Search Results (43)

Properly refrigerating hard-to-cut alloys during grinding is key to achieve high quality, strict tolerances, and good surface finishing. Nonetheless, literature about the influence of cooling-lubrication conditions (CLCs) on dimensional accuracy of ground components is still scarce. Thus, this work aims to evaluate surface quality, grinding power, and dimensional accuracy of Inconel 718 workpieces after grinding with silicon carbide grinding wheel at different grinding conditions. Four different CLCs were tested: flood, minimum quantity of lubrication (MQL) without graphene, and with multilayer graphene (MG) at two distinct concentrations: 0.05 and 0.10 wt.%. Different radial depths of cut values were also tested. The results showed that the material’s removed height increased with radial depth of cut, leading to coarse tolerance (IT) grades. Machining with the MQL WG resulted in higher dimensional precision with an IT grade varying between IT6 and IT7, followed by MQL MG 0.10% (IT7), MQL MG 0.05% (IT7-IT8), and flood (IT8). The lower tolerances achieved with MG were attributed to the lowering in the friction coefficient of the workpiece material sliding through the abrasive grits with no material removal (micro-plowing mechanism), thereby reducing grinding power and the removed height in comparison to the other CLC tested. Full article

Background/Aims: across protein-coding genes, single nucleotide allelic variants (SNVs) affect antidiabetic drug pharmacokinetics, thus contributing to interindividual variability in drug response. SNV frequencies vary across different populations. Studying ancestry proportions among SNV genotypes is particularly important for personalising diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) treatment. Methods: a sample of 249 Mexican DMT2 patients was gathered. SNVs were determined through real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Molecular ancestries were determined as 3 clusters (Native-American, European, and African) based upon 90 ancestry markers (AIMS). Statistical inference tests were performed to analyse ancestry across 23 SNV genotypes. Allele and ancestry distributions were analysed through Spearman’s correlation. Results: ancestry medians were 65.48% Native-American (NATAM), 28.34% European (EUR), and 4.8% African (AFR). CYP2C8*3 and CYP2C8*4 were negatively correlated to NATAM, whereas positively to EUR. The activity score of CYP2C9 was correlated to NATAM (Rho = 0.131, p = 0.042). CYP2C19*17 and the activity score of CYP2C19 were negatively correlated to NATAM. The correlation throughout SLC22A1 variants, such as GAT in rs72552763, was positive by EUR, while A in rs594709 was negative thereby and positive by NATAM. SLC22A3 variant C in rs2076828 was positively correlated to NATAM. NATAM patients present higher HbA1c levels with respect to Mestizo patients (p = 0.037). Uncontrolled patients (HbA1c ≥ 7%) have a larger NATAM ancestry (p = 0.018) and lower EUR (p = 0.022) as compared to controlled patients (HbA1c < 7%). Conclusions: there is a correlation between ancestry and some pharmacokinetically relevant alleles among Mexican DMT2 patients. Ethnicity is relevant for personalised medicine across different populations. Full article

Objective: To evaluate and compare whether the presence of a nuchal cord (NC) and its characteristics had a negative impact on perinatal outcomes during delivery. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the medical records of pregnant women from March 2020 to June 2023. Pregnant women were divided into groups with and without an NC. Singleton pregnancies ≥ 37 weeks were included, excluding fetal malformations, chromosomal anomalies, and cases with missing data and cord blood gas. Results: Of the 3364 medical records analyzed, 466 were included—366 without and 100 with an NC. Among the cases with an NC, 91% had one loop and 9% had ≥ two loops; 82% were loose and 18% were tight. Pregnant women with an NC had a higher gestational age (39.7 vs. 39.1 weeks, p = 0.006), fewer deliveries (1.0 vs. 2.0, p = 0.035), and a higher prevalence of cesarean sections (99% vs. 60.4%, p < 0.001). An NC was associated with a lower Apgar score at the 1st minute (8 vs. 9, p = 0.014) and higher arterial cord blood pH (7.27 vs. 7.24, p = 0.020). The presence of a tight cord was significantly associated with a 7.52-fold increased risk of an Apgar score < 7 at the 1st minute [x²(1) = 5.92, OR: 7.52, 95% CI: 1.51–37.31, R² Nagelkerke: 0.14, p = 0.014]. Conclusions: There was no effect of the presence of an NC on adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the presence of a tight NC was associated with an increased risk of an Apgar score < 7 at the 1st minute, but no other effect on neonatal outcomes. Full article

