Potential of a Two-Stage Variable Compression Ratio Downsized Spark Ignition Engine for Passenger Cars under different driving conditions

[EN] With the aim of reducing pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines (ICE), the application of stoichiometrically operated spark ignition (SI) engines, for light-duty vehicles, has been overcoming the compression ignition (CI) engines market share throughout the past years. The ability of a substantial reduction of the primary harmful emissions (HC, CO, and NOx) through the use of the simple three-way catalyst (TWC) is the main reason for that. Nonetheless, with increasing attention to CO2 emissions, the development of highly efficient downsized SI engines turn to be of enormous interest. The synergies of multiple systems such as direct injection, turbocharger, and variable valve actuation are able to lead the SI efficiencies closer to those of CI engines. However, to enable high load operation on such downsized engines, the compression ratio (CR) must be reduced due to knock limitations, reducing the partial-load operations efficiency. The implementation of two-stage variable compression ratio (VCR) systems enables the extraction of high thermal efficiency with high CR at lower loads and extended knock-free high load operation with low CR. In this study, the evaluation of a two-stage VCR system applied to a state-of-the-art downsized SI engine was made through standard driving cycle simulations. The VCR mechanism is composed of an eccentric element in the small end of the connecting rod, which is rotated to increase/decrease the effective connecting rod length, achieving the CRs of 12.11:1 and 9.56:1. The engine was run in an eddy-current dynamometer test bench throughout the essential operating range to obtain the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) map. The VCR mechanism CR switching delay was also experimentally characterized to derive a function of the operating conditions. The measured map was entered into the map-based driving cycle simulation with a sub-model to account for the isolated effects of the transient period encompassing the compression ratio switching. The results show that slow CR transitions lead to fuel consumption penalties, which suggests the need for optimizing the control strategies of the VCR system. Even though this penalty, once the gear up-shift speed is optimized for each driving cycle, the VCR system still enables fuel consumption reductions up to 3% on the WLTC driving cycle, up to 4% on the proposed urban driving cycles and up to 3% on highway driving cycles with respect to the fixed CR.This research has been partially funded by FEDER and the Spanish Government through project RTI2018-102025-B-I00. 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Biochemical and Fatty Acids Composition of Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Follicular Fluid

Aim of this study was to characterize the biochemical and fatty acids composition of follicular fluid collected from follicles of different sizes and in different phases of ovarian cycle in water buffalo farmed in Italy. Ovaries were collected at slaughterhouse during the breeding season; follicular fluid was aspirated dividing samples in small and large follicles (< 6 mm and > 6 mm respectively) and in luteal and follicular phase. Biochemical analysis and gas-chromatography were performed. Biochemical and fatty acids composition were greatly influenced by both follicular dimension and phase of ovarian cycle. Biochemical composition and its variations were in agreement with previously study conducted in buffalo and other species. This is the first report of the fatty acids composition of buffalo follicular fluid. Twenty-two fatty acids were identified in follicular fluid; nine were saturated fatty acids, six monounsatured fatty acids and seven polyunsatured fatty acids. The most dominant fatty acids were linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and arachidonic acid. All the identified fatty acids concentrations vary at least because of follicle dimension or phase, with the exception of γ-linoleic acid and arachidonic acid which concentrations remain stable in all classes

Pediatric basic course goes virtual: transition from face to face to hybrid learning in pediatric critical care

