Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Mg Alloys Processed by Warm HPT and Thermal Treatments.

In this study, several biodegradable Mg alloys (Mg5Zn, Mg5Zn0.3Ca, Mg5Zn0.15Ca, and Mg5Zn0.

Identification of a bio-signature for barley resistance against Pyrenophora teres infection based on physiological, molecular and sensor-based phenotyping.

Necrotic and chlorotic symptoms induced during Pyrenophora teres infection in barley leaves indicate a compatible interaction that allows the hemi-biotrophic fungus Pyrenophora teres to colonise the host. However, it is unexplored how this fungus affects the physiological responses of resistant and susceptible cultivars during infection. To assess the degree of resistance in four different cultivars, we quantified visible symptoms and fungal DNA and performed expression analyses of genes involved in plant defence and ROS scavenging.

In vivo human retinal swept source optical coherence tomography and angiography at 830 nm with a CMOS compatible photonic integrated circuit.

Photonic integrated circuits (PIC) provide promising functionalities to significantly reduce the size and costs of optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. This paper presents an imaging platform operating at a center wavelength of 830 nm for ophthalmic application using PIC-based swept source OCT. An on-chip Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) configuration, which comprises an input power splitter, polarization beam splitters in the sample and the reference arm, and a 50/50 coupler for signal interference represents the core element of the system with a footprint of only [Formula: see text].

Predictive performance and impact of algorithms in remote monitoring of chronic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The use of telehealth interventions, such as the remote monitoring of patient clinical data (e.g. blood pressure, blood glucose, heart rate, medication use), has been proposed as a strategy to better manage chronic conditions and to reduce the impact on patients and healthcare systems.

Multiplexed DNA Methylation Analysis in Colorectal Cancer Using Liquid Biopsy and Its Diagnostic and Predictive Value.

Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is of high importance as prognosis depends on tumour stage at the time of diagnosis. Detection of tumour-specific DNA methylation marks in cfDNA has several advantages over other approaches and has great potential for solving diagnostic needs. We report here the identification of DNA methylation biomarkers for CRC and give insights in our methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme coupled qPCR (MSRE-qPCR) system.

Characterization of an APP/tau rat model of Alzheimer's disease by positron emission tomography and immunofluorescent labeling.

Background: To better understand the etiology and pathomechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, several transgenic animal models that overexpress human tau or human amyloid-beta (Aβ) have been developed. In the present study, we generated a novel transgenic rat model by cross-breeding amyloid precursor protein (APP) rats with tau rats. We characterized this model by performing positron emission tomography scans combined with immunofluorescent labeling and cerebrospinal fluid analyses.

Impact of Specific -Glycan Modifications on the Use of Plant-Produced SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in Serological Assays.

The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein plays a key role in the virus-host cell interaction, and viral infection. The RBD is a major target for neutralizing antibodies, whilst recombinant RBD is commonly used as an antigen in serological assays. Such assays are essential tools to gain control over the pandemic and detect the extent and durability of an immune response in infected or vaccinated populations.

Surface Chemistry of Nanohybrids with Fumed Silica Functionalized by Polydimethylsiloxane/Dimethyl Carbonate Studied Using H, C, and Si Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

The investigation of molecular interactions between a silica surface and organic/inorganic polymers is crucial for deeper understanding of the dominant mechanisms of surface functionalization. In this work, attachment of various depolymerized polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) of different chain lengths, affected by dimethyl carbonate (DMC), to silica nanoparticles pretreated at different temperatures has been studied using Si, H, and C solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The results show that grafting of different modifier blends onto a preheated silica surface depends strongly on the specific surface area (SSA) linked to the silica nanoparticle size distributions affecting all textural characteristics.

Quantification of the Link between Timed Up-and-Go Test Subtasks and Contractile Muscle Properties.

Frailty and falls are a major public health problem in older adults. Muscle weakness of the lower and upper extremities are risk factors for any, as well as recurrent falls including injuries and fractures. While the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test is often used to identify frail members and fallers, tensiomyography (TMG) can be used as a non-invasive tool to assess the function of skeletal muscles.

