Search

Triptycene-based diiron(II) and dizinc(II) mesocates were obtained using a novel rigid ligand with two pyridylbenzimidazole chelating units fused into the triptycene scaffold. Studies on the diiron(II) assembly in solution showed that the complex undergoes thermal-induced one-step spin-crossover with T1/2 at 243 K (Evans method). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a seismic context, it is fundamental to deploy distributed sensor networks for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Indeed, regularly gathering data from a structure/infrastructure gives insight on the structural health status, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can help in exploiting this information to generate early warnings useful for decision-making purposes. With a perspective of developing a remote monitoring platform for the built environment in a seismic context, the authors tested self-sensing concrete beams in loading tests, focusing on the measured electrical impedance. The formed cracks were objectively assessed through a vision-based system. Also, a comparative analysis of AI-based and statistical prediction methods, including Prophet, ARIMA, and SARIMAX, was conducted for predicting electrical impedance. Results show that the real part of electrical impedance is highly correlated with the applied load (Pearson's correlation coefficient > 0.9); hence, the piezoresistive ability of the manufactured specimens has been confirmed. Concerning prediction methods, the superiority of the Prophet model over statistical techniques was demonstrated (Mean Absolute Percentage Error, MAPE < 1.00%). Thus, the exploitation of electrical impedance sensors, vision-based systems, and AI technologies can be significant to enhance SHM and maintenance needs prediction in the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modal analysis is an effective tool in the context of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) since the dynamic characteristics of cement-based structures reflect the structural health status of the material itself. The authors consider increasing level load tests on concrete beams and propose a methodology for damage identification relying on the computation of modal curvatures combined with continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to highlight damage-related changes. Unlike most literature studies, in the present work, no numerical models of the undamaged structure were exploited. Moreover, the authors defined synthetic damage indices depicting the status of a structure. The results show that the I mode shape is the most sensitive to damages; indeed, considering this mode, damages cause a decrease of natural vibration frequency (up to approximately −67%), an increase of loss factor (up to approximately fivefold), and changes in the mode shapes morphology (a cuspid appears). The proposed damage indices are promising, even if the level of damage is not clearly distinguishable, probably because tests were performed after the load removal. Further investigations are needed to scale the methodology to in-field applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterization of a novel film‐forming organic cage and of its smaller analogue are here described. While the small cage produced single crystals suitable for X‐ray diffraction studies, the large one was isolated as a dense film. Due to its remarkable film‐forming properties, this latter cage could be solution processed into transparent thin‐layer films and mechanically stable dense self‐standing membranes of controllable thickness. Thanks to these peculiar features, the membranes were also successfully tested for gas permeation, reporting a behavior similar to that found with stiff glassy polymers such as polymers of intrinsic microporosity or polyimides. Given the growing interest in the development of molecular‐based membranes, for example for separation technologies and functional coatings, the properties of this organic cage were investigated by thorough analysis of their structural, thermal, mechanical and gas transport properties, and by detailed atomistic simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents the outcomes of the international project "Protecting Landscape Heritage: a requalification project as an instrument for the re-birth of Quang Tri Old Citadel in Vietnam", achieved with scientific cooperation between the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Italy) and Hue University of Sciences (Vietnam) funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam. The research focuses on the Quang Tri Citadel, founded in 1809 and now in an advanced state of degradation. Design/methodology/approach: For the purpose of rehabilitation, the wide multidisciplinary project first examined the historical context of the military model, the architectural aspects of the structure, the characterization of the existing materials, the degradation levels of different parts, and, finally, a proposal of the suggested interventions. Findings: The original structure and geometry were extrapolated and studied. Building materials were produced with nearby raw materials. Firing temperatures of bricks ranged from 800 to 1,000 °C, hydraulic lime was supposed the binder of the mortar with a calcination temperature lower than 1,000 °C. Damage assessment was provided and after these analyses a requalification project was proposed so the cultural heritage can play a role for the future in the dialog between different cultures. Originality/value: The requalification project achieved by an integrated analytical approach defines aspects in relation to the restoration of the structures, enabling compliance with the geometry, techniques, building materials used in the original construction and allowing its guardianship and management to align with the historical context of the architectural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel imide/imine‐based organic cages have been prepared and studied as materials for the selective separation of CO2 from N2 and CH4 under vacuum swing adsorption conditions. Gas adsorption on the new compounds showed selectivity for CO2 over N2 and CH4. The cages were also tested as fillers in mixed‐matrix membranes for gas separation. Dense and robust membranes were obtained by loading the cages in either Matrimid® or PEEK‐WC polymers. Improved gas‐transport properties and selectivity for CO2 were achieved compared to the neat polymer membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chiral cage is proposed as an effective chiroptical sensor for perrhenate (surrogate for 99TcO4−) in water, fruit juice and artificial urine media. The key mechanism for the chiroptical sensing resides in the change of dihedral angle of the binaphthyl unit and H-bonds with the guest, resulting in ample changes of the CD signal as a consequence of the binding event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased interest of consumers in probiotic foods requires a deeper knowledge on the possible interactions with drugs, because their pharmacological properties could be modified. In this context, these studies are relevant for drugs such as acenocoumarol, whose dosage must be controlled due to, among other factors, food-drug interactions. Acenocoumarol is an oral anticoagulant with a narrow therapeutic range. The aim of the present research is to evaluate, in vitro , the effect of bifidobacteria on acenocoumarol. The drug was incubated with Bifidobacterium bifidum CIDCA 5310 or Bifidobacterium adolescentis CIDCA 5317 in MRS broth at 37°C for 24 h in anaerobic conditions. The effect of incubation with sterilized spent culture supernatants (SSCS) was also evaluated. Analysis by RP-HPLC showed that both bifidobacterial strains reduced the area of the acenocoumarol peak and two new peaks were evidenced. In addition, a decrease in the intensity of the bands at 1650, 1390 and 1110/cm was observed in the FTIR spectroscopic determinations. Moreover, a new band appeared at 1720/cm. No effect on the drug was observed when incubation was performed with SSCS. The present study showed a significant change in the concentration of the anticoagulant after incubation with bifidobacteria and results are compatible with biomodification of the drug due to enzymatic activity of bifidobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of our study is to evaluate taste changes in patients affected by solid tumors not involving oral cavity within the first month of standard chemotherapy. Methods: In this monocentric, prospective, cohort study, we enrolled patients treated at our institution for different types of solid tumors between February and July 2019. Taste cotton swabs assay was used to assess taste changes. Results: Thirty-one patients were enrolled and most of them had at least one change in taste. The taste that changed less was acid (42% of the population) whereas the one that changed the most was the perception of sweet (reduced in 35% of the population and increased in 45% of the population) and sour (reduced in 35% of the population). We did not find any statistical significant difference in terms of changes of taste and type of chemotherapy (emetogenic vs not, p > 0.05 for salty, sweet, bitter, and acid tastes). The type of primary tumor (breast vs GI-related) had a significant impact on perception of both salty (p = 0.0163) and acid (p = 0.0312) flavor. Furthermore, body mass composition assessed by BIA showed that obese patients had different changes in acid flavor vs non-obese patients (p = 0.04). This could not be proven when the assessment was made using BMI calculation. Conclusions: Our study suggests that type of primary tumor (GI vs breast) more than type of chemotherapy used could be relevant in determining changes in taste during chemotherapy. Individualized dietary strategies based on these reported data are suggested, as to optimize patients' management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Electrically conductive low-cost fillers/fibres can be added to mortars/concretes to manufacture self-sensing structural elements. Structural health monitoring to assess the safety, durability and performance of structures can be performed by non-destructive methods such as the measurement of impedance in self-sensing cement-based elements. Cement-based materials, like mortars and concretes, generally have high electrical resistivity but the addition of carbon-based fillers and fibres decreases their electrical resistivity and thus enhances their self-sensing capabilities. In this study, two waste carbon-based fillers, namely, used foundry sand and gasification char were compared to commercial graphene nanoplatelets and used to produce self-sensing cement mortars, both with and without recycled or virgin carbon fibres. The mortars were tested in terms of their mechanical and electrical properties as well as their propensity to capillary water absorption. The results demonstrate that gasification char alone is the best carbonaceous waste for decreasing the electrical resistivity (−42%) and water absorption (−17%) of mortars, while their compressive strength remains unaltered. Moreover, although there is a slight reduction in compressive strength and an increase in water suction when gasification char is coupled with fibres, the combination of fillers and fibres has a synergistic effect in decreasing mortars' electrical resistivity, especially when recycled carbon fibres are used (−80%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Systematic review of electrical resistivity and impedance measurements methods and applications on cement-based materials. This paper aims at analyzing the state-of-the-art techniques to measure electrical impedance (and, consequently, electrical resistivity) of mortar/concrete elements. Despite the validity of the concept