Laser printing of micro-electronic communication systems for smart implants applications

Endow the implant with intrinsic communication system between sensors and actuators or between implant and patient is a key factor for its long-term success. The capacity of early diagnosis of failures and the ability to remedy them are necessary to minimize expensive complications and reducing revision procedures. Ti6Al4V is the most used titanium alloy for implant’s fabrication. In this sense, this work presents a promising approach to print communication systems by using laser technology, aiming integrate the smart components on titanium implants. Laser has been employed as a versatile tool to modify the surface in different ways, such as texturing, oxidizing and sintering. Silver wires have been printed on Ti6Al4V surface in order to conduct electrical current. To minimize current loss for the substrate, titanium oxide layer has been produced by different methods (laser and anodization). Laser sintering (LS) has been also compared to a conventional method (Hot-pressing- HP) to consolidate the silver powder into the cavities. In comparison to the conventional techniques, laser demonstrated to be a competitive approach to oxidizing the surface and also for consolidating the micro-wires on Ti6Al4V surface. Consequently, the micro-wires printed by laser approach presented satisfactory results in terms of electrical resistance, actuating as the conductor path for electrical current, with values of 0.0131 Ω, which is similar to the resistance of the wire printed in an insulator substrate.This work has been supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia -Portugal) in the scope of the projects UID/EEA/04436/ 2019 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000018-HAMaBICo and Add.Additive_Manufacturing to Portuguese Industry_POCI-01-0247- FEDER-024533. I wish to thank the CNPq (205791/2014-0)

Biometric evaluation of morpho-agronomic traits in pepper lines and hybrids

Objetivou-se avaliar linhagens e h?bridos de pimenta (Capsicum chinense e C. annuum) afim de obter informa??es sobre o desempenho agron?mico, heterose, heterobeltiose, correla??es fenot?picas e dissimilaridade gen?tica. Foram avaliadas as linhagens PIM-030, BGH-433, BGH-4285, Numex Sweet, Numex Garnet e os h?bridos simples Numex Sweet x PIM-030, Numex Garnet x PIM-030 e BGH-4285 x BGH-433. O experimento foi conduzido com oito tratamentos e quatro repeti??es, em casa de vegeta??o, no campus JK da UFVJM. Foram avaliadas 22 caracter?sticas morfoagron?micas. No h?brido BGH-4285 x BGH-433 foi observado maior heterose e heterobeltiose para produtividade total de frutos e produtividade de massa seca total de frutos, sendo interessante aos futuros programas de melhoramento. Observa-se que plantas de maior porte tendem a ser mais produtivas com maiores massas fresca dos frutos e frutos com pericarpo mais espesso, frutos maiores com maiores pedicelos e com sementes mais densas, sendo importante para a produ??o de p?prica. As linhagens BGH-433, BGH-4285 e PIM-030 s?o as mais recomendadas para uso em programas de melhoramento.In this study, we aimed to evaluate pepper lines and hybrids (Capsicum chinense and C. annuum) in order to obtain information on agronomic performance, heterosis, heterobeltiosis, phenotypic correlations and genetic dissimilarity. We evaluated lines PIM-030, BGH-433, BGH-4285, Numex Sweet, Numex Garnet and simple hybrids Numex Sweet x PIM-030, Numex Garnet x PIM-030 and BGH-4285 x BGH-433. The research was conducted with eight treatments and four replications in a greenhouse, at campus JK of UFVJM. Twenty two agronomic traits were evaluated. The hybrid BGH-4285 x BGH-433 presents higher heterosis and heterobeltiosis for total fruit productivity and productivity of total fruit dry mass, information of great value for future breeding studies. The authors noticed that larger plants tend to be more productive and present higher fruit fresh mass and also fruits with thicker pericarp, as well as larger fruits having longer pedicels with denser seeds, important for production of paprika. Lines BGH-433, BGH-4285 and PIM-030 are the most recommended to be used in breeding programs

Dominance of photo over chromatic acclimation strategies by habitat-forming mesophotic red algae

