Engineered Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Fungicides for Plant Disease Control.

Metal oxide nanoparticles are considered to be good alternatives as fungicides for plant disease control. To date, numerous metal oxide nanoparticles have been produced and evaluated as promising antifungal agents. Consequently, a detailed and critical review on the use of mono-, bi-, and tri-metal oxide nanoparticles for controlling phytopathogenic fungi is presented. Among the studied metal oxide nanoparticles, mono-metal oxide nanoparticles-particularly ZnO nanoparticles, followed by CuO nanoparticles -are the most investigated for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. Limited studies have investigated the use of bi- and tri-metal oxide nanoparticles for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. Therefore, more studies on these nanoparticles are required. Most of the evaluations have been carried out under in vitro conditions. Thus, it is necessary to develop more detailed studies under in vivo conditions. Interestingly, biological synthesis of nanoparticles has been established as a good alternative to produce metal oxide nanoparticles for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. Although there have been great advances in the use of metal oxide nanoparticles as novel antifungal agents for sustainable agriculture, there are still areas that require further improvement.

Influence of Pretreatment Severity Factor and Hammett Acidity on Softwood Fractionation by an Acidic Protic Ionic Liquid.

The impact of pretreatment severity in the acidic protic ionic liquid (IL) N,N-dimethylbutylammonium hydrogen sulfate, [DMBA][HSO4] using pine softwood was investigated using a modified severity factor that considers the IL solution acidity based on Hammett acidity. A Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to evaluate pretreatment severity with temperature, pretreatment time, and IL concentration as factors and degree of delignification as the response variable. The optimal pretreatment conditions were found to be at 170 °C, 30 min, and 80 wt % IL, which yielded nearly 90% of delignification and 95% of glucose yield in enzymatic saccharification. The modified severity factor showed an improved correlation with the fractionation indicators relative to the classical pretreatment severity factor, indicating that it can better predict the pretreatment outcomes, particularly for delignification and hemicellulose removal. The fate of hemicellulose, its conversion to humins, and its impact on the precipitated lignin properties were also investigated and correlated to the modified pretreatment severity factor. It was found that such parameters alone cannot be used to predict the fate of dissolved hemicellulose sugars in the IL medium. Furthermore, IL acidity greatly impacts the degradation of the dissolved hemicellulose sugars and the formation of humins.

The mitochondrial Cu+ transporter PiC2 (SLC25A3) is a target of MTF1 and contributes to the development of skeletal muscle in vitro.

The loading of copper (Cu) into cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in mitochondria is essential for energy production in cells. Extensive studies have been performed to characterize mitochondrial cuproenzymes that contribute to the metallation of COX, such as Sco1, Sco2, and Cox17. However, limited information is available on the upstream mechanism of Cu transport and delivery to mitochondria, especially through Cu-impermeable membranes, in mammalian cells. The mitochondrial phosphate transporter SLC25A3, also known as PiC2, binds Cu+ and transports the ion through these membranes in eukaryotic cells, ultimately aiding in the metallation of COX. We used the well-established differentiation model of primary myoblasts derived from mouse satellite cells, wherein Cu availability is necessary for growth and maturation, and showed that PiC2 is a target of MTF1, and its expression is both induced during myogenesis and favored by Cu supplementation. PiC2 deletion using CRISPR/Cas9 showed that the transporter is required for proliferation and differentiation of primary myoblasts, as both processes are delayed upon PiC2 knock-out. The effects of PiC2 deletion were rescued by the addition of Cu to the growth medium, implying the deleterious effects of PiC2 knockout in myoblasts may be in part due to a failure to deliver sufficient Cu to the mitochondria, which can be compensated by other mitochondrial cuproproteins. Co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation of PiC2 and COX also suggest that PiC2 may participate upstream in the copper delivery chain into COX, as verified by in vitro Cu+-transfer experiments. These data indicate an important role for PiC2 in both the delivery of Cu to the mitochondria and COX, favoring the differentiation of primary myoblasts.

Competitive Formation Zones in Carbon Nanotube Float-Catalysis Synthesis: Growth in Length vs. Growth Suppression.

Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT) produces numerous various byproducts such as soot, graphite platelets, catalyst nanoparticles, etc. Identification of the byproduct formation mechanisms would help develop routes to more selective synthesis of better carbon-based materials. This work reports on the identification of the formation zone and conditions for rather unusual closed multishell carbon nanocapsules in a reactor for float-catalysis synthesis of longer CNT. Structural investigation of the formed nanocapsule material along with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the reactor suggested a nanocapsule formation mechanism, in which CNT embryos are suppressed in growth by the in-reactor turbulence. By means of TEM and FFT investigation, it is found that differently oriented single crystals of γ-Fe2O3, which do not have clear connections with each other, determine a spherical surface. The carbon atoms that seep through these joints do not form crystalline graphite layers. The resulting additional product in the form of graphene-coated (γ-Fe/Fe3C)/γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles can be a lightweight and effective microwave absorber.

Metal Nanoparticles as Novel Antifungal Agents for Sustainable Agriculture: Current Advances and Future Directions.

The use of metal nanoparticles is considered a good alternative to control phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture. To date, numerous metal nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, Cu, Se, Ni, Mg, and Fe) have been synthesized and used as potential antifungal agents. Therefore, this proposal presents a critical and detailed review of the use of these nanoparticles to control phytopathogenic fungi. Ag nanoparticles have been the most investigated nanoparticles due to their good antifungal activities, followed by Cu nanoparticles. It was also found that other metal nanoparticles have been investigated as antifungal agents, such as Se, Ni, Mg, Pd, and Fe, showing prominent results. Different synthesis methods have been used to produce these nanoparticles with different shapes and sizes, which have shown outstanding antifungal activities. This review shows the success of the use of metal nanoparticles to control phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture.

Psychosocial Work Environment and Teachers' Psychological Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Job Control and Social Support.

Nowadays, the issue of teachers' psychological well-being causes serious concern, especially in Malaysia. Many studies related to psychological well-being have focused on students rather than on the health and well-being of teachers. Thus, the current study investigated the determinants of psychological well-being (depression, anxiety and stress) from the psychosocial work environment (job control, job demands and social support), and examined the moderating role of job control and social support in the relationship between job demands and psychological well-being among teachers. The design of this study was quantitative research through a survey questionnaire. The sample consisted of 335 high school teachers (23.3%-male; 76.7%-female) who responded to measuring scales of job demands, job control, social support, depression, anxiety and stress, and socio-demographic profile. The data were analyzed using two statistical methods, namely descriptive and inferential statistics. The hierarchical linear regression model was used to analyze the data by assisting the statistical software, i.e., SPSS-23. The results showed that job demands, job control and social support significantly predicted teachers' psychological well-being. Furthermore, the effect of job demands on teachers' depression and anxiety was partially moderated by job control and social support. In conclusion, this study has successfully identified the significant predictors of teachers' psychological well-being and the role of job control and social support as a moderating variable to teachers' psychological well-being in Malaysia. The result provides insights and contributes to the literature of teachers' psychological well-being determinants and involves Malaysian respondents with a collectivistic eastern culture.

Epoxy Nanocomposites with Carbon Nanotubes Produced by Floating Catalyst CVD.

Epoxy nanocomposites with float catalysis-produced CNT felt as a filler were prepared. Parameters such as the curing process, glass transition of epoxynanocomposites, structure and morphology of CNT felt, initial epoxy composition, and epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. The influence of CNT felt on curing process in epoxy nanocomposites with different amounts of curing agent was determined. An exothermic reaction between the curing agent and the surface of CNTs was established. It was found that the structure of epoxy nanocomposites has a high degree of heterogeneity: the presence of fiber-like structures and individualized CNTs is observed together with the regions that are typical for CNTs that are fabricated via a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Based on the studies performed, it is possible to predict the production of epoxy nanocomposites with outstanding mechanical and thermophysical properties. In particular, the uncured compositions already obtained in this work can be used for the manufacture of electrically conductive glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics and functional coatings.

Synthesis, Structure and Electrical Resistivity of Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized over Group VIII Metallocenes.

The paper reports the synthesis of carbon nanotubes from ethanol over group VIII (Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts derived from corresponding metallocenes. Several unexpected cooperative effects are reported, which are never observed in the case of individual metallocenes such as the commonly used ferrocene catalyst Fe(C5H5)2. The formation of very long (up to several µm) straight monocrystal metal kernels inside the carbon nanotubes was the most interesting effect. The use of trimetal catalysts (Fe1-x-yCoxNiy)(C5H5)2 resulted in the sharp increase in the yield of carbon nanotubes. The electrical conductivity of the produced nanotubes is determined by the nature of the catalyst. The variation of individual metals in the Ni-Co-Fe leads to a drop of the electrical resistivity of nanotube samples by the order of magnitude, i.e., from 1.0 × 10-3 to 1.1 × 10-5 Ω∙m. A controlled change in the electrophysical properties of the nanotubes can make it possible to expand their use as fillers in composites, photothermal and tunable magnetic nanomaterials with pre-designed electrical conductivity and other electromagnetic properties.

