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Metallic nanoparticles (MeNPs) are widely used in many areas such as biomedicine, packaging, cosmetics, colourants, agriculture, antimicrobial agents, cleaning products, as components of electronic devices and nutritional supplements. In addition, some MeNPs exhibit quantum properties, making them suitable materials in the photonics, electronic and energy industries. Through the lens of technology, microbes can be considered nanofactories capable of producing enzymes, metabolites and capping materials involved in the synthesis, assembly and stabilization of MeNPs. This bioprocess is considered more ecofriendly and less energy intensive than the current chemical synthesis routes. However, microbial synthesis of MeNPs as an alternative method to the chemical synthesis of nanomaterials still faces some challenges that need to be solved. Some of these challenges are described in this Editorial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and cheap energization of microbial biocatalysts is essential in current biotechnological processes. A promising alternative to the use of common organic or inorganic electron donors is the semiconductor nanoparticles (SNs) that absorb light and transfer electrons (photoelectrons) behaving as artificial photosynthetic systems (biohybrid systems). Excited photoelectrons generated by illuminated SNs are highly reductive and readily accepted by membrane‐bound proteins and electron shuttles to drive specific cell reduction processes and energy generation in microbes. However, the operational mechanisms of these hybrid systems are still poorly understood, especially at the material–microbe interface, and therefore the design and production of efficient biohybrids are challenging. Some major limitations/challenges and future prospects of SNs as microbial energization systems are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-related stress is a major cause of health problems worldwide. Faculty in educational institutions, including universities, also face high levels of stress, which undoubtedly affects their performance, level of personal satisfaction and wellbeing, and the relationship with students. Training interventions based on embodied learning can promote self-knowledge, emotional regulation and stress reduction, thereby increasing levels of psychological well-being. The present pilot study analyzed the impact of body awareness training in 31 university teachers using a controlled, randomized pre-post experimental design, with two experimental groups and a control group (n = 10). The two interventions were: Hatha Yoga (n = 11) and Dance Movement Therapy/Body Mind Centering (n = 10), which we have termed Body Movement Awareness. Variables related to body awareness, mindfulness, wellbeing, life satisfaction and stress were measured using self-perception tests. Cortisol levels, heart rate variability and sleep quality were also analyzed. Finally, participants' reflections were analyzed according to a qualitative approach. The results showed significant differences between the control group and the Hatha Yoga group in terms of stress reduction and wellbeing. The Body Movement Awareness group exhibited evidence of contributions on self-knowledge, communication and kinesthetic empathy, key elements in the educational field. Despite the inherent limitations of the study, the conclusions are encouraging and open new lines of research from embodied approaches that introduce creative movement and group experience as part of the process of emotional regulation and self-knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rollators are widely used in clinical rehabilitation for gait assessment, but gait analysis usually requires a great deal of expertise and focus from medical staff. Smart rollators can capture gait parameters autonomously while avoiding complex setups. However, commercial smart rollators, as closed systems, can not be modified; plus, they are often expensive and not widely available. This work presents a low cost open-source modular rollator for monitorization of gait parameters and support. The whole system is based on commercial components and its software architecture runs over ROS2 to allow further customization and expansion. This paper describes the overall software and hardware architecture and, as an example of extended capabilities, modules for monitoring dynamic partial weight bearing and for estimation of spatiotemporal gait parameters of clinical interest. All presented tests are coherent from a clinical point of view and consistent with input data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trajectory analysis could be used to determine the deviation of aircraft trajectories. • Predicting deviation patterns in the airspace helps to improve air traffic control. • Determining where/when are conflicts produced help to release the airspace. • London's terminal airspace contains high-adherence and low-adherence routes. This paper proposes a methodology to characterize and evaluate the performance of the aircraft operation in complex systemized terminal manoeuvring area based on the study of its standard routes structure and their actual traffic. The methodology is composed of two main components. The first component identifies recurrent patterns by calculating the 4D adherence to the standard routes and flight plan. This process is based on the comparison of the Spatio-Temporal (S-T) differences between the actual and planned trajectories. The second component identifies and characterizes concurrence events based on the analysis of the standard routes and the along-track deviation derived from the first component to analyze the causes that produce recurrent patterns in the terminal airspace. The developed framework is applied to a study case of a representative Multi-Airport System (MAS). The quantitative effectiveness of the framework is derived by simulations using historical traffic data samples of the London Terminal Manoeuvring Area (LTMA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New departure synchronization mechanism in a Multi-Airport system to reduce the probability of separation minima infringement. • Airspace digitalization for efficient potential concurrence event detection and mitigation. • New interdependency metrics for reducing downstream domino effects in ATM. • Rolling horizon methodology for detecting concurrence events, analysing their trajectory interdependencies and applying a strategic mitigation measure that shifts the Estimated Take-Off Time (ETOT) within the assigned Calculated Take-Off Time (CTOT) window. • Use Constraint Programming models supporting optimal mitigation measures. • Experimental work showing the potential benefits of such a STAM procedures by applying the methodology to distribute the demand of a sector located in the London Terminal Manoeuvring Area (LTMA). Pre-tactically managing the imbalances of the network and organizing the resources of the airspace is one of the main objectives of Dynamic Demand & Capacity Balancing (dDCB). Introducing Short-term Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (STAM) measures such as minor ground delays or slight speed adjustments applied to a selected number of flights on the day of operations, supports the dDCB