Magnetostatic reciprocity for MR magnet design

Electromagnetic reciprocity has long been a staple in magnetic resonance (MR) radio-frequency development, offering geometrical insights and a figure of merit for various resonator designs. In a similar manner, we use magnetostatic reciprocity to compute manufacturable solutions of complex magnet geometries, by establishing a quantitative metric for the placement and subsequent orientation of discrete pieces of permanent magnetic material. Based on magnetostatic theory and non-linear finite element modelling (FEM) simulations, it is shown how assembled permanent magnet setups perform in the embodiment of a variety of designs and how magnetostatic reciprocity is leveraged in the presence of difficulties associated with self-interactions, to fulfil various design objectives, including self-assembled micro-magnets, adjustable magnetic arrays, and an unbounded magnetic field intensity in a small volume, despite realistic saturation field strengths

The effectiveness of celebrity endorsement in aspiring new celebrities: Examining the effects of brand, congruence, charisma and overexposure

Purpose – Celebrity endorsement is a phenomenon widely used by companies and studied by researchers. Despite the generally positive aspects of endorsement on the evaluation of products, in some cases, celebrities cannot substantially help promote products. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of celebrity endorsement effect in an aspiring new celebrity. Design/methodology/approach – Four studies involving 664 respondents were conducted to analyze the effectiveness of the endorsement. In addition to verifying the existence of the effect (Study 1), studies were conducted focusing on contextual variables with the potential to modify effect. Study 2 analyzes the brand and charisma effects, Study 3 analyzes the congruence between celebrities and Study 4 analyzes the exposure level of the endorser celebrity. Findings – The results demonstrate the effectiveness of this celebrity endorsement, as well as the effect of different contexts on endorsement, demonstrating that although new celebrities are less affected by acclaimed celebrities, as they become better known, to use the endorsement of celebrities with charisma and who relating in some way to the aspiring celebrity, can be an effective strategy, especially for the beginners in the career. Originality/value – This research contributes to the knowledge of celebrity endorsement to fill the lack pointed out in previous studies in the field over the effectiveness of this effect and, above all, the moderator variables that can influence or even annul this effect. In addition, by developing its own image and reputation, the aspiring new celebrity receives less influence from the endorser

Morcegos fitófagos do Parque Ecológico Olhos D´água

Chiroptera representa a segunda ordem dos mamíferos em riqueza de espécies com aproximadamente 1198 espécies identificadas. Desses, aproximadamente, 75% são insetívoros e o restante praticamente são fitófagos. O restante das espécies, em menor quantidade, são hematófagos, carnívoros, onívoros, piscivoros.Brasília teve uma arborização feita sem muitos critérios, utilizando-se espécies de crescimento rápido e que fornecessem sombreamento. Com isso, foram plantadas nas quadras residências árvores, em sua grande maioria, exóticas. O Parque Olhos D´água localizado junto a quadras residenciais de Brasília é um ambiente urbano que oferece muitas condições para a morcegos fitófagos. Os objetivos desse estudo foram (1) analisar os recursos alimentares disponibilizados no Parque Olhos D´Água e nas quadras residenciais vizinhas; (2) observar as espécies de morcegos que ocorrem no parque. Foram encontradas 4 espécies de morcegos fitófagos, Artibeus lituratus, Platyrrhinus lineatus, Artibeus jamaicensis, Glossophaga soricina. Devido a metodologia utilizada, redes estendidas na altura dos frutos, foram pegos em grande maioria morcegos fitófagos. As espécies mais coletadas foram Glossophaga soricina e Artibeus lituratus. Pode-se concluir que com as espécies vegetais que as quadras e o parque possui, é muito possíveis que algumas espécies sejam endêmicas ao parque e outras que podem estar nos dois ambientes, precisando assim de estudos posteriores para comprovar isso

Development of an integrated messenger RNA manufacturing process using thermoreversible aqueous biphasic systems

