Specific Reduction Research Articles

The effect of nanocarbon inclusion on mechanical, tribological, and thermal properties of phenolic resin‐based composites: An overview

AbstractNanocarbons including carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and particularly graphene have unique properties such as high mechanical strength, thermally stable, highly conducting, high friction stability and lower specific wear rates, which can potentially provide synergically improved performance of advanced engineering materials and technologies for various fields of applications such as automotive, aerospace, and other industrial components. Development of phenolic resin‐based nanocomposites comprised of nanocarbon material remained as a research focus to outperform different properties of conventional material based components. In application, phenolic resin is the most popular binder in frictional components development such as brake pads, brake linings, and clutch facings, particularly used in many of light and medium automotive brake pad applications. Specifically, the present review study aims to provide thorough discussion on the mechanical, tribological, and thermal performances of phenolic resin‐based nanocomposites containing nanocarbon as a property modifier by comparing with the neat phenolic resin or with the composite containing other micro ingredients. As per presented overview, the analysis shows the significant improvement in some required application‐based properties of phenolic resin‐based nanocomposites such as tensile strength, young's modulus, impact strength, specific wear rate reduction, residue yield, and thermal conductivity due to the inclusion of nanocarbon, where the content of nanocarbons ranges about 0.5 wt% to 5 wt%. Hence nanocomposites synthesized using phenolic resin matrix with nanocarbons fillers found to have better mechanical strength, better wear resistance, and thermal stabilities when compared to pure phenolic resin and other composites.

Examining the Carbon Management Strategies of Diebold Nixdorf

Carbon management is imperative to curb global temperature increases and mitigating climate change impacts. This report explores the carbon management strategies employed by Diebold Nixdorf, a multinational financial and retail technology company. <strong>As </strong>of 2021, the company has not established specific reduction targets and has not committed to achieving net zero emissions. The company employs diverse carbon reduction strategies, such as carbon offsetting, solar energy, and fleet improvements, with notable projects like the "green roof" initiative and a tree planting program contributing to carbon offsetting. Despite a gradual reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions since 2015 and notable decreases in energy consumption and natural gas emissions from 2020 to 2021, Diebold Nixdorf falls short in revenue-adjusted emissions compared to competitors. Critical challenges within Diebold Nixdorf's carbon management strategies revolve around controversies related to carbon offsetting and uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of specific initiatives. Although an improved Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) score and efforts in product sustainability showcase progress, the lack of specific targets remains a notable pitfall. The potential misuse of green labelling, considering significant carbon emissions from products, adds complexity to Diebold Nixdorf's carbon management approach. This report underscores the imperative need for substantial enhancements in the company's carbon management practices, emphasising a realignment of values and a firm commitment to carbon reduction and net-zero goals in response to the severity of the climate crisis.

Sustained effects on immune cell subsets and autoreactivity in multiple sclerosis patients treated with oral cladribine.

Cladribine tablet therapy is an efficacious treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, we showed that one year after the initiation of cladribine treatment, T and B cell crosstalk was impaired, reducing potentially pathogenic effector functions along with a specific reduction of autoreactivity to RAS guanyl releasing protein 2 (RASGRP2). In the present study we conducted a longitudinal analysis of the effect of cladribine treatment in patients with RRMS, focusing on the extent to which the effects observed on T and B cell subsets and autoreactivity after one year of treatment are maintained, modulated, or amplified during the second year of treatment. In this case-control exploratory study, frequencies and absolute counts of peripheral T and B cell subsets and B cell cytokine production from untreated patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and patients treated with cladribine for 52 (W52), 60 (W60), 72 (W72) and 96 (W96) weeks, were measured using flow cytometry. Autoreactivity was assessed using a FluoroSpot assay. We found a substantial reduction in circulating memory B cells and proinflammatory B cell responses. Furthermore, we observed reduced T cell responses to autoantigens possibly presented by B cells (RASGRP2 and a-B crystallin (CRYAB)) at W52 and W96 and a further reduction in responses to the myelin antigens myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) after 96 weeks. We conclude that the effects of cladribine observed after year one are maintained and, for some effects, even increased two years after the initiation of a full course of treatment with cladribine tablets.

