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A novel water-stable 2D Copper-Imidazolate Framework (2DCIF) exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction without the need for calcination. These 2DCIFs have been successfully used as air electrodes in Zn–air batteries.

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., Background: Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis is a rare, inherited, progressive disease caused by mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. We assessed the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with patisiran, an RNA interference therapeutic that inhibits TTR production, in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Methods: This multicentre, open-label extension (OLE) trial enrolled patients at 43 hospitals or clinical centres in 19 countries as of Sept 24, 2018. Patients were eligible if they had completed the phase 3 APOLLO or phase 2 OLE parent studies and tolerated the study drug. Eligible patients from APOLLO (patisiran and placebo groups) and the phase 2 OLE (patisiran group) studies enrolled in this global OLE trial and received patisiran 0·3 mg/kg by intravenous infusion every 3 weeks with plans to continue to do so for up to 5 years. Efficacy assessments included measures of polyneuropathy (modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 [mNIS+7]), quality of life, autonomic symptoms, nutritional status, disability, ambulation status, motor function, and cardiac stress, with analysis by study groups (APOLLO-placebo, APOLLO-patisiran, phase 2 OLE patisiran) based on allocation in the parent trial. The global OLE is ongoing with no new enrolment, and current findings are based on the interim analysis of the patients who had completed 12-month efficacy assessments as of the data cutoff. Safety analyses included all patients who received one or more dose of patisiran up to the data cutoff. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02510261. Findings: Between July 13, 2015, and Aug 21, 2017, of 212 eligible patients, 211 were enrolled: 137 patients from the APOLLO-patisiran group, 49 from the APOLLO-placebo group, and 25 from the phase 2 OLE patisiran group. At the data cutoff on Sept 24, 2018, 126 (92%) of 137 patients from the APOLLO-patisiran group, 38 (78%) of 49 from the APOLLO-placebo group, and 25 (100%) of 25 from the phase 2 OLE patisiran group had completed 12-month assessments. At 12 months, improvements in mNIS+7 with patisiran were sustained from parent study baseline with treatment in the global OLE (APOLLO-patisiran mean change -4·0, 95 % CI -7·7 to -0·3; phase 2 OLE patisiran -4·7, -11·9 to 2·4). Mean mNIS+7 score improved from global OLE enrolment in the APOLLO-placebo group (mean change from global OLE enrolment -1·4, 95% CI -6·2 to 3·5). Overall, 204 (97%) of 211 patients reported adverse events, 82 (39%) reported serious adverse events, and there were 23 (11%) deaths. Serious adverse events were more frequent in the APOLLO-placebo group (28 [57%] of 49) than in the APOLLO-patisiran (48 [35%] of 137) or phase 2 OLE patisiran (six [24%] of 25) groups. The most common treatment-related adverse event was mild or moderate infusion-related reactions. The frequency of deaths in the global OLE was higher in the APOLLO-placebo group (13 [27%] of 49), who had a higher disease burden than the APOLLO-patisiran (ten [7%] of 137) and phase 2 OLE patisiran (0 of 25) groups. Interpretation: In this interim 12-month analysis of the ongoing global OLE study, patisiran appeared to maintain efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Continued long-term follow-up will be important for the overall assessment of safety and efficacy with patisiran.

