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This study investigates the toxic effects of the insecticide spinetoram on the model organism Bombyx mori (Linnaeus) and explores the potential ameliorative properties of O-Vanillin. Sub-lethal concentrations of spinetoram were given to silkworm larvae via oral feed, resulting in reduced body weight, larval length, and impaired cocoon characteristics. A study of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants revealed oxidative stress in the gut, fat body, and silk gland tissues, characterized by decreased antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation. However, post-treatment with O-Vanillin effectively mitigated these toxic effects, preserving antioxidant capacities and preventing lipid peroxidation. Additionally, O-Vanillin prevented the loss of body weight and improved cocoon characteristics. At the histological level, spinetoram exposure caused mild histological damage in the gut, fat body, and silk gland. However, O-Vanillin post-treatment had ameliorative effects and mitigated the histological damages. To delve deeper into the mechanism of amelioration of O-Vanillin, in silico studies were used to study the interaction between an important xenobiotic metabolism protein of the Bombyx mori, i.e., Cytochrome p450, specifically CYP9A19, and O-Vanillin. We performed blind molecular docking followed by molecular dynamic simulation, and the results demonstrated stable binding interactions between O-Vanillin and CYP9A19, a cytochrome P450 protein in silkworm, belonging to the subfamily CYP9A, suggesting a potential role for O-vanillin in modulating xenobiotic metabolism.

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Understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms of schizophrenia (SZ) is one of the challenges of neuroscience. Many anatomical and functional studies have pointed to problems in brain connectivity in SZ individuals. However, little is known about the relationships between specific brain regions and impairments in brain connectivity in SZ individuals. Herein we propose a new approach using time-varying graphs and the motif synchronization method to build dynamic brain functional networks (BFNs). Dynamic BFNs were constructed from resting-state electroencephalography (rs-EEG) of 14 schizophrenia (SZ) individuals and 14 healthy controls (HCs). BFNs were evaluated based on the percentage of synchronization importance between a pair of regions (considering external and internal interactions) over time. We found differences in the directed interaction between brain regions in SZ individuals compared to the control group. Our method revealed low bilaterally directed interactions between the temporal lobes in SZ individuals compared to HCs, indicating a potential link between altered brain connectivity and the characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia. From a clinical perspective, these results shed light on developing new therapeutic approaches targeting these specific neural interactions that are altered in individuals with SZ. This knowledge allows the application of better interventions focused on restoring or compensating for interrupted connectivity patterns.

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Gasification is a thermochemical process that has gained significant interest in the field of biomass energy conversion. Despite the level of technological maturity of the process, the dynamic variation of the process as a result of changes in both the properties of the gasifying agent and biomass has not been analysed in sufficient depth. Therefore, the present study characterizes the process dynamically as a function of step-type changes in rice husk biomass moisture content and gasifying airflow. To identify stability conditions and the range for inducing disturbances, steady-state tests were carried out using a 32-factorial design. The experimental results demonstrate that within the tested range of airflow, the gasification process operates in the oxygen-limited zone. Despite increasing the airflow from 20 to 40 standard liters per minute (SLPM) and driving the reaction towards the combustion zone, the high temperatures achieved resulted in the gas reaching a peak Lower Heating Value (LHV) of 2.6 MJ/Nm3 and a gas power of 2.6 kW, with a Cold Gas Efficiency (CGE) of 62%. In contrast, the effect of biomass moisture content was negligible due to the thermal inertia of the reactor and the natural variation of the process. Dynamic evaluation revealed that the oxidation temperature and gas concentration were the variables that took the longest to return to stability after air disturbances. It took approximately 1200 s for the hydrogen (H2) concentration to stabilize, while the gas power required about 300 s. No clear results were observed regarding the impact of the dynamic disturbance in moisture content, which varied between 12.3% w.t and 21.5% w.t.

