Free PCR virus detection via few-layer bismuthene and tetrahedral DNA nanostructured assemblies.

In this work we describe a highly sensitive method based on a biocatalyzed electrochemiluminescence approach. The system combines, for the first time, the use of few-layer bismuthene (FLB) as a platform for the oriented immobilization of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) specifically designed and synthetized to detect a specific SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence. In one of its vertices, these TDNs contain a DNA capture probe of the open reading frame 1 ab (ORF1ab) of the virus, available for the biorecognition of the target DNA/RNA.

A dataset for benchmarking Neotropical anuran calls identification in passive acoustic monitoring.

Global change is predicted to induce shifts in anuran acoustic behavior, which can be studied through passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Understanding changes in calling behavior requires automatic identification of anuran species, which is challenging due to the particular characteristics of neotropical soundscapes. In this paper, we introduce a large-scale multi-species dataset of anuran amphibians calls recorded by PAM, that comprises 27 hours of expert annotations for 42 different species from two Brazilian biomes.

Effects of usual yoga practice on the diaphragmatic contractility: A cross-sectional controlled study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to observe and compare the effects of regular yoga practice on the main inspiratory muscle, the diaphragm, by analyzing its thickness, excursion, velocity and contraction time, using ultrasound.

Design: A Cross-Sectional Controlled Study.

Participants: 80 healthy subjects (40 habitual yoga practitioners and 40 non-practitioners), without previous respiratory pathology participated in this study.

Controllable Structural Transformation of Non-Porous Propyl-Malonate Hexakis[60]fullerene by Chloroform Uptake/Release.

The design of dynamic structures with high recognition host-guest materials capable to host selectively small volatile molecules is an emergent field of research with both fundamental and applied implications. The challenge of exploring novel materials with advanced functionalities has led to the development of dynamic crystalline structures promoted by soft interactions. Here, a new pure organic dynamic framework based on hexakis[60]fullerene that are held together by weak van der Waals interactions is described.

Cocoa Shell Extract Reduces Blood Pressure in Aged Hypertensive Rats via the Cardiovascular Upregulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-like 2 Protein Expression.

Cocoa shell is a by-product of cocoa manufacturing. We obtained an aqueous extract (CSE) rich in polyphenols and methylxanthines with antioxidant and vasodilatory properties. We aimed to evaluate the effects of CSE supplementation in aged hypertensive rats on blood pressure and the mechanism implicated.

Widespread learned predator recognition to an alien predator across populations in an amphibian species.

Alien predators are a major cause of decline and extinction of species worldwide, since native organisms are rarely equipped with specific antipredatory strategies to cope with them. However, phenotypic plasticity and learned predator recognition may help prey populations to survive novel predators. Here we examine geographical variation in the learning ability of larval spadefoot toads (Pelobates cultripes) to recognize invasive predatory crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).

Ferromagnetic Interlayer Coupling in CrSBr Crystals Irradiated by Ions.

Layered magnetic materials are becoming a major platform for future spin-based applications. Particularly, the air-stable van der Waals compound CrSBr is attracting considerable interest due to its prominent magneto-transport and magneto-optical properties. In this work, we observe a transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior in CrSBr crystals exposed to high-energy, non-magnetic ions.

Donor-Acceptor-Donor Triads with Flexible Spacers: Deciphering Complex Photophysics for Targeted Materials Design.

The complex photokinetics of donor-acceptor-donor triads with varying flexible spacer lengths (n = 4-10 carbon atoms) are investigated in liquid and solid solution, as well as in crystals, by steady-state and transient fluorescence spectroscopy combined with computational studies. For the short spacer (n = 4) in a liquid solution, dynamic charge-transfer (CT) state formation with subsequent, efficient exciplex emission is observed, effectively competing with quenching through electron transfer (eT) via a radical ion pair. In a solid solution, a fluorescent CT static complex is formed upon freezing for all spacer lengths.

assessment of skin irritation and corrosion properties of graphene-related materials on a 3D epidermis.

The increasing use of graphene-related materials (GRMs) in many technological applications, ranging from electronics to biomedicine, needs a careful evaluation of their impact on human health. Skin contact can be considered one of the most relevant exposure routes to GRMs. Hence, this study is focused on two main adverse outcomes at the skin level, irritation and corrosion, assessed following two specific Test Guidelines (TGs) defined by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (439 and 431, respectively) that use an 3D reconstructed human epidermis (RhE) model.

Kidins220 sets the threshold for survival of neural stem cells and progenitors to sustain adult neurogenesis.

In the adult mammalian brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) located in highly restricted niches sustain the generation of new neurons that integrate into existing circuits. A reduction in adult neurogenesis is linked to ageing and neurodegeneration, whereas dysregulation of proliferation and survival of NSCs have been hypothesized to be at the origin of glioma. Thus, unravelling the molecular underpinnings of the regulated activation that NSCs must undergo to proliferate and generate new progeny is of considerable relevance.

Comparison of false positive and false negative rates of two indices of individual reliable change: Jacobson-Truax and Hageman-Arrindell methods.

Background: Quantification of change is crucial for correctly estimating the effect of a treatment and for distinguishing random or non-systematic changes from substantive changes. The objective of the present study was to learn about the performance of two distribution-based methods [the Jacobson-Truax Reliable Change Index (RCI) and the Hageman-Arrindell (HA) approach] that were designed for evaluating individual reliable change.