Modifications to daily sedentary behavior (SB) and participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may provide beneficial results in the prevention and management of mental disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This cross-sectional research investigated the minimum number of follow-up days needed to reliably estimate the time spent in SB and MVPA from accelerometer data in people with MDD. SB and physical activity (PA) were assessed using an accelerometer, and classified as time spent in SB and in different PA intensities (light—LPA, moderate—MPA, vigorous—VPA, MVPA, or total—TPA). The minimum days of use were calculated using Spearman–Brown analyses, considering only variables with an ICC > 0.8 (cut point-considered acceptable). In the results, 98 people with MDD showed no differences between the days of the week, and an ICC > 0.8 for SB, MPA, and MVPA (for 2-3-4-5-6 vs. 7). Thus, Spearman–Brown analyses were performed considering 2 days (minimum days with ICC > 0.8) and 7 days (maximum days of original test with ICC > 0.8). Our results suggest that a minimum of 3 days of accelerometer use is necessary to reliably estimate the time of SB, MPA, and MVPA. This finding has a significant practical application, allowing data collection using a reduced duration of accelerometer wear. The optimization of time needed in this context permits the utilization of accelerometers among a greater number of individuals, possibly affecting the sample size of MDD patients in research and decreasing acquisition costs in this scientific area. Full article

The Ti-6Al-4V alloy is widely used in orthopedic and dental implants due to its excellent mechanical, corrosion, and biological properties. However, it exhibits several limitations that can compromise its performance in clinical applications. Notably, the alloy suffers from a high coefficient of friction, which can lead to increased wear and reduced longevity of implants under relative movement conditions. Additionally, Ti-6Al-4V shows susceptibility to localized corrosion in physiological environments, particularly in the presence of bodily fluids that may result in the formation of pitting. These challenges underscore the need for surface modifications that can enhance the alloy’s tribological performance, thereby improving its overall efficacy and durability as a biomaterial in medical settings. In this context, the manuscript presents applied and innovative research that assesses the impact of implementing nanostructured Nb₂O₅ coatings through the reactive sputtering technique on the wear performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under both air and artificial saliva (AS) solution conditions using a Pin-on-Disk apparatus. The nanostructured Nb₂O₅ coating demonstrated the ability to reduce the wear rate and volume by up to 88% without inducing any modifications to the R_a and R_t of Ti-6Al-4V, a feature that is desirable for applications in implantable devices. The reduction in wear can be attributed to the shift from adhesive wear mechanisms on uncoated surfaces to abrasive mechanisms on coated surfaces. This research highlights the strategic advantage of utilizing Brazil’s abundant niobium resources to advance biomaterial technology and facilitate applications that benefit public health. Full article

Access to safe drinking water is a global challenge, with significant disparities affecting public health and quality of life. This study evaluated the relationship between specific water parameters, public satisfaction with treated water, and diarrhea incidence in Southwestern Goiás, Brazil. The objectives were (1) to assess water parameters, including aluminum, iron, manganese, pH, hardness, fecal coliforms, and turbidity, in samples from springs, streams, and municipal supplies; (2) to evaluate residents’ satisfaction with municipal water and their reliance on untreated water sources; and (3) to analyze the impact of transitioning from untreated to treated water following the closure of a spring in 2017 on diarrheal diseases. A longitudinal observational study reviewed diarrhea cases from 2013 to 2019. Treated water met potability standards, while untreated springs showed significant contamination. Dissatisfaction with treated water correlated strongly with continued reliance on untreated springs (p < 0.05), increasing the diarrhea risk nearly ninefold (OR = 8.78; 95% CI = 4.37–18.29). The findings underscore the importance of transitioning to treated water for mitigating diarrheal diseases and enhancing public trust in water safety. This study provides a replicable and scalable approach for improving water sanitation management, addressing waterborne diseases, and supporting public health interventions in diverse global contexts. Full article

Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening fungal pathogen that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals. While antiretroviral therapy has reduced incidence in developed nations, fluconazole-resistant strains and virulent environmental isolates continue to pose challenges, especially because they have many mechanisms of adaptability, supporting their survival. This study explores the phenetic and metabolomic adaptations of C. neoformans in clinical and environmental contexts to understand the factors influencing pathogenicity and resistance. Methods: An in silico observational study was conducted with 16 C. neoformans isolates (6 clinical, 9 environmental, and 1 reference) from the NCBI database. Molecular phenetic analysis used MEGA version 11.0.13 and focused on efflux pump protein sequences. Molecular phenetic relationships were assessed via the UPGMA clustering method with 1000 bootstrap replicates. The enzymatic profiling of glycolytic pathways was conducted with dbCAN, and metabolomic pathway enrichment analysis was performed in MetaboAnalyst 6.0 using the KEGG pathway database. Results: Molecular phenetic analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns among isolates, reflecting adaptations associated with clinical and environmental niches. Clinical isolates demonstrated enriched sulfur metabolism and glutathione pathways, likely adaptations to oxidative stress in host environments, while environmental isolates favored methane and glyoxylate pathways, suggesting adaptations for survival in carbon-rich environments. Conclusion: Significant phenetic and metabolomic distinctions between isolates reveal adaptive strategies for enhancing virulence and antifungal resistance, highlighting potential therapeutic targets. Full article

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the concordance between estimated fetal weight (EFW) and birth weight among ultrasound examinations with fetal biometry considered adequate and inadequate according to the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) guidelines, and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective and cross-sectional study carried out in two centers, involving parturients who delivered between 37 and 41 weeks. The following parameters were evaluated: biparietal (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) measurement; EFW; the interval between the ultrasound and delivery; and the discrepancy between EFW and birth weight. A minimum of 140 participants were required to assess the association between EFW and birth weight. Results: A total of 305 ultrasound examinations were selected and divided into two groups: adequate (Group I n = 115) and inadequate (Group II n = 190) fetal biometry. The measurements of the cephalic pole (BPD + HC), AC, and FL were inadequate in 69.5% (132/190), 91.6% (175/190), and 72.1% (137/190) of participants, respectively. Group I had a lower gestational age at ultrasound examination (38.4 vs. 39.9 weeks, p < 0.001), a larger BPD measurement (93.9 vs. 91.6 mm, p = 0.001), a longer interval between ultrasound examination and delivery (3.8 vs. 2.0 days, p < 0.001), and a smaller discrepancy between EFW and birth weight (7.2 vs. 9.5%, p = 0.002) than Group II. In Group I, EFW was a strong significant predictor (AUC:0.94, 95%CI 0.85–0.99, p = 0.032) for identifying birth weight >4000 g. An EFW cut-off value of 4019.0 g was found to be a correct identifier for 85.7% of newborns with a birth weight >4000 g, with a false-positive rate of 13.7%. Group I had a lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage (7.0% vs. 15.8%, OR:0.39, 95%CI 0.17–0.90, p = 0.024) and composite adverse perinatal outcomes (13.0 vs. 23.3%, OR:0.49, 95%CI 0.26–0.94, p = 0.030) than Group II. In Group I patients, undergoing an ultrasound 7 days before delivery was an independent predictor of composite adverse perinatal outcomes [x²(1) = 4.9, OR:0.49, 95%CI: 0.26–0.94, R² Nagelkerke:0.026, p = 0.030]. Conclusions: We observed a high rate of inadequate fetal biometry. There was poor concordance between EFW and birth weight. EFW was a strong significant predictor for identifying macrosomia. Ultrasound examination performed 7 days before delivery was an independent predictor of adverse perinatal outcomes. Full article

