Antagonistic Phenomena Research Articles

Long-range superconducting proximity effect in YBa2Cu3O7/La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 weak-link arrays

The interplay between ferromagnetism and superconductivity has attracted substantial interest due to its potential for exotic quantum phenomena and advanced electronic devices. Although ferromagnetism and superconductivity are antagonistic phenomena, ferromagnets (F) can host spin-triplet superconductivity induced via proximity with superconductors (S). To date, most of the experimental effort has been focused on single S/F/S junctions. Here, we have found the fingerprints of long-range superconducting proximity effect in micrometric weak-link arrays, formed by embedding YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting islands in a half-metallic ferromagnet La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 film. These arrays show magnetoresistance oscillations that appear at temperatures below the critical temperature of YBa2Cu3O7 for currents below a threshold, indicating their superconducting origin. This realization paves the way for device architectures displaying macroscopic quantum interference effects, which are of interest for field sensing applications, among others.

Understanding Citrus Viroid Interactions: Experience and Prospects.

Citrus is the natural host of at least eight viroid species, providing a natural platform for studying interactions among viroids. The latter manifests as antagonistic or synergistic phenomena. The antagonistic effect among citrus viroids intuitively leads to reduced symptoms caused by citrus viroids, while the synergistic effect leads to an increase in symptom severity. The interaction phenomenon is complex and interesting, and a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms induced during this viroid interaction is of great significance for the prevention and control of viroid diseases. This paper summarizes the research progress of citrus viroids in recent years, focusing on the interaction phenomenon and analyzing their interaction mechanisms. It points out the core role of the host RNA silencing mechanism and viroid-derived siRNA (vd-siRNA), and provides suggestions for future research directions.

Study of the surface, rheological and morphological characteristics of isotactic polypropylene microplastics aged in a photothermal oxidation chamber

The aim of this study was to investigate, in addition to degradation processes, the rheological, crystalline, and molecular dynamics changes in isotactic polypropylene microplastics with average sizes of 0.5 and 2 mm, aged in a photothermal oxidation chamber for 166 days. In addition to commonly used techniques in microplastics research, time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) in fast field cycling and fixed field modes, was employed for the first time in the study of these materials, providing non-destructive information that supports other results. Concurrently with X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), surface wettability, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, two antagonistic phenomena were observed over the aging period. One associated with the surface degradation of microplastics and increased molecular mobility, and the other related to morphological changes in the internal layers, leading to increased rigidity. These phenomena occur slightly differently depending on the average particle size. Through multivariate data analysis with principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), it was possible to determine that the degradation process intensifies after 62 days of simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet radiation, temperature, and oxidizing atmosphere. The obtained data highlight that even synthetic polymers with long degradation periods can undergo, in the form of microplastics, initial morphological changes in just 15 days and degradation processes within a few months of exposure to weathering conditions.

A comparative study of three weedicides on energy values in Mystus tengara (ham.) with special reference to synergistic and antagonistic effect

The effect of sublethal concentration of three weedicides with special reference to synergistic and antagonistic phenomenon on the calorific values have been studied in an air breathing fresh water siluoid fish, Mystus tengara (Ham.). The calorific value of the control group of fishes was 3.32 K.cal/g dry weight, The treatment of Alachlor (A), Xylachlor (B) and Sidruon (C) bring about significant decrease in calorific values. The combination of A+C B+C. A+B and A+B+C make the effect synergistic. The effective hierarchy were in the following sequnces -A+b> B+C> A+B+C>A+C. The TLm (24 h) values of difference biocides (including various combinations) have also been calculated at 24?10C. The significance of this study as bioindicator and in water quality management has been discussed in this paper.. KEYWORDS :Weedicides, Fish, Calorific values.

The Effect of Enrichment with Sour-Cherry Extracts on Gluten-Free Snacks Developed by Novel 3D Technologies.

