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MOS High Electron Mobility Transistors (MOS-HEMTs) may suffer from VTH instability and hysteresis reducing device performances. Post-Deposition Anneal (PDA) of the Atomic-Layer Deposited (ALD) dielectric has the potential to increase MOS-HEMT performances but needs to be compatible with the actual integration (at CEA Leti: fully recessed Gate First MOS-channel HEMT process flow). In this work, the impact of different PDA temperatures on flat-band voltage (VFB) and its hysteresis (ΔVFB) for Al2O3 deposited on etched GaN substrates is investigated using MOS capacitors (MOSCAPs). Material properties are analyzed by Hard X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (HAXPES), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analyses. With increasing PDA temperature up to 500°C: (i) ΔVFB decreases and is explained by the reduction of Ga-O bonds at Al2O3/GaN interface and O-H groups in Al2O3 (ii) VFB decreases and could be explained by the reduction of fluorine impurity concentration in Al2O3. For 600°C PDA, Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction (GIXRD) analysis shows a small crystallized κ-Al2O3 signal on etched GaN contrary to the as-grown GaN. The onset of this crystallization could explain the degradation in breakdown field for PDA above 500°C observed on MOSCAPs after the Gate-First process flow overall thermal budget. Therefore, the optimized PDA temperature suggested for a fully recessed Gate First MOS-channel HEMT is 500°C.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease that up to now has been associated with a poor prognosis. However, the results of the INPULSIS and ASCEND trials and the approval of nintedanib and pirfenidone have marked the beginning of a new era for IPF patients. Questions remain, however. Should these drugs be used earlier? What effect will they have on more severe disease? Will their effects last beyond the trial period? This manuscript is the outcome of a multidisciplinary meeting between pulmonology, radiology, and pathology clinicians on the use of antifibrotic agents in IPF. In our opinion, the existing data show that pirfenidone and nintedanib slow functional decline in early stages of disease. These drugs also appear to result in therapeutic benefits when administered to patients with advanced disease at diagnosis and maintain effective over time. The data also suggest that continuing antifibrotic therapy after disease progression may confer benefits, but more evidence is needed. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for reducing functional decline, slowing disease progression, and improving quality of life. Keywords: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Interstitial lung disease, Nintedanib, Pirfenidone

Five years survival of lung cancer is 16%, significantly lower than in prostate (99.9%), breast (88.5%) and colon (64.1%) carcinomas. When diagnosed in the surgical stage it increases to 50% but this group only comprises 14â16% of the cases. DNA methylation has emerged as a potential cancer-specific biomarker. Hypermethylation of CpG islands located in the promoter regions of tumour suppressor genes is now firmly established as an important mechanism for gene inactivation.This retrospective study included 40 squamous cell carcinomas and 40 adenocarcinomas in various surgical TNM stages to define methylation profile and possible silencing of DNA repair genes â MLH1 and MSH2 â using Methylation-Specific PCR and protein expression by immunohistochemistry in tumoural tissue, preneoplastic lesions and respiratory epithelium with normal histological features.The protein expression of MLH1 and MSH2 genes, in the available preneoplastic lesions and in normal cylindrical respiratory epithelium appeared reduced. The frequency of promoter hypermethylation found on these DNA repair genes was elevated, with a higher prevalence of methylation of MLH1 gene in 72% of squamous cell carcinoma. The differences are not so obvious for MSH2 promoter hypermethylation. No correlation was found among the status of methylation, the protein expression and the clinicopathological characteristics.With a larger study, a better characterization of the hypermethylation status of neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions in small biopsies would be achieved, inherent to tumour histology, heterogeneity and preservation, and finally differences in the study population to elucidate other possible mechanisms of altered expression of the hMLH1 and hMSH. Resumo: A sobrevivência aos cinco anos no cancro do pulmão é de 16%, significativamente inferior que nos carcinomas na próstata (99,9%), mama (88,5%) e cólon (64,1%). Quando diagnosticado na fase cirúrgica aumenta até 50%, mas este grupo é apenas constituído por 14-16% dos casos. A metilação do ADN surgiu como um potencial marcador biológico específico do cancro. A hipermetilação das ilhas CpG localizadas nas regiões promotoras de genes supressores do tumor está agora firmemente estabelecida como um mecanismo importante para a inativação do gene.Este estudo retrospetivo incluiu 40 carcinomas das células escamosas e 40 adenocarcinomas em vários estádios cirúrgicos TNM para definir o perfil da metilação e o possível silenciamento de genes de reparação do ADN - MLH1 e MSH2 - usando metilação PCR específica