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The rational fertilisation of olive trees, based on adding exclusively the nutrients that are actually needed, is important from both the economic and environmental sustainability points of view. This paper employs UAV-obtained multispectral data collected from five different orchards located in Southern Spain to build a set of models for the prediction of the leaf nutrient content of olive trees using Support Vector Regression. The paper shows the convenience of addressing the problem as a Multiple Instance Regression, and compares two strategies of data aggregation and different choices of feature vectors derived from the raw multispectral data. The models provided good results for N, P and K (r 2 = 0.76, r 2 = 0.87 and r 2 = 0.91, respectively for the Hojiblanca model, and r 2 = 0.79, r 2 = 0.80 and r 2 = 0.80 for the Picual model). The rest of nutrients studied also offered good results for both the Picual and Hojiblanca models, ranging from r 2 = 0.69 for B to r 2 = 0.93 for Cu. The results indicate a robust performance of the models and a potential for improvement with the addition of more data, along with an advantage of considering individual models for each cultivar variety. Overall, these results are very promising for the estimation of the leaf nutrient content of olives trees and the detection of spatial variability in the fertilisation needs of orchards. [Display omitted] • Leaf nutrient content of olive trees is predicted from UAV multispectral data. • Multiple Instance Regression is applied and its benefits discussed. • Models provide good results for N, P and K in the Hojiblanca and Picual models. • The rest of nutrients also show acceptable results. • Results are promising for detecting spatial variability in fertilisation needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of histamine-forming bacteria in cheeses, and to assess the impact of naturally-occurring antimicrobials on isolates' viability and histamine-forming potential. Cheese isolates' ability to produce histamine was evaluated by incubation in the presence of the histamine precursor; qualitative detection with a pH indicator and a quantitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Eight of the 114 isolates were able to produce histamine, but only one was capable of generating histamine at high concentrations. Histamine-producing isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry. Isolated strain C_MRSV_25A_4 was the microorganism with the highest capacity to produce histamine, and was identified as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. The antimicrobial potential of natural antimicrobials was tested against this isolate. The results showed that carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, thymol and nisin exhibited remarkable bactericidal activity. These compounds' inhibitory potential was evaluated against the histamine-generating ability of strain C_MRSV_25A_4 at three concentrations of interest: minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), MBC/2 and MBC/4. The results on histamine-forming capability at sub-bactericidal concentrations were promising. Given these results, we propose novel antimicrobial formulations based on natural antimicrobials as efficient strategies to reduce potential microbial contamination and histamine accumulation throughout cheese production. [Display omitted] • Bacteria responsible to generate histamine were isolated from commercial cheeses. • Natural compounds had an antimicrobial effect against histamine-forming isolates. • Sub-bactericidal concentrations partially inhibited decarboxylase activity. • Using sub-bactericidal concentrations could control histamine content in cheese. • Antimicrobials may reduce microbial growth to prevent histamine formation in cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current bioprocesses for production of value-added compounds are mainly based on pure cultures that are composed of rationally engineered strains of model organisms with versatile metabolic capacities. However, in the comparably well-defined environment of a bioreactor, metabolic flexibility provided by various highly abundant biosynthetic enzymes is much less required and results in suboptimal use of carbon and energy sources for compound production. In nature, non-model organisms have frequently evolved in communities where genome-reduced, auxotrophic strains cross-feed each other, suggesting that there must be a significant advantage compared to growth without cooperation. To prove this, we started to create and study synthetic communities of niche-optimized strains (CoNoS) that consists of two strains of the same species Corynebacterium glutamicum that are mutually dependent on one amino acid. We used both the wild-type and the genome-reduced C1* chassis for introducing selected amino acid auxotrophies, each based on complete deletion of all required biosynthetic genes. The best candidate strains were used to establish several stably growing CoNoS that were further characterized and optimized by metabolic modelling, microfluidic experiments and rational metabolic engineering to improve amino acid production and exchange. Finally, the engineered CoNoS consisting of an l -leucine and l -arginine auxotroph showed a specific growth rate equivalent to 83% of the wild type in monoculture, making it the fastest co-culture of two auxotrophic C. glutamicum strains to date. Overall, our results are a first promising step towards establishing improved biobased production of value-added compounds using the CoNoS approach. • Model-based design and construction of amino acid-auxotrophic C. glutamicum strains. • Deletion of the entire biosynthetic machinery for each target amino acid. • Successful establishment of several stably growing synthetic co-cultures. • Improved amino acid exchange by iterative metabolic engineering. • Fastest co-culture of two auxotrophic C. glutamicum strains to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of collective communication operations determines the overall performance of MPI applications. Different algorithms have been developed and implemented for each MPI collective operation, but none proved superior in all situations. Therefore, MPI implementations have to solve the problem of selecting the optimal algorithm for the collective operation depending on the platform, the number of processes involved, the message size(s), etc. The current solution method is purely empirical. Recently, an alternative solution method using analytical performance models of collective algorithms has been proposed and proved both accurate and efficient for one-process-per-CPU configurations. The method derives the analytical performance models of algorithms from their code implementation rather than from high-level mathematical definitions, and estimates the parameters of the models separately for each algorithm. The method is network and topology oblivious and uses the Hockney model for point-to-point communications. In this paper, we extend that selection method to the case of clusters of multi-core processors, where each core of the platform runs a process of the MPI application. We present the proposed approach using Open MPI broadcast algorithms, and experimentally validate it on three different clusters of multi-core processors, Grisou, Gros and MareNostrum4. • A novel model-based method for runtime selection of optimal collective algorithms. • Application of the proposed method to the Open MPI broadcast algorithms. • Experimental validation of the method on two modern multi-core clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce the concept of kinetic maximal L p -regularity with temporal weights and prove that this property is satisfied for the (fractional) Kolmogorov equation. We show that solutions are continuous with values in the trace space and prove, in particular, that the trace space can be characterized in terms of anisotropic Besov spaces. We further extend the property of kinetic maximal L μ p -regularity to the Kolmogorov equation with variable coefficients. Finally, we show how kinetic maximal L μ p -regularity can be used to obtain local existence of solutions to a class of quasilinear kinetic equations and illustrate our result with a quasilinear kinetic diffusion equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2013 it was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) the first cases of human infections with avian influenza virus A (H7N9). From 2013 to December 2019, 1568 cases have been reported with 616 deaths. H7N9 infection has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, and vaccination is currently the most effective way to prevent infections and consequently flu-related severe illness. Developing and producing vaccines against pandemic influenza viruses is the main strategy for a response to a possible pandemic. This study aims to present the production of three industrial lots under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) of the active antigen used to produce the pandemic influenza vaccine candidate against A(H7N9). These batches were characterized and evaluated for quality standards and tested