Efficient lipid digestion in formula-fed infants is required to ensure the availability of fatty acids for normal organ development. Previous studies suggest that the efficiency of lipid digestion may depend on whether lipids are emulsified with soy lecithin or fractions derived from bovine milk. This study, therefore, aimed to determine whether emulsification with bovine milk-derived emulsifiers or soy lecithin (SL) influenced lipid digestion in vitro and in vivo. Lipid digestibility was determined in vitro in oil-in-water emulsions using four different milk-derived emulsifiers or SL, and the ultrastructural appearance of the emulsions was assessed using electron microscopy. Subsequently, selected emulsions were added to a base diet and fed to preterm neonatal piglets. Initially, preterm pigs equipped with an ileostomy were fed experimental formulas for seven days and stoma output was collected quantitatively. Next, lipid absorption kinetics was studied in preterm pigs given pure emulsions. Finally, complete formulas with different emulsions were fed for four days, and the post-bolus plasma triglyceride level was determined. Milk-derived emulsifiers (containing protein and phospholipids from milk fat globule membranes and extracellular vesicles) showed increased effects on fat digestion compared to SL in an in vitro digestion model. Further, milk-derived emulsifiers significantly increased the digestion of triglyceride in the preterm piglet model compared with SL. Ultra-structural images indicated a more regular and smooth surface of fat droplets emulsified with milk-derived emulsifiers relative to SL. We conclude that, relative to SL, milk-derived emulsifiers lead to a different surface ultrastructure on the lipid droplets, and increase lipid digestion. Exclusive breastfeeding is, according to WHO, the preferred nutrition from birth to the age of six months , yet worLipid supplementation to the brain is essential for normal neurological development. Accumulation of lipids in the brain begins in the third trimester and continues the first two years of postnatal life . EspeciaOne reason for the lack of improved neurological outcomes from formulas high in LC-PUFA may be low intestinal absorption leading to low delivery of LC-PUFA to the brain. Fat absorption in infants is generally less efficient relative to adults, and this is even more pronounced in preterm infants who have an absorption rate of 70–80% relative to 95% in adults. This is mainly due to the involvement of different lipases in infants than in adults and thereby different digestive capacity . MoreoveIn infant formula today, soy lecithin (SL) is commonly used as an emulsifier and stabilizer. SL mainly consists of phosphatidylcholine and does not contain sphingomyelin or cholesterol, both of which play a major role in forming the lipid rafts found in MFGM . Thus SLOn this background, we hypothesized that emulsification with bovine phospholipid sources such as whey protein concentrate enriched in phospholipids (WPC-PL) or WPC from acid whey-enriched in extracellular vesicles (WPC-A-EV) with their unique composition of glycolipids, phospholipids, sphingomyelin, and glycosylated proteins joined in a complex membrane structure, would enhance digestion of dietary lipids compared to SL. Accordingly, the objective was to emulsify vegetable-based oils with either SL or WPC-PL or WPC-A-EV and determine their effect on the in vitro rate of lipolysis, and in vivo digestion and absorption of triglycerides. To determine any influence of emulsifiers on lipid digestion, we chose to use a preterm neonatal piglet model. This was from the assumption that prematurity per se would associate with lower digestive capacity, thereby making any potential improvements of lipid digestion more clear.For the in vitro lipolysis studies, five oil-in-water emulsions were made using either SL , or bovine whey protein concentrate enriched in phospholipids (WPC-PL), whey protein concentrate from acid whey enriched in triglycerides (WPC-A-TAG), whey protein concentrate from acid whey enriched in EVs (WPC-A-EV), or whey protein concentrate from acid whey enriched in soluble whey protein (WPC-A-WP). All bovine products were kindly donated by Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S, and the composition of the emulsifiers is provided in 2 and 8.5 mM NaCl solution.The emulsions were prepared using the emulsification method, composition, and oil-blend described in Heerup et al. (submitted) . In brie2 and 8.5 mM NaCl solution, CaCl2 and NaCl were instead added as part of the gastric medium. 2 and NaCl from the emulsions. The degree of lipolysis over time was measured indirectly by continuous titration of ionized free fatty acids with 0.2 mM NaOH using a Metrohm Titrando pH Stat . The particle size distribution of the undigested emulsions was measured on the day of lipolysis.The emulsions were digested using the in vitro pediatric gastro-intestinal digestion model described in Heerup et al. In brief, the model consisted of a 50 min gastric step at pH 6.4 with 3.75 TBU/mL recombinant human gastric lipase (rHGL) kindly donated by Bioneer A/S  and 126 U/mL pepsin purchased from Sigma Aldrich , a 90 min intestinal step at pH 6.5 with 26.5 TBU/mL pancreatin (Sigma Aldrich), and a back titration to pH 9. Since the SL emulsion was not stable in the 11.5 mM CaCl2 or NaCl added to any of the emulsions. The emulsions were mixed 1:1 with 2% agarose  at 37 °C and left at room temperature for solidification. Several small pieces of the solidified sample were cut and fixed in the 2% glutaraldehyde phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) for 30 min at room temperature, followed by washing and postfix in 1% w/v OsO4 with 0.05 M K3Fe(CN)6 in 0.12 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) for 2 h. After that, a standard procedure for dehydration, embedding, and sectioning was applied. Finally, the ultra-thin sectioned sample (~60 nm) were collected on copper grids with Formvar supporting membranes, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and examined by a Philips CM-100 electron microscope  operated at 100 kV. For SEM, specimens were sandwiched in 2 × 100 µm planchettes and cryopreserved by high-pressure freezing . The sandwiched planchettes were mounted in a planchette holder (Leica) under liquid N2 and transferred to a vitreous cryo transfer shuttle . The samples were cracked and sputter-coated (approximately 6 nm)  with carbon/platinum. Specimens were examined with an FEI Quanta 3D scanning electron microscope operated at an accelerating 2 kV voltage.To determine structural differences we selected a subfraction of emulsions, i.e., SL, WPC-PL, and WPC-A-EV. These emulsions were visualized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The emulsions used for TEM and SEM were prepared according to the method described by Heerup et al., although with no CaClw/w%) using an oil-blend containing 91.66% Akonino NS, 5.46% MEG-3, and 2.88% Arasco, and 1% emulsifier. Different experimental diets were used for each of three in vivo studies: In in vivo study 1, the experimental diet consisted of complete formulas based on 10% oil-in-water emulsions with either SL  or WPC-PL mixed with a base-diet to achieve a final fat concentration of 5.1%. The base-diet was made from whey protein (Lacprodan® DI-9224), casein (Miprodan® 40), lactose, and minerals  and was designed to meet the nutritional needs of pigs. In in vivo study 2, the experimental diet consisted of pure 10% oil-in-water emulsions with either SL (VWR) or WPC-PL. Finally, in in vivo study 3, the experimental diet consisted of complete formulas based on 10% oil-in-water emulsions with either SL , WPC-PL, or WPC-A-EV mixed with the base diet to a final fat concentration of 10%.From the initial five emulsifiers tested in the in vitro system, we selected WPC-PL and SL for in vivo study 1 and 2. While WPC-PL was chosen because it had shown a beneficial effect in infant formula , we chosn = 22,  was born by cesarean section at day 113 of gestation and reared in preheated and oxygenated incubators as described previously [n = 5–9) or WPC-PL (n = 6–9). Enteral feeding was initiated as quickly as possible postoperatively at a rate of 6 mL/kg every three hours, gradually increasing to 15 mL/kg every three hours on day seven and eight. The personnel were blinded to the treatment groups. Stoma output was collected quantitatively on days 3, 4, and 7, and following measurement of fat concentration in the stoma output, intestinal fat absorption was calculated as described earlier [All procedures were approved by the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate (license number 2014-15-0201-00418), which follows the guidelines from Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and the ARRIVE guidelines . We usedeviously . Immedia earlier .Fat accumulation in the tissues of the small intestine was measured. A piece of the proximal part of the small intestine was fixed in a cryo cassette  with tissue O.C.T.  and frozen in liquid nitrogen. The tissue was sliced with a cryostat , and stained with