Federal University for Latin American Integration

A significant amount of the subproducts and residues generated in industrial fruit processing comprises seeds, which are often underutilized as a source of nutrients and are usually considered waste, fuel, or destined for animal feed. As the global demand for nonanimal proteins increases, grains and legume seeds have become important sources because of their high protein content. However, fruit seeds, a less traditional alternative, are gaining increasing attention as a viable source of protein with significant potential for nutritional and industrial applications. This review analyzes the composition and structural characteristics of seeds that are either traditionally used as food or are regarded as residues, considering their potential to cause chemical or physical interference in protein extraction. Various techniques, both established and emerging, developed to overcome these drawbacks are presented and discussed. These techniques include ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, and high-pressure-assisted extractions, as well as high-voltage electrical treatments. This review focuses on the advantages, yields, operating parameters and limitations, and environmental impacts, as well as the influences of individual extraction processes on the structure and techno-functional properties of protein ingredients. The possibilities of scaling up these extraction methods are addressed, highlighting current limitations and recent examples from the literature. Extensive efforts are still needed to produce seed proteins at the industrial scale, but a laboratory-scale basis for these advances has been established, particularly with the support of novel environmentally friendly extraction techniques.

This study investigates the development of composites based on poly(lactic acid) as a polymer matrix and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as reinforcement. The objective of the study was to explore the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the mechanical properties of PLA/CNC nanocomposites, prepared by melt extrusion and injection processes. The study details the preparation of PLA/CNC nanocomposites, followed by tensile tests to evaluate their mechanical properties. The employment of a neural network was employed to model the stress–strain curves enabling the precise prediction of mechanical parameters such as maximum stress, Young’s modulus, and maximum elongation. The results show that the artificial neural network model achieved notable prediction accuracy, and based on the model obtained, a software was developed to calculate the values of the mechanical properties of the materials. The employment of the artificial neural network model and developed software has been demonstrated to offer a highly start point to reduce the need for extensive physical experiments and consequently save time, costs, and resources in the characterization of novel materials. Graphical abstract

Surveys of local Euglossini faunas have largely focused on forests, considering the relationship that orchid bees have with such environments. So, large areas of Caatinga and even Cerrado are yet to be inventoried. Besides the relevance of knowing those faunas themselves, understanding the distribution of species in the dry diagonal of South America is central also to understanding the patterns of richness and endemism of orchid bees in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. Orchid bees were collected in an area of shrubby Caatinga at the locality of Três Irmãos, municipality of São José do Piauí, Piauí State, northeastern Brazil, using traps baited with aromatic compounds, from October, 2022 to November, 2023. Fifty-nine individuals of five species were sampled, and Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus, 1758) was the most common species, followed by Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841. Data collected in the region reinforce what is already known regarding the general patterns of orchid bees in the Caatinga biome: assemblages with a reduced number of species, mostly composed of widely distributed species, low abundance of individuals and marked seasonality.

In seismic imaging, understanding the relationship between wavefront-propagation velocity and time-interval velocity is crucial for achieving optimal resolution. However, this task becomes even more challenging when considering anisotropic situations. Over the past century, numerous seismic processing techniques have been developed and applied for practical purposes. However, the majority of these methods are specifically tailored for use in heterogeneous and isotropic models. The advancement of seismic technologies capable of effectively addressing media with anisotropic properties remains a significant technological challenge. To accurately account for the influence of anisotropy on wavefronts, it is essential to have a solid grasp of the underlying physics. Unfortunately, the anisotropy model that best describes the medium is often unknown. To address this issue, we utilize paraxial-ray theory in a ray-centered coordinate system to study the wavefront phenomenon. This approach allows us to develop explicit expressions that describe the physics of the problem. Using this theoretical framework, we can accurately generalize the relationship between time-migration rays and Dix velocity by incorporating the velocity-spreading factor for general anisotropic media. Moreover, the velocity-spreading factor provides valuable information for various applications, including model building, time-imaging, and time-to-depth conversion. In summary, the results presented here provide new tools to develop advanced seismic imaging technologies, which are fundamental to the oil and gas industry.

