The present study evaluates numerically the thermophysical properties of polymer melts during the filling phase. The mathematical model corresponds to the transient and incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, solved by the Ansys-Fluent® software, using the generalized Newtonian formulation. The results also show that geometric transitions and proximity to the advancing flow front strongly affect velocity gradients, leading to localized increase in shear rate and pressure, particularly near cavity walls and smoothing radius. Temperature distribution indicates formation of a frozen layer near the mold walls, while the flow core remains close to the inlet temperature due to dominant convective effects. Overall, the numerical framework enables accurate monitoring of the filling dynamics and provides quantitative insights into the thermophysical conditions governing polymer melt flow, thereby contributing to improved prediction of filling-related defects and optimization of injection molding process parameters.
Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and left bundle fascicular pacing (LBFP) are conduction system pacing techniques that preserve physiological ventricular activation. Whether proximal or distal capture yields superior electrical or echocardiographic outcomes is uncertain. To systematically evaluate and compare LBFP versus left bundle branch trunk pacing (LBBP) in terms of electrical synchrony and echocardiographic characteristics in patients requiring permanent cardiac pacing. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane through May 21, 2025, for randomized and observational studies comparing LBFP with LBBP. Outcomes of interest included QRS duration, V6 R-wave peak time (RWPT), left ventricular activation time (LVAT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and pacing thresholds. Statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects model, with heterogeneity assessed using I² statistics. Risk of bias was evaluated using the ROBINS-I. Six studies involving 2,989 patients (1,241 LBFP; 249 LBBP) were included. There were 3 prospective studies, 2 retrospective, and 1 that was both prospective and retrospective. There were no RCTs on this subject. LBFP was associated with a statistically shorter V6-RWPT (mean difference: − 3.50 ms; 95
Bees are essential for ecosystem functioning, pollinating many wild and crop plant species. Predicting which species are most vulnerable to global changes, and how their loss may impact ecosystems and human well-being, is critical. Comprehensive information on bee response and effect traits is fundamental to these assessments. However, the Raunkiærian shortfall-insufficient trait data-remains significant for bees, particularly in the Neotropics. Moreover, it remains uncertain whether conservation strategies based on functional diversity from temperate regions can be generalized to the Neotropics. To address this gap, we compiled a comprehensive and validated dataset on Brazilian bee traits, covering 24 traits related to sociality (100% of the species with some information), nesting (88%), body size (71%), and buzzing capacity (42%) on 2,066 Brazilian bee species. The trait data here presented is a crucial resource for evaluating bee species' pollination effectiveness and susceptibility to global change. Comparative analysis with regions with ample trait data-USA, Europe, and China-revealed notable differences. Brazilian bees exhibited a higher prevalence of aboveground nesting species, especially compared to Europe. The proportion of eusocial species was also greater than in Europe and the United States, and more similar to China. Differently from other regions, Brazilian eusocial bees were significantly smaller than their non-eusocial counterparts. These cross-regional comparisons highlight the importance of geographically tailored conservation strategies and underscore the need for extensive trait data to accurately predict regional vulnerabilities and ecological impacts in a rapidly changing world.
The hunting of large whales has shaped the lifeways of many coastal communities for millennia, yet its origins remain debated, often associated with postglacial cultures in Arctic and subarctic regions dating to approximately 3500-2500 years ago. Here, we present evidence that large baleen whales were likely hunted 5000 years ago by Indigenous groups in southern Brazil. We analysed museum collections of cetacean bones and artefacts from archaeological shellmounds, known as sambaquis, in the region of Babitonga Bay. Zooarchaeological, typological, and molecular analyses of bone remains and artefacts indicate that Sambaqui people exploited southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and dolphins in coastal waters. The abundance of whale bone remains, the presence of specialised marine hunting artefacts, and the importance of whales in funerary contexts are consistent with archaeological and ethnographic evidence of whaling societies. Our results also illuminate species distributions prior to commercial exploitation, providing insights for conservation strategies. Whale exploitation was an element of Indigenous maritime knowledge in southern Brazil long before European contact; an unwritten history preserved in museum collections and in the sambaquis that have survived the impacts of modern human activities.
Neurofibromatosis (NF) comprises genetic tumor predisposition syndromes with multisystem involvement, yet pediatric mortality data remain scarce in middle-income settings. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) represent the leading cause of premature death in this population. This study analyzed 16-year temporal trends and regional disparities in pediatric NF/MPNST mortality and hospitalizations in Brazil. We conducted a nationwide ecological study of individuals aged 0–19 years from 2008 to 2023. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and hospital admissions from the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), with temporal trends assessed using Prais–Winsten regression. We calculated Age-Specific Mortality Rates (ASMRs) and assessed excess mortality risk using Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) to identify regional disparities. A total of 177 pediatric deaths were identified, with MPNST accounting for 64.9
