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Rotor blade geometry (linear and screw) was experimentally identified for particle size characteristics and specific energy demand for knife-milled beech chips (7.8 wt % moisture content). The operational conditions of peripheral speed (6.8–20.4 m s−1) and screen sieve openings (0.75–6 mm) were considered for the knife milling of beech chips. The Rossin-Rammler-Sperling-Bennet model precisely described particle size distribution of comminuted beech chips with its parameters depending on screen sieve, rotor speed and blade geometry in a linear relationship. This relationship allowed the development and calibration of a unique empirical linear model. The model predicted particle size under the conditions considered for each blade geometry with accuracy. Energy demand values between 6.97 and 101.6 kW h t−1 were identified for D 50 particle sizes between 0.29 and 2.60 mm. Energy demand was independent of the rotor blade geometry, and it was mainly affected by particle size characteristics, even though speed was also impactful. The linear model obtained allowed the prediction of energy requirements using speed and final particle size with an R2 value of 0.97. [Display omitted] • Particle size is affected by screen sieve, rotor blade geometry and its revolutions. • The lower the blade peripheral speed the greater the difference in particle size. • Larger screen sieve sizes and lower rotor speeds produce bigger particle size. • Size reduction factor dominates the energy requirement for biomass comminution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel C 1 + C 1 coupling mechanism was proposed, where the hydrogenation of CH 2 CH is the key step in the entire chemical process. • The surface diffusion of CH and CHCH significantly reduces the effective energy barrier of CH 2 CH 2 formation by 0.79 eV, which facilitates the chain initiation on the studied iron carbide surface. • The CH species, instead of the less stable CH 2 , are good reactive intermediates for further chain propagation on the surface χ‑Fe 5 C 2 (5 1 0). • A relationship between the surface charge of Fe atoms and the effective energy barrier for the formation of CH 4 and CH 2 CH 2 was established, which could guide the design of Fe-based catalysts for light olefins production. While iron carbide catalysts are widely used to produce diverse hydrocarbons during Fisher-Tropsch synthesis, the complexity of the catalyst and reaction makes it very challenging to obtain a deep understanding of the chemical process and to further improve the performance. In this work, we propose a novel mechanism through density functional theory simulations for CO-derived surface C hydrogenation to C 2 H 4 involving previously unexplored surface diffusion of partially hydrogenated intermediates (CH, CHCH), which significantly reduces the effective energy barrier (E a-eff) of CH 2 CH 2 from 2.89 eV to 2.10 eV. The hydrogenation of CH 2 CH to C 2 H 4 is the key step of the entire process. Studies on the correlation between the average Bader charge of surface Fe and the E a-eff of CH 4 and CH 2 CH 2 formation indicate that an increase in the positive charge of iron can enhance the activity and selectivity (with reference to CH 4) of ethylene formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we give an improved bound for mixed exponential sums associated to good cyclic codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Aspredinidae is a moderately diverse and broadly distributed group of freshwater fishes endemic to South America. Commonly known as Banjo Catfishes, Aspredinidae currently includes 44 valid species divided among 13 genera. The first species-comprehensive hypothesis on phylogenetic relationships among aspredinids is presented. The phylogeny is based on DNA sequence data for five gene fragments (mitochondrial 16S and COI; nuclear RAG1, MYH6 and SH3PX3) from 114 individuals representing 31 species in 12 aspredinid genera. Analyses of molecular data support the monophyly of most genera ( Bunocephalus excepted) and several higher-level relationships previously proposed by morphological studies. Based on the molecular phylogeny, a new suprageneric classification for Aspredinidae is proposed with the new monotypic subfamily Pseudobunocephalinae as the sister taxon to all other aspredinids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess sex differences and weight status differences in disordered eating behaviors (DEB) and food addiction (FA) along with their co-occurrence among college students. Self-reported demographic and weight information, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), and Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) were collected from 965 college students. Participants included 703 (72.8%) female, 720 (74.8%) white, and ranged in age from 18 to 25 years old. Female college students had a significantly higher prevalence of DEB (11.6% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.007, odds ratio (OR) = 2.19) and higher prevalence of FA (12.3% vs. 4.6%, p < 0.0001, OR = 3.04) than male students. The co-occurrence was also significantly higher in female students than in male students (5.4% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.022, OR = 3.03). Male and female obese participants versus healthy weight participants had higher prevalence of DEB (15.1% vs.8.6%, p = 0.047, OR = 1.91) and FA (19.4% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.002, OR = 2.51). Higher prevalence of DEB was positively associated with FA regardless of sex and weight status. The findings indicate higher prevalence of disordered eating in female college students than male students and add to the research on sex differences in food addiction. The co-occurrence of both and association between high prevalence of DEB and FA warrant additional research on the incidence as well as factors that contribute to sex differences. Understanding sex differences and comorbidity regarding DEB and FA is critical for the prevention and treatment of eating related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Mediterranean arid region such as Southeast (SE) Spain, a considerable part of the fluvial network runs permanently dry. Here, many dry watercourses are embedded in catchments where agriculture has brought changes in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability due to native riparian vegetation removal and the establishment of intensive agriculture. Despite their increasing scientific recognition and vulnerability, our knowledge about dry riverbeds biogeochemistry and environmental drivers is still limited, moreover for developing proper management plans at the whole catchment scale. We examined CO 2 and N 2 O emissions in five riverbeds in SE Spain of variable agricultural impact under dry and simulated rewetted conditions. Sediment denitrifying capacity upon rewetting was also assessed. We found that, regardless of agricultural impact, all riverbeds can emit CO 2 under dry and wet conditions. Emissions of N 2 O were only observed in our study when a long-term rewetting driving saturated sediments was conducted. Besides, most biogeochemical capabilities were enhanced in summer, reflecting the sensitiveness of microbial activity to temperature. Biogeochemical processing variation across rivers appeared to be more controlled by availability of sediment organic C, rather than by agriculturally derived nitrate. We found that the studied dry riverbeds, agriculturally affected or not, may be active sources of CO 2 and contribute to transitory N 2 O emissions during rewetting phenomena, potentially through denitrification. We propose that management plans aiming to support ecosystem biogeochemistry through organic C from native vegetation rather than agricultural exudates would help to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions and excess of nutrients in the watershed and to control the nitrate inputs to coastal ecosystems. • Dry watercourses are potential sources of CO 2 despite a lack of surface flow. • Dry watercourses could act as transitory N 2 O sources after rainfall events. • Biogeochemical processes leading to CO 2 and N 2 O emissions were enhanced in summer. • Organic C availability and % of agricultural land use were not correlated. • Organic C enhanced biogeochemical processes regardless C source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The broadband noise generated by the scattering of turbulent flow at the trailing edge of a NACA 0018 airfoil with trailing edge serrations is investigated, varying both the airfoil angle of attack and serration flap angle. Acoustic emissions from the trailing edge are measured using a microphone array. The noise level is observed to be higher than that of the airfoil without