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Although replacement of fat with fiber is a good strategy to avoid boar taint on high‐fat content products, as sausages, the final purchase intention is related to other external factors such as welfare and healthiness. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the consumers' perception of sausages with fat replaced by fiber, elaborated with meat from non‐castrated male pigs, and to determine the influence of the consumers' habits and demographic parameters on their beliefs related to pig castration. An online survey was carried out. A total of 131 consumers answered a questionnaire about habits and beliefs related to meat and meat product issues. Subsequently, they evaluated four images of labeled products (castrated–not castrated/normal–reduced‐fat/traditional–high fiber content) with the Check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) test. In all, 87.7% of meat consumers perceived meat products as positive, although 71% trimmed the fat previous consumption. In a 9‐point agreement scale, "Animal welfare worries me" obtained 7.5 and "the castration without anaesthesia should not be performed" 7.4. There was a higher grade of agreement with "castration of pigs justification to improve smell a flavour" in primary education level and in rural residence (p <.05). Sausages from castrated animals were perceived as fatty, juicy, appetizing, and animal cruelty. Reduced‐fat and rich/high fiber sausages were not associated with "healthy" but with "expensive" and "unpleasant." Although reduced‐fat entire male pork sausages with vegetable fiber could be a better option for marketing uncastrated male pork, they will need more than fiber claims to be associated with healthy products and the consumer should be previously informed if he could appreciate the meaning of castration labeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio emission from pulsars can be used to map out their distances through dispersion measure (DM), which quantifies the amount of radio pulse dispersion. However, this method relies on accurately modelling the free electron density in the line of sight. Here, we present a detailed study of the multiwavelength emission from PSR J1720−0534, a black widow compact binary millisecond pulsar discovered in 2021, which the latest electron density model of the Galaxy places at only 191 pc. We obtained and analysed deep multiwavelength observations in the γ-ray (Fermi -Large Area Telescope, 2008–2022), optical (Las Cumbres Observatory, 2.7 h), near-infrared (Nordic Optical Telescope, 3.5 h), and X-ray (Swift -X-Ray Telescope, 10 ks) bands. We found no significant detection of γ-ray, optical, near-infrared, or X-ray counterparts around the radio-timing position of PSR J1720−0534, which we thus nickname 'the invisible black widow'. Employing the most constraining near-infrared limit (J > 23.4 mag), we established a lower limit on the source distance, d > 1.1 kpc, assuming conservative properties for the black widow companion star. This distance lower limit differs drastically (by a factor of more than 5) from the Yao et al. DM distance estimate. We attribute this difference to the inclusion in the Yao et al. model of a large and dense component towards the North Polar Spur. Considering our results and recent parallax distances to other pulsars in this direction, we argue that such a local and large component in the electron density model of the Galaxy is unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different ultrasound signs for diagnosing adnexal torsion, using surgery as the reference standard. Methods: This was a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies published between January 1990 and November 2021 evaluating ovarian edema, adnexal mass, ovarian Doppler flow findings, the whirlpool sign and pelvic fluid as ultrasound signs (index tests) for detecting adnexal torsion, using surgical findings as the reference standard. The search for studies was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Web of Science databases. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 (QUADAS‐2) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated separately, and the post‐test probability of adnexal torsion following a positive or negative test was also determined. Results: The search identified 1267 citations after excluding duplicates. Eighteen studies were ultimately included in the qualitative and quantitative syntheses. Eight studies (809 patients) analyzed the presence of ovarian edema, eight studies (1044 patients) analyzed the presence of an adnexal mass, 14 studies (1742 patients) analyzed ovarian Doppler flow, six studies (545 patients) analyzed the whirlpool sign and seven studies (981 patients) analyzed the presence of pelvic fluid as ultrasound signs of adnexal torsion. Overall, the quality of most studies was considered to be moderate or good. However, there was a high risk of bias in the patient‐selection and index‐text domains (with the exception of the whirlpool sign) in a significant proportion of studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of each ultrasound sign were 58%, 86%, 4.0 and 0.49 for ovarian edema, 69%, 46%, 1.3 and 0.67 for adnexal mass, 65%, 91%, 7.6 and 0.38 for the whirlpool sign, 53%, 95%, 11.0 and 0.49 for ovarian Doppler findings and 55%, 69%, 1.7 and 0.66 for pelvic fluid. Heterogeneity was high for all analyses. Conclusions: The presence of an adnexal mass or pelvic fluid have poor diagnostic accuracy as ultrasound signs of adnexal torsion, while the presence of ovarian edema, the whirlpool sign and decreased or absent ovarian Doppler flow have good specificity but moderate sensitivity for detecting adnexal torsion. