Training Protocol for Nellore Cattle in Respirometry Flow Trials Using Non-Ventilated Facial Mask.

Training is instrumental in identifying and selecting cattle that exhibit greater cooperation with experimental conditions required in flow respirometry assays, like restraint and the use of a valved facial mask. In our study, a tailored training protocol for Nellore cattle facilitated their participation in flow respirometry assays with a valved facial mask. Over 127 days, 30 entire Nellore males, weighing 450 ± 25 kg and averaging 32 ± 2 months, underwent training from May to September 2022. The regimen involved gradually altering the animals' environment and providing positive reinforcement, divided into three phases. Physiological and behavioral responses to containment routines and facial mask use were meticulously assessed. Principal component analyses revealed dissimilarity patterns among the animals. Animals classified as less reactive showed increased acceptance of handling, reduced reactions to weighing, and greater tolerance of the facial mask. In the final phase, the least reactive animals tolerated wearing a valved mask for extended periods without notable changes in respiratory rate. The training protocol effectively identified and selected Nellore cattle displaying enhanced cooperation with restraint and mask use during flow respirometry assays, without apparent behavioral or physiological alterations.

Photosynthetic Performance of Oil Palm Genotypes under Drought Stress.

Water deficiency and potential drought periods could be important ecological factors influencing cultivation areas and productivity once different crops are established. The principal supply of vegetable oil for oil crops is oil palm, and new challenges are emerging in the face of climatic changes. This study investigated the photosynthetic performance of 12 genotypes of Elaeis exposed to drought stress under controlled conditions. The assay included genotypes of Elaeis guineensis, Elaeis oleifera, and the interspecific O×G hybrid (E. oleifera × E. guineensis). The principal results showed that the E. guineensis genotype was the most efficient at achieving photosynthesis under drought stress conditions, followed by the hybrid and E. oleifera genotypes. The physiological parameters showed good prospects for vegetal breeding with different O×G hybrids, mainly because of their ability to maintain the equilibrium between CO2 assimilation and stomatal aperture. We validated 11 genes associated with drought tolerance, but no differences were detected. These results indicate that no allelic variants were represented in the RNA during sampling for the validated genotypes. In conclusion, this study helps to define genotypes that can be used as parental lines for oil palm improvement. The gas exchange data showed that drought stress tolerance could define guidelines to incorporate the available genetic resources in breeding programs across the early selection in nursery stages.

Comparative Insights into Photosynthetic, Biochemical, and Ultrastructural Mechanisms in Hibiscus and Pelargonium Plants.

Understanding photosynthetic mechanisms in different plant species is crucial for advancing agricultural productivity and ecological restoration. This study presents a detailed physiological and ultrastructural comparison of photosynthetic mechanisms between Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) and Pelargonium (Pelargonium zonale (L.) L'Hér. Ex Aiton) plants. The data collection encompassed daily photosynthetic profiles, responses to light and CO2, leaf optical properties, fluorescence data (OJIP transients), biochemical analyses, and anatomical observations. The findings reveal distinct morphological, optical, and biochemical adaptations between the two species. These adaptations were associated with differences in photochemical (AMAX, E, Ci, iWUE, and α) and carboxylative parameters (VCMAX, ΓCO2, gs, gm, Cc, and AJMAX), along with variations in fluorescence and concentrations of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Such factors modulate the efficiency of photosynthesis. Energy dissipation mechanisms, including thermal and fluorescence pathways (ΦPSII, ETR, NPQ), and JIP test-derived metrics highlighted differences in electron transport, particularly between PSII and PSI. At the ultrastructural level, Hibiscus exhibited optimised cellular and chloroplast architecture, characterised by increased chloroplast density and robust grana structures. In contrast, Pelargonium displayed suboptimal photosynthetic parameters, possibly due to reduced thylakoid counts and a higher proportion of mitochondria. In conclusion, while Hibiscus appears primed for efficient photosynthesis and energy storage, Pelargonium may prioritise alternative cellular functions, engaging in a metabolic trade-off.