serrations at frequencies beyond a crossover value. The latter is found to scale with a characteristic Strouhal number based upon the boundary layer thickness and the freestream velocity. A satisfactory collapse of the results under varying angles of attack and freestream velocities is observed. The modifications of the hydrodynamic behavior and the noise increase are linked by high-speed observations conducted with particle image velocimetry. An increase in the energy of turbulent fluctuations is also observed at the expected crossover frequency. The dominant cause of the increased noise is thereby identified at the pressure side edge of the serrations at a given flap angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a self-report instrument, previously shown to differentiate patients with epileptic seizures (ES) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). At present, the odds of MMPI-2-RF scale elevations in PNES patients, as well as the diagnostic predictive value of such scale elevations, remain largely unexplored. This can be of clinical utility, particularly when a diagnosis is uncertain. Method After looking at mean group differences, we applied contingency table derived odds ratios to a sample of ES ( n = 92) and PNES ( n = 77) patients from a video EEG (vEEG) monitoring unit. We also looked at the positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), as well as the false discovery rate (FDR) and false omission rate (FOR) for scales found to have increased odds of elevation in PNES patients. This was completed for the overall sample, as well as the sample stratified by sex. Results The odds of elevations related to somatic concerns, negative mood, and suicidal ideation in the PNES sample ranged from 2 to 5 times more likely. Female PNES patients had 3–6 times greater odds of such scale elevations, while male PNES patients had odds of 5–15 times more likely. PPV rates ranged from 53.66% to 84.62%, while NPV rates ranged from 47.52% to 90.91%. FDR across scales ranged from 15.38% to 50%, while the FOR ranged from 9.09% to 52.47%. Conclusions Consistent with prior research, PNES patients have greater odds of MMPI-2-RF scale elevations, particularly related to somatic concerns and mood disturbance. Female PNES patients endorsed greater emotional distress, including endorsement of suicide related items. Elevations of these scales could aid in differentiating PNES from ES patients, although caution is warranted due to the possibility of both false positives and the incorrect omissions of PNES cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate emergency requires urgent actions to reduce carbon emissions. In this paper we calculate the countries' carbon upstreamness and evaluate its linkage to the presence of foreign MNE affiliates, by using a multiregional input–output model with firm heterogeneity. We find a mismatch between carbon upstreamness, emissions reduction targets and income per capita between countries. OECD countries, which are located in the final stages of carbon production, have lower carbon intensity than the world average and have committed strongly to reducing their total emissions. On the contrary, non-OECD countries, which are located mainly in the initial stages of carbon production, maintain higher carbon intensity than the world average and they are less ambitiously committed, as they have lower per capita income. In that context, multinational enterprises (MNEs) could play a key role in supporting the fulfilment of emission reduction targets in host countries, so we propose a simulation to evaluate this role. Specifically, if the MNE affiliates adopt the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) set by the controlling country regardless of where they are located, the emissions of MNEs would be reduced by 15.6% (395,864 KtCO 2), 4% more than they would be reduced under current emission reduction targets in 2016. However, if MNEs apply the more ambitious INDC, regardless of origin or destination, the emissions would be reduced by 18% (455,910 KtCO 2), 7% more than scenario 1 and 1.7% of global emissions in 2016. • Countries' position in global carbon chains is influenced by foreign MNE affiliates. • OECD/non-OECD countries differ in their emissions by global value chains position. • Three scenarios show how could MNEs help reduce emissions in hosting countries. • The mitigation cost has a regressive character in lower-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) is fundamental to promote circular economy and sustainability. Unsorted waste involves negative environmental impacts which often are ignored in economic feasibility studies due to its difficult valuation. In this study the shadow price of unsorted waste using the directional distance function was estimated. This methodological approach also allowed us to compute eco-efficiency scores of a set of municipalities in the provision of MSW services. The empirical application focused on a sample of 119 Chilean municipalities. The results showed that the average shadow price of unsorted waste was 297.66 €/ton which means that the environmental cost of left waste as unsorted was 297.66 € per ton. A regression tree model illustrated that population density, tourism intensity and the generation of waste per capita significantly influenced the shadow price of unsorted waste. Moreover, it was illustrated that Chilean municipalities were very inefficient in the management of MSW since the average eco-efficiency score was 0.272. The findings from this study reveal that additional and alternative policies should be adopted to improve the management of MSW and increase its recycling rate. • The average shadow price of unsorted waste is 297.66 €/ton. • The average eco-efficiency score of municipalities in recycling waste is 0.272 • The environmental cost of left waste as unsorted is 297.66 € per ton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pairs of ionic liquids with the chloride or acetate anion as common ion and with largely different cations (namely a 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation and either methyltrioctylammonium or trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium) were selected to investigate their mutual miscibility. Most of the pairs investigated were found to give rise to biphasic, non-volatile, totally liquid systems over wide temperature and composition ranges. An accurate determination of the liquid-liquid equilibria was carried out as a function of temperature, finding LCST-like behaviours for the systems with the phosphonium cation, and hourglass-shaped liquid-liquid domains for the systems with the ammonium cation. Enthalpies and entropies of mixing, calculated from the liquid-liquid equilibrium values, revealed that the first type of liquid-liquid equilibria was entropically driven, whereas for the second type a transition from enthalpically to entropically driven occurred with an increase in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although species from the genus Thunnus include some of the most commercially important and most severely overexploited fishes, the phylogeny of this genus is still unresolved, hampering evolutionary and traceability studies that could help improve conservation and management strategies for these species. Previous attempts based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers were unsuccessful in inferring a congruent and reliable phylogeny, probably due to mitochondrial introgression events and lack of enough phylogenetically informative markers. Here we infer the first genome-wide nuclear marker-based phylogeny of tunas using restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) data. Our results, derived from phylogenomic inferences obtained from 128 nucleotide matrices constructed using alternative data assembly procedures, support a single Thunnus evolutionary history that challenges previous assumptions based on morphological and molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermodynamically consistent (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data at 101.32 kPa have been determined for (diisopropyl ether + isopropyl alcohol + water) and its constituents (diisopropyl ether + isopropyl alcohol) and (isopropyl alcohol + water). The NRTL and UNIQUAC equations for the liquid phase activity coefficients were found to correlate better the experimental data. The ASOG and the original and modified UNIFAC group-contribution methods did not represent adequately the (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data of this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Offspring of many animals develop in environments in which they are exposed to high densities of potentially harmful bacteria. For example, larvae of the carrion beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides face significant challenges from the bacteria they encounter during their development on decomposing vertebrate carcasses. We tested the idea that larvae secrete antimicrobial compounds during development to defend themselves against microbial exposure. We first showed that larval secretion of active antimicrobials peaked during the early stages of development. As has been found previously for parental secretions, larval secretions were active against Gram-positive but not Gram-negative bacteria, indicating that they might be based on lysozyme-like compounds. Finally, consistent with this antibacterial activity, we showed that larval survival declined significantly when challenged with lysozyme-resistant Staphylococcus aureus but not when challenged with a lysozyme-susceptible strain of the same species. These results demonstrate that Nicrophorus larvae are not simply passive recipients of social immunity derived from their parents, but that they are active participants in its production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Doradidae is a monophyletic catfish family endemic to continental South America, and composed of 93 valid species here placed in 31 genera. Existing phylogenetic hypotheses for Doradidae are derived from comprehensive analyses of morphological data, and a single molecular-based study on a limited subset of taxa. To provide a robust molecular phylogeny commensurate with those based on morphology, we gathered original and published sequence data for 86 species-level taxa (at least 70 valid species plus 16 new or questionably nominal species) and all genera of Doradidae, as well as 10 species (nine genera) of Auchenipteridae and three species and genera of Aspredinidae as outgroups. 3011 base pairs were aligned for two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, and 16S ribosomal RNA) and one nuclear gene (recombination activating gene 1), and analyzed for a total of 143 specimens (130 doradids, 10 auchenipterids and three aspredinids). Tree topologies generated by Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian analyses were largely congruent, and are compared to existing phylogenies based on morphology and molecules. Although many of the relationships supported by our molecular analyses corroborated those based on morphology, others are newly hypothesized or remain in conflict. The monotypic Wertheimeria, Franciscodoras and Kalyptodoras, for example, form a newly proposed clade, and the subfamily Astrodoradinae is placed at the base of the doradid tree. The monotypic Doraops and Centrochir, endemic to Caribbean drainages north and west of the Andes, are sister to Pterodoras and Platydoras, respectively, two genera that are widely distributed in Atlantic drainages. Additional biogeographic implications are discussed for hypothesized relationships among doradids. Molecular evidence strongly supports synonymization of monotypic Merodoras with Amblydoras, and transfer of Amblydoras bolivarensis to genus Scorpiodoras. Furthermore, we consider Opsodoras ternetzi to be more properly placed in the genus Nemadoras. The genus Opsodoras may warrant synonymization with Hemidoras, and the monophyly of genus Ossancora is not supported; however, we refrain from taxonomic decisions regarding those taxa until a broader spectrum of doradids can be submitted to further morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we computed all the 379 118 solutions of the equation in distinct odd natural numbers for . We provide a lower bound for the number of solutions of . Also, we answer similar questions about the equation . Finally, we prove some results concerning optimization of and . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The gram-negative bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a world wide-distributed zoonotic disease that represents a serious problem for animal and human health. There is no human-to-human contagion and, since there is no human vaccine, animal vaccination is essential to control brucellosis. However, current vaccines (all developed empirically) do not provide 100% protection and are infectious in humans. Attempts to generate new vaccines by obtaining mutants lacking the lipopolysaccharide O-polysaccharide, in purine metabolism or in Brucella type IV secretion system have not been successful. Here we propose a new approach to develop brucellosis vaccines based on the concept that Brucella surface molecules evade efficient detection by innate immunity, thus delaying protective Th1 responses and opening a time window to reach sheltered intracellular compartments. We showed recently that a branch of the core oligosaccharide section of Brucella lipopolysaccharide hampers recognition by TLR4-MD2. Mutation of glycosyltransferase WadC, involved in the synthesis of this branch, results in a lipopolysaccharide that, while keeping the O-polysaccharide essential for optimal protection, shows a truncated core, is more efficiently recognized by MD2 and triggers an increased cytokine response. In keeping with this, the wadC mutant is attenuated in dendritic cells and mice. In the mouse model of brucellosis vaccines, the Brucella abortus wadC mutant conferred protection similar to that provided by S19, the best cattle vaccine available. The properties of the wadC mutant provide the proof of concept for this new approach and open the way for more effective brucellosis vaccines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Increasing diversity among H5 hemagglutinin (HA) subtype avian influenza (AI) viruses has resulted in the need of novel sensitive and specific molecular assays. In this study, an SYBR Green-based real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RRT-PCR) assay was developed for the detection of H5 subtype AI virus. Sequence analysis of the Mexican lineage H5N2 isolates (subgroup B) revealed several mismatches in the primer/hydrolysis probe set reported in the commonly used RRT-PCR assay for the detection of H5 North American lineage. The present assay was designed to circumvent the challenge that these viruses represent for the specific detection of H5 subtype AI viruses. This RRT-PCR assay successfully detected a range of different H5 subtype AI strains from both Eurasian and North American lineages representing different avian H5 HA clades from diverse geographical locations. The sensitivity of the present method was determined by using in vitro-transcribed RNA and 10-fold serial dilutions of titrated AI viruses. High sensitivity levels were obtained, with limits of detection of 100 50% egg infectious dose (EID50)/mL and 4.2 gene copies/μl. The linear ranges of the assay span within 106–100 EID50/mL and 106–100 gene copies/μl. The results obtained from this method were directly compared with those of the H5 RRT-PCR assay recommended by the OIE. The comparison was performed with 110 tracheal and cloacal swabs from various bird species collected during field and laboratory investigations in Eurasia and Africa in 2006 and 2008 and showed 100% agreement. This assay is recommended as an alternative method, also allowing a ‘double check’ approach detection, to be use mainly in outbreak scenarios with higher risk of poultry infections by Central American/Caribbean H5 AI viruses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new estimation procedure for a partial linear additive model with censored responses is proposed. To this aim, ideas of Lewbel and Linton [A. Lewbel, O. Linton, Nonparametric censored and truncated regression, Econometrica 70 (2002) 765–779] on censored model regression are combined with those of Kim et al. [W. Kim, O. Linton, N.W. Hengartner, A computationally efficient estimator for additive nonparametric regression with bootstrap confidence intervals, Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics, 8 (1999) 278–297] on marginal integration and those on average derivatives. This allows for dimension reduction, interpretability and — depending on the context — for weights yielding computationally attractive estimates. Asymptotic behavior is provided for all proposed estimators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Emerging evidence supports the ion channel mechanism for Alzheimer''s disease pathophysiology wherein small β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers insert into the cell membrane, forming toxic ion channels and destabilizing the cellular ionic homeostasis. Solid-state NMR-based data of amyloid oligomers in solution indicate that they consist of a double-layered β-sheets where each monomer folds into β-strand–turn–β-strand and the monomers are stacked atop each other. In the membrane, Aβ peptides are proposed to be β-type structures. Experimental structural data available from atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of Aβ oligomers in membranes reveal heterogeneous channel morphologies. Previously, we modeled the channels in a non-tilted organization, parallel with the cross-membrane normal. Here, we modeled a β-barrel-like organization. β-Barrels are common in transmembrane toxin pores, typically consisting of a monomeric chain forming a pore, organized in a single-layered β-sheet with antiparallel β-strands and a right-handed twist. Our explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations of a range of channel sizes and polymorphic turns and comparisons of these with AFM image dimensions support a β-barrel channel organization. Different from the transmembrane β-barrels where the monomers are folded into a circular β-sheet with antiparallel β-strands stabilized by the connecting loops, these Aβ barrels consist of multimeric chains forming double β-sheets with parallel β-strands, where the strands of each monomer are connected by a turn. Although the Aβ barrels adopt the right-handed β-sheet twist, the barrels still break into heterogeneous, loosely attached subunits, in good agreement with AFM images and previous modeling. The subunits appear mobile, allowing unregulated, hence toxic, ion flux. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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

Abstract: Suitability of a pyridinium ionic liquid as a solvent in desulfurization has been analyzed. (Liquid+liquid) equilibria for ternary systems composed by 1-hexyl-3,5-dimethyl pyridinium {bis[trifluoromethylsulfonyl]imide, thiophene, and three hydrocarbons representative of fuel (n-heptane, 2,2,4 trimethylpentane, and toluene) have been determined at T = 298.15K and atmospheric pressure. High solubility of thiophene in the ionic liquid and also of toluene have been found, being this solvent practically immiscible with 2,2,4 trimethylpentane and heptane. Equilibrium data of these systems have been well correlated with UNIQUAC equations finding the highest deviations for the ternary system involving toluene. NRTL model drove to worse results being considered as not suitable model to correlate the experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the effect that the parameters of luminance distribution in fresh food have on our visual perception of its freshness. We took pictures of the degradation over 32h in freshness of a cabbage. We used original images, which were patches of the pictures taken at different sampling hours, and artificially generated pictures, called “matched images,” created by fitting the luminance histogram shape of the original image (taken at the 1st hour) to those at various freshness stages using a luminance histogram-matching algorithm. Nine participants rated the perceived freshness of the original and the matched images on a scale of degradation. As a result, we found that the participants could quantitatively estimate the degradation in freshness of the cabbage simply by looking at the presented images. Some parameters of the luminance histograms monotonically change with decreasing freshness, indicating that the freshness of cabbage can be estimated using these parameters. However, the freshness ratings for the matched images after the 8th hour of degradation had lower modification than those for the respective original images. These results suggest that the luminance distribution in the vegetable texture partly contributes to visual freshness perception but other variables, such as spatial patterns, might also be important for estimating visual freshness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work reports individual activity coefficients of ions at T =298.15K in aqueous solutions obtained from voltage values of the respective half-cell ion-selective-electrode and a single-junction Ag–AgCl reference electrode, filled with different reference solutions at different concentrations. For potassium and chloride ions in KCl aqueous solutions, reference solutions of KCl, NaCl, or CsCl were used. For sodium and chloride ions in aqueous NaCl solutions, reference solutions of CsCl were used. Experimental runs were performed at molalities (1, 2, and 3)m of the reference solution. The concentration of the sample solution was increased, starting from around 1·10−3 m, up to the molality of the reference solution. The values of activity coefficients are calculated using the Henderson equation to estimate the liquid-junction potential. Results show that the ionic activity coefficients are independent of the nature and concentration of reference solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The development of knock-out mice for Angiotensin II (Ang II) AT2 receptors, which exhibited altered exploratory behavior, prompted us to investigate the cerebellum and brainstem. We evaluated the effect of stimulation/inhibition of Ang II receptors on hindbrain development, in offspring (postnatal days P0, P8) of pregnant rats treated during late pregnancy (Ang II, Losartan or PD123319, 1 mg/kg/day). Receptor localization by autoradiography showed in P0 and P8 hindbrains, that most structures expressed AT2 subtype: cerebellar cortex, cerebellar nuclei, genu facial nucleus, inferior colicullus, inferior olive. In the cerebellar cortex, [125I]Ang II AT2 binding was predominant, while low AT1 binding was observed in adjacent layers of the cerebellar cortex. Blockade of AT2 receptors with PD123319 increased binding in cerebellar nuclei (p <0.05) and brainstem nuclei at P0, P8, in correlation with increased AT2 receptor expression by RT-PCR. The enlarged external granular layer (EGL) in PD123319-treated P0 pups contrast with the significant decrease in Ang II binding (p <0.001) in the cerebellar cortex. Blockade of AT2 receptors during late pregnancy seems to arrest cerebellar cortex development in P0 animals. On the contrary, increased AT2 binding was observed in cerebellar cortex and DTg nucleus in PD123319-treated P8 animals (p <0.001). Ang II treatment leads to increased binding in the brainstem. In spite of the low doses of Ang II antagonists used, treatments were performed during a time-frame critical for hindbrain development, leading to remarkable effects. The present study makes a contribution to understand the role of Ang II receptors during hindbrain development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Densities, dynamic viscosities, and refractive indices of the ternary system composed by methanol, methyl acetate, and 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and the binary combinations of these constituents have been measured. The excess molar volumes as well as molar refraction and viscosity changes of mixing were calculated and fitted to the Redlich–Kister equation to determine the fitting parameters and the root-mean-square deviations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Densities, viscosities, and refractive indices at 298.15K and atmospheric pressure are reported for the binary and ternary mixtures formed by tris(2-hydroxyethyl) methylamonium methylsulfate, water, and methanol. Excess molar volumes and viscosity logarithm variations have been calculated from the physical properties of the pure compounds and their mixtures. The UNIQUAC volume and area parameters have been determined for the tris(2-hydroxyethyl) methylamonium methylsulfate ionic liquid. All properties changes of mixing have been fitted using two polynomial models and the UNIQUAC equation. An evaluation of the correlation capacity has been analyzed for the three models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the last years, new strict environmental regulations to reduce sulfur content in liquid fuels have been established. Thiophene derivates can be considered as the key substances to be separated from liquid fuel oils. This paper reports the ability of the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate to act as solvent in the (liquid+liquid) extraction of thiophene from aliphatic hydrocarbons. Tie-line data have been determined for ternary systems containing the ionic liquid, thiophene, and some n-alkanes at T =298.15K. Extraction process has been analyzed by means of thiophene distribution ratio and selectivity. The solute distribution coefficient decreases and the selectivity increases as the chain length of n-alkane increases. The use of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as potential solvent for separation of thiophene from n-alkanes is feasible using the necessary quantity of solvent. A correlation of the equilibrium data reported here has also been made, using the NRTL activity coefficient model, in order to facilitate their use in simulation and design processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: (Liquid+liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data