Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training versus stretching do not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to a social stress test in emotionally impulsive humans.

PURPOSE: Research supports physical activity as a method to heighten stress resistance and resilience through positive metabolic alterations mostly affecting the neuroendocrine system. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a highly effective time-saving method to induce those changes. However, existing literature relies heavily on cross-sectional analyses, with few randomised controlled trials highlighting the necessity for more exercise interventions. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of HIIT versus an active control group on the stress response to an acute psychosocial stressor in emotionally impulsive humans (suggested as being strong stress responders). METHODS: The study protocol was registered online (DRKS00016589) before data collection. Sedentary, emotionally impulsive adults (30.69 ± 8.20 y) were recruited for a supervised intervention of 8 weeks and randomly allocated to either a HIIT (n = 25) or a stretching group (n = 19, acting as active controls). Participants were submitted to a test battery, including saliva samples, questionnaires (self-efficacy- and perceived stress-related), visual analogue scales (physical exercise- and stress-related), and resting electroencephalography and electrocardiography assessing their reaction to an acute psychological stressor (Trier Social Stress Test) before and after the exercise intervention. RESULTS: HIIT increased aerobic fitness in all participants, whereas stretching did not. Participants from the HIIT group reported perceiving exercising more intensively than those from the active control group (ƞp2 = 0.108, p = 0.038). No further group differences were detected. Both interventions largely increased levels of joy post-TSST (ƞp2 = 0.209, p = 0.003) whilst decreasing tension (ƞp2 = 0.262, p < 0.001) and worries (ƞp2 = 0.113, p = 0.037). Finally, both interventions largely increased perceived levels of general self-efficacy (ƞp2 = 0.120, p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that 8 weeks of HIIT does not change the psychoneuroendocrine response to an acute psychological stress test compared to an active control group in emotionally impulsive humans. Further replications of supervised exercise studies highly powered with active and passive controls are warranted.

Comprehensive Test of the Brink-Axel Hypothesis in the Energy Region of the Pygmy Dipole Resonance.

The validity of the Brink-Axel hypothesis, which is especially important for numerous astrophysical calculations, is addressed for ^{116,120,124}Sn below the neutron separation energy by means of three independent experimental methods. The γ-ray strength functions (GSFs) extracted from primary γ-decay spectra following charged-particle reactions with the Oslo method and with the shape method demonstrate excellent agreement with those deduced from forward-angle inelastic proton scattering at relativistic beam energies. In addition, the GSFs are shown to be independent of excitation energies and spins of the initial and final states. The results provide a critical test of the generalized Brink-Axel hypothesis in heavy nuclei, demonstrating its applicability in the energy region of the pygmy dipole resonance.

Inhibition of toll-like receptor 4 protects against inflammation-induced mechanobiological alterations to intervertebral disc cells.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines implicated in disease aetiology and matrix degradation. Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) has been shown to participate in the inflammatory responses of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and its levels are upregulated in disc degeneration. Activation of TLR4 in NP cells leads to significant, persistent changes in cell biophysical properties, including hydraulic permeability and osmotically active water content, as well as alterations to the actin cytoskeleton. The study hypothesis was that inflammation-induced changes to cellular biomechanical properties and actin cytoskeleton of NP cells could be prevented by inhibiting TLR4 signalling. Isolated NP cells from bovine discs were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the best studied TLR4 agonist, with or without treatment with the TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242. Cellular volume regulation responses to step osmotic loading were measured and the transient volume-response was captured by time-lapse microscopy. Volume-responses were analysed using mixture theory framework to investigate hydraulic permeability and osmotically active intracellular water content. Hydraulic permeability and cell radius were significantly increased with LPS treatment and these changes were blocked in cells treated with TAK-242. LPS-induced remodelling of cortical actin and IL-6 upregulation were also mitigated by TAK-242 treatment. These findings indicated that TLR4 signalling participated in NP cell biophysical regulation and may be an important target for mitigating altered cell responses observed in IVD inflammation and degeneration.

80% Valley Polarization of Free Carriers in Singly Oriented Single-Layer WS_{2} on Au(111).

