Electronic structure and optical properties of BaMoO4 powders

J.C. Sczancoski,L.S. Cavalcante,N.L. Marana,R.O. da Silva,R.L. Tranquilin,M.R. Joya,P.S. Pizani,J.A. Varela,J.R. Sambrano,M. Siu Li,E. Longo,J. Andrés 한국물리학회 2010 Current Applied Physics Vol.10 No.2

Barium molybdate (BaMoO4) powders were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and processed in microwave-hydrothermal at 140 ℃ for different times. These powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopies and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD patterns and FT-Raman spectra showed that these powders present a scheelite-type tetragonal structure without the presence of deleterious phases. FT-IR spectra exhibited a large absorption band situated at around 850.4 cm1, which is associated to the Mo–O antisymmetric stretching vibrations into the [MoO4] clusters. UV–vis absorption spectra indicated a reduction in the intermediary energy levels within band gap with the processing time evolution. First-principles quantum mechanical calculations based on the density functional theory were employed in order to understand the electronic structure (band structure and density of states) of this material. The powders when excited with different wavelengths (350 nm and 488 nm) presented variations. This phenomenon was explained through a model based in the presence of intermediary energy levels (deep and shallow holes) within the band gap.

Mineral Composition of Different Strains of Edible Medicinal Mushroom Agaricus subrufescens Peck

Júlia Györfi,András Geösel,János Vetter 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.6

Agaricus subrufescens Peck is a well-known Basidiomycota fungus (Royal Sun Agaricus), with rising demand in consumption and production worldwide. This particular mushroom with high medical value has been used successfully in cancer therapy and in the treatment of some bacterial and viral diseases. Four strains of A. subrufescens (Si2.2, 853, 1105, and 2603) were cultivated, and 22 mineral elements of basidiomes (fruit bodies) were analyzed (caps and stipes separately). The data obtained about the mineral compositions were compared to the “reference” Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom) and to the average of wild growing Agaricus species. The mineral composition of A. subrufescens strains can be characterized by the following: (1) high levels of valuable macroelements, i.e., potassium (28–30,000mg/kg of dry matter), phosphorus (7–11,000mg/kg of dry matter), and calcium and magnesium (for both elements, 1,000–1,500mg/kg of dry matter); (2) significantly higher level of copper (compared to A. bisporus, 70–150mg/kg of dry matter) and zinc (140–250mg/kg of dry matter); (3) low quantity of sodium (140–180mg/kg of dry matter); (4) attention should paid to the detectable amount of cadmium (2–17mg/kg of dry matter) in strain Si2.2; (5) low or undetectable concentrations of some other poisonous microelements like As, Cr, and V; and (6) the distribution of elements in caps and stipes is characteristic—the majority of beneficial elements have higher contents in caps than in stipes, but some other elements, such as Ca, Fe, and Na, appear in an inverse proportion. In conclusion, it can be said that the mineral composition of A. subrufescens is definitely positive, with the exception of the above-mentioned Cd level.

Transmission Fiber Chromatic Dispersion Dependence on Temperature: Implications on 40 Gb/s Performance

Paulo S. André,Ant?io L. Teixeira,Armando N. Pinto,Lara P. Pellegrino,Berta B. Neto,J?e F Rocha,Jo? L. Pinto,Paulo N. Monteiro 한국전자통신연구원 2006 ETRI Journal Vol.28 No.2

In this letter, we will evaluate the performance degradation of a 40 km high-speed (40 Gb/s) optical system, induced by optical fiber variations of the chromatic dispersion induced by temperature changes. The chromatic dispersion temperature sensitivity will be estimated based on the signal quality parameters.

Monolithic porous carbon materials prepared from polyurethane foam templates

João Pires,André Janeiro,Filipe J. Oliveira,Alexandre C. Bastos,Moisés L. Pinto 한국탄소학회 2016 Carbon Letters Vol.18 No.-

Monolithic carbon foams with hierarchical porosity were prepared from polyurethane templates and resol precursors. Mesoporosity was achieved through the use of soft templating with surfactant Pluronic F127, and macroporosity from the polyurethane foams was retained. Conditions to obtain high porosity materials were optimized. The best materials have high specific surface areas (380 and 582 m2 g–1, respectively) and high electrical conductivity, which make them good candidates for supports in sensors. These materials showed an almost linear dependence between the potential and the pH of aqueous solutions.

