Deep-MEG: spatiotemporal CNN features and multiband ensemble classification for predicting the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease with magnetoencephalography

Neural Computing and Applications - In this paper, we present the novel Deep-MEG approach in which image-based representations of magnetoencephalography (MEG) data are combined with ensemble...     

Aromatic bisphenol A-based elastomers via hydrosilylation chemistry

The preparation of highly aromatic elastomers from a bisphenol A-based divinyl-terminated resin and polymerization with various aromatic silane containing compounds utilizing a room temperature hydrosilylation reaction is demonstrated. The polymers exhibit high thermal and oxidative stability with 5% weight losses around 430 and 350°C and char yields ranging from 35% to 40%. The thermosets maintained their elastomeric properties with good hardness and mechanical properties as measured by elongation measurements. The toughness of the thermosets was not improved with the inclusion of aromatic moieties but the hardness did appear to increase with the addition of more aromatic groups.     

Carbon nanotubes play an important role in the spatial arrangement of calcium deposits in hydrogels for bone regeneration

Age related bone diseases such as osteoporosis are considered among the main causes of reduced bone mechanical stability and bone fractures. In order to restore both biological and mechanical function of diseased/fractured bones, novel bioactive scaffolds that mimic the bone structure are constantly under development in tissue engineering applications. Among the possible candidates, chitosan-based thermosensitive hydrogel scaffolds represent ideal systems due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, enhanced antibacterial properties, promotion of osteoblast formation and ease of injection, which makes them suitable for less invasive surgical procedures. As a main drawback, these chitosan systems present poor mechanical performance that could not support load-bearing applications. In order to produce more mechanically-competent biomaterials, the combined addition of hydroxyapatite and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is proposed in this study. Specifically, the aim of this work is to develop thermosensitive chitosan hydrogels containing stabilised single-walled and multi-walled CNTs, where their effect on the mechanical/physiochemical properties, calcium deposition patterns and ability to provide a platform for the controlled release of protein drugs was investigated. It was found that the addition of CNTs had a significant effect on the sol–gel transition time and significantly increased the resistance to compression for the hydrogels. Moreover, in vitro calcification studies revealed that CNTs played a major role in the spatial arrangements of newly formed calcium deposits in the composite materials studied, suggesting that they may have a role in the way the repair of fragile and/or fractured bones occurs in vivo.     

A project scheduling approach to production planning with feeding precedence relations

In Manufacturing-to-Order or Engineering-to-Order systems producing complex and highly customised items, each item has its own characteristics that are often tailored for a specific customer. Project scheduling approaches are suitable for production planning in such environments. However, when we consider the production of complex items, the distinct production operations are often aggregated into activities representing whole production phases. In such cases, the planning and scheduling problem works on the aggregate activities, considering that, in most cases, such activities also have to be manually executed. Moreover, simple finish-to-start precedence relations no longer correctly represent the real production process, but overlapping among activities should be allowed. In this paper, a project scheduling approach is proposed for production planning in Manufacturing-to-Order systems. The Variable Intensity formulation is used to allow the effort committed to the execution of activities to vary over time. Feeding precedences are developed to model generalised precedence relations when the execution mode of activities is not known a priori. Two mathematical formulations of these precedence relations are proposed. The formulations are applied both to randomly generated instances and to an industrial system producing machining centres and are compared in terms of computational efficiency.     

A GC-EI-MS/MS Method for the Determination of 15 Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Fish and Shellfish Tissues

This paper describes the development and validation of an analytical method to determine 15 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish and shellfish tissues with gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry using electron impact source (GC-EI-MS/MS). A QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe)-like procedure was applied; the extract was cleaned up on an acidic Extrelut-NT3 column connected on top of a silica cartridge and further purified with gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The SIM acquisition proved to yield better results than traditional MRM approach for octa-, nona-, and deca-brominated congeners. The validation study was carried out in inter-laboratory conditions. The average recoveries were in the range 66–118%, with relative standard deviations generally lower than or equal to 22%. Quality assurance and quality control practices were thoroughly described and highlighted. These long and tedious practices are fundamental to obtain reliable quantitative data during food monitoring programs and, therefore, to support daily intake assessments. Finally, the procedure was applied to the analysis of marine fish samples collected in local markets. Mackerel and mullet were the most contaminated species.     

Inhibition of the FGF/FGFR System Induces Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells via c-Myc Downregulation and Oxidative Stress

Lung cancer represents an extremely diffused neoplastic disorder with different histological/molecular features. Among the different lung tumors, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most represented histotype, characterized by various molecular markers, including the expression/overexpression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1). Thus, FGF/FGFR blockade by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKi) or FGF-ligand inhibitors may represent a promising therapeutic approach in lung cancers. In this study we demonstrate the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting the FGF/FGFR system in FGF-dependent lung tumor cells using FGF trapping (NSC12) or TKi (erdafitinib) approaches. The results show that inhibition of FGF/FGFR by NSC12 or erdafitinib induces apoptosis in FGF-dependent human squamous cell carcinoma NCI-H1581 and NCI-H520 cells. Induction of oxidative stress is the main mechanism responsible for the therapeutic/pro-apoptotic effect exerted by both NSC12 and erdafitinib, with apoptosis being abolished by antioxidant treatments. Finally, reduction of c-Myc protein levels appears to strictly determine the onset of oxidative stress and the therapeutic response to FGF/FGFR inhibition, indicating c-Myc as a key downstream effector of FGF/FGFR signaling in FGF-dependent lung cancers.     

Food uses of pineapple waste and by-products: a review

Waste from fruits and vegetable processing industry is produced in large quantities worldwide and it contains high levels of lignocellulose, fibre, sugar, bioactive and functional compounds. Their utilisation has become one of the main important and challengeable aspects due to the generation of large quantities of by-products including peels, seeds, leaves and unused flesh in different steps of processing chain. Many researches have validated the waste utilisation as novel, low-cost, economical and natural sources of dietary fibre, antioxidants, pectin, enzymes, organic acids, food additives, essential oils, etc. through different methods of extractions, purifications and fermentations. Though, obtaining these by-products from such a variable substrate requires an understanding of the composition of the polysaccharides and their associations within the overall substrate. Focus on the pineapple fruit, scientific and technological studies have already highlighted and confirmed the potential of better and more profitable markets for pineapple wastes. This review is first of all the collection of previous reports about valorisation of food processing waste, deepening the possibilities of pineapple waste utilisation and to promote the integral exploitation of the by-products rich in bioactive compounds, even as multifunctional food ingredients. More in detail, this review aims at identifying those processes that can be implemented even in disadvantaged areas by means of technologies that allow recovering waste directly on site, thus reducing pollution and providing ingredients/food products with high nutritional values that could be integrated into the diet.     

Computer Simulations Then and Now: an Introduction and Historical Reassessment

NTM Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Wissenschaften, Technik und Medizin -