Theoretical study of PdNi and PdCu clusters embedded on graphene modified by monovacancy and nitrogen doping.

The stability and reactivity of Pd4Ni4 and Pd4Cu4 clusters embedded on graphene modified by monovacancy and nitrogen doping were investigated using auxiliary density functional theory (ADFT) calculations. The most stable structure of the Pd4Ni4 cluster is found in high spin multiplicity, whereas the lowest stable energy structure of the Pd4Cu4 cluster is a close shell system. The interaction energies between the bimetallic clusters and the defective graphene systems are significantly higher than those reported in the literature for the Pd-based clusters deposited on pristine graphene. It is observed that the composites studied present a HOMO-LUMO gap less than 1 eV, which suggests that they may present a good chemical reactivity. Therefore, from the results obtained in this work it can be inferred that the single vacancy graphene and pyridinic N-doped graphene are potentially good support materials for Pd-based clusters.

Pd2 and CoPd dimers/N-doped graphene sensors with enhanced sensitivity for CO detection: A first-principles study.

CONTEXT: The detection and monitoring of CO gas are essential to avoid human health problems. Therefore, the CO adsorption on Pd2 and PdCo dimers deposited on pyridinic Nx-doped graphene (PNxG; x = 1 - 3) was investigated employing the auxiliary density functional theory. In the most stable arrangements for the Pd2 dimer supported on PNxG, a Pd atom is in the PNxG vacancy, and the other Pd atom is placed on C atoms. For the PdCo dimer deposited on PNxG, the most stable interaction is like Pd2 dimer supported on PNxG, but with the Co atom centered over the vacancy site. Concerning the stability of the Pd2 and PdCo dimers supported on PNxG, the interaction energies (Eint) of the PdCo dimer deposited on PNxG are higher than those obtained with the Pd2 dimer. Also, the Eint of Pd2 and PdCo dimers deposited on PNxG are higher than those supported on pristine graphene. The CO adsorption energies on Pd2/PNxG and PdCo/PNxG composites are higher than those reported in the literature for pristine graphene, showing that the Pd2/PNxG and PdCo/PNxG composites have a good sensitivity toward the CO molecule. METHODS: All electronic structure calculations were performed using the auxiliary density functional theory implemented in the deMon2k program. For exchange and correlation functional, the revised PBE was used. The Pd atoms were treated with an 18-electron QECP|SD basis set, while the remaining atoms were subjected to a DZVP-GGA basis set. The GEN-A2* auxiliary-function-set was used for all computations.

Awaking the dormant virome in the rhizosphere.

The rhizosphere is a vital soil compartment providing key plant-beneficial functions. However, little is known about the mechanisms driving viral diversity in the rhizosphere. Viruses can establish lytic or lysogenic interactions with their bacterial hosts. In the latter, they assume a dormant state integrated in the host genome and can be awakened by different perturbations that impact host cell physiology, triggering a viral bloom, which is potentially a fundamental mechanism driving soil viral diversity, as 22%-68% of soil bacteria are predicted to harbour dormant viruses. Here we assessed the viral bloom response in rhizospheric viromes by exposing them to three contrasting soil perturbation agents: earthworms, herbicide and antibiotic pollutant. The viromes were next screened for rhizosphere-relevant genes and also used as inoculant on microcosms incubations to test their impacts on pristine microbiomes. Our results show that while post-perturbation viromes diverged from control conditions, viral communities exposed to both herbicide and antibiotic pollutant were more similar to each other than those influenced by earthworms. The latter also favoured an increase in viral populations harbouring genes involved in plant-beneficial functions. Post-perturbation viromes inoculated on soil microcosms changed the diversity of pristine microbiomes, suggesting that viromes are important components of the soil ecological memory driving eco-evolutionary processes that determine future microbiome trajectories according to past events. Our findings demonstrate that viromes are active players in the rhizosphere and need to be considered in efforts to understand and control the microbial processes towards sustainable crop production.

A multitask deep representation for Gleason score classification to support grade annotations.

