Search

The discovery of enzyme-like catalytic characteristics in nanomaterials triggers the generation of nanozymes and their multifarious applications. As a class of artificial mimetic enzymes, nanozymes are widely recognized to have better stability and lower cost than natural bio-enzymes, but the lack of catalytic specificity hinders their wider use. To solve the problem, several potential strategies are explored, among which molecular imprinting attracts much attention because of its powerful capacity for creating specific binding cavities as biomimetic receptors. Attractively, introducing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) onto nanozyme surfaces can make an impact on the latter's catalytic activity. As a result, in recent years, MIPs featuring universal fabrication, low cost, and good stability have been intensively integrated with nanozymes for biochemical detection. In this critical review, we first summarize the general fabrication of nanozyme@MIPs, followed by clarifying the potential effects of molecular imprinting on the catalytic performance of nanozymes in terms of selectivity and activity. Typical examples are emphatically discussed to highlight the latest progress of nanozyme@MIPs applied in catalytic analysis. In the end, personal viewpoints on the future directions of nanozyme@MIPs are presented, to provide a reference for studying the interactions between MIPs and nanozymes and attract more efforts to advance this promising area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral and physiological synchrony facilitate emotional closeness in attachment relationships. The aim of this pseudorandomized cross-over study was to investigate the emotional and physiological link, designated as co-modulation, between dogs and their owners. We measured the heart rate variability (HRV) and physical activity of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds (n = 29) and their owners during resting baselines and positive interaction tasks (Stroking, Training, Sniffing, Playing) and collected survey data on owner temperament and dog–owner relationship. Although overall HRV and activity correlated between dogs and their owners across tasks, task-specific analyses showed that HRV of dogs and owners correlated during free behaving (Pre- and Post-Baseline), whereas the activity of dogs and owners correlated during predefined interaction tasks (Stroking and Playing). Dog overall HRV was the only predictive factor for owner overall HRV, while dog height, ownership duration, owner negative affectivity, and dog–owner interaction scale predicted dog overall HRV. Thus, the characteristics of dog, owner, and the relationship modified the HRV responses in dog–owner dyads. The physiology and behavior of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds and their owners were therefore co-modulated, demonstrating physiological and emotional connection comparable to those found in attachment relationships between humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of human Demodex mites has surged in recent years, prompting significant concern among both patients and the medical community. This study aimed to investigate the survival duration and morphological alterations of Demodex folliculorum under diverse temperature conditions and in various culture media. We employed the eyelash sampling technique to procure the mites. The collected specimens were then subjected to culture at two distinct temperature ranges (16–22 °C and 4 °C) across a spectrum of media, including 30% tea tree oil (TTO), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pure water, 0.9% physiological saline, 5 µg/ml propidium iodide (PI), liquid paraffin, glycerol, and a blank culture medium. Post-administration, the mites’ activity and morphological changes were meticulously documented. Our findings indicate that the survival span of Demodex mites within the same medium was notably extended at 4 °C compared to room temperature. Specifically, under 4 °C, the use of liquid paraffin as a culture medium yielded the longest survival time of 12 days, surpassing all other conditions. Remarkably, the morphological integrity of the mites in this group remained largely unaltered. These results suggest that 4 °C is the optimal temperature for the in vitro cultivation of Demodex mites, offering insights into the environmental preferences of these organisms and potentially informing future therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Ni-W bimetallic catalysts were prepared by Ni2O3 and WO3 on porous materials and used in a fixed bed reactor for the hydrogenation of poly alpha-olefin base oil synthesis. The catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, XRD, H2-TPR, H2-TPD, XPS, TEM and ICP-OES to investigate the catalytic activity and explore the possible deactivation mechanism. Under the optimal reaction conditions of 250℃, 4 MPa, LHSV = 3 h−1 and H2: PAO = 200, the Ni5W1/Clay catalyst with 5% nickel and 1% tungsten loading can make the hydrogenation conversion rate as high as 100%, and the catalyst deactivation is not obvious within 8 h. The addition of W led to the reduction of the metal particle size as well as the formation of more dispersed active sites, thus improve its catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate microvascular changes in juvenile localised scleroderma (JLS) lesions using superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and assess SMI's utility in evaluating disease activity. Methods: This prospective study enroled 16 children (7 males) with pathologically diagnosed JLS between January 2021 and June 2023. Lesions were assessed using Localised Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tools, including the localised scleroderma skin activity index (LoSAI) and localised scleroderma skin damage index (LoSDI). Lesions with LoSAI scores > 0 were classified as active. The thickness and blood flow of the lesions and healthy skin layers of the contralateral site were evaluated using ultrasound. SMI was used to detect microvascular blood flow in the lesions and healthy skin, and the vascular index (VI) was calculated. The difference in VI between active lesions and healthy skin was correlated with LoSAI and total scores. Results: Of 46 lesions, 23 were active and 23 inactive. The skin thickness of the lesion was 0.094 ± 0.024 cm, and that of the healthy site was 0.108 ± 0.026 cm (p < 0.001). The VI of the active lesions and healthy skin were 7.60 (3.60, 12.80)% and 1.10 (0.50, 2.10)%, respectively (p < 0.001). The VI of the inactive lesions and the healthy skin were 0.85 (0.00, 2.20)% and 1.60 (1.00, 3.10)%, respectively (p = 0.011). VI differences between active lesions and healthy skin positively correlated with the LoSAI clinical score (r = 0.625, p = 0.001) and total score (r = 0.842, p < 0.001). Conclusion: SMI can quantitatively detect microvascular blood flow changes in JLS skin, indicating lesion activity and severity. Clinical relevance statement: SMI is a convenient, non-invasive, technique for detecting active JLS lesions and can provide valuable information to guide treatment options. Key Points: Current grading systems of juvenile localised scleroderma rely on subjective clinical information. Superb Microvascular Imaging identified that vascular indexes between active lesions and healthy skin positively correlated with clinical scores. Superb Microvascular Imaging effectively assesses microvascular blood flow, aiding juvenile localised scleroderma lesion activity evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have historically been advised to avoid contact sports and isometric exercise for risk of increasing aortic dilation and valve disease. There is mounting evidence that current sports participation guidelines qualify children for a high rate of sports exclusion, and that this population is at increased risk of obesity. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between sports participation and aortic dilation in children with bicuspid aortic valve and secondarily the relationship between competitive sports participation and obesity. We performed a review of children between the ages of 8 and 17 years with isolated BAV followed at Oregon Health & Science University. We excluded those with other congenital heart diseases, genetic conditions, prior cardiac intervention, and inability to ambulate independently. Parents completed a phone survey detailing their child's level of daily activity and participation in competitive sports. Demographic information and most recent echo findings were collected from the electronic medical record. We found no difference between the aortic diameters of athletes vs non-athletes. We also found that sports participation and daily activity were both associated with a decreased likelihood of obesity (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.078–0.73 and OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.081–0.71 respectively). In summary, in our sample population, competitive sports participation was associated with a decreased risk of obesity. Competitive sports participation does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of aortic dilation in our population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish domestication progresses through five levels: from the initial acclimatization to captivity (Level 1), to the life cycle completion in captivity (Level 4), and even to the implementation of selective breeding programs (Level 5). Domestication leads to phenotypic changes over generations, sometimes from the very first generation. Behavioral traits are among the first to change. However, in fish, potential behavioral changes during early domestication have been little studied. Therefore, we studied potential behavioral changes among early and advanced levels of domestication in a model species, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), using a mirror test experiment, commonly used to assess traits involved in activity, aggressiveness, and stress in this species. We compared these traits between wild zebrafish in captivity (F0; Level 1), the first generation of their captive-born offspring (F1; Level 4), and three laboratory strains (AB, TU, and WIK; Level 5). Each fish was individually filmed and tracked using an automated procedure for 5 min. Nine behavioral traits and one activity-related trait were characterized for each individual based on the movements and positioning of the fish. We applied a principal component analysis (PCA) and tested the significance of potential differences between groups using an analysis of similarities (ANOSIM). We applied an indicator value analysis (IndVal) to determine which traits were most expressed by each group. We detected differences between groups and across domestication levels. More specifically, we highlighted differentiations between different levels of domestication (e.g. between F1, AB, TU, and WIK) as early as the beginning of the domestication process (i.e. F0 vs. F1), but also within the same level of domestication (i.e. AB vs. TU). Based on PCA and IndVal, (i) F0 and F1 tended to show stronger expression of stress-related traits than the other groups, (ii) F0 was more active than others, and (iii) TU was more aggressive than AB. Our results confirmed that domestication can change fish behavior, even in the first generation born in captivity, although these modifications remain limited. In contrast, we did not observe any general trends correlated with domestication levels, given that AB and TU diverged in their aggressiveness levels, and WIK differed only from F1. This result needs to be generalized to other species but also considered for domestication for aquaculture. If future studies confirm that the changes observed at the beginning of the domestication process remain limited and that there is no consistent evolutionary trend across generations in fish, this would highlight the crucial importance of selecting the right species from the outset of domestication. It would also emphasize the need to design selective breeding programs that shape fish stocks with the most desirable characteristics. To our knowledge, this study is one of the few to examine the behavior of wild zebrafish alongside laboratory strains, offering a unique insight into the early stages of domestication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the proceeding of global warming and water eutrophication, the phenomenon of green tide has garnered significant societal interest. Consequently, researchers had increasingly focused on the potential applications of green algae biomass, particularly its polysaccharides. The polysaccharide serves as the primary active constituent of green algae and has demonstrated numerous advantageous biological activities, including antioxidant, antiviral, anticoagulant, hypolipidemic and immuno-modulatory activities. The favorable bioavailability and solubility of green algae oligosaccharides are attributed to their low molecular weight. So there has been a growing interest in researching green algae polysaccharides and oligosaccharides for the utilization of marine biological resources. This review summarized the extraction, purification, chemical structure, composition, biological activity, and potential applications prospect of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides derived from green algae. The review could be helpful for expanding the applications of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides of green algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Clinical research has shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine may result in increased obesity risk later in life. Preclinical research has corroborated this finding, but few studies have investigated inhaled nicotine or the interaction with diet on obesity risk. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on both direct and indirect obesity measures, with both sex and diet as factors. Methods Pregnant rats were exposed to either vehicle or nicotine vapor (24 mg/mL or 59 mg/mL) throughout the entire gestational period. Offspring from each treatment group were given either a normal diet or a high fat diet starting at postnatal day 22. Caloric intake, body weight, spontaneous locomotion, sleep/wake activity, and voluntary exercise were measured throughout adolescence. Pregnancy weight gain and pup birthweights were collected to further measure developmental effects of prenatal nicotine exposure. Results Both maternal weight gain during pregnancy and pup weight at birth were decreased with prenatal nicotine exposure. Early adolescent males showed increased spontaneous activity in the open field following prenatal nicotine exposure compared to vehicle counterparts, particularly those given high-fat diet. Additionally, high dose nicotine prenatal treated males ran significantly less distance on the running wheel in late adolescence compared to vehicle counterparts, in the normal diet group only. Conclusion The results presented here show decreased birthweight, hyperactivity, and decreased voluntary exercise in adolescence following prenatal nicotine exposure in dose, sex, and diet dependent manners, which could lead to increased obesity risk in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions by reducing their activation energy. Enzymes specific environmental conditions to function optimally. Additive molecules and compounds, such as organic solvents, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents, have crucial effects on enzyme behavior by changing activity and stability. However, finding and testing different additives is an expensive process that requires specialists, laboratory equipment, and chemical compounds. Machine learning, which has been present in all fields of science and technology in recent years, is one of the ways to find a suitable additive for our desired enzyme without doing a time-consuming experimental process. In this manuscript, we introduce ADDZYME, a machine learning-based software, to predict the effect of additives on enzyme activity. ADDZYME utilizes an ensemble of extremely randomized trees models alongside physicochemical descriptors to make a prediction. To ease usage, ADDZYME is accompanied by a graphical user interface. ADDZYME is freely available on www.github.com/miladrayka/addzyme for further experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase equilibria in the Na+,K+//Cl–,NO –H2O reciprocal system in the temperature range 373–573 K were modeled using the set of parameters presented in communication I of this work. According to the results of calculations, this system has a stability region of the liquid, which boils without forming a third phase (precipitate). The change in the boiling temperature was traced for selected individual bulk compositions of the system during the gradual evaporation of water from it. In the experimental determination of the