Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of β-Glucan Concentrate on the Water Uptake, Rheological and Textural Properties of Wheat Flour Dough

The effects of the addition of β-glucan concentrate (2.5–10 g/100 g flour) and water (58–70 mL/100 g flour) on the rheological and textural properties of wheat flour doughs were studied. Various empirical (farinograph, extensograph, dough inflation, and dough stickiness) and fundamental rheological tests (oscillatory and creep-recovery) were employed to investigate composite dough structure and an attempt was made to correlate the data obtained from different instrumental measurements. The water absorption increased with the addition of β-glucan concentrate into wheat flour. An increase in mixing time and stability were recorded upon addition of β-glucan concentrate (≤ 5 g/100 g flour), and the extensibility decreased at similar condition. The composite dough exhibited predominating solid-like behavior. The mechanical strength, dough stickiness, the peak dough inflation pressure decreased with increasing water content but those parameters increased with β-glucan concentrate incorporation within the studied concentration range. Creep-recovery tests for 5 g β-glucan concentrate/100 g flour doughs recorded less resistance to deformation with an increase in water level and data were well described by the Burger model. Thermal scanning of doughs revealed that the protein denaturation peak was significantly influenced by water content, and the values were ranged between 110 and 124°C. Significant relationships between empirical and fundamental rheological testing methods were found.
Measurements of the energy dependence of electron beam assisted etching of, and deposition on, silica

The electron beam assisted etch rates for SiO2 by using XeF2 and CF4 gases were measured as a function of primary electron energy. The deposition rate of Fe on SiO2 substrate with Fe(CO)5 as a source gas was also measured. It is seen that both the etch rate and the deposition rate are higher at lower primary electron energies in the region of 1 keV to 15 keV.
Autonomously motile catalytic nanomotors by bubble propulsion

A bubble propulsion model based on catalyzed hydrogen peroxide decomposition and momentum change via O 2 bubbles detaching from the catalyticsurface is proposed to explain the autonomous motion of catalyticnanomotors. The propelling force closely depends upon the surface tension of the liquid as well as the bulk concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and the model predictions are supported by the experimental data of Pt-coated spherical silica microbead motors.
Effect of pre-cooling on the postharvest of parsley leaves

The objective of this work was to determine the effects of a hydrocooling procedure, followed by storage at 5 o C, on the shelf life of parsley cv. Grauda Portuguesa leaves. Bunches of parsley leaves were pre-cooled for fifteen minutes in a water and ice mixture kept at 5 o C. During this period of precooling, close to 43% of the initial field heat was removed from the leaves. After the pre-cooling treatment, the leaf bunches were placed at 5 o C for 7 days. A control treatment was made up of bunches of parsley leaves that were also stored at 5 o C for 7 days without being pre-cooled. The hydrocooling procedure reduced the loss of fresh weight from the leaves in the first twelve hours of storage and maintained the relative water content (RWC) at a high level even after seven days of storage at 5 o C. Visual wilting of leaves was observed when approximately 10% of the initial fresh weight was lost, which was achieved 30 hours after harvest for the control and 42 hours for the pre-cooled bunches. During storage, no significant alterations of the leaf chlorophyll, total soluble sugar and non-reducing sugars or starch contents were detected. However, the reducing sugars content increased at a rate of 2.62 g kg -1 leaf dry weight per day, corresponding to a 4.1-fold increase in 144 hours. Based on the data, we recommend pre-cooling as an efficient method to retard the beginning of wilt for stored parsley leaves.
Quality assurance for the use of computational methods in dosimetry: activities of EURADOS Working Group 6 ‘Computational Dosimetry’

