On the Use of Embedded Fiber Optic Sensors for Measuring Early-Age Strains in Concrete.

Detailed information about concrete behavior in real structures is an important issue in controlling its performance during its service life, and the use of embedded sensors to obtain desired information such as temperature, onset of the cracking process and evolution of strains, has gained the attention of the building concrete industry. Data obtained using this technology can provide valuable information for decision making about the need for corrective interventions that can ensure the integrity and safety of concrete structures for long period of time. This paper presents a review of the current state-of-the-art of embedded fiber optic sensors used to assess concrete information of a wide range of aspects, comprising: existing alternative technologies, characteristics and advantages, practical applications and future developments. Complementarily, the work presents preliminary results of the use of fiber optic sensors to automatically and continuously perform expansion readings of AAR in concrete elements that facilitate both the storage-with elimination of the usual interruptions for manual readings-and the availability of continuous results of expansion data that are not possible to obtain with usual AAR tests code reading recommendations.

Revisiting the Phlebotominae subfamily records in Bahia, Brazil.

Brazil is one of the countries that concentrates 90% of all tegumentary and visceral leishmaniases cases and Bahia is one of the highly affected states. In the present report, we consolidated secondary data from several complementary databases that allowed us to record the sand fly species identified including areas of Leishmania spp. transmission in the state of Bahia. We then overlayed the geographical distribution data onto maps of vegetational aspects found across the state. Overall, 21 602 records of phlebotomine sand flies occurrence between 1949 and 2016 were analysed, encompassing 85% of Bahia's municipalities. Seventy-six sand fly species under 17 genera were enlisted. Among described species, 27 were proven or putative Leishmania spp. vectors and three were considered exclusively endemic in the state. Lutzomyia longipalpis, Nyssomyia intermedia and Nyssomyia whitmani were found in 74, 29 and 27% of municipalities, respectively. Salvador, the state capital and major city presented records for 21 different sand fly species, including known vectors for leishmaniasis. In particular, a wide distribution of Evandromyia sallesi was detected for this city. This consolidated account on phebotomine fauna and distribution may be explored for improving the planning and deployment of vector-focused leishmaniasis control measures in affected areas of Bahia.

Effects of condensed tannin-amended cassava silage blend diets on feeding behavior, digestibility, nitrogen balance, milk yield and milk composition in dairy goats.

Condensed tannins (CTs) are phenolic compounds derived from secondary plant metabolism that act as part of the plant's chemical defense system against pathogen invasion and herbivorous attack. This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, production and composition of milk from goats fed cassava silage with added levels of CTs. Eight Anglo-Nubian goats with a mean BW of 40 ±â€¯2.0 kg were distributed in a double Latin square design with four levels of CTs (0, 25, 50 and 75 g/kg DM) with four 20-day periods with 15 days of adaptation and five evaluation days for each period. No differences were observed in DM, NDF, CP intake and feed conversion (grams of DM intake (DMI) per gram of milk produced); however, when expressed as percent of BW, DMI showed a quadratic increase to 29.1 g/kg. As the level of supplemented CTs increased in the diet, the CP digestibility (P = 0.023), NDF (P = 0.044), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC; P = 0.032) and total digestible nutrients (P = 0.033) exhibited a linear decrease. Furthermore, the addition of CTs to cassava silage induced a linear increase in N-fecal excretion (P = 0.014) and a positive quadratic effect on N-retained (P = 0.014) and N-balance (P = 0.024) as well as a positive quadratic trend in N-digested (P = 0.092). Milk urea N (P = 0.023) decreased linearly. The addition of CTs to cassava silage had a positive quadratic effect on ruminating time (P = 0.011). In addition, comparing the use or non-use from the orthogonal contrast test, the inclusion of CTs in goat diet increased water and N-intake, CP and NDF digestibility, spent time eating and ruminating and N-balance and decreased milk production corrected3.5%, fat milk content, milk urea N and dry defatted extract of milk. Thus, adding CTs to cassava silage at 25 g/kg total DM promoted goats' greater use of the diet without impairing feed conversion and the quality of goat milk produced. Dietary levels of 50 and 75 g/kg total DM are not recommended because under the conditions of this study, they reduced the productive efficiency of dairy goats.

