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The Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) belongs to the Malvaceae family, and originates from Africa. It is characterized by a high polyphenols content (e.g., quercetin and anthocyanins), and has recognized bioactivity, that makes this plant an interesting resource for possible addition of its extracts to dairy beverages and obtain functional beverages. Nonetheless, it may be observed that many of these phenolic compounds are not stable depending on the environmental conditions. In this work, we propose the use of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as a carrier for the loading of H. sabdariffa extracts, for further incorporation in daily beverages. Polyphenols-enriched extracts from H. sabdariffa were obtained using two distinct extraction approaches: by (i) microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), or by (ii) pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The obtained extracts were then loaded into NLC to obtain two distinct samples identified as: HS-MAE-NLC and HS-PLE-NLC. The developed nanoparticles were then incorporated into a dairy beverage for the production of fortified milks identified with the same names. The long-term stability, texture properties and in vitro release profile were evaluated. The results show that the fortified milks, HS-MAE-NLC and HS-PLE-NLC, were stable under stress conditions attributed to the enhanced stability provided by the protein content present in the milk. The in vitro release profile of quercetin and anthocyanins from NLC-enriched dairy beverage was more prolonged than the milk containing the non-loaded extract, fitting better to the Korsmeyers–Peppas model. From our results, NLC may be considered a potential approach to formulate photoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant bioactives from H. sabdariffa adding the extracts into dairy beverages to increase their bioavailability, and bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Lifetime and past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD) prevalence is significantly higher in US Armed Services Veterans than in non-veterans across adulthood. This study examined the associations of perceived transformational leadership styles (TLS) experienced during military service and anhedonic depression and self-efficacy related to confidence to abstain or reduce alcohol consumption in Veterans seeking treatment for AUD. The ramifications of perceived leadership styles on multiple aspects of follower psychiatric functioning, including depressive and PTSD symptomatology, during and after military service, may be substantial and enduring. Higher anhedonic depression and lower abstinence self-efficacy are related to increased risk of relapse after treatment. We predicted Veterans, in treatment for AUD, who reported higher perceived levels of transformational leadership during military service, demonstrate lower anhedonic depressive symptoms and higher alcohol abstinence self-efficacy. Materials and Methods Veterans with AUD (n  = 60; 50 ± 14 years of age) were recruited from residential treatment at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. All procedures were approved by the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University institutional review boards. A series of mediation analyses were completed with The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire measures of TLS (average across leadership measures [transformational leadership average; TLS average]) as predictor and the Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale, Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire, anhedonic depression subscale, as dependent measures. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 score was tested as a mediator variable. Results Higher reported perceived TLS average during military service was significantly related to lower anhedonic depressive symptoms. Higher TLS average was related to higher self-efficacy to resist alcohol use in contexts involving experience of physical issues and withdrawal/cravings and urges. These relationships were not mediated by PTSD symptomatology or duration of military service, age, education, time since military service, military branch, combat exposure, or current psychiatric diagnosis. Conclusions The significant associations of perceived TLS during military service with anhedonic depression and alcohol use self-efficacy are clinically relevant because these measures are associated with relapse risk after AUD treatment. Further study of the implications of perceived TLS during military service for AUD and other substance use disorder treatment outcome is warranted in Veterans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been a universal source of biologically active substances with high potential for the treatment of various diseases and disorders. For centuries, traditional communities have often relied on medicinal plants to treat health problems. Therefore, accurate information is required and knowledge about traditional medicinal plants requires evaluation, and great attention should be given to the possible integration of these plants as therapeutic agents or as complements to conventional pharmacological therapies in the healthcare system. Recently, Griffonia simplicifolia (DC.) Baill., initially used as a holistic remedy, has attracted attention from many researchers and consumers because of its multiple health-promoting effects. This growing interest prompted us to give an updated review of the botanical, geographical, historical, and therapeutic potentials of Griffonia simplicifolia (DC.) Baill. in terms of its in vitro and in vivo health effects, nutritional uses, and possible applications in line with biodiversity and sustainability concepts. This paper also presents a quantitative research analysis of the published studies related to this plant that are available in the literature. To retrieve the publications related to this plant, a bibliographic search was carried out using the Scopus database. The bibliometric data were extracted and processed using VOSviewer software (v.1.6.16, 2020). Technological possible applications in terms of patents request presented was also performed. A total of 1386 publications, from the year 1970 to the year 2021, were obtained by the literature search, and these had been collectively cited 38,805 times. The large amount of literature data available documents the interest in this plant's use as a tool for integrating traditional holistic healing approach, e.g., using plants, herbs, and holistic remedies, into the healthcare system as supporting tools and/or therapeutic agents, which is a current worldwide challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tuxá people from Rodelas, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, traditionally live at the São Francisco riverbanks. Because of their historical dwelling in the place, many more-than-human relations have been established, especially with their ancestors, supernatural beings known as encantados who continue to live in the land. Nowadays, Tuxá teachers, working on a specific school curriculum, are revitalizing Dzubukuá, a language that they currently master only to a certain extent and within ritual contexts. Strengthening the relations with the encantados due to their continuous political struggle to guarantee Indigenous rights, the Tuxá have been emboldening their engagement with Dzubukuá revitalization through both the ritual communication with encantados and the linguistic studies based on a colonial bilingual catechism written in Portuguese and Dzubukuá. Here I demonstrate how Tuxá's understanding of territoriality, inhabited along with other cosmological entities, can offer a view of Indigenous knowledge, education, and resistance in Northeast Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several cross-sectional investigations reported widespread cortical thinning in those with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The few longitudinal studies investigating cortical thickness changes during abstinence are limited to the first month of sobriety. Consequently, cortical thickness changes during extended abstinence in those with AUD is unclear. In this study, AUD participants were studied at approximately 1 week (n = 68), 1 month (n = 88), and 7.3 months (n = 40) of abstinence. Forty-five never-smoking controls (CON) completed a baseline study, and 15 were reassessed after approximately 9.6 months. Participants completed magnetic resonance imaging studies at 1.5T, and cortical thickness for 34 bilateral regions of interest (ROI) was quantitated with FreeSurfer. AUD participants demonstrated significant linear thickness increases in 25/34 ROI over 7.3 months of abstinence. The rate of change from 1 week to 1 month was greater than 1 month to 7.3 months in 19/34 ROIs. Proatherogenic conditions were associated with lower thickness recovery in anterior frontal, inferior parietal, and lateral/mesial temporal regions. After 7.3 months of abstinence, AUD participants were statistically equivalent to CON on cortical thickness in 24/34 ROIs; the cortical thickness differences between AUD and CON in the banks superior temporal gyrus, post central, posterior cingulate, superior parietal, supramarginal, and superior frontal cortices were driven by thinner cortices in AUD with proatherogenic conditions relative to CON. In actively smoking AUD, increasing pack-years was associated with decreasing thickness recovery primarily in the anterior frontal ROIs. Widespread bilateral cortical thickness recovery over 7.3 months of abstinence was the central finding for this AUD cohort. The longitudinal and cross-sectional findings for AUD with proatherogenic suggests alterations in perfusion or vascular integrity may relate to structural recovery in those with AUD. These results support the adaptive and beneficial effects of sustained sobriety on brain structural recovery in people