The Gleason grade system is the main standard to quantify the aggressiveness and progression of prostate cancer. Currently, exists a high disagreement among experts in the diagnosis and stratification of this disease. Deep learning models have emerged as an alternative to classify and support experts automatically. However, these models are limited to learn a rigid stratification rule that can be biased during training to a specific observer. Therefore, this work introduces an embedding representation that integrates an auxiliary task learning to deal with the high inter and intra appearance of the Gleason system. The proposed strategy implements as a main task a triplet loss scheme that builds a feature embedding space with respect to batches of positive and negative histological training patches. As an auxiliary task is added a cross-entropy that helps with inter-class variability of samples while adding robust representations to the main task. The proposed approach shows promising results achieving an average accuracy of 66% and 64%, for two experts without statistical difference. Additionally, reach and average accuracy of 73% in patches where both pathologists are agree, showing the robustness patterns learning from the approach.

Genital anatomy, jaw and radula of Guladentiasubtussulcata (Helicoidea, Cepolidae), endemic to western Cuba.

This study provides the first data on the genital anatomy, jaw and radula of Guladentiasubtussulcata (L. Pfeiffer, 1863). The auxiliary copulatory organ of this species is very peculiar, similar to that of Jeanneretia L. Pfeiffer, 1877, and different from that of other cepolids. It consists of an elongate, pedunculate mucus gland inserted apically on a muscular papilla and an atrial sac, all covered by a sheath. A sheath-like accessory gland is inserted at the base of the atrial sac. Another similarity with Jeanneretia is the presence of a fertilization pouch-spermatheca complex with a single exposed spermatheca. Like Jeanneretia, G.subtussulcata has an oxygnath, highly arched jaw with slight striae over the entire surface and a broad, well-developed median projection. The radula has triangular and monocuspid central and lateral teeth (the central teeth are smaller than the rest). The marginal teeth are multicuspid with the mesocone and ectocones smaller than the endocones. The similar structures of the auxiliary copulatory organ (without dart sac) and spermatheca (simple) strongly suggest that G.subtussulcata and Jeanneretia spp. are closely related. As such, it remains to be decided whether Guladentia Clench & Aguayo, 1951 and Jeanneretia should continue to be treated as separate genera.

A inserção de técnicos em saúde bucal: questões em disputa na Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal / La inserción de técnicos en salud bucal: cuestiones en disputa en la Política Nacional de Salud Bucal / The insertion of oral health technicians: issues in dispute in the National Oral Health Policy

Analisou-se a inserção de técnicos em saúde bucal (TSB) na equipe de saúde bucal a partir de 2003 e questões em disputa na Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Estudo de abordagem sócio-histórica apoiado na sociologia de Pierre Bourdieu. Realizou-se análise documental, da literatura e entrevistas em profundidade com agentes formuladores e gestores da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Houve baixa adesão à equipe com TSB pelos municípios brasileiros e evidências de manutenção das relações tradicionais de divisão do trabalho odontológico, subutilização do TSB e maior atuação em prevenção. A dominação simbólica do polo do mercado prevalece no serviço público e no espaço odontológico mais amplo, mesmo com conquistas na regulamentação profissional. Essa inserção ainda não se consolidou. As limitações das apostas da política, particularmente a questão do TSB, devem subsidiar novas ações, considerando a dominação simbólica e possíveis formas de enfrentá-la.(AU)

Se analizó la inserción de técnicos en salud bucal (TSB) en el equipo de salud bucal a partir de 2003 y cuestiones en disputa en la Política Nacional de Salud Bucal. Estudio de abordaje sociohistórico apoyado en la sociología de Pierre Bourdieu. Se realizó un análisis documental de la literatura y entrevistas en profundidad con agentes formuladores y gestores de la Política Nacional de Salud Bucal. Hubo baja adhesión al equipo con TSB por parte de los municipios brasileños y evidencias de mantenimiento de las relaciones tradicionales de división del trabajo odontológico, subutilización y mayor actuación en prevención. La dominación simbólica del polo del mercado prevalece en el servicio público y en el espacio odontológico más amplio, incluso con conquistas en la reglamentación profesional. Esa inserción aún no se ha consolidado. Las limitaciones de las apuestas de la política, particularmente la cuestión del TSB, deben subsidiar nuevas acciones, considerando la dominación simbólica y posibles formas de enfrentarla.(AU)

The research analyzed the insertion of Oral Health Technicians (OHT) in the oral health team from 2003 and issues in dispute in the National Oral Health Policy. The study used a social-historical approach based on Pierre Bourdieu's sociology. Documentary and literature analysis and interviews were carried out with formulators and managers of oral health policy. The municipalities presented low adhesion to teams with OHT, as well as there was evidence of maintenance of the traditional relationships of division of dental work, underutilization and greater performance in prevention. The symbolic domination of the market axis prevails in the public service and in the wider dental space, even with achievements in professional regulation. This insertion has not yet been consolidated. The limitations of policy bets, in particular this issue of OHT, should subsidize new actions, considering this symbolic domination and possible ways to tackle it.(AU)