process by reducing the traffic complexity and the probability of Air Traffic Controllers interventions. This paper introduces a rolling horizon methodology for detecting concurrence events, analysing their trajectory interdependencies and applying a strategic mitigation measure that shifts the Estimated Take-Off Time (ETOT) within the assigned Calculated Take-Off Time (CTOT) window. The methodology proposes a collaborative decision-making process for a better coordination of departures from airports feeding airspace volumes with high air traffic demand. The experimental part of this paper aims at showing the potential benefits of such a STAM procedure by applying the methodology to distribute the demand of a sector located in the London Terminal Manoeuvring Area (LTMA). Experiments have considered regulated traffic scenarios where ETOT were allocated in order to reduce departure time uncertainties. Lastly, it is analysed the impact of the parameters used by the methodology to calculate the mitigation measures: safe separation criteria, look-ahead time and number of coordinated airports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widely renowned theory of group-threat predicts antiimmigrant backlash when immigration societies experience economic downturns. However, despite skyrocketing unemployment and widespread misgivings about immigration's impact, no discernible wave of anti-immigrant sentiment has emerged in Spain; the ensuing puzzle accentuates in the southernmost region of Andalusia, where jobless rates surged beyond 35%. This study examines why anti-immigrant animosity remained stable at low levels, even receded, amidst such inauspicious conditions. Our explanatory model expects increasingly adverse pressures of perceived group-threat on natives' sentiment toward immigrants to be compensated by increasingly benign impact of various benevolent predispositions and situational perceptions. To test these assumptions, we compute a repeated logistic regression model, discern coefficient from sample effects and examine time-trends among vulnerable populations; data were collected at the crisis'onset (2008) and nadir (2013). Defying expectations, neither perceived group-threat nor principled pro-immigration credos (Universalism; pro-diversity) were found to affect the evolution of anti-immigrant sentiment appreciably throughout the economic downturn; however, ideological polarisation and elite-bashing yielded increasingly benign impact. These findings suggest that intergroup tensions were kept latent by a dynamics of political competition that has side-lined immigration as salient social issue: the prevalence of anti-austerity, anti-corruption political rhetoric contributed to preempting anti-immigrant sentiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by the thermoregulating microcapsules has been studied. The mass ratio of PVP has been changed from 1 to 20, with respect to the lowest amount of PVP value (4.08 g). The results confirmed that a large amount of PVP was adsorbed by the polymeric shell. Experimental data were perfectly fitted by Langmuir model, obtaining at a confidence level of 95% values of 192.9 ± 0.4 g/kg and 0.18 ± 0.11 m/kg for the maximum adsorption capacity and the equilibrium constant, respectively. It was found that utilizing PVP, at a concentration of 5.03 wt% of the total mass provided optimum conditions for synthesizing thermoregulating microcapsules containing Rubitherm®RT27 from poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) (P(St-DVB)), with the best thermal and physical properties. Finally, the robustness of the process was checked at a large scale by using a reactor that maintains geometrical similarities with that used at laboratory scale. The thermal properties, the encapsulation efficiency, and the microcapsule yield were similar, but at pilot plant scale, narrower particle size distributions were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury is one of the most toxic pollutants, with high capacity of accumulation in living organism, causing important human health problems. Therefore, the mercury removal from water is an important research goal. In a previous work, an extractant agent [di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid] was microencapsulated in poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) by means of suspension polymerisation using toluene as diluent. In this study, this recipe has been modified changing the toluene by heptane and extended to four additional extractants (trioctylamine, trioctylmethylammonium chloride [TOMAC], tributyl phosphate and trioctylphosphine oxide). The polluting potential of the waste liquid from the process was measured by total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand analyses. The morphology, particle size and distribution were studied by scanning electron microscopy and low angle laser light scattering. The amount of extractant agent into the microcapsules and the microencapsulation efficiency were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and the mercury removal capacity by equilibrium studies. Microcapsules containing TOMAC demonstrated to be the best material for the mercury removal and retention. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Saffron spice has been successfully used as an ingredient in dairy products as a means of diversification. The objective of this work was to determine the influence of saffron on the volatiles' profile of a pressed ewes' milk cheese. This was performed by means of a modern extraction technique based on headspace sorptive extraction. Results showed that safranal was the only volatile that could be identified and quantified from saffron spice. Most volatile compounds were present in all cheeses but at different concentrations. Differences between control and saffron cheeses were observed, but as ripening time increased, these differences were less evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and simulation of the functions of a flight Management System (FMS) in order to follow four-dimensional trajectories automatically. This is achieved by controlling the aircraft's airspeed, altitude, heading and vertical speed in order to arrive to the merging point in a specified time. The system receives data from the aircraft and computes new control parameters based on mathematical equations and algorithms of prediction trajectories. Additional features have been added to the FMS-4D, such as the capability of predicting the arrival time taking into account previous flight parameters and speed/altitude constrains. Finally, a testing phase was carried out using a flight simulator in order to obtain the performance and results of the designed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Different dehydrated waste grape skins from the juice industry were added into aged and young red wines as an innovative way of compensating for colour loss before bottling. After addition of grape skins, colour intensity of wines increased a mean 11% and a maximum of 31% with predominance of the red component. Total polyphenols mean increase was 10% with a maximum value of 20%. Analysis of low molecular weight phenolic compounds by HPLC–DAD showed a significant (p <0.05) content increase of the bioactive compounds