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• Studies focused on ethical acceptability of Artificial Social Agents (ASAs) are lacking. • Four ASA scenarios are embedded with the five AI4People ethical principles. • Autonomy and justice raise concerns for ASAs' decision-making and persuasive behaviours. • Explicability raises concerns for ASAs' deceptive use of false memories and emotions. • Values of 268 participants are connected with the prioritization of the five ethical principles. Artificial Social Agents (ASAs), which are AI software driven entities programmed with rules and preferences to act autonomously and socially with humans, are increasingly playing roles in society. As their sophistication grows, humans will share greater amounts of personal information, thoughts, and feelings with ASAs, which has significant ethical implications. We conducted a study to investigate what ethical principles are of relative importance when people engage with ASAs and whether there is a relationship between people's values and the ethical principles they prioritise. The study uses scenarios, embedded with the five AI4People ethical principles (Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Autonomy, Justice, and Explicability), involving ASAs taking on roles traditionally played by humans to understand whether these roles and behaviours (including dialogues) are seen as acceptable or unacceptable. Results from 268 participants reveal the greatest sensitivity to ASA behaviours that relate to Autonomy, Justice, Explicability, and the privacy of their personal data. Models were created using Schwartz's Refined Values as a possible indicator of how stakeholders discern and prioritise the different AI4People ethical principles when interacting with ASAs. Our findings raise issues around the ethical acceptability of ASAs for nudging and changing behaviour due to participants' desire for autonomy and their concerns over deceptive ASA behaviours such as pretending to have memories and emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discharge of treated sewage effluent to rivers can degrade aquatic ecosystem quality, interacting with multiple stressors in the wider catchment. In predominantly rural catchments, the river reach influence of point source effluents is unknown relative to complex background pressures. We examined water column, sediment and biofilm biogeochemical water quality parameters along river transects (200 m upstream to 1 km downstream) during summer at five wastewater treatment works (WWTW) in Scotland. Treated sewage effluent (subset, n = 3) pollutant concentrations varied between sites. Downstream concentration profiles of water and sediment biogeochemical parameters showed complex spatial changes. A hypothesised point source signature of elevated concentrations of pollution immediately downstream of WWTW then a decaying pollution 'plume' did not commonly occur. Instead, elevated soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), ammonium and coliforms (maximum 0.23 mgP/l, 0.33 mgN/l and >2 × 106 MPN/100 ml) occurred immediately downstream of two WWTW, whereas some downstream pollutant concentrations decreased. Microbial substrate respiration responses only differed 1 km downstream. Significantly greater concentrations of sediment metal occurred >500 m downstream, likely due to the redeposition of historic contaminated sediments. Significantly lowered chlorophyll- a downstream of one WWTW coincided with elevated metals, despite water SRP and sediment P increases. Overall, stress caused to microbes and algae by effluent contaminants outweighed the subsidy effect of WWTW nutrients. We observed variable effluent flows to the rivers limited localised pollution downstream of WWTW and overall influence of arable land cover on river water quality. Together, this challenges views of consistently discharging point sources impacting low dilution sensitive rivers in summer contrasting with 'diffuse' sources. Thus, river water column and benthic compartments are altered at varying scales by point source effluents in combination with rural catchment pollution sources, both discrete (e.g. farmyards and septic tanks) and diffuse. [Display omitted] • Process studies of rural wastewater effluent aquatic impacts are limited. • River water, sediment and biofilm longitudinal transects were studied in summer. • Pollutant plume and decay behaviour seldom occurred after effluent inputs. • Metal, nutrient and ecosystem response change profiles were diverse. • Point and diffuse source river impacts seem synergistic but often inseparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological evidence in multiple jurisdictions has shown an association between nitrate exposure in drinking water and an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to review the extent of nitrate contamination in New Zealand drinking water and estimate the health and financial burden of nitrate-attributable CRC. We collated data on nitrate concentrations in drinking water for an estimated 85% of the New Zealand population (∼4 million people) who were on registered supplies. We estimated nitrate levels for the remaining population (∼600,000 people) based on samples from 371 unregistered (private) supplies. We used the effective rate ratio from previous epidemiological studies to estimate CRC cases and deaths attributable to nitrate in drinking water. Three-quarters of New Zealanders are on water supplies with less than 1 mg/L NO 3 -N. The population weighted average for nitrate exposure for people on registered supplies was 0.49 mg/L NO 3 -N with 1.91% (95%CI 0.49, 3.30) of CRC cases attributable to nitrates. This correlates to 49.7 cases per year (95%CI 14.9, 101.5) at a cost of 21.3 million USD (95% 6.4, 43.5 million