for {1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bis[trifluoromethylsulfonyl]imide+thiophene+ n-dodecane} and {1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bis[trifluoromethylsulfonyl]imide+thiophene+cyclohexane} ternary systems have been determined experimentally at 298.15K. The compositions of the tie-lines ends have been obtained by gas chromatographic analysis of phases at equilibrium, being distribution coefficients and separation factors calculated from them. The experimental results have been correlated by means of the NRTL model but considerable deviations from experimental data were found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Electrical alternans, a beat-to-beat alternation in the electrocardiogram or electrogram, is frequently seen during the first few minutes of acute myocardial ischemia, and is often immediately followed by malignant cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. As ischemia progresses, higher-order periodic rhythms (e.g., period-4) can replace the period-2 alternans rhythm. This is also seen in modelling work on a two-dimensional (2-D) sheet of regionally ischemic ventricular muscle. In addition, in the experimental work, ventricular arrhythmias are overwhelmingly seen only after the higher-order rhythms arise. We investigate an ionic model of a strand of ischemic ventricular muscle, constructed as a 3-cm-long 1-D cable with a centrally located 1-cm-long segment exposed to an elevated extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o). As [K+]o is raised in this “ischemic segment” to represent one major effect of ongoing ischemia, the sequence of rhythms {1:1→2:2 (alternans)→2:1} is seen. With further increase in [K+]o, one sees higher-order periodic 2N:M rhythms {2:1→4:2→4:1→6:2→6:1→8:2→8:1}. In a 2N:M cycle, only M of the 2N action potentials generated at the proximal end of the cable successfully traverse the ischemic segment, with the remaining ones being blocked within the ischemic segment. Finally, there is a transition to complete block {8:1→2:0→1:0} (in an n:0 rhythm, all action potentials die out within the ischemic segment). Changing the length of the ischemic segment results in different rhythms and transitions being seen: e.g., when the ischemic segment is 2cm long, the period-6 rhythms are not seen; when it is 0.5cm long, there is a 3:1 rhythm interposed between the 2:1 and 1:0 rhythms. We discuss the relevance of our results to the experimental observations on the higher-order rhythms that presage reentrant ischemic ventricular arrhythmias. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Young adults who use stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines) are at particular risk of transitioning to dependence. Previously, we demonstrated increased risk-taking in young adults who had used stimulants (Leland, D.S., Paulus, M.P., 2005. Increased risk-taking decision-making but not altered response to punishment in stimulant-using young adults. Drug. Alcohol Depend. 78, 83-90). Since outcome uncertainty is a critical element of risk, we investigated whether such individuals have different neural responses to uncertainty than their stimulant-naive peers. Method: Eleven young adults (age 18–25) who had used stimulants were compared with 11 age- and education-matched stimulant-naive controls using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a card prediction task with relatively certain/uncertain outcome conditions. Results: The caudate, an area involved in processing salient events, was among those regions more active in users than controls in response to uncertainty. Personality measures revealed that users were more impulsive than controls, and that neural response to uncertainty in a number of areas, including the thalamus/caudate, was positively correlated with impulsivity. Conclusions: These results are consistent with the idea that young adults who have used stimulants find uncertainty particularly salient, due in part to preexisting differences in impulsivity, and may be subject to more “action pressure” when making decisions under uncertainty. This neural and personality profile may constitute a marker for increased risk of stimulant use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background. : The primary purpose of this investigation was to assess the neural correlates of implicit cueing during an inhibitory task in schizophrenia when performance accuracy was matched with healthy comparison subjects. Methods. : We compared 17 individuals with chronic schizophrenia (SZ; medicated, 13.9 average years of illness) and 17 healthy comparison subjects (HC) matched for hit and false alarm rates, age, and education on a visual Go/Nogo task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this task, one of the go stimuli also served implicitly as a cue predictive of a subsequent inhibitory (Nogo) trial. Conclusions. : Findings suggest that even when matched for overall performance accuracy, individuals with SZ exhibit difficulties with inhibition and cue processing that may relate to core deficits in cognitive control and stimulus processing. In particular, these findings point towards an important role of the parietal cortex for cued inhibitory processes in healthy populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It has been proposed that homocysteine (Hcy)-induces endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A previous report has shown that Hcy promotes mitochondrial damage. Considering that oxidative stress can affect mitochondrial biogenesis, we hypothesized that Hcy-induced ROS in endothelial cells may lead to increased mitochondrial biogenesis. We found that Hcy-induced ROS (1.85-fold), leading to a NF-κB activation and increase the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine. Furthermore, expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis factors, nuclear respiratory factor-1 and mitochondrial transcription factor A, was significantly elevated in Hcy-treated cells. These changes were accompanied by increase in mitochondrial mass and higher mRNA and protein expression of the subunit III of cytochrome c oxidase. These effects were significantly prevented by pretreatment with the antioxidants, catechin and trolox. Taken together, our results suggest that ROS is an important mediator of mitochondrial biogenesis induced by Hcy, and that modulation of oxidative stress by antioxidants may protect against the adverse vascular effects of Hcy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: (Liquid+liquid) equilibrium data for the ternary system (dibutyl ether+methanol+water) were experimentally determined at T =(298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K. The experimental results were correlated by means of the NRTL and UNIQUAC equations, the best results being achieved with the UNIQUAC equation, both for the individual correlations at each temperature and for the overall correlation considering all the three experimental data sets. The experimental tie-lines were also compared to the values predicted by the UNIFAC method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The motivation of the study performed in this project is focused on deriving a more effective, accurate, and mathematically friendly solution for the prediction of the electrostatic potential, commonly used on electrokinetic research and its related applications. In this contribution, based on the Debye–Hückel approximation, a new solution strategy for the differential equations of the electrostatic potential is proposed. In fact, a simple predictor–corrector calculation is developed to achieve more accurate predictions of electrostatic potential profiles. Furthermore, in this study the authors introduce the correction function to the inverse Debye length, λ. The function improves the Debye–Hückel approximation and it is a recursive function of the electrical potential. Once the inverse Debye length, λ, has been corrected by the function and introduced in the simplified solution of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation (i.e., the linear approximation, due to Debye and Hückel), the electrostatic potential outcome little differs from the numerical solution of the complete (nonlinear) differential equation. This new approach embraces different geometries of interest, such as planar, cylindrical, and annular, with excellent results in all the cases and for a wide range of electrostatic potential values. This new predicting semi-analytical technique can be a useful tool on electrical field applications such as the separation of a mixture of macromolecules and the removal of contaminants in soil cleaning processes. Illustrative results are presented for the geometries identified above. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The azo dyes, Yellow 5 (Y5), Red 2 (R2) and Blue 1 (B1), quantified in solutions and in mixtures of binary dyes, were studied by means of UV–Vis spectroscopy. In this work was used a CIE algorithm developed in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). The CIE algorithm is based on the tristimulus chromaticity diagram, as an alternative to the shielding effect that arises in dye mixtures, and it can also be applied to complex quantification methods such as HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). The results obtained through of the algorithm, showed a higher accuracy from 97 to 99% in relation with similar UV–Vis quantification methods. In contrast, linear methods only managed to reach an accuracy from 78 to 98%. Additionally, the algorithm yielded significant similar values to the UHPLC reference method. The results showed that the method CIE algorithm was accessible and reliable to quantify binary mixtures of the dyes used which suggests the possibility to apply this method on other dyes, within the limits of quantification obtained in this study (0.076–24.56 mg/L) and the pH values from 2 to 10. Image 1 • An algorithm was developed in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for binary mixtures of azo dyes quantification. • This algorithm was development to apply by means of UV–Vis spectroscopy. • The results obtained by this algorithm are significantly similar to those values by UHPL reference method. • The method can be also applicable to different azo dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate excess of nitrate-N (NO 3 −-N) derived from agricultural activity, constructed wetlands (CWs) are created to simulate natural removal mechanisms. Irrigated agricultural drainage water is commonly characterized by an organic carbon/nitrogen (C/N) imbalance, thus, C limitation constrains heterotrophic denitrification, the main biotic process implicated in NO 3 −-N removal in wetlands. We studied a pilot plant with three series (169 m2) of hybrid CWs over the first two years of functioning to examine: i) the effect of adding different C-rich substrates (natural soil vs. biochar) to gravel on NO 3 −-N removal in a subsurface flow (Phase I), ii) the role of a second phase with a horizontal surface flow (Phase II) as a source of dissolved organic C (DOC), and its effect in a consecutive horizontal subsurface flow (Phase III) on NO 3 −-N removal, and iii) the contribution of each phase to global NO 3 −-N removal. Our results showed that the addition of a C-rich substrate to gravel had a positive effect on NO 3 −-N removal in Phase I, with mean efficiencies of 40% and 17% for soil and biochar addition, respectively, compared to only gravel (0.75%). In Phase II, the algae growth turned into a DOC concentration increase, but it did not enhance NO 3 −-N removal in Phase III. In series with C-rich substrate addition, the largest contribution to NO 3 −-N removal was found in Phase I. However, in series with only gravel, Phase II was the most effective on NO 3 −-N removal. Contribution of Phase III to NO 3 −-N removal was almost negligible. [Display omitted] • Gravel was not a suitable substrate to treat C/N imbalanced agricultural water. • Both soil and biochar addition to gravel increased NO 3 −-N removal from water. • A HSSF CW with a gravel + soil mix was the most effective design for NO 3 −-N removal. • Inclusion of a HSF phase in a hybrid CW increased DOC availability by algae growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, deep learning has achieved remarkable success in estimating plant disease from unmanned aerial system (UAS) images. However, two critical challenges remain unexplored: spatiotemporal variations in disease symptoms and the domain shift between source and target datasets. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes an approach that incorporates temporal aspects of disease progression using time series analysis. Spatiotemporal information is integrated by combining convolutional neural networks and bidirectional long-short term memory (CNN-BiLSTM) to classify the disease into five severity levels. Various feature extraction methods, including both handcrafted and CNN-based feature extractors, are evaluated. Furthermore, to tackle the problem of domain shift, a feature-level domain adaptation method is proposed. This method aims to learn transferable feature representations that remain consistent despite variations between source and target datasets. This approach enhances the spatiotemporal transferability of the CNN-BiLSTM model, enabling the effective utilisation of historical datasets. The study demonstrates that the CNN-BiLSTM model outperforms traditional time-independent machine-learning methods that rely on handcrafted features. Specifically, the Resnet101-BiLSTM model achieves the highest overall classification accuracy of 89.7% among all tested models evaluated on a one-year dataset. Moreover, it shows superior generalisation with 72.7% accuracy for cross-spatiotemporal disease severity classification using domain adaptation, as demonstrated through two-year experiments. By reducing the domain shift of source and target datasets and harnessing time series high-resolution images obtained throughout the crop growing season, this hybrid approach has substantial potential to advance the assessment of crop disease severity in field conditions. • Compared different CNN-based feature extractors for FOV4 symptom detection in UAS images. • Developed a BiLSTM model for temporal analysis in UAS datasets. • Use of domain adaptation enhanced model generalization. • CNN-BiLSTM with CORAL achieved 72.7% accuracy, proving its effectiveness in diverse real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mobiluncus curtisii was isolated from the blood of a 35-year-old man with a medical history of ulcerative colitis who was admitted unconscious to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A CT scan revealed massive intracerebral hemorrhage in the left hemisphere. Temperature remained constant over 38.5°C; therefore, two sets of blood cultures were collected. One anaerobic bottle BacT/ALERT SN (bioMerieux, France) was detected as positive after 5 days of incubation and a Gram stain confirmed a gram variable curved-shaped rod. The patient died 18h after being admitted to the hospital. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this research the levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs) and mercury (Hg) in several food items from Menorca Island were presented. The dietary exposure assessment was performed in children population from the island. Finally, body burden of OCs and Hg in these infants were associated with their dietary intakes of the selected food items. The dietary exposure to persistent pollutants by children population from Menorca Island was assessed. The concentrations of 11 organochlorine pesticides, 6 polychlorinated biphenils (PCBs) and 1 inorganic toxic element, Hg, were determined in 46 food samples that included fish, shellfish, meat, fruit, vegetables, cheese and eggs, which were acquired in local markets and department stores in the Menorca Island. The most contaminated food items were fish and shellfish, followed by meat and cheese products. OC levels were similar or lower than in other previous studies. However, 66% of the analysed fish and shellfish species for Hg exceeded the human consumption safety limits according to the European Union Legislation. Pollutant data from food was combined with the pattern of consumption of these foodstuffs in order to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) of these contaminants. According to our results, fish and fruit were the main sources of OCs to the EDIs (contributing to 37% and 29%, respectively) while fish and shellfish were the main sources of Hg (76% and 17%). The estimated EDIs of OCs were well below to the reported FAO/WHO Tolerable Intakes. However, estimated weekly intake of Hg would exceed the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake indicated by EFSA in the case that the only fish and seafood source would be from the central western Mediterranean. Direct associations between fish/shellfish consumption and hair concentrations of Hg and fish and meat consumption and 4,4’-DDT concentrations in venous serum in the Menorcan children were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether the 786 NOS3 polymorphism is associated with the risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in stroke patients with anterior large vessel occlusion (ALVO) treated using endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). We performed an observational cohort study that included 118 patients with ALVO who underwent EVT. HT was assessed in follow-up CT and MRI. HT and non-HT patients