We employ time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy to study the spin- and valley-selective photoexcitation and dynamics of free carriers at the K[over ¯] and K[over ¯]^{'} points in singly oriented single-layer WS_{2}/Au(111). Our results reveal that in the valence band maximum an ultimate valley polarization of free holes of 84% can be achieved upon excitation with circularly polarized light at room temperature. Notably, we observe a significantly smaller valley polarization for the photoexcited free electrons in the conduction band minimum. Clear differences in the carrier dynamics between electrons and holes imply intervalley scattering processes into dark states being responsible for the efficient depolarization of the excited electron population.

Staphtox predictor - A dynamic mathematical model to predict formation of Staphylococcus enterotoxin during heating and fermentation of meat products.

Existing growth models for S. aureus predict growth in relation to temperature, aw/NaCl and pH, and the assessment of probable Staphylococcus enterotoxin (SE) formation is based solely on the number of S. aureus. However, during the production of meat products such as fermented sausages and semi-processed hams, growth of S. aureus is a critical control point in HACCP plans. There is a need to develop a model that evaluates the safety of the product regarding SE formation in relation to the product composition, changes in pH or temperature during the processing and the number of S. aureus in the final product. The objective of the present work is to develop a mathematical model that predicts both the increase in the number of S. aureus and whether SE formation is possible in different meat product processes. A total of 78 experiments were carried out in a meat model system. The experiments covered a range of different temperatures (10-40 °C), pH (4.6-6.0), water phase salt (WPS) (2.2-5.6%) and Sodium nitrite concentrations (0-150 ppm). The meat model system was inoculated with approximately 103 CFU/g of a multi-strain cocktail and incubated at the different temperatures. The cocktail consisted of three strains of S. aureus producing the Staphylococcus enterotoxins A to D (SEA to SED) and a methicillin-resistant strain producing SEG, SEI, SEM, SEN, SEO and SEU. Enumeration of S. aureus was performed several times during the incubation, SE was extracted from samples with >5 log CFU/g, and the SEA-E content was analysed by an ELISA method. Maximum growth rates and lag times calculated from microbiological data, together with temperature, pH, WPS and Sodium nitrite, were used to develop a SE and a growth model. The growth model was developed by training a neural network and the SE model based on logistic regression. The SE and growth models were validated on separate data sets (N = 200 SE model, N = 63 growth model) including both dynamic and static conditions. The SE model predicted all occurrences of toxin formation in the validation data sets. The growth model is a fail-safe model and the prediction errors are comparable to laboratory reproducibility. In conclusion, the models are applicable for predicting the increase in S. aureus and for evaluating if SE formation is likely during processing of meat products. The models are available to producers and other interested parties at www.dmripredict.dk.

On-the-Fly Machine Learning of Atomic Potential in Density Functional Theory Structure Optimization.

Machine learning (ML) is used to derive local stability information for density functional theory calculations of systems in relation to the recently discovered SnO_{2}(110)-(4×1) reconstruction. The ML model is trained on (structure, total energy) relations collected during global minimum energy search runs with an evolutionary algorithm (EA). While being built, the ML model is used to guide the EA, thereby speeding up the overall rate by which the EA succeeds. Inspection of the local atomic potentials emerging from the model further shows chemically intuitive patterns.

Effects of Inflammation on Multiscale Biomechanical Properties of Cartilaginous Cells and Tissues.

Cells within cartilaginous tissues are mechanosensitive and thus require mechanical loading for regulation of tissue homeostasis and metabolism. Mechanical loading plays critical roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, biosynthesis, and homeostasis. Inflammation is an important event occurring during multiple processes, such as aging, injury, and disease. Inflammation has significant effects on biological processes as well as mechanical function of cells and tissues. These effects are highly dependent on cell/tissue type, timing, and magnitude. In this review, we summarize key findings pertaining to effects of inflammation on multiscale mechanical properties at subcellular, cellular, and tissue level in cartilaginous tissues, including alterations in mechanotransduction and mechanosensitivity. The emphasis is on articular cartilage and the intervertebral disc, which are impacted by inflammatory insults during degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, joint pain, and back pain. To recapitulate the pro-inflammatory cascades that occur in vivo, different inflammatory stimuli have been used for in vitro and in situ studies, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), various interleukins (IL), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Therefore, this review will focus on the effects of these stimuli because they are the best studied pro-inflammatory cytokines in cartilaginous tissues. Understanding the current state of the field of inflammation and cell/tissue biomechanics may potentially identify future directions for novel and translational therapeutics with multiscale biomechanical considerations.

