Abstract: There has been an increase in the application of different biomaterials to repair hard tissues. Within these biomaterials, calcium phosphate (CaP) bioceramics are suitable candidates, since they can be biocompatible, biodegradable, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive. Moreover, during sintering, bioceramic materials are prone to form micropores and undergo changes in their surface topographical features, which influence cellular physiology and bone ingrowth. In this study, five geometrical properties from the surface of CaP bioceramic particles and their micropores were analyzed by data mining techniques, driven by the research question: what are the geometrical properties of individual micropores in a CaP bioceramic, and how do they relate to each other? The analysis not only shows that it is feasible to determine the existence of micropore clusters, but also to quantify their geometrical properties. As a result, these CaP bioceramic particles present three groups of micropore clusters distinctive by their geometrical properties. Consequently, this new methodological clustering assessment can be applied to advance the knowledge about CaP bioceramics and their role in bone tissue engineering.

Abstract: Molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) are receiving broad interest as robust and highly selective synthetic receptors for a variety of molecules. Due to their stability, inexpensive synthesis and easy implementation, they are considered a promising alternative to antibodies in sensors, diagnostics and separation applications. The most challenging targets for the production of synthetic receptors are proteins due to their fragile nature and the multitude of possible binding sites in their structure. Herein, we describe the modification and optimization of the protocol for synthesis of nanoMIPs with specificity for proteins using the prototype of an automated solid-phase synthesizer. Using an automated system gives an advantage for the simple, fast and fully controlled, reproducible production of nanoMIPs. The molecular imprinting in the reactor is performed using a template covalently immobilized on a solid support, in mild conditions suitable for preserving protein native structure. The validation of the protocol was made by assessing the ability to regenerate a solid-phase, and by measuring affinity and specificity of nanoparticles. As a model protein, we have chosen trypsin since its enzymatic activity can be easily monitored by using a commercial colorimetric assay. Different protocols were tested for their ability to improve the yield of high affinity nanoparticles in the final elution.

Abstract: Fragile X-associated disorders are a family of genetic conditions resulting from the partial or complete loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Among these disorders, fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism. Progress in basic neuroscience has led to identification of molecular targets for treatment in FXS; however, there is a gap in translation to targeted therapies in humans. This study introduces a novel therapeutic target for FXS, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor known to induce expression of over 100 cytoprotective genes. We also show that NNZ2566, a drug that has successfully completed a phase 2 clinical trial in FXS, is effective in modulating this target in FXS, partially reversing the FXS phenotype; NNZ2566 has a therapeutic role as Nrf2 activator. Effectively, treatment with NNZ2566 normalizes the translocation of Nrf2 to the nucleus, inducing expression of numerous oxidative stress-related genes including NQO1 (NAD(P) H dehydrogenase quinone 1), GST-alpha 1 (glutathione S-transferase alpha-1) and EH (epoxide hydrolase) and has a knockdown effect on E-cadherin. In summary, the Nrf2/ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway appears to be a novel promising therapeutic target for FXS and NNZ2566 appears to be acting as an activator of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and suggests a potential benefit across multiple symptoms that could be associated with the pathobiological processes underlying FXS.

Abstract: Microbial electrolysis batch reactor systems were studied employing different conditions, paying attention on the effect that biocathode potential has on pH and system performance, with the overall aim to distinguish sulphate reduction from H-2 evolution. Inocula from pure strains (Desulfovibrio paquesii and Desulfobacter halotolerans) were compared to a natural source conditioned inoculum. The natural inoculum possess the potential for sulphate reduction on serum bottles experiments due to the activity of mutualistic bacteria (Sedimentibacter sp. and Bacteroides sp.) that assist sulphate-reducing bacterial cells (Desulfovibrio sp.) present in the consortium. Electrochemical batch reactors were monitored at two different potentials (graphite-bar cathodes poised at -900 and -400mV versus standard hydrogen electrode) in an attempt to isolate bioelectrochemical sulphate reduction from hydrogen evolution. At -900mV all inocula were able to reduce sulphate with the consortium demonstrating superior performance (SO42- consumption: 25.71 g m(-2) day(-1)), despite the high alkalinisation of the media. At -400mV only the pure Desulfobacter halotolerans inoculated system was able to reduce sulphate (SO42- consumption: 17.47 g m(-2) day(-1)) and, in this potential condition, pH elevation was less for all systems, confirming direct (or at least preferential) bioelectrochemical reduction of sulphate over H-2 production. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Herein, we aimed to obtain NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) with a controlled phase and surface morphology as a highly active and stable oxygen evolution catalyst via the electrochemical deposition method, which was thermodynamically stable for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline medium. The NiFe-LDH sample was analyzed by sophisticated instruments and tested as an electrocatalyst on Toray carbon (TC). The NiFe-LDH electrocatalyst showed an excellent performance with lower overpotential of 0.27 V at 35 mA cm(-2) and higher density of 125 mA cm(-2) for OER in the 1 M KOH electrolyte solution. Moreover, the prepared catalyst exhibited unpredictable long-time stability for 700 h. From our knowledge, NiFe-LDH is a robust highly stable electrocatalyst compared to the recent reports.

