Unassisted and carbon dioxide-assisted hydro- and Steam-distillation: modelling kinetics, energy consumption And chemical and biological activities of volatile oils

The demand for more suitable eco-friendly extraction processes has grown over the last few decades and driven research to develop efficient extraction processes with low energy consumption and low costs, but always assuring the quality of the volatile oils (VOs). The present study estimated the kinetic extraction and energy consumption of simultaneous hydro- and steam-distillation (SHSD), and SHSD assisted by carbon dioxide (SHSDACD), using an adopted modelling approach. The two isolation methods influenced the VOs yield, chemical composition and biological activities, namely, antioxidant, anti-glucosidase, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-inflammatory properties. SHSDACD provided higher VOs yields than the SHSD at a shorter extraction time: 2.8% at 30 min vs. 2.0% at 120 min, respectively, for Rosmarinus officinalis, 1.5% at 28 min vs. 1.2% at 100 min, respectively, for Lavandula angustifolia, and 1.7% at 20 min vs. 1.6% at 60 min, respectively, for Origanum compactum. The first order and sigmoid model fitted to SHSD and SHSDACD, respectively, with R2 value at 96% and with mean square error (MSE) < 5%, where the k distillation rate constant of SHSDACD was fivefold higher and the energy consumption 10 times lower than the SHSD. The rosemary SHSD and SHSDACD VOs chemical composition were similar and dominated by 1,8-cineole (50% and 48%, respectively), and camphor (15% and 12%, respectively). However, the lavender and oregano SHSDACD VOs were richer in linalyl acetate and carvacrol, respectively, than the SHSD VOs. The SHSDACD VOs generally showed better capacity for scavenging the nitric oxide and superoxide anions free radicals as well as for inhibiting α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and lipoxygenase.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Achieving efficient water management at the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil

In 2015, the water crisis affecting the São Paulo Metropolitan Region reached its peak. The Federal Government published an Ordinance stablishing good practices in the management and use of water and electricity. This work aimed to verify if the management actions performed at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo were effective for water consumption reduction. It was analyzed secondary data of the monthly water consumption at campuses and Rectory, from 2014 to 2016. Statistical analyses were carried out comparing the water consumption between the periods pre- and post-intervention, which occurred in February 2015. The results show that the intervention reduced per capita water consumption by 33% in 2015 and 35% in 2016, saving up more than 65,000 m3 of water. These management actions were effective, and helped the academic population to achieve a more efficiently use of water and financial resources, becoming more sustainable.In 2015, the water crisis affecting the São Paulo Metropolitan Region reached its peak. The Federal Government published an Ordinance establishing good practices in the management and use of water and electricity. This work aims to verify if management actions performed at the Federal University of São Paulo were effective for water consumption reduction. We assessed measures such as awareness campaigns, water reuse, water pressure regulator installation, identification of leaks, irrigation and washing of floors reduction. It was analyzed secondary data of the monthly water consumption at campuses and Rectory, from 2014 to 2016. Statistical analyses were carried out comparing the water consumption between the pre and post-intervention periods, which occurred in February 2015. The results show that the intervention reduced per capita water consumption by 33% in 2015 and 35% in 2016, saving up more than 65,000 m3 of water. These management actions proved to be effective, and the academic population achieved a more efficient use of water and financial resources, becoming more sustainable

An Empirical Study on the Influence of Genetic Operators for Molecular Docking Optimization

Evolutionary approaches to molecular docking typically use a real-value encoding with standard genetic operators. Mutation is usually based on Gaussian and Cauchy distributions whereas for crossover no special considerations are made. The choice of operators is important for an efficient algorithm for this problem. We investigate their effect by performing a locality, heritability and heuristic bias analysis. Our investigation focus on encoding properties and how the different variation operators affect them. It is important to understand the behavior and influence of these components in order to design new and more efficient evolutionary algorithms for the molecular docking problem. Results confirm that high locality is important and explain the behavior of different crossover and mutation operators. In addition, the heritability and heuristic bias study provides some insights in how the different crossover operators perform. Optimization runs in different instances of the problem support the analysis findings. The performance and behavior of the variation operators are consistent on several molecules

