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• Light is one of the most important elements for residential and work spaces. • Measuring light source spectrum with spectrometers is expensive. • A low-cost spectrometer was developed using an Artificial Neural Network. • The reconstructed SPD has an error lower than 2%. • The device has wireless communication (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi). Light is one of the most important elements for residential and work spaces, which affects visual performance, comfort, productivity and well-being. The measures that quantify the characteristics of a light source are derived directly from the spectral power distribution (SPD). In addition the SPD is an important factor influencing the quality of a light source. However, measuring light source spectrum with traditional spectrometers is expensive, difficult to adapt to normal spaces, and hard to integrate with other systems. To address these challenges, a low-cost spectrometer was developed using an Artificial Neural Network, with a resolution of 5 nm in the visible spectrum. The reconstructed SPD has an error lower than 2% and allows the derivation of measurements to characterize the colour quality of light sources. Additionally, the device has wireless communication (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) in real time, which allows integration into lighting control applications and other Internet of things (IoT) applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile fatty acid (VFA) production through anaerobic fermentation may constitute an innovative solution for organic waste management within the context of circular economy. In the present study, the evolution of individual VFA during laboratory-scale fermentation of sewage sludge (SS), winery wastewater (W ww ) and meat and bone meal (MBM) was assessed, focusing on the effect of pH (5.5 and 10) and temperature (35 and 55 °C). Up-scaling of the fermentation process was evaluated in batch operation. The latter showed that specific VFA could be produced, giving similar individual evolution to lab-scale testing. To be precise, acetic acid percentage ranged within 30–65% and increased up to 5900 mg O 2  L −1 during SS fermentation at 55 °C and pH 9. In addition, 60% butyric acid was reached during W ww acid fermentation at 55 °C, which corresponded to 6670 mg O 2  L −1 concentration in the fermentation broth. Regarding valeric acid, over 20% proportion and 2700 mg O 2  L −1 were reached in MBM acid fermentation at 35 °C. Finally, iso-valeric maximum level ranged within 15–17% in SS alkaline fermentation at 55 °C, which represented a concentration close to 2000 mg O 2  L −1 . Interestingly, co-fermentation of agri-food waste and SS at thermophilic temperature and alkaline pH, boosted the VFA concentration 1.7–2 fold, which suggests that anaerobic co-fermentation of substrates from different nature could give promising outcomes in full-scale operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize in rice rats: (a) periodontitis (PD) progress with feeding of standard laboratory rat chow (STD) during ages 4-80 weeks; and (b) PD progress with feeding of a high sucrose-casein (H-SC) diet during young adulthood. Methods: One group (N = 12) was euthanized at age 4 weeks (Baseline). Four groups (N = 8-16) consumed a STD diet from baseline and were necropsied at ages 22, 30, 52, and 80 weeks. Three groups (N = 10-16) consumed an H-SC diet from baseline. Two were necropsied at ages 22 and 30 weeks, respectively. The third switched to the STD diet at age 22 weeks and was necropsied at age 30 weeks. All mandibles/maxillae were assessed by histometry for degree of periodontal inflammation (PD Score), alveolar crest height (ACH, mm), and horizontal alveolar bone height (hABH, mm²). Results: In STD diet rats aged ≽30 weeks, all endpoints were worse (P < 0.05) than at Baseline. In H-SC diet rats aged ≽22 weeks, all endpoints were worse than at Baseline (P < 0.05). At age 22 weeks, all endpoints were worse in the H-SC group than in the STD group (P < 0.05). By age 30 weeks, the STD and H-SC groups did not differ. Conclusions: 1) STD diet fed rice rats develop moderate/severe PD by age 30 weeks; 2) an H-SC diet accelerates moderate/severe PD development; and 3) switching to a STD diet does not halt/reverse PD that was accelerated by an H-SC diet. These data further clarify use of the rice rat as a PD model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel sizing scheme to implement the array of switches in the capacitor bank of LC -VCOs for oscillation frequency coarse control. The proposed scheme allows increasing the number of elements in the capacitor bank beyond the values typically achieved by binary scaling, endowing the resulting LC -VCO with a wider tuning range and high frequency resolution, which is beneficial for the implementation of reliable phase-locked loops. Two different gigahertz LC -VCOs have been designed to validate the proposed scheme. The prototypes, fabricated in a cost-effective 0.18 μm CMOS process, cover a 700 MHz frequency range from 1.35 GHz to 2.05 GHz and from 2.05 GHz to 2.75 GHz, respectively, with a phase noise figure of − 122 dBc/Hz and − 119.5 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz from the mid-range carriers, and a power consumption of 18 mW. These figures result in a respective FOM T of − 186.4 dBc/Hz and − 183.8 dBc/Hz. The performance of the fabricated LC -VCOs is achieved in each case with a dense coarse tuning range of 128 levels, which allows, respectively, a fine tuning gain smaller than 40 MHz V − 1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lyme disease pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi represents a novel organism in which to study metalloprotein biology in that this spirochete has uniquely evolved with no requirement for iron. Not only is iron low, but we show here that B. burgdorferi has the capacity to accumulate remarkably high levels of manganese. This high manganese is necessary to activate the SodA superoxide dismutase (SOD) essential for virulence. Using a metalloproteomic approach, we demonstrate that a bulk of B. burgdorferi SodA directly associates with manganese, and a smaller pool of inactive enzyme accumulates as apoprotein. Other metalloproteins may have similarly adapted to using manganese as co-factor, including the BB0366 aminopeptidase. Whereas B. burgdorferi SodA has evolved in a manganese-rich, iron-poor environment, the opposite is true for Mn-SODs of organisms such as Escherichia coli and bakers' yeast. These Mn- SODs still capture manganese in an iron-rich cell, and we tested whether the same is true for Borrelia SodA. When expressed in the iron-rich mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, B. burgdorferi SodA was inactive. Activity was only possible when cells accumulated extremely high levels of manganese that exceeded cellular iron. Moreover, there was no evidence for iron inactivation of the SOD. B. burgdorferi SodA shows strong overall homology with other members of the Mn-SOD family, but computer-assisted modeling revealed some unusual features of the hydrogen bonding network near the enzyme's active site. The unique properties of B. burgdorferi SodA may represent adaptation to expression in the manganese-rich and iron-poor environment of the spirochete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redox-active metal manganese plays a key role in cellular adaptation to oxidative stress. As a cofactor for manganese superoxide dismutase or through formation of non-proteinaceous manganese antioxidants, this metal can combat oxidative damage without deleterious side effects of Fenton chemistry. In either case, the antioxidant properties of manganese are vulnerable to iron. Cellular pools of iron can outcompete manganese for binding to manganese superoxide dismutase, and through Fenton chemistry, iron may counteract the benefits of non-proteinaceous manganese antioxidants. In this minireview, we highlight ways in which cells maximize the efficacy of manganese as an antioxidant in the midst of pro-oxidant iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Use of gums for microencapsulation has increased in the nutraceutical industry. Microcapsule behavior and properties differ between gums and description of non-conventional sources is needed to identify their potential applications. Flamboyant tree Delonix regia seed is not currently used as a commercial gum source, but carboxymethylated flamboyant seed gum (CFG) has properties similar to those of carboxymethylated guar gum. The effectiveness of CFG in microencapsulating papain was evaluated with a 23 factorial design and 4 central points. The CFG microcapsules were analyzed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate particle size, morphology, flow capacity and in vitro papain release. The CFG effectively captured papain. Microcapsule morphology was amorphous when using 2% CFG and spherical when using 3% CFG. Concentration had a significant (p<0.05) effect on microcapsule behavior with the higher concentration providing better protection in a gastric pH. In an intestinal pH, papain release was higher in the lower concentration CFG microcapsules. This model is a potential controlled delivery system for bioactive substances with several possible industrial applications. Industrial Relevance: Flamboyant (Delonix regia) is most commonly used as an ornamental tree, although its seeds are a potential gum source. This gum has no ionic charge, making it possible to chemically modify it by carboxymethylation and broaden its technological functionality. One possible application is as an encapsulating agent for covering active substances, a technique increasingly used in the food industry. This application is particularly important in nutraceuticals as it provides the option of protecting an active agent and controlling its release. For their potential health benefits, consumer interest is burgeoning in functional foods and nutraceuticals. The growing market for these products and updating of legislation regulating their sale will lead to a boom in novel technologies and ingredients for development of new products and their preservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports the removal of zinc from aqueous solutions containing n-butanol and sodium chloride by micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration using the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate. Statistical experimental design was used to analyze the effect of initial concentration of zinc ions, n-butanol, sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium chloride, transmembrane pressure and membrane nominal molecular weight limit on the process performance for screening purposes. The linear models developed for the estimation of the effects of the process parameters were excellent. Pressure and