Olive oil production generates 6.23 kg/L of olive leaf residues, which are rich in macromolecules and bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to (i) develop and characterize starch-pectin films with olive leaves in powder form; (ii) optimize the formulations using a central composite rotatable design; and (iii) use the optimized film as edible, hydrosoluble sachets with spices for seasoning rice or olive leaves for infusion and analyze sensory acceptability. The response values ranged from 2.7 to 7 MPa for tensile strength, 8 to 13% for elongation at break, 4.1 to 8 mm⁻¹ for opacity, and 34 to 88% for water solubility. The optimized film showed UV protection (above 90%) with a moisture content of 11.4 ± 0.4%, water solubility of 83 ± 9%, water vapor permeability of 1.48 ± 0.04 g mm h⁻¹ m⁻² kPa⁻¹, water contact angle of 52 ± 1°, and antioxidant activity of 0.055 µM Trolox equivalents g⁻¹ (ABTS•+) and 60.19% (DPPH⁻). No heavy metals were detected in the multielement analyses. The optimized film was found to be suitable for use as edible hydrosoluble sachets, as it dissolved easily when the rice was cooked (10 ± 2 min) and in boiling water for infusion (5 min). The sensory analysis showed an acceptance and purchase intention of 85% and 81% for the rice seasoning sachets and 65% and 59% for the infusion sachets, respectively. Future studies should investigate the effects of olive leaf films on food preservation in different matrices.

Background. Describing the morphology of anuran larvae contributes towards filling gaps in taxonomy and natural history. This is especially relevant for explosive breeders, in which adults remain at the reproduction site for only a short period, while tadpoles may be more conspicuous. Here, we describe the larval external morphology and internal oral anatomy of the microhylid frog Chiasmocleis altomontana from near its type locality in southeastern Brazil. Methods.Wetook 13 linear morphometric measurements of 11 tadpoles between stages 35 and 39 from four ponds. To compare the larval external morphology of the genus, we also built a morphospace based on the log-shape ratio of linear measurements provided by the original descriptions. To impute missing data, we used a trait imputation method that considered the phylogenetic relationships and a Brownian Motion model of multivariate trait evolution. Finally, we provide novel quantitative and qualitative data on the tadpole of Chiasmocleis anatipes based on museum specimens. Results. The tadpole of C. altomontana is the largest among the Atlantic Forest species and the second largest of the genus, after C. anatipes. Like all species of the genus, the tadpole of C. altomontana is exotrophic, suspension feeder, Orton type II, and occurs in lentic temporary environments. Overall, C. altomontana shows subtle differences in dorsal fin height, dorsal fin insertion, tail tip, and snout in lateral view from its congeners. The spiracle of C. anatipes is ventral, single, covering the vent tube, as in all other microhylids. The species has a larger tail and interorbital distance than its congeners. All species of the Atlantic Forest clade are clustered together in the morphospace, suggesting little disparity, while those of the Amazonian clade are more spread, suggesting higher morphological disparity. Chiasmocleis altomontana was close to its sister species, Chiasmocleis mantiqueira, while C. anatipes differs greatly in terms of shape from the remaining species of the genus. Our results can improve our understanding of the morphological diversity of microhylid tadpoles and reduce the diversity shortfall in anuran larval forms

Due to Brazil?s significant role as a major global corn producer and the impact of pesticide accumulation in sediments on the health of aquatic ecosystems, this study addresses the need for a simplified method to assess pesticide residues in both matrices, corn and sediments. A modified QuEChERS method combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, was validated for the analysis of seven common pesticides in Paran? State, Brazil: desisopropylatrazine (DIA), deethylatrazine (DEA), diazinon, methyl parathion, pirimiphos methyl, malathion, and pirimiphos ethyl. Following the guidelines of INMETRO and SANTE 12682/2019, the method achieved quantification limits (8.40 - 15.00 ?g kg-1 for sediment and 8.80 - 13.00 ?g kg-1 for corn) below the maximum residue limits (MRL) established by EC 396/2005 for corn. The procedure demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99), recovery rates (70- 120%), and precision (relative standard deviations ? 20%). This validated method provides a unified, reliable, and sensitive approach for the multiresidue analysis of pesticides in corn and sediment, which is beneficial for environmental monitoring and food safety, particularly in essential agricultural regions like Brazil.