Pramipexole restores behavioral inhibition in highly impulsive rats through a paradoxical modulation of frontostriatal networks

Impulse control disorders (ICDs), a wide spectrum of maladaptive behaviors which includes pathological gambling, hypersexuality and compulsive buying, have been recently suggested to be triggered or aggravated by treatments with dopamine D2/3 receptor agonists, such as pramipexole (PPX). Despite evidence showing that impulsivity is associated with functional alterations in corticostriatal networks, the neural basis of the exacerbation of impulsivity by PPX has not been elucidated. Here we used a hotspot analysis to assess the functional recruitment of several corticostriatal structures by PPX in male rats identified as highly (HI), moderately impulsive (MI) or with low levels of impulsivity (LI) in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). PPX dramatically reduced impulsivity in HI rats. Assessment of the expression pattern of the two immediate early genes C-fos and Zif268 by in situ hybridization subsequently revealed that PPX resulted in a decrease in Zif268 mRNA levels in different striatal regions of both LI and HI rats accompanied by a high impulsivity specific reduction of Zif268 mRNA levels in prelimbic and cingulate cortices. PPX also decreased C-fos mRNA levels in all striatal regions of LI rats, but only in the dorsolateral striatum and nucleus accumbens core (NAc Core) of HI rats. Structural equation modeling further suggested that the anti-impulsive effect of PPX was mainly attributable to the specific downregulation of Zif268 mRNA in the NAc Core. Altogether, our results show that PPX restores impulse control in highly impulsive rats by modulation of limbic frontostriatal circuits.

Medium and Long-term Carbon Emission Projections and Emission Reduction Potential Analysis of the Lingang Special Area Based on the LEAP Model

Based on the existing statistical data of the Lingang Special Area in Shanghai and considering its future socio-economic development， industrial structure， and technological development， a LEAP-Lingang model was developed to analyze the evolution trends of energy demand and carbon emissions under the baseline scenario， low-carbon scenario， and enhanced low-carbon scenario. To enhance the prediction accuracy of the model， the Logistic population growth model was used to predict future population data， and the learning curve model was used to simulate the cost evolution trend of related carbon reduction technologies. In addition， an economic evaluation model for carbon reduction technologies was developed， and the economic costs and emission reduction potential of typical carbon reduction technologies were evaluated by drawing a marginal emission reduction cost curve. The results showed that under the enhanced low-carbon scenario， the renewable energy accounted for 69% of the primary energy consumption， and the electric energy accounted for 91% of the terminal energy demand in 2060. The Lingang Special Area could achieve carbon peak by 2030， and the carbon emissions in 2060 were predicted to decrease by 94% compared to that in the baseline scenario. In terms of contribution to emission reduction， clean energy substitution， industrial structure optimization， and terminal energy efficiency improvement played a key role in reducing carbon emissions near the port. In the medium term （until 2035）， they were predicted to contribute 35.1%， 27.3%， and 16.2% of carbon emissions， respectively， and in the long term （until 2060）， they should contribute 50.6%， 8.75%， and 7.7% of carbon emissions， respectively. Regarding specific carbon reduction technologies， hydrogen power generation； water electrolysis for hydrogen； and carbon capture， utilization， and storage （CCUS） technology were of great significance for achieving net-zero emissions， but the costs of emission reduction were relatively high. The research results can provide ideas and references for the low-carbon and green development of the Lingang Special Area and related areas.

BDNF specifically expressed in hippocampal neurons is involved in methylmercury neurotoxicity resistance.