for immunogenicity in mice. The average yield was 173.50 ± 7.88 μg/mL of hemagglutinin and all the preparations met all the required specifications. The formulated H7N9 vaccine is poorly immunogenic and needs to be adjuvanted with an oil in water emulsion adjuvant (IB160) to achieve a best immune response, in a prime and in a boost scheme. These data are important for initial production planning and preparedness in the case of a H7N9 pandemic. • Pandemic influenza is a cyclic event in the humankind history, which can lead to millions of deaths. • Preparedness against a potential pandemic influenza is strategic to limit the spread of the disease as well as life savings. • Avian influenza virus A H7N9 infection has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates and represents a potential pandemic threat. • Three industrial lots under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) of the active antigen used to prepare the pandemic influenza vaccine candidate against A (H7N9) were produced and characterized. • This production constitutes an important exercise for vaccine production planning and also represents stockpiling of the vaccine antigen for use in case of an H7N9 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confinement causes a change in the amount of surfactant adsorbed and in the adsorption morphology. Two cationic surfactants, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) were adsorbed at the silica-water interface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) force curves were measured on 50 nm and 80 nm wide trenches. Force curves were also measured on silica pillars, and the results were quantified based on distance from the edge. Trenches: Adsorbed surfactants films in 50 nm and 80 nm trenches showed the same break-through values. However, compared to unconfined values, TTAB in trenches had decreased break-through and adhesion forces while CPC in trenches had increased break-through and adhesion forces, indicating that surfactant identity varies the confinement effect. Pillars: Near the edge, few surfactants adsorb, and those that do extend in the direction normal to the surface. While the experimental data agree qualitatively with previous coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations, the length scales at which the phenomena are detected differ by ~ half-order of magnitude. Specifically, experimental data show measurable effects on adsorbed surfactant morphology at a distance from the edge 10–20 times the length of a surfactant molecule after accounting for the ~8 nm size of the probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antagonistic effect of adenosine on dopaminergic transmission in the basal ganglia indirect motor control pathway is mediated by dopamine D 2 (D 2 R) and adenosine A 2A (A 2A R) receptors co-expressed on medium spiny striatal neurons. The pathway is unbalanced in Parkinson's disease (PD) and an A 2A R blocker has been approved for use with levodopa in the therapy of the disease. However, it is not known whether the therapy is acting on individually expressed receptors or in receptors forming A 2A -D 2 receptor heteromers, whose functionality is unique. For two proteins prone to interact, a very recently developed technique, MolBoolean, allows to determine the number of proteins that are either non-interacting or interacting. After checking the feasibility of the technique and reliability of data in transfected cells and in striatal primary neurons, the Boolean analysis of receptors in the striatum of rats and monkeys showed a high percentage of D 2 receptors interacting with the adenosine receptor, while, on the contrary, a significant proportion of A 2A receptors do not interact with dopamine receptors. The number of interacting receptors increased when rats and monkeys were lesioned to become a PD model. The use of a tracer of the indirect pathway in monkeys confirmed that the data was restricted to the population of striatal neurons projecting to the GPe. The results are not only relevant for being the first study quantifying individual versus interacting G protein-coupled receptors, but also for showing that the D 2 R in these specific neurons, in both control and PD animals, is under the control of the A 2A R. The tight adenosine/dopamine receptor coupling suggest benefits of early antiparkinsonian treatment with adenosine receptor blockers. • First time assessment of proportion of GPCRs that are interacting. • Dopamine D 2 receptors In MSN neurons are mainly interacting with adenosine A 2A receptors. • In contrast, a significant amount of A 2A receptors are not interacting with D 2 receptors. • The proportion of interacting receptors was measured in rats and primate models of Parkinson's disease. • The results suggest that the A 2A receptor-based antiparkinsonian therapy already approved in humans should start earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fungal spoilage of products manufactured by the food and beverage industry imposes significant annual global revenue losses. Mould spoilage can also be a food safety issue due to the production of mycotoxins by these moulds. To prevent mould spoilage, it is essential that the associated mycobiota be adequately isolated and accurately identified. The main fungal groups associated with spoilage are the xerophilic, heat-resistant, preservative-resistant, anaerobic and psychrophilic fungi. To assess mould spoilage, the appropriate methodology and media must be used. While classic mycological detection methods can detect a broad range of fungi using well validated protocols, they are time consuming and results can take days or even weeks. New molecular detection methods are faster but require good DNA isolation techniques, expensive equipment and may detect viable and non-viable fungi that probably will not spoil a specific product. Although there is no complete and easy method for the detection of fungi in food it is important to be aware of the limitation of the methodology. More research is needed on the development of methods of detection and identification that are both faster and highly sensitive. Highlights • To prevent mould spoilage, knowledge of the associated mycobiota is essential. • To assess mould spoilage, the right methodology to detect the associated mycobiota must be used. • Both classical and molecular methods have advantages and disadvantages. • It is important to be aware of the limitations of the methodology. • Methods of detection and identification that are both faster and highly sensitive are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Hypothesis The rate of stain growth of a sessile droplet deposited on paper has been previously studied (Kissa, 1981; Danino and Marmur, 1994; Kawase et al., 1986; Borhan and Rungta, 1993) but is not fully understood. In particular, the mechanism by which the abrupt decrease in growth rate occurs is unknown. This process is expected to follow a model where the disappearance of the droplet is represented by a change to the boundary condition at the droplet-paper interface when the volume of the fluid inside the paper is equal to the volume of the simulated droplet. Experiments The stain size of sessile droplets on paper was monitored against time. A series of fluids varying in surface tension and viscosity was studied. The kinetics of stain growth was modelled and compared with experiments and existing models of stain growth. Findings The measured stain area formed by a sessile droplet deposited on paper follows a two regime mechanism (Danino and Marmur, 1994). In the initial regime, the dynamics are governed by the filling of pores. However, in the later stage, the process is influenced by the emptying/redistribution of fluid. Simulations show that experimental results are well described by a model that identifies the change in boundary conditions after the droplet is no longer present above the paper, coupled with the change to a redistribution dominated mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of organic amendments (OAs) obtained from biological treatment technologies is a common agricultural practice to increase soil functionality and fertility. OAs and their respective pretreatment processes have been extensively studied. However, comparing the properties of OAs obtained from different pretreatment processes remains challenging. In most cases, the organic residues used to produce OAs exhibit intrinsic variability and differ in origin and composition. In addition, few studies have focused on comparing OAs from different pretreatment processes in the soil microbiome, and the extent to which OAs affect the soil microbial community remains unclear. This limits the design and implementation of effective pretreatments aimed at reusing organic residues and facilitating sustainable agricultural practices. In this study, we used the same model residues to produce OAs to enable meaningful comparisons among compost, digestate, and ferment. These three OAs contained different microbial communities. Compost had higher bacterial but lower fungal alpha diversity than ferment and digestate. Compost-associated microbes were more prevalent in the soil than ferment- and digestate-associated