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In six years, the word deepfake has gone from a niche on Reddit to the main object of research for hundreds of researchers and to the front line of concern of many policymakers. However, this transition did not lead to a faithful definition because it is still an in-flux technology. There is one sector, however, that is incompatible with vague and equivocal concepts: legislative production. In this study, we analysed the definitions of deepfakes (or synthetic media) in the laws of five states in the United States and proposed the key concepts that characterise them: artificial intelligence, fake/false and the reference (specific or generic) to the media that can support these deepfakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The different features of the impact of nanoparticles on cells, such as the structure of the core, presence/absence of doping, quality of surface, diameter, and dose, were used to define quasi-SMILES, a line of symbols encoded the above physicochemical features of the impact of nanoparticles. The correlation weight for each code in the quasi-SMILES has been calculated by the Monte Carlo method. The descriptor, which is the sum of the correlation weights, is the basis for a one-variable model of the biological activity of nano-inhibitors of human lung carcinoma cell line A549. The system of models obtained by the above scheme was checked on the self-consistence, i.e., reproducing the statistical quality of these models observed for different distributions of available nanomaterials into the training and validation sets. The computational experiments confirm the excellent potential of the approach as a tool to predict the impact of nanomaterials under different experimental conditions. In conclusion, our model is a self-consistent model system that provides a user to assess the reliability of the statistical quality of the used approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical stimulation (ES) has been described as a promising tool for bone tissue engineering, being known to promote vital cellular processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Despite the high variability of applied protocol parameters, direct coupled electric fields have been successfully applied to promote osteogenic and osteoinductive processes in vitro and in vivo. Our work aims to study the viability, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells when subjected to five different ES protocols. The protocols were specifically selected to understand the biological effects of different parts of the generated waveform for typical direct-coupled stimuli. In vitro culture studies evidenced variations in cell responses with different electric field magnitudes (numerically predicted) and exposure protocols, mainly regarding tissue mineralization (calcium contents) and osteogenic marker gene expression while maintaining high cell viability and regular morphology. Overall, our results highlight the importance of numerical guided experiments to optimize ES parameters towards improved in vitro osteogenesis protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior in terms of the permanent deformation of four cold recycled asphalt mixtures stabilized with asphalt emulsion and foamed asphalt. The analysis was conducted considering three flow number test procedures adapted for cold recycled mixtures: (i) ABNT NBR 16505 (method A); (ii) adaptation of the FN test for CRAM according to Kim and Lee's method (method B); (iii) 3D-Move analysis software simulation of pavement structures to address the stress magnitude for the FN test (method C). The influence of the curing process on the performance of the materials was also verified. The study used an extensive database of computed pavement responses from the four different asphalt pavement structures of the experimental section subjected to axial loading of a tandem axle using the 3D-Move pavement response analysis program. The FN results using the 3D-Move data (method C) demonstrated the good mechanical behaviour with respect to permanent deformation of the cold recycled mixtures subject to axial stress and temperature. The method proposed by Kim and Lee (method B) showed little efficacy for the analysis of the CRAMs tested in this work. The ABNT NBR 16505 method (method A), conventionally used for HMA, highlighted the influence of temperature (60°C) on the CRAM mixtures. For all FN test conditions, the curing was a preponderant factor for the performance of cold recycled asphalt mixtures and should be carefully evaluated to simulate the early stage of the mixtures in the field. It is also important to verify the influence of humidity and temperature on the permanent deformation mechanism of cold recycled asphalt mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitively Coupled (CCoupled) electric fields are used to stimulate cell cultures in Tissue Engineering. Knowing the electric field (E-Field) magnitude in the culture medium is fundamental to establish a relationship between stimulus strength and cellular effects. We analysed eight CCoupled studies and sought to corroborate the reported estimates of the E-Field in the culture medium. First, we reviewed the basic physics underlying CCoupled stimulation and delineated three approaches to estimate the E-field. Using these approaches, we found that the reported values were overestimated in five studies, four of which were based on incorrect assumptions. In all studies, insufficient information was provided to reproduce the setup exactly. Creating electrical models of the experimental setup should improve the accuracy of the E-field estimates and enhance reproducibility. For this purpose, we developed a free open-source tool, the E-field Calculator for CCoupled systems, which is available for download from an internet hosting platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitively Coupled (CCoupled) electric fields are used to stimulate cell cultures in Tissue Engineering. Knowing the electric field (E-Field) magnitude in the culture medium is fundamental to establish a relationship between stimulus strength and cellular effects. We analysed eight CCoupled studies and sought to corroborate the reported estimates of the E-Field in the culture medium. First, we reviewed the basic physics underlying CCoupled stimulation and delineated three approaches to estimate the E-field. Using these approaches, we found that the reported values were overestimated in five studies, four of which were based on incorrect assumptions. In all studies, insufficient information was provided to reproduce the setup exactly. Creating electrical models of the experimental setup should improve the accuracy of the E-field estimates and enhance reproducibility. For this purpose, we developed a free open-source tool, the E-field Calculator for CCoupled systems, which is available for download from an internet hosting platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining local pressures is pivotal to understanding phenomena such as buoyancy and atmospheric physics, which always require space-varying pressure fields to be considered. Such fields have precise definitions within the frameworks of hydro-thermodynamics and the kinetic theory of gases, but a pedagogical approach based on standard statistical mechanics techniques is still lacking. In this paper, we propose a new microscopic definition of local pressure inside a classical fluid, relying upon a local barometer potential that is built into the many-particle Hamiltonian. This setup allows pressure to be locally defined as an ensemble average of the radial force exerted by the barometer potential on the gas' particles. Moreover, this same framework is also employed in a microscopic derivation of buoyancy of immersed bodies in the presence of arbitrary external fields. As instructive examples, buoyant forces are calculated for ideal fluids in the presence of a uniform force field, in the presence of a spherical harmonic confinement field and in rotation with a constant angular velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane agriculture contributes to the greenhouse effect by the polluting action of residue disposal, given that most sugarcane bagasse (SB) is burned. Because it is a low-cost fiber and ecofriendly material, SB can be an alternative to the construction of permeable friction course (PFC) pavement layers. Due to SB-specific properties, its effects on PFC mixtures are unknown. This study aims to evaluate for the first time the feasibility of incorporating SB fibers in a PFC mixture. For this purpose, a PFC mixture that included SB fibers (PFC-SB) was compared to a control PFC mixture fabricated using synthetic cellulose fibers (PFC-CEL), which are currently the most used fibers for fabricating these mixtures. The results suggest that the SB fibers can be successfully added to PFC mixtures to control binder draindown without compromising their volumetric properties. Additionally, the PFC-SB mixture presented an increase in stiffness and resistance to both cracking and raveling compared to the PFC-CEL. However, the mix design should be optimized to ensure proper mixture permeability. These findings suggest that the incorporation of SB fibers in PFC mixtures can be further explored, which encourages additional research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper calls attention to important issues that have not been considered regarding linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test in previous publications: Is the relationship between the storage modulus logarithm [ logG′(ω) ] and frequency logarithm [ log(ω) ] linear in the whole range of experimental frequencies? If not, what is the influence on the fatigue life of asphalt binders calculated using the AASHTO protocol? In which range of frequencies is the relation between the storage modulus logarithm [ logG′(ω) ] and frequency logarithm [ log(ω) ] linear in the whole range of experimental frequencies? Does fatigue life follow a normal distribution? Several tests were conducted using three different types of asphalt binder [neat, crumb rubber–modified (CRM), and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)–modified asphalt]. Residual analysis showed a lack of fit, indicating the inadequacy of the linear model in the whole range of experimental frequencies. This inadequacy may suggest that the protocol produces an overestimation of the binder fatigue life. In addition, a sequential search reveals that the relationship between logG′(ω) and log(ω) is linear in a limited subset of frequencies. The empirical distribution of the fatigue life is built by an extensive Monte Carlo simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These authors jointly supervised this work: Paula Pascoal-Faria and Pedro Cavaleiro Miranda. Correction to: I Scientific Reports i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14834-2, published online 30 June 2022 In the original version of this Article Paula Pascoal-Faria and Pedro Cavaleiro Miranda were omitted as jointly supervising authors. [Extracted from the article]

