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Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-np) with Ce3+ rich surfaces were synthesized by ecofriendly route using tannic acid. XRD and SAED patterns confirm the cubic structure of CeO2-np. A semi-quantitative XPS analysis revealed the presence of 34 % Ce3+ ions. Tannic acid not only mediates the CeO2-np synthesis, but also helps in reduction of surface states from Ce4+ to Ce3+. Oxygen vacancies were evidenced from XPS and photoluminescence studies. The synthesized nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity towards both gram positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The toxicity of CeO2-np towards tested bacteria is due to production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS). The presence of Ce3+ ions and rich surface oxygen vacancies may lead to excellent production of ROS and simultaneously causing cell wall damage. Present findings show that tannic acid assisted CeO2-np with obtained properties acts as good antibacterial agent.

We advocate the use of lookup tables in the development of extremely fast and accurate multiscale models based on the coupling of a quantum-mechanical wave impedance approach and finite-element simulations to determine the local emission current density (LECD) from a metallic emitter of arbitrary shape. The lookup tables are prepopulated with numerical solutions of LECD that can be adjusted to accommodate any form of higher order physics, which is critical for current state-of-the-art emitters. Results show that the use of lookup tables can speed up numerical simulations of the field emission current from metallic cathodes by a factor of about 1000 × while retaining high precision, with a maximum error of less than 1% when compared to direct numerical solutions. Implementation of nanoscale emitter physics into lookup tables is discussed and used to assess the validity of the Kemble approximation for nanoscale metallic cathodes. The use of lookup tables is illustrated through a calculation of the LECDs of a metallic field emitter with a rugged surface and from an array of ellipsoid-on-a-post emitters. Section V contains our conclusions and suggestions for future work.

This work focused on the use of waste seaweed Sargassum fluitans (S. fluitans) as carbon source precursor to prepare nitrogen doped carbon dots (NCDs) by hydrothermal method. High resolution transmission electron microscopic (HR-TEM) studies revealed that the synthesized water soluble NCDs are in the size range of 2-8nm and exhibits excellent fluorescent properties with a quantum yield of 18.2%. Elemental nitrogen in NCDs was evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transformed infrared spectrum (FT-IR). The phytochemical analysis of S. fluitans using 1H NMR and 13C NMR revealed the presence of few amino acids which act as nitrogen source in the preparation of NCDs. Application of NCDs as fluorophore for double stranded DNA, single stranded DNA and RNA detection was highlighted in this study. Excellent fluorescent tagging abilities of NCDs with the biological nucleic acids were evidenced using gel electrophoresis. Significant increase in fluorescence was observed upon tagging of NCDs with nucleic acids and this particular phenomenon helps better in visualizing the nucleic acids. All three nucleic acids i.e. double stranded DNA, single stranded DNA and RNA showed similar phenomenon upon tagging with NCDs. Thus synthesized NCDs may be used as an alternate fluorophore for commercial toxic organic staining agents to visualize nucleic acids.

The epiphytic bacteriumPseudomonas syringaestrain B728a produces the biosurfactant syringafactin which is hygroscopic. The water absorbing potential of syringafactin is high. At high relative humidities, syringafactin attracts 250% of its weight in water but is less hygroscopic at lower relative humidities. This suggests that syringafactin’s benefit to the producing cells is strongly context-dependent. The contribution of syringafactin to the water availability around cells on different matrices was assessed by examining water availability biosensor strains that expressgfpvia the water-stress activatedproUpromoter. Wild-type cells exhibited significantly less GFP fluorescence than a syringafactin-deficient strain, on humid but dry filters as well as on leaf surfaces indicating higher water availability. When infiltrated into the leaf apoplast, wild-type cells also subsequently exhibited less GFP fluorescence than a syringafactin-deficient strain. These results suggest that the apoplast is a dry, but humid environment and that, just as on dry but humid leaf surfaces, syringafactin increases liquid water availability and reduces the water stress experienced byP. syringae.IMPORTANCEMany microorganisms, including the plant pathogenPseudomonas syringae, produce amphiphilic compounds known as biosurfactants. While biosurfactants are known to disperse hydrophobic compounds and reduce water tension, they have other properties that can benefit the cells that produce them. Leaf colonizing bacteria experience frequent water stress since liquid water is only transiently present on or in leaf sites that they colonize. The demonstration that syringafactin, a biosurfactant produced byP. syringae, is sufficiently hygroscopic to increase water availability to cells, thus relieving water stress, reveals thatP. syringaecan modify its local habitat both on leaf surfaces and in the leaf apoplast. Such habitat modification may be a common role for biosurfactants produced by other bacterial species that colonize habitats that are not always water saturated such as soil.

Circadian rhythms are generated by a transcription-translation feedback loop that establishes cell-autonomous biological timing of ~24-hours. A prevalent human variation in the core clock gene cryptochrome 1, Cry1Δ11, lengthens circadian period to cause Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD). CRY1 has a 55 kDa photolyase homology region (PHR) followed by a ~100 residue tail that is intrinsically disordered; the Δ11 variant lacks a short segment encoded by Exon 11 within its tail. We show here that the disordered tail of CRY1 interacts directly with its PHR, and that Exon 11 is necessary and sufficient to disrupt the interaction between CRY1 and CLOCK, a subunit of the primary circadian transcription factor. Competition between PER2 and the tail for the CRY1 PHR suggests a regulatory role for the tail in the early morning, when CRY1 binds to CLOCK:BMAL1 on DNA independently of PER2. Discovery of this autoregulatory role for mammalian CRY1 highlights functional conservation with plant and insect cryptochromes, which also utilize PHR-tail interactions to reversibly control their activity.One Sentence SummaryThe disordered tail of the CRY1 protein regulates interactions between CRY1 and other core circadian rhythm proteins.