microbes. More than 80% of the bacterial ASVs and fungal OTUs from the compost were detected 3 months after incorporation into the soil. However, the addition of compost had less influence on the resulting soil microbial biomass and community composition than the addition of ferment or digestate. Specific native soil microbes, members from Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Mortierellomycota, were absent after ferment and digestate application. The addition of OAs increased the soil pH, particularly in the compost-amended soil, whereas the addition of digestate enhanced the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and available nutrients (such as ammonium and potassium). These physicochemical variables were key factors that influenced soil microbial communities. This study furthers our understanding of the effective recycling of organic resources for the development of sustainable soils. • The profile of organic amendments depended on the biological pretreatment processes. • Ferment and digestate exhibited selection effects on soil microbiomes. • Compost microbes were more prevalent in the soil than ferment and digestate microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Neurospora crassa hyphae the localization of all seven chitin synthases (CHSs) at the Spitzenkörper (SPK) and at developing septa has been well analyzed. Hitherto, the mechanisms of CHSs traffic and sorting from synthesis to delivery sites remain largely unexplored. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae exit of Chs3p from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) requires chaperone Chs7p. Here, we analyzed the role of CSE-7, N. crassa Chs7p orthologue, in the biogenesis of CHS-4 (orthologue of Chs3p). In a N. crassa Δcse-7 mutant, CHS-4-GFP no longer accumulated at the SPK and septa. Instead, fluorescence was retained in hyphal subapical regions in an extensive network of elongated cisternae (NEC) referred to previously as tubular vacuoles. In a complemented strain expressing a copy of cse-7 the localization of CHS-4-GFP at the SPK and septa was restored, providing evidence that CSE-7 is necessary for the localization of CHS-4 at hyphal tips and septa. CSE-7 was revealed at delimited regions of the ER at the immediacies of nuclei, at the NEC, and remarkably also at septa and the SPK. The organization of the NEC was dependent on the cytoskeleton. SEC-63, an extensively used ER marker, and NCA-1, a SERCA-type ATPase previously localized at the nuclear envelope, were used as markers to discern the nature of the membranes containing CSE-7. Both SEC-63 and NCA-1 were found at the nuclear envelope, but also at regions of the NEC. However, at the NEC only NCA-1 co-localized extensively with CSE-7. Observations by transmission electron microscopy revealed abundant rough ER sheets and distinct electron translucent smooth flattened cisternae, which could correspond collectively to the NEC, thorough the subapical cytoplasm. This study identifies CSE-7 as the putative ER receptor for its cognate cargo, the polytopic membrane protein CHS-4, and elucidates the complexity of the ER system in filamentous fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ab initio calculation of nuclear physics from Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental S U ( 3 ) gauge theory of the strong interaction, remains an outstanding challenge. Here, we discuss the emergence of key elements of nuclear physics using an S O ( 3 ) lattice gauge theory as a toy model for QCD. We show that this model is accessible to state-of-the-art quantum simulation experiments with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. First, we demonstrate that our model shares characteristic many-body features with QCD, such as the spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetry, its restoration at finite baryon density, as well as the existence of few-body bound states. Then we show that in the one-dimensional case, the dynamics in the gauge invariant sector can be encoded as a spin S = 3 2 Heisenberg model, i.e., as quantum magnetism, which has a natural realization with bosonic mixtures in optical lattices, and thus sheds light on the connection between non-Abelian gauge theories and quantum magnetism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan films with grape seed extract and carvacrol microcapsules (CMF) were prepared and their physico-chemical properties and effect on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters in refrigerated salmon were tested. CMF showed higher values of thickness (0.41 ± 0.04 mm), moisture content (13 ± 1 g water/100 g film), a (11 ± 3), b (12 ± 3), opacity (20 ± 1%), water vapor permeability (WVP) (4.4 ± 0.4) × 10 −10 gPa −1 s −1 m −1 , oxygen permeability (O 2 P) (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10 −12 gPa −1 s −1 m −1 and carbon dioxide permeability (CO 2 P) (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10 −12 gPa −1 s −1 m −1 as compared to those of the chitosan control film (CCF). CMF showed lower values of L (66 ± 5) and water solubility (17 ± 1%). The salmon packed into CMF presented on the 7th day of storage a lower value of TVB-N (37 ± 4 mg N/100 g fish) as compared to the CCF (42 ± 3 mg N/100 g fish) and control samples (CS; 66 ± 7 mg N/100 g fish). The CMF showed lower values of pH and lightness after 7 days of storage as compared to CS and CCF. The CMF showed also lower values of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria and Pseudomonas spp, reaching the maximum limit allowed for the first two only on the 7th day of storage. CMF increases the shelf-life of refrigerated salmon to 4–7 days of storage due to the antimicrobial effect of the natural agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory diseases in ruminants have a significantly negative impact on the worldwide economy. The bacterium Mannheimia haemolytica is involved in pneumonic infections in bovine and ovine. In gram-negative bacteria, six secretion systems related to the colonization process and host tissue damage have been reported. In addition, in the last two decades, the production of outer membrane vesicles has been studied as a different bacterial strategy to release virulence factors, such as exotoxins, lipopolysaccharides, and proteases. However, in M. haemolytica serotype A2, protease secretion and release in vesicles have not been reported as virulence mechanisms. The aim of this work was to identify proteases released into the culture supernatant and in vesicles of M. haemolytica A2. Our results showed evident differences in the molecular mass and activity of proteases present in culture supernatants and outer membrane vesicles based on zymography assays. The biochemical characterization of M. haemolytica proteases revealed that the main types were cysteine and metalloproteases. A specific metalloprotease of 100 kDa was active in the culture supernatants, but it was not active and was found in low quantities in vesicles. Proteases could be an important virulence factor during the infectious pneumonic process led by M. haemolytica . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to determine the economic return of poultry litter combustion in boilers to produce bioenergy (thermal and electrical), as this biomass has a high-energy potential due to its component elements, using fuzzy logic to predict moisture and identify the high-impact variables. This is carried out using a proposed 7-stage methodology, which includes a statistical analysis of agricultural systems and practices to identify activities contributing to moisture in poultry litter (for example, broiler chicken management, number of air extractors, and avian population density), and thereby reduce moisture to increase the yield of the combustion process. Estimates of poultry litter production and heating value are made based on 4 different moisture content percentages (scenarios of 25%, 30%, 35%, and 40%), and then a risk analysis is proposed using the Monte Carlo simulation to select the best investment alternative and to estimate the environmental impact for greenhouse gas mitigation. The results show that dry poultry litter (25%) is slightly better for combustion, generating 3.20% more energy. Reducing moisture from 40% to 25% involves considerable economic investment due to the purchase of equipment to reduce moisture; thus, when calculating financial indicators, the 40% scenario is the most attractive, as it is the current scenario. Thus, this methodology proposes a technology approach based on the use of advanced tools to predict moisture and representation of the system (Monte Carlo simulation), where the variability and uncertainty of the system are accurately represented. Therefore, this methodology is considered generic for any bioenergy generation system and not just for the poultry sector, whether it uses combustion or another type of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust silica microcapsules were synthesised using an emulsion template via a seeded growth strategy. Multiple additions of the silica precursor tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were observed to result in a number of physical and property changes of