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INTRODUCTION: IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®) is used in the treatment of dynamic wrinkles and the aesthetic repositioning of facial structures. The duration of its muscular effect typically extends for around 4 months. However, the residual aesthetic benefit can be observed for a longer period. To date, the long-term aesthetic benefit of incobotulinumtoxinA in facial aesthetics has not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinally the duration and aesthetic benefits of incobotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of the upper face in adult women. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, evaluator-blind, clinical trial involving 28 adult women (30-60 years old) with facial movement lines, undergoing treatment of the upper face with incobotulinumtoxinA by two injectors, following an individualized protocol (ONE21 and glabellar contraction patterns) was performed. Participants were evaluated on the day of the intervention (day 0) and days 30, 120, 180, and 240, and subjected to standardized photographs. The following outcomes were evaluated blindly at each visit: Merz Aesthetics Facial Contraction Scale (MAS), GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale), and patient satisfaction. Adverse effects were evaluated at each visit. RESULTS: Participants ranged in age from 30 to 60 years, 93% were self-declared white, and most of their baseline MAS scores for dynamic lines were moderate and severe. All the parameters presented significative reduction from baseline until day 180. At day 240, the dynamic MAS scores were lower than baseline for forehead lines in 15.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-30.0%) of the participants, for glabellar lines in 38.5% (95% CI 18.8-58.1%), and for crow's feet lines in 26.9% (95% CI 9.0-44.8%). Aesthetic improvement compared to baseline was identified in 35% (CI 95% 23‒50%) of the participants at day 240, and 62% (CI 95% 42‒81%) of the sample kept reporting some satisfaction with the procedure. CONCLUSION: The aesthetic treatment of the upper face with incobotulinumtoxinA demonstrates enduring clinical benefits, and patient satisfaction lasting up to 180 days in most participants. The length of efficacy, which exceeded those reported in the literature, may be attributed to the use of techniques based on individualized assessment such as ONE21 and glabellar patterns of contraction.

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PURPOSE: Depending on its axis, pronation varies from the radius rotation around the steady ulna to the reciprocal adduction of the radius and abduction of the ulna. While there is no question that pronator teres is a central pronation agonist, anconeus's role is not settled. The current investigation comparing palpation and ultrasonography in these two muscles during pronation along the axis capitulum-second digit evolved from a serendipitous finding in a clinical anatomy seminar. METHODS: Single-hand palpation and two-transducer ultrasonography over anconeus and pronator teres were used on ten normal subjects to investigate their contraction during pronation around the capitulum-second digit axis. These studies were done independently and blind to the results of the other. The statistical analysis between palpation and ultrasonography was performed with Cohen's kappa coefficient and the χ2 test. RESULTS: On palpation, on resisted full pronation, anconeus contracted in 8/10 subjects and pronator teres in 10/10 subjects. Without resistance, the corresponding ratios were 5/10 and 9/10. On two-transducer ultrasonography, the comparable ratios were 7/10 and 10/10, and 3/10 and 10/10. A fair concordance (Cohen's kappa = 0.21) between palpation and ultrasonography in detecting the simultaneous status of anconeus and pronator teres during resisted full pronation. Anatomic dissection illustrated the elements involved. CONCLUSIONS: Plain palpation confirmed by ultrasonography showed the simultaneous contraction of anconeus and pronator teres during resisted pronation in most of the studied subjects. The study suggests that palpation can be helpful in directly studying muscle activity during movement.

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Hyaline cartilage is a highly specialized tissue. When injured, its repair capacity is low, which results in the massive destruction of the articular surface. Using tissue engineering and genetic engineering techniques, it is possible to provide a suitable microenvironment providing chondrocyte growth factors involved in the development of hyaline cartilage proteins, as well as cell proliferation and differentiation. Our aim was to stimulate the synthesis of an extracellular matrix via the chondrocytes included in a fibrin matrix through the addition or overexpression of IGF1 and/or FGF2, while maintaining a constant agitation of the culture medium. Collagen type II and glycosaminoglycans increased during the entire incubation time. In contrast, collagen type I decreased its expression under the same culture conditions, transfecting or supplementing growth factors to chondrocytes. However, chondrocytes that were not transfected or supplemented showed a general increase in the proteins analyzed in this study. The presence of IGF1 and FGF2 increased the protein synthesis of the hyaline cartilage, regardless of which one was the source of growth factors. Continuous agitation using the spinner flask allows for the adequate nutrition of chondrocytes included in the fibrin matrix. However, they require growth factors to up-regulate or down-regulate collagenous proteins.

