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The exploitation of petrochemical hydrocarbons is compromising ecosystem and human health and biotechnological research is increasingly focusing on sustainable materials from plants and, to a lesser extent, microalgae. Fatty acid derivatives include, among others, oxylipins, hydroxy fatty acids, diols, alkenones, and wax esters. They can occur as storage lipids or cell wall components and possess, in some cases, striking cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical properties. In addition, long chain (>20) fatty acid derivatives mostly contain highly reduced methylenic carbons and exhibit a combustion enthalpy higher than that of C14–20 fatty acids, being potentially suitable as biofuel candidates. Finally, being the building blocks of cell wall components, some fatty acid derivatives might also be used as starters for the industrial synthesis of different polymers. Within this context, microalgae can be a promising source of fatty acid derivatives and, in contrast with terrestrial plants, do not require arable land neither clean water for their growth. Microalgal mass culturing for the extraction and the exploitation of fatty acid derivatives, along with products that are relevant in nutraceutics (e.g., polyunsaturated fatty acids), might contribute in increasing the viability of microalgal biotechnologies. This review explores fatty acids derivatives from microalgae with applications in the field of renewable energies, biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. Nannochloropsis spp. (Eustigmatophyceae, Heterokontophyta) are particularly interesting for biotechnological applications since they grow at faster rates than many other species and possess hydroxy fatty acids and aliphatic cell wall polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Roads & Bridges / Drogi i Mosty is the property of Road & Bridge Research Institute 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.)

Unusual shorter‐chain alkenones (C35 and C36) were the dominant alkenones (rather than C37 and C38) isolated from commercially grown Tisochrysis lutea microalgae. Structures of the alkenones were determined by analyzing the alkenones and their products following a butenolysis reaction by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a high‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (GC × GC‐TOF HRMS). The major alkenones were identified as (15E,22E)‐heptatriaconta‐15,22‐dien‐2‐one and (16E,23E)‐octatriaconta‐16,23‐dien‐3‐one, similar to one previous finding of abundant shorter‐chain alkenones in a culture of Emiliania huxleyi CCMP2758, yet distinguishing them from C35 and C36 alkenones extracted from Black Sea sediments with different double bond positions. Our data suggest a possible shared trigger (e.g. nutrient stress) that may occur during cultivation resulting in shorter‐chain alkenones from both the aforementioned E. huxleyi and T. lutea. Moreover, for T. lutea, short‐chain alkenone biosynthesis can be accompanied by lower alkenone content but higher amounts of valuable docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These results, therefore, extend beyond alkenones and are important to established and emerging algal oil‐based industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground longwall mining results in both vertical and horizontal ground displacements. Although major studies have been conducted to evaluate vertical displacement component (subsidence), the overall examination of the horizontal displacement of the ground surface has been limited. In this study, investigations were conducted to evaluate the behavior of horizontal ground displacement due to longwall mining. As the magnitude and direction of horizontal ground displacement depend on the surface topography, both flat and rugged terrains were considered in the study. A correlation was developed between horizontal ground displacement and other site and displacement parameters by studying subsidence data of a mined area in the State of Wyoming as well as data collected from other underground mines in other mining regions. Based on the results, in flat grounds, the induced horizontal ground displacements are essentially perpendicular to the subsidence contours with the maximum value typically between 0.20 and 0.35 of the maximum subsidence. An empirical correlation was suggested to determine the horizontal ground displacement using ground subsidence data. For rugged terrains, correlations of the measured horizontal displacements were difficult to find but appear to be related to induced slope instability. Based on these findings, these displacements are directed down slope and have a greater magnitude than the displacements determined in flat terrains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual hallucinations (VH) are commonly found in the course of synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The incidence of VH in these conditions is so high that the absence of VH in the course of the disease should raise questions about the diagnosis. VH may take the form of early and simple phenomena or appear with late and complex presentations that include hallucinatory production and delusions. VH are an unmet treatment need. The review analyzes the past and recent