input features). The predictive models demonstrated remarkable accuracy and generalization (using a 4-fold cross-validation approach) capabilities (R2 = 0.984 and RMSE = 0.116, for testing dataset), offering a reliable tool for estimating the mortar’s behavior over extended periods in an acidic environment. The comparative analysis demonstrated that mortar samples exposed to an acidic environment reached peak values at 3000 h of exposure, followed by a decrease in the mechanical properties with prolonged acidic exposure. In contrast, specimens exposed to distilled water and dry conditions exhibited an earlier onset of strength increase, indicating different material responses under varying environmental conditions.

Abstract We show that warm inflation can be successfully realized in the high temperature regime through dissipative interactions between the inflaton and a single fermionic degree of freedom, provided that the latter’s mass is an oscillatory function of the inflaton field value. We demonstrate, in particular, that despite the consequent large amplitude oscillations of the eta slow-roll parameter, their effect is, on average, sufficiently suppressed to allow for a slow-roll trajectory. In addition, we demonstrate that, even though this also induces a parametric resonance that amplifies inflaton perturbations, this has a negligible effect on CMB scales in the relevant parametric range. Hence, the “Warm Little Inflaton” scenario can be realized with one less fermionic degree of freedom and no need of imposing an additional discrete interchange symmetry.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is essential for preserving historical and modern infrastructure by tracking dynamic properties such as frequencies and mode shapes. Changes in these properties can indicate structural damage, but environmental factors like temperature can also cause similar variations, complicating damage detection. This study investigates from an experimental point of view the effect of temperature on the dynamic behaviour of masonry structures, focusing on a masonry wall subjected to thermal load variations within operational conditions. The experimental setup involved a masonry wall specimen tested at the Structural Laboratory of the University of Minho, Portugal. The mock-up was subjected to various boundary conditions and loading scenarios. The results showed that the natural frequencies of the masonry wall can be significantly influenced by temperature changes, variations strictly related to the boundary conditions and the stress acting on the mock-up. In contrast, mode shapes seem not to be affected by temperature variations. This study provides valuable insights into the temperature-induced variations in the dynamic properties of masonry structures, emphasising the need to consider environmental effects in SHM applications. By filtering out these environmental influences, more accurate damage detection and proactive maintenance strategies can be developed, enhancing the safety and longevity of both historical and modern structures.

ABSTRACT Objective: To report outcomes from the largest multicenter series of penile cancer patients undergoing video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL). Materials and Methods: Retrospective multicenter analysis. Authors of 21 centers from the Penile Cancer Collaborative Coalition-Latin America (PeC-LA) were included. All centers performed the procedure following the same previously described standardized technique. Inclusion criteria included penile cancer patients with no palpable lymph nodes and intermediate/high-risk disease and those with non-fixed palpable lymph nodes less than 4 cm in diameter. Categorical variables are shown as percentages and frequencies whereas continuous variables as mean and range. Results: From 2006 to 2020, 210 VEIL procedures were performed in 105 patients. Mean age was 58 (45-68) years old. Mean operative time was 90 minutes (60-120). Mean lymph node yield was 10 nodes (6-16). Complication rate was 15.7%, including severe complications in 1.9% of procedures. Lymphatic and skin complications were noted in 8.6 and 4.8% of patients, respectively. Histopathological analysis revealed lymph node involvement in 26.7% of patients with non-palpable nodes. Inguinal recurrence was observed in 2.8% of patients. 10y- overall survival was 74.2% and 10-y cancer specific survival was 84.8%. CSS for pN0, pN1, pN2 and pN3 were 100%, 82.4%, 72.7% and 9.1%, respectively. Conclusion: VEIL seems to offer appropriate long term oncological control with minimal morbidity. In the absence of non-invasive stratification measures such as dynamic sentinel node biopsy, VEIL emerged as the alternative for the management of non-bulky lymph nodes in penile cancer.

The structural health monitoring (SHM) of buildings provides relevant data for the evaluation of the structural behavior over time, the efficiency of maintenance, strengthening, and post-earthquake conditions. This paper presents the design and implementation of a continuous SHM system based on dynamic properties, base accelerations, crack widths, out-of-plane rotations, and environmental data for the retrofitted church of Kuñotambo, a 17th century adobe structure, located in the Peruvian Andes. The system produces continuous hourly records. The organization, data collection, and processing of the SHM system follows different approaches and stages, concluding with the assessment of the structural and environmental conditions over time compared to predefined thresholds. The SHM system was implemented in May 2022 and is part of the Seismic Retrofitting Project of the Getty Conservation Institute. The initial results from the first twelve months of monitoring revealed seasonal fluctuations in crack widths, out-of-plane rotations, and natural frequencies, influenced by hygrothermal cycles, and an apparent positive trend, but more data are needed to justify the nature of these actions. This study emphasizes the necessity for extended data collection to establish robust correlations and refine monitoring strategies, aiming to enhance the longevity and safety of historic adobe structures under seismic risk.

We investigate the properties of matrices that emerge from the application of Fourier series to Jacobi matrices. Specifically, we focus on functions defined by the coefficients of a Fourier series expressed in orthogonal polynomials. In the operational formulation of integro-differential problems, these infinite matrices play a fundamental role. We have derived precise calculation formulas for their elements, enabling exact computation of these operational matrices. Numerical results illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.