Kinetics of aerobic oxidation of volatile sulfur compounds in wastewater and biofilm from sewers.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the kinetics of aerobic chemical and biological oxidation of selected odorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by wastewater and biofilm from sewers. The VSCs included methyl mercaptan (MeSH), ethyl mercaptan (EtSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and total inorganic sulfide, which have all been reported as the main constituents of foul sewer gas. Samples of wastewater and biofilm for the experiments were obtained from two locations that differed significantly with respect to the occurrence of VSCs. One location represented an odor hot-spot downstream of a force main and the other was a gravity sewer transporting young aerobic wastewater. The kinetics of VSC oxidation for both wastewater and suspended biofilm samples followed a first-order rate equation. The average values of the reaction rate constants demonstrated the following order of reactivity: total inorganic sulfide > EtSH ≥ MeSH >> DMS. Except for total inorganic sulfide oxidation in wastewater, kinetic parameters for each VSC were of similar magnitude for the two locations. In the wastewater from the odor hot-spot, sulfide inorganic oxidation rates were approximately 12 times faster than in the aerobic wastewater.

Improved controlled atmosphere high temperature scanning probe microscope.

To locally access electrochemical active surfaces and interfaces in operando at the sub-micron scale at high temperatures in a reactive gas atmosphere is of great importance to understand the basic mechanisms in new functional materials, for instance, for energy technologies, such as solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzer cells. Here, we report on advanced improvements of our original controlled atmosphere high temperature scanning probe microscope, CAHT-SPM. The new microscope can employ a broad range of the scanning probe techniques including tapping mode, scanning tunneling microscopy, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, conductive atomic force microscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy. The temperature of the sample can be as high as 850 °C. Both reducing and oxidizing gases such as oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen can be added in the sample chamber and the oxygen partial pressure (pO2) is monitored by an oxygen sensor. We present here some examples of its capabilities demonstrated by high temperature topography with simultaneously ac electrical conductance measurements during atmosphere changes, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at various temperatures, and measurements of the surface potential. The improved CAHT-SPM, therefore, holds a great potential for local sub-micron analysis of high-temperature and gas induced changes of a wide range of materials.

A method for on-line measurement of wastewater organic substrate oxidation level during aerobic heterotrophic respiration.

A method for on-line measurement of the organic carbon oxidation level (OXC) during aerobic heterotrophic respiration in domestic wastewater was developed and tested. The method is based on batch incubation of sewer wastewater in an intermittently aerated respirometric reactor. Between aeration cycles, measured pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) were used to calculate electron flow accepted by DO and the resulting production of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The CO2 production was measured using a novel fiber-optic sensor based on luminescence quenching. The method was tested on domestic wastewater with a relatively high pH and alkalinity. From the DO and DIC measurements, it was possible to evaluate substrate oxidation levels with a temporal resolution of less than an hour. Addition of organic substrates during the experiments confirmed the method's applicability. The substrates tested included ethanol (OXC = -2), glucose (OXC = 0) and oxalic acid (OXC = 3).

A new real-time PCR method for the identification of Salmonella Dublin.