Potencial del uso de la radiografía panorámica como ayuda diagnóstica en derechohabientes de una institución de seguridad social / Potential for the use of panoramic radiography as a diagnostic aid in beneficiaries of a social security institution

Introducción: A pesar de que actualmente la radiografía panorámica es un instrumento auxiliar de diagnóstico de uso común, desafortunadamente sus beneficios no se aprovechan en su totalidad y su empleo se limita al uso en determinadas áreas de la odontología y en ocasiones se omiten hallazgos que pueden tener un significado clínico importante. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal y descriptivo de una muestra aleatoria de 500 estudios de imagen (radiografías panorámicas) durante el periodo de enero a mayo de 2018 analizadas por expertos estandarizados y empleando estadística descriptiva básica mediante el paquete estadístico Excel. Resultados: Se incluyeron 500 estudios, 67% correspondió a mujeres en un rango de cinco a 91 años de edad con una mediana de 43 años, 48% presentó alteraciones siendo las más frecuentas pérdida del proceso alveolar 45%, alteraciones en articulación temporomandibular 34%, y calcificación del ligamento estilohioideo 31%. Conclusión: Se reportaron hallazgos clínico-radiográficos significativos, resaltando la necesidad de un análisis cuidadoso de los métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico que permitan visualizar de manera contextual el tratamiento odontológico de los pacientes y/o reportar al especialista correspondiente otro tipo de hallazgos (AU))

Introduction: Although panoramic radiography is currently a commonly used diagnostic auxiliary instrument, unfortunately its benefits are not fully exploited and its use is limited to use in certain areas of Dentistry and eventually findings that may have important clinical significance are omitted. Material and methods: Crosssectional and descriptive study of a random sample of 500 imaging studies (panoramic radiographs) during the period from January to May 2018, analyzed by standardized experts and using basic descriptive statistics using the Excel statistical package. Results: 500 studies were included corresponding to 67% women and an age range from five to 91 years of age with a median of 43 years, 48% presented alterations, the most frequent being loss of the alveolar process 45%, alterations in the temporomandibular joint 34%, and calcification of the hyoid ligament 31%. Conclusion: In this study significant clinical-radiographic findings are reported, highlighting the need for a careful analysis of auxiliary diagnostic methods that allow visualize the dental treatment of the patients and / or report other findings to the corresponding specialist (AU)

Cyclodextrin Multicomponent Complexes: Pharmaceutical Applications.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are naturally available water-soluble cyclic oligosaccharides widely used as carriers in the pharmaceutical industry for their ability to modulate several properties of drugs through the formation of drug-CD complexes. The addition of an auxiliary substance when forming multicomponent complexes is an adequate strategy to enhance complexation efficiency and to facilitate the therapeutic applicability of different drugs. This review discusses multicomponent complexation using amino acids; organic acids and bases; and water-soluble polymers as auxiliary excipients. Special attention is given to improved properties by including information on the solubility, dissolution, permeation, stability and bioavailability of several relevant drugs. In addition, the use of multicomponent CD complexes to enhance therapeutic drug effects is summarized.

N-tert-Butanesulfinyl imines in the asymmetric synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

The synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, including natural alkaloids and other compounds presenting different types of biological activities have proved to be successful employing chiral sulfinyl imines derived from tert-butanesulfinamide. These imines are versatile chiral auxiliaries and have been extensively used as eletrophiles in a wide range of reactions. The electron-withdrawing sulfinyl group facilitates the nucleophilic addition of organometallic compounds to the iminic carbon with high diastereoisomeric excess and the free amines obtained after an easy removal of the tert-butanesulfinyl group can be transformed into enantioenriched nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The goal of this review is to the highlight enantioselective syntheses of heterocycles involving the use of chiral N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines as reaction intermediates, including the synthesis of several natural products. The synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocycles in which the nitrogen atom is not provided by the chiral imine will not be considered in this review. The sections are organized according to the size of the heterocycles. The present work will comprehensively cover the most pertinent contributions to this research area from 2012 to 2020. We regret in advance that some contributions are excluded in order to maintain a concise format.