Seven new abietane diterpenoids, comprising medusanthol A–G (1–3, 5, 7–9) and two previously identified analogs (4 and 6), were isolated from the hexane extract of the aerial parts of Medusantha martiusii. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by HRESIMS, 1D/2D NMR spectroscopic data, IR spectroscopy, NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analysis, and ECD calculations. The anti-neuroinflammatory potential of compounds 1–7 was evaluated by determining their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in BV2 microglia stimulated with LPS and IFN-γ. Compounds 1–4 and 7 exhibited decreased NO levels at a concentration of 12.5 µM. Compound 1 demonstrated strong activity with an IC50 of 3.12 µM, and compound 2 had an IC50 of 15.53 µM; both compounds effectively reduced NO levels compared to the positive control quercetin (IC50 11.8 µM). Additionally, both compounds significantly decreased TNF-α levels, indicating their potential as promising anti-neuroinflammatory agents.

IntroductionThe production of resting cysts is a key dispersal and survival strategy of many dinoflagellate species. However, little is known about the role of suspended cysts in the benthic nepheloid layer (BNL) in the initiation and decline of planktonic populations.MethodsIn September 2019, sampling of the dinoflagellate cyst community at different water depths in the water column and in the bottom sediments, and studies of spatio-temporal changes in physical properties (temperature, salinity, density and suspended sediment concentration), were carried out along a land-sea transect off Figueira da Foz (NW Portugal) to investigate the dinoflagellate cyst distribution and the factors (physical and biological) affecting it. A clustering analysis was used to compare the BNL and sediment cyst records with the cyst rain recorded by a sediment trap at a fixed station. Furthermore, Lagrangian particle experiments enabled simulating cyst trajectories in the BNL 5 and 10 days before sampling and assessing cross-shore, vertical and alongshore transport within the studied region.ResultsA well-developed BNL was present during the survey, which covered a change from active (14th of September) to relaxed (19th of September) upwelling conditions. Organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts were dominant in all samples, although calcareous dinoflagellate cysts consistently occurred (at low abundances). High proportions of full cysts were observed in the BNL, of which a significant portion was viable as shown by excystment experiments. Moreover, BNL cyst records collected on the 19th of September along the land-sea transect were similar to the sediment trap cyst record but greatly differed from sediment cyst records. The heterotrophic small spiny brown cysts (SBC) and cysts of the autotrophic yessotoxin-producer Protoceratium reticulatum notably increased during the survey, in the BNL and in the water column above.DiscussionThe comparison of the BNL, surface sediment and sediment trap cyst records supported that the main origin of cysts in the BNL was the recent production in the water column. The spatial coincidences in the distribution of cysts and vegetative cells of Protoceratium reticulatum also supported that full cysts in the water column were being produced in surface waters. New data evidenced the presence of a significant reservoir of viable cysts in the BNL that have the potential to seed new planktonic blooms. Furthermore, back-track particle modelling evidenced that alongshore advection was the main physical mechanism controlling cyst dynamics in the BNL during most part of the survey period, being particularly intense in coastal stations (

Understanding the impacts of multi-hazard risk in urban areas is a fundamental step towards the adoption of resilience-enhancement and disaster prevention strategies, underpinning institutional adjustments aimed at improving the capacity of the authorities and stakeholders to manage risk. Within this framework, the work presented in this paper seeks to identify and analyze a set of exposure and buildings’ physical vulnerability indicators to be used as input to a parametric-based seismic vulnerability assessment methodology for the unreinforced masonry (URM) building stock of Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA). For this approach, data from the 2011 Census survey are used to define the parameters describing the building’s physical vulnerability and characterise the level of exposure in the study area. These results are then combined with the hazard component into a GIS tool. Seismic vulnerability results are presented for the URM building stock in LMA, and a more detailed analysis is conducted for the building stock of Setúbal municipality. Finally, risk outputs are presented and briefly discussed. Ultimately, understanding the impact and extent of multi-hazards can help prioritize resilience-increasing actions and disaster prevention measures to mitigate and manage natural hazards.

Abstract Modern non-destructive investigation techniques and computational tools for nonlinear analysis allow understanding the structural behavior and damage of existing buildings, aiming at the least possible extent of intervention. Careful and minimal intervention is essential to preserve the authenticity of the built cultural heritage. An investigation with a historical, experimental, and numerical approach was carried out in the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, a building with an eclectic architecture from the beginning of the twentieth century. Its masonry domes and vault have paintings by renowned artists on their intrados and were strengthened in the 1970s. The adopted methodology was based on anamnesis, characterization and observation of the structure employing non-destructive tests, and on the assessment of its vulnerability by nonlinear analyses of calibrated numerical models. Several hypotheses of differential settlement under gravitational actions were investigated, seeking to reproduce the cracking pattern and to identify the causes of damage to the masonry domes and vault before the strengthening. The nonlinear analysis of the structure allowed to evaluate the causes of the observed damage, assess the level of safety, identify the most vulnerable parts, and characterize the collapse mechanisms, in addition to demonstrating the efficiency of the intervention measures adopted in the past.

