An artificial intelligence approach of feature engineering and ensemble methods depicts the rumen microbiome contribution to feed efficiency in dairy cows.

Genetic selection has remarkably helped U.S. dairy farms to decrease their carbon footprint by more than doubling milk production per cow over time.

Borosilicate glass as a surface finishing alternative for improving the mechanical properties of third-generation zirconia.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of an experimental borosilicate glass on the mechanical and optical behavior of 5Y-PSZ zirconia and comparing it to commercial glaze and as-sintered.

Methods: Disc-shaped specimens of a 5Y-PSZ (Zpex Smile) were prepared and sintered (1550 °C, 2 h). The zirconia discs were randomly divided according to the surface treatment: as-sintered (C), commercial glaze (G), and experimental borosilicate glass (SL).

12 weeks of resistance training with progressive intensity improves the diagnostic parameters of sarcopenia in individuals of advanced age.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training (RT) with progressive intensity on factors associated with sarcopenia in older individuals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 74 participants (64.27 ± 7.

How do distinct facets of tree diversity and community assembly respond to environmental variables in the subtropical Atlantic Forest?

This study assessed the impact of altitude, precipitation, and soil conditions on species richness (SR), phylogenetic diversity (PD), and functional diversity (FD) standardized effect sizes in subtropical Brazilian Atlantic Forest tree communities. We considered specific trait information (FDs) for FD, reflecting recent adaptive evolution, contrasting with deeper phylogenetic constraints in FD. Three functional traits (leaf area-LA, wood density-WD, and seed mass-SM) were examined for their response to these gradients.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Homecare Services for Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

This study provides an overview of the literature on the cost-effectiveness of homecare services compared to in-hospital care for adults and older adults. A systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases from inception to April 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) (older) adults; (ii) homecare as an intervention; (iii) hospital care as a comparison; (iv) a full economic evaluation examining both costs and consequences; and (v) economic evaluations arising from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Influence of Alpha-Actinin-3 R577X Polymorphism on Muscle Damage and the Inflammatory Response after an Acute Strength Training Session.

The objective of this study was to verify the influence of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on muscle damage and the inflammatory response after an acute strength training (ST) session. Twenty-seven healthy male individuals (age: 25 ± 4.3 years) participated in the study, including 18 RR/RX and 9 XX individuals.

Global relationships in tree functional traits.

Due to massive energetic investments in woody support structures, trees are subject to unique physiological, mechanical, and ecological pressures not experienced by herbaceous plants. Despite a wealth of studies exploring trait relationships across the entire plant kingdom, the dominant traits underpinning these unique aspects of tree form and function remain unclear. Here, by considering 18 functional traits, encompassing leaf, seed, bark, wood, crown, and root characteristics, we quantify the multidimensional relationships in tree trait expression.

Cleaning and Surface Treatment Protocols for Repair of Aged Y-TZP with Composite Resin.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cleaning and surface treatment techniques in the repair of aged and contaminated yttrium oxide-stabilized tetragonal polycrystalline zirconia (Y-TZP). From a total of 80 specimens of Y-TZP, 60 were subjected to aging simulation in a buccal environment with degradation in an autoclave for 24 hours (127°C/1.5 bar) and contaminated with Streptococcus mutans.

Floristic patterns of alluvial forests in Atlantic Forest and Pampa: Climate and geographic insertion as determining factors.

The aims of this study were to identify floristic assemblages for alluvial forests in the Atlantic Forest and Pampa regions in Brazil, assess the level of floristic similarity between assemblages, and determine environmental gradients and indicator species for these assemblages. Surveys carried out in alluvial forests in the Atlantic Forest and Pampa regions were selected, based on which a presence/absence matrix was built for tree species. A cluster analysis was performed to verify the existence of species assemblages.

Monogenoids (Polyonchoinea, Dactylogyridae) from Hydrolycus armatus (Characiformes, Cynodontidae) with the description of a new species of Rhinoxenus and the proposal of a new genus from the Xingu River, Pará, Brazil.

One new species of Rhinoxenus Kritsky, Boeger & Thatcher, 1988 from the nasal cavities and four new species of Mymarothecioides n. gen. from the gills are described in Hydrolycus armatus (Jardine & Schomburgk).