gallic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (E)-resveratrol. Anthocyanins content also increased at an average of 50mg/l. The volatile profile of wines analysed by SBSE–GC–MS was only moderately influenced by the treatments. Mixtures of dehydrated waste grape skins were useful to improve the colour and polyphenol profile of red wines, considering them a useful tool for correcting colour loss before bottling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In assisted ambulation, the user's psychological comfort has a significant impact not only on acceptability of mobility aids but also on overall gait performance. Specifically, in the case of rollators, negative states such as distress may result in balance loss, inefficient manoeuvres, and an increased risk of falling. This paper presents a pilot study to investigate the effect of distress on rollator assisted navigation. To achieve this goal, a novel test protocol is proposed to assess distress while walking with a rollator, using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) questionnaire. First, the participant completes a standardised visual stress induction test and fills in a SAM questionnaire on the dimensions of arousal and valence, to establish personal benchmarks. Then, they complete a course consisting of four navigation tasks with different levels of difficulty that affect the rollator manoeuvrability, filling in a SAM questionnaire after each task. An experiment including 25 healthy volunteers has been completed. Our preliminary results show that stressors like uneven or sloping surfaces increase perceived stress, whereas the shape of the trajectory does not significantly affect stress. The ultimate purpose of this work is to validate a performance-oriented protocol to investigate the dynamics of stress response in assisted walk and to train automatic stress detection systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploitation of grape waste material is scarce. One of the main issues to deal with is its high moisture content, as it causes spoilage and degradation of valuable compounds. In order to assess this limitation, four different Vitis vinifera waste grape skins from the juice industry were dehydrated at 60, 90 and 100°C. Characterisation of dehydrated waste grape skins (DWGS) was firstly done in wine model solution to evaluate the release of colour, phenolic and volatile compounds. Colour of DWGS-60°C solutions was similar to the control one (freeze-drying) in terms of red and yellow components regardless of the variety. Samples of Garnacha Tintorera, Bobal and AMIX dehydrated at 60°C showed the highest content of low molecular weight phenolic compounds. Bobal DWGS-60°C released the highest concentration of volatiles. An assay by direct addition of Bobal DWGS-60°C into a white wine demonstrated the potential of these residues for producing rosé wines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A preliminary study of the bulk hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition of 28 authentic saffron samples produced from Crocus sativus L. cultivated in the typical production areas of Western Macedonia in Greece (8), Khorasan Province in Iran (7), Sardinia in Italy (6) and Castilla-La Mancha in Spain (7) is described. A chemical characterisation of 16 key quality parameters was also completed on the same samples by UV–Vis, HPLC and GC analyses. Multivariate analysis of the data revealed that 60.7% of saffron samples could be correctly assigned to their respective production countries using the chemical parameters. However, the combined bio-element stable isotope data reliably classified 100% of the saffron samples according to their respective geographical origins using posterior cross validation. Further work is required to establish the long-term stability of these models with respect to different years of production and other major producers such as India and Morocco. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Mobility is of key importance for autonomous living. Persons with severe disabilities may be assisted by robotic wheelchairs when manual control is not possible. However, these persons should contribute to control as much as they can to avoid loss of residual skills and frustration. Traditionally, wheelchair shared control approaches either give control to person or robot depending on the situation. Methods and materials: We propose a new shared control technique where robot and person contribute simultaneously to control. Their commands are weighted according to their respective local efficiencies and then combined via a reactive navigation strategy. Thus, assistance adapts to the user’s needs. We refer to this approach as collaborative control. Results: Collaborative control was tested in a home environment in Fondazione Santa Lucia (Rome) by 18 volunteers presenting different degrees of physical and cognitive disability. All of them successfully finished a complex test path with assistance. Both users and caregivers’ opinion on the system was very positive. Acceptance was very good according to the psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale. Conclusions: Collaborative control adapts to the person’s needs and assists him/her when necessary, locally compensating any problem related to specific disabilities. An ANOVA returned a p-value of 0.016, meaning that there is significant improvement in task performance when collaborative control is used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microcapsules of polystyrene with a high level of encapsulated paraffin wax and a narrow size distribution were prepared by a suspension-like polymerization process. The scale-up of this microencapsulation process was carried out by designing a pilot plant that was geometrically proportional to that used on the laboratory scale with the aim of preparing microcapsules with a similar particle size and with the same phase change material (PCM) content as those obtained in the laboratory. In order to verify the effectiveness of the scale-up procedure, a number of experiments on the pilot plant were carried out using the optimal formulation found on the laboratory scale. Only slight differences in mean particle size and encapsulated paraffin content were observed between the two scales at higher stirring rates. The experimental values were fitted to the theoretical expression for the average dissipation rate as a function of the mean particle size. This showed that the classical nonintermittent Kolmogoroff theory is applicable on the laboratory scale, whereas in the pilot plant a large intermittence took place, thus limiting the scale-up to higher stirring rates at which an equal average dissipation rate in both scales led to the same mean particle size. The final results indicated that the assumptions made during the scale-up process were correct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of accuracy of time-constant spectrum extraction from thermal transients has been performed. Numerical calculations based on analytical models and finite element method simulations have been used in order to obtain the thermal transients. Simple geometries have been used such that analytical expressions for their time-constant spectrums are known. Results show that a large error in the time-constant spectrum is obtained for very small