The synthetic cytokinin forchlorfenuron (FCF), while seemingly presenting relatively low toxicity for mammalian organisms, has been the subject of renewed scrutiny in the past few years due to its increasing use in fruit crops and potential for bioaccumulation. Despite many toxicological properties of FCF being known, little research has been conducted on the toxicological effects of its secondary metabolites. Given this critical gap in the existing literature, understanding the formation of relevant FCF secondary metabolites and their association with mammalian metabolism is essential. To investigate the formation of FCF metabolites in sufficient quantities for toxicological studies, a panel of four fungi were screened for their ability to catalyze the biotransformation of FCF. Of the organisms screened, Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 9245), a filamentous fungus, was found to convert FCF to 4-hydroxyphenyl-forchlorfenuron, the major FCF secondary metabolite identified in mammals, after 26 days. Following the optimization of biotransformation conditions using a solid support system, media screening, and inoculation with a solid pre-formed fungal mass of C. elegans, this conversion time was significantly reduced to 7 days—representing a 73% reduction in total reaction time as deduced from the biotransformation products and confirmed by LC-MS, NMR spectroscopic data, as well as a comparison with synthetically prepared metabolites. Our study provides the first report of the metabolism of FCF by C. elegans. These findings suggest that C. elegans can produce FCF secondary metabolites consistent with those produced via mammalian metabolism and could be used as a more efficient, cost-effective, and ethical alternative for producing those metabolites in useful quantities for toxicological studies.

Infrastructure healthy enhancement for saving resources in operation procedures is one of the most important objectives for owners on their decision support system based on cost management. In this manner, finding the intervention action priority, as well as the inspection method and maintenance system for each component, with regard to a limited resources amount is investigated in this paper. Defects on infrastructure components create data and these data are undoubtedly useful to increase the knowledge in decision making in practice. In that sense, risk analysis and value of information can be applied using decision trees together with Bayesian networks. For data filtering and noise reduction, a principal component analysis may also be applied to manage a database and prepare useful input variables for the decision tree system. This paper presented an approach for the maintenance managers to prepare their infrastructure available with a sustainable index with minimum cost. This index would be a tool for decision-makers with regard to the cost management and sustainability aspects.

In a global dynamic analysis, the coexisting attractors and their basins are the main tools to understand the system behavior and safety. However, both basins and attractors can be drastically influenced by uncertainties. The aim of this work is to illustrate a methodology for the global dynamic analysis of nondeterministic dynamical systems with competing attractors. Accordingly, analytical and numerical tools for calculation of nondeterministic global structures, namely attractors and basins, are proposed. First, based on the definition of the Perron-Frobenius, Koopman and Foias linear operators, a global dynamic description through phase-space operators is presented for both deterministic and nondeterministic cases. In this context, the stochastic basins of attraction and attractors’ distributions replace the usual basin and attractor concepts. Then, numerical implementation of these concepts is accomplished via an adaptative phase-space discretization strategy based on the classical Ulam method. Sample results of the methodology are presented for a canonical dynamical system.

While the influence of the component strength on the structural behaviour of Historic Masonry Structures (HMS) is relatively well studied, few studies have investigated masonry textures. Such a research gap is due to the actual difficulty of finding parameters that correlate masonry patterns and structural performances. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the existing geometric measures for irregular masonry patterns, highlighting the gaps and possible future trends. Special attention is paid to the Non-destructive Tests (NDT) for surveying masonry textures and algorithms to generate block-based numerical models artificially. Finally, a numerical investigation underlines how masonry textures generated considering quality indexes present more consistent results.

Abstract Due to structural similarities and the possibility of connection between the two Aptian paleolakes in the Jatobá Basin and the Tucano Norte Sub-basin in North-eastern Brazil, the influence of the architecture of the crystalline basement under these lacustrine sedimentary rocks was analysed using gravimetric data near the faulted edges of the basins where the paleolakes are located. The Negra (Jatobá Basin) and Tonã (Tucano Norte Sub-basin) Hills are mainly sedimentary deposits of Aptian age and are linked to the post-rift I tectonic sequence. Aiming at the study of reservoirs analogous to pre-salt reservoirs, the gravimetric data were processed and interpreted to define the structural framework of the basin regions around these hills. Depth maps and density models were generated that could be analysed from various 3D perspectives, and the behaviour of the crystalline basement below these sedimentary sequences was investigated. In addition to the identification of horsts and semi-grabens that influenced the current relief pattern, the modelling showed that the Aptian paleolake sedimentary rocks of the Negra Hill are in the Ibimirim Low, which is approximately 2,900 m deep, while in the Tonã Hill, the sedimentary rocks are in the Salgado do Melão Low, which is approximately 5,100 m deep.

This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of the reinforcement of historic timber roofs, focusing on their main characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, which would help professionals select and define the design of reinforcement solutions. Cultural heritage issues are taken into consideration. Reinforcement can be done via different methods – traditional and modern – using simple or sophisticated techniques. An overview of the main materials and the techniques used for selected case studies are presented, illustrating how various reinforcement methods are implemented in practice.

More than two years have passed since the devastating earthquakes struck Croatia in 2020, in which many educational buildings were damaged. In addition, several damaged educational buildings are under heritage protection, representing a special challenge for civil engineers during structural renovation. Strengthening methods that achieve adequate level of seismic capacity are limited in order to preserve the identity of these buildings. In the manuscript, a short overview of the damage to the educational sector is given with a special focus on a renovation of one case study. The case study is an educational building with a masonry structure located in the Lower Town of Zagreb and from the 19th century. An assessment of the structural condition was performed and a model was developed in the 3Muri software. Three variants of strengthening methods were applied to the model – FRCM, shotcrete and a combination of FRCM and shotcrete. Finally, each variant model was analyzed using the pushover method. The results are compared in terms of achieved earthquake capacity, expected cost and environmental impact.