Inhibition of sulfur assimilation by S-benzyl-L-cysteine: Impacts on growth, photosynthesis, and leaf proteome of maize plants.

Sulfur is an essential nutrient for various physiological processes, including protein synthesis and enzyme activation. We aimed to evaluate how S-benzyl-L-cysteine (SBC), an inhibitor of the sulfur assimilation pathway, affects maize plants' growth, photosynthesis, and leaf proteomic profile. Thus, maize plants were grown for 14 days in vermiculite supplemented with SBC. Photosynthesis was assessed using light and CO2 response curves and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Leaf proteome analysis was conducted to evaluate photosynthetic protein biosynthesis, and ROS content was quantified to assess oxidative stress. Applying SBC resulted in a significant decrease in the growth of maize plants. The gas exchange analysis revealed that maize plants exhibited a diminished rate of CO2 assimilation attributable to both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. Furthermore, SBC suppressed the activity of important elements involved in the photosynthetic electron transport chain (including photosystems I and II, cytochrome b6f, and ATP synthase) and enzymes responsible for the Calvin cycle, some of which have sulfur-containing prosthetic groups. Consequently, the diminished electron flow rate resulted in a substantial increase in the levels of ROS within the leaves. Our research highlights the crucial role of SBC in disrupting maize photosynthesis by limiting L-cysteine and assimilated sulfur availability, which are essential for the synthesis of protein and prosthetic groups and photosynthetic processes, emphasizing the potential of OAS-TL as a new herbicide site of action.

Biochar improves growth and physiology of Swietenia macrophylla king in contaminated soil by copper.

The production of açaí seed waste from the commercial and extractive exploitation of the Euterpe oleraceae palm tree is a serious problem that contributes to environmental contamination and production of greenhouse gases, a fact that suggests the need for an environmentally correct destination for this waste produced on a large scale. To this end, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential of acaí seed biochar (BCA) in mitigating the toxic effects of copper in Brazilian mahogany plants, analyzing biometrics and gas exchange. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five blocks, in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, corresponding to the control (without Cu) and three concentration of Cu (200, 400, and 600 mg Cu kg-1) and three levels of BCA (0%, 5% and 10%) proportional to the amount of soil in the pots, totaling sixty experimental units. The use of 5% BCA in soils contaminated with up to 200 mg kg-1 Cu promoted biometric increase (height, diameter, number of leaves), maintaining gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal carbon and internal/external carbon), and consequently, maintaining water use efficiency in plants under abiotic stress, resulting in plant growth. The findings of this study allow us to indicate the use of biochar in remediating and improving the growth of plants grown in copper-contaminated soils. The production of biochar from açaí seeds is an ecologically sustainable alternative, because it reduces its accumulation on public roads and contributes to reducing soil pollution. In the context of public policies, biochar production could be a source of income in the context of the bioeconomy and circular economy practiced in the Amazon, because it is produced in large quantities.

Hydraulic recharge and element dynamics during salinization in an overexploited coastal aquifer of the world's driest zone: Atacama Desert.

The management of water resources in hyper-arid coastal regions is a challenging task because proper information regarding groundwater recharge and water budget is needed for maintaining the hydraulic balance in optimal conditions, avoiding salinization and seawater intrusion. Thus, this article deals with the estimation of the hydraulic recharge and the study of the effects of salinization on the dynamics of major and trace elements in an alluvial aquifer located in the world's driest zone, the northern Atacama Desert. The result of stable water isotopes (δD and δ18O) and tritium (3H) indicated that groundwater in the area is not recent, whereas 14C results estimated a groundwater residence time ranging between 11,628 and 16,067 yBP. The estimation of the artificial recharge coming from the urban water-supply-system leaks and wastewater/river-water/groundwater infiltration during irrigation was about 19.84 hm3/year, which represents an annual negative water balance of 177 hm3/year for the aquifer. The groundwater salinization triggered by seawater intrusion (up to 32.6 %) has caused the enrichment of Li, Rb, Ca, Ba, and Sr in groundwater by cationic exchange, where the excess of aqueous Na is exchanged by these elements in the aquifer sediments. Other elements such as B, Se, Si, and Sb are enriched in groundwater by ionic strength and/or anionic exchange during salinization. The heightened B concentrations derived from the B-rich alluvial sediments were higher than the limit suggested by international guidelines, representing a risk to consumers. Vanadium seems to be unaffected by salinization, whereas Pb, Mo, As, U, and Zr did not show a clear behavior during saline intrusion. Finally, this article highlights the consequences of conducting improper water management in coastal hyper-arid regions with exacerbated agriculture.