Risk clusters of COVID-19 transmission in northeastern Brazil: prospective space-time modelling.

This study aimed to analyse the trend and spatial-temporal clusters of risk of transmission of COVID-19 in northeastern Brazil. We conducted an ecological study using spatial and temporal trend analysis. All confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Northeast region of Brazil were included, from 7 March to 22 May 2020. We used the segmented log-linear regression model to assess time trends, and the local empirical Bayesian estimator, the global and local Moran indexes for spatial analysis. The prospective space-time scan statistic was performed using the Poisson probability distribution model. There were 113 951 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The average incidence rate was 199.73 cases/100 000 inhabitants. We observed an increasing trend in the incidence rate in all states. Spatial autocorrelation was reported in metropolitan areas, and 178 municipalities were considered a priority, especially in the states of Ceará and Maranhão. We identified 11 spatiotemporal clusters of COVID-19 cases; the primary cluster included 70 municipalities from Ceará state. COVID-19 epidemic is increasing rapidly throughout the Northeast region of Brazil, with dispersion towards countryside. It was identified high risk clusters for COVID-19, especially in the coastal side.

Intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen balance of goats fed with diets containing residue from tamarind fruit.

This study is aimed at determining the maximum inclusion level of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) residues in the diet of goats on intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen (N) balance. Twenty-four crossbred (Boer × undefined breed) castrated goat kids (5 months old and with an initial weight of 23.9 ± 0.3 kg) were assigned in a completely randomized design (4 treatments and 6 replicates). Diets consisted of Tifton 85 (Cynodon sp.) hay as the roughage (400 g/kg) source and concentrate (600 g/kg); the levels of tamarind residue inclusion were 0.0, 7.0, 14.0, and 21.0% on a dry matter (DM) basis. The experimental period lasted 23 days (15 of adaptation and 8 of sampling). Inclusion of tamarind residue in the goat kid diets did not affect (P > 0.05) the intake and digestibility of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and total digestible nutrient; intake of N, urinary N, and retained N (g/day); time spent ruminating; numbers of times/day feeding, ruminating, or idling; eating efficiency of DM and NDF; number of boluses/day; and amount (g) of DM/bolus. However, there were a linear reduction in ether extract digestibility (P = 0.011) and a linear decreasing trend in non-fibrous carbohydrate digestibility (P = 0.083). The addition of tamarind residue had a positive linear effect (P = 0.041) on the time spent feeding and promoted a decreasing linear trend for the time spent idling (P = 0.063). It is recommended to include the residue from tamarind fruit at a level of 21% in diets for goat kids, as it does not affect nutrient intake and digestibility and the N balance.

Bloqueio do plexo braquial em jumento - relato de caso / Brachial plexus block in donkey - case report

A anestesia locorregional reduz o requerimento de agentes inalatórios e diminui as respostas autonômicas a estímulos cirúrgicos nocivos. Objetiva-se descrever um bloqueio anestésico do plexo braquial guiado por neuroestimulador em jumento, submetido à amputação do membro anterior direito. Foi realizada medicação pré-anestésica com detomidina 0,01mg.kg-1, indução com diazepam 0,05mg.kg-1 e cetamina 2mg.kg-1, todos pela via intravenosa (IV), e a manutenção da anestesia com isoflurano. O plexo braquial foi bloqueado por acesso subescapular, sendo usado neuroestimulador. Utilizou-se 1mg.kg-1 de bupivacaína 0,5% sem vasoconstritor, associada a 1mg.kg-1 de lidocaína 2% sem vasoconstrictor. Os valores de FC e ƒ durante o procedimento cirúrgico variaram de 62 a 78bpm e de 24 a 32rpm, respectivamente. Foram coletadas quatro amostras de sangue para dosagem de cortisol. Este, antes da aplicação da medicação pré-anestésica, foi de 6,4µg/dL e, 30 minutos após a MPA, foi de 2,8µg/dL. A recuperação anestésica foi rápida e sem complicações. O bloqueio do plexo braquial guiado por neuroestimulador mostrou-se eficaz em jumentos, fornecendo analgesia e anestesia satisfatória.(AU)