Oil-Red-O . Six digital images were taken at 20× magnification from six different regions using a microscope , and the degree of fat infiltration was scored.n = 19, was born by cesarean section at day 106 of gestation, making the piglets 7 days more premature relative to the first study which further sensitizes the gut toward low digestive capacity. We have used this degree of prematurity in many previous experiments and based on sensitivity to develop prematurity-related complications like necrotizing enterocolitis, which may correspond to week 25–28 in human pregnancy. Procedures for cesarean section, postnatal rearing, and provision of parenteral nutrition were identical to the previous study. On day two, the piglets were blocked randomized according to body weight to receive an enteral bolus (6 mL/kg body weight) of pure emulsion with either SL or WPC-PL. Using a cross-over design, the piglets received a second pure emulsion bolus on day three, such that each piglet had been exposed to both emulsions. Blood samples from the arterial umbilical catheter were collected on both days at t = 0, 90, 180, 270, 360, and 540 min after the bolus was given and stored in heparinized tubes. Plasma was isolated after centrifugation , and the concentration of triglycerides was analyzed using an automated ADVIA 1800 Chemistry System . Following blood sampling, all pigs were euthanized.Subsequently, we examined the triglyceride absorption kinetics after dosing of pure 10% oil-in-water emulsions. One litter of preterm piglets, In a final in vivo experiment, the triglyceride absorption kinetics following ingestion of complete formulas was determined. A total of 49 preterm piglets from three pregnant sows were born by cesarean section at day 106 of gestation. They were stabilized and received parenteral nutrition as described above and were block-randomized according to birthweight into three groups, all receiving the complete formula, with a fat content of 10%. Collectively for all three in vivo studies, we ensured to have pigs from each litter equally represented in all treatment groups, allowing us to correct for any variance between litters and their specific genotype, in the analysis of variance. The complete formulas were made with the emulsions based on SL, WPC-PL, or WPC-A-EV. To stimulate the intestinal absorptive function, we initially fed the pure base-diet without emulsions during the first 24 h, at a rate of 3 mL/kg every three hours. On day two, the complete formulas including the emulsions were given at a bolus dose of 9 mL/kg, following a 6 hr fasting period. Blood samples were collected via the umbilical catheter at t = 0, 30, 60, 90 min after the bolus. Following this, the piglets were again fed with increasing amounts of enteral diet (6–9 mL/kg every three hours). On day four, the piglets were again fed a test meal of 9 mL/kg after a fasting period of 3.5 h, and blood samples were collected at t = 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Blood was drawn via the jugular vein in cases where the umbilical catheter was dysfunctional. Plasma was isolated, and triglyceride concentration was measured.The pigs were euthanized on day four following a standardized feeding regimen to ensure an equal amount of gastric content at the time of euthanasia. Specifications for recordings and sample collection are provided in the www.graphpad.com). Group comparisons were made using unpaired t-tests based on the area under the curve (AUC).Statistical analyses for the in vitro digestions were performed using GraphPad Prism version 7.0 for Windows . Continuous data were analyzed with a linear mixed model using the lm function (lme4 package). Group comparisons were made with an ANOVA (lme4 package) and Post Hoc Tukey test with the glht function (multcomp package). Normal distribution and homoscedasticity of residuals were visualized for model validation. Birthweight was used as a covariate, sex as a fixed variable, and litter as a random variable in all the models. Repeated blood samples were analyzed using SAS . In all repeated measures models, birthweight and baseline triglyceride levels were included as covariates, whereas sex and litter were included as fixed and random effects respectively. Survival curves of basic motor skills were evaluated in GraphPad (Prism version 7.0) using the Logrank test for the trend. Fat accumulation scores were analyzed as ordinal data with the clmm function , and group comparison was made with the post hoc Tukey test. Group comparisons of the gastric lipase activity were made with unpaired t-tests in the GraphPad (Prism version 7.0). p < 0.01), whereas WPC-A-TAG showed values similar to SL.The in vitro lipolysis assessed as the amount of released free fatty acids (FFAs) titrated over time during digestion of each of the five 3.5% fat emulsions, using SL, WPC-PL, WPC-A-EV, WPC-A-TAG, and WPC-A-WP, is presented in The droplet size distribution for each of the five 3.5% fat emulsions, SL, WPC-PL, WPC-A-EV, WPC-A-TAG, and WPC-A-WP, are presented in The droplet sizes in the WPC-A-TAG and WPC-A-WP emulsions were similar and showed two distributions of nearly uniform height, with the first at 0.6 µm for both WPC-A-TAG and WPC-A-WP and the second mode around 4 µm for WPC-A-TAG and 17 µm for WPC-A-WP. The microstructure of WPC-PL, WPC-A-EV, and SL emulsion was further characterized by TEM , Panel 2n = 9 (SL) and n = 8 (WPC-PL). Birthweight was similar between WPC-PL and SL piglets, with a mean weight of 1530 g ± 235 and 1465 g ± 306, respectively. Changes in body weight in the immediate postnatal period and following period with an ileostomy were generally characterized by weight loss in both groups, albeit with lower weight loss in WPC-PL versus SL (−12.4 ± 12.3 versus −17.5 ± 14.9 g/(kg·day), p > 0.05). We were able to quantify stoma output reliably in a subfraction of the piglets (n = 5–10 piglets), see Of the initial 22 piglets, three were euthanized due to post-surgical complications, and later two died from poor clinical conditions. The final number of piglets included in each group was n = 7) of 0.25 mmol/L ± 0.12 and in the SL piglets (n = 6) of 0.15 mmol/L ± 0.03. Organ weights and histological fat accumulation score in the proximal intestine were similar between the groups. Details are provided in Due to poor clinical conditions, three piglets did not receive their last feeding, and they were excluded. Plasma triglyceride levels one hour postprandial did not differ between groups, reaching a level in the WPC-PL piglets (n = 16 for WPC-PL and n = 18 for SL. Mean body weight at birth was 933 g ± 277 (WPC-PL) and 969 g ± 226 (SL). Triglyceride levels in plasma were similar for WPC-PL and SL on both days two and three, and for the pooled values across both days , n = 14 (WPC-PL) and n = 15 (WPC-A-EV). Birthweight was similar between SL (1124 g ± 264), WPC-PL (1077 g ± 225) and WPC-A-EV (1108 g ± 260) fed piglets, weight gain was similar for SL (−5.39 g/(kg·day) ± 11.6), WPC-PL (−2.19 g/(kg·day) ± 10.1) and WPC-A-EV (−1.24 g/(kg·day) ± 7.4). Three piglets were euthanized due to clinical complications unrelated to the diets.Final number of piglets were p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively. The values for WPC-A-EV and WPC-PL were similar  for the lipase assay. Specific numbers were SL: 0.92 U/mL ± 0.63; WPC-PL: 0.27 U/mL ± 0.15 and WPC-A-EV: 0.30 U/mL ± 0.34 (p < 0.01 for WPC-PL and WPC-A-EV relative to SL). The gastric pH was similar between groups , the lipolysis is slower compared to lipid droplets emulsified with bovine dairy emulsifiers of more complex polar lipid and protein composition. This agrees with the findings from earlier studies suggesting that the pancreatic lipase has a higher affinity for a lipid surface covered with casein or whey proteins . This noWe used a neonatal preterm piglet model to determine the effects of WPC-PL, WPC-A-EV, and SL emulsifiers on the absorption of triglycerides. Appropriate animal models offer the potential of eliminating important confounders that exist in the comparison of breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and we suggest that preterm pigs with their resemblance to preterm infants in terms of gut and brain development  and postSeveral randomized controlled trials have examined the safety and efficacy of dairy phospholipid-enriched infant formulas. In one multicenter randomized controlled trial, they used two commercial phospholipid-rich ingredients and investigated its safety in infant formula . It was We conclude that the milk-derived emulsifiers WPC-PL and WPC-A-EV increase fat digestion and absorption of triglycerides relative to SL. The effects are seen in vivo when the emulsions are an integrated part of a complete diet, but not when the pigs were fed pure emulsions. Higher levels of lipid hydrolysis, as indicated in vitro, suggest that the higher absorptive rates in vivo result from increased lipase activity when WPC-PL and WPC-A-EV are used as emulsifiers relative to SL. It remains to be determined whether emulsification with these milk-derived polar lipids can affect brain development.