Methylmercury (MeHg) causes selective neuronal damage to cerebrocortical neurons (CCNs) in the central nervous system, but not to hippocampal neurons (HiNs), which are highly vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases. In our previous study using cultured rat neurons, we performed a comprehensive gene expression analysis and found that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin (NT), was specifically expressed in HiNs. Therefore, to elucidate the causal factors of MeHg toxicity resistance in HiNs, we conducted a comparative study of the protein expression and function of several NTs, including BDNF, using CCNs showing vulnerability to MeHg toxicity and HiNs showing resistance. BDNF was specifically expressed in HiNs, whereas nerve growth factor was barely detectable in either neuron type. In addition, other NTs, NT3 and NT4/5, were expressed in small but nearly equal amounts in both neuron types. Furthermore, among the various pathways involved in MeHg neurotoxicity, the p44/42 MAPK pathway was specifically activated in HiNs, even without MeHg treatment. siRNAs were used to reduce NTs in both neuron types. Only a specific reduction in BDNF attenuated the resistance to MeHg toxicity and p44/42 MAPK activation in HiNs. In addition, the external addition of BDNF and NT4/5, which act on the same tyrosine receptor kinase (Trk), TrkB, suppressed MeHg neurotoxicity in both neuron types. These results suggest that BDNF, expressed specifically in HiNs, is involved in the resistance to MeHg neurotoxicity via TrkB. Additionally, the activation of the p44/42 MAPK pathway may contribute to the inhibitory effect of BDNF on MeHg neurotoxicity.

Depression is associated with blunted affective responses to naturalistic reward prediction errors.

Depression is characterized by abnormalities in emotional processing, but the specific drivers of such emotional abnormalities are unknown. Computational work indicates that both surprising outcomes (prediction errors; PEs) and outcomes (values) themselves drive emotional responses, but neither has been consistently linked to affective disturbances in depression. As a result, the computational mechanisms driving emotional abnormalities in depression remain unknown. Here, in 687 individuals, one-third of whom qualify as depressed via a standard self-report measure (the PHQ-9), we use high-stakes, naturalistic events - the reveal of midterm exam grades - to test whether individuals with heightened depression display a specific reduction in emotional response to positive PEs. Using Bayesian mixed effects models, we find that individuals with heightened depression do not affectively benefit from surprising, good outcomes - that is, they display reduced affective responses to positive PEs. These results were highly specific: effects were not observed to negative PEs, value signals (grades), and were not related to generalized anxiety. This suggests that the computational drivers of abnormalities in emotion in depression may be specifically due to positive PE-based emotional responding. Affective abnormalities are core depression symptoms, but the computational mechanisms underlying such differences are unknown. This work suggests that blunted affective reactions to positive PEs are likely mechanistic drivers of emotional dysregulation in depression.

Rescuing SERCA2 pump deficiency improves bone mechano-responsiveness in type 2 diabetes by shaping osteocyte calcium dynamics

Type 2 diabetes (T2D)-related fragility fractures represent an increasingly tough medical challenge, and the current treatment options are limited. Mechanical loading is essential for maintaining bone integrity, although bone mechano-responsiveness in T2D remains poorly characterized. Herein, we report that exogenous cyclic loading-induced improvements in bone architecture and strength are compromised in both genetically spontaneous and experimentally-induced T2D mice. T2D-induced reduction in bone mechano-responsiveness is directly associated with the weakened Ca2+ oscillatory dynamics of osteocytes, although not those of osteoblasts, which is dependent on PPARα-mediated specific reduction in osteocytic SERCA2 pump expression. Treatment with the SERCA2 agonist istaroxime was demonstrated to improve T2D bone mechano-responsiveness by rescuing osteocyte Ca2+ dynamics and the associated regulation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Moreover, T2D-induced deterioration of bone mechano-responsiveness is blunted in mice with osteocytic SERCA2 overexpression. Collectively, our study provides mechanistic insights into T2D-mediated deterioration of bone mechano-responsiveness and identifies a promising countermeasure against T2D-associated fragility fractures.

Development of a novel rodent rapid serial visual presentation task reveals dissociable effects of stimulant versus nonstimulant treatments on attentional processes

The rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task and continuous performance tasks (CPT) are used to assess attentional impairments in patients with psychiatric and neurological conditions. This study developed a novel touchscreen task for rats based on the structure of a human RSVP task and used pharmacological manipulations to investigate their effects on different performance measures. Normal animals were trained to respond to a target image and withhold responding to distractor images presented within a continuous sequence. In a second version of the task, a false-alarm image was included, so performance could be assessed relative to two types of nontarget distractors. The effects of acute administration of stimulant and nonstimulant treatments for ADHD (amphetamine and atomoxetine) were tested in both tasks. Methylphenidate, ketamine, and nicotine were tested in the first task only. Amphetamine made animals more impulsive and decreased overall accuracy but increased accuracy when the target was presented early in the image sequence. Atomoxetine improved accuracy overall with a specific reduction in false-alarm responses and a shift in the attentional curve reflecting improved accuracy for targets later in the image sequence. However, atomoxetine also slowed responding and increased omissions. Ketamine, nicotine, and methylphenidate had no specific effects at the doses tested. These results suggest that stimulant versus nonstimulant treatments have different effects on attention and impulsive behaviour in this rat version of an RSVP task. These results also suggest that RSVP-like tasks have the potential to be used to study attention in rodents.

Design of UHPC prestressed girders for shear

AbstractBreakthrough technology of ultra‐high‐performance concrete (UHPC) introduced in the 1990s exhibits several exceptional mechanical properties that are advantageous in elements of bridge applications. Extensive research has aimed to industrialize UHPC and develop design models. This paper investigates several design models for shear, including a unified approach with that of conventional concrete based on the modified compression field theory (MCFT). An experimental database of UHPC prestressed concrete girders subjected to shear failure is compiled to evaluate model accuracy and a reliability study is conducted to establish appropriate safety factors. The analysis demonstrates that the proposed MCFT‐based model aligns well with experimental results, exhibiting a suitable level of conservatism for design. A reliability assessment of a typical prestressed girder designed according to Canadian Standards Association building and bridge loadings is performed, resulting in a structural reliability evaluation against a target reliability index. The study recommends specific strength reduction and safety factors for design approaches using UHPC.

Air pollution benefits from reduced on-road activity due to COVID-19 in the United States.

On-road transportation is one of the largest contributors to air pollution in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic provided the unintended experiment of reduced on-road emissions' impacts on air pollution due to lockdowns across the United States. Studies have quantified on-road transportation's impact on fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-attributable and ozone (O3)-attributable adverse health outcomes in the United States, and other studies have quantified air pollution-attributable health outcome reductions due to COVID-19-related lockdowns. We aim to quantify the PM2.5-attributable, O3-attributable, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)-attributable adverse health outcomes from traffic emissions as well as the air pollution benefits due to reduced on-road activity during the pandemic in 2020. We estimate 79,400 (95% CI 46,100-121,000) premature mortalities each year due to on-road-attributable PM2.5, O3, and NO2. We further break down the impacts by pollutant and vehicle types (passenger [PAS] vs. freight [FRT] vehicles). We estimate PAS vehicles to be responsible for 63% of total impacts and FRT vehicles 37%. Nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from these vehicles are responsible for 78% of total impacts as it is a precursor for PM2.5 and O3. Utilizing annual vehicle miles traveled reductions in 2020, we estimate that 9,300 (5,500-14,000) deaths from air pollution were avoided in 2020 due to the state-specific reductions in on-road activity across the continental United States. By quantifying the air pollution public health benefits from lockdown-related reductions in on-road emissions, the results from this study stress the need for continued emission mitigation policies, like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recently proposed NOX standards for heavy-duty vehicles, to mitigate on-road transportation's public health impact.

Al4C3 formation and joint tensile properties of dual-beam laser butt welding SiCp/6005A composite with filler wires

SiC-reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite (SiC/Al MMC) is one of the most promising structural materials that provide excellent specific modulus and weight reduction for industrial applications. When fusion welding of SiC-reinforced Al MMC, however, mechanical properties of SiC/Al MMC were significantly deteriorated due to the formation of brittle Al4C3. In this paper, a dual-beam laser welding process was developed to laser weld SiCp/6005A Al composite with ER4043 and ER5356 filler wires. The morphology, microstructure, tensile properties, and fracture behaviors of the welded joints were investigated. Compared to ER5356 filler wire, the weld quality was improved by ER4043, including better surface quality, fewer weld defects, higher tensile strength and better ductility. By introducing the silicon element of ER4043 filler wire into the molten pool, the size and amount of brittle Al4C3 compounds and the porosities were reduced and the reaction between liquid Al and reinforced SiC particles was suppressed to some extent. Furthermore, the dual laser beam energy ratio was optimized to 90%:10% (90/10), the tensile strength of the joints produced with ER4043 was significantly improved to 209 MPa, reaching 70% of the ultimate strength of the base metal.