USD). When combining registered and unregistered supplies, we estimated 3.26% (95%CI 0.84, 5.57) of CRC cases were attributable to nitrates, resulting in 100 cases (95%CI 25.7, 171.3) and 41 deaths (95%CI 10.5, 69.7) at a cost of 43.2 million USD (95%CI 10.9, 73.4). A substantial minority of New Zealanders are exposed to high or unknown levels of nitrates in their drinking water. Given the international epidemiological studies showing an association between cancer and nitrate ingestion from drinking water, this exposure may cause an important burden of preventable CRC cases, deaths, and economic costs. We consider there is sufficient evidence to justify a review of drinking water standards. Protecting public health adds to the strong environmental arguments to improve water management in New Zealand. • Around 800,000 (15%) New Zealanders have water supplies with potentially hazardous nitrate levels. • Nitrate could be attributable to an additional 100 colorectal cancer cases and 40 deaths per year. • The economic burden of nitrate-attributable colorectal cancer could be 43 million USD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • First example of compounds able to reduce Bim expression levels in a mouse embryonic fibroblast model. • Novel analogues have been designed and synthesised to generate a structure-activity relationship profile. • Analogues demonstrate strong reduction of Bim levels at a low micromolar level with low toxicity. Chronic activation of beta-adrenergic receptors by the sympathetic nervous system results in the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Due to the inability of cardiomyocytes to regenerate, this can result in heart failure. Upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim has been implicated as the cause of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Beta blockers are the frontline drug used to negate this apoptotic pathway, as no direct inhibitors of Bim expression currently exist. Unfortunately, treatment of heart failure using beta blockers is not optimal. Therefore, direct inhibition of Bim expression is an attractive strategy to provide protection against stress-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Herein we explore a class of N -benzylsulfonyl-2-phenylazepanes to obtain anti-apoptotic compounds capable of reducing Bim expression levels to 7% of the control at 10 μM in cardiomyocytes under conditions of chronic beta-adrenergic receptor activation with little inhibitory effect upon protein kinase A activity and minimal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Modified electroless deposition of silver onto silica with a lipophilic surface coating. • Poloxamer surfactant temporarily stabilizes lipophilic particles during aqueous synthesis. • Amine-terminated alkanes used as capping agents reduce particle sedimentation by controlling tail architecture. • Capping agent and template concentration control silver shell morphology. • Synthesis can be performed with varying template geometry. The colloidal stability of noble metal nanoparticles can be tuned for solvents of varying hydrophobicity by modifying the surface chemistry of the particles with different capping agent architectures. Challenges arise when attempting to separately control multiple nanoparticle properties due to the interdependence of this adsorption process on the surface chemistry and metal architecture. A surfactant-mediated, templated synthesis strategy should decouple control over size and stability to produce lipophilic nanoparticles from aqueous reagents. A modified electroless plating process that produces oil-dispersible core–shell silver-silica nanoparticles is presented. Amine-terminated alkanes are utilized as the capping agents to generate lipophilic surface coatings and the particles are temporarily stabilized during the synthesis by adding a Pluronic surfactant that enhances dispersibility in the aqueous reaction medium. The evolution of shell morphology, composition, and colloidal stability was analyzed against capping agent architecture and concentration. The role of particle shape was also tested by interchanging the template geometry. The capping agents installed on the silver shell surface displayed both colloidal stability enhancements and a minimum effective capping concentration that is a function of molecular weight without influencing the shell composition. Particle geometry can be controlled by interchanging the silica template size and shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Repulsive interaction of oxidized carbon black reduced agglomeration. • Onset of solidification was shifted to higher particle loadings. • Electronic conductivities of aqueous suspensions were independent of shear intensity. • Lower viscosity, higher conductivity fluid suspensions were formed. • Electrostatic stability does not lead to desired conductive additive performance. The macroscopic properties of carbon black suspensions are primarily determined by the agglomerate microstructure built of primary aggregates. Conferring colloidal stability in aqueous carbon black suspensions should thus have a drastic impact on their viscosity and conductivity. Carbon black was treated with strong acids following a wet oxidation procedure. An analysis of the resulting particle surface chemistry and electrophoretic mobility was performed in evaluating colloidal stability. Changes in suspension microstructure due to oxidation were observed using small-angle X-ray scattering. Utilizing rheo-electric measurements, the evolution of the viscosity and conductivity of the carbon black suspensions as a function of shear rate and carbon content was thoroughly studied. The carboxyl groups installed on the carbon black surface through oxidation increased the