Search Results (68,909)

The expression of FKBP5, and its resulting protein FKBP51, is strongly induced by glucocorticoids. Numerous studies have explored their involvement in a plethora of cellular processes and diseases. There is, however, a lack of knowledge on the role of the different RNA splicing variants and the two protein isoforms, one missing functional C-terminal motifs. In this study, we use in vitro models (HeLa and Jurkat cells) as well as peripheral blood cells of a human cohort (N = 26 male healthy controls) to show that the two expressed variants are both dynamically upregulated following dexamethasone, with significantly earlier increases (starting 1–2 h after stimulation) in the short isoform both in vitro and in vivo. Protein degradation assays in vitro showed a reduced half-life (4 h vs. 8 h) of the shorter isoform. Only the shorter isoform showed a subnuclear cellular localization. The two isoforms also differed in their effects on known downstream cellular pathways, including glucocorticoid receptor function, macroautophagy, immune activation, and DNA methylation regulation. The results shed light on the difference between the two variants and highlight the importance of differential analyses in future studies with implications for targeted drug design. Full article

This study examines the transformative impact of integrating pendant asymmetric lens (PAL) and blackboard asymmetric lens (BAL) LED luminaires to enhance classroom lighting, with the goals of replicating the ambient effects of natural daylight and promoting energy efficiency. This research focuses on improving the quality of learning environments through uniform, soft, and diffused lighting, which mimics sky-like illumination while adhering to sustainable energy practices. Advanced asymmetric lens LED luminaires are employed to achieve optimal lighting distribution, as indicated by luminous intensity distribution curves. Comparative analyses in diverse educational settings reveal significant improvements in ceiling illuminance, ranging from 935 to 1000 lx, and workspace illuminance from 660 to 720 lx, with reduced glare (UGR < 10). This results in bright, visually comfortable spaces conducive to learning. Additionally, the PAL and BAL solutions outperform conventional lighting systems like stretched ceilings and lightboxes by maintaining clear overhead spaces, eliminating shadows, and offering cost-effective solutions. This successful integration demonstrates a notable advancement in the development of energy-efficient, visually comfortable educational environments, contributing to the goals of sustainability and improved well-being for both students and teachers. Full article

Abstract: In recent years, photocatalysts have attracted wide attention in alleviating energy problems and environmental governance, among which, g-C₃N₄, as an ideal photocatalyst, has shown excellent application potential in achieving the sustainable development of energy. However, its photocatalytic performance needs to be further improved in some applications. Rational construction of heterostructures with two or more semiconductor materials can combine the advantages of multi-components to simultaneously improve the photo-induced charge separation, which is very conducive to improving the absorption of visible light and obtaining more efficient redox capacity. With the rapid development in photocatalysis of g-C₃N₄-based heterostructures, a systematic summary and prospection of performance improvement are urgent and meaningful. This review focuses on various kinds of effective methods of heterogeneous combination; as well, strategies for improving the photocatalytic performance are fully discussed. In addition, the applications in efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production, photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, and organic pollutant degradation are systematically demonstrated. Finally, the remaining issues and prospects of further development are proposed as a kind of guidance for g-C₃N₄-based heterostructures with high efficiency at photocatalysis. Full article

Polarized 3D imaging technology reconstructs the three-dimensional (3D) surface shape of an object by analyzing the polarization characteristics of light reflected from its surface. A key challenge in polarized 3D imaging is accurately estimating the zenith angle. Specular light poses a notable challenge in estimating the zenith angle because it conveys limited information regarding the target. To enhance the accuracy and robustness of zenith angle estimation for specular light, this study proposes a novel zenith angle estimation method that utilizes both specular and diffuse reflections. Based on the estimated zenith angle, the target surface shape was reconstructed. The feasibility of the proposed method was validated using polarimetric images of marine targets, offering a new solution for the accurate identification and 3D imaging of distant maritime targets. Full article

