Recent publications
- Felipe Arruda Moura
- Fabio Giuliano Caetano
- Ricardo da Silva Torres
Pesticides may be present in the atmosphere in their gaseous form or adhered to particulate matter. To determine these compounds, techniques involving active and passive sampling are used prior to...
This preliminary experimental investigation analyzes and compares the impregnation behavior of a bio‐epoxy polymer on curaua (Ananas erectifolius) fibers versus conventional glass fibers under laboratory‐scale conditions. The study explores how distinct fiber characteristics, particularly surface roughness and filament arrangement, influence impregnation dynamics such as penetration depth and droplet spreading efficiency. Experiments were conducted using gravitational forces, environmental pressures, and polymer droplet mass as the sole driving factors, without applying external mechanical pressure or controlled roller velocities. Simplified Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations qualitatively validated the observed impregnation trends and droplet behaviors. Results indicated that curaua fibers, with their higher surface roughness, exhibited approximately 19% lower polymer penetration depth at 12 s compared to glass fibers. An inverse problem approach based on Darcy's law was used to estimate a required external pressure of 1.32 MPa and an impregnation velocity of 41.58 mm/s for curaua fiber tows under the tested conditions. Overall, the findings provide essential exploratory insights into natural fiber through the estimated impregnation pressure and velocity in prepreg processing dynamics, directly contributing to future optimization efforts for biocomposite prepreg manufacturing processes.
This study investigates the rheological behaviour of 3D-printable mortars incorporating fine recycled concrete aggregates (FRCA), focusing on the influence of 25% and 50% FRCA substitution on key rheological parameters, such as flow spread, penetration resistance, shear stress, and yield stress over time. Rheological tests were conducted at 20, 40, and 60 minutes to capture the time-dependent behaviour of the mixtures. The flow spread test evaluated the mortar’s consistency and ability to maintain workability over time, essential for continuous extrusion during the printing process. The penetration resistance test assessed the stiffening rate of the mortar, providing insights into setting time and early strength development. The vane and slug tests measured yield stress, a critical parameter for ensuring buildability and layer stability, indicating the mixture’s capacity to support subsequent layers without deformation or collapse. The results from the reference mixture were used to compare the performance of mortars with 25% and 50% FRCA content, highlighting the impact of recycled aggregates on time-dependent rheological properties. Mortars containing FRCA exhibited differences in flow retention and yield stress evolution, which are key factors influencing extrudability and printability in additive manufacturing processes.
This study aimed to evaluate the presence, identify Eimeria species, and epidemiological aspects associated with the infection in goat herds in northern Paraná, Brazil. A total of 384 fecal samples were collected from goats of different breeds, ages, and sexes from eight farms. An epidemiological questionnaire about rearing system (semi-intensive or intensive), age of the animals (up to 6 months or over 6 months), and type of floor in the pen (dirt or slatted) was used to evaluate the epidemiological aspects associated with Eimeria spp. infection. The McMaster technique was used to count Eimeria spp. oocysts. After oocyst counting, the samples were separated for sporulation and species identification. In total, 82.3% (316/384) of the samples showed positive results. For OPG, 37% of the animals exhibited counts >1,000 OPG (max.63600 OPG), whereas 63% had counts <1,000 OPG. Animals from semi-intensive production systems had high oocyst counts (mean-2139 OPG). Goats raised in pens with slatted floors (mean-1158 OPG) have lower average oocyst counts than those raised in facilities with dirt floors (mean-2714 OPG). Eight Eimeria species were identified E. arloingi (23.9%), E. apsheronica (19.7%), E. ninakohlyakimovae (14.3%), E. alijevi (12%), E. caprina (10%), E. jolchijevi (9%), E. hirci (6.9%) and E. christenseni (4.2%). This study showed a high prevalence of Eimeria spp. in goats in northern Paraná, Brazil.
Background
Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PhA) are important for monitoring hydration, muscle function, and quality of life in older adults. Resistance training (RT) can counteract aging’s adverse effects on cellular integrity and function.