boiling points or activity of water for saturated solutions formed by the dissolution of salts with opposite cations and anions, one should take into account that the composition of such solutions will change with any changes in the total concentrations of the salts of the system if a salt other than the one used for mixing appears in the precipitate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to introduce a design-based research (DBR) approach developed in the field of vocational and continuing education, which is grounded in a pragmatic and phenomenologically inspired enactivist approach to activity. As a design-based methodology, our activity-centered and enactive DBR approach aims to generate knowledge related to design and to identify relevant design principles. After detailing the particularities of an activity-centered and enactive DBR approach, we focus on the results pertaining to design knowledge by identifying two broad design principles for vocational education and training, and five enactivist inspired principles for training design. A significant practical implication for researchers and practitioners in vocational and continuing education and training is that these enactivist inspired design principles provide promising pathways to enhance the connectivity between (i) work experiences, (ii) work and training practices, and (iii) learning contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show evidence of particle acceleration at GeV energies associated directly with protons from the prompt emission of a long-duration M6-class solar flare on July 17, 2023, rather than from protons acceleration by shocks from its associated coronal mass ejection (CME), which erupted with a speed of 1342 km/s. Solar energetic particles (SEP) accelerated by the blast have reached Earth, up to an almost S3 (strong) category of a radiation storm on the NOAA scale. Also, we show a temporal correlation between the fast increase in the GOES-16 proton flux and the ground-level count rate excess of the New-Tupi muon detector, located in the central region of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) an area where the Earth’s magnetic field is anomalously weak. A Monte Carlo spectral analysis based on muon excess at New-Tupi is consistent with the acceleration of electrons and protons (ions) up to relativistic energies (GeV energy range) in the impulsive phase of the flare. In addition, we present another two marginal particle excesses (with low confidence) at ground-level detectors in correlation with the solar flare prompt emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess whether activity and heart rate sensor implants can be used to measure stress and thus estimate one important welfare indicator for fish in aquaculture pens, and if such measurements correlate to physiological factors measured through blood sampling. The experiment consisted of two parts: i) a bio-logger study where implanted sensors were used to monitor activity and heart rates for fish undergoing stress (crowding); and ii) an analysis of blood constituents (cortisol, glucose, lactate, and chloride) of a second group of fish undergoing the same treatment. We found that activity measurements can be used to track high-impact stress events but may not be suitable to discern possibly nuanced reactions to stress impacts of lower magnitude. While heart rate was measured reliably, e.g., in showing clear circadian rhythms, it was no credible proxy for predicting stress in this study. Our results thus underline challenges observed in previous work around the use of heart rate as stress indicator, and imply that the translation of its meaning into a proxy for stress needs further work. Although tag-based monitoring of stress is not without its difficulties, studies such as this provide a wealth of information on salmon behaviour and physiology, and the links between these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensities of the hydrogen Balmer lines of solar-like stars are investigated for stellar chromospheric activity by using the co-source spectral data of the LAMOST Low-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey (LRS) and Medium-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey (MRS). The Balmer H α , H β , H γ , and H δ lines in the LRS data and the H α line in the MRS data are analyzed. The absolute flux indexes, defined as the ratios of the absolute fluxes at the centers of the Balmer lines to the stellar bolometric flux, are employed to indicate the intensity magnitudes of the Balmer lines in response to stellar activity. The H α indexes derived from the LRS data and the MRS data, respectively, are calibrated to be quantitatively consistent with each other. It is found that, as the H α index increases, the H β , H γ , and H δ indexes first present trend of increasing and then decreasing, and finally increase synchronously with the H α index. The distributions of the Balmer line indexes also reveal the three distinct stages of stellar activity (normal stage, intense stage, and extremely intense stage), in which the extremely intense stage is characterized by the synchronous growth of the indexes of the four Balmer lines. The different behaviors of the H β , H γ , and H δ lines from that of the H α line can be interpreted by the different mechanisms by which the line-core intensities are formed, and the three distinct activity stages imply the very different magnetic field environments and physical conditions of solar-like stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results are presented from an analysis of manifestations of the activity of the spectral class K2V dwarf HD189733, which has one of the best studied exoplanets of the hot-Jupiter type. Including the activity of the star makes analysis of the characteristics of the planet considerably more complicated (in particular, cool spots on the star's surface introduce an additional signal in the relation between the depth of a transit and the size of the planet and prevent an exact determination of the radius of the planet). Photometric data for HD189733 in the archive of the TESS mission are analyzed and conclusions are reached on the values of the rotation period Prot of the star, for which we estimated values of 12.5 and 11.3 days for sectors 41 and 54, respectively. A comparison of these with previous estimates based on earthbound photometric observations suggests that the differences in Prot at different times are related to the fact of different observation times spots located at different latitudes on the surface of the differentially rotating star predominated. According to the TESS data the amplitude of the brightness variation of HD189733 is 1.6 and 0.9% of the mean brightness level of the star (for sectors 41 and 54, respectively). The standard method was used to estimate the spottedness parameter of the star (2.0 and 1.2% of the star's surface area) and values of the area of the spotted surface A of the star in absolute terms (9200 MSH and 5400 MSH for sectors 41 and 54, respectively) were obtained. Based on 771 estimates of the star's brightness in the V band presented in the Kamogata Wide-field Survey, an analysis was made of the long-term activity of HD189733 which yielded indications of the possible existence of activity cycles of duration 1140 and 4220 days (3.1 and 11.6 years, respectively). Based on an analysis of published data it has been concluded that the level of chromospheric activity of HD189733 exceeds the average values typical of other cool dwarfs with analogous values of the color index (B-V) and is higher than the solar value. It is concluded that HD189733 has a moderate (or somewhat higher than average) activity typical of analogous dwarfs in spectral class K but, nevertheless, requires that the properties and evolution of the planet formed around this star be taken into detailed account during modeling, regardless of whether a simplified method or an exact magnetohydrodynamic model is used to estimate them. It should also be noted that the activity of the star is a variable over time (on a time scale comparable to Prot) and requires estimates that are made simultaneously with the main studies of the exoplanet's atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their tremendous industrial, environmental, and biological applications, research focusing on the synthesis and applications of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has attracted increased