showing 36 of ~574560 from 574555 documents
PBAT Based Composites Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained from Softwood Almond Shells
2021
This study explores the processability, mechanical, and thermal properties of biocompostable composites based on poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) as polymer matrix and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from softwood almond (Prunus dulcis) shells (as-MCC) as filler at two different weight concentration, i.e., 10 wt% and 20 wt%. The materials were processed by melt mixing and a commercial MCC (c-MCC) was used as filler comparison. The fibrillar shape of as-MCC particles was found to change the rheological behavior of PBAT, particularly at the highest concentration. The melt mixing processing allowed obtaining a uniform dispersion of both kinds of fillers, slightly reduci…
Chlorophyll a fluorescence illuminates a path connecting plant molecular biology to Earth-system science
2021
Remote sensing methods enable detection of solar-induced chlorophyll a fluorescence. However, to unleash the full potential of this signal, intensive cross-disciplinary work is required to harmonize biophysical and ecophysiological studies. For decades, the dynamic nature of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlaF) has provided insight into the biophysics and ecophysiology of the light reactions of photosynthesis from the subcellular to leaf scales. Recent advances in remote sensing methods enable detection of ChlaF induced by sunlight across a range of larger scales, from using instruments mounted on towers above plant canopies to Earth-orbiting satellites. This signal is referred to as solar-in…
Closer Investigation of the Kinetics and Mechanism of Spirovinylcyclopropyl Oxindole Reaction with 3Σ–g-O2 by Topological Approaches and Unraveling t…
2021
In this investigation at the MN15L/Def2-TZVP level of theory, we present computational evidence indicating that the reaction of 3Σ-g-O2 with spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindole (2) leads to a product called spiro-1,2-dioxolane (2) in its singlet state; this reaction occurs via a stepwise mechanism and its rate-determining step is catalyzed by iodine radicals, which promotes opening of the three-membered ring under dark conditions. The conversion of 2 to 1-benzylindoline-2,3-dione (3) and 2-vinyloxirane (4) takes place via a concerted and slightly asynchronous reaction. Both electron localization function and AIM topological analysis reveal that the step associated with the attack of the 3Σ-g-O2 …
Microscopic biasing of discrete-time quantum trajectories
2021
We develop a microscopic theory for biasing the quantum trajectories of an open quantum system, which renders rare trajectories typical. To this end we consider a discrete-time quantum dynamics, where the open system collides sequentially with qubit probes which are then measured. A theoretical framework is built in terms of thermodynamic functionals in order to characterize its quantum trajectories (each embodied by a sequence of measurement outcomes). We show that the desired biasing is achieved by suitably modifying the Kraus operators describing the discrete open dynamics. From a microscopical viewpoint and for short collision times, this corresponds to adding extra collisions which enf…
DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF IXIP INDEX AND PROSTATE MRI IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER: PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON A COMBINED APPROACH
2021
The purpose of this study was to assess whether Immune CompleX Predictive Index (iXip) improves diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) for clinically significant prostate cancer. This study included 72 patients (mean age: 68±8 years) with suspicion of prostate cancer and available iXip score. mpMRI images were evaluated by two radiologists according to the PI-RADS v2.1. Reference standard was based on fusion biopsy and standard transperineal 12-point biopsy. Diagnostic accuracy of iXip, mpMRI and their combination were calculated. Optimal cutoff of iXip with sensitivity and specificity was identified using the Youden index. Patients with clinically significant prostate …
The effect of experimental lead pollution on DNA methylation in a wild bird population
2021
Anthropogenic pollution is known to negatively influence an organism’s physiology, behaviour, and fitness. Epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation, has been hypothesized as a potential mechanism to mediate such effects, yet studies in wild species are lacking. We first investigated the effects of early-life exposure to the heavy metal lead (Pb) on DNA methylation levels in a wild population of great tits (Parus major), by experimentally exposing nestlings to Pb at environmentally relevant levels. Secondly, we compared nestling DNA methylation from a population exposed to long-term heavy metal pollution (close to a copper smelter), where birds suffer from pollution-related decrease in…
Sensory evaluation with consumers revisited thanks to Free-Comment
2021
International audience
Estudo de bacterias aceticas de usina de açucar e alcool
2021
Orientador: Silvia Yuko Eguchi Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos Resumo: Bactérias acéticas do gênero Acetobacter foram identificadas em Usina de Açúcar e Álcool. Do total de 32 linhagens classificadas como Acetobacter sp, 11 (34,37 %) foram isoladas da peneira do "Cush-Cush", 3 (9,38 %) foram isoladas da parede do tanque de coleta do caldo de cana recém peneirado no "CushCush", 15 (46,87 %) foram isoladas do caldo de cana recém peneirado e 3 (9,38 %) foram isoladas da parede do Separador. As linhagens identificadas como bactérias acéticas foram testadas quanto a capacidade fermentativa em processo descontínuo. A taxa específica…
