Understanding the electromagnetic interaction of metal organic framework reactants in aqueous solution at microwave frequencies

Preparation of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) via microwave heating is becoming increasingly popular due to reduced reaction times and enhanced control of MOF particle size. However, there is little understanding about the detailed interaction of the electric field portion of the wave with reactants during the synthesis of MOFs. In order to overcome this lack of fundamental understanding, information about the dielectric properties of the reactants is required. In this work the dielectric constants (ε′) and loss factors (ε′′) of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (H2BDC; also known as terephthalic acid) and a number of M(III) (M = metal) salts dissolved in deionized water were measured as a function of frequency, temperature and concentration and with varying anions and cations. Dielectric data confirm the aqueous M(III) salts to be strong microwave absorbers, particularly at 915 MHz. M(III) salts with mono-anionic ligands (for example chlorides and nitrates) exhibit higher losses than di-anionic salts (sulfates) demonstrating that the former are heated more effectively in an applied microwave field. Of the M(III) salts containing either singly- or doubly-charged anions, those containing Fe(III) have the highest loss indicating that they will heat more efficiently than other M(III) salts such as Cr(III) and Al(III). Interestingly, H2BDC exhibits little interaction with the electric field at microwave frequencies

Identification of scorpion species (arachnids: scorpions) collected from selected areas in the Jaffna Peninsula

Taxonomic record on scorpion (Arthropoda: Arachnids: Scorpions) is scarce in Sri Lanka. Several families of scorpions, namely Scorpionidae, Charitable and Buthidae were recorded in Yale national park, Kandy, Trincomalee and Mullaittivu in Sri Lanka, based on the collection of the Natural History Museum of the city of Geneva. It is reported that dangerous scorpions are not found in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Recently identified scorpions of Family Buthidae in some parts of India. But to date no one has reported on scorpion species of Families Buthidae & Scorpionidae in the Jaffna peninsula. Field collection was carried out in selected areas including Vadamarachi, Atchuvelly, Thirunelveli, Kopay and Kondavil in the Nonhern Province from September 2010 to March 2011. Collected scorpions were identified with the help of descriptions and illustrations provided by Pocock (1900) and Bucherl (1971). Identification was performed with the aid of dissecting microscope (Kyowa, Photographs of life specimens were taken with a digital camera (Sony). Lined diagrams were drawn with the help of camera lucida stereo microscope (Olympus BX 51). Descriptive terms of Pocock were mostly followed. Two families, namely, Buthidae and Scorpionidae (Koch, 1837) were identified based on colouration, shape of the sternum, tarsal spur and pedal spur present on the leg. Further identification revealed the presence of two species, namely, Bu thus Dorian and Palamnaeus wrongdoing based on pectin teeth and keels on the caudal segment. The present preliminary survey should be continued in order to identify any other scorpion species in other parts of the Jaffna peninsula

Comparative Profiling of Volatile Compounds in Popular South Indian Traditional and Modern Rice Varieties by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major cereal crops cultivated across the world, particularly in Southeast Asia with 95% of global production. The present study was aimed to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and to profile all the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of eight popular traditional and two modern rice varieties cultivated in South India. Thirty-one VOCs were estimated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The identified volatile compounds in the 10 rice varieties belong to the chemical classes of fatty acids, terpenes, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, phenols, esters, amides, and others. Interestingly, most of the identified predominant components were not identical, which indicate the latent variation among the rice varieties. Significant variations exist for fatty acids (46.9–76.2%), total terpenes (12.6–30.7%), total phenols (0.9–10.0%), total aliphatic alcohols (0.8–5.9%), total alkanes (0.5–5.1%), and total alkenes (1.0–4.9%) among the rice varieties. Of all the fatty acid compounds, palmitic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid predominantly varied in the range of 11.1–33.7, 6.1–31.1, 6.0–28.0, and 0.7–15.1%, respectively. The modern varieties recorded the highest palmitic acid contents (28.7–33.7%) than the traditional varieties (11.1–20.6%). However, all the traditional varieties had higher linoleic acid (10.0–28.0%) than the modern varieties (6.0–8.5%). Traditional varieties had key phenolic compounds, stearic acid, butyric acid, and glycidyl oleate, which are absent in the modern varieties. The traditional varieties Seeraga samba and Kichilli samba had the highest azulene and oleic acid, respectively. All these indicate the higher variability for nutrients and aroma in traditional varieties. These varieties can be used as potential parents to improve the largely cultivated high-yielding varieties for the evolving nutritionalmarket. The hierarchical cluster analysis showed three different clusters implying the distinctness of the traditional and modern varieties. This study provided a comprehensive volatile profile of traditional and modern rice as a staple food for energy as well as for aroma with nutrition