surface charge density and enhanced repulsive interactions. Electrostatic stability inhibited the formation of the large-scale agglomerates in favor of the stable primary aggregates in suspension. While shear thinning, suspension conductivities were found to be weakly dependent on the shear intensity regardless of the carbon content. Most importantly, aqueous carbon black suspensions formulated from electrostatically repulsive primary aggregates displayed a smaller rise in conductivity with carbon content compared to those formulated from attractive agglomerates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) and microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) techniques represent emerging trends in soil stabilization. However, the impact of soil density on biomineralization, particularly in historical earthen sites, remains unclear. This study compares the consolidation effects of EICP and MICP on cylindrical samples (10 cm × 5 cm) with three densities (1.5 g/cm3, 1.6 g/cm3, and 1.7 g/cm3) derived from the soil near the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Suoyang Ancient City, Gansu Province, China. Results showed that calcium carbonate production increased across all densities through bio-cementation, with higher densities producing more calcium carbonate. MICP-treated specimens exhibited larger increases in calcium carbonate production compared to those treated with EICP. Specimens with a density of 1.7 g/cm³ showed a wave velocity increase of 3.26% (EICP) and 7.13% (MICP), and an unconfined compressive strength increase of 8% (EICP) and 26% (MICP). These strength increases correlated with the generation of calcium carbonate. The findings suggest that biomineralization can be effectively utilized for in situ consolidation of earthen sites, emphasizing the importance of considering soil density in biologically-based conservation technologies. Furthermore, MICP shows potential advantages over EICP in providing stronger, compatible and more sustainable soil reinforcement. [Display omitted] • Higher initial soil densities lead to greater CaCO 3 production via bio-cementation. • 1.7 g/cm³ specimens show significant increases in wave velocity and strength after treatments. • The reinforcement effects and compatibility of MICP are superior to EICP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On August 5, 2015, the Gold King Mine Spill (GKMS) resulted in 3 million gallons of acid mine drainage spilling into the San Juan River impacting the Diné Bikeyah (traditional homelands of the Navajo people). The Gold King Mine Spill Diné Exposure Project was formed to understand the impacts of the GKMS on the Diné (Navajo). Reporting individualized household results in an exposure study is becoming more common; however, materials are often developed with limited community input with knowledge flowing in one direction - from researcher to participant. In this study we examined the development, dissemination, and evaluation of individualized results materials. In August 2016, Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives (Navajo CHRs) sampled household water, dust, and soil, and resident blood and urine for lead and arsenic, respectively. From May–July 2017, iterative dialogue with a wide range of community partners and a community focus groups guided the development of a culturally-based dissemination process. In August 2017, Navajo CHRs reported individualized results and they surveyed the participants on the report-back process at that time. All of the 63 Diné adults (100%) who participated in the exposure study received their results by a CHR in person and 42 (67%) completed an evaluation. Most of those participants (83%) were satisfied with the result packets. Respondents ranked the individual and overall household results as the most important information they received (69% and 57%, respectively), while information on metals exposures and their health effects were the least helpful. Our project illustrates how a model of environmental health dialogue, defined by iterative, multidirectional communication among Indigenous community members, trusted Indigenous leaders, Indigenous researchers, non-Indigenous researchers, can improve reporting individualized study results. Findings can inform future research to encourage multi-directional environmental health dialogue to craft more culturally responsive and effective dissemination and communication materials. • Our project wove together input from community partners, and Indigenous researchers to deliver report back of research results. • All of the 63 Diné adults who participated in the exposure study received their results by a Community Health Representative. • In order to craft useful and appropriate messaging, report back of research results should begin with a multidirectional dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We present an updated study level meta -analysis of published genetic association studies. • Included studies examined association of IL-10 −1082G/A polymorphism with CAD. • 24 studies, with a sample of 19,135, were included for quantitative synthesis. • Studies were stratified into 'early or severe presentation of CAD' and the rest. • IL10 −1082G/A was significantly associated with 'early or severe presentation of CAD' • Sensitivity analysis revealed consistency in our derived results. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine with potent deactivating properties on macrophages and T cells; and plays an important role in atherosclerotic plaque maturation and rupture. A guanine (G) to adenine (A) substitution in the IL-10 gene at −1082 bp (rs1800896) has been associated with reduced in IL-10 production in vitro. Against this background, we tested the association of IL-10 −1082G/A with early or severe presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD) using a systematic review and updated meta -analysis of published association studies. Relevant studies were identified following a comprehensive online search on PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane library and Web of Science databases and stratified into two subgroups based on mode of CAD presentation: early or severe and non-severe. Study level odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using random effects employing a Z test. A total of 24 studies were included for quantitative synthesis with a cumulative sample of 19,135 (11,143 cases / 7,992 controls). A significant association was derived for IL-10 −1082G/A and early or severe CAD via dominant, recessive, and allelic genetic model comparisons [OR 1.24 (95 % CI 1.02, 1.50), p = 0.03; OR 1.32 (95 % CI 1.03, 1.69), p = 0.03 and OR 1.18 (95 % CI 1.02, 1.36), p = 0.02 respectively]. In contrast, no significant association was seen for the pooled group or non-severe CAD subgroup (p = NS). Sensitivity analysis showed consistent results. IL-10 −1082G/A appears to be associated with early or severe presentation of CAD. Further studies are warranted to confirm this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is abundant epidemiological data indicating that the incidence of severe cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is significantly higher in males than females worldwide. Moreover, genetic variation at the X-chromosome linked TLR7 gene has been associated with COVID-19 severity. It has been suggested that the sex-biased incidence of COVID-19 might be related to the fact that TLR7 escapes X-chromosome inactivation during early embryogenesis in females, thus encoding a doble dose of its gene product compared to males. We analyzed TLR7 expression in two acute phase cohorts of COVID-19 patients that used two different technological platforms, one of them in a multi-tissue context including saliva, nasal, and blood samples, and a third cohort that included different post-infection timepoints of long-COVID-19 patients. We additionally explored methylation patterns of TLR7 using epigenomic data from an independent cohort of COVID-19 patients stratified by severity and sex. In line with genome-wide association studies, we provide supportive evidence indicating that TLR7 has altered CpG methylation patterns and it is consistently downregulated in males compared to females in the most severe cases of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cognitively normal individuals aged 72 - 73 recruited from a UK-based National Birth Cohort with (n = 33) and without carotid atherosclerosis (n = 33) underwent a Stroop color word task with concurrent assessment of functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and hemodynamics. • Carotid atherosclerosis was associated with a decrease in the extent of brain activation as measured by fNIRS in response to the Stroop test. • The differences were observed despite no differences in time required to complete the task or number of errors made, or changes in mean arterial pressure or heart rate. • The results suggest that carotid atherosclerosis is associated with alterations in functional brain activation patterns without impaired Stroop task performance. There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that vascular disease could contribute to cognitive decline and overt dementia. Of particular interest is atherosclerosis, as it is not only associated with dementia, but could be a potential mechanism through which cardiovascular disease directly impacts brain health. In this work, we evaluated the differences in functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based measures of brain activation, task performance, and the change in central hemodynamics (mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR)) during a Stroop color-word task in individuals with atherosclerosis, defined as bilateral carotid plaques (n = 33) and healthy age-matched controls (n = 33). In the healthy control group, the left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) was the only region showing evidence of activation when comparing the incongruous with the nominal Stroop test. A smaller extent of brain activation was observed in the Plaque group compared with the healthy controls (1) globally, as measured by oxygenated hemoglobin (p = 0.036) and (2) in the LPFC (p = 0.02) and left sensorimotor cortices (LMC)(p = 0.008) as measured by deoxygenated hemoglobin. There were no significant differences in HR, MAP, or task performance (both in terms of the time required to complete the task and number of errors made) between Plaque and control groups. These results suggest that carotid atherosclerosis is associated with altered functional brain activation patterns despite no evidence of impaired performance of the Stroop task or central hemodynamic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to develop butter with encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus and hyposodium salt. The viability of the probiotic was evaluated during the storage period and simulated its passage through the gastrointestinal tract, in addition to characterizing the product through physicochemical, technological, and sensory analyses. Encapsulation was performed using the combined technique of extrusion and ionic gelling, with a 10 g/L sodium alginate solution and 0.1 mol L−1 calcium chloride solution. The formulations followed the 22 factorial design, with the variables being the hyposodium salt and the content of added capsules. Two treatments were designed for control, one with no addition and the other with the addition of free activated Lactobacillus acidophilus cells. The formulations were