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Recently, laser radiation and nanomaterials have been utilized to improve biogas yield via anaerobic digestion of herd's manure through biostimulating methanogenic bacteria. Yet, laser irradiation and nanomaterials as anaerobic bacteria stimulant could have environmental impacts that have not been assessed or known. The aim of the current research was to understand and evaluate variable laser doses in the presence of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) and their environmental impacts during the production of biogas from treated manure. A life cycle assessment scheme was employed to achieve this aim. The used laser doses were 0.5 h, 1 h and 2 h and correlated to 1-h incandescent light exposure, where all treatments received 2 g/m3 Ni NPs. The outcomes were conferred in the pattern of specific influences for the biogas utilization and production as an energy source. The studied impacts were global warming, greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, acidification, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, freshwater ecotoxicity and prospective human toxicity. Results revealed that laser irradiation with the addition of Ni NPs during the biostimulation of anaerobic digestion has the least environmental adverse effects when compared to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a possible fabrication scheme of anisotropic nanoparticles grown in a crystal high-index material (SrTiO). Different ellipsoidal Au nano-antennas were formed by changing the Au seed layer thickness and subsequent embedding in SrTiO, prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Prior to the SrTiO deposition, a temperature-induced dewetting process of the thin Au films results in different particle sizes and size distributions, which are the basis for anisotropic particle formation after embedding in a crystalline SrTiO matrix. The dependence of the anisotropy on the Au seed layer thickness was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. At this was noticed a stronger increase in size in c-axis direction than in a/b-axis direction for an increase of the Au seed layers. Additionally, the optical response of the particles was detected via the plasmon resonance shift in extinction and scattering spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the possibility of studying several diffusion couples in a single run, i.e. under almost similar P– T– t– $$ f_{{{\text{O}}_{ 2} }} $$ conditions, allowing direct comparison of the diffusion rates in different diffusion couples. Thus the duration of experimental study and the risk of failure of expensive experimental equipment can be decreased considerably. The diffusion experiments were carried out in piston-cylinder apparatus. Gem-quality garnets of almandine, spessartine and grossular compositions together with inclusion-rich eclogitic garnets were embedded in a powder of natural pyrope and annealed together under dry conditions at P = 1.9–3.2 GPa and T = 1,070–1,400°C. Diffusion profiles were measured by electron microprobe and fitted numerically on the basis of multicomponent diffusion theory. The datasets derived from different diffusion couples yields parameters of the Arrhenius equation for Ca, Mg and Fe in natural eclogitic garnets and Mg, Mn and Fe in gem-quality garnets. We have also studied the effect of grain-boundary diffusion in the sintered pyrope matrix on interdiffusion on the basis of 2D modeling. Under conditions analogous to those of our experimental runs, we show that observed irregularities in some measured diffusion profiles (not applied for the diffusion modeling) can be directly related to the superposition of local grain-boundary diffusion on dominant volume diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In order to update the epidemiological and mycological profile of candidaemia in Europe, the European Confederation of Medical Mycology conducted a prospective, sequential, hospital population-based study from September 1997 to December 1999. A total of 2,089 cases were documented by 106 institutions in seven European countries. Rates of candidaemia ranging from 0.20 to 0.38 per 1,000 admissions were reported. Candida albicans was identified in 56% of cases. Non-albicans Candida species were most frequently isolated from patients with haematological malignancies (65%). With increasing age, an increasing incidence of Candida glabrata was seen. The 30-day mortality rate was 37.9%. The survey results underline the burden of candidaemia in a wide range of patient populations, confirm the importance of non-albicans species, and provide baseline data for future surveillance studies at a European level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now that modern medicine can provide increasing chances of cure to patients with formerly incurable disorders, therapy-related complications play the key role in outcome. Thus, among opportunistic infections, severe candidiasis remains a challenge. A multidisciplinary panel of 20 investigators was formed to find a consensus on antifungal strategies for various underlying conditions in neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients. To record their preferences, the investigators used an anonymous voting system. Among antifungal agents, fluconazole emerged as the major alternative to the classic amphotericin B, being therapeutically at least equivalent but clearly less toxic. Factors that restrict the use of fluconazole include pretreatment with azoles, involvement of resistant species like Candida krusei, and an inability to exclude aspergillosis. Flucytosine can be reasonably combined with both amphotericin B and fluconazole. Within the limited antifungal armamentarium, amphotericin B lipid formulations and itraconazole also appear useful and require further investigation. The general consensus of the group is that antifungal agents should be administered at sufficient dosages, rather early, and often empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen (1889-1927) is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mineralogy & Petrology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mineralogy & Petrology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Based on experiences which have been gained at Wahnbachreservoir the success of chemical P-elimination in tributarie is described with regard to oligotrophication and subsequent improvement of the conditions for drinking water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Langenbecks Archiv fuer Chirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Infection is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fungal resistance is caused by an acquisition of intrinsically resistant species, by selection of resistant strains from a population or by mutation of an initially susceptible strain. According to different classes of antimycotics there are different resistance mechanisms: differences in the uptake mechanisms, drug target alterations, mostly the ergosterolbiosynthesis pathway, and the efflux or pumping mechanisms to the outside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]