Association between Serum Heat Shock Proteins and Gamma-Delta T Cells—An Outdated Clue or a New Direction in Searching for an Anticancer Strategy? A …
2021
HSPs demonstrate a strong association with gamma-delta (γδ) T cells. Most of the studies regarding interactions between the parameters were conducted in the 1990s. Despite promising results, the concept of targeting γδ T cells by HSPs seems to be a forgotten direction due to potent non-peptidic phosphoantigens rather than HSPs have been found to be the essential stimulatory components for human γδ cells. Currently, with greater knowledge of lymphocyte diversity, and more accurate diagnostic methods, we decided to study the correlation once again in the neoplastic condition. Twenty-one children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were enrolled on the study. Serum HSP90 c…
Children and Families’ mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy
2021
Background: This study aimed to screen a wide range of emotional and behavioural variables emerging during the first COVID-19 pandemic-lockdown in a sample of parents and children, residents in the southern part of Italy, and explore which variables could predict children’s wellbeing. We hypothesised that difficulties in adapting routines to pandemic restrictions, parents’ emotional wellbeing, and attitude towards the pandemic could influence the children’s behavioural attitudes. Methods: 221 parents completed the survey and gave information about 246 children. Ad hoc questionnaires were created and then exploratory reduced in factors. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for pare…
Cities and regional disparities in the European Union: evolving geographies and challenges for Cohesion Policy
2021
Since the nineties, urban areas have assumed a growing importance in EU Cohesion Policy. This process, which is being implemented through various political steps and policy instruments, has led cities to be recognised as key elements in the promotion of balanced development. After decades of planning experiments at different territorial scales, however, the extent to which EU urban policy has contributed to regional development is currently under debate. This paper seeks to describe the evolution of the urban dimension within EU Cohesion Policy, with a focus on the role of cities in those countries and regions experiencing development problems.
Identification of a developmental switch in information transfer between whisker S1 and S2 cortex in mice
2021
AbstractThe whiskers of rodents are a key sensory organ that provides critical tactile information for animal navigation and object exploration throughout life. Previous work has explored the developmental sensory-driven activation of the primary sensory cortex processing whisker information (wS1), also called barrel cortex. This body of work has shown that the barrel cortex is already activated by sensory stimuli during the first post-natal week. However, it is currently unknown when over the course of development these stimuli begin being processed by higher order cortical areas, such as secondary whisker somatosensory area (wS2). Here we investigate for the first time the developmental e…
Sexualidad en diversidad funcional intelectual: recopilación de los instrumentos de evaluación del equipo Salusex
2021
La sexualidad de las personas con discapacidad intelectual (DI) ha sido un tema muy controvertido. Su sexualidad ha estado sustentada por una serie de mitos y falsas creencias que, a pesar de carecer de apoyo empírico, han restringido su derecho a conseguir una expresión libre de esta faceta. En unos casos su sexualidad ha sido equiparada a la de los niños, creyendo que eran personas asexuadas; y en otros se les ha presupuesto una ausencia de control sobre sus impulsos, optando por no despertar sus instintos sexuales. El equipo SALUSEX inició el estudio de la sexualidad en este colectivo en el año 2015 con un proyecto financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad relacionado con…
Análisis de la bondad de múltiples indicadores para el diagnóstico de la adicción al cibersexo
2021
El uso de Internet con propósitos sexuales (p.e., visionado de pornografía o contacto sexual mediante chat o cámara web) resulta una práctica cada vez más generalizada. Si bien en la mayoría de los casos se realiza de forma recreativa, en algunas ocasiones puede sobrevenir compulsivo, incontrolado y asociado a deterioro funcional en varios ámbitos (adicción al cibersexo). Las escalas de las que disponemos para su diagnóstico se han visto limitadas a la hora de identificar estos pacientes debido a que algunos indicadores diagnósticos han perdido especificidad: por ejemplo, el tiempo online con fines sexuales parece no discriminar usuarios problemáticos debido al uso cada vez más intensivo de…
From the shade into the sun: exploring pride and shame in students with special needs in Finnish VET
2021
This paper reports on a study of the dynamics of social emotions and social bonds between students and class teachers by analysing the narratives of students receiving intensive special support in the Finnish vocational education and training (VET) system. Pride refers to a strong and safe involvement in interaction, and shame implies intimidated social bonds. The analysis is based on abductive content analysis for which Greimas’ actant model worked as an analysis tool. We found some students showing high respect to their teachers who acted as senders setting the objects for students’ studying. Pride is based on the students’ experiences in achieving the objects, thereby pleasing their teac…
Chronic asthenia in patients who have undergone endocrine neck surgery.