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. A video abstract of this article is available online here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To learn about the state of the natural resources and productive systems in the Laguna Santiaguillo Basin from the viewpoint of the inhabitants. Methodology: The approach was qualitative, by means of a focus group. Results: The problems perceived are related to: access to water both because of its low availability and due to the inequity in its distribution which generates low productivity and conflicts over the use of this resource; low prices for agricultural products; conflicts arising from the use of wildlife; and the degradation of grasslands as a result of overgrazing. Limitations on study/implications: The Mennonite group, which is an important actor within the basin, was not represented in the focus group. Conclusions: The participants in the group perceive the basin's problem in an integrated manner, linking components of natural, economic, social and political resources, which lead them to actions adapted to their context to solve this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many astrophysical and terrestrial scenarios involving magnetic fields can be approached in axial geometry. Although the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technique has been successfully extended to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), a well-verified, axisymmetric MHD scheme based on such technique does not exist yet. In this work, we fill that gap in the scientific literature and propose and check a novel axisymmetric MHD hydrodynamic code, that can be applied to physical problems which display the adequate geometry. We show that the hydrodynamic code built following these axisymmetric hypothesis is able to produce similar results than standard 3D-SPMHD codes with equivalent resolution but with much lesser computational load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using high-resolution optical spectroscopy we determine the chemical abundance of the secondary star in the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J1023+0038. We measure a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.48 ± 0.04 which is higher than the Solar value and in general find that the element abundances are different compared to the secondary stars in X-ray binaries and stars in the solar neighbourhood of similar Fe content. Our results suggest that the pulsar was formed in a supernova explosion. We find that supernova models, where matter that has been processed in the supernova is captured by the secondary star leading to abundance anomalies, qualitatively agree with the observations. We measure Li abundance of A(Li) = 3.66 ± 0.20, which is anomalously high compared to the Li abundance of stars with the same effective temperature, irrespective of the age of the system. Furthermore, the Li abundance in PSR J1023+0038 is higher than the Cosmic value and what is observed in young Population I stars and so provides unambiguous evidence for fresh Li production. The most likely explanation is the interaction of high-energy gamma-rays or relativistic protons from the pulsar wind or intrabinary shock with the CNO nuclei in the secondary star's atmosphere via spallation which leads to substantial Li enrichment in the secondary star's atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to investigate, over time, the antimicrobial activity against polymicrobial biofilms and ability to inhibit biofilm formation, of Biodentine (BD) alone and with 5% and 10% sodium diclofenac (DC). Material and methods: The antimicrobial activity of BD alone and modified with 5% and 10% DC against polymicrobial biofilm growth in dentin was determined by a modified direct contact test. The study groups were (1) BD; (2) BD + 5% DC; and (3) BD + 10% DC. The viability of microorganisms after 1 and 4 weeks was quantified by means of an ATP assay and flow cytometry. The antibiofilm efficacy of the materials, preventing polymicrobial biofilm formation over time, was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results: The results obtained with both the ATP test and flow cytometry showed that BD alone and with 5% and 10% DC exerted antibiofilm activity with respect to the control, in the two evaluated times (p < 0.001). Comparison between groups showed a tendency of increased antimicrobial effect, both over time and depending on the DC concentration. These results coincide with those obtained in CLSM analysis, where efficacy increased with time and DC concentration. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Biodentine, over time, showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy on polymicrobial biofilms. The addition of 5% and 10% DC to BD enhanced this effect, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service-Learning is an educational methodology that allows student learning while addressing community needs. A program in microbiology and infectious diseases was implemented in Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. University lecturers, clinical microbiologists, doctorate students, and undergraduates from several Bachelor Degrees and courses worked in an interdisciplinary team along with social institutions that attend disadvantaged persons. Using commercial movies that deal with infectious diseases, the students learn clinical microbiology, prepare divulgation materials, visit social centers to accompany, and help others to know about illnesses and prevention. The program was developed through two academic years and involved 58 voluntary students, 13 teachers and tutors, and 4 social entities as community partners. Postsurvey evaluation of the program revealed a highly satisfactory achievement of goals: acquiring scientific and personal competencies by university students, including critical analysis and science diffusion, solving problems or collaborative team working, and contributing, together with the tutors, to the social responsibility of the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of electronic transitions within a molecule connected to the absorption or emission of light is a common task in the process of the design of new materials. The transitions are complex quantum mechanical processes and a detailed analysis requires a breakdown of these processes into components that can be interpreted via characteristic chemical properties. We approach these tasks by providing a detailed analysis of the electron density field. This entails methods to quantify and visualize electron localization and transfer from molecular subgroups combining spatial and abstract representations. The core of our method uses geometric segmentation of the electronic density field coupled with a graph‐theoretic formulation of charge transfer between molecular subgroups. The design of the methods has been guided by the goal of providing a generic and objective analysis following fundamental concepts. We illustrate the proposed approach using several case studies involving the study of electronic transitions in different molecular systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate in a laboratory setting the antibiofilm activity of several irrigating protocols including conventional