interest from researchers over the past two decades. Their structural as well as textural properties can be easily tuned depending on the synthesis protocol utilized. Combustion synthesis has received increased attention as a one-pot route for the synthesis of a wide spectrum of nanomaterials. In this study, we present the results of synthesizing Ag NPs employing urea as a combustion fuel. The effect of the temperature of calcination on the formation and structural features of Ag NPs has been checked over the 400–700 °C temperature range. The characterization of the synthesized Ag NPs has been performed using XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS techniques. It was found that Ag NPs, with a crystallite size of 40 nm, start to form at around 400 °C. Conducting the calcination at the 500–700 °C range results in the persistence of the obtained Ag NPs. Moreover, the obtained nanomaterials are characterized by a membrane-like morphology. The activity performance of the synthesized Ag NPs was examined for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) over a temperature range of 35–50 °C. Increasing the calcination temperature has led to a decrease in the activity of the Ag NPs during the NaBH4 hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) catalyzes hydroxylation of L-tyrosine to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, the initial and rate-limiting step in the synthesis of dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Mutations in the human TH gene are associated with hereditary motor disorders. The common C886T mutation identified in the mouse Th gene results in the R278H substitution in the enzyme molecule. We investigated the impact of this mutation on the TH activity in the mouse midbrain. The TH activity in the midbrain of Mus musculus castaneus (CAST) mice homozygous for the 886C allele was higher compared to C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice homozygous for the 886T allele. Notably, this difference in the enzyme activity was not associated with changes in the Th gene mRNA levels and TH protein content. Analysis of the TH activity in the midbrain in mice from the F2 population obtained by crossbreeding of C57BL/6 and CAST mice revealed that the 886C allele is associated with a high TH activity. Moreover, this allele showed complete dominance over the 886T allele. However, the C886T mutation did not affect the levels of TH protein in the midbrain. These findings demonstrate that the C886T mutation is a major genetic factor determining the activity of TH in the midbrain of common laboratory mouse strains. Moreover, it represents the first common spontaneous mutation in the mouse Th gene whose influence on the enzyme activity has been demonstrated. These results will help to understand the role of TH in the development of adaptive and pathological behavior, elucidate molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of TH, and explore pharmacological agents for modulating its function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of animal behaviour has often relied on tracking and recording the behaviour of a single individual. For example, for decades, gregarious locust behaviour research has used a standard assay that tracks the path of an individual in a cell, including how much time it spends next to an adjacent cell containing a group of stimulus locusts. However, this process can be time-consuming and impractical in lab and field settings. Here, we validate a complementary approach that uses spatial distribution patterns of a group of locusts in a circular arena to characterize the level of gregarious behaviour. We examined temporal variations in nearest neighbour distances as a criterion of attraction–repulsion and the successive changes of position of the individuals as a criterion of activity level. We used 3rd instar juveniles of the Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche and Fairmaire1849), reared in isolated or crowded conditions. Locusts exhibit density-dependent plasticity, and crowd-rearing induces gregarious behaviour. As predicted, we found a larger nearest-neighbour distance between isolated-reared hoppers (indicating repulsion) than mass reared hoppers, which showed attraction to their conspecifics. Mass reared locusts walked greater distances, marking higher activity levels, which is another characteristic of gregarious locusts. These results indicate that this is an efficient and effective method of quantifying gregarious behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cr–Ti system was investigated by several experimental methods and first-principles calculations. The thermodynamic activity of the body-centered cubic solid solution was measured by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. The stability of all three polymorphic structures of the Laves phase (C14, C15, and C36) was determined by differential thermal analysis, and the equilibrium tie-lines with the solid solution were obtained by combining results from diffusion couples and equilibrated alloys. The enthalpy of formation of the Laves phases with the corresponding end-members were calculated using density functional theory and the obtained values were integrated in the models. The experimental and computed data available in the literature was reviewed and the binary system was assessed by the Calphad method. The present evaluation results in an improved thermodynamic description, which can describe the experimentally observed activity in a large temperature range. The temperatures of the invariant reactions between the C15 and the C36 phase with the Cr-rich and the Ti-rich bcc solid solution were significantly modified. The difference of the temperature of transformation between the C15 and the C36 polytypes on both sides of the Laves phase is much smaller than reported previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the polymerization behavior and polymer properties, hindered phenol is added as the third compound in a mature metallocene catalyst system, Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2-MAO, for ethylene (co)polymerization in this study. The steric hindered phenols reduce the chain transfer ability of free trimethylaluminum in the system. At the same time, the chemical environment surrounding the active center was changed, giving it greater steric hindrance. It results the increases of molecular weight of ethylene homopolymer and ethylene-1-octene copolymer (from 61.4k to max. 208.8k for ethylene homopolymerization and from 49.6k to max. 100.3k). And the activity for ethylene homopolymerization slightly increased (from 498 to max. 654 kg-PE/mol-cat/hr) and that for ethylene/1-octene decreased (from 1128 to min. 870 kg-copolymer/mol-cat/hr). The incorporation of 1-octene increased only in one polymerization (from 15.3 to 16.8 mol%), while others decreased (to min. 11.5 mol%). It is also found that the introduction of the third compound changed the distribution of monomers in the polymer chain, therefore it is believed that the third compound is involved in the formation of active center. These changes are closely related to the structure and dosage of steric hindered phenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of new photometric observations of the chromospherically active star ET Dra, performed using telescopes of the Zvenigorod INASAN Observatory, the Russian-Cuban Observatory in the territory of the Republic of Cuba (Havana), and the Terskol INASAN Observatory (a total of 8 sets of observations) with the addition of archival observations of the Kamogata Wide-field Survey. Variations in the shape of the light curve caused by the rotational modulation of a star with spots on the surface, as well as studies of the long-term variability of the star's brightness, were investigated based on the data acquired in 2018–2023. Characteristic changes in the ET Dra light curve were noted including a decrease of the stellar brightness in the filter, its cyclic variations, and subsequent brightness increase. The shape of the phase curve and the duration of the extended minimum of brightness vary. During the HJD 245 9670–245 9715 interval, the amplitude of the star's brightness variability reached a maximum value of more than 0.4m, as it was in 1990. The surface temperature inhomogeneities maps were calculated and estimates of the spottedness parameter S of the object were performed for each of the 8 sets of observations. Maximum value of