The Matusagaratí wetland in the Panamanian Darien is one of the largest and most biologically diverse wetland ecosystems in Central America. Despite this, no hydrological studies have been conducted in the area due to its remoteness and difficult access. The aim of this research is to define the relationship between surface water and groundwater through the field and laboratory data obtained from the first monitoring network installed in the Matusagaratí wetland. Variations registered in the isotopic relationships in surface water and groundwater show that the wetland receives contributions from rainfall as well as fluvial and estuarine water. There are areas of the wetland where one of these sources predominates, and others where they mix. In the wetland sector downstream the Tuira river, the groundwater presents a combination of freshwaters coming from Filo del Tallo and those coming from the Tuira river, whose high salinity reflects the estuary's influence. Meanwhile, in the upstream sector of the wetland, the groundwater is a mixture of river water and rainwater on the river´s levee but behind it, rainwater predominates. In all cases, groundwater has Rare Earth Elements patterns like those of the Tuira river, highlighting the importance of river flooding as a source and support system for the wetland groundwater. Hydrological research such as this, presents a valuable opportunity to provide sound scientific information to promote sustainable management and environmental conservation of this unique wetland that is rapidly being transformed to cattle pasture and palm and rice cultivation. Fil: Carol, Eleonora Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas; Argentina Fil: Alvarez, Maria del Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina Fil: Candanedo, Indra. Universidad Tecnologica de Panamá.; Panamá Fil: Saavedra, Sidney. Universidad Tecnologica de Panamá.; Panamá Fil: Arcia, Manuel. Universidad Tecnologica de Panamá.; Panamá Fil: Franco, Ana. Universidad Tecnologica de Panamá.; Panamá

espanolProposito – Las tecnologias disruptivas de ventas al por menor mejoran la productividad y la optimizacion de costes, pero hay una falta de literatura academica sobre los efectos de estas tecnologias en las percepciones y actitudes de los compradores. Este articulo desarrolla y prueba un modelo conceptual de los efectos de la tecnologia minorista en la imagen de la tienda y las intenciones de compra y mide como los servicios de interaccion humana moderaron las relaciones. Este articulo explora dos tecnologias comerciales relevantes para investigarlo. Diseno/metodologia/enfoque – Un total de 480 personas participaron en los tres experimentos en un laboratorio y utilizaron las etiquetas electronicas de estanterias (ESL) y el carro inteligente de la misma manera que podian usarlo en las tiendas. Hallazgos – Los resultados indican que la tecnologia de venta al por menor tiene influencias notables en las percepciones de los consumidores. Por lo tanto, las tecnologias de compra mejoran la percepcion de la imagen de la tienda e incrementa la intencion de compra moderada por los servicios de interaccion humana. Originalidad/valor – Es una contribucion original porque pocos trabajos de investigacion se basan en experimentos para medir las reacciones de los consumidores debido a la implementacion de la nueva tecnologia. Limitaciones/implicaciones – Los experimentos de campo en tiendas reales deben intentar corroborar estos resultados y ofrecer una mayor validez interna. Implicaciones practicas – Los resultados deberian ayudar a reducir la resistencia de los minoristas a su adopcion. La tecnologia en la tienda puede ayudar a los minoristas a aprovechar su imagen de tienda y aumentar las intenciones de compra. Los servicios de interaccion humana podrian ser un puente entre los consumidores y las nuevas tecnologias EnglishPurpose – Disruptive retailing technologies improve productivity and cost optimization, but there is a lack of academic literature about their effects on shoppers’ perceptions and behaviors. This paper aims to develop and test a conceptual model regarding the effects of retail technology on store image and purchase intentions and to measure how human interaction services (HIS) moderate this relationship. Two relevant retail technologies are explored. Design/methodology/approach – The results of this study indicate that retailing technology has notable influences on consumer perceptions. Thus, shopping technologies improve store image perceptions and increase purchase intention, moderated by HIS. Research limitations/implications – Future field experiments in actual stores should attempt to corroborate the results of this study and offer greater internal validity. Practical implications – The results should help reduce retailers’ resistance to technology adoption. Instore technology can help retailers leverage their store image and increase purchase intentions. HIS could offer a bridge between consumers and new technology. Originality/value – This paper is an original research paper, given that few research papers are experimentally based to measure consumer’s reactions to new technology implementation.

Abiotic synthesis of ribonucleotides, mainly at the 5′ position, from the corresponding ribonucleosides within self-assembled supramolecular structures, based on guanosine:borate hydrogels, was carried out in the temperature range of 70–90 °C, using urea and a phosphate source (K2HPO4 or hydroxyapatite). Phosphorylation is possible at initial concentrations of guanosine lower than 20 mM and it is more efficient using wet/dry cycles. Monoamidophosphate (and, eventually, diamidophosphate), diamidodiphosphate and pyrophosphate are intermediates in the synthesis of ribonucleotides. These conclusions are supported by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analysis of samples. On the other hand, after reaction, hydrogels can produce globular aggregates by the addition of water and decreasing temperature, thus confirming that ribonucleotides, once activated under suitable conditions, could form polyribonucleotides.

