Abstract As a result of human activities and natural dispersal, exotic species can be brought to new areas, where they become established and spread, becoming invaders. These species are responsible for the loss of biodiversity and cause ecosystemic harm throughout the world. In this paper, we report the rapid, broad geographic expansion of the invasive fly Drosophila nasuta in Brazil. An 84% increase was found in its area of occupation in the country compared to previous studies. The present data reveal its arrival to the Pantanal wetlands in a location more than one thousand kilometers from the closest previous record in the Cerrado biome. We present the first record of D. nasuta in the Atlantic Forest in the states of Paraíba and Bahia. We report its introduction in the Amazon Forest in the state of Amazonas approximately 700 kilometers from previous records. The relative abundance of D. nasuta in this biome increased fivefold in comparison to a previous study. In the first decade of invasion in Brazil, D. nasuta has already colonized more than half of the country. The present data reveal its invasive potential and underscore the importance of following up the possible negative effects of this biological invasion.

In part 1 of our physics education series, we introduced a novel solution based on Yoon-Lui’s solutions 1 and 2. Building upon that, this follow-up presents a new solution obtained by combining the generating functions of Yoon-Lui-1 and Yoon-Lui-3, resulting in a new and simplified general solution. We also calculate the singular points and determine their coordinates for various parameter values. A graphical representation of the solution is presented, showing the magnetic field lines and current density distribution. The behavior of the magnetic field and the effect of varying the parameter are discussed. The observed magnetic islands and singular points are relevant in the fields of Plasma Physics and Space Physics, providing insights into magnetic structures in plasmas and their impact on confinement and stability. Furthermore, this study encourages innovation and equips researchers and students with the necessary tools to make meaningful contributions to the field, emphasizing the integration of scientific literature into physics education to promote a comprehensive understanding of physical concepts and their practical applications.

Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition by high-dose NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is associated with several detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. However, low-dose L-NAME increases NO synthesis, which in turn induces physiological cardiovascular benefits, probably by activating a protective negative feedback mechanism. Aerobic exercise, likewise, improves several cardiovascular functions in healthy hearts, but its effects are not known when chronically associated with low-dose L-NAME. Thus, we tested whether the association between low-dose L-NAME administration and chronic aerobic exercise promotes beneficial effects to the cardiovascular system, evaluating the cardiac remodeling process. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C), L-NAME (L), chronic aerobic exercise (Ex), and chronic aerobic exercise associated to L-NAME (ExL). Aerobic training was performed with progressive intensity for 12 weeks; L-NAME (1.5 mg·kg-1·day-1) was administered by orogastric gavage. Low-dose L-NAME alone did not change systolic blood pressure (SBP), but ExL significantly increased SBP at week 8 with normalization after 12 weeks. Furthermore, ExL promoted the elevation of left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic pressure without the presence of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Time to 50% shortening and relaxation were reduced in ExL, suggesting a cardiomyocyte contractile improvement. In addition, the time to 50% Ca2+ peak was increased without alterations in Ca2+ amplitude and time to 50% Ca2+ decay. In conclusion, the association of chronic aerobic exercise and low-dose L-NAME prevented cardiac pathological remodeling and induced cardiomyocyte contractile function improvement; however, it did not alter myocyte affinity and sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ handling.

RESUMO Neste artigo, consideramos problemas de Otimização multiobjetivo com restrições de igualdade dadas na forma F ( x ) = 0, sendo F : U ⊆ R n ⟶ R m e U um aberto não vazio. Consideramos o caso em que a restrição do problema é irregular, ou seja, quando a condição de qualificação de independência linear (LICQ) não é satisfeita na solução do problema de otimização. Obtemos condições necessárias e suficientes de otimalidade no sentido da eficiência fraca e da eficiência própria para problemas multiobjetivos irregulares. Para isto, foi utilizada a Teoria da p-regularidade.

RESUMO. In this article, we consider problems of Multiobjective optimization with equality constraints given in the form F ( x ) = 0, where F : U ⊆ R n ⟶ R m. We will consider the case where the problem constraints are irregular, that is, when the condition of qualification of linear independence (LICQ) is not satisfied in the solution of the optimization problem. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality in the sense of the weak efficiency and of the proper efficiency for irregular multiobjective problems.

