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In a circular economy and sustainability context, CO 2 utilization is key. For photochemical or electrochemical transformations, CO 2 absorption in liquids has become crucial and even a limiting step. This work aimed to establish an average mass transport coefficient ( k ̅ L a) characteristic of the CO 2 absorption in water and in alkaline solutions in capillary absorbers (2–4 mm) under Taylor flow and recirculation mode. A correlation among prevailing dimensionless numbers (Sh, Re, Ca and Sc) was also established. To achieve so, the absorption of CO 2 was conducted in both, water and NaOH solutions (0.5 mol/dm3), and its concentration was monitored by measuring total inorganic carbon and pH. The gas and liquid flowrates used for the tests were 1.66×10−4 L/s and 2.5×10−4 L/s, respectively. The effect of temperature was investigated in the range of 283 and 308 K. The highest k ̅ L a was found to be 12 × 10−2 and 2.1 × 10−2 s−1, for water and NaOH solutions, respectively. The modelling and simulation of the carbon species formation and production was also conducted and a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.99 was found. [Display omitted] • Mass transfer dimensionless numbers correlated for physical and reactive CO 2 absorption. • CO 2 absorption can be quantified by a Total Organic Carbon analyzer. • k ̅ L a ranges 3–12 × 10−2 s−1 for CO 2 physical absorption in capillaries (2–4 mm). • k ̅ L a ranges 1.47–2.1 × 10−2 s−1 for CO 2 reactive absorption in capillaries (2–4 mm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Long wing (flight-incapable) morphs had stronger encapsulation responses. • Females had higher PO activity. • Males had higher lysozyme activity. Immune function is a complex collection of responses that often trade-off with one another and with other life history traits, because of the high costs of mounting and maintaining immune responses. Animals, even those from the same populations, may emphasize different aspects of immune function depending on their habitat and phenotype. For example, host population density mediates the threat from density-dependent parasites. Animals at high densities may emphasize fast-acting humoral responses, while those at low densities may favor slower, but more specific, cellular responses. However, these predictions may be dependent on other life history traits, like sex, which is associated with variation in many immune responses. We used wing dimorphic Gryllus firmus crickets to test humoral responses, measured by lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities, and cellular immune responses, measured by encapsulation, between morphs and sex. We found that both morphs and sexes differed in aspects of immune function. Long wing morphs had stronger encapsulation responses than short winged morphs. Additionally, females exhibited higher PO activity than males, and by contrast, males had higher lysozyme activity than females. Our study suggests that G. firmus morphs prioritize different immune responses that may reflect a balancing between the costs of immunity and differing pathogen threats. Male and female crickets exhibit differences in humoral immune responses that may reflect their different life history demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Glyme solvents are a promising avenue of research in novel electrolytes, due to their thermal and chemical stability, large electrochemical window, and tunable properties. This work investigates the transport properties of LiPF 6 and NaPF 6 salts in Monoglyme (G1), Diglyme (G2), and Tetraglyme (G4). Self-Diffusion coefficients, and degrees of ion association were found through spectroscopic techniques. Raman and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy exhibited an absorbance peak at 740 cm−1, corresponding to the a 1g mode; known to signify the presence of solvent-separated and contact ion pairs. The increased intensity of this peak for G1 compared to G4 suggests that the electrolyte exhibits stronger association with decreasing solvent size. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Diffusometry measurements yield self-diffusion coefficients for 7Li, 23Na, and 19F across all samples to be on the order of 10−9 m2s−1 in G1, to 10−11 m2s−1 in G4. Comparison of conductivities calculated from the measured diffusivities and the Nernst-Einstein equation with conductivity measurements deduced from Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) determined the ion association degree; the electrolytes were shown to exhibit stronger ion pairing with increased temperature which is attributed to a decrease in the dielectric constant of the solvents with increasing temperature. Additionally, the ion association was shown to decrease with increasing solvent molecular size, consistent with FTIR findings. Highlights • NMR spectroscopy probed ion transport and association in PF 6 -based electrolytes. • Results from NMR were compared to analysis of vibrational spectra. • Ion association decreases with increasing chain length of the glymes. • All electrolytes showed increasing ion association with increasing temperature. • Conductivity