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare fetal lung anomaly characterized by benign multicystic masses that can lead to severe complications, such as pulmonary hypoplasia, fetal hydrops, and neonatal death. This literature review examines current knowledge on antenatal therapies for CCAM, focusing on pharmacological, procedural, and surgical interventions. Betamethasone, the first-line pharmacological treatment, has shown efficacy in reducing lesion size and resolving hydrops, particularly in microcystic CCAM. Procedural options, such as thoracoamniotic shunting, are effective for macrocystic lesions but carry risks including preterm labor and thoracic deformities. Open fetal surgery remains a last-resort intervention for severe cases, while emerging techniques, like percutaneous laser ablation and sclerotherapy, offer promising minimally invasive alternatives. A proposed treatment algorithm emphasizes individualized care based on lesion type, gestational age, and the presence of complications. The authors searched the US National Library of Medicine Database, Google Scholar, and PubMed Central to gather information on antenatal therapies for CCAM. This review emphasizes that, despite significant advancements, considerable challenges persist, underscoring the need for prospective studies to refine therapeutic protocols and assess long-term outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a progressive vascular condition characterized by venous hypertension and chronic inflammation, leading to significant clinical and socioeconomic impacts. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of emerging pharmacological interventions for CVI, focusing on clinical outcomes such as pain, edema, cutaneous blood flow, and quality of life. Methods: Eligible interventions comprised new vasoprotective drugs, such as hydroxyethylrutoside, Pycnogenol, aminaphthone, coumarin + troxerutin, and Venoruton, compared to the standard therapy of diosmin and hesperidin. Results: Hydroxyethylrutoside and Pycnogenol showed significant benefits in pain reduction and resting flux improvement, with mean differences of 38 (95% CI: 10.56–65.44) and 25.30 (95% CI: 18.73–31.87), respectively. Improvements in edema and quality of life were less consistent. Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 100%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Hydroxyethylrutoside and Pycnogenol emerge as promising alternatives for managing CVI. However, limitations such as high heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and methodological inconsistencies highlight the need for more robust and standardized clinical trials. This study underscores the importance of personalized and cost-effective strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings. Full article

Niobium-based oxides have garnered increased attention in recent years for their remarkable enhancement of corrosion resistance, as well as biofunctional properties of various metallic materials, including 316L SS. However, the mechanical properties of these promising coatings have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated how much the environmental conditions (air, artificial saliva, and NaCl solution) impact the wear performance of 316L SS without and with Nb₂O₅ coatings deposited via the reactive sputtering technique. The results exhibited a notable decrease in friction coefficient (55% in air, 18% in artificial saliva, 10% in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution), wear area (46% in air, 36% in AS, 17.5% in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution), and wear rate (44.0% in air, 19.5% in AS, 12.0% in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution). Ultimately, the results obtained in the present study elucidate the synergistic mechanisms of corrosion and wear in 316L SS containing Nb₂O₅ coatings, highlighting its significant potential for applications in the biomedical sector. Full article