nominal molecular weight limit, and feed concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium chloride were the main factors affecting the absolute permeate flux and rejection coefficient towards zinc removal, respectively. Zinc was successfully removed obtaining rejection coefficients up to 99% in the most favorable experimental conditions. On the contrary, no rejection of n-butanol was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone senses and adapts to meet mechanical needs by means of an extensive mechanotransduction network comprising osteocytes (former osteoblasts entrapped in mineral) and their cytoplasmic projections through which osteocytes communicate with osteoblasts and osteoclasts on the bone surface. Mechanical stimulation promotes osteocyte (and osteoblast) survival by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinases, ERKs. Estrogens have similar effects and, intriguingly, the adaptive response of bone to mechanical forces is defective in mice lacking estrogen receptor (ER) α or ERβ. We report that ERKs are not activated by stretching in osteocytic and osteoblastic cells in which both ERα and ERβ have been knocked out or knocked down and this is reversed partially by transfection of either one of the two human ERs and fully by transfection of both receptors. ERK activation in response to stretching is also recovered by transfecting the ligand-binding domain (E) of either receptor or an ERα mutant that does not bind estrogens. Furthermore, mechano-responsiveness is restored by transfecting the Ea targeted to the plasma membrane, but not to the nucleus, whereas ERα mutants with impaired plasma membrane localization or binding to caveolin-1 fail to confer ERK activation in response to stretching. Lastly, the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 abrogates ERK activation and the anti-apoptotic effect of mechanical stimulation. We conclude that in addition to their role as ligand-dependent mediators of the effects of estrogens, the ERs participate in the transduction of mechanical forces into pro-survival signaling in bone cells, albeit in a ligand-independent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of Tritrichomonas foetus with its host is a complex process that involves colonisation, attachment and persistence. The goal of the present study was to describe the interaction of T. foetus with the genital tract using a model of non-oestrogenised female BALB/c mice which had been intravaginally infected with a suspension of T. foetus during oestrus. Animals were sacrificed after 10 weeks and the uteri fixed and processed for light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the attached protozoa interacted with the mucosa through a somal projection. With an amorphous secretion at the protozoa-host cell interface. There was no direct contact between the protozoal plasma membrane and the epithelial cell membrane. Our results demonstrated the participation of an active phagocytosis and the destruction of T. foetus by eosinophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both estrogens and bisphosphonates attenuate osteocyte apoptosis by activating the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). However, whereas estrogens activate ERKs via an extranuclear function of the estrogen receptor, bisphosphonates do so by opening connexin 43 hemichannels. Here, we demonstrated that the signaling events downstream of ERKs induced by these two stimuli are also distinct. Inhibition of osteocyte apoptosis by estrogens requires nuclear accumulation of ERKs and activation of downstream transcription factors. On the other hand, anti-apoptosis induced by bisphosphonates requires neither transcription nor ERK-dependent transcription factors. Instead, the effect of bisphosphonates is abolished when ERKs are restricted to the nucleus by blocking CRM1/exportin1-mediated nuclear protein export or by expressing nuclear-anchored ERKs, but it is unaffected in cells expressing cytoplasmic-anchored ERKs. Connexin 43/ERK-mediated anti-apoptosis induced by bisphosphonates requires the kinase activity of the cytoplasmic target of ERKs, p90RSK, which in turn phosphorylates the proapoptotic protein BAD and C/EBPβ. Phosphorylation of BAD renders it inactive, whereas phosphorylation of C/EBPβ leads to binding of pro-caspases, thus inhibiting apoptosis independently of the transcriptional activity of this transcription factor. Consistent with the evidence that estrogens and bisphosphonates phosphorylate diverse targets of ERKs, probably resulting from activation of spatially distinct pools of these kinases, the two agents had additive effects on osteocyte survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A robust methodology to determine EVFCS model is presented. • The here proposed strategy uses the measurement from the EVFCS bus. • M L E X P and M E X P load models are the best representation of EVFCS modelling problem. • The proposal assures an adequate generalization capability of the obtained EVFCS model. In this paper, a methodology to estimate the load model for electric vehicle fast-charging station (EVFCS) considering a measurement-based load modelling approach, is presented. Measurements of current and active power are obtained from an EVFCS connected to IEEE-13 bus test system, considering different operating conditions. These measurements are used to adjust the load model, minimizing the mismatch between the real load and the