Abstract: We study a simple magnetic system composed of periodically modulated magnetic dipoles with an easy axis. Upon adjusting the geometric modulation amplitude alone, chains and two-dimensional stacked chains exhibit a rich magnon spectrum where frequency gaps and magnon speeds are easily manipulable. The blend of anisotropy due to dipolar interactions between magnets and geometrical modulation induces a magnetic phase with fractional Zak number in infinite chains and end states in open one-dimensional systems. In two dimensions it gives rise to topological modes at the edges of stripes. Tuning the amplitude in two-dimensional lattices causes a band touching, which triggers the exchange of the Chern numbers of the volume bands and switches the sign of the thermal conductivity.

Abstract: By adapting the Madelung-Bohm formalism to paraxial wave propagation we show, by using Ermakov-Lewis techniques, that the Gouy phase is related to the form of the phase chosen in order to produce a Gaussian function as a propagated field. For this, we introduce a quantum mechanical invariant, that it is explicitly time dependent. We finally show that the effective Bohm index of refraction generates a GRIN medium that produces the focusing needed for the Gouy phase.

Abstract: Phosphorus (as phosphate, Pi) and iron (Fe) are critical nutrients in plants that are often poorly available in the soil and can be microbially affected. This work aimed to evaluate how plant-rhizobacteria interaction changes due to different Pi or Fe nutritional scenarios and to study the underlying molecular mechanisms of the microbial modulation of these nutrients in plants. Thus, three proteobacteria (Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN, Azospirillum brasilense Sp7, and Pseudomonas putida KT2440) were used to inoculate Arabidopsis seeds. Additionally, the seeds were exposed to a nutritional factor with the following levels for each nutrient: sufficient (control) or low concentrations of a highly soluble source or sufficient concentrations of a low solubility source. Then, the effects of the combinatorial factors were assessed in plant growth, nutrition, and genetic regulation. Interestingly, some bacterial effects in plants depended on the nutrient source (e.g., increased aerial zones induced by the strains), and others (e.g., decreased primary roots induced by Sp7 or KT2440) occurred regardless of the nutritional treatment. In the short-term, PsJN had detrimental effects on plant growth in the presence of the low-solubility Fe compound, but this was not observed in later stages of plant development. A thorough regulation of the phosphorus content was detected in plants independent of the nutritional treatment. Nevertheless, inoculation with KT2440 increased P content by 29% Pi-deficiency exposed plants. Conversely, the inoculation tended to decrease the Fe content in plants, suggesting a competition for this nutrient in the rhizosphere. The P-source also affected the effects of the PsJN strain in a double mutant of the phosphate starvation response (PSR). Furthermore, depending on the nutrient source, PsJN and Sp7 strains differentially regulated PSR and IAA- associated genes, indicating a role of these pathways in the observed differential phenotypical responses. In the case of iron, PsJN and SP7 regulated iron uptake-related genes regardless of the iron source, which may explain the lower Fe content in inoculated plants. Overall, the plant responses to these proteobacteria were not only influenced by the nutrient concentrations but also by their availabilities, the elapsed time of the interaction, and the specific identities of the beneficial bacteria.

Abstract: The present paper presents a numerical study to investigate and assess the heat transfer behavior of a copper and salt composite. A mixture of nitrates, KNO3-NaNO3, within a deformable spherical shell coating of copper will be used as an encapsulated phase change material, E-PCM. In the context of a thermo-mechanical analysis of this E-PCM, a simulation is proposed to determine its storage capacity and properties The melting, or solidification of the encapsulated PCM particles do not provoke cracking of the deformable shell. (C) 2014 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Heat capture and storage is important in both solar energy projects and in the recovery of waste heat from industrial processes. Whereas heat capture will mostly rely on the use of a heat carrier, the high efficiency heat storage needs to combine sensible and latent heat storage with phase change materials (PCMs) to provide a high energy density storage. The present paper briefly reviews energy developments and storage techniques, with special emphasis on thermal energy storage and the use of PCM. It thereafter illustrates first results obtained when encapsulating NaNO3/KNO3-PCM in an AISI 321 tube, as example of a storage application using a multi-tubular exchanger filled with PCM. To increase the effective thermal conductivity of the PCM, 2 inserts i.e. metallic foam and metallic sponge are also tested. Experimental discharging (cooling) rates are interpreted by both solving the unsteady-state conduction equation, and by using Comsol Multiphysics. Predictions and experimental temperature evolutions are in fair agreement, and the effect of the inserts is clearly reflected by the increased effective thermal conductivity of the insert-PCM composite. Application of Comsol to predict the mechanical behavior of the system, when melting and associated expansion increase the internal pressure, demonstrates that the pressure build-up is far below the Young's modulus of the AISI 321 encapsulation and that this shell will not crack (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.