Graphene-based materials (GBM) are considered one of the 21st century's most promising materials, as they are incredibly light, strong, thin and have remarkable electrical and thermal properties. As a result, over the past decade, their combination with a diverse range of synthetic polymers has been explored in tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine (RM). In addition, a wide range of methods for fabricating polymer/GBM scaffolds have been reported. This review provides an overview of the most recent advances in polymer/GBM composite development and fabrication, focusing on methods such as electrospinning and additive manufacturing (AM). As a future outlook, this work stresses the need for more in vivo studies to validate polymer/GBM composite scaffolds for TE applications, and gives insight on their fabrication by state-of-the-art processing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CRAM's compacted specimens total suction (non-contact) test method was proposed. • CRAM produced with low active filler content presents granular mechanical behavior. • A correlation between Tx RM test results and suction pressure values was observed. • CRAM laboratory stiffness evaluation does not accurately represent field behavior. • Hydrated lime at 1% was the most interesting (higher stiffness) filler addition. Cold recycling is an advantageous technique, from economic and environmental perspectives, for asphalt pavement rehabilitation, interventions, and maintenance. Additional investigation is still needed for the widespread of the technique. Some of the issues evolve predicting the recycled material mechanical behavior and performance along its service life. Therefore, stiffness assessment (through triaxial resilient modulus and dynamic modulus tests) and suction tests were performed to better understand the cold recycled asphalt mixture (CRAM) behavior. This paper covered an investigation of the suction pressure phenomenon and its effects regarding the stiffness of emulsion-stabilized cold recycled asphalt mixtures, considering different fillers. A non-contact suction test method was proposed for CRAM compacted specimens in a way to enable total suction readings. Further theoretical analysis, key literature review, and discussions were presented. Some of the findings of the work are: (i) CRAM's stiffness may present similar behavior of a granular material, with confining pressure dependence, and at the same time, presents a temperature/frequency dependence (as asphaltic materials); (ii) suction phenomenon may be responsible for part of the stiffness of CRAM; (iii) the filler type (even in small percentage) affects the mechanical behavior of CRAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, radio and music have had a perfect wedding. Now the digitalization created alternatives that also transformed the role of the consumer, from passive to active one; streaming music channels let you choose when you want to listen and even what music to hear. In this paper we relate these new challenges with the responsiveness of the traditional radio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, radio erosion in younger audiences is already measured, but this research is still to be done in Portugal. In this paper we intend to show, by official data, that this erosion is also observed, linking it with the digital reality. In other words, if it is true that the crisis of the radio started before the arrival of the Internet, it is also true that this digitalization is leading to a divorce between youth and radio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of digital twins in tissue engineering (TE) applications is of paramount importance to reduce the number of in vitro and in vivo tests. To pursue this aim, a novel multimodal bioreactor is developed, combining 3D design with numerical stimulation. This approach will facilitate the reproducibility between studies and the platforms optimisation (physical and digital) to enhance TE. The new bioreactor was specifically designed to be additive manufactured, which could not be reproduced with conventional techniques. Specifically, the design suggested allows the application of dual stimulation (electrical and mechanical) of a scaffold cell culture. For the selection of the most appropriate material for bioreactor manufacturing several materials were assessed for their cytotoxicity. Numerical modelling methods were then applied to the new bioreactor using one of the most appropriate material (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified (PETG)) to find the optimal stimulation input parameters for bone TE based on two reported in vitro studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteochondral (OC) defects affect both articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone. Due to limitations in the cartilage tissue's self-healing capabilities, OC defects exhibit a degenerative progression to which current therapies have not yet found a suitable long-term solution. Tissue engineering (TE) strategies aim to fabricate tissue substitutes that recreate natural tissue features to offer better alternatives to the existing inefficient treatments. Scaffold design is a key element in providing appropriate structures for tissue growth and maturation. This study presents a novel method for designing scaffolds with a mathematically defined curvature, based on the geometry of a sphere, to obtain TE constructs mimicking native OC tissue shape. The lower the designed radius, the more curved the scaffold obtained. The printability of the scaffolds using fused filament fabrication (FFF) was evaluated. For the case-study scaffold size (20.1 mm × 20.1 mm projected dimensions), a limit sphere radius of 17.064 mm was determined to ensure printability feasibility, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) analysis. The FFF method proved suitable to reproduce the curved designs, showing good shape fidelity and replicating the expected variation in porosity. Additionally, the mechanical behavior was evaluated experimentally and by numerical modelling. Experimentally, curved scaffolds showed strength comparable to conventional orthogonal scaffolds, and finite element analysis was used to identify the scaffold regions more susceptible to higher loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of nanomaterials has been increasing in recent times, and they are widely used in industries such as cosmetics, drugs, food, water treatment, and agriculture. The rapid development of new nanomaterials demands a set of approaches to evaluate the potential toxicity and risks related to them. In this regard, nanosafety