Maternal Plane of Nutrition During Late-Gestation and Weaning Age Alter Steer Calf Longissimus Muscle Adipogenic MicroRNA and Target Gene Expression

The main objective was to evaluate if different planes of maternal nutrition during late gestation and weaning age alter microRNA (miRNA) and target gene expression in offspring longissimus muscle (LM). Early (EW) and normal weaned (NW) Angus × Simmental calves (n = 30) born to cows that were grazing endophyte‐infected tall fescue and red clover pastures with no supplement [low plane of nutrition (LPN)], or supplemented with 2.3 and 9.1 kg of dried distiller's grains with solubles and soy hulls [medium and high plane of nutrition (MPN, HPN), respectively] during the last 105 ± 11 days of gestation were used. Biopsies of LM were harvested at 78 (early weaning), 187 (normal weaning) and 354 days of age. Results indicate a role of pro‐adipogenic miRNA in the control of adipogenesis in LM of NW‐MPN steers between 78 and 187 days of age through upregulation of (1) miR‐103 which inhibits CAV1, a protein that destabilizes INSR and leads to insulin resistance; (2) miR‐143 which inhibits DLK1, a protein that inhibits adipocyte differentiation; and (3) miR‐21 which impairs TGFBR2‐induced inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Among the studied anti‐adipogenic miRNA, cow plane of nutrition resulted in downregulation of miR‐34a expression in MPN steers compared with HPN and LPN at 78 days of age. Data for miR‐34a provided a potential sign of epigenetic regulation of LM in beef offspring due to the cow plane of nutrition during late gestation.     

A micro- and nano-structured drug carrier based on biocompatible,hybrid polymeric nanoparticles for potential application in dry powder inhalation therapy

We herein describe the development of a micro-scale powder containing hybrid polymeric nanoparticles, for pulmonary application. The nanoparticles, composed of chitosan, carboxy methyl-β-cyclodextrin and a gelling counterion, were prepared, by ionotropic gelation, and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy besides other techniques. Nanoparticles transformation into powders was achieved, by co-spray drying with thermo-protectant, resulting in microspheres with adequate aerodynamic properties. Besides morphological and aerodynamic analysis, the developed powder was subjected to in-depth profiling of surface composition, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy for investigating nanoparticles spatial distribution. After fluorescent labelling of both nanoparticles and microsphere matrix, confocal microscopic examination was further performed, for structure analysis. Overall, the applied analytical techniques evidence the homogeneous and almost complete encapsulation of the nanoparticles within microspheres' matrix, emphasizing the efficiency of the microencapsulation method and the potential of the hybrid nanoparticles, as a solid formulation, for lung delivery.     

Maximizing Opportunities and Minimizing Risks for Children Online: The Role of Digital Skills in Emerging Strategies of Parental Mediation

As Internet use becomes widespread at home, parents are trying to maximize their children's online opportunities while also minimizing online risks. We surveyed parents of 6- to 14-year-olds in 8 European countries (N = 6,400). A factor analysis revealed 2 parental mediation strategies. Enabling mediation is associated with increased online opportunities but also risks. This strategy incorporates safety efforts, responds to child agency, and is employed when the parent or child is relatively digitally skilled, so may not support harm. Restrictive mediation is associated with fewer online risks but at the cost of opportunities, reflecting policy advice that regards media use as primarily problematic. It is favored when parent or child digital skills are lower, potentially keeping vulnerable children safe yet undermining their digital inclusion.     

Nano/micro-hybrid NiS cathodes for lithium ion batteries

The present study highlights a low temperature process by which 1D stacked 3D microstructures of nickel sulfide comprised of nanospikes have been synthesized and assembled as cathodes for lithium chalcogenide batteries. These micro/nano-clusters were synthesized hydrothermally under different conditions. These clusters exhibited a surface area of 15 m² g⁻¹. The present study also provides the first reports on the electrochemical performance of these NiS microclusters as cathode materials in lithium fluoro-Tris-sulfonimide electrolyte for lithium ion batteries. A detailed study has been performed to elucidate how surface morphology and redox reaction behaviors underlying these electrodes impact the cyclic behavior and specific capacity. This electrode−electrolyte combination showed minimal dissolution of the electrode in the electrolyte which was confirmed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. From the electrochemical analysis performed an intrinsic correlation between the capacity, self-discharge property and the surface morphology has been deduced and explained on the basis of relative contributions from the redox reactions of nickel sulfide in lithium fluoro-Tris-sulfonimide electrolyte. A working model of lithium battery in a coin cell form is also shown exhibiting a specific capacity of 550 mAh g⁻¹.     

Simultaneous removal of Cd,Co, Cu,Mn, Ni and Zn from synthetic solutions on a hemp‐based felt: Experimental design

The potential of using a hemp‐based material in felt form as an adsorbent for removing the metals from aqueous mixtures of Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn is investigated in the present study using batch experiments at an initial pH between 4.9 and 5.2. The operating variables studied were initial metal concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, agitation speed, temperature, presence of NaCl, and pH. Experiments showed that this nonconventional adsorbent exhibited interesting capacities: 1 g of hemp was able to remove 7.4 mg of metals at a concentration of 25 mg/L for each metal present in 100 mL of solution. Kinetic results showed that the process was uniform and rapid: adsorption of metals reached equilibrium in 10 min. The adsorption capacities were almost independent of temperature between 25 and 50 °C and pH between 4 and 6, but dependent on the presence of electrolytes such as NaCl. Interesting results were also obtained for real polymetallic effluents. All these findings are significant for the future development of hemp‐based materials for use as bag filters for metal removal from industrial effluents. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44422.     

Mobile games and design requirements to increase teenagers’ physical activity

Participating in regular physical activity (PA) can help people maintain a healthy weight, and it reduces their risks of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Unfortunately, PA declines during early adolescence, particularly in minority populations. This paper explores design requirements for mobile PA-based games to motivate Hispanic teenagers to exercise. We found that some personality traits are significantly correlated to preference for specific motivational phrases and that personality affects game preference. Our qualitative analysis shows that different body weights affect beliefs about PA and games. Design requirements identified from this study include multi-player capabilities, socializing, appropriate challenge level, and variety.     

Mass flux at ignition in reduced pressure environments

Ignition of solid combustible materials can occur at atmospheric pressures lower than standard either in high altitude environments or inside pressurized vehicles such as aircraft and spacecraft. NASA’s latest space exploration vehicles have a cabin atmosphere of reduced pressure and increased oxygen concentration. Recent piloted ignition experiments indicate that ignition times are reduced under these environmental conditions compared to normal atmospheric conditions, suggesting that the critical mass flux at ignition may also be reduced. Both effects may result in an increased fire risk of combustible solid materials in reduced pressure environments that warrant further investigation. As a result, a series of experiments are conducted to explicitly measure fuel mass flux at ignition and ignition delay time as a function of ambient pressure for the piloted ignition of PMMA under external radiant heating. Experimental findings reveal that ignition time and the fuel mass flux at ignition decrease when ambient pressure is lowered, proving with the latter what earlier authors had inferred. It is concluded that the reduced pressure environment results in smaller convective heat losses from the heated material to the surroundings, allowing for the material to heat more rapidly and pyrolyze faster. It is also proposed that a lower mass flux of volatiles is required to reach the lean flammability limit of the gases near the pilot at reduced pressures, due mainly to a reduced oxygen concentration, an enlarged boundary layer, and a thicker fuel species profile.