being widely proven in the literature, a clear standard for this measurement is still missing. Different methods are described and discussed, highlighting pros and cons with respect to their performance, reliability, and degree of maturity. Both monitoring and inspection approaches are possible by using electrical resistivity measurements; since electrical resistivity is an important indicator of the health status of mortar/concrete, as it changes whenever phenomena modifying the conductivity of mortar/concrete (e.g., degradation or attacks by external agents) occur, this review aims to serve as a guide for those interested in this type of measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of producing high-volume fly ash (HVFA) recycled aggregate concrete represents an important step towards the development of sustainable building materials. In fact, there is a growing need to reduce the use of non-renewable natural resources and, at the same time, to valorize industrial by-products, such as fly ash, that would otherwise be sent to the landfill. The present experimental work investigates the physical and mechanical properties of concrete by replacing natural aggregates and cement with recycled aggregates and fly ash, respectively. First, the mechanical properties of four different mixtures have been analyzed and compared. Then, the effectiveness of recycled aggregate and fly ash on reducing carbonation and chloride penetration depth has been also evaluated. Finally, the corrosion behavior of the different concrete mixtures, reinforced with either bare or galvanized steel plates, has been evaluated. The results obtained show that high-volume fly ash (HVFA) recycled aggregate concrete can be produced without significative reduction in mechanical properties. Furthermore, the addition of high-volume fly ash and the total replacement of natural aggregates with recycled ones did not modify the corrosion behavior of embedded bare and galvanized steel reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are usually manufactured with highly alkaline solutions. However, alkaline solutions are dangerous for workers who must wear gloves, masks, and glasses when handling them. This issue makes common (or two-part) AAMs not user-friendly and problematic for bulk production if no safety procedures are followed. In this paper, the possibility of manufacturing alkali-activated pastes and mortars without alkaline solution is investigated. These innovative one-part AAMs have been prepared with metakaolin as the aluminosilicate precursor, potassium-rich biomass ash as the alkaline activator, and water. AAMs have been prepared by varying the K/Al molar ratio: pastes have been studied in terms of reaction kinetics, through isothermal calorimetry, and mortars have been tested in terms of mechanical compressive strength. Results show that the K/Al molar ratio governs both the reaction kinetics and the mechanical strength of these innovative materials. The highest compressive strength is obtained when the K/Al ratio is equal to 2.5 and the water/solid ratio is equal to 0.49. If biomass ash is heated at 700 °C to decompose the calcium carbonate, its reactivity and the final compressive strength increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on systems able to perform controllable motions under external stimuli arises great interest in the scientific community. Over the years, a library of innovative devices has been produced, classified in different categories according to the molecular or supramolecular level of motion. This minireview aims to highlight some representative studies, in which organic cages are used as building blocks for mechanically interlocked molecules, and in which intramolecular motions are triggered by external input. However, the application of organic cages in the construction of molecular machines is hardly achieved. A good compromise must actually be reached, between flexibility and rigidity of the cage's framework for an effective control of the intra‐ and/or intermolecular motion in the final mechanical device. Our final goal is to stimulate researchers′ curiosity towards cage‐like molecules, so that they take on the challenge of converting a cage into a molecular machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the development of innovative and multifunctional mortars with low environmental impact for indoor applications acting as passive systems to moderate extremes of humidity and to lower the concentration of pollutants. Mortars are manufactured by keeping constant the water/binder ratio, using sand as reference aggregate, and by replacing the total volume of sand with zeolite. In some mixes the aggregate, is also at 25vol% by wool natural fibers. Regardless lightness, zeolite thanks to its pozzolanic activity, helps to improve the compressive strength of mortars manufactured with wool fibers. In addition, the combination of zeolite and wool increases the hygro-thermal performance of mortars: water vapor resistance factor (22% lower than the reference), moisture buffering value (100% higher than the reference), and thermal conductivity (66% lower than the reference), respectively. Depolluting properties of zeolite-based mortars, in terms of adsorption capacity, are 65% lower than that of reference mortar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the hydration behaviour and the physico-mechanical properties of mortars based on calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements and fly ash-based geopolymers (GEO) as alternatives to ordinary Portland cement. According to the EN 1504-3, mortars were prepared in order to reach three compressive strength classes, namely R1, R2 and R3 (R1 with Rc. 10 MPa, R2 with Rc. 15 MPa and R3 with Rc. 25 MPa). CSA mortars were prepared by using sulfoaluminate cement alone (R3) or in mixture with a limestone filler (R1 and R2); GEO mortars were manufactured by