hypotheses that are related to the underlying mechanisms of VH and then discusses their pharmacological modulation. Recent models for VH have been centered on the role played by the decoupling of the default mode network (DMN) when is released from the control of the fronto-parietal and salience networks. According to the proposed model, the process results in the perception of priors that are stored in the unconscious memory and the uncontrolled emergence of intrinsic narrative produced by the DMN. This DMN activity is triggered by the altered functioning of the thalamus and involves the dysregulated activity of the brain neurotransmitters. Historically, dopamine has been indicated as a major driver for the production of VH in synucleinopathies. In that context, nigrostriatal dysfunctions have been associated with the VH onset. The efficacy of antipsychotic compounds in VH treatment has further supported the notion of major involvement of dopamine in the production of the hallucinatory phenomena. However, more recent studies and growing evidence are also pointing toward an important role played by serotonergic and cholinergic dysfunctions. In that respect, in vivo and post-mortem studies have now proved that serotonergic impairment is often an early event in synucleinopathies. The prominent cholinergic impairment in DLB is also well established. Finally, glutamatergic and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic modulations and changes in the overall balance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling are also contributing factors. The review provides an extensive overview of the pharmacology of VH and offers an up to date analysis of treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various composite materials are now used as artificial tissue substitutes, and are defining new frontiers in tissue engineering. In the present study, composite membranes based on silk fibroin (SF) were fabricated to form a synthetic periosteum. The fabricated membranes were physicochemically characterized by their morphology, porosity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, chemical structure, and mechanical properties. Following the addition of polycaprolactone (PCL) to the silk fibers, there was a 3-5-fold increase in the elongation at break compared with the pure silk membranes, and surface wettability was retained. The degradation time of the SF within the membranes was also prolonged by adding PCL. Compared with pure PCL membranes or plastic culture plates, the SF-based membranes significantly enhanced the cellular viability and osteogenic differentiation capability of MC3T3-E1 cells. Higher expression levels of osteogenic differentiation markers (runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteopontin (OP)) further supported the use of the SF component in bone-related applications. A non-rigid internal fixation (non-RIF) fracture model that healed via endochondral bone formation was created, and fracture callus samples were collected to perform micro-computed tomography, histology, and immunohistochemistry analyses at 8 weeks after surgery. A smaller bone volume accompanied by a mineralized bony callus was observed in SF/PCL membrane-treated rats. Immunohistochemistry also indicated that the SF/PCL membrane-treated rats exhibited increased osteocalcin expression but reduced collagen type X expression. These findings could lead to an alternative strategy for treating comminuted fractures with enhanced intramembranous ossification and reduced endochondral ossification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Mining Sciences is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences 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.)

Neurons are the fundamental structural units of the nervous system--i.e., the Neuron Doctrine--as the pioneering work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal in the 1880's clearly demonstrated through careful observation of Golgi-stained neuronal morphologies. However, at that time sample preparation, imaging methods and computational tools were either nonexistent or insufficiently developed to permit the precise mapping of an entire brain with all of its neurons and their connections. Some measure of the "mesoscopic" connectional organization of the mammalian brain has been obtained over the past decade by alignment of sparse subsets of labeled neurons onto a reference atlas or via MRI-based diffusion tensor imaging. Neither method, however, provides data on the complete connectivity of all neurons comprising an individual brain. Fortunately, whole-brain cellular connectomics now appears within reach due to recent advances in whole-brain sample preparation and high-throughput electron microscopy (EM), though substantial obstacles remain with respect to large volume electron microscopic acquisitions and automated neurite reconstructions. This perspective examines the current status and problems associated with generating a mammalian whole-brain cellular connectome and argues that the time is right to launch a concerted connectomic attack on a small mammalian whole-brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Mining Sciences is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences 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.)