parameter S was 32.2‒33.5%. Based on the constructed power spectra, the values of possible cycles of long-term activity of the star were obtained as 570 and 1160d (1.56 and 3.18 years, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical challenge to the commercialization of clean and high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is the insufficient stack lifespan caused by a variety of degradation mechanisms, which are associated with cell components and chemical feedstocks. Cell components related degradation refers to thermal/chemical/electrochemical deterioration of cell materials under operating conditions, whereas the latter regards impurities in feedstocks of oxidant (air) and reductant (fuel). This article provides a thermodynamic perspective on the understanding of the impurities-induced degradation mechanisms in SOFCs. The discussion focuses on using thermodynamic analysis to elucidate poisoning mechanisms in cathodes by impurity species such as Cr, CO2, H2O, and SO2 and in the anode by species such as S (or H2S), SiO2, and P2 (or PH3). The author hopes the presented fundamental insights can provide a theoretical foundation for searching for better technical solutions to address the critical degradation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The simplified endoscopic score of Crohn's disease (SES-CD) is the gold standard for quantitatively evaluating Crohn's disease (CD) activity but is invasive. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model based on dual-energy CT enterography (DECTE) to noninvasively evaluate CD activity. Methods: We evaluated the activity in 202 bowel segments of 46 CD patients according to the SES-CD score and divided the segments randomly into training set and testing set at a ratio of 7:3. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for feature selection, and three models based on significant parameters were established based on logistic regression. Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration, and clinical decision curves. Results: There were 110 active and 92 inactive bowel segments. In univariate analysis, the slope of spectral curve in the venous phases (λHU-V) has the best diagnostic performance, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.81 and an optimal threshold of 1.975. In the testing set, the AUC of the three models established by the 7 variables to differentiate CD activity was 0.81–0.87 (DeLong test p value was 0.071–0.766, p > 0.05), and the combined model had the highest AUC of 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.779–0.959). Conclusions: The ML model based the DECTE can feasibly evaluate CD activity, and DECTE parameters provide a quantitative analysis basis for evaluating specific bowel activities in CD patients. Critical relevance statement: The machine learning model based on dual-energy computed tomography enterography can be used for evaluating Crohn's disease activity noninvasively and quantitatively. Key Points: Dual-energy CT parameters are related to Crohn's disease activity. Three machine learning models effectively evaluated Crohn's disease activity. Combined models based on conventional and dual-energy CT have the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogenotrophic pathway for methane production in anaerobic reactors is capturing the attention of the academic community. For this reason, the factors involved in the specific hydrogenotrophic methanogenic activity (SHMA) test must be well known to perform an accurate characterization of biosludge. Specifically, the resistance to mass transfer between the gas and liquid phases can become the primary factor influencing the global rate, thus yielding misleading results. This paper presents a comprehensive model that aims to understand the dynamics of the variables and evaluate the limitations associated with the assay conditions. Experimental determinations of SHMA and mass transfer coefficient (kLa) are performed to support the model findings. The mass transfer of gaseous substrates and the biological reactions, occurring within a pseudohomogeneous liquid phase, are sequential processes. If the resistance to mass transfer is significant relative to the reaction rate, it adversely affects the overall rate and consequently leads to an inaccurate determination of the activity. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the shaking conditions, flask geometry, and biomass concentration during the test to prevent the mass transfer resistance from determining the overall rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the synthetic analogue of leu-enkephalin (dalargin) on the level of corticosterone in the blood and the mass of the adrenal glands in rats with various typological features of behavior in the model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was studied. Groups were formed: active low-anxiety (ALA) and high-anxiety (AHA), as well as passive low-anxiety (PLA) and high-anxiety (PHA) rats. Each of the four groups of rats was divided into three subgroups, where subgroup 1 is an intact control. Twenty days after the first stressful exposure, rats from subgroup 3 were injected intramuscularly with dalargin for seven days, and rats from subgroup 2 were injected with saline solution. It was found that the course of injections of dalargin into rats in the PTSD model had a positive effect on the studied indicators only in the group of active high-anxiety animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to search for new natural product-based antitumor agents, a series of novel thiazolidinone derivatives of dehydroabietic acid-based B ring-fused-thiazole were designed and synthesized. The primary antitumor tests showed that compounds 5 m exhibited almost the best inhibitory activity against the tested cancer cells. The computational study suggested NOTCH1, IGF1R, TLR4, and KDR were the core targets of the title compounds, and the IC50 of SCC9 and Cal27 is strong correlation with the binding ability of TLR4 and compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of single-ion activity coefficients is addressed, primarily, in view of application of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). A brief historical survey is followed by the consideration of the information delivered by measurements of the EMF of galvanic cells with and without liquid junction. It is shown that obtaining practically relevant data, the content of a particular ion in mixed solution requires measurements with cells with liquid junction. These measurements, in turn, require the use of individual ion activities. Several conventions aimed at accessing these values are discussed. The above-mentioned issues can be useful for teaching electrochemistry. An empirical modification of the Davies' equation is proposed: l o g γ i = - A z i 2 I 1 + a Kiell B I + D i z i I . The values of individual, ion-specific parameters a Kiell and D i have been found based on the best agreement with literature data on the mean electrolyte activity coefficients. Activity coefficients of cation, γ + , and anion, γ - , are calculated separately using the equation proposed, and the respective mean electrolyte activity coefficient is calculated according to its definition using the obtained single-ion activity coefficients: γ ± υ = γ + υ + γ - υ - . The calculated mean electrolyte activity coefficients are compared with literature data on mean electrolyte activities of 53 electrolytes (at 25 °C). The consistency of the proposed values of the individual ion parameters is achieved: for a particular ion, they remain the same in any electrolyte. For KCl and CaCl2, it is also checked whether individual ion parameter values are suitable over the temperature range from 15 to 35 °C (relevant in view of ISE application), and whether these values allow for a consistent interpretation of the ISE response in pure and mixed solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of the planetary system TOI-1422, in which two planets of a neptune type orbit around a low-activity star of solar type with an age of about 5 billion years, are examined. We have previously analyzed activity of the star TOI-1422, found indications of the existence of possible activity cycles, and considered estimates of the orbital rotation period P of the star. The inner planet TOI-1422 b belongs to the hot-neptune types; it rotates with an orbit of period about 13 days and has an equilibrium temperature of Teq,b = 867 