The promising potential of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines as effective approaches to contain the dissemination of infectious diseases was fully disclosed during the combat to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over conventional vaccines, mRNA-based vaccines exhibit improved safety and efficacy profiles, and the possibility of repeatedly administration [1]. However, the manufacturing of mRNA vaccines is complex, costly and requires multi-step purification strategies to produce high quality products. If properly designed, ionic liquids (ILs) can act as RNA stabilizing agents [2] and enhance the selectivity of purification processes when used to form aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) [3]. Aiming to improve mRNA manufacturing, this work proposes the use of thermoreversible ABS based on ILs to integrate the production and clarification steps, further simplifying subsequent purification steps. Up to date, we have achieved the production of mRNA by in vitro transcription and its purification using conventional methods and gathered insights on mRNA stability and integrity in several structurally distinct ILs. According to these previous results, current attention is being placed on the identification of the best thermoreversible IL-based ABS to integrate production and clarification steps. Overall, the proposed integrated production-clarification platform is expected to tackle current challenges of mRNA manufacturing, especially by improving the cost-efficiency and technological simplicity of existing manufacturing processes and enhancing the stability and yield of the final product.publishe

Sustentabilidade de agroecossistemas de produção de mandioca do Agreste Paraibano sob a ótica do Biograma

Agriculture modernization resulting from green revolution occurred through means of diverse technological innovations as soluble fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural machinery and genetically modified seeds, aimed at increasing food production. However, the indiscriminate use of these innovations by farmers has been highlighted numerous environmental problems, affecting the productive agricultural system. This technological innovations reality and environmental obstacles, is also been experienced by cassava production in Paraíba rural area. Therefore, this study tried to assess the agroecosystems sustainability of cassava production (Manihot esculenta Crantz) of Paraíba Rural Mesoregion, using Sustainable Development Index (S³) method, and its graphical representation, the Biogram. The results showed sustainability differences between the agroecosystems of investigated municipalities, of which Araçagi showed stable levels of sustainability, Araruna and Bananeiras demonstrated unstable levels, and Puxinanã showed the most critical sustainably level. It was concluded that, even the agroecosystems of Araçagi municipality showing better levels of sustainability, when compared with other municipalities assessed, cassava production showed unsustainability situations regarding its technological innovation levels, average yield of cassava production, land in erosion process, water scarcity and lack of social participation.A modernização da agricultura, resultante da revolução verde, ocorreu por meio de várias inovações tecnológicas, como fertilizantes solúveis, agroquímicos, máquinas agrícolas e sementes geneticamente modificadas, visando o aumento da produção de alimentos. Todavia, o uso indiscriminado dessas novações pelos agricultores tem posto em evidência inúmeros problemas socioambientais, comprometendo o sistema agrícola produtivo. Essa realidade de inovações tecnológicas e de obstáculos socioambientais também vem sendo vivenciada pela produção de mandioca do agreste paraibano. Por isso, o presente estudo procurou avaliar a sustentabilidade de agroecossistemas de produção de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) da Mesorregião do Agreste da Paraíba, utilizando o método do Índice de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (S³) e sua representação gráfica, o Biograma. Os resultados do trabalho mostraram que há diferenças de sustentabilidade entre os agroecossistemas dos municípios investigados, dos quais os de Araçagi apresentaram níveis estáveis de sustentabilidade, os de Araruna e de Bananeiras demonstraram níveis instáveis e os de Puxinanã evidenciaram-se, sustentavelmente, como os mais críticos. Conclui-se que, mesmo com os agroecossistemas do Município de Araçagi apresentando melhores níveis de sustentabilidade, quando comparados com os dos outros municípios avaliados, a produção de mandioca apresentou situações de insustentabilidade no tocante aos seus níveis de inovação tecnológica, rendimento médio da produção, terras em processo de erosão, escassez de água e ausência de participação social

Classificação da cobertura da terra na planície de inundação do Lago Grande de Curuai (Amazônia, Brasil) utilizando dados multisensor e fusão de imagens