High-porosity nanostructured amorphous tungsten OXIDE (a-WO3) films were synthesized by a Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition technique (HFCVD) and then transformed into a crystalline WO3 by simple thermal annealing. The a-WO3 films were annealed at 100, 300, and 500 &deg, C for 10 min in an air environment. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro-Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and UV&ndash, vis spectroscopy. Results revealed that the a-WO3 films were highly porous, composed of cauliflower-like structures made of nanoparticles with average sizes of 12 nm. It was shown that the effect of annealing on the morphology of the a-WO3 films leads to a sintering process. However, the morphology is conserved. It was found that at annealing temperatures of 100 &deg, C, the a-WO3 films are of an amorphous nature, while at 300 &deg, C, the films crystallize in the monoclinic phase of WO3. The calculated bandgap for the a-WO3 was 3.09 eV, and 2.53 eV for the film annealed at 500 &deg, C. Finally, the results show that porous WO3 films preserve the morphology and maintain the porosity, even after the annealing at 500 &deg, C.

Religion and spirituality often become relevant after the death of a loved one. In light of the multidimensionality of religion and spirituality, we investigate the role of communal religiosity in predicting associations between personal religiosity and bereavement outcomes. A mixed-methods analysis of interviews and questionnaires from 33 bereaved adults was conducted. Interview mentions of personal and communal religiosity, and their associations with self-reported religious coping and grief symptoms, were assessed. Personal (

Author(s): Frazer, TD; Knobloch, JL; Hoogeboom-Pot, KM; Nardi, D; Chao, W; Falcone, RW; Murnane, MM; Kapteyn, HC; Hernandez-Charpak, JN | Abstract: Nanoscale thermal transport is becoming ever more technologically important with the development of next-generation nanoelectronics, nanomediated thermal therapies, and high efficiency thermoelectric devices. However, direct experimental measurements of nondiffusive heat flow in nanoscale systems are challenging, and first-principle models of real geometries are not yet computationally feasible. In recent work, we used ultrafast pulses of short-wavelength light to uncover a previously-unobserved regime of nanoscale thermal transport that occurs when the width and separation of heat sources are comparable to the mean free paths of the dominant heat-carrying phonons in the substrate. We now systematically compare thermal transport from gratings of metallic nanolines with different periodicities, on both silicon and fused-silica substrates, to map the entire nanoscale thermal transport landscape - from closely spaced through increasingly isolated to fully isolated heat-transfer regimes. By monitoring the surface profile dynamics with subangstrom sensitivity, we directly measure thermal transport from the nanolines into the substrate. This allows us to quantify for the first time how the nanoline separation significantly impacts thermal transport into the substrate, making it possible to reach efficiencies that are within a factor of 2 of the diffusive (i.e., thin-film) limit. We also show that partially isolated nanolines perform significantly worse, because cooling occurs in a regime that is intermediate between close-packed and fully isolated heat sources. This work thus confirms the surprising prediction that closely spaced nanoscale heat sources can cool more quickly than when far apart. These results show that our predictive model is validated by experiment over a broad parameter space, which is important for benchmarking theories that go beyond the Fourier model of heat diffusion, and for informed design of nanoengineered systems.

We demonstrate the first stroboscopic full-field EUV nanoscope using high harmonics. We image the propagation of thermal and surface acoustic waves in nickel with 80nm transverse, 0.5 Å axial, and 10 fs resolution.

We extend optical nanometrology capabilities to smaller dimensions by using tabletop coherent extreme ultraviolet (EUV) beams. Specifically, we characterize thermal transport and acoustic wave propagation in 3D periodic silicon inverse metalattices with

ObjectivesOccupational exposures significantly contribute to the risk of adverse cancer outcomes, and firefighters face many carcinogenic exposures. Occupational research using cancer registry data, however, is limited by missing and inaccurate occupation-related fields. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency and predictors of missing and inaccurate occupation data for a cohort of career firefighters in a state cancer registry.MethodsWe conducted a linkage between data from the Florida Cancer Data System (1981-2014) and the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office (1972-2012). The percentage and the odds of having a firefighting-related occupation code in the cancer record were calculated, adjusting for other occupation and cancer-related factors.ResultsAmong 3,928 career firefighters, nearly half (47%) were missing a registry-dervived occupation code and only 17% had a firefighting-related code. Males were more likely to have a firefighting-related code (OR = 2.31;95%CI: 1.41-3.76), as were those with more recent diagnoses (OR1992-2002 = 2.98;95%CI: 1.57-5.67; OR2003-2014 = 11.40;95%CI: 6.17-21.03), and those of younger ages (OR45-64y = 1.26;95%CI: 1.03-1.54; OR20-44y = 2.26;95%CI: 1.73-2.95).ConclusionsAccurate occupation data is key for identifying increased risk of advserse cancer outcomes. Cancer registry occupation fields, however, are overwhelmingly missing for firefighters and are missing disproportionally by sociodemographic and diagnosis characteristics. This study highlights the lack of accurate occupation data available for hypothesis-driven cancer research. Cancer registry linkage with external occupational data sources represents an essential resource for conducting studies among at-risk populations such as firefighters.