Under Penalty of Death: reveries of justice in Morris and Kieślowski – The text analyzes the figural aspects of The Thin Blue Line (Morris, 1988) and A Short Film About Killing (Kieślowski, 1988) as reveries of justice driven by the abolitionist imagination of the death penalty. This imagination finds its power in the inviolability of human life as a sense of justice experienced through poetic treatments of the death penalty as a visual motif. The films are approached via a theoretical dialogue between Bachelard’s concept of poetic reverie and Dubois’ Figural question, as they allow us to investigate fiction and documentary as filmic reveries that lead us to a poetic and political experience with the phenomenological world of justice.

Under Penalty of Death: reveries of justice in Morris and Kieślowski – The text analyzes the figural aspects of The Thin Blue Line (Morris, 1988) and A Short Film About Killing (Kieślowski, 1988) as reveries of justice driven by the abolitionist imagination of the death penalty. This imagination finds its power in the inviolability of human life as a sense of justice experienced through poetic treatments of the death penalty as a visual motif. The films are approached via a theoretical dialogue between Bachelard’s concept of poetic reverie and Dubois’ Figural question, as they allow us to investigate fiction and documentary as filmic reveries that lead us to a poetic and political experience with the phenomenological world of justice.

Introduction The shortage of organs remains one of the most challenging global problems nowadays. Donor's therapeutic hypothermia was suggested to decrease kidney delayed graft function (DGF) when compared to normothermia in previous trials, but the role of such intervention is still controversial. To assess this, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the benefits of donor hypothermia in DGF rate and Graft Failure. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies of deceased organ donors who underwent hypothermia or normothermia prior to kidney transplantation. Statistical analysis was performed using R Studio version 3.6. Heterogeneity was assessed using I ² statistics and a Baujat Plot. Results Four different RCTs were analyzed, including more than 3,000 recipients. Donor hypothermia was associated with a lower, but not statistically significant, rate of DGF (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.71–1.08; P = .21) and graft failure (RR 0.70; 95% CI 0.45–1.10; P = .12). When analyzing only expanded criteria donors, a significantly lower rate of DGF was observed in the hypothermia-treated group (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.47–0.89; P = .008). Sensitivity analysis identified one study as an outlier, probably due to protocol deviation. When excluded from the analysis, a significant reduction in DGF rate was observed among the hypothermia-treated group (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67–0.94; P = .007). Conclusion Our meta-analysis could not find a statistical difference between donor therapeutic hypothermia and normothermia in preventing DGF or Graft Failure. However, these results may be influenced by outliers and the limitations of the included studies. Further research is needed to clarify the role of donor hypothermia in kidney transplantation. If proven beneficial, it could be a promising alternative to sites where preservation techniques are limited, such as low-income countries. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024581665 , PROSPERO (CRD42024581665).

The Gamma and Delta variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS‐CoV‐2 drove the second and third wave in Brazil and significantly intensified the number of cases and deaths. In this study, we investigate the timeline and origins of the Gamma and Delta variants using a spatiotemporal analysis based on 1508 genomes collected between March and September 2021 from health administrative regions in Paraná state, Brazil. Our findings indicate that community transmission of Gamma‐P.1 began in late 2020, with substantial contributions from the Northeast and North regions. In contrast, our analysis of the Delta‐AY.101 genomes underscored the crucial role of Paraná in national‐level transmission dynamics beginning in late March 2021. At a local level, the movement estimates inferred from the monophyletic clades showed that the Curitiba health region was the primary source for Gamma‐P.1, with a substantial contribution from Londrina. This health‐region also emerged as an important hub for Delta‐AY.101. Our phylogeographical GLM analysis demonstrates that air travel fluxes and population size at the origin of locations were the strongest predictors of shaping SARS‐CoV‐2 dispersal dynamics within Paraná. In addition, viral load analysis suggests that Gamma‐P.1 and Delta‐AY.101 may have maintained a similarly high transmissibility potential throughout the evaluated months, providing insights into the prolonged co‐circulation dynamics. Our study underscores the relevance of understanding SARS‐CoV‐2 introductions and regional circulation contributions at the country level to enhance public health preparedness and strengthen local surveillance programs.