Locoregional anesthesia reduces the requirement for inhaled agents and reduces the autonomic responses to noxious surgical stimuli. The aim of this study was to describe an anesthetic block of the brachial plexus guided by a neurostimulator in a donkey submitted to right limb amputation. Preanesthetic medication was performed with detomidine 0.01mg.kg-1 induction with diazepam 0.05mg.kg-1 and ketamine 2mg.kg-1 all intravenously, and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane. The brachial plexus was blocked by subscapular access, using a neurostimulator. For this purpose, 1mg.kg -1 of bupivacaine 0.5%, without vasoconstrictor, and 1mg.kg- 1 of lidocaine 2%, without vasoconstrictor were used. The values of HR and ƒ during the surgical procedure ranged from 62 to 78bpm, and 24 to 32bpm, respectively. Four blood samples were collected for cortisol dosing. This, prior to the application of the pre-anesthetic medication was 6.4µg/dL and 30 minutes was 2.8µg/dL. Anesthesia recovery was rapid and uncomplicated. Neurostimulator-guided brachial plexus blockade proved to be effective in donkeys, providing satisfactory analgesia and anesthesia.(AU)

Molecular detection of Wolbachia pipientis in natural populations of sandfly vectors of Leishmania infantum in endemic areas: first detection in Lutzomyia longipalpis.

A polymerase chain reaction-based method was used to screen sandflies for infection with Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), an intracellular bacterial endosymbiont found in many arthropods and filarial hosts. Positive results were obtained in five of 200 field-collected sandflies and were confirmed by sequencing. All sandflies were Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) captured in a region endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. This is the first study to identify Wolbachia infection in this Lutzomyia species, which is the main vector of leishmaniasis in the study area. The low infection rate found in this study (2.5%), together with the lack of detection of Wolbachia in previous studies and the diversity found in the sequences analysed, suggests horizontal transmission to these sandflies.

Glucose solution is more effective in relieving pain in neonates than non-nutritive sucking: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the analgesic effect of 25% glucose and non-nutritive sucking. We compared the analgesic effect of 25% glucose and non-nutritive sucking in newborns undergoing hepatitis B vaccination. Our hypothesis is that 25% glucose is more effective in relieving pain than non-nutritive sucking. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial with 78 healthy newborns was performed. Neonates were assigned randomly to receive 25% glucose (G25) and non-nutritive sucking (NNS). Pain was assessed using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) before and during the immunization procedure. In addition, we evaluated various physiological parameters and crying time. RESULTS: Neonates who received 25% glucose registered lower NIPS scores than those from the NNS group [mean (SD), 3.3 (2.1) vs. 5.6 (1.6), p < 0.001]. The crying time was shorter among newborns in the G25 group than in the NNS and control groups. CONCLUSION: The use of 25% glucose before the vaccination procedure was more effective in relieving acute pain, with newborns in the G25 group registering scores two times lower on the NIPS scale. The clinical practice of administering 25% glucose is therefore a suggested nondrug measure for pain relief during painful procedures. SIGNIFICANCE: Neonates who received 25% glucose registered lower NIPS scores than those from the NNS group; the crying time was shorter among newborns in the G25 group than in the NNS and control groups; the use of 25% glucose before the vaccination procedure was more effective in relieving acute pain.

Plantas medicinais com ação antiparasitária: conhecimento tradicional na etnia Kantaruré, aldeia Baixa das Pedras, Bahia, Brasil / Medicinal plants with antiparasitic action: traditional knowledge of the Kantaruré ethnic group, Baixa das Pedras village, Bahia, Brazil