alkali-activation of coal fly ash and calcium aluminate cement with a sodium silicate and potassium hydroxide water solution. The hydration behaviour was evaluated on pastes submitted to differential thermal-thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction analyses. Mortars was analysed through mercury intrusion porosimetry; their mechanical properties were evaluated in terms of compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity. Furthermore, capillary water absorption and drying shrinkage tests were carried out in order to evaluate their durability. Due to the rapid ettringite formation, CSA-based mixtures reached their maximum compressive strength values faster than the corresponding GEO mortars. Results showed that the lower modulus of elasticity of GEO mortars causes the higher drying shrinkage. Moreover, the lower porosity exhibited by GEO mortars was responsible for the lower water capillary absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover Feature: Gas Permeation through Mechanically Resistant Self-Standing Membranes of a Neat Amorphous Organic Cage (Chem. Eur. J. 56/2023) Keywords: gas transport; membranes; molecular materials; organic cages; thin films EN gas transport membranes molecular materials organic cages thin films 1 1 1 10/12/23 20231009 NES 231009 B Gas separation b : A novel organic cage with excellent film-forming tendencies was processed into transparent, mechanically robust, self-standing membranes of controllable thickness. Gas transport, membranes, molecular materials, organic cages, thin films. [Extracted from the article]

The total substitution by volume of natural coarse calcareous aggregate by coarse recycled brick aggregate (RBA) and coarse recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) has been investigated to produce more sustainable and environment-friendly mortars. Aggregates were also partially substituted by their fines at 12.5% by volume. Mortars have been tested in terms of mechanical, microstructural, and durability properties. Results show that it is feasible to replace a natural calcareous aggregate entirely by recycled aggregates. In particular, the obtained mortars, even if more porous and more prone to the water capillary absorption than that manufactured with natural aggregates, result in less stiffness and thus are less subjected to crack formation, more permeable to water vapour, and less susceptible to sulphate attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of La Revista Latinoamericana de Metalurgia y Materiales, RLMM is the property of Universidad Simon Bolivar, Departmento de Ciencia de los Materiales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Europe, the total amount of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) waste is increasing. In order to valorise GRP dust (GRPd) waste and to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources in building materials, GRPd has been already investigated in cementitious materials where it gives even an improvement in some performances of the final products. Valorisation of GRPd waste in the production of bricks can be considered as a further alternative. In this paper, GRPd waste was substituted to the clay volume at 5% and 10% for the manufacturing of fired clay bricks. All specimens were subjected to a firing temperature of 850°C for 6 hours, then tested and compared in terms of porosity, compressive and flexural strengths, density, and water absorption. Despite a decrease in compressive strength up to 46% with 10% of GRPd substitution and an increase of water absorption from 14% to 29% with 5% and 10% of GRPd substitution, respectively, an increase in terms of lightness (about 10%), maximum flexural strength (up to 31%), and deflections at the maximum load (up to 130%) has been registered by specimens with 10% of GRPd substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational Emotive Education (REE) is a psychological educational program offering a preventative psycho-educational curriculum to children in order to teach them emotional literacy skills. REE helps children by teaching them to challenge irrational thinking, to minimize their reactions to disappointment and frustrations, to cope more effectively with problems, and to more fully accept themselves. The efficacy of REE training for children and teachers was examined in a sample of 211 third grade students from nine different classes and 26 teachers. Each class was randomly assigned to one of three different groups, two experimental groups and a control group, each receiving different training. First objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of a REE training based on storytelling in changing children’s irrational beliefs. Second objective of our study was to observe the efficacy of a teachers’ training similar to that applied in REBT-focused school consultation groups in enhancing their self-efficacy. Results show an improved tendency in children to think rationally and an enhanced perception of self-efficacy in teachers for those groups that underwent the training compared to the control group. Our results suggest that REBT based trainings for children and teachers should be integrated into the classroom curriculum in order to prevent mental health problems and encourage positive social and emotional well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Valeria Amendola at the University of Pavia, Mariolino Carta at the University of Swansea, and Johannes C. Jansen at the CNR‐ITM. The image depicts one of the novel imide/imine organic cages that were employed as fillers in mixed‐matrix membranes for the selective separation of CO2 from N2 and CH4. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202201631. