Novel Recycling of Epoxy Thermosets by Blending with Reversible Diels-Alder Epoxy Resin.

The introduction of Diels-Alder (D-A) bonds into epoxy resins is a promising pathway to convert these unrecyclable materials into sustainable materials. However, D-A bonds make epoxy resins extremely brittle materials and hinder their practical usability. Nonetheless, the reversibility of D-A bonds allows the transition of the material to a de-crosslinked network formed by separated oligomers that can melt above 90-100 °C.

Epigenetic programming of host lipid metabolism associated with resistance to TST/IGRA conversion after exposure to .

(Mtb) exposure leads to a range of outcomes including clearance, latent TB infection (LTBI), and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Some heavily exposed individuals resist tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) release assay (IGRA) conversion (RSTR), which suggests that they employ IFNγ-independent mechanisms of Mtb control. Here, we compare monocyte epigenetic profiles of RSTR and LTBI from a Ugandan household contact cohort.

Human Alveolar and Monocyte-Derived Human Macrophage Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) mediate early lung immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Differences in the response of these distinct cell types are poorly understood and may provide insight into mechanisms of tuberculosis pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether M.

Epigenetic programming of host lipid metabolism associates with resistance to TST/IGRA conversion after exposure to tuberculosis.

(Mtb) exposure leads to a range of outcomes including clearance, latent TB infection (LTBI), and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Some heavily exposed individuals resist tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) conversion (RSTR), which suggests that they employ IFNγ-independent mechanisms of Mtb control. Here, we compare monocyte epigenetic profiles of RSTR and LTBI from a Ugandan household contact cohort.

Development of an Electroactive and Thermo-Reversible Diels-Alder Epoxy Nanocomposite Doped with Carbon Nanotubes.

The manufacturing of Diels-Alder (D-A) crosslinked epoxy nanocomposites is an emerging field with several challenges to overcome: the synthesis is complex due to side reactions, the mechanical properties are hindered by the brittleness of these bonds, and the content of carbon nanotubes (CNT) added to achieve electroactivity is much higher than the percolation thresholds of other conventional resins. In this work, we develop nanocomposites with different D-A crosslinking ratios (0, 0.6, and 1.

Epoxy Composites Reinforced with ZnO from Waste Alkaline Batteries.

The zinc alkaline battery is one of the most popular sources of portable electrical energy, with more than 300,000 tons being consumed per year. Accordingly, it is critical to recycle its components. In this work, we propose the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) microparticles recovered from worn-out batteries as fillers of epoxy resins.

Electrical Properties and Strain Sensing Mechanisms in Hybrid Graphene Nanoplatelet/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites.

Electrical and electromechanical properties of hybrid graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)/carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced composites were analyzed under two different sonication conditions. The electrical conductivity increases with increasing nanofiller content, while the optimum sonication time decreases in a low viscosity media. Therefore, for samples with a higher concentration of GNPs, an increase of sonication time of the hybrid GNP/CNT mixture generally leads to an enhancement of the electrical conductivity, up to values of 3 S/m.

Complex Geometry Strain Sensors Based on 3D Printed Nanocomposites: Spring, Three-Column Device and Footstep-Sensing Platform.

Electromechanical sensing devices, based on resins doped with carbon nanotubes, were developed by digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology in order to increase design freedom and identify new future and innovative applications. The analysis of electromechanical properties was carried out on specific sensors manufactured by DLP 3D printing technology with complex geometries: a spring, a three-column device and a footstep-sensing platform based on the three-column device. All of them show a great sensitivity of the measured electrical resistance to the applied load and high cyclic reproducibility, demonstrating their versatility and applicability to be implemented in numerous items in our daily lives or in industrial devices.

HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966 controls bacterial growth and modulates macrophage signaling during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Rationale: Host-directed therapeutics for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) offer potential strategies for combatting antibiotic resistance and for killing non-replicating bacilli. Phenylbutyrate, a partially selective histone-deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, was previously shown to control Mtb growth and alter macrophage inflammatory pathways at 2-4 mM concentrations.

Objective: To identify a more potent and selective HDAC inhibitor that modulates macrophage responses to mycobacteria and has direct antibacterial effects against Mtb.

Highly Multifunctional GNP/Epoxy Nanocomposites: From Strain-Sensing to Joule Heating Applications.

A performance mapping of GNP/epoxy composites was developed according to their electromechanical and electrothermal properties for applications as strain sensors and Joule heaters. To achieve this purpose, a deep theoretical and experimental study of the thermal and electrical conductivity of nanocomposites has been carried out, determining the influence of both nanofiller content and sonication time. Concerning dispersion procedure, at lower contents, higher sonication times induce a decrease of thermal and electrical conductivity due to a more prevalent GNP breakage effect.