irrigation, ultrasonic activation and XP‐endo Finisher, with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and etidronic acid in infected isthmuses and root canals of extracted human mandibular molar teeth. Methodology: Fifty‐six mesial roots of mandibular molars, half of them with a continuous isthmus from the cervical to the apical third between the two root canals (type 1), and the other half with a continuous isthmus from the cervical to the middle third and one canal in the apical third (type 2), were included. The root canals were contaminated for 7 days with an Enterococcus faecalis suspension. There were three experimental groups plus a control group (n = 7 per type of root canal anatomy). All the root canals, except for the control group that was not treated, were chemomechanically prepared and then assigned to one of the experimental groups according to the final adjunctive procedure: conventional irrigation, ultrasonic activation or XP‐endo Finisher activation. The irrigating solution used was a combination of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 9% etidronic acid, and the final protocols were applied for three cycles of 30 s with a 3 mL volume. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated at each location (root canal and isthmus) and third (cervical, middle and apical) using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the live/dead technique. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (descriptive statistics) and SUDAAN (P‐value calculations). Results: Root canals had significantly lower biovolume values than the isthmuses (P < 0.05). The biovolume in the root canals was significantly reduced in all the experimental groups in all the thirds except for conventional irrigation in the apical third (P > 0.05). In the cervical and middle thirds, ultrasonic activation was associated with the lowest biovolumes (P < 0.05), followed by XP‐endo Finisher. In the isthmus, disinfection was similar in all the thirds for all the protocols. Conventional irrigation was associated with intermediate values with no significant differences from the control group or from the activated protocols (P > 0.05), although the latter were significantly different from the control group (P < 0.05). No differences were found between ultrasonic activation and XP‐endo Finisher in the middle and apical thirds (P > 0.05) in the isthmuses. Conclusions: In this laboratory study on extracted teeth, the isthmus was more difficult to disinfect than root canals. In the root canals, ultrasonic activation and XP‐endo Finisher had a greater effectiveness than conventional irrigation. In the isthmuses, no differences were observed between the two activation techniques and conventional irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colour pattern is the main trait that drives mate recognition between Heliconius species that are phylogenetically close. However, when this cue is compromised such as in cases of mimetic, sympatric and closely related species, alternative mating signals must evolve to ensure reproductive isolation and species integrity. The closely related species Heliconius melpomene malleti and H. timareta florencia occur in the same geographical region, and despite being co-mimics, they display strong reproductive isolation. In order to test which cues differ between species, and potentially contribute to reproductive isolation, we quantified differences in the wing phenotype and the male chemical profile. As expected, the wing colour pattern was indistinguishable between the two species, while the chemical profile of the androconial and genital males' extracts showed marked differences. We then conducted behavioural experiments to study the importance of these signals in mate recognition by females. In agreement with our previous results, we found that chemical blends and not wing colour pattern drive the preference of females for conspecific males. Also, experiments with hybrid males and females suggested an important genetic component for both chemical production and preference. Altogether, these results suggest that chemicals are the major reproductive barrier opposing gene flow between these two sister and co-mimic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas (PAs) are a foundational and essential strategy for reducing biodiversity loss. However, many PAs around the world exist on paper only; thus, while logging and habitat conversion may be banned in these areas, illegal activities often continue to cause alarming habitat destruction. In such cases, the presence of armed conflict may ultimately prevent incursions to a greater extent than the absence of conflict. Although there are several reports of habitat destruction following cessation of conflict, there has never been a systematic and quantitative "before-and-after-conflict" analysis of a large sample of PAs and surrounding areas. Here we report the results of such a study in Colombia, using an open-access global forest change dataset. By analysing 39 PAs over three years before and after Colombia's peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), we found a dramatic and highly significant increase in the deforestation rate for the majority of these areas and their buffer zones. We discuss the reasons behind such findings from the Colombian case, and debate some general conservation lessons applicable to other countries undergoing post-conflict transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and composition of the crust of neutron stars plays an important role in their thermal and magnetic evolution, hence in setting their observational properties. One way to study the properties of the crust of a neutron star, is to measure how it cools after it has been heated during an accretion outburst in a low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB). Such studies have shown that there is a tantalizing source of heat, of currently unknown origin, that is located in the outer layers of the crust and has a strength that varies between different sources and different outbursts. With the aim of understanding the mechanism behind this 'shallow heating', we present Chandra and Swift observations of the neutron star LMXB Aql X-1, obtained after its bright 2016 outburst. We find that the neutron star temperature was initially much lower, and started to decrease at much later time, than observed after the 2013 outburst of the source, despite the fact that the properties of the two outbursts were very similar. Comparing our