Characterizing early-age properties is very important for the quality control and durability of cementitious materials. In this paper, an approach using embedded guided waves was adopted to monitor the changes in the mechanical proprieties of mortar and concrete during setting, and embedded thin rods with low-cost piezoelectric sensors mounted on top were used for guide wave monitoring. Through continuous attenuation monitoring of the guided waves, the evolution of mortar and concrete properties was characterized. Four different kinds of metallic rods were tested at the same time to find out the optimal setup. Meanwhile, shear wave velocities of the mortar and concrete samples were monitored and correlated to the attenuation, and setting time tests were also performed on these samples. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach could monitor the evolution of the setting of cementitious materials quantitatively, and time of the initial setting could be determined by this technique as well. In addition, it is found that the attenuations of fundamental longitudinal guided wave mode are almost the same in concrete samples and mortar samples sieved from concrete, indicating that this technique is able to eliminate the effects of coarse aggregates, which makes it of great potential for in-situ monitoring of early age concrete. In reinforced concrete structures, the workability and durability of concrete are critical for the structures to meet desired structural performance ,2,3. FurLots of research has been conducted to correlate the body wave velocities and material properties. For instance, many efforts were made, aiming to find the relationship between primary wave velocity and setting times ,17,18,19Ultrasonic guided waves are elastic waves propagating in a plate or rod. Due to its long propagation range, the guided wave is frequently used in material characterization and damage detection in plates and pipes ,26,27,28In this paper, a series of experimental tests on mortar and concrete samples with various mix designs were performed. Four different kinds of metallic rod were tested simultaneously to find out the optimal guided wave setup to monitor the setting process. Meanwhile, shear wave velocities of the mortar and concrete were monitored, and the time of setting was also measured from these samples. The relationship between these measurements was also discussed.Two types of samples, namely mortar and concrete samples, were mixed, and ordinary Portland cement was used in both types of samples. The fine aggregate used in the two types of samples was river sand, and the relative density of this sand was 2.62. The coarse aggregate used in concrete samples was a dolomitic limestone with a relative density of 2.65. As shown in To find out the optimal material with appropriate mechanical properties and dimensions, four different metallic rods  were embedded into the samples during the tests see a. The leMeanwhile, shear wave testing was carried out using two shear wave transducers  in the same batch of samples independently. The setup for shear wave testing was the same as the one used in the author’s previous work [In order to determine the initial and final setting of the samples, penetration resistance tests were carried out on the same batch of mortar and concrete samples, according to ASTM C403 [It has been shown that the propagation of the shear wave is less affected by the presence of air void in cementitious materials. Thus, only the shear wave velocity is obtained and analyzed in this study. It was noticed that it is hard to pick the first arrival of shear waves from a single piece of signal in the time domain. Thus, B scan images were formed by a stack of signals in the time domain together and used to capture the shear wave arrival. The shear wave arrival time was first obtained using a MATLAB  input function to manually pick arrival points at different ages along the arrival time trend. Then, the shear wave velocity was calculated by dividing the thickness of the mortar sample, which was 27 mm in this study, over the travel time of the wave through the sample. Note that a test system time of 4 μs was subtracted to obtain the actual travel time.Shear wave velocities obtained from different w/c mortar samples are shown in 0 is the signal amplitude before the rod was embedded, and Aemb is the signal amplitude after the rod was embedded.Many guided wave modes exist in a cylindrical rod, and each mode travels at a different velocity. These wave modes are often categorized into three different types: longitudinal (L), torsional (T) and flexural (F). The amplitude of the reflected guided waves was then normalized to the amplitudes of the waves obtained when the rods were not embedded. Another phenomenon noticed is that the attenuation trends in both steel rods are almost the same, especially after 5 h of setting. The reason was further investigated, and wavelet analysis was adopted to see the time-frequency domain difference between the signals obtained from the 6.35 mm and 3.17 mm diameter steel rods, respectively. As seen in In the reflected echoes obtained from the 3.17 mm diameter steel rod, two dominant central frequencies, 135 kHz and 270 kHz could be observed. Note that the frequency-radius product of the 270 kHz signal is 428.63 kHz-mm in the 3.17 mm rod, and this product is the same as the one obtained from the 6.35 mm rod. As the hardening process develops, the 428.63 kHz-mm product will gradually become the dominant one in the 3.17 mm rod. Thus, the attenuation trends in both the 6.35 mm and 3.17 mm diameter steel rods are almost the same after 5 h of setting.As seen in Since there is mainly axial surface displacement and little radial displacement under the low- frequency L  mode , shear lTo find out the influence of coarse aggregates on this technique, a w/c = 0.50 concrete sample was tested in this study. The normalized amplitude and attenuation change during hydration of a concrete sample, and the mortar sample sieved from concrete are shown in In order to find out whether coarse aggregates affect the development and the evolution of shear waves in concrete, shear wave velocity change during the setting process is also shown here see . As seenIn this study, an embedded guided wave technique has been adopted to monitor the setting process of cementitious samples. Specially, four different kinds of rods have been tested simultaneously to find out the optimal guided wave setup. Shear wave velocities of the mortar and concrete have been monitored and the time of setting has also been measured on these samples, and the relationship between these measurements has been discussed. The following conclusions could be drawn from this study.Within the four rods tested in this study, the aluminum rod with a diameter of 3.17 mm performs the best. It could be adopted to characterize the whole setting process of cementitious samples with standard water to cement ratios.By using an aluminum rod in the fundamental mode, a strong correlation between the attenuation and the shear wave velocity has been shown in mortar samples. This trend agrees well with the previous embedded guide wave monitoring studies, which used a steel rod to guide wave propagation.This technique worked equally well in concrete samples and mortar samples sieved from the same batch of concrete. This implies that this technique is able to eliminate the effects of coarse aggregates, and is of great potential for field setting monitoring of cementitious materials with standard water to cement ratios.


Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus among adolescents is increasing.This study aimed to analyze this current situation in Rio de Janeiro City.This was a retrospective longitudinal study using secondary data from theNational System of Notifiable Diseases database of cases in adolescents aged13-19 years.There were 885 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases from 1978 to 2017 and445 human immunodeficiency virus new cases from 2014 to 2017. Over time,sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiencysyndrome cases increase.Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic inadolescents requires novel prevention policies. In Brazil, after a short period of incidence reduction, human immunodeficiencyvirus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is increasing, particularly in youngmen who have sex with men and pregnant women. According to the latest EpidemiologicalBulletin of the Brazilian Ministry of Health on HIV/AIDS, referring to cases confirmedon June 2017, individuals between 15 and 19 years old continue to present increasingrates of AIDS incidence. According to distribution by sex, in the last 10 years, thereis a reduced detection rate among women in all ages, except between 15 and 19 years old,where there was an increasing rate. It should be observed that prevalence ratio betweensexes is lower in this age group compared to other age groups, from 17 men to 10 women,showing that the reduction in the current situation of epidemic feminization, observedin 2009, was lower in adolescents than other age groups. Among young individuals agedfrom 20 to 29 years, this ratio is 30 men for every 10 womenHomosexual males are predominantly exposed to HIV infection, and the number of HIV casesin homosexual males is increasing every year. A recent national HIV surveillance in asample of 4176 men who have sex with men, performed in 12 municipalities in the fivemacroregions of Brazil, observed an HIV prevalence of 18.4%, significantly higher thanthe prevalence of 12.1% observed in 2009 in a similar study. Regarding age group, thisstudy showed that the highest prevalence increase was observed in individuals agedbetween 15 and 19 years, with a triple increase in prevalenceIt is worth mentioning that AIDS epidemic in adolescents is reaching the poorestpopulation strataBased on the current situation of AIDS in adolescents in Brazil, this study aimed toanalyze the dynamics of the epidemic between individuals aged 13-19 years in the Rio deJaneiro City since its beginning to generate information that contributes to thecreation of preventive interventions in this population.We used data collected from HIV and AIDS cases in adolescents (aged 13-19 years) from the“Brazil’s Information System for Notifiable Diseases.” (SINAN) and population data fromcensus and intercensus projections of the Brazilian Institute of Geography andStatistics. It is worth mentioning that HIV notification has only become mandatory inBrazil since 2014. Therefore, we only have these data from 2014. We calculated both AIDSand HIV incidence rates per 100,000 and AIDS mortality rate per 100,000 adolescentsaccording to diagnostic year (or period of 10 years) and sex. For each individual case,we assessed sociodemographic information, type of transmission, and, in advanced cases,death.We used chi-squared tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests to evaluate statistical differencebetween the number of cases by period according to sociodemographic information, type oftransmission, and sexual preference.Bayesian multilevel logistic models were used to estimate mortality AIDS odds inadolescents. Fix effects estimated in adjusted model were sex, educational level, andtypes of transmission . In both models, we usedrandom effects for neighborhood, diagnostic year, and Human Development Index.We calculated generalized variance inflation factor and Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness offit test. K-fold cross-validation method was used to evaluate model performance ondifferent subsets of training data (k = 10).The local ethics committee approved the project (CAAE nº 84670817.4.3001.5279).There were 885 AIDS cases in adolescents (13-19 years old) from 1978 to 2017. The morerecent the period, the higher the number of AIDS cases. We observed similar behavior ofAIDS incidence rates, ranging from 0/100,000 in the first period to 5/100,000 in thelast period .Deaths due to AIDS in adolescents decreased after 1988-1997. For females, this reductiononly occurred in the last period, while for male, it occurred from 1998 to 2007. Thedeath ratio between sexes decreased over time, ranging from 80 males per 10 females to 8males per 10 females from the first period to the last two periods. The highest femalemortality rate was observed in 1988-1997 , while for males, incidence rateremained constant from 1978-1987 to 1998-2007  .Male incidence rate increased over the whole period, ranging from 1/100,000 in 1978-1987to 5/100,000 in 2008-2017, while incidence rate in females showed a slight decrease inthe last period. The ratio of AIDS cases between sexes decreased gradually until1998-2007, ranging from 38 to 8-9 males per 10 females over the periods .Distribution of AIDS over time by sex showed that from the beginning of the epidemic,AIDS rates in adolescents increased, ranging from 0 to 8.75/100,000 in 2013 for femalesand from 0 to 7.03/100,000 in 2014 for males. After 2013 and 2014, rates begin todecrease for females and males, respectively.The median age of AIDS cases was 18 years old in the most periods. Regarding ethnicity,we significantly identified non-White AIDS cases. The higher the educational level, thelower the number of AIDS cases. Regarding educational levels, AIDS cases increased inthe last period. The time interval between AIDS diagnosis and its notification decreasedover time, ranging from 16 to 2 months in the first period and the last period,respectively .Comparing transmission types, we observed that the number of AIDS cases transmittedthrough blood and sexual routes predominated in the first and last two periods,respectively. Over time, percentage of AIDS cases transmitted through sexual andvertical routes increases, while those transmitted through blood route decreases .Regarding sex, for females, heterosexual females predominantly had AIDS in all periods;for males, heterosexual males predominantly had AIDS in the second period only. In thelast two periods, homosexual males (men who have sex with men [MSM]) predominantly hadAIDS. For both males and females with AIDS, percentage of all types of sexualtransmission increases over time .There were 445 HIV cases in adolescents from 2014 to 2017. The highest number of HIVcases (n=136) and the highest HIV rate  were observed in 2015 .The number of HIV cases in female adolescents exceeded that of male cases in 2014. Thesignificant ratio of HIV cases between sexes was observed in 2016, that is, 15 malecases per 10 female cases .The highest percentage of HIV cases for those who completed at least elementary schoolwas observed in 2015. The time interval between HIV diagnosis and its notificationdecreased over time, ranging from 69 to 0 days from 2014 to 2017 .Comparing transmission types, we observed that in 2014-2017, the number of HIV casestransmitted sexually predominated. Until 2016, percentage of HIV cases transmittedthrough vertical route increases, while those transmitted through blood route decreasedin the entire period .Adjusted analyses indicated that the odds of dying due to AIDS was two times higher inmales than in females, 58% lower for those who completed elementary school,approximately 90% lower for those who were infected by sexual or vertical route, andthree times higher for those infected by the administration of injectable drugs .Data reveal an alarming situation as the more recent the period, the higher the number ofAIDS cases, particularly in individuals with lower educational level, and the number ofHIV cases in the last 3 years corresponds to greater than half of all AIDS casesdiagnosed since the beginning of the epidemic by 2017. The increase in prevalence ofHIV/AIDS signifies a poorly controlled HIV/AIDS epidemic, although it can also show animprovement and amplification of diagnosis. This situation is in contrary to the overallreduction in AIDS cases in several countries and signifies Brazil’s regression in copingwith the epidemic,The increase of case prevalence from vertical transmission reveals late diagnosis of HIV,resulting in the improper administration of prophylaxis for vertical transmission inperinatal period and incorrect diagnosis of the disease during childhood. Such delay inHIV diagnosis in the studied population increases comorbidities of the disease and riskof HIV sexual transmission due to the lack of knowledge about seropositivity in highsexual experimentation,Preventive actions for HIV/AIDS may not be accessible to youth. Today, many behavioralchanges in youth brought about by digital media are observed. Conservative movementssuch as No-Party SchoolThe more we have a better understanding of behavioral patterns, risk practices, andsocial support networks, the better we can improve HIV prevention and control measures.More targeted and relevant HIV prevention programs for youth are urgently needed toprevent and control this epidemic. The increasing number of young males with HIV/AIDS isalso a significant problem faced by several countriesHence, a novel and preventive intervention is required to prevent and control thisepidemic. Adolescence is a period of sexual experimentation and identification.Adolescents receive a lot of sexual information from the Web, including pornography.Today, AIDS is considered a nonfatal disease. Hence, young individuals’ fear about AIDSis significantly different than to that of individuals in the past.A better epidemiological situation of HIV/AIDS was observed in the past decade than inthe current decade. Public policies in the past included significant participation ofthe society in preventive programs, and there were more campaigns and sexual educationat schools in the past than in the present. There was an intense reduction of preventivemeasures aimed at these most affected populations, and government campaigns werecurtailed by conservative politicians. Moreover, today, sexual freedom is significantlyachieved. It is necessary to discuss issues related to sexuality and eroticism and torecognize legitimacy of all expressions of sexuality and gender. According to someindividuals, condoms reduce pleasure in sexual intercourse. Pre-exposure prophylaxis isan alternative for those who cannot or do not want to use preservative consistently.Ways to achieve sexual pleasure and preventive methods are widely variableThe Global Burden of Disease Health Financing Collaborator NetworkReduction on time interval between diagnosis and notification and decrease in the numberof deaths are positively reported. Taquette and colleaguesThis study was conducted using secondary individual notified data of HIV/AIDS. However,the SINAN does not totally show the real epidemic situation because of delay innotification and undernotification. This is one of the limitations of the study. Anotherlimitation is the possibility of filling out notification forms incorrectly. A thirdlimitation may be failure in identifying HIV transmission type, as pointed out in thehigh prevalence of vertical transmission in the studied group. Additionally, the studyis restricted to Rio de Janeiro City only, which does not reflect the current HIV/AIDSsituation in other regions of the country. However, we believe that it offers valuablealternative interventions to public policies to fight HIV/AIDS epidemic in adolescentsand young individuals.


B. adusta CCBAS 930 and its mutants with modified ligninolytic activity to assess their potential to remove of molasses. The analyzed strains have been shown to be able to decolorize 1% or 2% molasses solutions containing brown-colored toxic melanoidins. It was found that the decolorization process was determined by the transition to the stage of production of sporulating aerial mycelium (liquid and agar cultures) coupled with an increase in peroxidase activity, which was accompanied by a decrease in the level of melanoidin, free radicals, and phenolic compounds. Four different peroxidase activities were detected in post-culture liquids, i.e. horseradish-like (HRP-like), manganese-dependent (MnP), lignin (LiP), and versatile (VP) peroxidase activities. The HRP-like peroxidase was characterized by the highest activity. The efficiency of removal of melanoidins from a 1% molasses solution by the parental strain and the mutants was dependent on the culture method. The highest efficiency was noted in immobilized cultures (threefold higher than in the mycelium-free cultures), which was accompanied by stimulation of HRP-like peroxidase activity. Mutant 930-5 was found to be the most effective in the decolorization and decomposition of melanoidin. The HRP-like activity in the immobilized cultures of B. adusta 930-5 was 640-fold higher than in the mycelium-free cultures of the fungus. Moreover, decolorization and biodegradation of melanoidin by B. adusta CCBAS 930 and 930-5 was coupled with detoxification.We used a ligninolytic strain of the white-rot fungus The online version of this article (10.1007/s11274-020-02944-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Beet molasses is a sugar industry by-product containing from 48 to 50% of sugars  nitrogen compounds, organic acid, amino acids etc.  versicolor have been investigated most widely to assess their ability to decolorize melanoids  or agglomerates inside the substrate (shaken cultures). A different type is liquid culture with biological material (hyphae) immobilized on the surface or inside the carrier. The use of such immobilized cultures for biodegradation of aromatic compounds has many advantages. Immobilized cells are more stable, durable, and resistant to environmental conditions than conventional cultures  level of melanoids, free radicals, and phenolic compounds as products of biotransformation of molasses. Phyto- and biotoxicity assays were carried out to examine whether the process of decolorization and biodegradation of melanoids was accompanied by detoxification thereof. The investigations also consisted in immobilization of the mycelium  to increase the efficiency of removal of melanoidins from the solution.We used a ligninolytic strain of the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta CCBAS 930 strain and its four phenotypic mutants 930-2, 930-5, 930-14, and 930-20 were used in the study. The isolation and identification based on morphological traits and ITS1, 5,8S rRNA, and ITS2 gene sequences of the parental B. adusta CCBAS 930 strain are presented in the paper by Korniłłowicz-Kowalska et al.  and UV irradiation is described in the study conducted by Korniłłowicz-Kowalska and Iglik  and more effective (except for one strain) decolorization of 0.2% post-industrial lignin solutions in comparison with the parental strain  basidiomycete a et al.  and Korna et al. . The idend Iglik  as well nd Iglik . The UV bczyńska . The othbczyńska . The par2CO3 in distilled water was prepared and autoclaved at 121 °C for 3 h. The stock solution of synthetic melanoidins was a basis for making dilutions for the standard curve.Molasses, i.e. a by-product of beet sugar production (sucrose), was obtained from the Lublin sugar factory (Poland) and kept at + 4 °C. Its chemical characteristics are shown in Table 1S. The following determinations were carried out: total N content with the Kjeldahl method, protein level with the modified Kjeldahl method , reducing sugars with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mineral components  with the flame AAS method, and quantitative and qualitative composition of amino acids with the HPLC method. The content of melanoidins in the molasses was determined spectrophotometrically (A400nm) as in Migo et al.  based on4NO3 –0.1; KH2PO4 –0.2; MgSO4 × 7H2O–0.5; agar 20 g, H2O–1L, with 1% and 2% molasses supplementation, using a mycelium disc with ø = 1 cm from a 7-day culture on PDA medium as an inoculum. The other experiments with molasses and mycelium-free cultures were carried out in stationary cultures on liquid Park and Robinson medium supplemented with 1% molasses without addition of glucose. All liquid cultures were carried out in 200 mL Erlenmayer flasks containing 100 mL of medium (molasses were added after sterilization of the medium). 