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A new species of Characidium shared by adjacent tributaries of the upper portions of the Tapajós and Xingu river basins is described. Characidium varii, new species, can be distinguished from the congeners by having distinctly speckled pattern of colouration, including dark blotches on cheek and ventral surface of head, by having conspicuous dark marks on fins, along with a single row of dentary teeth, isthmus completely covered by scales, 14 circumpeduncular scales, and swimbladder reduced. Molecular data reinforce the validation of the new species. The distribution of C. varii supports the hypothesis of the existence of a faunistic mixing between Tapajós and Xingu river basins, corresponding to the region of the Serra do Cachimbo and surrounding areas, previously proposed in the literature.

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State policymakers have long sought to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) treatment through insurance market reforms. Examining decisions made by innovative policymakers ("policy entrepreneurs") can inform the potential scope and limits of legislative reform. Beginning in 2022, New Mexico became the first state to eliminate cost-sharing for MH/SUD treatment in private insurance plans subject to state regulation. Based on key informant interviews (n = 30), this study recounts the law's passage and intended impact. Key facilitators to the law's passage included receptive leadership, legislative champions with medical and insurance backgrounds, the use of local research evidence, advocate testimony, support from health industry figures, the severity of MH/SUD, and increased attention to MH/SUD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings have important implications for states considering similar laws to improve access to MH/SUD treatment.

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PURPOSE: This study has been focused on assessing the Open Science scenario of cancer research during the period 2011-2021, in terms of the derived scientific publications and raw data dissemination. METHODS: A cancer search equation was executed in the Science Citation Index-Expanded, collecting the papers signed by at least one Spanish institution. The same search strategy was performed in the Data Citation Index to describe dataset diffusion. RESULTS: 50,822 papers were recovered, 71% of which belong to first and second quartile journals. 59% of the articles were published in Open Access (OA) journals. The Open Access model and international collaboration positively conditioned the number of citations received. Among the most productive journals stood out Plos One, Cancers, and Clinical and Translational Oncology. 2693 genomics, proteomics and metabolomics datasets were retrieved, being Gene Expression Omnibus the favoured repository. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an increase in oncology publications in Open Access. Most were published in first quartile journals and received higher citations than non-Open Access articles, as well as when oncological investigation was performed between international research teams, being relevant in the context of Open Science. Genetic repositories have been the preferred for sharing oncology datasets. Further investigation of research and data sharing in oncology is needed, supported by stronger Open Science policies, to achieve better data sharing practices among three scientific main pillars: researchers, publishers, and scientific organizations.

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This breeding project, initiated at the United States Potato Genebank (USPG) in collaboration with Peruvian partners Instituto Nacional de Innovacion Agraria (INIA), International Potato Center, Peru (CIP), and local farmers, sought to enhance cold hardiness and frost tolerance in native potato cultivars in Peru. The Andes and Altiplano are often affected by frost, which causes significant reduction in yield; creating varieties with superior resilience is a critical undertaking. The goal was to transfer outstanding non-acclimated cold tolerance and acclimation capacity found in wild potato species Solanum commersonii (cmm). Breeding families segregating for cold hardiness were created using (a) a somatic hybrid cmm + haploid Solanum tuberosum (tbr) (cv. Superior, US variety from Wisconsin) as male and (b) seven cultivars native to Peru of the species S. tuberosum sbsp. andigenum (adg) as females. All plant materials were part of the USPG germplasm collection. Sexual seeds of each family were sent to Peru for evaluations under the natural conditions of the Andean highlands and Altiplano. The plants were assessed for their response to frost, and genotypes showing exceptional tolerance were selected. Plants were also evaluated for good tuber traits and yield. Initial planting involving ~2,500 seedlings in five locations resulted in selecting 58 genotypes with exceptional frost tolerance, good recovery capacity after frost, and good tuber traits. Over the years, evaluations continued and were expanded to replicated field trials in the harsher conditions of the Altiplano (Puno). All trials confirmed consistency of frost tolerance over time and location, tuber quality, and yield. After 8 years, two advanced clones were considered for cultivar release because of their exceptional frost tolerance and superior field productivity that outyielded many of the established cultivars in the region. In November 2018, a new native cultivar named Wiñay, a Quechua word meaning "to grow" was released in Peru. In 2022, a second cultivar followed with the name Llapanchispaq (meaning "for all of us"). This project evidenced that a multinational and all-encompassing approach to deploy valuable genetic diversity can work and deliver effective results. This is even more significant when outcomes can promote food security and sustainability in very vulnerable regions of the world.