"All models are wrong, but some are useful": On the non-bayesianstatistical robustness of Hilton's law

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Experimental Study of Tumescence Injection to Provide Anesthesia Without Local Anesthetics.

BACKGROUND: One-per-mil tumescent technique could provide local anesthesia in surgical procedures despite using low lidocaine concentration. Tumescence environment within the tissue may play a role in supporting local anesthesia effect. This study aims to delineate whether the tumescence environment, created by one-per-mil solution without a local anesthetic agent, had a local anesthesia effect. METHODS: Four different compositions and volumes of tumescent solutions containing 1:1,000,000 epinephrine were injected into 50 Swiss Webster mice. The animals were divided into five groups: group A, a tumescent solution with 0.2% lidocaine; group B, a tumescent solution with 0.04% lidocaine; group C, a tumescent solution without lidocaine; group D, a doubled volume of tumescent solution without lidocaine; and group E, controls. Local anesthesia effects were tested by using the formalin test (n = 25) and tail immersion test (n = 25). Pain response behavior in the form of paw licking duration and tail withdrawal latency was observed. The analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to test the statistical difference. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The four interventional groups showed less pain response behavior and significantly longer tail withdrawal latency (P < 0.05) than the control group. However, the groups showed nonsignificantly shorter paw licking duration than the control (P > 0.05). Group A had the fastest onset of the local anesthesia effect. CONCLUSIONS: The tumescence environment was potentially able to provide a local anesthesia effect, although the solution did not contain a local anesthetic agent as proved by the tail immersion test.

Assessment Of Volatile Organic Compound (Vocs) In Multi-Storey Shopping Mall In Malacca Malaysia

@#This study investigates the mall's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to compare changes in levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) concentration in the morning and evening. It also explores the sources of emission released that could be related to occupants' health status (dizziness, headaches, flu, running nose, nose stuffy, nose irritation, eye irritation, watery eye, and eye reddening). A questionnaire survey approach was used to collect quantitative data involving 32 workers from malls in Malacca, Malaysia. This study established models to measure changes in VOCs level in two different sessions for a given area. Also, predictors related to the work context (human performance and condition) were found to be significantly related to occupants' symptoms. Two significant values identified the changes in VOCs concentration for morning and evening sessions in the lobby, bakery, eye ware shop, mobile centers, and supermarket. No evidence supports the exposure towards the personal individual in the present findings. This study contributes to the literature on levels of VOCs in the shopping mall as well as the emission sources. It also suggests that more comprehensive monitoring can be achieved, particularly in the context of Malaysia.

Guest Molecules in a Layered Microporous Tin(IV) Phosphonate-Phosphate Material: Solid State NMR Studies.

There is little systematic understanding of pore surfaces in layered microporous metal(IV) phosphate-phosphonate materials and their interactions with guest molecules. In this paper, we show how to probe the mobility of guest molecules in such poorly crystalline systems using multinuclear solid-state NMR and relaxation time measurements. Anisotropic motions of benzene- d6 molecules absorbed on the pore walls of material Sn(O3PC6H4PO3)0.85(O3POH)0.33 (1) have been recognized as the fast in-plane C6 rotation due to metal-π interactions with pore walls. The benzene- d6 absorption enthalpy due to Sn···π interactions has been determined as -Δ H = 5.9 kcal/mol. Specific interactions between pyridine and the pore walls of 1 have been observed as immobile pyridine, the population of which grows strongly at low temperatures to show thermodynamic parameters -Δ H of 5.0 kcal/mol and Δ S of -11.0 e.u. It has been suggested that these parameters characterize N···H-OP hydrogen bonding as a driving force for accumulation of immobile pyridine molecules in pores of compound 1.

Preemptive Analgesia in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Comparing the Effects of Single Dose Combining Celecoxib with Pregabalin and Repetition Dose Combining Celecoxib with Pregabalin: Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial.

