Tailoring Bi2MoO6 by Eu3+ incorporation for enhanced photoluminescence emissions

Here, an experimental study is presented on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of Bi2-xMoO6:xEu3+ (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mol%) materials, synthesized by means of the microwave-assisted solvothermal method using ethylene glycol as a solvent. Different characterization techniques (X-ray diffraction measurements with Rietveld refinements, Raman and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence emissions) have been employed to examine the structural and electronic properties, energy transfer and defect evolution which control the performance of the as-synthetized materials. Present findings provide deep insights into the substitution of Eu3+ cations in Bi2MoO6, with focus on their influence on process that dictate the superior optical properties.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume

Soybean Breeding Aiming at increasing Productivity and Root-Knot Nematode Resistance

In Brazil, the root-knot nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus) has gained importance, whatever because of the damage caused to soybean crops or because of its broad dispersion and incidences in producing areas. Therefore, this invention aimed at developing a new cultivar resistant to the major soybean diseases as well as to the root-knot nematode. As a result, we developed a soybean cultivar designated UFUS 8301. Generations were advanced by the single seed descent method. Value for Cultivation and Use assays were carried out during a 3-year period (2010/13). Distinctness, uniformity, and stability experiments were carried out during a 2-year period (2011/13). We used the reproduction factor (RF) statistics to assess damage and reproductive potentials of P. Brachyurus; analysis of variance tested differences between means. We accepted the null hypothesis there was no difference between UFUS 8301 and the parameter of resistance Crotalaria spectabilis. UFUS 8301 was found distinct from any other cultivar, homogeneous to the descriptors that had identified it and stable through generations. UFUS 8301 presented 19% oil and 39% protein on the seeds, and yield (3687.5 kg ha-1) above Brazilian national average

Avaliação dos impactos socioeconômicos de projetos energéticos – eletrificação rural: área de concessão da ENERSUL – MS

This article evaluates the impacts of the Program of Rural Electrification called “Luz no Campo” on the energy profile of rural properties located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The evaluation period comprehends three phases – ex-ante, intermediary and ex-post – of the field research and is based on the area of concession of the utility ENERSUL. It presents a panel of the local energy consumption and its relations with the family incomes. It also identifies some changes that occurred as a result of the access to electric energy. The results intend to help the decision makers in the formulation of public policies that aim at promoting the optimization of the use of energetic resources and atpromoting rural development.Key words: Energy, Rural electrification, Sustainable development.Este artigo busca avaliar os impactos no perfil energético das propriedades rurais, decorrentes da implementação do Programa de Eletrificação Rural “Luz no Campo” para a área de concessão da ENERSUL – Empresa Energética de Mato Grosso do Sul, durante três fases da pesquisa de campo: a fase ex-ante, a fase intermediária e a fase ex-post. Será apresentado um painel do perfil de consumo energético das comunidades e, além disso, as relações entre esse consumo e a renda familiar dessa população. Serão identificadas algumas transformações que o homem do campo sofre com a chegada da energia elétrica. Os resultados auxiliarão os tomadores de decisão na formulação de políticas públicas que promovam a otimização do uso de recursos energéticos, assim como na promoção do desenvolvimento rural.Palavras-chave: Energia, Eletrificação rural, Desenvolvimento sustentável

Genomic variations in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and karyotypes without numerical or structural changes

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is an onco-hematologic disease with distinct levels of peripheral blood cytopenias, dysplasias in cell differentiation and various forms of chromosomal and cytogenomic alterations. In this study, the Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) was performed in patients with primary MDS without numerical and/or structural chromosomal alterations in karyotypes. A total of 17 patients was evaluated by GTG banding and eight patients showed no numerical and/or structural alterations. Then, the CMA was carried out and identified gains and losses CNVs and long continuous stretches of homozygosity (LCSHs). They were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, X, and Y. Ninety-one genes that have already been implicated in molecular pathways important for cell viability were selected and in-silico expression analyses demonstrated 28 genes differentially expressed in mesenchymal stromal cells of patients. Alterations in these genes may be related to the inactivation of suppressor genes or the activation of oncogenes contributing to the evolution and malignization of MDS. CMA provided additional information in patients without visible changes in the karyotype and our findings could contribute with additional information to improve the prognostic and personalized stratification for patients

Avaliação dos impactos socioeconômicos de projetos energéticos – eletrificação rural: área de concessão da ENERSUL – MS