Data from steady-state simulation and economic evaluation in the power to methane context for synthetic natural gas production and power generation.

The data presented in this article is generated by a steady-state simulation for performing a techno-economic assessment for comparing three electrolysis technologies in the PtM context. The data is focused on two aspects. First, the description of the steady-state simulation of six PtM systems modeled using Aspen Custom Modeler (ACM) and Aspen Plus (AP). Second, an economic assessment is carried out for each of the mentioned PtM systems to compare the feasibility, the profitability and performance of these systems on a larger scale to produce synthetic natural gas, power generation and carbon utilization given in the main research article. Three electrolysis technologies (namely Alkaline Electrolysis - AE, Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis - PEME and Solid Oxide Electrolysis - SOE) were modeled having in mind two methane applications: a combined cycle for power generation and the syngas generation. In addition, on each PtM system is carried out an economic evaluation by calculating fixed capital investment (FCI) and manufacturing costs (MC).

Impact of scheduled partial exchange transfusions on outcomes in pregnant patients with severe sickle cell disease: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of feto-maternal complications is high in women with sickle cell disease. The paucity of high-quality evidence has led to conditional recommendations for transfusional support in pregnant patients. This study aimed to assess if scheduled partial red cell exchanges impact pregnancy outcomes in sickle cell disease patients. METHODS: Forty-seven pregnancies were divided into two groups based on whether patients received scheduled partial red cell exchanges. Collected data included demographics, laboratory values, number of hospital visits, and prenatal/perinatal/postnatal outcomes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, and binary regression. RESULTS: The mean age was 25.09 ± 4.39 years. Of 47 patients, 14 (29.8%) received scheduled red cell exchanges with 78.6% compliance with no evidence of alloimmunization. This procedure during pregnancy was associated with fewer admissions for pain crises (p=0.032), higher gestational age at delivery (p=0.007), and a lower incidence of neonatal intensive care admissions (p=0.011; odds ratio: 0.071; 95% confidence interval: 0.008-0.632). Logistic regression did not show any significant associations. CONCLUSIONS: Sickle cell disease patients with complications in previous pregnancies, including high hospitalization/admission rates and preterm deliveries, could benefit from scheduled partial red cell exchanges or simple transfusions. Further research is needed to guide clinical practice pertaining to transfusional support in pregnant patients with sickle cell disease.

Exchange-correlation kernel for perturbation dependent auxiliary functions in auxiliary density perturbation theory.

