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Biobanks are infrastructures essential for research involving multi-disciplinary teams and an increasing number of stakeholders. In the field of personalized medicine, biobanks play a key role through the provision of well-characterized and annotated samples protecting at the same time the right of donors. The Andalusian Public Health System Biobank (SSPA Biobank) has implemented a global information management system made up of different modules that allow for the recording, traceability and monitoring of all the information associated with the biobank operations. The data model, designed in a standardized and normalized way according to international initiatives on data harmonization, integrates the information necessary to guarantee the quality of results from research, benefiting researchers, clinicians and donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) colonizes the intestine of young pigs causing severe diarrhoea and consequently bringing high production costs. The rise of antibiotic selective pressure together with ongoing limitations on their use, demands new strategies to tackle this pathology. The pertinence of using bacteriophages as an alternative is being explored, and in this work, the efficacy of phage vB_EcoM_FJ1 (FJ1) in reducing the load of ETEC EC43-Ph (serotype O9:H9 expressing the enterotoxin STa and two adhesins F5 and F41) was assessed. Foreseeing the oral application on piglets, FJ1 was encapsulated on calcium carbonate and alginate microparticles, thus preventing phage release under adverse conditions of the simulated gastric fluid (pH 3.0) and allowing phage availability in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.5). A single dose of encapsulated FJ1, provided to IPEC-1 cultured cells (from intestinal epithelium of piglets) previously infected by EC43, provided bacterial reductions of about 99.9% after 6 h. Although bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs) have emerged from treatment, the consequent fitness costs associated with this new phenotype were demonstrated, comparatively to the originating strain. The higher competence of the pig complement system to decrease BIMs' viability, the lower level of colonization of IPEC-1 cells observed with these mutants, and the increased survival rates and health index recorded in infected Galleria mellonella larvae supported this observation. Most of all, FJ1 established a proof-of-concept of the efficiency of phages to fight against ETEC in piglet intestinal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been a great demand for 3D building models in several applications including cartography and planning applications in urban areas. This led to the development of automated algorithms to extract such models since they reduce the time and cost when compared to manually onscreen digitizing. Most algorithms are built to solve the proposed problem from either LiDAR datasets or aerial imageries. Since both datasets have their weaknesses, integrating these datasets has the potential to be more successful in 3D modeling since the limitations of each source can be fulfilled by the other. In this article, we outline an algorithm that generates 3D building wireframes from LiDAR DEMs and high-resolution aerial images. Each post in the DEM is assigned five different attributes representing the intensity and elevations in its neighborhood. Posts are then classified as ground or non-ground using a feedforward back-propagation neural network. Non-ground points are grouped into different planer patches using Hough transformation, and these patches are iteratively refined using the L1-norm blunder detector and a region-growing segmentation algorithm. Finally, topological relationships among roof planes and boundary points are satisfied through regression analyses. The algorithm is tested on a number of buildings with complex rooftops, and results show its promising precision and completeness in modeling various building shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The goal of the current study was to refine and validate a revision of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), with the goal of retaining its useful features and mitigating those features that have been identified to be problematic. Methods: A 30-item pilot version of the Balanced Inventory of Mindfulness-related Skills (BIMS) was developed by implementing the structured alternative item format (presenting both positive and negative aspects of each item) and revising the wording of items. Herein, we collected data from a convenience sample of n = 1014 individuals, reduced to n = 757 after data cleaning. We conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) on randomly separated subsets of the sample and explored response patterns and correlations with relevant measures (including a short-form of the FFMQ). Results: Parallel analysis and EFA indicated a five-factor, correlated structure across a final 27 items (omitting 3 items due to poor fit), confirmed by CFA. A full sample CFA using an asymptotically distribution free fit function indicated excellent model fit (CFI/TLI > 0.99, RMSEA < 0.05, SRMR < 0.05). The BIMS scales exhibited strong correlations with the FFMQ subscales and related scales. The scale did not, however, reduce correlations with social desirability, which has been shown to be associated with method effects. Conclusions: The BIMS represents a psychometrically sound revision of the FFMQ that retains the five-factor structure of the original scale while eliminating method effects. It is strongly correlated with the original scale and exhibits comparable correlations with attentional control, emotion regulation, and personality characteristics. Critically, the BIMS represents a measure of mindfulness-related skills, shifting the focus to clinically relevant constructs that may interact but do not necessarily sum to a unitary trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hollow spherical highly hydrophilic polyaniline sulfonic acid catalyst has been successfully prepared by emulsion polymerization and SO3 liquid sulfonation using modified polystyrene microspheres (PS) as a template. Acid value of the solid acid catalyst is 2.516 mmol/g. Morphology, structure and thermal stability of the catalyst have been studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and TGA. It has been proven that doping and sulfonation of PANI and SO3 lead to new molecule that retains the PANI matrix material. In view of close structure-activity relationship, it has been applied to the efficient synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes (BIMs) in