Deconstruction of Lignin: From Enzymes to Microorganisms.

Lignocellulosic residues are low-cost abundant feedstocks that can be used for industrial applications. However, their recalcitrance currently makes lignocellulose use limited. In natural environments, microbial communities can completely deconstruct lignocellulose by synergistic action of a set of enzymes and proteins. Microbial degradation of lignin by fungi, important lignin degraders in nature, has been intensively studied. More recently, bacteria have also been described as able to break down lignin, and to have a central role in recycling this plant polymer. Nevertheless, bacterial deconstruction of lignin has not been fully elucidated yet. Direct analysis of environmental samples using metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics approaches is a powerful strategy to describe/discover enzymes, metabolic pathways, and microorganisms involved in lignin breakdown. Indeed, the use of these complementary techniques leads to a better understanding of the composition, function, and dynamics of microbial communities involved in lignin deconstruction. We focus on omics approaches and their contribution to the discovery of new enzymes and reactions that impact the development of lignin-based bioprocesses.

Effects of Interleukin-1ß in Glycinergic Transmission at the Central Amygdala.

Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) is an important cytokine that modulates peripheral and central pain sensitization at the spinal level. Among its effects, it increases spinal cord excitability by reducing inhibitory Glycinergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. In the brain, IL-1ß is released by glial cells in regions associated with pain processing during neuropathic pain. It also has important roles in neuroinflammation and in regulating NMDA receptor activity required for learning and memory. The modulation of glycine-mediated inhibitory activity via IL-1ß may play a critical role in the perception of different levels of pain. The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) participates in receiving and processing pain information. Interestingly, this nucleus is enriched in the regulatory auxiliary glycine receptor (GlyR) ß subunit (ßGlyR); however, no studies have evaluated the effect of IL-1ß on glycinergic neurotransmission in the brain. Hence, we hypothesized that IL-1ß may modulate GlyR-mediated inhibitory activity via interactions with the ßGlyR subunit. Our results show that the application of IL-1ß (10 ng/ml) to CeA brain slices has a biphasic effect; transiently increases and then reduces sIPSC amplitude of CeA glycinergic currents. Additionally, we performed molecular docking, site-directed mutagenesis, and whole-cell voltage-clamp electrophysiological experiments in HEK cells transfected with GlyRs containing different GlyR subunits. These data indicate that IL-1ß modulates GlyR activity by establishing hydrogen bonds with at least one key amino acid residue located in the back of the loop C at the ECD domain of the ßGlyR subunit. The present results suggest that IL-1ß in the CeA controls glycinergic neurotransmission, possibly via interactions with the ßGlyR subunit. This effect could be relevant for understanding how IL-1ß released by glia modulates central processing of pain, learning and memory, and is involved in neuroinflammation.

Pro-CAD: una alternativa para profesionalizar al personal auxiliar del odontólogo / Pro-CAD: a professionalizing alternative for the dentist's auxiliary staff

El presente artículo es el resultado de una investigación orientada a la implantación de un modelo educativo, que sustenta una propuesta para la capacitación de recursos humanos de apoyo técnico en el campo de la salud. Para este propósito se denominaron: Asistentes Dentales a quienes son el personal auxiliar que se desempeña con profesionales que ejercen la odontología en forma privada en México, y que no cuentan con escuelas para su formación, considerando sus diferencias individuales e involucrando las áreas cognoscitiva (conocimientos), psicomotriz (habilidades y destrezas) y afectiva (comportamientos). Los recursos humanos compiten fuertemente por encontrar un espacio de desempeño en un mercado altamente exigente, razón por la cual el eje principal de la investigación se fundamentó en el planteamiento del Consejo Normalizador y Certificador de Competencias Laborales (CONOCER). El modelo fue diseñado durante la formación doctoral, enmarcado en la línea de innovación curricular para la calidad total como consecuencia del interés personal por evaluar las competencias del personal auxiliar que se desempeña apoyando al gremio de la odontología; la población está organizada en un colegio local de profesionales filial a la Asociación Dental Mexicana. Se utilizó el método mixto, y la herramienta para recolección de datos fue la encuesta, misma que aportó información relevante para construir una propuesta denominada modelo Pro-CAD (Programa de Capacitación Asistente Dental), que se incluye brevemente al final de este artículo (AU)