CONTEXT: Analytic exchange-correlation kernel formulations are of the outermost importance for density functional theory (DFT) perturbation calculations. In this paper, the working equation for the exchange-correlation kernel of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for perturbation dependent auxiliary functions is derived and discussed in the framework of auxiliary density functional theory (ADFT). The presented new formulation is extended to the unrestricted approach, too. A comprehensive discussion of the implementation of the GGA ADFT kernel, using either the native exchange-correlation functional implementations in deMon2k or the ones from the LibXC library, is given. Calculations with analytic exchange-correlation kernels are compared to their finite difference counterparts. The obtained results are in quantitative agreement. Nevertheless, analytic GGA ADFT kernel implementations show substantial improvement in the computational performance. Similar results are reported for analytic second derivatives of effective core potential (ECP) and model core potential (MCP) matrix elements when compared to their finite difference counterparts in molecular frequency analyses. METHOD: All calculations are performed in the framework of ADFT as implemented in deMon2k. In the ADFT analytic frequency calculations, auxiliary density perturbation theory was used. The underlying two-center exchange-correlation kernel matrix elements are calculated by numerical integration either with analytic or finite difference kernel expressions. Validation calculations are performed with the VWN and PBE functionals employing DFT-optimized DZVP basis sets in conjunction with automatically generated GEN-A2 auxiliary density function sets. In the (Pt3Cu)n cluster benchmark calculations, the RPBE functional was used. For Pt atoms, the quasi-relativistic LANL2DZ effective core potential with the corresponding valence basis set was employed, whereas for Cu atoms, the all-electron DFT-optimized TZVP basis was applied. The auxiliary density was expanded by the automatically generated GEN-A2* auxiliary function set. We run all benchmark calculations in parallel on 24 cores.

Adsorption and ion exchange of toxic metals by Brazilian clays: clay selection and studies of equilibrium, thermodynamics, and binary ion exchange modeling.

In this study, four Brazilian clays (Bofe, Verde-lodo, commercial Fluidgel, and expanded commercial vermiculite) were evaluated for their adsorptive capacity and removal percentage in relation to different toxic metals (Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+). The best results were obtained by expanded vermiculite, with cadmium removal reaching values of 95%. The most promising clay was modified by the sodification process, and the metal cadmium was used to evaluate the ion exchange process. The clays expanded vermiculite (EV) and VNa-sodified vermiculite were evaluated by equilibrium study at 25, 35, and 45 °C. At 25 °C, EV obtained a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.368 mmol/g and sodified vermiculite 0.480 mmol/g, which represents an improvement of 30.4% in modified clay capacity. At 45 °C, the sodified vermiculite reached 0.970 mmol/g adsorption capacity. The Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson Freundlich, and Dubinin-Raduskevich models were adjusted to the results. Langmuir provided the best fit among the models. The thermodynamic quantities (ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG) demonstrated that the process is spontaneous and endothermic and the metal is captured by physisorption and chemisorption in the studied temperature range. For the ion exchange equilibrium, the binary Langmuir and binary Langmuir-Freundlich models were adjusted to the expanded vermiculite and sodified vermiculite isotherms, respectively. Both models were predictive. Thermal analysis indicated good heat resistance even after material modification. The apparent and real densities demonstrated that after each treatment or contamination, the clayey material undergoes contraction in its structure. An improved efficiency of the adsorbent was found after sodification.

Use and Waste of Reconstituted Whole Blood Exchange Transfusions: An 11-year National Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify indications for exchange transfusions, assess the use and waste of exchange transfusion products (ie, reconstituted whole blood exchange transfusions), and determine nationwide distribution and prevalence of these transfusions in the Netherlands. STUDY DESIGN: All 9 neonatal intensive care units and 15 non-neonatal intensive care unit hospitals participated in this retrospective, observational, cohort study. We retrieved data on the indications for and use of all exchange transfusion products ordered by participating centers over an 11-year period. RESULTS: A total of 574 patients for whom 1265 products were ordered were included for analyses. Severe ABO (32.6%) and non-ABO (25.2%) immune hemolysis and subsequent hyperbilirubinemia were the most frequent indications. Rare indications were severe leukocytosis in Bordetella pertussis (2.1%) and severe anemia (1.5%). Approximately one-half of all ordered products remained unused. In 278 of 574 neonates (48.4%), ≥1 products were not used, of which 229 (82.7%) were due to the resolving of severe hyperbilirubinemia with further intensification of phototherapy. The overall prevalence of neonates who received an exchange transfusion was 14.6:100 000 liveborn neonates. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of products remained unused, and annually a limited number of patients are treated with an exchange transfusion in the Netherlands, highlighting the rarity of the procedure in the Netherlands.