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current paper, the effect on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of two commercial acrylic-based paints were compared: one (Paint A) for indoor applications, the other (Paint B) for indoor/outdoor applications. Both were applied on an inert and on a real mortar substrate. The possibility of Paint B to passively improve IAQ was also investigated when adding highly porous adsorbent fillers, both as addition or as total replacement of a conventional siliceous one. The obtained results show that all paints have high capacity to inhibit biological growth. Paint A is more breathable and it has a higher moisture buffering capacity. Paint B negatively modifies the beneficial properties of the mortar substrate for IAQ. However, the use of unconventional fillers, especially as addition to the formulation, allows the recovery of the same properties of the substrate or even the enhancement of about 20% of the ability to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the current test conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malt sprout (MS), a by-product of the malt industry obtained by removing rootlets and sprouts from the seed of germinated barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), was used as culture, dehydration and storage medium of three strains of lactobacilli: Lactobacillus salivarius CM-CIDCA 1231B and CM-CIDCA 1232Y and Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114. The three strains were grown in MS and MS supplemented with 20% w/v fructo-oligosaccharides (MS FOS). Bacterial growth was determined by registering the decrease of pH and by plate counting. Comparable results with those of microorganisms grown in MRS (controls) were observed in terms of lag times, ΔpH and acidification rates. Furthermore, during fermentation, a significant increase of DP6 (FOS with degree of polymerization 6) was observed at expenses of inulin and DP7, probably indicating their hydrolysis. A concomitant decrease of DP3, sucrose and monosaccharides was also observed, as result of their bacterial consumption during growth. The presence of FOS in the fermented media protected microorganisms during freeze-drying and storage, as no decrease of culturability was observed after 60 days at 4 °C (> 10 CFU/mL). Using MS appears as an innovative strategy for the production of lactobacilli at large scale, supporting their use for the elaboration of functional foods containing prebiotics and probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative and multifunctional mortars for renders and panels were manufactured using white photocatalytic and non-photocatalytic cement as binder. Unconventional aggregates, based on lightweight materials with high specific surface and adsorbent properties, were adopted in order to investigate the possible ability to passively improve indoor air quality. The reference mortar was manufactured with traditional calcareous sand. Results show that even if the mechanical properties of mortars with unconventional aggregates generally decrease, they remain acceptable for application as render. The innovative mortars were able to passively improve indoor air quality in terms of transpirability (70% higher), moisture buffering ability (65% higher) and depolluting capacity (up to 75% higher) compared to traditional ones under the current test conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects adapt commonly to seasonally changing habitats and reproductive contexts. Individuals that mature at different times during the year can show patterns of life cycle or morphological variation, possibly associated with changes in reproductive behaviour. Concerning mating strategies of flying insects, wing morphology may be related both to the outcome of male-male contests and to the ability in acquiring females. Therefore, different mating strategies (territorial vs. non-territorial) may have different flight morphology optima that increase fitness in their context. Males of Calopteryx splendens are mainly territorial early in the season, but with the advancing season and with increasing competition, more and more males adopt a non-territorial pursuing strategy. Given that different mating tactics have different wing morphologies, here we test whether the wing shape of males shifts from a 'territorial' to a 'non-territorial morphology' during the season. So, early in the season males show highly sexually dimorphic wings, which allow for high manoeuvrability and larger spots, while late in the season wing shapes of males become less sexually dimorphic and more suitable when pursuing females. Additionally, we studied the seasonal variation of other flight related traits, specifically wing lengths, abdomen length and weight. We found that these latter traits decreased along the season in both sexes without altering sexual dimorphism. However, wing shape, which resulted sexually dimorphic, showed a seasonal variation, decreasing the level of sexual dimorphism. The most probable determinant of this change is phenotypic plasticity triggered by environmental cues, but other explications of the observed pattern are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dimorphism is common in animals and derives from two mechanisms: sexual selection and sexual niche divergence. These mechanisms may work together as determinants of wing shape in pigmented wings of Odonata. On the one hand, sexual selection by females tends to enlarge the wing areas of males that host pigments; on the other hand, sex-specific flight behaviours, due to differential niche selection, may promote sexual dimorphism. Both sexes of Sympetrum pedemontanum have ornamented wings with bands, but their function is poorly understood. Therefore, we studied shape and size of wings and wing bands of S. pedemontanum using geometric morphometrics to quantify the extent of sexual dimorphism. We also investigated whether sexual dimorphism in wing shape derives from the effect of sexual selection on wing ornamentation or from sexual niche separation. We found sexual dimorphism in wing shape and in