Single-Step Deposition of Chalcopyrite (CuFeS) Thin Films.

Thin films of chalcopyrite, CuFeS, are promising candidates for use as absorber layers in photovoltaic cells due to their low band gap and high absorbance. These films are typically deposited in two or three steps, always involving an annealing process. In this work, the CuFeS film was deposited on a glass substrate in a single deposition step using the cathodic cylindrical plasma deposition (CCyPD) technique.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI-BrA) for Use in Brazilian Adolescents.

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of Digital Health Literacy Instrument for Brazilian Adolescents (DHLI-BrA). Two hundred and sixty Brazilian adolescents answered the DHLI-BrA and the Brazilian version of quality-of-life and health literacy instruments: WHOQOL-Bref, eHEALS-BrA, NVS-BR, and REALMD-20. Then, they answered a questionnaire on sociodemographics, health, Internet access, and digital health aspects.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the eHealth Literacy Scale for Brazilian adolescents.

With the increase in digitalization of adolescents and health services, the population must demonstrate digital health literacy skills to be able to navigate online health information, as well as identify, evaluate, and apply relevant information. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the adapted version of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS-BrA) for Brazilian adolescents. This study was conducted between September 2022 and May 2023, involving a total of 260 adolescents aged 13 to 19, with a mean age of 15.

Challenges for Animal Health and Production in the Tropics and Mediterranean for the next 55 years.

Tropical Animal Health and Production is a journal founded 55 years ago. It is dedicated to the publication of results of original research, investigation, and observation in all fields of animal health, welfare and production which may lead to improved health and productivity of livestock and better utilization of animal resources in tropical, subtropical and similar environments. Research is in strong alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Good Health and Well-being.

Development of Anemometer Based on Inertial Sensor.

The current article elucidates a study centered on the development of an anemometer leveraging an inertial sensor for wind speed measurement in the northeast region of Brazil, focusing on renewable energy generation. The study encompassed a series of experiments aimed at calibrating the anemometer, analyzing the noise generated by the inertial sensor, and scrutinizing the data acquired during wind speed measurement. The calibration process unfolded in three stages: initial noise analysis, subsequent inertial data analysis, and the derivation of calibration curves.

Brazilian bentonite/MgO composites for adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes.

Industrial effluents, especially those containing dyes, have become the main cause of contamination of water resources. In this context, Brazilian bentonite/MgO composites, with excellent adsorptive properties, were prepared and investigated for their effectiveness in removing cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solutions. The new adsorbents were obtained using Brazilian bentonites and MgO using the mechanochemical method followed by heat treatment (at 700 °C for 4 h).

Global seroprevalence and factors associated with seropositivity for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a retrovirus of the Lentivirus genus, distributed worldwide, that causes persistent infection with a significant impact on the cats' health. Due to the importance of this infection in feline medicine, this pioneering study aimed to obtain an integrated estimate of the global seroprevalence of FIV in cats and to characterize the factors associated with this infection. Four electronic databases were screened for observational studies with FIV seroprevalence in cats published globally for this systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review on products derived from nematophagous fungi in the biological control of parasitic helminths of animals.

Nematophagous fungi have been widely evaluated in the biological control of parasitic helminths in animals, both through their direct use and the use of their derived products. Fungal bioproducts can include extracellular enzymes, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as well as secondary metabolites. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review covering the evaluation of products derived from nematophagous fungi in the biological control of parasitic helminths in animals.

Optimization of Biodiesel Production Process Using MoO Catalysts and Residual Oil: A Comprehensive Experimental 2 Study.

The study aimed to utilize MoO catalysts, produced on a pilot scale via combustion reaction, to produce biodiesel from residual oil. Optimization of the process was conducted using a 2 experimental design. Structural characterization of the catalysts was performed through X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and particle size distribution analyses.

Assessing the Time Evolution of COVID-19 Effective Reproduction Number in Brazil.

In this paper, we use a Bayesian method to estimate the effective reproduction number ( R ( t ) ), in the context of monitoring the time evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil at different geographic levels. The focus of this study is to investigate the similarities between the trends in the evolution of such indicators at different subnational levels with the trends observed nationally. The underlying question addressed is whether national surveillance of such variables is enough to provide a picture of the epidemic evolution in the country or if it may hide important localized trends.

External root thermal analysis of three different obturation techniques.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the external root surface thermal behavior when submitted to three different obturation techniques.

Material And Methods: Forty-five single-rooted premolars were selected, prepared and randomly divided into three groups according to the studied obturation techniques: lateral condensation (LC), single cone technique (SCT) and injectable thermoplasticized technique (IT). Each tooth was placed in a customized apparatus and connected to a thermocouple.

Genetic diversity of in goats and sheep from the Northeast Region of Brazil destined for human consumption.

This study aimed to genotype isolates of obtained from samples of brain, diaphragm and heart of goats and sheep intended for human consumption in the State of Paraíba, Brazil. Tissue samples from 14 animals, goats ( = 5) and lambs ( = 9), were sourced from public slaughterhouses in seven cities and bio-assayed in mice. The brains of the mice were utilized for DNA extraction.