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This work proposes for the first time protecting-reflecting on both sides of plated mirrors and a solution to polycarbonate surface vulnerability to weathering and scratching using tungsten disulfide (WS2) by mechanical polishing. The ability of the dynamic chemical plating (DCP) technique to deposit Ag films at the nanometer scale on a polycarbonate (PC) substrate and its characteristics to be metallized is also shown. These deposits hold significant promise for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications. Complementarily, the application of WS2 as a reflective film for CSP by mechanical polishing on smooth polycarbonate surfaces is both novel and practical. This technique is innovative and scalable without needing reactants or electrical potential, making it highly applicable in real-world scenarios, including, potentially, on-site maintenance. The effects of surface morphology and adhesion, and the reflectivity parameters of the silver metallic surfaces were investigated. Wettability was investigated because it is important for polymeric surfaces in the activation and metal deposition immediately after redox reactions. The flame technique improved wettability by modifying the surface with carbonyl and carboxyl functional groups, with PC among the few industrial polymers that resisted such a part of the process. The change in the chemical composition, roughness, and wettability of the surfaces effectively improved the adhesion between the Ag film and the PC substrate. However, it did not significantly affect the adhesion between PC and WS2 and showed its possible implementation as a first surface mirror. Overall, this work provides a scalable, innovative method for improving the durability and reflectivity of polycarbonate-based mirrors, with significant implications for CSP applications.

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Black liquor (BL) is the major bioproduct and biomass fuel in pulp mill processes. However, the high viscosity of BL makes it a challenging material to work with, resulting in issues with evaporators and heat exchangers during its transport and processing. The thermal and rheological properties of BLs from Pinus sp. (PBL) and Eucalyptus sp. (EBL) were studied. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of the characteristic functional groups and the chemical composition in liquors. TGA/DTG curves showed three characteristic degradation stages related to evaporation of water, pyrolysis of organic groups, and condensation of char. Rheologically, liquors are classified as non-Newtonian and with comportment pseudoplastic. Their rheological dynamic shear properties included a linear viscoelastic region up to 1% shear strain, while frequency sweeps showed that storage modulus (G') > loss modulus (G''), thus confirming the solid-like behavior of both BLs. The rheological study demonstrated that increasing the temperature and oscillatory deformations of PBL and EBL decreased their degree of viscoelasticity, which could favor their pumping and handling within the pulp mill, as well as the droplet formation and swelling characteristics in the recovery furnace.

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Semantic verbal fluency (SVF) impairment is present in several neurological disorders. Although activation in SVF-related areas has been reported, how these regions are connected and their functional roles in the network remain divergent. We assessed SVF static and dynamic functional connectivity (FC) and effective connectivity in healthy participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We observed activation in the inferior frontal (IFG), middle temporal (pMTG) and angular gyri (AG), anterior cingulate (AC), insular cortex, and regions of the superior, middle, and medial frontal gyri (SFG, MFG, MidFG). Our static FC analysis showed a highly interconnected task and resting state network. Increased connectivity of AC with the pMTG and AG was observed for the task. The dynamic FC analysis provided circuits with connections similarly modulated across time and regions related to category identification, language comprehension, word selection and recovery, word generation, inhibition of speaking, speech planning, and articulatory planning of orofacial movements. Finally, the effective connectivity analysis provided a network that best explained our data, starting at the AG and going to the pMTG, from which there was a division between the ventral and dorsal streams. The SFG and MFG regions were connected and modulated by the MidFG, while the inferior regions formed the ventral stream. Therefore, we successfully assessed the SVF network, exploring regions associated with the entire processing, from category identification to word generation. The methodological approach can be helpful for further investigation of the SVF network in neurological disorders.

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This review explores the historical and current significance of gestures as a universal form of communication with a focus on hand gestures in virtual reality applications. It highlights the evolution of gesture detection systems from the 1990s, which used computer algorithms to find patterns in static images, to the present day where advances in sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and computing power have enabled real-time gesture recognition. The paper emphasizes the role of hand gestures in virtual reality (VR), a field that creates immersive digital experiences through the Ma blending of 3D modeling, sound effects, and sensing technology. This review presents state-of-the-art hardware and software techniques used in hand gesture detection, primarily for VR applications. It discusses the challenges in hand gesture detection, classifies gestures as static and dynamic, and grades their detection difficulty. This paper also reviews the haptic devices used in VR and their advantages and challenges. It provides an overview of the process used in hand gesture acquisition, from inputs and pre-processing to pose detection, for both static and dynamic gestures.