(Abridged) We perform a detailed study of the main optical activity indicators (Ca II H & K, Balmer lines, Na I D$_{\rm 1}$ D$_{\rm 2}$, and He I D$_{\rm 3}$) measured for the Sun using the data provided by the HARPS-N solar-telescope feed at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. The value of the solar rotation period is found in all the activity indicators, with the only exception being H$\delta$. The derived values vary from 26.29 days (H$\gamma$ line) to 31.23 days (He I). From an analysis of sliding periodograms we find that in most of the activity indicators the spectral power is split into several "bands" of periods around 26 and 30 days, that might be explained by the migration of active regions between the equator and a latitude of $\sim$ 30$^{\circ}$, spot evolution or a combination of both effects. In agreement with previous works a typical lifetime of active regions of $\sim$ ten rotation periods is inferred from the pooled variance diagrams. We find that H$\alpha$, H$\beta$, H$\gamma$, H$\epsilon$, and He I show a significant correlation with the S index. Significant correlations between the contrast, bisector span, and the heliocentric radial velocity with the activity indexes are also found. We show that the full width at half maximum, the bisector, and the disc-integrated magnetic field correlate with the radial velocity variations. The correlation of the S index and H$\alpha$ changes with time, increasing with larger sun spot numbers and solar irradiance. A similar tendency with the S index - radial velocity correlation is also present in the data. Our results are consistent with a scenario in which higher activity favours the correlation between the S index and the H$\alpha$ activity indicators and between the S index and radial velocity variations., Comment: Accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysics

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a chronic inflammatory state that has been associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Insulin resistance (IR) has been linked to NAFLD and inflammation. Whether if IR is prevalent in IBD and increases the risk of NAFLD in these patients is unknown. We aimed to study if IR is prevalent in a cohort of patients with IBD and associated risk factors. Methods This multicentric cross-sectional study compared 151 IBD patients with 174 age matched non-diabetic controls. Insulin and C-peptide serum levels and IR and beta cell function (%B) indices by homoeostatic model assessment (HOMA2) were evaluated. In the IBD patients fatty liver disease (FLD) was assessed by ultrasound (Grade I-IV) and Transition elastography (Fibroscan ®, values were correlated to liver fibrosis as: 14KPa =F4). .Anthropometric, IBD characteristics, biochemical parameters and concomitant diseases were registered as predictive factors for having IR among IBD patients and assessed by multivariable regression analysis. Results IBD patients (57% female, mean age 48 years(SD 10)), compared to matched controls (68% female, mean age 50 years(SD 16)) exhibited similar HOMA2-IR (0.97 ± 0.64 vs 1.31 ± 0.80, p=0.19) and HOMA2-%B indexes (126 ± 49 vs 134 ± 47, p=0.31) after adjusting by confounders. Obesity, abdominal circumference and triglycerides were associated with the presence of IR in IBD patients, whereas IBD disease patterns, disease activity and inflammatory markers were not related to IR. Mild and moderate FLD was present in 26% and 13 % of IBD patients, respectively. FLD grades correlated with a higher insulin and C-peptide and IR indices as observed in the univariable analysis for HOM2-IR (0.06 (0.01–0.11)) and for HOM2-%B 6(3–10) indices. Patients with severe fat infiltration had higher serum levels of insulin and C-peptide and a superior HOM2-IR (2.4 ± 1.6, p=0.01) and HOMA2-%B (251 ± 40, p Conclusion IBD patients show a similar prevalence of IR compared to controls. However, likewise in the general population, metabolic syndrome factors are associated with IR and FLD, so metabolic syndrome assessment is mandatory among IBD patients.

Background The addition of carotid ultrasound into cardiovascular (CV) risk scores has been found to be effective in identifying patients with chronic inflammatory diseases at high-CV risk. We aimed to determine if its use would facilitate the reclassification of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) into the very high-CV-risk category and whether this may be related to disease features. Methods Multicenter cross-sectional study encompassing 186 IBD patients and 175 controls. Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), disease activity measurements, and the presence of carotid plaques by ultrasonography were assessed. Reclassification was compared between patients and controls. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to evaluate if the risk of reclassification could be explained by disease-related features and to assess the influence of traditional CV risk factors on this reclassification. Results After evaluation of carotid ultrasound, a significantly higher frequency of reclassification was found in patients with IBD compared to controls (35% vs. 24%, p=0.030). When this analysis was performed only on subjects included in the SCORE low-CV-risk category, 21% IBD patients compared to 11% controls (p = 0.034) were reclassified into the very high-CV-risk category. Disease related data, including disease activity, were not associated with reclassification after fully multivariable regression analysis. Traditional CV risk factors showed a similar influence over reclassification in patients and controls. However, LDL-cholesterol disclosed a higher effect in controls compared to patients (beta coef. 1.03[95%CI 1.02–1.04] vs. 1.01[95%CI 1.00–1.02], interaction p=0.035) after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion Carotid plaque assessment is useful to identify high-CV risk IBD patients.