2,5-Dimethylfuran (DMF) has been considered a promising biofuel additive, potentially derived from renewable resources. There have been various reports on DMF production from hydrogenation of 5-hyd...

Ribose-borate esters or Borate-Bound Species (BBS) with ribose were studied in aqueous solution by NMR and infrared (ATR) spectroscopies, as well as by DSC, PXRD and infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT) after mixing d -ribose and borate by mechanochemical procedures. NMR titrations of solutions of d -ribose by borate and borate by d -ribose were carried out, followed by 1H and 11B NMR analysis, revealing that an excess of d -ribose (relative to borate) leads to the formation of diesters and monoesters; both types of esters are stable under the studied conditions. The occurrence of furanose and the number of chemical bonds to the boron atom were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Interaction of Na+ with BBS revealing an ionic character was clarified by 23Na NMR spectroscopy. The samples obtained by mechanochemical procedures were amorphous, and with excess of borate present, increase their thermal stability at least up to 140 °C. These results expand the conditions of BBS as reagents in prebiotic reactions. Additionally, BBS exhibit uncommon chemical characteristics.

Sewage sludge, a byproduct from wastewater treatment, is one of the most abundant residues in urban areas. Its high carbon and ash content make it an interesting waste to be potentially converted i...

A mechanochemical protocol was applied to the synthesis of a magnetic material based on iron oxide nanoparticles and Al-SBA-15. Full characterization of the prepared Fe2O3/Al-SBA-15 evidenced the effective functionalization of the aluminosilicate surface. Particularly, TEM analysis revealed that the mechanochemical protocol did not considerable affect the hexagonal ordered structure of Al-SBA-15. DRIFT experiments of Fe2O3/Al-SBA-15 showed interesting acidic properties, which can be further associated to a good catalytic performance. The catalytic behavior of the prepared material was tested in the oxidation of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin, displaying an excellent activity and selectivity. The material resulted to be highly stable in the aforementioned reaction, without considerable decrease of conversion after 10 reuse cycles.

Over the last three years, a growing amount of reports highlighted the exceptional catalytic performances of Aquivion PFSA in many challenging chemical reactions. To date, all these studies employed Aquivion PFSA in powder form and the impact of shaping Aquivion PFSA on its catalytic performances has never been reported, although this aspect is of prime importance for implementation on a larger scale. Often considered as a matter of practical interest in the current literature, the shaping of a catalyst is actually mandatory and is clearly a key research topic for catalyst design and chemical engineering. Here, we explored the effect of shaping Aquivion PFSA on (1) its catalytic performances (i.e. yield, reaction rate and space time yield), (2) its ease of recovery at the end of the reaction (i.e. filtration, recyclability) and (3) its deactivation rate. In particular, we found that shaping Aquivion PFSA into micropellets was a good compromise (between powder and macropellets) to maintain acceptable catalytic performances while considerably facilitating the recovery of Aquivion PFSA at the end of the reaction. Last but not least, by properly controlling the reaction conditions, it was possible to limit the deactivation of Aquivion PFSA shaped into micropellets, a recurrent problem in catalytic carbohydrate processing.