Methods: A pre-post design was simulated with the purpose to evaluate the false positive and false negative rates of RCI and HA methods.

Adenovirus Infection in Hematopoietic and Solid Organ Paediatric Transplant Recipients: Treatment, Outcomes, and Use of Cidofovir.

Background: human adenovirus (hAdV) infection constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, due to their immune status. Among drugs currently available, cidofovir (CDF) is the most prescribed.

Methods: Retrospective study of hAdV infection in paediatric transplant recipients from a tertiary paediatric centre, describing characteristics, management, and outcomes, and focused on the role of CDF.

A Deep Learning Neural Network to Classify Obesity Risk in Portuguese Adolescents Based on Physical Fitness Levels and Body Mass Index Percentiles: Insights for National Health Policies.

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and death. In addition, obesity among children and adolescents has reached unprecedented levels and studies show that obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese adults. Therefore, both the prevention and treatment of obesity in adolescents are critical.

Background matching through fast and reversible melanin-based pigmentation plasticity in tadpoles comes with morphological and antioxidant changes.

Facultative colour change is widespread in the animal kingdom, and has been documented in many distantly related amphibians. However, experimental data testing the extent of facultative colour change, and associated physiological and morphological implications are comparatively scarce. Background matching in the face of spatial and temporal environmental variation is thought to be an important proximate function of colour change in aquatic amphibian larvae.

Densest-known packings and phase behavior of hard spherical capsids.

By mostly using Monte Carlo numerical simulation, this work investigates the densest-known packings and phase behavior of hard spherical capsids, i.e., hard infinitesimally thin spherical caps with a subtended angle larger than the straight angle.

The approximate functional equation of some Diophantine series.

We prove that a family of Diophantine series satisfies an approximate functional equation. It generalizes a result by Rivoal and Roques and proves an extended version of a conjecture posed in their paper. We also characterize the convergence points.

Dense Disordered Jammed Packings of Hard Spherocylinders with a Low Aspect Ratio: A Characterization of Their Structure.

This work numerically investigates dense disordered (maximally random) jammed packings of hard spherocylinders of cylinder length and diameter by focusing on / ∈ [0,2]. It is within this interval that one expects that the packing fraction of these dense disordered jammed packings ϕ attains a maximum. This work confirms the form of the graph ϕ versus /: here, comparably to certain previous investigations, it is found that the maximal ϕ = 0.

Anatomic trajectory for iliac screw placement adapts better to the morphological features of the pelvis of each individual than the S2 alar iliac screw: a radiological study.

Purpose: The iliac fixation (IF) through the S2 ala permits the minimization of implant prominence and tissue dissection. An alternative to this technique is the anatomic iliac screw fixation (AI), which considers the perpendicular axis to the narrowest width of the ileum and the width of the screw. The morphological accuracy of the iliac screw insertion of two low profile iliac fixation (IF) techniques is investigated in this study.

Sub-picosecond collapse of molecular polaritons to pure molecular transition in plasmonic photoswitch-nanoantennas.

Molecular polaritons are hybrid light-matter states that emerge when a molecular transition strongly interacts with photons in a resonator. At optical frequencies, this interaction unlocks a way to explore and control new chemical phenomena at the nanoscale. Achieving such control at ultrafast timescales, however, is an outstanding challenge, as it requires a deep understanding of the dynamics of the collectively coupled molecular excitation and the light modes.

2D Cu(I)-I Coordination Polymer with Smart Optoelectronic Properties and Photocatalytic Activity as a Versatile Multifunctional Material.

This work presents two isostructural Cu(I)-I 2-fluoropyrazine (Fpyz) luminescent and semiconducting 2D coordination polymers (CPs). Hydrothermal synthesis allows the growth of -1 space group single crystals, whereas solvent-free synthesis produces polycrystals. Via recrystallization in acetonitrile, 2 space group single crystals are obtained.

Aerobic Fitness as an Important Moderator Risk Factor for Loneliness in Physically Trained Older People: An Explanatory Case Study Using Machine Learning.

Background: Loneliness in older people seems to have emerged as an increasingly prevalent social problem.

Objective: To apply a machine learning (ML) algorithm to the task of understanding the influence of sociodemographic variables, physical fitness, physical activity levels (PAL), and sedentary behavior (SB) on the loneliness feelings of physically trained older people.

Materials And Methods: The UCLA loneliness scale was used to evaluate loneliness, the Functional Fitness Test Battery was used to evaluate the correlation of sociodemographic variables, physical fitness, PAL, and SB in the loneliness feelings scores of 23 trained older people (19 women and 4 men).

Assessment of predation risk through conspecific cues by anuran larvae.

Accurate assessment of predation risk is critical for prey survival during predator-prey interactions. Prey can assess predation risk by the presence of cues dropped by predators themselves, but they can also gather information about risk level through cues released by other prey, avoiding the hazard of being in close proximity to predators. In this study, we examine the ability of anuran larvae (Pelobates cultripes) to detect predation risk indirectly when they are in contact with conspecifics that have been recently exposed to chemical stimuli from natural predators (larvae of aquatic beetles).