New Manufacturing Process of Composites Reinforced with ZnO Nanoparticles Recycled from Alkaline Batteries.

A new manufacturing method of thermosetting resins reinforced with dense particles is developed in the present work. A rotary mold is used, avoiding the natural sedimentation of particles through applying centrifuge forces. A deep study of the sedimentation phenomenon is carried out in order to evaluate the main experimental parameters which influence the manufacturing of composite.

Mechanical and Strain-Sensing Capabilities of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites by Digital Light Processing 3D Printing Technology.

Mechanical and strain sensing capabilities of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composites manufactured by digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology have been studied. Both CNT content and a post-curing treatment effects have been analyzed. It has been observed that post-curing treatment has a significant influence on mechanical properties, with an increase of Young's modulus and glass transition temperature whereas their effect in electrical properties is not so important.

Nicotinamide Limits Replication of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bacille Calmette-Guérin Within Macrophages.

Novel antimicrobials for treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are needed. We hypothesized that nicotinamide (NAM) and nicotinic acid (NA) modulate macrophage function to restrict M. tuberculosis replication in addition to their direct antimicrobial properties.

EMPHYSEMA QUANTIFICATION ON SIMULATED X-RAYS THROUGH DEEP LEARNING TECHNIQUES.

Emphysema quantification techniques rely on the use of CT scans, but they are rarely used in the diagnosis and management of patients with COPD; X-ray films are the preferred method to do this. However, this diagnosis method is very controversial, as there are not established guidelines to define the disease, sensitivity is low, and quantification cannot be done. We developed a quantification method based on a CNN, capable of predicting the emphysema percentage of a patient based on an X-ray image.

Immunological mechanisms of human resistance to persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and establishes a long-lived latent infection in a substantial proportion of the human population. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that some individuals are resistant to latent M. tuberculosis infection despite long-term and intense exposure, and we term these individuals 'resisters'.

Transcriptional networks are associated with resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Rationale: Understanding mechanisms of resistance to M. tuberculosis (M.tb) infection in humans could identify novel therapeutic strategies as it has for other infectious diseases, such as HIV.

Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets.

The electrical response of NH2-functionalized graphene nanoplatelets composite materials under strain was studied. Two different manufacturing methods are proposed to create the electrical network in this work: (a) the incorporation of the nanoplatelets into the epoxy matrix and (b) the coating of the glass fabric with a sizing filled with the same nanoplatelets. Both types of multiscale composite materials, with an in-plane electrical conductivity of ~10 S/m, showed an exponential growth of the electrical resistance as the strain increases due to distancing between adjacent functionalized graphene nanoplatelets and contact loss between overlying ones.

The Differential Impact of Emphysema on Respiratory Symptoms and 6-Minute Walk Distance in HIV Infection.

Background: Emphysema is more prevalent in HIV-infected (HIV+) patients independent of smoking behavior. Nonetheless, health effects of emphysema in this population are poorly understood. We determined whether emphysema is associated with a greater burden of pulmonary symptoms and a lower 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in HIV+ compared with HIV-uninfected (HIV-) subjects.

The dynamics of QuantiFERON-TB gold in-tube conversion and reversion in a cohort of South African adolescents.

Rationale: Interferon-γ release assays are used to diagnose tuberculosis infection. In developed countries, high rates of reversion following conversion have been described.

Objectives: To assess QuantiFERON TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT) conversion and reversion dynamics in a tuberculosis-endemic setting.

Common polymorphisms in the CD43 gene region are associated with tuberculosis disease and mortality.

CD43, a surface glycoprotein, regulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis macrophage binding, replication, and proinflammatory cytokine induction in a murine model. We hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CD43 gene region are associated with human tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility. We performed a case-population study in discovery (352 TB cases and 382 control subjects) and validation cohorts (339 TB cases and 376 control subjects).

Association of chronic cough and pulmonary function with 6-minute walk test performance in HIV infection.

Objective: Chronic lung disease has been associated with greater impairment in self-reported physical function in HIV-infected patients. We sought to study this association using objective measures of physical function and pulmonary function.

Design: Baseline data from the Examinations of HIV Associated Lung Emphysema study, a multicenter observational cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected veterans.

Pediatric oncology survivorship: conveying risks and communicating information at the right time for the individual.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize and discuss recent research (2011-2013) examining the communication needs of childhood cancer survivors with respect to long-term health risks and considering the developmental needs of children, adolescents and young adults.

Recent Findings: Survivors' levels of awareness of ongoing health risks are low, indicating that clinical strategies for communicating risks and empowering young people as active partners in their own healthcare are lacking. Research examining the information needs of very young survivors is sparse.