FXTAS Neuropathology Includes Widespread Reactive Astrogliosis and White Matter Specific Astrocyte Degeneration.

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset progressive genetic neurodegenerative disorder that occurs in FMR1 premutation carriers. The temporal, spatial, and cell-type specific patterns of neurodegeneration in the FXTAS brain remain incompletely characterized. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are the neuropathological hallmark of FXTAS, which are largest and occur most frequently in astrocytes, glial cells that maintain brain homeostasis. Here, we characterized neuropathological alterations in astrocytes in multiple regions of the FXTAS brain. Striatal and cerebellar sections from FXTAS cases (n = 12) and controls (n = 12) were stained for the astrocyte markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1L1 (ALDH1L1) using immunohistochemistry. Reactive astrogliosis severity, the prevalence of GFAP+ fragments, and astrocyte density were scored. Double label immunofluorescence was utilized to detect co-localization of GFAP and cleaved caspase-3. FXTAS cases showed widespread reactive gliosis in both grey and white matter. GFAP staining also revealed remarkably severe astrocyte pathology in FXTAS white matter - characterized by a significant and visible reduction in astrocyte density (-38.7% in striatum and - 32.2% in cerebellum) and the widespread presence of GFAP+ fragments reminiscent of apoptotic bodies. White matter specific reductions in astrocyte density were confirmed with ALDH1L1 staining. GFAP+ astrocytes and fragments in white matter were positive for cleaved caspase-3, suggesting that apoptosis-mediated degeneration is responsible for reduced astrocyte counts. We have established that FXTAS neuropathology includes robust degeneration of astrocytes, which is specific to white matter. Because astrocytes are essential for maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system, a loss of astrocytes likely further exacerbates neuropathological progression of other cell types in the FXTAS brain. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:558-575.

Cold plasma treatment boosts barley germination and seedling vigor: Insights into soluble sugar, starch, and protein modifications

This study investigates the impact of three cold plasma treatments on barley seed germination: direct treatment of dry seeds (DDS), direct treatment of water-soaked seeds (DWS), and indirect treatment of seeds using plasma-activated water (IPAW). Our findings reveal that while DDS maintained the seed's imbibition structures, DWS significantly reduced water uptake. Notably, DWS-treated seeds exhibited a substantial increase in moisture content, potentially leading to an oxygen-deficient environment within the seed. This condition appeared to hinder germination, contrasting with the beneficial effects observed in DDS-treated seeds. Analyses of surface hydrophilicity, phenolic compounds, carbohydrate composition, protein storage and seedling growth were conducted. Interestingly, cold plasma treatment enhanced seed surface hydrophilicity, as evidenced by a decrease in water contact angles, particularly for DWS. We observed specific reductions in flavonoids and total phenolics, alongside shifts in carbohydrate composition, including increased sugar content up to 15.1% (DDS) and 13.5% (DWS), accompanied by a decrease in starch content to 189.00 ± 7.86 mg/g FM for DWS. Protein storage assessments revealed declines in albumin, globulin and prolamin fractions post-CP exposure. Finally, DDS and IPAW treatments markedly improved seedling shoot growth (from two to three-fold), underscoring the potential of these treatments in enhancing barley germination.

The effect of high-speed railway train on the seismic response of bridge under earthquakes

