In-Depth Comparison of Adeno-Associated Virus Containing Fractions after CsCl Ultracentrifugation Gradient Separation.

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) play a pivotal role in the treatment of genetic diseases. However, current production and purification processes yield AAV-based preparations that often contain unwanted empty, partially filled or damaged viral particles and impurities, including residual host cell DNA and proteins, plasmid DNA, and viral aggregates. To precisely understand the composition of AAV preparations, we systematically compared four different single-stranded AAV (ssAAV) and self-complementary (scAAV) fractions extracted from the CsCl ultracentrifugation gradient using established methods (transduction efficiency, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), quantitative and digital droplet PCR (qPCR and ddPCR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) alongside newer techniques (multiplex ddPCR, multi-angle light-scattering coupled to size-exclusion chromatography (SEC-MALS), multi-angle dynamic light scattering (MADLS), and high-throughput sequencing (HTS)).

Consumer Perceptions and Acceptance of Edible Insects in Slovenia.

Slovenia, influenced by Slavic, Mediterranean, and Balkan cultures, along with Austro-Hungarian traditions and strong environmental concerns, is an ideal case study for understanding consumer perceptions of edible insects and increasing their acceptance as an alternative protein source. A survey conducted in Slovenian and English with 537 participants examined existing perceptions and acceptance of edible insects as food and livestock feed. Findings show moderate interest in insects, particularly in non-visible, integrated forms, despite most participants not having tried whole insects.

Evaluating Source Complexity in Blended Milk Cheese: Integrated Strontium Isotope and Multi-Elemental Approach to PDO Graviera Naxos.

Graviera Naxos, a renowned cheese with Protected Designation of Origin status, is crafted from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep milk. This study focused on assessing the Sr isotopic and multi-elemental composition of both the processed cheese and its ingredients, as well as the environmental context of Naxos Island, including samples of milk, water, soil, and feed. The objective was to delineate the geochemical signature of Graviera Naxos cheese and to explore the utility of Sr isotopes as indicators of geographic origin.

Pharmacokinetics of single dose levobupivacaine after peri-incisional subcutaneous infiltration in anaesthetized domestic pigs.

Increasing use of pigs as models in translational research, and growing focus on animal welfare are leading to better use of effective analgesics and anaesthetics when painful procedures are performed. However, there is a gap in basic knowledge such as pharmacokinetics of different anaesthetics in these species. The main objective of our study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of levobupivacaine in domestic pigs.

Serum Cortisol and Blood Glucose Concentrations in Anesthetized Dogs Administered Levobupivacaine and Low-Dose Dexmedetomidine for Regional Anesthesia of the Oral Cavity.

The effects on the stress response, postanesthetic sedation, and altered behavior were evaluated following regional anesthesia and dental treatment in 40 dogs. Serum cortisol and blood glucose concentrations were measured following the administration of levobupivacaine (LBUP) 0.5% and dexmedetomidine (DEX) (0.

Metrological evaluation of DNA extraction method effects on the bacterial microbiome and resistome in sputum.

Unlabelled: Targeted high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has revolutionized the way we look at bacterial communities. It can be used for the species-specific detection of bacteria as well as for the determination of the microbiome and resistome and can be applied to samples from almost any environment. However, the results of targeted HTS can be influenced by many factors, which poses a major challenge for its use in clinical diagnostics.

Influence of Potentiostat Hardware on Electrochemical Measurements.

We describe two operating modes for the same potentiostat, where the redox processes of hydroquinone in a hydrochloric acid medium are contrasted for cyclic voltammetry (CV) as functions of a digital/staircase scan and an analogue/linear scan. Although superficially there is not much to separate the two modes of operation as an end user, differences can be seen in the voltammograms while switching between the digital and analogue modes. The effects of quantization clearly have some impact on the measurements, with the outputs between the two modes being a function of the equivalent-circuit model of the electrochemical system under investigation.

Academic education in environmental chemistry in Europe-addressing future challenges in research and regulation.