the capsule shells as compared to a single coating. Scanning electron microscopy indicated a morphological transition from a smooth to a roughened surface. Improved cargo retention and consolidation of the pore structure of the silica shells were observed using dye release experiments and nitrogen porosimetry respectively. In comparison to a typical hollow silica shell synthesis procedure, this one-pot loading and synthesis allows the simple production of robust capsules that are capable of sustained release, using mild conditions and reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a widespread environmental pollutant and a dioxin-like compound that binds weakly to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Because AhR and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) converge to regulate common signaling pathways, alterations in this crosstalk might contribute to developing preneoplastic lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate HCB action on TGF-β1 and AhR signaling in mouse mammary gland, through AhR +/+ and AhR −/− models. Results showed a differential effect in mouse mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG), depending on the dose: 0.05 μM HCB induced cell migration and TGF-β1 signaling, whereas 5 μM HCB reduced cell migration, promoted cell cycle arrest and stimulated the dioxin response element (DRE) -dependent pathway. HCB (5 μM) enhanced α-smooth muscle actin expression and decreased TGF-β receptor II mRNA levels in immortalized mouse mammary fibroblasts AhR +/+, resembling the phenotype of transformed cells. Accordingly, their conditioned medium was able to enhance NMuMG cell migration. Assays in C57/Bl6 mice showed HCB (3 mg/kg body weight) to enhance ductal hyperplasia, cell proliferation, estrogen receptor α nuclear localization, branch density, and the number of terminal end buds in mammary gland from AhR +/+ mice. Primary culture of mammary epithelial cells from AhR +/+ mice showed reduced AhR mRNA levels after HCB exposure (0.05 and 5 μM). Interestingly, AhR −/− mice exhibited an increase in ductal hyperplasia and mammary growth in the absence of HCB treatment, thus revealing the importance of AhR in mammary development. Our findings show that environmental HCB concentrations modulate AhR and TGF-β1 signaling, which could contribute to altered mammary branching morphogenesis, likely leading to preneoplastic lesions and retaining terminal end buds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal-death-time characteristics, D and z-values of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella, and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 were investigated in peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate chip cookie formulations at three moisture levels. E. faecium was shown to be more resistant than Salmonella , followed by E. coli at all water activity levels. E. faecium was at least 1.5 times more heat resistant compared to Salmonella under the same moisture and temperature conditions for all cookie formulations. The E. faecium to Salmonella ratio was larger at higher moisture levels. E. faecium was found to be suitable as a surrogate for Salmonella in validating soft cookie baking. Among the three formulations, Salmonella was the most heat resistant in peanut butter cookies. At the lowest moisture and water activity level (8% moisture, aw 0.421) of peanut butter cookies the D-values for E. coli were 14.01, 3.56, 1.73 min at 65, 70, 75 °C, while the D-values for Salmonella were 4.97, 2.59, 1.23 min, and for E. faecium were 15.50, 5.02, 2.02 min at 75, 80, and 85 °C, respectively. The z-values for E. coli , Salmonella , and E. faecium, were 11.02, 16.45 and 11.31 °C, respectively. • E. faecium is a suitable surrogate for validating soft cookie baking process. • Salmonella in peanut butter cookies show the most thermal resistant. • Thermal resistance of Salmonella is affected by moisture level and formulation. • E. faecium to Salmonella thermal inactivation rate increases at higher moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ethylene glycol-ran-propylene glycol) lies within a family of thermo-separating polymers (commercialized as “UCON”), thus they can be easily recovered from aqueous solution just heating above its lower critical solution temperature. Phase diagrams for UCON – sulfate salt aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have been obtained experimentally in the temperature range 273.15–308.15 K by analysis of the equilibrium phases. The binodal curves and tie-lines have been correlated using suitable methods from the literature. The effect of temperature and the cation used in the sulfate salt (sodium, potassium, ammonium) are discussed. Temperature increases the heterogeneous region size while increases the polymer concentration in the polymer-rich phase and reduces the salt concentration in the salt-rich phase. This effect produces the phase inversion at high temperatures. The cation ability for phase splitting in these ATPS increases with the (more negative) Gibbs energy of hydration of the cation: Na + > K + > NH 4 + . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concessions that grant logging rights to firms support economic development based on forest resources. Eco-certifications put sustainability restrictions on the operations of those concessions. For spatially detailed data, including many pre-treatment years, we use new difference-in-differences estimators to estimate 2002–2018 impacts upon Peruvian Amazon forests from both logging concessions and their eco-certifications. We find that the concessions − which in theory could raise or reduce forest loss − did not raise loss, if anything reducing it slightly by warding off spikes in deforestation pressure. Eco-certifications could reduce or raise forest loss, yet we find no significant impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using chitosan as a natural food preservative is limited given its scarce solubility at neutral and alkaline pH values. Alternatively, its covalent immobilisation on the surface of inert supports can help to avoid its limited use in the free form, while preserving its antimicrobial properties. In this work, chitosan was immobilised by surface silanisation using three organosilanes on silica supports of different sizes and distinct physico-chemical properties. After the synthesis and characterisation of materials, the antimicrobial properties of the chitosan-functionalised supports were studied by in vitro and in situ antimicrobial susceptibility tests using reference strains of foodborne and food-spoilage microorganisms. The results displayed the preservation of bioactive chitosan properties after functionalisation, and chitosan immobilisation by covalent urea bonding was the most suitable grafting methodology. Antimicrobial activity was significantly influenced by support material, particle concentration and target microorganism. Utilising chitosan-functionalised supports as food additives in apple juice reduced the microbial load of the food matrix by increasing its shelf life. Therefore, the developed antimicrobial agents proved suitable for controlling microbial contamination, which confirmed their potential use as food preservatives or food processing aids in the food industry. • Chitosan-functionalised silica particles were designed as new biocidal agents. • The antimicrobial properties of chitosan immobilised on silica supports remained. • Chitosan immobilisation by urea covalent bonding led to better biocidal activity. • Chitosan-functionalised supports showed bactericidal/fungicidal activity in vitro. • Chitosan-functionalised supports preserved antimicrobial activity in apple juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new WHO air quality guidelines indicate that the air pollution disease burden is greater than previously reported. We aimed to estimate the air pollution disease burden and its economic cost in Barcelona to inform local action. We used a quantitative health impact assessment to estimate the non-accidental mortality and incidence of childhood asthma and lung cancer attributable to long-term air pollution exposure in the city of Barcelona (Spain) in 2018–2019. We used the population weighted mean of PM 2.5 and NO 2 assigned at the geocoded address during the study period and the 2021 WHO air quality guidelines as counterfactual scenario to estimate new annual cases attributable to each pollutant separately and combined. We estimated the social cost of attributable deaths and the health care cost of childhood asthma and lung cancer attributable cases. We also estimated attributable mortality by city district and the mortality avoidable by achieving the WHO air quality interim targets. Mean exposure was 17 μg/m3 for PM 2.5 and 39 μg/m3 for NO 2. Total combined air pollution attributable mortality was 13% (95%CI = 9%–17%), corresponding to 1,886 deaths (95%CI = 1,296–2,571) and a social cost of €1,292 million (95%CI = 888–1,762) annually. Fifty-one percent (95%CI = 21%–71%) and 17% (95%CI = 7%–29%) of new cases of childhood asthma and lung cancer were attributable to air pollution with a health care cost of €4.3 and €2.7 million, respectively. Achieving