As ageing structures and infrastructures become a global concern, structural health monitoring (SHM) is seen as a crucial tool for their cost-effective maintenance. Promising results obtained for modern and conventional constructions suggested the application of SHM to historical masonry buildings as well. However, this presents peculiar shortcomings and open challenges. One of the most relevant aspects that deserve more research is the optimisation of the sensor placement to tackle well-known issues in ambient vibration testing for such buildings. The present paper focuses on the application of optimal sensor placement (OSP) strategies for dynamic identification in historical masonry buildings. While OSP techniques have been extensively studied in various structural contexts, their application in historical masonry buildings remains relatively limited. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of OSP in this specific context, analysing and discussing real-world examples, as well as a numerical benchmark application to illustrate its complexities. This article aims to shed light on the progress and issues associated with OSP in masonry historical buildings, providing a detailed problem formulation, identifying ongoing challenges and presenting promising solutions for future improvements.

Alzheimer’s disease causes chronic neurodegeneration and is the leading cause of dementia in the world. The causes of this disease are not fully understood but seem to involve two essential cerebral pathways: cholinergic and amyloid. The simultaneous inhibition of AChE, BuChE, and BACE-1, essential enzymes involved in those pathways, is a promising therapeutic approach to treat the symptoms and, hopefully, also halt the disease progression. This study sought to identify triple enzymatic inhibitors based on stereo-electronic requirements deduced from molecular modeling of AChE, BuChE, and BACE-1 active sites. A pharmacophore model was built, displaying four hydrophobic centers, three hydrogen bond acceptors, and one positively charged nitrogen, and used to prioritize molecules found in virtual libraries. Compounds showing adequate overlapping rates with the pharmacophore were subjected to molecular docking against the three enzymes and those with an adequate docking score (n = 12) were evaluated for physicochemical and toxicological parameters and commercial availability. The structure exhibiting the greatest inhibitory potential against all three enzymes was subjected to molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) to assess the stability of the inhibitor-enzyme systems. The results of this in silico approach indicate ZINC1733 can be a potential multi-target inhibitor of AChE, BuChE, and BACE-1, and future enzymatic assays are planned to validate those results.

Buckling restrained brace frames (BRBFs) exhibit exceptional lateral stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and energy dissipation properties, rendering them a highly promising choice for regions susceptible to seismic activity. The precise and expeditious prediction of seismic demands on BRBFs is a crucial and challenging task. In this paper, the potential of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the seismic demands of BRBFs is explored. The study presents the characteristics and modelling of prototype BRBFs with different numbers of stories and material properties, utilising the OpenSees software (Version 2.5.0) for numerical simulations. The seismic performance of the BRBFs is evaluated using 91 near-fault pulse-like ground motions, and the maximum inter-storey drift ratio (MIDR) and global drift ratio (GDR) are recorded as a measure of seismic demand. ANNs are then trained to predict the MIDR and GDR of the selected prototypes. The model’s performance is assessed by analysing the residuals and error metrics and then comparing the trend of the results with the real dataset. Feature selection is utilised to decrease the complexity of the problem, with spectral acceleration at the fundamental period (T) of the structure (Sa), peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), and T being the primary factors impacting seismic demand estimation. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ANN approach in accurately predicting the seismic demands of BRBFs.

Historic monuments and construction capture the knowledge of civilizations of the past and are a source of pride for people of the present. Over the centuries, these buildings have been at risk from natural and man-made causes. The Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Granada, Spain, is one of such places. This paper aims to evaluate the structural performance of the Torre de la Vela, a tower in the Alhambra, under blast loads. The loads were based on historical records of barrels of gunpowder and were modeled as simplified pressure profiles using existing empirical equations. The effect of impulsive loading on the material properties was accounted for using dynamic increase factors, determined experimentally by previous authors. The model was created using finite element methods (FEM) and the problem was solved using explicit dynamic analysis available in Abaqus/Explicit. Using the failure volume damage index, a blast load applied outside and inside of the building would create a low damage level, which should be treated with caution given the occurrence of localized damage. The removal of elements exceeding a given damage threshold led to more visible damage patterns than the Concrete Tension Damage option in Abaqus.

Mortality assessments are conducted for both civil and commercial purposes. Recent advances in epigenetics have resulted in DNA methylation tools to assess risk and aid in this task. However, widely available array-based algorithms are not readily translatable into clinical tools and do not provide a good foundation for clinical recommendations. Further, recent work shows evidence of heritability and possible racial bias in these indices. Using a publicly available array data set, the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), we develop and test a five-locus mortality-risk algorithm using only previously validated methylation biomarkers that have been shown to be free of racial bias, and that provide specific assessments of smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes and heart disease. We show that a model using age, sex and methylation measurements at these five loci outperforms the 513 probe Levine index and approximates the predictive power of the 1030 probe GrimAge index. We then show each of the five loci in our algorithm can be assessed using a more powerful, reference-free digital PCR approach, further demonstrating that it is readily clinically translatable. Finally, we show the loci do not reflect ethnically specific variation. We conclude that this algorithm is a simple, yet powerful tool for assessing mortality risk. We further suggest that the output from this or similarly derived algorithms using either array or digital PCR can be used to provide powerful feedback to patients, guide recommendations for additional medical assessments, and help monitor the effect of public health prevention interventions.