Funding was provided by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project grant no. (RPG-2018-113) to H.L.B., G.A.T. and I.D.W.S., an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grant (EP/L017008/1) to G.A.T. and I.D.W.S., and a São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) individual grant (#2016/14017-0) to G.H.P.-F.Red coralline algae are the deepest living macroalgae, capable of creating spatially complex reefs from the intertidal to 100+ m depth with global ecological and biogeochemical significance. How these algae maintain photosynthetic function under increasingly limiting light intensity and spectral availability is key to explaining their large depth distribution. Here, we investigated the photo- and chromatic acclimation and morphological change of free-living red coralline algae towards mesophotic depths in the Fernando do Noronha archipelago, Brazil. From 13 to 86 m depth, thalli tended to become smaller and less complex. We observed a dominance of the photo-acclimatory response, characterized by an increase in photosynthetic efficiency and a decrease in maximum electron transport rate. Chromatic acclimation was generally stable across the euphotic-mesophotic transition with no clear depth trend. Taxonomic comparisons suggest these photosynthetic strategies are conserved to at least the Order level. Light saturation necessitated the use of photoprotection to 65 m depth, while optimal light levels were met at 86 m. Changes to the light environment (e.g. reduced water clarity) due to human activities therefore places these mesophotic algae at risk of light limitation, necessitating the importance of maintaining good water quality for the conservation and protection of mesophotic habitats.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

New insights on the impacts of e-waste towards marine bivalves: the case of the rare earth element Dysprosium

With the technological advances and economic development, the multiplicity and wide variety of applications of electrical and electronic equipment have increased, as well as the amount of end-of-life products (waste of electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE). Accompanying their increasing application, there is an increasing risk to aquatic ecosystems and inhabiting organisms. Among the most common elements present in WEEE are rare earth elements (REE) such as Dysprosium (Dy). The present study evaluated the metabolic and oxidative stress responses of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to an increasing range of Dy concentrations, after a 28 days experimental period. The results obtained highlighted that Dy was responsible for mussel’s metabolic increase associated with glycogen expenditure, activation of antioxidant and biotransformation defences and cellular damage, with a clear loss of redox balance. Such effects may greatly impact mussel’s physiological functions, including reproduction capacity and growth, with implications for population conservation. Overall the present study pointed out the need for more research on the toxic impacts resulting from these emerging pollutants, especially towards marine and estuarine invertebrate species.publishe

Factors related to the incorrect use of inhalers by asthma patients

PereiraResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a técnica inalatória em pacientes com asma atendidos ambulatorialmente, estabelecendo associações dessa com o grau de controle da doença. Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo pacientes com idade ≥ 14 anos e diagnóstico médico de asma, recrutados no Ambulatório de Asma do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, na cidade de Porto Alegre (RS). Os pacientes completaram dois questionários (um geral e um questionário de controle da asma baseado nas diretrizes da Global Initiative for Asthma de 2011). Os pacientes demonstraram a técnica inalatória e realizaram testes de função pulmonar. A técnica inalatória incorreta foi definida como a execução incorreta de pelo menos duas etapas da avaliação. Resultados: Foram incluídos 268 pacientes. Desses, 81 (30,2%) apresentaram técnica inalatória incorreta, que foi associada com falta de controle da asma (p = 0,002). A regressão logística identificou os seguintes fatores associados com a técnica inalatória incorreta: ser viúvo (OR = 5,01; IC95%, 1,74-14,41; p = 0,003); utilizar inalador pressurizado (OR = 1,58; IC95%, 1,35-1,85; p < 0,001); ter renda familiar mensal < 3 salários mínimos (OR = 2,67; IC95%, 1,35-1,85; p = 0,008); e ter ≥ 2 comorbidades (OR = 3,80; IC95%, 1,03-14,02; p = 0,045). Conclusões: Na amostra estudada, a técnica inalatória incorreta se associou com a falta de controle da asma. Viuvez, uso de inalador pressurizado, baixo nível socioeconômico e presença de ≥ 2 comorbidades se associaram à técnica inalatória incorreta.AbstractObjective: To evaluate inhaler technique in outpatients with asthma and to determine associations between the correctness of that technique and the level of asthma control. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients ≥ 14 years of age with physician-diagnosed asthma. The patients were recruited from the Asthma Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The patients completed two questionnaires (a general questionnaire and an asthma control questionnaire based on the 2011 Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines), demonstrated their inhaler technique, and performed pulmonary function tests. Incorrect inhaler technique was defined as the incorrect execution of at least two of the predefined steps. Results: We included 268 patients. Of those, 81 (30.2%) showed incorrect inhaler technique, which was associated with poor asthma control (p = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis identified the following factors associated with incorrect inhaler technique: being widowed (OR = 5.01; 95% CI, 1.74-14.41; p = 0.003); using metered dose inhalers (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.35-1.85; p < 0.001); having a monthly family income < 3 times the minimum wage (OR = 2.67; 95% CI, 1.35-1.85; p = 0.008), and having ≥ 2 comorbidities (OR = 3.80; 95% CI, 1.03-14.02; p = 0.045). Conclusions: In the sample studied, incorrect inhaler technique was associated with poor asthma control. Widowhood, use of metered dose inhalers, low socioeconomic level, and the presence of ≥ 2 comorbidities were associated with incorrect inhaler technique