Drought has become an important factor affecting the environment and socio-economic sustainable development in northern China due to climate change. This study utilized the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) as a drought metric to investigate the correlation between drought characteristics and different grades of precipitation and rain days. The analysis was based on a long-term time series of precipitation data obtained from 116 meteorological stations located in Inner Mongolia, spanning 1960 to 2019. To achieve the objectives of the current research, the daily precipitation was categorized into four grades based on the “24-h Precipitation Classification Standard”, and the frequency of rain days for each grade was determined. Subsequently, the SPI was calculated for 1 and 12 months, enabling the identification of drought events. The results revealed pronounced spatiotemporal regional variations and complexities in the dry–wet climatic patterns of Inner Mongolia, with significant decreases in precipitation emerging as the primary driver of drought occurrences. Approximately 6% of the entire study period experienced short-term drought, while long-term drought periods ranged from 23% to 38%. Regarding multi-year trends, precipitation exhibited a weak increasing trend, while rain days exhibited a weak decreasing trend. Drought exhibited an alleviating trend, with 92% of stations displaying coefficients > 0 for SPI_Month and over 62% of stations displaying coefficients > 0 for SPI_Year. At the monthly scale, drought was most correlated with light rainfall trends and least correlated with moderate rainfall trends. At the annual scale, drought was relatively highly correlated with moderate and heavy rainfall distributions but poorly correlated with light rainfall. The results suggested that achieving the precise monitoring and mitigation of drought disasters in Inner Mongolia in the future will require a combined analysis of indicators, including agricultural drought, hydrological drought, and socio-economic drought. Such an approach will enable a comprehensive analysis of drought characteristics under different underlying surface conditions in Inner Mongolia. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antibody light chains form amyloid fibrils that lead to progressive tissue damage in amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis. The properties of each patient’s unique light chain appear to determine its propensity to form amyloid. One factor is N-glycosylation, which is more frequent in amyloid-associated light chains than in light chains from the normal immune repertoire. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are unknown. Here, we investigate the frequency and position within the light chain sequence of the N-glycosylation sequence motif, or sequon. Methods: Monoclonal light chains from AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma were identified from the AL-Base repository. Polyclonal light chains were obtained from the Observed Antibody Space resource. We compared the fraction of light chains from each group harboring an N-glycosylation sequon, and the positions of these sequons within the sequences. Results: Sequons are enriched among AL-associated light chains derived from a subset of precursor germline genes. Sequons are observed at multiple positions, which differ between the two types of light chains, κ and λ, but are similar between light chains from AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. Positions of sequons map to residues with surface-exposed sidechains that are compatible with the folded structures of light chains. Within the known structures of λ AL amyloid fibrils, many residues where sequons are observed are buried, inconsistent with N-glycosylation. Conclusions: There is no clear structural rationale for why N-glycosylation of κ light chains is associated with AL amyloidosis. A better understanding of the roles of N-glycosylation in AL amyloidosis is required before it can be used as a marker for disease risk. Full article

Teaming draught animals with modern forest machines may offer an innovative low-impact solution to biomass harvesting in protected areas. Machine traffic only occurs on pre-designated access corridors set 50 m apart, while trees are cut with chainsaws and dragged to the corridor’s edge by draught horses. The operation presented in this study included one chainsaw operator, two draught horses with their driver, an excavator-based processor with its driver and a helper equipped with a chainsaw for knocking off forks and large branches, and a light forwarder (7 t) with his driver. Researchers assessed work productivity and harvesting cost through a time study repeated on 20 sample plots. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate productivity and cost benchmark figures, which were matched against the existing references for the traditional alternatives. The new system achieved a productivity in excess of 4 m³ over bark per scheduled hour (including delays). Harvesting cost averaged EUR 53 m⁻³, which was between 15% and 30% cheaper than the traditional alternatives. What is more, the new system increased labor and horse productivity by a factor of 2 and 7, respectively, which can effectively counteract the increasingly severe shortage of men and animals. Full article