A systematic literature review on numerical strategies suitable to simulate defects and discontinuities in layered and sandwich structures is presented here. Particular care is given to studies whose scope concerns the so-called Moving Mesh (MM) or Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) methods. A general overview of the peculiarities of each approach is also provided. A total of fifteen and twenty-six journal/conference articles were summarised and categorised for MM and IGA methods, respectively. Based on the available literature, it can be stated that MM approaches generally allow a lower computational burden due to the reduced number of re-meshing steps required when compared to standard finite element approaches. Conversely, IGA approaches bring strong advantages in the geometric description of curved shell structures and, due to a non-uniform rational b-spline interpolation function, ensure higher numerical accuracy in stress analysis problems.

Undoubtedly, heritage buildings serve as essential embodiments of the cultural richness and diversity of the world’s states, and their conservation is of the utmost importance. Specifically, the protection of the structural integrity of these buildings is highly relevant not only because of the buildings themselves but also because they often contain precious artworks, such as sculptures, paintings, and frescoes. When a disaster causes damage to heritage buildings, these artworks will likely be damaged, resulting in the loss of historical and artistic materials and an intangible loss of memory and identity for people. To preserve heritage buildings, state-of-the-art recommendations inspired by the Venice Charter of 1964 suggest real-time monitoring of the progressive damage of existing structures, avoiding massive interventions, and providing immediate action in the case of a disaster. The most up-to-date digital information and analysis technologies, such as digital twins, can be employed to fulfil this approach. The implementation of the digital twin paradigm can be crucial in developing a preventive approach for built cultural heritage conservation, considering its key features of continuous data exchange with the physical system and predictive analysis. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the digital twin concept in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) domain. It also critically discusses some applications within the context of preserving the structural integrity of architectural heritage, with a particular emphasis on masonry structures. Finally, a prototype of the digital twin paradigm for the preservation of heritage buildings’ structural integrity is proposed.

Masonry walls comprise an important part of the building envelope and, thus, are exposed to environmental effects such as temperature and moisture variations. However, structural assessment usually neglects the influence of these hygro-thermal loads and assumes ideal conditions. This paper presents a hygro-thermo-mechanical model and its application to simulate the impact of temperature- and moisture-related phenomena on the structural behavior of masonry walls. A fully coupled heat and mass transfer model is presented and a 2D finite element model is prepared to simulate the behavior of a brick masonry wall under various hygro-thermal scenarios. Two different mortars are considered: namely, cement mortar and natural hydraulic lime mortar. The results are evaluated in terms of temperature and moisture content distribution across the wall thickness. The hygro-thermal model is further extended to incorporate mechanical effects through the total strain additive decomposition principle. It is shown that the hygro-thermo-mechanical response of the brick masonry wall is a complex 2D phenomenon. Moreover, the environmental loads change the natural stress distribution caused by gravitational loads alone. Finally, the wall with cement mortar develops higher levels of stress when compared to the one with lime mortar, due to the dissimilar hygro-thermal behavior between the constituent materials.

The repair and strengthening of historical masonry buildings is a fundamental aspect in the conservation of the built cultural heritage. Temporary shoring or strengthening are often used and, usually, involve the introduction of new metallic elements. The connection between the original substrate and the new elements must be analyzed carefully to prevent further damage to the building. This paper presents a study on the mechanical behavior of metal anchors applied to brick masonry walls. An experimental campaign is developed, and a series of pull-out tests are carried out on masonry walls built in a laboratory with natural hydraulic lime mortar and low mechanical strength bricks. Two groups of tests are conducted, namely, with the actuator in the direction of the anchor axis and with the actuator inclined with respect to the fastener axis. Moreover, two types of anchoring systems are used, namely, adhesive (chemical and cementitious grout) and mechanical anchors. The experimental results are compared to predictive analytical formulas available in the literature for estimation of the ultimate load capacity, according to the type of failure. From the comparison between experimental and analytical values, it is proven that the analytical formulation originally developed for concrete substrates cannot be directly extrapolated to brick masonry cases, and specific predictive formulas should be developed. The presented research can be used to select the most efficient anchoring system for strengthening and retrofitting of historical brick masonry structures.

The implementation of condition monitoring for damage identification and the generation of a reliable digital twin are essential elements of preventive conservation. The application of this promising approach to Cultural Heritage (CH) sites is deemed truly beneficial, constituting a minimally invasive mitigation strategy and a cost-effective decision-making tool. In this light, the present work focuses on establishing an informative virtual model as a platform for the conservation of the monastery of Santa Maria de Salzedas, a CH building located in the north of Portugal. The platform is the first step towards the generation of the digital twin and is populated with existing documentation as well as new information collected within the scope of an inspection and diagnosis programme. At this stage, the virtual model encompasses the main cloister, whose structural condition and safety raised concerns in the past and required the implementation of urgent remedial measures. In the definition of a vibration-based condition monitoring strategy for the south wing of the cloister, five modes were identified by carrying out an extensive dynamic identification. Nonetheless, significant challenges emerged due to the low amplitude of the ambient-induced vibrations and the intrusiveness of the activities. To this end, a data-driven Optimal Sensor Placement (OSP) approach was followed, testing and comparing five heuristic methods to define a good trade-off between the number of sensors and the quality of the collected information. The results showed that these algorithms for OSP allow the selection of sensor locations with good signal strength.