This article is the result of research aimed at the implementation of an educational model, which supports a proposal for the training of human resources of technical support in the field of health. For this purpose they were called: Dental Assistants, who are the auxiliary staff who work with professionals who practice dentistry privately in México, and who do not have schools for their training considering their individual differences and involving the cognitive areas (knowledge), psychomotor (skills and skills), affective (behaviors). Human resources compete strongly to find a performance space in a highly demanding market, which is why the main focus of the research was based on the approach of the Standardizing Council and Labour Skills Certificater (CONOCER). The model was designed during my doctoral training framed in the line of curriculum innovation for total quality as a result of the personal interest in evaluating the work skills of the auxiliary staff who perform supporting the dental guild, the population is organized in a local college of professionals affiliated with the Mexican Dental Association. The mixed method was used, and the data collection tool was the survey, which provided relevant information to build a proposal called the Pro-CAD (Dental Assistant Training Program) model that is briefly included at the end of this article (AU)

A non-parametric statistic for testing conditional heteroscedasticity for unobserved component models.

When prediction intervals are constructed using unobserved component models (UCM), problems can arise due to the possible existence of components that may or may not be conditionally heteroscedastic. Accurate coverage depends on correctly identifying the source of the heteroscedasticity. Different proposals for testing heteroscedasticity have been applied to UCM; however, in most cases, these procedures are unable to identify the heteroscedastic component correctly. The main issue is that test statistics are affected by the presence of serial correlation, causing the distribution of the statistic under conditional homoscedasticity to remain unknown. We propose a nonparametric statistic for testing heteroscedasticity based on the well-known Wilcoxon's rank statistic. We study the asymptotic validation of the statistic and examine bootstrap procedures for approximating its finite sample distribution. Simulation results show an improvement in the size of the homoscedasticity tests and a power that is clearly comparable with the best alternative in the literature. We also apply the test on real inflation data. Looking for the presence of a conditionally heteroscedastic effect on the error terms, we arrive at conclusions that almost all cases are different than those given by the alternative test statistics presented in the literature.

Historical and social construction of the practices of auxiliary nurses and nurse technicians in Primary Care / Construcción histórica y social de las prácticas auxiliares y técnicas de enfermería en Atención Primaria / Construção histórica e social das práticas de auxiliares e técnicas de enfermagem na Atenção Primária

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the practices of nursing auxiliaries and technicians in the context of Primary Health Care in a city in the interior of the state of São Paulo. Methods: transversal, quantitative study, realized with 104 nursing auxiliaries and 46 nursing technicians acting in the Primary Attention. The data, collected using structured questionnaires, are presented by descriptive statistics, and analyzed based on the essential elements of First Contact and Longitudinality. Results: the professionals were, majority, women, married, with children, low political and collective participation. We identified thirteen activities related to the First Contact: and ten on Longitudinality. Conclusions: the insertion and capillarization of auxiliary and nursing technicians' practices show these professionals as the main ones responsible for the first contact in this context, highlighting their relevance in the longitudinality of care and the work composition of health teams, contributing to the consolidation of the Unified Health System (SUS).

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar las prácticas de las auxiliares y técnicas de enfermería en el contexto de Atención Primaria de Salud en un municipio de São Paulo. Métodos: estudio transversal, cuantitativo, realizado con 104 auxiliares de enfermería y 46 técnicas de enfermería actuantes en Atención Primaria. Los datos, recogidos por medio de encuestas estructuradas, presentados por estadística descriptiva y analizados basado en elementos esenciales de Primer contacto y Longitudinalidad. Resultados: las profesionales eran, mayoritariamente, mujeres, casadas, con hijos, baja participación política y colectiva. Identificadas 13 actividades relacionadas al Primer contacto; y 10, sobre la Longitudinalidad. Conclusiones: la inserción y la capilarización de las prácticas de las auxiliares y técnicas de enfermería evidencian esas profesionales como principales responsables por el primer contacto en ese contexto, destacando su relevancia en la longitudinalidad del cuidado y en la composición del trabajo de los equipos de salud, contribuyendo para la consolidación del Sistema Único de Salud.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar as práticas das auxiliares e técnicas de enfermagem no contexto da Atenção Primária em Saúde em município do interior do estado de São Paulo. Métodos: estudo transversal, quantitativo, realizado com 104 auxiliares de enfermagem e 46 técnicas de enfermagem atuantes na Atenção Primária. Os dados, coletados por meio de questionários estruturados, são apresentados por estatística descritiva e analisados com base nos elementos essenciais de Primeiro contato e Longitudinalidade. Resultados: as profissionais eram, majoritariamente, mulheres, casadas, com filhos, baixa participação política e coletiva. Foram identificadas 13 atividades relacionadas ao Primeiro contato; e 10, sobre a Longitudinalidade. Conclusões: a inserção e a capilarização das práticas das auxiliares e técnicas de enfermagem evidenciam essas profissionais como principais responsáveis pelo primeiro contato nesse contexto, destacando sua relevância na longitudinalidade do cuidado e na composição do trabalho das equipes de saúde, contribuindo para a consolidação do Sistema Único de Saúde.

