Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

A near-sunset atmospheric sounding during the 14 October 2023 annular solar eclipse over Natal

Abstract. Solar eclipses are transient atmospheric events that cause rapid localized reduction in solar radiation, which produces complex changes associate with the vertical coupling of the layers. This study investigates the vertical response of the neutral atmosphere to the 14...

Chemical profile and bacterial potential of Psidium cattleyanum leaf extract against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus represents a major challenge for global public health and highlights the urgent need for new antimicrobial strategies. In this context, plant-derived compounds have emerged as promising sources...

Sexual dimorphism of the human calcaneus: a cross-sectional morphometric study

Sex estimation from skeletal remains is a fundamental step in forensic anthropology. The calcaneus, the largest tarsal bone, is robust and may serve as an alternative indicator when the skull and pelvis are unavailable. This study evaluated sexual dimorphism in the calcaneus of a...

Topiramate ImpairsSpermatogenesis, Sperm Parameters,and Epididymal Duct Contractility in Rats

Abstract Topiramate is a widely prescribed antiepileptic drug with a multimodal mechanism of action. However, its effects on male reproductive function remain poorly characterized. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of this drug on testicular and epididymal functi...

PLCG2 downregulation impairs synaptic function and increases Alzheimer’s disease hallmarks in neuronal cultures

We developed a high-content screening to investigate how Alzheimer’s disease (AD) genetic risk factors may affect synaptic mechanisms in rat primary neuronal cultures. Of the target genes identified, we found that Plcg2 downregulation in mouse dentate gyrus neurons consistently d...

Second-Order Chemometric Classification of Candida Species Using Excitation–Emission MatrixFluorescence Spectroscopy: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Abstract Microorganisms of the genus Candida are responsible for a wide range of fungal infections and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. Although several clinical methods are available for the diagnosis of candidiasis, they have limitations related to r...

Systems biology analysis reveals miRNA–mRNA networks associated with cardiomyocyte responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Cardiac complications are common and clinically significant in COVID-19, yet their underlying molecular drivers remain poorly understood. Here, we integrate post-mortem histopathology with transcriptomic and microRNA (miRNA) analyses to delineate the regulatory architecture of SA...

Intrinsic fire safety margins in reinforced concrete columns and shear walls resulting from ambient-temperature design

Fire design procedures for RC columns and shear walls assume that structures are designed according to ambient-temperature (AT) standards, whose partial safety factors can provide an intrinsic fire safety margin. However, the magnitude of this margin in fire behavior has not yet...

Effect of different finishing/polishing protocols and aging on flexural strength, roughness, and surface characteristics of definitive restorative materials for CAD/CAM

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of finishing/polishing and aging on the flexural strength, roughness, and surface characteristics of CAD/CAM restorative materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three CAD/CAM materials were tested: Nanoceramic resin (CR), Polymer-infiltrated ceramic (P...

Effect of Combined Pelvic Floor and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with respiratory muscle weakness and chronic cough, increasing intra-abdominal pressure and contributing to the development of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. Although pelvic floor muscle training (PF...

Repeated cross-sectional study of knowledge and use of wild food plants in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil

Wild Food Plants (WFPs) are important for food and cultural security. Despite a global trend of erosion in WFP knowledge, little is known about how people perceive their relationship with these species. This study analyzes how WFP knowledge has changed over time, and how ecologic...

What is the pediatric sport framework, and how can it be applied in professional practice?

Abstract Youth sport development during childhood and adolescence requires models that integrate multidimensional domains of knowledge and respect biological maturation across both conventional sports and para-sports. However, contemporary environments prioritizing immediate perf...

Machine learning–based screening tool for predicting the risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract Purpose Dysphagia frequently complicates recovery after stroke, necessitating effective predictive tools. This study aimed to develop supervised machine learning models to predict dysphagia risk in ischemic stroke patients. Method We retrospectively analyzed data from 10...

Performance of the mixed compression intake system of a scramjet demonstrator at different off-design flight speeds

Abstract This paper focuses on the numerical investigation of the effects of flight speed fluctuations on the intake system performance of the scramjet demonstrator developed in the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). A set of 2D-RANS simulations based on equation...

Computational and experimental evaluation of bismuth modification in CsPbX3 (X = I− or Br−): Impact on structural and optical properties

In this work, the effects of partial substitution of Pb 2+ by Bi 3+ at the B-site of CsPbI 3 and CsPbBr 3 perovskites on their structural and optical properties were evaluated using an integrated approach combining Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and experimental res...