Working Group (WG) 6 ‘Computational Dosimetry’ of the European Radiation Dosimetry Group promotes good practice in the application of computational methods for radiation dosimetry in radiation protection and the medical use of ionising radiation. Its cross-sectional activities within the association cover a large range of current topics in radiation dosimetry, including more fundamental studies of radiation effects in complex systems. In addition, WG 6 also performs scientific research and development as well as knowledge transfer activities, such as training courses. Monte Carlo techniques, including the use of anthropomorphic and other numerical phantoms based on voxelised geometrical models, play a strong part in the activities pursued in WG 6. However, other aspects and techniques, such as neutron spectra unfolding, have an important role as well. A number of intercomparison exercises have been carried out in the past to provide information on the accuracy with which computational methods are applied and whether best practice is being followed. Within the exercises that are still ongoing, the focus has changed towards assessing the uncertainty that can be achieved with these computational methods. Furthermore, the future strategy of WG 6 also includes an extension of the scope toward experimental benchmark activities and evaluation of cross-sections and algorithms, with the vision of establishing a gold standard for Monte Carlo methods used in medical and radiobiological applications.
Inequities in Diabetic Ketoacidosis Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes and COVID-19: Data From 52 US Clinical Centers

Abstract Objective We examined whether diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D) was more prevalent among Non-Hispanic (NH) Black and Hispanic patients with T1D and laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with NH Whites. Method This is a cross-sectional study of patients with T1D and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 52 clinical sites in the United States, data were collected from April to August 2020. We examined the distribution of patient factors and DKA events across NH White, NH Black, and Hispanic race/ethnicity groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the odds of DKA among NH Black and Hispanic patients with T1D as compared with NH White patients, adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, sex, insurance, and last glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level. Results We included 180 patients with T1D and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in the analysis. Forty-four percent (n = 79) were NH White, 31% (n = 55) NH Black, 26% (n = 46) Hispanic. NH Blacks and Hispanics had higher median HbA1c than Whites (%-points [IQR]: 11.7 [4.7], P < 0.001, and 9.7 [3.1] vs 8.3 [2.4], P = 0.01, respectively). We found that more NH Black and Hispanic presented with DKA compared to Whites (55% and 33% vs 13%, P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). After adjusting for potential confounders, NH Black patients continued to have greater odds of presenting with DKA compared with NH Whites (OR [95% CI]: 3.7 [1.4, 10.6]). Conclusion We found that among T1D patients with COVID-19 infection, NH Black patients were more likely to present in DKA compared with NH White patients. Our findings demonstrate additional risk among NH Black patients with T1D and COVID-19.
Can National Tests from the Last Year of Compulsory School Be Used to Obtain More Detailed Information about Academic Performance in Children Treated for Brain Tumours? A Nationwide, Population-Based Study from Sweden

Simple Summary Children treated for brain tumours often suffer from late-appearing complications, including impaired cognitive performance. In this study, 475 Swedish children diagnosed with a brain tumour before their 15th birthday and 2197 matched controls were included. Data from compulsory national tests performed school year nine in the first foreign language English, the mother tongue Swedish and mathematics were analysed. These tests offered more detailed information on academic strengths and weaknesses than the final grades, as different skill sets were assessed. Cases performed worse than controls in English tests than in Swedish and mathematics tests, and they may have performed better in oral than written tasks. There were larger differences between girls treated for brain tumours and their female controls than between boys treated for brain tumours and their male controls. National tests may be useful to complement neuropsychological follow-ups. Characterising these shortcomings is essential to provide appropriate support and prevent social isolation. Abstract Children treated for brain tumours often have late-appearing complications that may affect their school performance. Uneven skill profiles may help reveal late complications that can be compensated for but otherwise remain undetected. We investigated Swedish national school tests of oral, reading and writing skills in the first foreign language (English), the mother tongue (Swedish) and mathematics. Data were obtained from The Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry and Statistics Sweden. The results from 475 children diagnosed with a brain tumour before their 15th birthday and 2197 matched controls showed that children treated for brain tumours evinced more difficulties with national tests than controls in almost all subtests, especially in the subject English, and that they may perform better on oral than written tasks. There were larger differences between female cases and controls than between male cases and controls; age at diagnosis played a significant role for some subtests, whereas tumour grade did not. Missing information from national tests proved to be a strong predictor of poor academic performance. Our results show that regular educational follow-ups, as a complement to neuropsychological follow-ups, are important for all children treated for brain tumours, regardless of sex, age at diagnosis or tumour grade.
Equilibrium Melting Temperature and Undercooling Dependence of the Spherulitic Growth Rate of Isotactic Polypropylene