We propose and investigate an alternative optical method to determine the thickness of metallic nanofilms thinner than about 50 nm deposited on glass substrates. The method consists of measuring the internal TM reflectivity as a function of the angle of incidence and fitting the curve with Fresnel formulae for a bilayer system to find the film thickness. Gold nanofilms were fabricated by electron beam evaporation (nominal thicknesses of 20 nm, 30 nm and 50 nm) and characterized by common methods (SEM, AFM, Profilometer). The reflectivity curve of TM (or p) polarized light presents a clear peak around the critical angle with air and then a dip due to the excitation of a surface plasmon-polariton mode at the gold/air interface. Fitting the theoretical model around the reflectivity peak readily gives the film’s thickness, and fitting other sections of the curve away from the critical angle with air without altering the fit around the peak, provides the thickness and effective refractive index of the adhesive layer (Cr, Ti). The present approach to gold nanofilm’s thickness measurement is robust and expeditious. It is less sensitive to surface roughness, contamination and nanofabrication defects such as nanometer sized holes.

A simple eco-friendly, direct self assembly process for synthesizing sulphur doped titanium dioxide microrod structures (S-TMS) is presented. Without any specific precursor for sulphur doping, ultrasonicating TiOSO4 in aqueous media followed by refluxing results in the formation of S-TMS. Sulphate ions produced during the reaction act as a source for sulphur doping. In spite of the acidic pH during the reaction, pure anatase phase was favoured due to the increased availability of sulphate ions acting as phase specific directing agent. Pure anatase phase was confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). Formation of S-TMS with a microrod containing self-assembled nanorods was evidenced from field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The obtained S-TMS revealed multiple band light trapping property in visible, near infrared and ultraviolet region which was evidence from UV–vis-NIR spectroscopy.

SUMMARYThe Pandemic Risk Assessment Model (PRAM) is a mathematical model developed to analyse two pandemic influenza control measures available to public health: antiviral treatment and immunization. PRAM is parameterized using surveillance data from Alberta, Canada during pandemic H1N1. Age structure and risk level are incorporated in the compartmental, deterministic model through a contact matrix. The model characterizes pandemic influenza scenarios by transmissibility and severity properties. Simulating a worst-case scenario similar to the 1918 pandemic with immediate stockpile release, antiviral demand is 20·3% of the population. With concurrent, effective and timely immunization strategies, antiviral demand would be significantly less. PRAM will be useful in informing policy decisions such as the size of the Alberta antiviral stockpile and can contribute to other pandemic influenza planning activities and scenario analyses.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to summarize the findings of anthropomorphic proton phantom irradiations analyzed by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston QA Center (IROC Houston). Methods and Materials A total of 103 phantoms were irradiated by proton therapy centers participating in clinical trials. The anthropomorphic phantoms simulated heterogeneous anatomy of a head, liver, lung, prostate, and spine. Treatment plans included those for scattered, uniform scanning, and pencil beam scanning beam delivery modalities using 5 different treatment planning systems. For every phantom irradiation, point doses and planar doses were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and film, respectively. Differences between measured and planned doses were studied as a function of phantom, beam delivery modality, motion, repeat attempt, treatment planning system, and date of irradiation. Results The phantom pass rate (overall, 79%) was high for simple phantoms and lower for phantoms that introduced higher levels of difficulty, such as motion, multiple targets, or increased heterogeneity. All treatment planning systems overestimated dose to the target, compared to TLD measurements. Errors in range calculation resulted in several failed phantoms. There was no correlation between treatment planning system and pass rate. The pass rates for each individual phantom are not improving over time, but when individual institutions received feedback about failed phantom irradiations, pass rates did improve. Conclusions The proton phantom pass rates are not as high as desired and emphasize potential deficiencies in proton therapy planning and/or delivery. There are many areas for improvement with the proton phantom irradiations, such as treatment planning system dose agreement, range calculations, accounting for motion, and irradiation of multiple targets.

ZnO thin films were obtained using sol–gel method at room temperature; these films were deposited over glass substrates using dip-coating technique. ZnO thin films were subjected to post-deposition annealing in different atmospheres (air, nitrogen and forming gas), to study the changes in optical, morphological and electrical properties. ZnO thin films were highly transparent (above 80 %) and have an optical band gap of 3.2 eV. The deposition of contacts (100 nm of Al) over the thin film surface was defined by photolithography process. According to the results, electrical resistivity of ZnO thin films was calculated at 2.85 × 102, 3.51 × 104 and 1.83 × 104 Ω-cm for thin films annealed in nitrogen, air and forming gas atmosphere, respectively. The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics were measured for each film in dark current illuminating with a blue laser (405 nm). The current measured in dark was 10−6 A, and the current measured with the blue laser was 10−5 A independent of annealed atmosphere.

Aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) films were deposited by confocal RF magnetron sputtering at different substrate temperatures. AZO films with a transparency up to 90% in the visible spectrum were obtained. Polycrystalline AZO films, with planes in the (002) and (103) orientations of the zincblende (hexagonal) structure, were obtained at substrate temperatures higher than 60?C. The best AZO films, obtained at 75?C, showed an electrical resistivity of 8.8×10-4?-cm, with a carrier concentration of 4×1020cm-3 and mobility of 20cm2/V-s. These are appropriate values for solar cell applications. In addition, ZnO-based thin-film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated for evaluating the behavior of the AZO films as source and drain contacts on the transistors. The field effect mobility and the threshold voltage of the fabricated devices were 20cm2/V-s and 7V, respectively. The TFTs showed an Ion/Ioff ratio of up to 9 orders of magnitude. A specific contact resistance of approximately 0.06?-cm2 was determined for the AZO/ZnO interface. This result corresponds to the first report of the ZnO/AZO specific contact resistance obtained with a maximum processing temperature of 100?C. Therefore, this TFT technology is fully compatible with flexible substrates and can be used for transparent and large area electronics. Display Omitted Substrate temperature above 60?C improves the overall properties of the AZO films.Hexagonal-AZO films with dominating planes in the (002) and (103) orientations.ZnO-based TFTs were fabricated with the AZO films as Source-Drain electrodes.The field effect mobility and the threshold voltage were 20cm2/V-s and 7V.The specific contact resistance of the devices was 0.06?-cm2.

In order to expand the InGaZnO (IGZO) technology to several applications other than displays, including integrated circuits with certain complexity, it is necessary to mitigate the V th shift under bias stress. For this purpose, the use of a passivated semiconductor channel has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving the V th reliability. In this work, staggered bottom gate IGZO thin-film transistors were fabricated using a 450 nm SU-8 2000.5 film as a passivation and etch-stop layer. The thin-film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated by a full lithography process and the SU-8 film determined the maximum processing temperature of 200 °C. Positive and negative bias stress were performed during 1200 s on 150 μm/40 μm (W/L) TFTs stressed at low field (2 MV cm−1) and high field (4 MV cm−1) leading to a maximum V th shift of 0.12 V and −0.38 V, respectively. The negative V th shift was associated to an undesired mechanism dominated by hydrogen migration. The spin coated SU-8 passivation layer demonstrated higher device stability and it can be also used for future interconnection between transistors.

A SiO2 of 200 nm thickness layer was grown via thermal oxidation to obtain an Al/SiO2/p-Si MIS Schottky diode structure with top contacts and different active areas. Electrical measurements of MIS Schottky diode structure allow to observe the photoelectric effect only in the device with higher active area, as well as to obtain some electrical parameters such as the barrier height, the ideality factor and the density of interface states, which correspond to 0.97 eV, 1.46 and 4.44 × 1010 eV−1 cm−2 respectively. Furthermore, a fill factor of 0.202 and power conversion efficiency less than 1%. On the other hand, Capacitance-Voltage (C–V) measurements depict a positive and negative capacitance peaks at low frequencies; this behavior and photoelectric effect are attributed to the density of interface states at SiO2/p-Si, as well as to the Space-Charge-Limited Conduction process in the insulation layer. Furthermore, the use of this kind of insulator can allows increasing the conversion efficiency if it is used as bottom n-layer or front contact in tandem solar cells and silicon heterojunction solar cells, respectively.

It is known that increase in temperature of thermal oxidation exfoliation leads to increased nitrogen vacancies and in turn leads to high specific area of graphitic carbon nitride g-C3N4. In the present work we showed that thermal treatment of highly exfoliated (mono/few layers) g-C3N4 in the presence of nickel nanoparticles, which were pre-immobilized on to the surface of g-C3N4 layers, leads to formation of onion like carbon (OLCs) on surfaces of nickel nanoparticles. The immobilization of nickel nanoparticles was done by a simple NaBH4 reduction-based grinding method. The formation of OLCs on Ni nanoparticles were confirmed using SEM and HR-TEM. The X-ray diffraction studies shows formation of diamond like OLCs phase on Ni nanoparticles. The surface area of Ni-OLCs was observed as 45.1 m2/g. XPS revealed the formation of sp2/sp3 hybrid diamond like OLCs. Also, thus formed materials acts as a very good magnetically separable catalyst for ultrafast hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol.

Background Anti-TNF drugs are effective treatments for the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but treatment failure is common. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between inflammatory biomarkers, serum concentrations of IFX and antiIFX antibody concentration during induction and maintenance treatment and to investigate the association with disease activity and response to treatment in our patients from 2017 to 2019. Methods Retrospective observational study. We enrolled patients receiving IFX from March 2017 until March 2019. Demographic data, disease characteristics, previous medical treatments and surgeries were recorded. Clinical Activity Index (Harvey Index and Parcial Mayo Score) and CRP, faecal calprotectine (FC) and endoscopy or radiological activity were recorded at baseline, and at 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment. IFX serum concentrations and anti-IFX antibody concentration were measured at the end of induction (week 8) and during follow-up (6, 12 and 24 months). Results One hundred and eighty-one IBD patients were treated during the study period, and 175 patients were included: 128 (73.1%) Crohn’s disease (CD), 46 (26.3%) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 1 (0.6%) indeterminated colitis (IC). 95 male, 85 female, mean age 45 years (±15); 93% were naive to IFX. 73.6% started IFX combined with inmunomodulator treatment. At week 0, 80% had an active disease (Global Physician Assessment), 58.8% had CRP >5 μg/dl and 62% had FC > 150 mg/kg. At 12 months, 126 patients continued under IFX, and 68% had an stable disease and 44% were intensified. Thirty-six per cent had CRP > 5 μg/dl and 37% FC>150 mg/kg. At 24 months, 90 patients continued with IFX, from which 80% were stable and 43% were intensified.38% had CRP >5 μg/dl and 26% FC >150 mg/kg. Patients with post-induction (week 8) serum IFX concentration >7 μg/ml had more stable disease (p: 0.04) at that moment and IFX serum concentration > 3 μg/ml at 18 months was corelationated with no inflammation at endoscopy or radiology (p: 0.025). In the multivariate analysis stenosant phenotype and CRP < 5 mg/dl at 6 months were relationated with early stop of IFX treatment ( Conclusion Our study shows that IFX levels >7 μg/ml correlates with a better clinical response. Disease phenotype and inflammatory parameters could influence in long time maintenance treatment. Drug-level monitoring and measurement of baseline inflammatory parameters may improve the management of IBD.