Abstract In this work sufficient conditions are established to ensure that all feasible points are (properly) efficient solutions in non trivial situations, for a class of non-differentiable, non-convex multiobjective minimization problems. Considering locally Lipschitz functions and some results of non-differentiable analysis introduced by F. H. Clarke.

Objective. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of 16 weeks of training on the parameters of physical fitness and body composition in athletes of the Brazilian 5-a-side football team. Method. The sample consisted of six athletes - four outfield players with functional classification B1 and two goalkeepers without visual impairment -, all male, mean age of 27.33 ± 5.5 years. The athletes underwent two evaluations: before and after 16 weeks of training. We measured the levels of cardiorespiratory fitness through the 20m Shuttle Run and the anaerobic parameters through the Rast Test, while the subjects' body composition was assessed by anthropometric technique. Results. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) levels were found for VO2peak before (44.7 ± 4.7 ml.(Kg.min)-1) and after (50.3 ± 3.2ml.(Kg.min)-1), for anaerobic parameters of Medium Power before (442.8 ± 47W) and after (491 ± 72.9W), Low Power before (328.9 ± 26.7W) and after (405.4 ± 79.6W) and for fatigue index before (39.8 ± 10.3%) and after (29.2 ± 12.7%). Conclusion. The 16 weeks of training were enough to show significant improvements in the components of aerobic and anaerobic fitness of the Brazilian 5-a-side football team players; the same effect was not observed in the indicators of body composition.

Objetivo. El presente estudio tiene por objetivo analizar el efecto de 16 semanas de entrenamiento en los parámetros de la condición física y la composición corporal en atletas del equipo de fútbol 5 de la selección brasileña. Método. La muestra estuvo formada por seis atletas, cuatro jugadores de campo con la clasificación funcional B1 y dos porteros sin discapacidad visual, con una media de edad de 27,3 ± 5,5 años. Los atletas realizaron dos evaluaciones: antes y después de 16 semanas de entrenamiento. Se midieron los niveles de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria a través de la realización del test de Shuttle Run 20m y las variables anaeróbicas a través del Rast Test, mientras que la medición de la composición corporal de los sujetos se realizó mediante la técnica antropométrica doblemente indirecta. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,05) entre los niveles de VO2pico previos (44,7 ± 4,7ml.(kg.min)-1) y posteriores al entrenamiento (50,3 ± 3,2ml.(Kg.min) -1). Los mismos resultados fueron observados en los valores de potencia media (pre = 442,8 ± 47W, post = 491 ± 72,9W), en la potencia mínima (pre = 328,9 ± 26,7W, post = 405,4 ± 79,6W) y en el índice de fatiga (pre = 39,8 ± 10,3 %, post = 29,2 ± 12,7 %). Conclusión. Las 16 semanas de entrenamiento fueron suficientes para demostrar mejoras significativas en la condición física de los jugadores del equipo de fútbol 5 de la selección brasileña, sin embargo, no se obtuvieron los mismos efectos en los indicadores de la composición corporal.