Non-locked and locked small fragment straight plates have a similar behavior in buttressing the posteromedial shear tibial plateau fragment: a biomechanical analysis of three different fixations.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the biomechanical behavior of three different fixation constructions currently used for buttressing the posteromedial shearing tibial plateau fragment. Our hypothesis is that non-locked implants provide sufficient comparable stability in posteromedial tibial plateau fractures as locked implants.

Methods: Fifteen left synthetic tibiae from a single manufacturing batch were used to create a posteromedial shear tibial plateau fracture.

ANTEGRADE X RETROGRADE NAILING IN FEMORAL FRACTURES: A STUDY ON CONSOLIDATION AND INFECTION.

Objective: Osteosynthesis with intramedullary nailing is considered the method of choice to treat diaphyseal femur fractures in adults. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the bone healing time and incidence of infection in patients with diaphyseal femur fractures treated surgically with retrograde and antegrade intramedullary nailing.

Methods: The medical records of 123 patients from two university hospitals dated 2011-2013 were evaluated, with 126 diaphyseal femur fractures having been found.

Sonochemical time standardization for bioactive materials used in periimplantar defects filling.

The aim of this study was determinate the best sonochemical time in order to obtain better bone characteristics when a bioactive material (Biogran) is used in the filling periimplantar defects. In this study, 32 rats were submitted to surgical proceedings to create a periimplantar defect that was filled with Biogran receiving different sonochemical times: 15 (G1), 30 (G2), 45 (G3) or 90 min (G4). The biomaterial was characterized through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Ligustrum lucidum W. T. Aiton (broad-leaf privet) demonstrates climatic niche shifts during global-scale invasion.

Biological invasions are a major threat to global biodiversity. Ligustrum lucidum, native to temperate Asia, is one of the most invasive plant species in the world. Climate is an important ecological factor influencing species distribution.

BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene.

Motivation: The BioTIME database contains raw data on species identities and abundances in ecological assemblages through time. These data enable users to calculate temporal trends in biodiversity within and amongst assemblages using a broad range of metrics. BioTIME is being developed as a community-led open-source database of biodiversity time series.

Helminth fauna of chiropterans in Amazonia: biological interactions between parasite and host.

Amazonia, the largest Brazilian biome, is one of the most diverse biomes around the world. Considering the Brazilian chiropteran species, 120 out of known 167 species are registered in Pará state, with 10 endemic species. Despite the high diversity of bats in Amazonia, studies on their parasites, especially on helminths, are scarce.

Physicochemical characterisation and radical-scavenging activity of Cucurbitaceae seed oils.

Oils extracted from Cucurbitaceae seeds were characterised for their fatty acid and tocopherol compositions. In addition, some physicochemical characteristics, total phenolic contents and the radical-scavenging activities were determined. Oil content amounted to 23.

Direct reversal of glucocorticoid resistance by AKT inhibition in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Glucocorticoid resistance is a major driver of therapeutic failure in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Here, we identify the AKT1 kinase as a major negative regulator of the NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor protein activity driving glucocorticoid resistance in T-ALL. Mechanistically, AKT1 impairs glucocorticoid-induced gene expression by direct phosphorylation of NR3C1 at position S134 and blocking glucocorticoid-induced NR3C1 translocation to the nucleus.

Comparison of the VCTS-6500 and the CSV-1000 tests for visual contrast sensitivity testing.

The aim of this study was to analyze if differences exist between two available contrast sensitivity tests that use similar stimuli, specifically, the CSV-1000 (VectorVision, Greenville, OH)) and the VCTS-6500 (Vistech, Dayton, OH). Contrast sensitivity was measured on 105 healthy patients with ages ranged from 19 to 26 years with visual acuity of 20/25 or better. The tests were performed in the same room and contrast sensitivity was measured with the VCTS-6500 system and CSV-1000.

A new double-cone nitinol device for PDA occlusion: design, manufacturing and initial in vivo results.

Use of occluder devices for a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure is restricted to small diameter PDAs and involves high device costs. The objective of this study was to develop a new nitinol implant for the closure of a PDA and to evaluate its safety and efficacy in an animal model. The design consists of a device that promotes thrombus formation in the PDA.