data to thermal evolution simulations, we infer that the depth and magnitude of shallow heating must have been much larger during the 2016 outburst than during the 2013 one. This implies that basic neutron star parameters that remain unchanged between outbursts do not play a strong role in shallow heating. Furthermore, it suggests that outbursts with a similar accretion morphology can give rise to very different shallow heating. We also discuss alternative explanations for the observed difference in quiescent evolution after the 2016 outburst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present time-resolved optical spectroscopy of the 'redback' binary millisecond pulsar system PSR J1023+0038 during both its radio pulsar (2009) and accretion disc states (2014 and 2016). We provide observational evidence for the companion star being heated during the disc state. We observe a spectral type change along the orbit, from ∼G5 to ∼F6 at the secondary star's superior and inferior conjunction, respectively, and find that the corresponding irradiating luminosity can be powered by the high-energy accretion luminosity or the spin-down luminosity of the neutron star. We determine the secondary star's radial velocity semi-amplitude from the metallic (primarily Fe and Ca) and Hα absorption lines during these different states. The metallic and Hα radial velocity semi-amplitude determined from the 2009 pulsar-state observations allows us to constrain the secondary star's true radial velocity K 2 = 276.3 ± 5.6  km s−1 and the binary mass ratio q  = 0.137 ± 0.003. By comparing the observed metallic and Hα absorption-line radial velocity semi-amplitudes with model predictions, we can explain the observed semi-amplitude changes during the pulsar state and during the pulsar/disc-state transition as being due to different amounts of heating and the presence of an accretion disc, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of organic electronics, understanding complex material morphologies and their role in efficient charge transport in solar cells is extremely important. Related processes are studied using the Ising model and Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations resulting in large ensembles of stochastic trajectories. Naive visualization of these trajectories, individually or as a whole, does not lead to new knowledge discovery through exploration. In this paper, we present novel visualization and exploration methods to analyze this complex dynamic data, which provide succinct and meaningful abstractions leading to scientific insights. We propose a morphology abstraction yielding a network composed of material pockets and the interfaces, which serves as backbone for the visualization of the charge diffusion. The trajectory network is created using a novel way of implicitly attracting the trajectories to the skeleton of the morphology relying on a relaxation process. Each individual trajectory is then represented as a connected sequence of nodes in the skeleton. The final network summarizes all of these sequences in a single aggregated network. We apply our method to three different morphologies and demonstrate its suitability for exploring this kind of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied five XMM–Newton observations of the neutron star binary 4U 1728–34 covering the hard, intermediate and soft spectral states. By jointly fitting the spectra with several reflection models, we obtained an inclination angle of 25º–53º and an iron abundance up to 10 times the solar. From the fits with reflection models, we found that the fluxes of the reflection and the Comptonized components vary inconsistently; since the latter is assumed to be the illuminating source, this result possibly indicates the contribution of the neutron star surface/boundary layer to the disc reflection. As the source evolved from the relatively soft to the intermediate state, the disc inner radius decreased, opposite to the prediction of the standard accretion disc model. We also explore the possible reasons why the supersolar iron abundance is required by the data and found that this high value is probably caused by the absence of the hard photons in the XMM–Newton data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the free available chlorine of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) alone and combined with 9% etidronic acid (HEDP) in the presence of inhibitors, organic tissue and organic tissue plus dentine debris; to evaluate the influence of dentine debris on the tissue‐dissolving capacity of both NaOCl solutions; and to determine the antimicrobial action of these solutions when in contact with organic tissue and organic tissue plus dentine debris. Methodology: The available chlorine of the solutions over time in the absence and presence of the inhibitors was measured using a titration method. The organic tissue dissolution by the solutions alone and in the presence of dentine powder was evaluated by weighing bovine tissue specimens before and after exposure to the solutions for 3 and 10 min. For the antimicrobial activity, biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis were exposed to the solutions for 3 min in the absence and presence of organic tissue and organic tissue + dentine debris. The biovolume and percentage of damaged membrane cells of the biofilm were measured by means of confocal microscopy and the live/dead technique. Nonparametric tests were used to determine statistical differences (P < 0.05). Results: Both inhibitors consumed the free available chlorine of the solutions over time. The presence of dentine debris significantly reduced the tissue dissolution capacity of the NaOCl solutions (P < 0.05). The percentages of biovolume reduction were not affected by the presence of the inhibitors in the two NaOCl solutions, whereas the percentage of damaged membrane cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Overall, a similar behaviour was observed in the NaOCl and NaOCl/HEDP groups. Conclusions: The presence of organic tissue and organic tissue + dentine debris favoured rapid consumption of the free chlorine of NaOCl and NaOCl/HEDP. This resulted in a decreased ability to dissolve organic tissue without affecting the short‐term antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we use Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to estimate the mass ratio in a binary black hole collision out of the gravitational wave (GW) strain. We assume the strain is a time series (TS) that contains a part of the orbital phase and the ring-down of the final black hole. We apply the method to the strain itself in the time domain and also in the frequency domain. We present the accuracy in the prediction of the ANNs trained with various values of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The core of our results is that the estimate of the mass ratio is obtained with a small sample of training signals and resulting in predictions with errors of the order of 1% for our best ANN configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Linares et al. obtained quasi-simultaneous g'-, r'- and i'-band light curves and an absorptionline radial velocity curve of the secondary star in the redback system 3FGL J0212.1+5320. The light curves showed two maxima and minima primarily due to the secondary star's ellipsoidal modulation, but with unequal maxima and minima. We fit these light curves and radial velocities with our X-ray binary model including either a dark solar-type star spot or a hotspot due to off-centre heating from an intrabinary shock to account for the unequal maxima. Both models give a radial velocity semi-amplitude and rotational broadening that agree with the observations. The observed secondary star's effective temperature is best matched with the value obtained using the hotspot model, which gives a neutron star and secondary star mass of M1 = 1.85+0.32-0.26 M☉ and M2 = 0.50 +0.22-0.19 M☉, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abnormal fibrinogens can be caused by clinically silent hereditary mutations. A new case was detected accidentally in an 11-year-old girl when routine pre-operative coagulation tests were performed for nasal turbinate surgery. Methods: The fibrinogen genes FGA, FGG and FGB were sequenced using standard protocols. The kinetics of fibrin formation were followed by turbidity at 350 nm. Purified fibrinogen was incubated with plasmin, and the degradation products analyzed by SDS/PAGE. The formation of fibrinogen-albumin complexes was analyzed by immunobloting. Fibrin structure was examined in a Nikon Eclipse TE 2000-U laser microscope. Secretion of the variant protein was analyzed directly by reverse phase-electrospray time of flight-mass spectrometry (TOF-MS). Results: DNA sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous g. 3057 C > T mutation in the FGA that predicts a p. Arg104 > Cys substitution, in the proband and her father. Both patients were asymptomatic with low functional and antigen fibrinogen concentrations. The proband's plasma fibrinogen polymerization was almost normal, with a 12% decrease in the final turbidity, while, the father's fibrin formation had a diminished slope and final turbidity (2.5× and 40%, respectively). Aα Arg104 is located at a plasmin cleavage site in the coiled-coil region of fibrinogen. However, the father's fibrinogen plasmin degradation was normal. Although the exchanged Cys introduces an unpaired -SH, immunoblotting showed no fibrinogen-albumin complexes. Furthermore, the plasma clot structure observed by confocal microscopy appeared almost normal. TOF-MS showed that the variant Aα chain was underrepresented in plasma and made up only about 25% of the total. Conclusions: The low expression of the Aα Arg104 > Cys chain in circulation could account for the observed hypodysfibrinogenemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a search for the counterpart to the Fermi-LAT source 3FGL J0838.8-2829, we performed a multiwavelength campaign: in the X-ray band with Swift and XMM–Newton; in the infrared and optical with OAGH, ESO-NTT and IAC80; and in the radio with ATCA observations. We also used archival hard X-ray data obtained by INTEGRAL. We report on three X-ray sources consistent with the position of the Fermi-LAT source. We confirm the identification of the brightest object, RX J0838-2827, as a magnetic cataclysmic variable that we recognize as an asynchronous system (not associated with the Fermi-LAT source). RX J0838-2827 is extremely variable in the X-ray and optical bands, and timing analysis reveals the presence of several periodicities modulating its X-ray and optical emission. The most evident modulations are interpreted as being caused by the binary system orbital period of ∼1.64 h and the white dwarf spin period of ∼1.47 h. A strong flux modulation at ∼15 h is observed at all energy bands, consistent with the beat frequency between spin and orbital periods. Optical spectra show prominent Hβ, He I and He II emission lines that are Doppler-modulated at the orbital period and at the beat period. Therefore, RX J0838-2827 accretes through a disc-less configuration and could be either a strongly asynchronous polar or a rare example of a pre-polar system on its way to reaching synchronism. Regarding the other two X-ray sources, XMM J083850.4-282759 showed a variable X-ray emission, with a powerful flare lasting for ∼600 s, similar to what is observed in transitional millisecond pulsars during the subluminous disc state: this observation possibly means that this source can be associated with the Fermi-LAT source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new recurrent X-ray transient MAXI J1957+032 has had four X-ray outbursts within 16 months, all very briefly detected (lasting <5 d). During the most recent event (2016 September/October), we obtained with the Southern African Large Telescope the first optical spectrum of the transient counterpart, showing the classic blue continuum of an X-ray irradiated disc in an LMXB and no other features. At high Galactic latitude below the plane (-13°) reddening is low but there is no quiescent counterpart visible on any of the existing sky surveys, nor any other known X-ray source in the region. Swift monitoring of three of the four events is presented, showing rapidly fading X-ray outbursts together with significant UVOT detections in the UV (W1,M2,W2), U and B bands. The optical properties are most like those of the short-period LMXBs, which, combined with the softening witnessed during the decay to quiescence would place the system at d < 13 kpc. The short duration and short recurrence time of the outbursts are reminiscent of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars, which exhibit peak luminosities of ~1 per cent LEdd. Assuming this peak luminosity would place MAXI J1957+032 at a distance of d ~ 5-6 kpc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new recurrent X-ray transient MAXI J1957+032 has had four X-ray outbursts within 16 