rms error (<1 mK) in the thermal transient. The estimation problem is ill-conditioned. Moreover, the differential structure function shows a low accuracy identifying stacked structures. The initial part of the differential structure function shows numerical oscillations and the final part has an asymptotic behavior to infinity that has been identified as an artifact related to errors in the time-constant spectrum estimation. Peak identification from the differential structure function heavily depends on an accurate determination of the time-constant spectrum. The limited spectral resolution and dynamic range of the differential structure function are a direct consequence of the time-constant spectrum imprecision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Seventy-three saffron samples belonging to three different storage time (<1year, 3–4 and 8–9years) were analysed using ultrasound assisted extraction-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and ultrasound assisted extraction-gas chromatography–olfactometry. Nineteen volatile compounds were identified and their aromatic notes were assigned. In addition to safranal, the main compound found, (30.14–43.94% in mass of total volatiles), other major compounds were 4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-carboxaldehyde and 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one. These compounds were significantly different for less than 1year storage when compared with the 3–4 and 8–9years of storage, although the minor constituents 2-hydroxy-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1,4-dione and isomer of 4-hydroxy-3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohex-1-one varied significantly for all three harvests. Positive and negative aroma descriptors were related with the overall saffron chemical volatile composition. Saffron with less than 1year storage contained a higher proportion of saffron, flower and spicy descriptors, while the oldest saffrons (3–4 and 8–9years of storage) contained volatiles with vegetal, caramel and citrus notes. The aromatic notes that contributed most to saffron storage differentiation are spicy, freshly cut grass and vegetable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The application of solid phase extraction (SPE) in the determination of picrocrocin by UV–vis spectrophotometry has been studied in order to develop a rapid and low cost method that can be used in the industry for routine quality control of saffron spice. Parameters influencing the SPE procedure, such as concentration of the initial extract, sample size and eluents, were studied and optimized. Twenty different saffron spice samples from Greece, Iran, Italy and Spain were used in the intra-laboratory validation of the SPE method. The results indicated the selectivity, trueness, linearity, precision (repeatability: RSD<6%, intermediate precision: RSD<10%), good recovery (about 90%) and sensitivity (LOD=0.30mgL−1; LOQ=0.63mgL−1). The method also proved valid for overcoming the limitations of 257nm due to crocetin esters in the determination of picrocrocin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of parabens on the shelf-life of crocetin esters and picrocrocin in aqueous saffron solutions was studied. Degradation of saffron crocetin esters fits a firstorder kinetics model, and the results indicated that the crocetin (β-D-glucosyl)-(β-Dgentiobiosyl) esters were more stable than the crocetin di-(β-D-gentiobiosyl) esters regardless of whether trans and cis isomers were considered. Under all tested conditions both parabens gave good results, especially propyl paraben that showed a greater influence on the degradation rate constant, except for cis-crocetin di-(β-D-gentiobiosyl) ester and ciscrocetin (β-D-glucosyl)-(β-D-gentiobiosyl) ester. In presence of propyl paraben (200 mg/L), the half-life periods of trans-crocetin di-(β-D-gentiobiosyl) ester improved considerably, up to four-fold. Special attention has been paid to the effect of propyl paraben on 46 saffrons with different crocetin ester contents. No differences were observed in terms of picrocrocin. By analysis of variance, it is noteworthy that there were differences between the mean content of crocetin esters for all analysed saffron, except for trans-crocetin (β-D-glucosyl)-(β-D-gentiobiosyl) ester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic compounds belong to one of the most widely distributed classes of organic compounds in nature, and a significant number of xenobiotics belong to this family of compounds. Since many habitats containing large amounts of aromatic compounds are often anoxic, the anaerobic catabolism of aromatic compounds by microorganisms becomes crucial in biogeochemical cycles and in the sustainable development of the biosphere. The mineralization of aromatic compounds by facultative or obligate anaerobic bacteria can be coupled to anaerobic respiration with a variety of electron acceptors as well as to fermentation and anoxygenic photosynthesis. Since the redox potential of the electron-accepting system dictates the degradative strategy, there is wide biochemical diversity among anaerobic aromatic degraders. However, the genetic determinants of all these processes and the mechanisms involved in their regulation are much less studied. This review focuses on the recent findings that standard molecular biology approaches together with new high-throughput technologies (e.g., genome sequencing, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metagenomics) have provided regarding the genetics, regulation, ecophysiology, and evolution of anaerobic aromatic degradation pathways. These studies revealed that the anaerobic catabolism of aromatic compounds is more diverse and widespread than previously thought, and the complex metabolic and stress programs associated with the use of aromatic compounds under anaerobic conditions are starting to be unraveled. Anaerobic biotransformation processes based on unprecedented enzymes and pathways with novel metabolic capabilities, as well as the design of novel regulatory circuits and catabolic networks of great biotechnological potential in synthetic biology, are now feasible to approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous determination of 46 semi-volatile organic contaminants and pollutants in saffron has been developed for the first time using a stir bar sorptive extraction technique and thermal desorption in combination with gas chromatography–ion trap tandem mass spectrometry. The analytical method proposed was easy, rapid and sensitive and showed good linearity, accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility over the concentration range tested. Moreover, the correlation coefficients were higher than 0.98 for all target compounds and detection limits were lower than 1μg/kg except for simazine. The present method was also applied for the analysis of trace contaminants in saffron samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of polyethylenimines (PEI) are usually used in the manufacture process of paper from pulps to improve the physical strength, and the ink and coatings fixation and to facilitate the printing. When PEI is used as a liquid cationic flocculant in water treatment it is supplied as a cheaper hydrochloride salt. The hydrochloride salt form is