Studies of the temperature dependence of spherulitic growth rates, in the context of the Lauritzen−Hoffman secondary nucleation theory, and investigations of the crystallization time and temperature dependence of the melting behavior, in the context of the nonlinear Hoffman−Weeks (HW) extrapolation, are reported for isotactic polypropylene prepared with Ziegler−Natta catalysts. The quantitative agreement between estimations of the equilibrium melting temperature, Tm, through an analysis of spherulitic growth rate data and use of the nonlinear HW approach provides strong support for the latter method. The results of these studies indicate specifically that Tm (it-PP, α-phase) is in the vicinity of 212−215 °C, some 30 °C above the most commonly quoted value. This new value of the equilibrium melting temperature of it-PP leads to predictions of the crystallization temperature dependence of the initial lamellar thickness and of the correlation between the lamellar thickness and observed melting temperature, w.
Progression of Interstitial Fibrosis and Tubular Atrophy in Low Immunological Risk Renal Transplants Monitored by Sequential Surveillance Biopsies: The Influence of TAC Exposure and Metabolism

The combination of tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate is the most widely employed maintenance immunosuppression in renal transplants. Different surrogates of tacrolimus exposure or metabolism such as tacrolimus trough levels (TAC-C0), coefficient of variation of tacrolimus (CV-TAC-C0), time in therapeutic range (TTR), and tacrolimus concentration dose ratio (C/D) have been associated with graft outcomes. We explore in a cohort of low immunological risk renal transplants (n = 85) treated with TAC, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and steroids and then monitored by paired surveillance biopsies the association between histological lesions and TAC-C0 at the time of biopsy as well as CV-TAC-C0, TTR, and C/D during follow up. Interstitial inflammation (i-Banff score ≥ 1) in the first surveillance biopsy was associated with TAC-C0 (odds ratio (OR): 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50–0.96; p = 0.027). In the second surveillance biopsy, inflammation was associated with time below the therapeutic range (OR: 1.05 and 95% CI: 1.01–1.10; p = 0.023). Interstitial inflammation in scarred areas (i-IFTA score ≥ 1) was not associated with surrogates of TAC exposure/metabolism. Progression of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) was observed in 35 cases (41.2%). Multivariate regression logistic analysis showed that mean C/D (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.25–0.92; p = 0.026) and IF/TA in the first biopsy (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.24–0.77, p = 0.005) were associated with IF/TA progression between biopsies. A low C/D ratio is associated with IF/TA progression, suggesting that TAC nephrotoxicity may contribute to fibrosis progression in well immunosuppressed patients. Our data support that TAC exposure is associated with inflammation in healthy kidney areas but not in scarred tissue.
Dichloroacetate and Pyruvate Metabolism: Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinases as Targets Worth Investigating for Effective Therapy of Toxoplasmosis