decreased at high temperatures in monoglyme due to strong ion pairing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secure Multi-party Computation (SMPC) is a family of protocols which allow some parties to compute a function on their private inputs, obtaining the output at the end and nothing more. In this work, we focus on a particular SMPC problem named Private Set Intersection (PSI). The challenge in PSI is how two or more parties can compute the intersection of their private input sets, while the elements that are not in the intersection remain private. This problem has attracted the attention of many researchers because of its wide variety of applications, contributing to the proliferation of many different approaches. Despite that, current PSI protocols still require heavy cryptographic assumptions that may be unrealistic in some scenarios. In this paper, we perform a Systematic Literature Review of PSI solutions, with the objective of analyzing the main scenarios where PSI has been studied and giving the reader a general taxonomy of the problem together with a general understanding of the most common tools used to solve it. We also analyze the performance using different metrics, trying to determine if PSI is mature enough to be used in realistic scenarios, identifying the pros and cons of each protocol and the remaining open problems. • We review PSI, a very wide problem that can be solved with many different techniques. • We identify HE, OT, and OPRF as the main building blocks to solve PSI. • We survey different PSI solutions, with the focus on complexity and usability. • We identify open problems for PSI, focusing on efficiency and ease of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous emulsification may occur when immiscible liquids in non-equilibrium conditions are in contact. This phenomenon is triggered by gradients of chemical potential between the phases, which under certain conditions lead to negative values of free energy of emulsification. A summary of background information on spontaneous emulsification is first presented with emphasis on proposed mechanisms. It follows a description of recent developments, in both surfactant-free and surfactant systems. Applications based on the use of spontaneous emulsification to produce delivery systems and nanostructured materials with improved properties in a cost-effective way are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) when used in triple combination with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and diuretics, but previous research reported that NSAIDs in dual combinations with either renin-angiotensin system inhibitors or diuretics alone were not. However, earlier studies relied on hospital coding to define AKI, which may underestimate true risk. This nested case-control study characterized the risk of community-acquired AKI associated with NSAID use among 78,379 users of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and/or diuretics, where AKI was defined as a 50% or greater increase in creatinine from baseline. The AKI incidence was 68/10,000 person-years. The relative increase in AKI risk was similar for NSAID use in both triple (adjusted rate ratio 1.64 (95% CI 1.25-2.14)) and dual combinations with either renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (1.60 (1.18-2.17)) or diuretics (1.64 (1.17-2.29)). However, the absolute increase in AKI risk was higher for NSAIDs used in triple versus dual combinations with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors or diuretics alone (numbers needed to harm for 1 year treatment with NSAID of 158 vs. over 300). AKI risk was highest among users of loop diuretic/aldosterone antagonist combinations, in those over 75 years of age, and in those with renal impairment. Thus, the nephrotoxic potential of both dual and triple combinations of NSAIDs with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and/or diuretics yields a higher incidence of AKI than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with two families of Bernstein–Durrmeyer type operators that arise as integral modifications respectively from the classical Bernstein operators and from Bernstein-type operators based on the Polya distribution. An important role is played by the so-called genuine elements of each class, the only ones that reproduce linear functions. Asymptotic formulae and direct convergence results are stated. Finally some modifications of the sequences of the families are introduced, in such a way that the resulting operators reproduce linear functions and are comparable with the genuine sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs cause bronchospasm in susceptible patients with asthma, often termed aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), wit the risk being greatest after acute exposure. Selective NSAIDs that preferentially inhibit COX-2 might be safer. Objective: We sought to systematically evaluate changes in symptoms and pulmonary function after acute selective NSA or COX-2 inhibitor exposure in patients with the AERD phenotype. Methods: A systematic review of databases was performed identify all blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating acute selective NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor exposure in patients with AERD. Effect estimates for changes in respiratory function and symptoms were pooled by using fixed-effects meta-analysis, with heterogeneity investigated. Results: No significant difference in respiratory symptoms (risk difference, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.01; P = .57), decrease in FEV1 of 20% or greater (RD, 0.00; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.02; P = .77), or nasal symptoms (RD, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.02; P = .42) occurred with COX-2 inhibitors (eg, celecoxib). Selective NSAID exposure caused respiratory symptoms in approximately 1 in 13 patients with AERD (RD, 0.08; 95% 0.02 to 0.14; P = .01). No significant differences were found according to leukotriene antagonist exposure or whether NSAIDs were randomly allocated. Conclusion: According to clinical trial evidence in patients with stable mild-to-moderate asthma with AERD, acute exposure to COX-2 inhibitors is safe, and selective NSAIDs exhibit a small risk. Thus COX-2 inhibitors could be used in patients with AERD or in patients with general asthma unwilling to risk nonselective NSAID exposure when oral challenge tests are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Butterfly lemma we present can be considered a reiteration theorem for differentials generated from a complex interpolation process for families of Köthe spaces. The lemma will be used to clarify the effect of different configurations in the resulting differential (because although interpolation is an orientation-free process, the obtention of differentials is not) and to round off a few aspects of Kalton's interpolation theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Preferential solvation of sodium ions by propylene carbonate. • Walden Product classification of electrolytes as 'solvent-co-solvent'. • The inclusion of FEC enhanced the ionic conductivity of the lower polarity solvent electrolyte. Characterizing fundamental ion transport is necessary for the modification and development of electrolytes. In this study, we investigated the local and bulk transport properties of 1 M NaPF 6 in the binary EC:PC (1:1), and ternary 5EC:3PC:2DEC (5:3:2) solvents, as well as their 2 wt.% FEC modulated versions. We determined 1H, 19F and 23Na Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spin-lattice relaxation time (T 1), self-diffusion coefficient (D), linewidth and chemical shift. These were complimented with density, viscosity and ionic conductivity measurements, all as a function of temperature. Both the viscosity and ionic conductivity displayed VFT behavior and their Walden products showed a dependence on temperature. This coupled with their having the lower Walden products indicated less salt dissociation in the 5EC:3PC:2DEC and 5EC:3PC:2DEC + 2 wt.% electrolytes. NMR D 19F and 23Na values for these electrolytes were also similar at 298K indicating cation-anion association, but diverged with increasing temperatures, with that for the anion being greater than the cation. The addition of the FEC provides greater local dynamics for the individual solvents in the less polar electrolyte but appeared to impede that of the ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Since angiotensinogen has a pivotal role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, the analysis of polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene could help explain its potential involvement in hypertension and diabetic nephropathy (DN) pathogenesis. For that reason, we investigated 1) the association of AGT rs4762 with blood pressure (BP) and kidney function-related traits and 2) the interaction effect of AGT rs4762 with DN on BP and kidney function-related traits in 546 Mexican adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods: We enrolled 546 unrelated Mexican patients with T2D (350 cases with DN and 196 controls without DN). AGT rs4762 was genotyped in all participants using TaqMan technology (effect allele: A). BP and kidney function-related traits, including serum urea and creatinine, urinary albumin, urine albumin to urine creatinine ratio (ACR), and glomerular filtration rate, were studied. DN was defined as having a previous diagnosis of T2D and an ACR ≥ 30 mg/g. The association between these parameters was investigated using logistic regression with adjustment for covariates.Results: AGT rs4762 A allele was significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure (N = 546, β = 1.243 ± 0.918, p = 0.029). A significant interaction between DN and AGT rs4762 was also observed in relation to diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (N = 546, β = 0.930 ± 0.433, p=0.032). A follow-up analysis of simple effects particularly revealed a positive association between AGT rs4762 A allele and DBP only in patients with diabetic nephropathy (N = 350, β = 2.837 ± 1.267, p = 0.026).Conclusion: Our results evidence that, although AGT rs4762 is not associated with DN, the AGT rs4762 A allele is positively associated with DBP in the Mexican population with DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Photodegradation of food dye tartrazine (CI 19140) by natural and artificial UV irradiation. [•] A total discoloration of a tartrazine solution was observed after 30min of irradiation (energy dose of 37.8Jcm−2). [•] LC–ESI–MS/MS confirmed the cleavage of the azo bond as well as the formation of by-products at low concentrations. [•] Salmonella/microsome assay performed for the dye and its breakdown products did not show mutagenic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposures to the fetus have long-lasting effects on health and disease in adulthood. Such EDC exposure to the F1 fetuses also reaches the germ cells that become the F2 generation. Previously, we demonstrated that adult social and communicative behaviors such as ultrasonic vocalizations and mating behaviors were altered by EDCs in F2 rats, especially males. In the current study, we used the brains of these F2 males to ascertain the underlying molecular changes in the hypothalamus related to these behavioral outcomes. Their progenitors were Sprague-Dawley rat dams, treated on pregnancy days 8 to 18 with one of three treatments: a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture, Aroclor 1221, selected because it is weakly estrogenic; the anti-androgenic fungicide vinclozolin (VIN); or the vehicle, 6% dimethylsulfoxide in sesame oil (VEH). In adulthood, F1 male and female offspring were bred with untreated partners to generate paternal or maternal lineages of the F2 offspring, the subjects of molecular work. Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted in the medial preoptic area (POA) and the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the hypothalamus, selected for their roles in social and sexual behaviors. Of the genes assessed, steroid hormone receptors (estrogen receptor α, androgen receptor, progesterone receptor) but not dopamine receptors 1 and 2 or DNA methyltransferase 3a expression were altered, particularly in the VIN males. Several significant correlations between behavior and gene expression were also detected. These results suggest that preconceptional exposure of male rats to EDCs at the germ cell stage alters the neuromolecular phenotype in adulthood in a lineage-dependent manner. • EDC exposure effects are observed in male F2 descendants. • Gene expression of steroid hormone receptors were altered in the POA and VMN. • Vinclozolin (VIN) F2 males had higher POA Ar and Esr1 expression levels than controls. • In the VMN, VIN F2 males had significantly lower Esr1 and Pgr levels than controls. • Lineage (maternal, paternal) was a key determinant of the effects of EDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface waters can contain a diverse range of organic pollutants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial compounds. While bioassays have been used for water quality monitoring, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of individual micropollutants and their relationship to the overall mixture effect in water samples. In this study, a battery of in vitro bioassays based on human and fish cell lines and whole organism assays using bacteria, algae, daphnids and fish embryos was assembled for use in water quality monitoring. The selection of bioassays was guided by the principles of adverse outcome pathways in order to cover relevant steps in toxicity pathways known to be triggered by environmental water samples. The effects of 34 water pollutants, which were selected based on hazard quotients, available environmental quality standards and mode of action information, were fingerprinted in the bioassay test battery. There was a relatively good agreement between the experimental results and available literature effect data. The majority of the chemicals were active in the assays indicative of apical effects, while fewer chemicals had a response in the specific reporter gene assays, but these effects were typically triggered at lower concentrations. The single chemical effect data were used to improve published mixture toxicity modeling of water samples from the Danube River. While there was a slight increase in the fraction of the bioanalytical equivalents explained for the Danube River samples, for some endpoints less than 1% of the observed effect could be explained by the studied chemicals. The new mixture models essentially confirmed previous findings from many studies monitoring water quality using both chemical analysis and bioanalytical tools. In short, our results indicate that many more chemicals contribute to the biological effect than those that are typically quantified by chemical monitoring programs or those regulated by environmental quality standards. This study not only demonstrates the utility of fingerprinting single chemicals for an improved understanding of the biological effect of pollutants, but also highlights the need to apply bioassays for water quality monitoring in order to prevent underestimation of the overall biological effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Existing literature suggests that either colonial settlement conditions or the identity of colonizer were influential in shaping the post-colonial institutional