Resolution of dark matter problem in f(T) gravity

In this paper, we attempt to resolve the dark matter problem in f(T) gravity. Specifically, from our model we successfully obtain the flat rotation curves of galaxies containing dark matter. Further, we obtain the density profile of dark matter in galaxies. Comparison of our analytical results shows that our torsion-based toy model for dark matter is in good agreement with empirical data-based models. It shows that we can address the dark matter as an effect of torsion of the space.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure

Macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata) cake from biodiesel processing: a low-cost substrate to produce lipases from Moniliella spathulata R25L270 with potential application in the oleochemical industry

[Background]: Biodiesel industry wastes were evaluated as supplements for lipase production by Moniliella spathulata R25L270, which is newly identified yeast with great lipolytic potential. Macaúba cake (MC), used for the first time in this work as inducer to produce lipases, and residual oil (RO) were mixed to maximise enzyme production. The lipase secreted was biochemically characterised.[Results]: The best ratio for the mixture (MC:RO) was 0.66:0.34 and the fitted values for lipase activity and total protein concentration were 0.98 U mL−1 and 0.356 mg mL−1, respectively. Maximum activity obtained (2.47 U mL−1) was achieved at 31.5°C and pH 6.7, and the enzyme was stable in this condition. A novel enzyme was purified and identified for the first time by mass spectrometry. The lipase efficiently hydrolysed different natural oils and exhibited selectivity in the production of eicosapentaenoic acid from fish oil.[Conclusion]: The use of MC and RO as a supplement to produce the new lipase from M. spathulata R25L270 may be one alternative for reducing lipase production costs and simultaneously adding value to biodiesel industry residues. The potential application of the lipase in the oleochemical industry was demonstrated by its pH and temperature stabilities and selective hydrolysis.This research was supported by Brazilian agencies: CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), INCT (Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia) de Nanomateriais de Carbono, FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais), Rede Mineira de Toxinas com Ação Terapêutica and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior).Peer reviewe

No-tilIage management systems and their influence under postemergence herbicides in a soybean crop

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar diferentes sistemas de manejo em plantio direto e o controle em pós-emergência de plantas daninhas na cultura da soja, no município de São João do Ivaí (PR), no ano agrícola de 1998/99. Os tratamentos utilizados nos sistemas seqüenciais de manejo, para o controle de Commelina benghalensis (2 folhas até plantas ramificadas) e Brachiaria plantaginea (2 folhas até plantas perfilhadas), foram: (M I) sulfosate e paraquatldiuron+diquat (864 e 300+240 g/ha); (M2) sulfosate+2,4-D e paraquat/diuron+diquat (864+670 e 300+240 g/ha); (M3) sulfosate e paraquatldiuron+diquat (672 e 300+240 g/ha); (M4) sulfosate+2,4-D e paraquatldiuron+diquat (672+670 e 300+240 g/ha); (M5) testemunha sem aplicação. A primeira aplicação da seqüencial nos tratamentos MI e M2 realizou-se aos 26 dias antes da semeadura (DAS), e aos 40 DAS para M3 e M4, e a segunda aplicação no dia da semeadura para todos os tratamentos. Todos os sistemas de manejo foram subdivididos para avaliação do controle de C. benghalensis (I a 2 folhas) e R. raphanistrum (I a 2 folhas) após a emergência da soja, para os tratamentos com fomesafen (125 g/ha) em dose única 19 dias depois da semeadura (DDS), fomesafen e fomesafen (125 e 125 g/ha) em seqüencial aos 19 e 27 DDS, chlorimuron-ethyl+imazethapyr (10+ 150 g/ha) em dose única 25 DDS e testemunha sem aplicação. A antecipação do manejo, 40 DAS, possibilitou redução no uso de herbicidas e melhor controle de C. benghalensis e B. plantaginea, sendo que, onde o sistema de manejo obteve controle acima de 97% (M I e M4), a meia dose de fomesafen (125 g/ha) proporcionou controle satisfatório de C. benghalensis. A seqüência de sulfosate e paraquatldiuron+diquat possibilitou o manejo de C. benghalensis.The objective of the experiment was analyse different no-tillage management systems and postemergence control under a soybean crop, in São João do Ivaí (PR), in the agricultural year 1998/99. The treatments used in the management system sequence to control Commelina benghalensis (from 2 leaves to ramified plants) and Brachiaria plantaginea (from 2 leaves to tillered plants) were: (M1) sulfosate and paraquatldiuron+diquat (864 and 300+240 g/ha); (M2) sulfosate+2,4-D and paraquatldiuron+diquat (864+670 e 300+240 g/ha); (M3) sulfosate and paraquat/diuron+diquat (672 e 300+240 g/ha); (M4) sulfosate+2,4-D and paraquat/diuron+diquat (672+670 and 300+240 g/ha); (M5) control. The first application of the M1 and M2 sequence was carried out 26 days before sowing (DBS) and at 40 DBS with M3 and M4, and the second application was carried out on the sowing day for ali treataments. Ali manegement systems were subdivided and the control of C. benghalensis (I - 2 leaves) and Raphanus raphanistrum (I - 2 leaves) after soybean emergence was evaluated for the treatments with fomesafen (125 g/ha) in a single dose, 19 days after sowing (DAS); fomesafen and fomesafen (125 and 125 g/ha) in sequence 19 and 27 DAS; chlorimuron-ethyl+imazethapyr (10+ 150 g/ha) in a single dose 25 DAS, and a control. The antecipation ofthe management (40 DAS), facilited reduction in herbicide use and a better control of C. bengalensis and B. plantaginea. Where the management system obtained control above 97% (Ml e M4) the half fomesafen dose (125 g/ha) provided a satisfactory control of C. benghalensis. The sulfosate and paraquat/diuron+diquat sequences al\owed the management of C. benghalensis