Background. The knowledge of risk factors and complications related to extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) during radical prostatectomy can help selecting patients who will benefit the most with lymph node dissection concomitant to radical prostatectomy. Materials and Methods. Retrospective cohort evaluating 135 patients with PC, with a high risk for lymph node metastasis, submitted to ePLND by a single surgeon between 2013 and 2019, performed either by the laparoscopic or laparoscopic robot-assisted approach. Data related to complications were properly recorded using the Martin’s criteria and were classified by the Satava and Clavien–Dindo–Strasberg methods. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of complications related to ePLND. Results. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 10.2 ± 4.9, and in 28.2%, they were positive for metastasis. There were five intraoperative complications (4%), all in patients operated by laparoscopic approach. There were nine severe postoperative complications (7.3%), four of which occurred after postoperative day 30. Three patients (2.4%) had thromboembolic complications and five patients (4.0%) had lymphocele that required treatment. There was a correlation between the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification and postoperative complications (p=0.06), but it was not possible to identify statistically significant predictors. Conclusion. ePLND during radical prostatectomy has a low rate of intraoperative complications and may change prostate cancer staging. Postoperative complications, especially venous thromboembolism and lymphocele, need to be monitored even in the late postoperative period.

A new algorithm based on the ant colony optimization (ACO) method for the multiple traveling salesman problem (mTSP) is presented and defined as ACO-BmTSP. This paper addresses the problem of solving the mTSP while considering several salesmen and keeping both the total travel cost at the minimum and the tours balanced. Eleven different problems with several variants were analyzed to validate the method. The 20 variants considered three to twenty salesmen regarding 11 to 783 cities. The results were compared with best-known solutions (BKSs) in the literature. Computational experiments showed that a total of eight final results were better than those of the BKSs, and the others were quite promising, showing that with few adaptations, it will be possible to obtain better results than those of the BKSs. Although the ACO metaheuristic does not guarantee that the best solution will be found, it is essential in problems with non-deterministic polynomial time complexity resolution or when used as an initial bound solution in an integer programming formulation. Computational experiments on a wide range of benchmark problems within an acceptable time limit showed that compared with four existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm presented better results for several problems than the other algorithms did.

Quality control (QC) may be applied as a framework for maintenance planning when assigning different intervention measures to single structural elements or systems. This work proposes a reliability-based maintenance decision-making process for planning visual inspections on bridges based on the value of information and prior inspection data, and also promotes updating and improvement cycles for subsequent planning. To that aim, an integration between SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) data with a multidisciplinary approach is proposed to obtain a reliability index attending to QC. The data analysis was mainly carried out with respect to an existing measurement database and structural assessments, which were combined to obtain weighted importance coefficients for each component according to their significance in the structure. The Iranian railway network has a built stock of nearly 28,200 bridges from which a database obtained from 104 bridges was studied in this work, considering the data obtained from technical identification checklists. The results were then calibrated and validated with a dataset of seven bridges, which were inspected onsite. The inspection comprised the identification and grading of damages and defects on each element. Observed defects were considered as input for the risk analysis of each component of the network by considering the probability of detection, occurrence and its likely consequences. Decision making with inspection and intervention costs optimization was then performed, for a specific case study, using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) together with the value of information (VOI) for data filtering. With this approach, several parameters with lower values reduced from inspection and other valuable data remain for bridge quality assessment with optimum maintenance cost.

Geophysical surveys are widely used to reconstruct subsoil seismo-stratigraphic structures with a non-invasive approach. In this study the geophysical surveys were carried out with the aim to characterise the San Giorgio Cathedral in Ragusa (Italy) and the area on which it is built from a dynamic point of view. A 3D subsoil model was realised through the integration of two active (i.e., seismic tomography and multichannel analysis of surface waves) and one passive seismic technique (horizontal to vertical spatial ratio). The instrumentation used for the latter method consists of a tromograph (Tromino®), which is also employed for the characterisation of the building, focusing on the façade and the dome, by means of an ambient vibration test, processed through the standard spectral ratio and frequency domain decomposition methods. Integration of the 3D model, showing the distribution of areas with different physicomechanical characteristics, enables identifying anomalies that are likely attributable to the remains of the ancient Byzantine church of San Nicola. Four lower modes mainly involving the two investigated macroelements are identified. The experimental results outline the advantages of the use of the tromograph both for soil and structural characterisation, especially for massive masonry buildings located in areas with high seismic hazard.

Hematological studies in crocodilians are important tools in the evolutionary diagnosis and control of sicknesses, such as anaemia, malnutrition, dehydration, inflammation, and parasitism, among others. We aimed to obtain reference intervals for the hemogram of Caiman latirostris in wild populations that inhabit Recife’s Metropolitan Region, Pernambuco. We obtained blood samples from 42 caimans, from different sexes (22 males and 20 females) and ages classes (eight hatchlings, 24 subadults and 10 adults) in two areas of Atlantic Rainforest domain. We found that hematological parameters were included within the reference intervals for other crocodilian species. It was possible to observe differences between the areas for the mean corpuscular volume values, suggesting a possible difference between adult and juvenile individuals in the two study areas. When comparing sexes, there was no significant difference between the study parameters, but it was possible to observe differences in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and hemoglobin in the Estação Ecológica de Tapacurá region. Although small differences have been observed between the two populations, we can infer that the hematological parameters are similar. We can use this information to evaluate animal’s health in nature and for comparations with captive individuals, allowing the establishment of ideal maintenance conditions and assisting in the identification of possible pathologies.