the first unmet WHO air quality interim targets for PM 2.5 and for NO 2 would avoid 410 deaths and €281 million annually. Air pollution in Barcelona represents a huge disease and economic burden, which is greater than previous estimates. Much stronger measures to reduce PM 2.5 and NO 2 levels are urgently needed. Until the WHO air quality guidelines are met in the city, achieving each WHO air quality interim targets would avoid hundreds of deaths each year. • Estimating the disease burden due to air pollution in cities is essential to inform local action. • This is an in-depth, city-level assessment with the new WHO air quality guidelines. • In Barcelona, 13% of non-accidental mortality is attributable to air pollution. • The related social cost is €1292 million annually. • Achieving each WHO air quality interim target would avoid hundreds of deaths annually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern, Venezuelan and western equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV, VEEV, and WEEV) are mosquito-borne viruses that cause substantial disease in humans and other vertebrates. Vaccines are limited and current treatment options have not proven successful. In this report, we vaccinated outbred mice with lipid-antigen-nucleic acid-complexes (LANACs) containing VEEV E1+WEEV E1 antigen and characterized protective efficacy against lethal EEEV, VEEV, and WEEV challenge. Vaccination resulted in complete protection against EEEV, VEEV, and WEEV in CD-1 mice. Measurements of bioluminescence and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNTs) indicate that LANAC VEEV E1+WEEV E1 vaccination is sterilizing against VEEV and WEEV challenge; whereas immunity to EEEV is not sterilizing. Passive transfer of rabbit VEEV E1+WEEV E1 immune serum to naive mice extended the mean time to death (MTD) of EEEV challenged mice and provided significant protection from lethal VEEV and WEEV challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have studied the ability of a mesoporous silica support loaded with folic acid and functionalized with amines ( S1) to modulate the bioaccessibility of the vitamin after its incorporation in stirred yoghurts with different fat contents. Due to the novelty of using mesoporous silica supports in food matrixes, the influence of S1 addition on the physicochemical, rheological and lactic acid bacteria viability of these yoghurts during 21 days of refrigerated storage at 4 °C was also evaluated. The in vitro digestion procedure showed that S1 was capable of inhibiting the release of folic acid in acidic solution at pH 2 (stomach) and controllably release their contents in neutral pH (intestine), thereby modulating the bioaccessibility. Moreover, the physicochemical and microbiological assays revealed that enrichment generally does not alter the physicochemical properties (pH, colour, syneresis and rheology) of either type of yoghurt and does not cause any effect on lactic acid bacteria survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion of the liquid fraction (LF) of dairy manure was studied in lab scale in a high-load anaerobic reactor (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)) operated at 25 °C. The LF was obtained by a separation process in a pilot plant consisting of screw pressing and centrifugation enhanced by flocculation in a pilot plant. The separation process produced a LF free of suspended solids (SS), whose supernatant chemical oxygen demand (COD) and COD due to volatile fatty acids (VFA) were 93.7% and 71.6% of the total COD (CODT) respectively, with an anaerobic biodegradability of 84%. The UASB reactor processing the LF exhibited a significantly higher volumetric methane production than conventional complete mixing reactors treating manure since UASB reactor required low hydraulic retention time (HRT) due to the characteristics of the LF. At HRTs between 1 and 2 days, COD removal efficiencies higher than 80% were achieved without VFA accumulation in the effluent. A minimum HRT of 0.65 day was performed with a corresponding organic loading rate (OLR) of 34.8 g [COD] l−1 d−1, reaching a volumetric methane production of 8.4 l [CH4] l−1 d−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The adsorption kinetics of many systems show apparent two-rate processes, where there appears to be resolved fast and slow adsorption steps. Such non-standard adsorption processes cannot be accounted for by conventional modeling methods, motivating new approaches. In this work, we present four different models that can account for two-rate adsorption and are based upon physically realistic processes – two adsorbing species, two surface sites having different energies, bilayer formation and molecular rearrangement modes. Each model is tested using a range of conditions, and the characteristic behavior is explored and compared. In these models, the effects of mass transport and bulk concentration are also accounted for, making them applicable in systems which are transport-limited or attachment-limited, or intermediate between the two. The applicability of these models is demonstrated by fitting exemplar experimental data for each of the four models, selecting the model on the basis of the known physical behavior of the adsorption kinetics. These models can be applied in a wide range of systems, from stagnant adsorption in large volume water treatment to highly dynamic flow conditions relevant to printing, coating and processing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate if channels with different stoichiometry are formed from P2X2 receptor isoforms during their heterologous co-expression. The two-electrode voltage-clamp technique was used to measured ATP induced currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes. We used a mutant (P2X2-2bm) because its ATP sensitivity is lower than P2X2-2b receptors, which highlights the differences with its splice variant P2X2-1a.Currents through homomeric channels had significantly different Hill coefficients. P2XR are trimeric proteins with three agonist binding sites; therefore, only two homomeric and two heteromeric stoichiometries are possible when both P2X2 isoforms are coexpressed, the heteromeric channels might be formed by: i ) 2(P2X2-1a)+1(P2X2-2bm); or ii ) 1(P2X2-1a)+2(P2X2-2bm). Because P2X2 channels open when two binding sites are occupied, these stoichiometries are expected to have different ATP sensitivities. Thus, co-expressing both P2X2 isoforms, two oocyte populations were distinguished based on their sensitivity to ATP and Hill coefficients. For the first population (P2X2-1a like), the ATP EC 50 and the Hill coefficient were not different than those of homomeric P2X2-1a channels similarly, for the second population (P2X2-2bm like), these variables were also not different than for those of homomeric P2X2-2bm channels. Various findings indicate that homomeric channel expression is not responsible for such differences. Our observations indicate that two heteromeric channels can be assembled from two P2X2 receptor isoforms. Our data support a current model, according to which, ATP activation of two subunits can open P2X2 channel. However, PPADS appears to bind to all three subunits in order to inhibit ATP effects on P2X2 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trend towards an increased incidence of marine heatwaves (MHWs) due to climate change poses a serious threat to the health of coastal ecosystems. Here, we characterized MHWs based on daily in situ water temperature measurements collected from 1998 to 2019 in two intertidal coves, Oleiros and La Franca, located in the central Cantabrian Sea coast, N Spain. The two study locations cover the transition zone between cold- and warm-temperate benthic communities that characterizes the biogeography of intertidal assemblages along the SW Bay of Biscay. We examined the incidence, duration and magnitude of MHWs, and assessed the emergence of trends towards more frequent, prolonged and intense MHWs during the study period. We further assessed mechanistic links with modes of climate variability by examining the association between MHW occurrence and the East Atlantic pattern (EA). We detected 78 MHW events between Jan. 1998 and Mar. 2019 (40 in Oleiros, 38 in La Franca) and more than half were synchronous among study locations. The incidence, duration, and intensity of MHWs were higher during the positive phase of the EA, which is associated with air pressures above normal and southwesterly winds during summer. The recorded MHWs also coincided with documented shifts in the abundance and distribution of dominant macroalgae species that triggered abrupt changes in the structure of intertidal communities of the region. Our findings and the present scenario of climate change emphasize the need to enhance research around the trends in the occurrence of MHWs in the coast of northern Spain, and the NE Atlantic Ocean coast in general. [Display omitted] • We analyzed marine heatwaves at two coastal locations in the southern Bay of Biscay. • In situ measurements reveal a steady increase in sea surface temperature. • The frequency and length of marine heatwaves did not significantly change over time. • The positive phase of the East