A chloroform extract obtained from a decoction of Ficus carica leaves improves the cholesterolaemic status of rats with streptootocin-includede diabetes

The antidiabetic effects of Ficus carica leaf extracts have been reported previously. From the aqueous decoction of fig leaves, after treatment with HCl, centrifuging, treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and extraction with chloroform (CHCl 3 ), the administration of the organic phase rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes led to a decline in the levels of total cholesterol and an decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (with respect to the control group), together with a reduction of the hyperglycaemia

Teacher-Rated Executive Functions, Gender and Relative Age: Independent and Interactive Effects on Observed Fundamental Motor Skills in Kindergarteners

Fundamental motor skills (FMS) of children can be affected by different variables, such as executive functions (EF), gender and relative age. However, the effects of these variables on FMS have been scarce studied, especially in early childhood, and show inconsistent results. To clarify these relationships, this study was carried out. Its aim was to analyze whether EF, gender and relative age influenced FMS in 43 Spanish kindergarteners. A multimethod and mixed methods approach was used. Kindergarteners’ teachers completed the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory to know the children level of EF (working memory and inhibition control). Kindergarteners’ parents complimented ad hoc questionnaire reporting the children gender and birth data (to know their relative age). A Nomothetic/Punctual/Multidimensional observational design was used to observe children FMS in their habitual motor sessions at school. Two-way ANOVAs were performed to know the independent and interactive effects of working memory level (lower/higher), inhibition control level (lower/higher), gender (boys/girls) and relative age (according to the birth semester in the year) on FMS. Results showed these variables have independent and interactive effects on some FMS, but not on others. FMS influenced by these variables vary depending what independent variable(s) is/are considered. Therefore, it can be concluded that the influences of teacher-rated EF, gender and relative age on observed FMS in kindergarteners are complex and specific. Results obtained must be taken into to design and implement instructional and intervention strategies, as well as educational and sport policy changes, especially in early childhood, when FMS are more malleable

Un mundo diferente: las cuevas de osos. El caso de la cueva ce Amutxate (Aralar, Navarra)

Las campañas de excavación en la cueva de Amutxate en las que todo el sedimento fue lavado y cribado han permitido estudiar los aspecto taxonómicos de una típica acumulación de resto de oso de las cavernas. Se han recuperado más de 15000 restos de oso de las cavernas, menos de 20 restos de grandes mamíferos y cuatro piezas líticas. Los yacimientos de oso se presentan como el palimsesto de múltiples ocupaciones en las que el papel que juega el oso de las cavernas como acumulador de restos de otros mamíferos es despreciable. Palabras clave: Ursus spelaeus, tafonomía. distribución de edad, distribución de sexo, preservación anatómica

Controlling the size of two-dimensional polymer platelets for water-in-water emulsifiers

A wide range of biorelevant applications, partic- ularly in pharmaceutical formulations and the food and cosmetic industries, require the stabilization of two water-soluble blended components which would otherwise form incompatible biphasic mixtures. Such water-in-water emulsions can be achieved using Pickering stabilization, where two-dimensional (2D) nanomateri- als are particularly effective due to their high surface area. However, control over the shape and size of the 2D nanomaterials is challenging, where it has not yet been possible to examine chemically identical nanostructures with the same thickness but different surface areas to probe the size-effect on emulsion stabilization ability. Hence, the rationale design and realization of the full potential of Pickering water-in-water emulsion stabilization have not yet been achieved. Herein, we report for the first time 2D poly(lactide) platelets with tunable sizes (with varying coronal chemistry) and of uniform shape using a crystallization-driven self-assembly methodology. We have used this series of nanostructures to explore the effect of 2D platelet size and chemistry on the stabilization of a water-in-water emulsion of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/dextran mixture. We have demonstrated that cationic, zwitterionic, and neutral large platelets (ca. 3.7 × 10 6 nm 2 ) all attain smaller droplet sizes and more stable emulsions than their respective smaller platelets (ca. 1.2 × 105 nm 2 ). This series of 2D platelets of controlled dimensions provides an excellent exemplar system for the investigation of the effect of just the surface area on the potential effectiveness in a particular applicationPostprint (published version