e expressão da proteína por imuno-histoquímica no tecido tumoral, lesões pré-neoplásicas e epitélio respiratório com características histológicas normais.A expressão da proteína dos genes MLH1 e MSH2, nas lesões pré-neoplásticas disponíveis e no epitélio respiratório cilíndrico normal, pareceu reduzida. A frequência da hipermetilação promotora encontrada nestes genes reparadores de ADN foi elevada, com uma maior prevalência da metilação do gene MLH1 em 72% de carcinoma de células escamosas. As diferenças não são tão óbvias para a hipermetilação do promotor MSH2. Não foi encontrada correlação entre o estado de metilação, a expressão da proteína e as características clínico-patológicas.Com um estudo mais amplo, seria alcançada uma melhor caracterização do estado da hipermetilação das lesões neoplásicas e pré-neoplásicas em pequenas biopsias, inerente à histologia, heterogeneidade e preservação do tumor, e, finalmente, à s diferenças na população estudada para elucidar outros mecanismos possíveis da expressão alterada do hMLH1 e hMSH. Keywords: Adenocarcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Lung, Hypermethylation, MLH1, MSH2, Palavras chave: Adenocarcinoma, Carcinoma das células escamosas, Pulmão, Hipermetilação, MLH1, MSH2

Introduction: Faced with lockdowns, it was mandatory the development of supervised home-based RT protocols to keep patients with chronic kidney disease engaged in programs. Nonetheless, there is a lack of scientific literature regarding its effects on patients. Purpose: To investigate the effects of a supervised home-based progressive resistance training program on functional performance, bone mineral density, renal function, endothelial health, inflammation, glycemic homeostasis, metabolism, redox balance, and the modulation of exerkines in patients with CKD in stage 2. Methods: Patients (n = 31) were randomized and allocated into the control group (CTL; n = 15; 58.07 ± 5.22 yrs) or resistance training group (RT; n = 16; 57.94 ± 2.74 yrs). RT group performed 22 weeks of supervised progressive home-based resistance exercises. Bone mineral density, anthropometric measurements, and functional performance were assessed. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention for the analysis of markers of renal function, endothelial health, inflammation, glycemic homeostasis, metabolism, and redox balance. Results: Twenty-two weeks of home-based RT were effective in improving (P

Here we describe the proteome of the fungus Hemileia vastatrix by label free mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). H. vastatrix is the causal agent of coffee rust disease, causing great economic losses in this crop. The objective of our work was to identify H. vastatrix proteins potentially involved in host colonization and infection, by exploring the shotgun proteomics approach. A total of 742 proteins were identified and are associated with several crucial molecular functions, biological processes, and cellular components. The proteins identified contribute to a better understanding of the metabolism of the fungus and may help identify target proteins for the development of specific drugs in order to control coffee rust disease. All data can be accessed at the Centre for Computational Mass Spectrometry – MassIVE MSV000087665 -https://massive.ucsd.edu/ProteoSAFe/dataset.jsp?task=cc71ad75f767451abe72dd1ce0019387

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in aquaculture environments is a growing concern due to their potential negative effects on fish health and, ultimately, on seafood safety. Earthen pond aquaculture, a prevalent aquaculture system worldwide, is typically located in coastal and estuarine areas thus vulnerable to MP contamination. The present study investigated the possible relation between MP levels of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farmed in an earthen pond and its health status. More precisely, two groups of fish were established based on the lowest and highest number of MPs found collectively in their gastrointestinal tract (GIT), liver, and dorsal muscle: fish with ≤2 MP/g and fish with ≥4 MP/g. The intestinal integrity and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver and dorsal muscle were evaluated in the established groups. No significant differences in the biometric and organosomatic parameters between groups were observed. The results indicated a significant increase in the number of acid goblet cells (GC) in the rectum of fish with higher MP levels (p = 0.016). Increased acid GC number may constitute a first defence strategy against foreign particles to protect the intestinal epithelium. No significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers between the two fish groups were observed, namely in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase in the liver, or in lipid peroxidation levels in the liver and dorsal muscle. The overall results suggest that MP levels were possibly related to an intestinal response but its potential implications on the health status of pond-farmed seabass warrant further investigation. Monitoring MP occurrence across stages of aquaculture production could help to elucidate the potential threats of MPs to fish health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHS) are an alternative solution with the potential to increase water supply