AIMS: Development of a real-time PCR method for the specific detection of Salmonella Dublin. METHODS AND RESULTS: The method was directed towards a Salm. Dublin-specific sequence of the vagC gene on the Salmonella virulence plasmid (pSDV) and towards Salmonella genus-specific sequence of the invA gene, serving as an internal amplification control. The method showed 100% inclusivity and exclusivity when tested on a strain collection containing 50 serotyped S . Dublin strains, 20 strains of other Salmonella serotypes and 10 non- Salmonella strains. The method also showed 100% inclusivity and 99% exclusivity in a collaborative study comprising eight laboratories, where each laboratory received ten different S . Dublin strains and 10 other Salmonella serotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The method showed excellent performance both when validated in the laboratory and in the collaborative study. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Application of the present method in food control, for example at slaughterhouses, can improve the contamination control of this veterinary and clinically important Salmonella serotype.

A sewer process model as planning and management tool--hydrogen sulfide simulation at catchment scale.

The collection system of a major city at the Persian Gulf was simulated for bulk water hydrogen sulfide and the release of sewer gas to the urban atmosphere. Geometry data on 870 km of sanitary sewer and data on dry weather flow entering all nodes in the catchment was exported from a Mike Urban database and imported to the sewer process model WATS. The process model then routed sewage and sewer gas through the system and simulated relevant physical, chemical and biological processes. In its non-calibrated state, the model was used as a planning tool to identify problem areas and to identify locations to install monitoring equipment and make preliminary choices for control strategies in terms of dosing of nitrate and iron salts. The monitoring equipment consisted of flow meters, level gauges, UV-Vis spectroscopes, and H2S gas sensors. Data from the first set of installed monitoring equipment were applied to calibrate and validate the model. It was illustrated how the calibrated model can be applied to assess compliance with quantitative formulated service levels and to design control strategies in terms of dosing of iron and nitrate salts.

Osteopontin functionalization of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in a PDLLA matrix promotes bone formation.

We studied the osteoconductive tissue response of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles functionalized with osteopontin (OPN) in a matrix of poly-D,L-lactic-acid (PDLLA). In a canine endosseus 0.75-mm gap implant model, we tested the osteointegrative impact of the OPN functionalized composite as an implant coating, and a non-functionalized composite was used as reference control. During the four weeks of observation, the OPN functionalized composite coating significantly increased the formation of new bone in the porosities of the implant, but no differences were observed in the gap. The study provides evidence of its potential use either alone or in combination with other osteoconductive compounds.

Hydrogen sulphide removal from corroding concrete: comparison between surface removal rates and biomass activity.

Corrosion of concrete sewer pipes caused by hydrogen sulphide is a problem in many sewer networks. The mechanisms of production and fate of hydrogen sulphide in the sewer biofilms and wastewater as well as its release to the sewer atmosphere are largely understood. In contrast, the mechanisms of the uptake of hydrogen sulphide on the concrete surfaces and subsequent concrete corrosion are basically unknown. To shed light on these mechanisms, the uptake of hydrogen sulphide from a sewer gas phase was compared to the biological hydrogen sulphide removal potential of the concrete corrosion products. The results showed that both microbial degradation at and sorption to the concrete surfaces were important for the uptake of hydrogen sulphide on the concrete surfaces.

Monitoring the startup of a wet detention pond equipped with sand filters and sorption filters.

The startup of a wet retention pond designed for extended stormwater treatment was monitored by more than one year of continual measurement of hydraulic parameters, nutrients and quality parameters in the pond itself (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity). The data revealed that photosynthesis played an important role for dissolved oxygen and pH for most of the year. Another important observation was that the pond behaved more like a completely mixed reactor than like a plug flow reactor--even though the length to width ratio was as high as 4.5:1. The pond was equipped with sand filters and sorption filters whereby very good nutrient removal efficiencies were achieved.

NS11394 [3'-[5-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-biphenyl-2-carbonitrile], a unique subtype-selective GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator: in vitro actions, pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo anxiolytic efficacy.