Objective
This study compared the effects of RT volume reduction on BIVA and PhA in physically independent older women. Sixty-seven participants (>60 years) underwent a 20-week standardized whole-body RT program (eight exercises, three sets each, 8–12 repetitions, three non-consecutive days per week in the morning). They were then randomly assigned to one of the three eight-week training conditions following the training model described above: reduced volume to one set (RV1, n = 22), two sets (RV2, n = 24), or maintained volume (MV, n = 21). Bioimpedance spectroscopy measured total body water (TBW), intracellular (ICW), and extracellular (ECW) water, BIVA, and PhA based on resistance (R), impedance (Z), reactance (Xc), and height (H). All groups showed significant increases in TBW, ICW, and ECW during the volume reduction phase (P < 0.05).
Results
R, R/H, Z, and Z/H decreased across all groups, with significant changes from the pre-conditioning phase in the RV1 and RV2 groups (P < 0.05). Xc and Xc/H increased during the pre-conditioning phase across all groups and returned to baseline during the volume reduction phase (P < 0.05). PhA increased during the pre-conditioning and was maintained during the volume reduction phase (RV1 = +0.33°, RV2 = +0.50°, MV = +0.47°; P < 0.05).
Conclusion
These results suggest that reducing RT volume by up to one-third can still improve PhA, BIVA, and hydration status in older women.
Exploitation of disease resistance genes in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), as an effective method for management of Phytophthora sojae (Kauf. & Gerd.), is on the verge of an impasse. Few of the known resistance genes are commercially exploited, and even fewer have been precisely identified. Therefore, little is known about the identities or relationships between those genes, a hindrance preventing optimal introgression of new sources of resistance into elite soybean lines. In this study, we have applied state‐of‐the‐art nucleotide‐binding and leucine‐rich repeat gene capture (RenSeq) using a set of approximately 80,000 unique baits on near‐isogenic lines, whole‐genome resequencing, and bulked segregant analysis to uncover a resistance gene that has remained elusive for 40 years. This work highlights the reassessment of the Rps3b locus from Chr13 to Chr7 and the description of two alleles, from Turkish and Chinese landraces, of a sole candidate gene. We have identified Rps3b in four, fully resequenced, genetic backgrounds, including the original PI from 1985, in which the resistance gene was originally described. Specificity of the resistant alleles was achieved through phenotypic characterization with field isolates carrying virulent and avirulent forms of the corresponding effector, Avr3b. Surprisingly, these alleles showed extremely high synteny and sequence identity with Rps11 consistent with allelism, and conferred a resistance phenotype indistinguishable from that of the recently cloned Rps11. These results offer new sources of resistance for breeders that are effective against the current P. sojae pathotypes in the field.
The objective of this study was to map the criteria for diagnostic hypotheses of ADHD in school practice, based on the experience of pedagogues/psychopedagogues/psychologists in the city of Londrina, Paraná. The aim was also to discuss and compare these data to the institutionalized diagnostic and treatment model, in addition to understanding the social aspects of this psychopathology. Thirteen professionals responsible for their work with approximately 1,000 students from the public school system, and 79 patients participated in the research. The method uses the descriptive type with survey and correlational designs, and qualitative data treatment based on content analysis, with questionnaires and interviews as instruments. The responses were quantified and compared to the data presented by official bodies, with their respective legal standards, and presented results very close to the theoretical questions about the diagnosis of ADHD. It was observed that there was little interest in the participation of institutions in the research, insufficient participation of those responsible, lack of compliance with the criteria for the identification of psychopathology and the exclusion, by means of a Public Authority Resolution, of Psychoanalysis as a possibility of psychological evaluation or non-drug treatment. The empirical data, correlated with the quantitative data obtained and the subjective theoretical criteria presented by the DSM-V TR, can provide a new perspective of action, bringing Psychology closer to the diagnostic context, with an emphasis on the psychological evaluation based on psychoanalysis, outlined by the research.
Objective
To explore the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and persistent subretinal fluid (pSRF) at the macula after successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery.
Methods
This is a retrospective multicenter comparative study of Caucasian subjects with successful RRD repair. SFCT was measured in 2 groups: Group 1 with persistent subretinal fluid (pSRF) 1 month after repair, and Group 2 with absence of pSRF. SFCT was measured by a masked observer based on ImageJ. Multiple regression analyses were implemented to control for age, refraction, and gender.