Cell Cycle Kinetics and Sister Chromatid Exchange in Mosaic Turner Syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) is caused by a complete or partial absence of an X or Y chromosome, including chromosomal mosaicism, affecting 1 in 2500 female live births. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is used as a sensitive indicator of spontaneous chromosome instability. Cells from mosaic patients constitute useful material for SCE evaluations as they grow under the influence of the same genetic background and endogenous and exogenous factors. We evaluated the proliferation dynamics and SCE frequencies of 45,X and 46,XN cells of 17 mosaic TS patients. In two participants, the 45,X cells exhibited a proliferative disadvantage in relation to 46,XN cells after 72 h of cultivation. The analysis of the mean proliferation index (PI) showed a trend for a significant difference between the 45,X and 46,X+der(X)/der(Y) cell lineages; however, there were no intra-individual differences. On the other hand, mean SCE frequencies showed that 46,X+der(X) had the highest mean value and 46,XX the lowest, with 45,X occupying an intermediate position among the lineages found in at least three participants; moreover, there were intra-individual differences in five patients. Although 46,X+der(X)/der(Y) cell lineages, found in more than 70% of participants, were the most unstable, they had a slightly higher mean PI than the 45,X cell lineages in younger (≤17 years) mosaic TS participants. This suggests that cells with a karyotype distinct from 45,X may increase with time in mosaic TS children and adolescents.

Sweet Cherry Plants Prioritize Their Response to Cope with Summer Drought, Overshadowing the Defense Response to Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

Disease severity and drought due to climate change present significant challenges to orchard productivity. This study examines the effects of spring inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) on sweet cherry plants, cvs. Bing and Santina with varying defense responses, assessing plant growth, physiological variables (water potential, gas exchange, and plant hydraulic conductance), and the levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) under two summer irrigation levels. Pss inoculation elicited a more pronounced response in 'Santina' compared to 'Bing' at 14 days post-inoculation (dpi), and those plants inoculated with Pss exhibited a slower leaf growth and reduced transpiration compared to control plants during 60 dpi. During differential irrigations, leaf area was reduced 14% and 44% in Pss inoculated plants of 'Bing' and 'Santina' respectively, under well-watered (WW) conditions, without changes in plant water status or gas exchange. Conversely, water-deficit (WD) conditions led to gas exchange limitations and a 43% decrease in plant biomass compared to that under WW conditions, with no differences between inoculation treatments. ABA levels were lower under WW than under WD at 90 dpi, while SA levels were significantly higher in Pss-inoculated plants under WW conditions. These findings underscore the influence on plant growth during summer in sweet cherry cultivars that showed a differential response to Pss inoculations and how the relationship between ABA and SA changes in plant drought level responses.

One-Step Purification Strategy for Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus-Like Particles Produced by the IC-BEVS.

Virus-like particles (VLP) of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), a plant virus, have been shown to be safe and noncytotoxic vehicles for delivering various cargos, including nucleic acids and peptides, and as scaffolds for presenting epitopes. Thus, CCMV-VLP have acquired increasing attention to be used in fields such as gene therapy, drug delivery, and vaccine development. Regardless of their production method, most reports purify CCMV-VLP through a series of ultracentrifugation steps using sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation, which is a complex and time-consuming process. Here, the use of anion exchange chromatography is described as a one-step protocol for purification of CCMV-VLP produced by the insect cell-baculovirus expression vector system (IC-BEVS).