We built a stroboscopic extreme UV microscope with tabletop high harmonics to make nanoscale movies of thermal and acoustic waves., Imaging charge, spin, and energy flow in materials is a current grand challenge that is relevant to a host of nanoenhanced systems, including thermoelectric, photovoltaic, electronic, and spin devices. Ultrafast coherent x-ray sources enable functional imaging on nanometer length and femtosecond timescales particularly when combined with advances in coherent imaging techniques. Here, we combine ptychographic coherent diffractive imaging with an extreme ultraviolet high harmonic light source to directly visualize the complex thermal and acoustic response of an individual nanoscale antenna after impulsive heating by a femtosecond laser. We directly image the deformations induced in both the nickel tapered nanoantenna and the silicon substrate and see the lowest-order generalized Lamb wave that is partially confined to a uniform nanoantenna. The resolution achieved—sub–100 nm transverse and 0.5-Å axial spatial resolution, combined with ≈10-fs temporal resolution—represents a significant advance in full-field dynamic imaging capabilities. The tapered nanoantenna is sufficiently complex that a full simulation of the dynamic response would require enormous computational power. We therefore use our data to benchmark approximate models and achieve excellent agreement between theory and experiment. In the future, this work will enable three-dimensional functional imaging of opaque materials and nanostructures that are sufficiently complex that their functional properties cannot be predicted.

This paper presents a successful application and the lessons learned during a pilot test under which a new electrical submersible pumping technology was installed in 4 wells. These helico-axial downhole pumps, V-Pump, were installed under a program of new technologies testing, which aimed for artificial lift run life extension in an extremely high sand-producing field under current cost constraints. The oil price turndown forced Casabe Field to leave some wells inactive, even though they still have significant reserves. The cause of this decision was the expenses associated to the high frequency of interventions required due to the adverse sand production effects on the artificial lift systems. Due to the low run life of conventional artificial lift systems that are customary to use in the field, it was necessary to search for emerging technologies that would meet the challenge presented. A screening process for new technologies were conducted, and after that, these pumps were installed in four wells, which were continuously monitored with downhole temperature, vibration and pressure sensors, fluid levels measurement, VSD readings and production tests, which would allow to understand the technology performance to achieve the desired run life, oil production gain, and to obtain lessons learned to design the second phase of the testing project. The use of this innovative pumping technology extended the run life in the pilot wells between 180% and 420%, allowing the production of their remaining oil reserves, and giving a new approach in the production strategy of the field. One well is still running after 13 months. Also, based on the on the information collected during the well production phase, through downhole sensors and VSD parameters, and the findings during the pump's dismantle, some recommendations were made to improve the performance in the second phase of the project. Recommendations include both improvements in the pump design and to the screening process of candidate wells.

Context. Stellar activity is currently challenging the detection of young planets via the radial velocity (RV) technique. Aims. We attempt to definitively discriminate the nature of the RV variations for the young active K5 star BD+20 1790, for which visible (VIS) RV measurements show divergent results on the existence of a substellar companion. Methods. We compare VIS data with high precision RVs in the near infrared (NIR) range by using the GIANO - B and IGRINS spectrographs. In addition, we present for the first time simultaneous VIS-NIR observations obtained with GIARPS (GIANO - B and HARPS - N) at Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG). Orbital RVs are achromatic, so the RV amplitude does not change at different wavelengths, while stellar activity induces wavelength-dependent RV variations, which are significantly reduced in the NIR range with respect to the VIS. Results. The NIR radial velocity measurements from GIANO - B and IGRINS show an average amplitude of about one quarter with respect to previously published VIS data, as expected when the RV jitter is due to stellar activity. Coeval multi-band photometry surprisingly shows larger amplitudes in the NIR range, explainable with a mixture of cool and hot spots in the same active region. Conclusions. In this work, the claimed massive planet around BD+20 1790 is ruled out by our data. We exploited the crucial role of multi- wavelength spectroscopy when observing young active stars: thanks to facilities like GIARPS that provide simultaneous observations, this method can reach its maximum potential., 12 pages, 7 figures