Introduction: Deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT-DBS) is an approved procedure for drug-resistant epilepsy. However, the preferred location inside ANT is not well known. In this study, we investigated the relationship between stereotactical coordinates of stimulated contacts and clinical improvement, in order to define the ideal target for ANT-DBS. Methods: Individual contact’s coordinates were obtained in the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) 152 space, with the utilization of advanced normalization tools and co-registration of pre- and postoperative MRI and CT images in open-source toolbox lead-DBS with the “Atlas of the Human Thalamus.” Each contact’s pair was either classified as a responder (≥50% seizure reduction and absence of intolerable adverse effects) or nonresponder, with a minimum follow-up of 11 continuous months of stimulation. Results: A total of 19 contacts’ pairs were tested in 14 patients. The responder rate was 9 out of 14 patients (64.3%). In 4 patients, a change in contacts’ pairs was needed to achieve this result. A highly encouraging location inside ANT (HELIA) was delimited in MNI space, corresponding to an area in the anterior and inferior portion of the anteroventral (AV) nucleus, medially to the endpoint of the mammillothalamic tract (ANT-mtt junction) (x [3.8; 5.85], y [−2.1; −6.35] and z [6.2; 10.1] in MNI space). Statistically significant difference was observed between responders and nonresponders, in terms of the number of coordinates inside this volume. Seven responders and two nonresponders had at least 5 of 6 coordinates (2 electrodes) inside HELIA (77.8% sensitivity and 80% specificity). In 3 patients, changing to contacts that were better placed inside HELIA changed the status from nonresponder to responder. Conclusions: A relationship between stimulated contacts’ coordinates and responder status was observed in drug-resistant epilepsy. The possibility to target different locations inside HELIA may help surpass anatomical variations and eventually obtain increased clinical benefit.

Within the food-producing sectors, aquaculture is the one that has developed the greatest growth in recent decades, currently representing almost 50% of the world's edible fish. The diseases can affect the final production in intensive aquaculture; in seabass, aquaculture vibriosis is one of the most important diseases producing huge economical losses in this industry. The usual methodology to solve the problems associated with the bacterial pathology has been the use of antibiotics, with known environmental consequences. This is why probiotic bacteria are proposed as an alternative fight against pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to analyse a strain of Bacillus velezensis D-18 isolated from a wastewater sample collected from a fish farm, for use as probiotics in aquaculture. The strain was evaluated in vitro through various mechanisms of selection, obtaining as results for growth inhibition by co-culture a reduction of 30%; B. velezensis D-18 was able to survive at 1.5-h exposure to 10% seabass bile, and at pH 4, its survival is 5% and reducing by 60% the adhesion capacity of V. anguillarum 507 to the mucus of seabass and in vivo by performing a challenge. Therefore, in conclusion, we consider B. velezensis D-18 isolate from wastewater samples collected from the farms as a good candidate probiotic in the prevention of the infection by Vibrio anguillarum 507 in European seabass after in vitro and biosafety assays.

Exposure to prolonged stress during adolescence taxes adaptive and homeostatic processes leading to deleterious behavioral and metabolic outcomes. Although previous pre-clinical studies found effects of early life stress on cognition and stress hormone reactivity, these studies largely focused on males. The purpose of the current study was to determine how biological sex shapes behavioral coping and metabolic health across the lifespan after chronic stress. We hypothesized that examining chronic stress-induced behavioral and endocrine outcomes would reveal sex differences in the biological basis of susceptibility. During the late adolescent period, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats experienced chronic variable stress (CVS). Following completion of CVS, all rats experienced a forced swim test (FST) followed 3 days later by a fasted glucose tolerance test (GTT). The FST was used to determine coping in response to a stressor. Endocrine metabolic function was evaluated in the GTT by measuring glucose and corticosterone, the primary rodent glucocorticoid. Animals then aged to 15 months when the FST and GTT were repeated. In young animals, chronically stressed females exhibited more passive coping and corticosterone release in the FST. Additionally, chronically stressed females had elevated corticosterone and impaired glucose clearance in the GTT. Aging affected all measurements as behavioral and endocrine outcomes were sex specific. Furthermore, regression analysis between hormonal and behavioral responses identified associations depending on sex and stress. Collectively, these data indicate female susceptibility to the effects of chronic stress during adolescence. Further, translational investigation of coping style and glucose homeostasis may identify biomarkers for stress-related disorders.