easier to handle and may be converted into the free amine form for adhesive purposes by some separation processes. Ion exchange is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to remove chlorides from different aqueous solutions. The strongly basic ion exchanger Amberlite IRA-420 has demonstrated that it can be used for chloride removal. The equilibrium isotherms of chloride ions in PEI–HCl at 20 and 40°C, and NaCl and HCl at 30°C in aqueous solution on Amberlite IRA-420 have been obtained. The presence of HPEI + as coion exerts an important influence on the ion exchange equilibrium. This behavior can be explained by the competition between the protonated amine groups of PEI and the quaternary groups of the resin the chloride ions that tends to promote a slightly non-favorable equilibrium. In the same way, the kinetic studies indicated that the chloride ions are slowly removed in presence of polyethylenimine. Finally, the Nernst–Planck homogeneous model allowed obtaining the self-diffusion coefficients for both the chloride and hydroxide ions in the Amberlite IRA-420 and the values are in the same order of magnitude as those reported in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work, the gcdH gene from the denitrifying β-proteobacterium Azoarcus sp. CIB was shown to encode a glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase, which is essential for the anaerobic catabolism of many aromatic compounds and some alicyclic and dicarboxylic acids. The primary structure of the GcdH protein is highly conserved in many organisms. The divergently transcribed gcdR gene, encoding a LysR-type transcriptional regulator, accounts for the glutaconate/glutarate-specific activation of the Pg promoter driving expression of gcdH. The Azoarcus sp. CIBd gcdH mutant strain harbouring a disrupted gcdH gene was used as host to identify heterologous gcdH genes, such as that from Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Moreover, the expression of gcdH from P. putida can be efficiently controlled by the GcdR activator in Azoarcus sp. CIB, demonstrating the existence of cross-talk between GcdR regulators and gcdH promoters from members of different phylogenetic subgroups of proteobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The flavonoid fraction in saffron spice has been analysed, for the first time, by LC-DAD-MS/MS ESI and five kaempferol derivatives have been found. Compounds such as kaempferol-3-sophoroside, kaempferol-3-sophoroside-7-glucoside and kaempferol-3,7,4′-triglucoside were tentatively identified, whereas other compounds, such as kaempferol tetrahexoside and kaempferol-3-dihexoside were detected. Saffron samples from different geographical origins were clearly separated by their kaempferol 3-sophoroside contents that were able to explain 100% of the variance when a discriminant test was carried out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work the adsorption of phenol solutions onto activated carbon Calgon F400 has been studied. The carbon was modified by acid treatment, using soxhlet extraction with hydrochloric acid 2N for 120 cycles. The treatment did not affect significantly the surface area of the activated carbon but affected significatively the different functional groups, and thus its adsorption properties. Tóth model reproduced satisfactorily the experimental isotherm data and an adsorption enthalpy of −17.9kJmol−1 was found, which indicates that the process is exothermic. The pH affected significatively to the adsorption process and an empirical polynomial equation was able to reproduce maximum capacity as a function of pH. The isotherms obtained at pH 3 and 7 are very similar and showed a higher adsorption capacity compared with that obtained at pH 13. The use of phosphate buffer solutions decreased the maximum phenol adsorption capacity, due to the competitive adsorption between the phenol and phosphates. Finally, it was demonstrated that the acid treatment introduced chloride ions into the carbon, giving it properties of ion exchanger. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phenol can be efficiently removed from polluted wastewaters by using a strong-base anion exchanger. It was observed that its removal capacity was higher than that of other known adsorbents. This high capacity of anion exchangers for the removal of phenolic compounds has been previously observed but the reason for so high capacity has not been suitably explained yet. For that reason, isotherms of phenol removal on Amberlite IRA-420 were reproduced by both empirical and theoretical treatments. A simple empirical model was able to reproduce the measured total uptake of phenol. The pH dependent equilibrium isotherms can be explained assuming that the uptake of phenol in the resin is accomplished by two ways: ion exchange and molecular adsorption. The theoretical treatment allowed us to verify that the adsorption capacity does not depend on pH and to obtain the parameter values required for both adsorption and ion exchange isotherms. The importance of each phenomenon in the process is analyzed. Adsorption of phenol onto IRA-420 is predominant at acidic pH, whereas both adsorption and ion exchange are important at alkaline pH. The theoretical model developed herein enables the relation between phenol removal, pH and amount of resin to be determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A simple model has been developed to predict the removal of hydrocarbon fractions from wastewater using sacrificial Al anodes. The model was successfully applied to the interpretation of experimental data obtained in a laboratory electrochemical cell operated in a batchwise manner. The adsorption equilibrium of organic matter on Al hydroxide was modelled using three equations, with the best results obtained using a Langmuir-type equation. The model was able to describe the effects of current density and pollutant concentration on the efficiency of wastewater treatment. Different values were obtained for the parameters depending on the nature of the hydrocarbon suspension. Aluminium hydroxide showed a far higher affinity for the oil/kerosene suspension but exhibited a higher capacity to remove heavy oil suspensions. The removal rates of pollutants were found to depend on the initial concentration and the current density. When the current density was sufficient to destabilise the emulsion, the zeta potential of the clear fraction measured at pH 7.0 became positive. This change was also characterised by a significant reduction in turbidity. Furthermore, the application of higher current densities did not allow further treatment of the water. However, the efficiency of emulsion destabilisation was found to depend on the concentration and current densities that were too low were ineffective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The authors present a reply to comments on their article on the consideration of genetic disorders before diagnosis of Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features (IPAF). Topics discussed include the required exclusion of patients with alternative etiologies in IPAF classification criteria (2), and the non-mention of disorders that can present with ILD and multisystem immune dysregulation. Also noted is likely further diagnoses of patients with these disorders.