Background: To explore the impact of the transition from a traditional face-to-face course delivering essential contents in pediatric critical care to a hybrid format consisting of an online pre-course self-directed learning, an online facilitated discussion, and a face-to-face edition. Methods: Attendees and faculty were surveyed after the face-to-face course and the hybrid version to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of participants with the course. Results: Fifty-seven students attended multiple formats of the Pediatric Basic Course between January 2020 and October 2021 in Udine, Italy. We compared course evaluation data from the 29 attendees of the face-to-face course with the 28 of the hybrid edition. Data collected included participant demographics, participant self-assessed pre and post-course ‘‘confidence’’ with a range of pediatric intensive care-related activities, and their satisfaction with elements of the course. There were no statistical differences in participant demographics or pre and post-course confidence scores. Overall satisfaction with the face-to-face course was marginally higher, 4.59 vs. 4.25/5, but did not reach significance. Pre-recorded lectures which could be viewed several times, were highlighted as a positive for the hybrid course. Residents found no significant differences comparing the two courses in rating the lectures and the technical skills stations. Hybrid course facilities (online platform and uploaded material) were reported to be clear, accessible, and valuable by 87% of attendees. After six months, they still find the course relevant to their clinical practice (75%). Candidates considered the respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation modules the most relevant modules. Conclusions: The Pediatric Basic Course helps residents strengthen their learning and identify areas to improve their knowledge. Both face-to-face and hybrid model versions of the course improved attendees’ knowledge and perceived confidence in managing the critically ill child

Bothrops jararacussu venom-induced neuromuscular blockade inhibited by Casearia gossypiosperma Briquet hydroalcoholic extract

CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOThe hydroalcoholic extract of Casearia gossypiosperma Briquet (Flacourtiaceae) was standardized for the first time through quality control procedures including pharmacognostic methods, fingerprint chromatograms, defined amounts of marker substances and physicochemical characteristics. The pharmacological activity of C. gossypiosperma (Cg) hydroalcoholic extract was assayed by a traditional in vitro test, which involved irreversible neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu) venom (60 mu g/mL) in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations. Bjssu venom blocked muscle activity for 26 (+/- 2.0) minutes (n = 6). Cg extract (0.1 mg/mL) induced changes on the baseline muscle activity without impairing the muscle function and inhibited 87.6% (+/- 1.8) (n = 6) of the Bjssu venom-induced blockade. Both flavonoids (0.624 g%) and polyphenols (4.63 g%) from the extract were spectrophotometrically quantified. Therefore, the present study confirms the antibothropic activity of Cg extract, supporting the ethnomedical use of Casearia sp. in the treatment of snakebite victims163432441CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOsem informaçãosem informaçã

Micorrizas arbusculares em cafeeiro Coffea arabica L.: revisão e meta-análise.

Coffee, a plant of global economic importance, presents a high degree of micotrophy for nutrients absorption, especially phosphorus, whose sources are scarce, and extremely required in tropical soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and coffee crop (Coffea arabica) have been studied for more than three decades, and therefore, analyzing and gathering these studies in a quantitative and qualitative way by means of meta-analysis and critical review of advances and trends is of great relevance. In this review, aspects such as geographic distribution, ecology, effects on plant growth, mineral nutrition, myotrophism, and symbiotic efficiency and its applications were discussed, with special emphasis on the researches carried out in Brazil. By applying the electronic databases Cab Abstracts, Springerlink, Science Direct, Scielo, Scopus, ISI, Lilascs, Woldcat, 73 studies were analyzed, including papers, dissertations and theses. The meta-analysis showed the importance of AMF for growth, plant nutrition and grain yield. Nevertheless, a gap is still evident in the evaluation of the different management strategies adopted in coffee crop and their effects on AMF. The need to extend the research under field conditions was also detected, in order to confer the real contribution of AMF in coffee biocontrol, and their action as biofertilizers and biostimulants

