Linear adsorption of organic compounds on mesoporous activated carbon in bi-solute system

Knowledge of organic compounds adsorption by adsorbents is essential for evaluating the environmental fates of organic compounds and removing them from the environment. Linear adsorption, as a supplement to the traditionally nonlinear adsorption, was previously proposed for the linear sorption of organic compounds on the mesoporous surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in multi-solute system. However, CNTs are not the ideal adsorbent to verify the linear adsorption mechanism, because of their partition-like phase components such as mobile graphene layers that could be responsible for the linear sorption through linear partition mechanism instead, and thus the linear adsorption theory was argued. In this study, therefore, mesoporous activated carbon (MAC), widely accepted as the model free of partition phase components, was selected as an adsorbent to investigate the adsorption of typical organic compounds in the bi-solute system for verifying whether the linear adsorption phenomenon existed or not. The isotherm of nitrobenzene on MAC was changed from nonlinear to linear with 4-nitrophenol up to 1400 mg/L, and the linear isotherm slope decreased more as 4-nitrophenol concentration increased until 4000 mg/L. It agreed with the characteristics of adsorption (i.e., competition) but not partition (i.e., noncompetition), confirming the existence of linear adsorption. The isotherm linearity was attributed to the reduction of adsorption interactions by displacement and multilayer adsorption. Moreover, linear adsorption of apolar compounds on MAC could occur with apolar or polar competitors, while for polar compounds, linear adsorption could occur with only polar competitors. The observed linear sorption and the competition of organic compounds in the bi-solute system on MAC free of partition phase components verified that the linear adsorption existed, which gives a new insight into the adsorption theory for organic compounds. The results could provide better fundamental theory of adsorption for improving the accuracy of environmental risk assessment of organic pollution and enhancing the efficiency of organic pollution control in the environment.

The theory of planned behavior and dietary behaviors in competitive women bodybuilders

BACKGROUND

Women bodybuilders build their ideal physique by manipulating their diet, supplement, and exercise regimens to extreme levels. Excess protein intake and dietary supplement use is ubiquitous in women bodybuilders preparing for a competition, i.e., in-season competitors, however the impetus for these two dietary behaviors are relatively unknown. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been used to explain dietary behaviors. The purpose of the study was to examine how the TPB can explain protein intake and dietary supplement use in in-season competitors.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, an online questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered to collect dietary supplement use, TPB variables, and other measures from 112 in-season competitors. Protein intake was assessed using multiple 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between TPB and protein intake and dietary supplement use were determined with multiple regression analysis while adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

For protein intake: attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control explained 8% of the variance in intention; subjective norm independently predicted intention. Behavioral beliefs predicted attitude; subjective norm was predicted by trainer/coach, workout partners, and social media influencers. For dietary supplement use: intention explained 5% of the variance in dietary supplement use; attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control together explained 38% of the variance in intention. Attitudes towards dietary supplements use were predicted by five factors (not a waste of money, help improve physique, sustain energy levels, provide enough calories, help with recovery). Primary determinants of subjective norm were fellow competitors, social media influencers, and trainer/coach. Perceived behavioral control was predicted by three factors (ease of purchase, affordability to purchase, availability to purchase).

CONCLUSIONS

TPB predicted dietary supplement use in women bodybuilders during in-season but there was little evidence for the prediction of protein intake using the TPB. Health professionals should develop effective interventions using strategies that align health education messages with in-season competitors' outcome beliefs and collaborate with their referent others to influence safer and effective dietary supplement use.

A decade of systematic literature review on Airbnb: the sharing economy from a multiple stakeholder perspective

Airbnb, which launched its business in 2009, has experienced explosive growth by creating value through the sharing economy business model. The Airbnb business model helps property owners exploit underutilized assets. However, along with its rapid growth, controversies have arisen among many stakeholders, especially the traditional hotel industry, communities, and policymakers. This study reviews academic articles to pinpoint the factors involved in the relationships among Airbnb and its multiple stakeholders. The aim is to identify the benefits, drawbacks, and issues surrounding Airbnb. The analysis is based on the perspectives of six Airbnb stakeholders: guests, hosts, employees, communities, competitors, and policymakers. A variety of scholarly journals indexed in the Scopus database were reviewed, with 282 included in the final analysis. The analysis will be useful for academics, practitioners, and policymakers alike, as it summarizes the Airbnb relevant actors, identifies key factors that influence stakeholder behavior, and assesses the power and level of influence of each stakeholder. Ultimately, the study points to potential directions for future research on Airbnb.

Analysis of In Vitro DNA Interactions of Brassinosteroid-Controlled Transcription Factors Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay

Most signaling cascades ultimately lead to changes in gene expression by modulating the activity of transcription factors (TFs). The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) is a simple but powerful in vitro method for investigation of specific protein-DNA interactions. It makes use of the fact that protein-DNA complexes have a lower electrophoretic mobility in gels than free DNA has. The application of labeled probes in combination with unlabeled competitors allows investigation of DNA-binding specificity and identification of binding motifs with single base-pair resolution. Here we describe the application of EMSAs for the study of interactions of the brassinosteroid-regulated TFs, BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1, (BZR1), BRI1-ETHYL METHANESULFONATE-SUPPRESSOR1 (BES1)/BZR2, and CESTA with putative binding sites. The classical approach using radiolabeled probes, as well as the more recent application of fluorescent probes, is described and the advantages and disadvantages of both methods are discussed.

Determination of receptor protein binding site specificity and relative binding strength using a time-resolved competition assay

INTRODUCTION

Competitive binding assays can be used to decipher not only the binding kinetics of studied ligands but also the binding site preference. Such assays are an essential step in the characterization of radioligands. However, the currently used competition assays require high concentrations of usually expensive ligands and still provide only binding site preference. By employing the time-resolved competition assay presented in this paper, binding characteristics including binding site preference can be obtained using less ligand.

METHODS

To demonstrate the appropriateness of the time-resolved competition assay, we developed an assay in which the ligand binding was interrupted with a competitor. Experiments were performed on human carcinoma cell lines expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The targeting of the receptor was performed with radio-iodinated epidermal growth factor (EGF). The employed competitors involved either natural ligand transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) or anti-EGFR antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab targeting the same EGFR domain.

RESULTS

Radio-iodinated EGF bound to EGFR was displaced with either low concentrations of cetuximab or high concentrations of panitumumab. In the case of TGF-α, we observed no competitive displacement of bound EGF at either high or low concentrations. When comparing the time-resolved competition assay with a manual competition assay, the resulting data of measured inhibition constants were in agreement.

DISCUSSION

The results summarised in this study confirm the appropriateness of the time-resolved competition assay for assessing ligand binding properties. The assay has the potential to complement or replace conventional competition assays for determining binding site preference in the future.