2021
Introduction: The impact of chronic asthenia after thyroidectomy has been evaluated in two previous studies comparing total thyroidectomy and hemithyroidectomy. We compared its impact on patients undergoing thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism, and cholecystectomy. Methods: Patients recruited for surgery (233 consecutive total thyroidectomies for non-toxic multinodular goiter, Group I, 43 consecutive parathyroidectomies for primary hyperparathyroidism, group II and a sample of 43 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, group III) were compared at three times: pre-operative, 6 months after surgery, 1 year after surgery. A brief fatigue inventory (BFI) was administered to …
Histopathological analysis of soft tissue changes in gingival biopsied specimen from patients with underlying corona virus disease associated mucormy…
2021
Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is perhaps the disastrous medical emergencies that has ever hit globally with multiple strains. Amongst various sequelae, mucormycosis may be considered as the most debilitating one. Post COVID-19 mucormycosis is formally regarded as corona virus disease associated mucormycosis (CAM). The aim of the current paper is to present twelve cases of CAM with unique clinical presentation with a detailed histopathological correlation of the gingival biopsied material. Twelve cases of CAM were included in the study who presented initially with non-purulent swelling of the gingiva. The clinic-demographic data pertaining to age, gender, location, laterality and pres…
Personal use of technology at work : a literature review and a theoretical model for understanding how it affects employee job performance
2021
Employee personal use of technology at work (PUTW)—defined as employees’ activities using organisational or personal IT resources for non-work-related purposes while at work—is increasingly common in organisations. Our review of existing PUTW studies (n = 137) suggests that previous studies widely discussed PUTW outcomes, antecedents, and policies. The literature review also indicates that previous studies have proposed opposing viewpoints regarding the effect of PUTW on employee job performance, but few studies offered empirical evidence. Consequently, the conditions under which PUTW can increase or decrease employee job performance have not been discussed. We develop a theoretical model (…
false
2021
Most coaches and instructors would like to teach more than just sport skills to their athletes and children. However, to promote athletes’ or children’s holistic development and teach them to take responsibility and lead, requires the coaches and instructors to first master the skills themselves. Therefore, feasible, high quality leadership training programs where coaches and physical activity instructors are taught to teach and share leadership are needed. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of a leadership training program to optimize it and to determine whether to proceed with its evaluation. In the leadership training program, eight Finnish novice physical activ…
Teachers’ Focus of Attention in First-grade Classrooms: Exploring Teachers Experiencing Less and More Stress Using Mobile Eye-tracking
2021
This study investigated teachers’ focus of attention and stress in first-grade classrooms. Teachers’ (n = 53) focus of attention was recorded in fall and spring with a mobile eye-tracking device, and the teachers reported stress via questionnaires. Correlation analysis was used to examine association between teacher stress (exhaustion, cynicism, and inadequacy) and focus of attention. Then, one teacher reporting more stress and one reporting less stress were selected for a case study to examine variations in their focus of attention. The results showed positive associations between teachers’ perceived inadequacy and overall focus of attention (whole eye-tracking recording) both in fall and …
false
2021
This study examined the malleability of math self-efficacy (SE) among children with poor calculation fluency via an intervention that targeted four sources of SE (mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasions, and emotional and physiological states). The effect of pure strategy training was contrasted with an intervention that integrated strategy training and explicit SE support. Moreover, the changes in SE source experiences and their relation with math SE, as well as the relation between math-SE profiles and calculation fluency development, were examined. In a quasi-experimental design, 60 Finnish children with calculation fluency problems in Grades 2 to 4 participated in…