Vellozia flavicans Mart. ex Schult. hydroalcoholic extract inhibits the neuromuscular blockade induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOBackground: Snakebite is a significant public health issue in tropical countries. In Brazil, some of the most common snake envenomations are from Bothrops. Bothrops bites trigger local and systemic effects including edema, pain, erythema, cyanosis, infections, and necrosis. Vellozia flavicans is a plant from the Brazilian " cerrado" (savanna) that is popularly used as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Since inflammation develops quickly after Bothrops bites, which can lead to infection, the aim of the present study was to observe possible anti-snake venom and antimicrobial activities of V. flavicans (Vf). Methods: The chromatographic profile of the main constituents from the Vf leaf hydroalcoholic extract was obtained by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The anti-snake venom activity was measured by Vf's ability to neutralize the in vitro neuromuscular blockade caused by Bothrops jararacussu venom (Bjssu) in a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm model (PND). After a 20 min incubation, preparations of PND were added to Tyrode's solution (control); Vf (0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL); 40 μg/mL Bjssu; pre-incubation for 30 min with Bjssu and 1 mg/mL Vf; and a Bjssu pretreated preparation (for 10 min) followed by 1 mg/mL Vf. Myographic recording was performed, and the contractile responses were recorded. The antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]) was obtained for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, using gentamicin and vancomycin as positive controls. Results: TLC analysis yielded several compounds from Vf, such as flavonoids (quercetin) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid). Bjssu completely blocked the contractile responses of PND preparations, while Vf preserved 97% (±10%) of the contractile responses when incubated with Bjssu. In the PND pretreated with Bjssu, Vf was able to inhibit the neuromuscular blockade progress. MIC and MBC of Vf ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus strains, while no antimicrobial activity was observed for E. coli and E. faecalis.Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract from Vf leaves was able to neutralize and decrease the in vitro neuromuscular blockade caused by Bjssu. However, it did not show significant antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria. © 2014 Tribuiani et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Snakebite is a significant public health issue in tropical countries. In Brazil, some of the most common snake envenomations are from Bothrops. Bothrops bites trigger local and systemic effects including edema, pain, erythema, cyanosis, infections, and necrosis. Vellozia flavicans is a plant from the Brazilian "cerrado" (savanna) that is popularly used as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Since inflammation develops quickly after Bothrops bites, which can lead to infection, the aim of the present study was to observe possible anti-snake venom and antimicrobial activities of V. flavicans (Vf). The chromatographic profile of the main constituents from the Vf leaf hydroalcoholic extract was obtained by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The anti-snake venom activity was measured by Vf's ability to neutralize the in vitro neuromuscular blockade caused by Bothrops jararacussu venom (Bjssu) in a mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm model (PND). After a 20 min incubation, preparations of PND were added to Tyrode's solution (control); Vf (0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL); 40 μg/mL Bjssu; pre-incubation for 30 min with Bjssu and 1 mg/mL Vf; and a Bjssu pretreated preparation (for 10 min) followed by 1 mg/mL Vf. Myographic recording was performed, and the contractile responses were recorded. The antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC]) was obtained for Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis, using gentamicin and vancomycin as positive controls. TLC analysis yielded several compounds from Vf, such as flavonoids (quercetin) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid). Bjssu completely blocked the contractile responses of PND preparations, while Vf preserved 97% (±10%) of the contractile responses when incubated with Bjssu. In the PND pretreated with Bjssu, Vf was able to inhibit the neuromuscular blockade progress. MIC and MBC of Vf ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus strains, while no antimicrobial activity was observed for E. coli and E. faecalis. 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Dynamic relationships between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance over 20 years of adulthood

Background. Bidirectional longitudinal relationships between depression and diabetes have been observed, but the dominant direction of their temporal relationships remains controversial. Methods. The random-intercept cross-lagged panel model decomposes observed variables into a latent intercept representing the traits, and occasion-specific latent ‘state’ variables. This permits correlations to be assessed between the traits, while longitudinal ‘cross-lagged’ associations and cross-sectional correlations can be assessed between occasion-specific latent variables. We examined dynamic relationships between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance across five visits over 20 years of adulthood in the population-based Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Possible differences based on population group (Black v. White participants), sex and years of education were tested. Depressive symptoms and insulin resistance were quantified using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), respectively. Results. Among 4044 participants (baseline mean age 34.9 ± 3.7 years, 53% women, 51% Black participants), HOMA-IR and CES-D traits were weakly correlated (r = 0.081, p = 0.002). Some occasion-specific correlations, but no cross-lagged associations were observed overall. Longitudinal dynamics of these relationships differed by population groups such that HOMAIR at age 50 was associated with CES-D score at age 55 (β = 0.076, p = 0.038) in White participants only. Longitudinal dynamics were consistent between sexes and based on education. Conclusions. The relationship between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance was best characterized by weak correlations between occasion-specific states and enduring traits, with weak evidence that insulin resistance might be temporally associated with subsequent depressive symptoms among White participants later in adulthood.publishedVersio