the shapes of the bands, but the absence and misdirection of sexual size dimorphism and wing shape dimorphism of bands do not support the hypothesis that wings and wing bands in S. pedemontanum are subjected to sexual selection. Instead, the pattern of sexual dimorphism in wing shape seems more likely to be caused by sex-specific flight requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-layers are paracrystalline bidimensional arrays of proteins or glycoproteins that overlay the cell surface of several genus and species of bacteria and archaea. As the outermost layer of several genus and species of microorganisms, S-layer proteins (SLP) are in direct contact with bacterial environment and thus may be involved in many of their surface properties, including adherence to various substrates, mucins and eukaryotic cells, aggregation and coaggregation with yeasts and other bacteria. In addition, SLP have been reported to be responsible for the bacterial protection against detrimental environmental conditions and to play an important role in surface recognition or as carriers of virulence factors. In this mini-review, we bring together the latest evidences about functional and mechanical properties of bacterial SLP from two different perspectives: (A) their role on bacterial adherence to different substrates and surfaces, and (B) their role as mechanical barriers in bacterial harmful environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequence capture of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) associated with massively parallel sequencing has become a common source of nuclear data for studies of animal systematics and phylogeography. However, mitochondrial and microsatellite variation are still commonly used in various kinds of molecular studies, and probably will complement genomic data in years to come. Here we show that besides providing abundant genomic data, UCE sequencing is an excellent source of both sequences for microsatellite loci design and complete mitochondrial genomes with high sequencing depth. Identification of dozens of microsatellite loci and assembly of complete mitogenomes is exemplified here using three species of Poospiza warbling finches from southern and southeastern Brazil. This strategy opens exciting opportunities to simultaneously analyze genome-wide nuclear datasets and traditionally used mtDNA and microsatellite markers in non-model amniotes at no additional cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel imide/imine cages have shown promising results in the selective separation of CO SB 2 sb from N SB 2 sb and CH SB 4 sb under vacuum swing adsorption conditions. Keywords: carbon capture; gas separation; mixed-matrix membranes; organic cages; porous materials EN carbon capture gas separation mixed-matrix membranes organic cages porous materials 1 1 1 09/06/22 20220901 NES 220901 B CO SB 2 sb capture and clean energy b production technologies are stirring increasing interest due to the visible effects of global warming on our planet. [Extracted from the article]

Character displacement (CD) is the evolutionary process which leads to the divergence in trait expression of closely related species in regions where species co-occur, compared to allopatric populations. In Europe CD has been investigated in males of Calopteryx splendens and C. virgo and has been related to species recognition. If species recognition is relevant for males, also females should benefit from CD. The most obvious differences between females of these two species are wing profile and colour. We sampled females from allopatric and from sympatric populations with different relative abundances of these species. Wing shape and pigmentation were evaluated for each damselfly. CD was found in wing profile but not in wing transparency. The relative abundance of species significantly affected CD, but with a different pattern in each species. The prediction that wing shape become more different from the allopatric state when the species was relatively rare, but more similar to the allopatric state when the species was common was evident only for C. splendens. Wing shape changes might increase differences in flying patterns making males more effective to discriminate between heterospecific females. So, CD we observed may be the result of a selection directed to reduce interspecific reproductive interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To set-up an experimental and analytical methodology to evaluate the feasibility of developing simple, accurate and quantitative models based on Raman spectroscopy and multivariate analysis for the quantification of metal ions adsorbed to the bacterial surface of Lactobacillus kefir. Methods and Results: One millilitre cultures from two strains of Lact. kefir in the stationary phase were harvested and washed twice with ultra pure water. The bacterial pellets were resuspended into 1 ml solutions of Pb+2, Cd+2 or Ni+2 ranging from 0 to 0·9 mmol l−1. The suspensions were further incubated for 1 h at 30°C at pH 5·5. After centrifugation, the pellets were kept to register the Raman spectra and the supernatants were used for the analytical determination of Pb+2, Cd+2 and Ni+2. Micro-organisms nontreated with metal ions were used as controls. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed over the preprocessed Raman spectra to evaluate whether the clusters obtained could be correlated with the concentration of metal ions attached to the bacterial biomass. After that, partial least squares (PLS) models were calibrated with the aim of quantifying the metal ions adsorbed to the bacterial surface. According to the analytical determinations, the maximum binding capacity of all the metals ( qmax) attained values that are comparable with those observed for other lactic acid bacteria (ca. 0·200 mmol g−1). The spectral analysis revealed that the main functional groups involved in the bacteria/metal interaction are carboxylates, phosphates and polysaccharides. In PCA, the first two principal components explain more than 72% variance of the spectral data set contained in the data structure, allowing a clear discrimination among samples of different concentrations. Based on this information and using as reference the results obtained by analytical methods, PLS prediction models were successfully defined for the quantification of Pb+2, Cd+2 and Ni+2 attached to the bacterial surface. Conclusions: The calibration and validation of methods based on multivariate analysis allowed the definition of models for the quantification of Pb+2, Cd+2 and Ni+2 attached to bacterial surfaces. The high percentages of explained variances in PCA gave a strong support to calibrate the prediction models, depicting very good correlations with the reference method (correlations ∼0·90 in all cases). Significance and Impact of the study: Lactobacillus kefir CIDCA 8348 and JCM 5818 bind Pb+2, Cd+2 and Ni+2 in an efficient way. This fact gives support for their potential use as sequestrants of traces of these metals in products addressed to human and animal consume. The prediction models developed would be useful for the determination of the investigated metal ions in unknown samples giving at the same time, structural information about this interaction. This is certainly the most important contribution of this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prenatal diagnosis of urinomas has long been established with underlying obstructive uropathy generally responsible for urinary extravasation. Because urinoma formation represents a pop-off mechanism in cases of posterior urethral valves, the number of affected males greatly exceeds the number of females. Fetal urinoma has rarely been reported without obstruction and in females it has only been described as a consequence of a complicated amniocentesis. Methods: Three cases of fetal urinoma in female fetuses without any dilatation of the urinary tract are described. Since the fetus remained healthy, they were all conservatively managed. Results: Two urinomas resolved after birth and 1 exhibited significant regression. In the second case, a compressed kidney was visualized with fetal MRI. Renal function was impaired in cases 1 and 3 and absent in case 2 (the kidney was no longer visualized). Conclusions: Fetal urinomas can occur even in the absence of urinary tract obstruction and in a low-pressure system as is found in female fetuses. Fetal MRI may help both visualize the ipsilateral kidney and differentiate the mass from other conditions. In a healthy fetus, fetal urinomas can be conservatively managed, but renal function after birth is often absent or impaired. Whether or not in utero aspiration may be beneficial for the preservation of renal function remains unclear. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a method based on Raman spectroscopy in combination with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) has been developed for the rapid differentiation of heterofermentative related lactobacilli. In a first approach, Lactobacillus kefir strains were discriminated from other species of heterofermentative lactobacilli: Lb. parakefir and Lb. brevis. After this first approach, PCA allowed for a clear differentiation between Lb. parakefir and Lb.brevis. For the first level of discrimination, PCA was performed on the whole spectra and also on delimited regions, defined taking into consideration the loading values. The best regions allowing a clear differentiation between Lb. kefir and non-Lb. kefir strains were found to be: the 1700–1500 cm−1, 1500–1185 cm−1 and 1800–400 (whole spectrum) cm−1 Raman ranges. In order to develop a classification rule, PLS-DA was carried out on the mentioned regions. This method permitted the discrimination and classification of the strains under study in two groups: Lb. kefir and non-Lb. kefir. The model was further validated using lactobacilli strains from different culture collections or strains isolated from kefir grains previously identified using molecular methods. The second approach based on PCA was also performed on the whole spectra and on delimited regions, being the regions 1700–1500 cm−1, 1500–1185 cm−1 and 1185–1020 cm−1, i.e., those allowing the clearest discrimination between Lb. parakefir and Lb. brevis. The results obtained in this work, allowed a clear discrimination within heterofermentative lactobacilli strains, proteins being the biological structures most determinant for this discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of light (1,000 × 100,000 lx) on the inactivation of S. aureus and V. parahaemolyticus has been assessed under different concentrations of dissolved biodegradable organic compound (BOC) at pH 7.0. First, a gradual decrease in the number of cultivable cells was observed. Secondly, a cell reactivation was observed and it was marked in the absence of BOC. In the absence of BOC, the lowest value of cell inhibition rate (CIR) during the first 3 h was 0.138 h-1 for S. aureus and 0.218 h-1 for V. parahaemolyticus. In the presence of 10,100 and 1,000 mg/l of BOC, it was 0.196 h-1, 0.243 h-1 and 0.257 h-1 for S. aureus respectively, and 0.285 h-1, 0.306 h-1 and 0.409 h-1 for V. parahaemolyticus respectively. The CIRs values of each bacterial species significantly varied (P , 0.001) with the changes in BOC concentration. In most cases, no significant difference was noted in the CIRs of both species when they were under the same light intensity and BOC. Nevertheless, it seems important to consider the impact of dissolved BOC during the treatment of bacterial polluted water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Oligohydramnios (OA) is nowadays regarded as one of the best markers of renal function (RF) impairment in bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) detected in utero. As such, its onset is usually