Autoreactivity to malondialdehyde-modifications in rheumatoid arthritis is linked to disease activity and synovial pathogenesis

Oxidation-associated malondialdehyde (MDA) modification of proteins can generate immunogenic neo-epitopes that are recognized by autoantibodies. In health, IgM antibodies to MDA-adducts are part of the natural antibody pool, while elevated levels of IgG anti-MDA are associated with inflammatory conditions. Yet, in human autoimmune disease IgG anti-MDA responses have not been well characterized and their potential contribution to disease pathogenesis is not known. Here, we investigate MDA-modifications and anti-MDA-modified protein autoreactivity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While RA is primarily associated with autoreactivity to citrullinated antigens, we also observed increases in serum IgG anti-MDA in RA patients compared to controls. IgG anti-MDA levels significantly correlated with disease activity by DAS28-ESR and serum TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP. Mass spectrometry analysis of RA synovial tissue identified MDA-modified proteins and revealed shared peptides between MDA-modified and citrullinated actin and vimentin. Furthermore, anti-MDA autoreactivity among synovial B cells was discovered when investigating recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) cloned from single B cells. Several clones were highly specific for MDA-modification with no cross-reactivity to other antigen modifications. The mAbs recognized MDA-adducts in a variety of proteins. Interestingly, the most reactive clone, originated from an IgG1-bearing memory B cell, was encoded by germline variable genes, and showed similarity to previously reported natural IgM. Other anti-MDA clones display somatic hypermutations and lower reactivity. These anti-MDA antibodies had significant in vitro functional properties and induced enhanced osteoclastogenesis, while the natural antibody related high-reactivity clone did not. We postulate that these may represent distinctly different facets of anti-MDA autoreactive responses

Engineered expression of the invertebrate‐specific scorpion toxin AaHIT reduces adult longevity and female fecundity in the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella

Background: Previous Genetic Pest Management (GPM) systems in diamondback moth (DBM) have relied on expressing lethal proteins (‘effectors’) that are ‘cell‐autonomous’ i.e. do not leave the cell they are expressed in. To increase the flexibility of future GPM systems in DBM, we aimed to assess the use of a non cell‐autonomous, invertebrate‐specific, neurotoxic effector – the scorpion toxin AaHIT. This AaHIT effector was designed to be secreted by expressing cells, potentially leading to effects on distant cells, specifically neuromuscular junctions. Results: Expression of AaHIT caused a ‘shaking/quivering’ phenotype which could be repressed by provision of an antidote (tetracycline); a phenotype consistent with the AaHIT mode‐of‐action. This effect was more pronounced when AaHIT expression was driven by the Hr5/ie1 promoter (82.44% of males, 65.14% of females) rather than Op/ie2 (57.35% of males, 48.39% of females). Contrary to expectations, the shaking phenotype and observed fitness costs were limited to adults where they caused severe reductions in mean longevity (‐81%) and median female fecundity (‐93%). qPCR of AaHIT expression patterns and analysis of piggyBac‐mediated transgene insertion sites suggest that restriction of observed effects to the adult stages may be due to influence of local genomic environment on the tetO‐AaHIT transgene. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the feasibility of using non cell‐autonomous effectors within a GPM context for the first time in the Lepidoptera, one of the most economically damaging orders of insects. These findings provide a framework for extending this system to other pest Lepidoptera and to other secreted effectors

Evaluation of FluSight influenza forecasting in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons with a new target laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations

Accurate forecasts can enable more effective public health responses during seasonal influenza epidemics. For the 2021–22 and 2022–23 influenza seasons, 26 forecasting teams provided national and jurisdiction-specific probabilistic predictions of weekly confirmed influenza hospital admissions for one-to-four weeks ahead. Forecast skill is evaluated using the Weighted Interval Score (WIS), relative WIS, and coverage. Six out of 23 models outperform the baseline model across forecast weeks and locations in 2021–22 and 12 out of 18 models in 2022–23. Averaging across all forecast targets, the FluSight ensemble is the 2nd most accurate model measured by WIS in 2021–22 and the 5th most accurate in the 2022–23 season. Forecast skill and 95% coverage for the FluSight ensemble and most component models degrade over longer forecast horizons. In this work we demonstrate that while the FluSight ensemble was a robust predictor, even ensembles face challenges during periods of rapid change