were compared in terms of the 786 NOS3 polymorphism, flow mediated dilation (FMD) values within 3 days after the stroke, and collateral status based on three grading scales. Demographics, vascular risk factors, additional radiological data including ASPECT score, thrombus length and infarct size, and EVT procedure and outcome variables were also included. Radiological HT occurred in 55 (46.6%) patients and the 786T/T NOS3 polymorphism was associated with HT (unadjusted OR of 2.33, 95%CI: 1.05–5.20, adjusted OR of 3.14, 95%CI: 1.16–8.54). Collateral status and systemic endothelial function assessed by FMD were not mediators of this relationship as no differences were seen in the median FMD percentage values or collateral status between NOS3 genotypes. Our results suggest that genetic variations affecting the NO pathway, such as the 786 NOS3 polymorphism, may contribute to individual variability in the occurrence of HT and these results support involvement of this pathway in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury after EVT. [Display omitted] • Hemorrhagic transformation occurs frequently after endovascular treatment for stroke. • NOS3 786 T/T polymorphism increases hemorrhagic transformation after thrombectomy. • Systemic endothelial function or collaterals are not related with NOS3 polymorphism. • Genetic variations in the NO pathway are involved in the ischemia-reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A premature truncation of MYBPHL in humans and a loss of Mybphl in mice is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and atrial enlargement. MYBPHL encodes myosin binding protein H-like (MyBP-HL). Prior work in mice indirectly identified Mybphl expression in the atria and in small puncta throughout the ventricle. Because of its genetic association with human and mouse cardiac conduction system disease, we evaluated the anatomical localization of MyBP-HL and the consequences of loss of MyBP-HL on conduction system function. Immunofluorescence microscopy of normal adult mouse ventricles identified MyBP-HL-positive ventricular cardiomyocytes that co-localized with the ventricular conduction system marker contactin-2 near the atrioventricular node and in a subset of Purkinje fibers. Mybphl heterozygous ventricles had a marked reduction of MyBP-HL-positive cells compared to controls. Lightsheet microscopy of normal perinatal day 5 mouse hearts showed enrichment of MyBP-HL-positive cells within and immediately adjacent to the contactin-2-positive ventricular conduction system, but this association was not apparent in Mybphl heterozygous hearts. Surface telemetry of Mybphl- null mice revealed atrioventricular block and atrial bigeminy, while intracardiac pacing revealed a shorter atrial relative refractory period and atrial tachycardia. Calcium transient analysis of isolated Mybphl -null atrial cardiomyocytes demonstrated an increased heterogeneity of calcium release and faster rates of calcium release compared to wild type controls. Super-resolution microscopy of Mybphl heterozygous and homozygous null atrial cardiomyocytes showed ryanodine receptor disorganization compared to wild type controls. Abnormal calcium release, shorter atrial refractory period, and atrial dilation seen in Mybphl null, but not wild type control hearts, agree with the observed atrial arrhythmias, bigeminy, and atrial tachycardia, whereas the proximity of MyBP-HL-positive cells with the ventricular conduction system provides insight into how a predominantly atrial expressed gene contributes to ventricular arrhythmias and ventricular dysfunction. • MyBP-HL is expressed throughout the mouse atria and in specific ventricular foci. • Ventricular cardiomyocytes expressing MyBP-HL occur near the ventricular conduction system. • Loss of MyBP-HL results in atrioventricular block and prolonged P-waves. • Mybphl null atrial cardiomyocytes exhibit heterogeneous release of calcium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olfactory bulb is involved early in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), which is consistent with the early onset of olfactory dysfunction. Identifying the molecular mechanisms through which PD affects the olfactory bulb could lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of olfactory dysfunction in PD. We specifically aimed to assess gene expression changes, affected pathways and co-expression network by whole transcriptomic profiling of the olfactory bulb in subjects with clinicopathologically defined PD. Bulk RNA sequencing was performed on frozen human olfactory bulbs of 20 PD and 20 controls without dementia or any other neurodegenerative disorder, from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative disorders and the Brain and Body Donation Program. Differential expression analysis (19 PD vs 19 controls) revealed 2164 significantly differentially expressed genes (1090 upregulated and 1074 downregulated) in PD. Pathways enriched in downregulated genes included oxidative phosphorylation, olfactory transduction, metabolic pathways, and neurotransmitters synapses while immune and inflammatory responses as well as cellular death related pathways were enriched within upregulated genes. An overrepresentation of microglial and astrocyte-related genes was observed amongst upregulated genes, and excitatory neuron-related genes were overrepresented amongst downregulated genes. Co-expression network analysis revealed significant modules highly correlated with PD and olfactory dysfunction that were found to be involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cholinergic synapse, and metabolic pathways. LAIR1 (leukocyte associated immunoglobulin like receptor 1) and PPARA (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha) were identified as hub genes with a high discriminative power between PD and controls reinforcing an important role of neuroinflammation in the olfactory bulb of PD subjects. Olfactory identification test score positively correlated with expression of genes coding for G-coupled protein, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic receptor proteins and negatively correlated with genes for proteins expressed in glial olfactory ensheathing cells. In conclusion, this study reveals gene alterations associated with neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter dysfunction, and disruptions of factors involved in the initiation of olfactory transduction signaling that may be involved in PD-related olfactory dysfunction. • RNA sequencing reveals gene alterations in the olfactory bulb of PD subjects. • Neurotransmitter dysfunction and inflammation are correlated with olfactory function. • Olfactory transduction, inflammatory and mitochondrial pathways are altered in PD. • Increase of microglial-related upregulated genes and neuronal downregulated genes in PD. • LAIR1 and PPARA are hub genes highly discriminative between PD and controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) poses a global threat to both human health and environmental well-being. Our study delved into Costa Rican wildlife reserves, uncovering a substantial human impact on these ecosystems and underscoring the imperative to pinpoint AMR hotspots. Embracing a One Health perspective, we advocated for a comprehensive landscape analysis that intricately intertwined geographic, climatic, forest, and human factors. This study illuminated the link between laboratory results and observed patterns of antimicrobial use, thereby paving the way for sustainable solutions. Our innovative methodology involved deploying open-ended questions to explore antimicrobial usage across livestock activities, contributing to establishing a comprehensive methodology. Non-invasive sampling in wildlife emerged as a critical aspect, shedding light on areas contaminated by AMR. Feline species, positioned at the apex of the food chain, acted as sentinels for environmental health due to heightened exposure to improperly disposed waste. Regarding laboratory findings, each sample revealed the presence of at least one antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG). Notably, genes encoding resistance to tetracyclines dominated (94.9%), followed by beta-lactams (75.6%), sulfonamides (53.8%), aminoglycosides (51.3%), quinolones (44.9%), phenicols (25.6%), and macrolides (20.5%). Genes encoding polymyxins were not detected. Moreover, 66% of samples carried a multi-resistant microbiome, with 15% exhibiting resistance to three antimicrobial families and 51% to four. The absence of a correlation between forest coverage and ARG presence underscored the profound human impact on wildlife reserves, surpassing previous estimations. This environmental pressure could potentially modify microbiomes and resistomes in unknown ways. As not all antimicrobial families