The cobalt oxidation state in preferential CO oxidation on CoO/Pt(111) investigated by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy.

The combination of a reducible transition metal oxide and a noble metal such as Pt often leads to active low-temperature catalysts for the preferential oxidation of CO in excess H gas (PROX reaction). While CO oxidation has been investigated for such systems in model studies, the added influence of hydrogen gas, representative of PROX, remains less explored. Herein, we use ambient pressure scanning tunneling microscopy and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on a CoO/Pt(111) planar model catalyst to analyze the active phase and the adsorbed species at the CoO/Pt(111) interface under atmospheres of CO and O with a varying partial pressure of H gas.

Amplification-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 using gold nanotriangles functionalized with oligonucleotides.

Gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) functionalized with dithiolated oligonucleotides have been employed to develop an amplification-free electrochemical biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples. Gold nanotriangles, prepared through a seed-mediated growth method and exhaustively characterized by different techniques, serve as an improved electrochemical platform and for DNA probe immobilization. Azure A is used as an electrochemical indicator of the hybridization event.

Development of colorimetric sensors based on gold nanoparticles for SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, E and S genes detection.

We present a fast, reliable and easy to scale-up colorimetric sensor based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to detect the sequences coding for the RdRp, E, and S proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The optimization of the system (so-called "the sensor") includes the evaluation of different sizes of nanoparticles, sequences of oligonucleotides and buffers. It is stable for months without any noticeable decrease in its activity, allowing the detection of SARS-CoV-2 sequences by the naked eye in 15 min.

Neutral Red-carbon nanodots for selective fluorescent DNA sensing.

Carbon nanodots modified with Neutral Red covalently inserted in the nanostructure (NR-CDs) have been prepared by a simple synthesis method based on microwave irradiation under controlled temperature and pressure. The synthetized NR-CDs have been characterized by different techniques, demonstrating the covalent bonding of Neutral Red molecules to the carbon dots nanostructure. Fluorescence activity of the prepare NR-CDs has been explored showing different interaction pathways with singled and doubled stranded DNA.

Potential application of metallacarboranes as an internal reference: an electrochemical comparative study to ferrocene.

Ferrocene and its derivatives have been extensively used as an internal reference in electrochemical processes. Yet, they possess limitations such as solvent restrictions that require chemical modifications. In this regard, we have studied the use of metallacarboranes [3,3'-M(1,2-CBH)] (M = Co, Fe) as general internal reference systems and have proven their suitability by thoroughly investigating their electrochemical properties in both aqueous and organic electrolytes without any derivatization.

To Use or Not Use Car Sharing Mobility in the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic? Identifying Sharing Mobility Behaviour in Times of Crisis.

Car sharing services have expanded in order to meet the new necessities of mobility worldwide in an innovative way. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, car sharing was a very popular mode of transportation among young adults in big cities. However, during this ongoing pandemic and with public transportation considered a super-spreading transmitter, the usage of car sharing is unclear.

Vasoactive Properties of a Cocoa Shell Extract: Mechanism of Action and Effect on Endothelial Dysfunction in Aged Rats.

Cocoa has cardiovascular beneficial effects related to its content of antioxidant phytochemicals. Cocoa manufacturing produces large amounts of waste, but some by-products may be used as ingredients with health-promoting potential. We aimed to investigate the vasoactive actions of an extract from cocoa shell (CSE), a by-product containing theobromine (TH), caffeine (CAF) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) as major phytochemicals.

Microbotanical residues for the study of early hominin tools.

More than 2 million years ago in East Africa, the earliest hominin stone tools evolved amidst changes in resource base, with pounding technology playing a key role in this adaptive process. Olduvai Gorge (now Oldupai) is a famed locality that remains paramount for the study of human evolution, also yielding some of the oldest battering tools in the world. However, direct evidence of the resources processed with these technologies is lacking entirely.

Quantum-chemistry study of the ground and excited state absorption of distyrylbenzene: Multi vs single reference methods.

State-of-the-art complete active space self-consistent field/complete active space second order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations are used to investigate the role of double excitations on the ground state absorption (GSA) and excited state absorption (ESA) spectra of distyrylbenzene, an important prototype medium-sized π-conjugated organic compound for optoelectronics. The multi-reference results are compared with linear and quadratic response time-dependent density functional theory (DFT) results, revealing an incomplete description of the electronic transitions in the latter. Careful selection of the active space and basis set in the CASPT2 approach allows for a reliable description of the GSA and ESA features; cost-effective DFT-based geometries can be utilized without a significant loss of accuracy.

Distilling vector space model scores for the assessment of constructed responses with bifactor Inbuilt Rubric method and latent variables.

In this paper, we highlight the importance of distilling the computational assessments of constructed responses to validate the indicators/proxies of constructs/trins using an empirical illustration in automated summary evaluation. We present the validation of the Inbuilt Rubric (IR) method that maps rubrics into vector spaces for concepts' assessment. Specifically, we improved and validated its scores' performance using latent variables, a common approach in psychometrics.

Electrochemiluminescent nanostructured DNA biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 detection.

This work focuses on the development of an electrochemiluminescent nanostructured DNA biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Gold nanomaterials (AuNMs), specifically, a mixture of gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), are used to modified disposable electrodes that serve as an improved nanostructured electrochemiluminescent platform for DNA detection. Carbon nanodots (CDs), prepared by green chemistry, are used as coreactants agents in the [Ru(bpy)] anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and the hybridization is detected by changes in the ECL signal of [Ru(bpy)]/CDs in combination with AuNMs nanostructures.

Phase behavior of hard circular arcs.