Gluten-free formulations (GF) were utilized as food inks enriched with sour-cherry powder (SCP) and lyophilized extract (SCLE), and their physicochemical, rheological, and thermomechanical properties were evaluated with respect to different leavening conditions. Post-printing drying was also assessed in terms of texture, color, and phenolic substances. SCP and SCLE enrichment decreased lightness by 15% and increased red hue by almost 30%, mainly in yeast formulations. SC addition reduced pH by more than 12% for SCP in both leavening conditions and at 10% to 12% for SCLE, depending on leavening agents. The SCLE addition doubled dynamic moduli and complex viscosity magnitudes and increased hardness at 75.7% compared to the control for baking-powder formulations. SC enrichment, compared to the control, increased the phenolic sum to more than 90% (87% SCLE, 96% SCP) in yeast formulations, presenting lower values (almost 70%) for baking powder. Antioxidant activity in 3D-printed snacks was positively influenced by SC incorporation, depending on the drying and leavening treatment. Phenolic content, in terms of total phenolic sum, origin, and composition, possibly impacts the product's antioxidant activity by depicting antagonistic or synergistic phenomena. Ultimately, 3D printing is feasible for producing functional GF snacks enriched with sour-cherry extracts.

Investigating the relationship between cross-national suicide rates and COVID-19 first and second waves spread across the world: An exploratory study

IntroductionCOVID-19 spreads between people in close contact. Social isolation, which is linked with increased suicide risk, prevents COVID-19 from spreading. Suicide and COVID-19 may therefore represent two antagonistic phenomena. Specifically, we tested whether previous cross-national suicide rates inversely correlate with COVID-19 cases and deaths across countries. Material and methodsWe ran unadjusted bivariate correlations between the most updated (2016) cross-national Age-Standardised suicide rates and COVID-19 cumulative cases and deaths (as of: 30/08/2020, 11/10/2020 and 30/05/2021) across countries; and we controlled for WHO Income group, WHO region, suicide data quality, and urbanicity. ResultsSuicide rates negatively correlated with COVID-19 cumulative cases up to 30/08/2020 (r=−0.14, P=.064) and up to 11/10/2020 at an almost significant level (r=−0.149, P=.050) across 174 countries. As of 11/10/2020 this correlation became significant when controlling for WHO region (r=−0.17, P=.028), data quality (r=−0.181, P=.017) and urbanicity (r=−0.172, P=.039); and as of 30/08/2020 when adjusting for WHO region (r=−0.15, P=.047) and data quality a (r=−0.16, P=.036). No significant correlations between suicide rates and COVID-19 deaths were found. ConclusionsThere seems to be an inverse correlation between previous cross-national suicide rates and COVID-19 cumulative cases across countries. Suicide and COVID-19 appear to behave, to some degree, as antagonistic phenomena, which challenges their prevention.

Cytokine profile in critically ill patients and/or injured persons with secondary sepsis – influence of different pathogens

Background/Aim. The role of the complex sepsis-related immune response has not been fully clarified and remains a subject matter of investigation. Nowadays, sepsis is considered a dynamic syndrome characterized by many, often antagonistic phenomena, ranging from hyperinflammation to anergy and immunoparalysis. The aim of the study was to determine, based on the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in critically ill patients with secondary sepsis, whether the cytokine profile differs according to the type of bacterial causative agent, as well as to assess the prognostic value regarding the outcome. The outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Methods. Blood serum samples were taken from 125 critically ill patients admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit with severe secondary sepsis as a consequence of peritonitis, pancreatitis, or trauma. The average age of the patients was 57.7 ? 17.3 years. Of the total number of patients, 84 (67.2%) were males, and 41 (32.8%) were females. The levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-1?, IL-1?, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12?70, IL-17?, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-?, interferon (IFN)-?, IFN-?-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1? and MIP-1?, as well as anti-inflammatory mediators IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-27, IL- 31, and IL-33, were determined at three time intervals ? on the day of admission (the first day) and then on the third and fifth day. The type of the bacterial causative agent was determined using standard microbiological analyses. Results. On the third day of measurement, significant differences in the cytokine levels regarding the nature of bacteremia were determined in all pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, except for IL-8. In general, the lowest levels were observed in patients with polymicrobial blood cultures. On the first and fifth days of measurement, no significant differences in the cytokine levels regarding the nature of bacteremia were found. The only significant predictor of the fatal outcome on the first measurement day was IL-17?, Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) of 0.665 (95% confidence interval 0.519?0.791; ? = 0.034) in the patients with secondary sepsis as a complication of peritonitis. Conclusion. According to the type of bacterial causative agent, the lowest levels of cytokines have been observed in patients with the polymicrobial blood culture. The low level of IL-17? on the first day of measurement is a good predictor of a fatal outcome in patients with peritonitis as an underlying condition of secondary sepsis. On the other hand, the levels of other cytokines correlated with the out-come only on the fifth day of measurement, and they were higher in survivors than in non-survivors.