Given the limitations of different types of remote sensing images, automated land-cover classifications of the Amazon várzea may yield poor accuracy indexes. One way to improve accuracy is through the combination of images from different sensors, by either image fusion or multi-sensor classifications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine which classification method is more efficient in improving land cover classification accuracies for the Amazon várzea and similar wetland environments - (a) synthetically fused optical and SAR images or (b) multi-sensor classification of paired SAR and optical images. Land cover classifications based on images from a single sensor (Landsat TM or Radarsat-2) are compared with multi-sensor and image fusion classifications. Object-based image analyses (OBIA) and the J.48 data-mining algorithm were used for automated classification, and classification accuracies were assessed using the kappa index of agreement and the recently proposed allocation and quantity disagreement measures. Overall, optical-based classifications had better accuracy than SAR-based classifications. Once both datasets were combined using the multi-sensor approach, there was a 2% decrease in allocation disagreement, as the method was able to overcome part of the limitations present in both images. Accuracy decreased when image fusion methods were used, however. We therefore concluded that the multi-sensor classification method is more appropriate for classifying land cover in the Amazon várzea

Income inequality and mental illness-related morbidity and resilience: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Studies of the association between income inequality and mental health have shown mixed results, probably due to methodological heterogeneity. By dealing with such heterogeneity through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we examine the association between income inequality, mental health problems, use of mental health services, and resilience (defined as the ability to cope with adversity). Methods We searched the Global Health, PsychARTICLES, PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice, Embase and MEDLINE databases up to July 6, 2016, for quantitative studies of the association of income inequality with prevalence or incidence of mental disorders or mental health problems, use of mental health services, and resilience. Eligible studies used standardised instruments at the individual level, and income inequality at the aggregated, contextual, and ecological level. We extracted study characteristics, sampling, exposure, outcomes, statistical modelling, and parameters from articles. Because several studies did not provide enough statistical information to be included in a meta-analysis, we did a narrative synthesis to summarise results with studies categorised as showing either a positive association, mixed results, or no association. The primary outcome in the random-effects meta-analysis was mental health-related morbidity, defined as the prevalence or incidence of any mental health problem. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016036377. Findings Our search identified 15 615 non-duplicate references, of which 113 were deemed potentially relevant and were assessed for eligibility, leading to the inclusion of 27 studies in the qualitative synthesis. Nine articles found a positive association between income inequality and the prevalence or incidence of mental health problems; ten articles found mixed results, with positive association in some subgroups and non-significant or negative association in other subgroups; and eight articles found no association between income inequality and mental health problems. Of the nine articles included in our meta-analysis, one reported a positive association between income inequality and mental health problems, six reported mixed results, and two reported no association. Pooled Cohen's d effect sizes for the association between income inequality and any mental disorder or mental health problems were 0·06 (95% CI 0·01–0·11) for any mental disorder, and 0·12 (0·05–0·20) for depressive disorders. Our meta-regression analysis showed that none of the factors considered (sample size, contextual level at which income inequality was assessed, quality assessment, type of instruments, and individual income as control variable) explained heterogeneity between studies (I2 89·3%; p<0·0001). Only one study investigated the association between income inequality and resilience; it found greater income inequality was associated with higher prevalence of depression only among individuals with low income. The only study of the role of income inequality as a determinant of the use of mental health services reported no association. Interpretation Income inequality negatively affects mental health but the effect sizes are small and there is marked heterogeneity among studies. If this association is causal and growing income inequality does lead to an increase in the prevalence of mental health problems, then its reduction could result in a significant improvement in population wellbeing

Aspectos biológicos de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) predando Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) e Planococcus citri (Risso)