Vaccine safety evaluation: Practical aspects in assessing benefits and risks

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The Roosevelt – Rondon expedition marmoset (Mico marcai) : unveiling the conservation status of a data deficient species

The Roosevelt-Rondon Expedition marmoset, Mico marcai, was collected in 1914 and to date, all information on this species comes from three skins brought back by the Expedition and two additional skins collected in the 1990s. It is no surprise then that M.marcai has been classified as Data Deficient (DD). Given that Mico marcai’s suspected range sits on the path of the advancing Brazilian “Arc-of-Deforestation”, it is urgent that relevant data be collected to assess this taxon. Here we present the first comprehensive field data on the distribution, population size and threats on M. marcai with the goal of removing the species from the DD category. From 2012 to 2015, we surveyed for the species in 11 localities, in and around the Marmelos-Aripuanã interfluve, and estimated density using distance sampling on 10 transects. We also used spatial predictive modelling to project the amount of habitat that will be lost within its range in 18 years under different deforestation scenarios. We found marmosets in 14 localities and calculated its Extent of Occurrence to be 31,073 km2. We walked 271 km and detected 30 marmoset groups, allowing us to estimate their density to be 8.31 individuals/km2 and a total population of 258,217.71 individuals. By a “Business as usual” scenario, 20,181 km2 of habitat will be lost in three marmoset generations (~18 years), compromising 33% of the species’ range. Accordingly, M. marcai should be classified as globally Vulnerable under category A3c. Following our study, we propose the Amazonian marmosets, genus Mico, should undergo similar re-assessment as their ranges all fall in the path of the Arc-of-Deforestation. Keywords: Amazonian marmosets, Conservation Status, Data Deficient, Habitat Loss, Southern Amazoni

Controlling the Trade-Off between Resource Efficiency and User Satisfaction in NDNs Based on Naïve Bayes Data Classification and Lagrange Method

[EN] This paper addresses the fundamental problem of the trade-off between resource efficiency and user satisfaction in the limited environments of Named Data Networks (NDNs). The proposed strategy is named RADC (Resource Allocation based Data Classification), which aims at managing such trade-off by controlling the system's fairness index. To this end, a machine learning technique based on Multinomial Naive Bayes is used to classify the received contents. Then, an adaptive resource allocation strategy based on the Lagrange utility function is proposed. To cache the received content, an adequate content placement and a replacement mechanism are enforced. Simulation at the system level shows that this strategy could be a powerful tool for administrators to manage the trade-off between efficiency and user satisfaction.This work is derived from R&D project RTI2018-096384-B-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and "ERDF A way of making Europe".Herouala, AT.; Kerrache, CA.; Ziani, B.; Tavares De Araujo Cesariny Calafate, CM.; Lagraa, N.; Tahari, AEK. (2022). Controlling the Trade-Off between Resource Efficiency and User Satisfaction in NDNs Based on Naïve Bayes Data Classification and Lagrange Method. Future Internet. 14(2):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi1402004811414

Polyubiquitin binding to ABIN1 is required to prevent autoimmunity

The protein ABIN1 possesses a polyubiquitin-binding domain homologous to that present in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) essential modulator (NEMO), a component of the inhibitor of NF-kappa B (I kappa B) kinase (IKK) complex. To address the physiological significance of polyubiquitin binding, we generated knockin mice expressing the ABIN1[D485N] mutant instead of the wild-type (WT) protein. These mice developed all the hallmarks of autoimmunity, including spontaneous formation of germinal centers, isotype switching, and production of autoreactive antibodies. Autoimmunity was suppressed by crossing to MyD88(-/-) mice, demonstrating that toll-like receptor (TLR)-MyD88 signaling pathways are needed for the phenotype to develop. The B cells and myeloid cells of the ABIN1[D485N] mice showed enhanced activation of the protein kinases TAK, IKK-alpha/beta, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38 alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase and produced more IL-6 and IL-12 than WT. The mutant B cells also proliferated more rapidly in response to TLR ligands. Our results indicate that the interaction of ABIN1 with polyubiquitin is required to limit the activation of TLR-MyD88 pathways and prevent autoimmunity