with AUD. • Brain cortical thickness changes over 7 months of abstinence were assessed in participants with AUD. • AUD participants demonstrated linear thickness increases in multiple increases across the cortex. • Sustained abstinence is associated with regional cortical thickness recovery in AUD participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fragmentation of U 3 Si 2 particles during dispersion fuel plate fabrication. • Evaluation of U 3 Si 2 powder specifications for maximum fines content. • Increasing of fines (<44 μm) content during the fuel plate rolling. • Investigation of U 3 Si 2 size distribution changes during fuel plate rolling. The Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN-CNEN/SP) has recently developed a process to produce the nuclear fuel required to run the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB), using U 3 Si 2 -Al dispersion in plate-type fuel elements. Since the late 1980s, regular production of dispersion-based fuel plates has kept the maximum fines content (<44 μm) of 20 wt%. However, IPEN's U 3 Si 2 powder manufacturing process typically generates fines between 25 and 30 wt%, making it necessary to discard and recycle about 5 to 10 wt% of the powder during manufacturing. The severe fines requirements necessitate careful comminution with multiple intermediate screening steps, which has a negative impact on RMB's fuel production scalability (60 elements per year). To improve the current fines content specification for the powder, this study focuses on looking into U 3 Si 2 particle fragmentation during fuel plate manufacturing. Quantitative microscopy methods and image analysis were employed. The findings revealed a significant increase in fines content during the rolling process, with levels reaching up to 59 wt%. Hence, to ensure high-quality dispersion, it becomes crucial to specify the fines content in the fuel plate obtained after rolling rather than just in the original powder. The results recommend that a new U 3 Si 2 powder specification could allow a maximum fine content of 30 wt%. More research is ongoing to confirm this recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective presents current and updated advances in research on nutrients and bioactive compounds in seafood. It is based on a literature quantitative research analysis approach. The main features of seafood components are introduced. This perspective aims at providing a current framework that relates nutrients, bioactive compounds, and seafood in a novel integrated and multidisciplinary manner, highlighting the current knowledge, the main research lines, and emerging strategies. The literature search was carried out by means of the Scopus database, and 22,542 documents were retrieved in the period from 1932 to 2024. Particularly, from the perspective of nutrition and health outputs, the main terms correlated with research on the relationship between seafood and nutritional and bioactive components, and the main existing research lines focused on this topic, were identified. The top recurring keywords were human/s, female, diet, nutrition, fish, male, adult, food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Comparative microstructure analysis of high-U loaded U 3 O 8 /U 3 Si 2 /UMo-Al dispersions. • Hydriding-Dehydriding (HMD) process for manufacturing UMo-Al dispersion fuel plates. • Process to manufacture high uranium-loaded dispersion fuel plates. The Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN-CNEN/SP) has developed and made available for routine production the technology for manufacturing dispersion-type fuel elements for research reactors. However, the fuel produced is limited to a uranium loading of 2.3 gU/cm3 (U 3 O 8) or 3.0 gU/cm3 (U 3 Si 2). To reduce Brazil's dependence on foreign sources of Mo-99, the Brazilian government plans to construct a new research reactor, the 30 MW open pool Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB), which will mainly produce domestic Mo-99. Low-enriched uranium fuel will be used in the RMB, and increasing uranium loading will be important to increase the reactor core's reactivity and fuel life. Uranium loadings of 3.2 gU/cm3 for the U 3 O 8 -Al and 4.8 gU/cm3 for the U 3 Si 2 -Al are considered the technological limit and have been well demonstrated worldwide. This work aimed to study the manufacturing process of these two highly uranium-loaded dispersion fuels and redefine current procedures. Additionally, UMo-Al dispersion fuel has been extensively studied globally and is likely to be the next commercially available technology. This new fuel utilizes a dispersion of UMo alloy with 7–10 wt% Mo, resulting in a uranium loading between 6 and 8 gU/cm3. We also studied this fuel type for potential use in the RMB research reactor. This work outlines the primary procedures for manufacturing these three types of fuels and the necessary adjustments to IPEN-CNEN/SP current technology. The manufacturing process proved to be well adapted to these new fuels, requiring only minor modifications. A comparison was made of the microstructures of fuel plate meat using three types of uranium compounds. The microstructures of U 3 Si 2 -Al and U10Mo-Al dispersions were found to be adequate, while that of U 3 O 8 -Al meat deviated significantly from the concept of an ideal dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic cigarette smoking is associated with regional metabolite abnormalities in choline-containing compounds, creatine-containing compounds, glutamate, and N-acetylaspartate. The effects of cigarette smoking on anterior frontal cortical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration are unknown. This study compared chronic smokers (n = 33) and nonsmokers (n = 31) on anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) GABA+ (the sum of GABA and coedited macromolecules) concentrations and associations of GABA+ levels in these regions with seven neurocognitive domains of functioning, decision making, and impulsivity measures. Smokers had significantly lower right DLPFC GABA+ concentration than nonsmokers, but groups were equivalent on ACC GABA+ level. Across groups, greater number of days since end of menstrual cycle was related to higher GABA+ level in the ACC but not right DLPFC GABA+ concentration. In exploratory correlation analyses, higher ACC and right DLPFC GABA+ levels were associated with faster processing speed and better auditory-verbal memory, respectively, in the combined group of smokers and nonsmokers; in smokers only, higher ACC GABA+ was related to better decision making and auditory-verbal learning. This study contributes additional novel data on the adverse effects of chronic cigarette smoking on the adult human brain and demonstrated ACC and DLPFC GABA+ concentrations were associated with neurocognition and decision making/impulsivity in active cigarette smokers. Longitudinal studies on the effects of smoking cessation on regional brain GABA levels, with a greater number of female participants, are required to determine if the observed metabolite abnormalities are persistent or normalize with smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstinence following treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with significant improvements in psychiatric and physical health, however, recent studies suggest resumption of low risk levels of alcohol use can also be beneficial. The present study assessed whether post-treatment levels of alcohol use were associated with cortical brain volumedifferences at treatment entry. Individuals seeking treatment for AUD (n=75) and light/non-drinking controls (LN, n=51) underwent 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging. The volumes of 34 bilateral cortical regions of interest (ROIs) were quantitated via FreeSurfer. Individuals with AUD were classified according to post-treatment alcohol consumption using the WHO risk drinking levels (abstainers: AB; low risk: RL; or higher risk: RH). Regional volumes for AB, RL and RH, at treatment entry, were compared to LN. Relative to LN, AB demonstrated smaller volumes in 18/68 (26%), RL in 24/68 (35%) and RH in 34/68 (50%) ROIs with the largest magnitude volume differences observed between RH and LN. RH and RL reported a higher frequency of depressive disorders than AB. Among RH and RL, level of depressive and anxiety symptomatology were associated with daily number of drinks consumed after treatment. Volumetric differences, at treatment entry, in brain regions implicated in executive function and salience networks corresponded with post-treatment alcohol consumption levels suggesting that pre-existing differences in neural integrity may contribute to treatment outcomes. Depressive and anxiety symptomatology was also associated with brain morphometrics and alcohol use patterns, highlighting the importance of effectively targeting these conditions during AUD treatment. • Those with alcohol use disorders (AUD) were assigned to WHO risk drinking levels. • Abstainers, Low Risk and Higher Risk groups were formed from the AUD participants. • Regional brain volumes of AUD groups were compared at treatment entry. • Future abstainers showed the fewest and lowest magnitude cortical volume deficits. • Results indicate volumes at treatment entry are associated with future alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) represent another prime example that highlights therapeutic improvements of GI tract disorders. In the presence of these conditions, a multidisciplinary approach is essential to determine both the appropriate diagnosis and optimal treatment for managing patients, whilst avoiding undervaluation, overmedicalization and unnecessary costs. During the last decade, relevant advances have been made in the knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of gastrointestinal (GI) tract disorders. 34830563 15 Bonetto S., Gruden G., Beccuti G., Ferro A., Saracco G., Pellicano R. Management of Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis in Patients with Diabetes. [Extracted from the article]