The red mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) and the mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) are considered important pests of the coffee plant (Coffea arabica L.), causing yield losses. The predator Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) is associated with those pests. The objective of this work was to evaluate the development of the immature and adult phases of the predator fed, in the immature phase, on those coffee plant pests and their effects on both fecundity and survival rate of larvae, pupae and eggs in laboratory. The bioassays were carried out in the laboratory of the EcoCentro/CTSM-EPAMIG, Lavras, MG, at 25 &plusmn; 1&ordm;C, 70 &plusmn; 10% of relative humidity and 12 hours&acute; photophase. The experimental design was completely randomized with 10 treatments representing the possible combinations of the diets: Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) eggs as the standard food, mites and mealybugs, with 30 replicates. The preys were supplied either singly or associated between each other in each instar or alternated in the instars with eggs of A. kuehniella. Significant alterations occurred in weight, larval and pupal survival, when the larvae were fed with only one prey type or with the combination of mites plus mealybugs, compared to eggs of A. kuehniella. &nbsp;It was demonstrated that O. ilicis e P. citri singly&nbsp;&nbsp; supplied to larvae of C. externa, is not the food adequate for the development of larvae. Only the red mite as a food caused 100% of death of the lacewing&rsquo;s larvae in the second instar.O ácaro Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) e a cochonilha Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) são considerados pragas importantes do cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L.), já que causam perdas na produção. O predador Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) está associado a essas pragas. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desenvolvimento da fase imatura e adulta do predador alimentado, na fase imatura, com essas pragas do cafeeiro e seus efeitos sobre a fecundidade e a viabilidade das larvas, pupa e dos ovos, em laboratório. Os ensaios foram conduzidos no laboratório do EcoCentro/CTSM-EPAMIG, Lavras, MG, a 25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 horas. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com 10 tratamentos representando as combinações possíveis das dietas nos ínstares: ovos de Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879), considerado alimento-padrão, ácaros e cochonilhas, com 30 repetições cada tratamento. As presas foram fornecidas isoladamente ou associadas entre si em cada ínstar ou alternadas nos ínstares com ovos de A. kuehniella. Ocorreram alterações significativas no peso, sobrevivência larval e pupal, quando as larvas foram alimentadas com um só tipo de presa ou a combinação de ácaros mais cochonilhas, comparados a ovos de A. kuehniella. Demonstrou-se que O. ilicis e P. citri, fornecidos isoladamente às larvas de C. externa, não são alimentos adequados para o desenvolvimento das larvas. Somente o ácaro-vermelho, como alimento, causou 100% de morte das larvas do crisopídeo no segundo ínstar

Ponte miocárdica: revisão de literatura

Introdução: A ponte do miocárdio (PM) trata-se de uma patologia congênita coronariana onde um ou mais feixes de músculo cardíaco envolvem um segmento da artéria coronária, sendo a mais comum a artéria anterior esquerda. Objetivo: realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre ponte do miocárdio. Justificativa: A escassez na literatura sobre a PM objetivou a realização desse projeto. Metodologia: A pesquisa realizada neste trabalho é uma revisão integrativa de literatura. Foram realizadas buscas no PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Scielo utilizando os descritores “myocardial bridging” e “ponte miocárdica”, sendo pesquisados apenas artigos de meta-análise e artigos de revisão. Desenvolvimento: Na maioria dos casos, a PM trata-se de uma patologia benigna e por isso bastante subdiagnosticada, mas nos pacientes sintomáticos manifestações da PM se assemelham à angina típica ou atípica e, em alguns casos, o próprio infarto agudo do miocárdio. A Cineangiocoronariografia é o exame padrão ouro para o diagnóstico da PM. Nos pacientes sintomáticos a primeira linha consiste no tratamento farmacológico utilizando betabloqueadores e bloqueadores de canais de cálcio, nos pacientes refratários estão indicados procedimentos invasivos. Considerações finais: Portanto, a PM pode resultar em quadros mais graves e até mesmo morte súbita sendo necessário a investigação desta patologia nos pacientes após a terceira década de vida com quadro clínico sugestivo, sendo recomendado para esses pacientes o início do tratamento farmacológico