has been using and adapting already existing methods (toxicological approach), but the unique characteristics of nanomaterials demand new approaches (nanotoxicology) to fully understand the potential toxicity, immunotoxicity, and (epi)genotoxicity. In addition, new technologies, such as organs-on-chips and sophisticated sensors, are under development and/or adaptation. All the information generated is used to develop new in silico approaches trying to predict the potential effects of newly developed materials. The overall evaluation of nanomaterials from their production to their final disposal chain is completed using the life cycle assessment (LCA), which is becoming an important element of nanosafety considering sustainability and environmental impact. In this review, we give an overview of all these elements of nanosafety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progressively increasing use of nanomaterials (NMs) has awakened issues related to nanosafety and its potential toxic effects on human health. Emerging studies suggest that NMs alter cell communication by reshaping and altering the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs), leading to dysfunction in recipient cells. However, there is limited understanding of how the physicochemical characteristics of NMs alter the EV content and their consequent physiological functions. Therefore, this review explored the relevance of EVs in the nanotoxicology field. The current state of the art on how EVs are modulated by NM exposure and the possible regulation and modulation of signaling pathways and physiological responses were assessed in detail. This review followed the manual for reviewers produced by The Joanna Brigs Institute for Scoping Reviews and the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. The research question, "Do NMs modulate cellular responses mediated by EVs?" was analyzed following the PECO model (P (Population) = EVs, E (Exposure) = NMs, C (Comparator) = EVs without exposure to NMs, O (Outcome) = Cellular responses/change in EVs) to help methodologically assess the association between exposure and outcome. For each theme in the PECO acronym, keywords were defined, organized, and researched in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, up to 30 September 2021. In vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and clinical studies that analyzed the effect of NMs on EV biogenesis, cargo, and cellular responses were included in the analysis. The methodological quality assessment was conducted using the ToxRTool, ARRIVE guideline, Newcastle Ottawa and the EV-TRACK platform. The search in the referred databases identified 2944 articles. After applying the eligibility criteria and two-step screening, 18 articles were included in the final review. We observed that depending on the concentration and physicochemical characteristics, specific NMs promote a significant increase in EV secretion as well as changes in their cargo, especially regarding the expression of proteins and miRNAs, which, in turn, were involved in biological processes that included cell communication, angiogenesis, and activation of the immune response, etc. Although further studies are necessary, this work suggests that molecular investigations on EVs induced by NM exposure may become a potential tool for toxicological studies since they are widely accessible biomarkers that may form a bridge between NM exposure and the cellular response and pathological outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies. Designated in the literature as "the great masquerader," the great diversity of clinical manifestations is associated with the several paraneoplastic syndromes that potentially accompany it. Paraneoplastic amyloidosis is described in about 3–8% of cases, only exceptionally as an initial manifestation, with uncommon gastrointestinal involvement. A rare case of malabsorption by intestinal amyloidosis is presented as initial manifestation of renal cell carcinoma, emphasizing the need for early recognition of these paraneoplastic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a one-step thermal reduction and non-covalent chemical functionalization process, PEGylated reduced nanographene oxide (rGOn-PEG) was produced from nanographene oxide (GOn) and characterized in terms of particle size, dispersion stability, chemistry, and photothermal properties, in view of its use for photothermal therapy (PTT) of non-melanoma skin cancer. GOn infrared spectrum presented more intense bands assigned to oxygen containing functional groups than observed for rGOn-PEG. GOn C/O ratio decreased more than 50% comparing with rGOn-PEG and nitrogen was present in the latter (N at % = 20.6) due to introduction of PEG-NH2. Thermogravimetric analysis allowed estimating the amount of PEG in rGOn-PEG to be of about 56.1%. Simultaneous reduction and PEGylation increased the lateral dimensions from 287 ± 139 nm to 521 ± 397 nm, as observed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. rGOn-PEG exhibited ≈13-fold higher absorbance in the near-infrared radiation (NIR) region, as compared to unmodified GOn. Low power (150 mW cm−2) NIR irradiation using LEDs resulted in rGOn-PEG heating up to 47 °C, which is within the mild PTT temperature range. PEGylation strongly enhanced the dispersibility of rGOn in physiological media (phosphate buffered saline, fetal bovine serum, and cell culture medium) and also improved the biocompatibility of rGOn-PEG, in comparison to GOn (25–250 μg mL−1). After a single NIR LED irradiation treatment of 30 min, a decrease of ≈38% in A-431 cells viability was observed for rGOn-PEG (250 μg mL−1). Together, our results demonstrate the potential of irradiating rGOn-PEG using lower energy, cheaper, smaller, and safer LEDs, as alternative to high power lasers, for NIR mild hyperthermia therapy of cancer, namely non-melanoma skin cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]