Results
Surgery type was as follows: Group 1 (24 scleral buckle SB, 23 pars plana vitrectomy PPV, 9 SB+PPV, and 5 pneumoretinopexy), and Group 2 (68 PPV). Adjusted mean 1-month SFCT was thicker in Group 1 than in Group 2 by 41.0 µm (p = 0.049). Within Group 1, PPV subgroup tended to have thinner SFCT than the other subgroups by: SB (117.4 µm), SB-PPV (9.3) and pneumoretinopexy (1.2 µm) (all p>0.05). SFCT at 1-month was not different between pSRF (237.5±77.2 µm) and no pSRF (213.7±72.1 µm) in PPV groups (p=0.2).
Conclusion
SFCT post PPV appeared similar in eyes with or without pSRF. In eyes with pSRF, SFCT tended to be thicker following SB compared to PPV.
Background
It has been proposed that the school origin of items for cross-institutional Progress Tests (PTs) may introduce a bias in favour of students from the same school, posing a potential threat to the validity and reliability of PT results and cross-institutional comparisons. The aim of this study was to examine whether origin bias is present in a Brazilian cross-institutional PT examination.
Methods
This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis of seven schools affiliated with the oldest PT consortium in Brazil, utilising a pooled analysis of differences in students’ performance concerning self and non-self items. A proportional meta-analysis of the items’ rate differences and confidence intervals with random effects was performed, providing an odds ratio (OR) for self and non-self items. Differences between the two groups of items were assessed by scrutinising whether the OR and 95% confidence intervals overlapped.
Results
The findings indicated no discernible differences in psychometric indices based on the school responsible for item creation. Three schools consistently demonstrate superior performance on items authored by their faculty, however, these they also excelled on non-self items. Furthermore, an overlap in the 95% confidence intervals for both self and non-self items was observed across all seven schools.
Conclusions
In contrast to prior reports, this study revealed the absence of origin bias, suggesting that adoption of best practices in blueprinting, item writing, and editing may have played a role in mitigating such bias.
Biochar application is strategic to improve soil quality and productivity. However, the effects of biochar produced from sewage sludge with cashew pruning biomass; and cashew bagasse on the physical attributes of degraded soils in arid regions remain unclear. The hypotheses were: (1) biochars from the co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and cashew pruning (SSPB) and cashew bagasse (CBB) improve the physical quality of degraded soil and maize growth; (2) SSPB, richer in nutrients, facilitates better maize growth compared to CBB; (3) for each biochar, there is an optimal rate to improve soil physical quality and maize growth. We collected samples in the 0–10 cm layer of a Planosol from a desertification nucleus. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 2 × 4 + 1 (two biochars: SSPB and CBB; four doses: 5, 10, 20, and 40 Mg ha⁻1; and a control), totaling 36 experimental units. Water demand, plant development, and soil physical attributes were assessed. During incubation, SSPB at 5 and 10 Mg ha⁻1 reduced available water capacity (AWC) by 25% compared to the control. In post-cultivation, SSPB reduced penetration resistance and increased aggregate stability. CBB increased AWC by 30% and reduced water demand by 40% at 9 Mg ha⁻1. SSPB reduced bulk density by 4% at 22.6 Mg ha⁻1. SSPB improved soil physical quality significantly, while CBB optimized water use efficiency. Recommended doses are 20–25 Mg ha⁻1 for SSPB and 9 Mg ha⁻1 for CBB.