RESUMO O uso de espécies vegetais para curar doenças e sintomas remonta ao início da civilização. Em várias culturas produtos botânicos eram empregados para essa finalidade. No Brasil, sob influência das interações culturais entre índios, negros e portugueses, essa relação homem-natureza permitiu a disseminação da sabedoria herdada em relação ao uso e cultivo de diversas espécies vegetais. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar um levantamento das plantas medicinais indicadas pelos índios da etnia Kantaruré, aldeia Baixa das Pedras com ação antiparasitária. Para a coleta de dados foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com quatorze pessoas, pertencentes a uma população de 150 indígenas, selecionadas pela técnica da bola de neve, reconhecidas pela comunidade como maiores detentores do conhecimento sobre a realidade local e sobre plantas. Os resultados indicam que doze espécies são utilizadas na medicina tradicional local com ação antiparasitária, podendo destacar a caçatinga (Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg.), mastruz (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), hortelã miúdo (Mentha piperita L.) e babosa (Aloe vera (L.) Burm f.) como as mais indicadas. As plantas citadas pertencem à vegetação nativa, sendo que as espécies cultivadas são encontradas principalmente nos quintais, nas proximidades das residências e em locais de cultivo próprio. Os dados levantados nesta pesquisa evidenciam a importância terapêutica, cultural e histórica do uso de espécies botânicas na prevenção e cura de enfermidades. A aldeia estudada depende diretamente dos recursos vegetais para as suas práticas de cura. Os resultados dessa pesquisa podem servir como base para bioprospecção bem como para seleção de espécies da caatinga para estudos futuros visando o seu uso e manejo sustentável.

ABSTRACT The use of plant species to cure diseases and symptoms dates back to the dawn of civilization. In various cultures, botanical products were employed for this purpose. In Brazil, influenced by cultural interactions between native indians, Africans, and the Portuguese, this man-nature relationship allowed the spread of inherited knowledge regarding the use and cultivation of various species of plants. The purpose of this study was to carry out a survey of medicinal plants with antiparasitic action indicated by the Kantaruré indians from the Baixa das Pedras village. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 people belonging to an indigenous population of 150, selected by the snowball technique, recognized by the community as the most knowledgeable on the local situation and plants. The results indicate that 12 species with antiparasitic action are used in traditional local medicine, with emphasis on the caçatinga (Croton argyrophylloides Muell. Arg.), mastruz (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), and babosa (Aloe vera (L.) Burm f.) as the most suitable. These plants belong to the native vegetation, and the cultivated species are found mainly in backyards, near homes, and on cultivation sites. The data from this study demonstrate the therapeutic, cultural, and historical importance of the use of botanical species to prevent and cure diseases. The village studied depends directly on plant resources for their healing practices. The results of this study can serve as a basis for bioprospecting as well as for the selection of caatinga species in future studies toward its use and sustainable management.

Does Clinical Treatment with Phenylbutazone and Meloxicam in the Pre-ovulatory Period Influence the Ovulation Rate in Mares?

The presence of anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles during the oestrous cycle of mares causes financial impacts, slowing conception and increasing the number of services per pregnancy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as meloxicam and phenylbutazone are used in the treatment of several disorders in mares, and these drugs can impair the formation of prostaglandins (PGs) and consequently interfere with reproductive activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with NSAIDs on the development of pre-ovulatory follicles in mares. In total, 11 mares were studied over three consecutive oestrous cycles, and gynaecological and ultrasound examinations were performed every 12 h. When 32-mm-diameter follicles were detected, 1 mg of deslorelin was administered to induce ovulation. The first cycle was used as a control, and the mares received only a dose of deslorelin. In the subsequent cycles, in addition to receiving the same dose of deslorelin, each mare was treated with NSAIDs. In the second cycle, 4.4 mg/kg of phenylbutazone was administered, and in the third cycle, 0.6 mg/kg of meloxicam was administered once a day until ovulation or the beginning of follicular haemorrhage. All of the mares ovulated between 36 and 48 h after the induction in the control cycle. In the meloxicam cycle, 10 mares (92%) did not ovulate, while in the phenylbutazone cycle, nine mares (83%) did not ovulate. In both treatments, intrafollicular hyperechoic spots indicative of haemorrhagic follicles were observed on ultrasound. Thus, our results suggested that treatment with meloxicam and phenylbutazone at therapeutic doses induced intrafollicular haemorrhage and luteinization of anovulatory follicles.

Sylvatic vectors invading houses and the risk of emergence of cases of Chagas disease in Salvador, State of Bahia, Northeast Brazil.

During the last twenty years, several adults of Triatoma tibiamaculata infected with Trypanosoma cruzi have been spontaneously caught by inhabitants, inside their houses in the new habitational district of Pitua¿u of Salvador, Bahia. In this communication the authors call attention to the necessity of studies about the possibility of occurrence of new human cases of Chagas disease, to clarify the obscure origin of some positive blood donors in Salvador.