Practical guide to single-protein AFM nanomechanical spectroscopy mapping: insights and pitfalls as unraveled by all-atom MD simulations on immunoglobulin G

Atomic force microscopy is an invaluable characterization tool in almost every biophysics laboratory. However, obtaining atomic/sub-nanometer resolution on single proteins has thus far remained elusive - a feat long achieved on hard substrates. In this regard, nanomechanical spectroscopy mapping may provide a viable approach to overcome this limitation. By complementing topography with mechanical properties measured locally, one may thus enhance spatial resolution at the single-protein level. In this work, we perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the indentation process on a single immunoglobulin G (IgG) adsorbed on a graphene slab. Our simulations reveal three different stages as a function of strain: a noncontact regime - where the mechanical response is linked to the presence of the water environment - followed by an elastic response and a final plastic deformation regime. In the noncontact regime, we are able to identify hydrophobic/hydrophilic patches over the protein. This regime provides the most local mechanical information that allows one to discern different regions with similar height/topography and leads to the best spatial resolution. In the elastic regime, we conclude that the Young modulus is a well-defined property only within mechanically decoupled domains. This is caused by the fact that the elastic deformation is associated with a global reorganization of the domain. Differences in the mechanical response are large enough to clearly resolve domains within a single protein, such as the three subunits forming the IgG. Two events, unfolding or protein slipping, are observed in the plastic regime. Our simulations allow us to characterize these two processes and to provide a strategy to identify them in the force curves. Finally, we elaborate on possible challenges that could hamper the interpretation of such experiments/simulations and how to overcome them. All in all, our simulations provide a detailed picture of nanomechanical spectroscopy mapping on single proteins, showing its potential and the challenges that need to be overcome to unlock its full potentialJ.G.V. acknowledges funding from a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship within the Horizon 2020 framework (Grant No. DLV-795286) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grant No. CRSK-2 190731/1). R.P. acknowledges support from the Spanish MINECO (Grant No. MAT2017-83273-R) and from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) through the “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence in R&D (Grant No. CEX2018-000805-M). R.G. acknowledges funding from the MICINN (Grant No. PID2019-106801GB-I00) and Comunidad de Madrid Grant No. S2018/NMT-4443 (Tec4Bio-CM). We thankfully acknowledge the computer resources, technical expertise, and assistance provided by the Red Española de Supercomputación (RES) at the Minotauro and CTE-Power9 supercomputers (BSC, Barcelona). We thank Dr. Alejandro Martín-González for fruitful discussion

Polyester Brush Coatings for Circularity:Grafting, Degradation, and Repeated Growth

Polymer brushes are widely used as versatile surface modifications. However, most of them are designed to be long-lasting by using nonbiodegradable materials. This generates additional plastic waste and hinders the reusability of substrates. To address this, we present a synthetic strategy for grafting degradable polymer brushes via organocatalytic surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization (SI-ROP) from stable PGMA-based macroinitiators. This yields polyester brush coatings (up to 50 nm in thickness) that hydrolyze with controlled patterns and can be regrown on the same substrate after degradation. We chose polyesters of different hydrolytic stability and degradation mechanism, i.e., poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which are grown from poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA)-based macroinitiators for strong surface binding and initiating site reuse. Brush degradation is monitored via thickness changes in pH-varied buffer solutions and seawater with PHB brushes showing rapid degradation in all solutions. PLA and PCL brushes show higher stability in solutions of up to pH 8, while all coatings fully degrade after 14 days in seawater. These brushes offer surface modifications with well-defined degradation patterns that can be regrown after degradation, making them an interesting alternative to (meth)acrylate-based, nondegradable polymers brushes.</p

Association of Endogenous Hormones and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between endogenous hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 798 postmenopausal women aged 47-85 years. Data were collected on age, age at menopause, years since menopause, smoking status, body mass index, adiposity, BMD, physical activity, and Vitamin D supplementation. Measured hormonal parameters were: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 4-androstenedione, cortisol, insulin-like growth factor-1, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and parathormone (PTH) levels. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A directed acyclic graph was used to select potential confounding variables. Results: Multivariable analysis showed significant associations between cortisol and femoral neck BMD (β: -0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.03 - 0.00), and PTH with femoral neck BMD (β: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.02 - 0.01) and total hip BMD (β: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.01 - 0.00). Hormonal factors more likely associated with a higher risk of low BMD (osteopenia or osteoporosis) were FSH (odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) and PTH (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04). Conclusions: Higher cortisol and PTH levels were inversely associated with BMD. Postmenopausal women with higher FSH or PTH levels were likely to have low BMD. © 2023 Journal of Mid-life Health