Acute pain is the most common early complication after total knee arthroplasty causing delayed mobilization and increased demands of morphine, leading to higher operative cost. Several studies have assessed the effectiveness, side-effects, and ease of use of various analgesics. Preemptive analgesia with combined celecoxib and pregabalin has been reported to yield positive outcomes. In this randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial, 30 subjects underwent surgery for total knee arthroplasty using 15-20mg bupivacaine 5% epidural anesthesia. All subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1 was given celecoxib 400mg and pregabalin 150mg 1 hour before the operation, Group 2 was given celecoxib 200mg and pregabalin 75mg twice daily starting from 3 days before the operation, and Group 3 was given a placebo. The outcome was measured with Visual Analog Scale, knee range of motion, and postoperative mobilization. There was a significant difference in postoperative morphine usage between the groups that were administered with preemptive analgesia and the placebo group, but no significant difference was found between Group 1 and Group 2 that were given preemptive analgesia at different doses. ROM and postoperative mobilization were not significantly different among the three groups. Two patients in the first group, one patient in the second group, and one patient in the third group developed nausea. Preemptive analgesia is proven to reduce postoperative usage of morphine independent of the dosage. We recommend the use of combined celecoxib and pregabalin as preemptive analgesia after the total knee arthroplasty procedure. This trial is registered with NCT03523832 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Benzene-d6 and toluene-d8 as guest molecules in micropores of a layered zirconium phosphonate: 2 H, 13 C{1 H}, and 31 P{1 H} solid-state NMR, deuterium NMR relaxation, and molecular motions.

For the first time, pore spaces in the Zr (IV) phosphonate (1) as a representative of layered metal (IV) phosphonate materials have been investigated by studying mobility of guest molecules, benzene-d6 , and toluene-d8 . Guest molecules located in micropores of 1 have been characterized by solid-state 13 C{1 H} and 2 H NMR spectra in static samples with varying temperatures. At moderately low temperatures, the benzene and toluene molecules experience fast isotropic reorientations and show the motionally averaged liquid-like carbon and deuterium line shapes in the NMR spectra. At lower temperatures, two anisotropic motional modes have been found for benzene molecules by analyzing the 2 H NMR line shapes: the well-known in-plane C6 rotation and composite motions. Interpretation of the variable-temperature 2 H T1 relaxation times identifies the composite motions as 120° flips around the C6 axis perpendicular to the molecular plane and the rotations around the molecular para-C-C axis. The data obtained resulted in the idealized (cylinder-shaped) model of micropores in compound 1 with the diameter of 20-30 Å. Furthermore, the activation energy of 20.1 kJ/mol determined for the benzene motions classifies the molecule-surface interactions as weak but enough for absorption.

Unchanged Neurotrophic Factors and Their Receptors Correlate With Sparing in Extraocular Muscles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on the extraocular muscles (EOMs) by examining the distribution of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) and their receptors in EOMs and limb muscles from ALS transgenic mice. Methods: Muscle samples collected from transgenic mice overexpressing human superoxide dismutase type 1 mutations (SOD1G93A, the most widely used mouse model of ALS) at 50 and 150 days as well as age-matched controls were analyzed with immunohistochemistry using antibodies against brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and the neurotrophin receptors p75NTR, tyrosine kinase (Trk) receptor TrkB and TrkC, and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1). Results: There was an intrinsic difference in NTF expression between EOMs and limb muscles in control mice: EOMs presented significantly lower number of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) labeled for BDNF and NT-4 at 50 days, and for BDNF and GDNF at 150 days, compared with the control limb muscles of corresponding age. In ALS transgenic mice at 150 days, NTF expression in limb muscles was significantly changed but not in EOMs: the limb muscles presented a significant decline in the number of NMJs labeled for BDNF, NT-4, GDNF, p75NTR, TrkB, and TrkC, which was not observed in EOMs. Conclusions: The significant differences in expression of NTFs on NMJs between EOMs and limb muscles in both control and ALS transgenic mice suggest that NTF may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS and the resistance of EOMs to the disease.

Comparison of Successful Spinal Needle Placement Between Crossed-Leg Sitting Position and Traditional Sitting Position in Patients Undergoing Urology Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The patient's position during spinal anesthesia administration plays a major role in the success of spinal needle insertion into the subarachnoid space. The traditional sitting position (TSP) is the standard position for spinal anesthesia administration, but the success rate for spinal anesthesia administration in the TSP is still quite low. The crossed-leg sitting position (CLSP) is one of the alternative positions for the administration of spinal anesthesia, which can increase the degree of lumbar flexion. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare successful spinal needle placement to patients in the CLSP and patients in the TSP prior to undergoing urology surgery. METHODS: This study was a non-blinded, randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for urologic procedures from March-October, 2015 in the central national hospital Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Indonesia. After obtaining approval from the FMUI - RSCM (Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - Rumah Sakit Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo) Ethical Committee and informed consent from patients, 211 subjects were allocated into two groups: the CLSP group (n = 105) and the TSP group (n = 106). The proportion of successful spinal needle placement to the subarachnoid space, ease of landmark palpation, and the number of needle-bone contacts in both groups were then assessed and analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of first-time successful spinal needle insertion was not significantly different between the CLSP and TSP groups (62.9% versus 55.7%, P > 0.05). Ease of landmark palpation in the CLSP group was not significantly different from that in the TSP group (86.7% versus 76.4%, P > 0.05). The number of needle-bone contacts in both groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The complication rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of successful spinal needle placement in the CLSP group was not significantly different from that in the TSP group in patients undergoing urology surgery. The CLSP can be used as an alternative sitting position for administration of spinal anesthesia.