early and progressive because of decline in fetal urine production. A series of acute OA complicating pregnancies with BOO has never been reported. Methods: Over a 7-year period, 5 fetuses with in utero suspicion of BOO exhibited an abrupt decrease of amniotic fluid after the 30th week of gestation. Results: All fetuses were delivered by cesarean section: diagnosis was posterior urethral valves in 3 cases, urethral atresia in 1, and prune-belly syndrome in 1. Urologic work-up demonstrated a unilateral vesicoureteral reflux dysplasia (VURD syndrome) in all 5 fetuses. RF at 1 year was normal in 4 fetuses and impaired in 1. Conclusions: Besides obstetrical reasons, OA may also have acute onset occurring in the presence of anomalies of the urinary tract; although diagnosis is almost always BOO, functional and anatomical characteristics of the urinary tract are those of VURD syndrome with a non-functioning, refluxing renal unit. The associated acute OA/VURD syndrome may represent a milder expression of a pop-off mechanism advocated in this syndrome with a more favorable prognosis than progressive OA detected early in pregnancy. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare procedure-related pregnancy loss after second-trimester genetic amniocentesis in women given an antibiotic prophylaxis and controls. Methods Prospective, open randomised controlled single-centre study between January 1999 and December 2005 at Artemisia Fetal Maternal Medical Centre. A follow-up within 4 weeks after the procedure was done. Of 36 347 eligible women, 1424 refused to participate and 34 923 were enrolled and randomised with unequal chance of selection, 21 991 were assigned to treatment group and 12 932 were assigned to the control group, and did not receive any placebo. Oral azithromycin, 500 mg per day, was administered 3 days before amniocentesis. The primary endpoint was the procedure-related pregnancy loss. The secondary endpoint was the rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes. Results The rate of abortion related to the amniocentesis was 7/21 219 women (0.03%, 95% CI 0.009-0.057) in the intervention group, and 36/12 529 (0.28%, 0.28-0.30) in controls ( p = 0.0019). The rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes was 14/21 219 (0.06%, 0.031-0.101) in the intervention group, and 140/12 529 (1.12%, 0.94-1.30) in the control group ( p = 0.001). Conclusions Antibiotic prophylaxis before second-trimester amniocentesis reduced the risk of abortion and of rupture of the membranes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Since the presence of S-layer protein conditioned the autoaggregation capacity of some strains of Lactobacillus kefir, S-layer proteins from aggregating and non-aggregating L. kefir strains were characterized by immunochemical reactivity, MALDI-TOF spectrometry and glycosylation analysis. Two anti-S-layer monoclonal antibodies (Mab5F8 and Mab1F8) were produced; in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Mab1F8 recognized S-layer proteins from all L. kefir tested while Mab5F8 recognized only S-layer proteins from aggregating strains. Periodic Acid-Schiff staining of proteins after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions revealed that all L. kefir S-layer proteins tested were glycosylated. Growth of bacteria in the presence of the N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin suggested the presence of glycosydic chains O-linked to the protein backbone. MALDI-TOF peptide map fingerprint for S-layer proteins from 12 L. kefir strains showed very similar patterns for the aggregating strains, different from those for the non-aggregating ones. No positive match with other protein spectra in MSDB Database was found. Our results revealed a high heterogeneity among S-layer proteins from different L. kefir strains but also suggested a correlation between the structure of these S-layer glycoproteins and the aggregation properties of whole bacterial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to evaluate the effect of carbon-based conductive recycled additions, i.e., recycled carbon fibres (RCF) and gasification char (GCH), on the mechanical, electrical, and durability properties of concretes. The obtained results show that the compressive strength of concrete is not affected by conductive additions, whereas electrical impedance, measured according to Wenner's method, is significantly reduced (6%, 30% and 74% with RCF, GCH, and their combination, respectively) to the advantage of self-sensing properties. As durability is concerned, conductive additions slightly increase capillary water absorption, whereas they decrease chloride ingress through diffusion and do not significantly modify carbonation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erbium doping (0.1, 0.15, 0.20 at % Er) markedly increases the photosensitivity and photoluminescence (PL) intensity of GaS crystals. Most likely, erbium substitutes on the gallium site. Irradiation with low gamma doses increases the photosensitivity and PL intensity of the crystals, broadens their PL spectrum, and shifts the PL peaks to longer wavelengths. It seems likely that the radiation-induced recombination centers consist of gallium vacancies and erbium atoms. The concentration of such defect complexes depends on the gamma dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma irradiation of p-GaS at 300 K has been shown to produce both donors and acceptors. Their effect on the electrical properties of p-GaS depends on the gamma dose and the defect system in the unirradiated material. Low gamma doses (30–50 krad) reduce the hole concentration, which is due to the compensation of native acceptors by radiation-induced donors (sulfur interstitials). Studies of defect annealing in gamma-irradiated p-GaS at temperatures from 300 to 600 K indicate that this process occurs in three steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]