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Due to the low temperature, the Antarctic marine environment is challenging for protein functioning. Cold-adapted organisms have evolved proteins endowed with higher flexibility and lower stability in comparison to their thermophilic homologs, resulting in enhanced reaction rates at low temperatures. The Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 (PhTAC125) genome is one of the few examples of coexistence of multiple hemoglobin genes encoding, among others, two constitutively transcribed 2/2 hemoglobins (2/2Hbs), also named truncated Hbs (TrHbs), belonging to the Group II (or O), annotated as PSHAa0030 and PSHAa2217. In this work, we describe the ligand binding kinetics and their interrelationship with the dynamical properties of globin Ph-2/2HbO-2217 by combining experimental and computational approaches and implementing a new computational method to retrieve information from molecular dynamic trajectories. We show that our approach allows us to identify docking sites within the protein matrix that are potentially able to transiently accommodate ligands and migration pathways connecting them. Consistently with ligand rebinding studies, our modeling suggests that the distal heme pocket is connected to the solvent through a low energy barrier, while inner cavities play only a minor role in modulating rebinding kinetics.

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Alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) play a crucial role in catalyzing the transfer of acyl groups, contributing to the diverse aroma of fruits, including strawberries. In this research we identified nine AAT genes in strawberries through a comprehensive analysis involving phylogenetics, gene structure, conserved motifs, and structural protein model examinations. The study used the 'Camarosa' strawberry genome database, and experiments were conducted with fruits harvested at different developmental and ripening stages. The transcriptional analysis revealed differential expression patterns among the AAT genes during fruit ripening, with only four genes (SAAT, FaAAT2, FaAAT7, and FaAAT9) showing increased transcript accumulation correlated with total AAT enzyme activity. Additionally, the study employed in silico methods, including sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, and structural modeling, to gain insights into the AAT protein model structures with increase expression pattern during fruit ripening. The four modeled AAT proteins exhibited structural similarities, including conserved catalytic sites and solvent channels. Furthermore, the research investigated the interaction of AAT proteins with different substrates, highlighting the enzymes' promiscuity in substrate preferences. The study contributes with valuable information to unveil AAT gene family members in strawberries, providing scientific background for further exploration of their biological characteristics and their role in aroma biosynthesis during fruit ripening.

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Autonomous mobile robots are essential to the industry, and human-robot interactions are becoming more common nowadays. These interactions require that the robots navigate scenarios with static and dynamic obstacles in a safely manner, avoiding collisions. This paper presents a physical implementation of a method for dynamic obstacle avoidance using a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network that obtains information from the mobile robot's LiDAR for it to be capable of navigating through scenarios with static and dynamic obstacles while avoiding collisions and reaching its goal. The model is implemented using a TurtleBot3 mobile robot within an OptiTrack motion capture (MoCap) system for obtaining its position at any given time. The user operates the robot through these scenarios, recording its LiDAR readings, target point, position inside the MoCap system, and its linear and angular velocities, all of which serve as the input for the LSTM network. The model is trained on data from multiple user-operated trajectories across five different scenarios, outputting the linear and angular velocities for the mobile robot. Physical experiments prove that the model is successful in allowing the mobile robot to reach the target point in each scenario while avoiding the dynamic obstacle, with a validation accuracy of 98.02%.

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Introduction. Nonlinear EEG provides information about dynamic properties of the brain. This study aimed to compare nonlinear EEG parameters estimated from patients with Long COVID in different cognitive and motor tasks. Materials and Methods. This 12-month prospective cohort study included 83 patients with Long COVID: 53 symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic. Brain electrical activity was evaluated by EEG in 4 situations: (1) at rest, (2) during the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A), (3) during the TMT Part B (TMT-B), and (4) during a coordination task: the Box and Blocks Test (BBT). Nonlinear EEG parameters were estimated in the time domain (activity and complexity). Assessments were made at 0 to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 12 months after inclusion. Results. There was a decrease in activity and complexity during the TMT-A and TMT-B, and an increase of these parameters during the BBT in both groups. There was an increase in activity at rest and during the TMT-A in the COVID-19 group at 0 to 3 months compared to the control, an increase in activity in the TMT-B in the COVID-19 group at 3 to 6 months compared to the control, and reduced activity and complexity at rest and during the TMT-A at 6 to 12 months compared to the control. Conclusion. The tasks followed a pattern of increased activity and complexity in cognitive tasks, which decreased during the coordination task. It was also observed that an increase in activity at rest and during cognitive tasks in the early stages, and reduced activity and complexity at rest and during cognitive tasks in the late phases of Long COVID.