environment, which in turn has impacted long-run economic development. These two potential identification strategies have been treated as substitutes. We argue that the two factors should instead be treated as complementary and develop an alternative and unified IV approach that simultaneously accounts for both settlement conditions and colonizer identity to estimate the potential causal impact of a broad cluster of economic institutions on log real GDP per capita for a sample of former colonies. Using population density in 1500 as a proxy for settlement conditions, we find that the impact of settlement conditions on institutional development is much stronger among former British colonies than colonies of the other major European colonizers. Conditioning on several geographic factors and ethno-linguistic fractionalization, our baseline 2SLS estimates suggest that a standard deviation increase in economic institutions is associated with a three-fourth standard deviation increase in economic development. Our results are robust to a number of additional control variables, country subsample exclusions, and alternative measures of institutions, GDP, and colonizer classifications. We also find evidence that geography exerts both an indirect and direct effect on economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot water-based thermal energy storage (TES) tanks are extensively used in heating applications to provide operational flexibility. Simple yet effective one-dimensional (1-D) tank models are desirable to simulate and design efficient energy management systems. However, the standard multi-node modelling approach struggles to reproduce the dynamics of highly thermally stratified tanks due to their artificial numerical diffusion. In this paper, a novel 1-D multi-node modelling approach is introduced for accurately simulating water tanks with a high extent of thermal stratification. A non-linear, hybrid continuous–discrete time model able to capture the sudden temperature change within the tank is presented. The modelling approach was adopted to simulate a commercial TES tank, with the model being implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. Results from experimental tests were compared with simulation results, demonstrating that a hybrid continuous–discrete 12-node model accurately estimates the temperatures of the tank. It is also shown that the hybrid model avoids the numerical diffusion exhibited by standard multi-node models. This has been evidenced by the reduced root mean square and mean absolute errors exhibited by the hybrid model when compared with the experimental data. • A novel 1-D multi-node model for hot water thermal energy storage tanks is presented. • A hybrid continuous–discrete time model with a moving thermocline barrier is used. • Numerical diffusion is reduced for models with a low spatial resolution. • Simulation results show a good agreement with measurements from a commercial tank. • The hybrid model outperforms standard models with a higher spatial resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry is the largest consumer of azo dyes and activated sludge treatment systems typically used to remove them are frequently inefficient, resulting in significant quantities of these compounds adsorbed in the sludge or released into water bodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodegradation of the commercial azo dye Disperse Red 1 in a pilot scale anaerobic–aerobic reactor inoculated by a microbial consortium selected for its capacity to degrade azo dyes. Dye decolorization (80%) occurred in 60 h in the anaerobic reactor and 92% COD (chemical oxygen demand) was removed as measured in the treated effluent. LC–ESI-MS/MS of the treated effluent showed the formation of a reduced azo bond and azo bond cleavage and subsequent degradation products. Aromatic amines produced by the cleavage of the azo bond were not detected. Toxicity tests performed with Daphnia similis and Hydra attenuata in the treated effluent showed that the toxicity was reduced significantly. Mutagenicity, evaluated using the Salmonella /microsome Ames test, found the untreated dye medium was only mutagenic toward Salmonella strain YG1041. However after treatment, only marginal mutagenicity was observed. These results indicate the bacterial consortium was effective in biodegrading Disperse Red 1 and also reducing the toxicity and mutagenicity and may represent a promising application for dyes biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fractal continuum electrodynamics is developed on the basis of a model of three-dimensional continuum with a fractal metric. The generalized forms of Maxwell equations are derived employing the local fractional vector calculus related to the Hausdorff derivative. The difference between the fractal continuum electrodynamics based on the fractal metric of continua with Euclidean topology and the electrodynamics in fractional space accounting the fractal topology of continuum with the Euclidean metric is outlined. Some electromagnetic phenomena in fractal media associated with their fractal time and space metrics are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]