encoding ARGs were utilized by farmers, our next step involved evaluating other human activities to identify the primary sources of contamination. This comprehensive study contributed crucial insights into the intricate dynamics of AMR in natural ecosystems, paving the way for targeted interventions and sustainable coexistence. [Display omitted] • One Health analysis on antimicrobial resistance must include different approaches. • Document human activities are required to determine the antimicrobials use. • It is possible to link ARGs' presence in wildlife with Environmental Health. • Feces obtained passively can be used as indicators of ARGs contamination. • Conservation areas are significantly impacted by ARGs contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids have attracted great interest recently as the basis of a potential alternative technology for the capture of carbon dioxide. Beyond the inherent tunability of properties of individual ionic liquids, a further strategy in optimising the ionic liquid sorbent for this application is the use of mixtures of 'pure' ionic liquids. Some ionic liquids absorb CO2 physically, whereas others do so chemically. Both mechanisms of absorption present advantages and disadvantages for a CO2 capture process operating in a continuous regime. In this work, a mixture of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (an ionic liquid that reacts chemically with CO2) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate (an ionic liquid that absorbs CO2 only through a physical mechanism) was investigated for the absorption of CO2 as a function of temperature and at pressures up to 17 bar. The absorption/desorption studies were complemented by the characterisation of thermal and physical properties of the mixture of ionic liquids, which provide extra information on the interactions at a molecular level, and are also critical for the assessment of its suitability for a proposed process and for the subsequent process design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] [P6,6,6,14][NTf2] forms a triphasic system when mixing with dodecane and water. [•] The water composition in the intermediate phase is very low. [•] The increase of temperature slightly increases oil content of this phase. [•] [P6,6,6,14][NTf2] shows a minor surfactant character than [P6,6,6,14]Cl. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Electrospun alumina nanofibers exhibit high acidity. • The nature of the acid sites in alumina nanofibers is assessed with IR-Pyridine. • Total acidity and acid sites distribution is assessed with NH 3 -TPD. • Desorption kinetics of adsorbed ammonia (NH 3) using density-functional theory (DFT) is provided. • A mathematical model using a regression procedure is used to estimate NH 3 desorption energy on alumina nanofibers. Alumina (Al 2 O 3) is a widely used material for catalysis in the chemical industry. Besides a high specific surface area, acid sites on Al 2 O 3 play a crucial role in the chemical transformation of adsorbed molecules, which ultimately react and desorb from the catalyst. This study introduces a synthetic method based on electrospinning to produce Al 2 O 3 nanofibers (ANFs) with acidity and porosity tuned using different aluminum precursor formulations. After electrospinning and heat treatment, the nanofibers form a non-woven network with macropores (∼4 μm). Nanofibers produced from aluminum di(sec -butoxide)acetoacetic ester chelate (ASB) show the highest total acidity of ca. 0.70 µmol/m2 determined with temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH 3 -TPD) and BET. The nature of the acid site in ASB ANFs is studied in detail with infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Pyridine is used as a molecular probe for the identification of acid sites in ASB. Pyridine showed the presence of Lewis acid sites prominently. Density-functional theory (DFT) is conducted to understand the desorption kinetics of the adsorbed chemical species, such as ammonia (NH 3) on crystalline γ-Al 2 O 3. For our analysis, we focused on a mobile approach for chemisorbed and physisorbed NH 3. The computational results are compared with NH 3 -TPD experiments, ultimately utilized to estimate the desorption energy and kinetic desorption parameters. The experiments are found to pair up with our simulation results. We predict that these non-woven structures will find application as a dispersion medium of metallic particles in catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A tendency to use polysubstituted pyridinium-based ionic liquids for desulfurization of fuel-oils is being very remarkable during last years. Are these ones the most suitable ionic liquids for this purpose? The possibility of using a much cheaper ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, has been studied in this work. With this aim, LLE data of the {[C2mim][NTf2]+thiophene+toluene}, {[C2mim][NTf2]+thiophene+ n-hexane} and {[C2mim][NTf2]+pyridine+ n-hexane} ternary systems have been obtained at T = 298.15K and atmospheric pressure. The NRTL and UNIQUAC models have been used to correlate the obtained data. Solute distribution ratios and selectivities have been calculated and a comparison with data obtained previously for other ionic liquids has been established. It was found that both cation and anion clearly affect to these thermodynamic parameters. According not just to solubility, but also in terms of selectivity and cost, [C2mim][NTf2] can be a competitive desulfurization solvent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Electrokinetic-based methods are used in a variety of applications including drug delivery and separation of biomolecules, among others. Many of these applications feature a fibrous or a porous medium that can be modeled by using capillary bundle models to predict the behavior of the electroosmotic flow within the particular system. The role of geometry in predicting volumetric flowrates in porous media is investigated by modeling the electroosmotic flow in idealized capillaries of rectangular, cylindrical, and annular geometries. This is achieved by the coupling of electrostatics and continuum hydrodynamics to obtain analytical expressions that govern the electrokinetically – driven volumetric flow within these idealized capillary geometries. A previous study developed a model to compare the cylindrical and annular capillary geometries by utilizing two methods that compare the areas of the two geometries . The methods used in this previous work will also be used in the present contribution to compare the volumetric flowrates in the cylindrical and annular capillaries with a rectangular capillary. Illustrative results will be presented to aid in the understanding of the influence of the various geometrical and electrostatic parameters that arise from the analysis of these volumetric flowrates. It was found that the electroosmotic volumetric flowrates are significantly affected by the capillary geometry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: About 3.5 million metric tons of farmed shrimp were produced globally in 2009 with an estimated value greater than USD$14.6 billion. Despite the economic importance of farmed shrimp, the global shrimp farming industry continues to be plagued by disease. There are a number of strategies a shrimp farmer can employ to mitigate crop loss from disease, including the use of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF), selectively bred shrimp and the adoption of on-farm biosecurity practices. Selective breeding for disease resistance began in the mid 1990s in response to outbreaks of Taura syndrome, caused by Taura syndrome virus (TSV), which devastated populations of farmed shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) throughout the Americas. Breeding programs designed to enhance TSV survival have generated valuable information about the quantitative genetics of disease resistance in shrimp and have produced shrimp families which exhibit high survival after TSV exposure. The commercial availability of these selected shrimp has benefitted the shrimp farming industry and TSV is no longer considered a major threat in many shrimp farming regions. Although selective breeding has been valuable in combating TSV, this approach has not been effective for other viral pathogens and selective breeding may not be the most effective strategy for the long-term viability of the industry. Cost-effective, on-farm biosecurity protocols can be more practical and less expensive than breeding programs designed to enhance disease resistance. Of particular importance is the use of SPF shrimp stocked in biosecure environments where physical barriers are in place to mitigate the introduction and spread of virulent pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]