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Stress leads to unhealthy food choices since the school-age stage. Yet, there is limited evidence particularly in low- and middle-income countries regarding the impact of stress-reduction strategies on school-age children's food choices. Such aspects were crucial during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated psychological distress and unhealthier food choices among children. Two years after the pandemic began, we conducted a field experiment in southern Mexico to assess the impact of stress-reduction strategies on the food choices of over 1400 children aged 9-12. Half of the school-classes in the sample were randomly assigned to a stress reduction strategy namely meditation, which comprised six audios with basic relaxation techniques and intuitive messages to guide food choices. Additionally, all participants received information signalling that an amaranth snack was nutritious (i.e., the healthy snack), which was paired with a chocolate bar (i.e., the unhealthy snack) as part of a snack choice experiment. Students that practiced meditation were slightly more likely to choose the healthy snack than those in the control group, but the effect was not statistically significant. Upon collecting their snack, students had the chance to exchange their original choice for the other snack. Students that meditated were more likely to exchange their originally chosen "unhealthy snack" towards the healthy snack than students in the control group. The meditation program effectively reduced chronic stress among treated children. The effect was larger among students attending schools in lower-income areas. Our study sheds some light on the challenges to translate an improved psychological well-being into healthier food choices at school.

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BACKGROUND: Detraining is the partial or complete loss of physical training-induced adaptations as a result of exercise interruption or reduction. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the discontinuation of many older adult exercise programs and led to increased depressive symptoms (DS), increased sedentary behavior (SB), and decreased quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of detraining, in the pandemic, on physical capacity and its relationship with DS, QoL, and SB of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The physical capacity (static balance, dynamic balance, and lower limb and handgrip strength) of 35 participants was assessed prepandemic and after 18 and 24 months of the pandemic. DS, QoL, and SB were evaluated only at 18-month period. The analysis of variance for repeated measures or the Friedman and Pearson or Spearman tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was a decline in dynamic balance (p < .001) and strength in the lower limbs (p < .001) in the first 18 months, as well as maintenance in the following 6 months. The reduction in dynamic balance during the 18 months of the pandemic was associated with greater DS (p = .015; r = .414) and worse QoL (p = .024; r = -.381) in this period. More time spent on SB (p = .024; r = .386) in the 18th month was associated with worse dynamic balance in the following 6 months. CONCLUSION: Detraining in the pandemic setting led to long-lasting harmful effects, which can last for 2 years, on the physical capacity of community-dwelling older adults. IMPLICATION: Our findings highlight how periods of detraining can interfere in physical and mental health of older adults.

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Background: Many cities with traffic congestion lack accessibility assessments accounting for traffic congestion and equity considerations but have disaggregated georeferenced municipal-level open data on health services, populations, and travel times big data. We convened a multistakeholder intersectoral collaborative group that developed a digital, web-based platform integrating open and big data to derive dynamic spatial-temporal accessibility measurements (DSTAM) for haemodialysis services. We worked with stakeholders and data scientists and considered people's places of residence, service locations, and travel time to the service with the shortest travel time. Additionally, we predicted the impacts of strategically introducing haemodialysis services where they optimise accessibility. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of DSTAM, accounting for traffic congestion, were conducted using a web-based platform. This platform integrated traffic analysis zones, public census and health services datasets, and Google Distance Matrix API travel-time data. Predictive and prescriptive analytics identified optimal locations for new haemodialysis services and estimated improvements. Primary outcomes included the percentage of residents within a 20-min car drive of a haemodialysis service during peak and free-flow traffic congestion. Secondary outcomes focused on optimal locations to maximise accessibility with new services and potential improvements. Findings were disaggregated by sociodemographic characteristics, providing an equity perspective. The study in Cali, Colombia, used geographic and disaggregated sociodemographic data from the adjusted 2018 Colombian census. Predicted travel times were obtained for two weeks in 2020. Findings: There were substantial traffic variations. Congestion reduced accessibility, especially among marginalised groups. For 6-12 July, free-flow and peak-traffic accessibility rates were 95.2% and 45.0%, respectively. For 23-29 November, free-flow and peak traffic accessibility rates were 89.1% and 69.7%. The locations where new services would optimise accessibility had slight variation and would notably enhance accessibility and health equity. Interpretation: Establishing haemodialysis services in targeted areas has significant potential benefits. By increasing accessibility, it would enhance urban health and equity. Funding: No external or institutional funding was received.