Currently, the drugs used for toxoplasmosis have severe toxicity to human cells, and the treatment still lacks effective and safer alternatives. The search for novel drug targets is timely. ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis, a protozoan infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is estimated to affect around 2.5 billion people worldwide. Nevertheless, the side effects of drugs combined with the long period of therapy usually result in discontinuation of the treatment. New therapies should be developed by exploring peculiarities of the parasite’s metabolic pathways, similarly to what has been well described in cancer cell metabolism. An example is the switch in the metabolism of cancer that blocks the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl coenzyme A in mitochondria. In this context, dichloroacetate (DCA) is an anticancer drug that reverts the tumor proliferation by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for this switch: the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs). DCA has also been used in the treatment of certain symptoms of malaria; however, there is no evidence of how this drug affects apicomplexan species. In this paper, we studied the metabolism of T. gondii and demonstrate that DCA also inhibits T. gondii’s in vitro infection with no toxic effects on host cells. DCA caused an increase in the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase followed by an unbalanced mitochondrial activity. We also observed morphological alterations frequently in mitochondria and in a few apicoplasts, essential organelles for parasite survival. To date, the kinases that potentially regulate the activity of pyruvate metabolism in both organelles have never been described. Here, we confirmed the presence in the genome of two putative kinases (T. gondii PDK [TgPDK] and T. gondii branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase [TgBCKDK]), verified their cellular localization in the mitochondrion, and provided in silico data suggesting that they are potential targets of DCA. IMPORTANCE Currently, the drugs used for toxoplasmosis have severe toxicity to human cells, and the treatment still lacks effective and safer alternatives. The search for novel drug targets is timely. We report here that the treatment of T. gondii with an anticancer drug, dichloroacetate (DCA), was effective in decreasing in vitro infection without toxicity to human cells. It is known that PDK is the main target of DCA in mammals, and this inactivation increases the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl coenzyme A and reverts the proliferation of tumor cells. Moreover, we verified the mitochondrial localization of two kinases that possibly regulate the activity of pyruvate metabolism in T. gondii, which has never been studied. DCA increased pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity in T. gondii, followed by an unbalanced mitochondrial activity, in a manner similar to what was previously observed in cancer cells. Thus, we propose the conserved kinases as potential regulators of pyruvate metabolism and interesting targets for new therapies.
Fatigue Failure and Fracture Mechanics of Graphites for High Temperature Engineering Testing Reactor

The effect of stress ratio, irradiation, oxidation, specimen volume and cumulative damage on fatigue behavior and fracture toughness were examined for HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor) component materials, IG-110 and PCX graphites, and the following conclusions were derived: 1. The fatigue strength of IG-11 graphite, which is non-purified IG-110 graphite, decrease with decreasing stress ratio and crack extension speed was enhanced mainly by the increment of cyclic peak load. 2. The increment of fatigue strength of IG-110 graphite irradiated at the temperature of 575–650°C and neutron fluence of up to 1.92x1020–3.20x1020 n/cm2 corresponds to that of the static strength of irradiated one. 3. The fatigue strength of IG-110 graphite oxidized at 500°C in air can be inferred by the S-N curve analysis and the rule of degradation of static strength and crack extension speed of oxidized IG-110 graphite was enhanced as oxidation proceeds. 4. Cumulative fatigue damage Df of High-Low typed fatigue test.
Scedosporium and Lomentospora Infections: Contemporary Microbiological Tools for the Diagnosis of Invasive Disease

Scedosporium/Lomentospora fungi are increasingly recognized pathogens. As these fungi are resistant to many antifungal agents, early diagnosis is essential for initiating targeted drug therapy. Here, we review the microbiological tools for the detection and diagnosis of invasive scedosporiosis and lomentosporiosis. Of over 10 species, Lomentospora prolificans, Scedosporium apiospermum, S. boydii and S. aurantiacum cause the majority of infections. Definitive diagnosis relies on one or more of visualization, isolation or detection of the fungus from clinical specimens by microscopy techniques, culture and molecular methods such as panfungal PCR or genus-/species-specific multiplex PCR. For isolation from respiratory tract specimens, selective media have shown improved isolation rates. Species identification is achieved by macroscopic and microscopic examination of colonies, but species should be confirmed by ITS with or without β-tubulin gene sequencing or other molecular methods. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry databases are improving but may need supplementation by in-house spectra for species identification. Reference broth microdilution methods is preferred for antifungal susceptibility testing. Next-generation sequencing technologies have good potential for characterization of these pathogens. Diagnosis of Scedosporium/Lomentospora infections relies on multiple approaches encompassing both phenotypic- and molecular-based methods.
Mechanisms Controlling Crystal Habits of Gold and Silver Colloids