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In the era of big data, millions and millions of data are generated every second by different types of devices. Training machine-learning models with these data has become increasingly common. However, the data used for training are often sensitive and may contain information such as medical, banking, or consumer records, for example. These data can cause problems in people's lives if they are leaked and also incur sanctions for companies that leak personal information for any reason. In this context, Federated Learning emerges as a solution to the privacy of personal data. However, even when only the gradients of the local models are shared with the central server, some attacks can reconstruct user data, allowing a malicious server to violate the FL principle, which is to ensure the privacy of local data. We propose a secure aggregation protocol for Decentralized Federated Learning, which does not require a central server to orchestrate the aggregation process. To achieve this, we combined a Multi-Secret-Sharing scheme with a Dining Cryptographers Network. We validate the proposed protocol in simulations using the MNIST handwritten digits dataset. This protocol achieves results comparable to Federated Learning with the FedAvg protocol while adding a layer of privacy to the models. Furthermore, it obtains a timing performance that does not significantly affect the total training time, unlike protocols that use Homomorphic Encryption.

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OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the endorsement of open science practices by dental journals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a meta-research study that included journals listed in the 2021 Journal Citation Reports under Dentistry. A comprehensive evaluation was performed by accessing journal websites to ascertain the availability of publicly accessible instructions to authors in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. A researcher extracted information from the "Instructions for Authors" section, encompassing the journal's impact factor, mention of any reporting guidelines, details on data sharing, acceptance of articles in preprint format, and information regarding study protocol registration. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using the Stata 14.0 program, and an Open Science Score (OSS) (ranging from 0 to 100 %) was calculated for each journal by considering five open science practices. Pearson's correlation test was conducted to determine the relationship between the OSS score and journal impact factor. RESULTS: Ninety journals were included in the study. Most journals (70 %) indicated the mandatory use of reporting guidelines, while 60 % recommended data sharing. Conversely, 46.7 % did not provide information on study protocol registration, and 44.4 % stipulated them as mandatory for authors. Regarding preprints, 50 % of the journals did not provide any information, but 46.7 % confirmed their acceptance. The mean OSS was 52.9 % (standard deviation 26.2). There was a weak correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.221) between the journal impact factor and OSS (P-value=0.036). CONCLUSION: This study found varying degrees of endorsement of open science practices among dental journals. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental practitioners rely on high-quality, evidence-based research for informed decision-making. By assessing the endorsement of open science practices, our study contributes to improving the quality and reliability of dental research, ultimately enhancing the evidence base for clinical practice.

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Extensive research exists on collaborative behavior between healthcare professionals with different skill sets (interprofessional collaboration). However, research is scarce and evolving on collaborative behavior among members of the same profession (intraprofessional collaboration), community pharmacists in particular. Based on the theory of reasoned action, a hypothetical structural model was developed to evaluate the impact of behavioral antecedents: competitive behavior (CB), knowledge-sharing behavior (KSB), and customer-focused behavior (CFB), and the mediating effects of collaborative behavior (CTB) on work performance (WP) of community pharmacists in southwestern Nigeria. We used a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of randomly selected community pharmacists (N = 646). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. The model had an acceptable fit and data quality. The model showed that CB, KSB, and CFB exert a significant direct influence on CTB. Only CFB significantly influenced WP compared to other antecedents and CTB. The absence of mediating effects of CTB suggests a gap in intraprofessional practice with implications for interprofessional collaboration and performance among community pharmacists. We conclude from our results that overall work performance is enhanced when community pharmacists encourage and adopt a collaborative culture. This culture strengthens the benefits of shared experiential knowledge, focus on patients' welfare, and healthy competition.