Photosynthesis, Anatomy, and Metabolism as a Tool for Assessing Physiological Modulation in Five Native Species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, renowned for its exceptional species richness and high endemism, acts as a vital reservoir of terrestrial biodiversity, often referred to as a biodiversity hotspot. Consequently, there is an urgent need to restore this forest to safeguard certain species and to unravel the ecophysiological adaptations of others. This study aims to integrate some physiological parameters, including gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence, with anatomical and metabolic techniques to elucidate how five different native species (Paubrasilia echinata, Chorisia glaziovii, Clusia nemorosa, Licania tomentosa, and Schinus terebinthifolius), each occupying distinct ecological niches, respond to seasonal variations in rainfall and their consequences. Our investigation has revealed that C. nemorosa and P. echinata exhibit robust mechanisms to mitigate the adverse effects of drought. In contrast, others demonstrate greater adaptability (e.g., S. terebinthifolia and C. glaziovii). In this context, exploring metabolic pathways has proven invaluable in comprehending the physiological strategies and their significance in species acclimatization. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of water restrictions and their consequential effects on various species, defining the strategies each species uses to mitigate water privation during the dry season.

Effects of Foliar Protector Application and Shading Treatments on the Physiology and Development of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

High solar radiation, combined with high temperature, causes losses in plant production. The application of foliar protector in plants is associated with improvements in photosynthesis, reduction in leaf temperature and, consequently, improved productivity. Two experiments were conducted. The first aimed to assess the efficacy of foliar protector versus artificial shading in mitigating the negative impacts of excessive radiation and temperature on the physiology, growth, and yield of common bean plants. The second experiment focused on comparing the timing in cycle plants (phenological phases) of foliar protector application in two different bean cultivars (BRS Fc 104 and BRS MG Realce) under field conditions. Artificial shading provided better results for photosynthesis, transpiration, growth and production compared to the application of foliar protector. In the field conditions experiment, the application timing of the foliar protector at different phenological phases did not increase productivity in the cultivars. The application of foliar protector under the conditions studied was not effective in mitigating the negative impacts of high solar radiation and temperature on common bean cultivation. However, it is opportune to evaluate the application of foliar protector in bean plants grown under conditions with water deficit, high solar radiation and high temperature.

Solid-State NMR Characterization of Mefloquine Resinate Complexes Designed for Taste-Masking Pediatric Formulations.

Mefloquine (MQ) is an antimalarial medication prescribed to treat or malaria prevention.. When taken by children, vomiting usually occurs, and new doses of medication frequently need to be taken. So, developing pediatric medicines using taste-masked antimalarial drug complexes is mandatory for the success of mefloquine administration. The hypothesis that binding mefloquine to an ion-exchange resin (R) could circumvent the drug's bitter taste problem was proposed, and solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR was able to follow MQ-R mixtures through chemical shift and relaxation measurements. The nature of MQ-R complex formation could then be determined. Impedimetric electronic tongue equipment also verified the resinate taste-masking efficiency in vitro. Variations in chemical shifts and structure dynamics measured by proton relaxation properties (e.g., T1ρH) were used as probes to follow the extension of mixing and specific interactions that would be present in MQ-R. A significant decrease in T1ρH values was observed for MQ carbons in MQ-R complexes, compared to the ones in MQ (from 100-200 ms in MQ to 20-50 ms in an MQ-R complex). The results evidenced that the cationic resin interacts strongly with mefloquine molecules in the formulation of a 1:1 ratio complex. Thus, 13C CPMAS NMR allowed the confirmation of the presence of a binding between mefloquine and polacrilin in the MQ-R formulation studied.

Valorization of agro-industrial residues using Aspergillus heteromorphus URM0269 for protease production: Characterization and purification.

This study aimed to produce, characterize and purify a protease from Aspergillus heteromorphus URM0269. After production by solid fermentation of wheat bran performed according to a central composite design, protease was characterized in terms of biochemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic parameters for further purification by chromatography. Proteolytic activity achieved a maximum value of 57.43 U/mL using 7.8 g of wheat bran with 40 % moisture. Protease displayed high stability in the pH and temperature ranges of 5.0-10.0 and 20-30 °C, respectively, and acted optimally at pH 7.0 and 50 °C. The enzyme, characterized as a serine protease, followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a maximum reaction rate of 140.0 U/mL and Michaelis constant of 11.6 mg/mL. Thermodynamic activation parameters, namely activation Gibbs free energy (69.79 kJ/mol), enthalpy (5.86 kJ/mol), and entropy (-214.39 J/mol.K) of the hydrolysis reaction, corroborated with kinetic modeling showing high affinity for azocasein. However, thermodynamic parameters suggested a reversible mechanism of unfolding. Purification by chromatography yielded a protease purification factor of 7.2, and SDS-PAGE revealed one protein band with a molecular mass of 14.7 kDa. Circular dichroism demonstrated a secondary structure made up of 45.6 % α-helices. These results show the great potential of this protease for future use in the industrial area.