Human Resources Management Practices Perception and Extra-Role Behaviors: The Role of Employability and Learning at Work
2021
Human Resource Management (HRM) processes are considered the beating heart of any successful organization. Recently, several studies have highlighted how organizations can use commitment-oriented HR practices to generate organizational and individual effectiveness. The aim of this study was to verify whether the perception of HRM practices could be able to elicit extra-role behaviors and, at the same time, whether this relationship could be mediated by employability and learning conditions. The analyses were carried out on a sample of 1219 Italian workers using Structural Equation Models. The structural model yielded good fit indices and the results showed a significant and positive effect …
Studies of Nature of Uncommon Bifurcated I–I···(I–M) Metal-Involving Noncovalent Interaction in Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Isocyanide Cocrystals
2021
Two isostructural trans-[MI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 (M = Pd or Pt; CNXyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide) metallopolymeric cocrystals containing uncommon bifurcated iodine···(metal–iodide) contact were obtained. In addition to classical halogen bonding, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a rare type of metal-involved stabilizing contact in both cocrystals. The nature of the noncovalent contact was studied computationally (via DFT, electrostatic surface potential, electron localization function, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, and noncovalent interactions plot methods). Studies confirmed that the I···I halogen bond is the strongest noncovalent interaction in the systems, followed …
Safety Evaluation of Turbo-Roundabouts with and without Internal Traffic Separations Considering Autonomous Vehicles Operation
2021
The paper presents a microsimulation approach for assessing the safety performance of turbo-roundabouts where Cooperative Autonomous Vehicles “CAVs” have been introduced into the traffic mix alongside conventional vehicles “CVs”. Based on the analysis of vehicle trajectories from VISSIM and subsequent analysis of traffic conflicts through the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), the research aims to evaluate the safety benefits of turbo-roundabouts where the lanes are physically separated by raised curbs, compared to roundabouts without such curbs. The paper will then describe the methodological path followed to build VISSIM models of turbo-roundabouts with and without raised curbs in …
Older people’s dialogue about loneliness and social support: a cross-cultural qualitative study conducted in Spain and South Africa (Diálogo entre la…
2021
This study aimed to explore and gain insight from the dialogue and subjective perception of older people about loneliness and social support using a cross-cultural approach. A total of six focus gr...
Photocleavable core cross-linked polymeric micelles of polypept(o)ides and ruthenium(II) complexes
2021
Core cross-linking of polymeric micelles has been demonstrated to contribute to enhanced stability that can improve the therapeutic efficacy. Photochemistry has the potential to provide spatial resolution and on-demand drug release. In this study, light-sensitive polypyridyl-ruthenium(II) complexes were combined with polypept(o)ides for photocleavable core cross-linked polymeric micelles. Block copolymers of polysarcosine-block-poly(glutamic acid) were synthesized by ring-opening N-carboxyanhydride polymerization and modified with aromatic nitrile-groups on the glutamic acid side chain. The modified copolymers self-assembled into micelles and were cross-linked by cis-diaquabis(2,2'-bipyridi…
CXCR4 and hif-1α as prognostic molecular markers for stage 3 colon cancer patients: post hoc analysis of the randomized, multicenter phase 3 PETACC-2…
2021
Adjuvant colon cancer (CC) therapy and survival have greatly evolved over the last decades. Research shifted towards a more biological tumour understanding and unlocked new therapies and disease mo...
Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts reaction of hydroxyarenes with nitroenynes to access chiral heterocycles via sequential catalysis
2021
Naphthols, hydroxyindoles and an activated phenol are reacted with differently substituted (E)-nitrobut-1-en-3-ynes using the commercially available Rawal's chiral squaramide. The corresponding β-nitroalkynes were obtained with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, dihydronaphthofurans can be accessed via silver catalysed cyclization in a tandem one-pot procedure, with high preservation of the optical purity.