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RESUMO A pandemia da covid-19 provocou impactos profundos na sociedade brasileira, mas pouca atenção foi endereçada à determinação socioambiental da saúde de populações periféricas. Este projeto surge nesse contexto com a proposta de identificar desafios e potencialidades do enfrentamento da pandemia e suas consequências em três territórios periféricos e vulnerabilizados do estado do Rio de Janeiro. O edital Inova-TSS foi a oportunidade de desenvolver uma pesquisa que, além de gerar dados, contribuísse para potencializar esses territórios para lidar melhor com esse desafio, contribuindo assim para torná-los mais sustentáveis e saudáveis. Apoiado na Educação Popular e em outras perspectivas dialógicas e participativas, este é um estudo qualitativo que conjugou pesquisa, formação, extensão e estratégias de pesquisa quantitativa, sendo desenvolvido em parceria com cinco movimentos sociais, desde a sua gênese. Por sugestão dessas organizações, a pesquisa foi articulada a uma ação da campanha popular 'Periferia Viva': um curso de Agentes Populares de Saúde oferecido nos mesmos territórios da pesquisa onde essas organizações já atuavam. Este relato de experiência propõe-se a compartilhar desafios e potências do processo constitutivo dessa investigação, que integrou militantes, profissionais da saúde e moradoras(es) das comunidades beneficiadas como pesquisadoras(es) populares, reconhecendo sua condição como sujeitos na produção de conhecimentos.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic had profound impacts on Brazilian society, but little attention was paid to the socio-environmental determination of the health of peripheral populations. This project arises in this context, with the proposal to identify challenges and potential in confronting the pandemic and its consequences in three peripheral and vulnerable territories in Rio de Janeiro. The Inova-TSS notice was the opportunity to develop research that, simultaneously to generating data, would contribute to empowering these territories to better deal with this challenge, thus contributing to making them more sustainable and healthier. Supported by Popular Education and other dialogical perspectives, this is a qualitative study that combined research, training, extension and quantitative research strategies, and was developed in partnership with five social movements, since its genesis. At the suggestion of these organizations, the research was linked to an action of the popular campaign 'Periferia Viva', a course for Popular Health Agents offered in the same territories as the research, where these organizations were already operating. This experience report aims to share challenges and strengths of the constitutive process of this investigation, which integrated activists, health professionals, and residents of benefiting communities as popular researchers, recognizing their condition as subjects in knowledge production.

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Software teams increasingly adopt different tools and communication channels to aid the software collaborative development model and coordinate tasks. Among such resources, software development forums have become widely used by developers. Such environments enable developers to get and share technical information quickly. In line with this trend, GitHub announced GitHub Discussions-a native forum to facilitate collaborative discussions between users and members of communities hosted on the platform. Since GitHub Discussions is a software development forum, it faces challenges similar to those faced by systems used for asynchronous communication, including the problems caused by related posts (duplicated and near-duplicated posts). These related posts can add noise to the platform and compromise project knowledge sharing. Hence, this article addresses the problem of detecting related posts on GitHub Discussions. To achieve this, we propose an approach based on a Sentence-BERT pre-trained general-purpose model: the RD-Detector. We evaluated RD-Detector using data from three communities hosted in GitHub. Our dataset comprises 16,048 discussion posts. Three maintainers and three Software Engineering (SE) researchers manually evaluated the RD-Detector results, achieving 77-100% of precision and 66% of recall. In addition, maintainers pointed out practical applications of the approach, such as providing knowledge to support merging the discussion posts and converting the posts to comments on other related posts. Maintainers can benefit from RD-Detector to address the labor-intensive task of manually detecting related posts.

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Recently, the Gini index detector (GID) has been proposed as an alternative for data-fusion cooperative spectrum sensing, being mostly suitable for channels with line-of-sight or dominant multi-path components. The GID is quite robust against time-varying noise and signal powers, has the constant false-alarm rate property, can outperform many the state-of-the-art robust detectors, and is one of the simplest detectors developed so far. The modified GID (mGID) is devised in this article. It inherits the attractive attributes of the GID, yet with a computational cost far below the GID. Specifically, the time complexity of the mGID obeys approximately the same run-time growth rate of the GID, but has a constant factor approximately 23.4 times smaller. Equivalently, the mGID takes approximately 4% of the computation time spent to calculate the GID test statistic, which brings a huge reduction in the latency of the spectrum sensing process. Moreover, this latency reduction comes with no performance loss with respect to the GID.

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Microgrids represent a promising energy technology, because of the inclusion in them of clean and smart energy technologies. They also represent research challenges, including controllability, stability, and implementation. This article presents a dSPACE-control-platform-based implementation of a fixed-switching-frequency modulated model predictive control (M2PC) strategy, as an inner controller of a two-level, three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) working in an islanded AC microgrid. The developed controller is hierarchical, as it includes a primary controller to share the load equally with the other power converter with its own local modulated predictive-based controller. All details of the implementation are given for establishing the dSPACE-based implementation of the control on a dSPACE ds1103 control platform, using MATLAB/Simulink for the controller design, I/O implementation and configuration with the embedded dSPACE's real-time interface in Simulink, and then using the ControlDesk software for monitoring and testing of the real plant. The latter consists of the VSI operating with LCL filters, and sharing an RL load with a paralleled VSI with exactly the same controller. Finally, the obtained experimental waveforms are shown, with our respective conclusions representing this work, which is a very valuable tool for helping microgrid researchers implement dSPACE-based real-time simulations.