Scientific and technological analysis of exchange-spring magnets: Applications and trends.

In this work, a bibliometric study was carried out to perform a scientific and technological analysis of exchange-spring magnets, an alternative permanent magnet synthesized by reducing or eliminating the use of critical raw materials, such as rare earths. The bibliometric analysis utilized the Scopus database, Orbit-Intellixir, VOSviewer, Orbit-Intelligence and Loglet Lab 4 software for maturity analysis, keyword network representations, charts and graphs for scientific articles and/or patents. A special analysis was performed on nanocomposite and thin-films systems based on Nd-Fe-B, SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C alloys, either mixed or layered with a soft magnetic phase, where relevant information on their magnetic parameters was compilated in tables, highlighting the nanostructured systems that have been exhibited the best permanent magnet properties. The bibliometric analysis revealed that the primary production of scientific articles is concentrated in industrialized countries, and they are predominantly published in journals dedicated to magnetism. A patents analysis showed that Nissan motors is by far the main applicant, with most of its patents is focused on technological domains related to electrical machinery, apparatus, energy and metallurgy. On the other hand, the S-curve of maturity for scientific articles indicated that the study of exchange-spring magnets is entering a mature state. In contrast, patent production, following a bi-logistic model, is in a saturation stage for the second S-curve. Maturity analyses, employing S-curve, bi-logistic and multi-logistic models, were performed on nanocomposites and thin films based on Nd-Fe-B, SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C alloys, respectively. We found that the investigation in Nd-Fe-B-based alloys is close to enter to a scientific saturation stage, while an average growth stage is observed for the SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C-based alloys. This suggests that research on alternative magnets, capable of fulfilling technological applications where a Nd-Fe-B magnets are commonly used, is a topic of significant interest.

vSEMERA: pilot project assessing health profession students' experiences in an international virtual research program.

BACKGROUND: The "Virtual Semester for Medical Research Aachen" (vSEMERA) is an international, interdisciplinary, virtual education program developed for health profession students. The first edition (2021) was hosted by the Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University (Germany) in cooperation with Centro Universitário Christus (Brazil) and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru). The primary aim of the 12-weeks program was to provide students with skills in health science research and prepare them for scientific career paths. METHODS: vSEMERA was built on a virtual learning platform, the "vSEMERA-Campus", designed to foster students' learning process and social interactions. Maximum flexibility was offered through synchronous and asynchronous teaching, enabling participants to join via any device from any part of the Globe alongside their regular studies. For the program's first edition (September - November 2021), health profession students from Germany, Brazil, Peru, Spain, and Italy filled all 30 available spots. Satisfaction, quality of the program and courses offered, as well as perceived learning outcomes, were examined using questionnaires throughout and at the end of the program. RESULTS: The program received a rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars. While it met most expectations (4.29 out of 5), participants were unable to attend as many courses as intended (2.81 out of 5), mainly due to scheduling conflicts with the home university schedule (46%), internships (23%), and general timing issues (31%). Participants acknowledged considerable improvements in their scientific skills, English language skills, confidence in scientific project management, research career progression, and enthusiasm for a scientific career. CONCLUSIONS: vSEMERA represents a promising example of an online international learning and exchange program using pedagogical and technological elements of virtual collaboration and teaching. In addition to advancing future vSEMERA editions, our results may offer insights for similar projects that address the targeted integration of scientific research education into an international, digital learning environment.