IMAGODRAMA: uso de bonecos e objetos-auxiliares em psicodrama individual e on-line / IMAGODRAMA: use of puppets, and auxiliary objects in individual and online psychodrama / IMAGODRAMA: uso de muñecos y objetos-auxiliares en psicodrama individual y online

Este artigo aborda aspectos referentes à utilização de objetos-auxiliares e mediadores em psicodrama individual e on-line a partir das suas funções terapêuticas, e associados à técnica de construção de imagens psicodramáticas com bonecos. Retoma o enquadre clássico da metodologia psicodramática com o objetivo de adequar os instrumentos fundamentais do psicodrama ao atendimento on-line e, em seguida, abrir a discussão teórica sobre as nomenclaturas surgidas no Brasil, decorrentes de diferentes enquadres em psicodrama individual. Conclui sua escrita com as definições dos conceitos de objetos-auxiliares, mediadores e criativos, ilustrando com três sessões on-line sobre o uso de bonecos e objetos-auxiliares em psicodrama clínico, definindo sua prática clínica, seja presencial ou on-line, como Imagodrama.

This article addresses aspects related to the use of auxiliary and mediating objects in individual and online psychodrama based on their therapeutic functions and associated with the technique of constructing psychodramatic images with puppets. It returns to the classic framework of the psychodramatic methodology, intending to adjust the fundamental instruments of psychodrama to online care, and then to open a theoretical discussion about the nomenclatures that started in Brazil resulting from different frameworks in individual psychodrama. It concludes with the definitions of the concepts of the auxiliary, mediating, and creative objects, illustrating three online sessions on the use of auxiliary objects in clinical psychodrama.

Este artículo aborda aspectos referentes a la utilización de objetos-auxiliares y mediadores en psicodrama individual y online a partir de sus funciones terapéuticas, y asociados a la técnica de construcción de imágenes psicodramáticas con muñecos. Retoma el encuadre clásico de la metodología psicodramática con el objetivo de adecuar los instrumentos fundamentales del psicodrama a la atención online y, en seguida, abrir la discusión teórica sobre las nomenclaturas surgidas en Brasil, derivados de diferentes encuadres en psicodrama individual. Concluye su escritura con las definiciones de los conceptos de objetos-auxiliares, mediadores y creativos, ilustrando con tres sesiones online sobre el uso de muñecos y objetos-auxiliares en psicodrama clínico, definiendo su práctica clínica, ya sea presencial u online, como Imagodrama.

Power hop in agricultural tractors / O power hop em tratores agrícolas

The objective of this research was to develop concepts, possibilities of occurrence, and ways to solve the vibratory phenomenon of power hop, which is quite common in tractors with auxiliary front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, in particular conditions of field work. First, the phenomenon is defined, and context is given for the practical situations in which the phenomenon can occur. Subsequently, actions are proposed to solve and minimize the problems arising from power hop. The subject of this study has been insufficiently analyzed in the literature, with mentions (some detailed) in scientific articles and theses developed to diagnose and propose ways to solve the problem. Equally, there has been almost no mention of the problem in agricultural tractor operation manuals, despite the frequent occurrence of the phenomenon.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver conceitos, possibilidades de ocorrência e modos de solucionar o fenômeno vibratório do power hop, bastante frequente em tratores com tração dianteira auxiliar ou tração integral, em condições particulares de trabalho em campo. Em um primeiro momento, o trabalho preocupa-se em definir o fenômeno e contextualizar as situações em que ele pode produzir-se em situações práticas. Posteriormente, são propostas ações para solucionar e minimizar os problemas decorrentes do galope, como também é conhecido, em língua portuguesa e espanhola. A temática que envolve este estudo é analisada de forma insuficiente pela bibliografia, encontrando-se menções, algumas detalhadas, em artigos científicos e teses desenvolvidas com objetivo de diagnosticar e propor maneiras para solucionar o problema. Igualmente, é quase inexistente a menção do problema em manuais de operação de tratores agrícolas, em contradição com a frequente ocorrência do fenômeno.(AU)

Active fractions of mannoproteins derived from yeast cell wall stimulate innate and acquired immunity of adult and elderly dogs.