Adenium (Apocynaceae) is a genus that contains succulent species, with sculptural stems and large variations in flower shapes and colors. Most of the world’s production chain consists of hybrids, and A. obesum (2n = 22) is the species with the greatest ornamental interest. Adenium arabicum (2n = 44) and A. obesum differ in their morphological characteristics and are found in distinct geographical areas. According to botanical nomenclature rules, A. arabicum should be named A. obesum or a variety thereof. However, this may be genetically questionable. Although genetic variation data for desert roses is scarce, it is crucial for the ornamental plant production sector. The objective of this study was to use data from flow cytometry, karyotype and nucleus characterization, repetitive DNA fraction, bioinformatic tools and physical location of sequences by in situ hybridization to improve understanding of genomic diversity among diploid and tetraploid A. obesum varieties. The karyotypes were composed of meta- and submetacentric chromosomes, and the genome size ranged from 2C = 1.98 pg in diploid samples to 2C = 2.92 pg in tetraploid samples. Chromosome banding revealed similarities between the varieties, with the accumulation of AT-rich regions (DAPI+) bands present in the proximal-interstitial chromosome regions, and a smaller number of GC-rich regions (CMA+). The DAPI+ and CMA+ regions, along with ribosomal DNA and Gypsy retrotransposons, predominated in the interphase chromocenters. Differences in the morphology, chromosome number, in situ hybridization signals, and the DNA C-value between these two groups of samples reinforces that they are distinct species and not varieties. Particularly since it would be very difficult to obtain regular meiosis from the crossing of two different sets of chromosomes. Such information is important for the genetic improvement of desert roses.
Paracoccidioidomycosis is an important deep mycosis in Latin American countries. Its causative agents have been reclassified into five distinct species based on genetic differences: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto, Paracoccidioides americana, Paracoccidioides restrepiensis, Paracoccidioides venezuelensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii. In this study, we propose a new method, based on a nested PCR for partial alpha-tubulin gene amplification, as a tool for diagnosis and species differentiation directly from biological samples. The method could amplify the DNA of the five cultivable Paracoccidioides spp. without amplifying DNA from other fungal species such as Mucor fragilis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Cryptococcus neoformans. The nested PCR detected Paracoccidioides spp. from fresh and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of experimentally infected animals. Amplicons obtained from fresh tissues were successfully used in traditional downstream methods, such as RFLP, for Paracoccidioides spp. identification.However, amplicons from FFPE tissues exhibited several artifacts induced by formalin, which interfered with the RFLP results. DNA sequencing of these nested PCR products revealed G > T/T > G, A > T/T > A, T > C/C > T, and G > A/A > G base changes, affecting the sequence targets for enzymatic digestion.
Background and aims
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production and food security. This study aimed to estimate the savings generated by BNF in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and mung bean (Vigna radiata).
Material and methods
Data on the area, production and productivity of the crops in this study were obtained from the Brazilian agricultural censuses of 2006 and 2017. We estimated the amount of N (urea) necessary to produce 1000 kg of grain of each bean species in the absence of inoculation. The contribution of BNF to the N supply of each legume species was obtained from studies using the ¹⁵N natural abundance method.
Results
We highlight that in Brazil, the savings generated by the BNF were US59 million with cowpeas, and US$119 million with common beans, in 2017. The savings generated by BNF per hectare planted with common beans in 2017 increased by 40% compared to 2006, mainly due to the significant increase of 64% in the grain yield of this crop.
Conclusion
Our study highlights the importance of BNF in the production of these pulse species that allows a reduction in the use of N-fertilizers and an increase in savings in these production systems, which contributes to sustainability of agricultural production.
Background
Natriuretic peptides (NP) are widely used to diagnose heart failure (HF), but their role in guiding treatment remains uncertain. We performed a randomized trial meta‐analysis comparing NP‐guided therapy to usual care in acute decompensated HF.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for RCTs comparing NP‐guided therapy to usual care in acute decompensated HF. Outcomes included all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and a composite of mortality and HF hospitalizations (reported as RR and 95% CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using I², and a random‐effects model was applied when appropriate. Analyses were performed in R Studio 4.3.2.
Results
We included 9 RCTs with 3992 patients, of whom 2007 (50.3%) underwent NP‐guided treatment. The median follow‐up was 12 months. All‐cause mortality (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.69–1.01; p = 0.069; I² = 41%), cardiovascular death (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.78–1.08; p = 0.287; I² = 0%), and the composite outcome of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.77–1.09; p = 0.308; I² = 56%) were not significantly different between groups. The time to event analysis of all‐cause mortality had a slightly significant advantage in favor of NP‐guided therapy (HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.69–0.95; p = 0.01; I² = 0%).
Conclusion
Although NP‐guided therapy showed a statistically significant benefit in time to all‐cause mortality, this was not consistently reflected across other endpoints, and its overall clinical impact remains uncertain.
Background
Mandibular instability during primary tooth eruption has been suggested as a factor associated with parent‐reported awake bruxism (PRAB) in early childhood, but this relationship remains unclear.