security and reduce the pressure on water resources and urban stormwater drainage systems. Likewise, Green Roofs are a nature-based solution with several ecosystem services able to improve well-being in densely urbanized areas. Despite these benefits, the combination of both solutions is still a knowledge gap to be explored. To address this issue, the paper explores the potential of integrating traditional rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) with extensive green roofs (EGR), while simultaneously evaluating the performance of traditional RWHS in buildings with high and variable water consumption patterns across different climatic conditions. The analyses were carried out assuming two university buildings hypothetically located in three distinct climates (Aw - Tropical Savanna, Cfa - Humid Subtropical, and Csa - Hot-summer Mediterranean). The results show that the relationship between available water and demand is the key factor that defines if the system is most suitable for saving water, reducing stormwater runoff rates, or dual-purpose (when there is a balance between non-potable water supply and capture of stormwater). Combined systems were most effective when there is a balanced rainfall distribution over the year, as in humid subtropical regions. Under these conditions, a combined system designed for dual purposes could potentially have a green roof coverage of up to 70% of the total catchment area. Conversely, climates that have well-defined rainy and dry seasons such as Aw and Csa, may limit the effectiveness of a combined system (RWHS+EGR), being not able to supply water demands during certain periods of the year. However, if the primary objective is effective stormwater management, a combined system should be strongly considered. Because green roofs provide other ecosystem benefits that can contribute to enhancing urban resilience in the face of climate change., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The development of multimetric indices (MMIs) to measure the biotic condition of aquatic habitats is based on metrics derived from biological assemblages. Considering fish assemblages, the inconsistencies in metrics responses outside of the places where they were developed limit MMI transferability and applicability to other locations, requiring local calibration. The factors behind the low transferability of these MMIs are still poorly understood. We investigated how environmental dissimilarity and spatial distance influence the transferability of metrics generated from local stream fish assemblages to other regions. We also tested whether functional and taxonomic metrics respond differently to the spatial distance. We used data from 239 fish assemblages from streams distributed across a Brazilian, the upper Parana basin and characterized each site according to the level of anthropogenic disturbance at the landscape scale using an Anthropogenic Pressure Index (API). We divided the upper Parana basin into sub-basins and used two of them to create template response models of the metrics in relation to the API. We used these response models to predict the responses outside the template sub-basins. Our response variable representing a metric of transferability was the absolute difference between metric's predicted and observed value for each site (prediction error). We thus modeled the prediction error in relation to the predictor variables that were i) the environmental dissimilarity between each site with the average of the sites from template sub-basins (climatic, topographic and soil type variables) and ii) the spatial distance (overland and watercourse distance) between each site and the center of the template sub-basin. We found that errors in metric predictions were associated with both environmental dissimilarity and spatial distance. Furthermore, functional and taxonomic metrics responded equally to spatial distance. These results indicate the need for local calibration of metrics when developing MMIs, especially if the protocols already available come from distant and environmentally dissimilar places., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objectives: To compare the subgingival microbiota of patients with aggressive (AgP) or chronic periodontitis (CP) to healthy (H), non-periodontitis patients as well as to explore their relevant associations to different host genetic variants., Methods: Following clinical examination, blood and subgingival plaque sampling of 471 study participants (125 AgP, 121 CP, 225 H), subgingival community analysis was performed by next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA. Microbial data from 266 participants (75 AgP, 95 CP, 98 H) were available for analysis. SNPs in the IL6, IL6R and FTO gene were selected for genetic marker analyses., Results: Combined periodontitis patients (AgP + CP), particularly those classified with AgP, exhibited lower alpha- and beta- diversity. Several genera (including Peptostreptococcaceae, Filifactor, Desulfobulbus, Tannerella and Lachnospiracee) and species were over-abundant in combined periodontitis vs. healthy individuals, while other genera such as Prevotella or Dialister were found to be more abundant in healthy cases. The only genus with difference in abundance between AgP and CP was Granulicatella. No associations between IL6, IL6RA and FTO genetic