Nutritional intervention in older dogs aims to increase lifespan and improve life quality as well as delay the development of diseases related to ageing. It is believed that active fractions of mannoproteins (AFMs) obtained through extraction and fractionation of yeast cell walls (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) may beneficially modulate the immune system. However, studies that have evaluated this component and the effects of ageing on the immune system of dogs are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the immunological effects of AFMs in adult and elderly dogs. Three extruded iso-nutrient experimental diets were formulated: without addition of AFM (T0); with AFM at 400 mg/kg (T400); and with AFM at 800 mg/kg (T800). Thirty-six beagle dogs were used, and six experimental treatments, resulting in combinations of age (adult and elderly) and diet (T0, T400, and T800), were evaluated. On days zero, 14, and 28, blood samples were obtained for leucocyte phenotyping and phagocytosis assays. On days zero and 28, a lymphoproliferation test, quantification of reactive oxygen (H2O2) and nitrogen (NO) intermediate production, evaluation of faecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) content, and a delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity test (DCHT) were performed. Statistical analyses were performed with SAS software. Repeated measure variance analyses were performed, and means were compared by the Tukey test. Values of P ≤ 0.05 were considered significant, and values of P ≤ 0.10 were considered tendencies. Dogs fed T400 tended to have higher neutrophilic phagocytic activity than dogs fed T800 (P = 0.073). Regarding reactive oxygen intermediates, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophils from animals that were fed T400 had a tendency to produce more H2O2 than those from animals fed the control diet (P = 0.093). Elderly dogs, when compared to adult dogs, had lower absolute T and B lymphocyte counts, lower auxiliary T lymphocyte counts, and higher cytotoxic T lymphocyte counts (P < 0.05). A significant effect of diet, age, and time with saline inoculation was noted for the DCHT. There was no effect of diet or age on faecal IgA content in dogs. This study suggests beneficial effects of mannoproteins on the specific and nonspecific immune responses in adult and elderly dogs.

Power hop in agricultural tractors / O power hop em tratores agrícolas

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to develop concepts, possibilities of occurrence, and ways to solve the vibratory phenomenon of power hop, which is quite common in tractors with auxiliary front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, in particular conditions of field work. First, the phenomenon is defined, and context is given for the practical situations in which the phenomenon can occur. Subsequently, actions are proposed to solve and minimize the problems arising from power hop. The subject of this study has been insufficiently analyzed in the literature, with mentions (some detailed) in scientific articles and theses developed to diagnose and propose ways to solve the problem. Equally, there has been almost no mention of the problem in agricultural tractor operation manuals, despite the frequent occurrence of the phenomenon.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver conceitos, possibilidades de ocorrência e modos de solucionar o fenômeno vibratório do power hop, bastante frequente em tratores com tração dianteira auxiliar ou tração integral, em condições particulares de trabalho em campo. Em um primeiro momento, o trabalho preocupa-se em definir o fenômeno e contextualizar as situações em que ele pode produzir-se em situações práticas. Posteriormente, são propostas ações para solucionar e minimizar os problemas decorrentes do galope, como também é conhecido, em língua portuguesa e espanhola. A temática que envolve este estudo é analisada de forma insuficiente pela bibliografia, encontrando-se menções, algumas detalhadas, em artigos científicos e teses desenvolvidas com objetivo de diagnosticar e propor maneiras para solucionar o problema. Igualmente, é quase inexistente a menção do problema em manuais de operação de tratores agrícolas, em contradição com a frequente ocorrência do fenômeno.