1 mL of mycelium homogenate containing 106 c.f.u./mL obtained through homogenization of a 7-day culture on liquid glucose-potato (PD) medium was used as the inoculum. The density of the inoculum was established by plating dilutions of homogenized mycelium suspensions. The cultures were incubated at 26 °C for 3 weeks.Preliminary analyses of the abilities of the parental strain and its mutants to decolorize molasses (M) were carried out on solid Park and Robinson  medium wB. adusta CCBAS 930) and all mutants  were subjected to periodic determinations  of the molasses decolorization rate at A400nm (maximum absorbance), concentration of phenols (A400 nm) according to Malarczyk (460nm = 11.3 M−1 cm−1). Laccase activity was estimated according Leonowicz and Grzywnowicz  in the presence of 50 µL of supernatant and 10 µL of 6 mM H2O2, and subsequent determination of the Mn+3–malonic acid complex . The activity of lignin peroxidase (LiP) was assayed using 20 mM veratryl alcohol (ε310nm = 9300 M/cm)  activity was assessed by oxidation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenols . The Mn-independent activity of VP was estimated by oxidation of 15 µL of 20 mM 2,6-DMP (ɛ468 = 49.6 M/cm) in 265 µL of 50 mM sodium malonate buffer (pH 3.0 and 4.5) with 10 µL of 6 mM H2O2. The Mn-dependent activity of VP was determined by oxidation of 15 µL of 20 mM 2,6-DMP in 250 µL of 50 mM sodium malonate buffer (pH 4.5) in the presence of 10 µL of 6 mM H2O2 and 15 µL of 0.1 mM MnSO4.A broader spectrum of activity of extracellular oxidoreductases, including HRP-like peroxidases, laccase and manganese-dependent (MnP), lignin (LiP), and versatile (VP) peroxidases, was studied in the stationary cultures of the wild B. adusta CCBAS 930 and its mutants 930-5 and agitated . The mixture (25 mL) was extruded using a sterile syringe into 0.2 M CaCl2, thus forming beads with a 3.0–4.0 mm diameter. The beads were allowed to harden in 0.2 M CaCl2 for about 24 h at 4 °C. Next, the 0.2 M CaCl2 solution was removed and the beads were washed twice with the addition of distilled water. Immobilized mycelium  of B. adusta CCBAS 930 was incubated with 1% solutions of molasses . Samples were collected every day and the following parameters were estimated: the degree of decolorization of molasses (A400nm), the concentrations of phenolic compounds and the activity of peroxidases: horseradish-type (HRP-like), ligninase (LiP), manganese-dependent (MnP), versatile (VP) and laccase (Lac) (2.4). The relative level of free radicals was estimated spectrophotometrically based on the detection of superoxide-induced formation of formazan from nitrotetrazolium blue (NBT). The reaction mixture was prepared with 3 mL of distilled water, 0.05 mL of 1 M NaOH, 0.1 mL of a 5 mM NBT solution, and 0.2 mL of the sample and incubated (30 min at 20 °C). The absorbance was measured at 560 nm  were mixed with 20 g of homogenized mycelia of Throughout the experiment, macroscopic observations of the morphology of aerial and substrate mycelia and changes in the medium color were carried out.B. adusta CCBAS 930 strain and its 930-5 mutant were tested against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29737 and Gram-negative Eschericha coli ATCC 25922. The strains were provided by ATCC and stored at 4ºC. All strains were cultured on nutrient broth (NB) medium at 37ºC. Resazurin is a non-toxic water-soluble dye previously applied in bacterial viability studies , the viability of cells was monitored by measuring absorbance at 570 nm (reduced) and 600 nm (oxidized) (Osaka and Hefty The molasses and synthetic melanoidin solutions and post-culture fluids from the mycelium-free and immobilized cultures of the B. adusta CCBAS 930 and its 930-5 mutant. The phytotoxicity assay was carried out to determine root growth inhibition (I) and germination capacity (GI) in Lepidium sativum. L. seeds before and after decolorization  and mutant 930-5. This was manifested in the brightening of the substrate over the entire surface of the plate (ø = 90 mm), which corresponded to the diameter of the colony and its aerial mycelium . It preceded the maximum decolorization of molasses by this strain (day 18). At the time of full decolorization, the HRP-like peroxidase activity was already by 50% lower than its maximum. From culture day 21, the activity of this enzyme in the cultures of strain 930-5 was very low and disappeared after 30 days  peroxidase. The highest activity of this enzyme was exhibited by mutant 930-5 Fig. . The maxays Fig. . The perB. adusta CCBAS 930 strain and its mutant 930-5, which exhibited the highest efficiency of decolorization of 1% molasses solutions of all the investigated mutants , whose maximum activity was detected on days 14–18 of the experiment. In the case of the immobilized cultures of the parental B. adusta CCBAS 930 strain, the activity of MnP and LiP peroxidases increased about tenfold and reached a maximum on day 3 , lignin (LiP), and versatile (VP) peroxidases, was studied in the stationary and immobilized cultures of the wild y 3 Fig. b1. In tuy 3 Fig. b1. VP way 3 Fig. a2, b2. Ty 3 Fig. d1, d2. Tain Fig. d1.Fig. 7Lepidum sativum L.  and growth of roots (I = 89.41–95.43%) of 0–1.72% aStaphylococcus aureus ATCC 29737 and Gram-negative Eschericha coli ATCC 25,922 showed a lower value of the resasurine reduction factor (RRF = 1.21–1.52) in the initial media with the addition of 1% molasses and 0.5% melanoidin than in the control cultures of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29737 (RRF = 2.14) and Eschericha coli ATCC 25922 (RRF = 2.75)  Fig. c, d. ThiB. adusta CCBAS 930 and mutant 930-5 strains declined to a value of 5.63–5.85.In the first week of the stationary mycelium-free cultures (baseline pH 6.65), a decrease in the medium pH value was observed for all the strain cultures. The lowest decline was recorded for strain 930-5 (by 0.6 units). The pH value increased at the end of the third week of the cultivation of this strain. In the case of the other strains, the pH value of the medium increased gradually throughout the culture period. The pH in the immobilized cultures of the parental Macroscopic observations of the mycelial growth in the molasses-containing liquid cultures revealed that all fungi developed inside the medium during the 1st week. The aerial mycelium appeared the earliest in the cultures of mutant 930-5, i.e. at the end of the 1st week (day 6), and covered 50% of the medium surface after 9 days. It persisted until the end of the experiment and was associated with decolorization. The other strains produced negligible amounts of aerial mycelium, which was visible only after 12 days of culture. The highest biomass values at the end of the culture (30 days) were achieved by mutants 930-5 and 930-14 (Table 3S).B. adusta CCBAS930 strain capable of decolorization and decomposition of brown-colored humic acids and alkaline lignin derivative  are associated with the induction of peroxidase, i.e. an enzyme of the fungal secondary metabolism, which physiologically corresponds to the transition of the fungus to the differentiation stage (idiophase) associated with the emergence of sporulating aerial mycelium . Nevertheless, the parental strain did not lose its ability to remove phenolic compounds. Although its ability was lower than that of mutant 930-5 , the parental strain exhibited higher efficiency of utilization of phenolic compounds in comparison with the other mutants . A similar degree (74%) of reduction of the level of phenolic compounds by a microfungi z et al. . Kim andz et al.  demonstrPhanerochaete chrysosporium, Trametes versicolor, Phlebia radiata, or Bjerkandera adusta to remove color associated with the presence of lignin and many of its structurally related compounds  is determined by the fungal production of these substrate-unspecific oxidoreductive enzymes whose activity requires hydrogen peroxide produced with involvement of glucose oxidase or oxygen, i.e. peroxidase and laccase, respectively , B. adusta CCBAS 930 was found to decolorize and decompose melanoids present in molasses with the involvement of dye-decolorizing peroxidase , the activities in the parental strain and the other mutants were negligible. We suggested that this effect may have been caused by the difficulty in achievement of rapid transition from the vegetative stage to the mycelium differentiation stage . The decolorization carried out with the use of the immobilized sporulating aerial mycelium of the parental strain  confirmed this thesis. It was demonstrated that, in the immobilized cultures, strain CCBAS 930 contributed to 44.16% discoloration of a 1% molasses solution containing 0.5% melanoidins after 7 days, which was associated with strong stimulation of peroxidase activity, with the highest level of HRP-like activity (a 340-fold increase in comparison with the mycelium-free culture). An even stronger effect was observed in the case of mutant 930-5, which decolorized 30% of the 1% molasses solution after 3 days in immobilized cultures, and the maximum HRP-like peroxidase activity was over 640-fold higher than that of the parental strain in an analogous setup. After 7 days, the decolorization efficiency of 1% molasses in the immobilized cultures of this strain was 74.32%. Similar efficiency of decolorization of molasses spent wash by immobilized white-rot fungus Flavodon flavus was reported by Raghukumar et al.  and by Korniłłowicz-Kowalska et al. (B. adusta CCBAS 930 (= Geotrichum-like R59) cultures containing post-industrial lignin was correlated with an increase in peroxidase activity and a simultaneous decrease in phenolic compounds and free radicals, is involved in the removal of free radicals , Raghukumar and Rivonkar . The detoxification of post-culture liquids accompanying the melanoidin biodegradation process indicates a potential use of extracellular HRP-like peroxidase from strain B. adusta CCBAS 930 and its mutant 930-5 for treatment of molasses as an industrial raw material. In turn, the idiophasic mycelium of both strains, e.g. in the immobilized form, can be used in management and detoxification of the waste biomass, i.e. molasses spent wash.In an experiment with n et al.  demonstrRivonkar  and RaghRivonkar  achievedSupplementary file1 (DOC 40 kb)Supplementary file2 (DOCX 13 kb)Supplementary file3 (DOCX 16 kb)Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.