Microalgae have expanded their roles as renewable and sustainable feedstocks for biofuel, smart nutrition, biopharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, biosensing, and space technologies. They accumulate valuable biochemical compounds from protein, carbohydrate, and lipid groups, including pigments and carotenoids. Microalgal biomass, which can be adopted for multivalorization under biorefinery settings, allows not only the production of various biofuels but also other value-added biotechnological products. However, state-of-the-art technologies are required to optimize yield, quality, and the economical aspects of both upstream and downstream processes. As such, the need to use microfluidic-based devices for both fundamental research and industrial applications of microalgae, arises due to their microscale sizes and dilute cultures. Microfluidics-based devices are superior to their competitors through their ability to perform multiple functions such as sorting and analyzing small amounts of samples (nanoliter to picoliter) with higher sensitivities. Here, we review emerging applications of microfluidic technologies on microalgal processes in cell sorting, cultivation, harvesting, and applications in biofuels, biosensing, drug delivery, and nutrition., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Copyright of Mineral Resources Management / Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi is the property of Mineral & Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences 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 this paper, we present a theory on the stationary motion of a one-axlerailway vehicle along a circular curve in the presence of single- or double-pointcontact. The rail and the wheel profiles may be either stylized or real andas an example we take the profile combination UIC60 1:40 S1002. The mathematical model of the system is based on De Pater's first-ordertheory [1]. The geometrical contact problem between wheel and rail is solvedby using a modified Newton-Raphson procedure. Both the cases with and withoutfriction are considered. When friction is present, the non-linear Kalker creeplaw [6, 7] is used to describe the physical contact. For various values of the friction coefficient, the cant angle and thecurvature of the track, the contact forces are presented as functions of thevelocity parameter C [sub v] = V [sup 2] / V [sub eq] [sup 2] , where V is the velocity of the vehicleand V [sub eq] is the equilibrium velocity of the frictionlesscase. For the case of stylized profiles in which both the wheel treads and thewheel flanges are conical, and the rail cross sections are circular, we havedetermined the velocity range with single point contact in dependence on thefriction coefficient, the conicity of the tread, the curvature of the trackand the cant angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stool of patients both undergoing and not undergoing antibiotic treatment was examined for aerobic faecal bacterial flora (quality and quantity) in an intensive care unit. The bacterial flora in the stool of patients not undergoing antibiotic treatment was generally normal. In patients undergoing antibiotic treatment the faecal bacterial flora showed changes as a result of the use of the antibiotic. Under cephalosporin treatment alone (cefotaxime, cefazolin) E. coli was still to be found. In patients being treated with a combination of two or three antibiotics the frequency of occurrence of E. coli was markedly reduced. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were however substantially more often detected showing increased resistance. The wider the antibiotic spectrum, the more facultative pathogenic microorganisms in the faeces increase, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can then become an important source for nosocomial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a randomized double-blind trial, 47 children, 2–12 years old, with a verified diagnosis of UTI, were treated for 10 days with co-trimazine 250–500 mg once daily or co-trimoxazole 240–480 mg b.i.d. The children under 6 years were given the lower dose and those over 6 years the higher dose. Co-trimazine cured 16/18 uncomplicated and 3/5 complicated cases, overall cure rate 83%. Co-trimoxazole cured 19/22 uncomplicated and 0/2 complicated cases, overall cure rate 79%. Sulphonamide/TMP resistant bacteria were isolated once in each treatment group at the final control visit. No drug-related side effects were observed with either preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study acute toxicity of Molyhibit 100, a sodium molybdate dehydrate, to pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum), mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia) and American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). The study uses graphic and linear regression to calculate the EC50 of oysters. Results suggests that Molyhibit 100 has less impact on marine environment.

The development of self-twist spinning as a system of forming staple-fibre yarns has been dependent on the use of simultaneously oscillating and rotating rubber-covered rollers for the insertion of alternating twist. Design aspects of the mounting and driving of such rollers are described, and some parameters affecting the way in which they twist staple-fibre strands are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject categories are those in, by Nathan W. Shock published by Stanford University Press, Stanford, California (1951). Only major headings are used and the Roman numerals correspond to those given in the bibliography. In so far as possible, references are classified according to organ systems. Thus, most of the material on Geriatrics will be found under the organ system involved in the disease. Cross references are indicated by number at the end of each section. When available, abstract references are given (B.A.—Biological Abstracts, P.A.—Psychological Abstracts, and . For journals not listed, abbreviations were devised according to the general rules used in the above source. It is impossible to cover all journals and list all papers concerned with aging and the aged. Authors and publishers are requested to call attention to publications or to send reprints to the Gerontology Branch, Baltimore City Hospitals, Baltimore 24, Maryland. The assistance of the Forest Park Foundation, Peoria, Illinois, in the preparation of these materials is gratefully acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Concerns about depleting fossil fuels and global warming effects are pushing our society to search for new renewable sources of energy with the potential to substitute coal, natural gas, and petroleum. In this sense, biomass, the only renewable source of carbon available on Earth, is the perfect replacement for petroleum in producing renewable fuels. The aviation sector is responsible for a significant fraction of greenhouse gas emissions, and two billion barrels of petroleum are being consumed annually to produce the jet fuels required to transport people and goods around the world. Governments are pushing directives to replace fossil fuel-derived jet fuels with those derived from biomass. The present mini review is aimed to summarize the main technologies available today for converting biomass into liquid hydrocarbon fuels with a molecular weight and structure suitable for being used as aviation fuels. Particular emphasis will be placed on those routes involving heterogeneous catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]