stored at 5 °C and analyzed every 15 days, over 60 days, to assess the viability of the microorganism, through bacterial cell count in MRS agar medium. The tests showed that treatments with the addition of 5 g/100 g and 10 g/100 g of capsules showed greater probiotic viability of the microorganism. On day 60, the butter showed unsatisfactory bacterial counts for probiotics and mold growth. Probiotic butter with hyposodium salt had good sensory acceptance and the potential to be commercialized. • Encapsulation protected probiotic cells in butter during simulated digestion and storage. • Butters with 10% encapsulated L. acidophilus had better results during shelf life. • Probiotic butter maintains its quality and viability for up to 45 days of storage. • Butter is stable under refrigeration (5 °C) and should not be heated above 50 °C. • Probiotic butter with hyposodium salt obtained good sensory acceptance and potential for commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While water is a key resource required to sustain life, freshwater sources and aquifers are being depleted at an alarming rate. As a mitigation strategy, saline water desalination is commonly used to supplement the available water resources beyond direct water supply. This is achieved through effective advanced water purification processes enabled to handle complex matrix of saline wastewater. Membrane technology has been extensively evaluated for water desalination. This includes the use of reverse osmosis (RO) (the most mature membrane technology for desalination), pervaporation (PV), electrodialysis (ED), membrane distillation (MD), and membrane crystallization (MCr). Though nanofiltration (NF) is not mainly applied for desalination purposes, it is included in the reviewed processes because of its ability to reach 90% salt rejection efficiency for water softening. However, its comparison with other technologies is not provided since NF cannot be used for removal of NaCl during desalination. Remarkably, membrane processes remain critically affected by several challenges including membrane fouling. Moreover, capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) are the key factors influencing the establishment of water desalination processes. Therefore, this paper provides a concise and yet comprehensive review of the membrane processes used to desalt saline water. Furthermore, the successes and failures of each process are critically reviewed. Finally, the CAPEX and OPEX of these water desalination processes are reviewed and compared. Based on the findings of this review, MD is relatively comparable to RO in terms of process performance achieving 99% salt rejections. Also, high salt rejections are reported on ED and PV. The operation and maintenance (O&M) costs remain lower in ED. Notably, the small-scale MD OPEX falls below that of RO. However, the large-scale O&M in MD is rarely reported due to its slow industrial growth, thus making RO the most preferred in the current water desalination markets. [Display omitted] • Performance and cost of membrane processes were critically reviewed. • Production of fouling-resistant membranes remains a critical. • Reports indicates high salt rejection in PV, RO, MD and MCr. • Cost of small to medium-scale water desalination is higher in MD compared to RO. • Cost of large-scale water desalination in RO and MD is relatively comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal waste contains high numbers of microorganisms and therefore can present a potential biological threat to human health. During episodic rainfall events resulting in runoff, microorganisms in the waste and soil may migrate into surface runoff, contaminating surface water resources. A probabilistic human exposure (HE) model was created to determine exposure to faecal indicator bacteria (FIB): total coliforms (TC), E. coli and enterococci following application of bio-based fertiliser (dairy cattle slurry, digestate) to grassland; using a combination of experimental field results and literature-based data. This step was followed by a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model for pathogenic E. coli based on a literature-based dose-response model. The results showed that the maximum daily HE (HE daily) is associated with E. coli for unprocessed slurry (treatment T1) on day 1, the worst-case scenario where the simulated mean HE daily was calculated as 2.84 CFU day −1. The results indicate that the overall annual probability of risk (P annual) of illness from E. coli is very low or low based on the WHO safe-limit of P annual as 10 −6. In the worst-case scenario, a moderate risk was estimated with simulated mean P annual as 1.0 × 10 −5. Unpasteurised digestate application showed low risk on day 1 and 2 (1.651 × 10 −6, 1.167 × 10 −6, respectively). Pasteurised digestate showed very low risk in all scenarios. These results support the restriction imposed on applying bio-based fertiliser if there is any rain forecast within 48 h from the application time. This study proposes a future extension of the probabilistic model to include time, intensity, discharge, and distance-dependant dilution factor. The information generated from this model can help policymakers ensure the safety of surface water sources through the quality monitoring of FIB levels in bio-based fertiliser. [Display omitted] • Microbial risk posed by runoff post-application of dairy cattle waste. • Treatment plant inactivation is critical in minimising potential human health risk. • A Probabilistic human exposure and QMRA model was developed. • Only runoff one day post-application of slurry exceeded maximum human exposure. • The overall annual risk of illness due to pathogenic E. coli from animal waste is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]