Interactions among Relevant Non-Saccharomyces, Saccharomyces, and Lactic Acid Bacteria Species of the Wine Microbial Consortium: Towards Advances in Antagonistic Phenomena and Biocontrol Potential

The topic of microbial interactions is of notable relevance in oenology, being connected with their impact on microbial biodiversity and wine quality. The interactions among different couples of microorganisms, in particular yeasts and lactic acid bacteria representative of the must/wine microbial consortium, have been tested in this study. This interaction’s screening has been implemented by means of plate assays, using culture medium, grape juice, and wine agar as substrates. Different antagonistic phenomena have been detected, belonging to the following interaction categories: yeast-yeast, yeast-bacteria, bacteria-yeast, and bacteria-bacteria. In general, the inhibitory activity has been observed in all three media agar used as substrates, resulting in more frequent on culture medium, followed by grape juice and, finally, wine. Specifically, the work is one of the first reports demonstrating the reciprocal interactions between non-Saccharomyces yeasts (NSY) and malolactic bacteria. The findings shed new light on the co-inoculation of the yeast starter culture with malolactic bacteria, as well as the biocontrol potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains. Highlighted microbial interactions are relevant for the management of alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation, and the development of distinctive aroma profiles, control of spoilage yeasts, and the selection of tailored mixed starter cultures. In addition, the plate assay method could be a fast, cheap, and suitable method to exclude negative interactions among Saccharomyces spp., NSY, and malolactic bacteria during trials from regional spontaneous fermentations with the aim to select tailored mixed starter cultures.

HISTORICAL ROADS OF PUBLIC POLICIES FOR EDUCATION IN THE BRAZILIAN SCENARIO WITH EMPHASIS ON THE MAIS EDUCAÇÃO PROGRAM

The present text named “Historical Paths of Public Policies for Education in the Brazilian Scenario with Emphasis on the Mais Educação Program”, is the result of a research developed at FICS - Interamericana Facultad de Ciencias Sociales of the Postgraduate Program in the Master of Science in Sciences. of Education - whose general objective is to analyze in a critical-reflexive way the Mais Educação Program, about the activities carried out at the Municipal School Benjamin Farah in the municipality of Bom Jesus da Lapa - BA. This is an excerpt from the dissertation carried out which deals with this theme in which, specifically, it has as its main function to identify the situation of the educational space and the service in relation to the offer of activities of the Mais Educação Program in the researched school. For this, the qualitative methodology was adopted as a guideline, which is engendered in the analysis of historical, hybrid, complex and antagonistic social phenomena that produce the most diverse social transformations. A priori, bibliographic sources were used in articles, texts and books to collect the necessary information and elaborate the guiding data of the research, as basic elements that historicize the context of the Mais Educação Program and the struggle for the effectiveness of this modality, as a public policy, which will enable the expansion of knowledge in line with what is prescribed. The research results reveal that the way in which the Mais Educação Program was implemented in the researched school needs adjustments to effectively serve the students with quality and carry out the actions in a significant way. In this work, paths are pointed out by which we believe that the PME can contribute to emancipation, as we believe that the transformation of this situation in which the students find themselves can only be carried out with the change of public educational policies and a more humanist and holistic view.