This article evaluates the impacts of the Program of Rural Electrification called “Luz no Campo” on the energy profile of rural properties located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The evaluation period comprehends three phases – ex-ante, intermediary and ex-post – of the field research and is based on the area of concession of the utility ENERSUL. It presents a panel of the local energy consumption and its relations with the family incomes. It also identifies some changes that occurred as a result of the access to electric energy. The results intend to help the decision makers in the formulation of public policies that aim at promoting the optimization of the use of energetic resources and atpromoting rural development.Key words: Energy, Rural electrification, Sustainable development.Este artigo busca avaliar os impactos no perfil energético das propriedades rurais, decorrentes da implementação do Programa de Eletrificação Rural “Luz no Campo” para a área de concessão da ENERSUL – Empresa Energética de Mato Grosso do Sul, durante três fases da pesquisa de campo: a fase ex-ante, a fase intermediária e a fase ex-post. Será apresentado um painel do perfil de consumo energético das comunidades e, além disso, as relações entre esse consumo e a renda familiar dessa população. Serão identificadas algumas transformações que o homem do campo sofre com a chegada da energia elétrica. Os resultados auxiliarão os tomadores de decisão na formulação de políticas públicas que promovam a otimização do uso de recursos energéticos, assim como na promoção do desenvolvimento rural.Palavras-chave: Energia, Eletrificação rural, Desenvolvimento sustentável

The need for fast-track, high-quality and low-cost studies about the role of the BCG vaccine in the fight against COVID-19.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is routine and near-universal in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). It has been suggested that BCG can have a protective effect on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This commentary discusses the limitations of the evidence around BCG and COVID-19. We argue that higher-quality evidence is necessary to understand the protective effect of the BCG vaccine from existing, secondary data, while we await results from clinical trials currently conducted in different settings

Efeito da equoterapia no equilíbrio postural de idosos

OBJETIVO: Verificar se a equoterapia é capaz de produzir alterações no equilíbrio de idosos. MÉTODOS: Desenvolveu-se um estudo experimental controlado. A amostra foi composta de 17 idosos, divididos em grupo experimental (GE), sete sujeitos e grupo controle (GC), dez sujeitos. A aquisição dos dados da estabilometria foi realizada por meio da plataforma de força da marca AMTI (Force Measurement Systems). Para análise clínica do equilíbrio sentado, transferências de sentado para a posição em pé, estabilidade na deambulação e mudanças do curso da marcha, utilizou-se o teste Timed Up and Go (TUG). Foram realizadas 16 sessões de equoterapia. RESULTADOS: Na comparação das médias entre os grupos por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney, não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros estabilométricos analisados. Já na comparação das médias intragrupo por meio do teste de Wilcoxon, verificou-se aumento significante sobre as variáveis COPy e área (p=0,02). Nas médias entre o GE e o GC, por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney para análise do teste TUG, verificou-se efeito significante (p=0,04) da equoterapia. Na comparação das médias intragrupo pelo teste de Wilcoxon, verificou-se efeito significante (p=0,04) sobre a variável TUG. CONCLUSÕES: A senescência tende a normalizar as medidas estabilométricas, sendo insuficiente, com esse número de sessões de equoterapia, apontar diferenças ligadas a essa intervenção. No entanto, essa frequência de tratamento foi suficiente como preditor de menor risco de quedas em idosos, uma vez que o teste de TUG mostrou diminuição significativa do tempo necessário para executá-lo. Artigo registrado no Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) sob o número ACTRN12610000534088.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy) produces alterations in the balance of the elderly. METHODS: The sample included 17 older adults who were divided into experimental (7 subjects) and control (10 subjects) groups. Stabilometry data were acquired with a force platform. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was used for clinical analysis of seated balance, transfer from a seated to a standing position, walking stability and changes in gait. Sixteen equine-assisted therapy sessions were carried out. RESULTS: Mann-Witney was used to compare the means between groups and no significant differences were found in the analyzed stabilometric parameters. In intragroup comparison with the Wilcoxon test, a significant increase in the variables COPy and Area (p=0.02) was observed. Equine-assisted therapy significantly affected (p=0.04) TUG test means between the experimental and control groups (Mann-Witney). Intragroup TUG test means were also significantly affected (p=0.04) according to the Wilcoxon test. CONCLUSIONS: Because senescence tends to normalize stabilometric measures, the number of equine-assisted therapy sessions was insufficient to determine any differences. Nevertheless, the significant improvement in TUG test scores demonstrates that this treatment frequency was a predictor of reduced fall risk in the elderly. Article registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under number ACTRN12610000534088