Atlantic pattern favors marine heatwaves. • Marine heatwaves match reported population shifts in coastal macroalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural forces play an important role in the rheology, processing and stability of colloidal systems and complex fluids, with polyelectrolytes representing a key class of structuring colloids. Here, we explore the interactions between soft colloids, in the form of air bubbles, in solutions of monodisperse sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) as a model polyelectrolyte. It is found that by self-consistently modelling the force oscillations due to structuring of the polymer chains along with deformation of the bubbles, it is possible to precisely predict the interaction potential between approaching bubbles. In line with polyelectrolyte scaling theory, two distinct regimes of behaviour are seen, corresponding to dilute and semi-dilute polymer solutions. It is also seen that by blending monodisperse systems to give a bidisperse sample, the interaction forces between soft colloids can be controlled with a high degree of precision. At increasing bubble collision velocity, it is revealed that hydrodynamic flow overwhelms oscillatory structural interactions, showing the important disparity between equilibrium behaviour and dynamic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronous context-free grammars (SCFGs) can be learned from parallel texts that are annotated with target-side syntax, and can produce translations by building target-side syntactic trees from source strings. Ideally, producing syntactic trees would entail that the translation is grammatically well-formed, but in reality, this is often not the case. Focusing on translation into German, we discuss various ways in which string-to-tree translation models over- or undergeneralise. We show how these problems can be addressed by choosing a suitable parser and modifying its output, by introducing linguistic constraints that enforce morphological agreement and constrain subcategorisation, and by modelling the productive generation of German compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between colliding air bubbles in aqueous solutions of polydisperse sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (NaPSS) using direct force measurements were studied. The forces measured with deformable interfaces were shown to be more sensitive to the presence of the polyelectrolytes when compared to similar measurements using rigid interfaces. The experimental factors that were examined were NaPSS concentration, bubble collision velocity and polyelectrolyte molar mass. These measurements were then compared with an analytical model based on polyelectrolyte scaling theory in order to explain the effects of concentration and bubble deformation on the interaction between bubbles. Typically structural forces from the presence of monodisperse polyelectrolyte between interacting surfaces may be expected, however, it was found that the polydispersity in molar mass resulted in the structural forces to be smoothed and only a depletion interaction was able to be measured between interacting bubbles. It was found that an increase in number density of NaPSS molecules resulted in an increase in the magnitude of the depletion interaction. Conversely this interaction was overwhelmed by an increase in the fluid flow in the system at higher bubble collision velocities. Polymer molar mass dispersity plays a significant role in the interactions present between the bubbles and has implications that also affect the polyelectrolyte overlap concentration of the solution. Further understanding of these implications can be expected to play a role in the improvement in operations in such fields as water treatment and mineral processing where polyelectrolytes are used extensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the metal precursor (presence or absence of chlorine) on the preferential oxidation of CO in the presence of H 2 over Pt/CeO 2 catalysts has been studied. The catalysts are prepared using (Pt(NH 3 ) 4 )(NO 3 ) 2 and H 2 PtCl 6 , as precursors, in order to ascertain the effect of the chlorine species on the chemical properties of the support and on the catalytic behavior of these systems in the PROX reaction. The results show that chloride species exert an important effect on the redox properties of the oxide support due to surface chlorination. Consequently, the chlorinated catalyst exhibits a poorer catalytic activity at low temperatures compared with the chlorine-free catalyst, and this is accompanied by a higher selectivity to CO 2 even at high reaction temperatures. It is proposed that the CO oxidation mechanism follows different pathways on each catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single and double high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) cycles combined with soaking pre-treatment were applied on buckwheat (BW) whole-grain to enhance the nutritional, functional and bioactive properties of BW flour. Results showed modifications in the microstructure of pre-soaked and HHP treated samples which were associated with the appearance of disruptions on the surface of the starch granules. Combined treatments significantly (p < 0.05) affected the ability of the flours to produce a stable emulsion or foam layer. These treatments also resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the gelatinization enthalpy and in the peak viscosity of the flours, while increasing their stability versus heating and shearing. Combined treatments also enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) the antioxidant properties with an increase of phenol content from 311 mg GAE/100g in native flour to 361 and 347 mg GAE/100g in pre-soaked and HHP-treated samples at single and double cycle, respectively. Moreover, those samples also exhibited higher minerals retention than un-soaked ones. The data obtained from this study demonstrated the efficiency of the application of combined soaking and HHP treatments on BW grains to enhance the nutritional and functional response of resulting BW flours providing a value-added ingredient with interest in the gluten-free baked goods industry. [Display omitted] • Buckwheat is a nutrient-dense raw material suitable for gluten-free baking. • High Pressure is applied on whole grains to modulate properties of resulting flours. • High Pressure combined with pre-soaking increase flour phenol content. • Combined treatments enhanced water absorption and thermal stability of flours. • Flours from treated grains are new functional and nutritious gluten-free ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fungi undergo cell death mechanisms with similarity to apoptosis, pyroptosis and necrotopsis. • Allorecognition has been implicated in cell death mechanisms similar to innate immunity in mammalian cells. • A number of proteins that execute cell death have domain architecture similar to NOD-like receptors (NLR) • Meiotic drive elements also cause death of sensitive spores in processes similar to toxin-antidote systems. • Antifungal drugs can induce cell death. Death is an important part of an organism's existence and also marks the end of life. On a cellular level, death involves the execution of complex processes, which can be classified into different types depending on their characteristics. Despite their "simple" lifestyle, fungi carry out highly specialized and sophisticated mechanisms to regulate the way their cells die, and the pathways underlying these mechanisms are comparable with those of plants and metazoans. This review focuses on regulated cell death in fungi and discusses the evidence for the occurrence of apoptotic-like, necroptosis-like, pyroptosis-like death, and the role of the NLR proteins in fungal cell death. We also describe recent data on meiotic drive elements involved in "spore killing" and the molecular basis of allorecognition-related cell death during cell fusion of genetically dissimilar cells. Finally, we discuss how fungal regulated cell death can be relevant in developing strategies to avoid resistance and tolerance to antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] By applying DBS, specification of how BG dysfunction alters response selection. [•] BG determine efficiency of the regulation and transmission of response activation. [•] DBS restores automatic response activation. [•] DBS increases susceptibility to impulsive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Preclinical evaluation in a small animal model would help the development of gene therapies and vaccines based on foamy virus vectors. The establishment of persistent, non-pathogenic infection with the prototype foamy virus in mice and rabbits has been described previously. To extend this spectrum of available animal models, hamsters were inoculated with infectious cell supernatant or bioballistically with a foamy virus plasmid. In addition, a novel foamy virus from a rhesus macaque was isolated and characterised genetically. Hamsters and mice were infected with this new SFVmac isolate to evaluate whether hamsters are also susceptible to infection. Both hamsters and mice developed humoral responses to either