On average, two-thirds of individuals treated for alcohol use disorder (AUD) relapse within six months. There is a critical need to identify modifiable risk factors associated with relapse that can be addressed during AUD treatment. Candidate factors include mood disorders and cigarette smoking, which frequently co-occur with AUD. We predicted that co-occurrence of mood disorders, cigarette smoking, and other modifiable conditions will predict relapse within six months of AUD treatment. Ninety-five Veterans, 23–91 years old, completed assessments of multiple characteristics including demographic information, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and medical conditions during residential treatment for AUD. Participants' alcohol consumption was monitored over six months after participation. Logistic regression was used to determine if, mood disorders, cigarette smoking status, alcohol consumption, educational level, and comorbid general medical conditions are associated with relapse after AUD treatment. Sixty-nine percent of Veterans (n = 66) relapsed within six months of study while 31% remained abstinent (n = 29). While education, comorbid general medical conditions, and mood disorder diagnoses were not predictors of relapse, Veterans with greater symptoms of anhedonia, active smokers, and fewer days of abstinence prior to treatment showed significantly greater odds for relapse within six months. Anhedonia and cigarette smoking are modifiable risk factors, and effective treatment of underlying anhedonic symptoms and implementation of smoking cessation concurrent with AUD-focused interventions may decrease risk of relapse. • Greater anhedonic symptoms significantly increased the odds of relapse in AUD. • Active cigarette smokers showed significantly higher risk of relapse in AUD. • Treatment of anhedonic symptoms and cigarette smoking may decrease risk of relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reductions in substance use are associated with positive long‐term treatment outcomes such as psychosocial functioning; substance use–related consequences; and mental, physical, and neurobiological health. Therefore, nonabstinent clinical trial endpoints have received growing attention from substance abuse treatment experts. Regional brain tissue volumes in alcoholism treatment seekers increase during abstinence, in parallel to cognitive performance. Methods: We examined the relationships of drinking levels in those who did not maintain abstinence after treatment with magnetic resonance imaging‐derived gray matter (GM) volumes measured 8 months after baseline assessments while in outpatient treatment. The complex drinking behavior during the interval was operationalized as World Health Organization risk drinking levels (WHO‐RDL), derived from the number of standard alcoholic drinks per day. We compared the volumes of addiction‐relevant cortical and subcortical brain regions at long‐term follow‐up among abstainers and 2 groups of relapsers with low and higher WHO‐RDL. Results: We found that: (i) relapsers with low WHO‐RDL at follow‐up, who as a group had reduced their risk levels by 2.8 units (by consuming <40 g of ethanol per day over the recovery interval), had regional brain tissue volumes indistinguishable from those of abstainers tested after the same time period and that (ii) relapsers with higher WHO‐RDL, with only 1.2 units average risk‐level reductions, had significantly smaller frontal GM and thalamic volumes than abstainers and relapsers with low WHO‐RDL. Despite many drinking days during recovery, including several with >10 drinks per day, relapsers with low WHO‐RDL at follow‐up tended to perform better than those with higher WHO‐RDL on cognitive domains of working memory and visuospatial skills assessed over the recovery interval. Conclusions: Nonabstinent recovery is characterized by addiction‐relevant GM volumes comparable to those of complete abstainers. The WHO‐RDL has meaningful structural neuroimaging correlates potentially suitable as cognitively relevant biomarkers of treatment response and general brain health, perhaps even as objective clinical trial endpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies report widespread cortical thinning in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but did not consider potential effects of pro-atherogenic conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C seropositivity and hyperlipidemia on cortical thickness. The conditions are associated with regional cortical thinning in those without AUD. We predicted that individuals with concurrent AUD and pro-atherogenic conditions demonstrate the greatest regional cortical thinning in areas most vulnerable to decreased perfusion. Methods Treatment-seeking individuals with AUD (n  = 126) and healthy controls (CON; n  = 49) completed a 1.5 T MRI study. Regional cortical thickness was quantitated via FreeSurfer. Individuals with AUD and pro-atherogenic conditions (Atherogenic+), AUD without pro-atherogenic conditions (Atherogenic−) and CON were compared on regional cortical thickness. Results Individuals with AUD showed significant bilateral cortical thinning compared to CON, but Atherogenic+ demonstrated the most widespread and greatest magnitude of regional thinning, while Atherogenic− had reduced thickness primarily in anterior frontal and posterior parietal lobes. Atherogenic+ also showed a thinner cortex than Atherogenic− in lateral orbitofrontal and dorso/dorsolateral frontal cortex, mesial and lateral temporal and inferior parietal regions. Conclusions Our results demonstrate significant bilateral cortical thinning in individuals with AUD relative to CON, but the distribution and magnitude were influenced by comorbid pro-atherogenic conditions. The magnitude of cortical thinning in Atherogenic+ strongly corresponded to cortical watershed areas susceptible to decreased perfusion, which may result in morphometric abnormalities. The findings indicate that pro-atherogenic conditions may contribute to cortical thinning in those seeking treatment for AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette smoking is associated with neurocognitive dysfunction in various populations, including those seeking treatment for an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study compared the rate and extent of recovery on measures of processing speed, executive functions, general intelligence, visuospatial skills and working memory in treatment-seeking alcohol dependent individuals (ALC) who were never-smokers (nvsALC), former-smoker (fsALC), and active smokers (asALC), over approximately 8 months of abstinence from alcohol. Methods: ALC participants were evaluated at approximately 1 month of abstinence (AP1; n = 132) and reassessed after 8 months of sobriety (AP2; n = 54). Never-smoking controls (CON; n = 33) completed a baseline and follow-up (n = 19) assessment approximately 9 months later. Domains evaluated were executive functions, general intelligence, processing speed, visuospatial skills and working memory; a domain composite was formed from the arithmetic average of the foregoing domains. nvsALC showed greater improvement than fsALC, asALC and CON on most domains over the AP1-AP2 interval. fsALC demonstrated greater recovery than asALC on all domains except visuospatial skills; fsALC also showed greater improvements than CON on general intelligence, working memory and domain composite. asALC did not show significant improvement on any domain over the AP1-AP2 interval. At 8 months of abstinence, asALC were inferior to CON and nvsALC on multiple domains, fsALC performed worse than nvsALC on several domains, but nvsALC were not different from CON on any domain. Our results provide robust evidence that smoking status influenced the rate and extent of neurocognitive recovery between 1 and 8 months of abstinence in this ALC cohort. Chronic smoking in AUD likely contributes to the considerable heterogeneity observed in neurocognitive recovery during extended abstinence. The findings provide additional strong support for the benefits of smoking cessation and the increasing clinical movement to offer smoking cessation resources concurrent with treatment for AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a general consensus on the importance of the nomenclature, description, and classification of foods and food groups due to the significant impact in nutritional field, especially in the epidemiological one. Particular attention should be addressed towards composite dishes and food preparations that are widely consumed by the population. In this work, 49 Italian composite dishes were selected, described, classified, and coded according to two types of classification and description systems. LanguaL™ is a multi-faceted food categorization system that addresses the requisite of flexibility in terms of food description, allowing description and categorization at different levels of detail. FoodEx2 represents a system of flexible combinations of classifications categories and descriptors based on a hierarchical system for different food safety-related domains. Dishes from different Italian regions were selected according to the EuroFIR Network and the QUALIFU-SIAGRO project, supported by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies and Tourism. For each recipe, ingredients, amount and preparations methods were defined. Accuracy of the description of food items becomes very important to ensure a correct link between different Food Composition Tables and/or Food Consumption Databases. All recipes were described and codified by LanguaL™ and FoodEx2 and will be used to update the Italian Food Composition Tables of the CREA Research Centre for Food and Nutrition and further of the international European Food Data Platform: FoodExplorer™ developed by EuroFIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The IEA-R1 is an open pool research reactor that operated for many years at 2 MW. The reactor uses plate type fuel elements which are formed by assembling eighteen parallel fuel plates. During the years of reactor operation at 2 MW, thermohydraulic safety margins with respect to design limits were always very high. However, more intense oxidation on some external fuel plates was observed when the reactor power was increased to 5 MW. At this new power level, the safety margins are significantly reduced due to the increase of the heat flux on the plates. In order to measure, experimentally, the fuel plate temperature under operation, an instrumented fuel element was constructed to obtain temperature experimental data at various positions of one or more fuel plates in the fuel element. The manufacturing method is characterized by keeping the original fuel element design specifications. Type K stainless sheathed thermocouples are mounted into supports pads in unrestricted positions. During the fuel element assembling, the supports pads with the thermocouples are mechanically fixed by interference between two adjacent fuel plates. The thermocouple wires are directed through the space existing at the bottom of the mounting slot where the fuel plate is fixed to the side plates. The number of thermocouples installed is not restricted and depends only on adaptations that can be made on the mounting slots of the standard fuel element side plates. This work describes the manufacturing procedures for assembling such an instrumented fuel element. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Procedures for manufacturing an instrumented fuel element are presented. • An innovative process for manufacturing an instrumented fuel element. • Manufacturing an instrumented fuel element without modifying the original design. • Studying thermohydraulics in research reactors using experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Proximate composition of 30 dishes traditionally consumed in Italy was evaluated. • New data update the Italian food composition database (FCDB). • Dietary Intake of 30 dishes and their adequacy was studied. • Some traditional dishes contributed significantly to the DRV of dietary fibre. Abstract Italian food is very popular around the world, but the knowledge of the proximate composition of traditional composite dishes consumed in Italy is limited. This is mainly due to the large regional variety and complexity of such dishes. The present study provides new analytical data in order to fill this gap. Thirty dishes from different regions in Italy were selected including main courses, side dishes and desserts. For each dish, samples were prepared and then analyzed to determine the nutrient composition in terms of moisture, protein, fat, starch, sugars, dietary fibre and energy value. The nutrients varied between the dishes as can be expected. Moreover, to assess their specific nutritional quality, in terms of adequacy or deficit, the nutrients of one portion of every dish were compared with the Dietary References Values (DRVs) for the Italian population. Our results provide an important update of the national Food Composition Database (FCDB) of the CREA Research Centre for Food and Nutrition. The new data widen the nutritional knowledge of a variety of traditional Italian dishes and provide dietary information to health workers, the food industry and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) on Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) in the determination of the fatty acid content in meat and meat products. The Multivariate calibrations were developed and proposed for Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA), Monounsatured Fatty Acids (MUFA), Polyunsatured Fatty Acids (PUFA) and Palmitic Acid. SFA and MUFA models, developed using the first derivative and the selected region 3022.33–650.15 cm −1 , gave the best performance, with a coefficient of calibration r 2 0.9834 and 0.9775, respectively, and the relative Root Mean Square Error of Calibration (RMSEC) 0.594 and 0.699. The best model for PUFA was obtained for region 4000.12–650.15 using the first derivative (r 2 0.9817, RMSEC 0.724). Palmitic acid, chosen as the case study of single fatty acids, showed a best linear regression for the first derivative approach in region 4000.12–650.15. Results were less satisfactory in prediction in the proposed models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging studies of cigarette smoking-related effects on human brain structure primarily focused on cortical volumes. Much less is known about the effects of smoking on cortical thickness. Smokers and Non-smokers were compared on regional cortical thickness. We predicted smokers would demonstrate greater age-related thinning localized to anterior frontal regions that serve as nodes for the executive, salience, and emotional regulation networks (ESER regions) and those demonstrating significant atrophy in early Alzheimer's Disease (AD regions).Methods: Non-smokers (n = 41) and smokers (n = 41), 22-70 years of age, completed a 4 T MRI study. Regional cortical thickness was quantitated via FreeSurfer. In smokers, associations between smoking severity, decision-making, impulsivity, and regional cortical thickness were examined.Results: Smokers demonstrated cortical thinning in the medial and lateral OFC, insula, entorhinal, fusiform, middle temporal, and Composite AD regions. In Smokers, greater pack-years were associated with thinner lateral OFC, middle temporal, inferior parietal, fusiform, precuneus, and Composite AD regions. In Smokers, poorer decision-making/greater risk taking was related to thinner cortices in caudal ACC, rostral middle frontal and superior frontal gyri, and Composite ESER. Higher self-reported impulsivity was associated with thinner rostral and caudal ACC.Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence that cigarette smoking is associated with thinner cortices in regions implicated in the development and maintenance of substance use disorders and in regions demonstrating significant atrophy in early AD. The novel structure-function relationships in Smokers further our understanding of the neurobiological substrates potentially underlying the neuropsychological abnormalities documented in smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The incorporation of burnable neutron absorbers into nuclear fuel pellets is important regarding reactivity compensation, which enables longer fuel cycles. The dry mechanical blending route is the most attractive process to accomplish absorbers incorporation because of its simplicity. By using this route, the present work has investigated the sintering behavior of UO 2 Er 2 O 3 mixed fuel. A comparison with UO 2 Gd 2 O 3 sintering behavior was presented. The behavior of UO 2 Er 2 O 3 fuel sintering was similar to that reported for UO 2 Gd 2 O 3 fuel, e.g. two-stage sintering with two peaks in the shrinkage rate curves. The effect showed to be less pronounced for Er 2 O 3. This was attributed to the characteristics of the Er 2 O 3 powder particles used as raw-material, whose agglomerates can be more easily broken and thus better homogenized during the blending with UO 2 powder. These results confirmed that sinterability depends directly on the quality of the homogenization of the powders, as seen previously. A second phase was experimentally detected in the UO 2 Er 2 O 3 system, but its impact on the sintering behavior of this mixed fuel has not yet been clarified. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Good sintered densities can be obtained up to 4 wt% Er 2 O 3 in UO 2 Er 2 O 3 mixed fuel. • The sintering behavior of the UO 2 Er 2 O 3 fuel is similar to the UO 2 Gd 2 O 3. • The homogeneity degree is mandatary in sintering UO 2 Er 2 O 3 mixed fuel. • A third phase was experimentally detected in the UO 2 Er 2 O 3 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium aluminide (UAl x ) is a mixture of three distinct intermetallic compounds comprised of UAl 2 , UAl 3 and UAl 4 , where the “x” is used to denote a mixture of those phases. Usually UAl x is formed during the target fabrication process by means of a solid state reaction between the uranium aluminide and aluminum. Quantitative techniques such as image analysis and X-ray diffraction using the Rietveld method were compared for their applicability in the determination of the UAl 2 , UAl 3 and UAl 4 concentrations, both in the UAl 2 primary ingot and in the UAl x -Al dispersion. The UAl x composition was quantified in all stages of the target manufacturing. The image analysis method was shown to be useful for UAl x phase quantification in the primary UAl 2 ingot, but was not applicable in the case of UAl x -Al dispersions. The X-ray diffraction method allowed the quantification of the existing UAl x phases in both the primary ingot and UAl x -Al dispersions. Possible sources of error are discussed. The method of quantification based on X-ray diffraction was shown to be appropriate to monitor the evolution of UAl x phases during the manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in neuronal and glial cell growth and differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and apoptotic mechanisms. A single-nucleotide polymorphism of the BDNF rs6265 gene may contribute to the pattern and magnitude of brain metabolite abnormalities apparent in those with an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). We predicted that methionine (Met) carriers would demonstrate lower magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measures of N-acetylaspartate level (NAA) and greater age-related decline in NAA than valine (Val) homozygotes. Veterans with AUD (n=95; 46±12 years of age, min = 25, max = 71) were recruited from VA Palo Alto residential treatment centers. Single voxel MRS, at 3 Tesla, was used to obtain NAA, choline (Cho) and creatine (Cr) containing compounds from the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Metabolite spectra were fit with LC Model and NAA and Cho were standardized to total Cr level and NAA was also standardized to Cho. Val/Met (n=35) showed markedly greater age-related decline in left DLPFC NAA/Cr level than Val/Val (n=60); no differences in mean metabolite levels were observed between Val/Met and Val/Val. Val/Met demonstrated greater frequency of history of MDD and higher frequency of cannabis use disorder over 12 months prior to study. The greater age-related decline in left DLPFC NAA/Cr and the higher frequency of MDD history and Cannabis Use disorder in BDNF rs6265 Met carriers with AUD are novel and may have implications for non-invasive brain stimulation targeting the left DLFPC and other psychosocial interventions typically utilized in the treatment of AUD. • BDNF rs6265 genotyping was completed in those with alcohol use disorder. • Brain metabolites were acquired in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). • rs6265 Met carriers had greater age-related decline in NAA/Cr than Val homozygotes. • Greater age-related decline of NAA/Cr in Met carriers may impact rTMS efficacy.