Utilização de uma malha estruturada na análise do aerofólio s809

A análise numérica tem se tornado uma ferramenta essencial nas etapas do desenvolvimento de um projeto devido a sua capacidade de solução para fenômenos físicos descritos por leis de difícil solução analítica, economizando tempo e dinheiro, uma vez que um número muito menor de protótipos será construído até a obtenção do resultado final. Para tanto, deve-se encontrar uma malha ideal de forma que esta possibilite o resultado mais próximo possível da realidade, com o mínimo de esforço computacional. O objetivo é o estudo do aerofólio S809 bastante empregado em aerogeradores. A metodologia empregada será a determinação de uma malha estruturada ideal para simulações em diversas condições de operação dos rotores desses equipamentos. Será observado alguns aspectos importantes, como o número mínimo de elementos necessários, o refinamento próximo à superfície do aerofólio, isto é, o tamanho inicial e a relação de crescimento dos elementos nesta região, de maneira a obter a melhor representação dos efeitos de camada limite e o fenômeno da turbulência, assim como, o tamanho mínimo necessário do domínio a ser discretizado, de forma que este não influencie nos resultados das simulações. Desta forma, aplicando-se o aumento gradativo do número de elementos bem como a diminuição da relação de crescimento destes ao redor do aerofólio nas malhas construídas pelo software ICEM® e realizando simulações através do FLUENT®, espera-se a convergência dos resultados obtidos para os coeficientes de arrasto e de sustentação a partir de um determinado número de elementos da malha, sendo desnecessário qualquer tipo de acréscimo no refinamento local ou global, uma vez que isto apenas aumentaria o esforço computacional e não mais influenciaria nos resultados. Além disso, deve ser observado que as equações de momento, energia e da continuidade devem atender ao erro mínimo exigido. Assim, esta malha representaria o caso ideal desejadoUniversidade Federal de Viçosa//UFV/BrasilFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais//FAPEMIG/BrasilUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ingeniería::Instituto Investigaciones en Ingeniería (INII

Prime Focus Spectrograph - Subaru's future -

The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and Redshifts (SuMIRe) project has been endorsed by Japanese community as one of the main future instruments of the Subaru 8.2-meter telescope at Mauna Kea, Hawaii. This optical/near-infrared multi-fiber spectrograph targets cosmology with galaxy surveys, Galactic archaeology, and studies of galaxy/AGN evolution. Taking advantage of Subaru's wide field of view, which is further extended with the recently completed Wide Field Corrector, PFS will enable us to carry out multi-fiber spectroscopy of 2400 targets within 1.3 degree diameter. A microlens is attached at each fiber entrance for F-ratio transformation into a larger one so that difficulties of spectrograph design are eased. Fibers are accurately placed onto target positions by positioners, each of which consists of two stages of piezo-electric rotary motors, through iterations by using back-illuminated fiber position measurements with a wide-field metrology camera. Fibers then carry light to a set of four identical fast-Schmidt spectrographs with three color arms each: the wavelength ranges from 0.38 {\mu}m to 1.3 {\mu}m will be simultaneously observed with an average resolving power of 3000. Before and during the era of extremely large telescopes, PFS will provide the unique capability of obtaining spectra of 2400 cosmological/astrophysical targets simultaneously with an 8-10 meter class telescope. The PFS collaboration, led by IPMU, consists of USP/LNA in Brazil, Caltech/JPL, Princeton, & JHU in USA, LAM in France, ASIAA in Taiwan, and NAOJ/Subaru.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, submitted to "Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, Ian S. McLean, Suzanne K. Ramsay, Hideki Takami, Editors, Proc. SPIE 8446 (2012)

Biomarkers for prediction of mortality in left-sided infective endocarditis

Background: Evidence regarding biomarkers for risk prediction in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) is limited. We aimed to investigate the value of a panel of biomarkers for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with IE. Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, consecutive IE patients admitted to the emergency department were prospectively included. Blood concentrations of nine biomarkers were measured at admission (D0) and on the seventh day (D7) of antibiotic therapy: C-reactive protein (CRP), sensitive troponin I (s-cTnI), procalcitonin, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), proadrenomedullin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and galectin 3. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Results: Among 97 patients, 56% underwent cardiac surgery, and in-hospital mortality was 27%. At admission, six biomarkers were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality: s-cTnI (OR 3.4; 95%CI 1.8–6.4; P < 0.001), BNP (OR 2.7; 95%CI 1.4–5.1; P = 0.002), IL-6 (OR 2.06; 95%CI 1.3–3.7; P = 0.019), procalcitonin (OR 1.9; 95%CI 1.1–3.2; P = 0.018), TNF-α (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.1–2.9; P = 0.019), and CRP (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.0–3.3; P = 0.037). At admission, S-cTnI provided the highest accuracy for predicting mortality (area under the ROC curve: s-cTnI 0.812, BNP 0.727, IL-6 0.734, procalcitonin 0.684, TNF-α 0.675, CRP 0.670). After 7 days of antibiotic therapy, BNP and inflammatory biomarkers improved their performance (s-cTnI 0.814, BNP 0.823, IL-6 0.695, procalcitonin 0.802, TNF-α 0.554, CRP 0.759). Conclusion: S-cTnI concentration measured at admission had the highest accuracy for mortality prediction in patients with IE