In particular, the homogenous influence of the POSS-modified GO could be vindicated in the surging of the limiting oxygen index (%) in the as-prepared nanocomposites. The inclusive property amelioration vindicates the use of fabricated nanocomposites as high-performance nanomaterials in electrotechnical applications. The latest trends in technologies has shifted the focus to developing innovative methods for comprehensive property enhancement of the polymer composites with facile and undemanding experimental techniques. This work reports an elementary technique to fabricate high-performance unsaturated polyester-based nanocomposites. It focuses on the interactive effect of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) within the unsaturated polymermatrix. The hybrid framework of POSS-functionalized graphene oxide has been configured via peptide bonding between the aminopropyl isobutyl POSS and graphene oxide. The synergistic effect of POSS and graphene oxide paved the way for a mechanism to inculcate a hybrid framework within the unsaturated polyester (UP) via in situ polymerization to develop UP/GO-POSS nanocomposites. The surface-appended POSS within the graphene oxide boosted its dispersion in the UP matrix, furnishing an enhancement in tensile strength of the UP/GO-POSS composites by 61.9%, thermal decomposition temperature (10% mass loss) by 69.8 °C and electrical conductivity by 10 The current revolution in polymer technologies reflects the role of thermosetting plastics in their advancement. The dexterous properties of the thermosetting plastics have empowered researchers to widen their possible application in a vast range of fields ,2,3,4. T1.5)n, where R = organic  or hydrogen group. POSS, having a diameter 1–3 nm, consists of the Si–O linkage as a backbone in the cubical cage with the Si atom on each of its vertex connecting the O atom. The functional group attached to the POSS molecules tailor its properties and plays a very important role in the POSS-polymer interaction. The hybrid POSS material has a significant role in the property enhancement of the polymer such as thermal stability, mechanical strength, flame retardancy etc., as shown in the works reported earlier [Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is a three-dimensional nanostructured material with excellent inclusive properties, possessing cage-like molecular structure ,19. POSS earlier ,23,24,25 earlier . Zhang e earlier . Hu et a earlier . Raimond earlier . However earlier . Jiang e earlier . Wu et a earlier . Liu et  earlier . The intOur work follows the novel route of fabricating the unsaturated polyester nanocomposites by incorporating POSS-modified GO within the polymer matrix by in situ polymerization. Limited prior research works had focused on the addition of the functionalized GO within the unsaturated polyester matrix ,35, but 2) was purchased from Passkey Technology Co. Ltd. . Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was obtained from Alladin Industrial Co. Ltd. . Graphite was purchased from Alladin Chemicals Ltd. (98%) . Anhydrous Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was supplied by Sigma-Aldrich . NaNO3, KMnO4, H2O2, and ethanol were purchased from Alladin Industrial Corporation . Phthalic anhydride (PA) and maleic anhydride (MA) were obtained from Alladin Industrial Corporation . Propylene glycol (PG) and ethylene glycol (EG) were procured from General Reagent . Diethylene glycol and styrene were obtained from Xilong Corporation . Cobalt iso-octanoate was procured from Shengfei Fine Chemical plant  and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) was obtained from AkzoNobel Corporation , both are used as catalyst and initiator respectively. All chemicals were used as received without any purification.Aminopropylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes .The synthesis route to functionalize the GO with POSS-NHThe development of pure UP resin was formulated using melt polycondensation reaction. The synthesis route of UP preparation has been adopted from the literature with some modifications . Initial−1 with a resolution of 4 cm−1. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed using Rigaku Miniflex600  processed with Cu-Kα radiation (λ = 1.5406 A°) under the testing condition of 2θ from 5°–50°. X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was conducted using a Thermo Scientific ESCALAB 250Xi+ Spectrometer . Raman spectroscopy was done using Renishaw, Invia  with the wavelength of the laser being 514 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed using HITACHI, SU8010/EDX  with Energy disperse X-Ray spectrometer.Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) analysis was carried out using a Perkin Elmer Spectrum One Spectrometer  with KBr from 500 to 4000 cm2, coated on both sides with electrodeposited silver paste (100 nm thick). The silver paste enabled the sample to develop Ohmic contacts on both sides assisting the computation of the electrical conductivity in the Kelvin probe. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) values were examined using the Stanton Redcraft flame meter , along with oxygen. The sample analysis was executed according to the ASTM D2863/77 standards. The vertical burning tests were conducted in the flame meter, with the dimensions of the sample size being (10 ± 0.002) × (10 ± 0.002) × (0.3 ± 0.002) cm3. Each sample was buckled vertically in the center of the column and burned for a period of 3 min.Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was conducted using JEM  with the accelerating voltage of 200 kV. The samples were made by depositing a drop of solution on a copper grid with thin film formvar. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were done using TA Instruments STA449C  in the range of 25–800 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere with the heating rate of 10 °C/min. Thermal conductivity was investigated using the TC 3000 thermal conductivity tester  using the transient hot wire method and the sample size being 3 cm × 1 cm. The tensile properties were surveyed using a universal testing machine  according to ASTM D638 and ASTM D790 standards respectively. The average values of a set of five specimens of each nanocomposite was considered. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed on a TA DMA Q800 apparatus from TA Instruments . A single cantilever mode was used for testing. DMA tests were performed from 30 °C to 180 °C with a heating rate of 3 °C/min at 1 Hz. Electrical conductivity measurement of the samples was carried using a four-point or Kelvin probe method . The specimens were cut to the size of 10 × 10 mm2 displays numerous diffraction peaks at different angles, depicting its crystalline structure. The XRD diffraction peak of POSS-GO furnishes the successful exfoliation of the GO using POSS, with the characterization peak at 2θ = 5.65°. The interlayer distance within the GO increased to 1.56 nm, which reiterates the exfoliation of GO due to the covalent bonding between POSS-NH2 onto the surface of GO [The successful functionalization of graphene oxide using POSS is vital in the interfacial reinforcement within the polymer matrix. ce of GO ,40. The 2 and POSS-GO. The FTIR peaks of GO exhibited predictable outputs, with peaks at 1063 cm−1 (epoxy group), 1618 cm−1 (C=C bond) and the presence of hydroxyl (OH) groups at 3400 cm−1. The FTIR peaks of POSS-GO hybrid displayed perceptible changes due to the covalent bonding between POSS moiety and GO. There exists a peak at 1102 cm−1 due to the Si–O–Si stretching band, imbibed from the POSS-NH2 also vindicated in its FTIR peak [−1 in POSS-GO FTIR spectra, obtained from the isobutyl groups of POSS-NH2. Some peaks are also visible at 1402 cm−1 and 1234 cm−1 in POSS-GO due to presence of N–H in plane and C–N bond stretching, respectively [2 with the GO. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful covalent modification of graphene oxide using POSS. TIR peak ,42. Therectively . The exi2. 2, describing successful covalent modification. Detailed XPS analysis using the deconvolution technique was carried out to further confirm the covalent modification of GO using POSS-NH2 with the high resolution C1s spectra of GO and POSS-GO, as specified in 2 and GO. There is an additional peak arising at 285.6 eV due to the presence of the C−N bond in POSS-GO [2 and POSS-GO, respectively. The N1 spectra of POSS−NH2displays peak arising at 399.6 eV due to the presence of N−C(pyrrolic) bond of the aminopropyl group and at 402 eV owing to the presence of NH3+-C bond [3+–C bond peak (402 eV) on interaction of POSS with GO, while there is additional peak at 401 eV due to the N–C(O) (graphitic) bond [The formation of the hybrid-network of POSS-GO depends on the appropriate surface functionalization of GO using POSS-NH POSS-GO . The O−C POSS-GO . Figure +-C bond ,49. The +-C bond . There iic) bond . An appaic) bond . The inf2. −1) and G band (1585 cm−1). The existence of disoriented amorphous carbon atoms in the carboniferous materials such as GO generates the D band, while the G band emerges due to the sp2 hybridized carbon atoms in the hexagonal structure within GO [d/Ig ratio derived from the Raman spectra analysis could determine the degree of functionalization of GO using POSS [d/Ig ratio in POSS-GO Raman spectra which could be ascribed to the covalent functionalization of GO using POSS. The slight improvement in Id/Ig ratio corroborate the evolution of surface edge defects on GO due to its covalent modification using POSS and the reduced size of the sp2 realm within GO [The Raman spectroscopy technique furnished cogent analysis of the covalent substitution existing between GO and POSS-NHithin GO . The Id/ing POSS . Figure ithin GO .The surface morphological analysis of GO and POSS-GOusing TEM has been conducted to investigate the impact of the functionalization of GO using POSS. The successful formation of GO sheets with profoundly oxygenated functional groups could be vindicated from the smooth surface displayed in 2 and water vapor. This weight loss appears to be less in UP/POSS-GO composites as compared to pure UP and UP/GO composites. 