Rectification of electronic heat current by a hybrid thermal diode

We report the realization of an ultra-efficient low-temperature hybrid heat current rectifier, thermal counterpart of the well-known electric diode. Our design is based on a tunnel junction between two different elements: a normal metal and a superconducting island. Electronic heat current asymmetry in the structure arises from large mismatch between the thermal properties of these two. We demonstrate experimentally temperature differences exceeding $60$ mK between the forward and reverse thermal bias configurations. Our device offers a remarkably large heat rectification ratio up to $\sim 140$ and allows its prompt implementation in true solid-state thermal nanocircuits and general-purpose electronic applications requiring energy harvesting or thermal management and isolation at the nanoscale.Comment: 8 pages, 6 color figure

Percepciones positivas del consumo de cerveza entre estudiantes universitarios portugueses

The abusive consumption of alcohol by college students has negative effects on both individual and public health. Positive expectations about alcohol are related to behaviours and patterns of consumption frequently acquired in adolescence. Objective. This study analyses the impact of individual variables (gender, age at first drink, being away from home, and first option degree course) on beer consumption in first-year college students. The moderating effect of positive perceptions about alcohol consumption will also be considered. Method. The sample comprised 214 first-year college students at a Portuguese public university. Results. Positive perceptions of alcohol consumption had an impact on levels of beer consumption and the rate of beer consumption could be explained by just four student variables: age at first drink, gender, first option degree course, and positive perceptions of alcohol consumption. The indices of model fit were adequate. Conclusions. Interventions targeting reductions of student’s alcohol consumption should consider the effects of positive perceptions of alcohol.El consumo abusivo de alcohol por parte de estudiantes universitarios tiene efectos negativos tanto en la salud individual y pública. Las expectativas positivas sobre el alcohol están relacionadas con comportamientos y patrones de consumo frecuentemente adquiridos en la adolescencia. Objetivo. Este estudio analiza el impacto de las variables individuales (género, edad al primer trago, estar fuera de casa y primer curso de grado de opción) en el consumo de cerveza en estudiantes universitarios de primer año. También se considerará el efecto moderador de las percepciones positivas sobre el consumo de alcohol. Método. La muestra comprendió 214 estudiantes universitarios de primer año en una universidad pública portuguesa. Resultados. Las percepciones positivas del consumo de alcohol tuvieron un impacto en los niveles de consumo de cerveza y la tasa de consumo de cerveza podría explicarse por solo cuatro variables de los estudiantes: edad al primer trago, sexo, curso de primer grado y percepciones positivas del consumo de alcohol. Los índices de ajuste del modelo fueron adecuados. Conclusiones. Las intervenciones dirigidas a las reducciones en el consumo de alcohol de los estudiantes deben considerar los efectos de las percepciones positivas del alcoholCIEd – Research Centre on Education, Institute of Education, University of Minho, projects UIDB/01661/2020 and UIDP/01661/2020, through national funds of FCT/MCTES-PT. Joana R. Casanova received funding from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) as a Doctoral Grant, under grant agreement number SFRH/BD/117902/201

Demilitarized network to secure the data stored in industrial networks

Currently, the data and variables of a control system are the most important elements to be safeguarded in an industrial network, so it is vitally important to ensure their safety. This paper presents the design and simulation of a demilitarized network (DMZ) using firewalls to control access to all the information that is stored in the servers of the industrial network of the Hermanos Díaz Refinery in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. In addition, the characteristics, configurations, methods, and rules of DMZs and firewalls are shown, select the configuration with three multi-legged firewalls as the most appropriate for our application, since it allows efficient exchange of data guaranteeing security and avoiding the violation of the control system. Finally, the simulation of the proposed network is carried out