Chemical Behavior of Water Absorption in a Carbon/Epoxy 3D Woven Composite

AbstractIn this paper, moisture absorption of carbon/epoxy‐amine 3D woven composite materials is studied by immersion in distilled water at 70°C. If the moisture uptake measured by gravimetry is slow and weak over time, various antagonistic phenomena appear. Desorption highlights mass losses due to chemical changes in the material that mask the true water content of the aged samples. The X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) reveals a decrease in the carbon and nitrogen proportions and an increase in the oxygen proportions after ageing, allowing to observe surface erosion and oxidation of the matrix. Finally, the rise of silicon is a sign of extraction of the silica‐based particles exuded to the surface. This presence is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Reconsideration of Alzheimer's Disease Therapy from a Viewpoint of Amyloidogenic Evolvability.

Presuming that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) might represent an antagonistic pleiotropic phenomenon derived from the evolvability of multiple amyloidogenic proteins, targeting such proteins simultaneously could enhance therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, considering that amyloid-β (Aβ) immunotherapies during reproductive life stage might adversely decrease Aβ evolvability in an offspring’s brain, the disease-modifying Aβ immunotherapies should be limited to post-reproductive time in lifespan. Thus, current Aβ immunotherapy strategies should be revised accordingly. Given that the “adiponectin paradox” might underlie both amyloidosis and cognitive dysfunction in aging brain, blocking activin signaling situated downstream of the adiponectin paradox might be an alternative strategy to prevent AD.

Norfloxacin and gentamicin degradation catalyzed by manganese porphyrins under mild conditions: the importance of toxicity assessment.

The current work assessed the degradation degree and the degradation products derived from norfloxacin (NOR) and gentamicin (GEN) using iodosylbenzene and iodobenzene diacetate, in the presence of manganese porphyrin as catalysts. Better results for NOR degradation (> 80%) were obtained when more hydrophobic porphyrins were employed. β-brominated manganese porphyrins showed a lower GEN degradation (~ 25%) than the non-brominated ones (~ 35%), probably due to their steric hindrance. In any case, complete mineralization was achieved neither for NOR nor for GEN, and the assignment of the generated products, complemented by the study of their toxicity, was an important step performed. From the obtained results, no correlation was found between the number of identified products and the reported toxicity value (rSpearman,NOR = 0.006; p value = 0.986 and rSpearman,GEN = - 0,198; p value = 0.583), which reinforces the idea of synergism and antagonistic phenomena. The higher degradation degree could have led to products of lower steric hindrance and easier penetration into the A. fischeri cells, which subsequently led to an increase in toxicity for these experiments. In most cases, the products presented higher toxicity than the original compound, which raises a concern about their occurrence in environmental matrices.

Analyzing coarsening versus densification phenomenon present in partial sintering of Al2O3/TiO2 composites

Alumina–titania (Al2O3/TiO2) composites are well-known for their physical and microstructural properties, which allow several engineering applications. However, these properties change when different sintering temperatures are used, due to the existence of two antagonistic phenomena (grain coarsening versus densification) that occurs during sintering process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microstructural and physical properties of the alumina–titania composites and to understand these two antagonistic phenomena when different partial sintering temperatures are used. The composites were prepared from alumina and titania powders by uniaxial pressing and sintered at different temperatures (1100–1400 °C). The structural analysis showed that in addition to expected phases (α-Al2O3 and rutile), the alumina–titania composite sintered at 1100 °C presents anatase phase, while those obtained at 1300 and 1400 °C present tialite phase. The morphology analysis revealed a random distribution of grains with irregularly shaped pores. According to the Archimedes-based immersion test, all composites have a relative bulk density ranging 60.43–73.59%, showing that none of them reached the final sintering stage. Statistical analysis revealed that the average grain size of the matrix ranges from 3.62 to 5.24 μm. Moreover, the statistical analysis also showed that the grain coarsening predominates over densification for the composites sintered from 1100 to 1150 °C. The densification predominates over grain coarsening for the composites sintered from 1150 to 1200 °C, and from 1250 to 1400 °C. The two phenomena coexist only for the composites sintered from 1200 to 1250 °C.