Rasch Model of the COVID-19 Symptom Checklist-A Psychometric Validation Study.

While self-reported Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptom checklists have been extensively used during the pandemic, they have not been sufficiently validated from a psychometric perspective. We, therefore, used advanced psychometric modelling to explore the construct validity and internal consistency of an online self-reported COVID-19 symptom checklist and suggested adaptations where necessary. Fit to the Rasch model was examined in a sample of 1638 Austrian citizens who completed the checklist on up to 20 days during a lockdown.

Effect of a Wood-Based Carrier of SC1 on the Microorganisms of the Soil.

Wood pellets can sustain the growth of spp. in soil; however, little is known about their side effects on the microbiota. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of wood pellets on the growth of spp.

Controlled covalent functionalization of a graphene-channel of a field effect transistor as an ideal platform for (bio)sensing applications.

The controlled covalent functionalization of the graphene channel of a field effect transistor, based on interdigitated gold electrodes (source and drain), electrochemical grafting, using specifically designed aryl diazonium species is demonstrated to allow the simple fabrication of a general platform for (bio)sensing applications. The electrochemical grafting of a protected ethynylphenyl diazonium salt leads to the deposition of only a monolayer on the graphene channel. This controlled covalent functionalization of the graphene channel results in a charge mobility of the GFET of 1739 ± 376 cm V s and 1698 ± 536 cm V s for the holes and electrons, respectively, allowing their utilization as (bio)sensors.

Impacts of COVID-19 and pandemic control measures on public transport ridership in European urban areas - The cases of Vienna, Innsbruck, Oslo, and Agder.

The study uses the case of two regions with small and medium sized cities (Agder in Norway and the greater Innsbruck area in Austria) and two European capitals, Vienna and Oslo, to showcase the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transport ridership in northern and central Europe. The comprehensive timeline of actions taken by governments and public transport providers in Austria and Norway, and their impact on public transport ridership in the first and second waves of the pandemic form the basis of a descriptive study. Comparing the data, a strong negative impact on the public transport patronage in the first wave of the pandemic was found, despite a comparable low number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Odorant-binding proteins of mammals.

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) of vertebrates belong to the lipocalin superfamily and perform a dual function: solubilizing and ferrying volatile pheromones to the olfactory receptors, and complexing the same molecules in specialized glands and assisting their release into the environment. Within vertebrates, to date they have been reported only in mammals, apart from two studies on amphibians. Based on the small number of OBPs expressed in each species, on their sites of production outside the olfactory area and their presence in biological fluids known to be pheromone carriers, such as urine, saliva and sexual secretions, we conclude that OBPs of mammals are specifically dedicated to pheromonal communication.

Assessing the Functional Redundancy between P-gp and BCRP in Controlling the Brain Distribution and Biliary Excretion of Dual Substrates with PET Imaging in Mice.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) are co-localized at the blood-brain barrier, where they display functional redundancy to restrict the brain distribution of dual P-gp/BCRP substrate drugs. We used positron emission tomography (PET) with the metabolically stable P-gp/BCRP substrates [C]tariquidar, [C]erlotinib, and [C]elacridar to assess whether a similar functional redundancy as at the BBB exists in the liver, where both transporters mediate the biliary excretion of drugs. Wild-type, , , and mice underwent dynamic whole-body PET scans after i.

Aphid Odorant-Binding Protein 9 Is Narrowly Tuned to Linear Alcohols and Aldehydes of Sixteen Carbon Atoms.

Aphid odorant-binding protein 9 is almost exclusively expressed in antennae and is well conserved between different aphid species. In order to investigate its function, we have expressed this protein and measured ligand-binding affinities to a number of common natural compounds. The best ligands are long-chain aldehydes and alcohols, in particular Z9-hexadecenal and Z11-hexadecenal, as well as 1-hexadecanol and Z11-1-hexadecenol.

Regulatory Requirements For Medical Devices And Vascular Ageing: An Overview.