virus subtype. Virus integration and replication in different animal tissues were analysed by PCR and co-cultivation. The results strongly indicate establishment of a persistent infection in hamsters. These studies provide a further small animal model for studying FV-based vectors in addition to the established models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We conducted the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the whole Peromyscus melanophrys group. [•] We sequenced 98 samples of the mitochondrial genes, and 39 of nuclear gene (1315bp and 829bp, respectively). [•] We recognized a monophyletic group, consisting of four clades that exhibit geographic congruence. [•] Highlands represent geographical barriers for this group that has evolved in the lowlands and mid-elevation areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Almadén area in Spain has a long history of mercury mining with prolonged human-induced activities that are related to mineral extraction and metallurgical processes before the closure of the mines and a more recent post period dominated by projects that reclaim the mine dumps and tailings and recuperating the entire mining area. Furthermore, socio-economic alternatives such as crop cultivation, livestock breeding and tourism are increasing in the area. Up till now, only scattered information on these activities is available from specific studies. However, improved acquisition systems using satellite borne data in the last decades opens up new possibilities to periodically study an area of interest. Therefore, comparing the influence of these activities on the environment and monitoring their impact on the ecosystem vastly improves decision making for the public policy makers to implement appropriate land management measures and control environmental degradation. The objective of this work is to monitor environmental changes affected by human-induced activities within the Almadén area occurring before, during and after the mine closure over a period of nearly three decades. To achieve this, data from numerous sources at different spatial scales and time periods are implemented into a methodology based on advanced remote sensing techniques. This includes field spectroradiometry measurements, laboratory analyses and satellite borne data of different surface covers to detect land cover and use changes throughout the mining area. Finally, monitoring results show that the distribution of areas affected by mercury mining is rapidly diminishing since activities ceased and that rehabilitated mining areas form a new landscape. This refers to mine tailings that have been sealed and revegetated as well as an open pit mine that has been converted to an “artificial” lake surface. Implementing a methodology based on remote sensing techniques that integrate data from several sources at different scales greatly improves the regional characterization and monitoring of an area dominated by mercury mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The human cathelicidin hCAP18/LL-37 is an antimicrobial protein consisting of a conserved N-terminal prosequence called the cathelin-like domain and a C-terminal peptide called LL-37. This peptide contains 37 amino acid residues, and several truncated variants obtained from natural sources or by chemical synthesis differ in their capability to damage Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as Candida albicans. KR-12 is the shortest peptide (12 amino acids) of LL-37 that has conserved antibacterial activity. In addition to LL-37, other active cathelicidin-derived peptides have been reported; for instance, the peptides KR-20, a 20-aa derivative of LL-37, and KS-30, a 30-aa derivative of LL-37, have been found in human sweat. Both peptides exhibit an overall increased antibacterial and antifungal activity when compared with LL-37. We investigated the effect of LL-37 and three peptides derived from this antimicrobial molecule, KR-12, KR-20 and KS-30, on the integrity of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites. The four peptides showed effects on E. histolytica integrity and viability in the concentration range of 10–50μM. The peptides KR-12, KR-20, KS-30 and LL-37 differed in their capability to damage the parasite integrity, with KR-20 being the most effective and with KR-12 and LL-37 being less active. These results demonstrate the ability of antimicrobial peptides derived from human cathelicidin to damage Entamoeba trophozoites. Moreover, it was shown that the integrity of the peptides is altered in the presence of an ameba soluble fraction with cysteine protease activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent studies it has been shown that temporal predictability of expected events alters processing in perception and action. Yet, the neural mechanism(s) by which temporal predictability biases this processing is to date little understood. Therefore, in the present fMRI study we investigated how temporal predictability affects neural processing in visual cortical areas. For this, thirty-four participants either categorized the gender or the movement direction of vertically or horizontally moving faces in different blocks of trials. Temporal predictability of stimulus onset was manipulated by the presence or absence of an auditory alerting signal validly predicting stimulus onset. The behavioral data revealed a clear performance benefit for the presence of an alerting signal. Neuroimaging results showed that irrespective of the currently performed task temporal predictability significantly reduced activation in the primary visual cortex. This activation reduction correlated with the alerting signal-related performance benefit. Furthermore, we did not find a selective influence of increased temporal predictability on target-specific visual processing (faces or movement) in the respective material-specific visual brain areas. Together, these findings suggest an increased task-unspecific readiness by the alerting signal that might result in more efficient transmission of stimulus codes into response codes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We assessed by immunohistochemistry the expression of the phosphorylated (activated) form of Smad1 and 5 (P-SMAD1/5), of Noggin and of two smooth muscle cell markers (α-SMA and SM22) in a series of human myometrium samples and in a smooth muscle cell line derived from human myometrium (HUt-SMC, PromoCell, USA). Myometrium samples were removed from two cadavers (a fetus at 26weeks of gestation and a neonate) and from ten non-menopausal women who underwent hysterectomy for adenomyosis and leiomyoma. P-SMAD1/5 expression was never detected in myometrium (both normal and pathological specimens), but only as a nuclear positive staining in glandular and luminal epithelial cells in sections in which also the endometrial mucosa was present. Noggin was strongly expressed especially in myometrium and adenomyosis samples from non-menopausal patients in comparison to the neonatal and fetal myometrium specimens in which muscle cells were less positive. In more than 95% of HUt-SMCs, α-SMA and Desmin were co-expressed, indicating a pure smooth muscle phenotype. When progesterone was added to the culture medium, no P-SMAD1/5 expression was detected, whereas the expression Noggin and SM22, a marker of differentiated smooth muscle cells, increased by 3 fold (p=0.002) and 4.3 fold (p=0.001), respectively (p=0.002). Our results suggest that, in non-menopausal normal human myometrium, the BMP pathway might be inhibited and that this inhibition might be enhanced by progesterone, which increases the differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SM22 levels). These findings could help in the identification of new mechanisms that regulate uterine motility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of atomic force microscopy to measure and understand the interactions between deformable colloids – particularly bubbles and drops – has grown to prominence over the last decade. Insight into surface and structural forces, hydrodynamic drainage and coalescence events has been obtained, aiding in the understanding of emulsions, foams and other soft matter systems. This article provides information on experimental techniques and considerations unique to performing such measurements. The theoretical modelling frameworks which have proven crucial to quantitative analysis are presented briefly, along with a summary of the most significant results from drop and bubble AFM measurements. The advantages and limitations of such measurements are noted in the context of other experimental force measurement techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Theories of human action control deal with the question of how cognitive control is dynamically adjusted to task demands. The conflict monitoring theory of anterior cingulate (ACC) function suggests that the ACC monitors for response conflicts in the ongoing processing stream thereby triggering the mobilization of cognitive control. Alternatively, the outcome evaluation account of ACC function suggests that the ACC monitors for negative performance outcomes, an information that serves as an aversive learning signal