Superconductivity-driven ferromagnetism and spin manipulation using vortices in the magnetic superconductor EuRbFe4As4

Magnetic superconductors are specific materials exhibiting two antagonistic phenomena, superconductivity and magnetism, whose mutual interaction induces various emergent phenomena, such as the reentrant superconducting transition associated with the suppression of superconductivity around the magnetic transition temperature (T m), highlighting the impact of magnetism on superconductivity. In this study, we report the experimental observation of the ferromagnetic order induced by superconducting vortices in the high-critical-temperature (high-T c) magnetic superconductor EuRbFe4As4 Although the ground state of the Eu2+ moments in EuRbFe4As4 is helimagnetism below T m, neutron diffraction and magnetization experiments show a ferromagnetic hysteresis of the Eu2+ spin alignment. We demonstrate that the direction of the Eu2+ moments is dominated by the distribution of pinned vortices based on the critical state model. Moreover, we demonstrate the manipulation of spin texture by controlling the direction of superconducting vortices, which can help realize spin manipulation devices using magnetic superconductors.

Therapeutic Potential of αS Evolvability for Neuropathic Gaucher Disease.

Gaucher disease (GD), the most common lysosomal storage disorder (LSD), is caused by autosomal recessive mutations of the glucocerebrosidase gene, GBA1. In the majority of cases, GD has a non-neuropathic chronic form with adult onset (GD1), while other cases are more acute and severer neuropathic forms with early onset (GD2/3). Currently, no radical therapies are established for GD2/3. Notably, GD1, but not GD2/3, is associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the elucidation of which might provide a clue for novel therapeutic strategies. In this context, the objective of the present study is to discuss that the evolvability of α-synuclein (αS) might be differentially involved in GD subtypes. Hypothetically, aging-associated PD features with accumulation of αS, and the autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction might be an antagonistic pleiotropy phenomenon derived from αS evolvability in the development in GD1, without which neuropathies like GD2/3 might be manifested due to the autophagy-lysosomal dysfunction. Supposing that the increased severity of GD2/3 might be attributed to the decreased activity of αS evolvability, suppressing the expression of β-synuclein (βS), a potential buffer against αS evolvability, might be therapeutically efficient. Of interest, a similar view might be applicable to Niemann-Pick type C (NPC), another LSD, given that the adult type of NPC, which is comorbid with Alzheimer’s disease, exhibits milder medical symptoms compared with those of infantile NPC. Thus, it is predicted that the evolvability of amyloid β and tau, might be beneficial for the adult type of NPC. Collectively, a better understanding of amyloidogenic evolvability in the pathogenesis of LSD may inform rational therapy development.

Pairing symmetry in monolayer of orthorhombic CoSb

Ferromagnetism and superconductivity are generally considered to be antagonistic phenomena in condensed matter physics. Here, we theoretically study the interplay between the ferromagnetic and superconducting orders in a recent discovered monolayered CoSb superconductor with an orthorhombic symmetry and net magnetization, and demonstrate the pairing symmetry of CoSb as a candidate of non-unitary superconductor with time-reversal symmetry breaking. By performing the group theory analysis and the first-principles calculations, the superconducting order parameter is suggested to be a triplet pairing with the irreducible representation of 3B2u, which displays intriguing nodal points and non-zero periodic modulation of Cooper pair spin polarization on the Fermi surface topologies. These findings not only provide a significant theoretical insight into the coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism, but also reveal the exotic spin polarized Cooper pairing driven by ferromagnetic spin fluctuations in a triplet superconductor.

Synchronizing the simplest classical system and then quantizing it

I propose a discrete synchronization model of finite d-level systems and discuss what happens once superposition of states is allowed. The model exhibits various asymptotic behaviors that depend on the initial state. In particular, two antagonistic phenomena can occur: a quantum-to-classical transition and entanglement generation. Next, I generalize this model and show that it is possible to phase-lock a periodic dynamics of a single qubit to a periodic dynamics of a qudit stimulus.