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that causes superficial and invasive infections in the hospital and community. High mortality from infection emphasizes the need for improved methods for prevention and treatment. Although S. aureus possesses an arsenal of virulence factors that contribute to evasion of host defenses, few studies have examined long-term humoral and B-cell responses. Adults with acute-phase skin and soft tissue infections were recruited; blood samples were obtained; and S. aureus isolates, including methicillin-resistant strains, were subjected to genomic sequence analysis. In comparisons of acute-phase sera with convalescent-phase sera, a minority (37.5%) of patients displayed 2-fold or greater increases in antibody titers against three or more S. aureus antigens, whereas nearly half exhibited no changes, despite the presence of toxin genes in most infecting strains. Moreover, enhanced antibody responses waned over time, which could reflect a defect in B-cell memory or long-lived plasma cells. However, memory B cells reactive with a range of S. aureus antigens were prevalent at both acute-phase and convalescent-phase time points. While some memory B cells exhibited toxin-specific binding, those cross-reactive with structurally related leucocidin subunits were dominant across patients, suggesting the targeting of conserved epitopes. Memory B-cell reactivity correlated with serum antibody levels for selected S. aureus exotoxins, suggesting a relationship between the cellular and humoral compartments. Overall, although there was no global defect in the representation of anti- S. aureus memory B cells, there was evidence of restrictions in the range of epitopes recognized, which may suggest potential therapeutic approaches for augmenting host defenses. IMPORTANCE The contribution of B-cell memory and long-term antibody responses to host defenses against S. aureus exotoxins remains poorly understood. Our studies confirmed that infection did not commonly lead to enhanced long-term humoral responses. Whereas circulating memory B cells against S. aureus secreted exotoxins were prevalent, they were dominated by cross-reactivity with structurally related leucocidin subunits, consistent with recognition of conserved epitopes. These findings also provide the first evidence of a relationship between the reactivity of antistaphylococcal circulating memory B cells and serum antibody levels. In general, infection was not associated with a global defect in B-cell memory for S. aureus secreted factors, and responses were highly dominated by cross-reactivity to structurally related exotoxins, which arguably may alone be suboptimal in providing host defenses. Our studies illuminate aspects of the S. aureus- host relationship that may better inform strategies for the development of an effective protective vaccine.

Phononic crystals and acoustic metamaterials enable the precise control of elastic properties, even in ranges inaccessible to traditional materials, making them useful for applications ranging from acoustic waveguiding to thermoelectrics. In particular, surface phononic crystals (SPCs) consisting of periodic nanolines on a semi-infinite substrate can be used to generate narrow bandwidth pseudosurface acoustic waves with exquisite sensitivity to the elastic properties of the underlying substrate. Tuning the period of the surface phononic crystal tunes the penetration depth of the pseudosurface wave, and thus selectively probes different depths of layered substrates. In our experiments, we use ultrafast near infrared laser pulses to excite these waves in the hypersonic frequency range by illuminating absorbing metallic nanolines fabricated on top of complex substrates. We probe the nanoscale dynamics launched by our SPCs via pump-probe spectroscopy where we monitor the diffraction of ultrafast pulses of extreme ultraviolet light generated via tabletop high harmonic generation. We then extract the mechanical properties of the substrate by comparing our measurements to quantitative finite element analysis. Utilizing this technique, we characterize the effective elastic and thermal transport properties of 3D periodic semiconductor metalattices.

Using a tabletop coherent extreme ultraviolet source, we extend current nanoscale metrology capabilities with applications spanning from new models of nanoscale transport and materials, to nanoscale device fabrication. We measure the ultrafast dynamics of acoustic waves in materials; by analyzing the material’s response, we can extract elastic properties of films as thin as 11nm. We extend this capability to a spatially resolved imaging modality by using coherent diffractive imaging to image the acoustic waves in nanostructures as they propagate. This will allow for spatially resolved characterization of the elastic properties of non-isotropic materials.

Background: Various randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) have investigated the neuroprotective role of minocycline in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. We sought to consolidate and investigate the efficacy and safety of minocycline in patients with acute stroke. Methods: Literature search spanned through November 30, 2017 across major databases to identify all RCTs that reported following efficacy outcomes among acute stroke patients treated with minocycline vs. placebo: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Additional safety, neuroimaging and biochemical endpoints were extracted. We pooled mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) from RCTs using random-effects models. Results: We identified 7 RCTs comprising a total of 426 patients. Of these, additional unpublished data was obtained on contacting corresponding authors of 5 RCTs. In pooled analysis, minocycline demonstrated a favorable trend towards 3-month functional independence (mRS-scores of 0–2) (RR = 1.31; 95% CI 0.98–1.74, p = 0.06) and 3-month BI (MD = 6.92; 95% CI − 0.92, 14.75; p = 0.08). In AIS subgroup, minocycline was associated with higher rates of 3-month mRS-scores of 0–2 (RR = 1.59; 95% CI 1.19–2.12, p = 0.002; I2 = 58%) and 3-month BI (MD = 12.37; 95% CI 5.60, 19.14, p = 0.0003; I2 = 47%), whereas reduced the 3-month NIHSS (MD − 2.84; 95% CI − 5.55, − 0.13; p = 0.04; I2 = 86%). Minocycline administration was not associated with an increased risk of mortality, recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction and hemorrhagic conversion. Conclusions: Although data is limited, minocycline demonstrated efficacy and seems a promising neuroprotective agent in acute stroke patients, especially in AIS subgroup. Further RCTs are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of minocycline among ICH patients. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

We report the first stroboscopic full-field EUV microscope using high harmonics. Specifically, we demonstrate nanoscale movies of acoustic wave propagation in nanostructures with ≈0.1nm axial resolution, 90nm lateral resolution, and 10fs time resolution.