Although the aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds has been extensively studied in many microorganisms, the anaerobic mineralization of the aromatic ring is a more recently discovered microbial capacity on which very little information is available from facultative anaerobic bacteria. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Wischgoll and colleagues use proteomic and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approaches to identify for the first time the gene clusters involved in the central pathway for the catabolism of aromatic compounds in Geobacter metallireducens, a strictly anaerobic iron-reducing bacterium. This work highlights that the major difference in anaerobic benzoate metabolism of facultative and strictly anaerobic bacteria is the reductive process for dearomatization of benzoyl-CoA. The authors propose that a new type of benzoyl-CoA reductase, comprising molybdenum- and selenocysteine-containing proteins, is present in strictly anaerobic bacteria. This work paves the way to fundamental studies on the biochemistry and regulation of this new reductive process and provides the first genetic clues on the anaerobic catabolism of benzoate by strict anaerobes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequences surrounding the -12/-24 motif of the m-xylene-responsive σ54 promoter Pu of the Pseudomonas putida TOL plasmid pWW0 were replaced by various DNA segments of the same size recruited from PnifH σ54 promoter variants known to have various degrees of efficacy and affinity for σ54-RNA polymerase (RNAP). In order to have an accurate comparison of the output in vivo of each of the hybrids, the resulting promoters were recombined at the same location of the chromosome of P. putida KT2442 with a tailored vector system. The promoters included the upstream activation sequence (UAS) for the cognate regulator of the TOL system (XylR) fused to the -12/-24 region of the wild-type PnifH and its higher σ54-RNAP affinity variants PnifH049 and PnifH319. As a control, the downstream region of the glnAp2 promoter (lacking integration host factor) was fused to the XylR UAS as well. When the induction patterns of the corresponding lacZ fusion strains were compared in vivo, we observed that promoters bearing the RNAP binding site of PnifH049 and PnifH319 were not silenced during exponential growth, as is distinctly the case for the wild-type Pu promoter or for the Pu-PnifH variant. Taken together, our results indicate that the promoter sequence(s) spanning the -12/-24 region of Pu dictates the coupling of promoter output to growth conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here that the bzd genes for anaerobic benzoate degradation in Azoarcus sp. strain CIB are organized as two transcriptional units, i.e., a benzoate-inducible catabolic operon, bzdNOPQMSTUVWVYZA, and a gene, bzdR, encoding a putative transcriptional regulator. The last gene of the catabolic operon, bzdA, has been expressed in Escherichia coli and encodes the benzoate-coenzyme A (CoA) ligase that catalyzes the first step in the benzoate degradation pathway. The BzdA enzyme is able to activate a wider range of aromatic compounds than that reported for other previously characterized benzoate-CoA ligases. The reduction of benzoyl-CoA to a nonaromatic cyclic intermediate is carried out by a benzoyl-CoA reductase (bzdNOPQ gene products) detected in Azoarcus sp. strain CIB extracts. The bzdW, bzdK, and bzdY gene products show significant similarity to the hydratase, dehydrogenase, and ring-cleavage hydrolase that act sequentially on the product of the benzoyl-CoA reductase in the benzoate catabolic pathway of Thauera aromatica. Benzoate-CoA ligase assays and transcriptional analyses based on lacZ-reporter fusions revealed that benzoate degradation in Azoarcus sp. strain CIB is subject to carbon catabolite repression by some organic acids, indicating the existence of a physiological control that connects the expression of the bzd genes to the metabolic status of the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the relation between the physiological control of the sigma[sup 54]-dependent Pu promoter of the TOL plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida. Stringent response mediated by the alarmone (p)ppGpp; Improvement in Pu performance with the overexpression of relA; Direct stimulation of the sigma[sup 54]-dependent transcriptional machinery of Pu by ppGpp.

Presents a time-domain method to obtain an estimate of the time constant distribution underlying the observed thermal impedance response of chip packages. Theoretical background; Applications.

The effect of FtsH, an essential inner membrane-bound protease, in the regulation of the σ54-dependent Pu promoter has been examined in vivo. Escherichia coli cells lacking FtsH failed to activate a Pu–lacZ fusion in response to the cognate enhancer-binding protein XylR. However, the intracellular concentrations of XylR and σ54, as well as their apparent physical integrity were the same regardless of the presence or absence of the protease. The loss of Pu activity in FtsH-minus cells was not due to the imbalance between sigma factors caused by the lack of the protease. ftsH mutants could not grow in media with glutamine as the only nitrogen source and failed also to induce the σ54 promoters PnifH by NifA and PpspA by PspF. These lesions were fully complemented by a ftsH + plasmid. Therefore, part of the pleiotropic phenotype of FtsH-less cells corresponded to the lack of σ54 activity. Overproduction of σ54, however, restored both transcriptional activity of Pu and growth in glutamine of a ftsH strain. These observations suggested that the activity of σ54 is checked in vivo by an interplay of factors that ultimately determine the performance of cognate promoters under given physiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which examined the thermal behavior of complex packages as multichip modules by measuring the thermal impedance response preserving the convolution form. Methodology; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Presents the results of a study which investigated the initiation of transcription on linear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the Escherichia coli o...-dependent promoters glnAp2 and glnHp2. Role of the integration host factor; Methodology used to conduct the study; Indepth look at the glnAp2 and glnHp2 promoters and enhancers.

Argentatins are secondary metabolites synthesized by guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) with numerous potential medical applications. In addition to inhibiting insect growth, they are endowed with several pharmacological properties including antimicrobial and antitumorigenic activity. However, their potential as immunomodulators remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether argentatins can modulate the function of the immune system. Human mesenchymal stem cells were treated with argentatins and the production of several anti- and proinflammatory cytokines was evaluated. The effect of argentatins on the polarization of CD4+ T-lymphocytes and macrophages was also assessed. Results demonstrated that argentatins can modulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the polarization of cellular phenotypes, including Th2 lymphocytes and M1 macrophages. These findings suggest that argentatins are promising therapeutic agents in autoimmune or allergic diseases, and open new perspectives for the investigation of argentatins in immune response and in the development of more targeted and effective immunomodulatory therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An obituary for American psychiatrist Vivek Singh is presented.