Abstract Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world and in developing countries. Acute mortality from acute myocardial infarction (MI) has decreased in the last decades. However, the incidence of heart failure (HF) in patients with healed infarcted areas is increasing. Therefore, HF prevention is a major challenge to the health system in order to reduce healthcare costs and to provide a better quality of life. Animal models of ischemia and infarction have been essential in providing precise information regarding cardiac remodeling. Several of these changes are maladaptive, and they progressively lead to ventricular dilatation and predispose to the development of arrhythmias, HF and death. These events depend on cell death due to necrosis and apoptosis and on activation of the inflammatory response soon after MI. Systemic and local neurohumoral activation has also been associated with maladaptive cardiac remodeling, predisposing to HF. In this review, we provide a timely description of the cardiovascular alterations that occur after MI at the cellular, neurohumoral and electrical level and discuss the repercussions of these alterations on electrical, mechanical and structural dysfunction of the heart. We also identify several areas where insufficient knowledge limits the adoption of better strategies to prevent HF development in chronically infarcted individuals.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of drag reducer polymers (DRP) on arteries from normotensive (Wistar) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000 at 5000 ppm) was perfused in the tail arterial bed with (E+) and without endothelium (E-) from male, adult Wistar (N = 14) and SHR (N = 13) animals under basal conditions (constant flow at 2.5 mL/min). In these preparations, flow-pressure curves (1.5 to 10 mL/min) were constructed before and 1 h after PEG 4000 perfusion. Afterwards, the tail arterial bed was fixed and the internal diameters of the arteries were then measured by microscopy and drag reduction was assessed based on the values of wall shear stress (WSS) by computational simulation. In Wistar and SHR groups, perfusion of PEG 4000 significantly reduced pulsatile pressure (Wistar/E+: 17.5 ± 2.8; SHR/E+: 16.3 ± 2.7%), WSS (Wistar/E+: 36; SHR/E+: 40%) and the flow-pressure response. The E- reduced the effects of PEG 4000 on arteries from both groups, suggesting that endothelial damage decreased the effect of PEG 4000 as a DRP. Moreover, the effects of PEG 4000 were more pronounced in the tail arterial bed from SHR compared to Wistar rats. In conclusion, these data demonstrated for the first time that PEG 4000 was more effective in reducing the pressure-flow response as well as WSS in the tail arterial bed of hypertensive than of normotensive rats and these effects were amplified by, but not dependent on, endothelial integrity. Thus, these results show an additional mechanism of action of this polymer besides its mechanical effect through the release and/or bioavailability of endothelial factors.

Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and echocardiography (ECHO) are methods used to determine experimental myocardial infarction (MI) size, whose practical applicability should be expanded. Our objectives were to analyze the accuracy of ECHO in determining infarction size in rats during the first days following coronary occlusion and to test whether a simplified single measurement by TTC correctly indicates MI size, as determined by the average value for multiple slices. Infarction was induced in female Wistar rats by coronary artery occlusion and MI size analysis was performed after the acute (7th day) and chronic periods (after 4 weeks) by ECHO matched with TTC. ECHO and TTC showed similar values of MI size (% of left ventricle perimeter) in acute (ECHO: 33 ± 11, TTC: 35 ± 14) and chronic (ECHO: 38 ± 14, TTC: 39 ± 13 periods), and also presented an excellent correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001). Although measurements from different heart planes showed discrepancies, a single measurement acquired from the mid-ventricular level by TTC was a good estimate of MI size calculated by the average of multiple planes, with minimal disagreement (Bland-Altman test with mean ratio bias of 0.99 ± 0.07) and close to an ideal correlation (r = 0.99, P < 0.001). In the present study, ECHO was confirmed as a useful method for the determination of MI size even in the acute phase. Also, the single measure of a mid-ventricular section proposed as a simplification of the TTC method is a satisfactory prediction of average MI extension.

"Dual-setting" calcium phosphate cements (DS-CPCs), characterized by a polymerization reaction that proceeds along with the conventional hydraulic setting, were prepared and studied. Acrylamide (AA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolydone (VP) in 5, 10, and 20 wt./vol.-% were added to the liquid of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) and tetracalcium phosphate/dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (TTCP/ DCPA) conventional cements. N,N´-methylenebisa-crylamide was used as cross linking agent. N,N,N´,N´-tetramethylethylendiamine in the liquid, and ammonium persulfate in the powder, were employed as polymerization catalyst and initiator, respectively. Diametral tensile strength (DTS), setting time, phase composition, conversion rate, and microstructure of the DS-CPC were compared with those of non-added cements. The DTS increased 22 % for α-TCP and 85 % for TTCP/DCPA DS-CPCs by adding 20 wt./vol.-% AA. The HEMA and VP had no positive effect on DTS. The extent of the hydraulic setting reaction for α-TCP DS-CPC was only slightly decreased by the addition of 20 wt./vol.-% of AA to the mixing liquid.