Artificial neural networks to estimate the sorption and desorption of the herbicide linuron in Brazilian soils.

Generally, herbicides used in Brazil follow manufacturer's recommendations, which often do not consider soil attributes. Statistical models that include the physicochemical properties of the soil involved in herbicide retention processes could enable greater precision in herbicide dose decision-making. This study evaluated the potential of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the sorption and desorption of the herbicide linuron in Brazilian soils with different attributes.

The Rodent Electronic Nicotine Delivery System: Description and Validation of an Apparatus for Nose-Only E-Cigarette Aerosol Inhalation in Freely Moving Rats.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of death globally and in the U.S. After decades of decline, driven by decreases in combusted tobacco use, nicotine product use has increased due to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), also known as e-cigarettes or vapes.

The Effect of Climatic Conditions on the Seasonality of Pest Insect Populations in Eucalyptus Plantations in the Neotropics.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp., Mirtaceae) stands out for its remarkable regeneration capacity, making it a valuable tool for recovering degraded areas and for reforestation. Despite its Australian origins, eucalyptus has shown remarkable adaptation to the Brazilian tropical climate, contributing to the wood productivity of the country.

Association of interleukin 4 and MTHFR gene polymorphisms with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy in young diabetics.

Background:  It is believed that genetic factors play a role in the development and severity of neural injury among people with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP), because some genes are involved in specific biological pathways, acting in different ways in the pathogenic process.

Objective:  To identify potential associations involving the ( C677T) and ( intron 3 variable number of tandem repeats [I3VNTR]) gene polymorphisms and DSP in the studied sample.

Methods:  In total, 70 children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes underwent a nerve conduction studie (NCS) of the sural nerve.

Applicability of the International Cytopathology Reporting System of Serous Fluids in a Brazilian City.

Introduction: The International Academy of Cytology and the American Society of Cytopathology developed the International System of Serous Fluid Cytopathology (TIS) to standardize cytological reports. Effusions in pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial cavities are valuable sources of information for medical diagnosis, especially in oncological scenarios. The TIS classification is divided into five categories: non-diagnostic (ND), negative for malignancy (NFM), atypia of uncertain significance (AUS), suspected malignancy (SFM), and malignant (MAL).

Advancements in organic fluorescent materials: unveiling the potential of peripheral group modification in dithienyl-diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives for one- and two-photon bioimaging.

The quest for novel organic fluorescent materials capable of two-photon absorption (2PA) has intensified in recent years due to their promising applications in biological imaging. Two-photon fluorescence microscopy (2PFM) offers high spatial-temporal resolution, reduced photodamage, and deeper tissue penetration compared to conventional techniques. However, the development of bright two-photon molecular markers remains a challenge, necessitating compounds with high fluorescence quantum yield and 2PA cross-section ().

Use of marine anthropogenic litter as a potential risk of pollution to the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) on the beaches of the Brazilian Amazon coast.

Marine anthropogenic litter (MAL) pollution is a growing concern in coastal environments. These ecosystems are home to rich biodiversity but face significant challenges due to the accumulation of plastics and other solid waste, compromising the region's natural aesthetics and environmental health. This study investigates how marine pollution and the accumulation of MAL impact these ecosystems.

Early Changes in Eating Behavior Patterns and Their Relationship with Weight Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

Background/objective: Eating behaviors (EB) correlate with weight loss after bariatric surgery (BS). Therefore, the investigation of EB could guide interventions to prevent insufficient weight outcomes.

Method: A prospective cohort of 85 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB; 84.

Systemic acupuncture application does not change muscle performance parameters in women: A randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study.

Background/objective: Acupuncture is used for therapeutic purposes. The possible beneficial role of this therapy may be as an ergogenic resource for the performance of fitness variables in exercise and sports. To date, acupuncture has been associated with increases in muscle strength, aerobic power, and vertical jump performance, but the evidence is still inconclusive.

Microplastic distribution and risk assessment in estuarine systems influenced by traditional villages and artisanal fishery activities.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in oceans worldwide, posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. The abundance of these particles in water is related to population density and urban development, functioning as a sink for MPs. However, the pollution levels due to the accumulation of MPs in the estuarine in Amazonian mangrove areas remain unknown.

Enhancing Grapevine Node Detection to Support Pruning Automation: Leveraging State-of-the-Art YOLO Detection Models for 2D Image Analysis.

Automating pruning tasks entails overcoming several challenges, encompassing not only robotic manipulation but also environment perception and detection. To achieve efficient pruning, robotic systems must accurately identify the correct cutting points. A possible method to define these points is to choose the cutting location based on the number of nodes present on the targeted cane.