model responses. Additionally, to demonstrate the generalization capability of the obtained load model, the cross-validation strategy is applied. According to the results, the high performance of the obtained EVFCS model makes it useful for power system studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biotin deficiency and biotin excess have both been found to affect reproduction and cause teratogenic effects. In the reproductive tract, however, the effects of biotin have not been well established yet. We investigated the effects of varying biotin content diets on the oestrus cycle, ovarian morphology, estradiol and progesterone serum levels, and the uterine mRNA abundance of their nuclear receptors, as well as on the activity of the estradiol-degrading group of enzymes cytochrome P450 (CYP) in the liver. Three-week-old female BALB/cAnN Hsd mice were fed a biotin-deficient, a biotin-control, or a biotin-supplemented diet (0, 7.2 or 400μmol of free biotin/kg diet, respectively) over a period of nine weeks. Striking effects were observed in the biotin-deficient group: mice showed arrested estrous cycle on the day of diestrus and changes in ovary morphology. Estradiol serum concentration increased 49.2% in biotin-deficient mice compared to the control group, while the enzymatic activities of CYP1A2 and CYP2B2 increased (P <0.05). The mRNA abundance of nuclear estrogen and progesterone receptors decreased in the biotin-deficient mice. In the biotin-supplemented group we found that, in spite of a significant (P <0.05) decrease in the number of primary and Graafian follicles and in CYP1A2 activities, mice exhibited 105.4% higher serum estradiol concentration than the control group. No changes in the expression of the nuclear receptors were observed. No significant differences were observed in serum progesterone among the groups. Our results indicate that both the deficiency and the excess of biotin have significant effects on the female mouse reproductive system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: We evaluated the peri- and postoperative effects of the lack of a temporary portocaval anastomosis (TPCA) during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in 84 patients with cirrhosis. Patients and methods: From December 1996 to December 2002, 156 liver transplant recipients included (54%; 60 men and 24 women) of mean age 52 ± 9 years with portal hypertension. In whom peri- and postoperative data were analyzed. Results: The median fall in mean arterial pressure upon vascular clamping and unclampings was 20 mm Hg (range 15 to 75), while the median duration of portal vein clamping was 77 minutes. The median amount of blood autotransfusion was 1100 mL (range 0 to 5400). The median number of red blood cell and fresh-frozen plasma units transfused were 5 and 6.5, respectively. The median intraoperative urinary output was 72 mL/h (range 11 to 221). Three patients (3.5%) presented a perioperative complication, but no perioperative death was observed. Six patients experienced an early postoperative complication (&#60;10 days): five hemodynamic complications and one transient renal failure, which did not require hemodialysis. One patient (1%) died at 12 hours after OLT from acute pulmonary edema. Conclusion: This study shows that systematic TPCA during OLT with preservation of the native retrohepatic vena cava in cirrhotic patients does not appear to be justified. In contrast, peri- and postoperative hemodynamic parameters as well as blood component requirements were comparable to those of the literature reporting OLT with straightforward TPCA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Significant hypotension is frequent after spinal anaesthesia and fluid administration as therapy is usually empirical. Inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound (US) is effective to assess fluid responsiveness in critical care patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the IVCUS-guided volume optimization to prevent post-spinal hypotension.Methods: In this prospective, randomized, cohort study, 160 patients scheduled for surgery under spinal anaesthesia were randomized into a study group (IVCUS-group), consisting of an IVCUS analysis before spinal anaesthesia with IVCUS-guided volume management and a control group (group C) with no IVCUS assessment. The primary outcome was a relative risk reduction in the incidence of hypotension between the groups; secondary outcomes were the need for vasoactive drugs and the amounts of fluids required after spinal anaesthesia. We also tested the hypothesis of a correlation between IVC collapsibility index and hypotension after spinal anaesthesia.Results: The relative risk reduction of hypotension between the groups was 35% (IVCUS-group 27.5%, Group C 42.5%, P=0.044, CI=95%). The need for vasoactive drugs in the IVCUS-group was significantly lower compared to the C-group (P=0.015), while the total amount of fluids was significantly superior higher in the IVCUS group (P<0.0001) compared to Group C. IVC collapsibility index was correlated with the amount of fluid administered (r2=0.32), but could not be used to predict postspinal anaesthesia hypotension.Conclusions: IVCUS is an effective method to prevent postspinal anaesthesia hypotension by IVCUS-guided fluid administration before spinal anaesthesia.Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov - NCT02271477. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]