TDAE strategy in the benzoxazolone series: synthesis and reactivity of a new benzoxazolinonic anion.

We describe an original pathway to produce new 5-substituted 3-methyl-6-nitro-benzoxazolones by the reaction of aromatic carbonyl and α-carbonyl ester derivatives with a benzoxazolinonic anion formed exclusively via the TDAE strategy.

Effect of vacuum ageing on quality changes of lamb steaks from early fattening lambs during aerobic display.

The effects of vacuum ageing on the quality changes of lamb steaks during retail display were assessed. Biceps femoris and Quadriceps femoris muscles from thirty early fattening lambs fed barley straw and concentrate or alfalfa and concentrate were used. Half of the muscles were vacuum aged for three weeks (VA), and the other half were not aged (control). Control and VA muscles were sliced and aerobically displayed. Weight loss, pH, aldehyde contents, instrumental color characteristics and color acceptance were measured at display days 1, 3, 7 and 14. At day 1 redness was higher in VA lamb. However, redness of VA lamb decreases more rapidly during further storage. Redness and color acceptance decreased in VA lamb from day 3, whereas in not-aged lamb the decrease was observed from day 7 onwards. From days 7 to 14 a drop of color acceptance accompanied by an increase in pH and a decrease in lightness was observed in control and VA lamb.

Measured and Calculated Dose to the Junction between Supraclavicular Field and Tangential Fields Using Different Techniques in Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy.

UNLABELLED: Appropriately delivered post-operative radiotherapy is an integral part in the multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of invasive breast cancer. THE AIM OF THE WORK: Is to find the most effective simple way to achieve homogeneous dose distribution to the junction of the supraclavicular beam and tangential beams, in absence of CT planning facilities, through measurement/calculation of dose using different techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Alderson human phantom was planned and irradiated through 4 different techniques. Technique I, simple abutment of fields; technique II, table rotation in tangential fields; technique III, table rotation in tangential beams and half beam block in supraclavicular field; and technique IV, simple triangular block in supraclavicular field. Dose to the junctional area was both measured using film dosimetry, and calculated using CT planning (Precise plan). RESULTS: Simple abutment of fields resulted in a significant junctional overdose in both measured (125%) and calculated (171% to 20% of junctional volume) dose. Best results were seen in technique III (table rotation and half beam block) where the measured dose was 89% and calculated dose was 89% to 20% of junctional volume. Technique II and IV resulted in 120%, 120% measured dose and 128%, 138% calculated dose to 20% of volume of junctional area, respectively. CONCLUSION: Table rotation in tangential beams and half beam block in supraclavicular beam seems to be an effective and simple method to prevent junctional overlap in the sitting of post-mastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer in case of absence of CT-based treatment planning and conformal radiotherapy. KEY WORDS: Radiotherapy - Postmastectomy - Supraclavicular field - Tangential field.

Antigiardial activity of triterpenoids from root bark of Hippocratea excelsa.

Two new triterpenoids, 21 beta-hydroxyolean-12-en-3-one (1) and a seco-dinor derivative of pristimerine named dzununcanone (2), were isolated from the root bark of Hippocratea excelsa. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, mainly 1H and 13C 1D and 2D NMR including DEPT, COSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments, as well as EIMS and HREIMS. The known 21alpha-hydroxy-3-oxofriedelane (3), a compound new to the species, and the known methide quinones pristimerine (4) tingenone (5), and xuxuarine Ebeta (7) were also isolated. The antiprotozoal activities were determined against Giardia intestinalis. Pristimerine and tingenone were the most active antigiardial compounds, with IC50 values of 0.11 and 0.74 microM, respectively, compared with metronidazole, the current drug of choice (IC50 1.23 microM).