Nonexistence Results for Higher Order Fractional Differential Inequalities with Nonlinearities Involving Caputo Fractional Derivative
2021
Higher order fractional differential equations are important tools to deal with precise models of materials with hereditary and memory effects. Moreover, fractional differential inequalities are useful to establish the properties of solutions of different problems in biomathematics and flow phenomena. In the present work, we are concerned with the nonexistence of global solutions to a higher order fractional differential inequality with a nonlinearity involving Caputo fractional derivative. Namely, using nonlinear capacity estimates, we obtain sufficient conditions for which we have no global solutions. The a priori estimates of the structure of solutions are obtained by a precise analysis …
Analysis of DRD2 Gene Polymorphism in the Context of Personality Traits in a Group of Athletes
2021
The presented study showed the relationship between dopamine receptor gene polymorphism and personality traits in athletes training in martial arts. Behavioral modulation resulting from a balance of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine to inactivation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and dysregulation of various pathways involved in attention and impulse control processes; Methods: The study was conducted among martial arts athletes. The study group included 258 volunteers and 284 controls. The genetic test was performed using the real-time PCR method; psychological tests were performed using standardized TCI questionnaires. All analyses were performed using STATISTICA 13.…
Revalorization of Almond By-Products for the Design of Novel Functional Foods: An Updated Review
2021
The search for waste minimization and the valorization of by-products are key to good management and improved sustainability in the food industry. The great production of almonds, based on their high nutritional value as food, especially almond kernels, generates tons of waste yearly. The remaining parts (skin, shell, hulls, etc.) are still little explored, even though they have been used as fuel by burning or as livestock feed. The interest in these by-products has been increasing, as they possess beneficial properties, caused by the presence of different bioactive compounds, and can be used as promising sources of new ingredients for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. Additio…
Properties of transmembrane helix TM1 of the DcuS sensor kinase of Escherichia coli, the stator for TM2 piston signaling
2021
Abstract The sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli perceives extracellular fumarate by a periplasmic PASP sensor domain. Transmembrane (TM) helix TM2, present as TM2-TM2′ homo-dimer, transmits fumarate activation in a piston-slide across the membrane. The second TM helix of DcuS, TM1, is known to lack piston movement. Structural and functional properties of TM1 were analyzed. Oxidative Cys-crosslinking (CL) revealed homo-dimerization of TM1 over the complete membrane, but only the central part showed α-helical +3/+4 spacing of the CL maxima. The GALLEX bacterial two-hybrid system indicates TM1/TM1′ interaction, and the presence of a TM1-TM1′ homo-dimer is suggested. The peripheral TM1 regi…
A machine learning approach to determine airport asphalt concrete layer moduli using heavy weight deflectometer data
2021
An integrated approach based on machine learning and data augmentation techniques has been developed in order to predict the stiffness modulus of the asphalt concrete layer of an airport runway, from data acquired with a heavy weight deflectometer (HWD). The predictive model relies on a shallow neural network (SNN) trained with the results of a backcalculation, by means of a data augmentation method and can produce estimations of the stiffness modulus even at runway points not yet sampled. The Bayesian regularization algorithm was used for training of the feedforward backpropagation SNN, and a k-fold cross-validation procedure was implemented for a fair performance evaluation. The testing p…
Inhibition of Rac1 GTPase Decreases Vascular Oxidative Stress, Improves Endothelial Function, and Attenuates Atherosclerosis Development in Mice
2021
Aims: Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to atherogenesis. Rac1 GTPase regulates pro-oxidant NADPH oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, actin cytoskeleton organization and monocyte adhesion. We investigated the vascular effects of pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 GTPase in mice.Methods and Results: We treated wild-type and apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice with Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin (LT), a Rac1 inhibitor, and assessed vascular oxidative stress, expression and activity of involved proteins, endothelial function, macrophage infiltration, and atherosclerosis development. LT-treated wild-type mice displayed decreased vascular NADPH oxidase…
Resistance to amitraz in the parasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor is associated with mutations in the β−adrenergic-like octopamine receptor
2021
AbstractVarroa destructor is considered a major reason for high loss rate of Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. To prevent colony losses caused by V. destructor it is necessary to actively manage the mite population. Beekeepers, particularly commercial beekeepers, have few alternative treatments other than synthetic acaricides to control the parasite, resulting in intensive treatment regimens that led to the evolution of resistance in mite populations.To investigate the mechanism of the resistance to amitraz detected in V. destructor mites from French and U.S. apiaries, we identified and characterized octopamine and tyramine receptors (the known targets of amitraz) in this species…
Nitric Oxide-Releasing Drug Glyceryl Trinitrate Targets JAK2/STAT3 Signaling, Migration and Invasion of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
2021
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive disease with invasive and metastasizing properties associated with a poor prognosis. The STAT3 signaling pathway has shown a pivotal role in cancer cell migration, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance of TNBC cells. IL-6 is a main upstream activator of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. In the present study we examined the impact of the NO-donor glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and subsequent migration, invasion and metastasis ability of TNBC cells through in vitro and in vivo experiments. We used a subtoxic dose of carboplatin and/or recombinant IL-6 to activate the JAK2/STAT3 signaling path…