The novel positive allosteric modulator NS11394 [3'-[5-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-biphenyl-2-carbonitrile] possesses a functional selectivity profile at GABA(A) receptors of alpha(5) > alpha(3) > alpha(2) > alpha(1) based on oocyte electrophysiology with human GABA(A) receptors. Compared with other subtype-selective ligands, NS11394 is unique in having superior efficacy at GABA(A)-alpha(3) receptors while maintaining low efficacy at GABA(A)-alpha(1) receptors. NS11394 has an excellent pharmacokinetic profile, which correlates with pharmacodynamic endpoints (CNS receptor occupancy), yielding a high level of confidence in deriving in vivo conclusions anchored to an in vitro selectivity profile and allowing for translation to higher species. Specifically, we show that NS11394 is potent and highly effective in rodent anxiety models. The anxiolytic efficacy of NS11394 is most probably mediated through its high efficacy at GABA(A)-alpha(3) receptors, although a contributory role of GABA(A)-alpha(2) receptors cannot be excluded. Compared with benzodiazepines, NS11394 has a significantly reduced side effect profile in rat (sedation, ataxia, and ethanol interaction) and mouse (sedation), even at full CNS receptor occupancy. We attribute this benign side effect profile to very low efficacy of NS11394 at GABA(A)-alpha(1) receptors and an overall partial agonist profile across receptor subtypes. However, NS11394 impairs memory in both rats and mice, which is possibly attributable to its efficacy at GABA(A)-alpha(5) receptors, albeit activity at this receptor might be relevant to its antinociceptive effects (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 327:doi;10.1124/jpet.108.144, 2008). In conclusion, NS11394 has a unique subtype-selective GABA(A) receptor profile and represents an excellent pharmacological tool to further our understanding on the relative contributions of GABA(A) receptor subtypes in various therapeutic areas.

Survival of hydrogen sulfide oxidizing bacteria on corroded concrete surfaces of sewer systems.

The activity of hydrogen sulfide oxidizing bacteria within corroded concrete from a sewer manhole was investigated. The bacteria were exposed to hydrogen sulfide starvation for up till 18 months, upon which their hydrogen sulfide oxidizing activity was measured. It was tested whether the observed reduction in biological activity was caused by a biological lag phase or by decay of the bacteria. The results showed that the bacterial activity declined with approximately 40% pr. month during the first two months of hydrogen sulfide starvation. After 2-3 months of starvation, the activity stabilized. Even after 6 months of starvation, exposure to hydrogen sulfide for 6 hours a day on three successive days could restore the bacteriological activity to about 80% of the initial activity. After 12 months of starvation, the activity could, however, not be restored, and after 18 months the biological activity approached zero. The long-term survival aspect of concrete corroding bacteria has implications for predicting hydrogen sulfide corrosion in sewer systems subject to irregular hydrogen sulfide loadings, e.g. as they occur in temperate climates where hydrogen sulfide often is a summer-problem only.

Agreement between Cochrane Neonatal reviews and clinical practice guidelines for newborns in Denmark: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess agreement between Cochrane Neonatal Group reviews and clinical practice guidelines in Denmark. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinical guidelines for newborn infants. MATERIALS: All Cochrane neonatal reviews and Danish clinical guidelines for newborn infants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The recommendations from the Cochrane reviews and local clinical guidelines were compared and classified as being in agreement, in partial agreement or in disagreement. Authors of guidelines were asked whether Cochrane reviews had been considered during guideline development and reasons for any disagreements. Heterogeneity among departments was assessed. RESULTS: 173 interventions evaluated in Cochrane neonatal reviews were included. All 17 Danish neonatal departments agreed to participate, but only 14 (82%) delivered data. Agreement between reviews and guidelines was observed for a median of 132 interventions (76%) (range 129-134), partial agreement was observed for 31 interventions (18%) (range 29-33), and disagreement was observed for 10 interventions (6%) (range 8-13) (kappa = 0.56, range 0.53-0.59). Most of the latter 10 interventions were not recommended in the reviews but were recommended in the guidelines. There were numerous reasons for disagreement, the most common being usage of evidence with higher bias risks than randomised trials in guidelines development. Overall, Cochrane reviews were rarely (10%) used during guideline development. For nine guideline topics (5%) there was diversity among the Danish departments' recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: There is good agreement between Cochrane reviews and neonatal guidelines in Denmark. However, Cochrane reviews were rarely used for guideline development. Heterogeneity among guidelines produced by the various neonatal departments seems moderate.