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While droughts predominantly induce immediate reductions in plant carbon uptake, they can also exert long-lasting effects on carbon fluxes through associated changes in leaf area, soil carbon, etc. Among other mechanisms, shifts in carbon allocation due to water stress can contribute to the legacy effects of drought on carbon fluxes. However, the magnitude and impact of these allocation shifts on carbon fluxes and pools remain poorly understood. Using data from a wet tropical flux tower site in French Guiana, we demonstrate that drought-induced carbon allocation shifts can be reliably inferred by assimilating Net Biosphere Exchange (NBE) and other observations within the CARbon DAta MOdel fraMework. This model-data fusion system allows inference of optimized carbon and water cycle parameters and states from multiple observational data streams. We then examined how these inferred shifts affected the duration and magnitude of drought's impact on NBE during and after the extreme event. Compared to a static allocation scheme analogous to those typically implemented in land surface models, dynamic allocation reduced average carbon uptake during drought recovery by a factor of 2.8. Additionally, the dynamic model extended the average recovery time by 5 months. The inferred allocation shifts influenced the post-drought period by altering foliage and fine root pools, which in turn modulated gross primary productivity and heterotrophic respiration for up to a decade. These changes can create a bust-boom cycle where carbon uptake is enhanced some years after a drought, compared to what would have occurred under drought-free conditions. Overall, allocation shifts accounted for 65% [45%-75%] of drought legacy effects in modeled NBE. In summary, drought-induced carbon allocation shifts can play a substantial role in the enduring influence of drought on cumulative land-atmosphere CO2 exchanges and should be accounted for in ecosystem models.

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A better understanding of how emulsifier type could differently influence the behavior of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) under the gastrointestinal digestion process, as well as at the cellular level, is of utmost importance for the NLC-based formulations' optimization and risk assessment in the food field. In this study, NLC composed by fully hydrogenated soybean and high-oleic sunflower oils were prepared using soy lecithin (NLC Lß) or Tween 80 (NLC Tß) as an emulsifier. ß-Carotene was entrapped within NLC developed as a promising strategy to overcome ß-carotene's low bioavailability and stability. The effect of emulsifier type on the digestibility of ß-carotene-loaded NLC was evaluated using an in vitro dynamic digestion model mimicking peristalsis motion. The influence of ß-carotene-loaded NLC on cell viability was assessed using Caco-2 cells in vitro. NLC Tß remained stable in the gastric compartment, presenting particle size (PS) similar to the initial NLC (PS: 245.68 and 218.18 nm, respectively), while NLC Lß showed lower stability (PS > 1000 nm) in stomach and duodenum phases. NLC Tß also provided high ß-carotene protection and delivery capacity (i.e., ß-carotene bioaccessibility increased 10-fold). Based on the results of digestion studies, NLC Tß has shown better physical stability during the passage through the in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal system than NLC Lß. Moreover, the developed NLC did not compromise cell viability up to 25 µg/mL of ß-carotene. Thus, the NLC developed proved to be a biocompatible structure and able to incorporate and protect ß-carotene for further food applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The findings of this study hold significant implications for industrial applications in terms of developing nanostructured lipid carriers from natural raw materials widely available and used to produce other lipid-based products in the food industry, as an alternative to synthetic ones. In this respect, the ß-carotene-loaded NLC developed in this study would find a great industrial application in the food industry, which is in constant search to develop functional foods capable of increasing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

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Aim: This prospective study assessed the clinical and radiological outcomes of open tibia fractures treated with a dynamic external fixator. Materials and methods: Twenty-five patients underwent surgical debridement and stabilisation with a dynamic external fixator between November 2016 and April 2022. Regular follow-up evaluated bone healing progression. Results: Favourable outcomes were demonstrated in 20 patients. However, there were three cases of non-union, two of which subsequently deformed, and two cases of pin site-related infection. There were no fracture site infections. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the use of dynamic external fixation in the treatment of open tibia fractures. The low incidence of complications suggests its effectiveness and potential. How to cite this article: Bezerra BS, Araujo TA, Cardonia GG, et al. The Applicability of Dynamic External Fixator in a Prospective Evaluation of Open Tibial Fracture Treatment. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2024;19(1):36-39.