Following the tradition of the 16th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment (ICCE) in Oslo, Norway (2017), and the subsequent 17th ICCE in Thessaloniki, Greece (2019), a follow-up session on higher education in environmental science was organized at the 18th ICCE in Venice, Italy (June 2023). The aim of the session was to stimulate the exchange of experiences and knowledge on graduate and post-graduate level educational programmes, including their development, prioritization, and implementation. The session discussed the integration of practical training activities, which included the integration of environmental chemistry in various bachelor's and master's programmes.

Development of novel osteochondral scaffolds and relatedenvironment with the aid of chemical engineering principles.

In tissue engineering, collaboration among experts from different fields is needed to design appropriate cell scaffolds and the required three-dimensional environment. Osteochondral tissue engineering is particularly challenging due to the need to provide scaffolds that imitate structural and compositional differences between two neighboring tissues, articular cartilage and bone, and the required complex biophysical environments for cultivating such scaffolds. This work focuses on two key objectives: first, to develop bilayered osteochondral scaffolds based on gellan gum and bioactive glass and, second, to create a biomimetic environment for scaffold characterization by designing and utilizing novel dual-medium cultivation bioreactor chambers.

Poised PABP-RNA hubs implement signal-dependent mRNA decay in development.

Signaling pathways drive cell fate transitions largely by changing gene expression. However, the mechanisms for rapid and selective transcriptome rewiring in response to signaling cues remain elusive. Here we use deep learning to deconvolve both the sequence determinants and the trans-acting regulators that trigger extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-induced decay of the naive pluripotency mRNAs.

Protocol of the study for predicting empathy during VR sessions using sensor data and machine learning.

Virtual reality (VR) technology is often referred to as the 'ultimate empathy machine' due to its capability to immerse users in alternate perspectives and environments beyond their immediate physical reality. In this study, participants will be immersed in 3-dimensional 360° VR videos where actors express different emotions (sadness, happiness, anger, and anxiousness). The primary objective is to investigate the potential relationship between participants' empathy levels and the changes in their physiological attributes.

Nanosculptured tungsten oxide: High-efficiency SERS sensor for explosives tracing.

The accurate and rapid identification of explosives and their toxic by-products is an important aspect of safety protocols, forensic investigations and pollution studies. Herein, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is used to detect different explosive molecules using an improved substrate design by controllable oxidation of the tungsten surface and deposition of Au layers. The resulting furrow-like morphology formed at the intersection of the tungsten Wulff facets increases nanoroughness and improves the SERS response by over 300 % compared to the untreated surface.

The Microstructural Reconstruction of Variously Sintered Ni-SDC Cermets Using Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy Nanotomography.

This work focuses in-depth on the quantitative relationships between primary first-order microstructural parameters (i.e., volume fractions of various phases and particle size distribution) with the more complex second-order topological features (i.

Measurement of Atmospheric Mercury: Current Limitations and Suggestions for Paths Forward.

Mercury (Hg) researchers have made progress in understanding atmospheric Hg, especially with respect to oxidized Hg (Hg) that can represent 2 to 20% of Hg in the atmosphere. Knowledge developed over the past ∼10 years has pointed to existing challenges with current methods for measuring atmospheric Hg concentrations and the chemical composition of Hg compounds. Because of these challenges, atmospheric Hg experts met to discuss limitations of current methods and paths to overcome them considering ongoing research.

Comparison of joint kinematics between upright front squat exercise and horizontal squat exercise performed on a short arm human centrifugation.

This study compared the joint kinematics between the front squat (FS) conducted in the upright (natural gravity) position and in the supine position on a short arm human centrifuge (SAHC). Male participants (N = 12) with no prior experience exercising on a centrifuge completed a FS in the upright position before (PRE) and after (POST) a FS exercise conducted on the SAHC while exposed to artificial gravity (AG). Participants completed, in randomized order, three sets of six repetitions with a load equal to body weight or 1.