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BACKGROUND: Evidence comparing different exercise modalities in individuals undergoing hemodialysis remains incipient. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to compare and synthesize the efficacy of five different intradialytic exercise modalities and home-based training in this population. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS: Studies were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Cinahl, and Scopus from their inception to 19 September 2022. We used traditional random-effects models and Bayesian network meta-analysis models. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB v.2.0 tool, and the assessment of confidence in the results through the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) tool. RESULTS: Seventy-eight studies involving 3326 participants were included. Our network meta-analysis showed that combined training was the intervention with the best performance to increase VO2 peak [mean difference (MD) = 3.94 ml/kg/min; 95% credible interval (CrI), 2.38 to 5.76] and to reduce diastolic blood pressure (MD = -5.19 mmHg; 95%CrI, -9.35 to -0.96) compared to the usual care group. Inspiratory muscle training was the intervention that most improved the 6-minute walk test distance (MD = 70.97 m; 95%CrI, 18.09 to 129.87). C-reactive protein decreased in resistance training (MD = -2.6 mg/l; 95%CrI, -4.97 to -0.33) and aerobic training (MD = -1.4 mg/l; 95%CrI, -3.15 to -0.06). Kt/V improved in aerobic training (MD = 0.11; 95%CrI, 0.02 to 0.18), and SF-36 physical functioning outcomes improved in resistance training (MD = 10.66 points; 95%Crl, 1.91 to 20.22). No intradialytic exercise modality was superior to others or comparable with home-based training in improving the evaluated outcomes. Subgroup analysis revealed that exercise interventions >12 weeks improved functional capacity more than interventions ≤12 weeks, and that combined training reduces diastolic blood pressure only after 12 weeks of follow-up. Furthermore, our results suggest that moderate or moderate-to-vigorous intensity training leads to more pronounced improvements in functional capacity, whereas mild or mild-to-moderate intensity training does not have the same effect. In this review, most of the included studies were assessed as having some concern, which resulted in a low to very low level of confidence in the overall findings. CONCLUSIONS: Both intradialytic training and home-based training can promote benefits for individuals undergoing hemodialysis, with no evidence of the superiority of either training modality over the other.

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Biodiversity is proposed as a sustainable alternative for the economic development of high-biodiversity regions. Especially in the field of biodiversity genomics, the development of low-cost DNA sequencing opens an opportunity for new actors beyond academia to engage in genomic sequencing. However, it is challenging to adequately compensate non-academic actors such as local populations for their contribution to the innovation process, preventing better bioeconomy development. Although many repositories register genomic data to support biodiversity research, they do not facilitate the fair sharing of economic benefits. In this work, we propose the creation of the Amazon Biobank, a community-based genetic database. We employed blockchain to build a transparent and verifiable log of transactions involving genomic data, and we used smart contracts to implement an internal monetary system for all participants who collect, insert, process, store, and validate genomic data. We also used peer-to-peer solutions to allow users with commodity computers to collaborate with the storage and distribution of DNA files. By combining emerging technologies, Amazon Biobank provides adequate benefit-sharing among all participants that collaborate with data, knowledge, and computational resources. It also provides traceability and auditability, allowing easy association between biotechnological research and DNA data. In addition, the solution is highly scalable and less dependent on the trust deposited in any system player. Therefore, Amazon Biobank can become an important stepping stone to unlock the potential of bioeconomy in rich ecosystems such as the Amazon Rainforest.

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The Nagoya Protocol is a legal framework focused on the Access and Benefit Sharing of genetic resources, including Biological Control Agents. In order to comply with the Nagoya Protocol, countries in Latin America are establishing legal frameworks for access to genetic resources. Scientists face the challenges of the bureaucratic and administrative burden to obtain the access permits to study the biodiversity present in Latin American countries, which include the evaluation of biological control agents that can be used in sustainable production programs. In order to avoid the demotivation of scientists and students to work on biological control by blocking the opportunities to get new bioproducts, it is important to increase the communication between the regulatory authorities and the scientific community, to ensure the establishment of an effective structure and mechanisms to facilitate the process and reduce the time needed to obtain the access permits. On the other hand, the establishment of regional platforms for the exchange of information and harmonization of procedures can contribute to reinforce the collaboration among Latin American countries and facilitate regional studies and biocontrol activities. In this article, the legal framework in place in different countries in Latin America will be discussed and some possible solutions and ways forward to the major challenges observed will be presented.

