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Dietary Protein Reduction in Lean Pigs From Pietrain Paternal Line Under Commercial Setting: An Interplay Between Nitrogen Efficiency and Meat Attributes
No full textA trial was conducted to research the impact of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) levels from 14.8% to 12.6% in the finishing diet (90–120 kg of body weight) of lean pigs, with an essential AA supply (8.8 g Lys, 2.1 g Met, 6.7 g Thr, 5.5 g Ile, and 6.7 g Val, per kilogram of feed) in intact males and females under commercial setting. The productive performances and nitrogen (N) balance, blood markers related to protein metabolism, apparent digestibility of nutrients, carcass, and meat quality were evaluated. This dietary CP restriction did not impair the growth performances, decreased the N excretion, and did not affect the apparent digestibility of most nutrients, except phosphorus digestibility, which was reduced in the low‐CP diet. The responses to this dietary CP restriction were independent of sex, except the serum urea concentration and total proteins, which were only steadily reduced in intact males fed the low‐CP diet. The low‐CP diet reduced the nutritional pork quality by increasing the moisture content, although the technological characteristics of meat were not affected. Further studies are required to improve the sex‐tailored feeding strategies for high‐conformed lean pigs in an environmentally friendly context
3D ice lithography and post-processing using gold organometallic precursor
Get PDF3D ice lithography (3DIL) is an emerging method for fabricating polymeric 3D objects with submicrometer patterns. However, there are no studies on 3DIL using metal-containing precursors. In addition, unlike numerous post-processing studies of two-photon polymerization (2PP) and focused electron beam-induced deposition (FEBID), there are no 3DIL post-processing investigations. Here, we present a 3DIL process using an organometallic precursor (gold dimethyl acetylacetonate, Au(acac)Me2), and its first post-processing study. We investigated 3D processing parameters and post-processing using Ar-, air annealing, and O2 plasma. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used for materials analysis. Our results show (i) 3DIL processed materials exhibit thermoset properties, as they decompose rather than melt at elevated temperatures; (ii) free metal atoms diffuse and form clusters, here, gold nanoparticles with a diameter of around 10 nm were formed; (iii) oxygen treatments remove carbon-based ligands while leaving noble metals behind. Also, Ar annealing leads to less material loss than air annealing, while O2 plasma generates oxidized Au states and efficiently removes carbon ligands. Ar annealing at 600 °C reduces the carbon XPS signals significantly and increases the gold XPS signal by ten times, giving a good purification effect but with a high material removal of around 95 %. We printed large Au metalorganic 3D structures (>1000 times larger volume than FEBID), which suggests 3DIL bridges the gap between the capabilities of 2PP and FEBID. The unique capabilities of organometallic compounds to detect environmental changes can position 3DIL for sensing applications, and 3DIL is a safe and non-toxic technique to manufacture nanoparticle-containing 3D structures, which may have applications in many fields such as nanophotonics, drug delivery, and catalysis
Citrullination at the N-terminal region of <scp>MDM2</scp> by the <scp>PADI4</scp> enzyme
No full textPADI4 is one of the human isoforms of a family of enzymes involved in the conversion of arginine to citrulline. MDM2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is critical for degradation of the tumor suppressor gene p53. We have previously shown that there is an interaction between MDM2 and PADI4 in cellulo, and that such interaction occurs through the N‐terminal region of MDM2, N‐MDM2, and in particular through residues Thr26, Val28, Phe91, and Lys98. Here, by using a “divide‐and‐conquer” approach, we have designed and synthesized peptides comprising these two polypeptide stretches (residues Ala21–Lys36, and Lys94–Val108), either in the wild‐type species or in their citrullinated versions. Some of the citrullinated peptides were aggregation‐prone, as suggested by DOSY‐NMR experiments, but the wild‐type versions of both fragments were monomeric in solution. We found out that wild‐type and modified peptides were disordered in all cases, as also tested by far‐UV circular dichroism (CD), and citrullination mainly affected the NMR chemical shifts of adjacent residues. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in the absence and presence of GSK484, an enzymatic PADI4 inhibitor, indicated that this compound blocked binding of the peptides to the enzyme. Binding to the active site of the N‐MDM2 fragments was also confirmed by in silico experiments. The affinities of PADI4 for the wild‐type peptides were more favorable than those of the corresponding citrullinated ones, but all measured values were within the micromolar range, indicating that there were no major variations in the thermodynamics of binding due to sequence effects. The kinetic dissociation rates, koff, measured by biolayer interferometry (BLI), were always one‐order of magnitude faster for the citrullinated peptides than for the wild‐type ones. Taken together, all these findings indicate that MDM2 is a substrate for PADI4 and is prone to citrullination in the identified (and specific) positions of its N‐terminal region
Participación deportiva, capacidad espacial motriz y autoeficacia percibida en jóvenes con altas capacidades intelectuales
Get PDFIntroducción: el estudio de la participación deportiva entre la población de altas capacidades intelectuales se ha desarrollado muy tardíamente, debido en parte a una tradicional concepción cartesiana del ser humano.