for future action selection. recently suggested that both theories might converge on the detection of aversive signals in general. Here, the authors provide first evidence that conflicts are registered as aversive signals. Congruent and incongruent Stroop color-words served as primes, and positive and negative stimuli as targets in an affective priming paradigm. Negative targets were evaluated faster after incongruent than after congruent Stroop primes, and positive targets were evaluated slower after incongruent than after congruent primes. The finding that conflicts are actually registered as aversive signals bridges the gap between competing theories of ACC function and has broad theoretical and behavioral implications as it makes the conflict monitoring theory applicable to a much wider range of situations and tasks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Gap junction channels are intercellular channels that form by docking the extracellular loops of connexin protein subunits. While the structure and function of gap junctions as intercellular channels have been characterized using different techniques, the physics of the inter-connexin interaction remain unknown. Moreover, as far as we know, the capacity of gap junction channels to work as adhesion complexes supporting pulling forces has not yet been quantitatively addressed. We report the first quantitative characterization of the kinetics and binding strength of the interaction of a short peptide mimicking extracellular loop 2 of Cx26 with membrane-reconstituted Cx26, combining the imaging and force spectroscopy capabilities of atomic force microscopy. The fast dissociation rate inferred a dynamic bond, while the slow association rate reflected the reduced flexibility and small size of extracellular loops. Our results propose the gap junction channel as an adhesion complex that associates slowly and dissociates fast at low force but is able to support important pulling forces in its native, hexameric form. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Heterotrimeric Gα protein Pga1 of Penicillium chrysogenum controls vegetative growth, conidiation and secondary metabolite production. In this work we studied the role of Pga1 in spore germination and resistance to different stress conditions. Strains G203R-T (expressing the dominant inactivating pga1 G203R allele) and Δpga1 (deleted pga1) showed a delayed and asynchronic germination pattern, and a decrease in the percentage of germination, which occurred in only 70–80% of the total conidia. In contrast, in strains expressing the dominant activating pga1 G42R allele, germination occurred at earlier times and in 100% of conidia. In addition, strains with the pga1 G42R allele were able to bypass the carbon source (glucose or sucrose) requirement for germination in about 64% of conidia. Thus Pga1 plays an important, but not essential, role in germination, mediating carbon source sensing. Regulation of germination by Pga1 is probably mediated by cAMP, as intracellular levels of this secondary messenger undergo a peak before the onset of germination only in strains with an active Pga1. Pga1 activity is also a determinant factor in the resistance to different stress conditions. Absence or inactivation of Pga1 allow growth on SDS-containing minimal medium, increase resistance of conidia to thermal and oxidative stress, and increase resistance of vegetative mycelium to thermal and osmotic stress. In contrast, constitutive activation of Pga1 causes a decrease in the resistance of conidia to thermal stress and of vegetative mycelium to thermal and osmotic stress. Together with our previously reported results, we show in this work that Pga1 plays a central role in the regulation of the whole growth-developmental program of this biotechnologically important fungus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the survival of melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) and the functional integrity of the retinohypothalamic tract in patients with bilateral advanced glaucomatous optic neuropathy by measuring the neuroendocrine light response of the pineal gland. Nine patients with bilateral advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (glaucoma group) and nine normal control subjects (control group) were included in this pilot observational, prospective, case-control study. The best-corrected visual acuity logMAR, standard automated perimetry mean deviation, and the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness determined by optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography were used to evaluate the changes. Melatonin was analyzed in the saliva by radioimmunoassay before and after exposure to bright light (600 lux) for 60 min at night. The advanced glaucoma group did not have any significant nocturnal melatonin suppression after exposure to bright light (14.28 ± 3.07 pg/ml pre-light melatonin concentration vs. 15.22 ± 3.56 pg/ml after light exposure; p = 0.798) unlike the marked melatonin suppression in the control group (22.43 ± 4.37 pg/ml pre-light melatonin concentration vs. 11.25 ± 1.89 pg/ml after light exposure; p < 0.002). Response density estimates by the scalar product amplitude measure for the interval 0–80 ms of the first-order kernel responses were similar in both groups, indicating that outer retinal function was significantly unchanged in the glaucoma group (5.95 ± 0.54 nV/dg^2) compared with the control group (6.20 ± 0.22 nV/dg^2) (p = 0.689). Our findings are consistent with the interpretation that the rhythmic secretion of melatonin was affected in advanced glaucoma, suggesting that attention should be paid to non-image-forming visual functions, such as control of circadian rhythm and the clinical impact in patients with glaucoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current basal ganglia model considers the internal division of the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata as the sole sources of basal ganglia output to the thalamus. However, following the delivery of retrograde tracers into the ventral anterior/ventral lateral thalamic nuclei, a moderate number of labeled neurons were found within the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in control cases, MPTP-treated monkeys and animals with levodopa-induced dyskinesias. Furthermore, dual tracing experiments showed that subthalamo-thalamic and subthalamo-pallidal projections arise from different subpopulations of STN efferent neurons. Moreover, upregulated expression of the mRNA coding the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGlut2) was found in retrogradely-labeled STN neurons in MPTP-treated monkeys. By contrast, there is a reduction in vGlut2 mRNA expression in subthalamo-thalamic neurons in dyskinetic monkeys. In conclusion, our findings support the presence of a direct projection from the STN to the ventral thalamus that appears to be functionally modulated by dopaminergic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interaction between Acacia and Pseudomyrmex is a textbook example of mutualism between ants and plants, nevertheless aspects of its evolutionary biology have not been formally explored. In this paper we analyze primarily the phylogenies of both New World Acacia and of their associated species of ants, and the geographic origin of this mutualism. Until now, there has been no molecular analysis of this relationship in terms of its origin and age. We analyzed three chloroplast markers (matK, psaB-rps14, and trnL-trnF) on a total of 70 taxa of legumes from the subfamily Mimosoideae, and two nuclear regions (long-wavelength rhodopsine and wingless) on a total of 43 taxa of ants from subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae. The monophyly of subgenus Acacia and within the New World lineages that of the myrmecophilous Acacia group was established. In addition, our results supported the monophyly of the genus Pseudomyrmex and of the associated acacia–ants P. ferrugineus group. Using Bayesian methods and calibration data, the estimated divergence times for the groups involved in the mutualism are: 5.44±1.93My for the myrmecophilous acacias and 4.58±0.82My for their associated ant species, implying that their relationship originated in Mesoamerica between the late Miocene to the middle Pliocene, with eventual diversification of both groups in Mexico. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A theoretical model is presented which accounts for two stages of surfactant adsorption onto a solid surface. The model incorporates both mass transfer (diffusion) and attachment terms, making it applicable to systems where mass transport and adsorption may occur on similar timescales. The model is tested against example systems which appear to show two-step adsorption processes, consisting of cationic ammonium bromide surfactants adsorbing onto silica from water and organic solvents. Kinetic parameters suggest that adsorption may occur in a broadly similar fashion from both water and low-dielectric solvents, and that the fast adsorption step appears to be transport-limited for organic solvents but may experience an adsorption barrier in aqueous systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]