Resumo Estudo de série temporal com o objetivo de analisar a tendência de mortalidade materna segundo os critérios de evitabilidade, no Paraná, Brasil, e em suas regionais de saúde no período de 2005 a 2020. Foram analisadas as razões de mortalidade materna (RMM) a partir do número de óbitos maternos de mulheres residentes por 100 mil nascidos vivos, conforme regional de saúde, faixa etária e grupos CID-10. Foram calculadas as variações das RMM por meio do modelo de autorregressão de Prais-Winsten. Os resultados apontaram redução da RMM no estado, com destaque para as mulheres de 10 a 19 anos e para os óbitos que ocorreram no período puerperal. A maioria das regionais de saúde apresentou tendência de estabilidade. A magnitude da mortalidade materna no cenário atual apresenta-se como um grave problema de saúde pública das mulheres brasileiras, ainda encontrando-se, apesar da significativa melhora, em patamares alarmantes. Dessa forma, são necessárias ações e políticas de saúde pública mais eficientes no sentido de melhorar a qualidade de assistência à saúde às gestantes e puérperas.

This is a time series analysis that aimed to investigate the trend of maternal mortality, according to avoidability criteria, in Paraná, Brazil, and in its health regions, from 2005 to 2020. Maternal mortality ratios (MMR) were evaluated based on the number of maternal deaths of women residing in the state per 100,000 live births, and then analyzed according to health region, age group and ICD-10 groups. The variations of the MMR were calculated by the Prais-Winsten auto-regression model. The results pointed to a reduction in the MMR in the state, with emphasis on women aged 10 to 19 years and deaths that occurred in the puerperal period. Most of the health regions showed a tendency towards stability. The magnitude of maternal mortality in the current scenario presents itself as a serious public health problem for Brazilian women that, despite the significant improvement, it is still at alarming levels. Thus, more efficient public health actions and policies are needed to improve the quality of health care for pregnant and postpartum women.

Current evidence suggests that fragmentation might profoundly affect biological communities, including assemblages of orchid bees. The effects of fragmentation at the individual level, including their morphology, are still poorly understood. Here we explore variation in size and shape of wings of males of the euglossine Eufriesea violacea (Blanchard, 1840) inhabiting a strongly fragmented landscape in western Paraná state, Brazil. Bees were collected both in the largest Brazilian preserve of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest, the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, and in small fragments in the region. We considered traditional landmarks of wings to evaluate their size, shape, and circularity (as a specific shape variation), and studied the allometries between body size and wing traits. We found evidence that, while wing size and allometries did not vary, wing shape, on the other hand, varied significantly, including its circularity, as individuals possessing more circular wings were found at Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. Even if data did not support larger wings in individuals from small fragments, the more circular wings found in males from the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu could be related to the higher maneuverability required for flying in most structurally complex environments.

This study analyzes the feasibility of using pressure swirl atomizers at scale as energy generators. Likewise, the Ansys Fluent numerical simulation tool was used, configured based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) multiphase model and six DOF motion for rigid bodies. In turn, three configurations of feeding flow were tested: upper manifold, lower manifold, and dual manifold. The numerical results show that it is possible to produce mechanical energy with 29.4% and 32.9% efficiency (using the SST k-ω and k-ε turbulence model, respectively), while generating a uniform spray effect at the outlet of the atomizer, even though this has certain ovoid-type deformities. Likewise, it was found that the addition of an internal rotor to the swirl chamber caused the generation of a very low-pressure contour, leading to an increase in the mass flow consumption of the atomizer. Also, four cases were analyzed, considering a hydraulic supply of both manifolds: 250 kPa, 300 kPa, 350 kPa, and 400 kPa, in order to obtain the characteristic curve of the turbine depending on the mass flow obtained for each case. Finally, this research proves how viable the use of this type of technology is in the field of renewable energy generation and the impact on its performance under different configurations of hydraulic supply.

This study evaluated the crack-healing potential of cementitious matrices using different biological agents and application methods. The research involved the production of prismatic mortar samples (40 x 40 x 160 mm) were produced with a 1:3 (cement: sand) ratio and a 0.48 w/c ratio, with the addition of 10⁵ bacterial spores mL⁻¹ and 1% nutrients (yeast extract and calcium acetate) concerning the cement mass. Spores from 5 different biological agents (B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5) were applied in three ways: mixing water (AM), spraying (ASP), and mixing water and spraying (AM-ASP). Self-healing was evaluated in non-standard flexural induced cracks over 120 days by stereomicroscope image analysis, analysis of calcium carbonate presence using the thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and the precipitate’s mineralogical composition evaluation using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) assay. The bacteria studied performed well in the biodeposition of calcium carbonate in the cement matrix for the three types of application tested. The Bacillus subtilis (B1), B. subtilis (B2), and B. cereus (B4) bacteria stood out the most when applied to the mixing water and the combination of mixing water with spraying. For the period evaluated, samples with small cracks (less than 0.43 mm) were more successful in self-healing. Using Bacillus species bacteria as biological self-healing agents in cementitious matrices could be a promising solution for minimizing pathological manifestations resulting from cracks.