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) allow for inferences about the relationships between genomic variants and phenotypic traits in natural or breeding populations. However, few have used this methodology in Coffea arabica. We aimed to identify chromosomal regions with significant associations between SNP markers and agronomic traits in C. arabica. We used a coffee panel consisting of 195 plants derived from 13 families in F2 generations and backcrosses of crosses between leaf rust-susceptible and -resistant genotypes. The plants were phenotyped for 18 agronomic markers and genotyped for 21,211 SNP markers. A GWAS enabled the identification of 110 SNPs with significant associations (p < 0.05) for several agronomic traits in C. arabica: plant height, plagiotropic branch length, number of vegetative nodes, canopy diameter, fruit size, cercosporiosis incidence, and rust incidence. The effects of each SNP marker associated with the traits were analyzed, such that they can be used for molecular marker-assisted selection. For the first time, a GWAS was used for these important agronomic traits in C. arabica, enabling applications in accelerated coffee breeding through marker-assisted selection and ensuring greater efficiency and time reduction. Furthermore, our findings provide preliminary knowledge to further confirm the genomic loci and potential candidate genes contributing to various structural and disease-related traits of C. arabica. Full article

Conjugated polymers (CPs) offer the potential for sustainable semiconductor devices due to their low cost and inherent molecular self-assembly. Enhanced crystallinity and molecular orientation in thin films of solution-processable CPs have significantly improved organic electronic device performance. In this work, three methods, namely spin coating, dip coating, and unidirectional floating-film transfer method (UFTM), were utilized with their parametric optimization for fabricating RR-P3HT films. These films were then utilized for their characterization via optical and microstructural analysis to elucidate dominant roles of molecular orientation and crystallinity in controlling charge transport in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). OFETs fabricated by RR-P3HT thin films using spin coating and dip coating displayed field-effect mobility (μ) of 8.0 × 10⁻⁴ cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ and 1.3 × 10⁻³ cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹, respectively. This two-time enhancement in µ for dip-coated films was attributed to its enhanced crystallinity. Interestingly, UFTM film-based OFETs demonstrated μ of 7.0 × 10⁻² cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹, >100 times increment as compared to its spin-coated counterpart. This superior device performance is attributed to the synergistic influence of higher crystallinity and molecular orientation. Since the crystallinity of dip-coated and UFTM-thin films are similar, ~50 times improved µ of UFTM thin films, this suggests a dominant role of molecular orientation as compared to crystallinity in controlling the charge transport. Full article

Mechanical soil intervention with a chisel in cover crops (CCs) is a promising strategy for minimizing the superficial compaction of soil in a no-tillage system (NTS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical chiseling associated with successive crops and preceding cover crops to assess grain yield and changes in soil chemical properties after rice cultivation for two consecutive years. The experimental design comprised randomized blocks in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments consisted of five cover crops (Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Urochloa ruziziensis, Pennisetum glaucum, and fallow), with or without soil mechanical chiseling. Soil samples from the 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm layers were collected, and the chemical properties were analyzed after rice cultivation. Under U. ruziziensis, the chemical properties were improved by mechanical scarification; however, the initial acidity increased in the 5–40 cm layer. The cultivation of P. glaucum and C. juncea prior to rice, regardless of scarification, improved the soil chemical properties in the 0–40 cm layer. Mechanical soil scarification and the use of C. cajan as a cover crop increased the grain yield of upland rice by approximately 552 and 1454 and 1330 kg ha⁻¹ compared to the P. glaucum and U. ruziziensis, respectively. Full article

Bamboo is already a convenient construction resource, as it offers an efficient structural performance. As this plant has native varieties adapted to different climates and soils of Brazil, bamboo silviculture can be intensified to supply the national industry. Three bamboo species from Brazil (Dendrocalamus asper, Bambusa tuldoides, and Phyllostachys aurea) were analyzed for the flexural load capacity applied on the internal and external surfaces. Specimens were prepared without knots and with knots centered at the middle of each sample. In total, 240 samples were tested in terms of static bending and dynamic bending (impact). The results showed a higher flexural elasticity and a higher proportional limit strength of knotted P. aurea. The presence of knots provided higher values of ultimate strength in P. aurea, even reducing the bamboo flexibility. Also, P. aurea exhibited the best characteristic of flexural dynamic energy absorption among the three bamboo species under evaluation. Full article