Dynamic relationships between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance over 20 years of adulthood

Background Bidirectional longitudinal relationships between depression and diabetes have been observed, but the dominant direction of their temporal relationships remains controversial. Methods The random-intercept cross-lagged panel model decomposes observed variables into a latent intercept representing the traits, and occasion-specific latent ‘state’ variables. This permits correlations to be assessed between the traits, while longitudinal ‘cross-lagged’ associations and cross-sectional correlations can be assessed between occasion-specific latent variables. We examined dynamic relationships between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance across five visits over 20 years of adulthood in the population-based Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Possible differences based on population group (Black v. White participants), sex and years of education were tested. Depressive symptoms and insulin resistance were quantified using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), respectively. Results Among 4044 participants (baseline mean age 34.9 ± 3.7 years, 53% women, 51% Black participants), HOMA-IR and CES-D traits were weakly correlated (r = 0.081, p = 0.002). Some occasion-specific correlations, but no cross-lagged associations were observed overall. Longitudinal dynamics of these relationships differed by population groups such that HOMA-IR at age 50 was associated with CES-D score at age 55 (β = 0.076, p = 0.038) in White participants only. Longitudinal dynamics were consistent between sexes and based on education. Conclusions The relationship between depressive symptoms and insulin resistance was best characterized by weak correlations between occasion-specific states and enduring traits, with weak evidence that insulin resistance might be temporally associated with subsequent depressive symptoms among White participants later in adulthood

Decreased surfactant phosphatidylcholine synthesis in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Purpose: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may result in severe respiratory insufficiency with a high morbidity. The role of a disturbed surfactant metabolism in the pathogenesis of CDH is unclear. We therefore studied endogenous surfactant metabolism in the most severe CDH patients who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods: Eleven neonates with CDH who required ECMO and ten ventilated neonates without significant lung disease received a 24-h infusion of the stable isotope [U-13C] glucose. The13C-incorporation into palmitic acid in surfactant phosphatidylcholine (PC) isolated from serial tracheal aspirates was measured. Mean PC concentration in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) was measured during the first 4 days of the study. Results: Fractional surfactant PC synthesis was decreased in CDH-ECMO patients compared to controls (2.4 ± 0.33 vs. 8.0 ± 2.4%/day, p = 0.04). The control group had a higher maximal enrichment (0.18 ± 0.03 vs. 0.09 ± 0.02 APE, p = 0.04) and reached this maximal enrichment earlier (46.7 ± 3.0 vs. 69.4 ± 6.6 h, p = 0.004) compared to the CDH-ECMO group, which reflects higher and faster precursor incorporation in the control group. Surfactant PC concentration in ELF was similar in both groups. Conclusion: These results show that CDH patients who require ECMO have a decreased surfactant PC synthesis, which may be part of the pathogenesis of severe pulmonary insufficiency and has a negative impact on weaning from ECMO

A third of systematic reviews changed or did not specify the primary outcome : A PROSPERO register study

OBJECTIVES: To examine outcome reporting bias of systematic reviews registered in PROSPERO. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study. The primary outcomes from systematic review publications were compared with those reported in the corresponding PROSPERO records; discrepancies in the primary outcomes were assessed as upgrades, additions, omissions or downgrades. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to determine the likelihood of having a change in primary outcome when the meta-analysis result was favourable and statistically significant. RESULTS: 96 systematic reviews were published. A discrepancy in the primary outcome occurred in 32% of the included reviews and 39% of the reviews did not explicitly specify a primary outcome(s); 6% of the primary outcomes were omitted. There was no significant increased risk of adding/upgrading (RR 2.14, 95% CI 0.53 to 8.63) or decreased risk of downgrading (RR 0.76, 0.27-2.17) an outcome when the meta-analysis result was favourable and statistically significant. As well, there was no significant increased risk of adding/upgrading (RR 0.89, 0.31-2.53) or decreased risk of downgrading (RR 0.56, 0.29-1.08) an outcome when the conclusion was positive. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend review authors carefully consider primary outcome selection and journals are encouraged to focus acceptance on registered systematic reviews