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The present study reports on the synthesis and investigation of a series of oxyfluoride phosphate glasses having a composition of (50-x)P2O5-50KF-xAl2O3 (PKAl), with x = 8 mol.%, 12 mol.%, 16 mol.%, and 20 mol.%, by the melt-quenching method. The introduction of Al2O3 in the composition promotes a stabilizing effect, producing stable glasses in air and water ambient conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the amorphous characteristics of the materials. The glasses presented high transparency in the UV-Vis-NIR regions (340–2000 nm). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that PKAl glasses have low glass transition temperature values (398–456°C). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed structural changes caused by variations in P2O5-Al2O3 ratios. The density values of PKAl glasses increased with Al2O3 concentration from 2.45 g/cm3 to 2.50 g/cm3. The molar volume decreases from 39.97 cm3/mol to 36.81 cm3/mol. The prepared new oxyfluoride phosphate glasses can be useful for photonic device applications such as lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

In this work, the visible luminescence of Ce 3+ -doped calcium boroaluminate glasses (CaBAl) was studied. Samples of CaBAl glass with composition (30.97- x )CaO-49.90B 2 O 3 -10.22Al 2 O 3 -8.90CaF 2 - x CeO 2 , with values of x varying from 0.25 to 1.25 mol.%, were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching technique, adding carbon as a reducing agent. The samples studied had amorphous nature confirmed by the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results showed that the vitreous network is formed by BO 3 and BO 4 structures, and the calculated values of the fraction of BO 4 groups ( N 4 ) revealed that the increment of cerium favored the conversion of BO 3 to BO 4 . The optical absorption spectra presented an intense broad band assigned to a charge transfer of the Ce 4+ , with a shift of ultraviolet (UV) absorption edge to longer wavelength, and a decrease in the band gap as result of the CeO 2 concentration increase. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra showed that Ce 3+ -doped CaBAl glasses can be excited in a wide range of the UV spectral region (320-405 nm). The luminescence band of Ce 3+ transitions 5d 1  →  2 F 5/2 , 2 F 7/2 was observed with different maximum in the emission bands for different excitation wavelengths, originate from Ce 3+ ions placed mainly in two different sites in the glass network, resulting in distinct band positions and symmetries. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) diagram demonstrated that the emission of samples occurs in the blue region. The lifetime decreased with increasing CeO 2 concentration (47 to 34 ns) from 1.25 to 0.25 mol.% of CeO 2 . The results suggest that the studied glasses have potential for applications in optical devices such as LEDs and phosphors.

Adverse effects of using high SCC milk in cheese manufacture have been well established. The main alterations include: decreased cheese yield; increased fat and protein losses in whey ([Barbano, D.M.] et al. 1991); and compromised sensory quality ([Munro, G.L.] et al. 1984). Coagulation properties of milk are markedly affected by SCC above 500,000 cells/mL (Politis and Ng-- Kwai-Hang 1988), which can be a major problem in the cheese industry.

In this paper a study was carried out of collagen membranes prepared with iron as an impurity. In this study the function of the iron in the collagen structure was examined with the aim of increasing the value of the piezoelectric strain tensor element d^sub 14^. We prepared different samples with different iron doping levels. Doped samples by immersion in solutions of FeCl^sub 2^ (0.1 M and 0.2 M), FeCl^sub 3^ (0.1 M) and FeNH^sub 4^SO^sub 4^ (0.1 M) and iron doped directly in solution with Fe^sub 2^O^sub 3^ at 5% and 15% were examined. Mössbauer spectroscopy, the piezoelectric strain tensor element d^sub 14^ the elastic constant s^sub 55^, and the dielectric function ^sub 11^ of the samples were examined. The loss factor Q^sup -1^ of the samples was also measured using the admittance resonance method. The role played by the iron in the different situations and the consequences for the transport properties are discussed.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Multiple medications in common use have been considered for the treatment of Covid-19. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, ivermectin that was administered within 7 days after Covid-19 symptom onset was shown not to be of any clinical benefit.