water-ethanol phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Copyright of Electronic Journal of Construction Technologies / Yapı Teknolojileri Elektronik Dergisi is the property of Teknolojik Arastirmalar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Autohesive tack is the ability of two unvulcanized rubber surfaces to resist separation after they are brought into contact for a short period under light pressure. In this work, the effect of unmodified montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay on autohesive tack of brominated isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene (BIMS) rubber was investigated by a 180° peel test. The nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The autohesive tack strength dramatically increased with nanoclay concentration up to 8 phr, beyond which it reached apparently a plateau at 16 phr of nanoclay concentration. The tack strength of 16 phr of nanoclay loaded sample was nearly 158% higher than the tack strength of neat BIMS rubber. Various tack governing factors such as green strength, creep compliance, entanglement molecular weight, relaxation time, self-diffusion coefficient, and monomer friction coefficient were analyzed. The addition of nanoclay reduced the extent of molecular diffusion at the tack junction by reducing the chain mobility; however, the diffusion was still sufficient to achieve bond formation. Furthermore, the less diffused chains of the nanocomposite samples showed greater bond breaking resistance due to an increase in cohesive strength, onset of transition zone relaxation time, and monomer friction coefficient value of the BIMS matrix owing to the nanoclay reinforcement. On the other hand, the more diffused chains of the unfilled sample exhibited facile chain separation due to the poor cohesive strength of the BIMS matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hydrocarbon resin tackifier on autohesion of brominated isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene (BIMS) rubber was investigated by a 180° peel test. The tack strength increased with resin (tackifier) loading up to 10 phr beyond which it dropped. At 10 phr resin concentration, the tackifier enhanced the self-bond formation by enhancing the chain mobility across the interface and, in turn, by providing greater separation resistance from the diffused chains. These conclusions were derived from measured maximum tensile stress, compression creep and viscoelastic properties of the rubber–resin mixtures. The tack strength of neat BIMS rubber showed t½ dependence with respect to increasing contact time (t). On the other hand, the tack strength of the resin loaded sample showed t¼ time dependence on contact time. Although the results from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) studies suggested good compatibility between the blend components, morphological studies revealed migration of the tackifier to the rubber surface. Upon aging at 100°C for 36 h, the values of tack strength of both the neat BIMS rubber and the BIMS/tackifier blends significantly decreased. The reduced tack strength of the aged samples was attributed to the changes in compression creep, maximum tensile stress and viscoelastic properties of the samples after aging. Upon aging, the resin loaded samples exhibited excessive blooming of the tackifier onto the rubber surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of phenolic resin tackifier on autohesive tack of brominated isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene (BIMS) rubber was studied by a 180° peel test with particular reference to aging. Phenolic resin showed very little effect on the unaged tack of BIMS rubber. The tack strength of the rubber/resin mixture marginally increased at 1 phr resin concentration, beyond which it decreased. Based on the data on the compression creep, maximum tensile stress, and viscoelastic properties of the rubber/resin mixtures, phenolic resin did not enhance the interfacial viscous flow behavior of the rubber/resin mixtures. The results from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the existence of a phase-separated morphology in the rubber/resin blends even at low resin concentration. Upon aging at 100°C for 36 h, the rubber/resin blend containing 1 phr of phenolic resin showed further increase in tack strength which was attributed to migration of the tackifier to the rubber surface and the changes in the compression creep, viscoelastic behavior, and maximum tensile stress of the rubber/resin mixtures. This is also a function of aging time. Surface energy analysis by contact angle measurement, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR) studies, and surface roughness measurement by atomic force microscopy (AFM) elucidate the enrichment of the phenolic resin on the rubber surface upon aging and the mechanism of enhanced tack strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to accomplish their life style, intracellular pathogens, including the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, subvert the innate apoptotic response of infected host cells. However, the precise mechanisms of parasite interference with the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway remain unknown. Here, we used the conditional expression of the BH3-only protein BimS to pinpoint the interaction of T. gondii with the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Infection of epithelial cells with T. gondii dose-dependently abrogated BimS-triggered release of cytochrome c from host-cell mitochondria into the cytosol, induction of activity of caspases 3, 7 and 9, and chromatin condensation. Furthermore, inhibition of apoptosis in parasite-infected lymphocytes counteracted death of Toxoplasma-infected host cells. Although total cellular levels and mitochondrial targeting of BimS was not altered by the infection, the activation of pro-apoptotic effector proteins Bax and Bak was strongly impaired. Inhibition of Bax and Bak activation by T. gondii was seen with regard to their conformational changes, the cytosol-to-mitochondria targeting and the oligomerization of Bax but not their cellular protein levels. Blockade of Bax and Bak activation was not mediated by the upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-like proteins following infection. Further, the BH3-mimetic ABT-737 failed to overcome the Toxoplasma-imposed inhibition of BimS-triggered apoptosis. These results indicate that T. gondii targets activation of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak to inhibit the apoptogenic function of mitochondria and to increase host-cell viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]