Objetivo: este estudio pretende aportar conocimiento a esta temática, analizando los hábitos deportivos de una población joven con altas capacidades intelectuales en relación con la inteligencia verbal y no verbal.
Metodología: en el mismo participaron 128 jóvenes de entre 14 y 25 años identificados con altas capacidades intelectuales, quienes respondieron a un cuestionario que incorporaba datos sociodemográficos y de hábitos deportivos, así como la evaluación de la inteligencia mediante un test breve, y dos escalas para medir el disfrute en la práctica de actividades físicas y la autoeficacia motriz.
Resultados: entre los resultados destaca que los jóvenes de altas capacidades, deportivamente, siguen tendencias similares a las de su grupo de edad. No se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre las variables relacionadas con la inteligencia y la capacidad espacial motriz tal como se planteaba en la hipótesis. Sin embargo, sí se encontraron relaciones significativas entre disfrute con la práctica y autoeficacia motriz, así como en el modelo centrado en el factor verbal y en la capacidad espacial motriz; es decir que, a mayor nivel de razonamiento verbal, mayor capacidad espacial motriz.
Conclusiones: este estudio puede contribuir a una mejor incorporación de la población de altas capacidades a las actividades físico-deportivas, promoviendo de esta forma su desarrollo integral
Pentafluoroorthotellurate Uncovered: Theoretical Perspectives on an Extremely Electronegative Group
Get PDFThe pentafluoroorthotellurate group (−OTeF5, teflate) exhibits high electron-withdrawing properties. Indeed, it is often used as a bulky substitute for fluoride due to its high chemical stability and larger size, which reduces its tendency to act as a bridging ligand. These characteristics make it a valuable ligand in synthetic chemistry, facilitating the preparation of molecular structures analogous to polymeric fluoride-based compounds. In this study, we explore the electronic structure of the teflate group by using advanced Quantum Chemical Topology (QCT) methods to better understand its bonding nature and compare its group electronegativity with that of the halogens. For that, we examine XOTeF5 systems (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and decompose X–OTeF5 interactions into classical (ionic) and exchange-correlation (covalent) contributions by using interacting quantum atoms (IQA) energy decomposition scheme. We also conduct a detailed analysis of electron distribution by utilizing the statistical framework of electron distribution functions (EDFs) and examine the electron localization function (ELF), electron density, and reduced density gradient scalar functions, as well as delocalization indices and QTAIM charges. The results show that the electron-withdrawing properties of the teflate group are comparable to those of fluorine, albeit slightly lower. Moreover, its internal bonding is primarily ionic. Additionally, we compare −OTeF5 with other O-donor groups, demonstrating that the electron-withdrawing properties within OEF5 (E = S, Se, Te) systems are nearly identical, and these groups show a higher group electronegativity than OCF3, OC(CF3)3, and OC6F5
Treating self-harm behaviors in prisons: implementation of the STEPPS program
Get PDFBackground
Improving mental health within correctional facilities, specifically to address self-harm behaviors, is a crucial endeavor. However, significant challenges arise when implementing evidence-based programs within this complex setting. Despite these hurdles, the Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) program has garnered recognition, notably in the United States, for its efficacy in tackling such issues. This study aimed to examine inmate profiles in prisons located in Catalonia, Spain, and to investigate the STEPPS program’s effectiveness and implementation process.