Objective
To evaluate the association between PRAB frequency and the number of erupted primary teeth by dental groups, as well as signs and symptoms of tooth eruption, oral habits, and sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods
This cross‐sectional study included 144 Brazilian children aged 4–36 months. Parents/caregivers completed an interview‐based questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, oral habits, signs and symptoms of tooth eruption, and PRAB frequency. A single‐trained dentist performed oral examinations to record erupted primary teeth. Descriptive analysis, chi‐square, and Kruskal‐Wallis tests were conducted ( p < 0.05).
Results
The prevalence of PRAB was 16.7%. No significant association was found between PRAB frequency and sex, age, oral habits, or signs and symptoms of tooth eruption. However, more erupted primary molars ( p = 0.038) and canines ( p = 0.022) were associated with a lower PRAB frequency.
Conclusion
The number of erupted primary molars and canines was associated with the frequency of PRAB in early childhood, supporting the hypothesis that AB during this stage may represent an adaptive behaviour.
Periphyton is essential for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, contributing mainly to primary productivity and acting at the base of the food web. Temperature is a determining factor in the development of periphytic algae, as it infuences
community structuring and colonization process. In this context, the primary production of periphyton was evaluated on artifcial substrates (glass slides) for 60 days in temperature treatments at 28, 30 and 32 ºC. The experiment occurred in
mesocosms located in a fsh-farming tank. The biomass proxy of the periphyton was evaluated through Chlorophyll a, and the environmental variables were verifed. To investigate the efect of temperature and colonization time on periphytic biomass, repeated-measures ANOVA was applied. The highest biomass peak was recorded in the treatment at 32 ºC, specifcally 20 days after the start of the experiment. In contrast, the lowest amount was observed at 32 days in the treatment at 30 ºC.
We concluded that the highest temperature of 32 ºC determined greater biomass of periphytic algae and more accelerated colonization process.
Cartilage-derived migratory cells show great potential for autologous use in cartilage repair surgery. However, their collection through arthroscopic biopsy has not been previously reported in individuals without osteoarthritis. This study aimed to characterize migratory cartilage cells isolated from arthroscopic biopsies of volunteers without osteoarthritis and compare them with cells obtained by enzymatic digestion. Cell cultures were successfully established using both methods—enzymatic digestion and cell migration—from cartilage explants, with no significant differences observed in stem cell markers or plasticity between the cell lines. Cells derived from both procedures exhibited characteristics of mesenchymal stem cell, including fibroblast-like morphology, expression of CD29, CD90, and CD105 markers, absence of hematopoietic and endothelial cell markers, and the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts under appropriate conditions. Cells obtained by migration showed lower expression of collagen I and II, along with reduce collagen II/collagen I ratio, both positively associated with chondral matrix production, as well as lower RUNX2 expression. However, no differences were found in the levels of SOX9, essential for chondrogenic differentiation, or in the expression of perlecan gene. Syndecan-1 expression was lower in cells obtained by migration. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that cartilage-derived migratory cells can be successfully obtained from arthroscopic biopsies of individuals without osteoarthritis, presenting comparable dedifferentiation and plasticity profiles. Furthermore, these cells express essential chondrogenic markers and proteins. Although further in vivo studies are needed to determine their effective regenerative potential, cartilage-derived migratory cells represent a promising avenue for cartilage repair strategies.
This study compares electricity consumption between solar water heating systems and electric showers in twelve bioclimatic zones in Brazil. Solar heating was assessed using the simplified and detailed methods of INMETRO's Normative Instruction for Residential Buildings (INI-R) and the Energy Plus programme. At the same time, electric showers were analysed using programming routines. Annual energy consumption for water heating varied between 143 and 1825 kWh for electric showers and between 0 and 539 kWh for solar heating systems, with differences in the results depending on the methodology used for evaluation. The economic viability of solar heating depends on the climate and the local energy tariff, being advantageous only in Canela, Vitória da Conquista, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, Goiânia and Cuiabá. The study highlights the need for more research on the subject and recommends that INMETRO reconsiders adopting the simplified method, as it presents more favourable results for certification than the detailed method.
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