Análise in vitro do nível de penetração dentinária das substâncias químicas auxiliares em dentes bovinos / In vitro analysis of the level of dental penetration of auxiliary chemical substances in bovine teeth

Sabe-se que o dente submetido a tratamento endodôntico apresenta um aumento da permeabilidade dentinária, devido a remoção da lama dentinária, pela utilização das substâncias químicas auxiliares (SQA). Logo, uma alteração morfológica acentuada pode deixar superfície dentinária sem suporte mineral, o que pode comprometer a obturação. Assim, a seleção da SQA em relação ao material cimentante é fundamental para uma perfeita adesão às paredes dentinárias. Objetivo: avaliar in vitro o nível da permeabilidade dentinária das substâncias químicas auxiliares mais utilizadas no tratamento endodôntico, na dentina radicular de dentes bovinos. Material e métodos: utilizou-se 40 raízes de espécimes bovinos que foram divididas em quatro grupos (n=10) e irrigados conforme segundo as condições experimentais: G1= 15 ml de hipoclorito de sódio a 0,5% (controle); G2= associação creme Endo-PTC e 15 ml de hipoclorito de sódio a 0,5%; G3= 15 ml de EDTA-T a 17%; G4= 15 ml de ácido cítrico a 10%. Em seguida, os canais radiculares foram preenchidos com corante azul de metileno a 2%, com ph 7,2, por 24 horas. Em seguida, os corpos-de-prova foram seccionados transversalmente em três fragmentos de 2 mm de espessura, para leitura em um estereoscópio, com aumento de 25 vezes. A quantificação do nível de infiltração de corante foi realizada através de uma fórmula matemática. Resultados: após a análise estatística, os resultados mostraram-se estatisticamente significante. Conclusão: concluiu-se que existe uma alta permeabilidade da dentina radicular às substâncias químicas auxiliares utilizadas durante o tratamento endodôntico.

It is known that the tooth submitted to endodontic treatment presents an increase in dentinal permeability, due to the removal of dentinal mud, through the use of auxiliary chemical substances (SQA). Therefore, a marked morphological alteration can leave the dentinal surface without mineral support, which can compromise the filling. Thus, the selection of the SQA in relation to the cementing material is fundamental for a perfect adhesion to the dentinal walls. Objective: to evaluate in vitro the level of dentin permeability of auxiliary chemical substances most used in endodontic treatment, in the root dentin of bovine teeth. Material and methods: 40 roots of bovine specimens were used, which were divided into four groups (n = 10) and irrigated according to the experimental conditions: G1 = 15 ml of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (control); G2 = Endo-PTC cream association and 15 ml of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; G3 = 15 ml of 17% EDTA-T; G4 = 15 ml of 10% citric acid. Then, the root canals were filled with 2% methylene blue dye, with ph 7.2, for 24 hours. Then, the specimens were cross-sectioned into three 2 mm thick fragments, for reading on a stereoscope, with a 25-fold magnification. The quantification of the level of dye infiltration was performed using a mathematical formula. Results: after the statistical analysis, the results proved to be statistically significant. Conclusion: it was concluded that there is a high permeability of root dentin to auxiliary chemical substances used during endodontic treatment.

Genomic Prediction of Grain Yield and Drought-Adaptation Capacity in Sorghum Is Enhanced by Multi-Trait Analysis.

Grain yield and stay-green drought adaptation trait are important targets of selection in grain sorghum breeding for broad adaptation to a range of environments. Genomic prediction for these traits may be enhanced by joint multi-trait analysis. The objectives of this study were to assess the capacity of multi-trait models to improve genomic prediction of parental breeding values for grain yield and stay-green in sorghum by using information from correlated auxiliary traits, and to determine the combinations of traits that optimize predictive results in specific scenarios. The dataset included phenotypic performance of 2645 testcross hybrids across 26 environments as well as genomic and pedigree information on their female parental lines. The traits considered were grain yield (GY), stay-green (SG), plant height (PH), and flowering time (FT). We evaluated the improvement in predictive performance of multi-trait G-BLUP models relative to single-trait G-BLUP. The use of a blended kinship matrix exploiting pedigree and genomic information was also explored to optimize multi-trait predictions. Predictive ability for GY increased up to 16% when PH information on the training population was exploited through multi-trait genomic analysis. For SG prediction, full advantage from multi-trait G-BLUP was obtained only when GY information was also available on the predicted lines per se, with predictive ability improvements of up to 19%. Predictive ability, unbiasedness and accuracy of predictions from conventional multi-trait G-BLUP were further optimized by using a combined pedigree-genomic relationship matrix. Results of this study suggest that multi-trait genomic evaluation combining routinely measured traits may be used to improve prediction of crop productivity and drought adaptability in grain sorghum.