K. Calculations using a model of atmospheric loss with an energy limit for TOI-1422 b yielded 9.4·108 g/s of matter from the atmosphere. The outer planet of the system TOI-1422 c can also be regarded as a hot neptune; it has an orbital period of 29.3 days, its minimal mass, Mc sini, is 11.1M ⊕ , and the equilibrium temperature is Teq,c = 661 K. For estimating the radius of TOI-1422 c we have used an empirical M-R relation. It was found that the loss of matter from the atmosphere of the planet TOI-1422 c is 7.8·107 g/s and, given the error in the parameters, it may lie within a range from 6.1·107 g/s to 9.7·107 g/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of the planetary system TOI-784, in which an earth-like planet orbits a low-activity star of solar type, are examined. Archived V-band measurements of the brightness of TOI-784 in the ASAS 4 data base do not yield reliable indications about the variability of the brightness owing to rotation or about the cyclical long-term variability of this object. A possible estimate of the magnitude of the rotation period of the star is Prot/sini = 41.7 ± 11.4 days. The age of the system according to the empirical gyrochronological relations equals 7.8±3.4 billion years. The average value of the atmospheric activity parameter logR′HK = – 4.99 which corresponds to the level of low-activity stars with analogous (B-V) color index is found and is close to that of the sun. The radius of the planet TOI-784 b is equal to 1.93 R⊕, its mass is 9.67 M⊕, and its average density is 7.4 g/cm3 (the planet is rocky). An estimate of the loss of matter from the atmosphere of the planet TOI-784 b was obtained from an approximate formula corresponding to a model of loss by the atmosphere with a limit on energy. Calculations have shown that the rate of loss of matter by the atmosphere of the planet is 4.7 ⋅ 108 g/s. The relatively low rate of loss of matter by the planet's atmosphere, despite a high effective temperature of the star's atmosphere and the closeness of the planet to the star, is probably related to a low level of activity of the star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cycloartane-type triterpene glycoside that was called cyclomucidoside C was isolated from the aerial part of the plant Astragalus mucidus Bunge. Its chemical structure was elucidated based on 1H and 13C NMR spectral data (COSY, HSQC, HMBC). Studies of extracts of A. mucidus and cyclomucidoside C did not show antibacterial activity against the three strains Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Human presence and land-use activities influence habitat use and activity of species. It is crucial to study the ecological and anthropogenic determinants that drive these relationships. Objectives: We investigated the effects of land-use change and human presence on the habitat use of seven mammalian species and on their activity patterns. Methods: We conducted a camera-trapping survey in Ballari district, India. We deployed camera-traps at 1457 sampling grid cells across Protected Areas (PAs), Reserved Forests (RFs), and adjoining fringe mosaic farmlands (FMFLs). We assessed the influence of 19 covariates related to habitat features, landscape-level human presence, climate, and local-level human presence on species habitat use. We examined the diel activity patterns and activity levels of mammals within different land-use types. Results: Four species exhibited a net negative response to increasing human presence, while three species exhibited positive responses. Respectively, proximity to farmlands, and settlements positively influenced habitat use by Panthera pardus, and Lepus nigricollis,. Increasing direct human presence negatively affected Sus scrofa habitat use. Large body-sized species exhibited higher diurnal activity in PA/RF compared to FMFL while smaller-sized (≤ 2.2 kg) species maintained similar activity patterns across land-use types. Generalist meso-predators exhibited more diurnal activity in RF/FMFL. Conclusions: Ecological and life history traits were strong predictors of species responses to increasing human presence which favoured smaller and generalist species. These insights into the complex mechanisms through which human activities shape mammal communities are important landscape level perspectives on conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generalized structure of rational activity is considered. The model of cognitive processes is presented in the form of interacting functional blocks of processing of information structures. In the context of the activity approach, the basic concepts of natural and artificial intelligence are considered, and the characteristic properties of the essence of "knowledge" are determined. The necessity of considering intelligence in symbiosis with knowledge and activity is substantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient heterogeneous catalysts for chemoselective hydrogenation of terminal and disubstituted alkynes and alkynols to monoenes based on Pd–P particles have been proposed. The influence of a zeolite support (Na-ZSM-5, MSM-41) and a phosphorus modifier on the properties of palladium catalysts in the semihydrogenation of acetylenic compounds is considered. Promotion with phosphorus increases the activity of palladium catalysts in hydrogenation of various acetylenic compounds 2.5- to 30-fold without reducing the selectivity for monoenes. The high selectivity for monoenes is determined by both thermodynamic and kinetic factors. The possibility of changing the ratio of the rates of hydrogenation of triple and double bonds by varying the nature of the solvent and the structural order of the catalyst particles was demonstrated using hydrogenation of acetylenic alcohols as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ordinary Portland cement (OPC) as usual binder is widely used for the backfilling in the Zijinshan Copper mine of Fujian province, whereas it leads to high cost of cemented paste backfill (CPB) every year. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of low-calcium fly ash (LCFA) substituting for OPC on the compressive strength of CPB samples, through treating LCFA with mechanical and chemical action method to improve its pozzolanic activity. The experiment results show that the compressive strength of CPB samples is not increased when the non-treated LCFA is added into substitute for partial OPC. However, the compressive strength is obviously improved by the replacement of partial OPC with treated LCFA. When the substitution ratio of treated LCFA is 29.8%, the 28-day compressive strength of CPB samples with binder/tailing ratio of 1:6 achieves 3.9 MPa, and is 1.95 times higher than that of CPB samples with OPC as sole binder under the same condition. The economic analysis result exhibits a partial replacement (29.8%) of OPC with treated LCFA can save 28.7% of cemented backfill cost, indicating great economic benefit for underground backfilling mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Functional lipids, primarily derived through the modification of natural lipids by various processes, are widely acknowledged for their potential to impart health benefits. In contrast to chemical methods for lipid modification, enzymatic catalysis offers distinct advantages, including high selectivity, mild operating conditions, and reduced byproduct formation. Nevertheless, enzymes face challenges in industrial applications, such as low activity, stability, and undesired selectivity. To address these challenges, protein engineering techniques have been implemented to enhance enzyme performance in functional lipid synthesis. This article aims to review recent advances in protein engineering, encompassing approaches from directed evolution to rational design, with the goal of improving the properties of lipid-modifying enzymes. Furthermore, the article explores the future prospects and challenges associated with enzyme-catalyzed functional lipid synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological changes in the adrenal glands of male Wistar rats were studied after intramuscular injection of dalargin, a synthetic leu-enkephalin analog, in a model of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). According to the results of testing in the T-maze and elevated plus maze (EPM), the rats were divided into four groups: active low-anxiety (ALA), active high-anxiety (AHA), passive low-anxiety (PLA), and passive high-anxiety (PHA) animals. In