The effect of microencapsulated phase‐change materials (MPCM) on the rheological properties of pre‐set geopolymer and Portland cement mortars was examined. Microcapsules with hydrophilic and hydrophobic shells were compared. The shear rate dependency of the viscosities fitted well to a double Carreau model. The zero shear viscosities are higher for geopolymer mortar, illustrating poorer workability. The time evolution of the viscosities was explored at shear rates of 1 and 10 s−1. New empirical equations were developed to quantify the time‐dependent viscosity changes. The highest shear rate disrupted the buildup of the mortar structures much more than the lower shear rate. Microcapsules with a hydrophobic shell affect the rheological properties much less than the microcapsules with a hydrophilic shell, due to the higher water adsorption onto the hydrophilic microcapsules. Shear forces was found to break down the initial structures within geopolymer mortars more easily than for Portland cement mortars, while the geopolymer reaction products are able to withstand shear forces better than Portland cement hydration products. Initially, the viscosity of geopolymer mortars increases relatively slowly during due to formation of geopolymer precursors; at longer times, there is a steeper viscosity rise caused by the development of a 3D‐geopolymer network. Disruption of agglomerates causes the viscosities of portland cement mortars to decrease during the first few minutes, after which the hydration process (increasing viscosities) competes with shear‐induced disruption of the structures (decreasing viscosities), resulting in a complex viscosity behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A time-based horizontal interdependency metric is defined and validated. • The location of the TOD was shown to be statistically dependent on the interdependency measure. • The runway configuration was a key hidden variable impacting on the position of the TOD. • ANN flow-based trajectory predictors demonstrated to maintain their performance on the testing dataset. Air Traffic Management is evolving towards a Trajectory-Based Operations paradigm. Trajectory prediction will hold a key role supporting its deployment, but it is limited by a lack of understanding of air traffic associated uncertainties, specifically contextual factors. Trajectory predictors are usually based on modelling aircraft dynamics based on intrinsic aircraft features. These aircraft operate within a known air route structure and under given meteorological conditions. However, actual aircraft trajectories are modified by the air traffic control depending on potential conflicts with other traffics. This paper introduces surrounding air traffic as a feature for ground-based trajectory prediction. The introduction of air traffic as a contextual factor is addressed by identifying aircraft which are likely to lose the horizontal separation. For doing so, this paper develops a probabilistic horizontal interdependency measure between aircraft supported by machine learning algorithms, addressing time separations at crossing points. Then, vertical profiles of flight trajectories are characterised depending on this factor and other intrinsic features. The paper has focused on the descent phase of the trajectories, using datasets corresponding to an en-route Spanish airspace volume. The proposed interdependency measure demonstrates to identify in advance conflicting situations between pairs of aircraft for this use case. This is validated by identifying associated air traffic control actions upon them and their impact on the vertical profile of the trajectories. Finally, a trajectory predictor for the vertical profile of the trajectory is developed, considering the interdependency measure and other operational factors. The paper concludes that the air traffic can be included as a factor for the trajectory prediction, impacting on the location of the top of descent for the specific case which has been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand of rare earth elements (REE) has grown over the past decades due to their importance in high technology devices such as wind turbines, superconductors, rechargeable batteries, autocatalytic converters, magnets, or LED lighting. The development of clean mining processes is gaining interest and the biomining of REE is mainly focused on monazite using phosphate solubilizing microorganisms. The members of the genus Burkholderia can dissolve phosphorous from inorganic rocks. Furthermore, several species of Burkholderia are able to produce biosurfactants named rhamnolipids. Nevertheless, rhamnolipid interactions with REE have been poorly investigated. The aim of the present work is the study of the solubilization of monazite and the recovery of REE using the bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis , and the influence of the rhamnolipids produced by the bacteria in the REE mobilization. B. thailandensis grown in nutrient broth with 1% monazite (w / v) reached 8.3 mg·l−1 REE after 15 days. To produce rhamnolipids, B. thailandensis was grown in medium supplemented with 10% glycerol and the biosurfactants were extracted. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined: 94.45 mg·l−1 for commercial rhamnolipids and 60.41 mg·l−1 for purified rhamnolipids. The maximum REE solubilization was obtained at CMC reaching 9.36 mg·l−1 with commercial rhamnolipids and 5.13 mg·l−1 with rhamnolipids produced by B. thailandensis E264. • B. thailandensis dissolve REE at alkaline pH. • Glycerol favors rhamnolipid formation by E264 but also REE-oxalates precipitation. • ED1023 avoids the fast precipitation of REE with a lower production of oxalic acid. • Rhamnolipids mobilize REE with the highest yield at critical micelle concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology and encapsulation efficiency of thermoregulating microcapsules based on a spreading coefficient theory and polar surface energy component were evaluated. For this purpose the microencapsulation of phase change materials (PCMs) with different copolymer shells and using different suspending agents by the suspension-like polymerization technique has been carried out. Contact angles and interfacial tensions were measured, and results were discussed with respect to the internal structure as well as encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules. A core/shell structure was expected as the equilibrium morphology, whereas the experimental structure exhibited a matrix morphology. A core-shell structure was favored by increasing the polarity of the polymer and decreasing the solubility between the core and shell. The type and amount of suspending agent do not have a significant influence on the final characteristic