10 and T50 values for UP/POSS-GO composites.There seems to be less improvement of thermal degradation temperature values for UP/GO composite, clearly substantiating the inability of pristine GO to interact within the UP-polymer matrix [10 value of UP/POSS-GO composites has been remarkably enhanced with the value of UP/POSS-GO-0.30 increased by 69.8° C to that of pure UP. The POSS-functionalized GO is validated as being a mass transfer barrier against the volatile components within the UP matrix, impending the thermal decomposition of UP [50 values of UP/POSS-GO composites, thereby affirming the logic of a synergistic effect of POSS and GO within the UP matrix. There appears to be enhanced residual weight (%) for UP/POSS-GO composites at 800 °C, inferring the role of meticulous POSS-GO dispersion within the UP matrix.A thorough overview regarding the thermal degradation properties of the nanocomposites, with pure UP composite as reference could be retrieved from TGA analysis and the results have been summarized in r matrix . The T10on of UP . The ensThe thermal conductivity values, as specified in SEM analysis of the fractured surfaces of the UP and UP/POSS-GO nanocomposites was conducted to examine the scrupulous dispersion of POSS-GO within the UP matrix. The SEM image of the fractured surface of UPexhibits smooth surface and there appears to be very tiny cracks which are too small to be visible, while SEM images of UP/POSS-GO nanocomposites possess cracks on the surface with the presence of nanofillers within the polymer matrix. The mechanical properties’ analysis of the nanocomposites, in terms of tensile strength measurement, was executed with different wt% of POSS-GO within UP matrix, as shown in g, affirming a strong crosslinking of nanofillers with UP. The proper exfoliation of GO due to POSS has also propelled the viscoelastic properties improvement of the nanocomposites.DMA analysis was performed on UP and its nanocomposites to evaluate their thermo mechanical properties and the viscoelastic behavior in presence of POSS-GO. According to the 8 S m−1 as compared to pure UP. The detriment of POSS being an insulator has been abated with the presence of GO, as the POSS-GO amalgamation established a network for the flow of electrons, contributing to electrical conductivity [The survey of electrical properties of nanocomposites is vital in analyzing their electrotechnical application features. Thermal management of the polymer matrix must be in tandem with their electrically conductivity aspects. The profound interaction of the nanofiller with UP matrix is critical for a material to inculcate electrical conductivity. The pristine GO raises the electrical conductivity, as mentioned in uctivity . The incThe LOI technique is one of the important factors to determine the flame-retardancy potential of polymer nanocomposites. It regulates the ability of the polymer to decelerate the flame on burning. The samples are positioned in a candle-like configuration within the flame meter. The addition of pristine GO to UP, as shown in 8 S m−1 as compared to UP). Thermal management devices demand the prerequisite of padding the polymeric material retained with flame retardancy. The LOI values (important aspects of flame retardancy) of UP/POSS-GO nanocomposites were ameliorated with an increase in the amount of nanofiller (POSS-GO). The 3D POSS exhibited immaculate combination with GO to resist the flame, thereby enhancing the LOI. The combined influence of POSS as well as GO propelled the inclusive property enhancement of the UP matrix. These nanocomposites could be combined with fibers to be developed as fiber-reinforced plastic for commercial applications in the near future. There arises scope for a plethora of research to be undertaken in enhancing the versatility of UP for electrotechnical applications.A facile technique to develop UP/POSS-GO nanocomposites has been adopted. The hybrid network of POSS-GO was configured via peptide bonding. The combined effect of POSS-GO in property enhancement of a UP polymer matrix was investigated by incorporating POSS-GO into UP through in situ polymerization. The thermal stability for UP at 0.30% POSS-GO addition was enhanced by 69.8 °C, as compared to pure UP. The hybrid POSS-GO acted as a barrier against thermal degradation of the polymer matrix. The tensile strength also demonstrated improvement by 61.9% for 0.10 wt% POSS with reference to pure UP due to the synergistic impact of POSS-GO in the stress load transfer towards polymer matrix. Moreover, the nanocomposites cropped up with elevated thermal conductivity in addition to its improved electrical conductivity (by 10


The authors of the article assessed the impact of operating fluids used to service aircraft on changing mechanical parameters of cement concrete intended for airport pavement. The research concerned concrete designed with the use of CEM I 42.5N LH NA low-alkali cement, broken granite aggregate, fine washed aggregate, and admixtures. The analysis included the assessment of changes in differences in endurance parameters over various research periods of up to 140 days. The obtained results allowed to carry out statistical analysis using the student’s T-test. Research has shown a significant impact of operational fluids used in aircraft on the surface concrete properties of the airport. A reduction in the compressive strength of concrete exposed to one of the tested operating liquid to a reduction of 7.2% was observed over a period of 140 days, while there was no significant impact of operating fluids on tensile strength at splitting.  Current and forecast air transport development trends indicate an intensive development of domestic and international infrastructure of airports. The assumed evolution of air transport services will generate a significant density of aircraft traffic at airports. The consequence of intensified, safe aircraft take-off and landing operations is the need for ensuring adequate durability and quality of concrete airport pavements. According to the literature data, research on obtaining satisfactory performance characteristics of concrete used in airport pavements boiled down to providing relatively high strength parameters with high frost resistance in the presence of de-icing agents . ObservaThe presence of operating fluids on the airport pavement should be associated with their unintentional leakage from installations in the aircraft. These substances on the surface come not only from the maintenance of aircraft, aimed at maintaining the operational capacity of the aircraft, but also from the possibility of its failure and ground equipment . Most of3 of hydraulic oil. This phenomenon is related to pressure equalization in the pneumatic and hydraulic reservoir of the installation. The task of hydraulic oil in airplanes is to transfer energy in hydraulic installations as well as damping vibrations in shock absorbers and vibration dampers. Each installation is equipped with a safety valve ended with drainage . Based oLubricating oil is a universal mineral oil recommended for lubrication of aviation parts requiring "light" oil, including mechanisms of pivot joints, pivot pins, and shaft joints. It is also used to secure ground equipment electronics in both civil and military aviation.Research on the impact of operating fluids, in conjunction with the thermal effects of exhaust gases, were conducted by ,4,5,6,7 The aim of the study was to determine the effect of hydraulic and lubricating oil on the strength characteristics of hardened concrete. Many publications indicate the need for research in this area. This issue is particularly important due to the determination of the method of maintenance and repair of surfaces of civil and military airports ,10,11,12Currently used operating fluids in aircraft are a complex chemical mixture. In addition to the main components of fuels and oils, "additive technology" is a separate field. This term refers to enriching additives incorporated into the operational liquids during production and storage. Contemporary mineral oils used as the main component of lubricating oils, depending on the methods of purification (refining), can be divided into conventional and unconventional.Conventional mineral oil is obtained from crude oil in the process of solvent refining as well as acid, lye, and adsorption refining. They consist of 70–80% saturated hydrocarbons (isoparaffinic and naphthenic) and 20–30% long-chain naphthenic-aromatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. In turn, unconventional ones are obtained using catalytic processes. As a result of the processes, oils consisting of: alkylbenzenes, alkylnaphthenic, and isoparaffinic hydrocarbons are obtained ,14. GeneAccording to , technicThe morphology of hydration products was assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 2000× magnification under reduced vacuum at 60 Pa. 2–portlandite  phase a,c and Ctlandite e. In thetlandite a, they se volume e. In oile volume b. In thee volume b. Most o surface ,25, Figu2O3 content and up to 0.60% alkali Na2Oeq content, up to 7% of C3A tricalcium aluminate. The contents of individual cement components are presented in To make concrete mixes CEM I 42.5N-MSR/NA Portland cement was used. The mentioned above cement was approved by Air Force Institute of Technology and received permission to be used in the construction of airport pavements and airport infrastructure elements. The main cement components are Portland clinker (95–56%) and a setting time regulator in the form of a mixture of anhydrite and gypsum. The Portland clinker component is a raw material with low AlParticle Size and Particle Size Distribution was specified in HELOS (H3811) and RODOS/T4, R7 instrument. Grain Size distribution curve 3 were used, derived from deep igneous rocks in the form of granite grits, in accordance with [3. The grain distribution of individual types of aggregates was made according to [In the concrete mixes, coarse aggregate of 2/8 mm and 8/16 mm fractions with a volume density of 2.67 kg/dmnce with . The finrding to ,28,29 anIn order to achieve good homogeneity and workability of the concrete mix, an admixture with strong plasticizing effect was used. At the same time, in order to obtain concrete resistance to aggressive atmospheric factors associated with cyclic freezing and thawing, aeration admixture was used. Drinking water from the mains was used for the tests.Concrete mix designs were designed in accordance with the requirements contained in . ConcretLubricating oil a in accoThe process of research samples conditioning was divided into 3 parts. Initially, the formed samples were stored in molds for 24 h, protected with foil against moisture loss. Subsequently to day 28, the samples were conditioned according to the standard  in waterF—maximum load at failure, in kN, and 2.The compressive strength test was carried out on six cubic samples 