Electron beam treatment for eliminating the antimicrobial activity of piperacillin in wastewater matrix

László Szabó,Orsolya Gyenes,Júlia Szabó,Krisztina Kovács,András Kovács,Gabriella Kiskó,Ágnes Belák,Csilla Mohácsi-Farkas,Erzsébet Takács,László Wojnárovits 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.58 No.-

Effluents of wastewater treatment plants represent critical control points for antibiotic resistancemanagement. To meet strict regulations coming into effect in the future advanced technologies need tobe implemented that can remove the factors contributing to the development of resistance in receivingnatural environments. By performing microbiological assays we show that electron beam treatment of acomplex synthetic effluent wastewater matrix is able to eliminate one of these factors, the antimicrobialactivity of the b-lactam antibiotic piperacillin present at environmentally relevant concentration. SinceOH governs the antibacterial inactivation the technology needs to be designed to the stoichiometricpresence of OH.

MicroRNAs and periodontal disease: a qualitative systematic review of human studies

Pablo Micó-Martínez,Pedro J. Almiñana-Pastor,Francisco Alpiste-Illueca,Andrés López-Roldán 대한치주과학회 2021 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.51 No.6

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are epigenetic post-transcriptional regulators that modulate gene expression and have been identified as biomarkers for several diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to systematically review the relationship between miRNAs and periodontal disease in humans, and to evaluate the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of disease. Methods: The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines (reference number CRD42020180683). The MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and SciELO databases were searched for clinical studies conducted in humans investigating periodontal diseases and miRNAs. Expression levels of miRNAs across the different groups were analysed using the collected data. Results: A total of 1,299 references were identified in the initial literature search, and 23 articles were finally included in the review. The study designs were heterogeneous, which prevented a meta-analysis of the data. Most of the studies compared miRNA expression levels between patients with periodontitis and healthy controls. The most widely researched miRNA in periodontal diseases was miR-146a. Most studies reported higher expression levels of miR-146a in patients with periodontitis than in healthy controls. In addition, many studies also focused on identifying target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs that were significantly related to periodontal inflammation. Conclusions: The results of the studies that we analysed are promising, but diagnostic tests are needed to confirm the use of miRNAs as biomarkers to monitor and aid in the early diagnosis of periodontitis in clinical practice.

A Gain-of-Function Mutation in TRPA1 Causes Familial Episodic Pain Syndrome

Kremeyer, Barbara,Lopera, Francisco,Cox, James J.,Momin, Aliakmal,Rugiero, Francois,Marsh, Steve,Woods, C. Geoffrey,Jones, Nicholas G.,Paterson, Kathryn J.,Fricker, Florence R.,Villegas, André,s Cell Press 2010 Neuron Vol.66 No.5

<P><B>Summary</B></P><P>Human monogenic pain syndromes have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie normal and pathological pain states. We describe an autosomal-dominant familial episodic pain syndrome characterized by episodes of debilitating upper body pain, triggered by fasting and physical stress. Linkage and haplotype analysis mapped this phenotype to a 25 cM region on chromosome 8q12–8q13. Candidate gene sequencing identified a point mutation (N855S) in the S4 transmembrane segment of TRPA1, a key sensor for environmental irritants. The mutant channel showed a normal pharmacological profile but altered biophysical properties, with a 5-fold increase in inward current on activation at normal resting potentials. Quantitative sensory testing demonstrated normal baseline sensory thresholds but an enhanced secondary hyperalgesia to punctate stimuli on treatment with mustard oil. TRPA1 antagonists inhibit the mutant channel, promising a useful therapy for this disorder. Our findings provide evidence that variation in the <I>TRPA1</I> gene can alter pain perception in humans.</P><P><B>Video Abstract</B></P><P/>

Numerical and experimental study of unsteady wind loads on panels of a radar aerial

Ana Scarabino,Mariano García Sainz,Federico Bacchi,J. Sebastián Delnero,Andrés Cánchero 한국풍공학회 2016 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.23 No.1

This work experimentally and numerically analyzes the flow configurations and the dynamic wind loads on panels of rectangular L/h 5:1 cross section mounted on a structural frame of rectangular bars of L/h 0.5:1, corresponding to a radar structure. The fluid dynamic interaction between panels and frame wakes imposes dynamic loads on the panels, with particular frequencies and Strouhal numbers, different from those of isolated elements. The numerical scheme is validated by comparison with mean forces and velocity spectra of a panel wake obtained by wind tunnel tests. The flow configuration is analyzed through images of the numerical simulations. For a large number of panels, as in the radar array, their wakes couple in either phase or counter-phase configurations, changing the resultant forces on each panel. Instantaneous normal and tangential force coefficients are reported; their spectra show two distinct peaks, caused by the interaction of the wakes. Finally, a scaled model of a rectangular structure comprised of panels and frame elements is tested in the boundary layer wind tunnel in order to determine the influence of the velocity variation with height and the three-dimensionality of the bulk flow around the structure. Results show that the unsteady aerodynamic loads, being strongly influenced by the vortex shedding of the supporting elements and by the global 3-D geometry of the array, differ considerably on a panel in this array from loads acting on an isolated panel, not only in magnitude, but also in frequency.