Ecosystem engineer morphological traits and taxon identity shape biodiversity across the euphotic-mesophotic transition

Funding was provided by a Leverhulme Trust Research Project grant (no. RPG-2018-113) to H.L.B., G.A.T. and I.D.W.S., an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council grant (no. EP/L017008/1) to G.A.T. and I.D.W.S., and a São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) individual grant (no. 2016/14017-0) to G.H.P.F.The euphotic-mesophotic transition is characterized by dramatic changes in environmental conditions, which can significantly alter the functioning of ecosystem engineers and the structure of their associated communities. However, the drivers of biodiversity change across the euphotic-mesophotic transition remain unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanisms affecting the biodiversity-supporting potential of free-living red coralline algae-globally important habitat creators-towards mesophotic depths. Across a 73 m depth gradient, we observed a general decline in macrofaunal biodiversity (fauna abundance, taxon richness and alpha diversity), but an increase in beta-diversity (i.e. variation between assemblages) at the deepest site (86 m depth, where light levels were less than 1% surface irradiance). We identified a gradient in abundance decline rather than distinct ecological shifts, driven by a complex interaction between declining light availability, declining size of the coralline algal host individuals and a changing host taxonomy. However, despite abundance declines, high between-assemblage variability at deeper depths allowed biodiversity-supporting potential to be maintained, highlighting their importance as coastal refugia.PostprintPeer reviewe

TESS Giants Transiting Giants V -- Two hot Jupiters orbiting red-giant hosts

In this work we present the discovery and confirmation of two hot Jupiters orbiting red-giant stars, TOI-4377 b and TOI-4551 b, observed by TESS in the southern ecliptic hemisphere and later followed-up with radial-velocity (RV) observations. For TOI-4377 b we report a mass of $0.957^{+0.089}_{-0.087} \ M_\mathrm{J}$and a inflated radius of$1.348 \pm 0.081 \ R_\mathrm{J}$orbiting an evolved intermediate-mass star ($1.36 \ \mathrm{M}_\odot$,$3.52 \ \mathrm{R}_\odot$; TIC 394918211) on a period of of$4.378$days. For TOI-4551 b we report a mass of$1.49 \pm 0.13 \ M_\mathrm{J}$and a radius that is not obviously inflated of$1.058^{+0.110}_{-0.062} \ R_\mathrm{J}$, also orbiting an evolved intermediate-mass star ($1.31 \ \mathrm{M}_\odot$,$3.55 \ \mathrm{R}_\odot$; TIC 204650483) on a period of$9.956$days. We place both planets in context of known systems with hot Jupiters orbiting evolved hosts, and note that both planets follow the observed trend of the known stellar incident flux-planetary radius relation observed for these short-period giants. Additionally, we produce planetary interior models to estimate the heating efficiency with which stellar incident flux is deposited in the planet's interior, estimating values of$1.91 \pm 0.48\%$and$2.19 \pm 0.45\%$ for TOI-4377 b and TOI-4551 b respectively. These values are in line with the known population of hot Jupiters, including hot Jupiters orbiting main sequence hosts, which suggests that the radii of our planets have reinflated in step with their parent star's brightening as they evolved into the post-main-sequence. Finally, we evaluate the potential to observe orbital decay in both systems.Comment: 14 pages with 8 figures and 6 tables. Accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ

Standard Ant Clustering Algorithm (SACA) no Agrupamento de Dados Ambientais

Data Mining is a technology that uses various algorithms with the purpose of discovering knowledge in databases, among them algorithms have become the Standard Ant Clustering (SACA), which is based on a model of collective behavior of ant species, more accurately in the organization of cemeteries. This collective behavior it is used by SACA to form groups of similar data, on this work was applied environmental indicators of the quality of water resources in the River Basin Urussang