Investigating centering, scan length, and arm position impact on radiation dose across 4 countries from 4 continents during pandemic: mitigating key radioprotection issues

Purpose: Optimization of CT scan practices can help achieve and maintain optimal radiation protection. The aim was to assess centering, scan length, and positioning of patients undergoing chest CT for suspected or known COVID-19 pneumonia and to investigate their effect on associated radiation doses. Methods: With respective approvals from institutional review boards, we compiled CT imaging and radiation dose data from four hospitals belonging to four countries (Brazil, Iran, Italy, and USA) on 400 adult patients who underwent chest CT for suspected or known COVID-19 pneumonia between April 2020 and August 2020. We recorded patient demographics and volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). From thin-section CT images of each patient, we estimated the scan length and recorded the first and last vertebral bodies at the scan start and end locations. Patient mis-centering and arm position were recorded. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The extent and frequency of patient mis-centering did not differ across the four CT facilities (>0.09). The frequency of patients scanned with arms by their side (11–40% relative to those with arms up) had greater mis-centering and higher CTDIvol and DLP at 2/4 facilities (p = 0.027–0.05). Despite lack of variations in effective diameters (p = 0.14), there were significantly variations in scan lengths, CTDIvol and DLP across the four facilities (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Mis-centering, over-scanning, and arms by the side are frequent issues with use of chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia and are associated with higher radiation doses

Electrocardiographic predictors of mortality: data from a primary care tele-electrocardiography cohort of Brazilian patients