Abstract Background Cancer neoantigens have attracted great interest in immunotherapy due to their capacity to elicit antitumoral responses. These molecules arise from somatic mutations in cancer cells, resulting in alterations on the original protein. Neoantigens identification remains a challenging task due largely to a high rate of false-positives. Results We have developed an efficient and automated pipeline for the identification of potential neoantigens. neoANT-HILL integrates several immunogenomic analyses to improve neoantigen detection from Next Generation Sequence (NGS) data. The pipeline has been compiled in a pre-built Docker image such that minimal computational background is required for download and setup. NeoANT-HILL was applied in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) melanoma dataset and found several putative neoantigens including ones derived from the recurrent RAC1:P29S and SERPINB3:E250K mutations. neoANT-HILL was also used to identify potential neoantigens in RNA-Seq data with a high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion neoANT-HILL is a user-friendly tool with a graphical interface that performs neoantigens prediction efficiently. neoANT-HILL is able to process multiple samples, provides several binding predictors, enables quantification of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and considers RNA-Seq data for identifying potential neoantigens. The software is available through github at https://github.com/neoanthill/neoANT-HILL.

This paper aims to explore the dynamic behavior of a segmental masonry arch subjected to increasing horizontal displacements of one support. To this end, output-only dynamic identification techniques are first used to track the evolution of the dynamic features of the system under progressive damage scenarios and evaluate their sensitivity to settlement-induced cracks. Considerations on the structural response of the segmental arch up to failure are also included. Then, a numerical procedure coupling linear perturbation and modal analysis is applied to simulate the dynamic behavior of the arch over consecutive scenarios, taking into account the influence of the damage on the structure’s dynamic properties in an automatic way. The combination of experimental and numerical analyses allows to fully investigate the dynamics of the cracked masonry arch and to shed light on relevant aspects about the effects of settlement-induced cracks on the modal blueprints of masonry arches.

CLT panels have been investigated for reinforcement of existing masonry-infilled RC framed buildings through the increase of the overall lateral stiffness of the structure, thus reducing the story drift demand. The contribution of CLT panels depends on the connection to the RC frame elements. This paper evaluates the role of connectors by which CLT is attached to RC frames for capacity, ductility, and energy dissipation of the structure and its elements separately using different kinds of RC-CLT connections, and ultimately finds and compares the optimum number and arrangement of connectors. The results show that the geometry of connections plays a greater seismic role in RC frames than their mechanical properties. Regarding masonry infills, they allow a higher strength capacity but reduce the efficacy of CLT strengthening. However, strong connectors decrease the ability of infills in dissipation. Finally, in the optimum arrangement of connectors, they are distributed equally along the upper and lower beams at equal spacing, where CLT is added, starting in the middle of the beams and moving to the frame corners.

This research investigates the texture influence of masonry walls’ lateral capacity by comparing analytical predictions performed via macro and micro limit analysis. In particular, the effect of regular and quasi-periodic bond types, namely Running, Flemish, and English, is investigated. A full factorial dataset involving 81 combinations is generated by varying geometrical (panel and block aspect ratio, bond type) and mechanical (friction coefficient) parameters. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach is used to investigate one-way and two-way factor interactions for each parameter in order to assess how it affects the horizontal load multiplier. Macro and micro limit analysis predictions are compared, and the differences in terms of mass-proportional horizontal load multiplier and failure mechanism are critically discussed. Macro and micro limit analysis provide close results, demonstrating the reliability of such approaches. Furthermore, results underline how the panel and block aspect ratio had the most significant effect on both the mean values and scatter of results, while no significant effect could be attributed to the bond types.

The concepts of structural assessment and retrofit of historical constructions are of particular complexity and require advanced knowledge in material science, conservation techniques and structural analysis. In particular, adobe constructions, given their low mechanical properties and brittle failure modes, are in immense need of comprehensive assessment and retrofitting plans. The current work focuses on the adobe Church of Kuñotambo in Peru, having experienced long periods of deterioration and earthquake-related damage. Under the ongoing Seismic Retrofitting Project (SRP) of the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), the structural assessment of the church initiated in 2015 confirmed the low lateral capacity of the building and the poor connectivity between the structural parts. Based on the existing cracks and damage, a strengthening scheme was optimized and validated. After the implementation of the retrofitting plan, the quality of its execution and efficiency were assessed in 2019 with a new in situ campaign, which included ambient vibration testing (AVT) and sonic testing. From the acquired field data, the FE model of the retrofitted church was optimized, by updating the stiffness properties of masonry and discontinuities. Moreover, nonlinear static analyses were performed on the updated model in all in-plan directions. Finally, a displacement-based performance assessment was undertaken, under different earthquake limit states, demonstrating the adequacy of the retrofitting.

The conservation of built cultural heritage is a fundamental task for modern societies. Specialized expertise is necessary to define a proper strategy to preserve a heritage that is accumulating damage due to the deterioration of materials, repeated loading, and exceptional events. This paper provides part of the work developed for the definition of the Conservation Management Plan of a 20th-century building in Africa. The monumental building, the Beira railway station, is in Mozambique and was considered among the one hundred more important 20th-century Portuguese engineering buildings. The work presented focuses on the analysis of damage, material characterization, and assessment of the comfort conditions of this concrete building—fundamental tasks for the understanding of the current condition of the building and the definition of appropriate remedial actions and maintenance tasks. The work provides a detailed definition of different approaches and techniques that can be implemented for this type of building to obtain reliable information to define measures and actions that are more in line with the reality of the building. Moreover, the work allows for a discussion on the long-term performance of Modern Movement buildings with low maintenance and the success of comfort concepts in local climatic conditions.