The cleidocranial dysplasia-related R131G mutation in the Runt-related transcription factor RUNX2 disrupts binding to DNA but not CBF-β

Han, Min-Su,Kim, Hyo-Jin,Wee, Hee-Jun,Lim, Kyung-Eun,Park, Na-Rae,Bae, Suk-Chul,van Wijnen, Andre J.,Stein, Janet L.,Lian, Jane B.,Stein, Gary S.,Choi, Je-Yong Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2010 Journal of cellular biochemistry Vol.110 No.1

<P>Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is caused by haploinsufficiency in RUNX2 function. We have previously identified a series of RUNX2 mutations in Korean CCD patients, including a novel R131G missense mutation in the Runt-homology domain. Here, we examine the functional consequences of the RUNX2<SUP>R131G</SUP> mutation, which could potentially affect DNA binding, nuclear localization signal, and/or heterodimerization with core-binding factor-β (CBF-β). Immunofluorescence microscopy and western blot analysis with subcellular fractions show that RUNX2<SUP>R131G</SUP> is localized in the nucleus. Immunoprecipitation analysis reveals that heterodimerization with CBF-β is retained. However, precipitation assays with biotinylated oligonucleotides and reporter gene assays with RUNX2 responsive promoters together reveal that DNA-binding activity and consequently the transactivation of potential of RUNX2<SUP>R131G</SUP> is abrogated. We conclude that loss of DNA binding, but not nuclear localization or CBF-β heterodimerization, causes RUNX2 haploinsufficiency in patients with the RUNX2<SUP>R131G</SUP> mutation. Retention of specific functions including nuclear localization and binding to CBF-β of the RUNX2<SUP>R131G</SUP> mutation may render the mutant protein an effective competitor that interferes with wild-type function. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 97–103, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>

Four novel RUNX2 mutations including a splice donor site result in the cleidocranial dysplasia phenotype

Kim, Hyo-Jin,Nam, Soon-Hyeun,Kim, Hyun-Jung,Park, Hyo-Sang,Ryoo, Hyun-Mo,Kim, Shin-Yoon,Cho, Tae-Joon,Kim, Seung-Gon,Bae, Suk-Chul,Kim, In-San,Stein, Janet L.,van Wijnen, Andre J.,Stein, Gary S.,Lian, Liss 2006 Journal of Cellular Physiology Vol.207 No.1

<P>Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of the RUNX2 gene. In this study, we analyzed by direct sequencing RUNX2 mutations from eleven CCD patients. Four of seven mutations were novel: two nonsense mutations resulted in a translational stop at codon 50 (Q50X) and 112 (E112X); a missense mutation converted arginine to glycine at codon 131 (R131G); and an exon 1 splice donor site mutation (donor splice site GT/AT, IVS1 + 1G > A) at exon 1–intron junction resulted in the deletion of QA stretch contained in exon 1 of RUNX2. We focused on the functional analysis of the IVS1 + 1G > A mutation. A full-length cDNA of this mutation was cloned (RUNX2Δe1) and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and HeLa cells. Functional analysis of RUNX2Δe1 was performed with respect to protein stability, nuclear localization, DNA binding, and transactivation activity of a downstream RUNX2 target gene. Protein stability of RUNX2Δe1 is similar to wild-type RUNX2 as determined by Western blot analysis. Subcellular localization of RUNX2Δe1, assessed by in situ immunofluorescent staining, was observed with partial retention in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. This finding is in contrast to RUNX2 wild-type, which is detected exclusively in the nucleus. DNA binding activity was also compromised by the RUNX2Δe1 in gel shift assay. Finally, RUNX2Δe1 blocked transactivation of the osteocalcin gene determined by transient transfection assay. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the CCD phenotype can be caused by a splice site mutation, which results in the deletion of N-terminus amino acids containing the QA stretch in RUNX2 that contains a previously unidentified second nuclear localization signal (NLS). We postulate that the QA sequence unique to RUNX2 contributes to a competent structure of RUNX2 that is required for nuclear localization, DNA binding, and transactivation function. J. Cell. Physiol. 207: 114–122, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.</P>