The development and use of medical devices are subject to regulations and approval activities to enter the market. These are mandatory for manufacturers and have important implications for all involved professionals. In fact, the innovation process, starting from a clinical need, includes the identification of a solution and its implementation, and requires taking into account crucial aspects according to regulatory requirements in each phase.

Nitrate triggered phosphoproteome changes and a PIN2 phosphosite modulating root system architecture.

Nitrate commands genome-wide gene expression changes that impact metabolism, physiology, plant growth, and development. In an effort to identify new components involved in nitrate responses in plants, we analyze the Arabidopsis thaliana root phosphoproteome in response to nitrate treatments via liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. 176 phosphoproteins show significant changes at 5 or 20 min after nitrate treatments.

Spatial and Ecological Drivers of Genetic Structure in Greek Populations of (Boraginaceae), a Polyploid Medicinal Herb.

Quantifying genetic variation is fundamental to understand a species' demographic trajectory and its ability to adapt to future changes. In comparison with diploids, however, genetic variation and factors fostering genetic divergence remain poorly studied in polyploids due to analytical challenges. Here, by employing a ploidy-aware framework, we investigated the genetic structure and its determinants in polyploid (Boraginaceae), an ancient medicinal herb that is the source of bioactive compounds known as alkannin and shikonin (A/S).

Bithiophene-Cored, mono-, bis-, and tris-(Trimethylammonium)-Substituted, bis-Triarylborane Chromophores: Effect of the Number and Position of Charges on Cell Imaging and DNA/RNA Sensing.

The synthesis, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of selectively mono-, bis- and tris-dimethylamino- and trimethylammonium-substituted bis-triarylborane bithiophene chromophores are presented along with the water solubility and singlet oxygen sensitizing efficiency of the cationic compounds Cat , Cat , Cat(i) , and Cat . Comparison with the mono-triarylboranes reveals the large influence of the bridging unit on the properties of the bis-triarylboranes, especially those of the cationic compounds. Based on these preliminary investigations, the interactions of Cat , Cat , Cat(i) , and Cat with DNA, RNA, and DNApore were investigated in buffered solutions.

Analysis and optimization of quantum adaptive measurement protocols with the framework of preparation games.

A preparation game is a task whereby a player sequentially sends a number of quantum states to a referee, who probes each of them and announces the measurement result. Many experimental tasks in quantum information, such as entanglement quantification or magic state detection, can be cast as preparation games. In this paper, we introduce general methods to design n-round preparation games, with tight bounds on the performance achievable by players with arbitrarily constrained preparation devices.

New cytochalasans from an endophytic species associated with Costa Rican (Rubiaceae).

Four new leucine-derived cytochalasans, possessing a 5,6,5,8-ring () and a 5,6,11-ring core (-), were isolated from a cultivated endophytic fungus sp. strain WH2D4 (Xylariaceae). This fungus was isolated from leaves of the neotropical tree species (Sw.

Bacteria associated with wood tissues of Esca-diseased grapevines: functional diversity and synergy with Fomitiporia mediterranea to degrade wood components.

Fungi are considered to cause grapevine trunk diseases such as esca that result in wood degradation. For instance, the basidiomycete Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fmed) is overabundant in white rot, a key type of wood-necrosis associated with esca. However, many bacteria colonize the grapevine wood too, including the white rot.

Monitoring of Rolling Circle Amplification on a Solid Support by Surface Plasmon Resonance and Optical Waveguide Spectroscopy.

The growth of surface-attached single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) chains is monitored using an evanescent wave optical biosensor that combines surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and optical waveguide spectroscopy (OWS). The "grafting-from" growth of ssDNA chains is facilitated by rolling circle amplification (RCA), and the gradual prolongation of ssDNA chains anchored to a gold sensor surface is optically tracked in time. At a sufficient density of the polymer chains, the ssDNA takes on a brush architecture with a thickness exceeding 10 μm, supporting a spectrum of guided optical waves traveling along the metallic sensor surface.