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explain the meanings of a very specific notion found in the anthropology of the imaginary's literature: the notion of perlaboration. To present its meaning further than through a theoretical explanation we will picture it with an analogous technique from the Chinese Buddhist tradition. Our intention is to demonstrate how a religious self-cultivation practice can show psychical dynamics also found in the western science - especially within the symbolic anthropology of the imaginary. Through this comparison we will be able to clarify some procedures and effects of both traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Widespread brain atrophy in alcohol‐dependent individuals (ALC) has been consistently documented in pathological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Longitudinal MRI studies have shown that the regional brain volume losses in ALC are partially reversible during abstinence from alcohol. The goal of this study was to determine volume reductions in cortical and subcortical regions functionally important to substance use behavior and their changes during short‐term (1 week to 1 month) and long‐term abstinence (1 to 7 months) from alcohol. The regions of interest (ROIs) were as follows: anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insula, amygdala, and hippocampus. Methods: A total of 85 unique ALC were assessed at 1 week (n = 65), 1 month (n = 82), and 7 months (n = 36) of abstinence. In addition, 17 light/nondrinking healthy controls (CON) were assessed at baseline and follow‐up over a 10‐month interval. Regional brain volumes were derived from FreeSurfer. Cross‐sectional statistical analyses using 1‐way analysis of variance or Fisher's exact test were applied to identify group differences. Longitudinal statistical analyses using linear mixed models were applied to identify regional volume increases and nonlinear volume recovery trajectories. Results: We demonstrated significant regional volume reductions in ACC, DLPFC, and hippocampus. Older age was associated with smaller DLPFC and OFC, and higher average monthly drinking over 1 year prior to study was associated with smaller OFC. We also demonstrated significant volume increases of all ROIs except amygdala in ALC and significant nonlinear volume recovery trajectories of DLPFC, OFC, and insula. Conclusions: Results showed significant volume reductions in key regions of the executive control, salience, and emotion networks in ALC at entry into treatment and significant volume increases during short‐term and long‐term abstinence that were nonlinear over the entire abstinence period for the DLPFC, OFC, and insula. This gray matter plasticity during alcohol abstinence may have important neurobiological and neurocognitive implications in ALC, and it may contribute to an individual's ability to maintain abstinence from alcohol at different phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroimaging of opiate-dependent individuals indicates both altered brain structure and function. Magnetic resonance-based arterial spin labeling has been used to measure noninvasively cerebral blood flow (i.e. perfusion) in alcohol, tobacco and stimulant dependence; only one arterial spin labeling paper in opiate-dependent individuals demonstrated frontal and parietal perfusion deficits. Additional research on regional brain perfusion in opiate dependence and its relationship to cognition and self-regulation (impulsivity, risk taking and decision making) may inform treatment approaches for opiate-dependent individuals. Continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging at 4 T and neuropsychological measures assessed absolute brain perfusion levels, cognition and self-regulation in 18 cigarette smoking opiate-dependent individuals (sODI) stable on buprenorphine maintenance therapy. The sODI were compared with 20 abstinent smoking alcohol-dependent individuals (a substance-dependent control group), 35 smoking controls and 29 nonsmoking controls. sODI had lower perfusion in several cortical and subcortical regions including regions within the brain reward/executive oversight system compared with smoking alcohol-dependent individuals and nonsmoking controls. Perfusion was increased in anterior cingulate cortex and globus pallidus of sODI. Compared with all other groups, sODI had greater age-related declines in perfusion in most brain reward/executive oversight system and some other regions. In sODI, lower regional perfusion related to greater substance use, higher impulsivity and weaker visuospatial skills. Overall, sODI showed cortical and subcortical hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion. Relating to neuropsychological performance and substance use quantities, the frontal perfusion alterations are clinically relevant and constitute potential targets for pharmacological and cognitive-based therapeutic interventions to improve treatment outcome in opiate dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores new concepts in order to promote ceramic and cermet materials sintering at lower temperatures between 1200 and 1300 °C. The principle of the new process method called intermediary stage activated sintering (ISAS) involves the preparation of the ceramic powder with dispersed doping agents, such as nanotubes and fibers, which shape the pore structure at pressed pellets with stable interconnected thin cylinders between the grains. This feature resembles and extends the condition found during the intermediary stage sintering, which enhances the ions diffusion rate along tubular pores to increase shrinkage. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanofibers are homogenized into cubic zirconia and alumina in amounts ranging from 1 to 10 vol% at high-energy milling devices and ultrasound disruptor under ethanol media. Ni, Cu and Mo/MoO can be also added to provide tubular channel filling. Sintering of uniaxially pressed pellets is carried out in a dilatometer and tubular furnaces at 1200/1300 °C under air, argon and controlled oxygen partial pressure atmospheres. TG/DTA/MS analyses of sample pellets reveal the oxidation and gas release temperature and duration. The results demonstrate the ISAS process concept is valid since it further increases the ceramic final density by 8% of the theoretical density at 1200 °C, leading to close the porosity at 1300 °C, compared to 1500-1600 °C temperatures at conventional process. Short CNT and cellulose nanofiber were found to be the best additives in this sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an experimental description of thermal and physical studies to attain a practical manufacturing process of uranium metal enriched to 20% U 235 (LEU – Low Enriched Uranium) by metallothermic reduction of UF 4 , with nuclear purity, for reduced amounts (1000 g of uranium) and with radioactive safety. Uranium metal is needed to produce nuclear fuel elements based on uranium silicide (intermetallic U 3 Si 2 ) and irradiation targets to produce Mo 99 . This process is a part of Brazilian efforts to fabricate the fuel elements for its research reactors, primarily aiming at the production of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine. The magnesiothermic reduction is influenced by variables which are related to the starting material UF 4 and the thermal conditions for its reduction. These variables are investigated. The physical arrangement of the crucible/reduction reactor/furnace system and the management of the furnace thermal input in the reduction reactor during the heating were studied. Thermal simulation experiments provided delineation for the reactants’ thermal progress before the ignition of the metalothermic reaction. The heat input to the reduction system has proved to be the main variable that influenced the efficiency of the process. The levels of metallic yield and reproducibility have been improved, making the production process reproductive and economically viable. The typical yield in the production of uranium metal was above 80%. Unrecovered uranium metal is present in the MgF 2 slag and can be recovered at the level of 96% yield. The process of recovering the uranium from the slag is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic uranium is a fundamental raw material for producing nuclear fuel elements for research reactors and irradiation targets for producing99Mo, as U3Si2, UMo alloy, UAlx, and uranium thin foils. Magnesiothermic reduction of UF4is a possible route in the nuclear fuel cycle for producing uranium as a metal ingot. The main concern about the reducing scale to produce low-enriched (metallic) uranium (LEU) (around 1 kg) is the relatively low yield compared to calciothermic reduction. Nevertheless, the magnesiothermic reduction has the advantages of having lower cost and being a safer method for dealing with uranium processing. The magnesiothermic process, as a batch, is closed inside a sealed crucible. In the present study, in order to have a qualitative idea