This report describes how image processing harnessed to multivariate analysis techniques can be used as a bio-analytical tool for mastitis screening in cows using milk samples collected from 48 animals (32 from Jersey, 7 from Gir, and 9 from Guzerat cow breeds), totalizing a dataset of 144 sequential images was collected and analyzed. In this context, this methodology was developed based on the lactoperoxidase activity to assess mastitis using recorded images of a cuvette during a simple experiment and subsequent image treatments with an R statistics platform. The color of the sample changed from white to brown upon its exposure to reagents, which is a consequence of lactoperoxidase enzymatic reaction. Data analysis was performed to extract the channels from the RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color system, where the resulting dataset was evaluated with Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and Second-Order Regression (SO). Interesting results in terms of enzymatic activity correlation (R 2 = 0.96 and R 2 = 0.98 by MLR and SO, respectively) and of somatic cell count (R 2 = 0.97 and R 2 = 0.99 by MLR and SO, respectively), important mastitis indicators, were obtained using this simple method. Additionally, potential advantages can be accessed such as quality control of the dairy chain, easier bovine mastitis prognosis, lower cost, analytical frequency, and could serve as an evaluative parameter to verify the health of the mammary gland.

Abstract Low density sugarcane plantation (LDSP) has been implemented by some sugarcane producers in Brazil, aiming to save seeds and operational costs. The study was carried out in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. Five planting densities were used, varying from 5 to 25 m-2 of buds arranged in randomized blocks, with four replications. Data were measured annually over three cultivation cycles (2017 to 2020), during which the field was fertilized with NPK and the harvests were carried out manually without prior burning. The lower planting density presents higher productivity only in the cane plant (101.03 t ha-1) due to the higher plant height (2.37 m) and the higher number of stalks (11 stalks m-2), suggesting that these variables are due to the greater availability of light, water and photosynthate. However, there is a drastic reduction in sugarcane yield for this lower population in the 2nd ratoon by up to 65.62%, which is correlated with number of stalks per meter. We demonstrate the agronomic viability of LDSP in the population of 10 buds m-2 in relation to conventional planting of sugarcane until the 2nd ratoon. Data are important for future studies to present additional considerations for other production factors, such as the effects of mechanized harvesting and the management of nutrients and water, assessing the sustainability of this large-scale planting system. Resumo O método de plantio de cana-de-açúcar de baixa densidade (LDSP) vem sendo implementado por alguns produtores de cana-de-açúcar no Brasil, visando economia de sementes e custos operacionais. O estudo foi realizado no município de Areia, Paraíba, Brasil. Utilizou-se cinco densidades de plantio, variando de 5 a 25 m-2 de gemas dispostas em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os dados foram medidos anualmente ao longo de três ciclos de cultivo (2017 a 2020). Menor densidade de plantio mostrou maior produtividade (101,03 t ha-1) devido à maior altura de planta (2,37 m) e ao maior número de hastes (NS) (11 hastes m-2), sugerindo que essas variáveis são devido à maior disponibilidade de luz, água e fotoassimilados. No entanto, houve redução drástica na produtividade da cana-de-açúcar para esta população menor na 2ª soca em 65,62%, estando correlacionado com o número de colmos por metro. Demonstramos a viabilidade agronômica do LDSP em uma população de 10 gemas m-2 em relação ao plantio convencional de cana-de-açúcar até a 2ª soca. Os dados são importantes para que estudos futuros apresentem considerações adicionais sobre outros fatores de produção, como os efeitos da colheita mecanizada e do manejo de nutrientes e água, avaliando a sustentabilidade desse sistema de plantio em larga escala.

Background Despite the importance of osmoprotectants, no previous in silico evaluation of high throughput data is available for higher plants. The present approach aimed at the identification and annotation of osmoprotectant-related sequences applied to short transcripts from a soybean HT-SuperSAGE (High Throughput Super Serial Analysis of Gene Expression; 26-bp tags) database, and also its comparison with other transcriptomic and genomic data available from different sources. Methods A curated set of osmoprotectants related sequences was generated using text mining and selected seed sequences for identification of the respective transcripts and proteins in higher plants. To test the efficiency of the seed sequences, these were aligned against four HT-SuperSAGE contrasting libraries generated by our group using soybean tolerant and sensible plants against water deficit, considering only differentially expressed transcripts (p ≤ 0.05). Identified transcripts from soybean and their respective tags were aligned and anchored against the soybean virtual genome. Results The workflow applied resulted in a set including 1,996 seed sequences that allowed the identification of 36 differentially expressed genes related to the biosynthesis of osmoprotectants [Proline ( P5CS : 4, P5CR : 2), Trehalose ( TPS1 : 9, TPPB : 1), Glycine betaine ( BADH : 4) and Myo- inositol ( MIPS : 7, INPS1 : 8)], also mapped in silico in the soybean genome (25 loci). Another approach considered matches using Arabidopsis full length sequences as seed sequences, and allowed the identification of 124 osmoprotectant-related sequences, matching ~10.500 tags anchored in the soybean virtual chromosomes. Osmoprotectant-related genes appeared clustered in all soybean chromosomes, with higher density in some subterminal regions and synteny among some chromosome pairs. Conclusions Soybean presents all searched osmoprotectant categories with some important members differentially expressed among the comparisons considered (drought tolerant or sensible vs . control; tolerant vs . sensible), allowing the identification of interesting candidates for biotechnological inferences. The identified tags aligned to corresponding genes that matched 19 soybean chromosomes. Osmoprotectant-related genes are not regularly distributed in the soybean genome, but clustered in some regions near the chromosome terminals, with some redundant clusters in different chromosomes indicating their involvement in previous duplication and rearrangements events. The seed sequences, transcripts and map represent the first transversal evaluation for osmoprotectant-related genes and may be easily applied to other plants of interest.