of the microcapsules. Shells with various polarities were synthesized from styrene (S), divinylbenzene (DVB) and hexa(methacryloylethylenedioxy)cyclotriphosphazene (PNC-HEMA), and it was found that a core-shell structure was only obtained for microcapsules with a high polar surface energy component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms able to degrade aromatic contaminants constitute potential valuable biocatalysts to deal with a significant reusable carbon fraction suitable for eco-efficient valorization processes. Metabolic engineering of anaerobic pathways for degradation and recycling of aromatic compounds is an almost unexplored field. In this work, we present the construction of a functional bzd cassette encoding the benzoyl-CoA central pathway for the anaerobic degradation of benzoate. The bzd cassette has been used to expand the ability of some denitrifying bacteria to use benzoate as sole carbon source under anaerobic conditions, and it paves the way for future pathway engineering of efficient anaerobic biodegraders of aromatic compounds whose degradation generates benzoyl-CoA as central intermediate. Moreover, a recombinant Azoarcus sp. CIB strain harbouring the bzd cassette was shown to behave as a valuable biocatalyst for anaerobic toluene valorization towards the synthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate ( PHB), a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester of increasing biotechnological interest as a sustainable alternative to classical oil-derived polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autosomal dominant mutations in the coatomer-associated protein alpha (COPA) gene cause an immune dysregulation disorder associated with pulmonary hemorrhage, lymphoid hyperplasia, arthritis, and glomerulonephritis. Objective: To describe the thoracic, musculoskeletal, and renal imaging findings of COPA syndrome with a focus on the evolution of the pulmonary findings. Materials and methods: With approval of the Institutional Review Board, consensus retrospective review of findings on chest radiography and computed tomography (CT), musculoskeletal radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and renal ultrasound (US) was performed for pediatric COPA syndrome patients. COPA syndrome patients < 18 years of age presenting between 1992 and 2019 were identified from an institutional rheumatology registry. Results: Twelve pediatric COPA syndrome patients (mean age of 6.5 years at first imaging exam; 6 females) were identified. Imaging exams available for review included 45 chest CT exams on 12 patients, 37 musculoskeletal exams on 4 patients, and 10 renal US exams on 5 patients. All 12 had abnormal chest CT exams, with findings including ground-glass opacities (12/12), cysts (8/12), septal thickening (9/12), nodules (8/12), fibrosis (7/12), crazy-paving (2/12), consolidation (1/12), hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy (11/12), and chest wall deformity (5/12). Nine had at least one follow-up chest CT, which showed improvement in nodules (7/9), ground-glass opacities (4/9), and lymphadenopathy (9/9), but worsening of septal thickening (3/9), cyst formation (3/9), and fibrosis (3/9). Four had musculoskeletal imaging revealing synovitis (2/4), bone erosions (1/4), tenosynovitis (1/4), enthesitis (1/4), and subcutaneous nodules (1/4). Five had at least one renal US, revealing renal size abnormalities (4/5) and cortical hyperechogenicity (3/5). Conclusion: The most prevalent imaging finding of COPA syndrome is diffuse lung disease related to early childhood-onset recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage and lymphoid hyperplasia that may progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Other imaging findings manifesting later in childhood or adolescence relate to arthritis and glomerulonephritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollution by metalloids, e.g., tellurite and selenite, is of serious environmental concern and, therefore, there is an increasing interest in searching for ecologically friendly solutions for their elimination. Some microorganisms are able to reduce toxic tellurite/selenite into less toxic elemental tellurium (Te) and selenium (Se). Here, we describe the use of the environmentally relevant β‐proteobacterium Aromatoleum sp. CIB as a platform for tellurite elimination. Aromatoleum sp. CIB was shown to tolerate 0.2 and 0.5 mM tellurite at aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the CIB strain was able to reduce tellurite into elemental Te producing rod‐shaped Te nanoparticles (TeNPs) of around 200 nm length. A search in the genome of Aromatoleum sp. CIB revealed the presence of a gene, AzCIB_0135, which encodes a new methyltransferase that methylates tellurite and also selenite. AzCIB_0135 orthologs are widely distributed in bacterial genomes. The overexpression of the AzCIB_0135 gene both in Escherichia coli and Aromatoleum sp. CIB speeds up tellurite and selenite removal, and it enhances the production of rod‐shaped TeNPs and spherical Se nanoparticles (SeNPs), respectively. Thus, the overexpression of a methylase becomes a new genetic strategy to optimize bacterial catalysts for tellurite/selenite bioremediation and for the programmed biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles of biotechnological interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the development of styrene-divinylbenzene (St-DVB) particles with polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA) and/or glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) brushes for the removal of bilirubin from blood in haemodialyzed patients. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was immobilized onto the particles using ethyl lactate as a biocompatible solvent, which allowed the immobilization of up to 2 mg BSA/g of particles. The presence of albumin on the particles increased their capacity for bilirubin removal from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by 43% compared to particles without albumin. The particles were tested in plasma, finding that St-DVB-GMA-PEGMA particles that had been wetted in ethyl lactate with BSA reduced the concentration of bilirubin in plasma by 53% in less than 30 min. This effect was not observed in particles without BSA. Therefore, the presence of albumin on the particles enabled quick and selective removal of bilirubin from plasma. Overall, the study highlights the potential use of St-DVB particles with PEGMA and/or GMA brushes for bilirubin removal in haemodialyzed patients. The immobilization of albumin onto the particles using ethyl lactate increased their capacity for bilirubin removal and enabled quick and selective removal from plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]