Computerized electrocardiography (ECG) has been widely used and allows linkage to electronic medical records. The present study describes the development and clinical applications of an electronic cohort derived from a digital ECG database obtained by the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for the period 2010–2017, linked to the mortality data from the national information system, the Clinical Outcomes in Digital Electrocardiography (CODE) dataset. From 2,470,424 ECGs, 1,773,689 patients were identified. A total of 1,666,778 (94%) underwent a valid ECG recording for the period 2010 to 2017, with 1,558,421 patients over 16 years old; 40.2% were men, with a mean age of 51.7 [SD 17.6] years. During a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, the mortality rate was 3.3%. ECG abnormalities assessed were: atrial fibrillation (AF), right bundle branch block (RBBB), left bundle branch block (LBBB), atrioventricular block (AVB), and ventricular pre-excitation. Most ECG abnormalities (AF: Hazard ratio [HR] 2.10; 95% CI 2.03–2.17; RBBB: HR 1.32; 95%CI 1.27–1.36; LBBB: HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.62–1.76; first degree AVB: Relative survival [RS]: 0.76; 95% CI0.71–0.81; 2:1 AVB: RS 0.21 95% CI0.09–0.52; and RS 0.36; third degree AVB: 95% CI 0.26–0.49) were predictors of overall mortality, except for ventricular pre-excitation (HR 1.41; 95% CI 0.56–3.57) and Mobitz I AVB (RS 0.65; 95% CI 0.34–1.24). In conclusion, a large ECG database established by a telehealth network can be a useful tool for facilitating new advances in the fields of digital electrocardiography, clinical cardiology and cardiovascular epidemiology

Investigating centering, scan length, and arm position impact on radiation dose across 4 countries from 4 continents during pandemic: Mitigating key radioprotection issues

Purpose: Optimization of CT scan practices can help achieve and maintain optimal radiation protection. The aim was to assess centering, scan length, and positioning of patients undergoing chest CT for suspected or known COVID-19 pneumonia and to investigate their effect on associated radiation doses. Methods: With respective approvals from institutional review boards, we compiled CT imaging and radiation dose data from four hospitals belonging to four countries (Brazil, Iran, Italy, and USA) on 400 adult patients who underwent chest CT for suspected or known COVID-19 pneumonia between April 2020 and August 2020. We recorded patient demographics and volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). From thin-section CT images of each patient, we estimated the scan length and recorded the first and last vertebral bodies at the scan start and end locations. Patient mis-centering and arm position were recorded. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The extent and frequency of patient mis-centering did not differ across the four CT facilities (>0.09). The frequency of patients scanned with arms by their side (11�40 relative to those with arms up) had greater mis-centering and higher CTDIvol and DLP at 2/4 facilities (p = 0.027�0.05). Despite lack of variations in effective diameters (p = 0.14), there were significantly variations in scan lengths, CTDIvol and DLP across the four facilities (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Mis-centering, over-scanning, and arms by the side are frequent issues with use of chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia and are associated with higher radiation doses. © 202

Vaccination with a CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes-based recombinant chimeric protein derived from Leishmania infantum proteins confers protective immunity against visceral leishmaniasis.

Vaccination seems to be the best approach to control visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Resistance against infection is based on the development of a Th1 immune response characterized by the production of interferons-? (IFN-?), interleukin-12 (IL-12), granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?), among others. A number of antigens have been tested as potential targets against the disease; few of them are able to stimulate human immune cells. In the present study, 1 prediction of MHC class I and II molecules-specific epitopes in the amino acid sequences of 3 Leishmania proteins: 1 hypothetical, prohibitin, and small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat-containing proteins, was performed using bioinformatics tools, and a T-cell epitopes-based recombinant chimeric protein was constructed, synthetized and purified to be evaluated in invitro and in vivo experiments. The purified protein was tested regarding its immunogenicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy subjects and VL patients, as well as to its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in a murine model against Leishmania infantum infection. Results showed a Th1 response based on high IFN-? and low IL-10 levels derived from in chimera-stimulated PBMCs in both healthy subjects and VL patients. In addition, chimera and/or saponin-immunized mice presented significantly lower parasite burden in distinct evaluated organs, when compared to the controls, besides higher levels of IFN-?, IL-2, IL-12, and GM-CSF, and an IgG2a isotype-based humoral response. In addition, the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subtypes contributed to IFN-? production in the protected animals. The results showed the immunogenicity in human cells and the protective efficacy against L. infantum in a murine model, and well indicate that this recombinant chimera can be considered as a promising strategy to be used against human disease