Imprinting Ferromagnetism and Superconductivity in Single Atomic Layers of Molecular Superlattices

Ferromagnetism and superconductivity are two antagonistic phenomena since ferromagnetic exchange fields tend to destroy singlet Cooper pairs. Reconciliation of these two competing phases has been achieved in vertically stacked heterostructures where these two orders are confined in different layers. However, controllable integration of these two phases in one atomic layer is a longstanding challenge. Here, an interlayer-space-confined chemical design (ICCD) is reported for the synthesis of dilute single-atom-doped TaS2 molecular superlattice, whereby ferromagnetism is observed in the superconducting TaS2 layers. The intercalation of 2H-TaS2 crystal with bulky organic ammonium molecule expands its van der Waals gap for single-atom doping via co-intercalated cobalt ions, resulting in the formation of quasi-monolayer Co-doped TaS2 superlattices. Isolated Co atoms are decorated in the basal plane of the TaS2 via substituting the Ta atom or anchoring at a hollow site, wherein the orbital-selected p-d hybridization between Co and neighboring Ta and S atoms induces local magnetic moments with strong ferromagnetic coupling. This ICCD approach can be applied to various metal ions, enabling the synthesis of a series of crystal-size TaS2 molecular superlattices.

Evaluation of Different Roof Types Concerning Daylight in Industrial Buildings during the Initial Design Phase: Methodology and Case Study

Used properly, daylight can provide visual comfort, reduce energy consumption and improve health and safety at work. This paper investigates the influence that different roof types, (i.e., sawtooth roof, skylight and monitor), have on daylight levels, along with the construction cost in an industrial environment in Athens, Greece. Construction costs and daylight adequacy/uniformity are antagonistic phenomena, since as the distance between the roof openings increases, the construction cost is minimised, while the daylight levels and the uniformity are reduced. Therefore, an optimisation method is proposed in order to find the optimum distance between the roof openings. The selected building is a representative unit of Greek industrial facilities, while the optimisation method is based upon a multiparametric approach. This consists of three (3) different roof opening arrangement types with different geometric characteristics. The daylight metrics used are the Daylight Area, the Daylight Factor, the Mean Daylight Autonomy, the Uniform Daylight Index and the Annual Sunlight Exposure. Overall, sawtooth roofs represent the best choice for daylight provision in industrial buildings at the examined geographic location. Using the aforementioned optimisation method, the optimum solution of distances between the roof openings ranges from 10 m to 13 m.

Transgenerational Interaction of Alzheimer's Disease with Schizophrenia through Amyloid Evolvability.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative dementia, leads to memory dysfunction due to widespread neuronal loss associated with aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins (APs), while schizophrenia (SCZ) represents a major psychiatric disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive abnormalities, the underlying mechanisms of which remain obscure. Although AD and SCZ partially overlap in terms of psychiatric symptoms and some aspects of cognitive impairment, the causal relationship between AD and SCZ is unclear. Based on the similarity of APs with yeast prion in terms of stress-induced protein aggregation, we recently proposed that evolvability of APs might be an epigenetic phenomenon to transmit stress information of parental brain to cope with the stressors in offspring. Although amyloid evolvability may be beneficial in evolution, AD might be manifested during parental aging as the mechanism of antagonistic pleiotropy phenomenon. Provided that accumulating evidence implicates stress as an important factor in SCZ, the main objective of this paper is to better understand the possible connection of AD and SCZ through amyloid evolvability. Hypothetically, the delivery of information of stress by APs may be less efficient under the decreased evolvability conditions such as disease-modifying treatment, leading to SCZ in offspring. Conversely, the increased evolvability conditions including gene mutations of APs are supposed to be beneficial for offspring, but might lead to AD in parents. Collectively, AD and SCZ might transgenerationally interfere with each other through amyloid evolvability, and this could explain why both AD and SCZ have not been selected out through evolution.