months, all very briefly detected (lasting <5 d). During the most recent event (2016 September/October), we obtained with the Southern African Large Telescope the first optical spectrum of the transient counterpart, showing the classic blue continuum of an X-ray irradiated disc in an LMXB and no other features. At high Galactic latitude below the plane (-13°) reddening is low but there is no quiescent counterpart visible on any of the existing sky surveys, nor any other known X-ray source in the region. Swift monitoring of three of the four events is presented, showing rapidly fading X-ray outbursts together with significant UVOT detections in the UV (W1,M2,W2), U and B bands. The optical properties are most like those of the short-period LMXBs, which, combined with the softening witnessed during the decay to quiescence would place the system at d < 13 kpc. The short duration and short recurrence time of the outbursts are reminiscent of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars, which exhibit peak luminosities of ~1 per cent LEdd. Assuming this peak luminosity would place MAXI J1957+032 at a distance of d ~ 5-6 kpc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical activity practiced regularly is considered a resource that favors the prevention of diseases, in this sense cycling is presented as a sport modality that promotes aerobic power. There is a need to develop measures that achieve healthy and sustainable lifestyles through aerobic physical exercises that promote health and adherence. A review of the literature has been carried out with different searches, among which the main databases are: Web of Science (WOS) and PubMed. In conclusion, the practice of cycling is indicated by its association with an improvement in aerobic power, as well as the need to implement through intervention programs and / or public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the antibiofilm activity of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (Na OCl), 2% chlorhexidine ( CHX), 2% alexidine ( ALX) and 0.2% cetrimide ( CTR) alone and in combination on mature polymicrobial root canal biofilms on human dentine using confocal laser scanning microscopy ( CLSM). Methodology Twenty-eight human dentine specimens were infected for 21 days with microbial samples collected from infected root canals of three volunteers. Antibiofilm activity of the irrigating solutions was evaluated after 3 min of contact time under CLSM. For quantification purposes, bioimage_L software was used. The variables evaluated were the log10 of total biovolume (μm3) and percentage of live cells (green) population. Statistical analysis of both variables was performed using an anova test and a post hoc Duncan test to determine significant clusters amongst groups. The variable green population percentage was previously subjected to the normalized Anscombe transformation. Results The Na OCl group had a total biovolume and percentage of live cells significantly lower than the other groups ( P ˂ 0.001). The addition of 0.2% CTR significantly increased the antimicrobial effect of 2% CHX ( P ˂ 0.001). There were no significant differences between 0.2% CTR, 2% ALX and the combination of both ( P ˂ 0.05). Conclusions Overall, 2.5% Na OCl dissolved and killed bacteria significantly more efficiently when used against polymicrobial mature biofilm on human dentine. Cetrimide improved the antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine and alexidine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of Very Large Array, Australia Telescope Compact Array, and Swift X-ray Telescope observations of the 2015 outburst of the transient neutron star X-ray binary (NSXB), EXO 1745-248, located in the globular cluster Terzan 5. Combining (near-) simultaneous radio and X-ray measurements, we measure a correlation between the radio and X-ray luminosities of LR ∼ LβX with β = 1.68+0.10-0.09, linking the accretion flow (probed by X-ray luminosity) and the compact jet (probed by radio luminosity). While such a relationship has been studied in multiple black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs), this work marks only the third NSXB with such a measurement. Constraints on this relationship in NSXBs are strongly needed, as comparing this correlation between different classes of XB systems is key in understanding the properties that affect the jet production process in accreting objects. Our best-fitting disc-jet coupling index for EXO 1745-248 is consistent with the measured correlation in NSXB 4U 1728-34 (β = 1.5 ± 0.2) but inconsistent with the correlation we fit using the most recent measurements from the literature of NSXB Aql X-1 (β = 0.76+0.14-0.15). While a similar disc-jet coupling index appears to hold across multiple BHXBs in the hard accretion state, this does not appear to be the case with the three NSXBs measured so far. Additionally, the normalization of the EXO 1745-248 correlation is lower than the other two NSXBs, making it one of the most radio faint XBs ever detected in the hard state. We also report the detection of a type-I X-ray burst during this outburst, where the decay time-scale is consistent with hydrogen burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical ZSM-5 with uniform mesoporosity was synthesized by the sequential coupling of two strategies: generation of secondary porosity by the crystallization of silanized protozeolitic units and a subsequent treatment with a basic surfactant-containing solution. The ZSM-5 zeolite obtained exhibited high crystallinity and contained two levels of uniform porosities within the micro- and mesopore ranges, respectively. The uniform mesoporosity is the result of the reorganization of irregular mesopores, created initially from the silanized protozeolitic units, via the local rearrangement of zeolitic fragments, and promoted by contact with a cationic surfactant under mild basic conditions. Interestingly, this second treatment was less effective when it is applied to a non-hierarchical ZSM-5 sample, showing that the presence of initial secondary porosity is essential for allowing the surfactant/ammonia solution to modify the zeolite and form uniform mesopores. Characterization of the zeolite samples using different techniques showed that the crystallinity, Al coordination and acidic features of the zeolite do not change significantly after the mesopore narrowing treatment, even though significant variations in the textural properties are observed as expected. The effects of the