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The concentrations of Te, As, Bi, Sb and Se (TABS+) in magmas from large igneous provinces (LIPs) are of interest because these elements are important in the formation of platinum-group minerals (PGM) found in magmatic Ni Cu platinum-group element (PGE) deposits. Furthermore, the TABS+ are volatile and hence they may be lost in degassing and have a role to play in the mass extinctions associated with LIPs events because these are mostly toxic elements. However, the concentrations of TABS+ in magmas from LIPs are not well documented due in part to the analytical difficulties and in part to the numerous processes that affect their distribution. We have determined the concentration of TABS+ and PGE in rocks from the Paraná Magmatic Province (PMP) in order to assess the effects of fractional crystallization, sulfide segregation and magma degassing. Decrease in the Rh, Ru and Ir concentrations with Mg and Cr indicate that these elements behaved as compatible elements during crystal fractionation. Based on changes in the Cu/Pd sulfide saturation occurred in some cases resulting into a decrease in Pd and Pt. Arsenic and Sb behave as incompatible elements, whereas Se, Te and Bi show variable behaviour. Most lavas from the PMP display negative As, Se and Te anomalies on mantle-normalized patters coupled with Te/Cu, Se/Cu and As/Th and Sb/Th ratios lower than mantle values, which we attribute to loss of the TABS+ during degassing. • Distribution of TABS+ and PGE in the Paraná Magmatic Province was investigated. • We assess the effects of fractionation, sulfide segregation and magma degassing. • Crystallization of olivine and chromite led to a depletion of Rh and IPGE. • Cu and Pd contents support crystallization under sulfide-saturated conditions. • Negative As, Se and Te mantle-normalized anomalies support loss upon degassing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of electromagnetic fields on bacterial denitrification has been tested on synthetic media with sludges from wastewater treatment stations, in batch mode. The effects of the intensity of the magnetic induction ratio B (mT), reaction volume and initial biomass concentration on the kinetics of the denitrification process were studied. Magnetic field had both an optimal stimulating effect on the activity of the denitrifying flora for B (mT)/mgx values of the order of 0.212, and an inhibitory effect for the values beyond the latter.Sludges underwent multiple exposure cycles to magnetic fields. It was shown that, after three exposure cycles, denitrification kinetics went from 6.5 to 12.7 mg N–NO- 3.L−1.h−1 which corresponds to a 2.7 fold improvement. The improved performance persists even after the cessation of the magnetic field. Observation of the sludge by the environmentalelectron microscope shows that the microbial population forming the starting sludge; changed following exposure to the magnetic field. The action of the; electromagnetic field on the microbial populations in denitrification resulted in the modification of the diversity of the flora that is initially present, favoring the development of Proteo bacteria, particularly the Betaproteo bacteria subclass, which results in improved denitrification. • Static electromagnetic field enhanced denitrification using activated sludge. • Denitrification enhancement remained even after the electromagnetic field was removed. • Electromagnetic field had an effect of the development of different strains in the sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing uses of functional polymers in different domains and the well-established remanence of synthetic polymers underline the necessity to study their microbial biodegradation. A phylloplane bacterial collection was screened for its potential to overcome documented factors limiting polymer biodegradation, i.e. low cleavable long chain linear polymers and low bioavailable hydrophobic compounds. Acrylate-based polymers, namely poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM), poly(acrylamide) (pAM) and poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (pAS), and a hydrophobic crosslinker Epoxidized Soybean Oil Acrylate (ESOA) were used as selective substrates. OD monitoring of growth with these molecules as sole carbon sources were correlated with substrates alterations determined by 1H NMR, GPC and FTIR. Selected strains belong to Bacillales Family XII. Incertae Sedis, Bacillaceae, Nocardiaceae, Micrococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae. Bacillus species mainly developed with ESOA. Exiguobacterium sibiricum strains could grow with pHEMA and pNIPAM leading to polymer molecular weight decreases. Arthrobacter koreensis showed the highest alteration capacities of pHEMA with molecular weight decreases from 22,000 to 3,148 g/mol and the production of presumed aromatics and carbon chains. • 190 bacterial isolates were obtained from the phyllosphere of 4 crops. • 17 strains grow with one selective substrates or more (pHEMA, pNIPAM, ESOA). • Loss of 83% of ESOA in 4 days with Bacillus sp. 1 and degradation of acrylic groups. • Exiguobacterium sibiricum 1 seems to oxidize and cleave pNIPAM backbone. • Arthrobacter koreensis hydrolyses lateral groups and main carbon chain of pHEMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) plays an important role in maintaining calcium homeostasis. The use of calcimimetic cinacalcet has been established to activate CaSR and normalize hypercalcemia. However, cinacalcet has limitations due to its high cLogP and p K . A systematic optimization of cinacalcet to reduce its cLogP and p a . A systematic optimization of cinacalcet to reduce its cLogP and p K a showed excellent potency and a favorable pharmacokinetics profile, and lacked the liabilities of cinacalcet, making it a highly differentiated precision calcimimetic. In adenine-diet-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) models, 23a (LNP1892). Compound 23a in healthy volunteers confirmed its excellent safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in lowering PTH levels in a dose-dependent manner, without causing symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Encouraged by these promising results, LNP1892 was taken to a Phase 2 study in CKD patients.23a demonstrated robust and dose-dependent efficacy, as measured by plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. It also showed an excellent safety profile in animal studies. Phase 1 clinical trials with 23a in healthy volunteers confirmed its excellent safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in lowering PTH levels in a dose-dependent manner, without causing symptomatic hypocalcaemia. Encouraged by these promising results, LNP1892 was taken to a Phase 2 study in CKD patients.