Compulsive features in behavioural addictions: the case of pathological gambling

Aims To describe, in the context of DSM-V, how a focus on addiction and compulsion is emerging in the consideration of pathological gambling (PG). Methods A systematic literature review of evidence for the proposed re-classification of PG as an addiction. Results Findings include: (i) phenomenological models of addiction highlighting a motivational shift from impulsivity to compulsivity associated with a protracted withdrawal syndrome and blurring of the ego-syntonic/ego-dystonic dichotomy; (ii) common neurotransmitter (dopamine, serotonin) contributions to PG and substance use disorders (SUDs); (iii) neuroimaging support for shared neurocircuitries between behavioural and substance addictions and differences between obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), impulse control disorders (ICDs) and SUDs; (iv) genetic findings more closely related to endophenotypic constructs such as compulsivity and impulsivity than to psychiatric disorders; (v) psychological measures such as harm avoidance identifying a closer association between SUDs and PG than with OCD; (vi) community and pharmacotherapeutic trials data supporting a closer association between SUDs and PG than with OCD. Adapted behavioural therapies, such as exposure therapy, appear applicable to OCD, PG or SUDs, suggesting some commonalities across disorders. Conclusions PG shares more similarities with SUDs than with OCD. Similar to the investigation of impulsivity, studies of compulsivity hold promising insights concerning the course, differential diagnosis and treatment of PG, SUDs, and OCD.LundbeckLundbeckServierServierCristaliaCristaliaRocheRocheSandozSandozMohegan Sun CasinoMohegan Sun CasinoNational Center for Responsible GamingNational Center for Responsible GamingAlberta Gaming Research InstituteAlberta Gaming Research InstituteNIH [R01 DA019039, R01 DA020908, RL1 AA017539, RC1 DA028279, P20 DA027844]NI

Massive Spin-2 States as the Origin of the Top Quark Forward-Backward Asymmetry

We show that the anomalously large top quark forward-backward asymmetry observed by CDF and D\O\, can naturally be accommodated in models with flavor-violating couplings of a new massive spin-2 state to quarks. Regardless of its origin, the lowest-order couplings of a spin-2 boson to fermions are analogous to the coupling of the graviton to energy/momentum, leading to strong sensitivity of the effects associated with its virtual exchange to the energy scales at hand. Precisely due to this fact, the observed dependence of the asymmetry on the $t\bar t$ invariant mass fits nicely into the proposed framework. In particular, we find a vast parameter space which can lead to the central value for the observed forward-backward asymmetry in the high mass bin, while being in accord with all of the existing experimental constraints.Comment: added discussion of differential observables at the LHC, matches version accepted for publication in JHE

Structural transitions during the scaffolding-driven assembly of a viral capsid

Assembly of tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses starts with formation of procapsids (virion precursors without DNA). Scaffolding proteins (SP) drive assembly by chaperoning the major capsid protein (MCP) to build an icosahedral lattice. Here we report cryo-EM near-atomic structures of the bacteriophage SPP1 procapsid, the intermediate expanded procapsid with partially released SPs, and the mature capsid with DNA. In the intermediate state SPs are bound only to MCP pentons and to adjacent subunits from hexons. SP departure results in the expanded state associated with unfolding of the MCP N-terminus and straightening of E-loops. The newly formed extensive inter-capsomere bonding appears to compensate for release of SPs that clasp MCP capsomeres together. Subsequent DNA packaging instigates bending of MCP A domain loops outwards closing the hexons central opening, creating the capsid auxiliary protein binding interface. These findings uncover a molecular basis for the sequential structural rearrangements during viral capsid maturation. Athanasios , Sandrine , Mehdi , Jörg , Thorsten , Maya , Paulo , Elena V