occurrence of regular mesoporosity on the catalytic properties of the hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite were proven using the acylation of 2-methoxynaphthalene as a test reaction. The material with uniform mesopores showed both the highest activity and selectivity towards 6-acetyl-2-methoxynaphthalene, which was interpreted as the result of the presence of a more regular and less rough mesopore surface, which in turn facilitated the interaction between the reactant molecules and the active sites located and distributed over the mesopores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to evaluate inter-reader entheses ultrasound (US) reliability and the influence of the type of image or degree of sonographer experience on US reliability in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Eighteen Latin American ultrasonographers with different experience took part in an US reading exercise evaluating 60 entheseal images (50 % static images and 50 % videos) from healthy controls and SpA patients. The following sonographic lesions were assessed: structure, thickness, bone proliferation/tendon calcification, erosions, bursitis, and Doppler signal. Another group of three experts with significant experience in entheses US read all images too. Inter-reader reliability among participants and experts was calculated by the Cohen's kappa coefficient. Thresholds for kappa values were <0.2 poor, 0.21-0.4 fair, 0.41-0.6 moderate, 0.61-0.8 good, and 0.81-1 excellent. Furthermore, the results for the expert group were stratified based on the type of image. Kappa correlation coefficients among participants, showed variability depending on the type of lesion, being fair for structure and thickness, moderate for calcifications, erosions, and bursitis, and excellent for Doppler signal. Inter-reader reliability among experts was higher, being moderate for structure and thickness, good for calcifications and bursitis, and excellent for erosions and Doppler. Inter-reader reliability for assessing calcification and structure using static images was significantly higher than for videos. Overall inter-reader reliability for assessing entheses by US in SpA is moderate to excellent for most of the lesions. However, special training seems fundamental to achieve better inter-reader reliability. Moreover, the type of image influenced these results, where evaluation of entheses by videos was more difficult than by static images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic expansion of the ready-to-eat seabream sector in its adaptation to new lifestyles has led to the search for new presentation formats in seabream (Sparus aurata). Green sauce (olive oil, wine vinegar, garlic, fresh parsley, black pepper, basil and salt) and 60 ℃ of cooking temperature were chosen by the panellists for the sous vide cooking process. Seabream fillet and sauce were packaged in polypropylene trays, cooked, chilled and stored at 2 ℃. Microbiological (total viable counts, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, anaerobic psychrotrophic, moulds and yeasts, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes), chemical (pH and TBARs) and sensory parameters were determined at 0, 7, 17, 34, 48 and 62 days. In the conditions used, the microbiological counts remained stable, and Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were absent. The acidic sauce had a positive effect on the pH of the product, and low TBARs were obtained throughout storage. The processing conditions used in the present study allowed a chilled ready-to-eat seabream product of consistently high quality up to 62 days of storage to be obtained, representing an expansion of the products offered by the aquacultural industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aql X-1 is a prolific transient neutron star low-mass X-ray binary that exhibits an accretion outburst approximately once every year. Whether the thermal X-rays detected in intervening quiescent episodes are the result of cooling of the neutron star or due to continued lowlevel accretion remains unclear. In this work, we use Swift data obtained after the long and bright 2011 and 2013 outbursts, as well as the short and faint 2015 outburst, to investigate the hypothesis that cooling of the accretion-heated neutron star crust dominates the quiescent thermal emission in Aql X-1.We demonstrate that the X-ray light curves and measured neutron star surface temperatures are consistent with the expectations of the crust cooling paradigm. By using a thermal evolution code, we find that ≃1.2-3.2 MeV nucleon-1 of shallow heat release describes the observational data well, depending on the assumed mass-accretion rate and temperature of the stellar core. We find no evidence for varying strengths of this shallow heating after different outbursts, but this could be due to limitations of the data. We argue that monitoring Aql X-1 for up to ≃1 yr after future outbursts can be a powerful tool to break model degeneracies and solve open questions about the magnitude, depth, and origin of shallow heating in neutron star crusts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We search the literature for reports on the spectral properties of neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries when they have accretion luminosities between 1034 and 1036 erg s-1, corresponding to roughly 0.01-1 per cent of the Eddington accretion rate for a neutron star. We found that in this luminosity range the photon index (obtained from fitting a simple absorbed power law in the 0.5-10 keV range) increases with decreasing 0.5-10 keV X-ray luminosity (i.e. the spectrum softens). Such behaviour has been reported before for individual sources, but here we demonstrate that very likely most (if not all) neutron star systems behave in a similar manner and possibly even follow a universal relation. When comparing the neutron star systems with black hole systems, it is clear that most black hole binaries have significantly harder spectra at luminosities of 1034-1035 erg s-1. Despite a limited number of data points, there are indications that these spectral differences also extend to the 1035-1036 erg s-1 range, but above a luminosity of 1035 erg s-1 the separation between neutron star and black hole systems is not as clear as below. In addition, the black hole spectra only become softer below luminosities of 1034 erg s-1 compared to 1036 erg s-1 for the neutron star systems. This observed difference between the neutron star binaries