GIARPS (GIAno and haRPS) is a project devoted to have on the same focal station of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) both high resolution spectrographs, HARPS-N (VIS) and GIANO-B (NIR), working simultaneously. This could be considered the first and unique worldwide instrument providing cross-dispersed echelle spectroscopy at a resolution of 50,000 in the NIR range and 115,000 in the VIS and over in a wide spectral range (0.383-2.45 μm) in a single exposure. The science case is very broad, given the versatility of such an instrument and its large wavelength range. A number of outstanding science cases encompassing mainly extra-solar planet science starting from rocky planets search and hot Jupiters to atmosphere characterization can be considered. Furthermore both instruments can measure high precision radial velocities by means the simultaneous thorium technique (HARPS-N) and absorbing cell technique (GIANO-B) in a single exposure. Other science cases are also possible. GIARPS, as a brand new observing mode of the TNG started after the moving of GIANO-A (fiber fed spectrograph) from Nasmyth-A to Nasmyth-B where it was re-born as GIANO-B (no more fiber feed spectrograph). The official Commissioning finished on March 2017 and then it was offered to the community. Despite the work is not finished yet. In this paper we describe the preliminary scientific results obtained with GIANO-B and GIARPS observing mode with data taken during commissioning and first open time observations.

GIANO-B is the high resolution near-infrared (NIR) spectrograph of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), which started its regular operations in October 2017. Here we present GIANO-B Online Data Reduction Software (DRS) operating at the Telescope. GIANO-B Online DRS is a complete end-to-end solution for the spectrograph real-time data handling. The Online DRS provides management, processing and archival of GIANO-B scientific and calibration data. Once the instrument control software acquires the exposure ramp segments from the detector, the DRS ensures the complete data flow until the final data products are ingested into the science archive. A part of the Online DRS is GOFIO software, which performs the reduction process from ramp-processed 2D spectra to extracted and calibrated 1D spectra. A User Interface (UI) developed as a part of the Online DRS provides basic information on the final reduced data, thus allowing the observer to take decisions in real-time during the night and adjust the observational strategy as needed.

The NIR echelle spectrograph GIANO-B at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo is equipped with a fully automated online DRS: part of this pipeline is the GOFIO reduction software, that processes all the observed data, from the calibrations to the nodding or stare images. GOFIO reduction process includes bad pixel and cosmic removal, flat-field and blaze correction, optimal extraction, wavelength calibration, nodding or stare group processing. An offline version of GOFIO will allow the users to adapt the reduction to their needs, and to compute the radial velocity using telluric lines as a reference system. GIANO-B may be used simultaneously with HARPS-N in the GIARPS observing mode to obtain high-resolution spectra in a wide wavelength range (383-2450 nm) with a single acquisition. In this framework, GOFIO, as part of the online DRS, provides fast and reliable data reduction during the night, in order to compare the infrared and visible observations on the fly.

SUMMARYHost behavioural modification by parasites is a common and well-documented phenomenon. However, knowledge on the complexity and specificity of the underlying mechanisms is limited, and host specificity among manipulating parasites has rarely been experimentally verified. We tested the hypothesis that the ability to infect and manipulate host behaviour is restricted to phylogenetically closely related hosts. Our model system consisted of the brain-encysting trematodeEuhaplorchissp. A and six potential fish intermediate hosts from the Order Cyprinodontiformes. Five co-occurring cyprinids were examined for naturally acquired brain infections. Then we selected three species representing three levels of taxonomic relatedness to a known host to experimentally evaluate their susceptibility to infection, and the effect of infection status on behaviours presumably linked to increased trophic transmission. We found natural brain infections ofEuhaplorchissp. A metacercariae in three cyprinids in the shallow sublittoral zone. Of the three experimentally exposed species,Fundulus grandisandPoecilia latipinnaacquired infections and displayed an elevated number of conspicuous behaviours in comparison with uninfected controls.Euhaplorchissp. A was able to infect and manipulate fish belonging to two different families, suggesting that ecological similarity rather than genetic relatedness determines host range in this species.

In this work, vertical Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) were fabricated using a thin film of ZnO (50 nm) and PEDOT:PSS deposited by RF Sputtering and micro-drop casting, respectively. ITO and Au were used as ohmic contacts to ZnO and PEDOT:PSS films, respectively. The final structure consisted on Glass/ITO/ZnO/PEDOT:PSS/Au. The SBDs performance was characterized under dark and four different wavelengths conditions. From current–voltage characteristics, under dark and ambient conditions, a diode ideality factor of 1.4; a saturation current density of 1×10−9 A/cm2; a Schottky barrier height of 0.9 eV and a rectification ratio of 5 orders of magnitude at ±1 V were obtained. A carrier density of 5×1017 cm−3 for the ZnO film was estimated from capacitance–voltage measurements. For their characterization as photodiodes, the SBDs were illuminated with an ultra-bright UV (~380 nm) LED. A maximum UV responsivity of 0.013 A/W was obtained. The transient response of the SBDs was also analyzed with the UV LED connected to a pulsed signal of 0.5 Hz, demonstrating rise and fall times in the order of 200 ms. With a low temperature processing (