of the kinetics during the ignition moment, the slag projected over the lateral inner face of the crucible was used to sketch the general magnesiothermic evolution. The methods used were metallographic observation and X-ray diffraction followed by Rietveld refinement. The results of these analyses led to the conception of a general reaction development during the short time between the ignition of the reducing reaction and final settlement of the products. Relevant information from this study led to the conclusion that uranium is not primarily present in the lateral slag projection over the crucible during the reaction, and the temperature level may reach 1500°C or more, after the ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Harm‐reduction (i.e., non‐abstinent recovery) approaches to substance use treatment have garnered increasing attention. Reduced levels of alcohol consumption post‐treatment have been associated with better psychosocial functioning and physical health, yet less is known regarding differences in brain structures associated with varying levels of alcohol consumption. This study investigated regional cortical volumes after alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment among individuals who achieved complete abstinence and those who returned to lower and higher levels of consumption. Methods: Data were collected from individuals with AUD (n = 68) approximately 8 months after the initiation of treatment. Using risk drinking levels defined by the World Health Organization, participants were classified as abstaining (AB) or relapsing with low (RL) or higher (RH) levels. Data were also obtained from 34 age‐matched light/non‐drinking controls (LN). All participants completed a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging session and volumes for 34 bilateral cortical regions of interest were quantitated with FreeSurfer. Generalized linear models were used to examine group differences in cortical volume. All group findings are significant at an FDR‐corrected value of 0.018. Results: Adjusting for age and intracranial volume, significant group differences were found in 13/34 cortical regions. AB showed greater volumes than RL in 2/13 regions and RH in 6/13 regions. RH demonstrated significantly smaller volumes than LN in 12/13 ROIs, whereas RL differed from LN in 9/13 regions. RH and RL differed in only two cortical regions. Conclusions: Individuals who consumed low‐risk levels of alcohol post‐treatment exhibited regional cortical volumes more similar to abstainers than individuals who returned to higher‐risk levels. This suggests that low‐risk levels of alcohol consumption are associated with brain integrity that is comparable to that seen with complete abstinence. Given the previously demonstrated improvement in psychosocial and physical health with reduced levels of alcohol consumption post‐treatment, harm reduction may be a beneficial and more attainable goal for some individuals with AUD who are seeking treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of gadolinium as burnable poison directly into nuclear fuel is important for reactivity compensation, which enables longer fuel cycles. The function of the burnable poison fuel is to control the neutron population in the reactor core during its startup and the beginning of the fuel burning cycle to extend the use of the fuel. The implementation of UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 poisoned fuel in Brazil has been proposed according to the future requirements established for the Angra-2 nuclear power plant. The UO 2 powder used is produced from the Ammonium Uranyl Carbonate (AUC). The incorporation of Gd 2 O 3 powder directly into the AUC-derived UO 2 powder by dry mechanical blending is the most attractive process, because of its simplicity. Nevertheless, processing by this method leads to difficulties while obtaining sintered pellets with the minimum required density. The cause of the low densities is the bad sintering behavior of the UO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 mixed fuel, which shows a blockage in the sintering process that hinders the densification. This effect has been overcome by microdoping of the fuel with small quantities of aluminum. The process for manufacturing the fuel inevitably generates uranium-rich scraps from various sources. This residue is reincorporated into the production process in the form of U 3 O 8 powder additions. The addition of U 3 O 8 also hinders densification in sintering. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of both aluminum and U 3 O 8 additives on the density of fuel pellets after sintering. As the effects of these additives are counterposed, this work studied the combined effect thereof, seeking to find an applicable composition for the production process. The experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of aluminum, in the form of Al(OH) 3 , as an additive to promote increase in the densification of the (U,Gd)O 2 pellets during sintering, even with high additions of U 3 O 8 recycled from the manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-sectional structural magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of individuals with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) report that those who relapse after treatment, relative to individuals who maintain a period of extended abstinence, show greater morphological abnormalities in multiple brain regions near the inception of treatment, particularly in the frontal lobe. However, given the cross-sectional design of previous studies, it is unclear if the baseline morphological differences between future abstainers and relapsers were maintained over the course of early recovery. The primary goal of this study was to determine if frontal lobe tissue volume recovery during early abstinence is associated with long-term abstinence from alcohol. We compared frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, at 1 and 4 weeks of abstinence, among individuals who resumed alcohol consumption within 12 months of treatment (Relapsers) and those who showed sustained abstinence over 12 months following treatment (Abstainers). At 1 and 4 weeks of sobriety, both Abstainers and Relapsers demonstrated significantly smaller GM volumes than Controls in the majority of ROIs, but Relapsers exhibited significantly smaller bilateral frontal GM volumes than Abstainers. No significant group differences were observed for any WM region of interest. The persistent bilateral frontal GM volume deficits in Relapsers over 4 weeks from last alcohol use may represent an endophenotype that differentiates those who respond more favorably to the typical psychosocial and pharmacological interventions provided for AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging studies of cigarette smoking-related effects on human brain structure have primarily employed voxel-based morphometry, and the most consistently reported finding was smaller volumes or lower density in anterior frontal regions and the insula. Much less is known about the effects of smoking on subcortical regions. We compared smokers and non-smokers on regional subcortical volumes, and predicted that smokers demonstrate greater age-related volume loss across subcortical regions than non-smokers.Methods: Non-smokers (n=43) and smokers (n=40), 22-70 years of age, completed a 4T MRI study. Bilateral total subcortical lobar white matter (WM) and subcortical nuclei volumes were quantitated via FreeSurfer. In smokers, associations between smoking severity measures and subcortical volumes were examined.Results: Smokers demonstrated greater age-related volume loss than non-smokers in the bilateral subcortical lobar WM, thalamus, and cerebellar cortex, as well as in the corpus callosum and subdivisions. In smokers, higher pack-years were associated with smaller volumes of the bilateral amygdala, nucleus accumbens, total corpus callosum and subcortical WM.Conclusions: Results provide novel evidence that chronic smoking in adults is associated with accelerated age-related volume loss in subcortical WM and GM nuclei. Greater cigarette quantity/exposure was related to smaller volumes in regions that also showed greater age-related volume loss in smokers. Findings suggest smoking adversely affected the structural integrity of subcortical brain regions with increasing age and exposure. The greater age-related volume loss in smokers may have implications for cortical-subcortical structural and/or functional connectivity, and response to available smoking cessation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pore volume present in the starting fuel meat of dispersion fuel plates influences the behavior of its deformation during the fuel plate fabrication by rolling to a great extent. This study was carried out to investigate the influence of pore content in the starting fuel meat on the manufacturing of aluminum-base dispersion fuel plates. Factors that affect the residual porosity present in the meat of the fuel plate were investigated. Results showed that the residual pore volume of aluminum-base dispersion-type U 3 O 8 -Al fuel plates depends on the characteristics of the starting fuel meat, which is fabricated by pressing. The residual pore volume depends on the U 3 O 8 concentration. For a particular U 3 O 8 concentration, the rolling process establishes a constant pore volume, which is called equilibrium porosity. The equilibrium porosity is insensitive to the initial pore volume present in the starting fuel meat. The research showed that fuel meat integrity was greatly influenced by the initial porosity of the fuel meat. U 3 O 8 -Al dispersion fuel plates were successfully fabricated with uranium loading above 3.0 gU/cm 3 . This uranium loading is equivalent to the one used in the U 3 Si 2 -Al dispersion fuel, currently operating at the IEA-R1 research reactor of the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute – IPEN/CNEN-SP. The U 3 O 8 -Al dispersion fuel can substitute