The article focuses on the analysis of the izibongo zamakhosi (praise poems) collected in the region of the Colony of Natal and Zululand by the colonial administrator James Stuart between the 1890s and 1920s, with a particular focus on the poems recorded in his conversations with Mtshayankomo kaMagolwana, the son of Magolwana kaMkhathini, one of the main Zulu izimbongi “praise poets”) between the 1810s and 1860s. The analysis, which considers the izibongo as cultural objects produced in situations of “memory framing” (to use Michael Pollak’s term) and recorded in a context marked by the advances of colonialism, aims to reflect on the political dimensions of the “praise poems”, their relationship with the power dynamics in the Zulu chiefdoms in southeastern Africa as well as the interpretations of the past promoted in the meeting between written culture and orality. African History; South Africa; Zulu Kingdom

Motivation The accelerated and widespread conversion of once continuous ecosystems into fragmented landscapes has driven ecological research to understand the response of biodiversity to local (fragment size) and landscape (forest cover and fragmentation) changes. This information has important theoretical and applied implications, but is still far from complete. We compiled the most comprehensive and updated database to investigate how these local and landscape changes determine species composition, abundance and trait diversity of multiple taxonomic groups in forest fragments across the globe. Main Types of Variables Contained We gathered data for 1472 forest fragments, providing information on the abundance and composition of 9154 species belonging to vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. For 2703 of these species, we obtained more than 20 functional traits. We provided the spatial location and size of each fragment and metrics of landscape composition and configuration. Spatial Location and Grain The dataset includes 1472 forest fragments sampled in 121 studies from all continents except Antarctica. Most datasets (77%) are from tropical regions, 17% are from temperate regions, and 6% are from subtropical regions. Species abundance and composition were collected at the plot or fragment scale, whereas the landscape metrics were extracted with buffer size ranging from a radius of 200–2000 m. Time Period and Grain Data on the abundance of species and community composition were collected between 1994 and 2022, and the landscape metrics were extracted from the same year that a given study collected the abundance and composition data. Major Taxa and Level of Measurement The studied organisms included invertebrates (Arachnida, Insecta and Gastropoda; 41% of the datasets), vertebrates (Amphibia, Squamata, Aves and Mammalia; 44%), and vascular plants (19%), and the lowest level of identification was species or morphospecies. Software Format The dataset and code can be downloaded on Zenodo or GitHub.

Introduction Parkinson’s disease (PD) is mainly characterized by motor symptoms including muscle rigidity, resting tremor and bradykinesia. However, the management of the non-motor symptoms represent a relevant clinical challenger in PD. These non-motor symptoms include cognitive and sleep disturbance and there is evidence that cannabinoids may represent alternative and effective treatments for non-motor symptoms of PD. Methods Therefore, this study addressed the effects of oral treatment with cannabis extract on cognition, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness in six patients with moderate PD. The patients were randomized to receive two different doses of a cannabis extract: THC:CBD 250:28 μg/day (n = 3) or 1000:112 μg/day (n = 3). The assessment of cannabis administration related to the cognitive field was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA test), the insomnia was assessed by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). All clinical evaluations were performed before treatment and at 15, 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. Results The statistical analysis indicated a significant benefit of the cannabis extract treatment, at dose of 1000:112 μg/day after 60 days of treatment, on insomnia assessed by ISI. Moreover, the statistical analysis of data from ISI and MoCA tests showed a trend toward improvement over time, while no significant effect was observed in the ESS. There were no reports of significant adverse effects during the cannabis extract treatment. Discussion These results demonstrate benefits of short-time treatment (60 days) with low doses of cannabis extract on insomnia in PD patients. This study provide novel findings of the potential of combining CBD and THC as safe and effective treatments for non-motor symptoms of PD.