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm prepared in accordance with , controlfct—tensile strength at splitting, in MPa; F—maximum load at destruction, in N; L—length of sample contact line, in mm; and d—cross-sectional dimension, in mm.Concrete tensile strength testing using the indirect method was carried out in accordance with  on six 1The average results of the compressive strength of concrete with granite aggregate exposed to hydraulic oil (GH) and control concrete stored in air-dry conditions (G-HK) are summarized in Similar relationships were observed in the case of the lubricating oil interaction. They are shown in The average results of tensile strength at splitting concrete with granite aggregate exposed to hydraulic oil (GH) and control oil (G-HK) stored in air-dry conditions during various testing periods are shown in View of samples after the tensile strength when splitting test is shown in p < 0.05 values were interpreted as indicating significant relationships. The t-Student test was used to compare the results obtained for concrete in two groups-concrete exposed to a given medium and control concrete. The t-Student test for independent groups was chosen because separate results were obtained for the analyzed concrete groups. The null hypothesis was adopted: the average results of concrete exposed to the operating medium are equal to the average results of the control concrete and the alternative hypothesis: the average results of the concrete exposed to the operating medium differ from the average results obtained for the control concrete. The basis for statistical analysis were the assumptions according to [-the distribution of results in each of the analyzed concrete groups is comparable to the normal distribution;-compared groups of concretes are equal;-variances in the compared groups are similar; and-the dependent variable is expressed on a quantitative scale.In order to verify the obtained test results, a statistical analysis was performed by means of Student’s t-test and analysis of post-hoc variance with Fisher’s LSD (Least Significant Differences) test using the R program . The levrding to :-the dis1,22s—variance from individual trials, n—number of attempts.The statistics used were according to formula (3):p) values.In In the statistical T-student test a significance level of p = 0.05 was assumed. The test showed that the differences between the strength of concrete exposed to operating fluids and control concrete are statistically significant in selected research periods. In the case of the compressive strength test, statistically significant differences occurred after 140 days of hydraulic oil exposure. However, the examined feature in the case of lubricating oil was statistically significant in all research periods.The impact of operating fluids on the examined tensile strength feature during splitting in the assumed research periods did not show statistically significant differences.Considering operating fluids used in aircrafts reduce the tested strength parameters of hardened concrete, the negative impact is particularly evident during the period of prolonged conditioning. The observed decrease in strength after 140 days of the lubricating oil effect on cement concrete, amounting to 7.2%, shows the significance of the problem posed in the article. Similar studies on the impact of substances produced from crude oil processing, related to structural elements made of cement concrete were conducted by the authors ,53,54,55In the case of their leakage on the airport apron, the operational liquids used in tests for civil and military aircraft have a significant impact on the strength properties of concrete and its durability.Depending on the type and properties of oils, their aggressiveness towards concrete varies. It depends on the chemical activity of fatty acids and glycerin contained in oils, in relation to the alkaline environment of the calcium hydroxide solution in the pores of hardening cement stone. The degree of aggressiveness determines the reduction of concrete strength at the initial stage of hardening.The short-term effect of oils in many cases can result in hydrophobization of concrete and, thus, increase its corrosion resistance, water resistance, and frost resistance. However, this phenomenon will depend on the type and composition of the oil. Oil-resistant concrete with a tight structure, with closed pores and a minimum content of soluble calcium hydroxide will be resistant to oil. For such concretes it is recommended to use special cements, e.g., resistant to sulfates and calcium hydroxide binding additives.Long-lasting hydraulic and lubricating oil have a destructive effect on concrete. A reduction in the compressive strength of concrete exposed to one of the tested media to 7.2% was observed over a period of 140 days.p > 0.05).Statistical analysis using the T-student test showed the significance of differences between the parameters of the compressive strength of the concrete exposed to the effect of lubricating oil in each test period. On the other hand, no significant impact of operating fluids on tensile strength when cracking surface concrete was observed in all test periods (○preparations characterized by increased effectiveness in securing the surface layer of cement concrete exposed to the effects of operating fluids;○selection of the type and number of components, concrete should be characterized by very good adhesion in the aggregate-slurry zone. It is possible to do by modifying the composition of the concrete mix with mineral additives, e.g., based on aluminosilicates ;○in a situation of permanently changing properties of liquids used in the operation of aircrafts and technology, conditions for the preparation and incorporation of surface concrete must be carried out at the highest level, taking into account stringent requirements.The presented test results indicate a destructive impact of operating liquids on concrete airport pavements. Given the above, and taking into account the need to ensure the safety of air operations, the need to develop:The presented research was conducted to evaluate the influence aircraft operating fluids on the parameters of hardened concrete with granite coarse aggregate. Laboratory results have made it possible to draw the following conclusions:


The OVIVA study demonstrated noninferiority for managing bone and joint infections (BJIs) with oral antibiotics. We report that 79.7% of OPAT patients being treated for BJIs at our center would be eligible for oral antibiotics, saving a median (IQR) 19.5 IV-antibiotic days (8.5–37) and GBP 1234 (569–2594) per patient. Bone and joint infections (BJIs) are conventionally managed with up to 6-week courses of antibiotic therapy . AlongsiA multicenter, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial  revealed that switching from IV to oral antibiotic therapy within 1 week of commencing treatment for BJI was non-inferior with respect to treatment failure after 1 year of follow-up compared with 6 weeks of IV antibiotics to treat a wide range of BJIs . The stuWe utilized data collected prospectively into the OPAT database at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) National Health Service Foundation Trust , 8. We iThe study was approved by the Audit and Research Committee at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, UCLH, which stated that, as this was a retrospective review of routine clinical data, formal ethical approval was not required.Suitability for an oral regimen was determined by a consultant microbiologist not involved with the OPAT service (K. K.). Clinical diagnosis, microbiological data, and allergies were reviewed to ascertain if an effective oral antibiotic regimen was available to replace the IV regimen. In the absence of microbiological investigations, we constructed empirical oral antibiotic combinations that included clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, or rifampicin, aiming to cover the most common syndrome-associated causative organisms . We closWe estimated reduction in days of IV treatment and economic savings by following the OVIVA protocol of IV therapy being administered for 1 week prior to oral antibiotic switch. We deliver OPAT via community nursing services, attendance at hospital clinics, or self-administration, depending on patient requirements. We considered the median cost of delivering these services, the cost of therapeutic drug monitoring, and a one-off cost of IV catheter insertion . We did We identified a total of 133 patients treated for BJIs through our OPAT service, comprising approximately one-quarter of all our OPAT patients . Non-verP = .02). Both groups received the majority of IV therapy through the OPAT service , the 2 most commonly used IV drugs were ceftriaxone  and teicoplanin , while carbapenems were used in a minority of patients  . Overall service .In our 106 “oral therapy eligible” patients, we estimated a total of 2589 days of IV treatment saved, with a median saving per patient of 19.5  IV antibiotic days. Total cost saved was estimated at pounds sterling (GBP) 185 788 . If all patients had, in fact, received 6 weeks of IV therapy, rather than a median of 26.5 days, then the estimated median cost saving was GBP 2950 .OVIVA provided strong evidence that BJIs could be treated with appropriate oral antibiotic regimens, but most patients were recruited from 2 specialist BJI centers . Making We estimated that increased use of oral antibiotics would result in significant reductions in IV antibiotic use, with ensuing reduced risks associated with IV catheters , as wellOur findings were derived from a single OPAT center, although data were collected prospectively as part of routine clinical care and BJIs made up a comparable proportion of OPAT cases as elsewhere . DespiteIn conclusion, we present the first assessment of the potential impact of implementing the OVIVA findings in a real-world OPAT setting. The majority of patients could have been placed on an oral regimen with significant cost savings. The challenge remains to identify the optimal oral antibiotic regimens and durations to effectively deliver excellent clinical outcomes in the treatment of BJIs .Clinical Infectious Diseases online. Consisting of data provided by the authors to benefit the reader, the posted materials are not copyedited and are the sole responsibility of the authors, so questions or comments should be addressed to the corresponding author.Supplementary materials are available at ciz991_suppl_Supplementary_TableClick here for additional data file.