This study aims to discuss the effect of high-speed railway train on the seismic response of bridge girder under earthquakes especially pay attention to the possible response reduction to the bridge caused by vehicle, utilizing experimental and simulation methods. A 1:10 scale model for the train-track-bridge system was built and a high-speed train running test platform based on shaking table array was constructed for the seismic loading test at varying running speed. To account the effects of different earthquake characteristics, earthquakes under the four types of site soil in the far-field and near-field were selected. The vehicle was modeled in two kinds of ways to distinguish the effects of spring-mass vehicle and additional mass which means a vehicle was set with spring suspension and mass, while another with additional mass only. Through a large amount of numerical simulation dates to determine the distribution interval of specific reduction value caused by the vehicle under the earthquake. Results in running tests and numerical simulation indicate that the lateral acceleration of the bridge girder can be effectively reduced when the train is stationary. The reduced ratios were about 4%− 8% compared without train on bridges. As the speed increases, the response of bridge is generally intense and the reduction is also weakened. Similar reduction was not observed in the response of vertical earthquake excitations, and high-frequency earthquakes have adversely affected this kind of reduction. The main reason for the reduction of lateral seismic response of bridge girder in the presence of static vehicle can be attributed to the phase difference between vehicle and bridge caused by a mass damper-like action, and the additional mass cannot cause similar changes alone.

An extended Merola–Ragnisco–Tu lattice integrable hierarchy and infinite conservation laws

By means of the zero-curvature equation and Lenard recursive operators, a novel differential-difference integrable hierarchy is derived, which is related to a discrete 3 × 3 matrix spectral problem with five potentials. The first nontrivial member in this hierarchy under specific reduction is the Merola–Ragnisco–Tu lattice equation whose continuum limit is the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The infinite conservation laws of the first two nontrivial members in the hierarchy, namely, the extended Merola–Ragnisco–Tu lattice equation and its high-order generalization are constructed with the help of two Ricatti-type equations and the spectral parameter expansions.

Ceramic matrix composite based on silicon carbide and nanostructured nitrogen-doped carbon for supercapacitor electrodes

The results of studies on the production of a porous ceramic-matrix composite material C–N/SiC from silicon carbide and nitrogen-doped nanostructured carbon for subsequent use as supercapacitor electrodes are presented. The material is formed by pressing silicon carbide micropowder (1 µm) and impregnating with a solution of carbamide (nitrogen source) in phenol-formaldehyde varnish (carbon source), curing and pyrolysis in a nitrogen atmosphere. The maximum concentration of carbamide was obtained in the solution (16 wt.%) at 50 ºС with a viscosity of 134.3 mPa⋅s. Thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen of the cured solution revealed multistage decomposition with a residual mass of C–N of 48 % at 1000 ºС. Studies of the elemental composition showed a nitrogen content of 1.4 wt.% in C–N/SiC composite (up to 7 % of C–N active mass). In the composite structure, the C–N carbon-nitrogen layer (up to 12 wt.%) distributed inside the matrix pores and covering the SiC grains is X-ray amorphous has a complex nanoscale relief with an average pore size of 1.0–1.5 nm. According to electrochemical studies, the specific capacitance of the C–N/SiC material and the C–N active layer is 16.84 and 153.2 F/g respectively, and the equivalent resistance of the test supercapacitor cell with C–N/SiC electrodes is 0.567 Ohm for samples with maximum doping. The electrodes operate according to the sorption-desorption mechanism of charge accumulation and release, which is typical for a classic supercapacitor based on a double electric layer without the presence of redox reactions on the electrodes. The influence of technological regimes of pyrolysis on the electrophysical parameters of the cell is revealed: lower values of the pyrolysis temperature and nitrogen pressure in the chamber lead to an increase of the material specific capacitance and reduction of the cell equivalent resistance. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of utilizing C–N/SiC material for the manufacture of supercapacitor electrodes.

High-throughput micro-CT analysis identifies sex-dependent biomarkers of erosive arthritis in TNF-Tg mice and differential response to anti-TNF therapy.