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Land use change in pastures is considered one of the leading drivers of tropical deforestation in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR). To halt and reverse this process, it is necessary to understand, among other factors, the local livelihoods, income from grazing area and the appropriate options to foster sustainable production, incorporating the land-sparing and land-sharing approach. This work was conducted using 167 household surveys along an altitudinal gradient within the buffer and transition zone of the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in the EAR. The results of a comparative analysis of the main capital variables (human, social, natural, financial, and physical), and the opportunity cost of grazing area assessment provides the following key findings: (a) the concepts of land sparing and land sharing should be considered as complementary local strategies, including household livelihoods and the opportunity cost of the grazing area; (b) we should encourage markets with differentiated restoration rights, based on households engaged in low grazing areas' opportunity costs, and making less impact on capitals' livelihood a key element of economic and conservation initiatives; and (c) sectoral policy implications, including moderate intensification and technological improvements to strengthen the pastureland-sparing and -sharing approach, are discussed.

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Main objective of this paper is the optimal distribution of the fundamental non-efficient load current terms between the inverters -Energy Gateways (EGs)- connected in grid-tied microgrids (MGs). The main feature of the presented approach is the use of the EGs as controlled current sources that can compensate fundamental non-efficient load current terms in addition to the generation of fundamental positive-sequence active current, avoiding the use of shunt active power filters. The approach relies on the so-called System of Constant References (SoCR) that is based on the symmetrical components decomposition and dq0 transformation. SoCR procedure decouples efficient and non-efficient components of the instantaneous load currents, transforming all of them into six constant references. The optimization algorithm uses a new approach for the calculation of the peak currents in each phase, avoiding non-convex problems when determining the currents of the EGs considering their operating limits. A medium-power size MG that includes photovoltaic and wind generators, as well as, a battery energy storage system is considered to evaluate the capabilities of the proposal. There were evaluated four scenarios: baseline, balanced distribution, proportional distribution, and optimal distribution. All scenarios, except optimal distribution scenario, surpass the current limits for the EGs connected. The results highlight the benefits of using the EGs as active agents in MG efficient operation and demonstrate how the optimization approach achieves the goal of maintaining the generation capabilities of EGs at the same time that compensates the non-efficient current terms demanded by the load.

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OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify differences in December elective surgery utilization between privately and publicly insured children, given that increases in the prevalence and size of annual deductibles may be driving more families with commercial health insurance to delay elective pediatric surgical procedures until later in the calendar year. STUDY DESIGN: We identified patients aged <18 years who underwent myringotomy, tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy, tympanoplasty, hydrocelectomy, orchidopexy, distal hypospadias repair, or repair of inguinal, umbilical, or epigastric hernia using the 2012-2019 state inpatient and ambulatory surgery and services databases of 9 states. Log-binomial regression models were used to compare relative probabilities of procedures being performed each month. Linear regression models were used to evaluate temporal trends in the proportions of procedures performed in December. RESULTS: Our study cohort (n = 1 001 728) consisted of 56.7% privately insured and 41.8% publicly insured children. Peak procedure utilization among privately and publicly insured children was in December (10.1%) and June (9.6%), respectively. Privately insured children were 24% (95% CI 22%-26%) more likely to undergo surgery in December (P < .001), with a significant increase seen for 8 of 9 procedures. There was no trend over time in the percentage of procedures performed in December, except for hydrocelectomies, which increased by 0.4 percentage points/year among privately insured children (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Privately insured children are >20% more likely than publicly insured children to undergo elective surgery in December. However, despite increases in the prevalence of high deductibles, the proportion of procedures performed in December has not increased over recent years.

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Food waste is one of the main obstacles to transitioning to sustainable and circular food systems. Food waste-reducing platforms (FWRPs) have emerged as low-cost alternatives by donating or commercializing surpluses and non-commercial food. However, as a recent phenomenon, little is known about their actual contribution to the fight against food waste. This study aims to employ a systematic review of the literature to understand the main issues of FWRPs. Our results indicate that technology plays multiple roles in FWRPs: enabling the sharing of surpluses by connecting supply and demand, monitoring and generating data on waste, among others. However, technology is insufficient for food recovery. FWRPs' business models must be aligned with the sustainability concept, encompassing environmental, economic and social benefits. Innovators must design and prototype solutions to address these various intended functions. This study points out many barriers to implementing these digital platforms, such as delivering multiple benefits for heterogeneous actors. Other barriers involve building trust and changing the behaviour of actors concerning their food habits. The scarcity of empirical studies has limited a better understanding of FWRPs and their actual ability to tackle food waste on a large scale. Despite the limitations found in the literature, digital platforms are an interesting solution to food waste management by promoting food waste prevention and reduction strategies at the source.

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Restrictions placed on the distribution of biological material by the legislation of countries such as India, South Africa, or Brazil exclude strains that could serve as type material for the validation or valid publication of prokaryotic species names. This problem goes beyond prokaryotic taxonomy and is also relevant for other areas of biological research.

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