and black hole ones suggests that the spectral properties (between 0.5 and 10 keV) at 1034-1035 erg s-1 can be used to tentatively determine the nature of the accretor in unclassified X-ray binaries. More observations in this luminosity range are needed to determine how robust this diagnostic tool is and whether or not there are (many) systems that do not follow the general trend.We discuss our results in the context of properties of the accretion flow at low luminosities and we suggest that the observed spectral differences likely arise from the neutron star surface becoming dominantly visible in the X-ray spectra. We also suggest that both the thermal component and the non-thermal component might be caused by low-level accretion on to the neutron star surface for luminosities below a few times 1034 erg s-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite alone (Na OCl) and associated with 9% HEBP (Na OCl/ HEBP), 2% peracetic acid ( PAA) and 2% chlorhexidine ( CHX), on the viability of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms attached to dentine. Methodology Biofilms of E. faecalis were grown on the surface of dentine blocks for 5 days and then exposed to the irrigating solutions for 3 min. Distilled water was used as the control. The total biovolume and the percentage of dead cells of the infected dentine were measured by means of confocal microscopy and the live/dead technique. Nonparametric tests were used to determine statistical differences ( P < 0.05). Results Na OCl and the Na OCl/ HEBP mixture were associated with a significantly greater percentage of dead cells, followed by PAA ( P < 0.05). No significant antimicrobial effect of CHX was observed in comparison with the control group. Total biovolume decreased significantly in Na OCl, Na OCl/ HEBP and PAA solutions in comparison with the CHX and control groups. Conclusions Na OCl alone or associated with HEBP were the most effective irrigant solutions in dissolving and killing E. faecalis biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present time-resolved optical photometry of the binary millisecond 'redback' pulsar PSR J1023+0038 (=AY Sex) during its low-mass X-ray binary phase. The light curves taken between 2014 January and April show an underlying sinusoidal modulation due to the irradiated secondary star and accretion disc. We also observe superimposed rapid flaring on time-scales as short as ~20 s with amplitudes of ~0.1-0.5 mag and additional large flare events on time-scales of ~5-60 min with amplitudes of ~0.5-1.0 mag. The power density spectrum of the optical flare light curves is dominated by a red-noise component, typical of aperiodic activity in X-ray binaries. Simultaneous X-ray and UV observations by the Swift satellite reveal strong correlations that are consistent with X-ray reprocessing of the UV light, most likely in the outer regions of the accretion disc. On some nights we also observe sharp-edged, rectangular, flat-bottomed dips randomly distributed in orbital phase, with a median duration of ~250 s and a median ingress/egress time of ~20 s. These rectangular dips are similar to the mode-switching behaviour between disc 'active' and 'passive' luminosity states, observed in the X-ray light curves of other redback millisecond pulsars. This is the first time that the optical analogue of the X-ray mode-switching has been observed. The properties of the passive- and active-state light curves can be explained in terms of clumpy accretion from a trapped inner accretion disc near the corotation radius, resulting in rectangular, flat-bottomed optical and X-ray light curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome of some vole rodents contains large blocks of heterochromatin coupled to the sex chromosomes. While the DNA content of these heterochromatic blocks has been extensively analyzed, little is known about the epigenetic modifications controlling their structure and dynamics. To better understand its organization and functions within the nucleus, we have compared the distribution pattern of several epigenetic marks in cells from two species, Microtus agrestis and Microtus cabrerae. We first could show that the heterochromatic blocks are identifiable within the nuclei due to their AT enrichment detectable by DAPI staining. By immunostaining analyses, we demonstrated that enrichment in H3K9me3 and HP1, depletion of DNA methylation as well as H4K8ac and H3K4me2, are major conserved epigenetic features of this heterochromatin in both sex chromosomes. Furthermore, we provide evidence of transcriptional activity for some repeated DNAs in cultivated cells. These transcripts are partially polyadenylated and their levels are not altered during mitotic arrest. In summary, we show here that enrichment in H3K9me3 and HP1, DNA demethylation, and transcriptional activity are major epigenetic features of sex heterochromatin in vole rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study was conducted to further investigate the single-dose approach of hepatitis A vaccination, while providing supportive data on the flexibility of booster administration. Participants received at least one dose of Avaxim 80U Pediatric at 11-23 months of age, and they will be followed for 10 years. We report here the fourth and fifth years after the first vaccination. Group assignment was based on whether the children received 1 dose and no booster during the study (Group 1) or 2 doses and no further booster (Group 2). Anti-HAV antibody concentrations were assessed at each annual visit. Of the 546 initial participants, 441 (80.8%) and 412 (75.5%) were followed up 4 and 5 years after vaccination, respectively. Of the 411 subjects evaluable at Year 5, 318 had received one vaccine dose and 85 had received two. Seroprotection rates were still high in Group 1 (99.7%) and in Group 2 (100%) 5 years after one or two doses of Avaxim 80U Pediatric, correspondingly. Anti-HAV geometric mean concentrations decreased in both groups compared to what they were 3 years after vaccination, while remaining well above the 10 mIU/mL threshold 5 years after vaccination. The highest concentrations were found in the children who received 2 vaccine doses. Hepatitis A humoral immunity induced by a single dose of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine can persist for at least 5 years in a paediatric population. The study results also support recommendations in favour of a flexible time window for booster vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]