By using Monte Carlo numerical simulation, this work investigates the phase behavior of systems of hard infinitesimally thin circular arcs, from an aperture angle θ→0 to an aperture angle θ→2π, in the two-dimensional Euclidean space. Except in the isotropic phase at lower density and in the (quasi)nematic phase, in the other phases that form, including the isotropic phase at higher density, hard infinitesimally thin circular arcs autoassemble to form clusters. These clusters are either filamentous, for smaller values of θ, or roundish, for larger values of θ.

3D printed model for flexible ureteroscopy training, a low-cost option for surgical training.

Introduction: Training in experimental models is a valid option that improves the outcomes and shortens surgical learning curves. Our objective was to develop a 3D printed plastic model for teaching, training and education in flexible ureteroscopy, analyzing costs and suitability for the practice of this surgical technique.

Methods: A 3D printed model was developed based on a CT scan from a real-life patient's upper urinary tract.

Antibiotic toxicity on human spermatozoa assessed using the sperm DNA fragmentation dynamic assay.

Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) dynamic assays were piloted on 4 fresh ejaculates to examine the possible sperm toxicity of three common antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and ampicillin, incubated at a concentration estimated to be reached in semen in vivo, and 100×, for 24 h. SDF was assessed in terms of single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs) and double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). Low and high concentrations of ciprofloxacin and high concentration of doxycycline significantly increased the SDF rate, due to sperm containing SSBs.

Influence of Coating and Size of Magnetic Nanoparticles on Cellular Uptake for In Vitro MRI.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are suitable materials for contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their potential clinical applications range from diagnosis to therapy and follow-up treatments. However, a deeper understanding of the interaction between IONPs, culture media and cells is necessary for expanding the application of this technology to different types of cancer therapies.

Carbon nanodot-based electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor for miRNA-21 detection.

A simple carbon nanodot-based electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor is described for sensitive and selective detection of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21), a biomarker of several pathologies including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The photoluminescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) were obtained using a new synthesis method, simply by treating tiger nut milk in a microwave reactor. The synthesis is environmentally friendly, simple, and efficient.

Healthy Habits and Emotional Balance in Women during the Postpartum Period: Differences between Term and Preterm Delivery.

Breastfeeding could be considered as a vulnerable period, rising the risk to shift from optimism to pessimism. Preterm delivery is an event that increases postpartum maternal stress and depression, which can have a negative impact on breastfeeding and maternal-filial wellbeing. The adherence to healthy habits may have a positive influence on this vulnerable population.

Physical activity disparities across Europe: clustering European regions by health-related physical activity levels.

In the context of stagnating global levels of physical activity (PA), this study examines the geographical segmentation of PA at the regional level (196 regions) in Europe. Cluster analysis and multinomial logistic regression are applied. Cluster analysis provides a taxonomy of four differentiated groups according to the health-related PA levels of the European regions.

Microvessel-on-Chip Fabrication for the Modeling of Nanomedicine Transport.

Tumor-on-chip devices are becoming ideal platforms to recreate the particular physiological microenvironment of interest for onco-nanomedicine testing and development. This work presents a strategy to produce a round artificial microvessel on-a-chip device for the study of physiologically relevant nanomedicine transport dynamics. The microchannels have a diameter in the range of the tumor capillaries and a semicircular geometry.

Atomic Scale Control and Visualization of Topological Quantum Phase Transition in π-Conjugated Polymers Driven by Their Length.

Quantum phase transitions (QPTs) driven by quantum fluctuations are transitions between distinct quantum phases of matter. At present, they are poorly understood and not readily controlled. Here, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) are used to explore atomic scale control over quantum phase transitions between two different topological quantum states of a well-defined π-conjugated polymer.

A genetic algorithm for optimal assembly of pairwise forced-choice questionnaires.

The use of multidimensional forced-choice questionnaires has been proposed as a means of improving validity in the assessment of non-cognitive attributes in high-stakes scenarios. However, the reduced precision of trait estimates in this questionnaire format is an important drawback. Accordingly, this article presents an optimization procedure for assembling pairwise forced-choice questionnaires while maximizing posterior marginal reliabilities.

A review of a neglected developmental condition.

(CT) is a developmental condition affecting the craniovertebral junction. Its prevalence was estimated to be less than 5% and can be asymptomatic or debilitating. This study aims to search for CT in the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (CISC) and to do a bibliographic review of this neglected developmental defect.

Facet-dependent stability of near-surface oxygen vacancies and excess charge localization at CeOsurfaces.

To study the dependence of the relative stability of surface () and subsurface () oxygen vacancies with the crystal facet of CeO, the reduced (100), (110) and (111) surfaces, with two different concentrations of vacancies, were investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT + U) calculations. The results show that the trend in the near-surface vacancy formation energies for comparable vacancy spacings, i.e.

Hydrotalcite-Embedded Magnetite Nanoparticles for Hyperthermia-Triggered Chemotherapy.

A magnetic nanocomposite, consisting of FeO nanoparticles embedded into a Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) matrix, was developed for cancer multimodal therapy, based on the combination of local magnetic hyperthermia and thermally induced drug delivery. The synthesis procedure involves the sequential hydrolysis of iron salts (Fe, Fe) and Mg/Al nitrates in a carbonate-rich mild alkaline environment followed by the loading of 5-fluorouracil, an anionic anticancer drug, in the interlayer LDH space. Magnetite nanoparticles with a diameter around 30 nm, dispersed in water, constitute the hyperthermia-active phase able to generate a specific loss of power of around 500 W/g-Fe in an alternating current (AC) magnetic field of 24 kA/m and 300 kHz as determined by AC magnetometry and calorimetric measurements.