Health-related quality of life due to malaria: a systematic review.

Purpose: This paper aims to conduct a systematic review (SR) to assess Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of malaria-exposed populations for different regions where malaria is endemic, considering any health measurements.

Methods: An electronic search of the Medline, Lilacs, and Embase databases was conducted until February 2nd, 2024, to identify and select studies that evaluated HRQoL. No restrictions on place or language were made.

Zoographics in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior: Increasing inclusion of female animals.

We examined the zoographics, or the characteristics of nonhuman animal subjects, reported for the entirety of the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB) through the most recent complete year (1958-2023). Animal sex in particular was evaluated to determine whether the lack of inclusion of female subjects in other disciplines extends to JEAB. Through systematic coding of all nonhuman empirical articles, we found consistent underreporting of most zoographics and a disproportionate use of male subjects relative to female subjects.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on tinnitus modulation: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial: Effect of tDCS on tinnitus modulation: A clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the short and long-term effects of anodal tDCS (a-tDCS) targeting the left temporoparietal area (LTA) on tinnitus severity, annoyance, and loudness.

Methods: This is a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, and parallel-group clinical trial. A total of 42 individuals with tinnitus were randomized to a-tDCS (n = 24) or sham tDCS (n = 18).

The economic cost of malaria in Brazil from the perspective of the public health system.

This paper presents an economic evaluation aimed at estimating malaria-related health care expenditures in Brazil from the perspective of the public health system. Comprehensive estimates of the costs of malaria remain scarce, in part because of limited data. Brazil has a universal health system (Sistema Único de Saúde-SUS) in which all cases of malaria are diagnosed and treated.

Divergent gene expression patterns in alcohol and opioid use disorders lead to consistent alterations in functional networks within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) manifest as persistent drug-seeking behavior despite adverse consequences, with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) representing prevalent forms associated with significant mortality rates and economic burdens. The co-occurrence of AUD and OUD is common, necessitating a deeper comprehension of their intricate interactions. While the causal link between these disorders remains elusive, shared genetic factors are hypothesized.

Time of Application of Desiccant Herbicides Affects Photosynthetic Pigments, Physiological Indicators, and the Quality of Cowpea Seeds.

Chemical desiccation is widely used in agriculture to anticipate harvest and mitigate the effects of adverse environmental conditions. It is applied to both grains and seeds. Although this practice is widely used, there are still significant gaps in understanding the effects of different herbicide application times on seed quality and plant physiological responses.

Use of corncob and pineapple peel as associated substrates for biosurfactant production.

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic biomolecules with promising tensoative and emulsifying properties that find application in the most varied industrial sectors: environment, food, agriculture, petroleum, cosmetics, and hygiene. In the current work, a 2 full-factorial design was performed to evaluate the effect and interactions of pineapple peel and corncob as substrates for biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis LMA-ICF-PC 001. In a previous stage, an alkaline pretreatment was applied to corncob samples to extract the xylose-rich hydrolysate.

Pelage variation and morphometrics of closely related Callithrix marmoset species and their hybrids.

Background: Hybrids are expected to show greater phenotypic variation than their parental species, yet how hybrid phenotype expression varies with genetic distances in closely-related parental species remains surprisingly understudied. Here, we investigate pelage and morphometric trait variation in anthropogenic hybrids between four species of Brazilian Callithrix marmosets, a relatively recent primate radiation. Marmoset species are distinguishable by pelage phenotype and morphological specializations for eating tree exudates.

TH-graphyne: a new porous bidimensional carbon allotrope.

Graphyne and two-dimensional porous carbon-based materials have garnered significant attention due to their interesting structural characteristics and essential properties for new technological applications. Within this scope, this work investigates the structural, thermal, electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of a novel two-dimensional allotrope that combines triangular (T) and hexagonal (H) rings, connected by acetylenic linkages (graphyne-like), thus named TH-graphyne (TH-GY). This study comprehensively characterizes the proposed system's behavior using density functional theory, molecular dynamics, and classical reactive molecular dynamics simulations.

High-intensity interval training improves cardiomyocyte contractile function and myofilament sensitivity to intracellular Ca in obese rats.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown significant results in addressing adiposity and risk factors associated with obesity. However, there are no studies that investigate the effects of HIIT on contractility and intracellular Ca handling. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of HIIT on cardiomyocyte contractile function and intracellular Ca handling in rats in which obesity was induced by a saturated high-fat diet (HFD).