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as an effective, personalized treatment for certain patients, particularly for those with hematological malignancies. However, its efficacy in breast cancer has been marginal—perhaps due to cold, immune-excluded, or immune-desert tumors. Natural killer T (NKT) cells play a critical role in cancer immune surveillance and are reduced in cancer patients. Thus, we hypothesized that NKT cells could serve as a surrogate marker for immune function. In order to assess which breast cancer patients would likely benefit from immune cell-based therapies, we have developed a quantitative method to rapidly assess NKT function using stimulation with artificial antigen presenting cells followed by quantitative real-time PCR for IFN-γ. We observed a significant reduction in the percentage of circulating NKT cells in breast cancer patients, compared to healthy donors; however, the majority of patients had functional NKT cells. When we compared BC patients with highly functional NKT cells, as indicated by high IFN-γ induction, to those with little to no induction, following stimulation of NKT cells, there was no significant difference in NKT cell number between the groups, suggesting functional loss has more impact than physical loss of this subpopulation of T cells. In addition, we assessed the percentage of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression within the tumor microenvironment in the low and high responders. Further characterization of immune gene signatures in these groups identified a concomitant decrease in the induction of TNFα, LAG3, and LIGHT in the low responders. We next investigated the mechanisms by which breast cancers suppress NKT-mediated anti-tumor immune responses. We found that breast cancers secrete immunosuppressive lipids, and treatment with commonly prescribed medications that modulate lipid metabolism, can reduce tumor growth and restore NKT cell responses. Full article

The hydroconversion of asphaltenes into light hydrocarbons catalyzed by supported and free-standing non-noble metal nanoparticles was studied. The activity of Ni or Co immobilized on microspherical oxide carriers and Co nanoparticles dispersed in a hydrocarbon solution of asphaltene was found to be higher than that of a comparative Pt-Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The yield of light products (C₅₊) reached up to 91% on cobalt nanoparticles supported onto alumina microspheres. Full article

Endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica is highly endangered today as it lives in a narrow infralittoral zone intensely exposed to human impact. P. oceanica beds are especially endangered in the Adriatic Sea as the central and northern Adriatic could be considered as a naturally suboptimal area for P. oceanica growth. In this research, we used some standard descriptors of Posidonia meadows at different locations and depths and determined the biochemical parameters (phenolic compounds, photosynthetic pigments, and enzyme activities) in its leaves in order to find possible correlations among the measured parameters and environmental conditions. Photosynthetic pigments were shown to be sensitive biomarkers in the assessment of P. oceanica response to different light conditions, but more research is needed to elucidate the impact of other environmental factors. Overall, the results of this research show that the studied parameters are good bioindicators of a meadow’s environmental state, but it is necessary to analyze a number of diverse indicators together to properly characterize the state of a particular P. oceanica meadow. This approach would be very useful in the determination of P. oceanica conservation status, which is the first step towards improving monitoring protocols and implementing appropriate conservation measures. Full article

High-harmonic generation from solid films is an attractive method for converting infrared laser pulses to ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths and for examining the films using the generation process. In this work, AlN thin films grown on a sapphire substrate are studied. Below-band-gap third harmonics and above-band-gap fifth harmonics were generated using a Ti:sapphire oscillator running at 800 nm. A strong enhancement of the fifth-harmonic signal in the forward direction was observed from thicker 39 nm and 100 nm films compared to thinner 8 nm and 17 nm films. For the fifth harmonic generated in the backward direction, and also for the third harmonic in both the forward and backward directions, only a weak dependence of the harmonic signal on the film thickness was measured. Using both X-ray diffraction and dependence of the fifth harmonic on the laser polarization measurements, these behaviors are attributed to the crystallization and the grain size of the films, promising fifth-harmonic generation as a suitable tool to study AlN film properties. Full article

The Meteorological Optical Range (MOR) is a measurement of atmospheric visibility. Visibility impairment has been linked to increased aerosol levels in the air. This study conducted statistical analyses using meteorological, air pollutant concentration, and MOR data collected in Mexico City from August 2014 to December 2015 to determine the factors contributing to haze occurrence (periods when MOR < 10,000 m), defined using a light scatter sensor (PWS100). The outcomes revealed seasonal patterns in PM_2.5 and relative humidity (RH) for haze occurrence along the year. PM_2.5 levels during hazy periods in the dry season were higher compared to the wet season, aligning with periods of poor air quality (PM_2.5 > 45 μg/m³). Pollutant-to-CO ratios suggested that secondary aerosols’ production, led by SO₂ conversion to sulfate particles, mainly impacts haze occurrence during the dry season. Meanwhile, during the rainy season, the PWS100 registered haze events even with PM_2.5 values close to 15 μg/m³ (considered good air quality). The broadened distribution of extinction efficiency during the wet period and its correlation with RH suggest that aerosol water vapor uptake significantly impacts visibility during this season. Therefore, attributing poor visibility strictly to poor air quality may not be appropriate for all times and locations. Full article