dalargin-injected ALA rats with a PTSD model, the thickness of the adrenal cortex zona fasciculata (zF) increased by 14% (p < 0.05), the area of zF cell nuclei by 9.5% (p < 0.001), and the area of the adrenal medulla by 21% (p < 0.05). With the development of a PTSD-like state in AHA rats, zF thickness increased by 10% (p < 0.05), while dalargin in a PTSD model prevented this increase. The development of a PTSD-like state in PLA rats was accompanied by an increase in zF thickness by 17% (p < 0.05) and a decrease in the area of zF cell nuclei, overall area of the adrenal medulla, and area of medullary cell nuclei by 10.5, 41 and 8%, respectively (p < 0.05). After dalargin injection in a PTSD model, the area of medullary cell nuclei decreased by another 7% (p < 0.05). In dalargin-injected PHA rats with a PTSD model, zF thickness increased by 23% (p < 0.01). It was concluded that the effects of dalargin on morphometric parameters of the rat adrenals in a PTSD model rely on individual typological features of rat behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the changes in orbital soft tissue volume and visual function after endoscopic transnasal medial orbital decompression in patients with active and inactive dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). Methods: This prospective, cohort study recruited 112 patients (112 eyes) with DON who were divided into an active and inactive DON group (56 eyes each) by clinical activity scores. All patients underwent endoscopic transnasal medial orbital decompression. The pre- and post-operative orbital soft tissue volumes were measured with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) using Mimics software. Visual function, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field (VF), and visual evoked potential (VEP), was recorded before and after surgery. Results: Preoperatively, compared with the inactive DON group, the active DON group had greater extraocular muscle volume (EMV) and EMV/orbital volume (OV) ratio, but worse BCVA, VF, and exophthalmos. Postoperatively, although the EMV slightly increased, with the enlarged medial rectus muscle contributing dramatically, the EMV/OV ratio decreased in patients with DON. Besides, visual function including BCVA, VF, VEP and exophthalmos was also improved in both groups after surgery. There were no significant differences in postoperative OV; EMV; EMV/OV ratio; and the BCVA, VF, and VEP parameters between both groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with DON who did not respond well to steroids, regardless of disease activity, may benefit from orbital decompression via the decrease in the proportion of EMV in OV, especially patients with active DON, who showed more improved visual function than patients with inactive DON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the dynamics of the reconnection and energy release processes of the X2.2 and X9.3 flares that occurred on September 6, 2017 in the active region NOAA 12673. We used SDO/AIA 1600 Å images together with SDO/HMI magnetograms. As a proxy for the flare energy release rate, we used the KRIM and RSTN microwave time profiles, GOES soft X-rays and its time derivative. Assuming that the chromospheric flare ribbons are located at the footpoints of magnetic field lines reconnecting in the corona and that the magnetic flux is conserved from the photosphere to the corona, we obtained magnetic reconnection fluxes and rates of its change. The cumulative positive and negative magnetic fluxes involved in the reconnection process were balanced. Temporal correlations are found between the calculated reconnection rate and the observed microwave emissions from for both events. An analysis of the total cumulative magnetic flux and SXR fluence of events showed that the magnitude of the magnetic flux involved in the reconnection process was greater in more energetic events and less in weaker ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of trust is a primary concern for individuals in distributed collaborative environments (DCEs), particularly in emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In these environments, collaboration and access to services are achieved through collaborative activities, so collaborators must have a certain level of trust to participate in and achieve the goals of these activities. Most of the trust models proposed for DCEs do not consider collaboration as a factor influencing trust, so they do not help users determine who to trust, what level of trust to assign, and why trust is important during collaborative activities. In this work, we propose a new trust model for DCEs that considers collaboration as an influencing factor in evaluating users' trust levels according to the goals they want to achieve during a collaborative activity. One of the strengths of our proposed model is that it also assesses the trust of a collaborative teams. Our model relies on three trust components—recommendation, reputation, and collaboration—to assess trust relationships, and we dynamically assign weights to each trust component using the weighted moving average and ordered weighted averaging combination algorithm to increase flexibility. The healthcare case prototype we developed demonstrates that our trust model is an effective approach for reinforcing trustworthiness in DCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results are presented from an analysis of the manifestations of activity of the star WASP-193 of spectral class F9 with a super-neptune-type planet. The gaseous giant WASP-193 b with a mass 0.13 times Jupiter's mass and almost one and a half times its radius. The planet has a low density ρ = 0.059±0.014 g/cm3 (Kepler 51 d is an analogous object; there are few other exoplanets of this type). The equilibrium temperature of the atmosphere of the planet is high at Teq = 1254±31 K. The results of this study of the star's activity are used to estimate the loss of matter by the atmosphere of the planet WASP-193 b using an approximation formula corresponding to a model with limited energy. Estimates of the flux of XUV-photons FXUV were made using an analytical relationship relating FXUV and the parameter log R HK ′ for stars in classes F-M. Calculations showed that the loss of matter from the atmosphere of the exoplanet is quite high (even in the case of a low chromospheric activity of the parent star). The parameter M ˙ ranges from 1.8∙1010 g/s to 4.3∙1011 g/s, depending on the assumed level of the flux of XUV-photons (high and low activity). It is probable that the planet is losing its atmosphere intensively. WASP-193 b can be regarded as a high-priority candidate for observations using the JWST space mission (the transmission spectroscopy metric TSM for this object is about 600). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of our photometric observations of the chromospherically active star FK Com (prototype of its group of stars) acquired during the recent 5 years (2018–2023) at the INASAN observatories in Zvenigorod and Simeiz and at the Russian–Cuban observatory in Habana (Republic of Cuba). In total, we obtained 9060 estimates of the star's brightness in the V filter between 2018 and 2023. Our measurements, as well as data from the literature and from the Kamogata Wide-field Survey (KWS) archive, were combined into a unified set containing 17 653 measurements for a time interval about 57 years long. Based on the power spectrum derived from these data, we identified possible activity cycles , estimated by us to be 2.4, 5.63, 8, 13.6, 30, and 49 years. The dominating is 5.63 years long. We show that the dominating cycle found by us from extensive data to be about 5.63 years (5.4–5.8 years from other sources in the literature) can also be noticed from the analysis of earlier studies. We compared our results on the activity cycles of FK Com to data on long-term variations of two other stars of the same type, HD 199178 (V1794 Cyg) and ET Dra. Data on of other chromospherically active stars (from the literature and from our measurements) were used to analyze the diagram. We make a conclusion on the compatibility of our determinations of activity cycles for stars of the FK Com type with data for RS CVn stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional demands of patients undergoing knee arthroplasty are increasing. However, it remains unclear which patient-specific factors have an impact on postoperative activity and whether there is a difference