the silicide fuel with advantages such as lower price and simpler manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nuclear and Energy Research Institute – IPEN/CNEN-SP routinely produces the nuclear fuel necessary for operating its research reactor, IEA-R1. This fuel consists of fuel plates containing U 3 Si 2 -Al composites as the meat, which are fabricated by rolling. The rolling process currently deployed was developed based on information obtained from literature, which was used as a premise for defining the current manufacturing procedures, according to a methodology with an essentially empirical character. Despite the current rolling process being perfectly stable and highly reproducible, it is not well characterized and is therefore not fully known. The objective of this work is to characterize the rolling process for producing dispersion fuel plates. Results regarding the evolution of the main parameters of technological interest, after each rolling pass, are presented. Some defects that originated along the fuel plate deformation during the rolling process were characterized and discussed. The fabrication procedures for manufacturing the fuel plates are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims at evaluating the main nutrients (proximate, minerals), their contribution for Dietary Reference Values in Italian population, and the antioxidant properties of some popular dishes prepared in a dedicated lab-kitchen: spaghetti alle vongole, pomodori al riso, gateau di patate, carciofi alla romana, pan di Spagna. Results showed that nutrient contents and energy value varied extensively because of the variety and the nature of ingredients in the analyzed dishes, and thus defined different daily nutrient intakes and their association with health effects. A serving portion of either spaghetti alle vongole or carciofi alla romana showed to contribute to the daily nutritional recommendations respectively, with an appreciable percentage of available carbohydrates (30–22%) and a considerable content of dietary fibre (91%). Gateau di patate was particularly rich in calcium (343 mg), both contributing 34% of the recommended intake, in addition to appreciable content of phosphorus and zinc. With regards to spaghetti alle vongole, pomodori al riso, gateau di patate and pan di Spagna , extractable polyphenols contributed less than 15% to total antioxidant activity, and hydrolysable polyphenols give a major contribution; carciofi alla romana showed an inverse trend. Findings provide an important contribution to the update of Italian Food Composition Databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Relapse in alcohol use disorders ( AUD) is related to a complex interplay among multiple biological, psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial factors, which may change dynamically during and after treatment. At treatment entry for AUD, morphological abnormalities in anterior frontal regions and the insula have been observed in those who ultimately relapse following treatment. The goal of this study was to determine whether anterior frontal and insula measures of brain thickness, surface area, and volume predict posttreatment drinking status (i.e., relapser or abstainer) over an extended period after outpatient treatment for AUD, while concurrently considering common psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial factors previously associated with relapse. Methods Alcohol-dependent individuals ( n = 129) were followed for 18 months after treatment to determine posttreatment drinking status (abstainers [ n = 47] or relapsers [ n = 82]). Brain morphometrics were derived from FreeSurfer. Receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the regional brain thickness, surface area, and volume (all scaled to intracranial volume), demographic, psychiatric, other substance use (e.g., cigarette smoking), and alcohol consumption variables, obtained at entry into treatment, that best predicted posttreatment drinking status. Survival analyses determined variables that were related to duration of abstinence after treatment. Results ROC analyses indicated that mood disorders, education, and volumes of the right caudal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), right rostral ACC, and total right frontal gray matter were significant predictors of posttreatment drinking status. Among relapsers, survival analyses showed smokers and individuals with a comorbid medical condition relapsed earlier after treatment. Additionally, a greater frequency of smokers relapsed within 6 months of AUD treatment. Conclusions Results reinforce that relapse in AUD is a function of multiple biological, psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial factors. Effective treatment of depressive disorders and cigarette smoking concurrent with AUD-focused interventions may promote better treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers personal reflections on the author's journey with the European Food Law Association (EFLA) and highlights the progress made in food safety, regulation of animal products, and trade with non-European Union countries over the past many years. It mentions the need for harmonized official controls and the opportunities arising from the interaction between food law, artificial intelligence, and well-being.

Proximate composition, minerals, cholesterol, fat soluble vitamins, fatty acids (FA), colour and antioxidant properties of Pecorino d'Abruzzo cheese, manufactured at three different months, were investigated. Protein, calcium (P=0.05) and polyunsaturated FA content was higher in winter samples than in summer, whereas cholesterol and total fat were lower. Summer cheese samples showed a lower content in saturated FA (55.4%, P=0.05) and higher content of monounsaturated FA (38.3%, P=0.05) than winter samples. Colour and FT-IR spectra varied (P=0.05) seasonally. The dairy products supplied a good level of coverage (%) of some nutrients that are daily required according to Italian recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most previous neuroimaging studies of alcohol-induced brain injury and recovery thereof during abstinence from alcohol used a single imaging modality. They have demonstrated widespread microstructural, macrostructural or metabolite abnormalities that were partially reversible with abstinence, with the cigarette smoking potentially modulating these processes. The goals of this study were to evaluate white matter injury and recovery thereof, simultaneously with diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy in the same cohort; and to evaluate the relationships between outcome measures of similar regions. We scanned 16 non-smoking and 20 smoking alcohol-dependent individuals at 1 week of abstinence from alcohol and 22 non-smoking light drinkers using a 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner. Ten non-smoking alcohol-dependent individuals and 11 smoking alcohol-dependent individuals were re-scanned at 1 month of abstinence. All regional diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic outcome measures were calculated over comparable volumes of frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital white matter. At 1 week of abstinence and relative to non-smoking light drinkers, non-smoking alcohol-dependent individuals had higher mean diffusivity in frontal, temporal and parietal white matter (all P<0.008), whereas smoking alcohol-dependent individuals had elevated mean diffusivity only in frontal white matter (P=0.03). Smoking alcohol-dependent individuals demonstrated lower concentrations of N-acetyl-aspartate (a marker of neuronal viability) in frontal white matter (P=0.03), whereas non-smoking alcohol-dependent individuals had lower N-acetyl-aspartate in parietal white matter (P=0.05). These abnormalities were not accompanied by detectable white matter atrophy. However, the patterns of white matter recovery were different between non-smoking alcohol-dependent individuals and smoking alcohol-dependent individuals. In non-smoking alcohol-dependent individuals, the increase in fractional anisotropy of temporal white matter (P=0.003) was accompanied by a pattern of decreases mean diffusivity in all regions over 1 month of abstinence; no corresponding changes were observed in smoking alcohol-dependent individuals. In contrast, a pattern of white matter volume increase in frontal and temporal lobes was apparent in smoking alcohol-dependent individuals but not in non-smoking alcohol-dependent individuals. These results were not accompanied by significant changes in metabolite concentrations. Finally, there were no consistent patterns of association between measures obtained with different imaging modalities, either cross-sectionally or longitudinally. These data demonstrate significant white matter improvements with abstinence from alcohol, reflected either as microstructural recovery or volumetric increases that depend on the smoking status of the participants. We believe our results to be important, as they demonstrate that use of a single imaging modality provides an incomplete picture of neurobiological processes associated with alcohol-induced brain injury and recovery thereof that may even lead to improper interpretation of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodegenerative diseases and chronic cigarette smoking are associated with increased cerebral oxidative stress (OxS). Elevated F2-isoprostane levels in biological fluid is a recognized marker of OxS. This study assessed the association of active cigarette smoking with F2-isoprostane in concentrations in cognitively-normal elders (CN), and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). Smoking and non-smoking CN (n = 83), MCI (n = 164), and probable AD (n = 101) were compared on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) iPF2α-III and 8,12, iso-iPF2α-VI F2-isoprostane concentrations. Associations between F2-isoprostane levels and hippocampal volumes were also evaluated. In CN and