variants and microbial findings were detected., Conclusion: This study suggests that limited microbial differences existed between AgP and CP and challenges the current notion that periodontitis is associated with increased subgingival microbial diversity compared with periodontal health., Clinical Significance: The findings of this study cast some doubts on the notion that the dysbiosis characteristic of periodontal disease is expressed as increased microbial diversity., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative pulp inflammation on the histologic outcome of full pulpotomy performed in mature permanent posterior teeth using 4 different biomaterials., Methods: Five beagle dogs (providing a total of 120 roots) were selected. Dentin exposure was performed in teeth from the second and third quadrants. One week later, full pulpotomy procedures were performed using 4 different bioactive materials (ProRoot MTA [MTA], TotalFill BC Putty [BC], Biodentine [BIO], and an experimental cement [ie, pulp capping material]). The hemostasis time was registered. After 14 weeks, the animals were killed. Pulp-dentin tissues were histologically and radiographically assessed. The significance level was set at .05., Results: Teeth with previously exposed dentin revealed a statistically significant increase in the time required to achieve hemostasis (P < .001), therefore confirming the pulp inflammation status induced by 1-week exposure of occlusal dentin before performing full pulpotomy. There was no radiographic evidence of root resorption, periapical radiolucency, or lamina dura alterations. No statistically significant differences were observed between normal and inflamed pulp regardless of the evaluated histologic parameters. Moreover, histologic data concerning calcified barrier formation and the pulp tissue response show better results for BIO without statistical differences compared with MTA or BC (P > .05). The pulp capping material presented a lower performance, with statistically significant differences being detected in regard to the remaining 3 tested materials (P < .001)., Conclusions: Radiographic and histologic outcomes of full pulpotomy are not jeopardized by short-term preoperative pulp inflammation. Moreover, BIO, MTA, and BC cements present suitable alternatives to be used as pulp capping agents., (Copyright © 2021 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The synthesis of new porphyrin-indazole hybrids by a Knoevenagel condensation of 2-formyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin and N-methyl-nitroindazolylacetonitrile derivatives is reported. The target compounds were isolated in moderate to good yields (32-57%) and some of the isolated porphyrin-indazole conjugates showed good performance in the generation of singlet oxygen when irradiated with visible light. Their efficiency as photosensitizers in the photoinactivation of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus-MRSA was evaluated. All derivatives showed to be able to photoinactivate the MRSA bacteria. Compound 3a appears to be the most promising photosensitiser (PS) in the photoinactivation of these bacteria, despite being the least efficient in singlet oxygen generation. The addition of potassium iodide (KI) significantly potentiated the antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) process mediated by all the analysed porphyrin-indazole conjugates. The combined action of nitroindazole-porphyrins with potassium iodide (KI) action appears to be promising in the photoinactivation of MRSA., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Molinate is a thiocarbamate herbicide used in rice crop protection. As other pesticides, molinate is a recognized environmental pollutant and bio-accumulated by some wildlife forms. Gulosibacter molinativorax ON4 T is able to hydrolyse molinate into metabolites which are further degraded by other un-related bacteria. Hence, it can be used in molinate bioremediation processes. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of producing G. molinativorax ON4 T microparticles, using different non-toxic biopolymers (arabic gum, modified chitosan, calcium alginate and sodium alginate) as encapsulating agents by a spray-drying process. Several formulations of microparticles were prepared, and their physicochemical structures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser granulometry analysis and zeta potential analysis. The obtained microparticles were evaluated considering their ability to degrade molinate, the metabolic activity (by colour development of the tetrazolium violet redox), and also the survival rate and shelf-life/storage stability of microparticles. Based on their molinate degrading activity, the biopolymers calcium alginate and modified chitosan cross-linked with tripolyphosphate appear to be the best options for the microencapsulation of the G. molinativorax ON4 T . However, the microparticles produced with modified chitosan cross-linked with tripolyphosphate present the best combination of physical properties and activity degradation of molinate., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the impact, reported by students and their teachers, of a universal, school-based, social-emotional learning program, implemented in three school years on the social-emotional competencies of middle school students (7th to 9th grade). It also analyzes, at post-test and follow-up, the differential results by gender and among students with lower levels of competence. There were 1091 participants, 855 students received the treatment condition (i.e., Project Attitude) and 236 students the control condition. Self-reports identified positive intervention results in social awareness, self-control, self-esteem, social isolation and social anxiety, teachers reported gains in all dimensions. These positive effects were stably effective along the three cohorts. Self-reports also identified bigger gains for girls in social awareness and for boys in social anxiety, self-esteem and leadership. Students with initial lower levels of competence benefited more from the intervention, especially at follow-up. These results support the effectiveness of social-emotional learning programs., (Copyright © 2015 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The patterns of population genetic diversity depend to a large extent on past demographic history. Most human populations are known to have gone recently through a series of range expansions within and out of Africa, but these spatial expansions are rarely taken into account when interpreting observed genomic diversity, possibly because they are difficult to model. Here we review available evidence in favour of range expansions out of Africa, and we discuss several of their consequences on neutral and selected diversity, including some recent observations on an excess of rare neutral and selected variants in large samples. We further show that in spatially subdivided populations, the sampling strategy can severely impact the resulting genetic diversity and be confounded by past demography. We conclude that ignoring the spatial structure of human population can lead to some misinterpretations of extant genetic diversity., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Although iron bioavailability from wheat flour fortified with iron has been widely studied, the bioavailability of lime-treated corn flour has not been evaluated sufficiently. We compared iron bioavailability and utilization of lime-treated corn flour and wheat flour supplemented with various iron sources. Bioavailability and utilization were determined in Sprague-Dawley rats using the iron balance and hemoglobin depletion-repletion methods. Rats were iron depleted by feeding them a low iron, casein diet for 10 d. During the repletion period, the rats were fed diets based on lime-treated corn flour or wheat flour, both supplemented with ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate, ferric citrate and reduced iron for 14 d. Hemoglobin was determined at the end of depletion and repletion periods. The phytate concentration was lower in wheat flour (114 mg/100g) than in lime-treated corn flour (501 mg/100g). Iron bioavailability and utilization by rats were higher from fortified and unfortified wheat flour than from the lime-treated corn flour counterparts. Iron utilization was greater in rats fed wheat flour supplemented with ferrous sulfate, followed by fumarate and citrate than in rats fed reduced iron. In lime-treated corn flour, iron utilization by rats fed unfortified flour and flour fortified with reduced iron did not differ, but utilization was higher in rats fed corn flour fortified with iron sulfate, fumarate and citrate than with reduced iron. We conclude that fortification of lime-treated corn flour with reduced iron has no effect on iron bioavailability or utilization, probably due to the high phytate content. Other iron compounds must be selected to fortify lime-treated corn flour when intended for public nutrition programs.

Animal foods in general are considered to be foods with high protein qualities, although their qualities are not always similar because of differences in essential amino acids. The purpose of this study was to compare the protein quality of different animal foods and of their mixtures with vegetable foods, mainly cereals, at the 30:70 animal:vegetable protein proportion with experiments performed under the same conditions. The animal foods were eggs, beef, pork, barbecued lamb, chicken, ham, sausage and milk powder. The vegetable foods used in the mixtures were rice, lime-treated corn flour, wheat flour and cooked black beans. The protein concentrations in the raw and cooked materials were analyzed. The protein efficiency ratios (PER) and digestibilities were determined in Fisher 344 weanling rats. Based on the corrected PER, the foods with the best protein quality were egg (3.24), sirloin beef (3.16), lamb (3.11) and chicken breast (3.07), which were significantly different (P < 0.05) from milk powder (2.88) and beef liver and beef round (2.81 and 2.70, respectively). The ham (2.63) and the pork loin (2.57) had a similar protein quality to that of casein (2.50). The lowest protein quality was found in sausages (2.14). In most of the mixtures of animal and vegetable protein (30:70), the PER was similar to or higher than that of the animal food alone. Beans were the vegetable food that showed the lowest response to the addition of animal food. The conclusion of the study is that some 30:70 mixtures of animal:vegetable protein, such as chicken, beef round and pork with cereals could be utilized for regular meals because of their high PER and low cost.