In this paper, a novel mixed Tutton salt (K0.86Na0.14)2Ni(SO4)2(H2O)6 was successfully synthesized as a single crystal and evaluated as a thermochemical heat storage material. Its thermal and thermochemical properties were correlated with the structure, which was determined by powder X-ray diffraction using the Le Bail and Rietveld methods. The elemental ratio between the K+ and Na+ monovalent cations was established by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Similar compounds such as Na2Ni(SO4)2(H2O)4 and K2Ni(SO4)2(H2O)6 were also synthesized and used for structural comparisons. The (K0.86Na0.14)2Ni(SO4)2(H2O)6 salt crystallizes in monoclinic symmetry with the P21/c-space group, typical of hexahydrate crystals from the Tutton salt family. The lattice parameters closely resemble those of K2Ni(SO4)2(H2O)6. A comprehensive analysis of the intermolecular contacts, based on Hirshfeld surfaces and 2D fingerprint mappings, revealed that the primary interactions are hydrogen bonds (H···O/O···H) and ion-dipole interactions (K/Na···O/O···Na/K). The unit cell exhibits minimal void space, accounting for only 0.2%, indicative of strong atomic packing. The intermolecular molecular and atomic packing are important factors influencing crystal lattice stabilization and thermal energy supplied to release crystallographic H2O. The thermal stability of mixed Tutton salt ranges from 300 K to 365 K. Under the dehydration of its six H2O molecules, the dehydration reaction enthalpy reaches 349.8 kJ/mol, yielding a thermochemical energy storage density of 1.79 GJ/m3. With an H2O desorption temperature ≤393 K and a high energy storage density ≥1.3 GJ/m3 (criteria established for applications at the domestic level), the (K0.86Na0.14)2Ni(SO4)2(H2O)6 shows potential as a thermochemical material for small-sized heat batteries.

This study presents the synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and biological evaluation of a novel ternary nickel(II) complex with isoleucine and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands, [Ni(Phen)(Ile)2]∙6H2O, designed as a potential antitumor agent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed a monoclinic structure (C2-space group) with an octahedral Ni(II) coordination involving Phen and Ile ligands. A Hirshfeld surface analysis highlighted intermolecular interactions stabilizing the crystal lattice, with hydrogen bonds (H···H and O···H/H···O) dominating (99.1% of contacts). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, including solvation effects (in water and methanol), demonstrated strong agreement with the experimental geometric parameters and revealed higher affinity to the water solvent. The electronic properties of the complex, such as HOMO−LUMO gaps (3.20–4.26 eV) and electrophilicity (4.54–5.88 eV), indicated a charge-transfer potential suitable for biological applications through interactions with biomolecules. Raman and infrared spectroscopic studies showed vibrational modes associated with Ni–N/O bonds and ligand-specific deformations, with solvation-induced shifts observed. A study using ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that the complex remains stable in solution. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and HCT-116 (colorectal carcinoma) cells showed dose-dependent activity, achieving 47.6% and 65.3% viability reduction at 100 μM (48 h), respectively, with lower toxicity to non-tumor lung fibroblasts (GM07492A, 39.8%). Supporting the experimental data, we performed computational modeling to examine the pharmacokinetic profile, with particular focus on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties and drug-likeness potential.