Resting cysts of planktonic dinoflagellates, once produced, sink to the seabed where they can remain viable for a long time. These cysts have important ecological roles, such as acting as the inoculum for the development of planktonic populations. Moreover, dinoflagellate cyst records from depth sediment cores are broadly used as a proxy to infer past environmental conditions. In this study, the main objective was to obtain information on the relationships between the spatial distribution of modern dinoflagellate cysts and present-day hydrography in the NW Iberian shelf. Cyst assemblages were analyzed in 51 surface sediment samples with varying grain sizes, collected at different water depths, following nine transects perpendicular to the coast, between Aveiro and Figueira da Foz (Atlantic Iberian margin). Multivariate statistical analyses revealed marked land-sea and latitudinal gradients in the distribution of cysts, and helped investigate how environmental factors [water depth, grain size, sea-surface temperature (SST), sea-surface salinity (SSS), bottom temperature (BTT) and surface chlorophyll-a concentration (CHL)] influence modern dinoflagellate cyst composition and abundances. Three main ecological signals were identified in the modern dinoflagellate cyst assemblages: (1) the heterotroph signal as the main upwelling signal; (2) the dominance of P. reticulatum and L. polyedra signal, indicative of warm stratified conditions, possibly reflecting transitional environments between more active inshore upwelling and warmer offshore waters; and (3) the G. catenatum signal for the presence of mid-shelf upwelling fronts. The almost absence of viable cysts of the toxic and potentially toxic species G. catenatum L. polyedra and P. reticulatum suggests that in the study area, for these species, there is no build-up of significant cyst beds and thus planktonic populations must depend on other seeding processes. These results are the first detailed modern distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in the NW Iberian Atlantic margin (off Portugal), and show a good correspondence with hydrographic features of summer upwelling season in the study area, meaning that they are reflecting water column characteristics and therefore may be used as supporting evidence for the interpretation of stratigraphic cyst records and reconstruction of past marine ecosystems in W Iberia.

The preservation and seismic risk mitigation of built cultural heritage is considered today as a major priority in the international political agenda. Among the great variety of heritage structures spread worldwide, masonry towers belong to one of the most vulnerable categories against earthquake actions due to their morphological and material singularity. The proper understanding of the structural behavior of these artefacts at the micro, meso and macro scales, combined with a thorough knowledge of the best analysis practices deriving from the shared experience of the scientific community working in this field, is a fundamental prerequisite to appropriately address their seismic assessment. In this context, the present work offers an extensive discussion on the major challenges that slender monumental towers pose in terms of characterization of their actual behavior under seismic actions. A critical appraisal of the principal analysis methods applicable to the study of these structures is also presented along with a brief review of the existing modelling strategies for their numerical representation. Relevant examples are discussed in support of each argument. In spite of being a relatively young discipline, earthquake engineering has made remarkable progress in the last years and appropriate modi operandi have been consolidating to tackle the seismic assessment of unconventional systems, such as slender heritage structures. The work is conceived in a format of interest for both practitioners and researchers approaching the seismic assessment of this type of structures, and for those in need of an overall practical review of the topic.

Dry-stone retaining walls can be found worldwide and constitute critical assets of the built heritage for many sloped territories, holding cultural and economic value. Their design currently follows empirical rules, though the first steps towards a static safety assessment have recently been proposed in the scientific and engineering literature. However, the seismic design of these structures still lacks research studies. Therefore, this work conducts discrete element simulations to assess their dynamic behaviour. First, the approach is validated through existing scaled-down shaking table experiments, and it is found that the numerical simulations are conservative (i.e., on the safe side). Next, full-scale dry-stone retaining walls are subjected to harmonic excitations as an idealisation of earthquakes. Finally, based on a simplified limit-equilibrium analytical tool, their seismic behaviour factor is estimated for the first time in the literature, which falls within the proposed values of the European standards (Eurocode 8). This will allow engineers to adopt a validated behaviour factor in practice to assess and design dry-stone retaining walls with a pseudo-static approach.

European countries are affected by various levels of seismic hazard, including many areas with medium to high seismicity. Heavy damage over large areas has been observed in past earthquakes in these countries, particularly in masonry buildings located in historical centers, confirming the need for enhancing the current knowledge on the seismic vulnerability of these constructions, so more informed technical and political decisions towards the mitigation of the risk can be taken. However, the characterization of building stocks for engineering purposes is still an open issue due to the enormous amount of resources that such a project would require. Nevertheless, the availability of virtual images and maps represents an outstanding opportunity for having remote approaches to urban environments. The role of on-site inspections can be complemented or even substituted by means of these remote approaches, provided it is complemented with suitable approaches. The use of these resources is not new, but the critical assessment of their capabilities and limitations deserves a critical discussion. The present paper aims at assessing the opportunities offered by web-based mapping platforms in the context of seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry buildings in old urban areas. After evaluating the advantages and shortcomings of some of the most popular web-based mapping services, an explanatory application to a set of 39 buildings located in the historic center of the city of Leiria (Portugal) is presented and critically discussed, contrasting the results obtained by using on-site and remote inspections. Two different seismic vulnerability assessment approaches are applied and analyzed herein, confirming that web-based mapping platforms can represent an efficient and cost-effective complement to traditional field surveys when the large-scale seismic vulnerability of old urban areas is of interest.