The three-piece oil control ring (TPOCR), traditionally used in light-duty gasoline engines, is becoming a viable option for heavy-duty gas and hydrogen engines due to its ability to control lubricating oil consumption (LOC) under throttled conditions. Understanding the distribution of oil inside the TPOCR groove, as well as the effects of rail gap and drain hole positions, is critical for optimizing TPOCR and groove designs. In this work, a one-dimensional oil distribution model was developed to simulate inertia-driven oil transport in the TPOCR groove. A novel approach was proposed by first dividing the TPOCR into units composed of a pair of expander pitches. Then, the relationship between the oil outflow rate of the unit and its oil mass was established with the help of three-dimensional two-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This relationship was then used to model one-dimensional oil transport along the circumference of the TPOCR groove. Incorporating the boundary conditions at the rail gaps and drain holes, this simple model can complete computations for 10,000 cycles within a few seconds, allowing for quick the evaluation of transient behavior and design iterations. Studies on low-load conditions show that the model, with reasonable adjustment for the boundary conditions, can match the oil distribution patterns observed in visualization experiments. This is the first step toward studying oil transport in the TPOCR groove before involving the effects of gas flows. Full article

Abstract: The use of organic solvents, particularly those of a non-polar nature, is a common practice during cleaning operations in the restoration of polychrome artworks and metallic artifacts. However, these solvents pose significant risks to the health of operators and the environment. This study explores the formulation of innovative gels based on non-polar solvents and cellulose derivatives, proposing a safe and effective method for cleaning metallic artworks. The study is focused on a toxic apolar solvent, Ligroin, identified as one of the most widely used solvents in the cultural heritage treatments, and some “green” alternatives such as Methyl Myristate and Isopropyl Palmitate. The main challenge lies in overcoming the chemical incompatibility between non-polar solvents and polar thickening agents like cellulose ethers. To address this problem, the research was based on a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) system and Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) to select appropriate surfactants, ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the formulated gels. Stability, viscosity, and solvent release capacity of gels were analyzed using Static Light Multiple Scattering (Turbiscan), viscometry, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The efficacy of cleaning in comparison with Ligroin liquid was evaluated on a metal specimen treated with various apolar protective coatings used commonly in the restoration of metallic artifacts, such as microcrystalline waxes (Reswax, Soter), acrylic resins (Paraloid B44), and protective varnishes (Incral, Regalrez). Multispectral analysis, digital optical microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and spectrocolorimetry allowed for the assessment of the gels’ ability to remove the different protective coatings, the degree of cleaning achieved, and the presence of any residues. The results obtained highlight the ability of the formulated gels to effectively remove protective coatings from metallic artifacts. Cetyl Alcohol proved to be the most versatile surfactant to realize a stable and efficient gel. The gels based on Methyl Myristate and Isopropyl Palmitate showed promising results as “green” alternatives to Ligroin, although in some cases, they exhibited less selectivity in the removal of protective coatings. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association of movement behaviors with irisin, sclerostin, and bone turnover markers in young pediatric cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 116 young pediatric cancer survivors (12.1 ± 3.3 years; 42% female) were recruited. Time spent in movement behaviors over at least seven consecutive 24 h periods was measured by accelerometers (wGT3x-BT accelerometer, ActiGraph). Blood samples were collected at rest and serum was analyzed for irisin, sclerostin, cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), total osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. Results: Irisin and sclerostin were not significantly correlated with bone turnover markers. Sedentary time was negatively correlated with the P1NP (r = −0.411, p = 0.027) and total OC (r = −0.479, p = 0.015) Z-scores, whereas moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was positively correlated with the P1NP (r = 0.418, p = 0.024) and total OC (r = 0.478, p = 0.016) Z-scores. Moreover, total physical activity was positively correlated with the total OC Z-score (r = 0.448, p = 0.025). Finally, the uncoupling index [CTX/P1NP] was positively correlated with sedentary time (r = 0.424, p = 0.012) and negatively correlated with light physical activity (r = −0.352, 0.041). Conclusions: Reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity may favor bone formation over resorption in young pediatric cancer survivors. Full article