Distance- and Angle-Based Hybrid Localization Integrated in the IEEE 802.15.4 TSCH Communication Protocol.

Accurate localization of devices within Internet of Things (IoT) networks is driven by the emergence of novel applications that require context awareness to improve operational efficiency, resource management, automation, and safety in industry and smart cities. With the Integrated Localization and Communication (ILAC) functionality, IoT devices can simultaneously exchange data and determine their position in space, resulting in maximized resource utilization with reduced deployment and operational costs. Localization capability in challenging scenarios, including harsh environments with complex geometry and obstacles, can be provided with robust, reliable, and energy-efficient communication protocols able to combat impairments caused by interference and multipath, such as the IEEE 802.

Processability and Separability of Commercial Anti-Corrosion Coatings Produced by In Situ Hydrogen-Processing of Magnetic Scrap (HPMS) Recycling of NdFeB.

The recycling of NdFeB magnets is necessary to ensure a reliable and ethical supply of rare earth elements as critical raw materials. This has been recognized internationally, prompting the implementation of large-scale legislative measured aimed at its resolution; for example, an ambitious recycling quote has been established in the Critical Raw Materials Act Successful recycling in sufficient quantities is challenged by product designs that do not allow the extraction and recycling of these high-performance permanent magnets without excessive effort and cost. This is particularly true for smaller motors using NdFeB magnets.

Is Sustainable Consumption a Sufficient Motivator for Consumers to Adopt Meat Alternatives? A Consumer Perspective on Plant-Based, Cell-Culture-Derived, and Insect-Based Alternatives.

This study investigates consumer preference and acceptance of three meat alternatives-plant-based, lab-grown, and insect-based-as sustainable choices to meet the demands of a growing population and evolving food systems. Insights were gathered from European consumers regarding their perceptions and consumption patterns using a mixed-methods approach. The approach employed a questionnaire followed by focus group discussions conducted in Slovenia and the UK to understand the motivations and barriers behind their responses.

Generalized channel separation algorithms for accurate camera-based multi-wavelength PTT and BP estimation.

Single-site multi-wavelength (MW) pulse transit time (PTT) measurement was recently proposed using contact sensors with sequential illumination. It leverages different penetration depths of light to measure the traversal of a cardiac pulse between skin layers. This enabled continuous single-site MW blood pressure (BP) monitoring, but faces challenges like subtle skin compression, which importantly influences the PPG morphology and subsequent PTT.

Traceable Calibration of Atmospheric Oxidized Mercury Measurements.

Most previous measurements of oxidized mercury were collected using a method now known to be biased low. In this study, a dual-channel system with an oxidized mercury detection limit of 6-12 pg m was deployed alongside a permeation tube-based automated calibrator at a mountain top site in Steamboat Springs Colorado, USA, in 2021 and 2022. Permeation tubes containing elemental mercury and mercury halides were characterized via an International System of Units (SI)-traceable gravimetric method and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry before deployment in the calibrator.

The Impact of Plasma Surface Treatments on the Mechanical Properties and Magnetic Performance of FDM-Printed NdFeB/PA12 Magnets.

This study presents a novel approach for improving the interfacial adhesion between Nd-Fe-B spherical magnetic powders and polyamide 12 (PA12) in polymer-bonded magnets using plasma treatments. By applying radio frequency plasma to the magnetic powder and low-pressure microwave plasma to PA12, we achieved a notable enhancement in the mechanical and environmental stability of fused deposition modeling (FDM)-printed Nd-Fe-B/PA12 magnets. The densities of the FDM-printed materials ranged from 92% to 94% of their theoretical values, with magnetic remanence (B) ranging from 85% to 89% of the theoretical values across all batches.

Automatic Classification and Visualization of Text Data on Rare Diseases.

More than 7000 rare diseases affect over 400 million people, posing significant challenges for medical research and healthcare. The integration of precision medicine with artificial intelligence offers promising solutions. This work introduces a classifier developed to discern whether research and news articles pertain to rare or non-rare diseases.