Examples of gold and silver anisotropic colloids, such as prisms and rods, have appeared in the literature for many years. In most cases, the morphologies of these thermodynamically unfavorable particles have been explained by the particular reaction environment in which they were synthesized. The mechanisms used to explain the growth generally fall into two categories, one in which chemically adsorbed molecules regulate the growth of specific crystal faces kinetically, and the other where micelle‐forming surfactants physically direct the shape of the particle. This paper raises questions about the growth of anisotropic metal colloids that the current mechanisms cannot adequately address, specifically, the formation of multiple shapes in a single homogeneous reaction and the appearance of similar structures in very different synthesis schemes. These observations suggest that any growth mechanism should primarily take into consideration nucleation and kinetics, and not only thermodynamics or physical constrictions. The authors suggest an alternative mechanism where the presence and orientation of twin planes in these face‐centered cubic (fcc) metals direct the shape of the growing particles. This explanation follows that used for silver halide crystals, and has the advantage of explaining particle growth in many synthesis methods. In this mechanism, twin planes generate reentrant grooves, favorable sites for the attachment of adatoms. Shape and structural data are presented for gold and silver particles synthesized using several different techniques to support this new model. Triangular prisms are suggested to contain a single twin plane which directs that growth of the initial seed in two dimensions, but limits the final size of the prism. Hexagonal platelets are suggested to contain two parallel twin planes that allow the fast growing edges to regenerate one another, allowing large sizes and aspect ratios to form. Rods and wires were found to have a fivefold symmetry, which may only allow growth in one dimension. It is expected that a superior mechanistic understanding will permit shape‐selective synthesis schemes to be developed.
Urinary Excretion of Iohexol as a Permeability Marker in a Mouse Model of Intestinal Inflammation: Time Course, Performance and Welfare Considerations

Simple Summary In mammals, different diseases are associated with intestinal changes that may cause an increase in gut permeability. Intestinal permeability tests allow the evaluation of intestinal damage in humans, veterinary patients and laboratory animal models. When used in mouse models, these tests require that animals are singly housed in metabolic cages with a wire-grid floor to collect urine samples. This raises welfare concerns. Iohexol meets several criteria for an ideal intestinal permeability marker and has recently been used in several species. Here, we examined the performance of an intestinal permeability test using iohexol administered by mouth and following excretion over 24 h in urine. As a model, we chose immunodeficient mice with intestinal inflammation induced by adoptive transfer of effector/memory T cells. We collected urine samples at seven time points to profile the urinary excretion of iohexol, in addition to intestinal tissue samples for histological assessment. We conclude that a 6 h cumulative urine sample may be sufficient to evaluate small intestinal permeability in this mouse model and increased urinary excretion of iohexol is correlated with increased severity of duodenitis. The welfare of mice housed in metabolic cages could be improved by reducing the cage periods from 24 to 6 h. Abstract Intestinal permeability (IP) tests are used to assess intestinal damage in patients and research models. The probe iohexol has shown advantages compared to 51Cr-EDTA or absorbable/nonabsorbable sugars. During IP tests, animals are housed in metabolic cages (MCs) to collect urine. We examined the performance of an iohexol IP test in mice. Rag1-/- (C57BL/6) mice of both sexes were divided into controls or treatment groups, the latter receiving injections of effector/memory T cells to induce intestinal inflammation. After two, four and five weeks (W), a single dose of iohexol was orally administered. Urine was collected seven times over 24 h in MCs. Iohexol concentration was measured by ELISA. Intestinal histological damage was scored in duodenal sections. In control and treated mice of both sexes, urinary excretion of iohexol peaked at 4 h. From W2 to W4/W5, urinary iohexol excretion increased in treated mice of both sexes, consistent with development of duodenitis in this model. Positive correlations were observed between the urinary excretion of iohexol in W4/W5 and the histological severity of duodenitis in treated male mice. We conclude that a 6 h cumulative urine sample appears sufficient to evaluate small IP to iohexol in this mouse model, improving animal welfare by reducing cage periods.