between total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (TKA/UKA). Materials and methods: This retrospective study analyzed 1907 knees with TKA (n = 1746) or UKA (n = 161), implanted for primary osteoarthritis. Pain and activity (lower extremity activity scale, LEAS) were assessed 2 years after surgery. High activity was defined as LEAS ≥ 14. Cohorts were compared using Kruskal–Wallis or Pearson-Chi-square test. A generalized least squares model was used to predict LEAS scores between cohorts adjusted for age, sex, BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index, ASA score, and preoperative LEAS. Result: There was no difference in pain 2 years after surgery between UKA and TKA (p = 0.952). Preoperative LEAS was similar for UKA and TKA (p = 0.994), and both groups showed significant (p < 0.001 respectively) and similar improvements after surgery (p = 0.068). LEAS 2 years after surgery was 11.1 (SD 3.2) for TKA and 11.9 (SD 3.5) for the UKA group (p = 0.004). After adjusting for preoperative LEAS, age, sex, BMI, CCI and ASA, the difference was not significant (p = 0.225). Male sex, lower BMI, higher preoperative LEAS, and younger age were associated with higher postoperative LEAS (p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Patients can achieve a high level of activity following both TKA and UKA. While the postoperative activity level did not depend on the type of the procedure, younger age, male sex, lower BMI, and a higher preoperative activity level were associated with a higher postoperative activity level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing evidence for close interrelations between vestibular and emotional brain networks. A study in patients with bilateral peripheral vestibulopathy (BVP) showed relatively low vertigo-related anxiety (VRA), despite high physical impairment. The current working hypothesis proposes the integrity of the peripheral vestibular system as a prerequisite for development of VRA. Here we contribute by evaluating VRA and vestibular-related handicap in central vestibular disorders. Methods: Of 6396 patients presenting in a tertiary vertigo centre, 306 were identified with four clear central vestibular disorders: pure cerebellar ocular motor disorder (COD; 61), cerebellar ataxia (CA; 63), atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS; 28), vestibular migraine (VM; 154). Their results of the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire (VHQ), with its subscales for anxiety and handicapped activity, were compared to those of 65 BVP patients. Postural instability was measured on a force-plate. Multivariate linear regression was used to adjust for patient demographics. Results: Patients with chronic central vestibular disorders (COD, CA, APS) had relatively low VRA levels comparable to those in BVP, independent of increased handicapped activity or postural instability. Only VM patients showed significantly higher VRA, although their activity impairment and postural instability were lowest. No significant differences within chronic central vestibular disorders were found for VRA and subjective activity impairment. Conclusions: Subjective and objective vestibular-related impairment are not necessarily correlated with vestibular-related anxiety in central vestibular disorders. Our findings rather support the hypothesis that, in addition to an intact peripheral, an intact central vestibular system could also serve as a prerequisite to develop specific VRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here studies of exploratory activity, anxiety, and motor disintegration in prenatally stressed immature and adult male and female rats using the Suok test method. Female rats at pregnancy days 16–19 were placed for 3 h in plastic pencil cases to impose restraint on the animals. Offspring were tested at 20 and 120 days of postnatal ontogenesis. Testing of adult females took account of the estrous cycle. Anxiety decreased and exploratory activity increased in all experimental groups, with the exception of adult females in diestrus. At this stage of the estrous cycle, females showed behavioral patterns characterized by anxiety and decreased exploratory behavior. Sensorimotor disintegration, characteristic of immature animals of the experimental groups, settled with age, but not in females in diestrus. Thus, the results obtained here lead to the conclusion that prenatal stress can have both adaptive functions, increasing exploratory behavior, and maladaptive functions. Prenatal stress-induced anxiolytic effects could be negative, impairing evolutionarily significant protective mechanisms, or beneficial, depending on environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the method for the introduction of zirconium in the 4Mo/ZSM-5 catalyst and of its amount on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of the catalyst during the nonoxidative conversion of methane into aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and naphthalene) has been studied. The catalyst was modified with zirconium by impregnation and solid phase mixing. The resulting zeolite catalysts were studied by IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, temperature-programmed ammonia desorption, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. With an increase in the zirconium concentration introduced in the 4Mo/ZSM-5 catalyst, the strength and concentration of its strong acid sites that are responsible for methane aromatization decrease regardless of the method of modification. The particle size and morphology of the catalyst, the distribution of Mo and Zr in them, and the presence of coke deposits on their surface were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic tests and subsequent thermal analysis of the samples showed that the addition of zirconium to the 4Mo/ZSM-5 catalyst leads not only to an increase in its catalytic activity, but also to operational stability due to the lower rate of coke formation. It was established that 4Mo/ZSM-5 modified with 1 wt % Zr by solid-phase synthesis is the most effective catalyst in methane dehydroaromatization (DHA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygenases are important biocatalysts to produce many industrially important biomolecules. Here, a novel oxygenase, named MoxA, was identified through screening of a deep-sea sediment metagenomic library. Sequence analysis showed MoxA contains 424 amino acid residues with a predicated molecular mass of 46.9 kDa. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated the sequence might be a new member of monooxygenase subfamily. A recombinant MoxA was obtained through the functional expression of moxA gene in Escherichia coli. Characterization of the purified MoxA indicated that it is an alkaline oxygenase showing maximal activity at pH 8.0. The optimal temperature of MoxA was 37 ℃, and it retained more than 70% of its initial activity after 1 h at 20–50 ℃ exhibiting good thermostability. Furthermore, effect of metal ions and organic solvents on enzymatic activity was investigated, and the results showed that the activity of MoxA was enhanced by Cu2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Mg2+ at 1 mM, and by Co2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ at 5 mM. Moreover, the recombinant strain harboring MoxA was used as a whole-cell biocatalyst for the efficient biosynthesis of indigo showing promising conversion efficiency. The biochemical properties of MoxA indicated that it would provide great contribution for the indigo bioproduction. Key points: • A novel monooxygenase from a metagenomic library was characterized. • The activity of MoxA was enhanced by metal ions at 1 mM and 5 mM. • MoxA has an optimal temperature of 37 ℃ and exhibited high conversion capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data obtained on the synthesis and search for biological activity among metal complexes based on 4-aryl-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid (hetero)arylamides were integrated. The data on the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, antihypoxic, and immunotropic activities of the synthesized compounds were analyzed. The relationship between the chemical structure and biological activity of chelate complexes was discussed and some regular features were identified. Promising compounds for further research and development of new domestic pharmaceutical substances were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]