Method
Forty-one inmates participated in the study and completed measures covering self-harm behaviors, emotion regulation, impulsivity, mental health symptoms, and satisfaction with the intervention. Twenty-four professionals who implemented the STEPPS program completed satisfaction, normalization process, burnout, acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility measures.
Results
The results suggest that the STEPPS program significantly reduced symptoms of emotional dysregulation, motor impulsivity, and compulsive symptomatology among inmates. The intervention was well-received by professionals, and perceived as appropriate and feasible. The perception of feasibility decreased after implementation, likely due to contextual factors such as inmate and organization characteristics. Additionally, professionals remained committed to the implementation, dedicating time and effort to the process and engaging in thorough evaluations, without increasing their levels of burnout.
Conclusions
These findings deepen the understanding of self-harm behaviors in prisons, highlighting the program STEPPS as promising approach for addressing self-harm. However, improvements in the STEPPS program are still necessary to enhance its implementation in this setting
European hydrogen train the trainer programme for responders: The impact of HyResponder on training across Europe
Get PDFThe impact of the HyResponder project on the training of responders in 10 European countries is described. An overview is presented of training activities undertaken within the project in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. National leads with training expertise are given, and the longer-term plans in each region are mentioned. Responders from each region took part in a specially tailored “train the trainer” programme, and then delivered training within their regions. A flexible approach to training within the HyResponder network has enabled fit for purpose, region appropriate activities to be delivered, impacting over 1250 individuals during the project, and many more beyond. Teaching and learning materials in hydrogen safety for responders have been made available in 8 languages: English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish. They are being used to inform training within each of the partner countries. Dedicated national working groups, focused on hydrogen safety training for responders have been established in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Switzerland
Linear response theory for cavity QED materials at arbitrary light-matter coupling strengths
Get PDFWe develop a linear response theory for materials collectively coupled to a cavity that is valid in all regimes of light-matter coupling, including symmetry-broken phases. We present and compare two different approaches. First, we use a coherent path-integral formulation for the partition function to obtain thermal Green's functions. This approach relies on a saddle-point expansion for the action that can be truncated in the thermodynamic limit. Second, we formulate the equations of motion for the retarded Green's functions and solve them. We use a mean-field decoupling of high-order Green's functions to obtain a closed, solvable system of equations. Both approaches yield identical results in the calculation of response functions for the cavity and material. These are obtained in terms of the bare cavity and material responses. In combination, the two techniques clarify the validity of a mean-field decoupling in correlated light-matter systems and provide complementary means to compute finite-size corrections to the thermodynamic limit. The theory is formulated for a general model that encompasses most of the systems typically considered in the field of cavity QED materials. Finally, we provide a detailed application of the theory to the quantum Hall effect and to a collection of spin models
Evaluación de la accesibilidad de las zonas rurales y remotas a los servicios prestados de forma digital: fundamentos e implicaciones analíticas
Get PDFEl trabajo parte de la expectativa de que el declive demográfico seguirá afectando a las zonas rurales de Europa, especialmente a las más remotas, y que, para paliar sus efectos sobre la provisión de servicios, en un contexto de recursos decrecientes, podrían generalizarse fórmulas de prestación digital en la confianza de que, además de favorecerse el acceso de la población a más servicios, se ayudaría a mejorar el atractivo de las áreas rurales. Al reflexionar sobre cómo evaluar la nueva accesibilidad en un contexto digital, revisamos los factores que debieran tomarse en consideración, entre los cuales ya no está el factor “distancia”, y proponemos variables encaminadas a evaluar la accesibilidad digital, apreciando sin embargo que su aplicabilidad está muy comprometida por la inexistencia de datos a escala local. Concluimos instando a la continuación de la investigación y recomendando que los avances en la prestación digital de servicios vayan en paralelo a la generación de datos que permitan evaluar la calidad del acceso de la población de las áreas rurales a los servicios digitales, para verificar que se cumplen los supuestos respecto de una mejor prestación y del mayor atractivo de las zonas beneficiarias