AD, smokers had higher iPF2α-III concentration; overall, smoking AD showed the highest iPF2α-III concentration across groups. Smoking and non-smoking MCI did not differ on iPF2α-III concentration. No group differences were apparent on 8,12, iso-iPF2α-VI concentration, but across AD, higher 8,12, iso-iPF2α-VI level was related to smaller left and total hippocampal volumes. Results indicate that active cigarette smoking in CN and probable AD is associated with increased central nervous system OxS. Further investigation of factors mediating/moderating the absence of smoking effects on CSF F2-isoprostane levels in MCI is warranted. In AD, increasing magnitude of OxS appeared to be related to smaller hippocampal volume. This study contributes additional novel information to the mounting body of evidence that cigarette smoking is associated with adverse effects on the human central nervous system across the lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to characterize grains and derivatives of Solina, an Italian traditional winter soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Total polyphenol content and antioxidant properties were investigated in grains, whole flours and bread, both in aqueous-organic extracts and residues. Results showed the important contribution of hydrolysable polyphenols, isolated in the residue of the aqueous-organic extract, to antioxidant properties (over 90% in grains and derivatives), and the key role played by milling and baking in antioxidant properties. Moreover, the analysis of potentially bioactive antioxidants remaining in the residues showed to be required for a comprehensive determination of antioxidant capacity in cereals. The study highlights that Solina represents a valuable Italian traditional wheat cultivar with proved antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cigarette smoking is associated with metabolite abnormalities in anterior brain regions, but it is unclear if these abnormalities are apparent in other regions. Additionally, relationships between regional brain metabolite levels and measures of decision making, risk taking, and impulsivity in smokers and nonsmokers have not been investigated. Methods In young to middle-aged (predominately male) nonsmokers ( n = 30) and smokers ( n = 35), N -acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds, creatine-containing compounds (Cr), myo -inositol (mI), and glutamate (Glu) levels in the anterior cingulate cortex and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were compared via 4-tesla proton single volume magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Groups also were compared on NAA, choline-containing compounds, Cr, and mI concentrations in the gray matter and white matter of the four cerebral lobes and subcortical nuclei/regions with 1.5-tesla proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Associations of regional metabolite levels with neurocognitive, decision-making, risk-taking, and self-reported impulsivity measures were examined. Results Smokers showed lower DLPFC NAA, Cr, mI and Glu concentrations and lower lenticular nuclei NAA level; smokers also demonstrated greater age-related decreases of DLPFC NAA and anterior cingulate cortex and DLPFC Glu levels. Smokers exhibited poorer decision making and greater impulsivity. Across the sample, higher NAA and Glu in the DLPFC and NAA concentrations in multiple lobar gray matter and white matter regions and subcortical nuclei were associated with better neurocognition and lower impulsivity. Conclusions This study provides additional novel evidence that chronic smoking in young and middle-aged individuals is associated with significant age-related neurobiological abnormalities in anterior frontal regions implicated in the development and maintenance of addictive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The goal of this study was to determine if smoking history moderated the associations of age and APOE genotype (the most robust risk factors for AD) on brain amyloid deposition, glucose metabolism, and neurocognition in cognitively-normal elders.Methods: Participants (n = 264) were grouped according to their APOE ε4 carrier status (ε4 carrier: APOE4+; non-ε4 carrier: APOE4-) and smoking status (smokers: at least 1 year of smoking during lifetime; never-smokers: no history of smoking). Approximately 89% of the smoking sample was former-smokers. We specifically tested for interactions of smoking status with APOE ε4 carrier status and age on measures of cortical amyloid deposition, glucose metabolism, and neurocognition.Results: (1) smoking status interacted with APOE ε4 carrier status, where smoker APOE4+ showed lower glucose metabolism and poorer auditory-verbal learning and memory than never-smoking APOE4-, never-smoking APOE4+, and smoking APOE4-; (2) smoking status interacted with age on measures of semantic fluency, processing speed/set-shifting and global neurocognition; smokers, irrespective of APOE ε4 carrier status, demonstrated poorer performance with increasing age than never-smokers; and (3) smoking APOE4+ and never-smoking APOE4+ showed greater cortical amyloid deposition than never-smoking APOE4- and smoking APOE4-.Conclusions: The findings indicate consideration of smoking history is essential to both better understand the factors associated with neurobiological and neurocognitive abnormalities in elders, and the risk for development of AD-related neuropathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trajectory of regional volume changes during the first year of sustained abstinence in those recovering from an alcohol use disorder is unclear because previous research typically employed only two assessment points. To better understand the trajectory of regional brain volume recovery in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals ( ALC), regional brain volumes were measured after 1 week, 1 month and 7.5 months of sustained abstinence via magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T. ALC showed significant volume increases in frontal, parietal and occipital gray matter ( GM) and white matter ( WM), total cortical GM and total lobar WM, thalamus and cerebellum, and decreased ventricular volume over 7.5 months of abstinence. Volume increases in regional GM were significantly greater over 1 week to 1 month than from 1 month to 7.5 months of abstinence, indicating a non-linear rate of change in regional GM over 7.5 months. Overall, regional lobar WM showed linear volume increases over 7.5 months. With increasing age, smoking ALC showed lower frontal and total cortical GM volume recovery than non-smoking ALC. Despite significant volume increases, ALC showed smaller GM volumes in all regions, except the frontal cortex, than controls after 7.5 months of abstinence. ALC and controls showed no regional WM volume differences at any assessment point. In non-smoking ALC only, increasing regional GM and WM volumes were related to improving processing speed. Findings may indicate a differential rate of recovery of cell types/cellular components contributing to GM and WM volume during early abstinence, and that GM volume deficits persist after 7.5 months of sustained sobriety in this ALC cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenzyme Q10, a component of the mitochondrial energy metabolism, plays a key role in maintaining the cellular redox state. The aim of this work was to develop a chromatographic method for rapid determination of coenzyme Q10 in cheeses. Samples were subjected to alkaline digestion (70 °C for 40 min) and extracted with hexane/ethyl acetate (9:1 v/ v). Coenzyme Q10 was separated by a Phenomenex Kromasil 5 μm Si 250 × 4.6 mm column and UV/Vis detector (275 nm) and eluted with an isocratic mobile phase (2-propanol 1% in n-hexane, flow rate 1.5 mL.min). The linearity test was described by the equation y = 13786 x − 258.91, with a good correlation ( R = 0.9985). The limit of detection was 0.024 μg.mL, the limit of quantitation was 0.069 μg.mL, and retention time was 3.90 min. The developed HPLC method is simple, rapid and cheap, and allows a reliable quantitation of coenzyme Q10 in cheeses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Brain perfusion is altered in both alcohol dependence and stimulant dependence. Although most substance users also abuse/depend on alcohol concurrently (polysubstance users; PSU), rigorous perfusion research in PSU is limited. Also, the relationships of perfusion abnormalities with cognition, impulsivity, or decision making are not well known. Methods Arterial spin labeling MRI and neuropsychological measures assessed perfusion levels and neurocognition in 20 alcohol-dependent individuals with comorbid-stimulant dependence (PSU), 26 individuals dependent on alcohol only (ALC), and 31 light/non-drinking controls (LD). The patient groups included smokers and non-smokers. Results ALC had lower perfusion than LD in subcortical and cortical brain regions including the brain reward/executive oversight system (BREOS). Contrary to our hypothesis, regional perfusion was generally not lower in PSU than ALC. However, smoking PSU had lower perfusion than smoking ALC in several regions, including BREOS. Lower BREOS perfusion related to greater drinking severity in smoking substance users and to greater smoking severity in smoking ALC. Lower regional perfusion in ALC and PSU correlated with worse performance in different cognitive domains; smoking status affected perfusion–cognition relationships in ALC only. Lower BREOS perfusion in both substance using groups related to higher impulsivity. Conclusion Although regional perfusion was not decreased in PSU as a group, the combination of cigarette smoking and polysubstance use is strongly related to hypoperfusion in important cortical and subcortical regions. As lower perfusion relates to greater smoking severity, worse cognition and higher impulsivity, smoking cessation is warranted for treatment-seeking PSU and ALC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]