Biomass-derived materials are put forward as eco-friendly alternatives to design heterogeneous catalysts. To contribute in this field, we explored the potential of mesoporous biogenic silica (RH-Silica) obtained from lignocellulosic waste, in particular from rice husk, as an inorganic support to prepare heterogenized iron oxide-based catalysts. Mechanochemistry, considered as a green and sustainable technique, was employed to synthetize iron oxide nanoparticles in pure hematite phase onto the biosilica (α-Fe2O3/RH-Silica), making this material a good candidate to perform catalyzed organic reactions. The obtained material was characterized by different techniques, and its catalytic activity was tested in the selective oxidation of styrene under microwave irradiation. α-Fe2O3/RH-Silica displayed a good catalytic performance, achieving a conversion of 45% under optimized conditions, and more importantly, with a total selectivity to benzaldehyde. Furthermore, a good reusability was achieved without decreasing its activity after multiple catalytic cycles. This work represents a good example of using sustainable approaches and green materials as alternatives to conventional methods in the production of high-added value products.

Chemical routes for the synthesis of nanostructures are fundamental in nanoscience. Among the different strategies for the production of nanostructures, this article reviews the fundamentals of the bottom-up approaches, focusing on wet chemistry synthesis. It offers a general view on the synthesis of different inorganic and hybrid organic–inorganic nanostructures such as ceramics, metal, and semiconductor nanoparticles, mesoporous structures, and metal–organic frameworks. This review article is especially written for a wide audience demanding a text focused on the basic concepts and ideas of the synthesis of inorganic and hybrid nanostructures. It is styled for both early researchers who are starting to work on this topic and also non-specialist readers with a basic background on chemistry. Updated references and texts that provide a deeper discussion and describing the different synthesis strategies in detail are given, as well as a section on the current perspectives and possible future evolution

Author's accepted version (postprint) This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Springer in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins on 03/04/2021 Available online: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12602-021-09782-8.pdf Within the food-producing sectors, aquaculture is the one that has developed the greatest growth in recent decades, currently representing almost 50% of the world’s edible fish. The diseases can affect the final production in intensive aquaculture; in seabass, aquaculture vibriosis is one of the most important diseases producing huge economical losses in this industry. The usual methodology to solve the problems associated with the bacterial pathology has been the use of antibiotics, with known environmental consequences. This is why probiotic bacteria are proposed as an alternative fight against pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to analyse a strain of Bacillus velezensis D-18 isolated from a wastewater sample collected from a fish farm, for use as probiotics in aquaculture. The strain was evaluated in vitro through various mechanisms of selection, obtaining as results for growth inhibition by co-culture a reduction of 30%; B. velezensis D-18 was able to survive at 1.5-h exposure to 10% seabass bile, and at pH 4, its survival is 5% and reducing by 60% the adhesion capacity of V. anguillarum 507 to the mucus of seabass and in vivo by performing a challenge. Therefore, in conclusion, we consider B. velezensis D-18 isolate from wastewater samples collected from the farms as a good candidate probiotic in the prevention of the infection by Vibrio anguillarum 507 in European seabass after in vitro and biosafety assays.

Boron(III), as borate (or boric acid), mediates the synthesis of ribose, ribonucleosides, and ribonucleotides. These reactions are carried out under moderate temperatures (typically 70-95 °C) with organic molecules (or their derivatives) detected in interstellar space and inorganic ions found in minerals on Earth (and could occur during early stages of prebiotic evolution). Research in this century suggests that borate was a relevant prebiological reagent, thus reinforcing the RNA world hypothesis as an explanation for the origin of life. Herein, these developments on prebiological chemistry related to boron species are reviewed.

International audience; Regularity detection, or statistical learning, is regarded as a fundamental component of our cognitive system. To test the ability of human participants to detect regularity in a more ecological situation (i.e., mixed with random information), we used a simple letter-naming paradigm in which participants were instructed to name single letters presented one at a time on a computer screen. The regularity consisted of a triplet of letters that were systematically presented in that order. Participants were not told about the presence of this regularity. A variable number of random letters were presented between two repetitions of the regular triplet, making this paradigm similar to a Hebb repetition task. Hence, in this Hebb-naming task, we predicted that if any learning of the triplet occurred, naming times for the predictable letters in the triplet would decrease as the number of triplet repetitions increased. Surprisingly, across four experiments, detection of the regularity only occurred under very specific experimental conditions and was far from a trivial task. Our study provides new evidence regarding the limits of statistical learning and the critical role of contextual information in the detection (or not) of repeated patterns.