The Route of Ion and Water Movements Across the Gill Epithelium of the Freshwater Shrimp Macrobrachium olfersii (Decapoda, Palaemonidae): Evidence From Ultrastructural Changes Induced by Acclimation to Saline Media.

The ultrastructure of the pillar cells in the gill lamellae of the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium olfersii was examined to evaluate the routes of salt and water movement across the gill epithelium and into the hemolymph. Alterations were morphometrically quantified in shrimp maintained in fresh water (FW, <0.5{permill} salinity) and after acclimation to saline media (21{permill} or 28{permill} salinity). The tissue interface between the hemolymph and the external medium consists exclusively of the thin apical flange regions of the pillar cells, the upper membrane of which is highly amplified by dense microvilli and overlain by a thin cuticle. The lower flange membrane, bathed by the hemolymph, is smooth and not invaginated. Contiguous flanges are strongly bound by junctional structures including desmosomes and septate junctions. The basal surface of the pillar cell perikaryon is linked to the adjacent septal cells through many basolateral junctions. The septal cell plasmalemma is abundantly and deeply invaginated, each infolding enclosing numerous mitochondria; these characteristics are typical of salt-transporting machinery. After shrimps were acclimated to saline media for 10 days, the thickness of the pillar cell flanges was significantly reduced (from 1.3 to {approx}0.4 {mu}m), as was the height (from 0.8 to 0.3 {mu}m) and density (from 4.0 to {approx} 1.8 microvilli/{mu}m) of the apical microvilli. This reduction in the apical surface area of the pillar cells appears to lead to decreased ionic permeability, concomitant with a reduction in Na+/K+-ATPase activity, thus limiting Na+ uptake. In contrast to the brachyurans, in which the respiratory and ion-transporting mechanisms are differentially located in the anterior and posterior gills, in palaemonid shrimps the pillar cells apparently play a dual role: ions move preferentially through ion transporters in the microvilli above the pillar cell perikaryon, while respiratory gases are exchanged through the fine flange regions in contact with the hemolymph.

[Preliminary results of a project about the ecology of Phlebotomus vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the state of Bahia]. / Resultados preliminares de um projeto sobre a ecologia dos flebotomíneos vetores de leishmaniose tegumenar no estado da Bahia.

Preliminary data of a project about the ecology of the Phlebotominae (sandflies) in a tegumentary leishmaniasis area of coconut plantation in the south of the State of Bahia, Brazil are presented. There are 60 dwellings far of one another, where existed 31 dogs and 229 inhabitants. Among them 41.5% were Montenegro positive; 37.5% from these had scars of healed ulcers and 8.8% had active ulcers. 53% of the house had dogs from which 22% were seropositive; from the 7 dogs with ulcers only 3 were seropositive. 14% of the inspected house harboured sandflies inside them. During two years of observations 72 sentinels hamsters were maintened at houses of patients with leishmaniasis ulcers, but they did not get the infection. During two years of observation, monthly collectings of sandflies were made inside house, chicken pen, curral, tree trunks and open field around a house with a patient with leishmaniasis. The following results were already obtained about the vectors: 5,614 specimens were identified as belonging to fourteen different species of sandflies. Among them Lutzomyia whitmani (92%) and Lutzomyia intermedia (4.8%) were the most abundant species. They are very anthropophilic and can be found inside houses and at peridomestic sites. Probably they are the principal vectors of the disease at domestic places. The other twelve species were less frequent and more found at sylvatic places in inspite they also bite the man. Generally the biting activity of most of the species of the area begins at 5 p.m. in the dusk and reaches its peak at 0 hour a.m., when begins declining until disapear at 7 a.m. L. whitmani was similarly collected with the same density in all lunar phases while L. intermedia was more abundant during the new moon phase. Most of the hundreds sandflies collected during the second year of observations, remains preserved in liquid nitrogen, watching for the adjustment of PCR molecular techniques to be processed for determination of the vector natural infection rates with leishmanias. Final results on all the project will be published as soon as the examination of such material has been processed.