Development of reliable disease activity biomarkers is critical for diagnostics, prognostics, and novel drug development. Although computed tomography (CT) is the gold-standard for quantification of bone erosions, there are no consensus approaches or rationales for utilization of specific outcome measures of erosive arthritis in complex joints. In the case of preclinical models, such as sexually dimorphic tumor necrosis factor transgenic (TNF-Tg) mice, disease severity is routinely quantified in the ankle through manual segmentation of the talus or small regions of adjacent bones primarily due to the ease in measurement. Herein, we sought to determine the particular hindpaw bones that represent reliable biomarkers of sex-dependent disease progression to guide future investigation and analysis. Hindpaw micro-CT was performed on wild-type (n = 4 male, n = 4 female) and TNF-Tg (n = 4 male, n = 7 female) mice at monthly intervals from 2-5 (females) and 2-8-months (males) of age, since female TNF-Tg mice exhibit early mortality from cardiopulmonary disease at approximately 5-6-months. Further, 8-month-old WT (n = 4) and TNF-Tg males treated with anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies (n = 5) or IgG placebo isotype controls (n = 6) for 6-weeks were imaged with micro-CT every 3-weeks. For image analysis, we utilized our recently developed high-throughput and semi-automated segmentation strategy in Amira software. Synovial and osteoclast histology of ankle joints was quantified using Visiopharm. First, we demonstrated that the accuracy of automated segmentation, determined through analysis of ~9000 individual bones by a single user, was comparable in wild-type and TNF-Tg hindpaws before correction (79.2±8.9% vs 80.1±5.1%, p = 0.52). Compared to other bone compartments, the tarsal region demonstrated a sudden, specific, and significant bone volume reduction in female TNF-Tg mice, but not in males, by 5-months (4-months 4.3± 0.22 vs 5-months 3.4± 0.62 mm3, p<0.05). Specifically, the cuboid showed significantly reduced bone volumes at early timepoints compared to other tarsals (i.e., 4-months: Cuboid -24.1±7.2% vs Talus -9.0±5.9% of 2-month baseline). Additional bones localized to the anterolateral region of the ankle also exhibited dramatic erosions in the tarsal region of females, coinciding with increased synovitis and osteoclasts. In TNF-Tg male mice with severe arthritis, the talus and calcaneus exhibited the most sensitive response to anti-TNF therapy measured by effect size of bone volume change over treatment period. We demonstrated that sexually dimorphic changes in arthritic hindpaws of TNF-Tg mice are bone-specific, where the cuboid serves as a reliable early biomarker of erosive arthritis in female mice. Adoption of automated segmentation approaches in pre-clinical or clinical models has potential to translate quantitative biomarkers to monitor bone erosions in disease and evaluate therapeutic efficacy.

Nitrate removal by a sulfur-based autotrophic process: Insights into performance, kinetics behavior and community

Nitrate pollution in water and wastewater has become a significant environmental concern. Presently, thorough research was needed on the sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SADN) process for the removal of nitrate (NO3--N) from wastewater characterized by a deficiency in the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Therefore, this study utilized thiosulfate as an electron donor, to investigate nitrate removal in a sulfur-based autotrophic reactor performance, community, and kinetics behavior. The findings demonstrated that a molar ratio of sulfur-to-nitrogen (S/N) of 2.19 provided enough electron donors to complete denitrification. However, nitrate was selectively reduced, accumulating nitrite in the S/N molar ratio of 1.88. Furthermore, the maximum specific nitrate reduction rate (SNaRR) was 14.50 mg NO3--N/g VSS.hr at pH 7 was optimal for denitrification. Denitrification efficiency was limited at pH < 6 or > 8, with SNaRR values of 1.66 and 2.8 mg NO3--N/g VSS.hr at pH 5 and 9, respectively. Moreover, the highest denitrification rate was achieved under anoxic conditions with dissolved oxygen (DO) was 0 mg/L. The denitrification effect was severely inhibited under microaerobic (DO = 1 mg/L) and aerobic (DO = 3 mg/L) conditions. Also, the accumulation of nitrite served as an appropriate indicator of the sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SADN).

Percepção de riscos de desastres entre alunos de escola pública: contribuições à Ciência Cidadã e à Aprendizagem Social

Abstract Areas occupied by low-income populations are often susceptible to landslides and floods both due to socio-spatial injustice and the occurrence of extreme events related to climate change. This study aimed to analyze the possibility of working on elements of risk perception associated with Citizen Science and Social Learning based on socio-environmental mapping with public school students in the state of São Paulo. The research included a lecture, fieldwork, and the use of GIS. The study showed that, in addition to engaging young people in specific risk reduction activities, it is necessary to promote strategies that involve the population through participatory methodologies and scientific dissemination to build a preventive and resilient culture.