A Brief Review of MoO and MoO-Based Materials and Recent Technological Applications in Gas Sensors, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Adsorption, and Photocatalysis.

Molybdenum trioxide is an abundant natural, low-cost, and environmentally friendly material that has gained considerable attention from many researchers in a variety of high-impact applications. It is an attractive inorganic oxide that has been widely studied because of its layered structure, which results in intercalation ability through tetrahedral/octahedral holes and extension channels and leads to superior charge transfer. Shape-related properties such as high specific capacities, the presence of exposed active sites on the oxygen-rich structure, and its natural tendency to oxygen vacancy that leads to a high ionic conductivity are also attractive to technological applications.

The Practical Application of Bio-Inspired PMA for the Detection of Partial Discharges in High Voltage Equipment.

In this paper, the practical application of a bio-inspired antenna for partial discharge (PD) detection in high voltage equipment was evaluated in order to validate the efficiency of using this technology for PD monitoring purposes. For this, PD measurements using the bio-inspired antenna were performed on operational 69 kV potential transformers (PT) in a real substation. After the field experiment, laboratory measurements using the IEC 60270 standard method and a bio-inspired antenna were performed, simultaneously, over the evaluated PT.

Antioxidant potential of acerola by-product along the enterohepatic axis of rats fed a high-fat diet.

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) by-product (ABP) has bioactive compounds that can provide antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects in vivo. In this study we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of ABP on oxidative damage along the enterohepatic axis of rats fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. In addition, we analysed the phenolic compound profile in the enterohepatic axis, and the lipid accumulation in the liver, colon and liver tissue structure of high-fat diet-fed rats treated with fenofibrate drug (100 mg/kg) or ABP (400 mg/kg) via orogastric administration in the 4th to 7th weeks of the experiment.

Clinical, epidemiological and laboratory characteristics of cases of Covid-19-related maternal near miss and death at referral units in northeastern Brazil: a cohort study.

Covid-19 poses a major risk during pregnancy and postpartum, resulting in an increase in maternal mortality worldwide, including in Brazil; however, little research has been conducted into cases of a near miss. This study aimed to describe the frequency of COVID-19-related near miss and deaths during pregnancy or in the postpartum in referral centers in northeastern Brazil, as well as the clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory characteristics of the women who experienced a severe maternal outcome. A retrospective and prospective cohort study was performed between April 2020 and June 2021 with hospitalized pregnant and postpartum women with a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Factors associated with severe maternal outcome in patients admitted to an intensive care unit in northeastern Brazil with postpartum hemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries; however, the majority of these deaths could be avoided with adequate obstetric care. Analyzing severe maternal outcomes (SMO) has been a major approach for evaluating the quality of the obstetric care provided, since the morbid events that lead to maternal death generally occur in sequence. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical profile, management, maternal outcomes and factors associated with SMO in women who developed PPH and were admitted to an obstetric intensive care unit (ICU) in northeastern Brazil.

Factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome in pregnant/postpartum women with COVID-19 receiving care at referral centers in northeastern Brazil: Secondary analysis of a cohort study.

Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the greater risks associated with the new SARS-CoV-2 pathogen in pregnant women were as yet unclear. This study analyzed factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in pregnant/postpartum women with COVID-19.

Methods: A prospective and retrospective cohort study was conducted in eight referral centers in northeastern Brazil between April 2020 and December 2021 involving pregnant/postpartum women with a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test.

Thermal stress index for native sheep.

The first objective of this study was to develop a thermal stress index for sheep based on environmental and animal data collected in a climate chamber under various environmental conditions. The second objective was to compare published indices of thermal comfort and the proposed index, testing them with the data from this study, with the objective of pointing out the most adequate index to be used by breeders when choosing management procedures. A total of 3024 data were obtained for the physiological variables of the sheep exposed to the eight thermal conditions in the climatic chamber and in ambient condition, kept three days in each thermal condition.

Neurosurgery societies around the world: A study and discussion about its importance.

Background: Harvey Cushing and collaborators created the first society of neurosurgeons in 1920, in the United States of America, the Society of Neurological Surgeons. In 1955, the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) was created in Switzerland to improve neurosurgical care globally through the scientific cooperation of members. The performance of neurosurgical associations today is fundamental to discuss diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches, transforming modern medicine.

Evaluation of Smart Sensors for Subway Electric Motor Escalators through AHP-Gaussian Method.

This paper proposes the use of the AHP-Gaussian method to support the selection of a smart sensor installation for an electric motor used in an escalator in a subway station. The AHP-Gaussian methodology utilizes the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework and is highlighted for its ability to save the decision maker's cognitive effort in assigning weights to criteria. Seven criteria were defined for the sensor selection: temperature range, vibration range, weight, communication distance, maximum electric power, data traffic speed, and acquisition cost.

Maternal high-fat diet alters the neurobehavioral, biochemical and inflammatory parameters of their adult female rat offspring.

Background: Lipid metabolism dysregulations have been associated with depressive and anxious behaviors which can affect pregnant and lactating individuals, with indications that such changes extend to the offspring. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a maternal high-fat diet on the neurobehavioral, biochemical and inflammatory parameters of their adult female offspring.

Methods: Wistar rats ± 90 days old were mated.